Who Are Those Of The Great Multitude No Man Can Number?

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; and cried with a loud voice, saying, 

Salvation to our God which sitteth upon 

the throne, and unto the Lamb. 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, saying, Amen; Blessing, 

and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, 

and honor, and power, and might, be unto our 

God for ever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 7:9-12 

     The 144,000 has reference to the Church as a whole the number 12 meaning completeness is multiplied by 1000 and that is the pinnacle of multiplying as to add any other number is only to add to but not make the number anymore complete. Dan not in this number in Revelation of the twelve tribes of Israel may be due to Dan's idolatry and was replaced by one of Joseph's sons Manasseh who was given double honor by Jacob when he blessed all his sons. 

     Now in this portion of Scripture John sees a multitude of people which no man could number. It seems as though this number is yet complete and the full accomplishment is yet to come before Jesus returns for His bride. The 144,000 symbolizes all the Church and not literal Israel can be said as Paul wrote: "Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel; Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. that is, They which are the children of the flesh these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the for the seed" (Romans 9:6-8). The old priesthood being taken away by the coming, death, and resurrection of Jesus was then replaced by a new priesthood and you are that priesthood: "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ" (1Peter 2:5). 

     People from all nations, tribes, languages, station in life are seen to be before the throne and the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ crying out in loud voices: Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne" (vs10). God, the First Person of the Trinity sent to earth His Wisdom to be clothed in flesh and He was Immanuel, God with us, and we call Him Jesus Christ is the means of Salvation. Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Trinity is God, not another god, but God and only God can save and Jesus Christ is the Savior. Not as some means outside of God for only God can save and only God's salvation has eternal affect. We must believe, that is, if we are to be Authentic Christians, that God is our Savior through Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ being of the same essence as God is God and is the Savior and that salvation is eternal as Jesus is eternal. You must believe in God, and you must believe in Jesus Christ as the One sent to save and that you by your repentance and faith in Him receive that salvation and can be of the multitude around the throne where God sits and where Jesus Christ resides at God's right hand. Jesus rose bodily, and at the throne is Jesus, but Jesus is God and is the One who as God sits on the throne and as God sends to a child of God Himself the Third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit to guide you, to lead you, to secure you and as God He being also of the same essence as the Godhead can save you for He speaks to you, both by His small still voice to your soul and by the Word of God whereby faith comes. We will in our study find that Jesus Christ turns all over to God, to the Godhead and can do so for He being God and having completed the task for which He was sent now can simply be our God and Savior to all the multitude that becomes complete and the task accomplished, the will of God satisfied. 

     The question(s) is do you believe this? Do you love Jesus Christ? And how are you showing that love? Even Satan believes that Jesus is the One sent forth, and many so-called Christians believe that Jesus is the One sent forth, but do they, and do you love Jesus Christ? If so then, how are you manifesting that love? Jesus said: "Lovest thou Me" (John 21:16). Paul says: If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ,let him be Anathema Maran-atha" (1Corinthians 16:22). Man has the trait of emotions and a disposition to love somebody and this trait was implanted in you by God. Jesus Christ gave Himself Who loved us so much that He would do this just for you and by our loving we should then not forget to love Jesus Christ. 

     True love of Jesus Christ is not just a matter of forms to a particular denomination or to go to Church on Sundays, or whatever day your Church meets, and then to live the rest of the week as if there was no God. Formality is not Christianity! Simple lip service in worship is not true religion! A problem lies in the fact that not all are true Christians who are members, or are going to Church no matter how regular they go (Romans 9:6), all are not true members of the visible Church of Jesus Christ. 

