The Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ II
As we explore the Book of Revelation, I believe it is very important to look at the time period the Apostle John was in. John and the Church were under persecution from the Jewish nation and the Roman Empire. The Roman Empire had command over the earth that the Christians new. In the Book of Luke 2, the Bible declares the whole world was taxed by Caesar Augustus.
Luke 2:1-3 “ And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.”
One translation says the entire world was enrolled. This gives me a picture of our current social security system. Joseph and Mary went to their home- town of Bethlehem to enroll for taxation. Remember Jesus said in one place give unto Caesar the things that are Caesars, and unto God the things that are God’s. Caesar had rule in the natural world of the Jews.
Now a question, I want to ask was Rome in control of the entire Globe? The Bible says all the world was taxed. From the research I have done, it does not appear that Rome had rule over the entire Globe. However, they had rule over the entire Jewish world, and the world the Jewish people had known.
Also, worth considering in this time period was the nation of Israel together? When we study our Bibles we will see that the nation of Israel split into two Kingdoms after Solomon’s reign. Israel was divided into the Kingdom of Israel, and the Kingdom of Judah. The Kingdom of Israel which formed worship in Samaria had been carried away by the Assyrians under King Hosea. I do not believe it was ever known as the Kingdom of Israel again.
When Jesus met the woman at the well in Samaria as recorded in John 4, she would have been of the tribes of Israel. She claimed she was a child of Jacob. She declared Jacob was her father. Jesus made a profound statement to her. One that we all need to hear. “Neither in this mountain (Samaria), nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father.”
A time had come to worship not in the mountain of Samaria or in Jerusalem. The Lion of the Tribe of Judah had come and declared the place of worship. “Those that worship the Father shall worship in Spirit and truth.” God is a Spirit and seeketh such to worship him.” We that are in Christ are now in this place of worship – Spirit and truth!
This is a mighty shaking and transition that will take place through the Revelation of Jesus Christ. You will no longer look for a temple made with hands but see the divine House built by the Lord Himself, to be inhabited by God in the Spirit, as the place of worship. This is the mountain we have come to. A great High Mountain, higher than all in the earth, in the Spirit of Truth. Glory be to God in the Highest!!!
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