FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2010 - This Day In History
Dreyfuss' 'McCain is Antichrist' Story Spoils Real Political Discussion
Posted By ChasingAmerica - Wednesday, August 13th, 2008 at 1:55 PM
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I don’t know if many of you have read or heard about this story, but it’s a doozy.  Here’s the link to it:

Is McCain the Antichrist?

Over at The Nation, journalist Robert Dreyfuss writes about so-called "Biblical scholars" who have come to the conclusion that John McCain is the Antichrist.  The reason I write about his article is because apparently this "Antichrist" charge has been bandied about a lot lately.  Recently, some people have criticized McCain’s ad entitled "The One" for subtly hinting that Obama is the Antichrist.  Plus, there are theories all over the Internet citing supposedly definitive evidence that Obama is, indeed, the Antichrist.

I mean, I knew that politics can get dirty and that all forms of attacks can be lobbed-- but the Antichrist?

Dreyfuss’ story was the first one I had come across that tries to present the theory that somehow McCain is the evil agent hell-bent on world domination. I had read  ’Obama is Antichrist’ materials on some really whacked out websites months ago, so I had long ago guessed it wouldn’t be long before the ’Antichrist’ meme would enter the mainstream media’s arena.  I just wasn’t expecting it to enter it at all with the suggestion that McCain was the "The One".

The theories supporting the idea that either Obama or McCain is the Antichrist are utterly ridiculous, of course.   But I think it’s so interesting how quickly and easily the political discussion can veer off into "Stupid-ville".  Like, for instance, the argument presented by the Biblical scholar in Dreyfuss’ piece who says that because McCain has Romanian heritage, then that is concrete evidence that he is the Antichrist.  From what I understand, this argument comes vis a vis the "Left Behind" Series, a bunch of books chronicling a fictional account of the End Times, Armageddon, Apocalypse, or whatever you you call it in your neck of the woods.

See, in the Left Behind series, the Antichrist is pegged to be a  fictional Romanian guy named Nicolae Carpathia.  However, this suggestion that the real Antichrist will emerge from Romania isn’t really supported by Biblical scripture.  Yet, this scholar in Dreyfuss’ piece uses a theory proposed in fiction to support his real-life theory about a U.S. presidential candidate and this info gets printed at a sort of  well-established online news source.

I guess I just wonder how many of you readers here at eyesonobama have read any of the Left Behind series and/or these theories on why either Obama or McCain is the Antichrist -- and what do you make of the whole thing?  I mean, do people really believe this stuff or do really only fringe groups? And once the media takes up the theories and start doing wall-to wall coverage on the suggestion that a candidate is the Antichrist (and don’t think that the media is above really covering this outrageously stupid topic), do you think large numbers of people could be, consciously or subconsciously, swayed by the topic?  

And, finally, if so, do you think it could be a large enough number to really effect the election in a big way?


 



Support Eyes On Obama!


Discussion:

thanks for posting this.  I don't come from that world so it's a bit eye opening for me.  This stuff may happen on the fringes of the campaign, but as you imply, the fringes vote.  One more reason for us to work hard to get Obama elected.

It's funny you mention the McCain/Romney thing, because Huckabee just came out and said that McCain shouldn't pick Romney if he wants the support of evangelicals.

[ Posted at 1:53 PM on 8/14/08 | Reply ]

i'd love to see Huckabee run as a third party candidate, but i think he's probably content to get his own tv show.

[ Posted at 1:10 PM on 8/15/08 | Reply ]
I just saw on YouTube that Obama/Cheney/Bush are all related to Vlad the Impaler, so go figure. Perhaps McCain is related to Matthias Corvinus, who at least had a decent library; however, YouTube offers no confirmation of this at present.

IMO the stagnation manifested in corporate daytime TV offerings such as "The Secret," the "Left Behind" series, etc. are manifestations of prophecy (signs): lack of discernment, deceit, Age of Quantity (Rene Guenon); they are only prophetic in themselves in the sense of inherent, simultaneous cause and effect. Perhaps anti-Christ is an intangible, pervading entity, whereas the False Prophet is apparition appealing to the five commonly-acknowledged senses.
[ Posted at 4:07 PM on 11/4/08 | Reply ]
Interested in your feedback on the enclosed Bible study concerning who might be the 7 angels or messengers, 7 spirits, 2 witnesses and 24 elders ???? who are before God's throne in the book of Revelation.

Your eternal friend in Jesus,

Richard

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE #


WHO ARE GOD'S 2 WITNESSES WHO STAND BEFORE GOD??.......................................................1-3

WILL GABRIEL SOUND THE 7TH AND LAST TRUMPET AT THE 2ND COMING OF THE SON OF DAVID AND COULD GABRIEL POSSIBLY BE DAVID?? AND WHO ARE THE 7 ANGELS OR MESSENGERS WHO STAND BEFORE GOD IN REVELATION??.............................................. 3-5

WHO ARE THE 7 SPIRITS WHO STAND BEFORE GOD IN REVELATION??........................... 5-9

WHO ARE THE 24 ELDERS WITH 24 THRONES WHICH ENCIRCLE GOD'S THRONE??..... 9


**WILL GOD'S 2 WITNESSES OR *MEN* {REV11:6} OR *PROPHETS* {REV 11:10} WHO WILL PROPHESY FOR 1260 DAYS, CLOTHED IN SACKCLOTH {REV 11:3} BE MOSES & ELIJAH??