     So then, what is an Authentic Christian? It is one whose religion is his heart and live, felt in his heart and is seen by others in his everyday life. Furthermore, an Authentic Christians feels his unworthiness, his sinfulness, guilt, his badness, and repents. He repents and feels all this when He sees Jesus Christ to be that Divine Savior whom his souls needs, and commits, and there is the crux, commitment, to himself and to Him. An Authentic Christian not only knows, trusts and obeys. An Authentic Christian goes further, he loves. The love of Jesus Christ is the inseparable companion of saving faith not a mere intellectual faith that a man may have without love. An Authentic Christian has as their mainspring is love of work for Jesus Christ, not of our work or duty, or even knowledge of what is right, wrong or proper, not some spasmodic activity, no for only those truly love Jesus Christ and are lovers of Jesus Christ will be used in the work of Jesus for Jesus and not for themselves. Love of and to Jesus Christ is the hallmark, the distinguishing mark of all saved souls in heaven. That number that no man could number are all of one mind, disputes now present in the church will be dissolved and all will be joining with one loud voice praise and worship to God and to the Lamb.

     Will you be one of those shouting with a loud voice around the throne of God? Well, ask yourself: Do I really love Jesus Christ? 

For the LORD taketh pleasure 

    in His people: He will beautify

the meek with salvation. Let the

    saints be joyful in glory: let them

sing aloud upon their beds. Let the 

    high praise of God be in their mouth,

and a two-edged sword in their hand...

                Psalm 149: 4-6

Give praise to God and the Lamb, now!

Richard L. Crumb

    

Who Are The 144,000 That Are Sealed?

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 Israel. Of the 

tribe of Judah were sealed twelve thousand. 

Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. 

Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. 

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. 

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. 

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.

Revelation 7:4-8 

     These verses about the 144,000 have about as many interpretations as there are interpreters so we must take careful time to examine these verses to come to what is the truth, not by me, or some man, but why God included these verses for us to learn about Him and His will for people. As mentioned in earlier blogs words, numbers, are often only symbols and those symbols represent something so we must learn what, if they are, these 144,000 as to who and why they are important for us to know. The number 12 in the Bible represents perfection, as well as God's authority and stands for completeness, a solid foundation for government. There are many references to the 12 tribes of Israel uses symbolically throughout the Bible. The word "sealed" is an interesting word in Greek as in this use it is a genitive, plural, participle, persons, passive: so what does this mean? The word is from the Greek word to stamp as with a signet, as seen by a ruler placing a stamp from his ring on some wax that has been applied to what he authorizes. So what this means is that those now that are to be mentioned have the seal, the authorization from God to receive from Him, in this case not to be harmed and to have God's protection, even eternal life. The number 144, 000 is derived at multiplying 12 by 1000, and you get 144,000. In other words, 12 representing completion, as with the 12 tribes of Israel, even in our day, the 12 jurors multiplied by 1000 a number that is complete in itself so the 144,000 that are sealed are the complete number, not an actual number, but symbolizing the completeness of God's people that are sealed by Him.     

     Let us look at a theological flaw. Jehovah Witnesses teach and take the number 144,000 to be literal and while I was with this organization the number that declared themselves to be of that 144,000 were dwindling to a few hundred but this number as of this date has not complete there are still some, even more than when I was a J.W. Here is another problem with their interpretation: they take the number in verse 4 to be literal but the explanation of these numbers in verses 5 through 8 they discard as figurative. Why do they do this? They see that those mentioned in those verses as to be of the tribes of Israel do not match the actual tribes of Israel. This is a convenient way to mislead or to teach a theology they hold to be true, but is it? NO! You cannot have your cake and eat it too! By taking the number literally in verses 5-8 as they do verse 4 then they, those who are not actually descendants of the tribes mentioned could not be part of the 144,000. This reasoning is picking and choosing verses to fit a person' presupposition or theological bent. 

