Mount Pleasant Baptist Church

Daily Nugget: John sees Jesus, this time, standing on Mount Sion (vs. 1). It is not the earthly Mount Zion, but the one spoken of by Paul (Heb. 12:22-23). It is located in the heavenly Jerusalem. With Jesus on this Mount stands a large group. It will be the 144,000 introduced in Rev. 7:3-8. These Jewish, virgin male (vs. 4) 140,000 have been martyred for their testimony and witness on earth. They are in heaven with the “elders” and hear the songs sung and are the only ones that can also sing the songs (vs. 3). These martyrs are considered the “firsfruits unto God and to the Lamb (Jesus)” (vs. 4). The firstfruits of the church have already been raptured up. These are the firstfruits of the restored, believing Israel. Another activity is also occurring in the heavenlies. Angels announce other judgments on the inhabitants of the earth. The third of the angels announce God’s wrath upon those on earth (vss. 10-11) that gave in and allowed the mark of the beast to be imprinted on their

Daily Nugget: An unholy character, the dragon (Satan), has already been prophesied to be involved in the last days from the previous chapter (Rev. 12:3, 9). This enemy of God and man has little imagination and often counterfeits what God has done. Satan will do this when he creates, not a holy trinity as is God, but when he creates an unholy one. This “dragon” will set himself up as the anti-god of the “trinity”. Two more of his unholy companions are introduced in this chapter. Satan will provide the second part of his threesome by bringing onto the scene the anti-christ. This antichrist will be the political “beast” of vs. 1. He will get his power and position from Satan (vs. 2). He will even suffer a fatal wound and will come back to life (vs. 3), duplicating the supernatural resurrection of the two witnesses, and of course, Jesus. Although the anti-christ will deceive many into thinking his power comes from God, it does not. It will come from Satan (vs. 2). This first beast cer

Daily Nugget: In this chapter, two of the main characters during the last three-and-a-half years of the seven-year tribulation are revealed. The first is “… a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet …” (Rev. 12:1). This “woman” is not the church as some assure, because the church will already have been raptured up (Rev. 4:1), and ensuing verses describe more clearly who she is (vs. 10-12,17). This woman is actually Israel. Israel has been called a “woman” many times including Isaiah 50:1, Jeremiah 3:1, and Hosea 2:1-23. Also, the lineages of Israel were the means by which the promised “man child”, Jesus, was brought to this world as was stated in verse 5. It will be Jesus who will rule the nations with an unwavering, just “rod of iron” (vs. 5). The second character to appear is the “great red dragon” (vs. 3), Satan (vs. 9). “Seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads” speak of his earthly dominion and the nations, he will control and influence. The

Daily Nugget: Prior to the sounding of the seventh trumpet (vs. 15), John was instructed to measure the temple of God. Herod’s temple was destroyed by Titus in A. D. 70, 25 years previous to John’s revelation. What is referred to here is not Herod’s temple, but a future temple that will be constructed in those days. This is one thing the Jews have been waiting for for so long. Currently, there is no temple in Jerusalem, but there will be one day — hopefully, soon. The “angel”, most likely Jesus spoken of in Revelation 10, also prophesied of two “witnesses” that will come in the last half of the seven-year tribulation. There has been much discussion as to whom these two prophesied (Zech. 4:1-4) “olive trees” and “candlesticks” are, but the scriptures told who those men will be a long time ago. One of the lights (“candlesticks”) in a very sin-dark world will have “… power to shut heaven, that it rain not …” (vs. 6). This is exactly what God allowed Elijah to do in the days of wi

While the daily devotions are in The Revelation, I will e-mail anyone interested in the PDF version of The Revelation daily devotion.  It is a typeset version of the whole Revelation series, including the devotion, Scripture for the day, difficult words defined, and questions.  It is not a hard copy version!   You should be able to view it from any device that views PDF files and it can be printed from any device that has that capability. E-mail your e-mail address to me at brinkworth@frontier.com, and it will be on the way shortly.

Daily Nugget: After the catastrophes resulting from the blowing of the sixth trumpet, a curious event occurs in this chapter. A little book was taken from heaven to earth by an “angel”. There are many ideas of whom that “angel” will be. Many believe it to be Jesus. Here are some of the reasons why: If you believe the “angel” that Moses met at the burning bush (Exodus 3:2) to be the pre-incarnate Christ, then that was at least one instance that Jesus was referred to as an angel. No other angel in the Bible has ever been described the way this “angel” was in Rev. 10:1-4. Many of the descriptions of this “angel” sound very much like words used to refer to Jesus in many other scriptures. These include: “lion”, and other words describing His brilliant appearance (vs. 1), and His speech (vss. 3-4). The angel will have in his hand an opened book (vs. 2). Since the previous seals of the book will have been opened by Jesus in Heaven, the book would now be open. It makes sense that it

