b.      John was exiled to the island of Patmos, a lonely and desolate island in the open sea close to the coast of Western Asia Minor. He was banished to this inhospitable place because of the “word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ”.  

10. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,  

a. John was “in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day”, which most likely means that he was miraculously transferred via the Spirit to that time and place when the Day of the Lord is to transpire.

b. The first thing that got his attention in this state of prophetic exaltation was “a great voice, as of a trumpet”. When God revealed himself on Mount Sinai, he broke the silence with the “voice of a trumpet, exceeding loud”. It is a reminder of the Main Harvest Rapture of the Church at the time of the Day of the Lord upon the earth. The voice was that of the exalted and glorified Jesus Christ.

11. Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.  

a. Jesus describes himself as the “Alpha and Omega”, which makes him the repository of all truth. Jesus Christ is the Living Word of God just as the Bible is the Written Word of God. Both manifest God to humankind. When the Christian wants to know God, he must study the Written Word, which reveals the Living Word. The Apocalypse is the crowning glory of the Written Word of God. This is why special blessing is ascribed to reading and studying this book of the Bible.  

b. The voice of Jesus Christ tells John to write the substance of this vision in a book, and to send it to the seven churches, which are in Asia. Jesus names the churches as Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea. These were seven literal churches located in Asia Minor—modern day Turkey. There were other churches in Asia Minor and elsewhere, but Jesus Christ chose these particular churches for special reasons. First, they typified the seven different kinds of Christians that make up the Church. Second, they typified the seven Church ages that would bring us up to the fulfillment of this Apocalypse at the time of the Return of Jesus Christ.

12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;  

a. After hearing the voice, John turned to see the voice (i.e., the Person) talking to him. John saw “seven golden candlesticks” or lampstands when he looked toward the voice.  

b.   The lampstands typify the witness of the whole Church upon the earth. The Church is God’s witness upon the earth during the current age. Seven is the number of spiritual perfection or spiritual completion.

13 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.  

a. The One in the midst of the seven lampstands “like unto the son of man” is Christ himself. He is described the same in the Psalms, the visions of Daniel and in his own discourses. It sets forth the prominence and importance of the human element in the character of Jesus Christ. Jesus is all God and all man and the union of the two is called the hypostatic union of Christ. It was absolutely necessary for the redemption of mankind. His redemptive work takes place in his human nature. It is as the Son of Man that he came, lived, suffered and died. It was as the Son of man that He arose from the dead, ascended into heaven and will come again to judge the world and establish his kingdom. The humanity of Christ was not temporary, but will abide forever as a thing of permanence.  

b. The garment in which He is clothed is the garment of royalty and magistracy. Jesus is not in the role of High Priest in this vision, but Sovereign Ruler and Judge of the seven churches. The picture is that of judging the whole Church from its inception in Ephesus until it conclusion in Laodicea. As Judge of the world, more will be shown later, but here He is Judge of the Church.  

c. The golden sash around his chest is the garment of magistracy. Jesus is in the midst of the seven lampstands, which portrays him in the midst of the Church until the time for the Judgment Seat of Christ.  

14. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;

a. The head and hair of Jesus is white like wool.  he came, lived, suffered and died. It was as the Son of man that He arose from the dead, ascended into heaven and will come again to judge the world and establish his kingdom. The humanity of Christ was not temporary, but will abide forever as a thing of permanence.

b. The garment in which He is clothed is the garment of royalty and magistracy. Jesus is not in the role of High Priest in this vision, but Sovereign Ruler and Judge of the seven churches. The picture is that of judging the whole Church from its inception in Ephesus until it conclusion in Laodicea. As Judge of the world, more will be shown later, but here He is Judge of the Church.  

c. The golden sash around his chest is the garment of magistracy. Jesus is in the midst of the seven lampstands, which portrays him in the midst of the Church until the time for the Judgment Seat of Christ.  

d. His white hair connects with his fatherhood and patriarchal dignity. It also connects with his eternal Deity and magistracy.  

e. His eyes as a flame of fire depict his burning, all-penetrating intelligence, to bring hidden things to light and to search all things at a single glance.  

15. And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.  

a. His feet as burnished bronze depict him as Judge. Brass is the metal that typifies judgment. The heated brass typifies purifying judgment.  

b. His voice as the sound of many waters portrays his voice as being overpowering to all that hear. The sound of Niagara Falls comes to mind, as one must remain silent at its overpowering sound.  

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.  

a. The “seven stars” are the ministers or pastors of the seven churches. Jesus Christ held them in his hand, which means that He had them under his control. He walks among the lampstands, but he holds the ministers in his right hand.  

b. The sword is a symbol of magistracy and judgment. This is not a hand sword, but a word sword. It separates asunder the unfaithful servants as described in the Olivet Discourse.  

c. His countenance is that of the sun shining at full strength. The churches are lamps, the pastors are stars but Christ is the sun. The glory of Christ was depicted at the transfiguration when his face shone as the sun. It was also seen by Paul on the road to Damascus when He appeared as a light above that of the sun.  

