Names of seven seals and their importance:
The anti Christ signs covenant with Jews for 3 ½ years – it is the beginning of sorrows 1st seal White Horse: The anti Christ increases his world dominion through subtle and false diplomacy.
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139 2nd seal Red Horse: The anti Christ in increases his power through war. 3rd seal Black Horse: The war results in great destruction and curses, devastation and famine. 4th seal Pale Horse: famine and pestilence result in disease and death. 5th seal Martyrs under the altar: Martyrdom of believing remnant (especially among Jewish believers in Israel) who will not worship the anti- Christ. 6th seal cosmic disturbance: sign in the sun, moon and stars (Beginning at mid point and cut short by cosmic disturbance) 7th seal the wrath of God: (The day of the Lord and his second coming) Judgement follows immediately. Then rapture that includes the blowing of the trumpets, and pouring of the bowls.
According to the third important issue we are touching the biblical truth which will not be experienced by the true believer that is the wrath of God. This promise was given to the believers in the scripture by apostle Paul. He gave us an assurance through scriptures that the almighty God will not consider the believers as victims for his vengeance like wicked people, but rescue them by rapture prior to the unleashing of his fury. Most of the bible believing Christians would certainly agree on this point and all the believers whole heartedly concern.
But it is only at this point in the process where unbiblical assumptions
th can arise. If it is referred to the future seven year period (Daniels 70 week) by its incorrect name the tribulation it is only a small jump to reason. This flawed reasoning results in a faulty conclusion; that Christians will be raptured pre-tribulationally “that is before the final seven year so called tribulation period. This has become a popular view held by many faithful churches and godly Christians today and unfortunately it cannot be substantiated from scriptures. The Old Testament prophets, the Lord Jesus himself and the Apostle John all clearly pointed out that God’s wrath will not begin until inside this final seven year period of time. It is also clearly said the duration will be significantly less than seven years.
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Basing on the reality, let us try to seek the answers to these questions. If the Christians are not destined to be recipients of God’s wrath then (1) when will the wrath of God really begin? What will be the sign indicating its arrival? Answers to these two questions are essential to give a proper understanding of the timing of the rapture of the church and the second coming of Christ. There are some clear indicators that revealed in the word of God; significantly the start of his wrath which is known as biblically “The day of the Lord”. It is our strong faith from the teaching of scriptures that these indicators will not appear until sometime in the last half of Daniels 70th week that is the second 3 ½ years time.
At present in order to witness the larger context and see the logical progression of events within this future seven year period. Let us take a step back to explore the chronological sequence of major events within
th the 70 week which led to the rapture of the church and the time of God’s wrath.
Importance of the seals:
In the 5th chapter of the book of revelation, Apostle John saw a scroll with seven seals in the hand of God who was sitting upon his throne in heaven. The scroll was in the right hand of God and it became a focal point of the chapter like the most powerful laser beam”, which brought john into its light. First john was intrigued by the fact that a universal search was made to find out a man worthy to open the scroll by breaking its seven seals. He was utterly disappointed when he did not find a worthy man. John felt and realized that if no worthy man was to be found then everything would be lost. Apostle John confessed that he could not find a suitable man to open the seals and then began to weep uncontrollably. He stopped weeping only when an angel came suddenly and commanded John to stop weeping and look again at the throne. He saw the Lord the lion of the tribe of Judah a direct descendant of King David is worthy to break the seven seals and open the scroll. John looked again and this time he saw a standing lamb. It appeared of God’s son). The lamb came and seated on the throne beside. His heavenly father, and took the scroll from his right hand. It was
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141 not an ordinary scroll. It was not only sealed with seven seals, in practical terms, but it was also the title deed of planet earth. It contained on both sides of the smoothed surface, of a rolled up animal skin the prophetic record of the events that occurred and which are mentioned in the book of revelation. If the scroll could not be opened, by breaking the seal, then the redemption of man and the earth over which man was destined to rule would not be possible. In such circumstances Satan would become the winner and God in disadvantageous position thereby the believers would be dying in their sins. But among all the mankind one man was found worthy to come forward to open the scroll by breaking the seals; He was worthy because he redeemed man to God by his blood as the price of redemption from every kindred tongue and tribe. The name of such a man is Jesus He is very great and its simple meaning is saviour, as the 5th chapter of revelation is coming to a close, a universal choir proclaims.
