Larry R. Gilmore, Evangelist/Pastor
Servant Leaders for Yahshua HaMashiyach Ben El Elyon
(Jesus the Messiah the Son of the Most High God)
(John 3:3-8, 16-21; Matthew 24:3-31, 28:18-20; Mark 16: 15-18; Luke 24:45-47; 2 Timothy 1-5; Revelation 21:5-8)
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ChristLife Servant Leadership Ministry
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larryrgi
The Revelation of Yahshua HaMashiyach
to the Apostle John
A Biblical & Historical Study Series of the Testimonies and Writings
of the Apostle John
Book One: The Gospel of John
Book Two: The First Epistle of John
Book Three: The Second Epistle of John
Book Four: The Third Epistle of John
Book Five: The Revelation of Yahshua Ha Mashiyach to the Apostle John
Larry R. Gilmore, Mdiv.
Evangelist/Pastor/Servant
Beginning With The End In Mind:
"A Biblical & Historical Study as revealed through the lense
of the Book of the Revelation of Yahshua Ha Mashiyach to the Apostle John."
“Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.”
Revelation 1:3
Dedication
God’s grace, and peace to all my beloved family and friends; to those past and to those present; to those who have prayerfully supported and stood by me in my times of trials and tribulations; to those who have believed and trusted in me; and to those who have continued encouraged me in my faith journey and life endeavors and edify me.
I give thanks to God our Father Master YHWH, and to Adonai Yahsua Ha Mashiyach for each of you. You each have played a special role of my life. As we each continue in our daily witness as servants of the Gospel of Messiah Yahshua, I pray, without ceasing, that together our love may abound more and more in the Sacred Word and in the Holy Spirit of El Shaddai.
May we each walk worthy of the vocations wherewith we have been so called, with lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, thus forbearing one another in love, each endeavoring to keep the unity of the Holy Spirit of Elohim God in the bond of His peace and His mercy.
Preface
The words herein are the result of many years of personal prayer, discernment, meditation of Elohim God's Sacred Word, as well as personal research, and a collective effort of many dedicated scholars and theologians, thus cited in the back of this book. It is with great reverence and humility that I gives thanks to all those cited, and to all those whom they cited in their works and writings. Understanding Elohim God’s Sacred Word and His Divine Will is a continuous growth process which bridges all generations, past, present, and future.
Table of Contents
Dedication
Preface
Study Guide Overview.
The Revelation of Yahshua Ha Mashiyach to the Apostle John: The Unveiling.
Chapter 1, “John’s Vision of the Glorified Messiah.”
Yahshua Ha Mashiyach Address to His Church: The Historic Age.
Chapter 2, “Messages to Four of the Seven Congregations.”
Chapter 3, “Message to Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”
The Lifting Up of the Church: The Rapture.
Chapter 4, “The Heavenly Throne, the Elders, and the Four Beasts.”
The Seven-Sealed Book: Who is Worthy to Open?
Chapter 5, “The Slaughtered Passover Lamb of Elohim God takes the Sealed Book.”
The Great Tribulation: Part One; The Opening of the First Six Seals.
Chapter 6, “Terrors Attend the Opening of the Six Seals.”
Chapter 7, “Pause While Isra'el and the Gentiles are Sealed.”
Chapter 8, “Opening of the Seventh Seal; the Seven Trumpets.”
Chapter 9, “Locusts from the Abyss; Lion-headed Horses.”
Chapter 10, “The Angel with the Open Scroll, Which is Eaten.”
The Great Tribulation: Part Two; The Raptured Witnesses, and the Sounding of the Seventh Trumpet.
Chapter 11, “The Raptured (the transporting of) Witnesses; the Seventh Trumpet.”
Chapter 12, “The Woman, the Man-child, and the Dragon.”
Chapter 13, “The Beasts from the Sea and from the Earth.”
Chapter 14, “The Passover Lamb on Mount Zion; the Vintage of Wrath.”
Chapter 15, “Seven Angels Bearing Seven Vials of Wrath.”
Chapter 16, “The Vials Poured Out; Three Unclean Spirits.”
Chapter 17, “The Purple-clothed Woman on the Seven Hills.”
Chapter 18, “The Fall and Desolation of the Mystic Babylon.”
Chapter 19, “The Word of Elohim God in Battle with the Beast.”
The Millennial Kingdom and the Great Judgment.
Chapter 20, “The Millennial Reign; the Great White Throne.”
The New Heaven and the New Earth: The Spiritual and Physical.
Chapter 21, “The New Heaven and the New Earth; the Passover Lamb’s Wife.”
A Prophetic Word: The Final Exhortation.
Chapter 22, “A Crystal River; A Final Warning and Invitation.”
Summary Points.
Five Megathemes in the Book of Revelation.
Elohim God’s Sovereignty.
Messiah’s return.
Elohim God’s Faithful Set-A-Part People.
Righteous Judgment.
The Promise and Hope Fulfilled.
Key Study Points in the Book of Revelation.
Purpose of the Book of Revelation.
Author of the Book of Revelation.
To Whom and When the Book of Revelation was Written.
Setting.
Key Verse.
Key People.
Key Places.
Special Features.
Names of/for Jesus in the Book of Revelation.
How to Recognize Satan’s Work in the World.
The Beginning and the End.
Concerning Eternity.
Events in Revelation Which are Described Elsewhere in Holy Scriptures.
Bibliography of Works and Resources Cited.
Study Guide Overview
As we begin our study we note, just as the Book of Genesis is the Book of beginnings, the Book of Revelation is the Book consummation. In it, the Divine program of the redemption, Elohim God's Sacred Plan of Salvation, for humanity is brought to fruitfulness, and the Holy Name of El Shaddai, Almighty God, is vindicated before all of His creation. The word “revelation” is a translation of a Greek word from which we derive the term “apocalypse.” Herein, this refers to as the unveiling of Elohim God’s secret purpose for His creation. In the Book of Revelation, we begin with a command to the Apostle John, the author, to write about Elohim God’s Divine Plan of Salvation for humanity.
Near the end of his life, while in captivity on the island of Patmos, the Apostle John received a vision from Yahshua Ha Mashiyach which he recorded for the benefit of the seven congregations in Asia minor and for all Set-A-Part Believers throughout history, as commanded by El Elyon, the Most High God. This is one of two Books in the Sacred Scriptures that promises a blessing to those who listen to its words and do what it says, the other being Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 26-30) - the fifth Book of the Torah. In chapter one, the Apostle John states the circumstances which led up to the writing of this Book (Revelation 1:1-20). In chapters two and three, Yahshua Ha Mashiyach gives instructions, and messages to the seven congregations of Asia minor, thus defining the over all norm for the Church of Yahshua Ha Mashiyach Ben El Elyon (Revelation 2:1-3:22). Suddenly the Apostle John is caught up into heaven where he sees a vision of Master YHWH El ELyon on His Heavenly Throne. In this vision all of Messiah’s followers and the heavenly angels are worshiping Elohim God (Revelation 4:1-11). The Apostle John watches as Elohim God gives a scroll with seven seals to the worthy Passover Lamb, Yahshua Ha Mashiyach (Revelation 5:1-14). As the Passover Lamb of Elohim God begins to open the seals of the scroll, a new vision appears. As each of the first four seals are opened, four riders appear on four different color horses - War, Famine, Disease, and Death are in their paths (Revelation 6:1-8). As the Passover Lamb of Elohim God opens the fifth seal, the Apostle John sees those in heaven who have been martyred for their faithfulness to Yahshau Ha Mashiyach (Revelation 6:9-11). A set of contrasting images appear at the opening of the sixth seal. On one side, there is a huge earthquake, stars falling from the sky, and the sky rolling up like a scroll (Revelation 6:12-17). On the other side, multitudes are before the Great Throne of Elohim God, worshiping and praising the Passover Lamb of God (Revelation 7:1-17). Finally, the seventh seal is opened (Revelation 8:1-5), unveiling a series of El Shaddai’s judgments which are announced by seven angels with seven trumpets. The first four angels bring hail, fire, a volcano, and a poisonous star - the sun and moon are darkened (Revelation 8:6-13). The fifth trumpet announces the coming of the locusts with power to sting (Revelation 9:1-12). The sixth trumpet heralds the coming of an army of warriors on horses (Revelation 9:13-21). In chapter Revelation 10:1-11, the Apostle John is given a little scroll and told to eat it. Following this, the Apostle John is commanded to measure the Temple of El Elyon the Most High God (Revelation 11:1-2). The Apostle John sees two witnesses who proclaim El Shaddai’s judgment on the earth for three and one half years (Revelation 11:3-14). Lastly the seventh trumpet blasts, thus calling the rival forces of good and evil to the final battle. On the one side is HaSatan and his forces of evil, and on the other side stands Yahshua Ha Mashiyach Ben El Elyon with His forces of good (Revelation 11:15-14:5). In the midst of the battle, the Apostle John sees and hears three angels heralding in the Final Judgment (Revelation 14:6-13). Then two angels begin to reap this harvest of judgment upon the earth (Revelation 14:14-20). Following upon the heels of these two angels are seven more angels who pour out El Shaddai’s wrath and judgment upon the earth from seven bowls (Revelation 15:1-16:21). One of these angels from the group of seven reveals to the Apostle John a vision of a prostitute called 'Babylon', (an evil system of world government symbolizing the Roman Empire, and the collective world empires past; an ancient city of Mesopotamia on the Euphrates river; which means “confused”), riding a scarlet beast (Revelation 17:1-18). After the defeat of Babylon, (Revelation 18:1-24), “a great multitude in heaven” shouts choruses of praises to El Elyon the Most High God Master YHWH celebrating His mighty victory (Revelation 19:1-10). The final three chapters of the book of Revelation catalogue the events which finalize Yahsua Ha Mashiyach’s, the Passover Lamb of God, victory over the enemy: HaSatan’s thousand-year imprisonment (Revelation 20:1-10); and, the Final Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15); the creation of a New Earth and New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:1-22:6). An angel gives the Apostle John final instructions concerning the visions he has seen and what to do once he has written them down (Revelation 22:7-11). The Book of Revelation concludes with the promise of Yahshua Ha Mashiyach’s soon return, with an offer to drink of the Water of Life which runs through the main street of the New Jerusalem, and a warning to those who read the Book and forsake It's Message (Revelation 22:12-21). In hope and faith, with assurance we pray with the Apostle John, “Amen. Come, Adonai Yashaua.” (Revelation 22:20). The Holy Scriptures end with a message of grave warning to those who oppose and foresake El Shaddai, and of the everlasting hope for all men and women of True Faith of every generation. The ending message is that Yahsua Ha Mashiyach is victorious, as are those who trust and believe in Him (John 14:6), and that ALL evil and suffering are done away with forever, and ever.
As you read and study this Study Guide, “Beginning with the End in Mind: A Biblical and Historical Study Through the Lense of the Book of the Revelation of Yahshua Ha Mashiyach to the Apostle John,” I hope your readings, dicernemnts, and meditations will enable you to find greater meaning, purpose, and understanding of Master YHWH the Most High God’s Sacred Word (Psalm 1). I also hope you find a greater appreciation for Elohim God as your Heavenly Father and Creator, as your Redeemer and Savior, and as your Sanctifier and Comforter. His promise is true and sure (Psalm 32). Our inheritance is real and awaits us. All we must do, is trust and obey. The Sacred Scriptures says there is no other way, but through the saving grace of Yahsua Ha Mashiyach, the Passover Lamb of God!
My hope is that this Study Guide, as it relates to the Book of Revelation and the other Books of Elohim God's Sacred Scripture, will enrich your life. May it reveal unto you Master YWHW’s will and intent for you in your journey of Faith. As you read bear in mind four important Sacred Scriptural passages: 1 Peter 1:12, “Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the Gospel unto you with the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.” In 2 Peter 1:20,21, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” In Luke 12:12, “For the Holy Spirit will teach you ...” (Jeremiah 31:31-34); and, in Joel 2:28-29, "And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your older men shall dream dreams, and your younger men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those Days."
The Revelation of Yahshau Ha Mashiyach to the Apostle John:
The Unveiling
Chapter 1.
John’s Vision of the Glorified Messiah
I. A general overview and introduction of the Book of Revelation (1:1-3).
The Book of Revelation, one of the most veiled text of all the Bible, makes great demands upon those who read or hear its message in pursuit of the blessing it offers. There have been several ways of interpreting the Book of Revelation. First, the Book has been treated as a relatively straightforward account of how the world as we know it will come to an end. Narrative examples are found in the Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings of the Old Covenant, which are the foreshaddowing of the events which unfold in the New Covenant Gospels, Epistles, and the Book of Revelation - the Messianic Age. Second, the visions are related to their first-century context, which are a foreshaddowing of events now to take place in the End of the Messianic Age - Our Time. Questions are concerned with the meaning for the original author and readers. Third, the images are regarded as an account of the struggles facing the journey of the human soul to Elohim God our Creator. And fourth, the Book has been used as an interpretative lense through which to view and foresee human history and the history of ALL creation in proper relationship with one another and in proper relationship with El Elyon the Most High God our Creator and Yahshua Ha Mashiyach Ben El Elyon our Redeemer.
“1. The revelation of Yahshua Ha Mashiyach, which El Elyon the Most High God gave Him to show His servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John, 2. Who testifies to everything he saw - that is, the Word of Elohim God and the testimony of Yahshua Messiah. 3. Blessed is the one who reads the words of this Prophecy, and blessed are those who hear It and take It to heart what is written in It, because the time is near.”
The title of the Book of Revelation is revealed in the first verse of chapter one. It is “the Revelation of Yahshua Messiah.” After Yahshua’s resurrection from the dead, Yahshua was glorified as the Son of Elohim God, as the First Born from the dead, as the First Fruit of Righteousness, and the First Born of the new creation. He, Yahshua, dictated this Word of Revelation to His disciple and faithful servant, the Apostle John, to be given to the church He had redeemed on the cross of Golgatha with His precious blood as the Passover Lamb of El Elyon the Most High God (Pslam 32:1-2, "Blessed is the man whose transgressions have been covered, and whose sins have been forgiven ...").
Over many years, many scholars, theologians, and people have interpreted the Book of Revelation the wrong way based on their own apostasized traditions, doctrines, and dogmas. These false teachers turned their faces away from it, thus discounting it as irrelevant - thus leading their congregations in the 'ways of Cain, of Balaam, and of Korah'. However, such an attitude is dangerous for it hinders the Sacred Word of Elohim God from growing in their lives and the lives of those they witness to, and brings tears to the Altar of El Elyon the Most High God (Malachi; Jude). Since the Book of Revelation was recorded through the dictation of Yahshua Ha Mashiyach Himself, we, as readers and Set-A-Part Believers, should receive the Revelation of Elohim God with godly, reverent, and thankful hearts, and study, discern, and meditate upon it diligently in order to understand it’s full meaning and purpose for our lives. As stated in the beginning verses, the purpose of the Book of Revelation is to show Master YHWH’s faithful Set-A-Part Servants that the events reserved for the end of times (End of the Messianic Age), that is the history of the world would come to pass shortly, and in Elohim God’s time. Master YHWH El Elyon the Most High God stated He wanted this revelation of coming events taught to all His Set-A-Part People that they might know His Divine Will, and that they might enter into everlasting life through faith, obedience, watchfulness, and prayer. The Book of Revelation came directly from Master YHWH El Elyon the Most High God, thus we know the Message is true and certain, for the Sacred Word that Elohim God speaks is always fulfilled (Malachi 3:6: "I AM Elohim God, and I do not change ..."). As we live out our daily lives as Set-A-Part Believers, thus justified by the Blood of the Passover Lamb of Elohim God, and sanctified by the Holy Spirit of Elohim God unto Good Works of Faith and Servanthood, Elohim God’s Sacred Word continues to be fulfilled, and it will be fully fulfilled in the coming days of human history in this End of the Messianic Age. The beginning verses reveal to us the reader that Elohim God, Abba Father, Creator of all things, gave this Divine Revelation to His beloved Son, Yahshua Ha Mashiyach, Who in turn sent His angel to deliver it to the Apostle John, who in turn wrote it down for ALL to read and hear, that they be not decieved, and that they may believe, and in believing they may have Life Eternal (John 20:30-31).
Additional supporting Scriptural references for verses 1:1-3:
John 12:49, “For I have not spoken of Myself; but the Father which sent Me, He gave Me a Commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.”
Revelation 22:16, “I Yahshua have sent My angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the Bright and Morning star.”
1 John 1:1, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of Life.”
Proverbs 8:34, “Blessed is the man who heareth Me, watching daily at My gates, waiting at the post of My doors.”
Luke 11:28, “But He said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the Word of Elohim God, and keep It.”
Revelation 22:7, “Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the Prophecy of this Book.”
II. The Vision as recorded by the Apostle John.
A. Master YHWH El Elyon the Most High God, and the certainty of Yahshua Ha Mashiyach Ben El Elyon’s Divine Plan of Salvation of humanity (1:4-6).
“4. John, to the seven congregations in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from Him Who is, Who was, and Who is to come, and from the seven Spirits before His Throne, 5. and from Yahshua Ha Mashiyach, who is the Faithful Witness, the Firstborn of the dead, and the Ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood, 6. and has made us to be a kingdom and priest to serve His Elohim God and Father; to Him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.”
The very first thing that Yahshua unveiled and emphasized when He dictated the Book of Revelation to the Apostle John was the Godhead and the certainty of His Divine Plan of Salvation for His Set-A-Part Beleivers and Servants. “Him Who is, Who was, and Who is to come” in verse 4 refers to the Eternal Elohim God, our Father, and our Creator. “The seven Spirits which are before His Throne” refers to the Holy Spirit of El Elyon the Most High God in the state of His fullness, for seven, the perfect number, was used to describe Him. The Apostle John goes on to state that this revelation and unveiling came diectly from Yahshua Ha Mashiyach Himself, “Who is the Faithful Witness, and the Firstborn of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth.” With that being said, the Apsotle John was making it very clear that this revelation came directly from El Elyon the Most High God Master YHWH our Creator.
The Apostle John wrote in regards to Yahshua Ha Mashiyach and His Set-A-Part followers, “and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve His Elohim God and Father.” The Apostle John gave glory to Adonai Messiah by stating, “to Him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.”
Soon after the death of the Apostle Paul, many of the congregations and assemblies in Gentile lands began to return to their former ways of worship and practices which had held them in bondage to the law from which they as Set-A-Part belivers had been set free through the Gift of Grace which is in Yahshua Ha Mashiyach the Passover Lamb of Elohim God. Elohim God's Doctrine of Faith that people are saved through their faith and obedience in Yahshua Messiah, and Elohim God's Plan of Salvation is sure and trustworthy through the atoning blood of Yahshua Ha Mashiyach the Passover Lamb of Elohim God on the cross of Golgatha was beginning to be diluted and weakened by false teachers and apostates who were perverting Elohim God's Sacred Truth and Doctrine. Many of the Gentile converts had been persuaded to accept legalistic faith practices, dead works according to the Apostle Paul and Apostle Peter. These were being implemented by the nonbelieving Jews who had come down from Judea. Those legalist, salvation through works, taught that unless the Gentile believers were circumcised according to Jewish tradition, and followed certain Jewish practices they were eternally lost. As well as, the new first century Set-A-Part Believers, were also being infuence by pagan Gentile rituals and idolatrous practices and blending of culturally defined worship with that of the Set-A-Part Faith.
The Apostle John, inspired by the Holy Spirit of Elohim God, emphasized that people are saved not by works or deeds in accordance to the law or unorthodox rituals, but rather they are saved by the love, grace, and Blood Atonement of Yahshua Ha Mashiyach the Passover Lamb of Elohim God, who loved them even unto death. John taught that through the Messiah's resurrection we have the hope of everlasting life. Yahshua, by having the Apostle John emphasize that we are made priest unto El Elyon the Most High God and His Kingdom, made it clear that our Salvation is a Divine Gift of His eternal love and grace through Yahshua Ha Mashiyach the Righteous, Elohim God's Divine Plan fo Salvation which became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as the Begotten of the Father (El Elyon), full of Grace and Truth. (John 1:14; 1 John 2:1).
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 1:4-6:
Exodus 3:14, “And Elohim God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and He said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Isra'el, I AM hath sent me unto you.”
Isaiah 43:13, “Yea, before the day was I AM He; and there is none that can deliver out of My hand: I will work, and who shall let it?”
John 8:58, “Yahshau said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM.”
John 17:5, “And now, O Abba Father glorify thou Me with Thine own Self with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was.”
Colossians 1:17, “And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.”
James 1:17, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with Whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”
John 1:1-4, “In the beginning was the Word (Elohim God's Divine Plan of Salvation), and the Word was with Elohim God, and the Word was Elohim God. The same was in the beginning with Elohim God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was Life; and the Life was the light of men. And the Light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”
Zechariah 3:9, “For behold the Stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one Stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith Adonai Elohim Shavot (the Lord of host), and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.”
John 8:14, “Yahshua answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of Myself, yet My record is true: for I whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.”
Colossians 1:18, “And He is the Head of the body, the church: Who is the beginning, the Firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence.”
Ephesians 1:20, “Which He wrought in Messiah, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the Heavenly Places.”
John 13:34, “A new Commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”
Hebrews 9:14, “How much more shall the Blood of Messiah, Who through the Eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to Elohim God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living Elohim God?”
1 Timothy 6:16, “Who only hath immorality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; Whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to Whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen.”
B. The Second coming of Yahshua Ha Mashiyach Ben El Elyon (1:7).
“7. Look, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all peoples of the earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be! Amen.”
The return of Yahshua Ha Mashiyach which is mentioned here is not His coming in the air but rather His coming to earth AFTER the Great Tribulation, when those who pierced Him and everyone else will see Him. At the rapture (the lifting up) of the church (the body of Messiah) Yahshua does not reveal Himself to the world but rather He comes only to gather the Set-A-Part Believers as they rise to meet Him in the clouds (1 Thessalonians 4:16,17, “For Adonai Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of El Elyon the Most High God. And the dead in Messiah will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet Adonai in the air.”).
Yahshua will come like a thief in the night and take away His chosen Set-A-Part People, like priceless treasures, to Heaven. The unsaved will awake in the morning to find their wives missing, or wives will find their husbands missing, etc. (Matthew 24:40-42, “Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Adonai is coming.”). Yahshua's faithful Set-A-Part Believers will hear the calling of the Holy Spirit and will be taken (John 10:25-30; "... My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. I give them Eternal Life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, Who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. I and the Father are One."). Though we know not 'The Hour', it is certain that our Adonai and Savior Yahshua Ha Mashiyach's coming in the air is close at hand - the End of the Messianic Age is upon us. Hear what the Spirit of Elohim God is saying, and repent of your sins and return unto the saving grace and love of El Eloyon the Most High God in the Name of Yahshua Ha Messiah.
The Messiah’s coming to earth with His Set-A-Part Saints will take place seven years after the rapture event. Verse 7 says, “He is coming in the clouds.” It is believed that the clouds mentioned here are not ordinary clouds; these have significant meaning. The glory of Adonai Yahshua will appear like clouds, but it seems reasonable to interpret verse 7 as saying those clouds signify the flapping of the white robes on the Set-A-Part Saints who will return with Him. The Sacred Scripture uses the same figure of speech to describe a large number of people in Hebrews 12:1, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” Therefore, when Yahshua Ha Messiah comes with all His Set-A-Part Saints (1 Thessalonians 3:13, “To the end He may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before Elohim God, even our Father, at the coming of our Adonai Yahshua Ha Messiah with all His saints.”), with ten thousands of His saints (Jude 14, “And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, Adonai cometh with ten thousands of His saints.”), for it will appear as if Yahshua were coming wrapped up in the clouds because of all the white robes around Him.
After all of Elohim God’s faithful Set-A-Part People have been taken up into heaven and have participated in the Great Wedding Feast of the Precious Lamb of Elohim God (Revelation 19:6-9, “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, Allelu'Yah: for the Adonai Elohim God omnipotent reigns. 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. 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. 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 Elohim God.”), we will return to earth. It is believed the site of the Adonai Yahshua's second coming to earth will be the Mount of Olives outside the City of Elohim God - Jerusalem Isra'el.
So, what does it mean, “every eye shall see Him, and also those which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him”? It means the Word of Prophecy recorded in Zechariah 12:10 will be fulfilled, “And I will pour out upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and supplications: and they shall look upon Me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him, as one who mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for Him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.”
Elohim God will give the Spirit of Repentance to the Jews. They will look at the nailprints in His hands and the marks of the spear in His side. They will recognize that this was the Messiah the Passover Lamb of Elohim God Whom they had reviled and crucified under false accusations (john 1:10-13). They will weep bitterly for contrition and remorse. The Gentiles who have lived so for according to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of the world (1 John 2:16,17, “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of El Elyon the Most High God abideth forever.”) will likewise shed tears out of fear of Elohim God’s Divine wrath, Righteous judgment, and ultimate destruction.
Additional supporting Scriptural references:
Daniel 7:13, “I saw the night visions, and behold, one like the Son of Man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him.”
John 19:37, “And again another Scripture saith, They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”
C. The Eternity of Yahshua (1:8).
“8. “I AM the Alpha and the Omega,” says Adonai, “Who is, Who was, and Who is to come, the Almighty.””
“The Lord (Adonai)” recorded in verse 8 refers to our Adonai Yahshua. “Alpha and Omega” are the first and the last letters of the Greek alphabet, just as “A and Z” are the first and last letters in the English alphabet, and "Alef and Tau" are in the Hebrew alphabet. These signify the Beginning of creation and the End of the age of creation here on earth (Genesis 1:1-2:3; John 1:1-4).
Yahshua is the One Who was, the Creator (Godhead: Elohim God the Father, Yahshua Ha Mashiyach Ben Elhoim, and Ruach Ha Kodesh (Genesis 1:1-2:3; John 1:1-16)), who existed from the infinite past. He is not another saint who was born into existence two thousand years ago. He is still alive and He is seated at the Right Hand of the Elohim God our Father in Heaven. He is constantly concerned with our well-being and He constantly intercedes for us (Hebrews 7:24,25, “But this Man, because He continueth ever, hath an Unchangeable Priesthood. Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto Elohim God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.”). Out of His tender mercy Yahshua Ha Messiah fulfills all our needs. The Apostle John also emphasizes that He holds the whole universe in His hands (Matthew 28:18-20. "... All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth ...; and lo, I AM with you always, even to the End of the Age.").
Additional supporting Scriptural references:
Isaiah 41:4, “Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I, Adonai, the First and with the Last; I AM He.”
D. The Apostle John, who was in the Spirit (1:9-10).
“9. I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering, and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Yahshua, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of Elohim God and the testimony of Yahshua. 10. On the Day of Adonai I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet,”
In verse 9 the Apostle John identified himself. He wrote the Book of Revelation during a time of great persecution around A.D. 95. By the time the Apostle John wrote this Book the other Apostles had all been arrested, tried, and martyred.
The Apostle John was in exile on the island of Patmos, which swarmed with atrocious criminals who came from all parts of the Roman Empire. This was a very rocky and baron land with no grass or trees. John, as an Apostle and follower of Yahshua Ha Mashiyach, suffered bitter insults from his fellow prisoners in the daytime, and at night he was vexed among the criminals who quarreled with abusive words and acts.
In the midst of all this chaotic and confused environment, however, the Apostle John was able to still be in the Spirit of El Elyon the Most High God through prayer and meditation. It was on one Lord’s Day, Shabbot, as he, John, was praying, that he received Yahshau Ha Messiah’s Divine Revelation, which is written herein this Book for all to read, hear, and obey.
As we read and study Holy Scripture, we too must ask ourselves, could we too become similarly inspired by the Holy Spirit of El Elyon the Most High God pray without ceasing that we too may be inspired by the Ruach Ha Kodesh in spite of our difficult circumstances and surroundings. Without the help of the Holy Spirit of El Elyon the Most High God, no one can understand the deep and nurturing meaning of Elohim God's Divine Revelation.
1 Corinthians 2:11 tells us, “For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so the things of Elohim God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of Elohim God.” Except by the Holy Spirit of El Elyon, no one can unveil the secrets of Elohim God. No, not a word! Elohim God placed the Apostle John in the Spirit which is of Elohim God that He might show him His deep mysteries and plans for the future. Because this Revelation was not written by human wisdom and human experience, but by the full inspiration of the Holy Spirit of El Elyon the Most High God, it is the accurate Word of Elohim God, free from all errors as the Apostle John originally penned it.
Those who have recorded other Books of Sacred Scriptures, as the Apostle John did, did so under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit of Elohim God (2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is given by the inspiration of Elohim God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of Elohim God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”). Every verse and every word of Holy Scripture is the Sacred Word of El Elyon the Most High God, inspired and written under the guidance of the Ruach Ha Kodesh, and is free from all human error.
Additional supporting Scriptural references:
Romans 8:16,17, “The Ruach Ha Kodesh Itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of Elohim God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of Elohim God, and joint-heirs with Messiah; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together.”
Acts 10:10, “And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance.”
1 Corinthians 16:2, “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by Him in store, as Elohim God hath prospered Him, that there be no gatherings when I come.”
E. The Sound of a Trumpet (1:10-16).
“10. On the Day of Adonai (Lord’s Day; Shabbot) I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11. Saying, “I AM Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last: and, Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven congregations: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.” 12. I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13. And among the lampstands was someone “like a Son of Man,” dressed in a robe reaching down to His feet and with a golden sash around His chest. 14. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes were like blazing fire. 15. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16. In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.””
The Apostle John wrote that he was in the Spirit, and that he heard a loud voice that sounded like a trumpet. The sound meant that Elohim God was about to give him a special message. Let us look at the content of those messages from El Elyon the Most High God to Yahshua Ha Mashiyach Ben El ELyon to the Apostle John.
1. The Seven Congregations in Asia Minor: In verse 11, the Great Voice said, “What thou seest, write in a Book, and send it unto the seven congregations: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.” In those days there were no more than a thousand congregations in Asia Minor. So of all those congregations, why did Yahshau choose those seven congregations? First, it is believed that each of those many congregations could be identified with one of the seven congregations, which had their own particular personality and characteristics. Second, through those seven congregations, Yahshua wanted to illustrate the coming 2,000 plus year history of the church body from the time of the Apostle John to the present End of the Messianic Age. Thus, the church age would be divided into seven periods, each represented by one of the seven congregations which Messiah Yahshua addressed.
2. The Seven Golden Candlesticks and the image of Yahshua: When the Apostle John turned to see the Voice that spoke to him, he saw seven candlesticks burning brightly. Those candlesticks were made of beaten pure gold, and signified the congregations of the church body, which is to be a light, a beacon to a lost and dark sinful world. In the midst of the seven candlesticks John saw Yahshua the Messiah and beheld Him with a strong yearning. Previously the Apostle John had thought of Yahshua as being far away in a remote Heaven, but now he saw Adonai Yahshua right in front of him. Today Adonai Yahshua is present in all our lives and dwells in the hearts of all Set-A-Part Believers. Let us examine the vision of Yahshua Ha Messiah in verse 13.
First, Yahshua was “like unto the Son of Man,” clothed with a long garment. That garment was a special article of clothing, which is of great significance, chosen by El Elyon the Most High God for the King of kings, the Great High Priest, and the Righteous Judge. Why did Yahshua appear wearing such a garment? Because He, Yahshua the Passover Lamb of El Elyon, is the King of kings, the Great High Priest, and the Righteous Judge for all Set-A-Part (Sanctified) Believers. The high priest of Israel (of the Aaronic priesthood) prayed to Elohim God for the Set-A-Part people of Elohim God to be blessed and forgiven for their sins. Yahshua is our High Priest (after the Order of Melkizedek), our Advocate before Elohim God, offering prayers of intercession that we may be blessed and forgiven our sins by Elohim God the Father (Psalm 32:1-2). To those who do not believe in Adonai Yahshua Ha Messiah, however, His garment becomes the special Robe of Righteous Judgment. Thus, our source, as Set-A-Part Believers, of great blessing is also a source of great condemnation for unbelievers, those who have forsaken Elohim God and Yahshua Ha Mashiyach Ben Elohim.
Second, the Sacred Scriptures tell us in verse 13 that Yahshua was “girt about the paps (chest area) with a golden girdle.” In olden times a golden girdle was worn by the king, thus, the girdle around Yahshua’ chest symbolizes His position and soveriegnty as the King of kings.
Third, in verse 14, “His head and His hairs were white like wool, as white as snow.” That means that Yahshua is pure (without spot or blemish) and omniscient. White hair usually means one has reached the highest point of wisdom after the spring and autumn of one’s life. However, in today’s generation there appears to be a growing disregard for respect and honor of the aged. All are doing what is right in their own eyes, thus going the ways of Cain (shedding of innocent blood), Balaam (greed and sexual immorality), and Korah (lawlessness, rebellion, and anarchy). That is Scripturally wrong according to Elohim God’s Commandments (Deuteronomy 26-30; Revelation 21:8) . The Bible says in Proverbs 16:31, “The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.” It is a symbol of wisdom, and is to be respected and honored. Consulting with those who aged reaps much knowledge, experience, and wisdom can provide the young much comfort.
Fourth, in verse 14, Yahshua’s “eyes were a flame of fire.” Our hearts palpitate when a person with a pure heart, who prays a lot, looks into our eyes. Why? Because such eyes are able to penetrate the corrupt thoughts and nature of our minds and hearts. How much more would our hearts palpitate if Adonai Yahshua Ha Mashiyach were to gaze at us with eyes like flames of fire! His discerning eyes pierce, and know all, and judge all hidden things within the soul of man.
Fifth, Yahshua was standing erect, and in verse 15, “His feet were like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace.” Brass is made of copper, which throughout the Sacred Scriptures implies Righteous Judgment. In the Old Testament period the altar and flesh-hooks used in sacrifices were made from brass. Our Adonai Yahshua will Righteously Judge severely those who are disobedient, rebellious, and who commit sin.
Sixth, in verse 15, the Voice of our Adonai is like “the sound of many waters.” That’s the Voice of none other than the Creator, Who speaks to us, His creation, with the same Voice He used in the Days of Creation.
Seventh, in verse 16, “He had in His right hand seven stars.” The seven stars signify the pastors (undershepherds) of the seven congregations in Asia Minor. From this verse we can understand how close pastors/undershepherds are to the heart of Yahshua. Their position is immensely honorable before Him. But pastors who have entered into the servant-ministry of Yahshua Ha Messiah without a Divine Calling, are not the stars laid upon His palm. They are fallen stars (apostates, false prophets) doomed to eternal comdemnation with HaSatan and his angels. Those (hierlings) who pastor only for a profession or self interest, establish numerous churches for propfit in the name of denominationalism that follow secular and serpent theologies which lead many souls down side paths of compromise, sin, and damnation (Malachi 1:1-4:6; Jude 1-25).
Eighth, in verse 16, “out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword.” In Hebrews 4:12, the Word that proceeds out of the mouth of Yahshua Messiah is indeed a Sword: “The Word of Elohim God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even unto the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of thoughts and intentions of the heart.” The Sacred Word is a surgical knife Elohim God uses to save our lives. When we hear, and irrevocably surrender, and receive Elohim God’s Sacred Word, wonderful things happen in our lives. Our sins and wickedness will be laid bare. The devil, HaSatan, will be cast out from our lives forever. Sickness and disease will be banished. Despair and heavy burdens will be removed. All events and things happen because they are pierced by the Sacred Word of Elohim God.
Ninth, in verse 16, the face of Yahshua “was as the sun shineth in His strength.” When the cold winter passes and the warm spring comes, the sun sheds its light strongly, and everything comes to life. The full strength of sunshine means overflowing vitality. Whoever comes unto Yahshua Ha Messiah will receive the shining light that radiates from His face and will be filled with the joy of Adonai our God to the fullest (John 1:12-13). For those who bow their knees and profess with their tongues Yahshua Ha Messiah is Adonai, Yahshua is with them always unto the End of the Age. He is our Good Shepherd, and He leads us down the narrow path of abundance and glory (Psalm 23).
Additional supporting Scriptural references:
Acts 20:7, “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.”
1 Corinthians 16:2, “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by Him in store, As Elohim God has prospered Him, that there be no gatherings when I come.”
Exodus 25:37, “And thou shall make seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it.”
Zechariah 4:2, “And He said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and His seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof:”
Daniel 7:13, “I saw in the night visions, and, behold, One like the Son of Man came in the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before Him.”
Daniel 10:5, “Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain Man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz:”
Daniel 7:9, “I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, Whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head like the pure wool: His throne was like the fiery flame, and His wheels as burning fire.”
Revelation 2:18, “And unto the angel of the congregation of Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, Who hath His eyes like unto a flame of fire, and His feet are like fine brass;”
Ezekiel 1:7, “And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf’s foot: and they sparkled like the color of burnished brass.”
Ezekiel 43:2, “And, behold, the glory of the Elohim God of Isra'el came from the way of the east: and His voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with His glory.”
Isaiah 49:2, “And He hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of His hand hath He hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in His quiver hath He hid me;”
Ephesians 6:17, “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of Elohim God:”
Hebrews 4:12, “For the Word of Elohim God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than a two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Acts 26:13, “At midday, O King, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.”
F. Reaction of the Apostle John (1:17-18).
“17. When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as though dead. Then He placed His hand upon me and said: “Do not be afraid. I AM the First and the Last. 18. I AM the Living One; I was dead, and behold I AM alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of Death and Hades.””
The Apostle John was probably past the age of eighty years old when he saw the awesome figure of the glorified Messiah Yahshua. His terror was so intense that he fell at His feet in a trance, as though dead. When John fell, our Adonai Yahshua HaMashiyach laid His hand tenderly upon Him and in verses 17-18, said, “Do not be afraid; I Am the First and the Last: I AM the living One; I was dead, and behold I AM alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of Death and Hades.” Yahshua, the Passover Lamb of El Elyon the Most High God, Who died on the cross of Golgatha for the sins of the world and was resurrected on the third day, holds the keys of Death and Hades (John 3:16-17). Therefore, anyone who believes (comes by faith into obedience) in Him does not need to be afraid of anything, because both Life and Death are under the authority and power of Yahshua Ha Mashiyach Ben El Elyon.
Additional supporting Scriptural references:
Ezekiel 1:28, “As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Adonai. And when I saw It, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of One that spake.”
Daniel 8:18,19, “Now as He was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face on the ground: but He touched me, and set me upright. And He said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be.”
Isaiah 41:4, “Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I Adonai, the First, and with the Last; I AM He.”
Isaiah 44:6, “Thus saith Adonai the King of Isra'el, and His Redeemer Adonai of host; I AM the First, and I AM the Last; and besides Me there is no Elohim God.”
Isaiah 48:12, “Hearken unto Me, O Jacob and Isra'el, My called; I AM He; I AM the First, I AM also the Last.”
Romans 6:9, “Knowing that Messiah being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over Him.”
Psalm 68:20, “He that is our Elohim God is the Elohim God of our salvation; and unto Elohim God the Lord belong the issues from death.”
Revelation 20:1, “And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.”
G. The Key to Opening the Revelation of Yahshua HaMashiyach (1:19-20).
“19. “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. 20. The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in My Right Hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this; The seven stars are the angels of the seven congregations, and the seven lampstands are the seven congregations.””
Verses 19-20 are Keys that open our understanding to the Apostle John’s revelation, which was received from Yahshua Messiah. Misunderstanding these verses can cause one to misunderstand and misinterpret the whole book. Unfortunately, that happens more than not. That which the Apostle John was told to record falls into three basic divisions. The first, is “the things which thou hast seen.” That corresponds to the first chapter of the book of Revelation. The second, “the things which are.” These correspond to the period of the churches in the second and third chapters of the book of Revelation. The third, “the things which shall be hereafter.” These correspond to the remaining chapters four through twenty two in the book of Revelation. They deal with the things that will unfold at the End of the Church Age, such as the Rapture of the Church Body (Set-A-Believers of Faith in Messiah Yahshua) to heaven, the Last of Days of the world, and the unfolding of the New Heaven, and New Earth, and the New Jerusalem.
Additional supporting Scriptural references:
Malachi 2:5, “My covenant was with Him of Life and Peace; and I gave them to Him for the fear wherewith He feared Me, and was afraid before My Name.”
Matthew 5:14-16, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light to all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works (works unto salvation), and glorify your Abba Father which is in heaven.”
Reflective points:
1. The opening and the closing words of the Book of Revelation reveal the special nature of this Book: It is a Book of Revelation. This revelatory process is defined as, “the act or process of revealing or communicating Divine Truth, that is truth of and from El Shaddai (Almighty God), concerning Elohim God Himself in relationship to His creation, humanity; as it was, as it is, and as it is to be.”
2. The figure which is standing in the midst of the seven lampstands, “One like the Son of Man,” verse 13, is a human portrayal of Yahshua Messiah which is quite common in Isaiah and the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
3. The Apostle John writes of “Faithful Witness” within the opening nine verses of chapter one in the Book of Revelation. This is central to the understanding of our Set-A-Part Faith and call to mission. We are called by Elohim God to bear witness faithfully and fruitfully to all people, to all nations, to all languages of Who Elohim God is in and through the Person of Adonai Yahshua Ha Messiah.
4. When Yahshua Messiah comes in the clouds all the people of the world will see Him, and all will mourn and lament because of Him. He is the “Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End.”
5. At the very beginning of the Apostle John’s vision Yahshua Messiah’s commissions John as His Divine envoy and messenger to the seven congregations of Asia Minor. This vision of the Apostle John’s occurs, not in some divine and holy place or temple, but on the island of Patmos, a penal colony under Roman rule. The Kingdom of Elohim God has historically appeared on the margins of Judaism’s life through eccentric prophets and messengers, and here again, El Elyon the Most High God is revealing the greatest of His revelations to humanity through His Beloved Son Yahshua Messiah, through the Apostle John, to all who will read and hear His Truth.
6. The Apostle John is commanded to write down all that he has seen, verse19, “Write these things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.” The revelation and vision is not only about that which is to come in the future, but it is about those things which have already happened, and which are happening in John’s time. This revelation brings together the mind of Elohim God in relationship to human history. The Apostle John’s vision portrays the relationship between the One Who was, Who is, and Who is to come, and what is now the reality between eternity and the finite, between the Most Holy of holies, the Elohim God of all creation, and the profanity of sinful, decadent and wicked institutions and sinful human behavior. The Truth and the theme is that the two opposing forces of Good and evil cannot co-exist. The reality and significance of the death and resurrection of Yahshua Messiah the Passover Lamb of Elohim God is a present, and a moving, force in the lives of all Set-A-Part Believers today and in the days to come.
Chapter One Study Questions.
1. Have you ever had a revelation yourself that you were eager to share with others? If yes, please
share.
2. From Whom did the Book of Revelation originate?
3. What does the Apostle John mean verse 3?
4. Who wrote the Book of Revelation?
5. Where was the Apostle John when he wrote the Book of Revelation? What were his circumstances for being there?
6. To whom is the Book of Revelation addressed?
7. Why is Rome portrayed negatively?
8. What are the meanings of the Titles given to Yahshua Ha Messiah in verses 5-6?
9. What three things does Yahshua Ha Messiah do for us in verses 5-6?
10. What does the Apostle John mean in verse 10, “I was in the Spirit?” When is the Lord’s Day ( the Day of Adonai) according to Sacred Scripture?
11. Who is Yahshua Ha Messiah in verse 11, and what is meant by this saying?
12. For those Set-A-Part Believers suffering oppression and persecution, what aspect of the Holy Gospel would be profoundly important?
13. What personal feelings and issues make you want to give up on Yahshau Ha Messiah? What truths, feelings and issues about Yahshua HaMessiah make you keep faithful and obedient to His Will, His Way, and His Word?
14. What’s significant about the Apostle John’s circumstances in verse 9, and the 'Day' when he
received this vision?
15. What is the meaning of the Seven Stars, the Seven Lampstands? What does it mean for the
Church Body to be a Light?
16. What is the meaning of the “sharp two-edged sword” in verse 16?
17. Who is the "First and the Last, the Alpha and the Omega, the Alef and the Tau herein; Who has died and now Lives forever; and,Who has the keys to Hades and Death? What does His Being mean to you and I as Set-A-Part Believers of Faith, People of the Way?
Yahshua Ha Mashiyach's Address to His Church Body:
The Messianic Age and the Historical Age
Chapter 2.
Messages to Four of the Seven Congregations of Asia Minor:
Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, and Thyatira.
The Messianic Age and the Church Age.
The message of Yahshua Messiah to the seven congregations in Asia Minor were not only words of exhortation accompanied by praise and rebuke, but also words of prophecy covering the span of the Messianic Age and the Church’s history until the present time - the End of the Messianic Age. It is believed that church age and human history falls into seven periods, all of which make up the Messianic Age.
Examining the prophecy in light of what has happened over the past two thousand plus years, we find that the events have taken place just as foretold and are continuing to be fulfilled. Studying the second and third chapters of the Book of Revelation leads to a firm belief that this may be the last age of the church and the culmunation of the Messianic Age, the Laodicean era.
Each of the letters to the seven congregations can be divided into distinct six categories. First, the Messiah indicates the name of the recipient congregation; Second, the Messiah gives His spiritual evaluation of the congregation; Third, Yahshua Ha Messiah gives His commendation for the congregation; Fourth, the Messiah gives His rebuke for the congregation; Fifth, Yahshua Ha Messiah gives His exhortation; and, Sixth, the Messiah gives His Divine Promise to each of the congregations He addresses. In each of these letters (edicts/oracles) we will see how those things have impacted prophetically the historical development of the church body during the past two thousand plus years, or the Messianic Age.
1. Letter (Edict/Oracle) to the Congregation in Ephesus (2:1-7).
“1. “To the messenger of the congregation in Ephesus (Ephesos)write: These are the Words of Him who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands: 2. I know your deeds, your hard work and perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3. You have persevered and endured hardships for My Name, and have not grown weary. 4. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your First Love. 5. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from this place. 6. But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolatians (Nikolaites), which I also hate. 7. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit, says to the congregations. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the Tree of Life, which is in the Paradise of Elohim God.””
A. Destination of the letter (Edict/Oracle) (2:1a).
The first letter which is dictated to the Apostle John was addressed to the congregation at Ephesus (Ephesos), which was a major city in Asia Minor, a major seaport, and a major commercial and export center. Ephesus (Ephesos) was also the location of the temple of Artemis (Diana). This city was so stirred by the Apostle Paul’s messages that the silversmiths rioted because they believed their businesses of making shrines of Diana was being threaten by the Messianic movement (Acts 19:23-41, “And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsman; Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus (Ephesos), but almost throughout all of Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and tuned away much people, saying that there be no gods, which are made with hands: So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at naught; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshipped. And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theater. And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples convinced him not. And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre. Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defense unto the people. But when they new he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. And when the town clerk had appeased the people, he said, You men of Ephesus, what man is there that knows not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshiper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter? Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly. For you have brought here these men, which are neither robbers of assemblies, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess. Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead (plead; accuse; arraign) one another. But you inquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly. For we are in danger to called in question for this day’s uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse. And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.”). There were many people practicing magic arts in Ephesus (Ephesos). As a result of the Aposle Paul’s preaching, a number of those who practiced magic arts came to believe in Yahshua Messiah. They then brought their books and idols together and burned them (Acts 19:13-20, “Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the Name of the Yahshua Messiah, saying, We adjure you by Yahshua whom the Apostle Paul preaches. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, Yahshua I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. And this was known to all the Jews (Judeans) and Greeks (Gentiles) also dwelling at Ephesus (Ephesos); and fear fell on them all, and the name of Adonai Yahshua Messiah was magnified. And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So mightily grew the Word of Elohim God and prevaile.”).
The congregation at Ephesus (Ephesos) was the most esteemed and privileged congregation among all the congregations of Asia Minor because it was blessed with the best of that day’s pastors (undershepherds) and ministers (teachers and servants). It was successfully pastored by the Apostle Paul, Apollos, Timothy, and the Apostle John. It was therefore the most trained and influenced in Holy Scriptures, and the most Orthodox in Scriptural Doctrine.
As the congregation greatly expanded it’s influence and missions, thanks to its firm standing on Elohim God’s Sacred Word and Principles (Mitzvah's), it changed into a systematic organization of rituals and dogmas, and naturally it’s “First Love” began to wane and grow cold. Payer and Praise ceased too, and the Worship services begin to lean toward form, ritual, and appeasement of the cultural, social, and political masses. Apostates threatened the souls of the congregation with false teachings and doctrines (Malachi; Jude).
B. The Description of Yahshua Ha Messiah (2:1b).
Many congregations today have members who simply attend services, listen to the evangelist or pastor’s sermons, and fund special programs. But they have forgotten the love and grace of Yahshua Ha Mashiyach Ben El Elyon who is forever present in their lives and the lives of worshipers everywhere. Many Set-A-Part Believers today have lost their focus, their connection, and their zeal and passion for Yahshua Messiah, and His Message of Hope for ALL humanity. They have forgotten that Elohim God is the reason for our worship, prayer, and praise. They seek only to be gratified and entertained. These congregations no longer lead people to feel their need to be saved, to be baptized with the Holy Spirit of Elohim God, to commune with God in prayer and praise, and to be obedient to the Will, Way, and Word of El Elyon the Most High God. Many of these congregations do not even use the Bible, Elohim God's Sacred Scripture in their worship and studies anymore. The services have become secular events, concerts, and circuses (Malachi; Jude). Therefore, people are ignorant of Holy Scripture, unrepentant, and self-oriented in the their participation in worship and service to God - they have become apostates and gone the ways of Cain, Balaam, and Korah. The miraculous works of Elohim God have disappeared and have been replaced by human efforts (humanism) and dead works (secularism) which lead ALL who practice such to 'Hell'. The Holy Spirit of Elohim God is no longer called upon for healing, comfort, and guidance. Mankind has become self-willed and self-reliant bowing at the altar of Baal - Ha Satan. Worship services have turned into humanistic gatherings, void of Divine Spiritual nourishment and blessings. While worshipers and congregational leaders serve their special interest and glorify themselves with praise in the defilement of Elohim God’s Name, and line their poctkets from greed and lust of the flesh, these heirlings will have their 'Day of Lord' soon.
The congregation at Ephesus had become like that. At first it was a Elohim God-centered congregation, full of the Sacred Word of Elohim God and the Holy Spirit of Elohim God. But then the congregation degenerated into a humanistic body, that gave token-ship to El Elyon the Most High God, as it begin to lean towards activities and organization, a theocracy filled with self-interest and practices. They changed El Elyon the Most High God's appointed Seasons, Times, Feast, and Festival; His Creation Calendar; Mocked His Name and that of His Beloved Son, and changed Their Names to counterfit names; and they revoked His Sacred Day, His Sabbath, thus denying those who follow their false teaching and doctrines Elohim God's Sabbath Peace, Rest, Joy, and Healing (John 14:25-[27]-31). Yahshua showed His insight and displeasure into the church with His rebuke: “Look! I am still walking in the midst of the seven candlesticks holding the seven stars in My right hand, but you have forgotten your First Love [paraphrased].” Master YHWH tells us in Sacred Scripture (Old Covenant and New Covenant) that those who practice such lawlessness and rebellion, and foresake Adonai Elohim God and His Messiah Yahshua will NOT enter His Sabbath His and Peace (Millennial Kingdom - God's Sabbath), and they will be cast into everlasting comdemnation with Ha Satan and his angels (Matthew 7:21-23; "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Adonai, Adonai,' shall enter the Kingdom of God, but whoever does the Will of My Father in Heaven. many will say to Me in that Day, 'Adonai, Adonai,' have we not prophesied in Your Name, cast out demons in Your Name, and done many wondersin Your Name?' And then I will declare to them,'I never new you; 'depart from Me, you who practiced lawlessness!'"). The doubling of the Name of Adonai expresses not only the personal intimacy of the passage, but also the gravity of the sins of lawlessness and rebellion against El Elyon the Most High God and His Divine Mitzvahs (Teachings), His Sacred Torah (Law and Commandments), all of which have never been done away with and are intact throughout the Messianic Age unto the coonsummation of Time (Matthew 5:17-20; "Do not think I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but that ALL should be fulfilled. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one yod (smallest letter) or one tittle (smallest stroke) shall be no means pass from the Law till ALL is fulfilled ...").
C. Yahshua Ha Mashiyach’s Commendation (2:2-3).
The method of discipline (chastens: Proverbs 19:18; Revelation 3:19) our Adonai Yahshua Ha Messiah used was always to commend first before He rebuked. Our feelings are usually hurt less, and we are more likely to listen to the content of the message, thus being more open to reprimand which is designed to discipline and to correct our shortcomings. This approach is also effective in raising up our own children and in building relationships (Proverbs 19:18: "O chasten your son while there is still time ...").
Yahshua commended the Ephesian congregation because their work had been Messiah-centered. They also toiled sacrificially, bearing trouble and hardships in much perseverance. He also commended their purity; they would not tolerate those who were evil. Instead, they drove the false prophesiers, false teachers, false apostles, and apsotates out of the congregation.
According to Jewish tradition, the Nicolatians (Nikolaites) referred to in verse 6 were the followers of Nicolaus, one of the first seven deacons chosen by the early congregations. Nicolaus, had fallen from orthodox faith, introduced heretical Helenistic Greek philosophy in to the congregation. He held the belief that the spirit of man is good and pure, but the human body is fundamentally forever evil and corrupt. The spirit is by no means affected by the body’s activities because the spirit is pure and holy forever. Therefore, one’s spirit is not harmfully affected by one’s unrestrained lifestyle, life indulgences, and lustful behaviors such as drunkenness, glutteny, and immoral physical activities. Since the spirit is purified, once a man believes in Yahshua Messiah and accepts Him as Adonai and Savior of their life, there then is no difference in one’s body even though it commits evil - therefore 'go and sin boldly, for one could not lose their salvation' (Malachi: 2 Peter; Jude). This heresy brought about Elohim God’s Divine Wrath and Righteous Judgment.
Many congtregations today have allowed placement of such apostate leaders, teachers, preachers, and prophesiers into the authority of seminaries, classrooms, and the local congregations, thus causing corruption and licentiousness, and creating a world church not of Elohim God, but one with a sinful hierarchy which is condemned by Yahshua Messiah, the Head of His Church. Understandably, Yahshua Ha Messiah, the Cornerstone of the Church is angered and enraged by these evil deeds, afterall, He gave His Life Blood on the Cross of Golgatha as the Passover Lamb of Elohim God for the forgiveness of our sins, and He has the right to expect us to be holy and righteous, because He is Holy and Righteous. The congregation of Ephesus was also angered, and so Yahshua commended them for their stand against the corrupting evil of these false teachers and apostates.
D. Yashua Ha Mashiyach’s Rebuke (2:4).
Next the Adonai Yahshua Messiah rebuked the congregation, in verse 4, by declaring, “Nevertheless I have this against thee, you have left thy First Love. (Matthew 22:37-40)” It was a grave problem indeed, for they had learned the Sacred Word of Elohim God well, but while they were busy with their many activities, planning committee meetings, including service, sacrifices, and enduring hardships, they lost their focus on their ‘First love,’ Yahshua Ha Messiah. All that was left was hollowed form and rituals with no more substance and nourishment than the morning dew.
The Messiah-Church relationship was analogous to what can happen in a marriage relationship. When love is lost, the husband is bound only by duty of providing for his family. The wife is bound only by her duty of rearing the children and managing a household. There is not a day of rest from irritation and quarrels in such a home. The fruits of the flesh dominate the fruits of the Spirit who are in opposition to one another. Love between the groom and bride must continue to be present, in order for passion and joy, growth and nurturing, and peace and hope to stay alive.
The same is true in the relationship between Yahshua Ha Messiah and His Bride the Church. Once Set-A-Part Believers’ fervent relationship and love for Yahshua Ha Messiah has cooled off, they just attend church on Sundays out of habit (sometimes), and/or duty, not out of joy and enthusiasm for their First Love, Yahshua, Who is always present. How grievous this must be to our Adonai Yahshua Ha Messiah Who has given so much for His Church-Bride, for all who call upon Him to be Lord of their lives. How many congregations today are like that? Is the congregation you attend and Worship God lost it's First Love focus? How fervent the early Set-A-Part Believers, the People of the Way, must have been when they first believed in Yahshua Messiah, as were we (you and I) when we first accepted Yahshua Ha Messiah as Adonai of our lives. The Holy Scripture says, “and they were filled with the Holy Spirit!” Let us ask ourselves, "Where is our zeal and passion for El Elyon the Most High God and His Beloved Son Yahshua Ha Messiah? Where is our zeal and passion for His Sacred Word? Do we thrist and hunger for Elohim God's Righteousness, that we may be called blessed of the Father? Are we poor in spirit? Do we have mournful hearts? Are we meek and humble in our daily walk? Are we merciful and are we forgiving of others? Are we pure of heart? And, do we seek peace with others and act upon it (Pslams: 35:20; 120:7)? If we are to be called the blessed of the Father we must walk in the unity of His Spirit of Holiness and Truth and in the bond of His Peace in this End of the Messianic Age.
Therefore, the Messianic Church (the collective congregations of Set-A-Part Believers), if she is to be the pure and undefiled Bride of Messiah, must choose whom she will lay with, Yahshua Ha Messiah, or the world (Revelation 21:27; "But there shall by NO means enter It anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life."). The Church cannot please El Elyon the Most High God unless it is faithful and obedient, pure and undefiled, and maintains a constant and fervent fellowship with Yahshua Ha Messiah our Adonai, the Cornerstone and Head of the church.
E. Yahshua Ha Mashiyach's Exhortation (2:5-6).
Yahshua exhorted the congregation at Ephesus (Ephesos) in verse 5, “Remember therefore from whence you have fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto you quickly, and will remove your candlestick out of this place, except you repent.” We so easily forget the blessing of our Adonai Yahshua Ha Messiah. We also conveniently forget His chastisement. Yahshua says, “Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent ....” He is asking the congregation at Ephesus (Ephesos), and all Set-A-Part Believers, ‘What happened to you, that you now only possess a hollow perverted and apsotate faith?’