17 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:  

a. When John saw the glory of the glorified Christ, he fell at his feet as one that was dead. Jesus laid his right hand upon John and told him not to be fearful, for He was the “first and the last”. This phrase is a formula that sets forth the eternity of God and places his superiority above all created things. For Christ, it asserts his proper and eternal Deity, and establishes his participation in the eternal Godhead.  

18. 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.  

a. Christ as “he that liveth” is another title of his Deity. This does not refer to manifest life, but to life inherent and underived. It does not allude to simply the fact that Christ lived in the flesh, but that He had a deeper and self-existing life, and the life in the flesh was just one manifestation of this life that was coeternal with the Father.  

b. He does attest to the fact of his death and his bodily resurrection to never die again. He states that He has the keys to death (thanatos) and Hades. The transliterated Greek word thanatos typically refers to the death of the body. The Greek word Hades refers to the abode of the dead, which is inside the earth, so it would be the abode of the soul after death. In essence, Jesus is stating that He is in charge of death and dying for both the soul and the body. This is highly significant, since it is the soul and body that can perish as a result of judgment.

Rev 1:19-20 (KJV)  Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; 20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.  

span class="verse">19. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;  

a. Jesus commands John to write down the things which He has seen (i.e., the vision of the glorified Christ described earlier in this chapter). John is also to write down “the things which are”. These are described in Chapters 2 and 3 in the description of the Church in the seven letters to the seven churches. “The things which shall be hereafter are the things described in Chapters 4-22.  

b. The vision of Christ has already happened, and the Church Age is presently underway and will soon end. When the Church Age ends, the future events recorded in Chapters 4-22 will begin to take place. The Open Door in Chapter 4 is the first thing that will happen at the end of the Church Age.

20. The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.  

a. Jesus also tells John to write about “the mystery of the seven stars” and the “seven golden candlesticks”. In the language of Scripture a mystery is something which man is capable of knowing, but he can only know it when it is revealed. There are only two mysteries given and they are of the stars and lampstands. Jesus reveals these two mysteries to John by stating that the seven stars are the pastors (i.e., angels) of the seven churches, and the seven candlesticks (i.e., lampstands) are the seven churches.

b. The divine command to write the apocalypse in verse 19 provides the outline for the book of Revelation. The things which he saw make up the vision and were described in the first portion of chapter 1.  "The things which are" give a detailed outline of the 2000 year-long Church Age and are described in chapters 2 and 3.  The things which shall be hereafter cover the entire seven year tribulation period, some of the things during the millennium and some in eternity beyond the millennium.

Revelation Chapters 2-3

Revelation Chapters 2 and 3 - Letters to The Seven Churches

The letters to the seven churches speak the mind of Christ in regard to his judgment of the Church at the time that the letters were written, and continuously up until the end of the Church Age.  They even include the portion assigned to each Church member when Jesus comes to remove the Church from the earth. One of the greatest errors in the interpretation of these letters is to assume that these epistles were written to unbelievers or tares in the Church. Each letter addresses the works of the church being examined. As can be seen from the context of the letters, they were written to the individual believers and the call to repentance is to each and every believer in that Church. The call to repentance is always for individual believers.  

Jesus has something good to say about each church, except for Laodicea. He has something bad to say about each church, except for Smyrna and Philadelphia. The statement to each church, “I know thy works” shows that the issue in question in each letter is the works of Christians and not their spirit salvation. This is especially important to remember when reading the section on having one’s name blotted out of the “Lamb’s book of life” because of unfaithfulness. A Christian cannot lose his spirit salvation—even if he is unfaithful until death. Spirit salvation does not depend upon our faithfulness or our being an overcomer. Spirit salvation depends upon the faithfulness of Jesus and upon him overcoming death and the grave. Consequently, the Lamb’s book of life pertains to works and the reward of the “crown of life”, which pertains to soul salvation. Please read my dissertation To Perish or Not to Perish for a detailed explanation of the difference between spirit and soul salvation.  

It is important to note that each letter is addressed to the “angel” of the church being examined. The angel of each church is the messenger to that church, which is the pastor of that church. When God wants to communicate something to a local church body, He generally does so through the pastor of that church. It is very important to understand that all of the commendations, warnings and cautions in these seven letters are for members of the Church.  

Rev 2:1-7 (KJV)  Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate. 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.  

1. Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

a. The seven churches are literal, figurative and prophetic. There were seven literal churches at the time that received these letters, and the characteristics of these churches were just as described in each letter. In addition, these seven letters describe the seven different types of churches that existed from the time that the letters were written up until the end of the Church Age. Also, every Christian would fall into one of these seven categories. In simple terms, these seven churches, in addition to being literal churches, represent the entire body of the Church in all of its history. These are two of the figurative meanings of the seven letters, and there are others. Finally, prophetically, these seven letters describe seven church ages or periods of the Church from the first church age of Ephesus in the first century until the last church age of Laodicea in the twentieth century. The following chart provides a brief summary of these seven churches and the seven church ages: 

b. Jesus is judging the churches during the entire Church age. Each Christian is accountable to God and will be judged for his works at the Judgment Seat of Christ at the end of the Church Age. Jesus walking among the seven lampstands in chapter 1 and in this verse portrays Jesus examining closely all Christians during the Church Age. He is among the churches watching and recording the works of each Christian.  

c. The entire Revelation was sent to each of the seven churches, but each of the seven churches had a portion that specifically pertained to it. The evaluation of each of these seven churches is a picture of how Jesus Christ will judge each Christian at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Some Christians will hear only commendation from Jesus, such as Smyrna and Philadelphia, while other Christians will hear only censure from Jesus, such as Laodicea. The majority of Christians will hear commendation and censure, such as Ephesus, Pergamum, Thyatira and Sardis.  

d. Each letter has seven distinct parts.