     Who are the 12 sons of Jacob that make up the tribes of Israel: The twelve tribes are as follows: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin. In the verses 5-8 the list of the tribes of Israel are: Judah, Reuben, Gad, Aser, Nepthalim, Manasses, Simeon, Levi, Issachar, Zabulon, Joseph, Benjamin. There is a difference between these two lists, for in this list here in Revelation we have a tribe as the tribe of Dan is not listed here in Revelation 7:5-8. Here are three lists of the 12 tribes of Israel:

Genesis 29-30    Numbers 1    Revelation 7

Reuben           Reuben       Reuben
Simeon           Simeon       Simeon
Levi                          Levi
Judah            Judah        Judah
Dan              Dan
Naphtali         Naphtali     Naphtali
Gad              Gad          Gad
Asher            Asher        Asher
Isaachar         Isaachar     Isaachar
Zebulun          Zebulun      Zebulun
Joseph                        Joseph
                 Ephraim      
                 Manasseh     Manasseh

     We must remember our history as Jacob had twelve sons however when the Jacob have to Joseph a 'double portion' this then meant that each of his two sons, Ephraim, and Manasseh would become a tribe rather than just one tribe of Joseph (Genesis 48:5). This world mean then 13 tribes but Levi was not given land a portion of Israel so then only 12 sons, or grandsons were to be mentioned as a tribe. Joseph then was split into two, Ephraim, and Mannaseh but here is Revelation Levi is brought along side of the others and this must be a symbolic move indicating that the priesthood as was established in ancient Israel to be over. But we have an odd number as Dan should still be in this list and Ephraim and Manasseh should not as they are already in this list represented by Joseph.There must be some symbolic meaning so let us look closely at this oddness. Dan was not possibly in this list due to its idolatry (Judges 18:30-31), so then Manasseh is added to fill Dan's place and to keep the number 12. The tribes of Israel, the number 12 are to be taken not just literally, rather to have symbolic meaning therefore the lists are not a strict grouping at a given time in history, otherwise Joseph and one of his sons would not be on the same list.

     Jehovah Witnesses view of the 144,000 is absurd and does not have Biblical support. As absurd as it is let us look to them for in 1935 Jehovah Witnesses claimed that that number was fulfilled. If we assume that the average age of one of the 144,000 to be 35 years of age and stated by the Jehovah Witnesses: "Again from 1878 to 1935, tens of thousands attained the equally high standards that were required to receive the calling. We find that over 52,000 Jehovah's Witnesses claimed the heavenly calling by taking the emblems in 1935.

"Year ...... Att. ...... Part.
1935 ...... 63,146 ... 52,465"
Jehovah's Witnesses - Proclaimers of God's Kingdom p.717

For over 70 years it was held that the 144,000 were fully assigned by 1935.

"Logically, the calling of the little flock would draw to a close when the number was nearing completion, and the evidence is that the general gathering of these specially blessed ones ended in 1935." Watchtower 1995 Feb 15 p.19

and that number 52,465 were still alive in 1935 that means in 1985 the first number we have is 9,051 people with the average age of 85 and in 2004 8,570 of these people still alive the average would be 104 years of age. The number of partakers claiming to be of the 144,000 have gone up and down in number and now in 2015 there are 15,177 partakers. This is so confusing not only to those not of the Jehovah Witnesses but the Witnesses also so that they have had to write in the Watchtower magazine some reason for this number growing in number and not being fulfilled as stated that was complete in 1935. So, how do they explain this discrepancy? First, they speak as though some were mentally incompetent, or, they cannot know the exact number, (Watchtower 2016 Feb study ed pp. 25-26). Some they say, are emotionally imbalanced, and that they cannot know the exact number of anointed ones on earth, nor do they need to know, but they count do they not? Yes! (Watchtower 2011 Aug 15 p.22). Some were counted in error due to perhaps physical or mental strain and believe that they are in that number, they say that the number would decline but that is not what is happening and once again we can look for other explanations to explain the why. (Watchtower 1996 Aug 15 p. 31). Over the years this organization has made many claims only to have to give reasons as to why what they have stated did not hold water, and did not happen. 
     Let me end this: We must not make out what a symbol needs that cannot be explained by Scripture and this is what many have done. The Church is the Invisible Israel, you are a priest in the City of God, and God is protecting and calling all to who He will seal. Do you want to know if this applies to you? Good! It does when you accept and convert to Jesus Christ as your Savior and live for Him manifesting your faith in Him. God saves and God authorizes, seals forever His children to eternal life. Do not be misled, keep it K.I.S.S. (keep it simple stupid, and this goes for me as well).