If we come to our Adonai Yahshua at such times, confessing what we have done and left undone, thus repenting of our sins which we have shamefully and grievously committed against Elohim God and against one another, we can return once again to a meaningful and fervent faith-life and relationship with Yahshua Ha Messiah our Adonai and Savior (II Chronicles 7:14,15, “if My people who are called by My Name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place.”) If we call upon Adonai Elohim our God and repent, we will not repeat the failures of the congregation at Ephesus (Ephesos).
F. Yahshua Ha Mashiyach’s Promise (2:7).
In verse 7, Yahshua promised that when the Ephesian congregation’s “First Love” was restored, two blessings would be given. First, He promised ‘Paradise.’ This Paradise is far better than the one where Adam and Eve lived. The New Paradise will be Heaven (Revelation 21:-22:21). The Messiah will transform our bodies from their former state to a glorious new state; from weakness to power; from the natural to the spiritual, in order that we may move from a state of mortality to state of immortality, thus living forever with Him in the Kingdom of Elohim God. Second, Yahshua promised He would give the fruit of the ‘Tree of Life.’ That fruit is not given for just pleasure of sight, but it is also for our nourishment.
G. Interpretation of the Prophecy (A.D. 33-A.D.100).
It is believed that the letter to the congregation at Ephesus (Ephesos) represents the apostolic church age in the period from A.D.33 to A.D.100. The name Ephesus (Ephesos) means, “to relax, or let go of.” Hence, the name implied that love had departed the congregation there, and only form and rituals were left. The congregation of Yahshua Ha Messiah, which had been on fire with the Holy Spirit of Elohim God in it’s initial stages following the ascension of Yahshua Ha Messiah, had slowly lost it’s “First Love.” They had grown cold and mechanical in their worship, prayers, praises, and lost focus on their mission. By the year A.D.100 it had turned into a congregation with nothing more than forms and rituals.
So, what will happen to a congregation which has lost it’s “First Love” if it does not repent and return to the Will, the Way, and the Word of El Elyon the Most High God? Elohim God will visit it with chastisement and anger, and His Divne Wrath and Righteous Judgment will fall upon it! Remember, 'Judgement comes first to the house of Elohim God!' Repent, I say Repent in the Name of Yahshua Ha Messiah, and return unto Adonai Elohim God, that all will be well with your soul.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 2:1-7.
Acts 19:1-6, “And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was in Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Spirit since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether be any Holy Spirit. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on Him that come after him, that is, on Yahshua Messiah. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of Adonai Yahshua Messiah. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came upon them; and they spake with tongues and prophesied.”
Revelation 1:16, “And He had in His right hand seven stars: and out of His mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and His countenance was as the sun shineth in His strength.”
Psalm 1:6, “For Adonai knows the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.”
1 John 4:1, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of Elohim God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”
2 Corinthians 11:13, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Messiah.”
2 Peter 2:1, “And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.”
Galatians 6:7-10, “Be not deceived; Elohim God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
Hebrews 12:2-6, “Looking unto Yahshua the Author and Finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the Right Hand of the Throne of Elohim God. For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. You have not resisted unto blood, striving against sin. And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not you the chastening of Adonai, nor faint when you art rebuked of Him: For whom Adonai loves He chastens, and scourges every son He receives.”
Matthew 21:41, “They say unto Him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out His vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render Him fruits in their seasons.”
Matthew 11:15, “He that has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Revelation 13:9, “If any man have an ear let him hear.”
Revelation 22:7,12,13,14,16-19, “Behold I come quickly: blessed is he that keeps the sayings of the Prophecy of this Book ... And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I AM the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have the right to the Tree of Life, and may enter in through the gates into the city ... I Yahshua have sent My angel to testify unto you these things in the congregations. I AM the Root and Offspring of David, and the Bright and Morning Star. And the Holy Spirit and the Bride say, Come. And let Him that is thirsty come. And whosoever will, let him take the Water of Life freely. For I testify unto every man that hears the Words of the Prophecy of this Book, If any man shall add unto these things, Elohim God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this Book: And if any man take away from the Words of the Book of this Prophecy. Elohim God shall take away his part out of the Book of Life, and out of the Holy City, and from the things which are written in this Book. Surely I come quickly.”
Genesis 2:9, “And out of the ground made Adonai Elohim God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the Tree of Life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.”
II. To the Congregation in Smyrna (2:8-11).
“8. To the angel of the congregation in Smyrna write: These are the words of Him who is First and Last, who died and came to Life again. 9. I know your afflictions and your poverty - yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the Crown of Life. 11. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the congregations. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the Second Death.”
A. Destination of the letter (edict/oracle) (2:8a).
Yahshua’s second letter was addressed to the congregation in Smyrna, a seaport just forty miles north of Ephesus. Smyrna was a flourishing city situated on the trade routes linking Rome to India through the Persian Empire. Because of it strategic location, commerce developed rapidly. Smyrna was founded by Alexander the great and had many temples erected to the sun god, Zeus. It was also the center of emperor worship and many temples honoring Roman rule.
B. The Description of Yahshua (2:8b).
Yahshua appeared to the congregation at Smyrna as “the One who was the First and the Last; who was dead and was now alive.” Yahshua said [paraphrase], “You shall also suffer death and affliction.” But, He added, “I am the First and the Last, so leave everything to Me. As I was dead and I am now alive, so shall you be alive even though you die, if you believe in Me.” Through these sayings Yahshua was foretelling the severe persecution that would come to the congregation at Smyrna.
C. Yahshua's Commendation (2:9).
Our Adonai Yahshua Ha Messiah always commends the congregation under persecution. His sayings can be paraphrased as thus: “Though outwardly you look very poor because you are under persecution, actually you are not so. The truth is that you are rich.” Tribulations and afflictions always purify our faith. Yahshua understands first hand our pain, and our sorrow, for He suffered brutal and inhumane persecution at the hands of the Romans and Jews, even unto death upon the Cross of Golgatha. Yahshua reassures us that as He has conquered death, and that we too can also conquer death through our faith and belief in Him (John 14:6; "... I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.")
There is a story told by a famous Dutch revivalist, Corrie ten Boom, who was delivered from the point of death in one of the Nazi concentration death camps of World War II. The following is one of her testimonies: [In the USSR, Set-A-Part Believers of Faith were under such severe persecution that believers worshiped in secret places like warehouses and underground rooms. One day while the Set-A-Part Believers were holding a secret worship service in a warehouse, several soldiers of the Russian Army, armed with submachine guns, kicked open the front door and raided the place in the middle of the worship service. All the Believers of Faith held up their hands at gun point in fear of their lives. For you see, in the Soviet Union, those who were discovered holding unlawful worship services were arrested, persecuted and sent to Siberia, a place of endless suffering and agony. Then the soldiers said, “You all shall be summarily tried at an appointed place and ship away. If any of you wants to disown this Yahshua Ha Messiah, then step forward. Step forward now, for now is your chance to avoid arrest and persecution.” Some of the people stood up and left quickly trembling in fear. Most of the people, however, turned pale with fear and stood still. They had to decide whether to die for Yahshua's sake or to flee like the others. The silence was deadening as the soldiers waited anxiously. Once more the soldiers shouted, “We will give you one last chance to save your lives. If any of you want to live, come out quicky. Those of you who choose to ‘Stick to Yahshua, prepare yourselves now for death!” It was deadly quiet, and nobody moved a muscle. At that moment all the believers lowered their hands, held hands and began to pray aloud to Adonai Yahshua Ha Messiah, preparing themselves for immanent death. At that point, the heavily armed soldiers bolted the doors of the warehouse and turned around facing the group of Set-A-Part worshipers. Throwing their guns onto the floor, they said, “Brothers and sisters, we too are Set-A-Part Believers! We have come hear to worship with you. We had to behave like that because we too were afraid there might be some false Believers of the Faith and deceivers among you. Since those false believers have all fled, we now do not need to worry about detection. Now, let us continue the service, and worship our Adonai Yahshua Ha Messiah.”]
As you can see from this true account, you can not always distinguish sham from the genuine. When Yahshua Ha Messiaht said to the congregation at Smyrna, which was under severe and relentless persecution, “You art rich,” He meant Divine Spiritual Richness, that only pure Faith in Messiah Yahshua can bestow.
Adonai Yahshua also commended the Set-A-Part Believers at Smyrna for overcoming the blasphemy they received from the Jews. Since Smyrna was a center of emperor worship, anybody who would not bow down and worship the emperor was in danger severe persecution, and of death. Many Jews were executed for their monotheistic faith, and while being put to death they brought the Set-A-Part Believers to the same fate out of their deep hatred for them. Many Set-A-Part Believers at Smyrna were brutally executed. Yashua said it was not the Jews, but HaSatan who worked behind them who caused the sufferings and massive persecutions.
D. Yahshua's Rebuke (-).
Like the church at Philadelphia, the congregation at Smyrna received no rebuke. Smyrna’s sufferings had help it keep it’s Set-A-Part Believers pure in their faith and lives.
E. Yahshua's Exhortation (2:10).
Adonai Yahshua exhorted the congregation at Smyrna to be faithful even unto death. Yahshua said He would be their guarantor and give them a Crown of Life. Since we are also guaranteed by Adonai Yahshua Ha Messiah, we shall also be blessed if we are faithful and obedient to the Will, the Way, and the Word of Adonai Yahshua, whether we live, or whether we die an earthly death.
F. Yahshua's Promise (2:11).
Adonai Yahshua Ha Messiah promised the congregation at Smyrna it would not be hurt at the second death, that is, the death of the soul into eternal damnation. The first death is the death of the physical body. The second death is the death of the soul, the spirit. The first death comes to every human being on this earth. The second death comes only to the wicked and the disobedient, and is described as everlasting torment of the soul in the lake of fire burning with fire and brimstone. That death has no power over the faithful, for Adonai Yahshua Ha Messiah our Savior has conquered death on the Cross of Golgatha, and through His resurrection we too have Life Eternal. This promise and truth means that even though the congregation at Smyrna which was being put to death for its Set-A-Part Beliefs by the Roman persecutors, Adonai Yahshua promised they would avoid the second death and be translated to heaven with all the saints in glory.
G. Interpretation of the Prophecy (A.D.100-A.D.312).
The congregation at Smyrna characterizes the history of the church body from A.D.100-312, when Set-A-Part-Believers in Yashua Ha Messiah were denounced, and Chrisitianity was officially recognized by Constantine the Great as the New State Religion. The church body of Yashua Ha Messiah during this period came under severe persecution.
The name Smyrna means “crushed Myrrh.” Myrrh is a bitter tasting preservative. It was a prophetic name that foretold how terrible the persecution would be for the church.
The congregation at Smyrna follows the congregation at Ephesus. When love grew cold at the congregationof Ephesus, the Righteous Judgment of Elohim God followed. It was through relentless persecution and tribulation that Elohim God restored the 'pure first love' to the church body.
In verse 10, Holy Scripture says the congregation at Smyrna would have tribulations for ten days. This signified that ten Roman Emperors would persecute the church body of Messiah Yahshua.
The first persecutor was the notorious Nero, who reigned in Rome from A.D. 37-A.D.68. He was 16 years old when he ascended to the throne, and he killed his own wife, Octavia, and his mother. He also had all his brothers put to death. Tradition and history says that after he committed those horrific crimes, he wanted to write a poem. However, when no poetic inspiration came into his twisted mind, he was suddenly possessed with a wild desire to see the city of Rome aflame. Nero ordered the city set afire. The entire city was engulfed in flames, and the citizens were dying agonizing deaths. Nevertheless, in the midst of this hellish event Nero himself amused himself in poetic writings. The truth began to circulate that the fires had been started by order of the emperor, so he concocted a false rumor that all the Set-A-Part Believers were responsible, and he ordered all their arrest and persecution. Many Set-A-Part Believers were imprisoned, and many were brutally executed under these false and evil accusations. In A.D.68, the year following the Apostle Peter’s martyrdom took place, and the Apostle Paul also became a martyr. According to historical accounts, the Apotle Peter was crucified upon a cross upside down, and the Apostle Paul was beheaded. Thus, during the rule and persecution of Emperor Nero, the two most prominent figures of the early church body were executed for their faith and belief in Yahshua Ha Messiah.
The second persecution occurred from A.D.81-A.D.96 during the reign of Domitian. He ordered the people to worship him as the god Jupiter. Under his reign and persecution the Apostle John was exiled to the island of Patmos, where he received and wrote the Book of Revelation.
The third persecution arose during the reign of Trajan. He outlawed theSet-A-Part Faith and persecuted the church body from A.D.98-A.D.117. During this period, history records that Ignatius, the chief disciple of the Apostle Peter, was thrown into a den of lions, where he was torn into pieces. The story reveals that a judge urged Ignatius to betray and deny Yahshua, but the faithful disciple, who was more than eighty years old at the time, refused, stating, “ I have believed in Yahshua from my youth until today. My Adonai Yahshua has never betrayed me even once. How then can I betray Him?” When such heroic martyrdom occurred in the amphitheater, the grace and love of Yahshua Messiah touched the hearts of onlookers and witnesses profoundly. Many were so greatly moved that they too converted to the Set-A-Part Faith. It was like a burning bonfire, the more you stick with a stick, the more the sparks from the fire fly in all directions out of control starting thousands of new fires.
The fourth persecution occurred during the reign of Marcus Aurelius, who was on the throne from A.D. 161-180. He was a philosopher who tried to restore the Roman ideal of self-reliant, stoic virtue and the old state religion. Marcus Aurelius martyred Polycarp and Justin, among the many who died under his hand.
The fifth persecutor of the church body was Septimus Severus, who reigned from A.D. 202-211. He enacted rigid laws against the spread of the Set-A-Part Faith. As a result of his tyranny, the father of Origen, North Africa’s renowned theologian, was martyred by being beheaded.
The sixth persecutor of the Set-A-Part Faith was Maximum, who reigned from A.D. 235-237. Though short lived, he was a ruthless barbarian who massacred the Set-A-Part Believers and had their bodies buried in lots of 50's and 60's.
The seventh of the church body persecutors was Emperor Decius, who reigned from A.D. 249-253. He persecuted the church body fiercely without remorse, intending to destroy the very existence of it. It died at an early age, cutting his reign of terror short.
The eighth ruler to persecute the church body was Valerian, who reigned from A.D. 257-260. During his short lived reign and persecution of the church body, Cyprian, the Bishop of Carthage and a renowned Set-A-Part Believer and author, was put to a martyr’s death.
Diocletian, the ninth persecutor, ruled from A.D. 303-312. He decreed edicts causing the Set-A-Part Congregations to be destroyed, and all copies of The Sacred Scripture of El Elyon the Most High God to be burned. His persecution was so extensive, violent, and severe throughout the Roman Empire, that he, Diocletian, erected a monument commemorating the extinction of the Set-A-Part Faith. Twenty five years after his death, ironically, a new variant of the Set-A-Part Faith, Christianity, became the State Religion of Rome under Emperor Constantine. Thus, 'the People of the Way' movement, Set-A-Part Believers in Yahshua Ha Messiah, were driven underground in their worship of Elohim God, so to rise again in the End of the Messianic Age.
Thus, as prophesied, the ten persecutors tried in vain to destroy the Messiah’s Church Body from A.D. 100-312, but It withstood the tribulation which was thrust upon It, never died, and continued to flourish and the prophecy, “you shall have tribulation ten days,” was fulfilled.
Additional Supporting Scriptural references for 2: 8-11:
Isaiah 41:4, “Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I Adonai, the First, and with the Last, I AM He.”
Isaiah 44:6, “Thus says Adonai the King of Isra'el, and His Redeemer Adonai Shavot; I Am the First, and I AM the Last; and besides Me there is no Elohim God.”
Isaiah 48:12, “Hearken unto Me, O Jacob and Isra'el, My called; I AM He; I AM the First, I also AM the Last.”
1 Timothy 6:17-19, “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living Elohim God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”
James 2:5, “Hearken, my beloved brethren, Has not Elohim God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He has promised to them that love Him?”
Romans 2:17-20, 29, “Behold, you are called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makes you boast of Elohim God, And knows His Will, and approves the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the Law; And are confident that you yourself are a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which has the form of knowledge and of the Truth in the Law. But he is a Jew, which is one unwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of Elohim God.”
Matthew 10:22, “But Yahshua turned Him about, and when He saw her, He said, ‘Daughter, be of good comfort; your faith has made you whole.’ And the woman was made whole from that hour.”
Isaiah 41:10-11, “Behold, Adonai Elohim God will come with strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him: behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him. He shall feed His flock like a shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.”
Matthew 24:11-14, “An many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure until the end, the same shall be saved. And this Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”
James 1:2-4,12, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any on you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraided not; and it shall be given him. Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which Adonai has promised to them that love Him.”
Revelation 13:9, “If any man have an ear, let him hear.”
Revelation 20:14,15, “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.”
III. Yashua Ha Mashiyach address to the Congregation of Pergamos (2:12-17).
“12. To the messenger of the congregation in Pergamos write: There are the words of Him who was the sharp, double-edged sword. 13. I know where you live - where HaSatan has his throne. 'Yet you remain true to My Name.' You did not renounce your faith in Me, even in the days of Antipas, My faithful witness, who was put to death in the city - where HaSatan lives. 14. Nevertheless, I have this against you: You have people there who hold to the teachings of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immortality. 15. Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16. Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will come to you and will fight against them with the Sword of My mouth. 17. He who has and ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the congregations. To him who overcomes, I will give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.”
A. Destination of the letter (edict/oracle) (2:12a).
Yahshua's third letter was addressed to the congregation in Pergamos which was the capital of Asia Minor in those days. It was a flourishing center of politics, power brokering, heathen worship, and learning. Pergamos had temples to Zeus, and altars offered to Aesculapius, it’s tutelary god (guardian). The people placed serpents on their altars and worshiped them. The cult of emperor worship flourished there. It was the duty of every citizen to burn incense once a year to the emperor’s deified image.
B. The Description of Yahshua (2:12b).
In verse 12, Adonai Yahshua HaMessiah appeared to the church in Pergamos as “He which hath the sharp sword with double-edges.” Because the church “hast there them that hold to the doctrine of Balaam ... eat things sacrificed to idols, and commit sexual immoral acts (v. 14; Numbers 22-24, 31; Deuteronomy 23; Joshua 13, 24; Nehemiah 13; Micah 6; 2 Peter 2; Jude v.11), it needed to “Repent,” or He would come in judgment. With the sword of the Word , Adonai Yahshua HaMessaih will reveal, and will sever all false doctrine and apostacies (v.12; Hebrews 4:12, “ For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”)
C. Yahshua’s Commendation (2:13).
Yahshua commended the congregation in Pergamos for keeping it’s faith pure and not compromising itself with heresies. Yahshua especially pointed out a man named Antipas. History states this concerning the martyrdom of Antipas: ‘At that time emperor worship was at it peak. One day a Roman official took Antipas before the image of the emperor, and said, “Antipas, worship the emperor’s image.” Antipas answered, “The King of Kings and Lord of Lords is Yahshua HaMessiah only, so only Him will I worship and only to Him will I bow, no other God!” The Roman official was infuriated, as was the emperor in Daniel 3:1-30 (the story of king Nebuchadnezzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego). He shouted, “Antipas, don’t you know that all the world is against you?” Antipas is said to have replied, “Then I, Antipas, must acknowledge Yahshua HaMessiah as King of kings and Lord of lords against all in the world.” Enraged even more, the Roman official ordered some men to heat up a brazen bull, and Antipas was put into it, and slowly roasted to death. Given his fate, Antipas never denied Yahshua as his Lord.’
D. Yahshua’s rebuke (2:14-15).
Yahshua also rebuked the ccongregationj in Pergamos, saying, “Thou hast there then that hold the doctrine of Balaam (v.14).” When the children of Isra'el came out of Egypt and entered into the land of Canaan, Balak, king of Moab, called Balaam, the prophet, and asked him to curse Isra'el. Balaam, whose eyes and heart were darkened by the lust of power and greed, advised Balak that if the Moabites tempted the Israelites with sexual immorality, Elohim God would destroy them (Numbers 25:1-9, “And Isra'el abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. And Isra'el adjoined himself unto Baal-peor: and the anger of the Adonai Elohim was kindled against Isra'el. And Adonai Elohim said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before Adonai Elohim against the sun, that the fierce anger and wrath of Adonai may be turned away from Isra'el. And Moses said unto the judges of Isra'el, Slay you every one his men that were adjoined unto Baal-peor. And, behold, one of the children of Isra'el came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Isra'el, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand; And he went after the man of Isra'el into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Isra'el, and the woman of through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Isra'el. And those that died in that plague were twenty and four thousand. Numbers 31:16, “Behold, these caused the children of Isra'el, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against Adonai Elohim in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of Adonai.”). So Balak had beautiful Moabite women dance lewdly and peversely on the altars of the idol, and they offered up defiled foods and sacrifices, and the men of Isra'el committed fornication and immoral acts with the women of Moab and worshiped the idol. As a result, Elohim God’s Righteous Judgment came upon them, and thousands of people died in a single day.
The congregation of Pergamos harbored adoleters, adulterers, and fornicators, and the Set-A-Part church body of that day committed spiritual fornication and adultery by adjoining itself pluralistically with the Babylonian religion. In verse 15 Adonai Yahshau HaMessiah also rebuked the congregation in Pergamos for including some believers who held to the teachings of the Nicolaitans, who were followers of HaSatan (Lucifer, Devil).
E. Yahshua’s Exhortation (2:16).
Yahshua HaMessiah exhorted the congregation in Pergamos, “Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth (v.6).” If they do not 'repent' Yahshua states He will rebuke them and remove their candlestick (their name from the Book of the Lamb of God).
F. Yahshua’s Promise (2:17).
Yahshua promised that He would give hidden manna to the person who “repented” and who “overcame temptation.” This hidden manna is heavenly - Spiritual Food -the Bread of Heaven- Yahshua Himself. Yahshua HaMessiah also promised He would give a “white stone” to those who overcame temptation. This refers to the type of stone that the court of that day gave as a token to accused criminals when they were found not guilty - (Psalm 32). Therefore, Yahshua was promising that when the people repented of their sinfulness, He would forgive them and make them righteous before El Shaddai (God Almighty).
G. Interpretation of Prophecy (A.D. 312-A.D.590).
Prophetically, the congregation in Pergamos refers to the church period (age) from A.D. 312, when Emperor Constantine the Great proclaimed Christianity as Rome’s state religion, until the year A.D. 590.
Pergamos means “marriage.” While Constantine made a new founded apostacised Christianity faith the state religion rooted deep in polytheistic understanding, hellinistic philosophies, and practices. Constantine also took advantage and liberties of it politically. He used the consolidation of the state and of the church to stabilize and manipulate control over his vast empire. Accordingly, in the annals of ancient church history the congregation in Pergamos represents the adulterous and idoletrous church, the great whore, who compromises herself with the world powers. When suffering persecution the church body of Set-A-Part Beieivers maintained her purity and focus. But when the church body of Messiah accepted the praises of the world, she compromised herself in an adulterous relationship, thus falling into depravity in pursuit of worldly pleasures, power, and wealth (Jude vv.1-25).
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 2:12-17.
Revelation 1:16, “And He had in His right hand seven stars: and out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and His countenance was as the sun shineth in His strength.”
Joshua 5:13, “And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?”
Leviticus 7:17,18, “But the remainder of the flesh of the sacrifice on the third day shall be burnt with fire. And if any of the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings be eaten at all on the third day, it shall not be accepted, neither shall it be imputed unto him that offered it: it shall be an abomination, and the soul that eateth of it shall bear his iniquity.”
Deuteronomy 32:16,17, “They provoked Elohim God to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they Him to anger. They sacrificed unto devils, not to Elohim God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.”
Numbers 25:1, “And Isra'el abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.”
Numbers 31:16, “Behold, they caused the children of Isra'el, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against Adonai in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of Adonai.”
2 Peter 2:14,15, “Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: a heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of un righteousness.”
Jude 11, “Woe unto them! For they have gone the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.”
Acts 15:29, “That you abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if you keep yourselves, you shall do well. Fare you well.”
1 Corinthians 6:13, “Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but Elohim God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for Adonai; and Adonai for the body.”
Isaiah 11:4, “But with righteousness shall He judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and He shall smite the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips shall He slay the wicked.”
2 Thessalonians 2:8, “And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom Adonai shall consume with the Spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming.”
Revelation 3:12. “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of My Elohim God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of My Elohim God, and the name of the city of My Elohim God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from My Elohim God: and I will write upon him My new name.”
Revelation 19:12, “His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man new, but He Himself.”
IV. To the Congregation in Thyatira (2:18-29).
“18. To the angel of the congregation in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God (Ben El Elyon), whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. 19. I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. 20. Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads My servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. 21. I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. 22. So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of their ways. 23. I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I an He who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. 24. Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned HaSatan’s so-called deep secrets (I will not impose any other burden upon you): 25. Only hold on to what you have until I come. 26. To him who overcomes and does My will to the end, I will give authority over the nations. 27. ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter; He will dash them into pieces like pottery’ - just as I have received authority from My Father. 28. I will also give him the morning star. 29. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the congregations.”
A. Destination of the letter (edict/oracle) (2:18a).
The fourth letter is addresses to the congregation in Thyatira, a little city in Asia Minor. The chief industry in this city was fabric dyeing. Fortune-telling, medium practice, was also prevalent. Many people gathered daily for the purpose of having their fortunes foretold in the large temples.
B. Description of Yahshua (2:18b).
Yahshua was described to the congregation in Thyatira as having “eyes like unto a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished brass,” in verse 18b (His appearance is very much like the fourth "Image" in the brazon bull event in Daniel 3:1-30 (Shadrach, Meshach, Abde-Nego - Yahshua Ben El Elyon). Yahshua HaMessiah is able to penetrate reality with those eyes of fire and righteously judges all with His feet of brass.
C. Yahshua’s Commendation (2:19).
Adonai Yahshua HaMessiah commended the righteous good works, love, service, faith, and patient endurance of the congregation in Thyatira in verse 19. We are brought into faith in Messiah Yahshua taht good works unto salvation may be manifested in all who are sanctified, Set-A-Part, and believe and obey (James 2:14-26, et'al).
D. Yahshua’s Rebuke (2:20-23).
In verses 20-23, Adonai Yahshua Ha Messiah also issued a severe rebuke, citing the congregation’s tolerance of Jezebel, the false prophetess, who practiced the dogmas and apostasies of Cain, Balaam, and Korah. Yahshua was referring to a woman fortune-teller in Thyatira, who even went into the congregation to practice her evil, but symbolically, He was referring to the Jezebel of the Old Testament. Yahshua rebuked the spiritual adultery and idolatry of this congregation that had chosen to follow Jezebel, mixing faith, divination, and a world religion rooted in the ways of Cain (the malicious shedding of innocent blood), Balaam (the lustful pursuit of greed, and sexual perversion and immorality), and Korah (the willfull pursuit of arnarchy, lawlessness, and rebellion).
E. Yahshua’s Exhortation (2:24-25).
Adonai Yahshua gave the congregation in Thyatira a stern exhortation that it should not compromise itself with the extravagant shamanistic faith and mystic arts, but stand firm on the Sacred Word of El Elyon (verses 24-25). Our Sacred Faith is to be firmly anchored in Elohim God’s Holy and Sacred Word.
F. Yahshua’s promise (2:26-29).
Adonai Yahshua HaMessiah promised He would give power over all the nations, and the morning star to those who persevered and overcame temptation (verses 26-29). The morning star signifies the second coming of Yahshua HaMessiah Ben El Elyon. If we stand firm and contend for our faith in the Sacred Word of Elohim God, we, as the sanctified in Messiah Yahshua, will have the honor and the privilege of taking part in the Second Coming of Yahshua HaMessiah Ben El Elyon (Matthew 24-25; Mark 13:1-37; Luke 21:5-36; John 10; 1 Thessalonians 4-5; Revelation 4; Leviticus 23; et'al).
G. Interpretation of prophecy (A.D. 590-A.D.1517).
Thyatira means “continued sacrifice,” which the catholic (universal; general; comprehensive) mass is all about. In terms of church body's history, Thyatira signified the Dark Ages of the church body from A.D. 590-A.D.1517, prior to Martin Luther’s reformation of the Roman Catholic Church. After the apostasied faithn of Christianity became the state religion of the Roman Empire, subject to it's dogmas and doctrinal edicts, the church body began to become more worldly in its function and practices. It left the true nature of faith - that of the Sacred Word of Elohim God, and prayer, praise, and worship of Elohim God in Messiah Yahshua. Lay people who were attending the services only watched the rituals which were going on, consequently, the faith of the laity eroded into little more than spectator-ship, thus monitored by a state religious order. One of the abominable practices adopted by the church body was the selling of indulgences (salvation of both the living and the dead) to collect finances from believers in order to build St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Rome and to finance other pet projects of those in hierarchal positions of the Church in Rome. Buying indulgences was a commercial venture, like buying tickets to heaven, and it was advertised as such. Who was to question? HaSatan and his sons and daughters of perdition now oversaw and controlled the religious functions of daily worship. Most Set-A-PArt believers of the Word were not privy to the written copy of the Sacred Word of Elohim God and could not dispute it for fear of persecution or death. Even a person who was already dead and whose soul was thought to be in purgatory could get a ticket out to heaven if their family or friends could come up with the needed amount of money.
El Elyon the Most High God’s spiritual "Gift of Salvation" was up for auction to the highest bidder. This precious gift of love and grace had been corrupted by this new church order and leadership into a commodity of international commerce, thus to be bought and sold like a sack of wheat or potatoes at auction. In this manner the church body of that day, became deprave, vile, corrupt, and perverse as was the congregation of Thyatira.
In verses 21-23, Yahshua said, He would cast those in the church that did not repent of their fornication and sexual immorality into a bed, and He would kill their children. Therefore, which congregation we chose to attend, and to worship with is a matter of eternal 'spiritual life and spiritual death'.
Verse 21 reads, “I gave her space (time) to repent.” Several times Yahshua gave the church body opportunities to repent of her sins in the dark period of the Middle Ages. Various movements arose and challenged the church body to repent and reform. This reform movement became strong and the church body and the reformers did battle (contende for the faith) - Albigenses, Peter Waldo, John Wycliff, Jan Hus, Jerome Savonarola, Martin Luther, and many others of faith.
Because the church body refused to repent of her spiritual fornication and adultery, she had to be “cast ... into a bed (v.22).” That bed was reminecent of the Protestant Reformation led by Martin Luther and his followers, which supplanted the apostate Roman Catholic Church as Elohim God’s most faithful witness sower of faith on earth.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 2:18-29.
Revelation 1:14,15, “His head and His hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and His eyes were as a flame of fire; And His feet like unto fine brass, as id they burned in a furnace; and His voice as the sound of many waters.”
1 Kings 16:31, “And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshiped him.”
Romans 2:4, “Or despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of Elohim God leadeth thee to repentance?”
1 Samuel 16:7, “But Adonai saith unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for Adonai seeth not as a man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”
Psalm 7:8-10, “Adonai shall judge the people: judge me, O Adonai, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me. Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous Elohim God trieth the hearts and reins. My defense is of Elohim God, which saveth the upright in heart.”
Acts 1:24, “And they prayed, and said, Thou, Adonai, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two Thou hast chosen.”
Romans 8:27, “And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is in the mind of the Spirit, because He make intercession for the saints according to the will of Elohim God.”
Psalm 62:12, “Also unto Thee, O Adonai, belongeth mercy: for Thou renderest to every man according to his work.”
Matthew 16:27, “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and then He shall reward every man according to his works.”
2 Corinthians 5:10, “For we must appear before the judgment seat of Messiah; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”
John 6:29, “Yahshua answered and said unto them, This is the work of Elohim God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent.”
Matthew 19:28, “And Yahshua said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Isra'el.”
Luke 22:29, “And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as My Father hath appointed unto Me.”
Revelation 3:21, “Behold I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.”
Revelation 20:4, “And I saw thrones , and they sat upon them, judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Yahshua, and for the Word of Elohim God, and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands, and they lived and reigned with Messiah a thousand years.”
Psalm 2:7-9, “I will declare a decree: Adonai hath said unto Me, Thou art My Son; this day have I begotten Thee. Ask of Me, and I shall give Thee the heathen for Thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for Thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”
Psalm 49:14, “Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed upon them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.”
Daniel 7:22, “Until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the Kingdom.”
Revelation 19:14-16, “And the armies which were in heaven followed Him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 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 El Shaddai (Almighty God). And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND ADONAI OF ADONAI'S.”
2 Peter 1:17-21, “For He received from ELohim God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to Him from the excellent glory, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with Him in the holy mount. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; where unto you do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing the first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of Elohim God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”
Revelation 22:16, “I Yahshua have sent Mine angel to testify unto you these things in the congregations. I am the Root and Offspring of David, and the Bright and Morning Star.
Reflective points:
1. In the book of Hosea, chapters 1 thru 3, we see the Greek word “porneia” used in reference for the activities of Isra'el. The Greek word used means prostitution, unchastity, fornication, of every kind of unlawful sexual intercourse, sexual debauchery, or idolatrous or adulterous behavior. The relationship between Elohim God and His people was regarded as a marriage bond. Therefore, the land of Isra'el of Elohim God’s chosen (sanctified) people commits great acts of whoredom by forsaking Adonai through the building, serving, and worshiping of idols.
2. In the New Testament, outside the Book of Revelation, “porneia” is used to designate “harlots” who precede the righteous into the kingdom (Matthew 21:31; Luke 15:30), for sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 5:9,10; 6:18; 1 Timothy 1:10), for sexual intercourse with prostitutes (1 Corinthians 6:15-18), in sacrifices to other gods in the land of Moab (Numbers 25:1; Exodus 32:5,6), to describe Rahab (Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25), to greed (Ephesians 5:5), and to godlessness in (Hebrews 12:16).
3. The concepts of immorality and fornication appear throughout the Book of Revelation. In Revelation ,chapter 2:14,20, the risen Messiah Yahshau addresses those who are tempted by immoral behavior and idolatry. The prohibition against idolatry and immorality is a recognition of the link between religious practices and beliefs and patterns of behavior. The rejection of idolatry, which is found in the Old Testament, is woven into a counter-cultural attitude to holiness and righteousness. The rulers and kings of the earth are rebuked and chastised severely for committing fornication with the great whore, Babylon (Revelation 17:2; 18:3,9). In Revelation 21:8 and 22:15, the Greek word “porneia” is used to described those people who excluded from the holy city.
Chapter Two Study Questions.
The Congregation at Ephesus:
1. What do we know about the congregation at Ephesus (Acts 19)?
2. How is Yahshua described to the congregation at Ephesus? Why is that significant?
3. What is Yahshua’s commendation to the congregation at Ephesus? What is the significance of His
commendation?
4. What is Yahshua’s rebuke to the congregation at Ephesus? Why is this important?
5. What is Yahshua's exhortation to the congregation at Ephesus? What is the significance of His
exhortation? Why is repentance a necessary part of the equation at Ephesus?
6. What is Yahshua's promise to the congregation at Ephesus? Why is this promise significant?
7. What does the word “Ephesus” mean, and historically what is it’s significance? Why is that
important in the history of the church body?
8. In all aspects of our lives, spiritual and physical, Who is to be our first love and why?
The Congregation at Smyrna:
1. What do we know about the congregation at Smyrna?
2. How is Yahshua described to the congregation at Smyrna? Why is this significant?
3. What is Yahshua’s commendation to the congregation at Smyrna? What is the significance of His commendation?
4. Why did Yahshua not rebuke the congregation at Smyrna? Why is this significant?
5. What is Yahshua’s exhortation to the congregation at Smyrna? What is the reason behind it?
6. What is Yahshua’s promise to the congregation at Smyrna? Why is His promise significant?
7. What does the word “Smyrna” mean, and what is the significance of it’s meaning?
8. What do the words of Yahshua teach about suffering and perseverance in these verses?
The Congregation at Pergamos:
1. What do we know about the congregation at Pergamos?
2. How is Yahshua described to the congregation at Pergamos? What is the significance?
3. What is Yahshua's commendation to the congregation at Pergamos? Why is this important?
4. What is Yahshua’s rebuke to the congregation at Pergamos? Why is this significant?
5. What is Yahshua's exhortation to the congregation at Pergamos? Why is the call to “Repent” important?
6. What is Yahshua's promise to the congregation at Pergamos? What must they do to receive the promise?
7. What does the word “Pergamos (Pergamun)” mean? What is the significance of this meaning?
8. What is the significance of the sword in verse 16, and the manna and the stone in verse 17?
The Congregation at Thyatira:
1. What do we know about the congregation at Thyatira?
2. How is Yahshua described to the congregation at Thyatira? Why is this description significant?
3. What is the commendation of Yahshua to the congregation at Thyatira in verse 19? What is the
significance of the commendation?
4. In verse 20, what is the significance of the rebuke given to the congregation at Thyatira by Yahshua?
5. What is the exhortation of Yahshua given to the congregation at Thyatira, and it’s significance?
6. What is the promise of Yahshua to the congregation at Thyatira in verses 26 and 27, and it’s
significance?
7. What does the word “Thyatira” mean? What is the historical significance of it’s meaning?
8. What does the symbolic name “Jezebel” reveal about the church body, then, and now (2 Kings 9:7-37)? What, if any, are the consequences for those who surrender to her teachings, and apostacies?
Chapter 3.
Messages to Three of the Seven Churches:
Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea
The Church Age (Continued).
V. To the Church of Sardis (3:1-6).
“1. To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of Him who holds the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of My God. 3. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. 4. Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with Me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. 5. He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before My Father and His angels. 6. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
A. Destination (3:1a).
This letter was addressed to the church in Sardis, a prominent city that flourished some five hundred years before the Apostle John was born. In later years the city was conquered by Cyrus of Persia, the one called Alexander the Great. During those conquest, the city of Sardis was reduced to ruins. In A.D. 17 a great earthquake reduced the city of Sardis into a heap of rubble. Emperor Tiberius of Rome gave it new life. It became a center for idol worship, namely of the goddess Cybele.
B. The Description of Jesus (3:1b).
Jesus appeared to the church in Sardis as One who had the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars. The seven stars signify the servants of God, and the seven Spirits signify the fullness of the Holy Spirit of God that he gives to His faithful servant whom He has restored.
In light of church history, it is believed that the church in Sardis refers to the Protestant church founded by Martin Luther and his followers on the Biblical principle that we are justified by faith alone in Jesus Christ, not by works and adherence to church traditions.
C. Jesus’ Commendation (3:4).
Jesus commended the few faithful clothed in white robes in the church in Sardis. They were the ones who were justified before God the Father by their faith, as were the leaders of the Reformation movement who also retained pure faith in Jesus Christ and His Holy Word. Because they believed in the precious blood of Jesus and His loving grace, He washed them clean and clothed them, too, with white robes.
D. Jesus’ Rebuke (3:1c-2).
Jesus also rebuked the church in Sardis, saying, “Thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead (v.3:1c).” Jesus meant that in the past the church in Sardis had been growing and was a spiritually alive, but little by little their enthusiasm disappeared and their faith became cold. Only a memory of their past was left.
Historically, the church of the period launched the Reformation movement, breaking with sacrifices and rituals of the Roman Church. Since the reform was linked with many political and social motives, it was not completely changed. It only change one vice for another in many cases.
E. Jesus’ Exhortation (3:3).
Jesus exhorted the church in Sardis to be awakened to life in Jesus Christ from it’s dead worldly state, and to remember His love and grace which it received. Jesus call upon the church to hold fast to it’s faith and to repent.
F. Jesus’ Promise (3:5-6).
Jesus promised the church that He would clothe with white robes those who repented and were thus quickened to life, and that He would record their names in the book of life that they might forever live (v.5). Jesus would also vouch for those names before God the Father and His angels.
G. Interpretation of the Prophecy (A.D. 1717-A.D. 1750).
In terms of church history, The church in Sardis signifies the church period from 1517 to 1750. The name Sardis means “those escaping” - the people who left what had become the Roman Catholic Church. The most prominent figure of this period was Martin Luther, a priest and scholar who led the Reformation beginning in 1517. Through much fasting and prayer, Martin Luther tried to obtain assurance of his salvation, but he was unable to find peace in his quest. He was, therefore, in great distress and agony over these issues. On one occasion Luther visited Rome, where he ascended the steps of Pilate, said to be the same stairs that Jesus walked up to be tried before Pontius Pilate. Each step was strewn with pieces of broken glass, and pilgrims would go up the steps on their knees to signify the same sufferings that Jesus endured. A heretic superstition held that if people ascended the stairs on their knees, they would receive forgiveness of their sins.
In the middle of climbing the stairs, Luther received a revelation from God: “The just shall live by faith” (Hebrews 10:38, “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him.”). Hearing these words in his heart and suddenly realizing forgiveness comes not from deeds or works, but by faith in Jesus Christ, Martin Luther rose up from his knees to his feet and descended from the steps. It was considered by the Roman Church to be sacrilegious to come down from the middle of the stairs, but Martin Luther’s heart was filled with the assurance of God’s Holy Word and his Biblical belief.
After returning from Rome, Luther set down and wrote, and then posted a written protest of ‘95 Articles’ on the church gate in Wittenberg, Germany. These thesis firmly declared that indulgences were not Biblical and were to be considered heresies. That written protest launched the Reformation, which freed the church from it’s dead state and gave it life again in Christ. Luther, along with many followers, underwent numerous persecutions and was excommunicated from the Roman Church. His life was under constant threat from both the church and state. Fortunately, the king and the feudal lords of Germany rallied behind Luther, and protected him and saved his life. They, too, had been struggling to free themselves from the tyranny and rule of the pope and the Roman arm, and so they took advantage of the Reformation movement to revolt collectively against Rome.
The result was that even though the Reformation was achieved, it had political and social implications, as well as spiritual implications. The church was still bound by form and rituals. The church was still in a state of death and decline, even though it had the appearance of being alive and thriving.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 3:1-6.
Ephesians 2:1-9, “And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ (by grace ye are saved); And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Jesus Christ: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness towards us through Jesus Christ. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is a gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Luke 12:37-40, “Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when He cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that He shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if He shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not suffered his house to broken through. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.”
Jude 20-25, “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, Keep yourself in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Now unto Him that is able to keep you from failing, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.”
Revelation 7:9,10,13,14,16,17, “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 in 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 one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? And whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of the great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white with blood of the Lamb ... They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”
Exodus 32:33, “And the Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against Me, him will I blot out of My book.”
Psalm 69:28, “Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.”
Revelation 21:27, “And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”
Matthew 10:32, “Whosoever shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven.”
VI. To the Church in Philadelphia (3:7-13).
“7. To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of Him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What He opens noone can shut, and what He shuts noone can open. 8. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that noone can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept My word and have not denied My name. 9. I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but liars - I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 10. Since you have kept My command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. 11. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that noone will take your crown. 12. Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of My God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from My God; and I will write on him My new Name. 13. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
A. Destination (3:7a).
The destination of our Lord’s sixth letter was to the church at Philadelphia. Located thirty miles southeast of Sardis, Philadelphia was also destroyed by the great earthquake of A.D.17, and rebuilt by Tiberius. Philadelphia was known for it’s wine, and alcoholism was a serious problem.
B. The Description of Jesus (3:7b,c).
The Lord appeared to the church in Philadelphia as the One who had the key of David. What He opens, noone can shut, and what He shuts, noone can open. This signified that the Lord would cause a great rival in the Philadelphian church, and that noone could stop it.
C. Jesus’ Commendation(3:8).
Jesus commended the church at Philadelphia for doing much with little ability, and for behaving responsibly and sincerely, thus causing no shame to His name.
D. Jesus’ Rebuke (-).
The Lord did not rebuke the Philadelphian Church, a missionary church, where a great revival took place (as it did in the Church of Smyrna). Jesus never rebukes the proclaiming of the gospel and/or a mission sending church.
E. Jesus’ Exhortation (3:9-11).
In verse 3:11 Jesus exhorted the Philadelphia Church, which fulfilled its missionary role with little ability, to “hold that fast which thou hast.” He did not demand more than that, but urged the church to preserve it’s enthusiasm for missions and service and to develop them more.
F. Jesus’ Promise (3:12-13).
Jesus promised the Church at Philadelphia that if it kept the Word of patience, continuing its mission work, He would keep it from the hour of temptation, when God the Father will judge all the people who have lived on the earth.
To him who overcame, holding fast what he had, Jesus also gave the promise that He would make him a pillar in the temple (v.12). What does this mean? The pillar of the temple supports the house where God dwells. The blessed promise is that Jesus will make this church live forever with God.
Thirdly, Jesus promised He would give the church a new name (v.12). Saying He would write the name of God, the name of new Jerusalem and His own new name means Jesus would bless him who overcomes, and that they would live forever in the new Jerusalem with the Triune God.
G. Interpretation of the Prophecy (A.D. 1750-A.D.1905).
The Church in Philadelphia foretold the church age between 1750 and 1905. Philadelphia means “brotherly love.” The church there preached, taught, and practice great love for God and others. Indeed, proclaiming the gospel message of Jesus Christ is impossible unless we have great compassion for humanity. When we do, Jesus opens the door for revival.
For a century and a half, from 1750 to 1905, churches experienced great revival movements, and Christianity spread like a prairie fire to various parts of the world. As an example, A Society for China Inland Mission was formed in Great Britain, and through it’s efforts the gospel of Jesus Christ was preached to the inner parts of China. The Student Volunteer Movement, also arising in Great Britain, became a great missionary society. Also during this period, the Methodist movement, the Salvation Army and the Holiness Church arose to prominence. George Whitefield shook England, America, and Europe with gospel message. Following him, numerous evangelist and revivalist such as Jonathan Edwards, Charles Finney, Charles Spurgeon, and Dwight Moody set America and Europe on fire with the preaching of the gospel.
As a result of the worldwide revival, a large number of missionaries went out inflamed with a zeal for fulfilling God’s call. Leading figures among them were William Carey, who went to India; Robert Moffat, who went to Africa; and David Hill, who went to China. The revival and brisk mission activities continued until just before World War I.
Jesus’ prophecy came true during the church age of Philadelphia. Jesus also forewarned the church of the coming of the great tribulation. He also promised He would cause the church to miss that tribulation.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 3:7-13.
Isaiah 6:3, “And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory.”
Acts 3:14, “But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you.”
Hebrews 7:26, “For such a High Priest became us, Who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.”
John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.”
1 John 5:20, “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.”
Isaiah 22:22, “And the key of the house of David will I lay upon His shoulder; so He shall open, and none shall shut; He shall shut, and none shall open.”
Luke 1:32, “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David.”
Revelation 1:18, “I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and death.”
Matthew 16:19, “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Isaiah 49:23, “And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for Me.”
Isaiah 60:14, “The sons of also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despise thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the Lord, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.”
Revelation14:1, “And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with Him a hundred forty and four thousand, having His Father’s name written in their foreheads.”
Galatians 4:26, “But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.”
Hebrews 12:22, “But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels.”
Revelation 21:1,2, “An 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. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”
Revelation 22:4, “And they shall see His face; and His name shall be on their foreheads.”
VII. To the Church in Laodicea (3:14-22).
“14. To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Ruler of God’s creation. 15. I know your deeds, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish you were either one or the other! 16. So, because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold - I am about to spue you out of My mouth. 17. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. 18. I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich. And white raiment to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So, be earnest, repent. 20. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me. 21. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
A. Destination (3:14a).
This letter was sent to the church in Laodicea, about forty miles north of Ephesus. In this city, was a famous medical school. Eye salve which was made here became known for it’s healing power. Being a mecca and center for finance, Laodicea was extremely wealthy and one of the largest cities in Asia Minor. It was also a city of pleasure and entertainment, where all the inhabitants sought continual pleasure. Since the church had compromised with the world, it became neither cold nor hot in spirit, but remained lukewarm and indifferent.
B. The Description of Jesus (3:14b).
Jesus appeared to the church in Laodicea as One who was “the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Ruler of the creation of God (v.14).” Accepting the Word of God with “Amen” expresses our sincere loyalty to the Lord Jesus Christ. Humanity was originally created that we might love and worship God and give Him all glory. Therefore, when we bring glory to God by our faithful service and witness, His original creative purpose for us is fulfilled.
The Laodicean Church had lost its loyalty to Christ, it’s True Witness and First Love, and the original creative purpose of God. Jesus in His address to the church pointed out it’s hypocrisy and lifeless faith, urging the church in Laodicea to repent of its wicked ways.
C. Jesus’ Commendation (-).
Among the six churches we have seen so far, no church failed to receive a commendation, until now. The Laodicean Church did not receive any commendation, ‘only rebuke.’ it is believed by many scholars and theologians that this church represents the church age in which we now live. This is a narcissistic, egocentric, and compromising church age.
D. Jesus’ Rebuke (3:15-17).
Jesus in His address condemned the lukewarm faith of the Laodicean Church: “So, because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold - I am about to spue you out of My mouth (vv.15-16).” These are dreadful words of condemnation. But the fact is, that many churches today have a Laodicean philosophy, and are lukewarm in their faith, worship, and missions. Their people are either believers or unbelievers. They attend church as a matter of ritual and convenience. Their membership is more financial, political and social, than an act of faith and reverence. They pick and choose that part of the Bible they want to believe, and they decide which Bible teachings and principles to accept and which should apply to their daily lives. For them, the relevance of Holy Scripture is situational. Jesus makes it clear that He hates the lukewarmness of the Laodicean Church.
If faith is cold, Jesus can move a person toward repentance. If a person is vehemently opposed to Jesus, the Holy Spirit of God can convict and convert those immersed in sin. Jesus is upset with those who attend church, give lip service to worship and are pretenders of their faith, those who are without works of faith, and lack sincerity in their love of God and humanity. They say the right things when asked, but their hearts are not in the right place.
Let us ask, why was the Church in Laodicea lukewarm in its faith? They had a wrong understanding of themselves and of what their relationship with God is to be. They said, “I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing(v.17).” You can only imagine the arrogant and self-centered thinking of the church leaders: “The chapel building program is completed, contributions are flowing in, we are all well educated, and we are well respected among the community and our peers, everything is fine, let us have fun and enjoy our faith with great fanfare.”
Today in America and throughout the free world churches allow their Sunday worship services to degenerate into pep rallies, social gatherings, political rallies, and music concerts. Today actual worship in most churches is limited by public mandate to 10 to 20 minutes for the Gospel message, and another 20 to 40 minutes of socially acceptable fellowship. These mandates are designed to appease the rostered membership and visitors. Church has become the world, and the world the church. In Romans 14:17, Paul writes, “The Kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Jesus says in John 4:24, “God is a Spirit: they that worship Him, must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.”
While the Laodicean Church thought of itself as rich in all things, Jesus, in verse 17, quickly rebuked its spiritual poverty: “Thou ... knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”
E. Jesus’ Exhortation (3:18-19).
In verse 18, Jesus first exhorted the Church at Laodicea to seek true riches - spiritual riches that can be obtained only from Jesus through pure faith, and that the church should seek from Him a white raiment. This is the robe Jesus clothes us with, signifying our righteousness through His precious blood.
Jesus also continued to exhort the Laodicean Church to buy eye salve and to anoint its eyes that it might be healed from its spiritual blindness and see; that is the eye salve of the Holy Spirit, who opens spiritual eyes. Jesus is saying that the church should look at its political, social, material, and educational wealth through the eyes of righteous understanding, that of God. Only then would the church understand that the wealth and knowledge of the world that the church has put so much trust in, is transient and without substance.
F. Jesus’ Promise (3:20-22).
Jesus promised the Laodicean Church, in verse 21, “To him who over cometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.” There is no other place to go except the throne of God. Jesus awaits our response (v.20). This is a wonderful saying, for when we go to the throne of God, the world as we know ends. The event is life changing. The only other option is hell.
G. Interpretation of the Prophecy (A.D. 1905 to the beginning of the great tribulation).
In terms of church history, the Laodicean Church signifies the church age from early 1900's to the time of the great tribulation. Laodicea means “the right of the laity,” namely, “the church of the people’s rights.” This is a time when the laity have become more enlightened and knowledgeable than those who have been called to minister. Their power is such that they hire and fire pastors at will, choosing only those who preach and teach a gospel that is pleasurable and satisfactory to the masses. This becomes a spiritually corrupt age and generation.
From the beginning of the Laodicean age in 1905, theology began to criticize the Bible historically, scientifically, and philosophically, thus introducing rationalism, higher criticism, and pluralistic theories. This started in Germany in the early 1900's. Note, let it be known, that the Holy Scripture cannot be subject to any higher criticism of man through science and reasoning, for Holy Scripture was written by ‘Divine Revelation.’ Nevertheless, the liberal new theology, a ‘serpent theology,’ asserted that the Bible is not authoritative, and is not scientifically, historically, and philosophically correct. It asserted that the Bible was filled with errors and opposing statements, and that its accounts were mostly myths and legends. Therefore, all the miracle accounts in the Bible must be removed, etc.
In the 1920's, this new theological thinking began to take hold. It contaminated and corrupted the pulpits and classrooms of the church’s, causing many churches to die off just as they had in Europe, leaving many without hope and purpose. Younger, impressionable generations left the church, and only those who were older and mature in their faith remained faithful and continued to attend churches and worship.
There was a story which was told during this era which goes like this: There was a pastor of a liberal church who said to his congregation, “Brothers and sisters, the Pentateuch of Moses is the five books of the Bible from Genesis to Deuteronomy; it records the history of Israel in a mythical and instructive way.” The members who heard that, reasoned, “Why should we carry these heavy books that are merely the mystical history of Israel?” So, they removed th Pentateuch from each of their Bibles. The next time they attended a service the pastor said, “All the prophetic books in the Bible were written by those who dreamed strange and odd dreams.” The members, again decided, “We now know why they are so complicated and confusing,” so, again they cut those books out of their Bibles. The very next Sunday the pastor said, “The four Gospels of the New Testament are books the disciples of Jesus made up out of delusions in order to help create a new religion centered around the person of Jesus, in opposition to the then Jewish religion.” So, the members of the church removed the four Gospels from their Bibles. This process continued through the Epistles and Revelation, until all that remained was the empty black leather cover that had bound the pages of Holy Scripture together. At that point, all the members of the congregation left the church, concluding there was nothing believable in God’s Word, and that there was no hope!
Liberal theology, a ‘serpent theology,’ inevitably lead to a single outcome: the “death-of-God theory” proposed by a theologian named Thomas Altizer. He proposed that since God is dead, humanity should rebuild the church without Him, thus creating a one-world-religion based on principles of rationalism, higher criticism, and reason. He and his followers would propose, let us acknowledge the mythical existence of God and Jesus, but let us not place all our marbles in that basket.
Therefore, Jesus Christ did not commend the Laodicean Church, the church of today’s age. Jesus rebuked it harshly, for there was nothing commendable about it. The church has economic strength and many theological schools and graduates. The church is quite knowledgeable, but is lacks’ humility and wisdom. Jesus exhorts the church of this period to buy eye salve of the Holy Spirit and to apply it to their eyes that they may see their spiritual wretchedness, misery, poverty, blindness, nakedness, and shame, and thus be repentant.
God is using the full-gospel movement to help the church regain its faith by opening it’s eyes. Jesus proclaims that all believers must return to the pure gospel by purchasing through faith gold tried in fire, by putting on the white raiment of righteousness, and by buying the eye salve of the Holy Spirit of God that gives spiritual understanding.
Let it be known to all, that the words in the Bible, from Genesis 1:1 through Revelation 22:21, are true, are holy, are without error, and in them we find God’s plan of salvation for all humanity that leads directly to heaven. The door that opens and leads us there is Jesus Christ our Lord (John 14:6, “Jesus said unto him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.”). For those people who are faithful to God’s Word and Will in this lukewarm age of the church, Jesus Christ promises in verse 21 that everyone will be taken to the very throne of Christ.
The word ‘church’ appears seven times in the second and third chapters of revelation, but it does not appear even one time in chapters four through nineteen. Why? Because, in chapter four we see that Jesus is going to rapture or take the church away to that throne in heaven.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 3:14-22.
2 Corinthians 1:20-22, “For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. Now He which establisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.”
Isaiah 55:4,5, “Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame; for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and thou shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more. For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is His name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall He be called.”
1 John 4:15-20, “Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love Him, because He first loved us. If any man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from Him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.”
1 John 5:20, “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.”
Proverbs 8:21-23, “That I may cause those that love Me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures. The Lord possessed Me in the beginning of His way, before His works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.”
John 1:1-4, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.”
Colossians 1:14-17, “In Whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the Firstborn of every creature: For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.”
1 Corinthians 4:8, “Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.”
Isaiah 55:1, “Ho, every one 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.”
Matthew 13:44, “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like unto treasure his in a field; the which a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.”
Matthew 25:8,9, “The foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.”
2 Corinthians 5:3, “If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.”
Job 5:17, “Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty.”
Proverbs 3:5-13, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thy own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So that thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst with new wine. My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of His correction: For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.”
Hebrews 12:5,6, “And ye hath forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him: For who the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son He recieveth.”
James 1:12, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him.”
Song of Solomon 5:2, “I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night.”
Isaiah 1:17-19, “Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, and plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But id ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.”
Luke 12:37, “Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when He cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that He shall gird Himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.”
John 14:23, “Jesus answered and said unto them, If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”
Matthew 19:28-30, “And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which followed Me, in the generation when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My name sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last, and the last shall be first.”
1 Corinthians 6:2, “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? And if the world shall be judged by you, are ye worthy to judge the smallest matters.?”
2 Timothy 2:12, “If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him: if we deny Him, He also will deny us.”
Revelation 2:26, “And he that over cometh, and keepeth My works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations.”