“Blessing and honour and glory and power be unto him that sitting upon the throne (God the father because He created all things) and unto the Lamb (because with the breaking of the seals around the scroll he is about to redeem that fallen creation) forever and ever” (revelation 5.1-3)
Significance of the seals:
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According to the 6 chapter of revelation the lamb (Jesus Christ) took the scroll with seven seals from his father and began to break the seals, in anticipation of unrolling the scroll and bring out the events that contained His will lead to the total defeat of every evil of every kind And then the outcome is coming of a new perfect heaven and earth. But before examining the seals of the revelation of the 6th chapter let the believers observe some crucial points in the book.
1)It is said for centuries among all the books of the bible, the book of
revelation has become a hard nut to crack to the readers. That is the
readers find difficulty in understanding the correct meaning here and
there. But one thing is crystal clear in this context, what back bone is to
the body, the seals are to the book of revelation and it is considered the
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greatest treasure to the humanity. Added to that, the book of Revelation
educates the believers how this age would end how to be prepared for
it.
2)The breaking of the seals has not yet begun, so the events they depict
will only occur at a future time, when the seals are broken during the
70th week of Daniel. To explain this more clearly the events depicted in
the seals, have not been fulfilled in the early church nor even have they
been fulfilled throughout church history as suggested by some
commentator. Basing on the information of the elite the believers may
take it for granted that breaking of the seals is still in future and how
much time in future nobody can predict. At the same time other scholars
suggested that events happening frequently remind people the time of
the breaking of the seals is fast approaching.
3)Apart from the seven seals, around the scroll the book revelation also
introduces the seven trumpets and seven bowels. These elements will
extend the chronological frame works and depict the events after the
seals are opened. It is better to discuss regarding the trumpets and bowels
later because these two elements and the opening of the seals will not
occur together. Again in this context, some other commentators
suggested that breaking of seals blowing of trumpets and pouring of
bowls will occur at the same time because some of the events exhibit
by trumpets and bowels are similar. So, with the above said information
the readers can understand, the breaking of the seals, the blowing of
the trumpets and the pouring out of the bowels are not concurrent but
they are consecutive. They occur one after another but they are
consequences. They occur one after another but not side by side. The
scroll itself cannot be opened until seven seals are broken. The seals are
set on the outside of the skin of the scroll and it is kept under lock and
key until the worthy man is found to open it. As a matter of fact the
trumpets will be blown in succession after the seventh seal is opened
and the seven bowels are poured in sequence after the seventh trumpets
is blown.
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4)This is most important because, the 6 seals of the revelation 6th chapter
precisely parallel to the Lord’s teaching to his disciples in his Olivet
Discourse on the mount of olives. And this is popularly known as Olivet
discourse. It is during this sermon.
Jesus gave his fullest teaching with regard to his second coming. The breaking of the first four seals (revelation 6.1-8) are parallel to the Lords teaching in his Olivet Discourse and are called by the Lord the beginning
th of sorrows. Breaking of the 5 seal is also parallel to the Olivet Discourse teaching and it is called by the Lord, the great tribulation, a serious discussion begins on great tribulation in verse 9 but not at 15 as some commentators suggested. The sixth seal also parallel the teaching of the Lord in the Olivet Discourse. It is in this stage, the Lord spoke about the sun being darkened the moon withdrawing its light the stars falling down from heaven and the powers of heaven being shaken. This cosmic disturbance is the clear indicator that God is about to go to war during a period of time at the end of the age. This is referred to time and again in the bible as the Day of the Lord that is to say, breaking of the six seals lead to the coming of Jesus Christ (Mathew 24.29-31). These events that come out of the breaking of the six seals would answer the questions posed by the disciples in the Olivet Discourse. They asked the Lord, what must be the sign of the coming and the end of the world (age)? He began to answer their question referring to three events which must precede his coming.