1. An address
2. A citation of one or more of the sublime attributes of the speaker.
3. An assertion of His complete knowledge of the actions of the ones addressed.
4. A description of the state of each, including praise, promise, censure and /or admonition.
5. An allusion to His promised coming, and the character it will assume to the persons described.
6. A universal command to hear.
7. A special promise to the victor.

e. The order of succession is changed in the last four where the call to attention is placed after the promise "to him that overcometh."  The reason for this is the last four church ages continue right up until the coming of the Lord and the call to attention is placed last for emphasis.

f. Verse 1 includes the address to Ephesus and the citation to the Church in Ephesus. Jesus specifically states that He holds the seven stars in his right hand, which refers to the pastors of each of these literal churches. The ministerial office of pastor is not lordship but service. He is the chief, guardian, watchman and under-shepherd of the flock. He is accountable to God for his faithfulness to his duties. Jesus also walks among the lampstands, which portrays his keen eye of discernment in judging the churches.  

2. I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:  

a. "I know thy works" is the statement to each church showing His complete knowledge of their works. Remember that the issue in each case is works and NOT spirit salvation.  

b. The remainder of verse 2 through verse 4 shows the state of the church in Ephesus. Ephesus was a hard working church that helped develop patience in the midst of tribulation. The early Church of the First Century is represented by Ephesus, and it was greatly persecuted by the Jews.  

c. There were apparently deceivers that came into this church pretending to be apostles—ones sent by Christ—but Ephesus tested each one to make sure they were truly apostles. Ephesus worked diligently to avoid being deceived by emissaries from Satan.  

3. And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

a. Ephesus endured the tribulations put upon it and bore them with patience. Ephesus worked very hard in the name—power and authority—of Jesus Christ and had not grown weary. These are very good commendations from the Lord Jesus Christ to the Christians at Ephesus.  

4. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

a. Ephesus was doing everything right except for one thing. Their love for Jesus had diminished. They had great zeal for truth & right, but their love for Christ had entered a fatal decline. They were doctrinally sound, but they had taken their focus off the Bridegroom, the Beloved.

5. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

a. The coming has a literal, figurative, and prophetic significance, as it pertains to the literal church at Ephesus, Christians who have the same character as Ephesus and Ephesian Christians who will not be part of the out-resurrection, which means they will not enter the kingdom of heaven and reign and rule with Jesus Christ.  

b. Removing the candlestick means that the Lord will place the church, Christian, or Church Age on the shelf and no longer use it in His work. The admonition is to repent, which is the command to every Christian throughout the Church Age.  

6. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.

a. The interjection of the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes into the Church was attempted in the first century, but the doctrine did not gain a foothold until the Council of Nicae in 325A.D.  

b. The word “Nicolaitanes” comes from "Niko" meaning to conquer and "Laos" meaning the laity or common people. This false doctrine attempted to establish an order of clergy to control the laity or common people. It is in virtually all denominations today. Any hierarchical order of clergy above the local pastor has fallen victim to this false doctrine. The highest order of authority in the Church is the pastor, and even he is to be a servant and not in a position of lordship.  

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.

a. The universal command to hear what the Spirit says to the churches is the same to all seven, except in the last four churches where it is placed at the very end to emphasize what the Spirit has to say to the churches. This is significant because the last four church periods will overlap and continue up until the return of Jesus Christ. Consequently, it is even more important for the last four churches to hear what Jesus says to the churches. These four churches should be in a better position to hear and understand what Jesus is saying to them.  

b. The seven epistles to the seven churches are seldom read or taught in the church, even though they give specific instructions to the churches on how to live and be faithful Christians. The letters also emphasize the importance of the Second Coming, and this doctrine has been virtually abandoned and denigrated by the end time churches.

Rev 2:8-11 (KJV) And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; 9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. 10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. 11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.  

Smyrna means myrrh, an aromatic ingredient for embalming the dead.  The name of this church describes a church persecuted unto death.  It was a church of Myrrh, or bitterness, but was agreeable and precious to the Lord.  There were not a lot of works because of its persecution, being poor, and suffering in tribulation.  This church had great hopes for the coming kingdom after the resurrection.  Polycarp was probably the angel of this Church, and he was burned to death by a group of Jews and Pagans.  The reference to the Synagogue of Satan is probable in reference to this group of Jews in the literal sense and to unfaithful Christians in the prophetic sense.  

8. And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;

a. This includes the address to Smyrna and the citation of the eternality, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The referral to his death and resurrection would be great encouragement to this church suffering great persecution even unto death. Those who are persecuted unto death shall live again, and Jesus reminds this church of this fact.  

b. It is an awesome thought that God came to earth as a man and died for our sins.  