Reflective points:
1. As we read through the book of Revelation, and here through the letters to the seven churches, we are reminded that the context and it’s meaning is very important in any theological exegesis. The Word became flesh, John 1:14, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth,” at a particular time and place, and it is by attention to particularity that one may hear and understand what the Holy Spirit of God says to the churches, the people of God. There are to themes or points which we as readers need to pay particular attention to as we read this text: attend to the weakness and fallibility of the church at Smyrna and the church at Philadelphia; and, attend to the complacency and compromising attitudes of the church at Pergamos and the church at Laodicea. While there is never a guarantee that people will here what the Spirit has to say, the message is real and linked to the particulars of human existence.
2. Of the seven churches, there are two churches which receive unequivocally positive addresses. They are the church at Smyrna, and the church at Philadelphia. These churches are fragile and meek, like the crucified Christ Jesus, Whose resurrection offers us the only source of hope (2:8; 3:7). Positive things are said about six of the seven churches ( 2:2,10,13,19; 3:4,10). In the harshest letter which was written to the church at Laodicea, reveals the love of Jesus Christ for the church (3:19,20), and the reality of God’s presence, even when we waiver. God is always ready to forgive and restore, if only we are willing to repent and obey. A mixture of encouragement and constructive criticism are necessary in pastoral practice. These letters to the seven churches reveal that there is a pattern of affirmation and correction, and of challenge and comfort to those whom Christ’s loves.
3. These letters offer us, the read, a description and blueprint of church life: At ‘Ephesus,’ the loss of their first love; at ‘Smyrna,’ a life of persecution and oppression; at ‘Pergamos,’ a life filled with compromise; at ‘Thyatira,’ a battle between true and false prophecy; at ‘Sardis,’ a ray of hope; at ‘Philadelphia,’ a place of brotherly love; and, at ‘Laodicea,’ a mind-set of lukewarmness and lack of commitment. Churches are not immune from these issues, for they are filled which the essence of human frailty and weakness. Strength and courage can only be found through faith in Jesus Christ, the foundation and Cornerstone of our faith. These letters explicitly reveal that Jesus Christ has set limits and boundaries for the churches as to how much they are to compromise with contemporary culture and values. We are to remain faithful to God’s Word and will at all times and in all places. This is a major Biblical theme throughout the Old Testament and the New Testament, and is the focal point of the book of Revelation. We are called to be faithful to only one God, and that is the Triune God of Creation: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Any other consideration of mind, word, or deed is idolatrous and an abomination to God. The maintenance of idolatrous behavior is self-serving and exclusive of the interest of others. It serves only to inflate our sinful nature and separates us from God. Eternal condemnation is the only outcome of such behavior. Compromise of ones faith in any form or manner is unacceptable in God’s eyes. An example in the Gospel of Luke hints at one avenue we might view idolatry, Luke 16:15, “And He said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.” The “abomination” of idolatry is linked in this verse not with worship in a religious setting, but with the idol ‘Mammon,’ Matthew 6:24, “... You cannot serve both God and money.” Money here represents those things (forms of currency) which are of the world that are being place at a higher value than God and the worship of God. In order for a church or for a people of God to come to terms with a culture and it’s value system, they must recognize conflicts of interest and they must be aware of the extent to which their languages and behaviors are influenced by these ideological struggles. God determines the criteria for salvation, not culture. Culture must meet the standards of behavior and faith which God has set before them. The book of Revelation is a revelation about this exercise of power and the battle for power between that which is holy and divine (the Holy Trinity), and that which is evil and wicked (the unholy trinity). The unmasking of this real conflict between good and evil is the golden thread that is the continuum which runs throughout the Holy Scriptures, from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22. Divine power is manifested and is triumphant throughout the Bible, and is the natural result of the vindication of the Lamb of God, Who though a victim of oppression, suffering, cruelty, evil, overcame and conquered all evil from His birth, in His living, through His death, and through His resurrection, and He, the Lord of lords and King of kings, will soon come again to judge the living and the dead!
4. It is important that those who are on earth understand what is thought, said, and done on earth determines the heavenly response to such behavior. God lays out a plan or blueprint for salvation in the Bible for all to read and hear. The choice of acceptance and obedience of God’s Word and will is ours. God has done His part and given us His Word, His Truth, His Promise, to which there are only two outcomes. The rewards for obedience and acceptance is everlasting life with God in heaven, and the condemnation for the rejection of and disobedience of God’s Word and will is horrific and terrifying, eternal suffering in the lake if fire and brimstone. These revelations are real and true, not figments of Biblical imagination. Let him who has an ear hear, and believe!
5. Another them which runs through Holy Scripture is “endurance.” As Christians we are asked to endure and to overcome temptation, oppression, suffering, and hardship. These habits of resistence are required in order achieve victory in Christ. Whenever we pray the Lord’s prayer we asked to be delivered from evil, words paralleled in the promise given to the angel at the church at Philadelphia, “Because you have kept My word of patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world,” verse 3:10. And in the prayer of Jabez,1 Chronicles 4:9,10, “... and protect me from evil that I may not cause pain.” Here God is asked for divine guidance, so that we may not grieve God or others, thus enabling us to may maintain our faithful witness to the world of Who God is in our daily lives. Apocalyptic literature offers us, as readers, a converted sense of human history, so that we might see in every human event the reality of death found in sin, and the reality of life found in the Word of God.
Chapter Three Study Questions.
The Church at Sardis.
1. What do we know about the church at Sardis?
2. How is Jesus described to the church at Sardis? What is the significance?
3. What is Jesus’ commendation to the church at Sardis? Why is His commendation significant?
4. What is Jesus’ rebuke to the church at Sardis? Why is this important?
5. What is Jesus’ exhortation to the church at Sardis? Why is it important?
6. What is Jesus’ promise to the church at Sardis? Why is His promise significant?
7. What is the meaning of the word “Sardis,” and what is the historical significance?
8. What is the contrast between the reputation of Sardis and the reality of the character of the church at Sardis? What is the danger of basing one’s salvation on image verses character and integrity based on genuine spiritual truth?
The Church at Philadelphia:
1. What do we know about the church at Philadelphia?
2. How is Jesus described to the church at Philadelphia? What is the meaning and significance of
this description?
3. What is the commendation given by Jesus to the church at Philadelphia? What is the
significance of His commendation?
4. What is Jesus’ rebuke to the church at Philadelphia? If none, then why?
5. What is Jesus’ exhortation to the church at Philadelphia? What is the significance of His
exhortation?
6. What is Jesus’ promise to the church at Philadelphia, and why is it significant?
7. What does the word “Philadelphia” mean, and what is it’s historical significance?
8. What open doors has Jesus placed before you in your life and what are you going too do about them? What closed doors has Jesus placed in your life, and how have you reacted to them?
The Church at Loadicea.
1. What do we know about the church at Laodicea?
2. How is Jesus described to the church at Laodicea? Why is His description significant?
3. What is Jesus’ commendation to the church at Laodicea? If none, why?
4. What is Jesus’ rebuke to the church at Laodicea, and why is it so significant for our time in the
history of the church and humanity?
5. What is Jesus’ exhortation to the church at Laodicea? What is it’s significance?
6. What is Jesus’ promise to the church at Laodicea? What must they do to receive His promise?
7. What does the word “Laodicea” mean, and historically what is the significance of it’s
meaning? Why is that important for us today?
8. What does the “Faithful and True Witness” see when He looks into the heart of the church at
Laodicea, and what is His reaction?
9. Given Christ’s addresses to the seven churches of Asia Minor, how would you describe the
church of Christ that Jesus seeks as His bride? Define the church, the bride of Christ, as
mandated by Jesus Himself in Revelation 2:1-3:22.
The Lifting Up of the Church:
The Rapture.
Chapter 4.
The Throne, the Twenty-four Elders, and the Four Beasts.
The Rapture (The ecstatic state of being transported from one place to another) of the Church (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17).
In Revelation 1:19, the Apostle John was told to write three things: “the things which thou hast seen, the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter.” So far, we’ve looked at the first two of those points in chapters one through three of this Book of Revelation. Now, beginning with chapter four of the Book of revelation, we will consider the third point, which involves the things which are to come. This involves the rapture or lifting up of the church from earth to heaven into the very presence of the throne of God.
I. A Door that was opened in Heaven (4:1).
“1. After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.”
The panorama that the Apostle John had viewed has now change from earth to heaven. Only a short time before, Jesus, the Christ, had stood in the midst of the golden candlesticks and spoke to the seven churches of Asia Minor. That scene has now disappeared, and an awesome gate of heaven has flung open, and a voice like a trumpet said, “Come up hither.”
God will use a trumpet sound when He calls His Church to meet Him in the air. It is written in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17: “For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
John was the last surviving Apostle of Jesus Christ. His ascending to heaven features the church at the end of the age that has prepared it’s oil, being filled with the Holy Spirit of God (Matthew 25:1-13, “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the Bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the Bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with Him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But He answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day not the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”), and is taken up into heaven as the faithful bride of Jesus Christ.
It will not be long before that same voice will be heard by our ears, and we also shall be taken up into heaven. As the door opened when the Apostle John looked up, so will the door open in heaven for the faithful in Jesus Christ, and so shall we too ascend into that heavenly place. For those who have not been born again in Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit (John 3:3, 5-7, “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God ... Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”), but simply go to church for form, ritual, and religious ceremony, they will be as the foolish virgins in the previous passage.
The Holy Spirit of God birthed the Church of Jesus Christ here on earth on the ‘Day of Pentecost,’ a Jewish celebration of the ‘wheat harvest,’ thus, fulfilling the Old Testament prophecy of Joel (Joel 2:28-32, “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out My Spirit. And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call.”). When Jesus calls His church in the Spirit to come, the Holy Spirit will take responsibility for the church, effecting it’s ascent into heaven into the bosom of God Himself. Nevertheless, many Christians still ask, “Shall we ascend before the tribulation, or will we have to pass through it?” That is a serious question to which are many theological answers. Some theologians say that they believe the church will ascend in the middle of the tribulation; others say the believe the church will undergo the brunt of the tribulation; and some say they believe the church will be raptured up into heaven and receive a reprieve from the tribulation, stating that the first two theories ignore the fact that there are two comings of Jesus Christ. Let us look at the latter theory.
A. Jesus Christ’s Two Comings.
1. Christ’s Coming in the Air. The first coming of Jesus Christ is His coming in the air as described in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, “For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” This coming is not for the people who belong to the ways of the world. It is for those who are faithful in Christ and looked forward to this event and have prepared themselves for it. The day and the hour of Jesus Christ’s coming in the air is known to no one (Luke 12:40, “Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of Man cometh at an hour when ye think not.” Matthew 24:36, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only.”). Jesus, our Bridegroom, will come and take away His beloved bride, sparing her from all tribulation. This coming is not one of judgment, but to receive and take His bride away.
Jesus’ feet do not touch the earth at this coming: the Bible says clearly that He will receive us in the air in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” The dead in Jesus Christ will rise from their graves all at once and meet Him with resurrected bodies, and we who are alive will be changed in a moment. What a glorious moment in time! Thus we all shall ascend into heaven as dew ascends into the sky in the heat of the morning sun. This coming of Jesus Christ will be wondrous and joyful for those who are faithful to the Word and Will of God. Those who do not participate in the first coming will be condemned to go through the great tribulation, but many of them will be purified by the fire of trial and will be saved, as we read later in the Book of Revelation.
2. Jesus Christ’s Coming to Earth. Revelation, chapters nineteen and twenty, tells us that when the last day of the earth comes near, after the battle of Armageddon, Jesus will come down from heaven to earth accompanied by a multitude of His saints. That is His second coming, His coming to earth in Revelation1:7, “Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen.” During that time Jesus will destroy all His enemies with a sword that comes out of His mouth. He will take the anti-Christ and cast him into the lake of fire, burning with brimstone. Jesus will lay hold of the devil and cast him and his followers into the bottomless pit, and Jesus will then reign with His saints a thousand years.
B. Biblical Proofs of a Pre-tribulation Rapture of the Church.
There are several proofs that the Church of Christ will not pass through the great tribulation. First, because we are in Christ and Christ is in us, we cannot be judged a second time. Our sins were judged upon the cross of Calvary, borne by a sinless Savior, the Lamb of God. By offering His body as a pure and holy sacrifice for the sins of the world, Jesus made all who believe in Him justified and perfect before God.
The great tribulation is a seven-year period of the dreadful nature that will come to those wicked people who have rebelled against God, denied Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and forsook the path of faith. If the church were to pass through it, we would be subject to go through a second judgment, as if Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross were not sufficient to justify us, and that’s is impossible according to Holy Scripture (Hebrews 9:26-28, “For then must He often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath He appeared to put away sin by sacrifice of Himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation.”). Therefore, the Holy Spirit of God will translate the Church of Christ before the great tribulation, sparing her from a second judgment.
Second, we see a pattern of what will happen in the stories of Noah, and Sodom and Gomorrah. First, let us look at the time of Noah in Genesis chapter six thru chapter eight. Following Noah’s repeated cry that God would judge the world, the flood finally came, lasting forty days and forty nights. Just before that catastrophic event, however, God caused the eight members of Noah’s family to enter the ark and to escape the flood. God then judged the earth and all it’s inhabitants. In Matthew 24:37, Jesus said, “But the days of Noah were, so shall the coming of the Son of Man be.” God allowed Noah and his family to escape the devastation of the flood by taking refuge in the ark before God brought His judgment upon the world. Given that fact, how much more will God make a way of escape from the tribulation for those whom Jesus Christ, His beloved Son, bought with the price of His own blood and sealed with the Holy Spirit? It would be contrary to God’s nature for Him to make no distinction between His saints and the rest of the world, judging us the same as He judges them.
Consider now, Sodom and Gomorrah. Though Lot lived there by his own free will, yet God, knowing him to be a righteous man, spared the lives of Lot and his family when He rained judgment down on that decadent and evil place. Not until the angels have led them safely away does God loose fire and brimstone, Genesis 19:14-29, “And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law. And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city. And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the Lord being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city. And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that He said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed. And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord: Behold now, Thy servant hath found grace in Thy sight, and Thou hast magnified Thy mercy, which Thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape unto the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die: Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) And my soul shall live. And He said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken. Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do anything till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar. The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar. Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven; and He overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground. But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. And Abraham gat up early in the morning to the place where he stood before the Lord: And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as smoke of a furnace. And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot dwelt.”
Thus, we see that God rescues those whom He has chosen and those who have trusted in Him by “faith.” And so shall we, who have been justified by the precious blood of Jesus Christ, escape the tribulation.
Third, the fact that the Church of Christ is mentioned often in Revelation chapter one thru chapter three, but not once in Revelation chapter four through chapter 19, also suggest it will not pass through the great tribulation. If we were going to endure the tribulation, we would surely find references to the church in the events of those chapters. The word “saint” is used often in those chapters, but not for the church. It may refer to the people who become Christians after the rapture. At least by it’s silence and omission, this portion of Revelation strongly suggest the church will not pass through the tribulation.
Fourth, in Luke 21:34-36, Jesus Christ indicated the church will not pass through the great tribulation: “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with suffering, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawareness. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Did Jesus say we should make preparations to pass through all the things that will happen to us? No! Jesus said we must watch and pray so that we may escape all the things that will happen and so stand before Him.
In 1 Thessalonians 1:10 we are told to “wait for His Son from heaven, Whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.” If He delivered us from the wrath to come, then why would He also make us go through it? In Revelation 3:10 Jesus says to the church in Philadelphia, “Because thou hast kept the word of My patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” When we take into account all these Scriptures and teachings of Jesus, we can conclude with great certainty and promise that Jesus will not bring the tribulation of judgment to this world until He completely translates His Church, the Bride of Christ, at His first coming in the air.
Additional supporting Scripture references for 4:1.
Ezekiel 1:1, “Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.”
Revelation 19:11,12, “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. 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.”
II. A Throne in Heaven (4:2-11).
“2. At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3. An the One who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. 4. Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white raiment and had crowns of gold on their heads. 5. From the throne came flashes of lightening, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven Spirits of God. 6. Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7. The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8. Each of these four living creatures had wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and Night they never stop saying: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, Who was, and is, and is to come.” 9. Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne and Who lives for ever and ever, 10. The twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and worship Him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: 11. “You are worthy, out Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being.”
A. One Who was sitting on the Throne.
As the Apostle John looked into heaven, he first saw someone sitting on a throne in verse 2. The center of heaven is the throne of God, and on it are the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (the Trinitarian Godhead). In verse 3, the Apostle John described the figure of God the Father on the throne: “And He that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.”
The jasper signifies the inscrutable divinity and holiness of God Himself. A jasper is a precious, sometimes blue stone -deep blue like the sky. The sky signifies infinite divinity and holiness - God’s eternal being.
The ruby-colored sardine stone signifies righteous judgment. When John first saw God, he felt not only the infinite divinity and holiness of God, but also His sternness of righteous judgment. John’s heart might well have trembled with awesome fear.
The rainbow round about the throne of God resembled an emerald. When we see a rainbow from earth, it appears to be a half-circle or an arch. But when the rainbow is viewed from an airplane in the sky or outer-space, it looks like a complete circle. The sight must of filled John’s trembling heart with great joy.
The origin of the rainbow goes back to the days of Noah. When Noah sacrificed animals after the great flood, God made a covenant with him, saying that He would not judge the world again with a flood. As a sign of this covenant, God made a rainbow to appear in the clouds.
Thus, a rainbow resembles an emerald and surrounding the throne of God means that, in spite of His Divinity and Holiness, God has already accepted sacrifice for our sins. That offering is Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who died on the cross of Calvary. By accepting Jesus’ sacrifice, God made another covenant between Himself and humanity, that of a blood covenant in John3:16: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
B. Twenty-four Elders around the Throne of God.
After John saw Him who sat on the throne, he also saw twenty-four seats surrounding the throne. Twenty-four elders, with crowns of gold on their heads, sat on those seats. Jesus promised the Laodicean Church, in Revelation 3:21: “To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.” Those who overcome will ascend to heaven and sit on the throne that even angels cannot come near. So, what do the twenty-four seats mean? It is believed that they represent the twelve tribes of Israel in the Old Testament and the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ in the New Testament.
C. The Throne.
The Apostle John also saw “lightening’s and heard thundering’s and voices” proceed out of the throne in verse 5. What comes after a flash of lightening and peals of thunder in a storm? A shower! God is ready to rain judgment down upon the wicked and rebellious inhabitants on the earth like a summer shower. But He is postponing His judgment until His children are taken away to heaven and seated with Him.
In verse 5, “There were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.” This image reveals the Holy Spirit in the throne in heaven, having returned there with Christ’s Bride, the Church.
In front of the throne was a sea of glass. The sea can be interpreted to mean humanity or the inhabitants of the world. This world, which we call “the troubled sea,” because of it’s many cares and worries, will then be changed into a sea of glass, calm and serene. That means all our tears, worries, and troubles will no longer exist (Revelation, “21:4, “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.”).
D. The Four Beasts.
Next, the Apostle John saw four beasts around the throne of God and the thrones of the elders in verses 6-8. The first was like a lion, and the second was like a calf; the third had a face like a man, and the fourth was like an eagle. They were praising the Lord God Almighty, saying, “Holy, holy, holy.”
Isaiah saw a similar vision in Isaiah 6:2-3. He wrote of seraphim standing above the throne: “Each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts.”
Ezekiel also saw four living creatures in his vision. Each had four faces that looked like this, in Ezekiel 1:10,12: “They four had the face of a man, and the face a lion, face of an on the left side; and they four also had the face of an eagle ... and they went every one straight forward.” What or who were the four living creatures in chapter four of Revelation? They were cherubim, the angels that guard the holiness of God at His throne. The first was like a lion. That symbolizes Jesus’ coming as the King of the Jews, as He is described in Matthew’s Gospel. The second creature was like an ox, which signifies Jesus’ salvanic works, as described in Mark’s Gospel. The third creature was like a man, as described in Luke’s Gospel portrayal of Jesus as the Son of man. Jesus had a complete human nature, being born of the virgin Mary. The fourth creature was like an eagle, signifying the Divinity of Jesus, the Son of God, in the Apostle John’s Gospel. Thus, the four living creatures standing around the throne all symbolize the complete Person of Jesus Christ.
E. Non-Ceasing Worship of God the Father.
What comes next is a scene of worship. First, the four living creatures worship God the Father day and night, never resting. They ceaselessly say, in verse 8, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.” And when the living creatures give glory to God, the twenty-four elders also fall down and worship Him. They lay their crowns before the throne of God and worship, and in verse 11, say, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.”
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 4:2-11.
Revelation 1:10, “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as a trumpet.”
Isaiah 6:1-3, “In the year king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and His train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphim: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory.”
Jeremiah 17:12, “A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary.”
Ezekiel 10:1, “Then I looked, and, behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubim there appeared over then as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne.”
Daniel 7:9, “I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, Whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head like pure wool: His throne was like fiery flame, and His wheels as burning fire.”
Ezekiel 1:28, “As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about it. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of the one that spake.”
Exodus 37:23, “And He made His seven lamps, and His snuffers, and His snuff-dishes, of pure gold.”
2 Chronicles 4:20, “Moreover the candlesticks with their lamps, that they should burn after the manner before the oracle, of pure gold.”
Ezekiel 1:13, “As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightening.”
Numbers 2:2, “Every man of the children of Israel shall pitch by his own standard, with the ensign of their father’s house: far off about the tabernacle of the congregation shall they pitch.”
Ezekiel 10:14, “And every one had four faces: the first face was the face of a cherub, and the second face was a face of a man, and the third face was a face of a lion, and the fourth face was a face of an eagle.”
Revelation 5:8,14, “And when He had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which were the prayers of the saints.”
Reflective points:
1. Worship of God is the central theme in Revelation, chapter 4. There is an all-encompassing participation of the worshipers (verse 4:10 and in Mark 12:30). As worshipers, we tend to quickly dismiss the physical and sensory affects of worship and to confine worship to the verbal and intellectual expression of self and selves. This pious and ego satisfying approach to worship by many theologians and scholars leads to the distorting and dismissing of important points and facts which are pertinent to the salvation message in Holy Scripture. These prophesiers begin to rewrite and present Holy Scripture in a manner which fits their own culture, social, and political agendas. In the Gospel of John, in 4:23 and 24, Jesus says, “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” We are commanded by Jesus Christ to worship God in spirit and in truth, to be one with God, obedient in His Word and in His will. To violate this command, is to only bring God’s wrath and judgment upon one’s self. God’s wrath is not arbitrary or capricious. God’s way’s and means of justice and salvation are beyond humanity’s ability to comprehend and understand. That is why we come on faith, and why we are called to trust and obey. The paeans of praise, joy and exultation in worship are directly related to God’s actions and inactions in history, and in human responsiveness to God’s works. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God says, “If My people who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” God awaits our prayerful call to Him. He seeks to be in proper relationship with His creation. The blessing of God Almighty are ours, if we will only humble ourselves in reverent worship before Him in obedience to His Word and will.
2. As we continue our spiritual journey through the book of Revelations we will see that the singing of praises and hymns are totally incompatible with idolatrous behavior. The singing of praises and hymns give us focus, and humble our hearts in reverent worship before Almighty and Glorious God. Those who diligently and faithfully worship God will not be fooled into worshiping the beast of Satan. To put on the character of God, of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, is to be committed to a particular lifestyle, to be willing to forsake all others and all things for the love of God. One cannot say they love God and be true and faithful in the worship of God, without doing the works of God, John 14:15, “If ye love Me, keep My commandments.” When worship becomes an avenue of escape from life and self preservation, it loses it’s witness, and it’s touch with God. True worship requires one to faithfully and obediently surrender to the will of God in all aspects of one’s life, both private and public. True worship is a call to action, not a call to individual or corporate isolation or retreat. So, when the worship process serves only as an opiate or anesthetic for life’s woes and tribulations, then it is not worship of God for God’s sake, but a self-serving idolatrous religious activity which falls short of the glory of God, and has moved to an activity contrary to God’s will and purpose. Worship unites us with God, John 15:1-7, “I am the Vine, and My Father is the Husbandman. Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the Vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me. I am the Vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing. If a man abideth not in Me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” We are only able to experience true worship if we are one with God in spirit and in truth.
3. Note, in Revelation, chapter 4, there is an obvious indebtedness to Ezekiel and Isaiah. These ancient Holy Scriptures provide a medium whereby the Apostle John enters the door of perception and vision, thus seeing, hearing, and communicating the mysteries of the Divine God of creation. In verse 2, John writes, “And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and One sat on the throne.” John’s vision was one inspired and directed by the Spirit of God Himself. The revelation which John received was of Divine origin and nature. It’s content, and it’s meaning and interpretation only to be realized under the divine guidance of the Holy Spirit of God. This is evident throughout the book of Revelation, as each word, line, and image of Holy Scripture is subtly transformed, and their meanings brought into light. Throughout history many theologians and scholars believe that the Spirit of God now speaks to the churches differently than It did in the time of the Apostle John, with newer, more up to date meanings, and newer symbols and images which are more sensitive and meaningful to the varying social and cultural demands of in today’s world. They teach that there are Words and images in the Bible no longer apply to today’s cultures needs. They even go as far as discount various verses, chapters, and books as meaningless and offensive to today’s economic, social, cultural, and political structures. Their humanistic and pluralistic views have distorted and defiled the Sacredness of God’s Word which is unchanging, in both meaning and content. This collective effort to rewrite Holy Scripture through the lense of human and cultural experiences and desires is an abomination to the Sacredness of Holy Scripture, and has grave consequences, Revelation 22:18,19, “For I testify unto every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away hi part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. Surely I come quickly.” The Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ to the Apostle John has been regarded as book that is dangerous and radical in it’s content and meaning. Thus, I have approached the Book of Revelation as a study of Holy Scriptures through the lense of Revelation, thus beginning with the end in mind, so to better and more clearly understand God’s purpose for humanity. In doing so, I have discovered God to be constant and unchanging in His promises to and expectations of His creation. God’s Truth in the beginning, is His Truth now, and will be His Truth in the end.
Chapter Four Study Questions.
1. Where does the scene described in verse1 take place (Ephesians 2; Genesis 9:12-17; Exodus 19:16-19; Exodus 25:31-40; 2 Chronicles 4:2-6; Ezekiel 1)?
2. What does John mean, “I was in the Spirit” in verse 2?
3. Who is the One Who sets on the throne? What is the significance of His description in verses 3
and 4?
4. Who are the twenty-four elders and the significance of the twenty-four thrones? (Note: 24
seems to represent all of God’s people, coming from the 12 tribes of Israel before Jesus Christ,
and the 12 Apostles after Jesus Christ; Revelation 21:12-14).
5. What or who do the four living creatures represent? What is their significance in this
revelation?
6. What does their description mean; a Lion? an Ox? a Man? an Eagle?
7. What do the six wings and the abundance of eyes signify?
8. Why do the living creatures praise God day and
night?
9. Why do the twenty-four elders fall down and lay their crowns before the throne of God,
giving praise to God, when the living creature give praise to God?
10. According to this chapter, Who is God and how does He relate to His creation? How are we
to relate to God? How might this vision of God enhance or mold and shape your daily life and
worship of Almighty God?
The Seven-Sealed Book:
Who is Worthy to Open?
Chapter 5.
The Slaughtered Lamb takes the Sealed Book.
The Seven-Sealed Book.
In chapter five of the book of Revelation the scene changes from heavenly worship to preparation for the great tribulation.
I. The Seven-Sealed Scroll (5:1).
“1. Then I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals.”
And, in Revelation chapter 5:1-3, the Apostle John saw in the right hand of Him that sat on the throne a book written within, and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. John also saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof? John wept bitterly, for he realized that no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
A. A Redemption for the Land.
What is this book that John saw? Again, we must be cautious in our interpretation, for if we wrongly interpret this passage we will miss the whole meaning of the book of Revelation. We could guess the importance of the sealed book form the way it’s need to be opened was proclaimed by the angel and John’s weeping, because there was no one in heaven and in earth worthy to do the job.
This scroll which John saw was a title-deed. In Old Testament times God gave this commandment to the Israelites concerning the land they would possess in Canaan, Leviticus 25:23-25: “The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is Mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with Me. And in all the land of your possession ye shall grant a redemption for the land. If thy brother be waxen poor, and hath sold away some of his possession, and if any of his kin come to redeem it, then shall he redeem that which his brother sold.” If any person bought a piece of land from his neighbor, that land became his possession. However, if the closest relative of the original owner came and wanted to purchase the land, the present owner had to accept that claim no matter how much he desired to keep the land, or how valuable the land had become. This law was called “the redemption of the land.” The contract recording a sale of property was a title-deed. After the first article was written, the scroll was rolled and sealed with wax and a stamp. Then the second article was recorded, the same sealing procedure was followed, and so on through every new article. The purpose was to assure the validity of and protect the contract from counterfeits. The sealed original document was taken to the temple and kept in it’s archives. A copy of the contract was laid open on a document inspection stand in the temple for viewing. Now, if a kinsman of the original owner read the conditions of such a contract and wanted to purchase the land back, he could approach the present owner. If he produced proof that he was a close relative of the original owner of the land and asked to purchase the land, the present owner was obligated to cooperate in the transaction. First, the kinsman gave the amount of silver and gold specified in the contract to the present owner. Then he went to the temple archives, found the scroll of the contractual agreement and opened it’s seals. Opening one seal, he made sure the conditions of the contract were being met, according to law. Then he opened another seal and checked again. During this time he would have several leading people of his community there as witnesses. After satisfaction of the contract terms had been met confirmed before the witnesses, the former and new land owner, the change of ownership was declared and the scroll was burned. With that the transfer of the land and title deed was complete.
B. A Scroll with Seven Seals in the Hand of God.
What kind of title-deed was the scroll in the hand of God? It was the title of ownership of the created earth. Before Adam fell into sin, God had given him dominion over, or control of, the earth. He was the husband (Archaic definition: a manger or steward of an estate) of the earth. When sin came into the earth, the earth was corrupted and became the domain of the evil one, the Satan. Satan was making a valid offer to Jesus in Luke 4:5-7, “And the devil, taking Him up into a high mountain, shewed unto Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto Him, all this power will I give Thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whosoever I will I give it. If Thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be Thine.”
For you see, Adam, through his act of sin, had forfeited his dominion, which God had given him, over to Satan, in effect making a title-deed transfer of this world before God. How has the devil, since this acquisition, used his power? He instigates bloody wars and conflicts; he perpetuates robberies, assaults, abuses and murders among humanity. For this reason the Apostle Paul said in Romans 8:22-23, “For we know the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” Therefore, if humanity was to have any hope, someone somewhere through a ‘blood’ relationship, had to repurchase this earth.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 5:1.
Ezekiel 2:9, “And when I looked, behold, a hand was sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book was therein.”
Isaiah 29:11, “And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of s book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed.”
Daniel 12:4, “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.”
II. No Man is able to open the Sealed Scroll (5:2-4).
“2. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3. But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside.”
A. Qualifications to open the Sealed Scroll.
The one who could open the scroll had to be a close kinsman to the “original owner” of the world. Thus, the one who would redeem the earth from the devil had to be a human being of human form, and one who was of divine nature, of God, thus uniting the two kingdoms to their original state. How could sinful people, descendants of Adam, be qualified for this job? Whoever would redeem the earth would have to want to do it enough to pay the ultimate price, top value for it.
Who, then, would have all four of these qualifications: (1) a kinsman to human beings; (2) not a descendant of Adam; (3) able to redeem the earth; and, (4) willing to pay the ultimate price? The person could not be found in heaven, for the angels are not close kinsmen to us. Nor could the person be found on earth among ordinary, sinful mortals. And, the person certainly would not be found in the underworld of the earth, where devils and evil spirits dwell, for they would be the last to desire to redeem the earth.
B. The Weeping of the Apostle John.
Thus, there was noone able to open the sealed scroll and to look in it. John wept bitterly as he realized there was no hope for humanity here on earth, without a savior, or a redeemer. He also wept over his own incompetence in that situation, because he, too, though an Apostle of Jesus Christ, was a member of the fallen human race.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 5:2-4.
John 1:18, “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosomof the Father, He hath declared Him.”
III. The Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of Davis (5:5-14).
“5. Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and it’s seven seals.” 6. Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if It had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by four living creatures and elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7. He came and took the scroll from the right hand of the Him who sat on the throne. 8. And when He had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which were the prayers of the saints. 9. And they sung a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open it’s seals, because You were slain, and with Your blood purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. 10. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign in the earth.” 11. Then I looked and heard a voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousands times ten thousands. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and elders. 12. In a loud voice they sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” 13. Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” 14. The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.”
A. A Lamb of God that was slain.
While the Apostle John was weeping in verse 5, one of the elders said to him, “Weep not: Behold, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.” Then John saw that in the midst of the throne, the four beats and the four elders, stood a Lamb. Jesus Christ appeared not as the Son of God, but as a Lamb of God, the ultimate and complete sacrifice for the sins of the world. The Greek word for this Lamb is “arnion,” a lovely little lamb.
On the night before the Israelites left Egypt, they slaughtered Passover lambs and put the blood on the tops and sides of their door frames before eating the meat. Those lambs may have even been like family pets, making it, thus, painful for everyone when they came to eat to take a knife and slaughter them. Our Redeemer, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, was such a lovely lamb in the sight of our God and Creator. How pained and grieved was the Father’s heart when He delivered His beloved Son to be killed upon the cross, the Son who was the brightness of His glory and the express image of His divine Person!
Therefore, when God commanded the Israelites to kill the Passover lamb, He was foreshadowing the sacrificial death of His beloved Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ and the pain He would bear. God was able to do so for “He so loved the world,” His creation (John 3:16).
In verse 6, Jesus is described as “a Lamb as It had been slain.” Our Lord and Redeemer forever bears the marks of the death He tasted upon the cross for our sake - the marks of the nails in His hands and feet, the marks of the crown of thorns on His head, and the mark of the spear puncture in His side. Whenever we worship we will see those marks, and we will give thanks to God the Father Almighty, and to Jesus Christ our Savior for them and for the abundant love and grace they represent.
B. The Seven Horns and Seven Eyes.
In verse 6, when the Apostle John saw this lovely, sacred Lamb come to the throne of Almighty God and take the sealed scroll, he noticed the Lamb had seven horns. The Horns signify strength. The seven horns represent the authority and strength of a ruler. Jesus has all the power and authority of God in heaven and in the earth. The Lamb also had seven all-seeing eyes, which signify the all seeing eyes of the Holy Spirit of God.
C. The Lion of the Tribe of Judah.
Also described in verse 5, Jesus is described as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Jesus, therefore, met all four conditions pertinent for redeeming the earth. First, “to be a close kinsman of human beings,” one of us, Jesus left His heavenly throne and became man, born of the virgin Mary in Bethlehem. Second, “to not be a sin-tainted descendant of Adam,” he was supernaturally begotten, conceived and born of a virgin by the Holy Spirit of God. The Bible clearly says, in Isaiah 7:14, “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and His name shall be called Immanuel.” The angel told Mary in Luke 1:35, “The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that Holy Thing which shall be born of thee shall be called Son of God.” Therefore, Jesus, Who was conceived of God and a virgin, was free from the original sin of Adam, and lived a perfect and unblemished life. Third, “Jesus was able to redeem the earth by virtue of His sinlessness.” He was holy and pure. This freed Him to take the punishment and to incur the death we deserved for our sins upon Himself, “Romans 5:1-8, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through Jesus Christ: By Whom we also have access by faith into His grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulations worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given to us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commandeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Fourth, Jesus wanted to redeem the earth. For all His ability, if Jesus had not wanted to redeem the earth enough to go to the cross, we would have remained in sin, thus condemned to eternal death and suffering. Yet, Jesus voluntarily, in obedience to the will of His Father in heaven, gave up His precious life on the cross for us. In doing so, He fulfilled Scriptural prophecy and did rightfully take back the title-deed of the earth, payment in full through His blood sacrifice on the cross.
When Jesus, the Lamb of God, received the sealed scroll, His identification as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah symbolized His reign as King of kings. And when the Jesus receives the scroll from the Father and tears it open by the breaking of the seals, judgment will have already begun. However, the devil will resist with all his might and trickery for seven years, knowing the lake of fire awaits him, his fallen angels, and his followers when he loses the final battle. At the end of the tribulation Satan is driven from the earth into a place called hell for all eternity, a place of eternal suffering and despair. This time in which the great tribulation will begin, is unknown to all, except God the Father (Matthew 24:36, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only.”). One thing is certain: When the second trumpet is sounded and heard, the saints who have been atoned by power of Jesus’ blood will not be here on this earth. They will have already been taken up into heaven to attend the marriage supper of the Lamb. For those who are saved during the tribulation, they will have gone through great suffering and great despair. For those who remain on earth at the end of the great tribulation, and are not saved, their fate will be one of great suffering and misery. They will weep bitterly when Jesus Christ comes down from the clouds to the earth with His saints to reign in the millennial kingdom.
Additional scriptural references for 5:5-8.
Genesis 49:9,10, “Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the prey my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he crouched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?”
Hebrews 7:14, “For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning the priesthood.”
Romans 5:11, “And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received atonement.”
Revelation 22:16, “I Jesus have sent Mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the Root and Offspring of David, and the Bright and Morning Star.”
Hebrews 2:10, “For it became Him, for Whom are all things, and by Whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.”
Hebrews 7:25, “Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.”
Isaiah 53:3-5,7, “He is despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed ... He was oppressed , and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a Lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth.”
John 1:29, “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
1 Peter 1:18-21,22, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as a Lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by Him do believe in God, that raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God ... Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.”
Revelation 13:8, “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”
Zechariah 3:9, “For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the Lord of Hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.”
Revelation 4:5, “And out of the throne proceeded lightenings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.”
Revelation 14:2, “And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as a voice of great thunder: and I heard the sound of harpers harping with their harps.”
Revelation 15:2, “And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.”
Psalm 141:2, “Let my prayer be set before Thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as evening sacrifice.”
Revelation 8:3,4, “And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.”
D. The Song of the Living Creatures and of the Elders (5:9-10); The Song of the Redeemed Saints in Heaven.
The saints will sing a song when Jesus takes the scroll with the seven seals from the hand of God: verses 9-10, “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open it’s seals, because You were slain, and with Your blood You purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” Angels are not able to sing such a song. Only the saints can sing this song, because they/we are the ones bought with Jesus’ own blood. What a wonderful position Jesus has given His kingdom and priests - we who have been redeemed and purchased from every tribe and nation! One day, soon, we will all reign with our Lord and Savior.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 5:9-10.
Psalm 40:3, “And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.”
Revelation 14:3, “And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and man could learn that song but the hundred and forty four thousand, which were redeemed from earth.”
Revelation 15:3, “And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are Your ways, Thou King of saints.”
Revelation 4:11, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.”
Hebrews 9:12, “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.”
1 John 1:7, “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.”
Daniel 4:2,3, “I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders the high God hath wrought toward me. How great are Hid signs! And how mighty are His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and His dominion is from generation to generation.”
Exodus 19:6, “And ye shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. These are the words which thou shall speak unto the children of Israel.”
E. The Song of the Angels (5:11-12).
Next comes the song of the angels. First, notice their position in verse 11, “And I beheld, and I heard the voices of many angels round the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands.” The redeemed saints are sitting on the throne; the hosts of angels are standing. As we have learned, the twenty-four elders signify the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ, which in turn represent all the redeemed saints. As the angels were created by God to serve the redeemed saints (Hebrews 1:14, “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation.”), there is a distinction between the two. The angels praised Jesus, thus saying in verse 12, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.” Since the angels have never fallen and were made for a purpose, their song does not refer to the precious blood of the Lamb of God, or to being purchased, or to becoming priests, It’s simply a song of praise.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 5:11-12.
Psalm 68:17, “The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.”
Hebrew 12:22,23, “And ye come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to as innumerable company of angels. To the general assembly and church of the first born, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect.”
F. The Song of All the Creatures (5:13-14).
Following the song of the angels, in verse 13, all creatures sing, thus: “Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.” When these hymns are ended, the four living creatures respond with “Amen,” and the twenty-four elders bow down and worship. Thus, the preparation for God to reclaim the earth will be complete. As soon as our Lord Jesus opens the seals of the scroll, the curtain on the stage of the great tribulation will be finally drown, and the venture begins.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 5:13-14.
Philippians 2:10,11, “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Ephesians 3:21, “Unto Him be glory in the church of Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”
John 5:22,23, “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honors not the Son honors not the Father which hath sent Him.”
Reflective points:
1. This is a pivotal point in the book of Revelation. Chapter 5 shows those who would dare to take up their cross and follow Jesus Christ, the lamb of God, what is in store for them in the times ahead. Discipleship has it’s glory, and it has it’s cost. While the way of the anti-Christ is to revalue all godly values established by God Almighty, the way of Jesus, our Christ, cuts across all those revalued and respected worldly virtues showing us that there is only one way to salvation, and that is God’s way. That way is through Jesus Christ our Lord, John14:6, “Jesus said unto him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” We read in the beginning of chapter 5 of the opening of the sealed scroll by the Lamb of God, which in turn leads to the sounding of the trumpet blasts, and eventually to the pouring out of the bowls of God’s wrath. Contrary to human expectations the beginning of the end of time does not come as expected, but with a weak creature with no mark of triumph, only the marks of it’s own slaughter and suffering, the Divine agent of God’s purpose and will. To this purpose the Apostle Paul writes, 1 Corinthians 1:23, 24, we as Christians, “Proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jew and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”
2. The brutal suffering and execution of Jesus the Christ was of little concern to the scholars, theologians, and leaders of His era. His was just another execution of a radical Rabbi and troublemaker who received His just reward for attempting to upset the established powers to be. However, this event did affect the way God related to the world. God’s relationship with humanity would never be the same. The crucified Christ, the Lamb of God, becomes the means of bridging the gap between heaven and earth, between the Divine and the human, between the Creator and the created. The One Who was crucified and dead, is now alive and sits at the right hand of God Almighty, and He will come again to judge the living and the dead. The Word, “Logos” in Greek, is now resides the bosom of God the Father, and shares His throne. God, through the person of Jesus Christ, became human, suffered and died, and He is now seated on the throne of grace with God the Father. The Apostle John writes of this in his Gospel, John 1:1-4, 14, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not ... And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth.”
3. The transformation of heaven took place in order that all humanity might be transformed through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. The heart of God is seen and the qualification for everlasting life with God the Father is rooted in the death of the Lamb and His resurrection, 1 Peter 1:16-21, “Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call upon the Father, Who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as a Lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundations of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by Him do believe in God, that raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.” The character of Who God is, His very essence, is revealed in the fact that God did not spare His only begotten and beloved Son, but willingly gave Him up for us all, Romans 8:32, “He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” This is the true identity of the King of kings and the Lord of lords, Whose sovereignty does not come from force of arms, or thru exploitation of people, or of resources, but by the precious and costly gift of His Faithful Witness, Jesus Christ, Philippians 2:5-8 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being born in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” This act of love from God is, “agape love,” which is beyond human understanding; it’s origin is from the Greek, meaning “a selfless love; a benevolent love; God’s affectionate will towards man; a Divine love.”
4. If it is the slain Lamb of God that merits the reverent worship of the heavenly hosts, then we as believers must ask ourselves about the character of the lifestyle that is acceptable to God. As we begin to discover the boundaries of the playing field which has been drawn by God, we come to realize if we wish to receive the glory of God’s promise, than we must abide by His rules and guidelines. We can chose to follow the ways of the world and to surrender to the will of Satan, the devil, the beast, and the teachings of the false prophet. But we will only discover that salvation is not theirs, salvation is only God’s. This is quite a battle when one’s faith is not placed firmly in Jesus Christ and His word. We are pressured daily to conform to a culture of self-aggrandizement (to make great; to increase in power), we are epitomized (to be embodied) by Babylonian lifestyles of self-offerings and weaknesses, of desires for cultural recognition and acceptance, and for power and prestige. Strength and courage to stand firm and to overcome can only come by calling upon the Holy Spirit of God Almighty to come into our lives, and to protect and lead us.
5. Though Christ Jesus was slain as the Lamb of God, He was not passive in His ministry or in His faithful witness as to the will of God the Father. Jesus was passionate and bold in His faithful service to His heavenly Father. Jesus challenges human nature by renouncing violence, by unmasking inhumane suffering and oppression of the poor and the afflicted. Jesus’ Gospel message puts the first in society last and the last in society first. His is a ministry and message of compassion and service from the top down. John is not a mere spectator, nor is he a passive scribe of this revelatory process. John is emersed spiritually, emotionally, and physically in God’s revelation and is moved passionately by his vision and discover, and he weeps. Weeping is quite a form of radical criticism, and a heart felt expression of grief by one who is revered as part of the status quo of Apostolic leaders and writers. John is committed to a life of faithfulness and servanthood, even unto death.
Chapter Five Study Questions.
1. What makes the scroll so significant in verses 1-7? What dilemma does it pose (Jeremiah 36:2-32)?
2. Why is Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, the only One Who is worthy and able to open the
Seven-Sealed Scroll (Revelation 5:4-9; John1:29)?
3. What does it mean, Jesus is both a Lion and a Lamb? Lion of whom and Lamb of Whom? How is this possible? What does it mean for our lives and Salvation?
4. What is the meaning of the Seven Horns and the Seven Eyes?
5. Where does Jesus Christ appear and what is the significance of this?
6. What is the response when Jesus the Christ takes the Scroll?
7. What is the meaning of verses 9-13? How is the Lamb described? Who are the ones singing
the praise?
8. Who are those who are to be a kings and priests to serve God? Why?
9. What did the Twenty-four Elders do after the Living Creatures said, “Amen!” in verse 14?
The Great Tribulation:
Part One;
Opening of the First Six Seals.
Chapter 6.
Terrors Attend the Opening of the Six Seals.
Preface to the Great tribulation: Part One.
Revelation 1:9 reads, “Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter.” In chapter one we have already considered “the things which thou hast seen,” and in chapter’s two and three “the things which are.” In chapters four and five we have read about the first part of “the things which shall be hereafter.” Now the great tribulation unfolds in chapter six of Revelation. It is here in this chapter when the Lord Jesus Christ opens the first seal of the scroll that has seven seals.
How do we arrive at the seven period for the great tribulation? Where in Holy Scriptures do we see that time revealed, inasmuch as the exact words ‘seven years’ are not found anywhere in Scripture? The answer is found in the book of Daniel, to which the book of Revelation is closely bound. A deeper and clearer understanding can be found by reading and interpreting them together.
I. The Book of Daniel’s Seventy Weeks (Daniel 9:24-27).
“24. “Seventy ‘sevens’ are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy. 25. “Know and understand this: from the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven ‘sevens,’ and sixty-two ‘sevens.’ It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble. 26 After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One will be cut off and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and the desolations have been decreed. 27. He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice an d offering. And on a wing of the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.””
Daniel was one of the Jews taken captive to Babylon when the kingdom of Judah fell in approximately 605 B.C.. While studying the book of Jeremiah there, Daniel came across the prophecy that said Israel would return home after seventy years. To know exactly when that would happen, he prayed earnestly to God for revelation. An angel of the Lord appeared unto Daniel and showed him in detail not only the return of Israel to it’s land, but also what would transpire from then until the end of the world. The angel Gabriel came and told Daniel that seventy weeks would be determined upon “thy people,” the people of Judah, and upon the “holy city,” the city of Jerusalem. Since one week in the Bible appears to signify seven years, seventy weeks would equate to four hundred and ninety years.
Therefore, the prophecy meant that four hundred and ninety years would pass, the transgression would be finished, sin would end, reconciliation for iniquity would be made forever, everlasting righteousness would be brought in, all the visions and prophecies would be fulfilled and come to pass, and the most Holy - the Messiah, the Anointed One, our Lord Jesus Christ - would come into this world to redeem the world.
The angel revealed the exact time of Jesus’ entering into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey from the Mount of Olives. The Messiah in verse 25 refers to Jesus the Christ. Gabriel said, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Messiah, would be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks, or a total of sixty-nine weeks. On or about March 14, 445 before Jesus was born, king Artaxerxes of Persia gave an order to restore Jerusalem. As a result, some of the Israelites who had been carried away to Babylon as captives were allowed to return home. On or about April 6, A.D.32, sixty-nine weeks or four hundred and eighty three years after that, Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey, thus, fulfilling the ancient prophecy (this includes leap years).
Many scholars and theologians believe that out of the seventy weeks in Daniel 9:24, sixty-nine have already passed. In verse 27 we have the record of just one week. Again, one week signifies seven years. “He,” mentioned in verse 27, refers to an Emperor out of the Roman Empire who will appear at the end of the world, the anti-Christ. He will confirm the covenant with many Jews for seven years. However, in the middle of that period, after three and one-half years, he will break the covenant, and thus cause the worship of the Jews to cease. The first part of the tribulation will be less severe than the second part.
Now, during the second three and one-half years, the anti-Christ will completely break the covenant with the Jews. He will enter the temple and claim to be king and lord of all. This will be the period of severe tribulation and suffering, but “that determined,” that is God’s wrath, will be poured out upon “the desolate,” the anti-Christ. In Daniel 9:26, there is a prophecy about what would happen during the church age after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. A Roman general named Titus came with his army and destroyed Jerusalem in A.D.70, fulfilling the part of the prophecy saying, “the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary.” At the end of the church age, which has so far lasted over two thousand years, the anti-Christ will appear and begin the great tribulation, bringing out great suffering and despair upon the inhabitants of the earth.
Daniel, chapter 9, has deep theological, social, political, and economical implications. It helps us to see why Biblical scholars conclude the great tribulation will be seven years long. This will be the last period of history in which God exhorts the Jews, His chosen people, to “repent.” As for the Gentiles, it will be a historical period in which they betray Jesus Christ and go through torment and destruction to the end of time as we know it. Let us know look at what transpires during the great tribulation.
II. The Opening of the Seven Seals (6:1-17).
1. I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, “Come and see!” 2. I looked, and there before me was a white horse! It’s rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest. 3. When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come and see.” 4. Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. The rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword. 5. When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard a third living creature say, “Come and see!” I looked and there before me was a black horse! It’s rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. 6. Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, :A quart of wheat for a day’s wages, and three quarts of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and wine!” 7. And when the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come and see!” 8. I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! It’s rider was named Death, and Hell was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine, and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth. 9. When He opened the fifth seal, I saw the altar of the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. 10. They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign God, Holy and True, until You judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” 11. Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed. 12. I watched as He opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made from goat hair, the moon turned blood red. 13. And the stars in the sky fell to earth, as late figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. 14. The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from it’s place. 15. Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 16. They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17. For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”
A. The First Seal and the Man who Rode on the White Horse (6:1-2).
As the Apostle John, who was in the Spirit, watched these future events unfold, Jesus opened the first of the seven seals on the scroll. Then one of the four living creatures, with a voice like thunder, said to John, “Come and see.” In verse 2, John looked and saw “a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given to him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.”
1. The man who rode on the white horse was not Jesus. It is easy to make the mistake of interpreting this figure riding on the white horse to be Jesus coming in His glory. The great tribulation had already begun, however, Jesus was in heaven opening the first seal on the scroll. Therefore, to assume that Jesus was the rider on the white horse going forth conquering, and to conquer does not fit the time sequence laid out in Revelation, nor is it acceptable from a logical point of view. There are several reasons this event must take place at the outset of the tribulation.
First, the church, in Revelation chapter four, has already been carried up into heaven. Jesus works through the church and the Holy Spirit - the church has already gone through the open door of heaven, accompanied by the Holy Spirit. Thus, the age of grace, that is the church age, has ended. Therefore, for us to interpret Revelation 6:2 as saying Jesus appears again, riding on a white horse and preaching the gospel (“conquering, and to conquer”) at the beginning of the tribulation is not chronologically reasonable.
Second, the man on the white horse goes forth conquering with a bow, but Jesus is clearly identified in Revelation 19:15 as fighting with a “sword” that comes from His mouth. As the passage shows, such a weapon is sufficient for our Lord Jesus Christ.
Third, in Revelation 19:12, it says, that on the head of Jesus, the King of kings, were “many crowns.” The man who rides on the white horse wears only one crown.
Fourth, Jesus Christ has already won victory and conquer death and evil, and He will come next to earth to judge the living and the dead. Jesus has no need to fight belatedly, “conquering, and to conquer.” In Revelation 3:21, Jesus said to the Church in Laodicea, “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.”
2. He who rode on the white horse is the anti-Christ. Who then is riding the white horse? None other than the anti-Christ, disguising himself as Jesus Christ, falsely claiming he is the “Messiah” who will bring peace and prosperity to the world. The title, “anti-Christ,” is put on him because he pretends to be Jesus Christ, thus deceiving many nonbelievers and believers who are weak in their faith. For that very purpose he rides a white horse, which symbolizes purity and victory. He wears a crown and carries a bow in his hand to conquer. Thus, the anti-Christ will come as a self-styled messiah, and the whole world will be deceived by him and will exalt and welcome him.
Some theologians and scholars believe that this anti-Christ has already been born, and may have already began his career in the world of academia and politics somewhere in Europe or the Middle East, the remnant of the Roman Empire. They believe he will unite Europe and it’s economic, political, and military powers. If this belief be true, than the day of our going up into heaven may be nearer than we think.
One thing we should be aware of in Revelation 6:2 is that there is no mention of arrows with his bow. The anti-Christ will take possession of the white horse of victory and the crown of glory - the position of a supreme leader - not by means of war, but through his subtle political and diplomatic skills, as well as through his use of trickery and deceit, thus enabling him to put all the countries of the earth under his control.
Additional Supporting Scriptural references for 6:1-2.
Zechariah 6:1-5, “And I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came four chariots out from between tow mountains; and the mountains were mountains of brass. In the first chariot were red horses; and in the second chariot black horses; And in the third chariot white horses; And in the fourth chariot bay horses. Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, What are these, my Lord? And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth.”
Revelation 19:11-13,16, “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. 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. And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and His name is called The Word of God ... And He hath on His vesture and own His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
Revelation 14:14, “And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud One sat like unto the Son of man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle.”
B. The Second Seal and the Red Horse (6:3-4).
When Jesus, the Lamb of God, opened the second seal, John, in verse 4, saw a red horse coming, “and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.” That red horse symbolizes war and blood. A horrible carnage now takes place. Some believe that when Israel attempts to pull down the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem and to rebuild Solomon’s Temple in it’s place, the entire Arab world will launch an all-out offensive against Israel, for this mosque is the second most sacred place for Muslims, second only to Mecca. These theologians and scholars believe this has been foretold in Ezekiel 38:1-23, “1. And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, 2. Son of man, set Thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, 3. And say, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: 4. And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horseman, all of them clothed with all sorts of armor, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords: 5. Persia, Ethiopia, and Lybia with them; all of them with shield and helmet: 6. Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee. 7. Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them. 8. After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but is brought forth out of the nations, and they dwell safely all of them. 9. Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud over the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee. 10. Thus saith the Lord God; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought: 11. And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates, 12. To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to thine hand upon desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land. 13. Seba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? Hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? To carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil? 14. Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say unto Gog, Thus saith the Lord God; In that day when My people of Israel dwelleth safely, shalt thou know it? 15. And thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou, and many people with thee, all of them riding upon horses, a great company, and a mighty army: 16. And thou shalt come against My people Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against My land, that the heathen may know Me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes. 17. Thus saith the Lord God; Art thou He of whom I have spoken in old time by My servants the prophets of Israel, which prophesied in those days many years that I would bring thee against them? 18. And it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, saith the Lord God, that My fury shall come up in My face. 19. For in My jealousy and in the fire of My wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall come a great shaking in the land of Israel; 20. So that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all men that are upon the face of the earth, shall shake at My presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground. 21. And I will call for a sword against him throughout all My mountains, saith the Lord God: every man’s sword shall be against his brother. 22. And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. 23. Thus I will magnify Myself, and sanctify Myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the Lord.” According to prophecy, Israel will be invaded by what is now Russia and the Arab League of Nations like a surge of the sea, but will be soundly defeated, and Israel will then rebuild Solomon’s Temple. Hence, the bloody war that will break out with the opening of the second seal, many believe to be a war between Israel and the Arabs and Russia. Theologians and scholars believe that Israel will rise to be a powerful nation and will cooperate with the united Europe (EEC) for three and one half years. Many believe, also, that the red horse symbolizes the communist countries or dynasties, because of their red colors.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 6:3-4.
Zechariah 6:6-7, “The black horses which are therein go forth into the north country; and the white go forth after them; and the grizzled go forth toward the south. And the bay went forth, and sought to go that they might walk to and fro through the earth: and he said, Get ye hence, walk to and fro through the earth. So they walked to and fro through the earth.”
C. The Third Seal and the Black Horse (6:5-6).
When the third seal was opened, the Apostle John saw a black horse, and it’s rider held a balance (scale) in his hand. This period is a great time of famine and despair. The food shortage is so severe that its sale will be rationed by being weighed in the balance, as in verse 6, “a measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.”
Famine and economic ruin are always the aftermath of war. During the war, resources are consumed by the war effort, as are available workers, and industrial facilities are destroyed.
The rider on the black horse is forbidden, however, to harm the cooking oil and wine. Why? It is believed olive oil and wine are precious commodities, things used for sacrifices to God. Apart from these commodities, there will be a dreadful famine and economic, social, and political devastations.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 6:5-6.
Revelation 9:12, “One woe is past; behold, there come two woes more hereafter.”
D. The Fourth Seal and the Pale Horse (6:7-8).
The mere mention of the horse’s color should make us shudder. Its rider’s name is Death. “Hades,” or hell, means in this case a public cemetery. The war will be so vast and devastating that it will take many lives, to many to number, and the famine and the epidemics that follow will take even more lives.