The first event must be the beginning of sorrows”. This is the result of the opining of the first four seals. The second event must be the great tribulation.” It will be the result of the opining of the 5th seal. The third event is concerned to the cosmic disturbance. This will be the result of the sixth seal opening and it also reminds the believers about the “Day of the Lord”, that would begin. It is even said that the day of the Lord is directly associated with the second coming of Jesus Christ and his judgment on earth. These six seals of the book of revelation chapter six very clearly follow the Lord’s Olivet Discourse and this should not be a surprise to the
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believers. Both speak of the last days and the second coming of Jesus Christ apostle john the human author of the book of revelation was among the apostles on the mount of Olives, when the Lord taught the Olivest Discourse.
While describing the events which are going to take place before his second coming. Jesus began his teaching by focusing on the four issues.
1)He said there would be false Christ’s not men, who claim to be Jesus
the men whoClaim the office of the messiah. Thereby promote this
among themselves as if, they would solve all the problems or ills of the
society.
2)He said there would be wars and rumours of wars the outcome of this
is the nation would rise against nations and kingdom against kingdoms.
3)He said there would be wars.
4)He spoke of pestilence or disease, which the Old Testament associated
with death. He also spoke about earthquakes, which would occur at
many places. All the above said events indicate the devastating condition
of the nations. So the Lord Jesus Christ specifically said about them the
beginning of sorrows. Here Jesus gave a vivid picture of what is going to
happen. All these events indicate clearly the second coming of Jesus at
the earliest.
The great tribulation and the 5th seal: according to (Mathew 24.9) the Lord spoke to his disciples about the great tribulation. He said during that time the birth pangs would become harder and occur more rapidly. This will be the clear indication of his coming and the end of the age. The Lord, while he was describing about the great tribulation, to his disciples, in the Olivet Discourse he foretold about the events that will happen upon his followers, he said
1)They will be afflictsed, slain and hated by all nations ( v.5)
2)There will be an offense, betrayal and harted by one another (v.10)
3)Many false prophets will arise and deceive many (v.11)
4)Since iniquity will flourish the love of man for goods (v.12)
5)Those who stand firm or endure the end of the age will be saved (v.13)
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6)Of the souls of the believers who endure persecution but to his
deliverance of the Lords return
7)The Lord said finally that the gospel of the kingdom will be preached
through the world and then the end of the age comes (v.14)
The disciples wished to know the sign of his coming and the end of the age for that the Lord replied about the “beginning of sorrows” great tribulation etc. And when he opened the 5th seal apostle John saw under the altar the souls of some that were slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they hold.
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The cosmic disturbance and the 6 seal:
The event God will use for shortening the great tribulation is cosmic disturbance. During this event the sun and the moon will stop their normal and critical light. Added to that the stars will fall from heaven so, the cosmic disturbance not only cut short the great tribulation, but also it serves as the immediate announcement of the coming of the son of God. Then the believers will be raptured immediately prior to the over pouring of the wrath of God; during the Day of the Lord. Finally the Lord described the event to his followers with these words.
Immediately after the tribulation of those days (the hard labour pangs) shall the sun be darkened and the Moon shall not give her light and the stars shall fall from heaven and the Powers of the heaven shall be shaken; and then shall appear the Sign of the son of man in heaven and then shall tribes of the earth mourn and they shall see the son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels, with a great sound of a trumpet and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds from one end of heaven to the other
(Mathew 24.29-31)
Contrary to the popular belief of many Christians today, the church will not be exempted from the great tribulation, which is coming soon upon the earth. However, it will be exempted from the wrath of God, because it will be raptured before the Day of the Lord begins.
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13. A NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH
Robert browning an English poet wrote “God is in His heaven, All is right with the world” Some commentators pointed out that he needs some drastic correction regarding his saying. We all know that God is in heaven. But it is not true all is well with the world. As a matter of fact when we watch TV, read the news paper, talk with our friends or read a letter from our relatives about some unhappy news or deaths, then we cannot say with confidence that all is right in the public life and with the world. So, we have to realize that something is wrong for the unrest of the people. Following are some of the points for our clear understanding.