Zechariah 4:11,14: "Then I asked the angel, 'What are these *TWO* olive trees {See Rev 11:4!} on the right and left of the lampstand?'... the angel said, 'These are the TWO who are anointed to serve the Lord of the earth!'"
Rev 11:3-6: {Jesus said to John} "I will give power to my *TWO* witnesses and they will prophesy for 1260 days clothed in sackcloth! These are the *TWO OLIVE TREES {See Zech 4:11,14 above} and the 2 lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. {the 7 spirits/messengers also stand before the Lord} If anyone tries to harm them, fire will come from their mouths to destroy their enemies. This is how anyone who tries to harm them must die {See 2 Kings 1:9-12; Num 16:31-35}. These *MEN* will have power to shut up the sky so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying {See 1 Kings 17:1; Luke 4:25; James 5:17}; and they will have power to turn the waters into blood {See Exodus 7:15-23} and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they wish."
Jude 9 confirms that the arch messenger Michael retrieved the body of Moses. And Luke 9:30 ahead confirms that Moses is alive in Heaven in all his glorious splendor.
Now there are some who argue that Moses could not be one of the 2 end-time witnesses for in Heb 9:27 it says: "Man is destined to DIE ONCE, and after that the judgment." And since both witnesses will be killed by 666 near the end of the Great Tribulation {See Rev 11:7}; this would mean that Moses would have to die 2 times. However, there are many exceptions to the general rule of Heb 9:27. For example: there were 7 men and women including Lazarus who died and then came back to life in the NT; which means they must have died 2 times! And at the Second Coming of Jesus all those saints who are alive at His Coming will not even have to die one time!
Moses and Elijah witnessed to 3 Apostles on the mount of Transfiguration when Moses & Elijah spoke to Jesus about his departure or Ascension, which Jesus was to bring to fulfillment in Jerusalem 40 days after His resurrection. Luke 9:30,31: "**TWO MEN**, Moses and Elijah, appeared in GLORIOUS SPLENDOR talking with Jesus. They spoke about His Departure {Or Ascension} which He was about to bring to fulfillment in Jerusalem." Moses and Elijah were most assuredly the *TWO MEN* dressed in white who witnessed at the Departure or Ascension of Jesus in Acts 1:10,11: "They looked up into the sky as He {Jesus} was going when suddenly *TWO MEN* dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into Heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into Heaven!"
And then in Luke 24:2b-6b we read: They did not find the body of Jesus. while they were wondering about this, suddenly *TWO MEN*... stood beside them... And the *MEN* said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? HE IS NOT HERE; HE HAS RISEN!!"
Jesus says in John 8:17b: "The testimony of *TWO MEN IS VALID!" And of course the testimony of Moses and Elijah is just about as valid as you can get.
Probably the greatest proof that Moses and Elijah are God's 2 witnesses is the fact that they both appeared with Jesus and witnessed on the Sacred mountain {See 2 Peter 1:17,18} in all their glorious splendor {See Luke 9:30,31 above}. If Enoch and Elijah are God's 2 witnesses then why didn't they appear together somewhere in God's Word? Moses and Elijah were also the only 2 people in the Bible to spend 40 days and nights in the Wilderness just like Jesus {See Deut 9:18; I Kings 19:8 & Luke 4:2}. I believe that Moses would be a far more effective witness than Enoch because of his fantastic experience and his name recognition with the whole world as well as Israel; which is important since all Israel will be saved by the end of the Great Tribulation. Moses is mentioned 856 times {Second only to Jesus} while Enoch is mentioned only 13 times.
It is interesting to note that the Apostles present on the Mount of Transfiguration immediately knew the identity of Moses and Elijah. I believe God will reveal their identity to all who are truly God's called chosen and faithful saints during the Great Tribulation. I wouldn't be surprised if there will be many false prophets dressed in sackcloth; who will also do many miracles, and claim to be Moses and Elijah. They will *ALMOST* {See Matt 24:24} deceive God's elect but God's true saints will recognize these false prophets by their words and by their deeds.
In Luke 1:17 Gabriel said to the future father of John the Baptist that his son "Will go before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah." In John 1:21 John the Baptist said that he was NOT Elijah. Now we know that Jesus does not believe in reincarnation so when Jesus said that John the Baptist was Elijah He probably meant this spiritually and meant that John the Baptist had come in the "spirit and power of Elijah" as God's messenger Gabriel had promised.
And so the coming of God's *TWO MEN* or witnesses to prophesy for 1260 days {See Rev 11:3-7} will be their FOURTH appearance as God's 2 witnesses or MEN. And the reason that their names are not mentioned in Luke 24:3 and Acts 1:10 and Revelation 11:3-12 is that God the Father as well as Moses and Elijah want us to see and glorify *NO ONE ELSE BUT JESUS*!!
Moses and Elijah will be killed by 666 {See Rev 11:7} exactly 3 1/2 days before {See Rev 11:9-15} the 7th angel sounds the 7th and last Trumpet, and then it will be time to judge the dead and reward God's servants and prophets {See Rev 11:18}. Since Moses and Elijah will prophesy for exactly 1260 days {See Rev 11:3,7} then they must come from Heaven exactly 1263 1/2 days before the Last Day and 3 1/2 days before the coming of 666 from the Abyss and the beginning of the 1260-day Great Tribulation.
Moses and Elijah will most likely witness miraculously to people in the uttermost parts of the earth in all 6,000 languages. The Bible still has not been translated into over 4,000 languages and Rev 5:9b and Rev 7:9,13,14 must be completely fulfilled. Moses and Elijah will be dressed in *SACKCLOTH* {See Rev 11:3b} which is very appropriate since the Tribulation saints will be very poor, for they will not be able to buy or sell anything as per Rev 13:17. Moses and Elijah will certainly speak the Word of God with great power and love. They will not add or take words away from the Prophetic Words of God {See Rev 22:18,19}; and they will encourage God's saints to adhere to *ALL* of the NT commandments {See Rev 12:13b; 14:12b; Matt 28:20a; John 14:15,21,23; I John 2:2-5} with love {See Matt 5:39-4 & Rom 11:17-20} in the face of severe and hostile persecution {See I Cor 4:10-13 & 2 Cor 10:3,4}.
There is a 40-foot high cliff about 120 yards north of the north wall of the old walled city of Jerusalem. In the middle of this 40-foot high cliff is a large rock formation that looks like a skull. Between Golgotha {Which means Skull Hill} and the Old City wall there is a very busy 4-lane street built over the old main road to Damascus.
After 666 and the armies of the world gather {See Rev 16:16} at Armageddon, Israel {55 miles North of Jerusalem} they will march to and surround Jerusalem {See Luke 21:20} where Moses and Elijah will be witnessing outside the city gates {See Heb 13:12,13} on that busy 4-lane street {See Rev 11:8}; "right where their Lord was crucified." {At the NEW HOLY PLACE-See Matt 24:15b}.
Certainly, the old Jerusalem Temple site is NO LONGER A HOLY PLACE. Hebrews 13:12-14: "Jesus suffered outside the city gate to make the people HOLY THROUGH HIS BLOOD. Let us, then, go to Him outside the city, bearing the disgrace He bore. For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the CITY {The New Jerusalem} that is to come." {See Heb 11:10,13-16; Heb 12:22; Rev 3:12b; 21:2,10-27; 22:1-5; 2 Pet 3:13} Gal 4:25,26: "Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem {Called Sodom in Rev 11:8} because she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem that is ABOVE is free, and she is our mother."
The saints are warned to keep their clothes with them {See Rev 16:15} when they see 666 standing in the HOLY PLACE {See Matt 24:15b & Heb 13:12} where he will kill Moses and Elijah {See Rev 11:7,8}; or when they see the evil armies coming toward Jerusalem from Armageddon about 4 days before the last day. {See Luke 21:20; Matt 25:15-18; Rev 16:15; 20:9a}
It seems very appropriate that God will send His TWO PROPHETS {See Rev 11:10b} to warn and prepare His saints for the coming of Satan, 666 and the Great Tribulation for in Amos 3:7 we read: "Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the PROPHETS!