9. I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

a. This verse alludes to the omniscience of Christ in regard to their works, and it begins with the state of their character.  Even though they are poor, persecuted and in tribulation, Jesus says they are rich.  Literally, Jesus is speaking of their spiritual richness, but prophetically, He is referring to their coming inheritance in the Kingdom Age. Many in the Smyrna church will undoubtedly be among those who attain to the Out-Resurrection at the time of the Firstfruits Rapture.  

b. The persecution by the blaspheming Jews (i.e., Synagogue of Satan) left this church destitute, powerless and crushed, but it was rich in divine grace, pleasing to God and hopeful in the kingdom age to come.  

c. Prophetically, Smyrna represents the Church Age that began under Nero and extended from 100-312A.D. The Smyrna church age ended with the proclamation of Constantine that Christianity was the state religion of Rome.  

10. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

a. It is unknown as to the literal fulfillment of the 10 days of persecution referred to for the literal church of Smyrna, but prophetically, it most likely refers to the ten years of terrible persecution commencing from the decree of Diocletian in A.D. 303 to the Constantinian edict of Milan in A.D.313.  This period of ten years was the Church's last and most terrible persecution under heathen Rome, and it ended the Smyrna church age.

b. Literally, those of this church who died as martyrs would win the crown of life at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Figuratively, it refers to those Christians who lose their souls in this life and end up saving their soul for the next life. These are the Christians who enter the Kingdom of the Heavens. Prophetically, it refers to all Christians during the Smyrna Church Age who died in the Roman persecutions.  

c. One does not have to die physically as a martyr to gain the crown of life. This crown is won by daily crucifying the old flesh nature and living according to the new spirit nature. It is putting off the old man and putting on the new man. Numerous Christians who are not martyrs will receive the crown of life. The crown of life goes to overcomers who realize soul salvation at the Judgment Seat of Christ.  

11. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

a. This is the universal command to hear, and the special promise is to the victor or the overcomer in the Christian life. The “second death” pertains to the death of the Christian’s soul at the Judgment Seat of Christ. The Christian is still saved spiritually, but his life or soul is consumed in the Lake of Fire.  

b. Those Christian who lose their soul in this life will not lose their soul in the second death, which is the lake of fire. This pertains to Christians whose lives are tried by the Fire of Gehenna, and their lives are burned up as wood, hay and stubble. Gehenna fire is the destroying and purifying fire of God (Matt. 10:28). It can destroy both body and soul. The same fire that will destroy the bodies of unsaved reprobates will destroy the souls of unfaithful Christians. These Christians will still go to heaven and will still be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. The lives of many Christians will perish in Gehenna fire.  

c. This verse confirms that non-overcomers will be "hurt of the second death." The Lake of Fire destroys their lives or souls, but they are still saved spiritually. They are saved “yet so as by fire (1 Cor. 3:11-17).  

Rev 2:12-17 (KJV) And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; 13 I know thy works and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. 14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. 16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 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.  

Pergamum means "Married" and it is a picture of Church history from the accession of Constantine in 312 A.D. up until the crowning of Boniface III as "Universal Bishop" of the Roman church.  It was a time when the Church entered into a union with the State. It was a time when the Church ceased to be persecuted and started being exalted. There was an unholy marriage between Church and State and the Church has never recovered.

12. And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;  

a. This contains the address and one of the sublime characteristics of Jesus.  The sharp sword is the one that divides asunder the soul and the spirit in accordance with the following verse:  

Heb 4:12 (KJV) 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.  

his is talking about judgment.  We either allow the written Word of God do it now or the Living Word of God will do it at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Either way the soul or the “old man” must perish or die.  

13. I know thy works and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.  

b. Pergamum was a prosperous, sensual and pagan city. Pergamum was the capital of a powerful Hellenistic kingdom famous for its sculpture and its library, second only to the one in Alexandria. The church was close to the center of the kingdom of evil. The church had faith, courage, and endurance, and faithful witnesses to Christ. It also had some of the worst of elements. This is the place where Antipas died a martyr. According to tradition, Antipas was roasted in a brazen bowl at Domitian's request. Domitian was brother of Titus and reigned as emperor of Rome A.D. 81-96.  Domitian was the one who exiled John to Patmos.  

14. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

. Many held to the doctrine of Balaam, which has infiltrated the churches of today. Basically, it states today that if you have trusted Christ, you are saved and everything is fine, since you are a child of God. The teachings of reward/chastisement and the Judgment Seat of Christ are foreign to this doctrine. The term Ultra-Grace is used to describe this doctrine. It emphasizes grace to the total exclusion of works. The story of Balaam is in Numbers 22-24. Balaam taught Moabites to teach Israel to worship Baal and commit fornication, so Israel's God would punish them. Balaam attempted to curse Israel, but he was unable to do it. The doctrine of Balaam is the doctrine of worldly compromise.  

b. Balaam's error (Jude 11) was preaching and prophesying for gain. We see this in the Laodicean church today in the prosperity teachings, such as the name it and claim it teaching on the Trinity Broadcasting Network.  

15. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.

a. Remember Ephesus hated the deeds of the Nicolaitanes.  Prophetically, this doctrine gained a foothold in the Church at the Council of Nicaea in A.D. 325, which was during the Pergamum Church Age.  Nicolaitanism established a clerical hierarchy to rule over and control the people. This doctrine has infiltrated the whole Church now.

16. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

a. They are commanded to repent or their judgment will be swift and sharp. God will judge compromise and sin in the life of the believer. The sword of his mouth will separate the soul from the spirit in judgment, and the soul will perish in the Lake of Fire. The Christian will still be saved spiritually, but his reward or inheritance in the kingdom will be lost.

b. The Greek word for quickly is tachu and means suddenly or by surprise.  

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.  

a.       The Hidden Manna is typical of Christ, so it has to represent a special relationship with Christ in the kingdom. The Hidden Manna is the manna hidden in the gold pot in the Ark of the Covenant. It typifies the Living Word of God and the Written Word of God. One must go beyond the veil in the temple to where the Hidden Manna is kept. The Christian must go beyond the Holy Place into the Holy of Holies to receive the Hidden Manna. This can only be done in close fellowship with God in reading and studying his Word for the deeper truths.  

b.      The white stone represents acquittal at the Judgment Seat of Christ for any wrongdoing. The Christian who receives the white stone is the Christian who has been found holy and blameless at the Judgment Seat of Christ. He is the Christian who has gone on into maturity and realized the salvation of his soul. The new name represents a special relationship to Christ.  The new name represents ownership by Christ.  Both picture overcoming Christians who share in the eternal glories of Christ. Not all Christians will share in these glories. Only the overcomers will share in these glories.

Rev 2:18-29 (KJV) And unto the angel of the church in 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; 19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. 20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. 24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. 25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. 26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 27 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. 28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.  

The Church Age of Pergamum ended with the beginning of the Church Age known as Thyatira. The message of Jesus to the Church of Thyatira is an accurate picture of the Catholic Church from about A.D. 606 up until the present time and continuing until Jesus returns. Thyatira was active in service and charities, and it was patient in relying on God's promises.  It did not have a zeal for godly discipline and doctrine.  It was indulgent toward errors and false teachers, so that falsehood and idolatry grew and modified the whole character of the church. The false prophets who first enticed the church into a falling away from the faith were women. Women teachers have always been a problem in leading the church astray into false doctrines.  

18. And unto the angel of the church in 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;

a. This includes the address and the characteristic of Jesus as the all-seeing judge of the church.  We talked about these characteristics in the vision that John had on Patmos. The church of Thyatira is seen in the Catholic Church, which became powerful in the Holy Roman Empire as the power of Roman Empire declined.

b. The eyes like a flame of fire portray the purifying judgment by fire that all Christians will experience. The metal brass typifies judgment, which is pictured for the whole Church.  

19. I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.

. Jesus describes the good works of Thyatira and the fact that their works have gotten better. The Catholic Church has done many wonderful works of charity, and is seen in the many Catholic hospitals, orphanages and works by nuns all over the world. The good works of the Catholic Church cannot be overlooked simply because of the evil works and terrible doctrinal abuse that goes on in the church. Jesus describes these evil works in the following verse.  

20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

a. The word “Thyatira” means a continual sacrifice and it alludes to the sacrifice of the mass, which denies the finished work of Christ on the cross. The mass and the false teaching of transubstantiation offers the death of Jesus Christ over and over as atonement for sin, and denies his once for all death as atonement for sin. Many Christians have died under the hands of the Roman Catholic Church because they refused to celebrate the heresy of the mass.  

b. Jezebel is a parallel with the parable of the leaven where the woman inserts the leaven into the dough.  This leaven is the false teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, which was inserted into the Church and continues to work until the whole Church is leavened with false doctrines and false teachings.  

c. The woman called Jezebel taught the members of the church to participate in sexual immorality that accompanied pagan religion. This was very much akin to the ancient Babylonian Mystery Religion. In the Catholic Church many commit spiritual fornication (idolatry) in the worship of idols, the Eucharist, and the worship of Mary. Even with their faithfulness in some things, Jesus has a great deal against the church of Thyatira.  

21. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.  

a. This church was give the opportunity to repent, but she did not. Actually, the church of Thyatira has had 1400 years to repent, but it is still committing spiritual fornication.  

b. The Catholic Church has been made aware of its false teachings, but these teachings have continued up until the present day.  

22. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

a. This woman called Jezebel would be cast into a sick bed for her evil.  Her followers would also suffer tribulation, unless she repents. The name Jezebel apparently represents the Papal Worship System, which is caused the Catholic Church to be led astray from the truths of scripture. God will deal with the Papal Worship System, and with those who are caught up in her heresies.  

b. Prophetically, the Papal Worship System, which is the Babylonian Mystery Religion, will be destroyed by Antichrist, and those in the Catholic Church who commit spiritual fornication will be rejected at the Firstfruits Rapture and cast into the tribulation period. This is addressed in this verse and the following verse of Scripture.  

23. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

a. Many inside and outside the Church have followed the pernicious ways of the Babylonian Mystery Religion. Many shall die physically in the tribulation period under the reign of Antichrist.  This judgment will be so visible that all the churches will know that God is a righteous judge who searches the inmost mind (i.e., reins=kidneys) and the thoughts and emotions (i.e., hearts). The churches of Thyatira, Sardis and Laodicea will be cast into the tribulation period, but they will wake up under the persecutions of Antichrist.  

b. The Judgment of the Church will be according to works. This has been overlooked by the majority of the Church who have been led astray by the doctrine of Balaam, which taught the children of God to be led astray by fornication and adultery.  