In Matthew 24:7-8, our Lord Jesus Christ said, “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.” In Revelation 6:7b, we read, “And power was given unto them [Death and Hell] over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.”
Since the world is now over 5 billion plus people, one-fourth of that number is 1.25 billion plus people. During the first three and one-half years of the great tribulation, more than one billion people will die on the account of war and it’s aftermath, and they will be buried in public mass graves, or public cemeteries. The present population of China is one billion plus, so imagine if you will, what a huge number that is, and what terrible devastation the pale horse and rider signify.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 6:7-8.
Ezeckiel 14:21, “For thus saith the Lord God; How much more when I send My four sore judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beasts, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beasts.”
Leviticus 26:22, “I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in number; and your high ways shall be desolate.”
E. The Fifth Seal and the Martyrs (6:9-11).
In verse 9, the “souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held” are the people who become martyrs during the first three and one-half years of the great tribulation. They are said to be “under the altar.” Since the altar is the place where sacrifices are offered, they are there as a sacrifice offered to God Almighty. They weep bitterly and plead to God that He will take revenge quickly upon their wicked oppressors. If these martyred souls had earlier believed in our Lord Jesus Christ, they would have been brought up into heaven and spared their ordeal. How much better for them it would have been!
But Jesus gives them white robes, as He promised, to comfort them. In verse 11, Jesus tells them they should rest yet for a while until their “fellow servants” and “their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.”
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 6:9-11.
Revelation 8:3, “And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.”
Revelation 20:4, “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 worshiped the beasts, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and the lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.”
2 Timothy 1:7-9, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God. Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.”
Hebrews 11:39,40, “And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.”
F. The Sixth Seal and the Disasters in Nature (6:12-17).
As soon as the sixth seal is opened, dreadful and fearful things will happen on the earth and in heaven. A great earthquake will take place, the sky will darken pitch black with volcanic ash, and the moon will become red due to the ash and dust, as seen in verse 12. In verse 13, so severe will the earthquake be, that every mountain and every island will be moved out of it’s place, and the stars will fall from out of the sky. In verse 14, the sky will be rolled up together liked a scroll.
When this phenomena occurs, everyone from kings to slaves will hide themselves in the caves and the rocks of the mountains. And as written in verses 16-17, they will cry out to those 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?” In spite of such horrific happenings, those people still do not repent before God Almighty, but rather foolishly pray and call out to the rocks and stones of the mountains. God wishes to deliver them, if only they would repent. What a heartbreaking scene of events this will be!
Six seals have now been opened. Between the sixth seal and the seventh seal, a parenthetical (episodic; collective) scene appears, and we see God now sealing those ‘preachers of the gospel’ who delivered the remaining people on the earth during the first half of the great tribulation.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 6:12-17.
Revelation 16:18, “And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.”
Joel 2:10, “The earth shall shake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.”
Matthew 24:29, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven shall be shaken.”
Acts 2:20, “The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come.”
Jeremiah 3:23, “Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains: truly in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel.”
Jeremiah 4:24, “I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly.”
Isaiah 2:19, “And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the Lord,and for the glory of His majesty, when He ariseth to shake terribly the earth.”
Isaiah 13:6, “Howl ye; for the day of the Lord is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.”
Zephaniah 1:14, “The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the Lord: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.”
Psalm 76:7,8, “Thou, even Thou, art to be feared: and who may stand in Thy sight when once Thou art angry? Thou didst cause judgment to be heard form heaven; and the earth feared, and was still.”
Reflective points:
1. Revelation reminds us that Who God is cannot be constructed or put in a box, or be defined by human understanding. Revelation leaves us with issues theodicy, that is reconciling the existence of evil with the existence of goodness and the sovereignty of God. This is revealed in Isaiah 45:7, “I form light and create darkness, I make weal (prosperity and wealth) and create woe; I the Lord do all things.” God is not restricted. He is the creator of all things. As we read further, we see that chapter 6 and the following chapters of Revelation starkly contrast the optimism which is generated in the previous chapters. In chapter 10:10, the Apostle John is instructed to eat the scroll containing writings of lamentations and mourning and woe, “And I took the little scroll out of the angels hand, and I ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter,” as was the case for the prophet Ezekiel in Ezekiel 2:10-3:1, “And he spread it before me; and it was written within and without: and there was written therein lamentations and mourning, and woes. And he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel.” St. Augustine stated that evil is the absence of good. Does this mean that where God is not, evil is? I believe that in order for evil to triumph, godliness need only to be void. Therefore, if this be true, in order to rid our lives of evil, we must then fill our lives with godliness and righteousness. Good and evil are unable to co-exist in the same plane or sphere, for they are forces which are in constant opposition of one another, as is light and darkness, hot and cold, and so on. Once mingled, and diluted from their pure and natural state they become lukewarm and unproductive. Therefore, the only thing necessary for evil to be triumphant over good, is for the men and women of God to do nothing, to be indifferent and lukewarm.
2. As readers of the this eschatological drama we are offered a preview of the end of the old and the beginning of the new. In the midst of speculation, trials, and tribulations we anxiously await the coming climax. As humans, God’s creation, all we can do is watch, wait, witness, and overcome, Mark 13:13,31-33, “And ye shall be hated of all men for My name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved ... Heaven and earth shall pass away: but My words shall not pass away. But that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.” Paul criticized the Corinthians for living as if the kingdom of God had already come. Many church scholars and theologians, in an effort to grow their church numbers and to reap great economic benefits, even today practice this false religion. Holy Scripture teaches us that the present time is a time of waiting, struggle, overcoming, and anticipation. The church calender from Advent to Easter, unto Pentecost reinforces this teaching, Romans 8:18, “For I reckon the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Human existence is between times: that of old and that which is to come.
3. The intent of apocalypse is the provocation of crisis, and the manifestation of vindication and justice. Though the anticipated outcome by those who seek vindication is one filled with hope and joy, the fear and terror which is realized, by those who await, is overwhelming. This critical moment evokes prophetic messages of God’s wrath and judgment which will come swiftly upon those people who are disobedient to the sacred covenant. Revelation gives insight into the final battle between Satan, the devil, the anti-Christ, the beast, the false prophet, and their followers, all those who have reeked havoc, injustice, suffering, deceit, through their evil self-centeredness upon the inhabitants of the earth, thus, distorting and victimizing the whole of creation; and, between Jesus Christ and His saints who represent the redeemed and the forces of godliness and righteousness. In this story good does overwhelmingly conquer and destroy evil for all eternity, and all will rejoice when vindication has been fulfilled.
Chapter Six Study Questions.
1. How does the prophecy in Daniel 9 correspond with the book of Revelation?
2. Who, or What do each of the Four Horses and Horsemen represent? The White Horse and his rider? The Red Horse and his rider? The Black Horse and his rider? The Pale Horse and his rider?
3. What is revealed by the opening of the Fifth Seal?
4. Who are the Martyrs in verse 9? How, or Why is that significant today?
5. What occurs with the opening of the Sixth Seal in verses 12 and 13 (Mark 13)?
6. Who is able to stand the wrath of God’s judgment? How?
7. Of all the seals which have been opened to this point, which One has the greatest impact upon
you? Why?
8. How does this chapter affect your view of ‘The End of Times’ and ‘The Coming Day of Judgment? Explain!
9. What persecutions and oppressions have you endured because of your faithfulness to God’s
Word and Will in your live journey of Faith (Matthew 5:2-12)? By whom? How did you overcome them? Share your experiences!
Chapter 7.
The Sealing of Israel and the Gentiles.
III. Parenthetic: The Sealing of God’s Servants (7:1-17).
“1. After this I saw four angels standing at four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or the sea or on any tree. 2. Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: 3. “Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of God.” 4. Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel. 5. From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000, 6. From the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000, 7. From the tribe of Simeon 12,000, from the tribe of Levi 12,000, from the tribe of Issachar 12,000, 8. From the tribe of Zebulun 12,000, from the tribe of Joseph 12,000, from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000. 9. After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, Who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” 11. All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and around the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God. 12. Saying:”Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!” 13. Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes - who are they, and where did they come from?” 14. I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation, they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” 15. Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve Him day and night in His temple; and He Who sits on the throne will spread His tent over them. 16. Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. 17. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their Shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.””
A. The Angels Holding the Winds of the Earth (7:1).
In Revelation 7:1 the Apostle John 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 the sea, nor any tree.” The wind signifies war, and in, verses 2 and 3, God commanded the angels given authority to make war to suspend it until all the ministers and preachers of the gospel are sealed on their foreheads. The visible sealing mention here is not the same as the invisible sealing of the Holy Spirit. Our being drawn into faith in Jesus Christ and unto salvation is done by the invisible sealing of the Holy Spirit upon our souls. However, in the day, God will seal the foreheads of His faithful servants visibly for everyone to see. Also in those latter days the devil will seal those who follow the anti-Christ with the number ‘666' on their foreheads or hands.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 7:1.
Psalm 34:7, “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them.”
Hebrews 1:14, “Being made so much better than angels, as hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.”
Daniel 7:2, “Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.”
Revelation 9:4, “And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, either any green thing, neither any tree, but only those which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.”
B. The Preachers of the Gospel Sealed During the Great Tribulation (7:2-8).
Thus, the sealing of God’s servants begins as an angel ascends from the rising of the sun and begins sealing the faithful of the Most Holy God. The sun symbolizes Jesus Christ. Accordingly, the verse says the angel comes from the throne of Jesus in obedience to His order.
1. Those who are sealed at this time are all Jews. Those sealed are the preachers and prophesiers of the gospel who will deliver the remnants of God during the first half of the tribulation. Furthermore, verses 4-8 reveal to us that they are all Jews -144,000 out of every tribe of the sons of Israel.
Why was the tribe of Dan omitted and the tribe of Manasseh included in it’s place instead? There is a definite reason for this. 1 Kings 12:25-33 describes how idolatry was committed in the northern kingdom of Israel, “Then Jeroboam built Shechem in mount Ephraim, and dwelt therein; and went out form thence,and built Penuel. And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David: If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah. Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And he set the one in Beth-el, and put the other in Dan. And this thing became a sin: for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan. And he made a house of high places, and made priest of the lowest of people, which were not of the sons of Levi. And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, like unto the feast that is in Judah, and he offered upon the altar. So did he in Beth-el, sacrificing unto the calves that he had made: and he place in Beth-el the priest of the high places which he had made. So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Beth-el the fifteenth day of the eighth month, even in the month in which he had devised in his own heart; and ordained a feast unto the children of Israel: and he offered upon the altar, and burnt incense.” Jeroboam, Israel’s first king, made these two golden calves and set them up in both the land of Ephraim and the land of Dan, and both tribes worshiped them in defiance of God’s will. God said earlier that He would blot out the names of those who served other gods from under heaven in Deuteronomy 29:12-21, “That thou shouldest enter into covenant with the Lord thy God, and into His oath, which thy Lord God maketh with thee this day: That He may establish thee to-day for a people unto Himself, and that He may be unto thee a God, as He hath said unto thee, and as He hath sworn unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. Neither with you only do I make this covenant and the oath; But with him that standeth here with us this day before the Lord our God, and also with him that is not here with us this day: (For we know how we have dwelt in the land of Egypt; and how we came through the nations which ye passed by; And ye have seen their abominations, and their idols, wood and stone, silver and gold, which were among them:) Lets there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the Lord our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood; And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, and he blessed himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst: The Lord will not spare him, but then the anger of the Lord and His jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lis upon him, and the Lord shall blot out his name from under heaven. And the Lord shall separate him unto evil out of the tribes of Israel, according to all curses of the covenant that are written in this book of the law.” Therefore, the name of the Tribe of Dan was blotted out and omitted from the list of the twelve tribes of Israel and replaced by the tribe of Manasseh, who was the firstborn of Joseph.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 7:2-8.
Revelation 6:6, “And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou heart not the oil and the wine.”
Ezekiel 9:4, “And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.”
Ephesians 4:30, “And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are seated unto the day of redemption.”
2 Timothy 2:19, “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
Revelation 22:4, “And they shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads.”
Revelation 9:16, “And the number of the army was of the horseman were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.”
Isaiah 4:2,3, “In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious, be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel. And it shall come to pass, that He that it left in Zion, and He that is left in Jerusalem shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem.”
Revelation 14:1, “And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on mount Sion, and with Him a hundred and forty four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads.”
2. The Wrong Interpretation about the Number 144,000. Today, as in years past, there are many heretics which deceive people by misusing the number 144,000. An example, Jehovah’s Witnesses maintain that only 144,000 people will go to heaven, all others are condemned. If that were true, that number would already be filled, thus leaving the rest of us without hope, and therefore diminishing the gospel message of Jesus Christ and His reason for living, dying, and for His resurrection. Others have said that when the number reaches 144,000 the end of the world will come. As you can see, this too is a misinterpretation of Scripture.
3. The 144,000: The Servants Who will Glean the Remaining Souls. It is believed that the 144,000 are the Jewish servants of God who will glean (collect, reap) the remaining souls in the first half of the great tribulation. Why does God choose them for that purpose? Those who preached the gospel first were Jews. Those who recorded the Bible were Jews. It is only right that our Lord Jesus Christ would again utilize His chosen people as those who would complete His kingdom. It is believed that these 144,000 Jews are the seven thousand people that God preserved during the time of Elijah, for they did not bow their knees to Baal, but stayed true to their faith in God to the very end. The ‘end-time Jews’ will have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and will enter into salvation. God will seal them for His use as preachers and prophesiers of the gospel, and they will they will go unto all nations preaching the gospel during the first half of the tribulation.
C. A Great Multitude of People Who will be Saved (7:9-14).
The 144,000 Jewish preachers will present the gospel so diligently, even sacrificing their lives, that people who are saved out of all nations can not be numbered. As the Apostle John saw them in verse 9, they “stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands.” One of the elders said to John in verse 14, “There are they which came out of the great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Their robes of white are proof that they are washed clean of sin by the precious blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. The palm branches that they hold are tokens showing that they overcame the anti-Christ during the great tribulation. However, the martyrs, as we read in Revelation chapter 6, were lying flat under the altar of God. Therefore, this great multitude of people standing around the throne of God did not pass through martyrdom. The important point for us is that those who rely on the precious blood of Jesus will be saved even in the midst of the tribulation. Therefore, we must heed Jesus’ commandments to profess Him before all humanity, and to go into all the world bearing witness of Him diligently, professing the gospel message of salvation and baptizing those who will hear into the body of Jesus Christ. Even if people do not believe now, they may believe when they are exhorted by the 144,000 preachers of the gospel, go to heaven. Yes, the time is at hand. Do not be discouraged if people do not choose to believe, for many turned away from Jesus Himself. We must just sow the seed of salvation among all who will hear. Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit of God will cause that seed to grow, and many will be saved even after He comes for His Bride, the Church.
Additional supporting Scriptural references 7:9-14.
Genesis 12:3, “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curseth thee: and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed.”
Genesis 22:17, “That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of His enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed My voice.”
Genesis 49:10, “The sceptre shall depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering be.”
Isaiah 2:2,3, “And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord form Jerusalem.”
Isaiah 43:5,6, “Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring My sons from afar, and My daughters from the ends of the earth.”
Romans 11:25-28, “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is My covenant with them, when I shall take away their sins. As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the Father’s sakes. ”
Revelation 5:9,10, “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”
Revelation 3:5, “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels.”
Psalm 3:8, “Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: Thy blessing is upon Thy people. Selah.”
Isaiah 43:11, “I, even I, am the Lord; and besides Me there is no Savior.”
Jeremiah 3:23, “Truly in vain is salvation hoped for in the hills, and from the multitude of mountains: truly in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel.”
Hosea 13:4, “Yet I am the Lord thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but Me: for there is no savior besides Me.”
Revelation 5:13, “And every creature which is in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.”
Revelation 4:6, “And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.”
Acts 14:22, “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter the kingdom of God.”
Isaiah 1:18-20, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.”
Hebrews 9:14, “How much more shall the blood of Christ, Who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”
1 John 1:5-9, “This then is the message which we have heard of Him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive is our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Revelation 1:5, “And from Jesus Christ, Who is the Faithful Witness, and the First Begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, And hath made us kings, and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”
D. What is Implied by the Great Multitude Who are Saved. (7:15-17).
It is believed that the people who go to heaven belatedly do not sit on the throne. They stand before it and give praise to God, waving palm branches in their hands. They do not wear crowns, nor do they receive rewards, because they did not believe earlier according to faith. The saints who were already saved, however, receive golden crowns as their rewards. In verse 15, when God dwells among the saints of the great tribulation, they hunger no more, neither do they thirst anymore, neither shall the sunlight beat upon them, nor any scorching heat come upon them. Because those people went through so much suffering, hunger, and thirst God will not make them suffer any longer. From verse 17, we can only imagine how much pain and suffering they will have to endure form the anti-Christ: “For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, ,and shall lead them unto living fountains of water: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” These are wonderful words of love, grace, and comfort to all those who overcome the great tribulation.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 7:15-17.
Isaiah 4:5,6, “And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defense. And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and rain.”
Isaiah 49:10, “They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat not the sun smite them: fo He that hath mercy upon them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall He guide them.”
Psalm 121:5,6, “The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.”
Psalm 23:1, “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.”
Psalm 36:7-10, “How excellent is Thy loving kindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Thy wing. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of Thy house; and Thou shalt make them drink of the river of Thy pleasures. For with Thee is the fountain of life: in Thy light shall we see light.”
John 10:11, “I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.”
Isaiah 25:8, “He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces; and the rebuke of His people shall He take away from all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it.”
Isaiah 35:10, “And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and ever lasting joy upon their heads: and they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow ans sighing shall flee away.”
Reflective points:
1. The image of the washing (verses, being washed) of the robes in the blood of the slain Lamb, affirms God’s active participation rather than His passive participation in the saving work of the great multitudes. As will be reaffirmed in chapter 11 of Revelation, we see that the task of faithful witness, which is epitomized by Jesus Christ, is the call and vocation of all who are called by God and who accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. We are called to pick up our cross and follow Jesus, drinking from the cup which He drinks. What does this mean? In Colossians 1:18-24, the Apostle Paul describes the apostolic task and call, “And He is the head of the body, the church: Who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled. In the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and blameless and un-reprovable (uncensored; without fault) in His sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made minister; Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for His body’s sake, which is the church.” Paul addresses the sharing of the divine economy, and the apostolic as being God’s co-workers here on earth in 1 Corinthians 3:8,9, “Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are laborers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” There are no guarantees of spiritual, physical, or emotional well-being for God’s servants here on earth. We are called out to fulfill God’s mission to love God and to love one another in the midst of chaos, crisis, tribulation, and suffering. This is our cross to bear, and the cup from which we, too, are to drink from. The rewards are great and everlasting. We are not alone, for our Lord Jesus Christ continues to abide in us and suffer with us in our journey, 2 Corinthians 4:10, “Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.” Jesus warns us that when we pick up our cross and follow Him there will be consequences here on earth, John 16:2,3, “They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor Me.” We are not to be surprised if we become the victims or focus of injustice and slanderous behaviors. Our Lord Jesus Christ was persecuted, slandered, and crucified, and He was the Son of God.
2. For those who are obedient and faithful to the Lamb, the graciousness and love of God Almighty is revealed in Revelation 7:16,17, “They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light upon them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” God’s promise is true and He is faithful to His people. To love God and to love others is to be engaged with them in daily dialogue and action, as God is with His creation. In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus Christ makes clear what our cross is and how we are to engage humanity. There are rewards and blessings for our actions, and consequences for our inactions, “The Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory: And before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth His sheep from the goats: And He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say to them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungered, and ye gave Me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink: I was a stranger and ye took Me in: Naked, and ye clothed Me: I was sick, and ye visited Me: I was in prison, and ye came unto Me. Then shall the righteous answer Him, saying, Lord, when saw we Thee an hungered, and fed Thee? Or thirsty, and gave Thee drink? When saw we Thee a stranger, and took Thee in? Or naked, clothed Thee? Or when saw we Thee sick, or in prison, and came unto Thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me. Then shall He say to them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungered, and ye gave Me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took Me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. The shall they also answer Him, saying, Lord, when saw we Thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto Thee? Then shall He answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did not do it to one of the least of these, ye did it not to Me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” To be engaged requires us to be actively involved in the ministry of Jesus Christ. As servants of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we are commanded to reach out to those who are the least in society - the oppressed and persecuted, the hungry and thirsty, the homeless, the naked, the sick and afflicted, the poor, and the meek. Discipleship is not received freely. Discipleship comes with a price and with a conviction to persevere and overcome. Jesus seeks those who are willing to forsake all for His sake and to go forth faithfully preaching, teaching and sharing the gospel message of salvation. This requires us to become engaged in the world we live, yet not submitting to the ways of the world. As Christ’s own, we are citizens of the Kingdom of God, called to evangelize and colonize the world for the sake of Jesus Christ. Though we live in the world, when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and are baptized into His Kingdom, we are no longer of the world.
3. Christian inclusiveness does not include compromising Biblical values and virtues in order to be better liked, revered, and accepted by the world. Christ died upon the cross for the forgiveness of a sinful and decadent world. To compromise our faith, our Biblical values, and our Biblical teachings in order to please the world, a world who chooses to practice the values and virtues of the beast, the false prophet, and Satan is an abomination and is blasphemy. Witnessing against the triune evil, and refusing to compromise Holy Scripture and It’s teachings, espouses the way of the Lamb of God, John 15:7-14, “If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples. As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you: continue ye in My love. If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love. These things have I spoken un to you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is My commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” Our proclamation and witness of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior are to be done boldly inside and outside the church, privately and publicly, and compassionately and lovingly. All the saints, inclusive of faithful and obedient Jews and Gentiles alike, are to live their lives in accordance to the will of God. Jesus says in Matthew 7:21, “ Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.” Merely professing is not enough. We are called as a people of God to action, to service, to discipleship, and we shall be judged as such, John 15:6, “If a man abide not in Me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered, and men shall gather them, and cast them in to the fire, and they are burned.”
Chapter Seven Study Questions.
1. Are the Events and Works of the Four Angels new “Woes” or are they restatements of the events in chapter 6?
2. What is the message of the Fifth Angel in verse 3? Who is sealed? When does this occur? What does it signify (Genesis 4:15; Ezekiel 9:4-6; Ephesians 1:13,14)?
3. Is the 144,000 a number, a statistic, or what? Why (Revelation 7:9; 14:1-5)?
4. What kind of Seal has God placed on you and all faithful believers as protection in your life? How is this Seal evident to others (Christians, and non-Christians)?
5. Is the 144,000 the same group in Revelation 7:14? Who are they?
6. What qualifies this group (the 144,000) to stand before God? What is their new role? What is their future?
7. Is the Great Tribulation a particular event or a general experience? Why? Explain!
8. What persecutions and tribulations have you endured and overcome your life journey and in your walk of Faith? How has God’ grace seen you through them?
Chapter 8.
The Opening of the Seventh Seal: Seven Trumpets.
IV. The Seventh Seal and the Trumpets of Seven Angels: Part 1 (8:1-13).
1. When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2. And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. 3.Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. 4. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel’s hand. 5. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with the fire from the altar, and hurled it into the earth, and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightening and an earthquake. 6. The seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to sound them. 7. The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hell mixed with fire and blood, and it was hurled down upon the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up. 8. The second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned into blood. 9. A third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed. 10. The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water - 11. the name of the star was Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that became bitter. 12. The fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun was smitten, and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them turned dark. A third of the day was without light, and also a third of the night. 13. As I watched, I heard an eagle that was flying in midair call out in a loud voice: “Woe! Woe! Woe! To the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blast about to be sounded by the other three angels!”
There are many symbols in the book of Revelation. The reason behind that, is that the Apostle John was unable to explain much of what he saw through his own experience and words, for what he was seeing was to take place in the future, even thousands of years into the future. For this reason, in order to understand the Book of Revelation, we must make a thorough study of the meaning of John’s symbolism. Bear in mind that most of the words are recorded in symbolic terms.
A. The Seventh Seal (8:1-2).
In the eighth chapter of Revelation the seventh seal is opened, followed immediately by seven trumpets. When the seventh trumpet sounds, seven bowls are introduced. This event is like a fire-work that goes off with a loud bang, and breaks into seven smaller fire-works; when the seventh of the smaller fire-works goes off, it explodes into still smaller explosive sparks. The first fire-work which erupts, can be compared to the seventh seal; the seven smaller eruptions which emanate from it are the seven trumpets; and the erupting sparks emanating from the small fire-works are the seven bowls. For someone who has served in the military, these sequences of connected events would be viewed as a ‘cluster bomb phenomenon.’ This should help us understand the coming sequence of events and their connection to one another.
There is important meaning in the statement found in verse 1, “There was silence in heaven about the space of a half hour.” Even while God executes judgment, He still wants humanity to repent, and to be gleaned into salvation, to receive eternal life, to be freed from the snare of death, evil, and Satan. That is why God waits silently for a short period of a half hour. This time is a chance for the wicked and nonbelievers to repent, and to receive God’s mercy, thus, avoiding God’s wrath and judgment that will begin with the opening of the seventh seal. Moreover, this silence of a half hour is meant to be a forewarning of a greater judgment that is coming, a sort of calm before the great storm.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 8:1-2.
Revelation 6:1, “And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.”
Matthew 18:10, “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of My Father which is in heaven.”
Luke 1:19, “And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.”
2 Chronicles 29:25-28, “And he set the Levites in the house of the Lord with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of Gad the king’s seer, and Nathan the prophet: for so was the commandment of the Lord by His prophets. And the Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets. And Hezekiah commanded to offer burnt offering upon the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song of the Lord began also with the trumpets, and with the instruments ordained by David king of Israel. And all the congregation worshiped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded: and all this continued until the burnt offering was finished.”
B. An Angel Having a Golden Censer (8:3-5).
After the silence of a half hour, seven angels stand, with each one holding a trumpet. One angel comes with a golden censer full of incense and offers the incense on the altar of God. This is the holy of holies. In the Old Testament times Solomon’s Temple contained the holy place, and behind the curtain, the holy of holies was located, a place where only the high priest could enter, but once a year with the blood sacrifice offering for the sins of the people. This is where God dwells.
The Apostle John saw there an angel who was about to offer incense. Who was this angel? Since the angels do not have the priesthood, none of them can become high priest. The priesthood was reserved for Aaron and his descendants. There is another person, however, who has become a priest form the order of Melchisedec. He is Jesus Christ, our High Priest, Hebrews 7:20-22, “An inasmuch as not without an oath He was made Priest: (For those priests were made without oath; but this with an oath by Him that said unto Him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:) By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.” Therefore it is Jesus who offers the incense from the golden censer on the altar of God. In verses 3-4 we are told, Jesus as our Intercessory, offered the incense He received with the prayers of the saints. As our High Priest, Jesus still carries out the work of receiving prayers of the saints and offering them on the altar of God. The prayers of the saints turn into incense and are put into the golden censer, and it ascends before the throne of God. Hearing those prayers of the saints offered by Jesus, the Lamb of God, God responds by drawing repentant unsaved ones to Himself.
The next scene shows that the angel took the censer, filled with fire from the altar and hurled it into the earth, followed by peals of thunderings, rumblings, flashes of lightnings, and an earthquake. This means that Jesus as our Christ, receives our prayers, as our High Priest prays for us, then offers them to God the Father, then His answers comes down from heaven and are fulfilled in our lives.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 8:3-5.
Acts 7:30, “And when the forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel in a flame of fire in a bush.”
Ephesians 5:2, “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor.”
Revelation 5:8, “And when He had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.”
Exodus 30:1, “And thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon: of shittim wood shalt thy make it.”
Psalm 141:2, “Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as incense: and the lifting up of my hands as evening sacrifice.”
Revelation 16:18, “And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.”
2 Samuel 22:8, “Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because He was wroth.”
C. The Trumpet of the First Angel (8:6-7).
Then the seventh seal is opened, the first angel sounds the trumpet. This unfolds in the first half of the great tribulation period. With the sound of the trumpet, “there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all the green grass was burnt up.” What does this all mean? Remember that the Apostle John wrote in this manner, because during his time period there were no modern weapons - weapons such as bow, spears, and cattle-pulls were all John had been familiar with. However, we can speculate, given the weapons of today, that John was probably describing something that resembled the catastrophic effects of a hydrogen bomb, or greater. Such a weapon can devastate a wide area, burning trees and grasses in it’s way. When the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan, in August 1945, there was a sudden downpour of devastating hail. That occurred as a result of the air heated by the explosion went up with the vapor, and as it cooled in the high altitude of the atmosphere, it turned into hail and fell back to earth in the form of a massive hail shower. There was, of course, massive death and blood mingled devastation. To John the Apostle, the explosion of numerous nuclear bombs might have well looked like “hail and fire mingled with blood.” Many scholars and theologians have concluded that this Scripture shows that a devastating nuclear was will occur during the first half of the tribulation. Therefore, God will judge this world through the utilization of our own human hands. At present, first, second, and third world countries are aggressively seeking, manufacturing, and stockpiling massive amounts of nuclear weapons. The threat today is greater and more unstable and dangerous than ever in human history. The day will come in the near future when radical extremist will unleash these weapons of mass destruction upon the nations of the earth, causing carnage and devastation as never experience by humanity since the beginning of time. We must not be naive, but must always remember that humankind has never made a weapon it has not used willingly upon humankind and creation. Today, enough weaponry exist in the arsenals of the nations of the earth to destroy the earth several times over. When these weaponry’s are unleashed upon the face of creation, the unimaginable will occur, as prophesied herein. One quarter of the worlds population and one third of it’s resources will be destroy in a single moment, thus causing food shortages, and famine. Moreover, the destruction of the 3rd part of the trees will greatly damage the air quality, since trees themselves contribute to the air quality by turning carbon into oxygen, which we as humans breathe. Such miserable devastation and schemes will occur with the sounding of the first trumpet.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 8:6-7.
Ezekiel 38:22, “And I will plead against him with pestilence and blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone.”
Revelation 16:2, “And the first went and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshiped his image.”
Isaiah 2:12-17, “For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low: And upon all the cedars of Lebanon, that are high and lifted up, and upon all the oaks of Bashan, And upon all the high mountains, and upon all the hills that are lifted up, And upon every high tower, and upon every fenced wall, And upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures. And the loftiness of man shall bow down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.”
D. The trumpet of the Second Angel (8:8-9).
When the second angel sounds the trumpet, something like a “great mountain” all ablaze is thrown into the sea. Many say that this prophecy may relate to something, a secret unmanned space vehicle, which the United States and Russia are secretly developing, called the “space bus.” This device, loaded with atomic and hydrogen warheads, is to be placed into the earth’s orbit. When the button is pressed here on earth by human hands, the bus explodes, and it is designed to fall to earth like a burning volcano, splitting into several thousand pieces (like a cluster bomb), unleashing nuclear devastation into the atmosphere of, and upon the face of the earth. This catastrophe will turn nations into seas of flames and barren waste. When the second angel sounds the trumpet, a third of the living creatures in the sea will die, and a third of the ships will be destroyed. From the Scripture we able to reflect upon the previous statement of events and to imagine the consequences thereof.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 8:8-9.
Ezekiel 14:19, “Or if I send a pestilence into that land, and pour My fury upon it in blood, to cut off from it man and beast.”
E. The Trumpet of the Third Angel (8:10-11).
When the third angel sounded the trumpet, “there fell a great star from heaven, burning as if were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the springs of waters; And the name of the star was Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.” The Apostle John thought it was a great star that fell from the heavens, but some theologians and scholars have concluded that it was the vision of a large biological bomb, which caused the waters of the earth to become polluted, and everyone who drank of the water died from poisoning. This, too, will happen in the first half of the great tribulation.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 8:10-11.
Exodus 15:23, “And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah (‘bitterness’).”
Jeremiah 9:15, “Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts, The God of Israel; Behold, I will feed them, even this people, with wormwood, and give them of water of gall (‘a bitter fluid secreted by the liver or bile’) to drink.”
Jeremiah 23:15, “Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts concerning the prophets; Behold, I will feed them wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth in to all the land.”
F. The Trumpet of the Fourth Angel (8:12).
When the fourth 4th angel sounded the trumpet, a third of the sun, of the moon, and of the stars are darkened. A third of the day and of the night were without light. How could this happen? If this prophecy is truly regarding a nuclear holocaust, and it come to be, thus burning up a third of all the earths trees, destroying a third of the ships on the seas, and a third of the rivers and springs; then the dust fallout arising from the explosions would sweep over the face of the earth, and the earth would become darkened as if a solar eclipse of the sun, moon, and stars were taking place all at once. Causally, this could be perceived to be a scientifically natural phenomenon. An example of such phenomenon on a minor scale would be when a volcano burst into an eruption, the sky gets dark even in the day time, limiting the exposure of the sun, and limiting the exposure of the moon and stars at night.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 8:12.
Isaiah 13:10, “For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in His going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.”
Amos 8:9, “And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord God, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day.”
G. The Warning of an Angel (8:13).
Before the 5th angel sounded the trumpet, another angel flew in the midst of the sky, crying out, “Woe! Woe! Woe!” This was a warning about the final three trumpets of the remaining three angels; that is, the three upcoming dreadful and devastating judgments.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 8:13.
Revelation 14:6, “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.”
Revelation 19:17, “And I saw a angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God.”
Revelation 9:12, “One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter.”
Revelation 11:14, “The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.”
Reflective points:
1. With the opening of the seventh seal, there is silence in heaven. Silence and reflection are appropriate at this time amid the violent uproar and commotion which is about to take place. God’s wrath and judgment are about to be unleashed in a manner which has never been seen by humanity since the beginning of time. This pause is an appropriate warning and prepares us for such a darkening horror. Revealed in these sequence of seals and trumpets there emerges scenes which are more nightmarish than any dreams we could comprehend or envision. The Apostle John’s vision or dream is the reality of God’s wrath and judgment upon a humanity which has turn away from Him and rejected Him and His beloved Christ. It is a wrath and judgment upon those who have willfully chosen to worship the beast, the dragon, and the false prophet and who have persecuted God’s people.
Chapter Eight Study Questions.
1. Amid the opening of the Seventh Seal and the sounding of the Seven Trumpets, why is there
silence?
2. What is a Censer? Herein, what is it’s function?
3. What do Altars and Incense teach us about Prayer and Worship (Revelation 8:3-5; 5:8; 6:9,10;
9:13)?
4. What Events follow the Sounding of the First Four Trumpets? What do they signify? Life or
death? Triumph or doom? or, What?
5. How do these Trumpeted Events parallel with the opening of the First Six Seals?
6. When the First Angel sounds his Trumpet what happens? What is the impact of such an event
on creation?
7. When the Second Angel sounds his Trumpet what happens? What is the impact of such an event upon creation?
8. When the Third Angel sounds his Trumpet what happens? What is the significance to creation of such an event?
9. When the Fourth Angel sounds his Trumpet what happens? What is the impact upon creation of such an event?
10. What is the significance of the Warning given by the Angel in verse 13 before the sounding of
the Fourth Trumpet? Why are the pending three Angel’s trumpet blasts to be feared so? What catastrophic series of events are about to take place? Explain!
Chapter 9.
Locusts from the Abyss: Lion-headed Horses.
IV. The Seventh Seal and the Trumpet of Seven Angels: Part II. (9:1-21).
“1. The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the heaven unto the earth. The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss (‘the bottomless pit’). 2. When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and the sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss. 3. And out of the smoke locust came down upon the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth. 4. They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or any tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. 5. They were not given power to kill them, but only to torture them for five months. And the agony they suffered was like that of the sting of a scorpion when it strikes a man. 6. During those days men will seek death, but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them. 7. The locusts looked like horses prepared for battle. On their heads they wore something like crowns of gold, and their faces resembled human faces. 8. Their hair was like woman’s hair, and their teeth were as lion’s teeth. 9. They had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the thundering of many horses and chariots rushing into battle. 10. They had tails and stings like scorpions, and in their tails they had the power to torment people for five months. 11. They had as king over them the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek, Apollyon. 12.The first woe is past; two other woes are yet to come. 13. The sixth angel sounded his trumpet, and I heard a voice coming from the horns of the golden altar that is before God. 14. It said to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” 15. And the four angels who had been kept ready for this hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind. 16. The number of the mounted troops was two hundred million. I heard their number. 17. The horses and the riders I saw in my vision looked like this: Their breastplates were fiery red, dark blue, and yellow as sulfur. The heads of the horses resembled heads of lions, and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and sulfur. 18. A third of mankind was killed by three plagues of fire, smoke, and sulfur that came out of their mouths. 19. The power of the horses was in their mouths, and in their tails; for their tails were like snakes, having heads with which to inflict injury. 20. The rest of mankind which was not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the works of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood - idols that cannot see or hear or walk. 21. Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, or their sexual immorality or their thefts.”
A. The Trumpet of the Fifth Angel (9:1-11).
When the fifth angel sounded the trumpet, the Apostle John saw a star fall onto the earth. That falling star was Lucifer, or Satan. It is written in Isaiah 14:12, “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!”
Satan was given the key of the bottomless pit, the Abyss, where evil spirits are imprisoned. When Jesus cast out demons, they begged Him not to command them to depart into the Abyss (Luke 8:31, “And they besought Him that He would command them to go out into the deep.”). However, God put those there who attempted to lift themselves up to the throne of God, seeking to be equal with God and not keeping their own positions. In 2 Peter 2:4, it is written, “God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.” And in Jude 6, it is written, “ And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, He hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.”
Since many human beings will not repent during the first half of the tribulation, our Lord God gives the devil the key to the Abyss, so as to afflict them. When he opens the door to the bottomless pit, there arises a smoke like from a huge furnace, and the sun is darkened. Many believe that may refer to a catastrophic volcanic eruption.
Out of the dust comes hordes of evil spirits that have been imprisoned there. They had been in bondage and darkness for such a long time, that they were anxious to ravage all of humanity. Among those loosed may be unclean spirits that afflicted the woman with the blood issue for twelve years, in Mark 5:25-34, “Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and no better, but rather grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone from Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes.” But His disciples said to Him, “You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’” And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the truth. And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.” And, perhaps also the demons who had made the man roam naked among the tombs in Mark 5:1-13, “Then they came to the other side of the sea. To the country of the Gadarenes. And when He had come out of the boat, immediate there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones. When he saw Jesus afar, he ran and worshiped Him. And he cried out with a loud voice and said, “What have I to do You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You b y God that You do not torment me.” For He said to him, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!” Then He asked him, “What id your name?” And he answered, saying, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” Also he begged him earnestly that He would not send him out of the country. Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains. So all the demons begged Him, saying, “Send us to the swine, that we may enter them. And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea.” And many, many more. What great havoc they will wreak upon the earth when they are unleashed by Satan. The Scripture in Revelation 9:3 describes these spirits as locusts, and “Unto them was given the power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.” Scorpions are creatures with an incredible sharp and painful sting.
However, our Lord commanded that they should not hurt any green thing, or the 144,000 Jewish evangelist who have received the seal of God on their foreheads. The demons are not able to touch those whom God has sealed. Through our baptism, in the name of the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit, we too today are sealed and protected by God’s love and grace. For when we are sealed and armed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ and by the Holy Spirit of God, demon’s can not harm us.
During the five months when the evil spirits afflict those who are not sealed of the Most High God, their pain will be so severe that they will cry out for death, as written in verse 6. However, even though they seek death, it will elude them, for God took death away so that they may have the opportunity to once again repent of their wickedness. God’s grace and love is abundant, for He wishes no one to die apart from Jesus Christ, for they will be cast forever in to the fire and brimstone of hell.
God had already saved the martyrs that died during the first three and a half years and were under the altar. After them He saved innumerable people through the testimony and ministry of the 144,000 preachers. God will continue His saving work even beyond that, until only those who completely and absolutely deny the Person of Jesus Christ has been exhausted. This is truly grace and an example of God’s unending love for His creation, His people.
The appearance of the evil spirits in verses 7-10 which are symbolized as locusts is so ghastly, that it surpasses our human imagination. “Their faces were as the faces of men. And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions. And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings were as the sounds of chariots of many horses running to battle. And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails.” Their king was named Abaddon in the Hewrew tongue, and Apollyon in the Greek language, which means, “destroyer.” They went forth everywhere destroying and robbing, but the authority to kill was not given to them. In revelation chapter 8, the Apostle John described coming natural calamities, but in Revelation chapter 9, he describes the impending judgment of humanity as it begins.
Additional supporting scriptural references for 9:1-11.
Luke 10:17-20, “And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through Thy name. And He said unto them, ‘I beheld Satan as lightening fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject to you; but rather rejoice, because your name is written in heaven.’”
Revelation 8:10, “And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters.”
Luke 8:31, “And they besought Him that He would not command them to go out into the deep.”
Revelation 17:8, “The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition (the place of eternal damnation; the utter loss of a soul): and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.”
Revelation 20:1, “And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.”
Joel 2:1-11, “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in My holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand; A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations. A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is a garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them. The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run. Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth a stubble, as a strong people set in battle array. Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness. They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks: Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded. They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief. The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining: And the Lord shall utter His voice before His army: for His camp is very great: for He is strong that executeth His word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?”
Revelation 8:7, “The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of the trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.”
Exodus 12:23-25, “For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when He seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you. And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever. And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the Lord will give you, according as He hath promised, that ye shall keep this service.”
Ezekiel 9:4-7 “And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. And to others He said in Mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: Slay utterly old and young, both maids and little children, and women: but come not near any man whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house. And He said unto them, Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain: go ye forth. And they went forth, and slew in the city.”
Revelation 7:2-4, “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 whom it was given 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. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed a hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.”
Revelation 14:1, “And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with Him a hundred forty and four thousand, having His Father’s name written in their foreheads.”
Job 3:20-22, “Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter in soul; Which long for death, but it cometh not; and dig for it more than for hid treasures; Which rejoice exceedingly, and are glad, when they can find the grave?”
Job 7:14,15, “Then Thou scarest me with dreams, and terrifiest me through visions: So that my soul chooseth strangling, and death rather than my life.”
Isaiah 2:19, “And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of His majesty, when He ariseth to shake terribly the earth.”
Hosea 10:8, “The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed: the thorn and the thistle shall come upon their altars; and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us.”
Luke 23:28-30, “But Jesus turning unto them said, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for Me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck. Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.’”
Revelation 6:14-17, “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 bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to 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?”
Nahum 3:15-17, “There shall the fire devour thee; the sword shall cut thee off, it shall eat thee up like the cankerworm: make thyself many as the cankerworm, make thyself many as the locust. Thou hast multiplied thy merchants above the stars of heaven: the cankerworm spoileth, and fleeth away. Thy crowned are as the locusts, and thy captains as the great grasshoppers, which camp in the hedges in the cold of the day, but when the sun ariseth they flee away, and their place is not known where they are.”
Daniel 7:8-11, “I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little Horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this Horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things. I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, Whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head like the pure wool: His throne was like the fiery flame, and His wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him: thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him; the judgment was set, and the books were opened. I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the Horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.”
Joel 1:2-11, “Hear this, ye old men, and give ear, all ye inhabitants of the land. Hath this been in your days, or even in the days of your fathers? Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation. That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left the cankerworm hath eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left the caterpillar hath eaten. Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine; for it is cut off from your mouth. For a nation is come upon My land, strong, and without number, whose teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he hath the cheek teeth of a great lion. He hath laid My vine waste, and barked My fig tree: he hath made it clean bare, and cast it away: the branches thereof are made white. Lament like a virgin girded with sackcloth for the husband of her youth. The meat offering and the drink offering is cut off from the house of the Lord; the priests, the Lord’s ministers mourn. The field is wasted, the land mourneth; for the corn is wasted: the new wine is dried up, the oil languisheth. Be ye ashamed, O ye husbandmen; howl, O ye vinedressers, for the wheat and for the barley; because the harvest of the field is perished.”
John 12:31, “Jesus answered and said, ‘This voice came not because of Me, but for your sakes. Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.”
John 14:20-31, “And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me. But that the world may know that I love the Father: and as the Father gave Me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.”
Ephesians 2:1-10, “And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh is the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, Who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ (by grace ye are saved); And hath raised us up together, and has made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness towards us through Jesus Christ. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created unto Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto Him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, not by letter as by us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition (eternal damnation); Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now you know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the majesty of iniquity doth already work: only who letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall the Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming: Even Him, Whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they receive not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believe not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”
B. The Trumpet of the Sixth Angel (9:12-21).
When the sixth angel sounds his trumpet, in verse 14, John heard a voice saying, “loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates,” which divided the east from the west. This river basin has been a land of rebellion from the beginning of time. The Euphrates is a branch of the river which originates from the Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve sinned and the fall of humanity began (Genesis 2:11-14, “The name of the first river was is Pishon; it is the one which skirts the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. And the gold of that land is good. Bdellium and the onyx stone are there. The anme of the second river is Gihon; it is the one which goes around the whole land of Cush. The name of the third river is Hiddekel; it is the one which goes toward the east of Assyria. The fourth river is the Euphrates. The Lord God then took man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.”). The first rebellion against God took place there by Adam and Eve; and it was also the place where Cain, the first murderer killed his brother Abel. Moreover, the tower of Babel, which also symbolized human rebellion and disobedience against God, was also built in a place near the river Euphrates. Thus, the valley of the Euphrates’ river has been historically a place of wicked human rebellion against God since the beginning of the creation.
God bound four rebellious angels there at that point. In verse 15, when they were loosed during the first half of the tribulation, they kill one third of the world population. When the fourth seal in opened one fourth of the world’s population, one billion-plus people, will die horrific deaths. When one third of the remaining population is then killed, another one billion-plus people will perish. Therefore, during the short period of three and one half years, more than one half of the population of the earth perishes, leaving a little over two billion people. One can only try to imagine how horrific and severe the great tribulation will be! Blessed are the saints who are caught up into heaven before such a catastrophic event begins.
The four angels in verse 14 are not allowed to kill any time they choose, because the hour, the day, the month, and the year have already been affixed, as written in verse 15. In verse 16, the number of the horsemen are “two hundred thousand thousand,” or two hundred million. As written, it appears that the four angels will mobilize an army of that numerical size who will then cross over the Euphrates river. This will be the beginning of the battle of Armageddon that is to take place during the second half of the great tribulation. Given today’s populations, the only single country that can amass so great an army, would be China (Such a formidable army from any other source, would require a combined effort of many nations.) Even as for back as 1961, China had announced it’s military size and strength to be 200,000,000, that is it’s militia and regular forces combined. When the Apostle John received this revelation from Jesus Christ, however, the total population of the entire world was less than that. How amazed and overwhelmed John must have been when he heard of such an unimaginable number.
In this passage many scholars and theologians believe that John has envisioned a picture of modern warfare. For in John’s day and time, armies still used horses and chariots drawn by horses. Now, in verse 17, John saw strange horses and riders and weapons with “breastplates of fire and smoke and brimstone.” In today’s world, that sounds like armored tanks, rocket launchers, flame-throwers, attack-helicopters, jet aircraft, missiles, bombers, massive weapons of death, and weapons of nuclear, biological and chemical destruction. Today all of these weapons are available in the arsenals of the major world powers, third world powers, and extremists and terrorists organizations. According to these passages in revelation and Biblical prophecy, and the belief of many scholars and theologians these weapons will be the instruments of the death and destruction of one third of the earth. Nevertheless, we read in verses 20-21 many people still will not repent of their sins, but choose to remain defiant and disobedient to God’s will. Why is this mentioned in the Bible? It is to reveal that God, the God of all creation - Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier - is still waiting for their repentance and conversion. For if God thought them hopeless, then there would be know need to again mention it.
Additional supporting scriptural references for 9:12-21.
Revelation 8:13, “And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, ‘Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabitants of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!’”
Revelation 16:12-16, “And the sixth angel poured out his vial on the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. And He gathered them together into a place called in Hebrew tongue Armageddon (The mountain plain of the mount Meggido, which has been a perennial battlefield).”
Revelation 7:4, “And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed a hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.”
Isaiah 5:25 “Therefore is the anger of the Lord kindled against His people, and He hath stretched forth His hand against them, and hath smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcasses were torn in the midst of the streets. For all this His anger did not turn away, but His hand is stretched out still.”
Isaiah 9:14-16, “Therefore the Lord will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush in one day. The ancient and the honorable, he is the head; and the prophet that teaches the lies, he is the tail. For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.”
Deuteronomy 31:27-29, “For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against the Lord; and how much more after my death? Gather unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to record against them. For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because ye will do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke Him to anger through the work of your hands. And Moses spake in the ears of all the congregation of Israel the words of this song, until they were ended.”
Jeremiah 5:3, “O Lord, are not Thine eyes upon the truth? Thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; Thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.”
Leviticus 17:7, “And they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto devils, after whom they have gone a whoring, This shall be a statute for ever unto them throughout their generations.”
Deuteronomy 32:16-20, “They provoked Him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they Him to anger. They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not. Of the Rock that begot thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee. And when the Lord saw it, He abhorred them, because of the provoking of His sons and of His daughters. And He said, I will hide My face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward (disobedient; intractable) generation, children in whom is no faith.”
Psalm 106:37-47, “Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils, And shed innocent blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood. Thus they were defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own intentions. Therefore was the wrath of the Lord kindled against His people, insomuch that He abhorred His own inheritance. And He gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated them ruled over them. Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand. Many times did He deliver them; but they provoked Him with their counsel, and were brought low fro their iniquity. Nevertheless He regarded their affliction, when He heard their cry: And He remembered for them His covenant, and repented accordingly to the multitude of His mercies. He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives. Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the heaven, to give thanks unto Thy holy name, and to triumph in Thy praise. Blessed br the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise Ye the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 10:14-21, “Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless; Is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break; Is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. Behold Israel after the flesh: Are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? What say I then? That the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.”
Psalm 115:1-9, “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory, for Thy mercy, and for Thy truth’s sake. Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God? But our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever He pleased. Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: They have hands, but they handle not: feet they have, but they walk not: neither speak through their throat. They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them. O Israel, trust Thou in the Lord: He is their help and their shield.”
Psalm 135:13-18, “Thy name, O lord, endureth for ever; and Thy memorial, O Lord, throughout all generations. For the Lord will judge His people, and He will repent Himself concerning His servants. The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they speak not, eyes they have, but they see not; They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths. They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them.”
Reflective points:
1. The horrific and terrifying descriptions which accompany this torment and judgments that await those who do not have the seal of God upon their foreheads brings us to a new and deepening awareness. The earth was filled with sin and violence, and was corrupt in God’s sight. It was a violence which mark and crucified the Lamb Who was brought up into heaven to the throne of God, a sin and violence which prompted the opening of the seven seals. As the seven trumpets blast, the worst of fears imaginable surface in the gruesome enumeration of events which could issue forth from heaven upon the inhabitants of the earth. The Apostle John’s vision is an awful awareness of the reality of the destructiveness of war. The full destructive power of nature is set loose upon the earth and in heaven as a consequence to humanities willful rebellion against God the Creator and the rejection of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. This leads to the desolation of all known order in heaven and on earth. Revelation, chapters 18-19, evoke a doomsday vision, a brief glimpse into an ecological disaster which is to come.
2. As readers of this book of prophecy we are presented with two distinct options: one, whether we choose to side with the ways of Babylon, “which destroys the earth” (11:18; 19:2); or, two, whether we wish to side with the ways and will of God our Creator, our Redeemer, and our Sanctifier Whose order provides healing and salvation for all nations which obey Him, “and the leaves of the trees were for healing of the nations” (22:2).
3. Revelation is about a brief return from order to chaos. The destruction of the heavens and the earth are not merely the result of God’s actions, but the result of human action and inaction, the consequence of sinful and immoral human behavior. Many scholars and theologians believe that when John speaks of “the form of this world passing away,” he is not speaking of or alluding to the imminent winding up of the world and the irruption of a new heaven and world from above, but rather, he is writing of the human desire, if at all possible to implement another way of living, of being, and of behaving here on earth and in heaven which demands alteration in the nature of human behavior on earth as it is in heaven, thus reflecting divine righteousness in our daily lives. While the world and the heavens are the arena for God’s saving purpose - past, present, and future - they have demonstrated disorder and chaos in light of the coming Messiah and the world’s rejection of Him, it is important for us as Christians not to be conformed to and deceived by the world as it is among this chaos and disorder. The Apostle John writes in 1 John 3:2, “We are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when He is revealed, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is.” We are called to be watchful, patient, and vigilant. Trust God and He will deliver you!
Chapter Nine Study Questions.
1. What happens when the Fifth Angel sounds his Trumpet?
2. Who, or what does the Falling Star that John saw represent? What does it mean?
3. What does the “Abyss” represent in 9:1?
4. Are the Four Angels in 9:4 Good, or evil? What is God’s role in their actions?
5. What is the difference between the power of the Locusts and the power of the Horses? What does each signify?
6. What happens with the sounding of the Sixth Trumpet? Explain!
7. What kind of response should this ‘Woe’ elicit from an Unbelieving and Decadent world?
8. Why did this ‘Woe’ fail to bring the response of Repentance as intended in verses 20 and 21? Explain!
9. What do we today as Believers, and as non-believers have in common with those in verse 20 and 21?
10. What must all do to be saved from eternal death destruction? Can man save himself collectively or individual, as humanism and atheism teaches? Why yes or no?
11. What does God say about Indifference, and Lukewarm behavior (Revelation 3:14-22; Matthew
25:31-46; Revelation 20:12-15; Revelation 21:6-8; Revelation 22:10-16)? [Commission of sin? Omission of sin? Cowardness?] Address each!
Chapter 10.
The Angel with the Open Book, Which is Eaten.
V. Parenthetic: Episodic Remarks (10:1-11).
“1. Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were fiery pillars. 2. He was holding a little scroll, which lay open in his hand. He planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, 3. And gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion. When he shouted, the seven thunders spoke. 4. And when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven say, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write it down.” 5. Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven. 6. And he swore by Him who lives for ever and ever, Who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, “There will be no more delay! 7. But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as He announced to His servants the prophets.” 8. Then the voice I heard from heaven spoke to me once more: “Go, take the scroll that lies in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.” 9. So I went to the angel and I asked him to give me the scroll. He said to me, “Take and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey.” 10. I took the little scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour. 11. Then I was told, “You must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and languages, and kings.””
After such a dreadful second “Woe” following the trumpet of the sixth angel, Revelation chapter 10 reveals parenthetical (episodic) things that will happen before the judgment of the seven bowls which begins with the sounding of the seventh trumpet by the seventh angel.
A. The Angel Who sets One Foot on the Sea and One Foot on the Land (10:1-6).
Verses 1-6 reveal that a mighty angel set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land. Who was this angel and what does this posturing signify? Notice how the angel is described by the Apostle John in verse 1. He “came down from heaven, clothed with a cloud, and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as if it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire.” From that description, this angel appears to be the Person of Jesus Christ. When the seven thunders sounded, John was about to write, but in verse 4, he heard a voice from heaven saying, “Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.” No one knows the secret of the seven thunders. Those things which are to come are left only for Jesus to reveal in the future. The angel lifted His hand to heaven and swore by the Creator that there should be “time no longer,” that is no more delay. That means the second half of the great tribulation would be coming without any delay. The first half was now complete.
Additional supporting scriptural references for 10:1-6.
Ezekiel 1:28, “As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice One that spake.”
Matthew 17:2, “And was transfigured before them: and His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light.”
Revelation 1:12-15, “And I turned to see the voice that spake to me. And being turned , I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks One like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and His hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and His eyes were a flame of fire; And His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and His voice as the sound of many waters.”
Matthew 28:18, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, ‘All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Revelation 8:5, “And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.”
Daniel 8:26, “And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days.”
Jeremiah 10:10, “But the Lord id the true God, He is the living God, and an everlasting king: at His wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide His indignation.”
Daniel 12:4-7, “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river. And one said to the Man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? And I heard the Man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when He held up His right hand and His left hand to heaven, and swear by Him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and a half; and when He shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.”
Revelation 16:17, “And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.”
B. The Mystery of God to be Finished (10:7).
As soon as the seventh angel blows the trumpet, verse 7 says, the judgment of the seven bowls begins, and the beginning of the end begins, and the world as we know it comes to an end. Thus, the mystery of God will be finished as God had declared to His servants the prophets. In Daniel 9:24, the prophet Daniel wrote a word of mystery: “Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make and end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy.” There are many mysteries and questions that cannot be understood, or even answered during our time, such as: Why did God allow Satan to creep into the garden of Eden? Why did God allow Adam and Eve to fall into sin? Why did sin enter into the world? Since these are mysteries of God, we cannot not know them now, nor can we assume to know the mind of God?
When the seventh angel sounds the trumpet, the judgment of the seven bowls are unleashed, leading to the ending of the world and all it’s inhabitants. Then will come the millennial reign of our Lord Jesus Christ, during which He will disclose everything to us clearly.
Additional supporting scriptural references for 10:7.
Revelation 11:15, “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever.”
C. The Little Scroll (10:8-11).
The voice from heaven spoke to the Apostle John in verse 8, saying, “Go and take the little book [scroll] which is in the open hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and the upon the land.” So John went to the angel and asked for the little scroll. In verse 9, He said to John, “Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make you thy stomach turn sour, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.”
