Gary Gleans

One of the questions that we have about heaven is: What will we do in heaven?   If we are honest, we must admit that we don’t have all of the answers to those questions.   One thing that we must never do is think that heaven will be boring.   God has made us with all of our senses and desires, He is preparing a place for us and we can trust Him to prepare a place and prepare us for that place in a way that will astound us.   The beauty and joy of the earth on which we currently live will all pale in comparison to that which God is preparing for us on the New Earth.   While much about this New Earth or heaven remains unknown to us; John does record for us some very important information in this last chapter of the New Testament. HEAVEN IS A PLACE FOR WORSHIPING: We are created as worshipers and all men worship our lives are consumed by worship.   Unfortunately, we often worship things or people that are not worth of worship.   The result of this reality is that we end up feeling lost an

Whenever we talk or think about heaven our imaginations tend to run wild.   I think that this is as it should be.   I believe that God is pleased when we dream about heaven and try to imagine the wonders that await us there.   Since God knows our thoughts, I think He must often laugh at the things we conger up about heaven, not because our thoughts are too glorious and grand but because our thoughts are too boring and bland.   John records a few observations about heaven that should provide the framework of our daydreams about our home. HEAVEN IS HOLY: What must stand out to us about heaven is the fact that it is the place where God dwells with men.   God is perfectly holy and will only dwell in the midst of those who share in His holiness.   What this means is that God will make us holy just as He is holy.   This is the purpose and promise of salvation.   What a glorious thought this is that one day every sinful act, thought and desire will be permanently irradiated from our hearts.  

The history of this world as we now know it will change radically.   We don’t know a lot of details from this passage of how this time will be.   John describes the events of a thousand years in just a few paragraphs along with the most serious of all judgments.   I believe that a greater understanding of how the earth will be during Christ’s reign is best learned through a study of the Old Testament prophecies.   The main point is that Christ will return and that He will make drastic changes in the way that men live on the earth.   What a glorious day that will be. THE SAVIOR WILL REIGN: When Christ returns to earth, He will establish His kingdom for one-thousand years.   Theologically, this period is called the Millennium.   There are many who do not take this as a literal kingdom and believe that this passage describes Christ’s current kingdom of the church on earth.   However, I believe that this passage is most accurately understood as Christ returning to the earth with the church

People go about their daily lives on a very normal basis.   When the tribulation period starts things will seem very difficult, but despite the plagues men will move forward and all will become normal again.   That is the reality of history on this earth and is a part of human nature.   That which seems strange or extraordinary, with time will become normal.   That, in many ways, will come to a screeching halt with the events of this chapter. CHRIST RECIEVES HIS BRIDE: The marriage of Christ and the church is celebrated in the marriage super of the Lamb.   The church has been going through the Judgment Seat of Christ during the tribulation period.   The rewards that are granted during this time become a sort of wedding gift that is lain at the feet of Jesus and the church is granted white linen clothing to wear to this celebration.   This is the moment that we so long to experience.   Our works today are part of the adornment of the bride of Christ and we must serve the Lord faithfully

The city of Babylon and the religious system she represents continues to be the focus of this chapter.   This seems to be an alternative view of the same events described in the previous chapter.   It is a clear demonstration of what happens to those who oppose the work of God in the world. THE DESTRUCTION OF BABYLON: This city and system that has stood in opposition to God and in the name of God has brought such great hardship and suffering on the true followers of Christ is decisively judged.   The destruction is swift, great and complete.   This is the final fate of all who reject Christ and choose to abandon the worship of God for the worship of idols of their own making.   Babylon represents this deviation from God’s truth and illustrates the results that all who reject God’s authority will experiment.   THE DISTRESS OF THE NATIONS: In the previous chapter, we saw the delight of the kings of the earth because of this judgment, however, there will also be a great lament of the loss

