Good morning,  

The earth as we know it is uninhabited. The saved are in heaven and the lost have been judged and have been cast into the lake of fire. God is ready to restore earth to its perfection at the time of creation. He purges it with fire to remove all imperfections created as a result of the fall. (2 Peter 3:10-13) 

Then we are introduced to the new heaven and new earth in Revelation 21. This will be our study this week. 

Description of the new Jerusalem (21:11-14) 

^“And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,¹¹ Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;¹² And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:¹³ On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.¹⁴ And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”  

The wall shows its security and protection. Its gate shows accessibility. The gold and precious stones depict the glory, beauty, and eternal quality of the city. 

Measurements of the new Jerusalem (21:15-17) 

^“And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.¹⁶ And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.¹⁷ And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.” 

It has dimensions of approximately 1500 miles cubed. 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,  

The earth as we know it is uninhabited. The saved are in heaven and the lost have been judged and have been cast into the lake of fire. God is ready to restore earth to its perfection at the time of creation. He purges it with fire to remove all imperfections created as a result of the fall. (2 Peter 3:10-13) 

Then we are introduced to the new heaven and new earth in Revelation 21. This will be our study this week. 

The great restoration (2 Peter 3:10-13) 

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.¹¹ Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,¹² Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?¹³ Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” 

God purifies earth with fire. The impurities such as sin, corruption, and wickedness have all been removed. We are now ready for a new heaven and earth. A perfect earth as it was in the beginning. 

Revelation 21 

The new heaven and the new earth (21:1-2) 

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.² And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” 

Isaiah prophesized the new heaven and new earth in chapter 65:17. “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.” Continue to read the rest of the story, verses 18-25.  

The tabernacle of God is with men (21:3) 

^“And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” 

The presence of God will be with His people, and He will forever dwell with them. A primary purpose of redemption will be accomplished: the complete fellowship of God with His redeemed people. 

God will… (21:4-8) 

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.⁵ And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.⁶ And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.⁷ He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.⁸ But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”  

The eternal purpose of God to gather a holy, devoted people for Himself has now been accomplished. God is the origin and source of all things. He is also the goal or aim of all things. 

The new Jerusalem (21:9-10) 

^“And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” 

Description of the new Jerusalem (21:11-14) 

^“And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,¹¹ Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;¹² And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:¹³ On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.¹⁴ And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”  

The wall shows its security and protection. Its gate shows accessibility. The gold and precious stones depict the glory, beauty, and eternal quality of the city. 

Measurements of the new Jerusalem (21:15-17) 

^“And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.¹⁶ And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.¹⁷ And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.” 

It has dimensions of approximately 1500 miles cubed. 

Precious jewels of the new Jerusalem (21:18-21) 

^“And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.¹⁹ And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;²⁰ The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.²¹ And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.” 

The effect of the precious stones is a magnificent city of brilliant gold adorned with gems of every color. 

The Lamb is… (21:22-27) 

“And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.²³ And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.²⁴ And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it.²⁵ And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.²⁶ And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. ²⁷ And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” 

There is no temple in the city, since the Father and the Son will be present in their fullest manifestation. Its light will be provided by the Shekinah glory of God and of Christ. The glory of God in the New Jerusalem will light the earth.  

This is our eternal home. 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com 

Good morning,  

The earth as we know it is uninhabited. The saved are in heaven and the lost have been judged and have been cast into the lake of fire. God is ready to restore earth to its perfection at the time of creation. He purges it with fire to remove all imperfections created as a result of the fall. (2 Peter 3:10-13) 

Then we are introduced to the new heaven and new earth in Revelation 21. This will be our study this week. 

God will… (21:4-8) 

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.⁵ And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.⁶ And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.⁷ He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.⁸ But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”  

The eternal purpose of God to gather a holy, devoted people for Himself has now been accomplished. God is the origin and source of all things. He is also the goal or aim of all things. 