Some scholars and theologians interpret this “little scroll” to be the scroll sealed with the seven seals, but that would be a wrong interpretation. As we have seen, the seven seals have already been opened. What will happen then, if that scroll is eaten up? Nothing! If that be the case, then what is this scroll ans what is it’s significance? The answer seems to reveal itself it verse 11: “And He said to me, ‘Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, nations, languages, and kings.’” In other words, this little scroll told of things that will happen during the second three and one half years of the great tribulation. In the Old Testament we find similar cases in which the prophet was told to eat the scroll before he received the word of God, as in Ezekiel 3:1-4, “Moreover He said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go and speak unto the house of Israel. So I opened my mouth, and He caused me to eat the roll. And He said unto me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give thee, Then did I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness. And He said unto me, Son of man, go, get thee unto the house of Israel, and speak with My words unto them.” In the same manner the angel instructed the Apostle John to eat this little scroll that he might receive God’s word and therefore prophesy all the world. When the Apostle John had eaten the scroll, it was sweet to his mouth, as told. Since it was the word of God, it was sweeter than honeycomb, as described in Psalm 19:7-10, “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter than also than honey and the honeycomb.” This prophecy gives us insight into God’s millennial kingdom, followed by a new heaven and a new earth. The word of God was very sweet indeed, and is today for those who nourish themselves in it.
However, this prophecy also reveals the coming of the anti-Christ, who will arise in the form of a beast and run round about wildly slaying innumerable Jews and others who do not submit to his authority and kneel down to him. Hence, for the Apostle John, this was also a moment of bitterness as he contemplated the misery and the pain that will be suffered by the people who do not repent during the tribulation.
Now let us turn to the vivid description of the second half of the great tribulation, as revealed in Revelation, chapter eleven through chapter nineteen. This will be the most horrific, most tragic, and the most destructive period of time in human history.
Additional supporting scriptural references for 10:8-11.
Jeremiah 15:14-16, “Then the Lord said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in My name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of naught, and the deceit of their heart. Therefore thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets that prophesy in My name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed. And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword; and they shall have none to bury them, them, their wives, nor their sons, nor their daughters: for I will pour their wickedness upon them.”
Ezekiel 2:7-10, “And thou shall speak My words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious. But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be thou not rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee. And when I looked, behold, a hand was sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book was therein; And He spread it before me; and it was written within and without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe.”
Ezekiel 3:1,2, “Moreover He said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel. So I opened my mouth, and He caused me to eat that roll.”
Reflective points:
1. In chapter 10 we find ourselves in the midst of the seemingly inexorable (unyielding) process of God’s judgment, which once more interrupts a sequence of seven at the penultimate (the next to last; end of time), thus revealing two complementary visions. One is an account for the Apostle John to prophesy (chapter 10); while the other is an account of the witness of two figures who prophesy for a time before being killed by the beast from the abyss (chapter11). The deaths of these faithful prophets, who are vindicated after their bodies have lain in the street for three days and a half, provokes great rejoicing among the evil inhabitants of the world who worship the beast and who have his mark. Their vindication, however, is parallel to that of the Lamb of God, provoking cataclysm and thus marking the assertion of the transfer of sovereignty to God the Father and the Messiah, Jesus the Christ.
Chapter Ten Study Questions.
1. What is the description the Angel who announces the coming of the Seventh Trumpet? Who is
this Angel? Explain!
2. Why is the Apostle John forbidden to write down the Words of the Seven Thunders (Revelation 10:4; 2 Corinthians 12:3,4)?
3. What purposes did the First Six Trumpets serve? What is the message and intent of the
Seventh trumpet?
4. What is the “Mystery of God” (Revelation 10:7; Romans 11:25-36; Romans 16:25-27;
Ephesians 1:9-14)? Explain!
5. What happens to the ‘Small Scroll’?
6. What does the eating of the Scroll symbolize in verse 9?
7. Who is John’s prophecy directed towards in verse 11?
The Great Tribulation:
Part Two;
The Raptured Witnesses, and the Sounding of the Seventh Trumpet
Chapter 11.
The Raptured Witnesses: The Seventh Trumpet.
Preface to the Great Tribulation: Part Two.
The second three and one half years of the great tribulation are revealed in Revelation, chapter 11 through chapter 19. For us to gain a better understanding of this coming period, a brief overview is in order. In chapter 11 the second half of the great tribulation period begins, with the sounding of the seventh trumpet by the seventh angel. Chapter 12 is a parenthetical (episodic) explanation of things to come. Chapter 13 is a vivid description of the two beasts. Chapter 14 is again a parenthetical or episodic prophecy. Chapter 15 and chapter 16 both reveal the last “Woe,” which is started by the last trumpet sound of the seventh angel, and the judgment of the seven bowls. Chapter 17 describes the religion of the great whore. Chapter 18 then describes the downfall of the great city of Babylon and all who serve her. Chapter 19 tells of the advent of Jesus Christ coming to this earth, thus bringing the second half of the great tribulation to an end, ushering in the millennial kingdom.
I. The Trumpet of the Seventh Angel (11:1-19).
“1. I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the worshipers there. 2. But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for forty two months. 3. And I will give power to My two witnesses, and they will prophesy for one thousand two hundred and sixty two days, clothed in sackcloth.” 4. These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. 5. If anyone tries to harm them, fire proceedeth out of their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. 6. These man have the power to shut up the sky so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have the power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want. 7. Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. 8. Their bodies will lie in the street of the great city, which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified. 9. For three and one half days men from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. 10. The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth. 11. But after the three and one half days a breath of life entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. 12. Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on. 13. At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. 14. The second woe has passed; the third woe is coming soon. 15. The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign for ever and ever.” 16. And twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell down on their faces and worshiped God, 17. saying: “We give thanks to You, Lord God Almighty, the One Who is and Who was, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign. 18. The nations were angry; and Your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding Your servants the prophets and Your saints and those who reverenced Your name, both small and great - and for destroying those who destroy the earth.” 19. Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and within His temple was seen the ark of His covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a great hail storm.”
A. Measuring the Temple and Altar and Counting the Worshipers (11:1).
As we now begin to move into the second half of the great tribulation, the first scene we come across in verses 1 and 2 is of the Apostle John measuring the Jewish temple and altar and counting the worshipers who were present. It is in this second half of the great tribulation, that the anti-Christ will fight his life and death battle with the Jews. During the first three and one half years he was on peaceful terms with the Jewish people. However, in the second half of the tribulation, Satan, who was driven out of heaven, enters into the heart, mind, and soul of the anti-Christ. As a result of this transformation, the anti-Christ breaks his seven year treaty in the middle period and begins a horrific campaign and war to completely annihilate the Jewish people. For this reason, the temple is very significant during this transformation period.
As we saw earlier, the temple was destroyed when Jerusalem fell in A.D. 70. The Jewish people rose in revolt against the tyranny of Rome, but Jerusalem was besieged and burned by then, the Roman general Titus. Many instruments made of gold, which were used for sacrifice in the temple, were burned in this fire - a fire so hot that the gold melted into the crevices of the stones. In the quest for hidden gold, the Roman soldiers left no stone unturned, thus fulfilling the prophesy of Jesus Christ in Matthew 24:2, “And said unto them, See ye not all these things? Verily I say unto you, ‘There shall be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”
In that place where the temple previously stood to the glory of God Almighty, there now stands a Muslim mosque, the Dome of the Rock, which was built between A.D. 687 and A.D. 691. They built it there, believing it to be the site from which their prophet Mohammed was taken up into heaven. They have made this site their second most holy place.
During the Six-Day War of 1967, Israel capture from Jordan the old part of Jerusalem where the sacred Muslim mosque now stands. This is a point of grave conflict. Israel has now finished preparations to rebuild the temple and is making ready to begin it’s restoration at any time. The money and resources for the rebuilding have all been collected, and it is the burning desire of the Jewish community to now rebuild the temple on the same spot where the Muslim mosque now resides, on Mount Moriah. But the Jewish zealots who are unable to go near this sacred site, where the mosque is standing in the way of the temple restoration, will surely be willing to start a war with the Muslims when they begin to tear down the present mosque in order to make room for the rebuilding of their sacred temple on Mount Moriah. They will succeed in this attempt with the assistance of a united European. In the second half of the great tribulation Almighty God will try those Jewish people with fire who are not believers in Jesus Christ, His Son, but choosing rather to continue to reject Him. Afterwards, God will shelter those who worship Him in the temple and at the altar, according to the measure of their faith; others (those who remain outside the temple) God will cast away for all eternity.
Among the Jewish people today are many pious people who fervently worship the Lord through Judaism. But, likewise, there are many who ridicule Judaism, thus denying the very existence of God. In order to separate those two types of people, the Apostle John measured the temple and the altar and counted the worshipers with a rod-like reed, as commanded by the angel of God.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 11:1.
Ezekiel 40:2-4, “In the visions of God brought He me into the land of Israel, and set me upon a very high mountain, by which was a frame of a city on the south. And He brought me thither, and, behold, there was a man, whose appearance was like the appearance of brass, with a line of flax in his hand, and a measuring reed; and he stood in the gate. And the man said to me, Son of man, behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, and set thine heart upon all that I shall shew thee; for to the intent that I might shew them unto thee art thou brought hither: declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel.”
Zechariah 2:1, “I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand.”
B. The Outer Court (11:2).
The Lord told the Apostle John not to measure the court outside the temple in verse 2. This means that God will only save those pious worshipers who are inside the temple. As for those outside the temple, located in the temple court, God will abandon and deny these unbelievers into the hands of the anti-Christ for forty-two months, whether they be Jews or Gentiles, as they have denied and abandon Him.
The anti-Christ has been making preparations for his coming rule of the world in the first three and one half years. Now he will change his shape into a beast and for the following three and one half years he will rule the world with full authority, and without mercy. He will break the seven-year treaty that he had made with Israel and he will set up his own idol-image in the altar of the temple. He will force the Jewish people to worship his image. This prophecy is foretold in Daniel 9:27: “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.” This is also the time of which the Lord Jesus Christ warned in Matthew 24:15-16, “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolate, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:). Then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains.” Since the devout Jewish people will worship only God, not the idols, they will, of course, resist the anti-Christ and his commands. Inevitably, the anti-Christ and his followers will reek havoc upon the faithful to God, and a bloody massacre will ensue. This is predicted by the prophet Jeremiah, calling it the tribulation of Jacob: Jeremiah 30:7, “For the day is great, so that none id like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.”
After the measuring of the temple and of the altar, and the counting of those faithful worshipers there, God will safely move everyone who has been obedient to His will to a safe shelter. This scene is soon forthcoming.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 11:2.
Ezekiel 40:17, “Then brought He me into the outward court, and, lo, there were chambers, and a pavement made for the court round about: thirty chambers were upon the pavement.”
Psalm 79:1, “O God, the heathen are come into Thine inheritance; Thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.”
Luke 21:24, “And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.”
Daniel 8:8-12, “Therefore the he goat waxed (increase in size or numbers) very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven. And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceedingly great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land. And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them. Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. And a host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practiced, and prospered.”
Revelation 13:3-9, “And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshiped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him? And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name, and His tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.”
C. The Two Witnesses (11:3-13).
The two witnesses, who appear in sackcloth, will prophesy for one thousand two hundred sixty days. That is the equivalent of three and one half years when the months are counted as thirty days - the second part of the great tribulation. At this point, the 144,000 Jews which were sealed by God on their foreheads are seen no more, for they have been taken up into heaven, where they praise God along with all in heaven.
Of what will these two witnesses testify? First, these two witnesses will proclaim the gospel message of Jesus Christ, proclaiming that all people will receive salvation by faith in Jesus Christ through His precious blood which was shed on the cross. Second, they will testify that the anti-Christ is not the messiah, but a wicked impersonator and criminal - the son of perdition. Third, they will bear witness of the imminent judgment and wrath of God. Oh, how the anti-Christ will despise and hate these two faithful witnesses of God! He will grind his teeth with vexation (irritation), taking revenge upon them, thus slaying them in the streets of Jerusalem before all.
Who are these two faithful witnesses? The Holy Scripture says in verse 4, “These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks.” They were seen by the prophet Zechariah about five hundred years before the birth of Jesus Christ: Zechariah 4:1-14, “And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep, And said unto me, what seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof. So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord? Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, no my lord. Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. Who art thou, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it. Moreover the word of the Lord come unto me, saying, The hand of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shall know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto you. Fro who hath despised the day of small things? For they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the Lord. Which run to and fro through the whole earth. Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof? And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No my lord. Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.” Thus, the two olive trees have been worshiping the Lord our God for more than two thousand five hundred years. These two witnesses that the Apostle John saw and which were seen by Zerubbabel, many scholars and theologians believe were Moses and Elijah. These are the same, who comforted Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration in the Gospel of Luke 9:28-31, “And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, He took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. And as He prayed, the fashion of His countenance was altered, and His raiment was white and glistering. And, behold, there talked with Him two men, which were Moses and Elias: Who appeared in glory, and spake of His decease which He should accomplish at Jerusalem.” When the Israelites yielded to depravity and idol worship during the time of king Ahab, the prophet Elijah prayed to God that it might not rain, and God shut off the door of heaven for three and one half years, and drought was upon the land. In the second half of the tribulation the two olive trees will also shut the door of heaven, and rain will fall no more: Revelation 11:6, “These have the power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.” When Moses led the Israelites out of the land of Egypt, God gave first to him ten plagues to smite the earth and to persuade the Pharaoh of Egypt to release God’s people. One of these plagues was to change the water into blood. During the second half of the great tribulation, the two olive trees will strike the earth with the same plague as in verse 6.
These two witnesses will return to this earth in the flesh to preach the Gospel message of Jesus Christ to an unbelieving world. The Bible says, Elijah did not see death, but was caught up into heaven riding a fiery chariot, driven by fiery horses: 2 Kings 2:1-11, “And it came too pass, when the Lord would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, That Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the Lord hath sent me to Beth-el. An Elisha said unto him, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Beth-el. And the sons of prophets that were at Beth-el came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Lord will take away thy master from thy head to-day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace. And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the Lord hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho. And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Lord will take away thy master from thy head to-day? And he answered, Yes, I know it; hold ye your peace. And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the Lord hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the Lord liveth, and as thou soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on. And fifty men of the sons of prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they stood by Jordan. And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry groung. And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. And he said, Thou hast ask a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee; but if not, it shall not be so. And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.” Although it is known that Moses climbed Mount Nebo to face death, his body was never found. The Bible says that the archangel Michael contended with the devil for Moses’ body: Jude 9, “Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.” Because God buried Moses’ body, no one was able to find his grave: Deuteronomy 34:5-6, “So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord. And He buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Beth-peor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day. And Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated (done away with; reduced).” It is believed that God hid Moses’ body in order to preserve him for future use for a great purpose at the end of the world.
Some scholars and theologians have speculated that the two faithful witnesses might be Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Others hold to the belief that the two olive trees and two candlesticks are unmistakably Moses and Elijah. God sends them again in the flesh into this world to bear witness of Jesus Christ, showing His love, grace, and mercy in order to deliver more souls from doom of hell. If anyone tries to hurt either of these two witnesses while they are prophesying , we read in verse 6 that “ fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies.” Once when Elijah was on the top of a hill, two bands of soldiers came to seize him and they were consumed by fire which fell from heaven, 2 Kings 1:9-12, “Then the king sent unto him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him: and, behold, he sat on the top of a hill. And he spoke unto him, Thou man of God, the king hath said, Come down. And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.” Thus, while the two faithful witnesses are prophesying, no one can harm them, and the anti-Christ is in constant agony until the second half of the great tribulation is almost over. It is then that the anti-Christ rises up to oppose them, as prophesied. By the time of the rise of the anti-Christ to oppose them, the two faithful witnesses have fulfilled their mission. In verse 7, the beast that has come up from out of the Abyss, the bottomless pit, who is the anti-Christ, will kill them both. The preacher’s of Christ Gospel message will never die before God’s appointed time. The anti-Christ then throws both their bodies for display into the streets of Jerusalem, spiritually called Sodom and Egypt. This is an adulterous and evil city which opposes God through it’s idolatrous practices, as seen in verse 8, “And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt.” In verse 9, all the world’s people congratulate themselves for the deaths of the two witnesses, and they refuse to allow their bodies to be place into a tomb for proper burial. In verse 10, The people send gifts to one another in celebration of this atrocity. This is done because of the harsh judgment and rebuke the two witnesses brought upon the people due to their wickedness and idolatrous behavior. In verse 11, however, “and after three days and a half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.” In verses 12 and 13, at the same moment in time, a great earthquake stroke, and a tenth of the city falls, killing seven thousand inhabitants. After witnessing this calamity and devastation, the remaining people temporarily gave glory unto God.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 11:3-13.
Revelation 20:4, “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto they: 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 worshiped 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.”
Revelation 19:10, “And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thou fellow servant, and of thy brethren have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
Revelation 12:6, “And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.”
Psalm 52:8, “But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.”
Jeremiah 11:16, “The Lord called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit: with the noise of a great tumult He hath kindled fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken.”
Zechariah 4:3, “And two olive by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.”
2 Kings 1:10, “And Elijah answered and said unto the captain of the fifty, If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.”
Jeremiah 1:10, “See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.”
Jeremiah 5:14, “Wherefore thus saith the Lord God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make My words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.”
Ezekiel 43:3, “And it was according to the appearance of the vision which I saw, even according to the vision that I saw when I came to destroy the city: and the visions were like the vision that I saw by the river Chebar; and I fell upon my face.”
Hosea 6:5, “Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of My mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth.”
Numbers 16:29, “If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the Lord hath not sent me.”
1 Kings 17:1, “And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before Whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.”
James 5:16, “Confess your faults to one another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
Exodus 7:19, “And the Lord spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone.”
Luke 13:32, “And He said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to-day and to-morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.”
Revelation 13:1, “And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.”
Daniel 7:21, “I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them.”
Zechariah 14:2, “For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.”
Revelation14:8, “And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”
Revelation 17:1-5, “And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.”
Hebrews 13:12, “Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered without the gate.”
Revelation 18:24, “And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.”
Revelation 17:15, “And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are the peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.”
Psalm 79:1-3, “O God, the heathen are come into Thine inheritance; Thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps. The dead bodies of Thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of Thy saints unto the beasts of the earth. Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; and there was none to bury them.”
Revelation 12:12, “Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea! For the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.”
Revelation 13:8, “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”
Ezekiel 37:1-9, “The hand of the Lord was upon me, and carried me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry. And He said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord God, Thou knowest. Again He said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the Lord. So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone. And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them. Then He said to me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord God; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.”
Isaiah 14:12-15, “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.”
Isaiah 60:8, “Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows?”
Acts 1:9,10, “And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel.”
Revelation 16:19, “And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath.”
Revelation 3:4, “Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white: for they are worthy.”
D. The Trumpet of the Seventh Angel (11:14-18).
Then the sound of a trumpet of the seventh angel was heard by John. This is the last and final in the series of trumpets by the angels who appeared when the scroll’s seventh seal was opened by Jesus, the Lamb of God.
When the trumpet of the seventh angel sounded, the Apostle John heard the proclamation in verse 15 to take over world: “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever.’”
As we have read earlier, the second three and one half years of the great tribulation were almost finished when the two faithful witnesses were killed. This event is prior to the war of Armageddon. Now that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has completely redeemed this earth, which was under the power of Satan, He takes it over and begins His rule.
As soon as the twenty-four elders, sitting on the thrones heard the trumpets, they became overwhelmed with great joy, fell on their faces and worshiped God. In verses 17-18, they sang this song of praise: “We give thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because Thou hast taken to Thee Thy great power, and hast reigned. And the nations were angry, and Thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that Thou shouldest give reward unto Thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear Thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.” In that song the elders foretell the end of the great tribulation; the beginning of the millennial kingdom; the resurrection of all the dead along with the final judgment of Him Who sits upon the throne; and the coming of the new heaven and the new earth. Because the gleaning of salvation comes to an end with the ascension of the two faithful witnesses, this world will be nearly finished.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 11:14-18.
Isaiah 27:13, “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall beat off from the channel of the river unto the stream of Egypt, and ye shall be gathered one by one, O ye children of Israel.”
Psalm 145:8-19, “The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The Lord is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His works. All Thy works shall praise Thee O Lord; and Thy saints shall bless Thee. They shall speak of the glory of Thy kingdom, and talk of Thy power; To make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of His kingdom. Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Thy dominion endureth throughout all generations. The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. The eyes of all wait upon Thee; and Thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest Thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all His ways, and holy in all His works. The Lord is nigh to all that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of them that fear Him: He will also hear their cry, and will save them.”
Daniel 2:44, “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.”
Daniel 4:3, “How great are His signs! And how mighty are His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and His dominion is from generation to generation.”
Daniel 6:26, “I make a decree, that in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for He is the living God, and steadfast forever, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall be even unto the end.”
Daniel 7:9,13,14,18,27, “I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, Whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head like pure wool: His throne was like the fiery flame, and His wheels as burning fire ... I saw in the night visions, and, behold, One like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought Him near before Him. And there was given to Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him: His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed ...But the saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever and ever ... And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, Whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.”
Micah 4:5-7, “For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever. In that day, saith the Lord, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted; And I will make her that halteth a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the Lord shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever.”
Luke 1:30-33, “And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a Son, and shalt call His name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: And the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David: And He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end.”
John 12:34, “Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.”
Hebrews 1:8, “But unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre (a staff symbolizing royal power) of righteousness is the sceptre of Thy kingdom.”
Hebrews 12:28, “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.”
Ecclesiates 3:16,17, “And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there. And I said in mine heart, Go shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.”
Acts 10:42, “And He commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it was He Who was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick (living) and dead.”
2 Timothy 4:1,2, “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, Who shall judge the quick and dead at His appearing and His kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with longsuffering and doctrine.”
1 Peter 4:5-10, “Who shall give account to Him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. For this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the Spirit. But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
II. The Ark of the Testament in the Temple (11:19).
When the twenty-four elders finish praising God, the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the Apostle John saw the ark of the testament accompanied by lightning, voices, thundering, an earthquake, and great hail. The temple, historically, was not opened at regular times. It was opened only once a year when the high priest entered to offer sacrifices. So, what does this mean, then, that the temple was opened and the ark of the covenant was seen? Although humanity sinned and fell from grace, God promised that He would forgives our sins, save us from eternal damnation, and make us a new and better world. By this opening, God was affirming that promise.
After God’s assurance of His promise to humanity, there comes a foreboding of the last judgment in the symbolism of the lightning, voices, thundering, earthquake, and the great hail. The world is rushing headlong toward it’s end during the second half of the great tribulation.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 11:19.
Leviticus 16:2, “ And the Lord said unto Moses, Speak to Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.”
Hebrew 10:19,20, “For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.”
Matthew 26:27,28, “And He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”
Reflective points:
1. Despite the aggregate (universal) and chaotic effects of the wrath and judgment of God upon the earth, as the seals are opened the focus turns to the martyrs in Revelation 6:9 and their cry for vengeance and vindication. This expression is deeply rooted in those who have been severely and brutally oppressed and victimized by the anti-Christ and his followers. However, God’s response to them is to give them assurance, comfort, and an exhortation of patience, for justice will be served. Also it is clear that in the face of the continued deferral of the climatic end which is promised, that humanity needs to take full advantage of the opportunities offered for repentance and restoration into God’s grace in Revelation 8:1 and 8:15, when the expected fulfillment does not yet fully materialize.
2. There is a call for direct participation and action on the part of all rather than being a passive spectator. The Apostle John is commanded to become involved, thus taking the scroll and sharing in the activities at hand. The prophecy is no longer and uttering of oracles, but are internalized by John and become the part of the very being of the prophet. This role which John is a part of encompasses life and death, a role which all of God’s prophets experience. It is a role which encompasses a life of faithful witnessing, suffering, and even death. In the midst of all these super human events we as Christians, the church, are called to such a life. As a holy community, disciples of Jesus Christ, we are called to pick up our cross and follow Jesus, to be baptized in His baptism, and to drink from the His cup - to be one with Him in all aspects of our private and public lives and nothing less.
3. As evil penetrates the annals of every aspect of our society, a spirituality of godly resistance involves vigilance, as well as, lest (fear; anxiety), imperceptibility (extreme delicacy), and non-conformity to world values and virtues which are in opposition to the Word and will of God, in order to gain the approval and recognition of those who sow the seed of the anti-Christ.
4. A common practice and temptation of religious people who claim to be prophesiers, teachers, and preachers of the word of God is to speak at a level of generality that ignores the specificity of the context of God’s Holy Word, it’s context and it’s meaning as God intended. They are unwilling to stand with God in all things and to be obedient to His will in all aspects of their lives, for fear of losing position or recognition of those around them. Status, power, and position are their gods of choice. They choose to serve themselves in God’s name for the sake of self. Also, they speak vaguely smoothing over issues and situations in order to avoid confrontation or controversy. They gravely ignore one of the essential elements of prophecy, that is the necessity to comment profoundly on God’s will in the lives of humanity as according to Holy Scripture. The Redeemer of souls tells us that we are to not fear those who can kill the body, but Him Who can kill the soul. Our call as disciples of Jesus Christ, as God’s children, is to proclaim the truth of the Gospel in it’s purist form. Not to dilute it and shape it into that which the world will only accept if it meets their criteria. God’s truth is never changing and in opposition to world myths. Being non-controversial or unthreatening is not our call. Jesus, our Christ, the One who died upon the cross for the forgiveness of all our sins, the One who God raised from the dead unto everlasting life that we too may have the promise of everlasting life, was controversial and threatening to the powers of the world which are controlled and directed by Satan and his angels. This is a time of spiritual warfare. We must choose, now, as Joshua stated in Joshua 24:15, “choose whom ye shall serve this day,” God or man? Who we serve, shall determine our eternal destination.
Chapter Eleven Study Questions.
1. What is the Apostle John commanded to do, and why in this passage? Who is the Inner Court
prepared for? Who is the Outer Court prepared for? Why the separation?
2. Who are God’s Two Faithful Witnesses? What is their calling?
3. Who, or What do the Two Olive Trees and Two Lampstands represent? Explain!
4. What does the ‘Three and One Half Days’ mean or signify in verses 11 and 12? Explain!
5. What events happen after the ‘Three and One Half Days’?
6. What happens after the Second Woe has passed in verse 14?
7. What happens with the sounding of the Seventh Trumpet? Good news or bad news? Explain!
8. What is the “ark of the covenant” in verse 19?
Chapter 12.
The Woman; The Man-child; The Dragon.
III. Parenthetical Explanation of the Fate of Israel (12:1-17).
“1. A great and wondrous sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. 2. She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. 3. Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads. 4. His tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that he might devour her child the moment It was born. 5. She gave birth to a Son, a male child, Who will rule all nations with an iron scepter. And her child was snatched up to God and to His throne. 6. The woman fled into the desert to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for one thousand two hundred sixty days. 7. And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. 8. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. 9. The great dragon was hurled down - that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled down to earth, and his angels with him. 10. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. 11. They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. 12. Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.” 13. When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. 14. The woman was given two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to a place prepared for her in the desert, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent’s reach. 15. Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river, to overtake the woman and to sweep her away with the torrent. 16. But the earth helped the woman by opening it’s mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. 17. Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring - those who obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.”
The Apostle John reveals to us in revelation chapter 12 in detail what the fate of Israel will be during the second half of the great tribulation. As we have read earlier, this occurs when the anti-Christ breaks his seven-year treaty with Israel and sets up his own image in the temple of God, thus, forcing the Jewish people to worship it. Since they are a monotheistic society, they strongly resist this demand, and, therefore, suffer for it. As we study chapter 12 we need to keep that point in mind.
A. A Great Wonder in Heaven (12:1-2).
Who was this woman clothed with the sun? Some scholars and theologians say she represents the church. However, the Bible never usages the image of a woman to symbolize the church. The church is always portrayed as a virgin engaged to Christ, not a woman about to deliver a child. But there is a nation that was called “the woman” in the Bible: Isaiah 54:1, “Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the Lord.” Along with this passage, let us also look at the book of Hosea, which calls Israel the wife who fled from her husband. Israel was sometimes called a married woman when she was obedient to God. At other times, when she was disobedient to God, she was referred to as a divorced woman or widow. Thus, Israel was always compared to a woman rather than a virgin.
In Genesis 37:9-11, Joseph, one of the twelve sons of Jacob (Israel), dreamed a dream in which “the sun and the moon and the eleven stars” bowed down to Joseph: “And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me. And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth? And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.” This dream meant that Joseph’s father and mother, along with his eleven brothers would one day come before Joseph and bow down to him. In this dream the sun represented Israel, the moon Joseph’s mother, and the stars his eleven brothers. From these two examples, one can deduce that the image of the woman in Revelation chapter 12 is representative of Israel.
In verse 2 it speaks of the birth pangs which come upon the woman. That does not mean that Israel will deliver something inn the great tribulation, rather, parenthetically, it is a historical explanation of why the devil hates Israel so much, and why the anti-Christ tries so hard to annihilate her.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 12:1-2.
Isaiah 60:19, “The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto the an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.”
Romans 13:13,14, “Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.”
2 Corinthians 11:2, “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.”
Galatians 4:26, “But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.”
Ephesians 5:21-27, “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: He is the Savior of the body. Therefore as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”
Isaiah 66:7, “Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.”
B. Another Wonder in Heaven (12:3-5).
The Son delivered in verse 5 was Jesus Christ. He was not an ordinary man, but One who would rule the nations with an iron rod, as revealed in Psalm 2:7,9, “I will declare a decree: The Lord hath said unto Me, Thou art My Son; this day have I begotten Thee ... Thou shall break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”
The red dragon was about to devour the Son of the woman. Studying the life of Jesus, it is revealed that the devil was in constant pursuit of Jesus, watching and waiting for opportunities to destroy Him. For example, when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, King Herod tried to use the Magi to locate the new born Baby so he could have Him killed. Inspired by Satan, King Herod gave orders to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and younger as written in Matthew 2:1-8,12,16, “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with Him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule My people Israel. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young Child; and when ye have found Him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship Him also ... And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed in to their own country another way ... Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceedingly wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.” In Bethlehem the tomb still remains today from where the massacred babies were buried together.
In a final act of evil and deceit, Satan had Jesus crucified upon the cross. However, Jesus was resurrected, and ascended into heaven, where He now sits at the right hand of God the Father. That’s why Revelation 12:5 says, “Her Child was caught up unto God, and to His throne.”
Who is “another wonder in heaven?” The great red dragon. He is a murderer who is called the old serpent, the great deceiver, the devil, Satan, or Lucifer. He was one of the cherubim called, in Ezekiel 28:14, “the anointed cherub that covereth.” He was also one of the archangels, the highest rank in the hierarchy of angels. But he became arrogant and proud as written in Isaiah 14:12-15, “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of te congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.” and, in Ezeckiel 28:17, “Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before the kings, that they may behold thee.” This love of self and arrogance eventually drove Lucifer to try and compete with God, as written in Revelation17:7-9, “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Satan now rules the power of the air, located between the heavenly throne and the earth, Ephesians 2:2, “Wherein time past ye walked according to the course of the world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.”
When God created heaven and earth and all things in them, He saw that it was all good except for one place, that is, the firmament in the midst of the waters, Genesis 1:6-8, “And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.” The phrase, “it was good,” is omitted in the account of that place. Scholars and theologians believe this is because it was occupied by the devil and his angels, and other evil spirits who opposed God. Revelation 12:4 says Lucifer drew a third part of the stars of heaven with his tail and cast them to the earth. This signifies the fact that he incited a third of the angels to join him in his rebellion when he fell, thus, birthing the history of rebellion against God here on earth. Praise the Lord our God that two-thirds of the angels in heaven did not fall and remained obedient and loyal to Almighty God. It is good to remember that when we are attacked by one demon, there are two angels of God available to protect us from harm.
Verse 3 describes the red dragon as having seven heads and ten horns. This shows that the devil will strongly oppose God to the very end of the world, a point which is further explained in chapter 13 of Revelation. It is believed that the seven heads represent the seven nations that God raised up which most violently opposed Him: Assyria, Babylon, Media, Persia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome - the anti-Christ’s country which will be restored. Over the course of human history the devil has gone all out to destroy God’s people through those seven heads, and continues even unto today. The ten horns of this dragon, it is believed, signify the ten countries of a unified Europe that will be formed in the early part of the tribulation period. Through that union, Satan will make his final struggle to conquer the world and to not be cast away from the earth.
In Genesis 3:15, however, God declared that Jesus Christ, the seed of woman, would crush the devil’s head: “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel.” From the time which Lucifer heard that prophecy, he has exerted all of his efforts to prevent “the seed of woman” from being born, and thus began humanity’s bloody history fo constant warfare and murder. Cain was disobedient to God, but Abel was obedient. Thus, the devil inspired Cain to murder Abel, for he, Satan, was afraid the Messiah might be born from the sed of Abel. In 1 John 3:12, it clearly says, “Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.” In other words, Cain killed Abel at the instigation of the devil, Genesis 4:1-8, “And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a from the Lord. And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground and offering unto the Lord. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? And why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? And if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.”
Later, when the whole world was judged for it’s wickedness, Noah, God’s faithful servant, found favor in the sight of the Lord, Genesis 6:6-9, “And it repented the Lord that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him in His heart. And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beasts, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth Me that I have made them. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. These are the generations of Noah: Noah was just a man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.” Then the devil feared the Messiah would now come out of the descendants of Noah, so he caused Noah to become drunken and his offspring to be depraved, Genesis 9:20-27, “And Noah began to be a husband, and he planted a vineyard: And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered in his tent. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without. And Shem and Japheth took a garment , and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father’s nakedness. And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what is younger son had done unto him. And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren. And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant. God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.” As a result, they fell into a snare of deceit. They gathered themselves in the land of Shinar and built the tower of Babel in rebellion against God under the instigation of the devil, Genesis 11:1-9, “And the whole earth was one language, and of one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. And they said to one another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for mortar. And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men built. And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech. So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the Lord did confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of the earth.”
Afterward, God chose to make a nation out of the seed of Abraham in order to carry out His will for humanity, but again, the devil interfered, fearing the Messiah would come out of Abraham’s offspring. In Egypt Satan tried to exterminate the people of Israel through the acts of the Pharoah (Exodus). When the Israelites, led by Joshua, came to the land of Canaan and settled there, Satan repeatedly corrupted them through idolatry, seeking to destroy the seed that may bring the Messiah to be. Because of their corrupt behavior, the Israelites were destroyed and taken captive by Assyria and Persia.
It is only by the grace of God that many Israelites were able to eventually return from captivity to their homeland. Once again the devil incited them to crucify and murder Jesus the Christ, the Messiah. But once more, God thwarted Satan’s attack by raising Jesus from the dead on the third day, as prophesied, where He now sits at the right hand of the Father, Mark 15:34,37,46; 16:2-6,9,12,19, “And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? Which is, being interpreted, My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken Me? ... And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. ... And he brought fine linen, and took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen, and laid Him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre. ... And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. and they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: He is risen; He is not here: behold the place where they laid Him. ...Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven devils. ... After that He appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. ... So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, He was received up to heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.”
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 12:3-5.
Revelation 17:3, “So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.”
Revelation 17:9, “And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.”
Revelation 13:1, “And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.”
Revelation17:18, “And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.”
Daniel 8:10, “And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them.”
Exodus 1:15,16, “And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah. And he said, When ye do the office of midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live.”
1 Peter 5:6-8, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking who he may devour.”
Psalm 2:9, “Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”
Revelation 2:26-29, “And he that overcometh, and keepeth My works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And He shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of My Father. And I will give him the morning star. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”
Revelation19:15,16, “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. And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
C. The Woman who fled into the Wilderness (12:6).
Because the red dragon had been repeatedly frustrated and enraged in his attempt to devour the “Child” throughout the long history of the world, he became more furious and hated the woman who gave birth to the “Child” - namely Israel. Therefore, the history of Israel has been a succession of tribulations and sufferings.
Since Jesus Christ ascended into heaven, Satan has wreaked his vengeance upon Israel through many Jew haters, most notably Natzi Germany, the Communist in the old Soviet Union - now Russia, and throughout the Muslim world. All of these groups have sworn an oath to destroy and to eliminate the Jewish people from the face of the earth. During the second half of the great tribulation Satan will launch an unprecedented campaign to exterminate the Jewish people through what ever means of trickery and deception necessary.
Revelation, verse 6, says, “The woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.” That means God will make a refuge for Israel from the persecution of the anti-Christ for one thousand two hundred sixty days, or three and one half years. Where is this shelter? The place of refuge is revealed in the book of Isaiah. Many Christian scholars, theologians, and groups from the United States of America have flown airplane loads of Bibles, food goods, and supplies there, hiding the material under the earth and in caverns between the rocks in preparation for the time when Israel will have the need to take shelter there. God is continually moving the hearts of the faithful in preparation for this coming time. God spoke of the time of Israel’s need for such protection in Isaiah 26:20-27:1: “Come, My people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the Lord cometh out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain. In that day the Lord with His sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan (a gigantic unidentified water beast) the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and He shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.”
One should mark that scripture, for it is there where God clearly says He will hide the Israelites from the rage of the anti-Christ. The passage is preceded by a verse, Isaiah 26:19, telling about those who believe in Jesus Christ: “Thy dead men shall live, together with My dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.” The dead of the Lord shall rise again and ascend into heaven first, and then the Israelites will hide themselves in the secret chamber. Long ago Isaiah prophesied all these events accurately. Now let us look at the place where Israel will hide, Isaiah 16:2-4: “For it shall be, that, as a wondering bird cast out of the nest, so the daughters of Moab shall be at the fords of Aaron. Take counsel, execute judgment; make thy shadow as the night in the midst of the noonday; hide the outcasts; betray not him that wandereth. Let Mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab; be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoilers.” Here “the spoiler” signifies the anti-Christ. When he launches his invasion, the land of Moab becomes God’s appointed hiding place for His beloved Israel.
When the Israelites first crossed the Jordan River and entered the land of Canaan, God ordered them to build cities of refuge on both sides of the river. This was so if any person should accidently kill another person, they would have a place of refuge to flee to, Numbers 35:9-15, “And the Lord spake with Moses, saying, Speak to the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come over Jordan into the land of Canaan; Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares. And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment. And of these cities which ye shall give six cities shall ye have for refuge. Ye shall give three cities on this side of the Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan, which shall be cities of refuge. These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither.” Those cities symbolize the place where Israel will take shelter during the great tribulation. So, where is Moah located? Roughly speaking, Moah corresponds to the present day highlands of the Transjordan. It is about an hour’s ride by vehicle on the highway from Jerusalem before one would reach the highlands of the Transjordan. Once there, one will be met by the blazing sun and swirling gust of wind filled with sand. In the midst of the desert is the strongest fortress in the world. The name of it is “Petra” (a ruined ancient city in SW Jordan). It was discovered in the nineteenth century and is situated between steep mountains. Currently, the only entrance is through a narrow, twisting maze of canyons. It is not accessible to tanks, nor can airplanes attack it directly, because the mountains are so precipitous (very steep). With the buildings all cut into the rocky cliffs, “Petra” is a formidable fortress and safe haven for the Israelites. Theologians and scholars generally agree that Israel’s hiding place during the second half of the great tribulation will be “Petra,” located in the highlands of the Transjordan.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 12:6.
Revelation 12:4,13-17, “And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her Child as soon as It was born ... And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man Child. And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to carried away of the flood. And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
Revelation 13:5-7, “And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, and His tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.”
D. The War in Heaven (12:7-12).
In verse 7, there is a cosmic war between the archangel Michael and the red dragon. The moment has come when the antagonistic red dragon is to be cast out of heaven, as all of his power is brought to an end as Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, opens the last seal.
As it is foretold in Isaiah 24:21-23, God will punish: “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of then earth upon the earth. And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in then pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days they shall be visited. Then the moon shall be confounded, the sun ashamed, when the Lord of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before His ancients gloriously.” In other words, the red dragon who perpetuates deception upon the whole world is punished. Almighty God will punish the kings of the anti-Christ; and when He goes to Jerusalem and stands there, the sun will be ashamed and the moon confounded, and our Lord will be glorified before all the faithful saints who are saved. In that final, intense conflict in heaven between the archangel Michael and the red dragon, Satan is driven out of heaven for his idolatrous and rebellious behavior: verse 9, “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” When the devil is cast out, a great voice in heaven says, in verses 10 ans 11, “The accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” Satan still accuses us before God, but we are able to overcome his unceasing accusations by claiming the love and grace of the blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and the forgiveness it affords us.
A church, or a people who have fallen under the direction and influence of Satan offer no truth in it’s proclamations, and no songs, and no prayers which honor and praise God our Father in heaven and the precious blood of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Instead, it compromises the truth of God’s Word and will, and is pluralistic and worldly in it’s function and manner. It seeks to appease and uphold the values of the world and of culture, rather than that of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. However, if a church or people are filled with proclamations, songs, and prayers which are filled with praise and admiration for God our Father and the precious blood of our Savior Jesus Christ, than the Holy Spirit of God will be at work there and fruitful. Today, modernist, pluralist, and new age theologians, in the name of cultural change, social change, political change, with Marxist and socialistic views argue that Jesus Christ is not the only way to the Father in heaven, as Jesus taught us in the Bible, but rather God is accessible through many over venues and religious alternatives. These are heretics and false prophesiers, wolfs in sheep’s clothing which have acquired positions in our churches and seminaries today, and who seek to preach their own ‘serpent theology.’ It is written in Jude 4, “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God unto lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” In Acts 20:29 it is written, “Fro I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.” They teach what Jesus said, was not really what Jesus meant. They teach that He was just another prophet; that His death and resurrection were not real, but was that of self-immolation. They pick and choose the parts of Holy Scripture that suits their mode of prophesying. The prophesy that cultures and times have change and therefore the word and will of God must change with it in order to meet cultural needs and expectations. They are evil and wicked deceivers of the Gospel Matthew 24:4,5, “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” Their voices are the voice of the devil, and thus impact his evil influences upon all who will believe. Because they no not the Truth of God’s Word, they fall for these deceptions because they have never truly stood for anything, and therefore they continually fall for everything that is given the appearance of some sense of truth. In Revelation 12:12, it is written, “Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea! For the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” Satan seeks to take as many as he can to hell with him, and he is at work diligently deceiving those who are ignorant of the Word of God, and those who are weak in their faith.
By that time we who are faithful and are of God will be in heaven, but those who remain on the earth will be deceived and hurt by the wrath and rage of the devil, who will recklessly attack anyone who does not conform to his will. He does this knowing his time is short, and that eternal fire and damnation awaits him and his followers in hell.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 12:7-12.
Daniel 10:14,21 “Now I come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days ... But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with Me in these things, but Michael your prince.”
Daniel 12:1, “And at that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be written in the book.”
Revelation 20:1-6, “And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 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. 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 worshiped 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. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death have no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.”
Luke 10:18, “And He said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.”
Genesis 3:1-3, “Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.”
Revelation 9:1, “And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.”
Revelation 11:15, “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever.”
Job 1:9, “Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for naught?”
Zechariah 3:1,2, “And He shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at His right hand to resist Him. And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of fire?”
Romans 8:31-39, “What shall we say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is He that commandeth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, Who is even at the right hand of God, Who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For Thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, not things to come, Nor height, nor depth, not any creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Luke 14:26,27, “If any man come to Me, and hate not His father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple.”
John14:6, “Jesus said unto him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.”
Revelation 8:13, “And I beheld, and heard and angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!”
Revelation 10:6, “And the angel I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, And sware by Him that liveth for ever and ever, Who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things that are therein, that there should be time no longer.”
E. The refuge of the Woman and the Remnants (12:13-17).
Being driven to the earth, the great dragon, filled with rage and envy, begins to persecute the woman, the mother of the male Child, or Jesus Christ, who has brought such a fatal blow to him. Satan’s intention is to take his final revenge upon Israel. The fate of Israel is indeed a fate of misery and hardship. If they would have received Jesus Christ as their Messiah, as Lord and Savior, than their pending fate could have been avoided. However, they did not accept Him, but persecuted and crucified Him, and therefore their fate is that they must pass through the tribulation and this ordeal which brings the end of the world. In verse 14, it is written, “to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.” This is why Jesus said, Matthew 24:16-21, “Then let them which be in Judea flee in to the mountains: let him which is on the house top not come down to take anything out of his house: neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day: for then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” Through this Holy Scripture, Jesus was showing how severe the situation for Israel and all shall be. When the anti-Christ gives the stern command for all the Jewish people to be put to death, they will flee to a place called “Petra” for safe haven, without looking back.
The Bible says that the woman, Israel, flew into her place with wings of an eagle. However, there is no airport in “Petra,” and it would be almost impossible for a helicopter to transport such a large number of people quickly, so as to escape the coming carnage. So, how do they escape? How do the get there? We must look to Holy Scripture to find the means and process which the Lord will provide. In the New Testament we find a miracle in Acts 8:26-40, which reconciles the problem of transportation. As it is written in Acts 8:26-40, Philip, obeying the command of God, “And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship. Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so He opened not His mouth: In His humiliation His judgment was taken away: and who shall declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of Whom speaketh the prophet this? Of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unuto him Jesus. And as they went their way, they came unto a certain water, and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.” The Holy Spirit of God had suddenly transported Philip away and placed him at Azotus, a city about one hundred miles from Gaza. When the Jewish people flee from the anti-Christ, they will not be able to flee to Petra unless they are helped by a miracle of God Himself. The army of the anti-Christ will pursue them ruthlessly and without mercy. Those Jews running on foot would be overtaken and slaughtered. Therefore, unless they are able to fly with “the wings of a great eagle” as prophesied in Holy Scripture, they are destined for annihilation. God will provide the means as prophesied, and the Jews will take refuge at Petra, and will be nourished there “for a time, and times, and half a time,” as written in verse 14. This takes place in the second half of the great tribulation. The flood waters which Satan cast after Israel, in verse 15, symbolizes the multitude of people in the anti-Christ’s army which pursue the woman, and charge Petra. In verse 16, it is written, “the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the red dragon cast out of his mouth.” It is believed by many scholars and theologians, the fact that the earth opens her mouth and swallows those in pursuit of the woman, symbolizes a great earthquake beyond anyone’s imagination. This catastrophic event will cause the earth to open up her mouth, causing vast cracks and canyons, thus devouring the vast army of the anti-Christ as it approaches Petra, the safe haven provided by God for His people. Though several avenues of attack will be tried, each time the attackers are devoured and destroyed by vast chasms in the earth. The day of the Lord is near and not far off, when all these events which have been foretold will take place.
The great dragon, thus failing in his attempt to destroy the woman, redirects his rage and wrath. In verse 17, it is written, “The dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” The Jewish people who believed in Jesus Christ were transported to safety at Petra by God. The remaining Jews are all secular, yet they also keep the commandments of God, according to the Torah, and do not worship the anti-Christ’s image. Some Gentiles will also belatedly receive Jesus Christ during this period. The great dragon, who is now full of wrath, and rage, stands ready to wage war on those faithful who are left. Thus the remaining Christians and Jews who are left are slaughtered during the second half of the great tribulation. No one, no, not one person will be able to escape this horrific annihilation, except those who are in Petra. Even the two witnesses are slain, thus, prophesy is fulfilled.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 12:13-17.
Exodus 19:4-6, “Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto Myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey My voice in deed, and keep My covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people: for all the earth is Mine: And ye shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests, and holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.”
Daniel 7:25-27, “And he shall speak great words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, Whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.”
Isaiah 59:19,20, “So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him. And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord.”
Genesis 3:15, “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her Seed; It shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel.”
Revelation 1:2,7, “Who bare record of the Word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw ... Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen.”
Reflective points:
1. Within this chapter we are presented with two reflective points: the woman who is pursued and persecuted, and who bears a Child; and, the dragon who is thrown out of heaven and who pursues her in order to kill her Child.
2. We discover in this chapter that the vision of the woman which the Apostle John sees contrasts with the vision of Babylon, the great whore who is adorned lavishly and possesses great wealth at the expense of others, in the upcoming chapter 17. In chapter 17, we are revealed a woman who is supported by the beast, who is corrupt, compromising, and carnal; whereas, here in chapter 12 we are revealed a humble and virtuous woman who is nurtured and protected by God, not in luxury, but in the wilderness, where she is taken on eagles wings, Isaiah 40:29-31, “[God] gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” In this chapter we see the battle between good and evil and the enormity of the threat of corruption and misguided power. Threat and insecurity lie at the heart of chapter 12. However, the vision of the woman clothed with the sun is one of glory and grace. Though she is vulnerable, and she is pregnant, about to give birth, she shares in the torment of creation and is protected by God. She gives birth to her Child, and her offspring is preserved and nurtured. The woman of chapter 12 is nurtured and protected, finding relief and succor in the wilderness.
3. Revelation, chapter 12, suggest to the reader that there are two ways in which the threat is overcome: first, recognition of one’s vulnerability and one’s trust in God to deliver them; and second, a lack of defensiveness, one’s faithful obedience to the word and will of God, thus holding fast to the witness of Jesus Christ. Revelation’s message to those who have an ear and who will hear the Word of God, is not one of defensiveness through war and weapons of destruction, but the continued faithful way of the testimony of Jesus Christ. We are to trust the God of all creation in the resolution of good and evil as did our Christ, our Redeemer, and our Lord, even unto death. Though the world around us promotes self protection through wealth, property, power, and accommodation to the beast, the anti-Christ, we as God’s children and disciples of Jesus Christ are called to a higher calling of faith and of trust. Though the world view is self-reliance and self sufficiency, there is no human nurture that can be ultimately relied upon or any defensive strategy that can ultimately protect us from evil and terror. September 11, 2001, and many events leading up to then, as well as, events since then have shown that no human solution is 100% proof in securing one’s future. Only through Jesus Christ and through the grace of almighty God is one’s future assured and secure. Our faith unmasks the fears and needs of the world, and gives us security in knowing, while we as humans know not what the future holds, as Christians we know Who holds the future, and the promises He has given. Divine protection from almighty God is the real basis for security and self-worth.
4. Many liberal minded scholars and theologians avoid with calculating certainty any talk about Satan, evil, hell, eternal damnation, or sin in order to appease the masses and to promote their own distorted and deceitful form of religion and theology. The Bible to them is merely another historical document which must be critically torn apart and rewritten to meet today’s liberal agenda. Many discount the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, while others claim Him only as a source or prophet, as would one claim Budda or Mohammed. Their prophesying demonizes that which good and godly, and edifies that which is Biblically denounced as evil. For them culture, not God, defines moral standards, and power, position, and wealth determine one’s credibility and virtues. Satan symbolizes that which is evil and that which stands between humanity and divine presence of God. Satan’s presence is personified as institutional, social, political, economic, and personal. His power is complex and is manifested in many forms and venues. Revelation beckons us to open our minds, our ears, and our eyes that we may broaden the horizons of our understanding regarding the scope of evil by which Satan blankets us with, and so that we can discern and differentiate between God’s Truth and the truth which Satan and the world would have us believe. Revelation unmasks the deception and the flattery which evil uses to promote it’s agenda. Jesus rooted out evil and destroyed it’s foothold on humanity through His death and resurrection. Jesus conquered all oppressive worldly institutions and powers, thus unveiling the evil which existed within, and which had perverted justice and disguised themselves as being of God. Evil thrives as a perverted and distorted element of good, and thus leads many into everlasting damnation.
5. The coming of Jesus Christ and the Messianic age is a threat to the status quo and those who hold power in this age. The letter of Ephesians coincides with Revelation chapter 12, stressing the struggles with which the faithful are confronted. The Apostle Paul writes to the church at Ephesus on how to cope the evil which abound them, Ephesians 6:10,11, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of evil.” We as Christians must call upon the Lord for protection. It is the armor of His living Word and His living Spirit which protects us in the midst of evil and tribulation.
6. As we read back in Revelation chapter 6, the seven churches are addressed by Jesus Christ, thus exposing the fornication and rife which is prevalent in the churches, and what they must do to receive God’s grace and promise of salvation. Evil is not only in the world, but it is also in the churches at work deceiving and distorting that which is of God. Jesus addresses each church, announces Himself, commends those who are worthy, rebukes those who are ion need of reconciliation, exhorts all, and promises all in His address. God is merciful and mighty, and seeks all who seek Him in spirit and in truth.
Chapter Twelve Study Questions.
1. What is the description of the Woman, the Dragon, and the Child in these passages? Who are they, and What are their significance and who or whom do the represent?
2. Where does the next war/conflict occur, and who are the protagonists? Who has victory, and Why? Explain!
3. What is the final outcome of this conflict? What is the outcome for the inhabitants of the
earth who serve the anti-Christ? What is the outcome for those faithful Beleivers who remain obedient to God’s Will, His Way, nd His Word?
4. When this Final Battle between Good and evil occurs, who does the dragon wage war against?
5. How then do we as faithful and obedient Believers in Jesus Christ overcome the evil perpetuated by the dragon and his followers? How do we obtain victory (Revelation 12:11)? Explain!
Chapter 13.
The Beasts from the Sea and from the Earth.
IV. One Beast and Another Beast (13:1-18).
“1. And the dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming from out of the sea. He had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on his horns, and each head a blasphemous name. 2. The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. 3. One of the heads of the beast seemed to have a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was astonished and followed the beast. 4. Men worshiped the dragoon because he had given authority to the beast, and they all worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can make war against him?” 5. The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months. 6. He opened his mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander His name and His dwelling place and those who lived in heaven. 7. He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. 8. All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast - all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world. 9. He who has an ear, let him hear. 10. If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he will be killed. This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness in the part of the saints. 11. Then I saw another beast, coming out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon. 12. He exercised all authority of the first beast on his behalf, and made the earth and it’s inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. 13. And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven in full view of men. 14. Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. 15. He was given authority to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. 16. He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark in his right hand or his forehead. 17. So that no one could buy and sell unless he had the mark, which was the name of the beast or the number of his name. 18. This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man’s number. His number is six hundred sixty and six.”
A. The Beast out of the Sea: A Comparison to Daniel’s Vision (13:1).
In verse 1, the Apostle John “saw a beast rise up out of the sea.” The sea herein signifies the multitude of people on the earth. The specific body of water the John saw is believed to be the Mediterranean Sea, that is, the inhabitants of that region. This means that the beast will arise out of the coastal region of the Mediterranean Sea, formerly known as the territories of the Roman Empire. In the vision of God, beasts have historically represented the kings or rulers of the earth. Accordingly, the beast that rise up out of the sea, signifies the anti-Christ who will rise up out of the large populations of the restored Roman Empire and it’s remnants.
In order for us to better understand the significance of this, we must first return to the Old Testament and learn about the image seen by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar which is described in the second chapter of the book of Daniel. In Daniel chapter 2, there are two points we shall reflect upon.
1. The image Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream: In Daniel chapter 2, we read that king Nebuchadnezzar dreamed a troubling dream in the time period of about 606 B.C.. In it he saw a great image that had the form of a man. God was prophesying human history through the dream of this king, and Daniel provided the interpretation in Daniel 2:27-45, “Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret to which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these; As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and He that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass. But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart. Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. This image’s head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. Thou sawest till that a stone was cut without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them into pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken into pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king. Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath He given into thy hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold. And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth. And the fourth kingdom shall be as strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and sudueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise. And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potter’s clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.” The image that Nebuchadnezzar saw had a head, a breast, arms, a belly, thighs, legs, and feet. Suddenly a “stone was cut out without hands” and struck the image, breaking it into pieces; and the stone that smote the image filled the whole earth in verses 34-35. That was the disturbing vision that king Nebuchadnezzar saw. Daniel then gave the king the following interpretation of his vision, giving full glory to the God of heaven for his wisdom and insight.
The head made of fine gold: This represents the neo-Babylonian empire, which conquered the southern Jewish kingdom of Judah and lasted until 583 B.C.. As an absolute monarchy, it had absolute political and economic power like that of gold. It was later conquered by the Medo-Persian empire.
The breast and the arms: The two silver arms represent a united empire made of two kingdoms. That was the Medo-Persian empire, whose army, under king Cyrus, conquered Babylon in 583 B.C.. Media and Persia ruled the empire alternately until 380 B.C.. Because it’s political system was not purely despotic (one ruler), it was weaker, but stronger militarily in spite of it’s weak political system.
The belly and the thighs: The belly and the thighs of brass signify the Grecian rule. Brass was stronger than silver, and Alexander the Great of Greece vanquished the Medo-Persian empire in 380 B.C.. By 323 B.C. he had brought all the known territory of Europe under his direct control. He ruled the world militarily, politically, philosophically, socially, and economically.
The two legs: Following the death of Alexander the Great, the Greek empire was divided into four parts; they were unified by Rome in 30 B.C.. The Roman empire is represented by the legs of iron. Just as iron is stronger than brass, so Rome was far stronger than Greece. By A.D. 364, Rome had conquered all the known world and ruled it with brutal force. In 364 A.D., however, the Roman empire was divided in half due to religious conflict and turmoil. The empire in the east was unified under the banner of what today is known as the Greek Orthodox Church. The empire in the west was unified under the banner of the Church of Rome, today known as the Catholic Church. Eventually the schism caused the empire to collapse.
Ten toes: Afterwards comes the age of the ten toes, and the description of the image in the form of a man. This signifies that the church age would come into being in the territory of the Roman empire. Ten toes means that ten kingdoms will become a united force. The feet were made partly of iron and partly of clay. That signifies that the coalition of nations will have totally different political structures, as is Europe today. The “strong” structure is the monarchy, and the “weak” structure is the democracy. The two will be mixed to form one empire or country - a unified Europe. It is believed that this coalition of political, economic, social, and military powers will manifest itself in the very near future.
A stone cut without hands: “A stone was cut out without hands” and struck the image, breaking it into pieces, in verse 34. That stone then became a great mountain and filled the whole earth, in verse 35. That stone signifies Jesus Christ, the Messiah. The interpretation and belief among many theologians and scholars is that Jesus Christ will come again, conquering and destroying this new unified European Commonwealth, a remnant of the Roman empire, and all who stand with them. At that point all the nations of the world will again be under the rule of Christ.