Do they not err that devise evil?
     but mercy and truth shall be
to them that devise good.
                  Proverbs 14:22

You are sealed: Praise God

Richard L. Crumb 

 

What Is True Knowledge That God Seals On The Faithful?

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. 

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 hurt the 

earth and the sea, saying, Hurt not the earth, 

neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. 

Revelation 7:1-3

     The previous six seals when opened a call to an overcomer and certain gifts, power, etc., were given along with warnings that if you are not an overcomer then you are subject to the wrath of God. When the angel comes with the seventh seal another illustration to John about the wrath of God and it being held in check, at least for a time. In this time of waiting all Authentic Christians are to add to their faith and virtue knowledge: "And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience godliness" (2Peter 1:5). God's great mercy and love is such: "But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2Peter 3:8-9). Think on this: the angels are ready to come and destroy the earth and all that is in it but God restrains them so that all who want to come to Him can come. If God had destroyed the earth at the time of the first sin by Adam where would you be? Not all anything! If God had destroyed all at the Great Flood where would you be? You would not be! But God rewards faithfulness and saved Noah, his wife, and his three sons with their wives. God's patience though must not be confused with His permission. God in His timing sent His Wisdom, Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Trinity to be clothed in flesh to die, and His death was not only the payment owed to God, but is an everlasting atonement for sin. God sees His children through Jesus Christ and if you are not one of His brides then how can God see you? He cannot, but due to His mercy and patience He has held off destroying the world so all who want to come to Him can come. God is calling! Are you listening to the voice of God? Are you hearing and reading and coming to the knowledge that you need a Savior? After coming to Him are you adding to your faith and virtue knowledge? Knowledge will not save you for only God can save but knowledge allows you to be used by God for His purpose(s). 

    A problem that has plagued Authentic Christianity is the adding of knowledge, a knowledge of man and not of God. New innovations, new doctrines, new requirements all seemingly godly but when examined they are found wanting. We have here in Redding a "church" that has become worldwide and their "School of the Supernatural" that teaches what has before condemned as heresy: i.e., Sozo movement, the misuse of the gifts of the Spirit, and many are falling prey to them and to others who teach a knowledge that is not what we are to teach and believe. I just talked with a young man of that school and all he could do is speak about his mission to heal people to go about praying and healing people. This is not the message, this is not the true knowledge that one should have for Jesus never taught us to do those things. 

    Our knowledge and the knowledge we are to preach, teach and take to others is the cross, the cross on which Jesus died for sin. We are not to waste our precious time in exalting a rootless morality: i.e., homosexuality, abortion, pornography, and other such sins, nor to become enslaved to empty platitudes, and vague abstractions as some have done to the book of Revelation. We are to go to the root of the problem, to the root of the matter, and show to men and women that there is a disease that only God can cure and to show their state of sinfulness, this state that only God can cure and He only can save. Some object to such preaching and teaching about Gehenna and that all sinners will be thrown into this Lake of Fire never to return to life again, that this is old fashion fear-mongering preaching. In some ways I agree for even that was poorly done and often for wrong reasons: but, and this is important: if a person does not come to know, have the knowledge that there is a time when God will throw, sin, death, sinners, angels that fell from heaven along with Satan into this Lake of Fire then they will never get to the truth, the knowledge that God will and has done, destroy men and women, children, who will not come to faith in Jesus Christ. We teach the goodness of God by sending Jesus to die for sin, and that God will apply the blood of Jesus to all who come to Him. Paul speaks of the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 3:8) and the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ is that He died for sin and you can be saved by His blood spilled on the cross. He did this for you! God is waiting! Do not hesitate for God will as He has promised destroy this world and all who are of the bride of Christ will live in a new world, have a new body that cannot be destroy, and man will no longer be plagued by Satan and the fallen angels who fight against you with him. STOP! The knowledge of God that is to be implanted in your forehead, the place where in your brain system emotions, and feeling, and desires are to be found, all about Jesus Christ. We are to believe on Jesus Christ and then we will be saved. 