The new Jerusalem (21:9-10) 

^“And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,  

The earth as we know it is uninhabited. The saved are in heaven and the lost have been judged and have been cast into the lake of fire. God is ready to restore earth to its perfection at the time of creation. He purges it with fire to remove all imperfections created as a result of the fall. (2 Peter 3:10-13) 

Then we are introduced to the new heaven and new earth in Revelation 21. This will be our study this week. 

The great restoration (2 Peter 3:10-13) 

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.¹¹ Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,¹² Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?¹³ Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” 

God purifies the heavens and earth with fire. The impurities such as sin, corruption, and wickedness have all been removed. We are now ready for a new heaven and earth. A perfect earth as it was in the beginning. 

Revelation 21 

The new heaven and the new earth (21:1-2) 

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.² And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” 

Isaiah prophesized the new heaven and new earth in chapter 65:17. “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.” Continue to read the rest of the story, verses 18-25.  

The tabernacle of God is with men (21:3) 

^“And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” 

The presence of God will be with His people, and He will forever dwell with them. A primary purpose of redemption will be accomplished: the complete fellowship of God with His redeemed people. 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning, 

This week we will look at Revelation 19-20. It begins with praise in heaven and ends with judgement for those who were not found in the book of life.  

8) Last Battle (20:7-9) 

“And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” 

9) Judgement (11-13) 

“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.” 

10) The Lake of Fire (20:14-15) 

“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” 

Second resurrection a resurrection of death. 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com 

Good morning, 

This week we will look at Revelation 19-20. It begins with praise in heaven and ends with judgement for those who were not found in the book of life.  

5) Battle at Armageddon (19:19-21) 

“And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.” 

Christ defeats His enemies. Captures the Beast and false prophet and casts them into the lake of fire. Remnant defeated by the sword proceeding from Christ’s mouth. 

6) Satan Bound for a Thousand Years (20:1-3) 

“And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.” 

7) Messianic Kingdom (20:4-6) 

“And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with him a thousand years.” First resurrection a resurrection to life. 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Revelation 19:1-20:15 

Praise, Marriage Supper of the Lamb, Rider on the White Horse, Supper of the Great God, Battle at Armageddon, Satan Bound for 1,000 Years, Messianic Kingdom, Last Battle, Judgement, Lake of Fire 

Good morning, 

This week we will look at Revelation 19-20. It begins with praise in heaven and ends with judgement for those who were not found in the book of life.  

1) Praise in Heaven (19:1-5) 

“And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honor, and power, unto the Lord our God:² For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.³ And again they said, Alleluia And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.⁴ And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.⁵ And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.” 

Chapters 19 and 20 bring the climax of the Book of Revelation: the return of Christ to establish His millennial kingdom. But first, these five verses show heaven’s response to the judgement of the harlot. The multitude in heaven praises God for judging the great whore (Babylon, the harlot) and avenging the blood of the martyrs (cf. 7:9-17). 

2) The Marriage Supper of the Lamb (19:6-10) 

“And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.⁷ Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.⁸ And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.⁹ And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.¹⁰ And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” 

The marriage of the Lamb: The wife or bride of Christ is the church (cf. Matt.22:2-14, John 3:29, 2 Cor. 11:2, Eph. 5:25-32), and is the eternal union of the church with Christ following the rapture (cf. 1 Thess. 4:17).  

The marriage supper of the Lamb will take place after the Church has been taken to Heaven in the Rapture and following the judgment seat of Christ, but it will happen before we return with Christ to earth at His glorious appearing. This means the marriage of the lamb and the marriage supper of lamb will all take place in heaven.  

3) The Rider on the White Horse (19:11-16) 

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords.” 

Here the True Messiah returns in victorious conquest. 

4) Supper of the great God (19:17-18) 

“And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.” 

God calls the fowls or birds of the sky to gather to eat the flesh of those who have died in the battle of Armageddon (cf. 16:14, 16, 19:21, Ezek. 39:17-20). 

5) Battle at Armageddon (19:19-21) 

“And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.” 

Christ defeats His enemies. Captures the Beast and false prophet and casts them into the lake of fire. Remnant defeated by the sword proceeding from Christ’s mouth. 

6) Satan Bound for a Thousand Years (20:1-3) 

“And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.” 