2. Daniel’s dream of the four beasts: God also showed Daniel a vision, which Daniel recorded in chapter 7 of his book. In 555 B.C. Daniel had a dream in which he saw four beast. Through these beasts God was showing Daniel those things which are to come in the future. These beast were predators that bit and tore at each other viciously. First, in Daniel 7:4, “The first was like a lion that had eagle’s wings: I beheld to the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man’s heart was given to it.” The wings were plucked out and the beast stood erect like a man and spoke. This beast represented king Nebuchadnezzar, and showed he would unify and rule the empire as swiftly as a lion or an eagle in flight. The vision also referred to Nebuchadnezzar’s becoming insane and living in the fields with wild beasts, as his punishment for his pridefulness and arrogance. When he repented of his sinfulness, God restored him, and a man’s heart was given to him as seen in Daniel 4:24-37. Second, in Daniel 7:5, “And behold another beasts, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.” This bear signifies the Medo-Persian empire. The statement that the bear was raised up on one side means that in the coalition of Media and Persia, Persia was the stronger. This empire was represented by a bear because it had the characteristics of a bear, in that it was strong but clumsy as it rushed recklessly with it’s military might in conquest and in war. It’s army did not win in war through great strategies, but by overpowering the enemy with enormous numbers of soldiers. Xerxes of Persia, for example, mobilized a force of five million in his expedition to Greece. Half of those men were in the army, and the rest were engaged in the supply and support of the army. Lydia, Babylon, and Egypt fought as allies against the Medo-Persian empire and were defeated. The three ribs the bear had signify those three defeated nations of Greece, Egypt, and Babylon. Third, in Daniel 7:6, “After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back four wings of a fowl; the beast also had four heads; and dominion was given to it.” A leopard is a swift animal, and thus a leopard with four wings meant that it could conquer the whole world with lightning speed and swiftness. This was a great reference to Greece under the direction of Alexander the Great. The four heads of the leopard signified Alexander’s four generals. After His death, the empire was divided up among the four generals. The four parts were Thrace, Macedonia, Syria, and Egypt. And fourth, in Daniel 7:7, “After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.” This beast represented the Roman empire and it’s remnants. By 30 B.C. Rome had subdued Thrace, Macedonia, and Egypt, thus bringing all of known civilization under it’ control and authority. It was the most extensive empire in the history of the known world. This beast had ten horns, which correspond to the ten toes of the image in king Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. As Daniel was looking, a little horn came out of the ten horns and plucked three of the first horns out by the roots. This little horn signifies the appearance of the anti-Christ, who rises up and begins to dictate to the nations of the world his will, thus opposing God and causing great pain and suffering to the saints for three and one half years before God destroys him.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 13:1.
Daniel 7:2,3 “Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea. And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.”
Revelation 12:3, “And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his head.”
Daniel 11:36, “And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that, that is determined shall be done.”
Revelation17:3, “So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.”
B. The Beast that the Apostle John saw (13:1-2).
If we compare the image and the beast revealed in the book of Daniel with the beast which rose up out of the sea in Revelation chapter 13, we will understand with greater clarity the overall meaning. The beast that the Apostle John saw also had ten horns and seven heads, and represented the anti-Christ, who will appear in the age of the ten toes at the end of human history. Let us examine four points of John’s vision: 1. The ten horns that wear ten crowns - The ten horns wearing ten crowns signify the rulers of the ten nations of the European Commonwealth. In other words, ten nations in Europe will arise to power in what is now the former ancient Roman empire. This unified European Commonwealth will grow out of ten countries, which will form strong political, philosophical, economic, social, and military alliances over the upcoming years. 2. The seven heads - The beast had seven heads, and on each of them was a blasphemous name. The seven heads with blasphemous names represent seven kingdoms that oppose the will and word of God and who persecute His people theologically, politically, socially, economically, and even criminally. The fact that the seven heads belong to one political body of nations shows us that it is made up of remnants of six kingdoms that have historically opposed God. In Revelation 17:10, it is written therein of seven kings, “five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come.” This will more thoroughly addressed in chapter 17 of Revelation. 3. The characteristics of the beast - The beast that rose up out of the sea had the look of three beast in one. First, it is said to like a leopard, which represents the swiftness of the ancient Grecian empire. Second, it is said to have the feet of a bear, which means it will possess a large army like that of the ancient Medo-Persian Empire. Third, it is said to have a mouth of a lion, which signifies it possesses mighty power like that of the ancient Babylonian empire, so that it is able to conquer the whole world. Collectively, the beast envisioned by the Apostle John symbolizes the revived Roman empire, and the remnants thereof, that is the union of the ten European nations that will become the strongest political, social, economic, and military power ever known in human history. 4. The dragon and the anti-Christ - In verse 2, the dragon gave the beast his power, his throne and great authority with it. This is the same dragon that was cast out of heaven after he was defeated in his conflict with the archangel Michael, at the end of the first three and one half years of the great tribulation. When he comes to earth, he gives his power, his throne, and his great authority to the anti-Christ, hoping he can win in his stead, the future of our children, and children’s children.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 13:1-2.
Revelation 12:9, “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into earth, and his angels were cast out with him”
Revelation 13:4,12,14, “And they worshiped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him? ... And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed ... And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and lived.”
C. The Revival of the Head Fatally Wounded (13:3-4).
One of the beast’s heads becomes fatally wounded, a prediction that the anti-Christ will be killed. In today’s world imagine that the anti-Christ is killed by a terrorist or an assassin. As preparations are being made for his state funeral, suddenly his fatal wound is miraculously healed! He is revived by the power of the devil, as prophesied. The whole world wonders at such a miracle. The media reports which had reported his death, now reports his miraculous resurrection. The inhabitants of the earth will be astonished and moved. As an example, suppose that John F. Kennedy, after being reported dead, suddenly came back to life. The journalist and media of the world would have flooded the airways and newspapers with the news. He would have been held up in even higher esteem and admiration, thus giving him extraordinary power and clout as a world leader. Besides wondering at the resuscitation of the anti-Christ, the people of the earth will worship him and the dragon. Combining their collective resources, the red dragon and the beast will mobilize enormous political, economic, and military strength and power. People will say, as prophesied in verse 4, “Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him?”
Given the red dragon is Satan, the beast will be compelled to make an insignia or image of the dragon. Culturally, dragons represent evil in the West, but, in the East they are revered and worshiped. In China and Korea, a throne is called “the seat of the dragon;” the face of a king, “the face of the dragon;” and if anyone sees a dragon in his or her dreams, the interpretation is that the person will have a lucky and bountiful day. For many years the devil has had the Orient and many parts of the world as a stage unto only himself because the areas and regions had been out of the influence of Christianity and the Gospel message. People have been compelled to manufacture insignias and images of the dragon for the purpose of worship. The world will soon be covered with images of the dragon in the forms of portraits, flags, clothing, tattoos, and statues for worship. Afterward, the anti-Christ will become the focus of worship.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 13:3-4.
2 Thessalonians 2:3,4, “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.”
Revelation 18:18, “And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!”
D. Outrage of the Beast (13:5-10).
The anti-Christ will trample the world, wielding great political, social, economic, and military power for the second half of the great tribulation as describe in verse 5, “And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.” Not knowing his true status, however, we read in verse 6, that he, in his arrogance and pridefulness, will utter blasphemy against God, and denounce those His name, His tabernacle, and all those who dwell therein. When he delivers his public addresses, or holds press conferences, he will always include blasphemous rhetoric which denounce God and His saints in heaven. Furthermore, he will wage war against the Jewish Christians for forty two months, ordering them to be slain wherever they are found. However, during this time period they will be hiding in the refuge of the fortress at Petra.
All whose names are not written in the Lamb’s book of life will submit to the will of the beast and bow down and worship him, regardless of age, sex, or position in life, as prophesied in verse 8, “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” And in verse 10, we are told that “patience and faith are needed by the saints,” till the end.
The Apostle John encourages us in verse 10, with prophecy “he that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity.” The anti-Christ will go into captivity himself, and with the sword with which many Jews were slain, so too, he also will be slain. Having knowledge of this, we are called to persevere unto the end.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 13:5-10.
Daniel 7:7-27, “After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and break in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things. I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, Whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head like pure wool: His throne was like the fiery flame, and His wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him: thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame. As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time. I saw in the night visions, and, behold, One like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought Him near before Him. And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him: His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. I Daniel grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things. These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth. But the saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever. Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from al the others, exceedingly dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet; And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows. I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. And he shall speak great words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. But judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, Whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.”
Daniel 11:32-36, “And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by the flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed. And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that, that is determined shall be done.”
Revelation 11:2, “But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.”
Revelation 12:6, “And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.”
John 1:1-5,14, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not ... And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (we beheld His glory, the glory as of the begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth.”
Colossians 2:8-14, “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power: In Whom ye also are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through faith of the operation of God, Who hath raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross.”
Exodus 32:32, “Yet now, if Thou wilt forgive their sin; and if not, blot me, I pray Thee, out of Thy book which Thou hast written.”
Daniel 12:1,2, “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”
Philippians 4:4-7, “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be know unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Revelation 21:27, “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.”
John 1:29,36, “And the next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. ... And looking upon Jesus as He walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!”
Ephesians 1:3-12, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved. In Whom we have redemption through His blood , the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace; Wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him: In Whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him Who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will: That we should be to the praise of His glory, Who first trusted in Christ.”
1 Peter 1:18-21, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but manifest in these last tines for you, Who by Him do believe in God, that raised Him from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.”
Revelation 5:6-13, “And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it has been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.”
Revelation 7:17, “For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”
Genesis 9:6, “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made He man.”
Matthew 26:52, “The Jesus said unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.”
Revelation 14:12, “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”
E. The other Beast which came out of the Earth (13:11-18).
In verse 11, the Apostle John “beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.” It is important that we recognize that this false prophet will mimic Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, in an attempt to deceive and confuse the inhabitants of the earth. He, however, has only two horns, whereas, Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God has seven horns. The Holy Spirit and the false prophet are also at battle. The Holy Spirit preaches the gospel of Jesus Christ with all His might, bringing Him honor and glory, whereas, the false prophet tries desperately to bring honor and glory to the anti-Christ. Furthermore, in verse 12, the false prophet will exercise the power of the anti-Christ, and will publicize his name. The Holy Spirit is entrusted with the authority of God the Father and Jesus Christ, and acts in His Name. The false prophet makes the earth and it’s inhabitants bow down and worship the anti-Christ. The Holy Spirit convicts the hearts of believers, thus leading them to worship and honor God. The false prophet will also do great wonders before the anti-Christ and all the world as written in verses 13-14, “And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.”
In verse 15, the false prophet has the people make an idol of the anti-Christ and gives life to it so it can speak, “And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would worship the image of the beast should be killed.” From a engineering and scientific standpoint, that is now an easy task to accomplish, since technology now exist which would enable such images to so function, thus, deceiving many. However, since the image spoke, it appeared to the Apostle John that the image had been given life. The false prophet then forces all the inhabitants of the earth through his deception and power over them to worship the image. Those who are unwilling are slain. This is a time of horrific carnage.
Just as the 144,000 preachers of God were sealed on their foreheads, so the false prophet causes all the people who are under the authority and reign of the anti-Christ to receive a mark on their forehead or right hand. He then forbids those who do not have the mark of the beast to engage in any kind of commercial, political, or social activities. In other words, they are starved to death because they lack any means of acquiring food, shelter, or care, as in verse 16-17, “And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand , or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” The Satanic number is as follows: the number of the dragon is six; the number of the anti-Christ is six; and, the number of the false prophet is six. Hence it is representative of the trinity of wickedness and evil: verse 18, “Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of man; and his number is Six hundred sixty ans six.”
The Triune God is represented by the number Seven hundred seventy and seven, the Biblical number for completion or perfection. Thus, the evil ones reflect the mirror image of, or opposite of the Divine Trinity of God - God the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. The dragon corresponds to God the Father; the anti-Christ corresponds to God the Son; and, the false prophet corresponds to God the Holy Spirit. As God the Father gives all His power to Jesus His Christ, and the Holy Spirit honors and glorifies Jesus the Christ, so, the dragon gives all his power to the anti-Christ, and the false prophet seeks to honor and glorify the anti-Christ.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 13:11-18.
Deuteronomy 13:1-5, “If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear Him, and keep His commandments, and obey His voice, and ye shall serve Him, and cleave unto Him. And the prophet, or the dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the Lord your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of then house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the Lord thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.”
Matthew 24:24,25, “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before.”
2 Thessalonians 2:8-12, “And then shall the wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming: Even Him, Whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”
Revelation 16:13-16, “And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and put of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. Fro they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.”
2 Kings 1:10, “And Elijah answered and said to the captain of the fifty, if I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.”
Revelation 20:4, “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 worshiped 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.”
Revelation 14:11, “And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.”
Revelation 15:2, “And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.”
Psalm 107:43, “Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the loving kindness of the Lord.”
Hosea 14:9, “Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? Prudent, and he shall know them? For the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.”
Revelation 2:17, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.”
Reflection points:
1. Chapter 13 reveals that the beast is the incarnation of the powers of evil and that it attracts universal admiration from world leaders for it’s ability to accumulate wealth and military power for acts which appear to be beneficial to humanity. There is pressure from all sides to conform and to serve the will of the anti-Christ. To refuse so, is to open oneself to public ostracism. Humanity is confused and deceived because the beast has many characteristics of the Lamb of God, and so portrays himself as such. Those who are not cloaked in the Word and Spirit of God, or as Paul refers, “ the Armor of God,” are easily deceived and lost. In the Apostle John’s vision, the task of the beast is to persuade and convince ordinary people that what they see and experience is normal and admirable. That things which are evil and seem foggy, are of God’s own doing and will. Therefore any deviation to worldly virtues or any counterculture is regarded as evil, as ungodly, as strange and anti-social, and is to be rejected and repudiated. John’s vision unmask the processes of this deception and seductiveness of the beast and the evil at hand. Historically we as humans have been victimized by corrupt and evil people such as Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot, the apartheid regime in South Africa, Sudan, Iraq, Iran, Cuba, North Korea, and many more throughout Asia, Asia Minor, Central and South America, and their supporters who are responsible for horrific crimes against humanity. These people, asa well as many unnamed before them and many who continue to followed in their footsteps, could not have been able to commit these horrific atrocities against humanity without the silent and existing support of ordinary people, Christian and non-Christian, who remained silent in order to publicly keep their hands clean and to protect their wealth base, their power base, and their family names. These are people of stature and apparent good breeding who choose to maintain low profiles in order to avoid being seen as political. They cloak themselves in righteousness, deceiving those who seek justice, through corruption and manipulation. Revelation13 reveals the demonic character of the state and it’s thirst for power and wealth. Chapter 13 reveals that the state, that is those who control the wealth and power, is willing to wilfully oppress and persecute those which oppose it, many times under the cloak of national security, economic well-being, free market, or in the interest of public health and safety. The state has proven over the course of history to be an entity masked with deep-seated conflicts of interest. It is not neutral and devoid of corruption. It is motivated and fueled by greed, power, lust, and human self-aggrandizement. It is ruled and control by individuals and small groups which wish only to promote institutions and special interest which serve their best interest. Their actions lead to the willful blasphemy of God’s will for His creation. They have become instruments of oppression and manipulation for the will of the beast. As Christians, children of God, we must remember that as such, we are no longer citizens of this world, but citizens of the kingdom of God and that we are to conduct ourselves as such publicly and privately. We are called, as disciples of Jesus Christ, to stand up for those who are hungry, thirsty, naked, homeless, sick and afflicted, and in bondage and oppressed. We are to die to ourselves that we may live as one with Christ in service to God the Father and the welfare of humanity. Revelation 13, like Romans 13, implies that we are to be submissive to the powers to be, rather than to resist by revolution. Jesus Christ submitted to the powers of the state and was crucified. He did so in obedience to the will of the Father in heaven, even unto death. In doing so He showed us, as His followers, the way of the Father and the reward which awaits those who obey. Through His resurrection the promise is ours if we will only trust and obey God.
2. Martin Luther said that we are to obey the state, the powers to be, right up to the point where obedience leads to sin, then at that point we are to obey God, so as to not sin. Paul, too, tells us we are to obey God over man. Revelation 13 is not a declaration for anarchy and chaos, but rather it is a revelation to Christians of things to come, and an awareness of who the beast is and to what extent he will go to conquer all. We must be well grounded in our faith and in Holy Scripture in order to recognize and to differentiate between that which is of God and that which is of Satan. Let us not be misled by smooth talking deceivers and manipulators of the word of God. This is only possible if we cloak ourselves in the armor of God, His Word and His Spirit.
3. Many Christian churches are criticized for advocating reconciliation as a means between conflict and order. Injustices can not be removed without it, and to do nothing means that the status quo prevails and injustice continues. Someone said that “the only thing evil needs to prevail or triumph, is for a few good men to do nothing.” This is true of the church. The church of Christ must stand as a pillar in their communities. They are not called to be bastions of caution and moderation. We, as the apostles and men and women of God before us are called out to challenge injustice, to inspire discipleship, and to motivate community action in the service of all who are oppressed and week. The message of the cross is to be an inspiration to all to make sacrifices for injustice and for liberation through the word of God. It is a message of peace, love, joy, and hope for all humanity, no matter what one’s station in life be. The church must preach and teach Jesus’ gospel message of salvation and truth. The church must do so, not only through words, but also through divine actions and witnessing.
Chapter Thirteen Study Questions.
1. Who is the Dragon who stands on the shore? What does he do?
2. Who is the Beast who comes out of the Sea (Revelation 13:1-3; Daniel 7; Romans 13:1; Isaiah
27:1)? What is the Sea? What does he do?
3. Why did the inhabitants of the earth worship him?
4. What is the source and extent of his power?
5. What is the relationship between the Dragon and the Beast from out of the Sea?
6. What impact will this Beast have upon the inhabitants of the earth who worship him, and upon Faithful believers who worship God? How are they to respond? Explain!
7. Who is the Beast coming out of the Earth in verses 11-17? What is he like?
8. What authority is given him by the Dragon?
9. How are True Religion, which is of the Doctrine of God, and Governments, which govern according to the Will of God connected, and mimicked by the Two Beasts?
10. What does the number “666" signify? Who, or What does it represent? Explain!
11. What, or Who do the Ten horns and the Seven Heads represent? What are the ‘blasphemous’ names?
12. What is the significance of ‘the Fatal Wound in one of the head of the Beast’ from out of the
sea? Explain!
13. What does the Sea signify?
14. What does it mean to have ‘the Mark of the Beast in One’s Forehead, or on One’s Right Hand? Explain!
15. If the Holy Trinity is representative of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit,
than who is representative in the unholy trinity? Explain the parallel!
Chapter 14.
The Lamb on Mount Zion: The Vintage of God’s Wrath.
V. Parenthetical Prophecy (14:1-20).
As a parenthetical (episodic) prophecy, Revelation chapter 14 reveals things that will happen during the second half of the great tribulation. A more revealing and detailed look will follow in Revelation chapter 15.
“1. Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on mount Zion, and with Him 144,000 who had His Name and His Father’s Name written on their foreheads. 2. And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing harps. 3. And they sung a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and elders. No one could learn the son g but the 114,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. 4. These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they kept themselves pure. They follow the Lamb wherever He goes. They were purchased from among men and offered as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. 5. No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless. 6. Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth - to every nation, tribe, language and people. 7. He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come. Worship Him Who have made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.” 8. A second angel followed and said, “ ”Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great, which made all nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries.” 9. A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, 10. He, too, will drink of the wine of God’s fury, which had been poured full strength into the cup of His wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. 11. And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day and night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name.” 12. This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus. 13. Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “They will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” 14. I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the clouds was One “like a Son of Man” with a crown of gold on His head and a sharp sickle in His hand. 15. Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to Him Who was standing on the cloud, “Take Your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest fo the earth is ripe.” 16. So He Who was seated on the cloud swung His sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested. 17. Another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. 18. Still another angel, who had charge of the fire, came from the altar and called in a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, “Take your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the earth’s vine, because it’s grapes are ripe.” 19. The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered the grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God’s wrath. 20. They were trampled in the winepress outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses’ bridles for a distance of a thousand six hundred furlongs (approximately 180 miles).”
A. 144,000 after the First Three and One Half Years (14:1-5).
Since the start of the second half of the great tribulation, or the second three and one half years, we have heard no more of the 144,000 Jewish preachers and prophesiers who propagated the gospel during the first part of the great tribulation, or the first three and one half years.
We now find them on mount Zion, in heaven, singing a new song no one else is able to learn as written in verse 3, “And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures, and elders. No one could learn the song but the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.” Why was it, that no one else could learn this song? It was because those particular saints have endured and overcome the severe trials and sufferings of the second half of the great tribulation, and those who have not endured this hardship and persecution are not able to sing the new song. This song is known only to the 114,000.
Verse 4 reveals that they were not defiled with fleshly desires for women, which means they did not bow down to idols. It is an act of spiritual fornication to love the world and to worship idols. This verse also reveals the fact theat they were chaste, and the Greek word used here means “celibate: one who remains unmarried.” Thus, the 144,000 are all betrothed to and remain faithful to the Lamb of God. They are totally obedient to His will and guidance. They are the firstfruits of the Jewish people in the tribulation.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 14:1-5.
John 1:36, “And looking upon Jesus as He walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!”
Revelation 7:2-4, “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 who it was given 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. And I heard the number of them that were sealed a hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.”
2 Corinthians 11:2-4, “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with Him.”
James 1:18, “Of His Own will begat He us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.”
Psalm 32:2, “Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.”
Zephaniah 3:13, “The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.”
Ephesians 5:27, “That He might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but it should be holy and without blemish.”
Jude 2,24,25 “Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied ... Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy ... To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.”
B. The Angel’s Proclamation of the Gospel (14:6-7).
The Apostle John saw next an angel proclaiming the gospel message of Jesus Christ. Preaching the gospel is not usually the function assigned to angels. The angel who appeared to Cornelius, as an example, did not preach the gospel himself, but told Cornelius to call Peter and hear it from him, Acts 10:1-8, “There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band. A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always. He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day and angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do. And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.” The angel’s message was a mixture of hope and warning, as written in verse 7 of Revelations chapter 14, “Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” God was giving those who were left on earth fare warning, and another opportunity to respond to the preaching of the gospel message of Jesus Christ, before the end of the age.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 14:6-7.
Matthew 28:19,20, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Ephesians 3:7-9, “Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of His power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all the saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, Who created all things by Jesus Christ.”
Titus 1:2,3, “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; But hath in due times manifested His word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Savior.”
Psalm 124:8, “Our help is in the Name of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.”
Psalm 146:5, “Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for is help, whose hope is in the Lord his God.”
Acts 14:15, “And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are like men of passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made in heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein.”
C. The Falling Down of Babylon the Great (14:8).
Now following the first angel’s preaching of the eternal gospel, the second angel prophesied that a rebellious Babylon the Great would fall. Though, it is not certain where the anti-Christ will make the center of his kingdom, the city which he chooses will become the central city in the world of economic, social, political, and military might. As it is foretold, God will destroy Babylon during the second half of the great tribulation. Thus, Revelation 14 is a parenthetical prophecy, and the episodic events will begin to be fulfilled in chapter 15 of Revelation.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 14:8.
Isaiah 21:9, “And, behold, here cometh a chariot of men, with a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods He hath broken unto the ground.”
Jeremiah 51:6-8, “Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the Lord’s vengeance; He will render unto her a recompense. Babylon hath been a golden cup in the Lord’s hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad. Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed.”
D. The Warning of the Third Angel (14:9-11).
The third angel followed the first and the second angels, and said, verses 9-10, “if any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb.” The most dreadful and terrifying judgment is to be cast into the lake burning with fire and brimstone. Those people who do not accept Jesus Christ as their Lord, and who die in sin, are condemned for all eternity to a life of suffering and torment. Those who perish in sin now will go to hell, which is different from the lake of fire and brimstone. Hell is the place where souls apart from Jesus Christ will gather after the first death of the body. It is a place of great suffering and of great torment. It is written in Luke chapter16:19-26 of a man named Lazarus and of a rich man who both died, and the rich man went to hell, and Lazarus went into the bosom of Abraham; “There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in the flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.” Though the rich man appeals to Abraham to send Lazarus with a bit of water to cool his tongue, this is not to be. Imagine if hell is so tormenting and painful, how great then must be the pain and agony of one who is cast into the lake of fire and brimstone!
All of those who worship the beast and his image and receive his mark in their forehead and in their hand will be cast for ever into this horrific lake of eternal agony and suffering. The word used here in Greek is “Gehenna,” and it was called the Valley of the Children of Hinnom in the Old Testament, a valley that was a common dump where trash and waste was burned in Jerusalem. The smell and conditions there were abominable. At the appointed time, however, the inhabitants of the earth who worshiped the beast and his image and received his mark on their foreheads and on their hands will be piled up there and burned.
Note, Jehovah’s Witnesses argue that when people die, their souls also die with them. This conflicts with verse 11, however, which says, that the souls of those inhabitants who worshiped the beast and his image and who received his mark on their hand will be cast into the lake burning with fire and brimstone, ant that they will be eternally tormented, and the smoke therein will ascend for ever and ever. According to the Bible, the soul will live in one of only two places for all eternity, heaven or hell. Though many people, scholars, and theologians, doubt whether there are really places such as heaven and hell, the Bible clearly states that such places exist. Let it be known, that all the Biblical prophesies are being fulfilled. Why, then would not this part of prophesy be fulfilled. Jesus Christ commented on the soul of the man who betrayed Him in Matthew 26:24, “The Son of man goeth as it is written of Him: but woe unto the man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It had been good for that man if he had not been born.” Jesus knew where the soul of Judas would go, and what Jesus said about Judas is just as true and applicable for all who refuse to believe and obey Him.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 14:9-11.
Psalm 75:7-9, “But God is the Judge: He putteth down one, and setteth up another. For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and He poureth out of the same: but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them. But I will declare for ever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.”
Isaiah 43:10, “Ye are My witnesses, saith the Lord, and My servant whom I have chose: that ye may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He: before Me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after Me.”
E. The Voice in Heaven (14:12-13).
The Apostle John heard next, a voice from heaven saying to him in verse 13, “And I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.” Those who belatedly believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and who receive Him as their Lord and Savior will all die as martyrs at the hand of the anti-Christ during the second half of the great tribulation. Even the two witnesses die that way, according to prophecy. However, during the time of tribulation, it will be more blessed to take rest and comfort before God and to be martyred for His name sake then to live, only to be cast eventually into the lake burning with fire and brimstone.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 14:12-13.
Revelation 13:9,10, “If any man have an ear, let him hear. He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.”
Revelation 12:17, “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
Ecclesiastes 4:1,2, “So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter. Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.”
1 Corinthians 15:1-58, “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I have preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I deliver unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that He was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, He was seen above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto the present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, He was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all He was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, that I am not meet to be called and apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Therefore which it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed. Now if Christ be preached that He rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ: Whom He raised not up, if so that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they which are also fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at His coming. Then cometh the end, when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign, till He hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For He hath put all things under His feet. But when He saith all things are put under Him, it is manifest that He is expected, which did put all things under Him. And when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him that put all things under Him, that God may be all in all. Else what shall they do that are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead? And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? I protest by your rejoicing which I in Jesus Christ our Lord, I die daily. If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die. Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come? Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened (restored to life), except it die: And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or some other grain: But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased Him, and to every seed his own body. All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beast, another of fishes, and another of birds. There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial (heavenly; divine) is one, and the glory of the terrestrial (earthly; worldly) is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; and the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which was spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthly: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthly, such are they also that are earthly: and as is heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doe corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruptible, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this incorruptible shall have ut on incorruptible, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as much as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the lord.”
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, “For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
Isaiah 57:1,2, “The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.”
2 Thessalonians 1:7-10, “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with Hi mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power; When He shall come to be glorified in His saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.”
Hebrews 4:4-16, “For He spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all His works. And in this place again, If they shall enter into My rest. Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and to they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: Again, He limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To-day, after so long a time; as it is said, To-day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. For if Jesus had given them rest, then would He not afterward spoken of another day. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the example of unbelief. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and open unto the eyes of Him with Whom we have to do. Seeing then that we have a Great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not a High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
F. The Two Harvests (14:14-20).
Next to come in chapter 14 are the two harvests. The first harvest. In verse 14, it is written that a man like the Son of Man was sitting on a white cloud with a golden crown on His head and a sharp sickle in His hand, and that He was reaping. That One is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Who will in the second half of the great tribulation will reap the remaining martyrs who died in His name. From that point on, no one will be saved. Later in Revelation we will see those martyrs being harvested and coming up into heaven to be with their Lord. The second harvest. Then the second harvest begins with the last judgment, reaping al the unbelievers which still inhabit the earth. It is followed by the War of all wars, that which is called Armageddon. We will deal with this point in a chapter later in the book. The War of Armageddon is a war which takes place between the saints of Jesus Christ and the armies of the earth. As the second three and one half years of the great tribulation begin, the anti-Christ and the people of the world realize that the Christ and His saints will descend upon the earth from the air and destroy them in all their wickedness. They have already seen the 144,000 preachers taken up into heaven alive, along with the two faithful witnesses. The anti-Christ, along with his vast armies of Europe, plus the eastern kings of Asia, and Asia Minor, which are under his command and influence, will assemble at Armageddon to fight against Jesus and His hosts from heaven. At that time will tread down the armies, as One Who treads down the winepress. The number of people killed will be so numerous, that their blood will reach up to the bridles of the horses, and will be spread over a distance of 1,600 stadia, or about 180 miles. We can only imagine how horrific this vision was to the Apostle John in his day, seeing the hail and the rain falling down from heaven, the likes that are the resemblance of a nuclear war and fallout. The carnage and holocaust which resulted is unimaginable.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 14:14-20.
Ezekiel 1:26-2:2, “And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a Man above upon it. And I saw as the color of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of His loins even upward, and from the appearance of His loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about. As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of One the spake. And He said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee. And the spirit entered into me when He spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard Him that spake unto me.”
Daniel 7:13, “And I saw in the night visions, and, behold, One like the Son of man came in the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought Him near before Him.”
Joel 3:11-17, “Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O Lord. Let the heaven be awaken, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heaven round about. Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great. Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining. The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of His people, and the strength of the children of Israel. So shall ye know that I am the Lord your God dwelling in Zion, My holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.”
Matthew 13:39, “But He answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”
Jeremiah 51:33, “For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; The daughter of Babylon is like a threshing floor, it is time to thresh her: yet a little while, and the time of her harvest will come.”
Revelation 13:13-15, “And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to then that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to life to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should bot speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.”
Revelation 16:7, “And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Thy judgments.”
Revelation 19:11, “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.”
Isaiah 63:1-4, “Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? This that is glorious in His apparel, traveling in the greatness of His strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. Wherefore art Thou red in Thine apparel, and Thy garments like Him that treadeth in the winefat? I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in Mine anger, and trample them in My fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon My garments, and I will stain all My raiment.”
Lamentations 1:18-22, “The Lord is righteous; for I have rebelled against his commandment: hear, I pray you, all people, and behold my sorrow: my virgins and my young men are gone into captivity. I called for my lovers, but they deceived me: my priests and mine elders gave up the spirit in the city, while they sought their meat to relieve their souls. Behold, O Lord; for I am in distress: my bowels are troubled; mine heart is turned within me; for I have grievously rebelled: abroad the sword bereaveth, at home there is death. They have heard that I sigh: there is none to comfort me: all mine enemies have heard of my troubles; they are glad that Thou hast done it: Thou wilt bring the day that Thou hast called, and they shall be like unto me. Let all their wickedness come before Thee; and do unto them, as Thou hast done unto me for all my transgressions: for my sighs are many, and my heart is faint.”
Revelation 11:8, “And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.”
Hebrews 13:8-13, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever. Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach.”
Reflective points:
1. In chapter 14 we see a contrast to the preceding chapter. In chapter 13 the followers and worshipers of the beast and all he stands for achieve temporary prosperity and suspension from God’s wrath and judgment, but ultimately they are held accountable. The Apostle John’s vision offers hope for those who stand firm in the word and will of God. The stress for integrity and truthfulness contrast the deceit and duplicity (trickery; double-dealing) which are apparent in chapter 13. In brutal fashion, the vision of John reveals the result of such self-serving character in those who operate in what may seem too many normal and harmless manners. Compromising with the order of the world, the powers of corruption and oppression, is nothing less than allowing the mark of the beast to be placed upon oneself (upon our heads - what we believe, think, and say; upon our hands - what we do). We find revealed clearly in Matthew 25:31-46 the subtle relationship between the Eschatological Judge, Jesus Christ, and His hidden presence among humanity in the “least of His brethren.” The ultimate consequences for the final judgment of God are now being indeed gestated in the womb of human history. So as leaders and people of God, it is not how will human history remember and judge us is the question, but how will the God of all creation remember and judge us? That is the critical question and the only one which has any value or significance. This is true of the Bible as a whole. Our faith is an indissoluble link between the public and the private, the carnal and the spiritual, neither of which can be separated in our witness to others and the way we live out our lives here on earth. We are God’s children, called to a holy priesthood, so as to bear witness to all the world the majesty and grace of Almighty God the Father, and Jesus Christ the Son through the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit of God.
2. In one’s journey it is often difficult, when one has been committed to a set of beliefs, standards and principles, or to a community or social/political group, they believe to be just and honorable to retreat or change for fear of public disgrace or humiliation. But this chapter of Revelation reveals that it is worthwhile to make such changes when it is revealed that such institutions are themselves corrupt and self-serving, for to do otherwise could cost one and others everlasting life and result in eternal condemnation. We are called to repentance, to reject that which is carnal and to put on that which is spiritual, and in so doing we receive forgiveness and restoration into the graces of God Almighty. We as Christians, disciples of Jesus Christ, are called to live our lives in conformity with the pattern of Christ’s life, one of servanthood.
3. The imagery revealed in the final verses of chapter 14 may seem barbaric, unedifying, to lack theological maturity. However, just as the material in chapters 6, 8, and 9, we cannot gloss over it, nor dilute it’s meaning and intent. These texts suggest with the utmost seriousness that the choices we make in life may have serious consequences and that we are to choose carefully whom we serve and how. It is imperative that we as readers and listeners of the word of God hear what the Spirit of God is saying to the seven churches and to the message of this prophetic book, and that we take it to heart.
Chapter Fourteen Study Questions.
1. Given the chaos and conflict which occurs in chapters 12 and 13, what comfort, sights, sounds,
and feelings are you able to find in this passage? Explain!
2. Who is the Lamb? What is His significance in human history and in pre-creation, creation, and post-creation as we know it? Explain!
3. Who are the people of the earth who are willing to follow Him?
4. Why do you follow the Lamb of God? What has He done in your life? What purpose does He
serve in your life?
5. In verses 6 and 7, What is the essence of the Gospel message being proclaimed by the angel of
grace?
6. Who will hear it, and What response to this Gospel is required from the hearers of it?
7. In contrast to the First Angel, What message does the Angel of Doom proclaim in verse 8?
8. Who is the ‘Fallen Babylon’? Who, and What does Babylon represent? Who has been infected by the Babylonian spirit of deceit, compromise, oppression, power, and evil. Explain!
9. How does Satan’s ideology in 13:11-18 differ from God’s Truth in 14:6-13? Explain!
10. Who are the dead who are blessed in verse 13?
11. Who is the Son of Man sitting on the White Cloud?
12. What does the ‘image of the harvest’ signify? Is there One, or are there Two Harvesting’s which take place in this passage (Revelation 14-16; 17-20)? What are they, and explain their outcome?
13. What is ‘the Nature of the Judgment of God’ that will occur (Matthew 13:30,39; Matthew 25:31-46)?
14. Who are the ‘Clusters of Grapes’ which are gathered by the angel with the sickle and thrown
into the great winepress of God’s wrath? Why?
15. How high, and for what distance did the blood from the winepress of God’s wrath flow in
verses 19 and 20? Explain!
Chapter 15.
Seven Angels Bearing Seven Vials of Wrath.
VI. The Plagues and the Judgment: Part One (15:1-8).
“1. I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues - last, because with them God’s wrath is completed. 2. And I saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and over the number of his name. They held harps given them by God. 3. And they sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb: “Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are Your ways, King of the ages. 4.Who will not fear You, Lord, and bring glory to Your name? For You alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed.” 5. After this I looked and in heaven the temple, that is, the tabernacle of the Testimony, was opened. 6. Out of the temple come the seven angels with the seven plagues. They were dressed in clean, shining linen and wore golden sashes around their chests. 7. Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God, Who lives for ever and ever. 8. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.”
A. The Last Plague (15:1).
The things which were prophesied parenthetically in Revelation chapter14 are now being fulfilled exactly in chapters 15 and 16 of the book of Revelation. These last plagues appear in the form of the judgment of the seven bowls and are the final judgment upon humanity by God.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 15:1.
Revelation 16:1, “And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.”
Revelation 21:9, “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.”
Revelation 14:10, “The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation; and shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb.”
B. Those Standing Beside the Sea of Glass (15:2-4).
Just prior to the beginning of the final judgment, the Apostle John, in his vision, sees a group of people standing on a sea of glass mingled with fire. Those are the people gathered for the final harvest by Jesus Christ. They do not stand within the sea, but they stand outside of it, for they have come out of that sea. It represents the world that is now calm; the world which had a short time before endured severe trial, and tribulations. Those people are the people who were naked and starving and homeless and who had suffered horrific and miserable deaths because they would not worship the beast and his image and would not wear his mark upon their hand.
The song that those people sing is “the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb,” in verse 3. It is the same song the Israelites sang when they saw Pharaoh’s army being engulfed and destroyed by the Red Sea, as written in chapters 14:26 -15:21 of the book of Exodus. After the song by those who are standing on the sea of glass, only dreadful judgment remains.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 15:2-4.
Revelation 4:6, “And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.”
Revelation13:15, “And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.”
Exodus 15:1, “Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea.”
Deuteronomy 31:30, “And Moses spake in the ears of all the congregation of Israel the words of this song, until they were ended.”
Deuteronomy 32:4, “He is the Rock, His work is perfect: for all His ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He.”
Hosea 14:9, “Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? Prudent, and he shall know them? For the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them: but transgressors shall fall therein.”
Exodus 15:14, “The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina.”
Jeremiah 10:7, “Who would not fear Thee, O King of nations? For to Thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto Thee.”
Isaiah 66:22, “For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before Me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain.”
Revelation 11:19, “And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in His temple the ark of His testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.”
C. The Judgment of the Seven Bowls by the Seven Angels: Part I. (15:5-8).
Next, the seven angels received the seven bowls which contained seven plagues and came out of the temple to pour them out upon the earth.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 15:5-8.
Exodus 40:34, “Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.”
1 Kings 8:10, “And it came to pass, when the priest were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the Lord.”
2 Chronicles 5:14, “So that the priest could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God.”
Isaiah 6:3,4, “And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.”
Reflective points:
1. In chapter 15 the significance of human behavior is expressed clearly. As an example, during the great exodus from Egypt, when the children of Israel reached the Red Sea, they began singing a song of deliverance in chapter 15 of the book of Exodus. This song of deliverance is echoed in chapter 15 of Revelation. It is a metaphor for non-conformity and for the refusal to accept the ways of the beast. It becomes a parallel to the crossing of the threatening Red Sea, a redemptive crossing over to God’s side of life. To take a neutral approach to life in God’s eyes is to stand on the side of the beast and to refuse to accept God’s redemptive love and grace. The redemptive moment in one’s life, is the making of a decision to stand firm with the Lamb of God. It signifies that one is ready to stand firm in one’s convictions and one’s commitment to the way of hope, which is symbolized by the Lamb of God Who bears the marks of the slaughter, a movement which promises freedom from the bondage and oppression of culture and society. Trust and obedience in the way of the Lord Jesus Christ will lead all who follow into an everlasting life with God the Father in heaven.
Chapter Fifteen Study Questions.
1. What is the Sign which the Apostle John saw? Why does he describe it as great and
marvelous?
2. What are the words to the Song of Moses the servant of God, and the Song of the Lamb
(Revelation 15:3,4)? Compare their likenesses and differences!
3. What differences are there in the Song sung by those delivered from Egypt in Exodus 15:1-18,
and those delivered from the beast in Revelation 15:3, 4? What praise is given to God and by
whom?
4. What did John see next in verse 5, and how were the Angels clothed? What does this Event
precede?
Chapter 16.
The Vials Poured out: Three Unclean Spirits.
The Judgment of the Seven Bowls by the Seven Angels: Part II. (16:1-21).
From Revelation chapter 16 through chapter 18, only grim and horrific judgments are realized by those inhabitants which are left on the earth. Those that are left are those who are left after God reaps every one who is to be saved.
“1. Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels,“Go, pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath on the earth.” 2. The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly and painful sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and which worshiped his image. 3. The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it turned into blood like that of a dead man, and every living thing in the sea died. 4. And the third angle poured out his bowl on the rivers and the springs of water, and they became blood. 5. Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say: “You are just in these judgments, You Who are, and Who were, the Holy One, because You have so judged; 6. For they have shed the blood of Your saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink as they deserve.” 7. And I heard the altar respond: “Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are Your judgments.” 8. And the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was given power to scorch people with fire. 9. They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, and they refused to repent and glorify Him. 10. And the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was plunged into darkness. Men gnawed their tongues into agony. 11. And cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and sores, and they refused to repent of what they had done. 12. And the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and it’s water thereof was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the east. 13. Then I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14. They are the spirits of demons performing miraculous signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty. 15. “Behold I come as a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.” 16. Then they gathered the kings together in a place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon. 17. And the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne, saying, “It is done!” 18. Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since man has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake. 19. The great city slit into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. 20. Every island fled away and the mountains could not be found. 21. From the sky huge hail stones of about a hundred pounds each fell upon men. And they cursed God in account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible.”
Now, let us look at the judgment of the seven bowls of the seven angels, and their seven plagues which they cast upon the earth and the heavens and their inhabitants.
The plague of the first bowl, verse 1-2. The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth; strong-smelling sores came upon the bodies of those who bore the mark of the beast. These people suffered horrific and intolerable pain and agony because of the infectious sores. Since anyone who did not have the mark was unable to engage in commerce, most inhabitants possessed to mark of the beast.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 16:1-2.
Revelation 8:6,7, “And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth; and the third part of the trees were burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.”
Exodus 9:9, “And it shall become small dust in the land of Egypt, and shall be a boil breaking forth with blains (sores) upon man, and upon beast, throughout all the land of Egypt.”
The plague of the second bowl, verse 3. The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea; and it became like the blood of a dead man, killing every living thing in the sea. That reminds of the miracle that God preformed through Moses, turning the water of the Nile River into blood in Exodus 2:20-25, “And Moses and Aaron did so, as the Lord commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of the Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood.”
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 16:3.
Exodus 7:17, “Thus saith the Lord, In this thou shalt know that I am the Lord: behold, I will smite with the rod that is Mine hand upon the waters which are the river, and they shall be turned to blood.”
Revelation 8:8,9, “And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.”
The plague of the third bowl, verses 4-7. The third angel poured out his bowl upon the rivers and the fountains of waters, and they also became blood. Thus, the people no longer had any source of drinkable water, so they suffered greatly from thirst. In verses 5 and 6 the angel of the waters praised God, “Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because Thou hast judged thus. For they have shed the blood of the saints and prophets, and Thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.” Then another voice came out of the altar and responded, saying in verse 7, “Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Thy judgments.” God’s judgments are really fair and just. He is the righteous judge Who redresses (sets right; amends; remedies) our grievances and concerns.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 16:4-7.
Matthew 23:33-36, “Ye serpents, te generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon you this generation.”
Isaiah 49:25,26, “But thus saith the Lord, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children. And I will feed then that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the Lord am thy Savior and thy Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.”
Revelation 8:10,11, “And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; And the name of the star is called Wormwood (an aromatic bitter herb which embitters): and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.”
Revelation 13:9,10, “If any man have an ear, let him hear. He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.”
Revelation14:9,10, “And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast, and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb.”
Revelation 19:1-3, “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: 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. And agin they said, Alleluia, And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.”
The plague of the fourth bowl, verses 8-9. The fourth angel poured out his bowl upon the sun, and the heat of the sun increased with great intensity, killing innumerable people. Even though people are scorched to death by the murderous heat, the surviving inhabitants of the earth still do not repent. Their hearts are hardened to the very end, as they murmur and blaspheme God.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 16:8-9.
2 Chronicles 28:22, “And in the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against the Lord; this is that king Ahaz.”
Jeremiah 5:1-3, “Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that execute judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it. And though they say, The Lord liveth; surely they swear falsely. O Lord, are not Thine eyes upon the truth? Thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; Thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.”
Isaiah 8:19-22, “And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not the people seek unto their God? For the living to the dead? To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. And they shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry: and it shall come to pass, that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret (to be annoyed; irritated; chafed) themselves, and curse their king and their God, and look upward. And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness.”
Revelation 8:12,13, “And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smittem, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise. And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabitants of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!”
The plague of the fifth bowl, verses 10-11. The fifth angel poured out his bowl upon the throne of the beast, the ant-Christ, filling his kingdom with darkness. “To be brightened” means to filled with hope, whereas, “to be darkened” signifies the decline of one’s kingdom and power. As a consequence, chaos and anarchy arises with the kingdom of the anti-Christ, and people within it are panic-stricken. Although they are prone to gnashing their teeth and biting their tongues due to the extreme pain, they still refuse to repent of their sins. Instead, they continue to blaspheme and curse God.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 16:10-11.
Revelation 9:1,2, “And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key to the bottomless pit. And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.”
Revelation 13:2, “And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as a mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him hi power, and his seat, and great authority.”
Exodus 10:21,22 “And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt. And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days.”
Isaiah 8:22, “And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and the shall be driven to darkness.”
The plague of the sixth bowl, verses 12-16. The sixth angel poured out his bowl upon the great Euphrates River, and it’s water dried up, thus making it became baron. It then become a pathway for the kings of the east to advance their armies westward.
As we have studied in the earlier chapters of Revelation, there awaits an great army of over two hundred million people from the east which is awaiting the opportunity to invade the west. It is believed by many scholars and theologians that this army will come out of China and the Orient. It is believed that they will attack the kingdom of the anti-Christ, thus causing great decline and confusion weakening the political, economic, social, and military power, causing a brek down in his balance of power and influence. According to verse 13, at that time, “three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.” These unclean spirits go forth to the kings of the west and their kingdoms seducing them into an alliance against the Oriental invasion from the east. It is then believed that the allied, or league of forces will come to a place called Armageddon, where the two enormous forces, totaling more than three hundred million people, will gather for the final battle which will end the world as we know it. This place called Armageddon is believed to exist in the plain of Megiddo, which is in Israel. It also resembles a place known as the Kim-hae plain, which is located in Korea. Both of these plains are surrounded by numerous mountains, and located at strategic transportation points which can be utilized for both commerce and military purposes. The plain of Megiddo leads to Syria ands Asia to the north, and to Egypt and the rest of Africa to the south.
When the great battle of Armageddon breaks out on this plain, great massacres and horrific devastations will take place. Jesus Christ will then descend from heaven, accompanied by His saints. It is at that point all the armies of the earth will cease fighting one another. They will then unite as a single force and in single struggle against Jesus Christ and His hosts of heaven, but they will be soundly defeated as is revealed later in chapter 19 of Revelation. Verse 15 gives us a clear warning about Jesus’ coming to the battlefield of Armageddon, “I come a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.”
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 16:12-16.
Revelation 9:13-16, “And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, Saying to the sixth angel which had a trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the Euphrates. And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men. And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousands: and I heard the number of them.”
Jeremiah 50:38, “A drought was upon her waters; and they shall be dried up: for it is the land of graven images, and they are mad upon their idols.”
Jeremiah 51:36,37, “Therefore saith the Lord; Behold, I will plead thy cause, and take vengeance for thee; and I will dry up her sea, and make her springs dry. And Babylon shall become heaps, a dwelling place for dragons, an astonishment, and a hissing, without an inhabitant.”
Isaiah 41:2-4, “Who raised up the righteous man from the east, called him to his foot, gave the nations before him, and made him rule over kings? He gave them as the dust to His sword and as driven stubble to His bow. He pursued them, and passed safely; even by the way that He had not gone with his feet. Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generation from the beginning? I the Lord, the first, and with the last; I am He.”
1 John 4:1-4, “Beloved believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flash is of God. And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of anti-Christ, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.”
Revelation 12:3, “And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his head.”
1 Timothy 4:1, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.”
James 3:12-17, “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But if ye suffer for righteousness sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of eil-doers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, id the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evildoing.”
2 Thessalonians 2:8-10, “And then shall the Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming: Even Him, Whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they receive not the love of truth, that they might be saved.”
Revelation 20:7,8, “And when the thousand years expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison. 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 who is the sand of the sea.”
Matthew 24:42-44, “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the good man of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”
1 Thessalonians 5:2-6, “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.”
2 Peter 3:10-12, “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. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 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?”
The plague of the seventh bowl, verses 17-21. The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a great voice sounded from the throne of heaven, saying, “It is done.” Voices, thunderings and lightnings filled the air, and the greatest earthquake in history divided Jerusalem into three parts. High mountains were brought down, and deep valleys were filled. Jerusalem was being prepared and made fit for the rule of Jesus Christ, the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Cities all over the earth are shaken and devastated by the great earthquake. The configuration of the entire earth’s surface will undergo complete physical changes, causing unimaginable calamities everywhere. Among these, the most severe judgment will come upon the Great Babylon. God will destroy her completely, for she is the wicked city and center from which the anti-Christ rules.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 16:17-21.
Revelation 21:6, “And He said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that id athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son. 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.”
Daniel 12:1, “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”
Revelation 14:8, “And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”
Revelation 18:4,5, “And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.”
Isaiah 51:17, “Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which has drunk at the hand of the Lord the cup of His fury; thou hast drunken the dregs (sediment; worthless residue) of the cup of trembling, and wrung them out.”
Jeremiah 25:15,16, “For thus saith the Lord God of Israel unto me; Take the wine cup of this fury at My hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send thee, to drink it. And they shall drink, and be moved, and be mad, because of the sword that I will send among them.”
Revelation 6:14, “And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.”
Revelation 11:19, “And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in His temple the ark of His testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.”
Reflective point:
1. In the light of Isaiah 21, Jeremiah 8, and Nahum 2, the prophetic doom-laden words of Revelation 16 are the Apostle John’s attempt to describe the tumult of forces in a historical, imaginative, and mythical language. All that the prophet can do is to scribe the warnings which are given him to pass on to humanity. As these cataclysmic forces are unleashed humanity cowers to them in fear and hopelessness. Incomprehension and anger prevail as betrayal and delusion overwhelm those who are left to live out the great tribulation. What is required of those who are to overcome is enduring patience and even the willingness to face death as they resist the powers of the beast. Jesus tells all that for all who overcome the promise is sure and true. Faith, enduring faith is the vehicle to everlasting life.
2. Revelation summons the readers to read the signs of the times with visionary imagination and insight into prophecy, knowing that it is addressed to people with minds and habits forged by culture, idolatrous human interest, habits of oppression, violence, and hedonism. Theses are a people who are so immersed in sin that they are unable to comprehend their own decadent state of being, and are unable to repent.
Chapter Sixteen Study Questions.
1. What are the contents of the Seven Bowls of God’s wrath?
2. Why are these plagues worst than those which were unleashed earlier in Revelation 8:8, 9?
3. What are the functions of these plagues? Divine justice, or revenge?
4. How will the Divine purposes of God, and the evil purposes of Satan finally catastrophically
converge at Armageddon (The hill of Megiddo, a historic crossroads of the Middle East)? What
will be the final outcome?
5. What are you doing to remain awake and alert as referred to in verse 15? What does Jesus the Christ mean?
6. What is the plague in the first bowl in verses 1 and 2? What is it’s significance?
7. What is the plague in the second bowl in verse 3? What is it’s significance?
8. What is the plague in the third bowl in verses 4-7? What is it’s significance?
9. What is the plague in the fourth bowl in verses 8 and 9? What is it’s significance?
10. What is the plague in the fifth bowl in verses 10 and 11? What is it’s significance?
11. What is the plague in the sixth bowl in verses 12-16? What is it’s significance?
12. What is the plague in the seventh bowl in verse 17-21? What is it’s significance?
13. Up to this point, what has surprised you about God, and the revelations of this Book? What have you discovered about yourself and your relationship with God, with yourself, with your family, with your friends, and with others?
14. How is your new understanding of the book of Revelation making you feel about your salvation, and your faith journey?
Chapter 17.
The Purple-clothed Woman on the Seven Hills.
VII. The Religion of the Great Whore (17:1-18).
The natural calamities of heaven and earth come to an end in chapter 16 of the book of Revelation. In chapter 17, Babylon, the great whore, comes under God’s judgment. During the great tribulation the anti-Christ unifies the religions of the world into one world religion. Even today pluralistic, Marxist, and socialist movements have been briskly underway to unite Christianity with Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and other world religions, thus creating a new “serpent theology” which denies the deity of Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and even goes so for as to question the validity of God Himself as Creator of the heavens and of the earth, and all that is in them. Through this new serpent theology, one becomes the center of his or her own universe, an idolatrous theology which sees evil as good, and good as evil. Sin is no longer defined by God’s Word and will, but by humanity, cultural, social and political norms. The World Alliance/Counsel of Churches is a prime example of, and catalyst of this heretical movement which is willing to compromise all scriptural values for the sake of cultural, social, and political unity. The anti-Christ will take advantage of this accommodation of religious alliances to consolidate his foundation in the first three and one half years of the great tribulation. This process has already begun. Those who preach the gospel message are even now being persecuted and censored throughout the world for preaching against those who practice abominations and blasphemies against God. At the second half of the great tribulation, however, the anti-Christ will betray and persecute this unified world religion, thus crushing it into pieces. Chapter 17 of the book of Revelation reveals how the anti-Christ sets up his own image for worship and exterminates all other religions.
“1. One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “ Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sets on many waters. 2. With her the kings of the earth committed adultery and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.” 3. Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into the desert. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. 4. The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. 5. This title was written on her forehead: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF ABOMINATION OF THE EARTH. 6. I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. When I saw her, I was greatly astonished. 7. Then the angel said to me: “Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has seven heads and ten horns. 8. The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and will come up out of the Abyss and go to his destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because he once was, now is not, and yet will come. 9. This calls for a mind of wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sets. 10. They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for al little while. 11. The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction. 12. The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. 13. They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. 14. They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because He is the Lord of lords and King of kings - and with Him will be His called, chosen and faithful followers.” 15. Then the angel said to me, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute sets, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages. 16. The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. 17. For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish His purpose, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. 18. The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth.””
A. The Judgment of the Great Whore (17:1-2).
In chapter 17 of the book of Revelation, God’s judgment of the great whore begins. It is believed by many scholars and theologians that the ‘great whore’ signifies the federation world religions or world council of religions, a huge and powerful religious body of depraved and corrupt religions, which have become a one world religion under the influence and consolidated leadership of the anti-Christ. This whore has become an adulterous bride, thus, willing to lay down and compromise herself with anyone who will give her praise and recognition. She has become a follower of idols and devils, tuning away from the ord and will of God and Jesus Christ. This ‘great whore,’ or as some call her this great prostitute, takes advantage of it’s vast organization and power to impose it’s influence. She not only worships the anti-Christ, but also utilizes him for her own self-fulfilling purposes. In turn the anti-Christ utilizes this alliance for his own political purposes.
The ‘great whore’ sits upon the waters which symbolize the people of every nation and language. She already has her roots in the whole of humanity, for many of her constituents are religions which are idolaters, fornicators, and adulteresses which do not serve God Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth. They deny Jesus Christ as the Son of God. In verse 2, it is written, “With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.” Throughout human history, in spite of the assertion that politics and religion should remain separate, they have actually over the course of human events laid in the same bed together, thus taking advantage of and perpetuating one another’s lusts and desires for power. Historically we have seen, and today we see and continue to see many state sponsored and sanctioned religions and religious institutions from Christianity, to Islam, to Judaism, to Buddhism, to Confucianism, to Hinduism, to Zen, and so on. In many nations throughout the world today these religions continue to be sources of political, social, cultural, and economic props used by the governments of many nations to influence, manipulate, corrupt, and control the people of their respective nations. History has shown that wholesome religion enlivens (to make lively; cheerful; to stimulate) a nation as well as an individual, whereas, unwholesome religion brings about misery, oppression, and suffering to the lives of individuals, as well as to the state by corrupting and stealing away their hearts and souls from God.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 17:1-2.
Revelation 21:9, “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.”
Nahum 3:4, “Because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the wellfavored harlot, the mistress of witchcrafts, that selleth nationsthrough her whoredoms, and families through her witchcrafts. Behold, I am against thee, saith the Lord of hosts; and I will discover thy skirts upon thy face, and I will shew the nations thy nakedness, and the kingdoms thy shame. And I will cast abominable filth upon thee, and make thee vile, and will set thee as a gazingstock.”
2 Timothy 3:1-5, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, in continent fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
2 Timothy 4:2-8, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lust shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelists, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Hence forth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing. ”
Revelation 19:2, “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.”
Jeremiah 51:13, “O thou that dwellest upon many waters, abundant in treasures, thine end is come, and the measure of thy covetousness.”
Jeremiah 51:7, “Babylon hath been a golden cup in the Lord’s hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.”
B. A Woman Sitting Upon a Scarlet-colored Beast: Four Points (17:3-18).
1. The kingdom of the world. The scarlet beast in verse 3, with it’s seven heads and ten horns, is the anti-Christ. The seven heads signify the seven kingdoms and their kings who continuously oppose God. It is believe that the ten horns symbolize the ten nations which will form a united European alliance. The ‘great whore’ sitting upon the beast, binds herself to the anti-Christ during the great tribulation, meaning she will achieve her worldwide religious unification through the anti-Christ’s political, social, economic, and military clout.
