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THE UNSEEN REALITY
by Livingstone Fagan
This manuscript (draft e-June, 1995) was transcribed from a paper written by Livingstone Fagan, a student of David Koresh, and of the Seven Seals of the Book of Revelation. It is the author's wish for this manuscript be copied and passed on free of charge to all who are interested in the truth, providing it is reproduced in its entirety. Forward any comments, or requests to the transcriber via E-mail to: [email deleted for privacy reasons] or write Mark Swett, [address deleted for privacy reasons].
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What is a man, but his beliefs. What is his beliefs, but the judgments he makes on the things he sees. What is the strength of his beliefs, but the clarity by which he sees. Where be his seeing; the spirit of his mind or sight of his eyes? The Seven Seals reveal the mystery of God, a truth imperceptible to the eyes of the body. God is a spirit, and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.
CONTENTS
Introduction
1. Mt. Carmel: Out Of The Ashes
2. Sealed With Seven Seals
3. Salvation And The Book Of Revelation
4. "And I Saw When The Lamb Opened One Of The Seals..."
5. The Decoded Message of the Seven Seals by David Koresh; Summary And Conclusion
6. "Mt. Carmel: The Unseen Reality" Appendix A
7. Appendix B
8. Intuition - The Emerging Soul
INTRODUCTION
It has been several months now, since the events of Mt. Carmel and the deaths of those whom I have loved. Since March of 1993, I have experienced life on a number of jail cells across the State of Texas. As a continuation of the injustice practiced against us, we were also made to endure this governments shameful attempt to hide its atrocities through the judicial process. For seven weeks, we were dragged through the courts, shackled hands and feet. By courtesy of the electronic media, we were paraded before the world, humiliated, demonized and lied about. Although judged and convicted, I remain unconvinced of any guilt. In my soul I am continually reminded of my innocence, and the innocence of my family and friends who were there with me. We have become part of the continuing story of justice undone. Since the dawn of time, the endurance by the just of the injustice of the unjust. Another case for the statute books, showing the frailty of the judgments of men separated from a knowledge of God.
In his humanity, mankind beholds the evils he perpetuates. Through his conscience he is reminded of its evilness. But his heart fails him of the will and power to do good. Justice is left undone. In his fearfulness of pending judgment he hides his guilt. But he remains insecure in his hiding places.
With each passing day I am reminded how transient our experience here really is. The onset of age, the sights of death etches in the chambers of the mind, how little control we hold over the body and its life. In our exasperation we seek solace in engulfing ourselves in what we call living. Getting on with life, for time is too short to think about it. But we are not comforted. For after the body has received its fill, the soul cries out for satisfaction. The utterances of the past, that once satisfied, are now worn out empty phrases. Like vomit offered before us. We have grown! Experience has pushed us beyond that which we were. We have become, and require new forms, material and abstract, capturing and expressing that which we now are. Comforting us in our birth pains and inspiring us in our newly emerging hopes and dreams.
My desire and will to pursue what was once of interest, has been steadily sucked from me. I now live and breathe the truth of the Seven Seals and the future it envisions. A future according to the will of God. We have seen it, tasted it, now nothing else will do. The plans of the UN government are unworkable. The scars we bear from the shortcomings of the family, local and national governmental institutions, remain as witnesses to the fact, that mankind cannot govern himself. To seek to collectively govern billions of people can only end in disaster. Evidently, the lessons of history along with present observations, continue to be ignored. Right was the testimony of the prophet Jeremiah;
The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9)
Further;
O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself. It is not in man that walketh to direct his step. (Jeremiah 10:23)
This present external reality in all its forms, material and abstract, is but an irritating distraction from the truth of my soul. My interaction with this reality has become one of necessity, and a want not to offend. At best it has become burdensome. I contend with God daily, to bring this nightmare humans call living to its conclusion. My contention reaches to the point of bartering my souls salvation. I find myself at a place in my spiritual journey, where losing my soul and ceasing to exist, offers itself as a more preferable alternative than to remain in the body, albeit with the knowledge of God. I hate the flesh with a passion. In this state of mind, it is a constant source of irritation having to interact with minds still confined to thoughts arising out of the fleshly concerns. It calls forth much patience to endure. In my present circumstances I am left little choice.
My situation intensifies as my mind expands, deepening its grasp of the knowledge of God and His Christ. I am powerless to stop this process, designed to restore the soul after the divine order. On the one hand I love it passionately, on the other I hate it with a vengeance. My being present in the flesh, is the source of this hatred. It arises from the pain experienced by the mind of the flesh, as it is pressed out of existence, being replaced by the mind of the Spirit. Conversely, my love for it arises out of the greater good envisioned in the mind of the Spirit. One vision of reality with its hopes and dreams, being replaced by another far greater. It is not always easy to give up that which one has dedicated so much energy and effort to, let alone ones entire perception of reality. Nevertheless, from time to time such requirements do occur. The love of wisdom and understanding, leaves one little choice, but to adjust ones perceptions.
I know of a certainty, that I am a recipient of Gods saving work for this generation. The knowledge and spirit of the Seven Seals attest to this fact. Consequently, I take pleasure in the knowledge He is acting on my behalf for my ultimate advantage, in spite of the cost to myself. I am further comforted by my being able to communicate something of the truths I speak, albeit limited. Thus far, experience has taught me, the limitations of contemporary thought perceptions, and the near absence of genuine faith in this late twentieth century. As a matter of fact, it has been quite a challenge, finding minds that can intelligently consider the issues our faith raises for the present religious consciousness. Granted, many have been moved by its demonstration and effect, in bringing to light significant issues relative to church and civil government.
In writing this book, it has been challenging to find suitable language, in which to house the spirit of Mt. Carmel. Its effective communication, in lieu of the high cost of lives, has been something of a sacred concern to me. I have come to appreciate experientially true freedom. It is of inestimably greater value than life in this body of death. I dedicate this book to the many who have awakened to the knowledge of this most precious of all divine gifts. Some have shown their awakening through the sacrifice of their lives for a higher purpose. Others, through suffering incarceration for its principles. Others still yet, by refusing to be insulted in the belief that, access to materialism enabling the satisfaction of the lusts of the body, constitutes freedom. We refuse to submit our integrity as beings, created in the image of God, to that of base man-made forms, material and abstract. They are there to serve us, and not us them. We continue to hold to the ultimate justice of the supreme God. Hoping in his soon coming Kingdom and reign here on earth. May our hopes be soon realized and with it the destruction of all wickedness and corruption, and those who perpetuate such.
I make particular mention of my family and friends at Mt. Carmel. In the short time we are apart whether by death or distance, I honor the memory. Also to the many friends I have come to know since these events, I salute your virtue. May our friendship be as enduring as God, and equally as rewarding.
Mt. Carmel: Out of the Ashes
In my experience of this justice system, in the wake of events at Mt. Carmel, I am left in no doubts, that the judicial process no longer serves justice. It has in fact bowed, to the service of the political economy. I have further come to appreciate experientially, the fallacy of the commonly held belief, that governmental administration is a vehicle for the will of the people. In writing this book, I bypass the judicial process of appeal, and appeal directly to the good citizens of this nation.
To many the spirit of Mt. Carmel, expressed in the book Sealed with Seven Seals of the book of Revelation, remains a mystery. In their observations, they see the material events which occurred on February 28th, through April 19th of 1993. These events they judge in the spirit of their own minds. Many correctly conclude, that something seriously amiss took place. But beyond these judgments there exist a deeper meaning. It is my hope that by saturating the pages of this book, with the spirit and purpose of Mt. Carmel, many might catch a vision of what hitherto has been a mystery. Further, they might be brought to a place in their consciousness, where they can see the future envisioned by GOD.