The beast described in this chapter is different from the beasts described in previous chapters; however, they are also very similar to one another.   This beast appears to be working in cooperation with the Anti-Christ, but at the same time there seems to be a large amount of animosity between this beast and the world leaders.   There is much to indicate that this is some sort of religious system or leader that is completely against the work of God in the world through Christ.   We might be tempted to speculate as to what religion this might be, but I do not think that is necessary or wise.   The warning we must heed here is to worship God and not the religions of men. THE BEAST PROMOTES FALSE ADORATION: One of the key characteristics of this system is that it promotes idolatry and blasphemes against the name of the one and only God of the universe.   The heart of man by its very nature worships.   However, due to our fallen nature our hearts seek out objects of worship other than God

Anyone who has ever wondered about the power of God over the earth or the hatred of God towards sin should read this chapter.   Though the passage does not tell us, I imagine that these plagues occur during the final months of the Tribulation because I cannot imagine how life would be sustainable on the planet with all of these plagues taking place.   The wrath of God is clearly being revealed and the picture is not very pretty. BOILS AND BLOOD: The first bowl is one of malignant sores breaking out all over the bodies of those who have the mark of the beast.   This clearly reveals God’s ability to judge or relieve from judgment according to His will.   One time I got hundreds of chigger bites on my legs.   The itching was driving me absolutely out of my mind, and then several of them got infected.   I felt like taking a knife and just scraping my skin.   I think my chiggers were nothing in comparison to what these people will experience all over their bodies.   One of the only things t

Revelation 15:1-8 The worship of God is a theme that constantly surfaces throughout Scripture and especially in the book of Revelation.   I think that gives us a very clear indication of that which will be our focus in heaven as well as that which should occupy our time here on earth.   We are, by our very natures, worshipers.   Unfortunately, our worship is too often directed at objects, others and ourselves.   This will not always be the case.   One day every man, woman and child from every nation of the world will bow in worship before our Lord. GOD IS WORSHIPED FOR HIS RIGHTEOUS WORKS: The picture that John records in revelation is one of all the saints from every nation on the earth worshiping God for His works and His righteousness.   God is deserving of our worship because of who He is and because of what He has done.   He is the ruler of this world and the judge of all of mankind.   All of us are called to fear God as well as love God and give glory to His name.   He is perfect

We live in a world of contrasts.   There is a consistent contrast between good and evil, love and hate, peace and war, hope and despair.   These contrasts have been the constant companions of the history of this planet since the fall of man.   One of the problems we face in the world today is that the consequences of these contrasting realities do not seem to be consistent with what we expect them to be.   We expect for good to be rewarded and for evil to be punished.   However, the reality of our current circumstances often results in just the opposite.   Evil often prospers and good seems to suffer.   We must be assured of the fact that these disparaging consequences are only temporary and only occur as a result of having to live on a sin cursed planet under the domain of Satan.   It is of utmost importance that we remember that things will not always be this way. THE REST WITH GOD FOR THE SAINTS: During the tribulation period God sets off on a campaign to draw clear contrasts on thi

The sincerest form of flattery is imitation.   I am sure that Satan is, in no way, desirous of flattering God, but he constantly seeks to imitate God out of a desire to usurp God’s authority.   The fact that God exists eternally in a tri-unity is not a hidden fact to Satan.   I believe that Satan, during the tribulation described in Revelation, seeks to imitate the Holy Trinity by forming his own evil trinity.   Satan, of course, would be the first person of this evil trinity and the other two members are revealed to us in this passage. THE BALSPHEMOUS BEAST OF THE SEA: The Sea in Revelation represents the Gentile nations.   This beast that comes out of the Sea is the Anti-Christ.   He is a Gentile ruler that demands the obedience and more importantly the worship of all the nations.   The Anti-Christ represents the second person in Satan’s evil trinity.   We must recognize that Satan’s goals during the tribulation are far greater than just establishing a political regime that forms a n