Daily Nugget: The last seal judgment will be lengthened as it includes seven trumpet judgments. The fifth and sixth trumpets are sounded in this chapter. After the fifth angels sound his instrument, a “star” falls from heaven (vs. 1). The “star” is most likely an angel as verse two addresses the creature as a “he”. Also, in Job 38:7 angels are also referred to as “stars”. This angel opens the bottomless pit (vs. 2) and releases demonic “locusts”. Although this plague on the earth is similar to the locust plague of Moses’ day (Ex. 10:13), these creatures look much different than any locust man has ever seen. Unlike the normal locust that eats vegetation; these do not. They will inflict torment on the men they sting with their scorpion-like tails. To make matters worse, although those stung by the creatures from the “pit” will desire to die from the inflicted torment, they will not be able to (vs. 6). The judgment of God continues as another angel blows the sixth trumpet (vs. 13

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17 One of the most powerful, guiding, and life-changing books ever written is the Bible (KJV). If people would just read it, believe it, and obey it, this world would be much different. Here are some of the things that would change. More people would be saved and trust God’s only way to Heaven. There would be less sin. Iniquities that were tolerated by society would no longer be accepted and practiced. Crime would diminish. Fear would be less; as citizens would feel safer. People would want to do right! Fewer laws would be needed; as people would have God’s laws instilled in them and be eager to obey them! People would naturally be more considerate of others, and be good, honest citizens. Many of the governmental departments would no longer be wanted or necessary! Jail expansion would not be necessary. Fewer police, welfare, and government jobs would be needed. (Maybe that is one reason the go

Today’s Nugget: After the seventh seal is opened, there will be a mighty hush in heaven for one-half hour (vs. 1). It is the only time mentioned in the Bible where there is silence at the throne of God. Perhaps, the suspense and anticipation of what will be unleashed on the earth will cause silence. Seven angels with seven trumpets will move to position (vs. 2). An eighth angel will step to the altar and offer incense from his golden censer and the prayers of all the saints (vss. 3-5). Perhaps they will include the prayers of, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Mat. 6:10). Over two thousand years of prayers will be answered as God’s will will be done. The first angel will sound his trumpet and “hail and fire mingled with blood” will be rained on the earth. It is very similar to the plague brought on to Egypt during Moses’ leadership (Ex. 9:22-26). One-third of all trees on the earth will be killed. All the green grass will be incinerated. The earth

When problems arise within the church with many or with few,   One question demands an answer: Is it me or is it you? We are both one in Christ, and so our goals should be the same, But the easiest thing to do with troubles is to try to place the blame. “He said.  She said.” The truth is often hard to discern. Are we pawns of the devil being used, and somehow our lessons never learn? The answer can be found in the book of Acts, chapter two. There you will see there is no “me”; there is no “you”. Instead, there is "one accord";  One heart that wants to serve the Lord. There is one desire to win the lost. Each one willing to pay the cost. So be like Nehemiah; put your hand upon the plow. Work shoulder to shoulder.  The lost are dying now. There is no time to wait. It soon will be too late. Who will be the first to stand for the Lord tall and true? Who will it be?  Is it me or is it you? — Barbara Brinkworth

Daily Nugget: After the sixth seal is opened, there will be a brief respite, a parenthesis if you will, before the seventh seal is broken. During this time the winds throughout the earth will be held back from blowing (vs. 1). Before more cataclysms occur, an angel warns (vs. 2) that one more task must first be performed. The task will be that 144,000 thousand Jews, 12,000 members from each of the twelve tribes of Israel, must be selected (vss. 4-8) and marked with the Father’s name on their foreheads (Rev. 14:1). Although records of who are members of those tribes are lost to man, God still knows who they are. There are many that claim to be the 144,000, including certain “anointed” Jehovah Witnesses. The Bible, however, is very clear that they are Jews. Of the twelve original tribes, two of the tribes have been substituted. The Israelite tribes of Dan and Ephraim were omitted because their names were blotted out (Deut. 29:18-21), when they introduced idolatry to Israel. They wi

Daily Nugget: In this chapter, six of the seven seals on the “book” mentioned in the previous chapter are broken. As they are unsealed by Jesus, different events begin to unfold on earth and in heaven. As the first seal of the scroll is broken, a rider on a white horse begins to ride (vs. 2). Is it a literal horse and rider, and are all the other released horses and riders further on in this chapter also literal? I do not know the answer, but I believe it is clear they are symbolic of what will happen on earth. Although there are many ideas as to whom the rider is, and who the other horsemen are further on in this chapter, the Bible does not say in this chapter. He is not Jesus, as Christ is opening the seals, and Jesus does not appear on a white horse until chapter 19. A white horse is believed to imply peace; and the rider has a bow without arrows, which indicates that he is conquering without fighting. It most likely is a false peace that happens before (vs. 4) terrible thing