It is a fact of reality, that freedom begins at the level of the soul. Being free to think and act in harmony with ones self. To be so disposed is further dependent, on the persons ability to think and make sound truthful judgments. This ability, arises out of a heart faithful to sound spiritual truths, as they exist in the mind of God and not in the imagination of self-serving and corrupt men. Essentially we are all children of God. Being aware of this heritage, we are free to pursue His will for us or pursue the imagination of our now corrupt hearts. Many have chosen the latter, the results of which we see everyday around us. The innocent and the defenseless become the victims, being forced to honor their integrity at a cost to their lives. Mt. Carmel was just such a case in point.
Based in the authority of the Word of God, an authority claimed acknowledgment in the Constitution of this nation, it is considered the right and obligation of all men to pursue God. Further, to pursue Him in the way shape or form, He should choose, He be pursued. Is this not a sacred trust, that no institution of man, has the right to infringe? Mt. Carmel was established for the pursuit of just such a purpose. On February 28th 1993, under the guise of serving a search warrant, this right, was unlawfully challenged. A challenge subsequently met with a response, arising out of conscientious obligation.
It is not my intention or purpose at this stage, to contend with peoples uninformed opinions and misguided judgments regarding the conduct and actions of David Koresh. But rather, to focus on significant information, placing the events of Mt. Carmel, in the spirit and perspective of its residents. The propaganda disseminated by this government, in its effort to disguise it's immoral actions, has left much confusion in the minds of many. Significantly, this propaganda sought to sensationalize certain accusations made against us regarding our beliefs and conduct. It will be seen that the government totally disregarded our efforts to address these issues. It ignored the evidence of our previous cooperation with the authorities. Above all, it totally ignored our position of faith, the premise from which our actions and behavior could clearly be shown to be of God. The fact that such propaganda had to be employed in the first place, is to me clear proof the government had no real legal justification to mount such an attack. I remain convinced that the government was operating from a hidden agenda, for which it employed the cover of law and propaganda, to conceal. It will be seen from a basic introduction to our beliefs that this government is bogus and lacking of the divine mandate for its rule.
Against this background and knowledge of the will of God contained in the Seven Seals one will be better placed to understand the reasons behind the events of Mt. Carmel.
Since these events, I have been comforted in the knowledge that, inspite of the propaganda, there were some who were not fooled. As a matter of fact, the actions of the government, merely served to confirm in their minds, the extent of governmental corruption and control over the minds of the American people. This information is available on record. Therefore, it can be checked for its accuracy and detail.
The historical context of Mt. Carmel is well documented. Consequently I shall not waste much time by covering familiar ground. Only to say that, for many years Mt. Carmel was a place where people came from many parts of the world, for serious pursuit of the scriptures. The Center had been graced by the presence of a succession of inspired teachers. Although they might not have been recognized as such by the wider religious establishment, they were nevertheless respected and were left alone in their pursuit. The Constitution afforded a measure of protection. Through these teachers, much insights were gained into the many truths of the scriptures. In time, these truths became part of the culture of the Mt. Carmel residents. As a matter of fact the way Mt. Carmel was organized, was really no different from a monastery. The prototype to your modern day theological seminary. The basic difference being, Mt. Carmel was concerned not with a theory of religion and God, but rather, the reality. We were deadly serious about God.
My initial involvement with Mt. Carmel began in late summer of 1988. At the time I was a theology student at a seminary in England, pursuing a Masters degree. David visited the campus, conducting some unscheduled studies on the nature of God and Salvation. Shortly before he concluded, I had the opportunity to hear a couple of his studies. This was approximately three hours in total. During that short time, I had perceived more significant biblical truths than I had done, the entire eight years I had been involved with organized religion. Admittedly, my background knowledge of theological issues, provided me with a significant advantage.
Following the completion of my course of studies, in December of that year, I visited the United States, on a tour of some Seventh Day Adventist institutions. This was the church organization I belonged to at that time. I also took the opportunity of visiting Mt. Carmel, a response to an invitation David had given while he was in England. I was further able to hear more of what he had to say from the scriptures. My interest continued to develop. It is important to note that, we were dealing with an highly intelligent and systematic inquiry into the text of scripture. After spending four weeks in the United States I returned home to England. I made several additional trips to Mt. Carmel, of varying duration, prior to April 1992. At each visit the subject of study intensified. By April 1992, I felt it necessary to return to America on an extended stay, in order to keep pace with the truths being revealed. This may not be understood by all, but the concept of a continuing revelation of truth is entirely biblical.
On this last visit, culminating in the attack on Mt. Carmel, my wife, children, mother and cousin, visited also. They too, had developed a strong interest and wanted to pursue this interest further. Previously they had visited on a couple of occasions. They attested to their faith, by their deaths in the fire of April 19th. On this last visit, approximately six months into our study, it was in our opinion impossible to leave without doing damage to our grasp of this continuing revelation of truth. We therefore decided to stay. It is important to note, the purpose of Mt. Carmel was the pursuit of truth.
Sometime around January 1993, we began discussing arrangements for returning to England. By February, the events of which the scriptures spoke, began to manifest themselves more clearly. By the end of the month they had culminated into the full blown attack, witnessed by the world, on February 28th. From that time to the present I have been falsely incarcerated by this government, in its effort to cover its misdeeds. This account is typical of how many of us became fortunate enough, to have had opportunity of direct contact with David Koresh and Mt. Carmel.
As a center for serious biblical studies, Mt. Carmel was designed for purposes of holistically transcending, this present artificial and sensory based consciousness. The perceiving of the truths of the Seven seals, demanded it. This concept is neither new, or is it foreign to scriptures. Consider the following comments and experiences recorded in scripture: 2Peter 1:16, 20-21; Romans 16:25-26; Acts 9:1-6; 1Corinthians 2; Revelation 1:9-17; 4:1ff; 22:8; 10:7; 1John 1:1-4; Hosea 12:10; Daniel 2:19; 7:1ff; 8:1ff; 9:20-22; 10:1-7; Isaiah 1:1; 6: 1-8; Jeremiah 1:1-4; Ezekiel 1:1-3; 8:1-3; Hosea 1:1; Joel 1:1-2; 2; Jonah 1:1; Micah 1:1, 2. These men were not telling stories. They gave accurate accounts of their encounters with the supernatural. It is our choice to believe or reject their claims. The whole nation of Israel experienced such an encounter. The height of which, under the leadership of Moses. In these encounters they were forced to go beyond the common experience of the mind. Today we read about these experiences, but we would be mistaken to conclude that reading about them constitutes comprehending them. At best, our experience is but a belief that, what is recorded is in fact true.
The transcendence of the sensory based human perceptions, opens the mind to hearing God in the light, or context of God. This is in contrast to interpreting God, in the light of ourselves. The thoughts of God are not as human thoughts. We are dealing with an entirely different spectrum of thinking (Isaiah 55:6-9; 1Corinthians 2:7-16). Appreciating Gods thinking requires man to go beyond himself.