     God will seal you with this knowledge of Jesus Christ but you must receive this free gift of God. He is handing this free gift out, and it is yours by faith and that faith come by hearing the word of God, it this knowledge that you are sealed by God. Will you accept this free gift? 

Deal bountifully with thy servant,

    that I may live, and keep thy word.

Open thou mine eyes, that I may

    behold wondrous things out of thy law.

                       Psalm 119:17-18

Open your eyes to what God has done

Richard L. Crumb

The Sixeth Seal: Scary For Some, Others Watch!

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; 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. And the 

heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled 

together; and every mountain and island were

 moved out of their places. And the kings of 

the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, 

and the chief captains, and the mighty men, 

and every bondsman, and every free man, hid 

themselves in the dens and in the rocks of 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: for the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? 

Revelation 6:12-17 

     This is the sixth seal: I thought there were seven! There are and I will address that seal in another blog for it is altogether different from these previous six seals. This sixth seal presents a horrible time when all people, no matter their rank in life will be affected by the wrath that is poured out by the One sitting on the throne. The Greek word translated "earthquake" is: "σεισμός" where we get the English words, seismic, seismology, and seismometry, and in the Greek it means "shaking rock," with the idea of concussion, and used for "tempest," in the sea, and earthquake. This earthquake had great concussion with it and if anyone, and I have in Los Angeles, and other California cities over the years experience the concussion affect of a large earthquake, the highway concrete, buckled and fire, water everywhere and people confused, not something I want to experience again but this earthquake is so large, so huge that it causes the sun to be blackened as sackcloth, an eclipse and the moon became as blood, probably from all the dust caused by this earthquake. This earthquake was so large that stars fell from heaven due to a mighty wind associated with this earthquake. The earth was racked, torn apart as the land divided, split into several pieces, even the mountains being thrown down, moved the island no longer in their places. 

     Many have attempted to give some definition as to what those terrible things are and there are about as many interpretations as there are interpreters. So, not to add to all this confusing interpretations I will only go so far as to look at them metaphorically. In Scripture the sun is often associated with power and for the sun to be blackened as in an eclipse could mean that men of power no longer hold that power. The lessor men of power as represented by the moon and the moon turning to the glow of red like blood, could also mean that they too no longer have the power they once had. In Scripture the word star outside of speaking of literal stars is also associated with men of influence and they too no longer have influence, they are fallen from that position. It is not those men of power and influence that are no longer having some affect for they too are no frightened and they hid themselves from this wrath. "hide" us, "hide" us they cry, for the great wrath of God is come. 

     Do you want to escape this great wrath of God? If this is what you want you must do something to be able to escape. Jesus said: "In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, 'If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. He that believeth on Me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water" (John 7:37-38). This is not a new invitation: "Ho, every on that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price" (Isaiah 55:1). By the way, the word for "believeth" is a present tense participle and the literal translation is: "anyone who is presently believing," so to be a nominal Christian is not to be one who is presently believing. Authentic Christians are the ones who at all times are "presently believing." Furthermore, the pronoun for "if any man" is an indefinite pronoun, "tis," so it is to be translated anyone. You can come to the feast on the last day, but you can come now to be an Authentic Christian and have flowing out of you "living water." Those hiding from the wrath of God are not the ones presently believing and are not at the great feast. You as a child of God are there and this great earthquake causes you no harm. 

     Do you know something of this "thirst?" We ought to know something about this thirst. Do you believe in a world beyond the grave? You should for it has been revealed in God's truthful word that there is a world beyond the grave. To you believe in God's judgment against this world, the sinners? You should for God also has revealed His purpose to rid the world of all that is against Him. Do you feel unfit to meet God? You should! But God sees all His children through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. You are to come as that old hymn states: "Just as I am, without one plea, save that they blood was shed for me, and that Thou bid'st me come to thee, O Lamb of God, I come!" You have the promise of God that if you come to Him, He will not throw you out but invite you and bring you to the great feast on the last day. Others, well, this sixth seal ought to bring upon them now great fear that they need to come to Jesus or they will be of the ones crying for the mountains, the rocks to fall on them, hiding in caves in great fear. Everyone who come to Jesus and puts true repentant faith on Him by faith shall receive an abundant supply of everything that he can desire for the relief of his own soul's wants.