WILL GABRIEL SOUND THE 7TH AND LAST TRUMPET AT THE 2ND COMING OF THE SON OF DAVID AND COULD GABRIEL POSSIBLY BE DAVID? AND WHO ARE THE 7 ANGELS OR MESSENGERS WHO STAND BEFORE GOD IN REVELATION??

Revelation 8:2: “I saw the 7 angels who STAND BEFORE GOD. And to them were given 7 Trumpets.” Rev 10:7: “In the days when the 7th angel is about to sound his Trumpet the "MYSTERY" of God will be accomplished, just as He announced to His servants the prophets.” As in I Cor 15:51,52: “Listen I tell you a "MYSTERY": We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed--in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the Last {And 7th} Trumpet. For the {7th & LAST} Trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.” Rev 11:15-18: “The 7th angel sounded his {7th & LAST} Trumpet, and there were loud voices in Heaven which said: ‘The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of the Lord and His Christ… The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints… and for destroying those who destroy the earth.’” The 7th and last Trumpet which is to be sounded just before the 2nd Coming of Jesus is also mentioned in Matt 24:31 and I Thess 4:16 for a total of 7 times in God's Word.
Why do some believe that Gabriel may be the 7th Angel who will sound the 7th and last trumpet?? Gabriel was God’s messenger for the prophecy of the 70 7’s in Daniel 9:21-27 and Gabriel announced the birth of the Messiah Jesus to Mary in Luke 1:26-37. God also sent Gabriel to foretell the coming of John the Baptist to his father Zechariah. And in Luke 1:19 we read “The angel or messenger answered {Zechariah}, “I am Gabriel, I stand in the PRESENCE OF GOD {Just like the 7 angels with 7 trumpets STAND BEFORE GOD in Rev 8:2!} and I have been sent to you to tell you this good news.”
Did you know that Daniel was inspired by God to call Gabriel a “MAN”! Daniel 9:21 “While I was still in prayer, Gabriel , the “MAN” I had seen in my earlier vision {See Dan 8:15,16} came to me in swift flight!” And so God's inspired Word absolutely confirms that Gabriel is a "MAN" and therefore not an angel!! Gabriel is called both an angel in Luke 1:19 & 26 and a “MAN” {2 TIMES!} in Dan 8:15 & 9:21! Note: Gabriel in Hebrew means "BRAVE AND VALIANT MAN OF GOD"!
All angels were created by God as angels and they do not later become men. The Greek word for angel is "angelos" and can be translated "angel" or "messenger". In Mathew 11:10; Mark 1:2 and Luke 7:27 John the Baptist is called "angelos" and he was certainly not an angel and so these verses correctly use the word "messenger" rather than "angel". And so when Gabriel is called an "angelos" in Luke 1:29 & 35 it could be translated "angel" or "messenger." The Hebrew word for angel is "MALAK" and is translated 'messenger' about 83 times in the OT including Malachi 2:7: "For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, and from his mouth men should seek instruction--because he is the MESSENGER {MALAK} of the Lord Almighty." "MALAK" is translated "ANGEL" 99 times and "MESSENGER" 83 times in the OT. "Angelos" is translated "angel" 169 times and "messenger" only 6 times in the NT. However, if Gabriel in Luke 1 and the 7 angels in Revelation are rightly called "messengers" and not "angels" then "angelos" should be translated "messenger" about 70 times and "angel" about 105 times in the NT.
To say that Gabriel is an angel and not a "MAN" is wrong because in contradicts God's infallible and inspired Word in Dan 9:21. And therefore "angelos" in Luke 1 should be translated "messenger" and not "angel" just as "angelos" is rightly translated "messenger" and not angel when referring to John the Baptist in Matt 11:10, Mark:1:2 & Luke 7:27. Daniel 9:21: Daniel said, "While I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the **MAN** I had seen in my earlier vision, came to me in swift flight." And if Gabriel is a MAN as God's Word absolutely states then it is most likely that he is a BRAVE MAN AFTER GOD'S OWN HEART.
God raised Moses, who like David was dead and buried, and made Moses one of His 2 witnesses that stand in His presence {See Jude 9; Rev 11:4 & Matt 17:3,4}. And so God could have also raised David who was the bravest MAN of God in the Bible {Goliath, etc. etc.} and rename him Gabriel which by a very interesting coincidence means "BRAVE MAN OF GOD" in Hebrew.
Isaiah 55:3,4: God said, "I will make an EVERLASTING COVENANT with you, my faithful love promised to DAVID. See, I have made him [DAVID] a WITNESS TO THE PEOPLES!" This promise by God to make David a WITNESS occurred about 300 years after the death of David and about 200 years before the 2 WITNESSES by Gabriel in Daniel 8 & 9, and God ALWAYS KEEPS HIS PROMISES! Why did God promise that David would be a WITNESS TO THE PEOPLES about 300 years after his death and about 200 years before Gabriel was a WITNESS TO THE PEOPLES in Daniel 8 & 9?? David is not mentioned as a witness after his death in the Bible. However, the "MAN" Gabriel is mentioned as a WITNESS TO THE PEOPLES concerning an EVERLASTING COVENANT in Daniel 9:24-27 and in Luke 1:31-33: Gabriel said to Mary, "You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. the Lord God will give him the throne of his father DAVID, and He will reign over the house of Jacob FOREVER; His Kingdom will NEVER END." Daniel 9:24-27: [SUMMERIZED} 70 7's {490 years} have been decreed to bring in EVERLASTING RIGHTEOUNESS, to anoint the Most Holy and make atonement for sin. The Anointed one will be anointed 483 years after the decree of Cyrus to rebuild Jerusalem and then the Anointed One will make a NEW {EVERLASTING] COVENANT with many and put an end to all sacrifices for sin in the middle of the last 7 {1260 days after His Anointing}. And then after a long pause the last half of the last 7 will take place {The 1260 day Great Tribulation} and on the Last Day of the 70 7's there will be EVERLASTING RIGHTEOUSNESS and an end to all sin.
Why do some believe that Gabriel may also be David?? Gabriel is mentioned just twice in the OT in Daniel 8:15 & 9:21 almost 500 years after the death of David. God has given another name to many of His favorite servants such as Saul {Paul} and Peter {Simon}. Gabriel in Hebrew means “brave and valiant "MAN" of God” and David was the bravest "MAN" of God in the OT {ie Goliath, etc etc etc}. David, who wrote most of the Psalms, was also a “MAN after God’s own heart" as per ACTS 13:22: “God made David their King. God testified concerning him, ‘I have found David son of Jesse a MAN AFTER MY OWN HEART; HE WILL DO EVERYTHING I WANT HIM TO DO.’”
How can we be a man or a woman after God’s own heart?? First, we can read God’s wonderful Words every day {Psalm 119:97} and every night {Psalm 119:148} just like David who wrote Psalm 119. And we can hide God’s Word in our hearts so that we might not sin against Him {Ps 119:11} and we can obey God’s {NT now} commands with all of our hearts with love {Ps 119:34,37; Jer 29:13; Matt 22:37-40} just like David. And then if we obey all of God’s {NT} commands {James 1:22} and teach others to do the same {Matt 28:20a} we may then become a man or a woman after God’s own heart just like David in Acts 13:22!!
Jesus was born in the “Town of DAVID” {See Luke 2:4,11} and Jesus is called the “Son of DAVID” 17 times in the NT. Luke 1:26,27,31-33: God sent the angel {or messenger} Gabriel to Nazareth to a virgin pledged to a man Joseph, a descendant of DAVID… The messenger or witness said to her …. “You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his FATHER DAVID, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, His Kingdom will never end.”
God raised Moses, who like David was dead and buried, and made Moses one of His 2 witnesses that stand in His presence {See Jude 9; Rev 11:4 & Matt 17:3,4}. And so God could have also raised David who was the bravest MAN of God in the Bible {Goliath, etc. etc.} and rename him Gabriel which by a very interesting coincidence means "BRAVE MAN OF GOD" in Hebrew. I was a missionary to the Jews in Israel and studied Hebrew. Rev 22:16: "I, Jesus, have sent My angel {or messenger} to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and Offspring of David!" {And hold the Key of David as per Rev 3:7} Jesus was born in the City of David {See Luke 2:4,11} and is called the son of David 17 times in God's Word.
David lived to age 70 and was the 7th son of Jesse {See 2 Chronicles 2:13-15}. God appointed Gabriel/David to announce the Prophecy of the 70 7’s which states in Daniel 9:24 “70 7’s have been decreed… to bring in everlasting righteousness!” and Gabriel/ David may very well be the 7th angel OR MESSENGER to sound the 7th Trumpet that will bring in Everlasting Righteousness when the Son of DAVID born in the Town of DAVID and Who sits on the throne of DAVID comes again!! This witness by Gabriel/David in Daniel 9:24-27 tells exactly when the Messiah would be Anointed {383 years after the decree of Cyrus to rebuild Jerusalem} and that the Messiah would bring an everlasting covenant and that the Messiah would atone for wickedness and put an end to all sacrifice and offering for sin. Gabriel/David also made the first 2 important announcements of the New Testament: The coming of John the Baptist to prepare people for the Messiah and the birth and naming and purpose of the Coming Messiah. And Jesus the Messiah says "I am the Root and Offspring of David."{Rev 22:16}
Is there any other Biblical evidence that the 7 angels or messengers in Revelation are human messengers and not angels?? Jesus sent one of His 7 messengers to John who spoke to him in Rev 21:9 to Rev 22:11. Rev 21:9 & Rev 22:9: One of the 7 angels or messengers who had the 7 bowls full of the 7 last plagues came and said to me....... "I am a fellow servant with you {a human} and your brothers {humans} the prophets {humans} and of all {humans} who keep the words of this book." Since angels are not required or designated to keep all the words in the book of Revelation as humans are; we can safely assume that the 7 angels or messengers in Revelation are human messengers such as Gabriel/David and not angels!!! Hebrews 12:23b: You have come to....... the SPIRITS of righteous men made perfect!!