Mt. Carmel was designed of heaven for purposes of accomplishing the above transcendence. This process is distinctly identified in scriptures as, the 'quickening.' Through this process, God accomplishes His recreative work on the mind. Note the following references on this subject: Ephesians 2:1, 4, 5; I Corinthians 15: 45-47; Isaiah 11:1-4; Psalm 1:1-3; 119:27, 35, 40, 48, 50, 68, 78, 93, 99, 107, 159, 154, 156, 159, 172. It involves choice experiences and an extensive grasp of the scriptural text. Further, honesty and openness, with a willingness to relinquish all human aspirations. All of this takes place in an atmosphere of faith. Finally, and most important, inspiration, direct divine intervention. By these experiences, the residents of Mt. Carmel, were able to hear God's word, while blocking out the artificial noise of humanity. This is what the government labeled brainwashing, and the judge at our trial, termed fanaticism! No, the truth is, it is the world that is brainwashed.
Human sensory perceptions, have a electro-chemical basis. Through the electronic media, peoples thought perceptions have become artificially shaped and manipulated, by the merchants of the earth for profit. A person is programmed according to the information he receives. This information forms the basis of his thinking and subsequent judgments. Through the electronic media, radio and television etc., the government did a brainwashing job on its people. By controlling and manipulating the information people received regarding Mt. Carmel, the government sought to maintain control over peoples thinking and judgments. Further, by labeling the residents at Mt. Carmel as brainwashed, along with all the other tactical language it employed, the government was able to shield its own brainwashing tactics on its people, from its people.
Similarly, by placing the bogus charges of conspiracy against the survivors, it was able to shield its own conspiracy. It is necessary to transcend the bounds of these mind games, to properly appreciate what is going on. These are ingeniously simple, but effective techniques of deception. The electronic media, has made it possible to deceive and manipulate, countless numbers of people. Being so pervasive, it is almost impossible to be subject to it without being affected by its deceptive influence. People are constantly being led to believe they are thinking for themselves, making their choices, when in fact, they are being manipulated.
With regards to the truth of Mt. Camel, the government, by perpetrating such a crime, demonstrated the depths of its moral degradation and corruption. That section of the citizenry, that willingly swallowed this deception, also demonstrated the state of its morality. There are those who want to cover themselves in deception. They love the soul destroying sins they practice, and desire to be left alone in these habits. Deception is a way of shielding them from the painful light of truth, concerning what they do.
Our experience at Mt. Camel, is typical of those who have sought God wholeheartedly in the past. They certainly did not conform to the popular life styles and thinking of their day. The process of the 'quickening' is designed to bring the mind into harmony, with the divine nature. This has been referred to as what constitutes salvation. (2Peter 1:1-4; Hebrews 12:1-10; Psalms 119:9, 40, 172, 173, 174; Isaiah 28: 9-13; 55:3, 4, 7-10; Ezekiel 20:33-38).
The public are generally unaware of, the numerous efforts that were made by the residents of Mt. Carmel, to prevent this attack. Through the testimony and spirit of the prophetic scriptures, we were informed several years before that, an attack would be launched against us. This attack would occur because of the position of faith and thinking we held. From the above one can begin to see the impact of this thinking, in appraising us of the governments deceptions and corrupt practices. Also its impact in equipping one to forcibly resist the governments encroachment upon ones person. In any event, this foreknowledge was employed, in a succession of efforts to avert this attack against us, through peaceful means. The limits of these efforts did not include surrendering our faith and thinking. This was non-negotiable. The significance of this will become increasingly apparent as we proceed.
While it is true that, we were aware of the fact they were coming, even before they knew they were coming, it was not inevitable that events had to end the way they did. The final outcome was contingent on, our adversaries response to our efforts to communicate our position of faith. It will be clearly seen that, all our efforts were ignored. Evidently the government wanted its deception, both for itself and its people.
In spite of what has been reported, much goodwill had been established between the Mt. Carmel residents and the Waco community. This included the sheriffs office. In the interest of brevity, I shall confine my focus directly to the federal authorities. Our first encounter with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, (BATF) was in the latter part of 1992. Two agents visited the dealers premises from whom David purchased his guns. Their stated purpose was to inspect his sales records. While they were there on the premises, the dealer contacted David by phone, informing him of their presence and interest in the purchases he had made. David told him, to tell them, to come to the Mt. Carmel premises, where they can physically inspect his purchases. This invitation was flatly rejected. We were later informed, the agents said, they did not want to do it that way! This is significant, since the BATF places heavy emphasis, on the inspection of David's guns, as justification for their actions on February 28th 1993. It seems evident to me, they had other ideas in their minds, than just the inspection of guns. As a matter of fact, their deceitful intentions became increasingly clear when the undercover operation was set up. They were looking for a prey. In any event, David took the opportunity of faxing his gun purchase receipts to the dealer, for the purposes of assisting the agents with their inquiry. This was to be the beginning of a number of attempts to communicate with the Feds, that were to be ignored.
In January 1993, approximately two months before the attack against the Mt. Carmel property, the BATF had set up, what is now generally known as the surveillance house. This was located opposite the Mt. Carmel center. The agents posed as, students attending a local college. Some of the men from Mt. Carmel had on an occasion visited the house, as a welcome gesture to our new neighbors. Adjacent to this house was another neighbor, whom we had frequently visited, and who also visited with us. As a matter of fact he had lived in the house these agents were now occupying. When he moved to the adjacent house, we assisted him and his family to redecorate, at expense to ourselves. Our contacts with the agents on this occasion was also rejected. Nevertheless an invitation was left for them to visit us. One agent did in fact visit, and on a few occasions, part of the undercover operation. By this time, it was becoming increasingly clear that, these people were not being truthful with us. Nevertheless we cordially accepted their visits. While on our premises he participated in our bible studies, and also practiced shooting, on a makeshift shooting range at the rear of the building.
It was hoped that by his participation in the bible studies, he might understand something of the nature and importance of our beliefs, and our commitment to God. Much time, experience, and an extensive grasp of the biblical text, had gone into the establishment of our faith. Likewise, it required more than a casual acquaintance with us, to properly understand where we're coming from. It was our hope that, by introducing this agent to our faith, he might communicate its authenticity to his superiors. It was felt that, since they were not listening to us they might listen to one of their own. The studies continued through the latter half of February, to literally minutes before the attack. I later learned, he did in fact seek to communicate with his superiors, but he too was ignored. Further, after the attack ended in disaster, he was snubbed by his colleagues. He felt a need to hire an attorney. It is important to note that, during his visits with us, he was treated with the utmost courtesy. I remember this agent testifying in the courtroom that, during the closing minutes before the attack, he feared for his life. That fear could not have been from any action on our part. David extended to him that morning, the same hospitality he had always done. When he was leaving, we shook his hand calling him by his first name and wishing him good luck. He went to his vehicle and drove off. In my opinion, the fear he felt arose out of a knowledge of the deceitful intentions of the BATF, in planning to attack us. Knowing we were aware of their intentions, he probably expected some retaliation, beginning with himself. We had no such intentions. Their evil thoughts were not ours. We were seeking to stop this attack, not fuel it. But we were nevertheless prepared to defend ourselves if the need arose. That need did arise. In retrospect, it is right that he should be paranoid, they were about to perpetrate a sacrilegious and criminal act under the garb of carrying out the law.
So then, this effort also failed, but we did not end there. When the cattle trailers, which were filled with fully armed agents arrived, David opened the front door unarmed, to meet with these agents. He stated there were women and children in the building and we needed to talk about this. It was then he sustained gunshot wounds to the hand and side. Much was happening at this time. The helicopters were round the back of the building firing. There was a team on the roof trying to break in. Inside, the residents of Mt. Carmel. were orientating themselves to what was happening. After his being wounded, the front door was slammed shut. The sounds of gunfire increased in intensity. Interestingly, the BATF via the media, would have the public believe, David opened the door snickered, shut the door and the residents of Mt. Carmel began firing. To use an English phrase, this is 'poppycock'! The BATF have not only shown itself to be incompetent, but also possessed of a highly fictitious imagination. A possible relic from their former days of glory. In any event, risking his life, David had once again sought to communicate to these agents, but again was ignored.