Throughout the history of creation God has been unfolding the plan of redemption in the history of the world.   This involves all of the hosts of heaven and every person on the face of the earth.   Many in the world are completely unaware of this plan and see no need for redemption but that makes no difference.   The truth is always truth whether anyone know it or believes it or not.   This chapter gives us an insight into this plan and the steps that it has taken in the past and will take in the future. AN EPIC BATTLE: When Satan rebelled against God he was thrown out of heaven and took one third of the angles down with him.   This began what has become the battle of the ages.   Satan is determined to overthrow God and try to assume the position of the deity of the earth.   God, on the other hand, is determined to redeem men from sin and release them from the power of Satan.   God has allowed Satan to have limited freedom in this age, but He has determined that Satan will ultimately b

The tribulation period continues on the earth, but it is important for us to remember that it is not merely a time of judgment, but it is also a time in which God reveals His will to men through his witnesses.   We have already seen the 144,000 testimonies and now there are the two incredibly powerful witnesses who warn all of man of the judgment of God.   This is a demonstration of God’s grace as well as proof of the depravity of man.   We can see God at work in the lives of men even on the darkest of days. THE MINISTRY OF GOD’S MESSENGERS: There has been much speculation about who these two witnesses might be.   Since the passage does not tell us who they are, I think that it is rather pointless to try to guess who they might be.   What is important is what they do.   They are witnesses of the living God and are prophesying at to what God is doing and will do.   They are messengers of God’s grace to those who believe, but they are messengers of God’s wrath on all those who rebel agai

John’s vision continues as he observes and tries to describe the activities of angels.   I think that it is interesting that the lightning had a message that John started to write down yet he was prohibited from doing so.   John is describing these events to the best of his ability, yet it is very clear that there is much more going on than what John is able to see, understand or describe.   I also find it interesting that John interacts with the angel as he is instructed to do.   The purpose of this particular vision remains a mystery to me but it certainly is inspiring to consider the glory of God as revealed in this revelation. AN AWESOME ANGEL: The description of this angel is amazing a it comes forth and stands with a foot on the sea and another on the land.   The angel’s head is encompassed by a cloud and a rainbow, its voice is like a lion and thunder and lightning flare all around it.   John is prohibited from writing the message of the lightning, but he does record the message

The trumpet judgments continue to come down upon the earth.   They continue to inflict pain and death all around the world.   What is most significant about these happenings is that despite what must have been unbearable pain coupled with a massive body count of dead people, those on the earth did not repent.   They continued to worship their false idols and continued to act in their sinful manners.   They have been confronted with their sin, they have seen that sin brings great pain and hardship, and they have seen that God is able and willing to punish sin; yet they still love their sin and refuse to turn from it. SWARMS OF STINGING SCORPIONS: These very strange creatures com out of the bottomless pit and their numbers are so great that they cause the sun to darken.   They are actually called locusts, but they are different from any creature we know today.   They can fly, they travel in swarms, yet they look like small horses with the hair of a woman, teeth like a lion and they are a

The seventh seal of the book is opened and from that seal comes seven trumpets.   This is the second series of judgments during the tribulation period.   It is very hard to know the timing of judgments, but due to the nature of these judgments, I have to believe that they occur during the second half of the seven year tribulation and possible close to the end.   This chapter describes the scene in heaven as well as the results on earth. PRAYERS IN HEAVEN: The angel who comes forth to introduce the seven trumpets comes to the altar where the prayers of the saints are gathered and he places incense on the altar of prayer and then fills a cup with fire from this altar and throws it down on earth where thunder, lightning and an earthquake provide the backdrop for the trumpet judgments.   The prayers of God’s people stand out in heaven as a means of worship before God.   These prayers also seem to contribute to the judgment process on the earth.   It seems that our prayers should be focused

The tribulation will not only be a time of great suffering, it will also be a time of great salvation.   Persecution is typically used of God to bring many people to Himself and this time of tribulation on the earth will be no exception.   This provides us with a perfect picture of God’s wrath on sin and God’s grace for sinners all at work at the same time.   This chapter seems to describe the activity of God’s saving grace during the entire tribulation and not just an event between the sixth and seventh seal. GOD SEALS HIS SERVANTS: There are 144,000 servants of God that are sealed by God as His servants to carry the message of Christ to the nations of the world.   These are all Jewish missionaries who will truly recognize that Jesus was Messiah as a result of the New Testament prophecies being fulfilled.   The rapture of the church along with the beginning events of the tribulation will start a spiritual revival in the nation of Israel the likes of which has never before been seen.  

