PROPHECY HEADLINES: Israel-U.S. close in on major military aid deal | China, Russia to hold joint military exercises | Turkish citizens, police surround NATO nuclear stockpile

PROPHECY BOOTCAMP: Our topic for today is titled "The Winepress of the Wrath of God (Part 7)" from Dr. Ed Hindson's book "Revelation: Unlocking the Future."

--- The Grapes of Wrath

A white cloud catches John's eye next. It is the messianic cloud associated with the return of Christ. The reference to "a son of man" with a golden crown assures us this is the Christ. Here, Jesus is pictured as the Judge of the unbelieving world. He is the "Grim Reaper" at the final judgment.

The imagery of the harvest and the vintage is taken from Joel 3:13, which pictures the future judgment as a harvest. Again, these verses serve as an overview (proleptic summary) of what follows in great detail in chapters 15-19. Christ begins His descent to earth on the white cloud, sickle in hand. He is pictured as the Lord of the harvest, emphasizing that all judgment is under His sovereign dispensation.

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OCCUPY TILL I COME: We are continuing our journey through the book, "Coming Events and Present Duties," by J.C. Ryle. This section is titled, "Occupy Until I Come!" (Part 10) based on the parable of the nobleman who went away and left talents for his servants to use in his absence in Luke 19:11-13. J.C. Ryle writes:

Just as the Lord Jesus, like the nobleman, "went to receive a kingdom," so, like the nobleman, the Lord Jesus intends one day "to return."

The words of the angels in Acts 1 shall have a complete fulfillment: "This same Jesus who was taken up from you into Heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen Him go into Heaven." As His going away was a real literal going away — so His return shall be a real literal return. As He came personally the first time with a body — so He shall come personally the second time with a body. As He came visibly to this earth and visibly went away — so when He comes the second time He shall visibly return. And then, and not until then, the complete kingdom of Christ shall begin. He left His servants as "a nobleman," He returns to His servants as "a King."

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