Once more our efforts to stop this attack did not stop there. As an indication of our defensive intent, it was seconds into the attack on us, that the attorney Wayne Martin contacted 911, in an effort to call a cease-fire. Its implementation was delayed for at least 10 minutes. It was during this period of time that most of the casualties were sustained. The delay in establishing the cease-fire, resulted from the BATF's poorly thought out system of communication. The dispatcher had to go through numerous obstacles before making contact with the command center and then the field units. This was in spite of the fact that he was previously appraised of the attack. When the cease- fire was finally established we allowed them to come and remove their injured requesting no assistance for our own. Just prior to this we had allowed them to leave our land, during which, no further harm came to them. In the ensuing siege against us, our efforts to stop the tragedy escalating continued. It was evident that these agents were angry, they had just received a major blow to their pride and arrogancy. This was fueled further by the fact that the FBI was called in to take over operations. Through the negotiations we sought to draw attention to what we had been trying to draw attention to, all along. The significance of our position of faith. Doubtless, there is a supreme authority called God. Being subject to that authority, all other authorities become insignificant. We tried to tell them this as nicely as possible, but to no avail. The FBI would have the public believe David controlled the minds of the residents at Mt. Carmel. Interestingly, who controlled David? Who controlled the FBI, the ATF and all the other agencies involved in this? We know one thing, we were not under their control! As a matter of fact, we were under the mandate of the Divine will. Whether or not people chose to believe this is simply their choice. It really makes little difference to us. We know what we know and believe what we believe. In the final analysis, there is a God who sits on a throne, to whom we will all have to answer to. Throughout the siege they continued to ignore us, responding to us with contempt. We were made to suffer successive acts of torture and aggression. In the process misrepresented in the media, in an effort to cover up and justify their murderous actions against us.
Not only our efforts were ignored, but also that of others. During the siege, noted theologians, such as Dr. James Tabor of North Carolina University, and Dr. Philip Arnold of the Reunion Institute, in Houston, offered advice on matters of the Spirit. Additionally, there was their own behavioral scientist. They too were ignored. These agents demonstrated a level of ignorance and contempt for the scared and the innocent, that can only be described as devilish.
We were ignored by a defacto government, who sees through its eyes only. A government who refused to take our position of faith seriously, and by what authority? They called us a cult, demonizing us, yet they knew us not. They characterized David as some vile maniac. They became victims of their own propaganda.
It is true, we did have guns on the premises. It is also true that, these guns were deployed during the attack against us. But this was because we had no alternative. Our lives were in danger and our faith challenged. Further. our efforts to avoid this predicament were ignored. Our use of these guns were with restraint and strictly defensive. It is tragic that people were harmed, but were our intentions anything but defensive, the death toll would have been much higher. In defense of our faith and position, we were willing to fight to the last man.
Some have argued that, these were policing agents, suggesting the residents of Mt. Carmel should have responded to their demands without question! I find this sheepish line of reasoning quite remarkable. These people show little understanding of matters of spirit and conscience. What about the authority of God? Do they suppose God sanctioned the actions of these agents. Of a certainty, we do not recognize them or their superiors as Gods. The police are not beyond the realms of corruption and abuse of their delegated authority. This is not the first time these government agents have acted in this matter. Many may recall the Randy Weaver Murders.
Significantly, after burning our home and killing our people, they had the audacity to raise their flags on our flag pole. Additionally, take pictures of themselves, with the still flaming building of Mt. Carmel in the background. The bodies of men, women, babes and sucklings, being consumed by the flames. Their ideal of conquest, these people are gutless cowards. It is a painful truth, coming to the realization that, this generation has become irretrievably desensitized to evil. This being true, nobody is safe.
Our children's deaths have been a source of soul stirring for many. Largely because they fear for their own. I have heard many voices of complaint directed at the residents of Mt. Carmel as a consequence. These people have no knowledge whatsoever, about our children. Children have been suffering and dying throughout the world for years. How much concern have these people shown to them. What contributions have they made to improve the lot of humanity, lightening its burden, and at what cost to themselves! Personally I remain unconvinced by their pretentious, fleshly morality and concerns. In my view such a morality arises out of a selfish and deceitful heart. The residents of Mt. Carmel are fully persuaded of Gods approval of their actions. The faithfulness to truth, of these courageous self sacrificing men, women, babes and sucklings stands as a witness against this generation. No amount of mental gymnastics on the part of those who would seek to hide from this reality, is going to change the fact. There is simply no excuse. Our children are highly honored in heaven where it really matters. It is my hope that, our sacrifice may jolt the conscience of some, to the end they might give greater consideration to their souls final destiny.
The ignorance and arrogance displayed by the government, resulting in this tragedy, did not end on the field of Mt. Carmel. It was to continue in the court. The trial lasted approximately seven weeks. We were escorted daily to and from the courthouse by motorcade, our hands and feet shackled during the process. On top of what we had already been through, this was an extraordinarily demanding ordeal.
In the trial itself, the government sought to cover itself in numbers. Over two hundred witnesses were planned. They also placed heavy emphasis on the number of guns that were at Mt. Carmel. This tactic amounted to a diversion from the real issues. As a matter of fact, these diversionary tactics were characteristic of the governments action throughout this whole episode. Such was the surveillance house, the cattle trailers filled with fully armed hoodlums posing as agents, the helicopters, the control of the, the tank attacks against the Mt. Carmel buildings, that was not supposed to be attacks; the list goes on. Eventually these diversionary ploys developed into outright lies. These too became a matter of the numbers game. I suppose the government operated on the premise, the more lies told the greater the likelihood people will believe them.
Nevertheless, through the testimony of their own witnesses, the BATF showed they conspired together for the sole purpose of mounting an attack against innocent civilians. During this process, they trained with the use of live fire and supported by specialized military personnel. They gave no consideration whatsoever to the concerns, fears, hopes, or wishes of the people they were targeting. As a matter of fact, based on the faulty intelligence these people were acting on, we were already tried and convicted. The attack against us was merely the execution. Further, no consideration was given to the possibility of something going wrong. When it did they continued regardless, endangering the lives of their own agents in addition to the lives of the people they were targeting. I question, who do these people think they are, and by what authority do they do these things.
I am not an American citizen, but I am not un-American. In my understanding of the Constitution, assuming it to be still in force, it is the right of the citizens of this nation, not to be subject to unreasonable search and seizure. I don't believe it takes much intelligence to conclude that, approximately 100 fully armed agents, 3 military styled helicopters, plus all that hardware that came against us, constitutes unreasonable search and seizure. This was not a fictitious movie you watch on television, sitting in the comfort of your living room, it was reality. Perhaps this nation has lost the ability to differentiate between reality and fantasy, and appreciate the different responses required of the two. The fact that the element of surprise was knowingly lost, yet the attack took place regardless, is definitive proof of unreasonable search and seizure. Through the testimony of their own witnesses, we are informed that the planners of this attack, relied heavily on the element of surprise being present, for any reasonable expectation of success. By reverse logic, one must conclude that, the absence of this element, significantly reduces or removes altogether any reasonable expectation of success. To know that the element of surprise was lost, yet proceed regardless, cannot be excused as an accident. It can either be seen as a deliberate intention to commit murder, or a flagrant display of arrogance at the expense of peoples lives. In any event both are inexcusable. The fact that we are here dealing with human lives, the executing of such an attack, with or without this element of surprise, should never have occurred in the first place. The real truth is, we were attacked by a bunch of hoodlums under the covof bogus laws. Through the surrender of their conscientious judgment for monetary gain, these agents became instrumental in bringing about this murderous conspiracy. The fact that they were at fault, has been significantly attested to, by the disciplinary actions taken against the agents responsible. Incidentally none of these agents had the courage to testify at the trial. Additionally, those who did clearly showed they had conspired together in the testimony they brought before the court. In my opinion, the action taken against these agents is not a show of disapproval for their wrongs, but rather for executing this wrong unsuccessfully. It also represents an attempt to appease the public, an insult to the intelligence of the American people.
