Revelation. Vision 4: Christ the Judge.

Marilyn C

Marilyn C

CHRIST THE JUDGE

Overview.

Christ is the Chief Justice of Heaven`s supreme court. His decisions are final and beyond His verdict there is no other court of appeal. He exercises the final prerogative that is essential to judgeship; He is able to kill and to make alive.


The prophet Daniel gives a good description of the heavenly court about the pass judgment upon the final Gentile world system.

`I kept looking until thrones were placed ...with the Judge, and the Ancient of days took His seat, Whose garment was white as snow and the hair on His head like pure wool.
His throne was like a fiery flame; its wheels were burning fire. A stream of fire came forth from before Him; a thousand thousands ministered to Him and ten thousand times ten thousand rose up and stood before Him; the Judge was seated the court was in session...` (Dan. 7: 10 AMP)


How awesome the sight of the Ancient of days on His fiery throne with untold millions of angels before Him. This is the time when God will bring forth the judgments upon a sinful, rebellious world and it is the Son in whom the Father has committed this duty.

`For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son,...`(John 5: 22)


The main official duty required of a judge is to act discreetly, wisely and justly in all decisions made. Thus we hear those who have overcome the beast, his image and his mark, singing –`Just and true are Your ways, O King of the Nations! ....For Your judgments have been manifested.`(Rev. 15: 3 & 4)


So now as we further study the book of Revelation we will see Christ revealed to us as not only King over the nations but their Judge, executing the judgments of God upon them.

Satan, the Anti-Christ and the False Prophet, the world`s armies, all are dealt with by the righteous Judge. But for those who turn to the `Lamb,` the one slain for them, they will be those who had victory over the beast, and receive life everlasting.
 
Mount Zion

Here is the victorious Christ, the one who overcame the enemy. He is now shown pictorially, standing on Mount Zion in the heavenlies. This is the place of rulership and authority by the King and Judge.

`Then I looked, & behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, `(Rev. 14: 1)


Christ`s Rulership is not that of a dictator or a tyrant or a proud conqueror but is again revealed to us in His true colours as the Lamb of God. This sacrificial character of Christ, is the criterion that undergirds all of His character and activities.


The 144,000 Priests

We now see 144,000 people with the Lamb on Mt. Zion. Who are these people? And why are they in this place of authority and power with the Lamb?

` and with Him 144,000, having His Father`s name written on their foreheads.......`(Rev. 14: 1)


The 144,000 people are the sealed servants of God, 12,000 from each tribe of Israel. This seal is symbolic of the anointing of the Holy Spirit. They were

`...sealed ......on their foreheads. ....144,000 of all the tribes of the children of Israel.` (Rev. 7: 3 & 4)


These 144,000 have gone throughout the world witnessing of God and His coming rule upon earth. They have been martyred by the Anti-Christ and his armies who search for all those who do not worship the `beast.`

So now we see them gathered together in the heavenlies with the `Lamb` having His Father`s name written on their foreheads. This shows that they trusted in God and called out to Him for deliverance.

These people have been prepared by God the Father as the promised priesthood to Israel.

God is talking to the children of Israel,`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: 5 & 6)
 
The First Fruits.

Now we hear different voices:

`And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpist playing their harps.`(Rev. 14: 2)

Together we hear the 144,000 priests with the Son and the Father in complete harmony, in one accord. They sing `a new song,` which is the expression of the special purpose that God has for them.

They are the priests who will rule with the Lamb for God over Israel. Later in Revelation we see them in the New Jerusalem.

`They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the 144,000 who were redeemed from the earth.`(Rev. 14: 3)

We are also shown the special requirements that are needed for their suitability as priests. They had not been `defiled with women.` God refers to being defiled or `playing the harlot,` as forsaking Him.` It means spiritual idolatry. (Hosea 9: 1)

However these 144,000 priests were true to their Messiah and did not get seduced by false doctrines. They followed the Lamb, showing that they obeyed Him completely for He is their Lord.

`These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes.` (Rev. 14: 4)

As `first fruits,` they are the beginning of the `harvest,` that God is about to gather from Israel. They are the first ones manifested, set apart for God`s special purpose as priests in Israel. These are part of God`s government in the New Jerusalem.

` These were redeemed from among men, being the first fruits to God and to the Lamb.`(Rev. 14: 5)
 
THE HARVEST (Rev. 14: 6 – 20)

We are now shown the great in gathering of the harvest: those to life and those to death. Three angels go forth bringing proclamations of the judgments to come.

The 3 Proclamations

Life - God`s hand of mercy is still stretched out to those who will repent.

`Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth – to every nation, tribe, tongue, & people – saying with a loud voice,

“Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven & earth, the sea & springs of water. `
(Rev. 14: 6 & 7)


Destruction - Those who have followed the false religion will see it destroyed.

`And another angel followed, saying, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”(Rev. 14: 8)



Death - Those who follow and worship the Global leader will suffer the wrath and judgment of God.

`Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast & his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation.

He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day of night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”
(Rev. 14: 9 - 11)

 
The Judge.

God the Father and the Holy Spirit declare the blessing upon those who do not follow the `beast.` Though they die, because they trust in God they will have eternal life.

`Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on,” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labours, and their works follow them.”`(Rev. 14: 12 & 13)

Now we are shown a pictorial representation of Christ as the Judge of all the earth. The different symbols help us to understand who He is and what He is about to do.

`Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle.` (Rev. 14: 14)


One like the Son of Man – The Lord Himself put forward this title which implies the widest range of relationship including all the peoples of the earth. (Luke 19: 10 Matt. 20: 28)

A white cloud – Here the Son of Man is `covered` in light, His glory.

White – Gk. `leukos` from `luke,` light. Cloud – Heb. `arab,` covering.


A golden crown – The crown here is the Victor`s crown – overcoming the enemy.

Crown – Gk. `stephanos` a honorary wreath,


A sharp sickle – This is a gathering hook especially for harvesting and gives a clear picture of Christ executing the judgment upon all mankind.


`And another angel (Christ) came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, “Thrust in Your sickle & reap, for the time has come for you to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped.` (Rev. 14: 15 & 16)


Thus we see Christ the mighty Victor, crowned and clothed in glory. He received the authority from the Father (out of the Temple) and then He executed the judgment upon all mankind - those to life and those to death (reaping the harvest).
 
The Harvest.

An angel is now shown coming out of the temple in heaven with another sickle. This picture shows that the judgment is from the Father.
Another angel is then shown coming out from the altar, which indicates Christ`s great sacrifice (altar) and the execution of the judgments (fire).


`Then another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, He also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar,
who had power over fire, and He cried with a loud cry to Him who had the sharp sickle, saying, “Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe.”` (Rev. 14: 17 & 18)


These activities culminate in a dreadfully final picture of the earth outside the city, (Jerusalem) as drenched in blood.


`So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth & gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great wine press of the wrath of God. And the wine press was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the wine press, up to the horses` bridles, for 1600 furlongs.`(Rev. 14: 19 & 20)


The Prophet Joel gives us more details of this terrible Day. The city is Jerusalem and the valley where the world`s armies have been gathered is the valley of Jehoshaphat. It is here that Christ judges the nations.


”Let the nations be wakened, and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; For there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations, Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe, Come, go down; for the wine press is full, the vats overflow – for their wickedness is great.” (Joel 3: 12 & 13)





 
The Judgments.

We are now shown the details of this judgment that was proclaimed. (Ch. 14: 7)This will be the final judgments in the tribulation upon rebellious mankind.

These 7 plagues will complete God`s wrath. They are described as `great and marvellous,` meaning that they are very astonishing and so exceedingly great that all men should fear.

`Then I saw another sign in heaven, Great and marvellous: 7 angels having the 7 last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete.`(Rev. 15: 1)


Yet amid such terrifying events there are a group of people who have overcome the beast, and have not worshipped his image or taken his mark or used his name as authority to buy food and necessities. These people are before God`s throne rejoicing in God`s deliverance.


`And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God.`(Rev. 15: 2)

They sang the song of Moses, proclaiming that `great & marvellous` are God`s works, and `just and true,` are His ways.- His judgments. Many people from all the nations who have not bowed to the Anti-Christ will come and worship the Lord.

Moses spoke ...the words of this song,...`Ascribe greatness to our God! The Rock! His work is perfect, for all His ways are just;.... Rejoice, O nations, with His people; for He will avenge the blood of His servants,.....`(Deut. 32: 3, 4, & 43)

`And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying:“Great and marvellous are your works, Lord God Almighty!
Just and true are Your ways, O king of the Nations! Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For you alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before you, For Your judgments have been manifested.`(Rev. 15: 3 & 4)
 
The 7 Bowls of God`s Wrath.


The song of Moses says that `He will avenge the blood of His servants....` (Deut. 32: 43) And His judgment is `just & true.` (Rev. 15: 3) Thus we see that from the `Holy of Holies,` in the heavenly sanctuary comes forth the last judgments.