     J.C. Ryle in his book, Holiness, gives this: "There is a pass in Scotland called Glencroe, which supplies a beautiful illustration of what heaven will be to the souls who come to Christ. The road through Glencroe carries the traveller up a long and steep ascent, with many a little turn and winding in its course. But when the top of the pass is reached, a stone is seen by the wayside with these simple words inscribed upon it: 'Rest, and be thankful.'" (Italics mine).

     The road of life may be hard for you now, but when the last day comes, the day you reach the summit, you will be able to rest from all that wearies you. But....you must come, the invitation has been handed out for all, but you must read it, and accept it.

As for me, I will behold thy face

     in righteousness: I shall be

satisfied, when I awake,

    with thy likeness.

                    Psalm 17:15

Trust and obey for there is no other way

Richard L.Crumb

Who Are Those Martyrs Slain And Under The Altar?

And when He had opened the fifth seal, 

I saw under the altar the souls of them that 

were slain or the word of God, and for the 

testimony which they held: 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? 

And white robes were given to 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 there were, should be fulfilled.

Revelations 6:9-11

      Words have often been changed as to their meaning or how one understand the meaning of a word and this is true of the word "martyr." Our understanding of the word martyr is often a single understanding and not a full understanding as the Greek is very clear as to its meaning so that we should have a deeper knowledge of what it means to be a "martyr." The English dictionary defines "martyr" with this meaning: "1. a person who willing suffers death rather, than renounce his or her religion. 2. a person who is put to death or suffers on behalf of a cause. 3. a person who undergoes severe or constant suffering. 4. to make a martyr of. esp. by putting to death. 5. to torment; torture. *Websters College Dictionary, 1997, p. 806). This definition emphasizes death, pain, or suffering especially when due to holding fast to a cause. This is not a bad definition but is not the definition of the Greek word translated as "martyr." Remember: the New Testament was written in Greek and the Greeks new the definition of their words so we must look at the Greek meaning for "martyr." There are several words in regard to "martyr" and they all have as their root the Greek word: "μάρτυς" (Strong's Dictionary of Bible words: #3144). The Greek meaning is "witness." when used as a verb it means "to bear witness." In another use it means "a record, or testimony. Another use it means to be testified, or a testimony, or another means "to be adduced as a witness." Notice the difference between the Greek definition and the English definition and you will see the emphasis on this word. In English: death: in Greek: witness.

We take our understanding of this word from the Greek for our Bible was written in Greek, therefore, the souls that were seen to be under the altar were witnesses, martyr, and due to their witness there were slain. The Greek word translated "were slain" is genitive, plural, participle, perfect and passive, so how are to understand this word? The witnesses were being slain and as a perfect word it had definitely happened and as a passive it happened to a witness(s). Being perfect and as a participle not only did it happen, it continues to happen to witnesses of the word of God. The results of a "perfect" in Greek is a word denoting continuance so we can testify that this is true when we hear of those witnesses that are being tortured, killed in our day. Remember you are a "witness," a "martyr" for Jesus Christ as God is a witness for you and to you: (Romans 1:9; 2Corinthians 1:23; Philippians 1:8; 1Thessalonians 2:5, 10). We have received the witness of Jesus Christ (1Peter 5:1) and as image bearers of Jesus Christ we then can witness to others about Him how saves us from our sin. These witnesses seen by John are under the altar of God and are forever saved from the evils and the destruction of the earth who refuse to allow the witness of God to save them from this judgment of God. 

     These witnesses are given a white robe and this white robe has the meaning of purity, free from sin and its affect(s). These witnesses get anxious but God says for them to rest He has it all under control and in His time He will say "enough," and then all left on earth, both alive and in the grave will rise to be with Him, when all things have been fulfilled. 