1)The philosophers of the world are floawed
2)The Governments of the world are corrupt
3)The glories of the world are fading
4)The pleasures of the world are fleeting
5)And the destiny of the world is destruction
If we look at the world with our naked eye, we find only corruption, wickedness , and persecution pervading. Some great people tried their best to set. People needed only wealth, power, prosperity etc.. to enjoy life. But they never think how is going on. In such circumstances, all is well with the world will not be applicable to the present day society.
1)The asectic, who by self denial tries to resist the wicked currents of the
world.
2)The monk who by solitude tries to withdraw from the seductive influence
of the world
3)The epic urean by indulgence tries to saturate himself with the carnal
pleasures of the world
One thing is common in the world. People lose battles, but the world beats them every time. Let us study about one top most man in the bible. His name was King Solomon; the richest and the wisest king with one thousand wives. During his time anything in this world was his. So to say
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147 the world itself lavished on King Solomon. After enjoying everything in this world he became a philosopher and wrote in his book of ecclesiastes vanity of vanities saith the preacher The words of the king can be translated in the following way. “Soap bubbles of soap bubbles all is bubbles”
The soap bubble floats away leisurely as if is colourful and appealing. The soap bubble makes many promises. But before man tries to grasp something from it the beautiful bubble vanishes; that is the present position of the world without God. The world is really colourful, very attractive and magnetic with its promises yet, when man tries to reach the things of the world will vanish.
The son of God while speaking to his disciples said for what shall if profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and loss his own (mark 8.30). We can put it in some other way” the soul of a man is worth more than the whole world. The word “world” (cosmos in Greek) appears more than two hundred times in the New Testament this world is described as both alienated from God and something in opposition to God. That is really a bad thing Jesus told his disciples the world cannot have you but me it hate them because I testify of it that the works there of are evil (John Jesus while speaking to corrupt religious teachers said we are from beneath, I am from above we are of this world, I am not of this world”(John 8.23) apostle Paul wrote for what man knoweth the things of a man save the spirit of man which is in him even to the things of God. Knoweth no man but the spirit which is of God that we might know the things that are forely given to us of God (1 Corinthians 2.1-12). Secular written define the world (cosmos) in a different way. Can we written wrote the world (cosmos) is the orderly systematic universe. Another person wrote the world (cosmos) refers to a universe that is complete harmonious and orderly system. And a third writer wrote the world (cosmos) is the embodiment of order and harmony’s as distinguished from chaos a complete harmonious system So the outcome of the three written is that the world is and orderly system which is headed by Satan. In the Templeton of the told Jesus in the wildness if is according high maintain and sheruth him all the kingdom of the world and the glory of them and saith into him all these things will I give there if there will fall
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down and worship me. (Mathews 4.8-9) If the Satan did not have his world to given there would have been no temptation of Christ why it happened so because the God himself called Satan the prince of the world” What he said here after I will not talk much with you, for the prince of this world cometh and hath nothing in me” (John 14.30 )
In this world we shall have tribulation (problems and pressure) but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 14.33)
But godliness with contentment is great gain for we brought nothing into this world and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (1 timothy 6.6-7). And we know that we are of God and the whole world beneath in wickedness (or literally in the wicked one) (John 5.18)
God is in his heaven but all is not right with the world. It is like the true Christian is called upon to swim upstream against the powerful currents of this treacherous reptile of this world until the lord comes. The Christian must not be shocked when he faces some problems sometimes sudden changes in the world in the way of lining; He should not be perturbed because Satan is the prince Christians and theologians have been punished but still through the spreading of gospel, they can salvage the world God never called the church to salvage a last world which has to come one day under divine judgement but it is necessary to preach a saving gospel to last man. The truth behind is that the church cannot bring the everlasting kingdom of God but Christ will alone accomplish after his coming.
The world in its original condition:
The book of genesis gives the complete picture of the creation of the world God created it into existence out of nothing. But regarding divine commending on his creation was that it was way good six times once for each of the six days of creation God said it was good(genesis1.4,10,12,18,
25). And then the creator of the world summed up his creation with these words. And God saw everything that he made and behold it was very good (genesis1.31) So we are faced with reality on one hand the world God created was very good and on the other hand the world in which we live
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149 and breathe and have being is accordingly bad what major are must have transformed the world which was is very good once into the world which is very bad now.