Christ takes the book that only He can open and as He breaks each seal on the book, a series of plagues breaks out upon the earth.   This is the beginning of the tribulation period on the earth.   The wrath of God is being poured out upon the inhabitants of the earth.   I think that it is significant that John and the twenty-four elders are in heaven observing that which is taking place on the earth.   I believe that the church will be raptured off of the earth prior to this tribulation period.   As bad as these first judgments are, they are only be beginning of what will be wave after wave of the wrath of God.   This first series of judgments contains seven seals, six of which are described here. HORRIBLE HORSES: The first four seal judgments are represented by four different colored horses.   The first one is white and represents the rise of Anti-Christ.   We don’t know who this man may be, but his coming has been foretold since the days of Daniel.   He will promise peace and prosper

John Continues to describe the scene around the throne room of heaven.   In this chapter Christ, the slain Lamb, becomes the focus of attention.   It is important to note that there is not any conflict of interest between the Father and the Son.   One does not become jealous of the other nor does one detract from the other.   They are distinct from one another while at the same time united perfectly to one another.   We also see the Spirit described in this passage as a distinct yet united member of the Trinity.   I do not pretend to be able to fully grasp all of the implications of a Triune God eternally existent as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, but this passage clearly demonstrates this reality. CHRIST IS WORTHY TO ACCOMPLISH GOD’S WORK: John sees that the Father has a book with seven seals on it in His hand with and angel crying out in order to discover someone who is worthy to open this great and terrible book.   An initial search by John demonstrates that there is nobody in heaven

Two of the greatest questions that we as believers have are: what is heaven like? And what will we do in heaven?   John was given a glimpse of heaven’s glory as well as the activity in heaven.   What stands out in this brief description of heaven is the glory of God.   He is obviously the central figure of heaven. THE WONDER OF HEAVEN: Heaven is all about God and His glory.   John describes and awesome scene with a huge throne surrounded by men and angles.   The scene was spectacular with the throne of God being central and all that was around the throne was focused on the Father.   There is a sea that looks like glass before the throne, thunder and lightning coming out of the throne, four angels behind the throne and twenty four elders surrounding the throne.   The picture John paints with his words is awesome and rather frightening. THE WORSHIP OF HEAVEN: It is very clear that the activity of heaven is the worship of God.   The angles are worshiping God as they praise Him for His att

In each of these last three churches Christ makes the statement that He know their deeds.   It is vital for us to realize that we never act in secret and that we can never hide an action, attitude, or thought from God.   He knows us inside and out.   The reality is that our deeds reveal the truth about our hearts as well as how God will respond to us.   God loves to reward His children; however, He is not at all hesitant to discipline the disobedient according to their deeds. SARDIS: DEAD DEEDS: Christ seems to have almost exclusively condemnation of this church because He calls their deeds dead.   They may have many deeds that men might applaud, but God sees their hearts and knows that these deeds are only done in the flesh and for the flesh.   God is never pleased by the rituals of men or the keeping of regulations made by men.   This church seems to be prosperous financially but polluted spiritually.   They trust in their wealth as a sign of God’s blessing so they continue to practi

John begins writing to the seven churches represented in his vision of Christ.   Each church has its unique strengths and weaknesses.   Many have tried to interpret these churches as being representative of the church in various stages of history.   While certainly many of these correlations can be made, it seems more likely to me that John was writing about literal churches that had these specific problems.   I believe that the reality is that these same strengths and weaknesses have always existed in the church at every point in history including today.   With that in mind, we will all do well to make sure that we are following the strengths represented here and avoiding the weaknesses. EPHESUS: TRUTH WITHOUT LOVE: Christ commends the church in Ephesus because they have stood strong in the faith and defense of the truth.   False doctrines have always been propagated in and around the church and far too often the false teaching end up infecting the life and doctrine of the church.   E