     Can you sing this song: "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood. This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long; This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long. Perfect submission, perfect delight, visions of rapture now burst on my sight: Angels descending bring from above echoes of mercy, whispers of Love. Perfect submission, all is at rest, I in my Savior am happy and blest; Watching and waiting, looking above, filled with His goodness, lost in His love." 

    You have a new song, even this old/new song, you can have the assurance that the promises of God are true, you can rest on those promises and you can have by His mercy the strength to wait upon Him. All is yours if you have assurance and allow this assurance for you to be a "martyr" a "witness" for Jesus Christ no matter the cost. Tortured, slain, only to live forever under the altar of God, that is at His feet praising Him forever.

And I commanded the Levites that they

    should cleanse themselves, and that 

they should come and keep the gates,

    to sanctify the sabbath day. 

Remember me, O my God, concerning

    this also, and spare me according

to the greatness of thy mercy.

                 Nehemiah 13:22

May this be your prayer

Richard L. Crumb

Exlanation For Some Of The Symbols: More To Come

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: 

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? 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.

Revelation 6:9-11 

     Let us take time to review and attempt to understand the symbols used up to this point. The symbol "horses," what is the meaning of this symbol? The Bible uses natural entities to represent Spiritual things as in the case of the use of the natural entity the horse we must look at how horses were used in times past. Horses were used by many nations as war instruments, to carry warriors into battle, chariots, and even to be used as a weapon seen in ancient artifacts. In the Bible horses referred to warlike operations with the only exception in Isaiah 28:28. When the Hebrews settled in Canaan horses were not used for a long time. The white horse then represented purity, righteousness for the one who rode and the One riding the white horse had a mission to overcome as seen with Him having a bow, and then a crown representing that He was the One who would be victorious. 
     Then next seal opened a red horse was seen and once again power was given to the rider to take from the earth peace. This represents judgment. Earth was not speaking of the literal earth for it is not able to do anything other than be the earth, but of people of the earth who were having judgment executed upon them that which they so desired, peace: they were losing what they desired. God is executing His judgment upon a sinful people, even those of Christianity that had fallen away. In some sense we can see murder, the killing of innocent people by those who have another god than the God of the Bible, or by those who will not believe in the God of the Bible. We are living in a time of fear, from those who would kill us, not just because of our faith, but even by those who hold a certain power over us. Does anyone teaching heresy or a false doctrine think that this judgment is only for the sinful?  They have another think coming! 
     A black horse was now seen when the third seal was opened and the One sitting on this horse had a pair of balances in His hand. The word for "Balance," or "scales," means o coupling together as with a yoke, or used metaphorically as a submission to authority, of bondage to the Law as a means of salvation, or to be bonded in service as to masters, but it also simply means, a scale, a balance. A scale, or balance, is used to determine the truth of something, or someone, so what is being measured or balanced? People as with Job: "Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity" (Job 31:6). When Daniel saw the vision of the hand writing on the wall: "TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting" (Daniel 5:27).Food will become expensive, hard to purchase, and not just literal food, but spiritual food. People will loathe this fact that they cannot buy what they wanted for life and will be deprived of this food that God gives, His word. It is not that it cannot be purchased, rather that it will be harder and costly for them to purchase. Why not the oil and the wine? Oil represents the word of God, and the wine that represents Divine knowledge that was one accessible to them but now they cannot have what so easy for them to have in the past. 
     I will continue this in the next blogs, but for we must take what this means for us now. We have access now to the word of God and we have the power to live according to God's word now, and it is free but we must grab hold of it and live it now so that all the promises of God for His children now will be yours to have leading you through all the trials of life. We cannot be nominal Christians, why would the promises of God apply to you if you are not assure that they are yours now? The only promise that you have for sure is that if you are an Authentic Christian is eternal life a promise assured by the death of Jesus on the cross, it cannot be ever taken away. 

He that trusteth in his own heart
     is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely,
he shall be delivered. 
      Proverbs 28:26

Live wisely

Richard L. Crumb