WHO ARE THE 7 SPIRITS OF GOD IN REVELATION??

Rev 4:5b: “BEFORE God’s Throne, 7 lamps are blazing. These are the 7 spirits of God!” Rev 8:2: “I saw the 7 angels {Or 7 messengers} who STAND BEFORE God, and to them were given 7 Trumpets.” Question?? Are the 7 angels OR MESSENGERS who STAND BEFORE God also the 7 lamps BEFORE God’s Throne who are the 7 spirits of God?? Hebrews 1:14 states that "ALL ANGELS OR MESSENGERS ARE ministering SPIRITS."
The 7 spirits of God are mentioned 4 times in God’s Word as follows” Rev 1:4: “'Grace and peace' to you from Him Who is, and Who was, and Who is to come and from the 7 spirits BEFORE His Throne and from Jesus Christ, who is the Faithful Witness.” Rev 4:5b: "BEFORE God's Throne, 7 lamps are blazing. These are the 7 spirits of God.” The 7 spirits are 7 distinct beings who can communicate and are before God’s Throne and do not have a throne of their own. Rev 3:1: Jesus said, “These are the Words of Him who HOLDS the 7 spirits of God.” Rev 5:6 “The Lamb has 7 horns and 7 eyes, which are the 7 spirits of God sent out into all the earth.” Jesus HOLDS or controls the 7 spirits and sends them out [AS MESSENGERS] into all the earth.
Are the 7 spirits of God mentioned in the Old Testament?? Let us compare Zechariah 4:2, 6 & 10b with Revelation 4:5 and Revelation 5:6b. Zechariah 4:2,6,10b: The angel said, "I see a golden lampstand {See Rev 1:12} with 7 LIGHTS {Or LAMPS See Rev 4:5 below} on it, with 7 channels to the LIGHTS.".... O asked the angel, "What are these?" and the angel said to me "Not by might, not by power, but by my spirit," says the Lord Almighty..... "These 7 are the EYES {See Rev 5:6b below} of the Lord, WHICH RANGE THROUGHOUT THE EARTH." {See Rev 5:6b below} Revelation 4:5: Before God's throne 7 LAMPS {OR LIGHTS SEE Zech 4:2} were burning. These are the 7 spirits of God. Rev 5:6b: The Lamb {Jesus} had 7 horns and 7 EYES {See Zech 4:10b above} which are the 7 spirits of God SENT OUT INTO ALL THE EARTH. {See Zech 4:10b above}
There are some who say that the 7 spirits {Plural} of God should be translated the 7-fold spirit {Singular} of God. And they site Isaiah 11:2 as proof of this since they say that the Spirit of the Lord has 6 attributes in this verse. However Isaiah 11:1 shows that these 6 attributes of the spirit are actually 6 of the countless attributes of Jesus who is the Shoot or Branch of Jesse: Isaiah 11:1,2: "A Shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch {Jesus} will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest upon Him {Jesus not the holy spirit or 7 spirits of God}--the Spirit of {1} wisdom and of {2} understanding, the Spirit of {3} counsel and of {4} power, the Spirit of {5} knowledge and the {6} fear of the Lord."
Rev 1:20;16a; 3:1: Jesus said to John: "The 7 stars are the angels [OR MESSENGERS] of the 7 churches...who I HOLD in My right hand. These are the words of Him who HOLDS the 7 spirits of God and the 7 stars {Or angels or messengers of the 7 churches}." Rev 2:1a,7a: Jesus says,"To the angel {or messenger} of the church in Ephesus write..........He who has an ear, let him hear what the spirit {Or messenger} says to the churches." Jesus proclaims this exact same message to the 7 angels or messengers or 7 spirits of all 7 churches in Rev 21a; 7a; 2:8a; 11a; 12a; 17a; 18a; 29; 3:1a, 6; 7a, 13; 14a; 22. And so the 7 angels or messengers who "STAND BEFORE GOD" {Rev 8:2} and the 7 spirits "BEFORE THE THRONE OF GOD"{Rev 1:4} are IDENTICAL.
Compare Luke 21:13-15; Mark 13:11 and Matt 10:19,20; where the words given us by Jesus, the holy spirit and the spirit of the Father are all one and the same!!! Luke 21:14,15: Jesus says, "When you are arrested and brought to trial do not worry beforehand what to say for I [Jesus] will give you words of wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict." Mark 13:10,11: Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial... just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the holy spirit. Matt 10:19-20: When they arrest you do not worry about what to say....At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the spirit of your Father speaking through you.
I Thess 4:16: “For the Lord {Jesus} Himself will come down from Heaven, with a loud command {By God the Father} with the voice of the Archangel {Read Rev 14:14-16} and with the {7th & Last} Trumpet Call of God.” At just the right time when the Times have reached their fulfillment {See Eph 1:10} God the Father will give a loud command to Michael the Archangel or Arch messenger to tell God the Son it is time for His 2nd Coming {Read Rev 14:14-16}. God the Father will also give a loud command to Gabriel who "STANDS IN THE PRESENCE" of God as per Luke 1:19} to sound the 7th and Last Trumpet Call of God. This is called “The Trumpet Call of God” even though Gabriel/David will sound the 7th and Last Trumpet. For God will give him this Trumpet and will tell him exactly when to sound it.
The 7 angels {or messengers} who stand in the PRESENCE of God {Who are also the 7 spirits BEFORE God’s Throne} always obey all the commands of God the Father and God the Son which always agree with all the Words and Prophecies in God’s Word. Isaiah 46:10a,11b: God says, “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times what is still to come!… What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned that will I do!”
I Peter 1:21: “Prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men {Like John in the Book of Revelation} spoke from God as they were CARRIED ALONG by the holy spirit.” Is there Scripture that implies that John was also CARRIED ALONG by an ANGEL OR MESSENGER?? Rev 22:16: “I, Jesus, have sent MY ANGEL {OR MESSENGER} to give this testimony for the churches.” Rev 18:1,2a; 19:9: After this I saw another ANGEL {OR MESSENGER} coming down from Heaven.. He had great authority {Surely one of the 7 angels or 7 messengers or 7 spirits who STAND BEFORE God’s Throne--possibly Gabriel/David} and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. With a mighty voice he shouted: “Fallen ! Fallen is Babylon the great….. Then the angel {or messenger} said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the lamb!’” And he {One of the 7 angels [OR 7 MESSENGERS] or 7 spirits who stand before God} added, “These are the true WORDS OF GOD!”