The world in its fallen Estate:
According to the written report in the bible man was created in sixth day of his creation. He was created last in time but first in importance and God created man in his own image. And man was supposed to have domination over the world as a vice regent under his sovereign lord. That was called the theocracy rule by God through man. But God put one condition that is man should not eat the fruit of the forbidden true that was in the middle of the punishment would be physical and spiritual death.
Lucifer the highest of all angelic beings after he was unknown down to the earth tried to take revenge against God through the first human beings Adam and EVE. This Lucifer was called Satan after he was thrown down to the earth. He tempted the first parents to eat that forbidden first and caused them to commit sin So Adam and Eve brought sin into the world and planted the seed of death. Because of Sin man Foreficted the secptor of kingship over the world. Satan irrupted man’s right to the throne. So, Satan is now the God this age and the prince of this world. As a result man became enslaved to the God or this world all time with a being they would be forced. As estimated the reality of future is ultimate tragedy of human history. The fact is that Satan made man blind and so he is under the impression that the world is good but after the face the world has been under the satanic influence.
The role of the Christian:
The true Christian has been called “regenerated” or born again born from the above or saved. It means the believer had changed his citizenship. He is now through faith alone became a citizen of heaven living temporarily in a hostle environment. Therefore those men no longer submit themselves to Satan Christians empowered by the holy spirit of God should live righteously and godly in this present evil world. God is giving option to the
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believer whether he should yield to him or submit himself to the world and unsaved. It is good no doubt it the believers are not to function in this evil world or enjoy life or things which are not suitable for believers worldliness can be described as participating in this ordered world system headed by Satan. The believers must be light and salt in this world. They have to tell men that they are once beggars and now fowned the one who is the bread of life. In reality it is only where the righteousness of Christ is manifested through believers. Historically groups of believers like the first century church the Anabaptists wordiness, reformers and purities brought light to parts of Europe for a time. But when the light was rejected darkness returned in spite of that some missionaries defying Satan precede the darkness and again brought light to many parts of the world. Let all their effort was only for a short time.
Coming of a New World:
He beloved and aged apostle John reached the final end of climatic section of the book of Revelation (Revelation 21:22) and in many respects, he wrote the apex of human history in that And I saw a new heaven and new earth for the joint heaven and the first earth wire passed away and there was no more sea(Revelation 2.1). These New heaven and new earth John described were not new once beet presently they were cleaned completely regenerated and absolutely made perfect. John behold heaven and earth in their pristine beauty as Adam and Eve saw in the garden of Eden before the ad sent of sin and consequent of curse upon all creation. He saw them with Satan the former prince of this world and the God of this age in chains (Revelation 20.2)
In the upper room the lord instituted the new (Kainor) covenant. But it also convey the primary idea of being qualitating superior to the old or mosaic covenant. The apostle Paul taught a believer in Christ is a new (kainor) creation (2corenthians5.1-71) once again the idea is that he is the same person beet qualitatively surprised and he was in his ingenerated state in Adam. When John speaks of the New Heaven and New earth he used the Greek word “kainor” and is emphasising the qualities of the new
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151 heaven and new earth. It is the same heaven and the same earth. Which will be purged during the day of the lord the day of judgement of the earth. During this end of the age .Henry mores in his commentary “The revelation records” said that the new cosmos not a novel cosmos (world) is a renewed cosmos. It is just like the first except that all its age long ravages of decay have been expunged and it is made fresh and new again. The present heaven and earth have net blotted out. Nor swept into nothingness. But they are totally purged cleansed and regenerated. All their old disorders and imperfection will be gone.
Joseph series in his commentary on revelation said that it was written more than one hundred years ago. Which spoke about new heaven and new earth? The words of Joseph series which are beautiful and with insight warned the believers to give second reading with thoughtful meditation. It is nothing but a description of our future duelling places. So to say the illustration is not suffering since we are sinful beings our purging is not perfect when God purges the cosmos by fire and regenerated the earth planet will be qualitatively perfect which will be a new heaven and a new earth. The son of God on the day of his crucification stood before roman procurator Pontius Pilate. In the midst of questioning Jesus Pilate asked Art there the King of the Jesus?” (John 18.33)for that the sin God answered in the following words My kingdom is not of this world. That fact is that the kingdom of Christ is the spiritual kingdom in the hearts of men and women but not a physical kingdom upon the earth” the bible readers totally misunderstanding the teaching of Jesus Christ. He was not denying the physical visible literal kingdom on the earth over which he will rule. When he said my kingdom is not of this world” he was stating that he will not rule over the present heaven and the present earth which are totally defined by Satan and sinful man a that was corrupt everywhere.