7) Messianic Kingdom (20:4-6) 

“And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with him a thousand years.” First resurrection a resurrection to life. 

8) Last Battle (20:7-9) 

“And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” 

9) Judgement (11-13) 

“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.” 

10) The Lake of Fire (20:14-15) 

“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” 

Second resurrection a resurrection of death. 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com 

Good morning, 

This week we will look at Revelation 19-20. It begins with praise in heaven and ends with judgement for those who were not found in the book of life. 

3) The Rider on the White Horse (19:11-16) 

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords.” 

Here the True Messiah returns in victorious conquest. 

4) Supper of the great God (19:17-18) 

“And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.” 

God calls the fowls or birds of the sky to gather to eat the flesh of those who have died in the battle of Armageddon (cf. 16:14, 16, 19:21, Ezek. 39:17-20). 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning, 

This week we will look at Revelation 19-20. It begins with praise in heaven and ends with judgement for those who were not found in the book of life.  

1) Praise in Heaven (19:1-5) 

“And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honor, and power, unto the Lord our God:² For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.³ And again they said, Alleluia And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.⁴ And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.⁵ And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.” 

Chapters 19 and 20 bring the climax of the Book of Revelation: the return of Christ to establish His millennial kingdom. But first, these five verses show heaven’s response to the judgement of the harlot. The multitude in heaven praises God for judging the great whore (Babylon, the harlot) and avenging the blood of the martyrs (cf. 7:9-17). 

2) The Marriage Supper of the Lamb (19:6-10) 

“And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.⁷ Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.⁸ And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.⁹ And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.¹⁰ And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” 

The marriage of the Lamb: The wife or bride of Christ is the church (cf. Matt.22:2-14, John 3:29, 2 Cor. 11:2, Eph. 5:25-32), and is the eternal union of the church with Christ following the rapture (cf. 1 Thess. 4:17).  

The marriage supper of the Lamb will take place after the Church has been taken to Heaven in the Rapture and following the judgment seat of Christ, but it will happen before we return with Christ to earth at His glorious appearing. This means the marriage of the lamb and the marriage supper of lamb will all take place in heaven. 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com 

Good morning,

Passover begins at sundown on 5 April 2023. It ends at sundown 6 April 2023. It is immediately followed by the Feast of Unleavened Bread. It lasts for seven days.

Our devotionals will center around the memorial of Passover, the feast of unleavened bread, the story of the Jewish Exodus, why Passover is relevant to Christians, and the blood.

The Blood

Why was the blood such an integral part of Old Testament worship? Man’s sin required a way to reestablish fellowship with God. God required a blood sacrifice. The Passover is a good illustration.

Israel is under bondage to the Egyptians. They cry out to the Lord. God hears their cry and sends Moses to deliver them. Pharaoh would not allow the Hebrews to leave. God sent 10 plagues upon Egypt. Pharaoh’s heart was hardened. The first plague was turning the river water into blood. The last plague was the death of the first born which could be avoided by the blood.

Disobedience to God’s word is sin. Pharaoh and anyone following him sinned against God. So in Exodus 12, God tells Moses what the Hebrews need to do to avoid this plague. If they obey, they live. If they disobey, they die.

Exodus 12:3-14

Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: ⁴ And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb. ⁵ Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: ⁶ And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. ⁷ And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. ⁸ And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. ⁹ Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof. ¹⁰ And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire. ¹¹ And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the Lord’s passover. ¹² For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord. ¹³ And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. ¹⁴ And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.

They obeyed, lived, were promptly allowed to leave. However, from time to time, the nation of Israel disobeyed God. God instituted animal sacrifices to cover the sin, but not take them away. Hebrews 10 explains this.

Hebrews 10:3-14

But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. ⁴ For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. ⁵ Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: ⁶ In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. ⁷ Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. ⁸ Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; ⁹ Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. ¹⁰ By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. ¹¹ And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: ¹² But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; ¹³ From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. ¹⁴ For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

Obey God. But when we don’t, we need to repent, go to God and ask His forgiveness. 1 John 1:9 states, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com