Daily Nugget: With the real Church raptured up to heaven, other events will then happen around God’s throne. A “book” will be presented. There will be a big question concerning who will be able to open the book. John wept because there were none found worthy to open it (vs. 3), when he was allowed to have a sneak preview of what will happen. Then a man (vs. 7) will step forward that was qualified to open it. His titles included the Lion of the tribe of Juda and the root of (King) David. The qualified man will be Jesus! The “book” referred to will be a scroll that is sealed with seven seals. It is similar to the way redemption contracts were prepared in biblical days. A scroll was written on, rolled up, sealed with a wax seal, rolled up some more, sealed again, and continued to be rolled and sealed until seven seals were put on the document. This was a redemption contract that was given to Jesus; as a song in verse 9 indicated that Jesus was slain and redeemed the believers that wer

Daily Nugget: Next to the coming to the earth of Jesus, His death and resurrection, and plan of salvation this chapter signals an event that is a most anticipated promise given to believers. Every Christian from the time of the first church anxiously awaited the event that is described in this verse. Revelation 4:1 announces the occurrence of the long-awaited rapture! “After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.” Revelation 4:1-2 The rapture is when God says, “Enough” of rampant sin and takes His church, living and dead, out of this earth (I Thessalonians 4:16-18). After the church is removed, in a short time all the terrible prophecies concerning God’s wrathful judgment upon the residents of the earth

Daily Nugget: John’s warning to churches of his time and the revealing of future church ages continues in this chapter. He concludes by discussing the three remaining churches. A church that was spiritually dying, the church at Sardis. They may have had the word “Church” on the sign out front, but they had departed from following God’s commandments. However, as far as the church had drifted in general, Jesus’ plea to John was that there was still an opportunity for them to repent and hold fast to what they were originally taught (vs. 2-4). There were still a few in the church that were doing right. There was still hope. All seven of the churches in Rev. 2-3 were actual churches of John’s time. They also represented church ages to come. The church in Sardis was a picture of churches from A. D. 1500 to about A. D. 1750 (1). Although the churches at the time were generally dead, ritualistic, and unbiblical, there were some individuals like those in the Sardis church that did not sway

Daily Nugget: Messages to four different churches were penned in this chapter. These messages were not only to the real churches of the day, but they also were to any that had similar problems in them. These churches were also illustrations of how the churches generally would be in the future. They pictured different church ages. The first church mentioned was the Church at Ephesus. That church discerned what was right and wrong and labored for the cause of Christ (vs. 2-3). They were warned, however, that they had “left thy first love”. The church body had relaxed and lost the love for the Saviour, that they had had in the past. This church in Ephesus pictured what would happen to churches in general. During the period of A. D. 70-170 the once strong church did backslide and did lose some of its zeal. They had left the love they once had for God. Smyrna was the second church described. Although this ministry was poor financially, in many spiritual areas they were rich (vs. 9). H

Pastor Rickey Lance, of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Murphy NC,  has started preaching on the book of The Revelation. Do not miss one night of the Wednesday night series! Daily Nugget: The book of Revelation is the most popular of the prophetic books of the Bible. While on the Isle of Patmos (vs. 9), Jesus (vs. 1) had futuristic things revealed to John. In this unveiling of things to come, Jesus instructed John to write the things that he saw and heard in a book (vs. 11), so that all could read (vs.3) what will happen. Hundreds of Old Testament prophecies about Jesus and His first coming came true. Hundreds of other prophecies about other happenings also came true. It is just a matter of time until all that is recorded in The Revelation are fulfilled. John was to send what he recorded to seven churches of that time (vs. 11). There were certainly more than seven churches at this time, so there were other reasons why the Revelator was to give those particular churches copies of

Daily Nugget: False teachings in Christianity were as much a problem in early New Testament churches as they are today. Paul warned about them as did John, Peter, Jesus, Jude, and many other saints of the past. False teachers creep into a spiritually unwary, uneducated, and uninvolved congregation and gradually promote their own philosophies and teachings. Jude identifies these wolves in sheep’s clothing as ungodly men, and they certainly could be women also. They turn God’s graciousness into a situation that satisfies their own indulgence of animal desires (lasciviousness) and deny the Lord (vs. 4). In this epistle, we are reminded that God knew a long time before they got their evil claws into the ministry of God what they were up to — “… who were before of old ordained to this condemnation …” (vs. 4). They will not get away unscathed and unjudged, as other evilness in the Word of God did not. The examples given of those that did not get away with their sin include: The Isr