Should we worship the 7 angels [OR MESSENGERS] who are also the 7 spirits who STAND BEFORE God?? The above angel [OR MESSENGER] with great authority who illuminated the earth with his splendor {Rev 18:1} and who inspired John to write the "True Words of God" as per Rev 19:9; reveals the inspired answer in Rev 19:10: I {John} fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "DO NOT DO IT!…. WORSHIP {Jesus & His Father only} GOD! For the testimony of Jesus is the SPIRIT of Prophecy.” We are commanded to Worship God the Father and God the Son hundreds of times but we are not told to worship the holy spirit or 7 spirits of God even once!!
The 7 spirits or 7 angels [OR MESSENGERS} who stand before God’s Throne are also called the spirit or the holy spirit; and probably command over 100 million {Rev 5:11} heavenly angels as per God’s direction; and are themselves controlled and inspired by God the Father and God the Son, Jesus Christ.
Revelation 22:16: “I, Jesus, have SENT MY ANGEL {OR MESSENGER} to give YOU {The Greek for “YOU” is plural} this testimony FOR THE CHURCHES. I am the Root and Offspring of DAVID.” {Who is also named GABRIEL??} Hebrews 12:23b: "You have come.... to the SPIRITS of righteous men made perfect." Hebrews 1:14 states that ALL ANGELS {OR MESSENGERS} are ministering SPIRITS.
And so if David is one of the 7 messengers or 7 spirits of God who might be the other 6 messengers or 6 spirits? Enoch, Abraham, Daniel, John, Peter and Paul are interesting possibilities and together they make the greatest team ever since they were tempted in every way like Jesus and the brothers they are helping. . Hebrews 2:17,18: "For this reason He {Jesus} had to be made like His brothers in EVERY WAY.... Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted." The knowledge and experience of these 7 super saints is certainly superior to any angelic or heavenly spiritual being except for our Lord Jesus and His Father. Hebrews 12:23b: "You have come ..... to the spirits of righteous men made perfect!" And so before the 3 NT spirits were added to the 7 spirits there would have been 4 spirits of God during the OT era or Enoch, Abraham, David and Daniel. Are there any OT scripture which mentions 4 spirits who stand in the presence of the Lord as per Rev 1:4 and Rev 4:5b?? Zechariah 6:5: "These are the **4** spirits of Heaven, going out from STANDING IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD!!" Jesus promised that the holy spirit {Or 7 spirits} would be our helpers and counselors. These 7 certainly have the human spiritual experience like our Lord Jesus to be our greatest helpers and counselors.
The 7 messengers who stand before God's throne {Rev 8:2} are also the 7 messengers who will come out of God's Temple or Tabernacle of Testimony who will be given the 7 bowls of God's wrath; and are also the 7 messengersof the 7 churches who Jesus holds in His right hand. The 7 angels with 7 trumpets which should be translated the 7 MESSENGERS with 7 trumpets are mentioned in Rev 8:2,6,7,8,10,12; 9:1,3 10:7 and 11:15. The 7 angels with 7 bowls which should be translated the 7 MESSENGERS with 7 bowls are mentioned in Rev 15:1,6,7,8b; 16:1,2,3,4,8,10,12 17:1,3; 21:9,15; 22:1,6,8. The 7 angels of the 7 churches which should be translated the 7 MESSENGERS of the 7 churches are mentioned in Rev 1:20; 2:1,8,12,18; 3:1{2X} 7,14. Gabriel, who is called a MAN in Daniel 9:21, is wrongly called an angel and should be called a MESSENGER in Luke 1:11,18,19,26,28,30,34,25 and 38. Gabriel who is called the 7th angel who sounds the 7th trumpet should be called the MESSENGER who sounds the 7th and Last, Loud Trumpet call of God; and is also mentioned in Rev 8:2 10:7; 11:15; I Cor 15:51; I Cor 15:52; I Thess 4:16 and Matt 24:31.
Michael the top messenger or angel is mentioned 5 times in God's Word: In Rev 11:7 Michael is not given any title, and in Daniel 10:13, Dan 10:21 and Dan 12:1 Michael is called a PRINCE and not an angel!! And in Jude 9 Michael is called in the Greek "ARCHANGELOS' which can be translated archangel or arch messenger. Daniel 10:13: Then Michael, one of the CHIEF PRINCES came to help me. Daniel 10:21: No one supports me against them except Michael, YOUR PRINCE! Dan 12:1 "At that time Michael, the GREAT PRINCE who protects your people, will arise. This occurs right before the Great Tribulation mentioned in Dan 12:1,2,7 and is obviously a reference to Michael kicking Satan out of Heaven which also occurs JUST BEFORE the coming of 666 in Rev 13 and the 1260 day Great Tribulation. Since John the Bapist is called an ANGELOS 3 times in the NT and was not an angel we can not safely assume that the Greek word archangelos can be translated arch messenger or archangel. The right translation, THEREFORE, has to be confirmed elsewhere in God's Word. And the only other 3 titles given to Michael in God's Word are {1} ONE OF THE CHIEF PRINCES, {2} YOUR PRINCE AND {3} GREAT PRINCE in Dan 10:13,21; 12:1; and since a PRINCE can not be an angel it would be more prudent and right to translate Jude 9 arch messenger and not archangel.
David is also called one of the GREAT PRINCES in Ezekiel 34:23,24: God says, "I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will tend them and be their shepherd. I the Lord will be their God and my servant David will be *PRINCE* among them." And since an angel can not be a human prince we can assume that Michael is also a human and is possibly Enoch who was translated into Heaven because he WALKED WITH GOD for 300 years as per Genesis 5:22. Jude 14,15: ENOCH, the 7th from Adam, prophesied about these {evil} men: "See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of His holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly."
I Thess 4:16,17: For the Lord Himself will come down from Heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel or ARCHMESSENGER {Michael/Enoch} and with the trumpet call of God {sounded by Gabriel/David}. This scenario is repeated in Rev 14:15: "Then another angel or MESSENGER [Michael} came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to Him {Jesus} who was sitting on a cloud, "Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come!!" Michael/Enoch, one of the chief princes and archmessenger is mentioned in Daniel 10:13,21; 12:1; I Thess 4:16; Rev 8:3,5; 10:1,5,8b,9,10; 12:7; 14:15; 18:1,21; 19:9,17.