Against the background of the above, it is extremely difficult for me to justify why myself and my colleagues, were the ones put on trial. The evidence arising from the way the trial was conducted leaves me no choice but to conclude that, this is an attempt by the government to cover up its corruption. Evidently, the mentality exists that, agents of the government and therefore the government, can do no wrong and are not answerable to the criminal legal process. This situation conveniently shields the government from a public exposure of its corruption. It is significant that what cases have slipped through the net, have done just that. The trial of myself and my colleagues, has served to highlight that the justice system is the subject of manipulation by the government for its own self preservation and political ends.
So then, my experience of the trial has left me convinced that the same misguided judgment, of the BATF and FBI resulting in the tragedy of Mt. Carmel, was repeated in the courtroom. The judicial process also, lacked the necessary competence to judge matters of the spirit. Additionally, there were significant aspects of the legal practice, which were highly questionable. With regards to this last point. The prosecuting attorneys were involved with the raid planning, yet they played a significant role in determining the indictments and in the subsequent trial. The head of the Justice Department, Janet Reno, was also involved with the attack. The D.A.'s office is ultimately responsible to the Justice Department. Evidently, the government has the potential power, to arbitrarily decide who will be indicted and who will not. This state of affairs enables it to cover its mistakes at the expense of the people.
At the conclusion of the trial, I was found not guilty of the original conspiracy charges unjustly brought against me, an evident blow to the government. However, I was found guilty of aiding and abetting involuntary manslaughter. Also, the possession of a weapon in the commission of a violent crime. The crime was with reference to the original conspiracy charges. I was subsequently sentenced to 40 years and over $250,000 fine. How these two latter charges tie together, let alone relate to the evidence, remains a mystery to me. Significantly my original indictment did not include aiding and abetting involuntary manslaughter. It included the conspiracy and weapons charges. Inoluntary manslaughter was added by the defense attorneys, in consultation with the judge and prosecution. Further, this was done after myself and my colleagues had agreed to rest our case. Being convinced there was no conspiracy and the evidence of the trial did not support a conspiracy, we did not think it necessary to take the stand. Our attorneys acted on their own without consulting or consent from us, by including the charge of voluntary manslaughter. As a matter of fact, I specifically told my attorney not to alter the original indictment. It is important to also note that, when the jury returned the verdict of not guilty on the original charge of conspiracy, the weapons charge, being contingent on the conspiracy charge, should have been dropped. The judge did in fact rule to drop this additional charge, but later reneged on this decision. In my judgment these are legitimate issues of judicial misconduct and ineffective assistance of counsel. It was clearly evident in the trial that the attorneys were subject to the judge, who controls the court. To trust ones attorney essentially means, to be subject to, and therefore to trust the judge. That, the judge had taken the governments position was blatantly obvious from the outset. What transpired at this trial was merely an attempt, at the appearance of justice. Even then, the judge did an extremely unprofessional job, and so the incompetence continues. As noted earlier, we are not dealing with justice, but rather, the interest of the political economy.
The judges conduct with the jury was also a matter of great concern. It is noteworthy, that a significant number of the jury were pro-gun control. They were also misguided by the judge. The jury foreperson wrote a letter to the judge stating this, in addition tearfully repeated this on national television.
In the face of all this, how can it be said that justice has been done. Why should I be forced to address these blatant injustices in the judicial process, through an appeal. Could it be that, what we have here is nothing but another industry. There seems to be a clear vested interest in maintaining an unjust judicial system. Between the courts and the prison system, a tremendous amount of money is generated. Most certainly, the attorneys are happy about it.
The sentencing phase of the trial was also of great interest. Washing his hand of responsibility for his actions, in his opening statement, the judge blamed the people via the jury and congress, for what he was about to do and why!
During this process, he remarked concerning our commitment of faith, this fanaticism is difficult to understand! In the pretrial hearing he had ruled out issues of our faith and rights under the constitution. It is no wonder he made the above comment. Further analysis reveals this comment to be illogical. How can he in one breath define our commitment as fanatical, while in the same breath state he does not understand it? One cannot label something accurately without first understanding it. Moreover, by stating he does not understand it how can it be said that, the issues of this trial were established beyond reasonable doubt. Evidently the jury saw no intent or conspiracy to murder federal agents. Their decision on involuntary manslaughter can only be construed a political compromise, arising from the judges deliberate misguidance. Notice the judge was not quick to respond to the juries pleas following their mistake.
Judge Smith also made the comment, David was a false prophet. This was the most alarming of all his comments. In his own mind he was evidently sitting in judgment on our faith. Yet assuredly, he does not have the slightest clue of the subject matter of our beliefs, let alone its spirit. In making such a comment, he has shown that, the government through the justice system, now decides what constitutes matters of the state and matters of Religion. Further, what is true and false Religion. At no time did the judge declare his criterion of judgment on both the above. As a matter of fact, he stated he did not understand us. It would be implied from the nature of the trial, that any group professing to be religious, yet thinks differently from the governments accepted boundary of thinking, would be highly suspect as false. Further, should such a group be willing to defend its thinking, actively demonstrating this, against attacks by the government, it would most certainly be judged as false. So then harmony with the thinking allowed by the government, is what constitutes true religion. In taking it upon itself to separate church from state, the government has made itself a god over both. In principle, this is no different to what existed under Catholicism during the dark ages. The result of which we look back in horror. All dissenting voices from the governments determinations, will be silenced. We have come full circle.
The question remains, what are the influences behind the scene encouraging the government to act this way? Are they political economic or religious? We often hear the cry, national security, but are left in the dark as to what's going on. Meanwhile, the government appropriates to itself more power and resources, how convenient!
One thing is certain, Judge Smith's comments demonstrates a profound ignorance of spiritual reality, similarly, the prosecution. They not only judge our beliefs to be false, but went on to brand us religious terrorists! All of this because we stood and died in defense of what we believed. If this is not the essence of what constitutes faithfulness, and therefore true religion, I don't know what is! Consider the following commendation, Hebrews 11 (note verses 36-38); 12:3, 4-10; Revelation 2:8-10.
"The Unseen Reality"
Sealed With Seven Seals
In the following I shall endeavor to address our beliefs as far as I am able within the boundaries of this book. Briefly, ones belief is generally defined as that which one perceives in the mind to be true. Few appreciate that beliefs require a yardstick or criterion against which they are contrasted enabling them to be judged true or false. This criterion is distinctly separate from the beliefs themselves and is absolute in its nature. Traditionally the criterion generally employed has been that which we refer to as conscience, that inner voice.
On the outside people have compared the conscience to the ancient books written by holy men. In the West, the Judeo- Christian scriptures has been generally accepted as such. These external criteria provide a measure by which to judge the accuracy of both our own perceptions of what is true and that of others. If we assume that civil laws are not to compel one to act contrary to conscience then such laws too must also parallel conscience.