`After these things I looked, and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened, and out of the temple came the 7 angels having the 7 plagues, clothed in pure bright linen, and having their chests girded with golden bands.`(Rev. 15: 6)


Temple of the tabernacle of testimony – Christ`s authority as the fulfiller of the covenant.(Rev. 4: 3)

7 angels clothed in pure bright linen – Indicating the holiness of the angels. (Ex. 28: 2 & 5)

Their chests girded with golden bands – Regal authority given to outwork these judgments. (Rev. 1:13)

7 plagues – 7 means complete, thus final judgments. (7 – Heb. `shaba` to be completed.)


Then Christ gives the 7 angels not only the authority to pour out the judgments but also the timing and extent of these `plagues.`

`Then one of the four living creatures gave to the 7 angels 7 golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever & ever.`(Rev. 15: 7)


One of the four living creatures – One aspect of Christ`s living ministry. (Rev. 4: 6)

7 golden bowls – Holy receptacle symbolising the delivering of the judgments.


The Holy of Holies, the throne of God is then engulfed with His glory and the greatness of His power. It is such a solemn and momentous time as the high court Chief justice delivers the final verdict upon a sinful, rebellious world. The weight of such delivery is fearful.


`The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one was able to enter the temple till the 7 plagues of the 7 angels were completed.`(Rev. 15: 8)





 
`Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the 7 angels, “Go & pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth.” (Rev. 16: 1)


The Malignant sores on the Mark.

Terrible sores come upon those who took the `mark` of the Global leader.

`So the first went & poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul & loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshipped his image.`(Rev. 16: 2)



The Sea turns to Blood.


All of the sea will now be polluted, turn to blood and everything die.

`Then second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died.`(Rev. 16: 3)



The Waters turn to Blood.

Now the fresh water becomes polluted, also turning to blood.

`Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers & springs of water, and they became blood `And I heard the angel of the waters saying: “You are righteous, O Lord, the one who is and who was and who is to be, because You have judged these things. for they have shed the blood of saints & prophets, and You have given them blood to drink for it is their just due.` (Rev. 16: 4 - 6)


The voice of a martyr is now heard from the `altar,` agreeing that God`s judgments are lawful – true & righteous.

`And I heard another from the altar saying, “Even so, Lord God Almighty, True and righteous are Your judgments.”(Rev. 16: 7) `I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God & the testimony which they held.` (Rev. 6: 9 – 11)



 
Men are Scorched.

Those who have taken the mark of the beast now have terrible sores on their bodies. The sea and waters, (rivers, streams etc) have become bloodied through fish and people dying. The waters would be foul and polluted and with the great heat following, the pain people would be enduring, is intense. Yet we see men do not repent of their evil.

`Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat,
and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory.`(Rev. 16: 8 & 9)


Darkness & Pain.

Amid all this horror comes a darkness so intense that it causes people to gnaw their tongues. This is a day of `darkness,` both physical and spiritual, with much demonic activity.

`Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues because of the pain, and they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and they did not repent of their deeds.`
(Rev. 16: 10 & 11)



The Euphrates dried up.

Satan, the Anti-Christ & the False Prophet finally deceive the whole world into gathering together against Israel. Demonic spirits are sent out performing signs to entice rulers to go against Israel. The great & mighty army from the East (of Israel) – China, Japan, Korea and others are given clear access to cross the river Euphrates.

`Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the East might be prepared. And I saw 3 unclean spirits coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.` (Rev. 16: 12 – 14)

Even amid all this demonic activity there are those who are still looking to the Lord for Him to bring them deliverance and protection through the final cataclysmic events.

“Behold I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches & keeps his garments, Lest he should walk naked & they see his shame.”(Rev. 16: 15)
 
These events unfold one upon the other. Thus while the nations are gathering their armies to Armageddon,....

`And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.`(Rev. 16: 16)


There comes a mighty earthquake that shakes cities, mountains and islands, and great hail.

The Great Earthquake.

`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!”
`And there were noises and thundering & lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth.

Now the great city was divided into 3 parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath.

Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. And a great hail from heaven fell upon men, every hailstone about the weight of a talent. And men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, Since the plague was exceedingly great.`(Rev. 16: 17 – 21)


The city of Babylon, the center of the world`s government, will also be judged. This is shown in great detail in Rev. 17 & 18.

Finally the armies of the world that have gathered at Armageddon, (the valley north of Israel) sweep down throughout the land of Israel killing two-thirds of Israelis along the way. (Zech. 13: 8) The armies surround Jerusalem declaring victory.

However God steps in. The prophet Joel gives the timing - when the Lord returns to deliver Israel and judge the nations.

`Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the Day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. The sun and moon will grow dark, and the stars will diminish their brightness. The Lord also will roar from Zion, And utter His voice from Jerusalem; The heavens and the earth will shake.`
(Joel 3: 14 - 16)
 
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