2. The figure of the great whore. In verse 4, she is said to be “arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold and precious stones.” This signifies her great pomp (attraction; appeal). The golden cup in her hand is a cup filled full of the abominations and with the filthiness of her religious fornication. Those who drink of this cup will be filled with evil and vile spirits. Upon her forehead was written, verse 5, “MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” She is called “Babylon the Great” because she is the religion which began in Babylon, as revealed in Revelation chapter 2. Every vile and corrupt religion, and religious practice in the world today has been influenced by the Babylonian religion. Throughout human history, even unto today, Christendom has sought ways to form ecumenical (worldwide Christian unity) within it’s own faith communities. Being unsuccessful in this endeavor, many bodies of old and new churches now are willing to compromise their beliefs and faith, thus seeking to form more pluralistic and ecumenical alliances with world religions which deny not only the deity of Jesus Christ, but who practice heresies and blasphemies against the word and will of God. In these movements toward worldwide religious consensus and unity, a new venomous (malignant; poisonous) “serpent theology” has arisen which acknowledges Jesus only as a mere option the followers of this theology have chosen to accept the idea that there are other possible avenues and methodologies to access God; a clear contradiction and abomination to the Word of God, as written in the Gospel of John 14:6, “Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” In order to circumvent this passage, many scholars and theologians in their piety, have begun the process of denying the legitimacy of God’s written Word, calling it to be the work of patriarchal bias men filled with error and untruths. This is the work of the spirit of Satan and his angels, who are laying the ground work for the beginning of the end. As in the garden of Eden, Satan knows he only has to create doubt and uncertainty, then he can separate those who are unbelieving and those believers who are weak from God. He will do this throw every means possible, including through false teachers and prophesiers of Holy Scripture, Mark 13:21-22, “And if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or lo, He is there; believe him not: For false Christ and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs ans wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.” Matthew 24:24, “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before.” II Corinthians 11:13-15, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” and, Jude 4, “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God unto lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” At the beginning of the great tribulation, supported by the power and influence of the anti-Christ, this worldwide union will also be achieved. This is the true character of the great whore who is willing to give birth to corruption and idolatry for the sake of wealth, position, and power, and willing to abort all that is sacred. What you must know for certain is that at the end of the age Christendom will be distinctly divided into two opposing groups. One, the church united politically and institutionally with the spirit of the world. The other, the church united with and by the Holy Spirit of God. Churches which choose to faithfully serve the commandments and will of God, as addressed by Jesus Christ throughout the four Gospels and in Revelation chapters 2 and 3, will rise above denominational traditions, practices, and biases embracing the Holy Spirit of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the fulfillment of their call and mission. Those churches which operate under the umbrella and premise of Christianity and a one world faith, who seek to institute plural, cultural, political, social, and Marxist reformations in order to expand their self-interest in the arena of world acceptance and praise, these church organizations who deny sin and who corrupt their followers with heresies and “serpent theology,” these false prophesiers and teachers of the word, will be called to account before God, along with the millions upon millions of those who choose to follow their teachings. Denominationalism has no significance to God, for what matters to God the Father and to Jesus Christ is that we as His church receive and submit ourselves to the will and direction of His Holy Spirt, thus making God the center of our daily lives.
3. The behavior of the woman. In verse 6, this woman is said to be “drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.” Her corrupt and vile religion, which is backed by the anti-Christ, will be the first to kill those who have been converted by the evangelism of the 144,000 and the testimony of the two faithful witnesses.
4. The mystery of the beast. As previously mentioned, the beast in this passage is the anti-Christ. He will come out of the bottomless pit, the Abyss. Scholars and theologians speculate regarding him in several ways. Though his identity has not been disclosed, one thing is certain, that is that God will one day release him, a spiritual being, from the bondage of hell and cause him to be born into this world as human flesh, thus imitating the being of Jesus Christ who came into the world as flesh, John1:14, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth.” The anti-Christ, too, will be made flesh, and dwell among us, but will be filled with evil and deceit. Many believe the anti-Christ is already in the world and dwelling among us, and that he will emerge and become a conspicuous (clearly visible; striking; readily attracting attention) figure in the world political, social, theological, economic, and military arenas. His influence will be felt by all and his ability to corrupt and manipulate nations will be as never seen since the beginning of humanity. Although his appearance is currently suppressed by the power of the Holy Spirt of God, he will soon be revealed when the church is taken up into heaven. Verse 9 reveals that the seven heads of the anti-Christ are seven mountains or hills. Seven hills signify Rome, for Rome was built on seven hills. Hence, many people speculate that Rome, or a remnant thereof, will rise to prominence and become the headquarters or the ruling center from which the anti-Christ will govern and rule the world. In verse 10, it is reveal that among the seven heads, or kings, “five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come.” It is believed that the five kingdoms which have fallen are Assyria, Babylon, Egypt, Medo-Persia, and Greece, all which have fallen from world power. One is, is reference to Rome, which was the world power in the time of the Apostle John, and the seventh kingdom is yet to come. According to this passage of Holy Scripture, when this kingdom comes, it will continue for only a brief period of time. It is then that the kingdom of the anti-Christ will come as the eighth, a seed of the first seven earthly kingdoms, verse 11, “and the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.” The seventh kingdom is the union of the ten horns, the ten kings, the ten European nations that will rise up in the former territory of the ancient Roman empire. For the first three and one half years of the great tribulation, a united Europe will keep coalition with the anti-Christ through political, social, economic, and military compromises. When that period of time comes to an end, then the eighth kingdom, which will be autocratically ruled by the anti-Christ, a remnant of the seventh kingdom, will emerge to world dominance out of that seventh kingdom. He will be supported by three of the ten nation alliances, and the remaining seven will be subdued by his autocratic rule and power. In verses 12-14, it is revealed that the ten horns are ten kings and that these kings, or national leaders, will give their support, power, and strength to the beast. The anti-Christ, in turn, will willfully oppose the Lamb, the King of kings and Lord of lords, in the final Armageddon war, to which the anti-Christ and his followers will be destroyed. As to the fate of the great whore, or harlot, sitting on the beast; it will be horrific and tragic. This worldwide order of religion will get along with the anti-Christ through compromise, as each takes advantage, one of the other, for three and one half years. As soon as the three and one half years are over the whore who had prostituted herself and tragically forsaken so many, is too quickly forsaken by the anti-Christ, and severely persecuted. The anti-Christ will then set up his kingdom and will deify (to make oneself a god) himself, erecting idols and images of himself, forcing the inhabitants of the earth to worship him and his image. In this manner, the ‘great whore,’ Babylon (the entire Babylonian system), falls from grace and power.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 17:3-18.
Revelation 13:1, “And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.”
Revelation 18:9,10, “And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning. Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour is thy judgment come.”
Daniel 11:34,35, “Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with little help” but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.”
2 Thessalonians 2:7-12, “For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall the Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming: Even Him, Whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power ans signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believeth not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”
Revelation 11:7,8, “And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.”
Revelation 19:2,3, “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. And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.”
Revelation 6:9,10 “And when He had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of the Lord and 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?”
Revelation 12:11, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”
Revelation 13:18, “Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.”
Daniel 7:20, “And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.”
Zechariah 1:18, “Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and behold four horns. And I said unto the angel that talked with me, What be these? And he answered me, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.”
Romans 8:1-14, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Jesus Christ, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Jesus Christ hath made me free from the law of sin and death, For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity (ill will; hostility) against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then that they who are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but id ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”
Revelation 16:14, “For they are the spirits of the devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.”
Deuteronomy 10:16-17, “Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked. For the Lord your God is God of gods, and the Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward.”
1 Timothy 6:15, “Which in His times He shall shew, Who is the blessed and only Potentate (sovereign; one having great power), the King of kings, and Lord of lords.”
Jeremiah 50:41-46, “Behold, a people shall come from the north, and a great nation, and many kings shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth. They shall hold the bow and the lance: they are cruel, and will not shew mercy: their voice shall roar like the sea, and they shall ride upon horses, every one put in array, like a man to the battle, against thee, O daughter of Babylon. The king of Babylon hath heard the report of them, and his hands waxed feeble: anguish took hold of him, and pangs as of a woman in travail. Behold, He shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan unto the inhabitation of the strong: but I will make them suddenly run away from her: and Who is a chosen man, that I may appoint over her? For who is like me? And who will appoint Me the time? Who is that Shepherd that will stand before Me? Therefore hear ye the counsel of the Lord, that He hath taken against Babylon; and His purposes, that He hath purposed against the land of the Chaldeans: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out: surely He shall make their habitation desolate with them. At the noise of the taking of Babylon the earth is moved, and the cry is heard among the nations.”
1 Peter 2:9, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him Who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
Revelation14:4, “These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the lamb whithersoever He goeth. These were redeemed among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.”
Isaiah 8:7, “Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, even the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks.”
Revelation13:7, “And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.”
Ezekiel 16:35-42, “Wherefore, O harlot, hear the word of the Lord: Thus saith the Lord God; Because thy filthiness was poured out, and thy nakedness discovered through thy whoredoms with thy lovers, and with all the idols of thy abominations, and by the blood of thy children, which thou didst give unto them; Behold, therefore I will gather all thy lovers, with whom thou hast taken pleasure, and all them that thou hast loved, with all them that thou hast hated; I will even gather them round about against thee, and will discover thy nakedness unto them, that they may see all thy nakedness. And I will judge thee, as women that break wedlock and shed blood are judged; and I will give thee blood in fury and jealousy. And I will also give thee into their hand, and they shall throw down thy eminent place, and shall break down thy high places: they shall strip thee also of thy clothes, and shall take thy jewels, and leave the naked and bare. They shall also bring up a company against thee, and they shall stone thee with stones, and thrust thee through with their swords. And they shall burn thine houses with fire, and execute judgments upon thee in the sight of many women: and I will cause thee to cease from playing the harlot, and thou shalt give no hire any more. So I will make My fury toward thee to rest, and My jealousy shall depart from thee, and I will be quiet, and will be no more angry.”
Revelation 18:8, “Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God Who judgeth her.”
Romans 1:26-32, “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature; And likewise also men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one for another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despsiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”
Revelation 10:7, “And I went unto the angel, and said to him, Give me the little book. And he said to me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.”
Revelation 16:19, “And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of wine of the fierceness of His wrath.”
Reflective points:
1. While history can satisfy our curious nature and can occasionally enhance our exegesis (critical explanation; interpretation), it is not essential for it as some scholars might profess. In chapter 17 of Revelation we find traces of a first-century setting that influence the language and imagery of this prophesy. Modern readers of this text do not need the ancient allusions in order to understand the thrust and intent of John’s message.
2. At the time of the Apostle John’s writing of this Biblical text, the Roman Empire was inspirational in his use of imagery. Babylon is a symbol of corrupt military power and inhumane oppression. For those who are witness to the ways of the Lamb of God, Babylon is a place of exile and alienation (Psalm 137; 1 Peter 5:13). However, for a person with a visionary spirit it is a place where God’s glory is manifested and realized. The people who breathe Babylon’s ethos (underlying or distinctive character of the spirit of a people or culture), whether they agree with it or not, need a vision of how to live under it’s imperial rule without becoming a part of it’s culture.
3. The kings of the earth commit fornication (idolatrous, incestuous, forbidden, or taboo relationship) with Babylon, and the mighty of the earth are intoxicated with her beauty, wealth, and power. The Apostle John encourages throughout Revelation his readers to resist compromising their values and virtues with the ways of the beast, but instead to hold fast to the teachings of Jesus Christ, and the way of the Lord. Divine consummation can only occur place when the marriage between the Lord and His bride take place in the new age. Boundaries are set, and transgression is defined. Only when the old age passes away, and in the new Jerusalem are the boundaries between heaven and earth swept away and true nature of God almighty realized by all inhabitants. There is an air of exclusiveness and divine superiority which remain throughout. To participate in fornication or to be intoxicated risks our compromising our ability to discern the truth, to seek divine justice, and to maintain our sense of godly integrity and character. We are challenged in this prophetic book to see ourselves, not as the world would have see, but as God Himself sees us and as He will judge us. Though this is a harsh reality, it is reality in it’s finality.
4. Many in the world participate in harlotry, thus selling themselves for favor and position within the world markets willing to compromise all, anything or anyone for wealth and power. This epitome (abridgement; embodiment) of life is distorted and empty. It is the way of the beast and of Babylon. While in the short run submitting to the beast, may seemingly enhance the wealth, power and position of the kings and inhabitants of the earth, the ultimate outcome is the eternal loss of their souls (Mark 8:36, “For what shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and lose his soul?”; Luke 12:4,5, “And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you Whom ye shall fear: Fear Him, which after He hath killed hath power to cast into hell, yea, I say unto you, Fear Him.”). Hopefully, reading and hearing the message of this prophecy will enable some people to see and hear the truth of God’s will, and to repentantly change the direction in what they are doing, and to prayerfully seek forgiveness and restoration with God. The time is at hand.
5. We must remember that God is no respecter of man. He is not a sexiest, He is God. In Revelation images of male and female are utilized to bring home to the reader and hearer of this prophesy the intent of God’s message. It may seem to some that the portrayal of women in this book and throughout Holy Scripture is demeaning, however we can be assured through Holy Scripture that it is not. Here, Babylon is portrayed as the great whore, one who is unfaithful, deceitful, alluring, and blasphemous. She is a harlot whose charm and wit lure many world leaders and inhabitants into a fatal relationship which will cost them their souls. She utilizes vanity, fornication, idolatry, adultery, and false prophecy to accomplish her end. Those who submit and yield to her charm play an important part in circumventing and making Babylon what she is. Without the support of the beast, Babylon will perish. Through the support and power wielded by the beast Babylon is able to manipulate and to oppression at will the inhabitants of the earth. Babylon is culpable, at the mercy of the beast. Revelation offers space for both men and women to envision and realize the impending judgment and grace of God. The message of judgment and grace to all is not bound by gender, race, or station in life. The message of salvation is about acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of one’s life, and obedience to the will of God the Father. Satan would have us focus on issues of divisiveness, as well as, cultural, social, political, and economic issues. However, while these issues are matters of concern, they are not to be issues of division, Ephesians 4:1-7, “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord , beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in the hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, Who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But to each of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” These are to be issues of unity, each us utilizing the spiritual gifts endowed to us by Jesus Christ our Lord through the work of the Holy Spirit, in our Christian fulfillment of our call as stewards of creation, Genesis 1:26, 27, “And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in His Own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them.” Revelation enables us to see that holding to the Testimony of Jesus Christ is the only way to overcome, whether male or female, Galatians 3:26-29, “For ye are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
Chapter Seventeen Study Questions.
1. Who is the central figure in this scene? Why is she referred to as the “Great Whore?” How is she adorned (Revelation 17:4)? What is her title (Revelation 17:5)? Who does she represent, literally, or figuratively?
2. Why is she so influential? Evil? Alluring? Attractive? Repulsive?
3. Who is she (Revelation 14:8; 16:19)? What judgment befalls her?
4. What character seems to be in the shadows? How does this woman and this beast compare to the first and second beasts of chapter 13?
5. What is the ultimate Sin here, in verses 5 and 6?
6. In verse 8-14, What does the Angel say about the origin of the beast, it’s history, and it’s future?
7. What, or Who do the beast’s Seven Heads and Ten Horns represent geographically, politically, socially, economically, historically, and spiritually (Daniel 7:15-28)?
8. Why do the beast and the kings and the powers of the earth join forces, and with what ultimate
outcome?
9. How does evil which possesses so much power and knowledge devour itself so
completely?
Chapter 18.
The Fall and Desolation of the Mystic Babylon.
VIII. Babylon the Great (18:1- 24).
Chapter 17 of Revelation reveals the downfall of the great whore, a mystic and religious Babylon. In Revelation, chapter 18, the fall of the Babylonian System (theological, social, cultural, political, and economic) is revealed. In other words, Holy Scripture reveals to us the miserable and destructive nature of the anti-Christ.
“1. After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. 2. With a mighty voice he shouted: “Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great! She has become a home for demons and a haunt for every unclean and detestable bird. 3. For all nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.” 4. Then I heard another voice from heaven say: “Come out of her, My people, so that you will not share her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; 5. For her sins are piled up in heaven, and God has remembered her crimes. 6. Give back to her as she has given; pay her back for what she has done. Mix her a double portion of her own cup. 7. Give her as much torture and grief as the glory and luxury she gave herself. In her heart she boast, ‘I sit as a queen; I am not a widow, and I will never mourn.’ 8. Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her: death, mourning, and famine. She will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God Who judges her. 9. When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her. 10. Terrified at her torment, they will stand off and cry: “Woe! Woe! O great city, O Babylon, city of power! In one hour your judgment has come!” 11. The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her; because no one buys their cargoes anymore: 12. The cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron (precious) wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble; 13. Cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and bodies and souls of men. 14. They will say, “The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your riches and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.” 15. The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn. 16. And cry out: “Woe! Woe, O great city, dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls! 17. In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!” Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their wages from the sea, will stand far off. 18. When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, “Was there ever a city like this great city?” 19. They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out: “Woe! Woe, O great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth! In one hour she has been brought to ruin! 20. Rejoice over her, O heaven! Rejoice, saints and apostles and prophets! God has judged her for the way she treated you.” 21. Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, and said: “Thus with such violence the great city of Babylon will be thrown down, never to be found again. 22. The music of the harpists and musicians, flute layers and trumpeters, will never be heard in you again. No workman of any trade will ever be found in you again. The sound of a millstone will never be heard in you again. 23. The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. The voice of a bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again. Your merchants were the world’s great men. By your sorceries were all nations deceived. 24. In her was found the blood of prophets and of the saints, and of all who have been killed on the earth.””
A. The Fall of Babylon the Great (18:1-2a).
As the events of the second half of the great tribulation continue unfold and are revealed, we see in chapter 18 that the political, social, and economic power of Babylon, where the anti-Christ has set up his power center, and wielded his strength and might over the nations of the earth, now comes under the wrath and judgment of God, and is destroyed. Babylon has always been a place that has opposed and rejected the will and Word of God. It has historically opposed God spiritually, politically, socially, economically, theologically, and militarily. It now must stand in judgment for her sins before God Almighty.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 18:1-2a.
Ezekiel 43:2, “And, behold the glory of the God of Israel came form the way of the east: and His voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with His glory.”
2 Thessalonians 2:3,4 “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.”
Isaiah 13:9, “Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and He shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.”
Isaiah 21:9, “And, behold, here cometh a chariot of men, with a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods He hath broken into the ground.”
Jeremiah 51:8, “Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed.”
B. The Situation of Babylon the Great (18:2b-3).
It is revealed in verse 2 of chapter 18 that Babylon the great has become “the inhabitants of demons, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.” As the center or capital of Satan’s anti-Christ, it is a haven for fallen angels and unclean spirits. They will make it an evil and degenerate city, a place of dwelling worse than Sodom and Gomorrah, a place where blasphemies and abominations are condoned. Every nation on earth will be deceived by her charm and power, and will betrayed the will and word of God, thus, kneeling to Satan, verse 3, “For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed (to become larger; to increase, to grow) rich through the abundance of her delicacies.” Noone can overcome it, for the anti-Christ in all his power provokes and manipulates it. He will possess unprecedented theological influence, and unprecedented political, social, cultural, economic, and military power and strength. His power and influence will leave all who must endure with a sense of hopelessness.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 18:2b-3.
Isaiah 34:13-15, “Hear, ye that are far off, what I have done; and, ye, that are near, acknowledge My might. The sinners of Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?”
Jeremiah 50:38, “A drought is upon her waters; and they shall be dried up: for it is the land of graven images, and they are mad upon their idols.”
Isaiah 14:22-24, “For I will rise up against them, saith the Lord of hosts, and cut off from Babylon the name, and remnant, and son, and nephew, saith the Lord. I will also make it a possession for the bittern (wading birds related to the heron), and pools of water: and I will sweep it with the besom (a bundle of twigs used as a broom) of destruction, saith the Lord of hosts.”
C. The Warning of God’s Impending Wrath and Judgment (18:4-7).
In verse 4, in is written, “And I heard another voice from heaven, saying: Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” Thus, comes a stern warning from God to His people, that they should be repentant and turn from their wicked and compromising ways of idolatry, fornication, adultery, lecherousness, deceitfulness, lying, murders, and other abominations. If they choose to continue in their sinful behaviors, God will hold them accountable, and they will be engulfed in the horrific wrath and judgment which is to come.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 18:4-7.
Genesis 19:12,13, “And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou any besides? Son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place, For we will destroy this place: because the cry of them is waxen before the face of the Lord; and the Lord has sent us to destroy it.”
Isaiah 48:20, “Go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans, with a voice of singing declare ye, tell this, utter it even to the end of the earth; say ye, The Lord hath redeemed His servant Jacob.”
Isaiah 52:11, “Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing, go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord.”
Jeremiah 50:8,9, “Remove out of the midst of Babylon, and go forth out of the land of the Chaldeans, and be as the he goats before the flocks. For, lo, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the north: and they shall set themselves in array against her; from thence she shall be taken: their arrows shall be as of a mighty expert man; none shall return in vain.”
Jeremiah 51:6, “Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the Lord’s vengeance; He will render unto her a recompense.”
2 Corinthians 6:17, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.”
Genesis 18:20,21, “And the Lord said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto Me; and if not, I will know.”
Psalm 137:8, “O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall He be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served.”
Jeremiah 50:15, “Shout against her round about: she hath given her hand: her foundations are fallen, her walls are thrown down: for it is the vengeance of the Lord: take vengeance upon her; as she hath done, do unto her.”
Jeremiah 51:24,47-49, “And I will render unto Babylon and to all the inhabitants of Chaldea all their evil that they have done in Zion in your sight, saith the Lord ... Therefore, behold, the days come, that I will do judgment upon the graven images of Babylon: and her whole land shall be confounded, and all her slain shall fall in the midst of her. Then the heaven and the earth, and all that is therein, shall sing for Babylon: for the spoilers shall come unto her from the north, saith the Lord. As Babylon hath caused the slain of Israel to fall, so at Babylon shall fall the slain of all the earth.”
Revelation 14:8-11, “And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation; and shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receiveth the mark of his name.”
Ezekiel 28:5-10, “By thy great wisdom and by thy traffic hast thou increased thy riches, and thine heart is lifted up because of thy riches: Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Because thou hast set thine heart as the heart of God; Behold, therefore I will bring strangers upon thee, the terrible of the nations: and they shall draw their swords against the beauty of thy wisdom, and they shall defile thy brightness. They shall bring thee down to the pit, and thou shalt die the deaths of them that are slain in the midst of the seas. Wilt thou yet say before him that slayeth thee, I am God? But thou shalt be a man, and no God, in the hand of him that slayeth thee. Thou shalt die the deaths of the uncircumcised by the hands of strangers: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord God.”
Isaiah 47:7-15, “And thou saidst, I shall be a lady for ever: so that thou didst not lay these things to thy heart, neither didst remember the latter end of it. Therefore here now this, thou that are given to pleasures, that dwellest carelessly, that sayest in thine heart, I am, and none else besides me; I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children: But these two things shall come to thee in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood: they shall come upon thee in their perfection for the multitude of thy sorceries, and for the great abundance of thine enchantments. For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, None seeth me. Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast said in thine heart, I am, and none else besides me. Therefore shall evil come upon thee; thou shalt not know from whence it riseth: and mischief shall fall upon thee; thou shalt not be able to put it off: and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, which thou shalt not know. Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorcerers, wherein thou hast labored from thy youth; is so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail. Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee. Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall deliver themselves from the power of the flame: there shall not be a coal to warm at, nor fire to sit before it. Thus shall they be unto thee with whom thou hast labored, even thy merchants, from thy youth: they shall wander every one to his quarter; none shall save thee.”
Zephaniah 2:15, “This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I am, and there is none beside me: how is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! Every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag his hand.”
D. The Final Judgment Against Babylon the Great (18:8-24).
Holy Scripture reveals in great detail the coming wrath and judgment which will come swiftly upon Babylon the great in verse 8, “Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God Who judgeth her.” Yes, in a single day, the center and capital of the anti-Christ’s kingdom will be destroyed by fire, and shall be reduced to ashes, in a single moment of time. A weapon that has the ability to create a catastrophic explosion, one that is able to reduce Babylon to ashes in a moment of time, did not exist at the writing of this prophecy by the Apostle John.
Today, nothing exist that we are publicly aware of, other than nuclear armaments, which are able to accomplish this devastating result. Many scholars, theologians and world leaders believe that this two hundred million man army which comes from the east across the Euphrates, originates in China. They believe that Babylon, the center of power of the anti-Christ, will be bombarded with nuclear missile strikes, thus causing her to be reduced to ash and rubble. Huge mushroom clouds of nuclear fallout will be seen from afar by sailors upon the sea, as written in verses 17-19, “For in one hour so great riches is come to naught. And every shipmaster, and all the company of ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off. And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! And they cast dust on their foreheads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, Alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! For in one hour is she made desolate.” and so, observing the calamity and devastation, the other kings who have been on friendly terms with the anti-Christ now mourn for Babylon. The merchants who have had commerce with the anti-Christ in his capital also weep and mourn in verses 9, “And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning.” All the saints, prophets, and apostles in heaven are told to rejoice over Babylon’s demise, for God’ s wrath and judgment has avenged those who were slain, verse 20, “Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.” It is revealed in verse 21 that the kingdom of the anti-Christ is so completely ruined, that it will have no strength or life left in it to rise again, “And a mighty angel took a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.”
Up to this point, we have received the revelation of God’s wrath and judgments which have fallen upon the world of nature, upon oppressive world governments, upon corrupt world religions, and upon the anti-Christ and his followers. Now, in chapter 19 of the book of Revelation, it will be revealed to us, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ holding the ‘Marriage Supper of the Lamb,’ and His coming down to earth to a place called Armageddon, accompanied by His bride.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 18:8-24.
Jeremiah 50:34, “Their Redeemer is strong; the Lord of hosts is His name: He shall thoroughly plead their cause, that He may give rest to the land, and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon.”
Ezekiel 26:13,16, “And I will cause the noise of thy songs to cease; and the sound of thy harps shall be no more heard ... Then all the princes of the sea shall come down from their thrones, and lay away their robes, and put off their broidered garments: they shall clothe themselves with trembling; they shall sit upon the ground, and shall tremble at every moment, and be astonished at thee.”
Jeremiah 50:46, “At the noise of the taking of Babylon the earth is moved, and the cry is heard among the nations.”
Isaiah 21:9, “And, behold, here cometh a chariot of men, with a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods He hath broken unto the ground.”
Revelation 14:8, “And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nation drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”
Ezekiel 27:27, “Thy riches, and thy fairs, thy merchandise, thy mariners, and thy pilots, thy calkers, and the occupiers of thy merchandise, and all thy men of war, that are in thee, and in all thy company which is in the midst of thee, shall fall into the midst of the seas in the day of thy ruin.”
2 Peter 2:2,3, “And many shall follow their pernicious (malicious; wicked; injurious) ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.”
Joshua 24:14,15, “Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve Him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the floods, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Psalm 96:11-13, “Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof. Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice. Before the Lord: for He cometh, for He cometh to judge the earth: He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with His truth.”
Isaiah 44:23, “Sing, O ye heavens; for the Lord hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the Lord hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified Himself in Israel.”
Isaiah 49:13, “Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the Lord hath comforted His people, and will have mercy upon His afflicted.”
Jeremiah 51:48,49, “Then the heaven and the earth, and all that is therein, shall sing for Babylon: for the spoilers shall come unto her from the north, saith the Lord. As Babylon hath caused the slain of Israel to fall, so at Babylon shall fall the slain of all the earth.”
Luke 11:47-50, “Woe unto you! For ye build the sepulchres (tombs; burial places) of the prophets, and your fathers killed them. Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres. Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute: That the blood of all the prophets , which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation.”
Jeremiah 51:60,64, “So Jeremiah wrote in a book all the evil that should come upon Babylon, even all these words that are written against Babylon ... And thou shalt say, Thus shall Babylon sink, and shall not rise from the evil that I will bring upon her: and they shall be weary. Thus far are the words of Jeremiah.”
Jeremiah 7:34, “Then I will cause to cease from the cities of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride: for the land shall be desolate.”
Jeremiah 16:9, “For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will cause to cease out of this place in your eyes, and in your days, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride.”
Jeremiah 25:10, “Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle.”
Jeremiah 33:11, “The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the Lord of hosts: for the Lord is good; for His mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the Lord.”
Reflective points:
1. This vision in chapter 18, particularly 18:12-14, “The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, And cinnamon, and odors, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men,” give the reader and hearer of this prophetic book a glimpse into the wealth and power of Babylon, and into the burden and suffering placed upon the millions of people in order to fulfill her hunger and thirst for such wealth, power, and prestige. John’s vision brings us inside the heart and soul of such a narcissistic institution, which feeds off the suffering and misery of humanity. This power and position of wealth has been and continues to be preserved by force, ideology, demands for conformity, and social, political, and economic out casting of those who remain in opposition to such a structure. The Apostle John exposes the highway to eternal death, by uncovering the illusion of beauty, sophistication, and splendor of Babylon’s culture, arts, social life, political life, economic system, technological advances, as self-serving and oppressive. Many world leaders, and even prominent religious leaders today have been willing to compromise the integrity of their position, so justifying their adulterous behavior as necessary in order to provide funding for programs which will serve the interest of relief of human suffering around the world. International trade systems, world banking institutions, and public and private institutions have gone to great lengths to solidify their wealth and power base throw exploitation of people and other resources, thus enhancing their extravagant and luxurious life styles in the form of cultural promiscuity, thus flaunting their power and wealth in the faces of those who are hungry, thirsty, naked, homeless, sick and afflicted, oppressed and without hope. However, Jesus tells all who are victims of this oppressive and heartless regime there is hope, in Matthew 5:2-12, “And He opened His mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for there is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peace makers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” True justice is divine in nature and application, and belongs to God. All will stand in judgment before God and be held accountable for their thoughts, words, and deeds, or the lack of them. There is no activity which is morally neutral in God’s activity. You are either a servant of God, or you are in opposition to God. However hard one tries, they cannot tame the scope of God’s message of impending wrath and judgment for those who oppose Him, nor diminish God’s message of available grace for those who obey Him. The underlying theme in the book of Revelation is that indifference and neutrality are not options.
2. In Revelation 18:4, the command given is an direct reminder that while people have to live in Babylon for the time being, they are called to live a life that is in accordance to the will of God, and that God is all present and all knowing, “And I heard another voice form heaven, saying, Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not her plagues.” While we may live in a Babylonian state, we are not to be conformers and servants of the will of that state when it conflicts with the word and will of God. We are first and foremost citizens of the kingdom of God, and we are to conduct ourselves as such publicly and privately. We as Christians need to claim a distinctive identity and develop habits of resistance that will enable us to faithfully witness and proclaim the Gospel message of Jesus Christ to all the world.
3. As we read Revelation 18 and into chapter 19 we are presented with many competing voices, voices of triumph and joy and voices of lament and sadness, as well as, conflicting symbolic systems, and world views. For the oppressed and persecuted the cries are of triumph and joy at the destruction of Babylon, and for the servants and beneficiaries of the Babylonian system the cries are of lament and agony.
4. The Babylonian system is inclusive of all who partake in her methodology and who are willing to compromise their integrity and character for a share of her power, wealth, and prestige. They include kingdoms, governments and public institutions, private enterprises, educational systems, economic and banking institutions, religious institutions and churches, and individuals who have participated in the oppressive and heartless regime of the Babylonian system under the rule of the beast, Satan. All will be held accountable no matter what hat they wear. Jesus says in Matthew 7:20-23, “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one who saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? And in Thy name cast out devils? And in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then I will profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity (grievous violations of justice; unjust deeds; sin; wickedness).”
Chapter Eighteen Study Questions.
1. As we unveil the mystery of the book of Revelation we are presented with a compelling revelation as the power of evil, which shouts with prideful arrogance, is overcome by a more compelling divine authority which shouts with a double-edged message: one edge of judgment cutting Babylon and her followers, and the other edge exhorting the righteousness of God’s people. What are the Two Voices bellowing out, the Two Messages and the Two Responses from the two distinctly different audiences, each with contrasting outcomes?
2. How does God’s perspective on Babylon in verses 2-6, differ from Babylon’s self-
understanding in verse 7?
3. How do the voices of the inhabitants of the world which worship and glorify Babylon and it’s corrupt and oppressive system, greet Babylon’s fall in verses 9-20? Why do they mourn her?
4. How do the Saints in Heaven greet the fall of Babylon?
5. What does Jesus mean in verses 4 and 5? Does His warning apply to the church? If so, why and how?
6. Why does God judge Babylon so harshly and unmercifully (Revelation 18:8-24; Genesis 19; Isaiah 13:47; Ezekiel 27-28)?
7. Where does the church, the people of God, fit in all this?
Chapter 19.
The Word of God in Mortal Battle with the Beast.
IX. Jesus’ Coming Down to Earth (19:1-21).
“1. After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God. 2. For true and just are His judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of His servants. 3. And again they shouted: Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever. 4. The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, Who was seated on the throne. And they cried: Amen, Hallelujah! 5. Then a voice came from the throne, saying: praise our God, all you servants, you who fear Him, both great and small! 6. Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. 7. Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory. For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. 8. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear (fine linen reflects for the righteous acts of the saints). 9. Then the angel said to me, Write: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb! And he added, These are the words of God. 10. At this I fell at his feet and worshiped him. But he said to me, Do not do it. I am a fellow servant with you and with your brethren who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy. 11. I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice He judges and makes war. 12. His eyes are blazing fire, and on His head are many crowns, he has a name written on Him that no one knows but He Himself. 13. He is dresses in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is the Word of God. 14. The armies of heaven were following Him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15. Out of His mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down all nations. He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16. On His robe and on His thigh He has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. 17. And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried with a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, Come, gather together for the great supper of God, 18. So that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and mighty men, of horses and their riders, and of the flesh of all people, free and slave, small and great. 19. Then I saw a beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against Him that sat on the horse and again st His army. 20. But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. 21. The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the Rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.”
A. Praise in Heaven (19:1-5).
Chapter 19 of the book of Revelation begins with the sound of a great voice of a multitude in heaven praising God for judging a religiously vile and politically corrupt Babylon, and for the downfall of the anti-Christ. In verse 3, smoke arise for ever and ever with the shouting of the second “Alleluia.” this is the smoke of the great judgment on Babylon. This means that Almighty God in all His glory and power has cast the anti-Christ and all his followers into the lake burning with fire and brimstone.
In verse 4, the twenty-four elders and four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, saying, “Amen; Alleluia.” Amen means “so let it be,” and “Alleluia” is frequently used by those who have received the gift of the Holy Spirit of God. If you say it to those who have not received the Holy Spirit, they will be perplexed (confused; filled with doubt). However, to those who are filled with the Holy Spirit of God “Alleluia, Amen!” is our greeting among the saints both now and when we are called up to heaven.
In verse 5, a great voice came out of the throne, saying, “”Praise our God, all ye His servants, and ye that fear Him, both small and great.” Praise is the fruit of the Spirit which God has put in our hearts and on our lips. This can be in the form of a prayer, the singing of a psalm, or the singing of hymns and songs.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 19:1-5.
Revelation 4:10,11, “The four and twenty elders fall down before Him that sat on the throne, and worshiped Him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receiver glory and honor and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.”
Revelation 7:9-12, “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindred, 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 worshiped 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 12:10, “And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.”
Deuteronomy 32:43, “Rejoice, O ye nations, with His people: for He will avenge the blood of His servants, and will render vengeance to His adversaries, and will be merciful unto His land, and to His people.”
Revelation 6:10, “And they cried with a loud voice, saying, O Lord, holy and true, dost Thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on earth?”
Revelation 18:20, “Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.”
Isaiah 34:9,10, “And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch (a thick, viscous, residue of tar, oil or grease). It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever.”
Revelation 14:11, “And the smoke of her torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.”
Revelation 4:4, “And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and that had on their heads crowns of gold.”
Psalm 134:1-3, “Behold, bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord, which by night stand in the house of the Lord. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord. The Lord that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion.”
B. The Announcement of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (19:6-8).
In verse 6, another voice, like the sound of many waters ans the voice of mighty thunder, announces that the rule of God Almighty in the world is at hand. Shortly, the time is coming when all opposition to God will be eliminated, Satan and his followers will be cast away into the lake of fire and brimstone, and the universe as a whole will be brought under the sovereign rule and dominion of God. Those who faithfully serve and obey God, in heaven and on earth, will be celebrating and announcing the glorious reign of God.
At the end of the great tribulation the “Marriage Supper of the Lamb” is held. The saints, the community of believers, Christ’s church, have been engaged with and to Jesus Christ, the Bridegroom, since the first century and His death and resurrection. Soon we will be called up into heaven to be with our Lord and Savior to partake in that great “Marriage Supper of the Lamb.” It is written in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, “For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” After this great and glorious event occurs we are taken up into heaven, where we will dwell with our God and receive our just reward. As believers, the faithful and obedient servants of God, we receive salvation freely by the power of the precious blood our Savior Jesus Christ shed on the cross for the remission of our sins. And, through His resurrection we have the gift of eternal life at His side in heaven. In Revelation 19:8, it is written, that we receive as a reward for our faithful and obedient lives white linen clothes. Each will be given a crown: some unwithering crowns; others crowns of glory; others crowns of righteousness; some crowns of joy and gladness; and, others crowns of life. It is believed by many scholars and theologians that this event will take place seven years after the “rapture,” the terminology used to refer to the “end of time event” during which those Christians who are living on earth will be “caught up” to meet the Lord God, the Bridegroom, and attend the “Marriage Supper of the Lamb” in the air, as above in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 19:6-8.
Isaiah 44:21-23, “Remember these, O Jacob and Israel, for thou art My servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of Me. I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto Me; for I have redeemed thee. Sing, O ye heavens; for the Lord hath done it: ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the Lord hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified Himself in Israel.”
Matthew 22:2-14, “The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain King, which made a marriage for His Son, And sent forth His servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, He sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared My dinner: My oxen and My fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: And the remnant took His servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. But when the King heard thereof, He was wroth: and He sent forth His armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then saith He to His servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. God ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. So those servant went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guest. And when the King came in to see the guest, He saw there a man which had not a wedding garment: And He saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the King to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Matthew 25:1-13, “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the Bridegroom. And five of them were wise and five of them were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the Bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him. Then all the virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the Bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with Him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”
2 Corinthians 11:2, “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.”
Ephesians 5:22-33, “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and He is the savior of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That He might present to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to loves their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence (to regard with profound respect mingled with awe) her husband.”
Ezekiel 16:8-13, “Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I spread My skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord God, and thou becamest Mine. Then I washed the with water; yea, I thoroughly washed away thy blood from thee, and I anointed thee with oil. I clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee with badger’s skin, and I girded thee about with fine linen, and I covered thee with silk. I decked thee also with ornaments, and I put bracelets upon thy hands, and a chain on thy neck. And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head. Thus was thou deck with gold and silver; and thy raiment was of fine linen, and silk, and broidered work; thou didst eat fine flour, and honey, and oil: and thou was exceeding beautiful, and thou didst prosper into a kingdom.”
Psalm 132:9, “Let Thy priest be clothed with righteousness; and let Thy saints shout with joy.”
C. Those Who are Called to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (19:9).
It is written in verse 9, those who are called to the “Marriage Supper of the Lamb” are blessed. And if they be blessed, how much more will those who have become the bride of Christ be blessed! Who are those that are called to the marriage supper? The faithful and obedient church, the gather believers, these are the “bride” of Jesus Christ. After Jesus’ crucifixion and His resurrection from the dead, the Holy Spirit of God descended from heaven and established the church of Christ; and the church which is sanctified by the blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, was taken up into heaven before the great tribulation began. The church of Christ, the bride of Christ, is the one who is able to attend the “Marriage Supper of the Lamb.” the first group of these who attend the feast are the friends of the Bridegroom, Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament God called Abraham His friend. In the Gospel of John it is written, “He that hath the bride id the Bridegroom: but the friend of the Bridegroom, which standeth and heareth Him, rejoiceth greatly because of the Bridegroom’s voice: this My joy therefore is fulfilled.” The Apostle John was the last of the prophets who came in the spirit of the Old Testament. It is believed that the Old Testament saints, therefore, are not the bride of Christ, but the friends of Christ, the Bridegroom. The next group of guest to attend the feast are those saved after the church has been taken up into heaven. These saints have died as martyrs during the great tribulation; after going through the sea of glass mingled with fire, they will attend the “Marriage Supper of the Lamb” as bridesmaids.
Additional Supporting Scriptural references for 19:9.
Luke 14:15, “And when one of them that sat at meat with Him heard these things, He said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.”
D. The Great Excitement and Joy of the Apostle John (19:10).
When the Apostle John saw this epilogue, he was so overwhelmed by emotion, that he mistakenly attempted to worship an angel who had spoken to him in verse 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.” Of course, John knew well the commandment that we are to worship only God. Nevertheless, he was so excited by the news the angel had brought that he got lost in the moment. But the angel restrained him, saying, “See thou do it not ... worship God.”
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 19:10.
Acts 10:25,26, “And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshiped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.”
1 John 5:3-12, “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is He that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? This is He that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And It is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is Truth. For there are Three that bear record in heaven, the Father , the Word, and the Holy Spirit: and These Three are One. There are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which He hath testified of His Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made Him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of His Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son hath not life.”
E. The Descending of Jesus to Earth (19:11-16).
After the great feast, the “Marriage Supper of the Lamb,” the church of Christ, which is the bride of Jesus, accompanies Him when He returns to earth. In verse 11, John saw heaven open, followed by “a Man Who sits upon a white horse.” This Rider was Jesus Christ. In Revelation chapter 6 the anti-Christ, too, sits upon a white horse imitating the figure of Jesus Christ. But this Man is the real Jesus Christ. In verse 11, He is called “Faithful and True,” since He is the living and true Word of God, and because He was faithful to God the Father, even unto death. Besides, “in righteousness He doth judge and make war.” When Jesus Christ comes down to this earth again, He will wipe away all evil and wickedness. In verse 12 and 13, we read that His eyes will see all things, and since He is the King of kings and Lord of lords, He will wear many crowns. Jesus also has a name written, that no one else knows, but Himself. We read that He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood, and that His sacred name is called “the Word of God,” John 1:1-5,14, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended It not.” The vesture which the Rider is wearing is dipped in blood, referring to the same precious blood Jesus Christ shed upon the cross to save humankind from sin and eternal death ... And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only Begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth.”
In verse 14 and 15, the Apostle John writes of the coming down of the heavenly hosts. He writes that “the armies which were in heaven followed Him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.” These people who are following the Bridegroom are the saints, the gathered believers, who are the “bride of Christ.” As Jesus Christ is coming down from heaven, he shouts, and “out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword,” striking down all His enemies. They fall as leaves in the autumn. Our Lord Jesus Christ will also smite all the nations of the anti-Christ with a rod of iron and tread the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God against those who followed the devil in his rebellion against God. This fierce and devastating battle becomes the last war of humankind, the battle of Armageddon.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 19:11-16.
John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.”
Revelation 3:14, “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God.”
Isaiah 12:1,2, “And in that day thou shalt sat, O Lord, I will praise Thee: though Thou wast angry with me, Thine anger is turned away, and Thou comfortedest me. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation.”
Isaiah 9:6, “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 63:1-3, “Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? This that is glorious in His apparel, traveling in the greatness of His strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. Wherefore art Thou red in Thine apparel, and Thy garments like Him that treadeth in the winefat? I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with Me: for I will tread them in Mine anger, and trample them in My fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon My garments, and I will stain all My raiment.”
John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
1 John 5:7, “For there are Three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit: and These Three are One.”
Matthew 28:3, “His countenance was like lightning, and His raiment white as snow.”
2 Thessalonians 2:8, “And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming.”
Revelation 1:16, “And He has in His right hand seven stars: and out of His mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and His countenance was as the sun shineth in His strength.”
Psalm 2:9, “Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”
Revelation 12:5, “And she brought forth a Man Child, Who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her Child was caught up unto God, and to His throne.”
Revelation 14:19,20, “And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.”
Psalm 72:11, “Yea, all the kings shall fall down before Him: all nations shall serve Him.”
Daniel 2:47, “The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that you God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.”
1 Timothy 6:12-15, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called , and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. I give thee charge in the sight of God, Who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, Who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: Which in His times He shall shew, Who is the blessed and only Potenate (one having great power and sovereignty), the King of kings, and Lord of lords.”
Revelation 17:14, “These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful.”
F. The Final Battle at Armageddon (19:17-21).
In verses 17-21, John’ writings reveal to us things that will happen in the future. Verses 17 and 18 tell about things that will take place at Armageddon. According to scholars and theologians, the armies advancing from the east is two hundred million strong, and the opposing armies of the anti-Christ will be no less than one hundred million strong. During the battle of Armageddon, Jesus Crist and His hosts from heaven descend to earth. The earthly forces quickly stop fighting one another to engage in a united effort, under the leadership of the anti-Christ in verse 19, to combat and attempt to defeat Jesus and His heavenly hosts. However, Jesus Christ will annihilate completely all the earthly forces which oppose Him. In verse 18, the angel beckons the birds of the air to come and to feast upon the carnage and flesh of the slain. At the same time, the false prophet who had lured the people of earth to worship the beast will be also taken, along with the anti-Christ, and they will all be cast into the lake of fire burning with brimstone, verse 20.
From one end of the earth to the other, when Jesus Christ opens His mouth and the word in the form of a sword goes out of His mouth, those who received the mark of the beast on their forehead or on their hand will die an eternal and complete death. As written in Acts 5:1-11, as Ananias ans Sapphira died immediately by Peter’s pronouncement of judgment against them, “But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the Apostles’ feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thy heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land? While it remained, was it not thine own? And after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up th spirit: and great fear came on all of them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it the ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then she fell down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the spirit: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things,” so shall all those people with the mark of the beast be slain by the judgment of our Lord Jesus Christ, verse 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.”
Besides the Jews who have escaped the carnage to the desert, only a handful of Gentiles will survive. Who are they? These are the people who live outside the domain of the anti-Christ. These Jews and Gentiles who have survived the tribulation will enter the millennial kingdom.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 19:17-21.
Daniel 7:11, “I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.”
Revelation 16:16,17, “And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.”
Revelation 20:10, “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.”
Reflective points:
1. In chapter 19 we read of the battle between the beast and the Word of God, and the final judgment which comes upon the institutions of the earth who were under the authority and control of the beast. These world institutions have been responsible for chaos and disorder on the earth. They were responsible for the oppression and suffering of the human masses and depletion of earthly resources. This chapter is a reminder that God will not allow injustice and suffering to prevail against His creation, and those who chose to submit to the way of the beast and his wicked regimes will be held accountable, no matter what name or identity they cloak themselves under. Revelation in general represents one theme in the Christian Gospel: God’s justice and God’s grace. This balancing act between justice and grace lies deep in the Judeo-Christian faith and is part of the struggle for understanding God’s character. Love’s ability to cover a multitude of sins in a vision of inclusion and forgiveness, for the Jewish and Christian faith, presents a danger of baptizing (cleansing; purifying; consecrating) the status quo of this world’s injustices, that is the kings, magnates, captains, the wealthy, and the powerful who have perpetuated the oppressive regime of the anti-Christ throughout history publicly and privately. The execution of this pattern of injustice and judgment thereon is gruesome and horrific as revealed in 19:21, “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.” The coming apocalypse is untamable and sure. The book of Revelation reveals to all, including, and especially those who claim to be religious and pious, that the norms and orderliness of the Bible and of Christian faith are essential to the fulfillment of God’s purpose in creation. All who oppose God’s will and Word will be judged harshly and will not enter into God’s kingdom (Isaiah 11:4; Thessalonians 2:8; Revelation19:3).
2. As we read Revelation we find that it is a book which offers a vision of two paths for humanity. One is a path which leads to the final consummation of violence, evil, and destruction. This is the wide and broad path which the unfaithful and those who are in opposition to God’s Word and will travel. The road to destruction is wide. The other is a vision and a strait and narrow path which leads to glory and redemption for those who are faithful to God’s Word and will, Matthew 7:13-15, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Jesus tells us to beware of those who manipulate the will and Word of God for their own purposes and profit, for theirs is the path of eternal destruction. We as believers must immerse ourselves in God’s Word and Spirit in order to be able to discern the truth of God’s Word from the illusion of false prophesy. For the wicked and corrupt of will and heart the message of Revelation and of Holy Scripture is one of anxiety, fear, trembling, confusion, and anger, whereas, the message for faithful believers is one of anticipation, joy, peace, love, and hope. The promise of God is real and finite. We must chose whom we will serve wisely, for our choice determines our eternal destiny. God has come into the world in the form of Jesus Christ, the Living Word of God, that we might know Him and trust in Him. While some will receive Him as Lord and Savior of their lives, many will turn Him away and mock Him, John 1:1-4, 14, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made. In Him was life; and life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not ... And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten Son of the Father), full of grace and truth.” In this series of verses the Apostle John couched in words the frightening and forbidden tones, reflecting the ultimate seriousness of the choices we make and the extent of human imperviousness (unreceptive; unopen) God’s truth and will, John 18:8-11, “And when He is come, He will reprove (rebuke; censure; convict) the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on Me; Of righteousness, because I go to My Father, and ye see Me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.”
3. As we read and discern the message of Christ Jesus in the Book of Revelation, let us not neglect the present effectiveness of God’s divine Word. In Hosea 6:5, God’s prophetic word has the same devastating effect as does the manifestation of the eschatological rider: “Therefore I have hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of My mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth.” John also gives warning to those who hear the words of this prophecy, Revelation 22:18, 19, “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. Surely I come quickly.” Their effect is like that found in Jeremiah 10:1,2,3,8,10,14,15,21,24,25, “Hear the word which the Lord speaketh unto you, O house of Israel. Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heaven are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain ... But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities ... But the Lord is the true God, He is the living God, and an everlasting King: at His wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide His indignation. Every man is brutish in His knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them. They are vanity, and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish ... For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the Lord: therefore they shall not proper, and all their flocks shall be scattered. ... O Lord, correct me, but with judgment; not in Thine anger, lest Thou bring me to nothing. Pour out Thy fury upon the heathen that know not Thee, and upon the families that call not upon Thy name: for they have eaten up Jacob, and devoured him, and consumed him, and have made his habitation desolate.” The task of prophetic proclamation is not reserved for just the prophetic elite, it is the call and mission of all of God’s children, as members of the holy priesthood, to be the voice of honest indignation, the voice of justice and the voice of hope for humanity. We are the voice of God here on earth as His disciples and servants.
4. As children of God we need not be to worried about what the future holds, for we know who hold the future - that is Almighty God. Those who seek to fool and manipulate the world’s inhabitants through their thoughts, words, and deeds in the end shall become victims and receivers of their own foolishness and deceit.
5. Throughout Holy Scripture there is ample evidence of the belief in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (parousia, Gk.; the coming day of the Lord, the Messiah to judge the living and the dead). While the term “parousia” is not used in the book of Revelation, the event is addressed in the following verse of the book of Revelation: Revelation 1:7, “Behold, He cometh with the clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so Amen.” Revelation 19:11, “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was call Faithful and True, and in righteousness He doth judge and make war.” Revelation 22:19, “... Surely I come quickly.” It is used elsewhere in the New Testament: Matthew 24:3,27,29-37, “As soon as He sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto Him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world? ... For as the lightening cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be ... Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man.” 1 Corinthians 15:23, “But every man in his own order: Christ the Firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at Hi coming. The cometh the end, when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 2:1,2, “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto Him. That you be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.” 2 Peter 1:16,17, “For we have not cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to Him from the Excellent Glory, This is My Beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased.” 1 John 2:28, “And now, little children, abide in Him; that, when He shall appear, we have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.” James 5:7,8, “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the Husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until He receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; establish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth near.” In Revelation 19:11-21, there are explicit links with the vision of the Son of Man in Revelation 1:14-18, which begin the Apostle John’s vision. Like the descendant of David Who shall bring universal peace, described in Isaiah 11, it is with the sword proceeding from His mouth that this rider will rule all nations, for He comes as “King of kings, and Lord of lords” in Revelation 19:16, with His victory already assured. The beast, the anti-Christ, and the false prophet and all who worshiped the beast and oppose God are conquer and cast into the lake of fire and brimstone for all eternity, Revelation 19:19-21.
Chapter Nineteen Study Questions.
1. In contrast with the silence that comes with the fall and destruction of Babylon in Revelation 18:22, What event characterizes this new scene in chapter 19? Who are the participants?
2. In the Five Songs of Praise what is the most frequent refrain?
3. What are the contrasting differences between the prostitute in Chapters 17 and 18, and the Bride of Christ in verses 7 and 8?
4. In verse 11, Who is the Rider on the White Horse? How does His description contrast with the description of the rider on the white horse in chapter 6? What Inscription is written on His Robe and Thigh?
5. How is Jesus described in verses 11-13? Why does He have a Name that no one knows, but He Himself?
6. Who is following Christ, the militant and compromising church still on earth, or the obedient and triumphant church in heaven? Why is that so?
7. Who is invited to the “Marriage Supper of the Lamb” in verses 6-9? Why?
8. Who are the combatants in this Battle (Revelation 19-21)? Who wins? What happens to the leaders of the enemies of God?
9. Who are those invited to “The Supper of the Great God” in verse 17-21? What is the contents of their meal?
The Millennial Kingdom
and
The Great Judgment
Chapter 20.
The Millennial Reign of Christ and the Saints:
The Great White Throne of Judgment.
The Millennial Kingdom and the Great Judgment (20:1-15).
“1. And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. 2. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3. He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, that he should deceive the nations no more until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time. 4. I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark upon their foreheads or in their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5. (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended). This was the first resurrection. 6. Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priest of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years. 7. When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison. 8. And will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. 9. They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God’s people, the city He loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 10. And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. 11. Then I saw a great white horse and Him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from His presence, and there was no place for them. 12. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which was the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. 14. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15. If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”
I. The Imprisonment of Satan and his followers (20:1-3).
Now, the anti-Christ and the false prophet are cast into the lake of fire. This is the same fate that awaits the old serpent or dragon, called the devil or Satan who has enticed and corrupted the world since the beginning of creation (Genesis 3 and 4). In verses 1 and 2, the Apostle John saw an “angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in hand. And he laid hold on the dragon.” The angel threw the dragon into the Abyss or bottomless pit, but Satan at this time is not cast into the lake burning with fire, for there is still one more thing left for him to do. Satan is bound in the pit for one thousand years, then he is loosed upon the earth again for a short time to prepare for the final battle at Armageddon where Christ and His heavenly hosts will destroy Satan and his forces of evil for ever.
During the millennium the earth is once again repopulated with people. They are not tempted by sin nor afflicted by illness, for they are insulated from his influence because Satan is bound and sealed up in the Abyss during this period. They flourish and inhabited the whole earth. These people who have lived fluently and free from the influence of Satan and his wickedness are soon tested as to whether they truly love God for God’s sake, or because of the abundance of their prosperity (see: book of Job). To test them, Satan is released from the Abyss for a short period of time to the four corners of the earth. This testing is no worse than what has already been experienced by many of God’s saints who have come before them.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 20:1-3.
Revelation 1:17,18, “And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying, unto me, Fear not; I am the First and the Last: I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”
Revelation 9:1, “And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key to the bottomless pit.”
2 Peter 2:4, “For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.”
Jude 6, “And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, He hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.”
Revelation 12:9, “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”
Revelation 16:14, “For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God almighty.”
II. The Thrones of Judgment and the First Resurrection (20:4-6).
A. The Thrones of Judgment.
The Apostle John, next, saw thrones that gave judgment to the people before they entered the millennial kingdom. Why is it “thrones,” instead of “throne?” This is because Jesus Christ will not pass judgment alone: His bride, the church, will sit with Him and judge, therefore the plural “thrones,” rather than the singular “throne” is used here. Hallelujah! In verse 4, this what is also meant by the words, “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them ... They lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” So, how will those thrones give judgment? As we have already seen, the people who were sealed by anti-Christ were all killed, but those who were not sealed by him, and remained faithful to God, and the remaining Jews, will enter into the millennial kingdom. Out of those God will separate the “sheep from the goats,” as written in Matthew 25:31-46, “When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory: and before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a Shepherd divideth His sheep from the goats and He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was a hungered, and ye gave Me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took Me in: naked, and ye clothed Me: I was sick, and ye visited Me: I was in prison, and ye came unto Me. Then shall the righteous answer Him, saying, Lord, when saw we Thee an hungered, and fed Thee? Or thirsty, and gave Thee drink? When saw we Thee a stranger, and tool Thee in? Or naked, and clothed Thee? Or when saw we Thee sick, or in prison, and came unto Thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me. Then shall He say to them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungered, and you gave Me no meat: I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink: I was a stranger, and you took me not in: naked, and you clothed Me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited Me not. Then shall He answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to the least of these, ye did it not unto Me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” This is the standard by which Jesus Christ shall judge the world, that is, how they ministered to and treated Jesus Christ and His creation.
B. The First Resurrection.
At the first resurrection, in verse 5, those who died during the great tribulation will rise first. Those who partake in this resurrection are blessed, for they will not enter into the second death, the eternal death. The first death is the death of the body, and the second death is the death of the soul or spirit, which means that person is forsaken by God, and is forever separated from God. Those who participate in the first resurrection are received by God and reign with Jesus Christ for one thousand years. What a blessing this will be! The remaining dead do not come to life until the one thousand year reign has ended. All the sinners, wicked, and decadent who have rejected and opposed God will remain in hell; they will not enter the millennial kingdom. After Jesus Christ’s reign of one thousand years has ended, those unbelievers will come to life again to receive their final judgment, at which time they will be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone for ever and ever. Therefore, the resurrection of sinners becomes a resurrection unto judgment and destruction, whereas, the first resurrection of believers will be a resurrection unto everlasting life.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 20:4-6.