The above scenario reflects something of an ideal situation. However, in the reality many of us have come to know it does not work that way. Generally people are not true to conscience. They give little consideration to the books of the ancients, and civil law tend to reflect economic and political interests.
Deviations from the conscience are often related to a desire to satisfy the lusts of the senses, a choice available to man. It is understood that progression in these deviations results in the lessening of ones ability to respond to the inner voice of conscience. This finally ends in confusion, weakening the will to pursue harmony with conscience. Many choose instead to satisfy and to cultivate the sensual lusts, reflective of the prevailing situation of today. Being born into this situation places much stress on one to give little thought to conscience. Some abandon it altogether.
In my experience I have found people to be at different stages along this continuum. These varying positions have a profound impact on our ability to comprehend the meaning behind the written words of the scriptures. Logic would suggest, the greater the harmony with conscience the greater ones ability to perceive the meanings of scriptures. At the opposite extreme its pursuit and comprehension is abandoned altogether. Only to be replaced by an alternative generated through the imagination of the mind. In any event, the awareness of the mind games we play remains with us. In the final analysis we are really fooling ourselves, and these things have a way of catching up with us!
It is against this background of the inner workings of the human mind and the shortcomings of the heart that people form and utter their opinions of what they perceive to be true. Certainly, in the actions of man, faithfulness to the mind of conscience is sadly lacking. Often when faced with the challenge of being faithful at some loss to ourselves we sacrifice faithfulness. The heart of man is considerably weak and requires strengthening. How this is to be accomplished has been the inner struggle of man from time immemorial. As mentioned above, most have abandoned this struggle opening the floodgates to whatever pleases the fancy. But is this the answer? We may find temporary pleasure, but the morning after we are met with a sickly after effect. Only to find ourselves turning to something else to cure that, yet weaker for the experience. In the interim the inner voice of conscience is seeking to re-establish us again. Unfortunately this effort is often interpreted as condemnatory, sapping the will of it's power to return. The truth is this interpretation, arises out of our own imagination. It is we who condemn ourselves. We have been nurtured and cultured in this habit for generations. It is also we who judge ourselves, but we are still faced with the need for a criterion against which to judge. We are back where we started. There exist within us an inescapable realization that there is something called truth, be it relative to conscience or some other measure we devise ourselves. Consistency with it, affords us a necessary sense of peace and security. Without which our survival as, complete and healthy beings, is virtually impossible.
So then, ones expressed beliefs are a reflection of ones state of conscientious awareness. In order to understand a persons expressed beliefs, it is necessary to understand their state of conscientious awareness. This requires an atmosphere of openness, honesty and trust. Failure to do this results in interpreting such beliefs against the background of ones own state of conscientious awareness. This becomes judgmental and generally produces inaccuracies in understanding.
The scriptures reflect the state of conscientious awareness we identify with God. This is the subject matter of the Seven Seals. At Mt. Carmel we gave ourselves over to conscience without reservation. The United States government defined it as brainwashing. We like to think of it as being honest with ourselves! I don't need to question the integrity of its judgment. It knows what it did and the reasons it did it. As sure as night follows day we are all to be judged by the truth of conscience, the true measure of righteousness. Moreover according to our righteousness so shall we be rewarded.
The following, focuses on the book of Revelation, highlighting a significant part of our beliefs. It brings to view the nature and criterion against which we judge what is true or false, as it relates to beliefs and thinking. The book of Revelation itself is generally accepted as the last known revelation given to the Apostles and included in the Canon.
Briefly the Apostle John was on the Isle of Patmos. He received a visit from a being belonging to a distant reality, both in space and time. He gives John some information instructing him to write it in a book and send it to the seven churches in Asia. Following this initial encounter, John is taken a place he identifies as heaven. He is shown the judgment at the end of this world. He brings to view a throne with someone sitting on it. This is surrounded by twenty-four elders, also seated. Additionally he beholds four living creatures and an innumerable company of angels. In the right hand of the one on the throne is a book sealed with Seven Seals. A strong angel appears on the scene crying with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to take the book and to loose the seals thereof ?" The response was unequivocal, "No man!" John's attention is subsequently directed to a personality described as the Lamb. He comes and takes the book from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne and proceeds to open the seals. As he looses each seal he reveals a succession of symbolically coded information. The essential issue has been the book and the meaning of the seals. Since only the Lamb was identified as worthy to loose the seals, logic would suggest only he can show their meaning. Anyone therefore claiming to know the meaning of the seals, must either be the Lamb, or being his servant, was taught by him. The Apostle John was subsequently shown the meanings, but was not permitted to write them. The Apostle Paul made reference to this in his second letter to the church at Corinth. (II Corinthians 12:1- 5) The book called the Revelation which the Apostle John wrote, merely seeks to notify the inhabitants of the earth of the issues concerning the sealed book.
Mt. Carmel was a place where David Koresh opened the Seven Seals. The issue now facing everyone with any interest in the scriptures and the will of God is, what do these seals teach? Further, did David truly reveal them? If this is so, then the question must be asked who is he? It is not impossible for beings of spirit to take human form. Additionally by killing him what has the Gentile world done? On the other hand if it is not true, then by what criterion is it judged not true and by whom? Moreover, what then do the seals teach?
Had this government approached Mt. Carmel in a more rational fashion, David would be alive today addressing these questions in person as he offered to do. Nevertheless I shall now focus on the text of the book of Revelation. All the references will be taken from the King James Version. Our text begins with Revelation 1:9-20.
Revelation Chapter 1
1:9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send [it] unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks [one] like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
14 His head and [his] hairs [were] white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes [were] as a flame of fire;
15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance [was] as the sun shineth in his strength.
17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
18 I [am] he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
In this section, John introduces himself to his hearers, he also identifies where he is writing from, note verse 9. We are acquainted with the fact that, the Isle of Patmos was a place of exile. Speaking to the seven churches in Asia, John declares, he was sent there for the word of God and the testimony of Christ. During this time, the early believers were a target of persecution. In verse 10, John notes he was in the Spirit and heard behind him a voice, which sounded like a trumpet. This voice introduces itself, then instructs John to write what he sees in a book and send it to the seven churches in Asia, compare verse 11, and 19. In verse 12, John turns around to see the voice that spoke with him. He proceeds to describe what he saw, one like the son of man in the midst of seven golden candlesticks. In verse 17, John faints at the sight. After recovering consciousness, they both enter a dialogue, verses 18-20. This being was in fact identified as the angel of Christ, compare Revelation 1:1; 22:16. This explains why John describes him as one "like" the Son of man. Note he has the keys of hell and death. Evidently, the Apostle John is being used as an instrument by heaven, through the angel of Christ, to communicate certain information heaven deems important, to the churches.
In Revelation Chapters 2 and 3, John records the information the angel showed him, in the form of seven letters, one to each of the churches. They give us, who are living today, some insights into how Christ dealt with His church in the past.
Revelation Chapter 2
1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
4 Nevertheless I have [somewhat] against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and [I know] the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but [are] the synagogue of Satan. 10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast [some] of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, [even] where Satan's seat [is]: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas [was] my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth [it].
18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet [are] like fine brass;
19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last [to be] more than the first.
20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.
25 But that which ye have [already] hold fast till I come.
26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
28 And I will give him the morning star.
29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Revelation Chapter 3
1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, [which is] new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and [I will write upon him] my new name.