And so if Prince David renamed Gabriel, and Enoch renamed Prince Michael are 2 of the 7 messengers or 7 spirits of God who "Stand before God's Throne" who might be the other 5?? Abraham, Daniel, Peter, John and Paul are interesting possibilities as are Moses and Elijah but they are God's 2 witnesses who also "Stand before the Lord" as per Rev 11:4. God renamed Abram, Abraham, which means "father of many nations", and Abraham is called a mighty PRINCE in Genesis 23:6! ALL believers are considered to be descendants of Prince Abraham, the man of faith {See Hebrews 11:12-16}, according to Gal 3:7-9. And all believers who fall asleep {die} are brought to Abraham's side or bosom according to Luke 16:22. Jesus is called the Prince of princes in Daniel 8:25 and the Prince of Peace in Isaiah 9:6. Simon who God renamed Peter {See Mk 3:16 & Luke 6:14} was chosen by God to be the first to bring the Gospel to the Jews {See Acts 2:9-41} and the first to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles {See Acts 10:26-48}. God also inspired Peter to write I Peter and 2 Peter which are great books and part of God's wondrous Words. Saul who was named Paul after his conversion was inspired to write 14 out of the 27 books of the New Testament and was God's greatest instrument in bringing the Gospel to the Gentiles. Before his death God allowed Paul to witness things in the 3rd Heaven and Paradise according to 2 Cor 12:1-4. John was known as the "disciple Jesus loved" as per John 13:23. God inspired John to write 5 books in the New Testament including the Gospel of John and the last book of God's Word or Revelation. Before his death God allowed John to see the many wonders and miracles surrounding God's Throne in Heaven {See Rev 4:1 to 5:14} and to see what our amazing home in Heaven will be like in the future. Daniel miraculously survived the Lion's Den because he would not disown God and was the only OT prophet who God inspired to write and interpret visions of the future and the End-Times in Daniel 4:1 to Daniel 12:13. And Ezekiel 28:3 implies that Daniel {not Solomon} was the wisest man in the OT.
And so our counselors and helpers who personally remind us of God's wonderful Words so that we may gain countless eternal rewards for faithful and loving service to Jesus and His Father might well be the 7 holy spirits of Enoch, Abraham, David, Daniel, Peter, John and Paul!! And of course they would be much better helpers and counselors if they were tempted just like Jesus and those they are helping. Hebrews 2:17,18: "For this reason He {Jesus} had to be made like His brothers in EVERY WAY, in order that He might become a merciful High priest... because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He {And the 7 spirits} is able to help those being tempted." God's two witnesses, Moses and Elijah, who also "stand before God" as per Rev 11:4 were discussed in the previous chapter. Why are the names of God's 2 witnesses in Revelation, chapter 11, not mentioned in Revelation or the names of God's 7 messengers who are also God's 7 spirits??? Because God the Father wants all the praise and honor to go to His Son Jesus and God is also afraid that if their names were mentioned that they would be worshipped like Peter and Mary in the Roman Catholic Church. Revelation 5:12: In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"
John 15:26: Jesus says, "When the counselor {helper in some versions} comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me." John John 14:26: "The counselor, the holy spirit {Or 7 spirits of God}, whom the Father will send in My name , will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." John 16:13: Jesus says, "When he, the spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. HE WILL NOT SPEAK ON HIS OWN; HE WILL SPEAK ONLY WHAT HE HEARS, and he will tell you what is yet to come." God the Father and God the Son have complete control over the spirit or 7 spirits and tell them what to say concerning "what is yet to come." Since they are not God the spirit or 7 spirits do not "speak on their own." {Jesus sent His 7 angels or messengers or spirits to give us the book of Revelation which tells us what is yet to come.} Revelation 1:1: "The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God {The Father} gave Him to show His servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending His angel {or messenger or spirit} to His servant John."
Rev 3:21 Jesus says, "To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with Me on My throne {In the eternal New Jerusalem}, just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne." God the Father and God the Son {The Lamb} are mentioned many times in the description of the eternal new Jerusalem in Revelation 21:1 to 22:5; whereas, the holy spirit is not even mentioned once!! Rev 22:1,3: The angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God {THE FATHER} and of the Lamb {ONLY TWO THRONES AFTER THE 2ND COMING OF JESUS} down the middle of the great street of the city.....The throne of God {THE FATHER} and of the Lamb {ONLY 2 THRONES} will be in the city and His servants will serve Him.
We are commanded hundreds of times to worship God the Father and His Son Jesus, however, we are NEVER told in Scripture to worship God’s spirit or the 7 spirits of God {EVEN ONCE!} The 7 spirits of God or holy spirit will STAND BEFORE God’s Throne {Rev 1:4} until the coming of the eternal New Jerusalem on the Last Day ; and then the 7 holy spirits of righteous men made perfect will sit with Jesus on His throne just the same as all saints who overcome as per Revelation 3:21 above.