Daniel 7:13,14, “I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came in the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought Him near before Him. And there was given Him dominion, glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him: His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”
Matthew 19:28, “And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
Luke 22:29,30, “And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as My Father hath appointed unto Me; That ye may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
1 Corinthians 6:2,3, “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? And if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? How much more things that pertain to this life?”
Revelation 6:9,10, “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?”
Romans 8:16,17, “The Spirit Itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. And if children of God, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together.”
2 Timothy 2:11-16, “It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him: if we deny Him, He will also deny us: If we believe not, yet He abideth faithful: He cannot deny Himself. Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.”
Revelation 21:7,8, “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son. 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.”
Isaiah 61:6, “But ye shall be named the Priests of the Lord: men shall call you ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.”
1 Peter 2:9, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him Who hath called you out of darkness in to His marvelous light.”
Revelation 5:10, “And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on earth.”
III. Satan is Loosed out of his Prison (20:7-10).
At the conclusion of the millennium period, God releases Satan from the Abyss, the bottomless pit. One again, this enables Satan to go out into the four corners of the earth tempting and enticing people as he once did, thus, realizing that this is his last chance at freedom. During this period of time he gathers the wicked and the evil people who are left for a final confrontation, as written in verse 7 and 8, “And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 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.” Among the people who choose to follow Satan are those who have enjoyed the reign of Jesus Christ and His saints for the one thousand year period. However, when they are exposed to the temptations of the devil, and are deceived by his charm, they sympathize with him and foolishly follow him. Their distorted behaviors baffle and confuse many of those who are true to Jesus Christ. Out of this group of people who are true to Jesus, God will select His people. As a servant, like a thief, turns on his master with a club, so will the people who follow Satan come to besiege the holy city of Jerusalem, where Jesus Christ and His saints dwell, as in verse 9. The world will be sharply divided into two groups: those who are inside the city and those who are outside the city; wheat and tares; and sheep and goats. In verse 10, we read that God will destroy, like tares, those people who are encamped outside the city, and their souls will fall headlong into the lake of unquenchable fire. The evil and wicked trinity that deceived and corrupted so many people - Satan, the anti-Christ, and the false prophet - will also fall into the lake of fire, where they, along with their followers, will be tormented for ever and ever. Those who remained faithful and true to Jesus Christ and the will of God will enter into the eternal new heaven and the new earth.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 20:7-10.
Job 1:6,7, “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? The Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.”
1 Peter 5:6-8, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you due time: Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
Ezekiel 38:1-3, “And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of Man, set thy face against Gog, and the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him. And say, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal.”
Revelation 16:13,14, “And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of the devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God almighty.”
Isaiah 8:22, “And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness and anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness.”
IV. The Judgment of the Great White Throne (20:11-15).
In verse 11, suddenly the heaven and the earth disappear. Will this be the end of the heavens and the earth for ever? No! It is written in Ecclesiastes 1:4, “One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.” Therefore, it is not that the earth has gone for ever, but that our Lord God is going to transform it as written in 2 Peter 3:10, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, and the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” Thus, there was found no place for the heaven and the earth, and a white throne of judgment is set up at a place within the universe where all the dead rise and stand before it. At this point, all the books in which are recorded all the thoughts, words, and deeds of every man and woman from the beginning of creation are opened. There is no hiding and no turning back at this point. In verse 12, it is revealed that another book was opened, “the book of life.” Why is the “book of life” needed to judge the living and the dead? It is because of the righteousness of God Almighty. After He points out every unrighteous behavior of those who have opposed Him, He opens the “book of life,” and shows these sinners that their names are not written in the book. Everyone whose name is not recorded in the “book of life,” as prophesied in Holy Scripture, falls into the eternal lake of fire and brimstone without being able to say anything for vindication or to clear their name. This is the second death, that is, the soul or spirit is permanently separated from God and tormented for ever and ever more. The lake of fire is a place where there is no hope or rest. Jesus said concerning this place of agony and torment in Mark 9:48-49, “Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.” Those who are drunken and wanton with all kinds of filthiness, wickedness, and deceitfulness shall die like withering grass on the day when they hear the shout and trumpet call of the archangel from heaven. Their souls will wait in hell, and after they are judged before the great white throne of God, they will be cast into the lake burning with fire and brimstone, where they will spend eternity in agony and torment.
In the Old Testament, the harlot, Rahab, saved many lives, the lives of her parents, her brothers, her sisters, and of her relatives by gathering them at her house and warning them not to go out when Jericho was befallen at the hands of the Israelites in Joshua 6:17,25, “And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the Lord: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent ... And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father’s household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.” How much more should we make our efforts to save out loved ones, friends, neighbors, and even strangers from the coming judgment of our Lord? The reward for our efforts and work to save souls will be great, and we shall be joyful and blessed for all eternity in heaven with our Lord God. We as God’s faithful servants are commanded, we are called, to share the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with all people, all nations, and all languages, Matthew 28:18-20, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Let us, too, go forth joyfully and faithfully fulfilling our mission of faith.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 20:11-15.
2 Peter 3:7, “But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.”
John 5:19-27, “Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily , verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He seeth the Father do: for what things soever He doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth Him all things that Himself doeth: and He will shew Him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom He will. For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honor the Son, as they honor the Father. He that honoreth not the Son honoreth not the Father which hath sent Him. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in Himself; so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself; And hath given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of man.”
2 Corinthians 5:10, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”
1 Thessalonians 4:14-17, “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
Daniel 7:10, “A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him: thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand stood before Him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.”
Psalm 69:28, “Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.”
Daniel 12:1, “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of Thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time Thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.”
Jeremiah 17:10, “I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.”
Matthew 16:27, “For the Son of Man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and then He shall reward every man according to his works.”
Romans 2:6, “Who will render to every man according to his deeds.”
1 Corinthians 15:26, “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.”
Reflective points:
1. The Millennium event has created a variety of views and stimulated many passionate discussions throughout the history of the Christian church. There have been traditionally four millennial views: The “Preterist” view, which holds to the view and belief that most prophecies were fulfilled during the time and rule of the Roman Empire; The “Historicist” view, which holds the belief that the prophecies have been fulfilled throughout history and are still being fulfilled as history is being made; The “Futurist” view, that holds to belief that most prophecies are yet to be fulfilled; and, The “Spiritualist” (symbolic; idealist) view, which holds to the belief that most prophecies portray ongoing cosmic conflicts of varying spiritual realities and may have many varying fulfillment’s throughout human history. Other views include “pre-millenarian” views, which hold to the belief that the “parousia” will take place before the “messianic” reign on earth which is linked to a cataclysmic eschatology that envisages a divine irruption into human history. Then there is the “post-millennial” belief, which is held by those who believe that Jesus Christ’s reappearance will take place at the end of the millennium. Also, among these beliefs is another which rejects the messianic reign of Christ on earth, either because of their adherence to the belief that this event has already happened in the cross event and the resurrection event of Jesus Christ, or in the emergence of the Christian church on earth. That is the “amillennialist” view. A good example would be found in St. Augustine’s interpretation “The City of God.” As one can see, as Jesus stated in Matthew 24:36, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only,” no one in heaven or on earth knows the events to come and when they are to come, but God the Father. Many have speculated and many will continue to speculate as humanity seeks to discern and understand the past, present, and future of human history in relationship with God it’s Creator.
2. While in the course of human history people have been reluctant to take sides in contemporary political, social, economic, and military struggles, the New Testament message itself is not neutral or indifferent. It does take sides and is explicit and transforming in it’s intent. In the words and life of Jesus Christ, the present as well as the future are proclaimed as decisive in God’s purposes for humanity. As we read the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, as well as, the Epistles and Letters of the New Testament, the book of Revelation begins to bring together the intent and meaning, as well as to bridge the first and second advents of Jesus Christ into the world. The Holy Spirit of God is the “gold thread” which weaves together all Scripture. It reveals with clarity, and brings understanding to all who study and discern the Word of God. It is through the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit that we as readers and hearers of the Word are able to have hope amid all the chaos tribulations of the world. In the study of Revelation, we begin with the end in mind and gain understanding into our Christian journey as servants and witnesses of God intention for creation, a message of justice and judgment. We find in the Old Testament and in the New Testament the exclusion of both extreme revolutionary activism, and extreme political and social passivism. We are called to action in the way of Christ Jesus, a call to godly servanthood and stewardship to all creation. We are to lay down our lives for all in service and ministry, even unto death if so called.
3. The hope for the Messiah’s reign on earth is consistent with the resurrection hope found in the Gospel story’s. This message bids us to alter our behavior’s and practices, and evokes a profound sense of promise and hope in all who hear and believe God’s Word. Jesus our Christ promised the disciples the power to do exactly what the angel with the key in Revelation 20:1 could do in Matthew 16:19, “And I will give unto thee the keys (badge of power and authority) of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven;” and, in John 20:22,23, “And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and saith unto them, ‘Receive ye the Holy Spirit: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.’”It is easy to allow Satan loose to cause chaos and suffering from a worldly perspective. However, from a divine perspective, those who follow the way of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, have the power to build foundations here on earth by which the gates of hell can never prevail. It begins with faith, followed by will and determination. It is that divine and godly perspective that enables Christians today to effectively change the world in which we live amid all the perplexities and chaos that exist under the rule and domain of the beast. We continue to fear and to submit to the temptation to collude with the Babylonian system of life, which prophesies there must be in society a winner and a loser, rich and poor, oppressor and oppressed, weak and strong, arrogant and meek, and so on. Satan promotes a system of conflicting values which enables him to rule and control. The Spirit of Jesus Christ summons the church to claim and live out the Gospel message daily here on earth, now: Revelation 2:7, “Let him who has an ear hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.” In His letters to the seven churches of Asia Minor in chapters 2 and 3 of the book of Revelation, Jesus sets the standard for claiming and living out the Christian mission in the world.
4. In chapter 13 we find there are consequences for worshiping the beast and the dragon, and for following the teachings of the false prophet. There is no activity, public or private, nor buying and selling of goods that are regarded by God as neutral. All are held accountable for actions which are in opposition to the will and word of God. Revelation reveals that those who resist the beast and the Babylonian system are not church members alone, but those who compromise the values and virtues of Christian faith may well include many in the churches. Jesus addresses all, those in the church and those outside the church, in Matthew 25:31-46 as to the level of service expected from humanity unto humanity, service to the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the homeless, the sick and afflicted, and the imprisoned. Jesus reminds us, Matthew 7:20-23, “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall no them. Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord , Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? And in Thy name have we cast out devils? And I Thy name done wonderful works? And then I will profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity,” that merely confessing Him as Lord does not guarantee one insight or salvation. And in Romans 2:11-16, Paul says, “For there is not respect of persons with God. For as many as have sinned without the law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but doers of the law shall be justified. For when the Gentiles, which have not he law, do by nature the things contain in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law in the their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another); In that day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.” As believers in and followers of Jesus Christ we must do more than merely profess Christ, we must possess Christ in us so that the Spirit of Jesus Christ which abides in us may be known and received by all through the fruits of our labor and service. While we are through faith saved by grace, this gift of salvation comes with resume of responsibilities and expectations. We are each given spiritual gifts and talents, and we are expected to reap and to prosper for the sake of the kingdom of God, Matthew 25, “The Olivet Discouses: ‘The Parable of the Ten Virgins;’ ‘The Parable of the Talents;’ and, ‘The Parable of the Sheep and Goats.’” Faith, trust, and vigilance are necessary to overcome fear. Slothful service is not an acceptable option in the kingdom of God.
Chapter Twenty Study Questions.
1. Why is Satan bound? Where is he Bound? For how long is he bound?
2. What is the First Resurrection?
3. What is the second death?
4. What does the Resurrection unto eternal Life and the resurrection unto eternal death mean for believers and unbelievers? Explain!
5. What is the Final fate of the beast, the false prophet, and Satan (Revelation 20:7-10)?
6. Who is exempted and who is exhumed at the “Great White Throne” of Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15)?
7. How are people judged according to verses 12-15?
8. What is the fate of those whose Names are Not found in the Book of Life (Revelation 20:15)?
The New Heaven
and
The New Earth:
The Spiritual and Physical.
Chapter 21.
The New heaven and the New Earth: The Lamb’s Wife.
The New Heaven and the New Earth: The Lamb’s Bride (21:1-27).
“1. Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2. And I John saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them, they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” 5. He Who is seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” then He said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6. He said unto me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give drink freely from the spring of the water of life. 7. He that overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be My son. 8. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone. This is the second death.” 9. One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven plagues came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 10. And he carried my away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. 11. It shone with all the glory of God, and it’s brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like jasper, clear as crystal. 12. It had a great high wall, with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. 13. There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south, and three on the west. 14. The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 15. The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, it’s gates and it’s walls. 16. The city was laid out like a square, as long as ti was wide. He measured it to be 12, 000 stadia in length, and as wide and as long. 17. He measured it’s wall and it was 144 cubits thick, by man’s measurement, which the angel was using. 18. The wall was made of Jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. 19. The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second was sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald. 20. The fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. 21. The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. 22. I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are it’s temple. 23. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is it’s lamp. 24. The nations will walk by it’s light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. 25. And the gates of it shall not be shut, at all by day: for there will be no night there. 26. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. 27. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”
I. The New Heaven and the New Earth (21:1).
Historically, people always like that which is new, such as, new clothes, new food, new furniture, new vehicles, new friends, and new experiences. Whenever they can afford new things they look with eagle eyes in order to seek out and find what they desire. But that for which they seek is finite and eventually fades away, leaving us empty and unfulfilled.
The new heaven into which we will enter is for ever and for ever fulfilling. It is a place where we abide with our God, and where all our needs are provided for. It will be a place where every morning will be a day of freshness and of joy. Noone will grow old, nor will anyone die, nor grow weak or get sick. There will be no pain, nor sadness, nor sorrow. It is a divine place, clean, bright and pleasing to the soul. There is no sea in the new heaven and the new earth, as stated in verse1. Why? Today in our lives, life is many times referred to as the “sea of trouble.” It means that life brings with it bitterness and sorrow, pain and suffering. In the new heaven and the new earth, there will be no sea.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 21:1.
Isaiah 65:17,18, “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in My people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, not the voice of crying.”
Isaiah 66:22, “For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make shall remain before Me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain.”
2 Peter 3:10-14, “The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth shall also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness. 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? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless.”
Isaiah 57:20,21, “But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.”
II. The New Jerusalem (21:2-4).
The Apostle John also saw descending from heaven the new Jerusalem, the center or capital of the new heaven and the new earth. Who will live in this new Jerusalem? The church that is the bride of Jesus Christ will enter into this beautiful new city and dwell there for ever and ever with Bridegroom, the Lamb of God. The Jewish people and those who are saved during the millennial kingdom period will also live there in the new heaven and the new earth.
The new Jerusalem, in verse 2, is said to be as beautiful as a bride adorned for her husband. She has the appearance of a bride adorned in precious jewels. In verse 4 we are told that in the not-too-distant future we, as faithful believers in Jesus Christ, will enter this amazing new city ourselves and for ever live with our Christ Jesus. We will worship and praise our Lord God for ever and ever, and He will wipe away all the tears from our eyes, and there will be no more sorrow, no more suffering, and no more death.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 21:2-4.
Isaiah 52:1, “Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.”
Galatians 4:26, “But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.”
Hebrews 11:10, “For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”
Hebrews 12:22, “But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels.”
Hebrews 13:14, “For here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come.”
Isaiah 54:5, “For thy maker is thine Husband; the Lord of hosts is His name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall He be called.”
Isaiah 61:10, “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh Himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.”
2 Corinthians 11:2, “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.”
Leviticus 26:11,12, “And I will set My tabernacle among you: and My soul shall not abhor you. And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be My people.”
2 Corinthians 6:16, “And what agreement does the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”
Revelation 7:15, “Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple: and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.”
Isaiah 25:8,9, “He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all our faces; and the rebuke of His people shall He take away from all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.”
1 Corinthians 15:26,51-54, “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death ... Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruptible, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.”
Isaiah 35:10, “And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”
III. The Proclamation of Almighty God (21:5-8).
Almighty God is the creator of heaven and earth and all that is in them. The Holy Scripture begins in Genesis 1:1-2:3 with the majestic narrative of His creation of the universe, the heavens, and the earth, and all that in them, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth ... and God saw that it was good ... Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it He had rested from all His work which God created and made.” The Holy Scripture, then concludes with God’s final judgment in Revelation 20:11-15, “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. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judge out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 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. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire;” and the creation of a new heaven and new earth in Revelation 21:1, “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.” This gives enormous hope and encouragement to the faithful in Jesus Christ. Because He abides in us and we in Him, we are cleansed by His blood, forgiven our sins, justified before God the Father, and sanctified through the Holy Spirit. Our future is secure, for the promise of God is true. We all shall be called sons, children of God, and shall be made prefect through Him. Just as God finished the work of creation in Genesis 2:1-3, and Jesus finished the work of salvation in John 19:30, so will the Holy Trinity of God complete the divine plan of salvation and redemption in Revelation 21 and 22.
In Revelation 21:8, the “fearful or cowardly,” are not those who are fainthearted in their faith, or who at times doubt or question. These are those who have turned their back on God, and who have refused to obey, follow, and worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. These are people who are not brave enough to stand with Jesus Christ, or to stand up for Jesus Christ; those who reject His absolute authority over their lives and who have chosen to compromise the faith, the Word, and the will of God in order to receive the recognition and praises of the world. These false prophesiers, preachers, and teachers are place in the same category as the unbelieving, the vile, murderers, liars, idolaters, the immoral, the sexually depraved, and those practicing the magic arts. They will be held accountable to a high standard of judgment, James 3:1, “My brethren, be not many teachers, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.”
For those who overcome and remain faithful and obedient to God’s Word and will the reward is everlasting life, Mark 13:13, “And ye shall be hated of all men for My name’s sake: but He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” The faithful will receive the blessing God promised: Eating of the tree of life, verse 2:7; Escaping from the lake of fire, verse 2:11; Receive a special name, verse 2:17; Having authority over all nations, verse 2:26; Being included in the Lamb’s book of life, verse 3:5; Being a pillar in God’s spiritual temple, verse 3:12; And, sitting with Jesus Christ on His throne, verse 3:21. Yes, those who endure the trials and tribulations of evil and suffering; those who remain faithful and true to the Word and will of God, they will be richly and eternally rewarded by Almighty and Glorious God.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 21:5-8.
Revelation 4:2,3, “And immediately I was in the sprit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. And He that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.”
Isaiah 43:15, “I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.”
2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
Isaiah 12:2,3, “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall we draw water out of the wells of salvation.”
Isaiah 55:3,6, “Incline your ear, and come unto Me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David ... Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near.”
John 4:10,14, “Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and Who it is that saith to thee, Give Me drink; thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water ... But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”
John 4:23,24, “But the hour cometh, and now is, when true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.”
John 7:37,38, “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.”
Romans 8:16,17,32, “The Spirit Itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together ... He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”
Zechariah 8:7,8, “Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Behold, I will save My people from the east country, and the west country; And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.”
Hebrews 8:20-22, “And inasmuch as not without an oath He was made Priest: (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by Him that said unto Him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a Priest forever after the order of Melchisedec:), By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.”
1 Corinthians 6:9-11, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate (men having womanlike traits and behaviors unbefitting a man), nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers (those using abusive and vile language), nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”
Galatians 5:16-26, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness (arousing sensual and sexual desires), Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance (dissension or discord), emulations (selfish rivalry or ambition), wrath, strife (angry contentions; fighting), seditions (revolt; dissension; promoting public disorder), heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings (abusive and vile language), and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have told you in the past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering (patience), gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are in Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.”
Ephesians 5:1-7, “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savor. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain (empty; worthless; frivolous; unproductive; proud; conceited), words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be ye not partakers with them.”
1 Timothy 1:4-11, “Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. Now the end of the commandment is charity (love) out of a pure heart, and a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling (bickering); Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.”
Hebrews 12:14, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”
IV. The New Jerusalem: The Bride of the Lamb: Part 1 (21:9-27).
It is believed by many scholars and theologians, our day of adornment, the adornment of the bride of Jesus Christ, is the same event as the the adornment of the new Jerusalem. Therefore, the appearance of the new Jerusalem is the same as our spiritual appearance as believers and faithful followers of Jesus Christ. This is why the bride of Christ is referred to as the new Jerusalem in Holy Scriptures, verse 2, “And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” In verse 9, we are shown a vision of the beautiful and adorned bride, the Lamb’s wife, “And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked to me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” In verses 10-27 it is revealed unto us her beauty and stature. The green color of the precious jasper stone signifies divinity and life, the spiritual green pasture that provides everlasting life. The new Jerusalem is a place full of infinite godliness and holiness; a place of inexhaustible satisfaction, nourishment, and endless life. The description of the great walls are references to the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ in the New Testament age. The names here are the names of the twenty-four elders, the saints which were saved. Twelve thousand furlongs are the equivalent of 2,400 kilometers, or 1,440 miles. So the length, the breadth, and the height of the new Jerusalem are about 1,440 mile each. The architecture and design of this divine place is obviously incomprehensible by human standard and measures. Converted into today’s measurements, 144 cubits is about forty meters, or more than 120 feet. Thus, the wall of this heavenly city is extremely thick. In Revelation 21:18, it is written that of the wall, “And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.” O how wonderful and beautiful this new city will be, this new Jerusalem, the bride of Christ! In verses19-21, it is revealed that the twelve foundations of the wall are each made of precious stones, and the twelve gates are twelve pearls, that is each gate being one whole and complete pearl. There is a reason for the gates of this new Jerusalem being made of pearls. Pearls are produce from oysters in the turbulent and dangerous sea. When sand seeps into the oyster’s body or shell, it injures the body of the oyster, causing the oyster to secrete it’s saliva, thus covering the intruder, and in the process, over a lengthy period of time, forming a lustrous pearl within. Likewise, the gates of the new Jerusalem are made of pearls because the saints who enter the through these gates possess faith like pearls which has been tested and which has overcome adversity and tribulation. While they lived in the world of old, they were not discouraged by the numerous trials and tribulations that came their way, but rather, they through faith and prayer overcame and persevered. The city being made of pure gold signifies all the people who enter into it will have a new spiritually divine and eternal nature, thus being rid of their old carnal nature, 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things pass away; behold, all things become new.” Gold also symbolizes kingliness or royalty, 1 Peter 2:5,9,10, “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ ... But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye shew forth the praises of Him Who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”
In the Old Testament Almighty God was in the Holy of holies of the temple. However, in the new Jerusalem, there is no temple, for God is with us and we are with God. In this new city we will need no sun nor moon for God’s glory shines in it and Jesus the Christ is it’s lamp, verse 23. Therefore, there is no more night or darkness, verse 25. And in verse 27, no one shall enter or be welcome through the gates of the city who may defile, or who may cause an abomination, or tells a lie. Only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of life may enter.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 21:9-27.
Ezekiel 48:35, “It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that shall be, The Lord is there.”
Matthew 16:17-18, “And Jesus answered and said un to him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood have not revealed it unto to thee, but My Father which is heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
Ephesians 2:18-22, “For through Him we both have access to the Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Cornerstone; In Whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord: In Whom ye also are built together for a habitation of God through the Spirit.”
Ezeliel 40:3, “And he brought me thither, and, behold, there was a man, whose appearance was like the appearance of brass, with a line of flax in his hand, and a measuring reed; and he stood in the gate.”
Zechariah 2:1,2, “I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand. Then I said, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof.”
Revelation 11:1, “And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.”
Isaiah 54:11-13, “O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colors, and lay thy foundations with sapphires. And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones. And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.”
Revelation 22:1-4, “And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on the other side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and His servants shall serve Him. And they shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads.”
John 4:23,24, “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.”
1 Corinthians 13:12, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as I am known.”
1 Corinthians 15:28, “And when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the Son Himself be subject unto Him that put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.”
Isaiah 24:23, “Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the Lord of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before His ancients gloriously.”
Isaiah 60:3,20, “And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising ... Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall the moon withdraw itself: for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.”
Isaiah 66:12,13, “For thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees. As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.”
Isaiah 35:3-10, “Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, you God will come with vengeance even God with recompense; He will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and then thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes. And a highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”
Isaiah 52:1, “Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.”
Joel 3:17, “So shall you know that I am the Lord your God dwelling in Zion, My holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.”
Psalm 62:7,8, “In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before Him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.”
Philippians 4:4-7, “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let you moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Revelation 3:5, “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels.”
Revelation 20:12-15, “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. 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. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
Reflective points:
1. The book of Revelation comes to a climatic ending in chapter 21. We discover in chapters 2 and 3 the promises made to the angels of the seven churches of Asia Minor by Jesus Christ, and in chapter 5 the revelation of the opening of the seals of the sacred scroll. John’s vision of God’s “tabernacling” with His creation marks the climax in the eschatological human drama. In chapter 4 of Revelation, the Apostle John is granted a glimpse into the events which surround God’s coming judgment upon humanity. The contrast between heaven and earth are no longer distinct as the new creation is manifested. God is no longer far off, but is immediate and present in the daily lives of humanity. He is very much part of the new world of perfection. Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 5:17 that the new creation is not merely something to look forward to, but that it is already possible in the Person of Jesus Christ through the power of God’s Holy Spirit, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” This new creation is realized through the struggle and birth pangs which the whole of God’s creation must undergo before paradise can be realized, Romans 8:18, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh), dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but hoe to perform that which is good I find not.”
2. In the new Jerusalem all who overcome evil will have the right to become pillars in the temple of God (Revelation 3:12; 15:2; 21:14; Galatians 2:9; 1 Timothy 3:15). It is believed by many scholars and theologians that human endeavor can be a means for ushering in the new heaven and new earth, thus channeling in God’s love and grace to all in the building of the new kingdom. Human agents infused by the gift and power of the Holy Spirit of God contribute to the eschatological process. For God is the living God, and thus He dwelling is us, is not dormant, but alive and at work in and through us in the world around us doing His good works. The manifestation of the new heaven and the new earth is an eschatological work in process under the inspiration and direction of the Holy Spirit of God.
3. In the new Jerusalem there will be no physical temple because the glory of God and the Lamb will permeate throughout the whole of the city of God. The holiness of God and the Lamb pervade in the midst of the inhabitants of the lives of those who have overcome evil and have been faithful to the Word and will of Almighty God (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19; 2 Corinthians 6:16). It is necessary to note that in early Christianity there was ambivalence and hostility towards this idea and concept of the Temple (Acts 6:7; Mark 14:58; John 4:21-24). This ambivalence towards the building of great Cathedrals and Religious building, and especially the Temple, in the Bible and throughout the history of Christianity even unto today, raises suspicion and questions as to the validity of such superfluous expenditures on things which seem only to meet and glorify the present needs of human interest and ego at the expense and suffering of the poor, the needy, and the oppressed. This historical practice continues to fall short of God’s will and intent for the least in society. The Church of Christ, as well as the governments of the world are all called by God to utilize these resources and funds to meet the needs of those whom God has declared historically throughout the ages even unto this day and time to be oppressed and needy (Matthew 5:2-16; Matthew 25:31-46; John 4:21-24). We as a people, in whole, collectively have the resources and the abilities to eliminate hunger, homelessness, nakedness, sickness and affliction, and oppressiveness here on earth. But, a few evil men and women choose power and status over compassion and grace, and thus they perpetuate the coming of the end of a creation which God deemed good upon His completion in Genesis chapter 1, and so they and all who participate in this Babylonian system will be judged and receive the wrath of Almighty God.
4. The light of God’s glory is a light for all nations and people who do not ignore God’s will for humanity. For those who ignore God by raising the material (earthly power, wealth and position) to the level of a god and who place their own self-interest above that of God’s interest, they will be barred from the coming glory of the new heaven and new earth. Likewise, the names which are not written in the Book of Life, who have compromised and collaborated with the evil and oppressive regime of the Babylonian system and perpetuated a serpent theologies shall be excluded from the glory of God’s promise, for theirs shall be judgment and condemnation. At the head of those who shall be condemned and judged are those who are “cowards” (Revelation 21:8), that is those who have refused to stand up and to be counted when protest against injustice was needed, those who choose self-interest over compassion and grace.
5. Christian history has more often than not focused on hope in the future, rather than hope in the here and now. If God is truly present and alive, than why would He not will that hope, love and grace be in the present? The Church of Christ has lost sight of it’s mission and purpose, focusing on self-serving programs and protectiveness against those who appear to be different in shape, ethnicity, wealth, or stature. The Church of Christ today is lukewarm (Revelation 3:14-22) and has become indifferent to social, political, economic, moral and power issues which it believes do not serve it’s best interest and are outside the realm of the economic, social, and political needs of the church. It has become a fortress of protectivism which justifies it’s own, while condemning those who too are immersed in the same sinful and evil deceptiveness. It has become a haven for hypocrisy, and a den for corruption and deceitfulness. The world has become the church and the church the world, thus blurring it’s vision and mission. This is why Jesus Christ calls in Revelation 18:4 for His people to “Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not her plagues.” Today, as throughout history, many church leaders and world leaders have fallen prey to the allure and corruptive and evil temptations of the Babylonian system. Churches today operate as competitive corporations and not missions of God’s grace and love. These leaders serve the interest of their members and boards building large church buildings, religious centers, and religious institutions in God’s name. In their desire to gain the praises of their peers and followers, they serve not the will of God in the mission of grace and love here on earth (Matthew 25:31-46). Jesus Christ died that all who believe on Him may be forgiven of their sins, and that all may have the hope of everlasting life through His resurrection. God’s promise of eternal life is true, as is His promise of everlasting condemnation for those who do not obey and trust in His Word. Christ reminds us that those who seek to serve others in the midst of injustice and oppression shall inherit the kingdom of God. This is not so for those who serve their own self-interest in God’s Holy name (Matthew 7:15-23).
Chapter Twenty-One Study Questions.
1. Where will the New World be lived out, in Heaven or on Earth (Revelation 21:1-4)? Why?
2. Who will be the Residents of New Jerusalem ?
3. Where will God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son dwell in this New and Holy City?
4. Who is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End in verse 6?
5. In verses 7, 8, and 27, Who will inherit the Kingdom of God? Who will not? Why?
6. What is the Second Death according to verse 8? Explain!
7. What is the Description of the New Jerusalem, the Holy City of God?
8. What is the Temple in the City described as?
A Prophetic Word:
The Final Exhortation.
Chapter 22.
A Crystal River: God’s Final Warning and Invitation.
A Crystal River, A Final Warning and An Invitation (22:1-22).
“1. Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2. IN the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manners of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and His servants shall serve Him: 4. And they shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads. 5. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. 6. And He said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to shew unto His servants the things which must shortly be done. 7. “Behold, I come quickly:” blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. 8. And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. 9. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. 10. And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. 11. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. 12. “And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 13. I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” 14. Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 15. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. 16. “I Jesus have sent My angel to testify unto you these things in churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the Bright and Morning Star.” 17. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. 18. For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. “Surely I come quickly.” 20. He which testifieth these things saith, Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. 21. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”
I. The New Jerusalem: The Bride of the Lamb: Part 2 (22:1-5 ).
In verse 1-5, it is written that under the thrones of the Lamb of God and the Father flows a “pure river of water of life, as clear as crystal.” The river winds through the streets, and on each side of the river is a “tree of life which bears twelve manner of fruits.” The “tree yields her fruit monthly,” and “the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” The leaves have a healing nature to them, and are able to remove all the scars, suffering, and sorrow which the people of God have endured. As the people of God, believers and followers of Jesus Christ, we are forever cared for, and forever nourished by God in this new and glorious city.
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 22:1-5.
Psalm 36:5-10, “Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; and Thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds. Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; Thy judgments are a great deep: O Lord, Thou preservest man and beast. How excellent is Thy loving kindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of Thy house; and Thou shalt make them drink of the river of Thy pleasures. For with Thee is the fountain of life: in Thy light shall we see light. O continue Thy loving kindness unto them that know Thee; and Thy righteousness to the upright in heart.”
Ezekiel 47:1-9, “Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar. Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the outer gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side. And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins. Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over. And he said unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen this? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the brink of the river. Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other. Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed. And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.”
Zechariah 14:8,11, “And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.”
John 7:37-39, “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. (But this spake He of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive: for the Holy Spirit was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified).”
Genesis 2:9, “And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.”
Revelation 2:7, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.”
Revelation 21:24-26, “And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it.”
Ezekiel 48:35, “It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The Lord is there.”
Matthew 5:2-12, “And He opened His mouth, and taught them saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”
1 Corinthians 13:12, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”
1 John 3:1,2, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not. Beloved, now we are the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.”
Psalm 84:9-12, “Behold. O God our shield, and look upon the face of Thine anointed. For a day in Thy courts is better than thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in Thee.”
Daniel 7:27, “And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, Whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.”
Romans 5:17,18, “For if by one man’s offense death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by One, Jesus Christ. Therefore as by the offense of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of One the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.”
2 Timothy 2:11-16, “It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him: If we deny Him, He will also deny us: If we believe not, yet He abideth faithful: He cannot deny Himself. Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting (undermining or corrupting the foundation of one’s character, morals, or faith) of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.”
II. Word of Prophecy (22:6-21).
In verse 6, the angel of God affirms that the promises of God are faithful and true and that they will be fulfilled shortly. In verse 7, we are told that those who keep the saying of the prophecy of this book of Revelation is blessed. Therefore, let it be known that you as readers of this book, and as believers in Jesus Christ; you have and are blessed among all people. If you read, and hear this prophecy and place into your heart and keep it there, you will be richly blessed.
As we come to the end of the prophecy narrative and reflect upon John’s vision and revelation to us, we once again reflect back in Revelation 19:9, where John was so greatly moved in his heart by what he saw and heard, that he fell down at the feet of the angel of God. As we read through these Holy Scriptures, or hear them read to us, we should feel in our hearts the same euphoria, joy, and strong emotions that the Apostle John himself felt in his heart, while being caught up in the spirit. Let us also shout with all our might, “Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Amen.” If you are not experiencing this healing emotion of faith in your heart, surrender yourself in prayer to God, that the Holy Spirit may illuminate your heart with His power and understanding, thus enabling you to reap the joy of God’s unending grace and love. In verse 10, the angel revealed to the Apostle John that the “time is near.” Our response should be to yield our will that of God’s will, thus surrendering our all to Him. We are called to go into all the world and to proclaim the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all people, all nations, and all languages, sowing the seed of righteousness to all who will her and receive. Now is the time and age of grace. Let us go forth bearing witness for our Lord Jesus Christ as commanded in Matthew 28:19-20, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” The time is near for Christ’s return, verses 12-14, “Behold, I am coming soon!”
Our white robes signify life eternal. We must live out our lives in repentance each and every day, washed by the precious blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ our Lord. No matter what time our Lord and Savior, Jesus, chooses to come for us, to harvest His faithful and obedient servants, we must be prepared and be watchful, that we too may be caught up in the air with all the saints, shouting boldly with the Holy Spirit of God, “Amen! Hallelujah! Come Lord Jesus, Come! Amen!”
In verse 16 of chapter 22 in the book of Revelation we see the word church mentioned again, which had disappeared in at the end of chapter 3. The bride of Christ, the faithful church, which had been taken up into heaven by the Holy Spirit. The testimony here is not to the churches but for the churches. This scripture means that the Holy Spirit and the Church of Christ proclaim the gospel message together to the world.
Finally, in verse 18 and 19, the Lord says that those who add something to the prophecy of this book will themselves have added to them the plagues of this book, and those who take away from the words of this book God will take away “his share of the tree of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” This is a stern warning to all who handle God’s Word, to do so with due diligence and to do so reverently, lest they fall under His severe wrath and judgment.
The essence and whole of the book of Revelation is meant to stir the hearts, minds, and spirits of humankind, as well as, to enrich their longing for Jesus Christ’s return. We must all ask ourselves: Are we prepared and ready for our Lord’s return? We can only know those answer truthfully if we immerse ourselves in daily study of God’s Holy Scripture. How else can one truly know the will of God and His truth? In John 4:24, Jesus says, “God is a Spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” God’s Word, is God’s Truth! To know Him is to love Him. To love Him is to obey Him. To obey Him is to serve Him.
Therefore remember, Jesus commands us, “Love God, and love your neighbor.” He warns us, “Do not blaspheme the Holy Spirit.” These are not to be taken lightly!
May the grace, joy, peace, and love of God the Father and of our Lord Jesus Christ abound you always. Amen!
Additional supporting Scriptural references for 22:6-21.
Hebrews 1:1-4, “God, Who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, Whom He hath appointed Heir of all things, by Whom also He made the worlds; Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express Image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on High; Being much better than the angels, as He by inheritance obtained a more excellent Name than they.”
Daniel 8:26, “And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days.”
Daniel 12:1-4,9,10,12,13, “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased ... And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed to the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand ... Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.”
Ezekiel 3:27, “But when I speak with thee, I will open thy mouth, and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; He that heareth, let him hear; he that forbeareth (cease; desist from; to put up with; endure), let him forbear: for they are a rebellious house.”
2 Timothy 3:12-17, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax (increase) worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable (for benefit or gain) for doctrine, for reproof (rebuke; blame; censure), for correction, for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
Isaiah 40:10, “Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him: behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him.”
Isaiah 62:11,12, “Behold, the Lord hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him. And they shall call them, The holy people, The Redeemed of the Lord: and thou shalt be called Sought out, a city not forsaken.”
Isaiah 41:4, “Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the Lord, the First, and with the Last; I am He.”
Isaiah 44:6, “Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his Redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the First, and I am the Last; and besides Me there is no God.”
Isaiah 48:12, “Hearken unto Me, O Jacob and Israel, My called; I an He; I am the First, I also am the Last.”
1 Peter 3:22, “Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto Him.”
Isaiah 11:1-5, “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord; And shall make Him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and He shall not judge after the sight of His eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of His ears: But with righteousness shall He judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and He shall smite the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips shall He slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of His loins, and faithfulness the girdle of His reins.”
Jeremiah 23:5,6, “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, That I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In His days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is His name whereby He shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.”
Numbers 24:17, “I shall see Him, but not now: I shall behold Him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy al the children of Sheth (sons of tumult or confusion; of disobedience).”
Zechariah 6:12,13, “And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying Behold the Man Whose name is the Branch; and He shall grow up out of this place, and He shall build the temple of the Lord: Even He shall build the temple of the Lord; and He shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon His throne; and He shall be a Priest upon His throne, and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.”
Isaiah 55:1,3, “Ho, every one 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 with out price ... Incline your ear, and come unto Me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make as everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.”
John 7:37,38, “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 scriptures hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living waters.”
Deuteronomy 4:2, “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish aught from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.”
Deuteronomy 12:32, “What ever thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.”
Proverbs 30:5,6, “Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him. Add thou not unto His words, lest He reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.”
Exodus 32:33, “And the Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against Me, him will I blot out of My book.”
Hebrews 9:28, “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation.”
Revelation 3:22, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”
Reflective points:
1. While many discount and even avoid this important book of Holy Scripture, the Apostle John leaves no doubt as to the importance of it’s message to all humanity. We are commanded to hear what the Spirit of God has to say in this book. As are the Gospel’s of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John as to Jesus Christ’s message and intent for all of God’s creation, so the Book of Revelation is the hub in the wheel of Biblical prophecy. For wherein lies the value of the Old Testament without the fulfillment of it’s prophesies in the New Testament, and wherein lies the value of the New Testament without the prophesies of the Old Testament. All the books of the Bible are interconnected by a golden thread, the Holy Spirit of God, which bridges all understanding and human comprehension. Thus, we are able to see the value of the book of Revelation, by “beginning with the end in mind.” We gain an understanding of the historical and the spiritual intent of God for all humanity. Revelation signifies the hub of the wheel which is Biblically and Spiritually connected to each book of the Old and New Testaments, which are the spokes of that Spiritual wheel, while the outer rim of the wheel, which is a complete circle which encompasses all of Holy Scripture, signifies the Holy Trinity - God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit - which gives the wheel strength and the ability to move with ease throughout human history. Remove any portion of this sacred wheel and the message and intent of God’s will for humanity collapses, as does that of a wagon or bicycle wheel. All of God’s Word is sacred and instrumental to our understanding His will in our daily lives. To do less, fragments and dilutes God’s intent and message, thus opening the door for prophetic heresy and deception. Revelation, as all the Books of the Bible, is meant to read and heard, so that the reader and listener is transformed and changed into the image of Jesus Christ. That change requires repentance and rebirth (Matthew 19:28; John 3:5-8, 14-21). John was commanded to devour the book, an act of completely becoming one with God’s Word. We too are called to immerse our selves in the Word and Spirit of Almighty God, thus cloaking ourselves in His armor of protection against all evil.
2. The voice of God? How do we distinguish the voice of the Divine from that voice which is of evil? While the claim to prophetic insight is fraught with many problems and diabolic misgivings, prophecy may enlighten. Though at times problematic, throughout Holy Scripture prophecy is the central component of life in the Old testament and in the New Testament. The very nature of prophecy means that is not subject to controls determined by any set of human regulations. According to the book of Revelation (2:20), as well as throughout Holy Scripture, a prophet who claims to speak for God, but who has also compromised himself or herself with the existing orders and power systems is to be repudiated. They are not be believed or trusted. Similarly, the Divine voice from heaven is a frequent component of the Apostle John’s vision. It’s authenticity may be question given the circumstances of John imprisonment and persecution. Many may claim that he is delusional and on the verge of insanity given his situation, thus causing his revelation and vision. So, how does one distinguish between the voices of the Divine and of evil? John offers no explanation. We are asked to rely upon the integrity and character of the prophet and messenger who has faithfully, under the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit, served our Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father. Throughout the Bible men and women of God have faithfully prophesied that which God Himself has commanded them to say, even under the threat of imminent death. It is understood by those who hear the Word that the message is to be heard in light of the One whom God has sent, Who alone has heard and seen, and as the One who can speak the Words of God as God so intended. That voice which speaks with John on the island of Patmos, the voice of Jesus Christ the Lamb of God, is the medium and standard for our hearing and understanding what God has to say to humanity. Therefore, all that is said and heard must be done so in light of the person and character of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. In Isaiah 11:4, Jesus’ Words, like a sword, may slay the wicked, but His Word never gives divine sanctions for humans to engage in violent overthrow of powers and principalities, as some Christian scholars and theologians would teach. We are to follow in the way of Christ Jesus. That way is the way of peace, justice, love, joy, grace, and hope for all humanity, thus being faithful witnesses to the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, even unto death. Jesus tells us to be not afraid of those who can kill the body, but afraid of Him who can kill both the body and the soul and who can cast it into hell - to fear God (Luke 12:4,5).
3. John’s vision reveals unto the reader and hearer of this book that the promises of God are real and true for those who obey and trust in Him, and that God’s judgment is swift and sure for those who oppose Him. John’s prophecy is not mere words. It is insight into the mystery of the One Who is past, Who is present, and Who is to come.
Chapter Twenty-Two Study Questions.
1. What Words of Christ are repeated Three Times in this closing Chapter (Revelation 22:7,12,20)?
2. In what manner do these Words sum up the Theme of the Book of Revelation? What do they
mean to us in our day and time?
3. In regards to Jesus’ statements in verses 12-17, how is the Final state of creation determined?
4. Is it ever to late for one to repent and to confess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior? Why, or why not? What must one do to be saved?
5. Do you believe in the separation of souls disclosed in verses 14 and 15 just? Why, or why not?
6. What is the meaning of God’s Final Warning and Curse which is disclosed in verses 18 and 19?
7. How does “The Doctrine of God” verses the doctrines and traditions of men play into this scenario?
8. Are you prepared for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ? Is your life one which pleases and
represent’s God as a faithful witness? Explain.
9. How has this Study affected your understanding and perception of God’s Word and His will for your life? How will these new understandings and perceptions affect your daily living and lifestyle, and your worship and service to Almighty God? If you died today, are you ready, yes or no - explain your answer?
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NOTE: THIS BIBLE STUDY SERIES IS CURRENTLY BEING EDITED AND UPDATED BEFORE POSTING AND PUBLISHING (317 PGS.)
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If you need help with answers or assistance, write to us or E-mail us at the below address!
Mailing Address:
Pastor Larry R. Gilmore
The Book of Revelation Bible Study Series
P.O. Box 841026
Pearland, TX 77584
E-mail Address:
larryrgilmorepastor@yahoo.com
Web Site:
http://larryrgilmorechristlifeleadershipministry.org
Summary Points.
Five Megathemes in the Book of Revelation.
God’s Sovereignty.
Christ’s return.
God’s Faithful People.
Judgment.
Hope.
Key Study Points in the Book of Revelation.
Purpose of the Book of Revelation.
Author of the Book of Revelation.
To Whom and When the Book of Revelation was Written.
Setting.
Key Verse.
Key People.
Key Places.
Special Features.
Names of/for Jesus in the Book of Revelation.
How to Recognize Satan’s Work in the World.
The Beginning and the End.
Concerning Eternity.
Events in Revelation Which are Described Elsewhere in Holy Scriptures.
Five Megathemes in the Book of Revelation.
As you study Holy Scripture, you will discover throughout each book there are megathemes each pointing to the end of time, each pointing to the sovereignty of God, each pointing to the coming of a Christ or Messiah, each addressing the issues facing God’s faithful people and those who are rebellious, each addressing God’s wrath and judgment on the wicked and evil, and each giving hope to those who are faithful and obedient to God’s will and Word. Below are five such megathemes which I believe will be helpful in enabling you to understand the book of Revelation, it’s meaning in relationship with the other books in the Bible, and how it completes the Biblical narrative.
God’s Sovereignty: God is sovereign. He is the creator of all things. He is greater than any power in the universe. God is not to be compared with any other leader, government, or religion. He controls history for the purpose of uniting true believers in loving fellowship with Him.
Christ’s Return: Jesus Christ came to earth as a “Lamb,” the symbol of God’s perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world. Jesus the Christ will return as the triumphant “Lion,” the rightful ruler and conqueror of all. Jesus the Christ will defeat Satan, and his followers, and He will settle all accounts with those who oppose and reject Him. Jesus the Christ will bring His faithful people into an everlasting fellowship with God.
God’s Faithful People: The Apostle John wrote this letter of revelation to encourage the church, the body of Christ, to resist the demands to worship false gods, to resist the teachings of false teachers, false preachers and false prophesiers, and to be devoted only to the teachings and Person of Jesus Christ. Revelation identifies who God’s faithful people are and what they should be doing until the triumphant return of Jesus the Christ.
Judgment: One day God’s wrath and anger toward those who indulge in sin and disobedience will be fully and completely unleashed. Satan will be defeated with all his agents and followers. False religions and teachings will be destroyed along with those who perpetuate them. God will reward the faithful with everlasting life, but woe to those who have and continue to refuse to believe in Him, for they will face everlasting damnation, and eternal torment and suffering.
Hope: One day soon God will create a new heaven and a new earth. All believers will joyfully live with Him forever in perfect harmony, peace, and security. Those who have already died will be raised to life. All these promises for the future from our God bring us hope.
Key Study Points to the Book of Revelation.
I have enclosed additional key study points which I believe will be very helpful. I believe they will enable the reader to better understand the purpose and message of Holy Scripture through the lense of the Book of Revelation. By beginning with the end in mind, we are better able to realize the value and purpose of God’s will for all humanity, and why we are to live a life in accordance to His Word and Will.
To fully reveal the divine truth regarding the identity and Person of Jesus the
Christ; to give warning to the wicked and the disobedient; to give hope to all who
are believers of God’s promise of a new Kingdom, a new Heaven and a new Earth.
Written by the Apostle John, faithful servant of Jesus the Christ.
To the seven churches in Asia minor and to all believers everywhere, and of every
generation to come. It was written about A.D. 95, while John was a prisoner on the
island of Patmos.
Many scholars and theologians believe that the seven churches of Asia minor to
whom the Apostle John writes were experiencing severe persecution under Emperor
Domitian (A.D. 90-95). It appears that the Roman authorities had exiled John to the
island of Patmos (off the coast of Asia). John, an eyewitness to the incarnate Christ
the Jesus, has a vision of the glorified Christ while imprisoned. During this period of
confinement, God reveals to John what is to take place in the future-judgment and the
ultimate triumph of God over evil.
“Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who
hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is
near.” (Revelation1:3).
God the Father, Jesus the Christ, the Holy Spirit of God, angels, and the Apostle John.
Patmos, the seven churches (Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis,
Philadelphia, Laodicea), the new Jerusalem, the new Heaven.
Revelation is written in “apocalyptic” form - a type of Jewish literature and genre
which uses symbolic imagery to communicate “hope” (the ultimate triumph of God
over evil) to those in the midst of persecution. The Apostle John is commanded to
write of those things that were (chapter 1), which are (chapters 2 and 3), and which
are to come (Chapter’s 4-22). The events are ordered according to literary patterns
rather than strictly chronological patterns. The number “Seven” assumes a
significant and profound role in Revelation, occurring fifty-two times. In chapters six
through sixteen three cycles of Seven Judgments consist of “Seven Seals,” “Seven
Trumpets,” and “Seven Bowls.” while the number Seven symbolizes perfection or
maturation in Jewish literature, here Seven signifies the complete and utter
destruction of creation.
Scattered among the vivid images of the book of Revelation is a large collection of
names for Jesus Christ. Each name tells us something about His character and a
particular aspect of His role within God’s divine plan for redemption.
Scripture Reference: Name:
1:8 The Alpha and Omega
1:8 Lord God
1:8 The Almighty
1:13 Son of Man
1:17 The First and the Last
1:18 The Living One
2:18 Son of God
3:14 The Faithful and True Witness
4:11 Creator
5:5 Lion of the tribe of Judah
5:5 Root of David
5:6 Lamb
7:17 Shepherd
12:10 Christ/Messiah
19:11 Faithful and True
19:13 Word of God
19:16 King of kings
19:16 Lord of lords
22:16 The Morning Star
12:13 His hatred for Jesus Christ
12:17 His hatred for God’s people
13:2 His power and authority
13:4 His popularity among unbelievers and the wicked
13:6 His blasphemy against God
13:7 His war against believers
13:14 His ability to deceive
The story of humanity, our heritage, and our history from the beginning of time to
the end of time, that is from the fall of humanity in the garden into sin to the
redemption of humanity by Jesus Christ and God’s ultimate victory over evil, is
found throughout the annals of Holy Scripture from Genesis (G) to Revelation (R).
G The Sun is created.
R The sun is not needed.
G Satan is victorious.
R Satan is defeated.
G Sin enters the human race.
R Sin is banished through Jesus Christ on the cross.
G People run and hide from God.
R People are invited to dwell with God forever.
G Humanity is cursed.
R The curse is removed.
G Tears of sorrow are shed because of sin.
R No more tears, no more sorrow, no more sin.
G The garden and the earth are cursed.
R God’s city is glorified, the earth is made anew.
G The fruit of the tree of life is forbidden.
R God’s people may eat from the tree of life.
G Paradise is lost.
R Paradise is regained.
G Humanity is condemned to death.
R Death is defeated on the cross, and believers live forever with God.
Here are some references as to what our future will be like if we accept Jesus Christ as
Lord of our lives, and we accept His gift of everlasting life.
John 14:2,3 A place prepared for us.
John 20:19,26 Unlimited by physical properties (1 Corinthians 15:35-49).
1 John 3:2 We shall be like Jesus.
1 Corinthians 15:1-58 We will have new bodies.
1 Corinthians 2:9 Our experience will be wonderful.
Revelation 21:1 A new environment.
Revelation 21:3 A new experience of God’s presence (1 Corinthians 13:12).
Revelation 21:4 New emotions. There will be no more death.
A glowing rainbow around the throne of God.
Ezekiel 1:22-28; Revelation 4:2,3; 10:1-3
Christ is portrayed as a Lamb.
Isaiah 53:7; Revelation 5:6-8
A new song.
Psalm 96; Revelation 5:9-14
Horses and riders.
Zechariah 1:7-11; 6:1-8; Revelation 6:1-8
Earthquake.
Isaiah 2:19-22; Revelation 6:12; 8:5; 11:13
Moon turns blood red.
Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:14-21; Revelation 6:12
Stars falling from the sky.
Mark 13:21-25; Revelation 6:13
Sky rolled up like a scroll.
Isaiah 34:1-4; Revelation 6:14
God’s inescapable wrath and judgment.
Zephaniah 1:14-18; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3; Revelation 6:15-17
The four winds of judgment.
Jeremiah 49:35-39; Revelation 7:1
Abyss (the bottomless pit).
Luke 8:26-34; Revelation 9:1,2; 17:3-8
Plague of locusts.
Joel 1:2-2:11; Revelation 9:3-11
Trampling of the holy city of Jerusalem.
Luke 21:20-24; Revelation 11:1-3
Two olive trees as witnesses.
Zechariah 4:1-1; Revelation 11:4-6
A beast coming out of the sea.
Daniel 7; Revelation 13:1-10
Wondrous signs and miracles done by evil beast.
2 Thessalonians 2:7-14; Revelation 13:11-15
Drinking the cup of God’s wrath and judgment.
Jeremiah 25:15-29; Revelation 14:9-12
Babylon falls.
Isaiah 21:1-10; Revelation 18:2,3
Wedding Supper of the Lamb.
Matthew 22:1-14; Revelation 19:5-8
Conflict with Gog and Magog.
Ezekiel 38,39; Revelation 20:7-10
God’s judgment upon all people.
John 5:19-30; Revelation 20:11-15
God lives among humanity.
Ezekiel 37:21-28; Revelation 21:3
Our tears will be wiped away forever.
Isaiah 25:1-8; Revelation 21:4
The tree of life.
Genesis 2:8-14; Revelation 22:1,2
We will see God face to face.
1 Corinthians 13:11,12; Revelation 22:3-5
Believers will reign with God forever.
Daniel 7:18-28; Revelation 22:5
Glossary of Millennial Terminology.
Millennium. The literal meaning of millennium (from Latin mille) is a “thousand,” but the terminology is used regarding the expectation of a span of a thousand years which may be more or less than an exact thousand. This millennium usually follows the total destruction of evil by the forces of good, and precedes the creation of a new heaven and a new earth, thus resulting in eternal bliss. In some religious traditions the Messiah and the faithful reign in an earthly kingdom. In the Christian millennium, the idea of a Messianic interregnum, that is a period or interval between the end of a sovereign king and the accession of his lawful successor, was adopted. In the New Testament we find implicit reference to an interregnum in 1 Corinthians 15:20-28, “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at His coming. Then cometh the end, when He shall deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till He hath put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under His feet. But when He saith all things are put under Him, it is manifested that He is excepted, which did put all things under Him. And when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him that put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.” This is where Jesus, the Christ, will rule until the cosmic powers, including death, have been conquered and then He will hand over the kingdom of God, Colosians 1:9-14, “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye may walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son: In Whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” The explicit reference to a Messianic interregnum in the New Testament occurs in Revelation 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 the Word of God, and which had not worshiped 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. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priest of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.” This is a text of great fascination and importance to all Christians. It is the establishment of a temporary kingdom on the purified earth which appears to be re-fertilized by the blood of the slain by a Divine Warrior in Revelation 19:11-21, “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. 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 Himself. And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and His name is called the Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed Him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 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. And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. 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; 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 with them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and the armies, gathered together to make war against Him that sat on the horse, and against His army. 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 worshiped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. 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.”
Amillennialism. The belief that the second coming of Jesus Christ is the last judgment, therefore another millennium is not expected.
Dispensationalism. A development within premillennialism which divides history into eras or dispensations. Each dispensation is another progressive test of humanity. Israel and the church are divided into two distinct peoples of God for whom God has two different plans. God’s plan for the church (His heavenly people) cannot be fulfilled until His plan for Israel (His earthly people) is completed. Thus it is necessary for God to remove the church before proceeding with His final plan for Israel. This event is known as the rapture, the lifting up of God’s faithful people, the time when Christ will come for His saints. At the second coming Jesus the Christ will come with his saints in all His glory. The dispensationalist time table for these events is developed from the visions found in the book of Daniel, chapters 7-9, which speak of the messianic restoration of David’s throne 70 weeks after the rebuilding of Jerusalem. Because the Hebrew word for week means seven, dispensationalist have constructed their timetable on the claim that the prophet meant 70 “sevens” of years, or 490 years, before the establishment of the Messiah’s kingdom here on earth. For the dispensationalist there is a consensus that the last seven years still remain to be fulfilled.
Millennialism. The belief that Jesus Christ will return to overthrow the anti-Christ, bind Satan, and fulfill all the prophecies concerning Israel by setting up a Jewish kingdom for a thousand years. At the end of the thousand years, a millennium, Satan will be freed to lead one final revolt. After this revolt and the quick conquest of Satan and his followers, the resurrection of the dead and the final judgment will take place.
Postmillennialism. The belief that the second coming of Jesus Christ will occur after the millennium, which is to come as the result of the gradual Christianization of the world and without miraculous intervention.
Premillennialism. The belief that Jesus Christ will return before the millennium. Premillennialist differ in their interpretation of prophetic texts. The “Historicist premillennialist” believe the entire history of the church is given in apocalyptic writings, especially in the books of Daniel and Revelation. They look for prophetic fulfillments in history in order to establish where they are in God’s timetable. The “Futurist premillennialist” claim that none of the prophecies of the end of time have yet occurred or been fulfilled, but they expect them all to happen just before the return of Jesus the Christ. The futurist premillennialist believe that at the end of the present age the anti-Christ will gain control of a decadent and evil society. The millennial kingdom will then be established by the triumphant return of Jesus the Christ after the complete destruction of the anti-Christ and his followers at the battle of Armageddon (Revelation 16:16).
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