13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Clearly, the church had a direct link with heaven. What is the evidence of such a link today? There are so many churches today, which of them has that direct link to heaven, and what is heaven saying? We know there is a judgment to take place in heaven, how are we to know it's substance? Could it be possible that, the churches today are merely man made institutions, bereft of the spirit? Who is the spokesperson on earth, through whom heaven is communicating to man? From ancient times, God's always had a visible presence, or representative on earth.
In the interest of brevity, I shall focus on two of the above letters. Firstly the letter to the church of Smyrna. You will note, this church was the subject of persecution, from within and without. In the former, from people falsely professing to be believers, whilst in the latter, the civil authorities. Note carefully verses 9 and 10, of Chapter 2. Evidently following Christ knows no bounds. The followers in the church of Smyrna, are to experience prison and death, for which they are counselled to endure. You will further note the warning of verse 11. This counsel comes from the spirit. The rejecting of the spirit has been identified with the unpardonable sin. This is nothing really complicated. It is through the spirit that Christ communicates himself. To reject the spirit, merely cuts off communications with Christ. One is effectively left in darkness regarding matters pertaining to Christ and heaven. Ordinarily, the spirit elects an individual here on earth to be its mouth piece.
In the letter to Philadelphia, the spirit brings to view some interesting information. (Revelation 3:7-13) Note the key of David in verse 7, we saw this in Revelation 1:18. There, it was identified with hell and death, evidently it must open something. What has this got to do with David? We know David wrote the Psalms. Is there some mystery to the Psalms, that we have not yet fully understood? In verse 18, an open door is placed before the Philadelphians. What does this mean? What does John have to say about an open door? (Revelation 4:1) Note carefully verse 12. Christ informs the church, he is to have a new name! What is Christ's new name?
In addition to Johns initial encounter with the angel, or spirit of Christ, something extraordinary follows. In Revelation 4:1, John beholds a door opened in heaven. You will recall mention being made of an open door in the letter to the Philadelphians. John is invited to come up to heaven through this door, by the angel he met at the beginning, to be shown things future to his day.
Revelation Chapter 4
1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door [was] opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard [was] as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and [one] sat on the throne.
3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and [there was] a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.
4 And round about the throne [were] four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.
5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and [there were] seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
6 And before the throne [there was] a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, [were] four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
7 And the first beast [was] like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast [was] like a flying eagle.
8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about [him]; and [they were] full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,
10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
As he was in Revelation 1:10, John again identifies himself as being in the spirit, verse 2. Once in heaven, he gives a graphic description of what he sees, the content of which takes up the remainder of the book of Revelation. In chapter 4, he describes the scene in God's throne room. Verses 2 and 3, brings to view the throne, having one sitting on it. John describes Him as a jasper and sardine stone. It is no wonder, the prophets called God a Rock! Surrounding the throne are twenty-four elders seated, verse 4. In verses 6-9, John introduces these four beasts, one of which is identified as having a face as a man. Later on in chapter 5:11, John also introduces an innumerable company of angels. In verses 10 an 11, the elders are seen worshipping the one sat on the throne. Additionally, in Chapter 5:7, John is to bring to view a personality described as the Lamb. The question arises, what are we seeing here? The Apostle Paul, describes this gathering as Mt. Zion; the City of the Living God; the heavenly Jerusalem; the general assembly and church of the firstborn written in heaven. (Hebrews 12:22-24) Paul was also permitted to see John's experience of going up to heaven. (II Corinthians 12:1-5)
An additional question arises, concerning the purpose of the above assembly? In Revelation 4:1, it was noted that, John went to heaven to be shown events future to his day. In Revelation 1:1, it speaks of a Revelation concerning events to come to pass. In Revelation 5, the issue of this assembly is clearly brought to view.
Revelation Chapter 5
1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four [and] twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, [be] unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four [and] twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.
In the right hand of the one who sat on the throne is the book, sealed with seven seals, verse 1. Note the inquiry of verse 2; who is worthy to take the book and loose the seals thereof? The response in verse 3, was unequivocal, no man! You will recall these events are taking place in the realm of the spirit. The fact that no man was found worthy was of concern to John, evidently he wanted to know the contents of the sealed book, verse 5. John is comforted, having his attention directed to a personality described as the Lamb. He comes and takes the book, verses 6 and 7. In the rest of the chapter he receives all honor, worship, glory etc, being the only one accounted worthy to take the book and loose the seals thereof.
We noted earlier, the Apostle Paul had spoken of this event. He identifies the book as the new covenant, and the Lamb as Christ, the mediator of the new covenant. (Hebrews 12:24) So then, it is established in this first stage of the judgment, that only the Lamb is worthy to reveal the book. It therefore follows, that all authorities are subject to him. As we proceed further in our study, it will become apparent that, the sealed book in heaven, with all its symbolic codes written in a language heaven understands, is in fact the scriptures here on earth. The information contained therein, written in a language man can understand. What this judgment effectively means therefore is, the bible is a sealed book. This is particularly as it relates to the subject matter of the new covenant. We learn from the prophet Daniel, who wrote during the Medio-Persian empire, that the book would be sealed until the time of the end. (Daniel 12:4, 8-10) Naturally, someone was to emerge in the earth to open the book and reveal its meaning. The fact the scriptures is a sealed book, with regards to its meaning, helps us to understand the prevalence of so many churches offering their opinions and interpretations of its meaning. This is all well and good. No one is to be condemned for trying to understand the book, nevertheless the judgment of Rev 5, concludes that no one but the Lamb is worthy to reveal its true meaning.
In Rev. 6-22:5, the Lamb proceeds to open each seal. Rev 6:1-7:17, focuses on the first six seals. At the opening of the first four seals, we see a series of symbolically coded information:
Revelation Chapter 6
1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.
2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
3 And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.
4 And there went out another horse [that was] red: and [power] was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.
5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.
6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and [see] thou hurt not the oil and the wine.
7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.
8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they [were], should be fulfilled.
12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;
13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
Revelation Chapter 7
7:1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.
2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,
3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: [and there were] sealed an hundred [and] forty [and] four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
5 Of the tribe of Juda [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad [were] sealed twelve thousand.
6 Of the tribe of Aser [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses [were] sealed twelve thousand.
7 Of the tribe of Simeon [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar [were] sealed twelve thousand.
8 Of the tribe of Zabulon [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin [were] sealed twelve thousand.
9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and [about] the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,
12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, [be] unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.
16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
In Rev 6: 1-2, as the Lamb opens the first seal, note the sound of thunder. Rev. 10:3, has something to say about seven thunders and the open book. At the opening of each seal you will also note the invitation of the four beasts, for John to come and see. The first seal reveals a rider on a white horse. He has a bow, and a crown was given unto him. Evidently he's a king. Further, he goes forth conquering and to conquer. Maybe that's why he's got a bow, to shoot arrows at his enemies. In any event, that's all the information we get on the first seal. The question is, what does all this mean here on earth? Who's the one on the horse? Who are the ones he conquers? When do these things happen? Who on earth can teach us these things? It has already been established, that only the Lamb can reveal the seals. Therefore we are obliged to conclude that, only he can truthfully address the questions above. Whatever answers we offer, unless we are the Lamb, they amount to mere opinions and private interpretations. The apostle Peter counsels against such. (2 Peter 1:19-21)
He opens the second seal verses 3, 4 again a man riding a horse, this time a red horse! Power is given unto him to take peace from the earth, causing man to kill one another. Additionally, he's given a great sword. The third and fourth seals also reveal a man riding a horse, black and pale in color. Then there's some minor information concerning the task he has to perform, verses 5-8. We are faced with the same questions introduced under the first seal.