24. But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.

a. There are some in this church that do not believe these false doctrines.  They have not gotten caught up in these so-called deep secrets that are in actuality satanic. These Christians will not be chastised. There are some in Thyatira, who have remained faithful to the Word of God. They will not be cast into great tribulation.  

25. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.

a. This verse establishes that the church of Thyatira will continue in existence until Jesus returns. Those in the Catholic Church who have remained faithful need to hold fast until Jesus returns for the faithful Firstfruits.

26. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

a. This shows that overcomers in the Catholic Church will reign and rule with Jesus Christ in the millennial kingdom.  "The end" would be death or rapture in either the Firstfruits Rapture or the Main Harvest Rapture.  

27. 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.  

a. Note that this is the church of Thyatira that will rule with a "rod of iron."  This confirms that the overcoming church in the tribulation period is the man child that is caught up to God (i.e., raptured) in Rev. 12:5.  

28. And I will give him the morning star.  

a. There is a slight mistranslation in this verse. The Greek word for “give” actually means to make or to commission. The morning star appears just before the darkest part of the night, and it reflects the light of the sun at that time. Jesus is the Sun of Righteousness, and those in the Church who reflect the light of Jesus just before the last half of the tribulation period will be greatly honored as the bright and morning star. The Firstfruits Rapture will occur at midnight (i.e., figuratively speaking).  Jesus appears to Israel as the Sun of Righteousness in the morning.  The night between Midnight and dawn is a picture of the tribulation period. The Main Harvest will go through part of the dark, but they will be taken out before the darkest part of the night, and they will be witnesses of Jesus just before the darkest part of the night, which is the last half of the tribulation period. Thus, overcoming Christians during the first half of the tribulation period will be made or commissioned as the bright and morning star, which reflects the light of Jesus Christ just before the darkest hour of the tribulation period.  

29. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.  

a. This epistle ends with an admonition to the Church to listen and heed the warnings of these letters to the Church.  

Rev 3:1-6 (KJV)  And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. 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. 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. 6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.  

The Church Age of Thyatira does not end with the beginning of the Church Age of Sardis, since Thyatira continues until the Lord returns (vs. 2:35).  The word Sardis means "escaping one," "remnant" or those who "come out," so it is an accurate picture of the Protestant churches, which came out of the reformation.  The word Protestant means one who protested against the false teachings of the Catholic Church. The Reformation began with Luther in A.D.1517 when he nailed his 95 theses to the Church door in Wittenberg Germany.  

The cry of the Reformation was "Sola Fide" (i.e., faith alone), and it is amazing how many evangelists and pastors tack on the work of repentance as a prerequisite for spirit salvation.  This is a result of the failure to understand the difference between spiritual rebirth and soul salvation, or the difference between "seeing the kingdom" and "entering the kingdom" (John 3:3,5).  The failure to understand the coming kingdom of Jesus Christ and the Judgment Seat of Christ has caused the entire Church to not understand even the basic doctrines of spirit salvation.  The works of repentance, baptism and obedience have been set forth as necessary for spiritual rebirth.  The gospel of John was written as a testimony so that people would believe and be saved (John 20:31) and the word repent cannot be found in this gospel.  Repentance is a condition for entrance into the kingdom, but this is not the same as spiritual rebirth.  

The Sardis church was called a "dead church" even though it had a reputation for being alive.  This does not mean that they were not truly born again, but that they were barren or unfruitful in their works.  Their works were in the power of the flesh and not the power of the spirit.

1. And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

a. The address, sublime characteristic of Christ, statement of omniscience regarding works and the spiritual condition of the church are in this one verse.  

b. The seven spirits of God represent the totality or sevenfold ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Isa 11:2 (KJV) 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;  

• Spirit of the Lord-Member of the Trinity
• Spirit of Wisdom-Intelligence or right use of knowledge.
• Spirit of Understanding-Insight, perception, able to discern
• Spirit of Counsel-Prudence or ability to give good advice
• Spirit of Might-Force, power or strength (esp., spiritual warfare)
• Spirit of Knowledge-to personally experience or to know God
• Spirit of Fear-Reverence, profound awe or respect for God

c. The seven stars are the pastors of the seven churches (1:20).  

d. Jesus knows all about the works of Sardis.  

e. Sardis has a reputation for being alive, but she is spiritually dead.  This means she is barren or unfruitful in the works of the spirit.  Sardis works in the power of the flesh rather than the power of the spirit. The servant who hid his pound in a napkin or sweat cloth of self-effort is descriptive of the Sardis Christian (Luke 19:20).  

2. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

a. The Sardis church is not watchful for the return of the Lord.  

b. The works they are doing need to be improved or made complete before God.  The works are lacking.  

3. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

. Christ cautions them on how much they have received (i.e., the inheritance) and heard.  "Hold fast" means    to guard against losing their inheritance by repenting.

b. Sardis is warned that if they do not become alert, Jesus will come on them as a thief (i.e., stealer), and they will not be aware (i.e., know) the hour that he comes. This is the same as the "goodman" whose house was broken into just like a thief (Mat. 24:43). He was not alert and he was separated from the servant who was alert. The unfaithful servant was not watchful and the following Scripture describes the separation that he experiences:  

Mat 24:50-51 (KJV) The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, 51 And shall cut him asunder, (i.e., separate him) and appoint him his portion (i.e., measured amount) with the hypocrites (i.e., those who pretend to be more spiritual than they are): there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  

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.

a. Apparently, there will be some Sardis Christians who will be taken in the Firstfruits Rapture, since their works (i.e., garments) are complete and undefiled. They "are worthy" (i.e., deserving or due reward) even though they are not alert to the return of the Lord.

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.

a. This has reference to those who were defiled, but they become overcomers during the tribulation period. They will be clothed in the "white raiment" that is a symbol for their good works. The following Scripture describes these Christians:  

Rev 6:9-11 (KJV) 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 white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.  

b. The "book of life" has reference to the salvation of the soul and not spiritual rebirth. It would be ludicrous for Jesus to be warning Christians about having their names blotted out of the book of life if it were impossible.  

c. Jesus will confess the names of the overcomers before the Father.  The name has reference to the character of an individual. Thus, to confess the name means to acknowledge or approve of the character of the person who was an overcomer. These Christians will not be disapproved or disqualified for their inheritance.  

6. Rev 3:6 (KJV) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

a. This epistle ends as all do with an admonition to the Church to listen and heed the warnings of these letters to the Church.  

Rev 3:7-13 (KJV) And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. 9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. 10 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. 11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. 13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.  

The word Philadelphia means "brotherly love" and characterizes the Church Age that began with the Great Awakenings under George Whitefield, and was followed by John Wesley, Charles G. Finney and D.L. Moody.  This was a time when the evangelistic and missionary labors were carried out in the power of the spirit. It was during this time that the doctrine of the Second Coming was revived.  It was during this time that the Midnight Cry was fulfilled figuratively when the entire Church woke up to the truths of the return of the Bridegroom.  It is the Philadelphia church that is faithful to the Lord, and because of her patient endurance, she will be removed through the "Open Door" before the tribulation period sets in to try the Church.  

7. And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
a. The address and sublime characteristics of Jesus Christ are in this verse. A sublime characteristic is one of high spiritual, moral or intellectual worth that is not to be excelled. It is of supreme value and inspires awe in the observer. Jesus is holy, and this means He is pure and morally blameless. He is the embodiment of holiness.  

b. He is true, and this is relative to his deity. He is real, unfeigned, not fictitious, and this means He is the one true God, and not pretended like idols are only a pretense to being God.  Jesus Christ is God incarnate.  

c. He has the key of David, and this implies administrative or governmental authority. The Old Testament reference is Isaiah 22:22.  The key is a symbol for the undisputed authority to enter and exercise all needful authority. The Isaiah reference pertains to Judah, but this pertains to the Church.  

d. He that "openeth" and "shutteth" has reference to entrance into heaven and the kingdom of the heavens. Having the key of David, Jesus Christ has complete sovereignty over who enters both. Since Jesus is addressing the Church, this entrance pertains to the Church. Israel as a nation has already forfeited their entrance into the heavenly aspect of the kingdom.  The Church is God's heavenly people, and Israel is God's earthly people.  

8. I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

a. Jesus reveals his complete knowledge of their works, and He provides an Open Door for them because they have kept his word and not denied his name, even though they only have a little strength (i.e., power). This "little power" was actively employed in faithfulness to the Word of God. The “Open Door” is a metaphor meaning an opportunity for Missionary work. This was true for the literal church at Philadelphia, since it was on the main trade route between East and West, and it had an opportunity for spreading the gospel of grace to the region beyond. Also, the Philadelphia church age was one of great opportunities for missionary work. Prophetically, the “Open Door” is the open door into heaven provided for faithfulness to Christ.  

b. The Philadelphia church is not popular, powerful or influential in the worldly affairs of the Church on earth, but she is faithful in studying and keeping the faith as taught in the Bible.  

c. Philadelphia has not denied the name of Jesus. This means that their lives have reflected the character of Jesus Christ. This only happens when Christians crucify the old nature and allow the life of Jesus to live in them via the filling of the Holy Spirit.  

9. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

a. Literally, there were Jews in the early Church that were particularly troubling to the Christians. Prophetically, there is a group of Christians that came out of the Reformation that believe that God is through with Israel, and that they are spiritual Israel or Jews. This group is very powerful in the Church today, and they look down on the Philadelphia Christians because they are so few and feeble in the Church body.  

b. The synagogue of Satan means a group that performs the will of Satan. The Jews that persecuted the early Church were performing the will of Satan in persecuting the Church. Also, the groups of Christians who think that the Church has replaced Israel will not be among the Philadelphia Christians, so they will literally be worshipping at the feet of Philadelphia Christians. These groups are still in the mainline Protestant Churches. Their false theology is called Replacement Theology.  

c. Philadelphia Christians will be among the four living creatures or the 24 elders, so they will be either in the throne with Jesus or the first row around the throne. This means those among the synagogue of Satan will literally be worshipping Jesus, but they will be at the feet of those who are closer to the throne. These are the Philadelphia Christians.  

d. The Philadelphia Christians are not popular among the larger body of the Church, but it will be clear that Jesus loves them with a special love.  