Jesus says in John 16:13 that the holy spirit will tell us "what is yet to come." And I Peter 1:20,21 states that all prophecies of Scripture came about when men spoke from God "as they were carried along by the holy spirit." Now we see that some of the 7 MESSENGERS who stand before God {Rev 8:2} told John what to write in the inspired Scriptures in Revelation 17:1 to 19:10 and Revelation 21:9 to 22:10. And Hebrews 1:14 states that ALL ANGELS {OR MESSENGERS} are ministering SPIRITS! Revelation 1:1: "The revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending His angel {or messenger} to His servant John." Revelation 22:6: The MESSENGER said to me, "THESE WORDS are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God of the SPIRITS of the {7??} PROPHETS, sent His MESSENGER} to show His servants the things that must soon take place." Hebrews 12:23b "You have come.... to the SPIRITS of righteous men made perfect."
REV 17:1: ONE OF THE 7 MESSENGERS WHO HAD THE 7 BOWLS CAME AND SAID TO ME."........" REV 19:9: THEN THE MESSENGER SAID TO ME, "WRITE: 'BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO ARE INVITED TO THE WEDDING SUPPER OF THE LAMB!'" AND HE {MESSENGER ADDED, "THESE ARE THE TRUE WORDS OF GOD." REV 21:9: ONE OF THE 7 MESSENGERS WHO HAD THE 7 BOWLS FULL OF THE 7 LAST PLAGUES CAME AND SAID TO ME "......." REV 22:6: THE MESSENGER SAID TO ME, "THESE WORDS ARE TRUSTWORTHY AND TRUE. THE LORD, THE GOD OF THE *SPIRITS* OF THE {7??}PROPHETS, SENT HIS MESSENGER] TO SHOW HIS SERVANTS THE THINGS THAT MUST SOON TAKE PLACE." REV 22:16: "I, JESUS, HAVE SENT MY MESSENGER TO GIVE YOU THIS TESTIMONY FOR THE CHURCHES." I PETER 1:20,21: "NO PROPHECY OF SCRIPTURE CAME ABOUT BY THE PROPHET'S OWN INTERPRETATION..... BUT MEN [LIKE JOHN IN REVELATION] SPOKE FROM GOD AS THEY WERE CARRIED ALONG BY THE *HOLY SPIRIT*." JOHN 16:13: JESUS SAYS, WHEN HE, THE *SPIRIT* OF TRUTH COMES HE WILL GUIDE YOU INTO ALL TRUTH. HE WILL NOT SPEAK ON HIS OWN; HE WILL SPEAK ONLY WHAT HE HEARS, AND HE WILL TELL YOU WHAT IS YET TO COME." SO BECAUSE OF THE ABOVE SCRIPTURE WE CAN SAFELY CONCLUDE THAT THE *7 ANGELS*[WHO ARE REALLY 7 MESSENGERS] AND THE *HOLY SPIRIT* OR *7 SPIRITS* OF GOD IN REVELATION ARE IDENTICAL AND ONE AND THE SAME.!! HEBREWS 1:14: "ARE NOT *ALL ANGELS*[OR ALL MESSENGERS] MINISTERING *SPIRITS* SENT TO SERVE THOSE WHO WILL INHERIT SALVATION."
The Father, Jesus and the 7 spirits of God all have a body which is visible to those in heaven and a spirit which is invisible to all. Every believer is indwelt by the Spirit of Jesus, the Spirit of the Father and the 7 spirits of God or the holy spirit. The heavenly body of Jesus was seen by John as stated in Rev 1:13-17, and the body of the Father in Rev 4:2,3; and the bodies of the 7 spirits or holy spirit were seen by John before God's throne in Rev 1:4. There are no capitalizations in the original manuscripts of the Bible. However, in English we should capitalize all of the names of God the Father and God the Son. Therefore the Spirit of Jesus and the Spirit of His Father should be capitalized but the 7 spirits of God or holy spirit should not be capitalized.
Acts 5:30,31: "The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead... and God exalted Him to His own right hand as Prince and Savior. Romans 8:9-11: "You are controlled by the Spirit if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of Him {The Father} who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His {The Father's} Spirit who lives in you. Gal 4:6: "Because you are sons, God {The Father} sent the Spirit of His Son into your hearts." Isaiah 11:1,2: "A Shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch {Jesus} will bear fruit. The Spirit of the lord will rest on Him {Jesus not the holy spirit or 7 spirits of God}-- the Spirit of {1} wisdom and of {2} understanding, the Spirit of {3} counsel and of {4} power, the Spirit of {5} knowledge and of the {6} fear of the Lord." The Spirit of Jesus is also mentioned in Acts 16:7; I Cor 3:16; 2 Cor 3:18; Phil 1:19; I Peter 1:11 and most likely Genesis 1:2 {compare with John 1:1-3}. It is interesting to note that those who use Isaiah 11:2 to wrongly support the 7-fold spirit theory never quote Isaiah 11:1; which absolutely shows that the 6 attributes of the Spirit of the Lord in Isaiah 11:2 are actually 6 of the countless attributes of the Spirit of the Shoot and Branch of Jesse which is our Lord Jesus Christ.
John 14:23,26: Jesus says, "If anyone loves Me, he will obey My Words. My Father will love him, and We {The Spirits of Jesus and His Father} will come to him and make our home with him...But the counselor, the holy spirit {Or 7 spirits}, whom the Father will send in My Name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." John 16:13: Jesus says, "But when he, the spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak ON HIS OWN; he will speak ONLY WHAT HE HEARS, and he will tell you what is yet to come."
ARE {1} MY MESSENGER {2} THE SPIRIT AND {3} THE BRIDE IN REVELATION 22:16,17 SINGULAR OR PLURAL?? REV 22:16: "I, Jesus, have sent MY MESSENGER {Singular?} to give you this testimony {All of Revelation} for the churches. Now we know that Jesus gave all of the testimony in Revelation through many MESSENGERS {PLURAL} including the 7 MESSENGERS of the 7 churches. One of the MESSENGERS with 7 bowls said Revelation 17:1-18. Then another MESSENGER said Rev 18:1-24 and yet another MESSENGER WITH 7 BOWLS said Rev 21:9 to 22:11. And so MY MESSENGER is really plural since Jesus and His messengers are as one. Rev 3:1: Jesus said, "To the messenger of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of Him who holds the 7 spirits of God and the 7 stars." {Which are the 7 messengers of the 7 churches as per Rev 1:20b}
Revelation 22:17: The Spirit {singular??} and the bride {singular??} say "COME!"... Whoever is thirsty let him come and take the free gift of the water of life. Now we know that the bride of Christ includes all believers and therefore the bride of Christ is really PLURAL. And we also know that the Spirit who says "COME" must include the Spirit of Christ and the Spirit of His Father and the 7 spirits of God. And, therefore, the Spirit in this text is also PLURAL.
Revelation 1:4: "Grace and peace" to you from Him who is, and Who was, and Who is to come, and from the 7 spirits BEFORE His throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the Faithful Witness.