When the fifth seal is open we see some dead people on the other side. They were killed for the word of God and the testimony they held. I wonder why that is? These people are conscious in spite of their death, and cry for their blood to be avenged against those who killed them. They are told to wait a while, until the rest of their brethren that are to be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. Note also that there are no more beast! (Rev. 6:9-11)
In Rev 6:12; 7:17, the sixth seal is brought to view. All hell breaks loose. Cataclysmic events occur in the heavens and in the earth. Fear possesses the inhabitants of this world as they seek to hide themselves from the one on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. I wonder why that is. I thought the glorious appearance of Christ was something to look forward to! How come these people seek to hide themselves? Evidently these things take them by surprise! It appears they had not taken heed to the subject matter of the judgment of Revelation 4 and 5. But some did take note. In chapter 7, an angel is seen ascending from the earth with the seal of the living God. Note he's ascending, not descending. Evidently, he must have been on earth. What is that seal of the living God, that he has? Further still, how does it relate to the sealed book? Who is this angel, and what's he got to do with the angel of Revelation 10, who comes to earth with the opened book? Maybe he wanted to give a bible study. Whatever this means, the inhabitants of the earth failed to take heed, consequently these things take them by surprise!
Rev. 8:1-22:5, focuses on the seventh seal and concludes the information on the seals. The following looks at some immediate topics:
Revelation Chapter 8
1 And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.
2 And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.
3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer [it] with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
4 And the smoke of the incense, [which came] with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.
5 And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast [it] into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.
6 And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.
7 The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.
8 And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood;
9 And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.
10 And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;
11 And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.
12 And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.
13 And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!
Revelation Chapter 9
1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.
2 And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.
3 And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.
5 And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment [was] as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.
6 And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.
7 And the shapes of the locusts [were] like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads [were] as it were crowns like gold, and their faces [were] as the faces of men.
8 And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as [the teeth] of lions.
9 And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings [was] as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle.
10 And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power [was] to hurt men five months.
11 And they had a king over them, [which is] the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue [is] Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath [his] name Apollyon.
12 One woe is past; [and], behold, there come two woes more hereafter.
13 And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,
14 Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.
15 And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.
16 And the number of the army of the horsemen [were] two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.
17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses [were] as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone.
18 By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.
19 For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails [were] like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt.
20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:
21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.
Revelation Chapter 10
1 And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow [was] upon his head, and his face [was] as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:
2 And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and [his] left [foot] on the earth,
3 And cried with a loud voice, as [when] a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.
4 And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.
5 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,
6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:
7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
8 And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go [and] take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth.
9 And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take [it], and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.
10 And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.
11 And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.
Revelation Chapter 11
1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty [and] two months.
3 And I will give [power] unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred [and] threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
8 And their dead bodies [shall lie] in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
11 And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake wereslain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.
Note Rev. 10:1-11:13, following the sixth trumpet of the sixth seal, an angel appears. He comes to the earth, from heaven with a little book opened. What is this book? What does he want to teach the inhabitants of the earth? In verse 3, he cries as when a lion roareth. Maybe he has some connection with the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, brought to view in Revelation 5:5, otherwise known as the Lamb. When he cries seven thunders utter their voices. Seven thunders! What's that got to do with Rev 6:1, where the Lamb opens the first seal? John claims he hears, as it were the noise of thunder. He was about to write what the seven thunders uttered but was told not to, verse 4. Note verses 5 and 6, when the angel comes to earth there is time is no longer. In verse 7, we find the statement;
But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, When he shall begin to sound,
the mystery of God should be finished,
as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
What Mystery? What was John told not to write? Evidently John knew something. Has this mystery been shown to the prophets before hand? How about that. Ever wondered about the man on the red horse in Zechariah 1:7-8. What did the prophet Zechariah see? Who's that angel that comes down to earth in Zech 2:1-3, and who's that young man he speaks to? The one who goes to Jerusalem to measure the temple. What is he told about the events to occur in Jerusalem? Why is it that under the second deal, the man on the red horse takes peace from the earth? Is there a movement for peace in the Middle East? Does it bear the sanction of God? We know God has chosen Jerusalem for His dwelling place. What did Christ have to say about future events in the Middle East, and Jerusalem? (Luke 21:20-27, 35; cf. Zechariah 14:1, 2) In Matthew 24:2, he had stated not one stone of the building would be left upon another. We know the wailing wall remains to this day. Is there something to occur in Jerusalem? Why is it that Christ takes peace from the earth? (Mt 10:34-39) What did the Apostle Paul, have to say about all of this? (I Thessalonians 4:16-5:4; note 5:3) This angel that comes to the earth, could it be he's the one with the seal of God, ascending from the East in Rev. 7:2! How about that, what are we seeing here, who can show us the meanings of all of this? We know one thing, many serious events are here spoken of. But do they matter, are they of any importance to us? They seem to be important to God!
Revelation Chapter 11 (continued) 14 The second woe is past; [and], behold, the third woe cometh quickly.
15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become [the kingdoms] of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
Part 3 of 4--Livingstone Fagan's "Mount Carmel: The Unseen Reality"
Revelation Chapter 12
1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:
2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and [to] his throne.
6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred [and] threescore days.
7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
12 Therefore rejoice, [ye] heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man [child].
14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Revelation Chapter 13
1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as [the feet] of a bear,and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, an great authority
3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who [is] like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty [and] two months.
6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.
10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by [the means of] those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed
16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number [is] Six hundred threescore [and] six.
Revelation Chapter 14
1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty [and] four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.
2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:
3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred [and] forty [and] four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, [being] the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.
6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive [his] mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
12 Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed [are] the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud [one] sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.
15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.
16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.
17 And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.
18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.
19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast [it] into the great winepress of the wrath of God.
20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand [and] six hundred furlongs.
Revelation Chapter 15
1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.
2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, [and] over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.
3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous [are] thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true [are] thy ways, thou King of saints.
4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for [thou] only [art] holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.
5 And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:
6 And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.
7 And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.
8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.
Revelation Chapter 16
1 And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.
2 And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and [upon] them which worshipped his image.
3 And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead [man]: and every living soul died in the sea.
4 And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.
5 And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus.
6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.
7 And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous [are] thy judgments.
8 And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.
9 And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.
10 And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,
11 And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.
12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.
13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs [come] out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, [which] go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed [is] he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.
18 And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, [and] so great.
19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.
20 And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.
21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, [every stone] about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.
Revelation Chapter 17
1 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:
2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.
3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:
5 And upon her forehead [was] a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. {harlots: or, fornications}
6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.
7 And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.
8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
9 And here [is] the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.
10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, [and] the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.
11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him [are] called, and chosen, and faithful.
15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.
16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.
17 For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.
18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
Revelation Chapter 18
1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.
2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.
4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be noparkers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
6 Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.
7 How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.
8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong [is] the Lord God who judgeth her.
9 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,
10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.
11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:
12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, {thyine: or, sweet}
13 And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.
14 And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.
15 The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,
16 And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!
17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,
18 And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What [city is] like unto this great city!
19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.
20 Rejoice over her, [thou] heaven, and [ye] holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.
21 And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast [it] into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.
22 And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft [he be], shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;
23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.
24 And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.
Revelation Chapter 19
1 And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:
2 For true and righteous [are] his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.
3 And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.
4 And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.
5 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.
6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the L |