He will purge the world completely then he will rule over the heaven and earth which are made perfect for a thousand years. The lord himself spoke of that day while he was conversing with his disciples. “He taught them verify I say unto you that we which have followed me in the regeneration when the son of man sit in the throne of his glory shall also sit
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upon twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Mathew 19.20). The word regeneration means new birth and this is used by Apostle Paul to describe the believers new birth (Titus 3.5)
Some people have suggested the terms used by apostle peter who described the annihilation of the present heaven and earth cannot be associated with the new heaven and the new earth; while speaking of the Noah flood Peter wrote where by the world was being over flowed with water perished Peter also argued that similar fate to the world is in store to the earth. In the next time it is only through the judgement of God the earth may be destroyed by fire but not water. Due to the flood of Noah they perished but the earth remained. The world perished but eight souls, Noah his wife his three sons and three daughters in law survived. The world perished but the animals representing all species of life two by two disembarked from the ark jointly God blessed Noah and said be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth (genesis 9.1). It is quite clear the old heaven and earth remained after the world said to have been perished. Peter also spoke of the elements in heaven melting with percent heat and the works of earth (all of man’s accomplishments in every area of endower) being burned up (2peter 3.10)
The teaching of the word of God is because of the fall of man the present condition of the creation is in a position of cap lively tied down bound (Romans 8.9-23) the dissolving of everything that is peter spoke is not in the words of Joseph series the destruction of them but the breaking of their bonds the housing of them the sitting of them free again to became what they were originally meant to be the dissolving of the present heaven and earth is not a annihilation. It is a long an intend deliverance and loosing from the bonds of sin. To say briefly it is the resolution of all things. During his secretion God created the universe on the second day and on the third day he created earth. He Devine commentary on all That God created in this God saw everything. He had created and behold it was very good. But soon Adam and Eve disobeyed God and because of disobedience curse was put on them (man) and the dominion of heaven earth and rex on which he was authorised to reign. The heaven and earth were created very
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153 good now became bad why because our first parents Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden. Where there was no death disease famine, war, natural eat a strophe etc; that pledged man at least for six thousand years according to history. As a result of sin under Satan’s reign man has polluted the oceans raped the earth and poisoned the whole sphere that God committed to man to control it. If is that really surprising then the present heaven and earth must be dissolved (That is purged by fire to lose it from the bondage of sin) to clear is way for a new heaven and earth.
When the new world comes:
For the people who are unsaved a new heaven and new earth are terrifying prospects what are it unsaved people possess (including their lives) is associated with the present heaven and present earth which will be one day burned up with fire. In this contact peter wrote. But the day of the lord will come as a thief in the night in which heaven shall pass away with a great noise and the element shall melt with percent heat the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up (peter 3.10).
It is no wonder, if they are able to understand the basic fact. For those people who are made righteous in Christ a new heaven and a new earth are glorious prospects. For those righteous people in Christ everything that has brought sadness and tears will be dissolved and completely replaced with joy and everlasting peace. When can we expect new heaven and new earth into force? Some great people who have strong faith on the pre millennial return of Christ will feel that the new heaven and new earth commence at the end of the coming of the lord for one thousand years reign. That reign is otherwise known as the messianic or millennial age. First of all those people who hold this view that John’s beholding of a new heaven and new earth in his vision follow continuously on the heat of discussion of the millennium for a reference in the previous chapter. So all those teachers who set for an agreement must come to a favourable conclusion that the new heaven and new earth must be occur at the end of the millennium. However, people need not follow the above said statement. John pointed out that Satan was bounded with chains for thousand year’s
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duration. He wrote in the book of (Revelation chapter 20.2) and he laid hold on the dragon that old serpent.