WHO ARE THE 24 ELDERS ON THRONES WHO SURROUND GOD'S THRONE IN HEAVEN??

The 24 Elders are mentioned 12 times in Revelation: Revelation 4:4,10; 5:5,6,8,11,14; 7:11,13; 11:16; 14:3 & 19:4. Revelation 4:4, 10: "Surrounding God's throne were 24 other thrones, and seated on them were 24 elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads.... Each one has a harp and are holding golden bowls full of incense which are the prayers of the saints." One of their functions besides singing songs of praise and worshipping the Father and Jesus may be to answer the prayers of God's saints; after discussing them with Jesus and his Father. They must have an important function since the 24 elders are the only ones who have their own throne in Heaven besides Jesus and His Father; and are mentioned **12 TIMES** in Revelation. And so the 7 spirits of God teach us how to pray as per Romans 8:26 and the 24 elders help in answering our prayers. One of the 24 Elders gave John a very inspiring message concerning the rewards of the martyrs in Revelation 7:13-17. They are most likely some of God's super saints in God's Word and would not include God's 2 witnesses {Moses & Elijah} or God's 7 messengers or spirits {Enoch, David, Abraham, Daniel, Peter, Paul and John?} who also stand before God's throne in Heaven. The 24 elders may include saints such as Noah, Isaac, Joseph, Judah, Jacob, Joshua, Samuel, Elisha, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Josiah, Job, Matthew, Luke, Philip, Andrew, Stephen,Timothy, James, Apollos, Silas and Barnabas. {Barnabas is mentioned 34 times in God's Word; Timothy 25 times; Silas 21 times and Apollos 11 times} And of course they would be much better helpers and prayer answerers if they were tempted just like Jesus and those they are helping. Hebrews 2:17,18: "For this reason He {Jesus} had to be made like His brothers in EVERY WAY, in order that He might become a merciful High priest... because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He {And each of the 24 elders} is able to help those being tempted."

[ Posted at 3:58 PM on 5/14/09 | Reply ]

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