10. 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.

. Those in the Philadelphia church have patiently endured the trials and tribulations of their Christian walk. They have established themselves as overcomers, and they will be kept from the "hour of trial" that is coming on all Christians who "dwell upon the earth."  

b. Those who "dwell upon the earth" are those who have settled down and gotten comfortable in the world. They are no longer pilgrims just passing through this life, and they have taken up residency and citizenship on the earth. They are not looking for the Lord to return, and they even disdain the idea that Jesus would come and interrupt their life of pleasure. They have become rich and their roots have been sunk deeply into the earth.  

c. The "hour of temptation" (i.e., trial) is the first half of the tribulation period. It will extend from the Firstfruits Rapture up until the Main Harvest Rapture of the Church.  

11. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

a. Jesus states that his coming will be suddenly when it happens, and Philadelphia Christians need to guard against losing what they have attained in works. Even Philadelphia Christians could fall away and lose their crown.  

b. It is possible for one individual to cause another to stumble and fall and lose his crown. Christians should not allow anyone to cause them to stumble. The temptation to fall away will get much greater as we approach the Firstfruits Rapture.  

c. The Philadelphia Christian holds fast with a tight and tightening grip Christ's Word, Name, Patience and Coming. He may surrender life itself, but not the things that make up the crown of his testimony.  

d. The achievements of the Philadelphia Christian are not distinguished in the eyes of the Church, but he lives his life with increasing faithfulness. The crown that is to be guarded is the crown of life, and it refers to the salvation of the soul.  

12. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

a. Overcomers will have prominent positions in the temple of God the Father, and they will never lose these positions. The name of God the Father on them signifies ownership. They will also dwell in and be co-owners of the New Jerusalem as their inheritance. Being linked with the New Jerusalem is analogous to being the Bride of Christ.  

b. The new name of Christ signifies that they will be his Bride.  

13. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

a. This epistle ends as all do with an admonition to the Church to listen and heed the warnings of these letters to the Church.

Rev 3:14-22 (KJV)  And unto 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; 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20 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. 21 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. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. 

The word Laodicea means "peoples rights" and it refers prophetically to the Church Age that began about 1900.  It will continue until the Lord returns.  This Church Age is characterized by apostasy and lukewarmness. This church is a self-satisfied, proud and self-righteous group It has become rich with material possessions, and the primary emphasis is on financial matters and organization. There is a zeal and fervor for organization and works that are seen by men, but very little communion with God and in-depth Bible study. Laodicean Christians are self-deceived, and they do not see that they are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked. This church is made up of immature Christians caught up in the affairs of this world. They represent the largest segment of Christianity today.  

14. And unto 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;  
a. This verse contains the address and statements about the sublime characteristics of Jesus Christ. Amen is a Hebrew word signifying that which is fixed, true and unchangeable. It is referring to Jesus Christ as a descriptive title of him who is sovereign.  

b. Jesus Christ is also the only "faithful and true witness." This means Jesus is a trustworthy and truthful witness. He will be our Judge at the Judgment Seat of Christ and He will also be a witness for and against us according as our works shall be.  

c. "The beginning of the creation of God" means He was the principle, power or agent of creation.  This does not mean that Christ was the first created being as some cults say, but He was the actual creator and sovereign over creation.  

15. I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.  

. Jesus again proclaims his omniscience over the works of Laodicea.  He is a faithful and true witness because of his omniscience. Therefore, his judgment will be perfect and just, and there will be no appeal because of the possibility of error.  

b. Jesus Christ warns Laodicea about their lukewarmness. He prefers coldness over lukewarmness. This is probably because of the hypocrisy involved in lukewarmness. Jesus is referring to the true attitude of the heart here and not the outward professions that are made. The frothy, shallow Christianity on television and radio today is not the fervency that Jesus desires. Laodicea is primarily caught up in emotion hype, rather than spiritual fervency.  

16. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

a. This literally means that Jesus will vomit Laodicea out of his mouth.  Since this does not make sense literally, we take the figurative meaning that Jesus will reject the Laodiceans at the pretribulational Firstfruits Rapture of those who have been faithful or fervent in watching and being prepared for the Lord's return.  The rest of this passage confirms this to be the meaning of this verse.  

17. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

. Unfortunately, the Laodicean Christians of today think they are living wonderful Christian lives. They have large luxurious buildings, stained glass windows, and large land interests. This church has abundant material possessions, and they think this is a reflection of their spiritual condition.  

b. The true spiritual condition of Laodicea is not known by them. Jesus says they are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked. The word “wretched” means that they have not endured the trials used to test them.  The word “miserable” means that they are to be pitied instead of admired. The word “poor” means that they have no spiritual rewards stored up in heaven.  The word “blind” means that they do not have spiritual insight, which comes from a study of the Scriptures.  The word “naked” means that they have not made the necessary preparation for the wedding by providing for themselves the wedding garment of good works. It is because of these conditions of the church in Laodicea that it will be rejected at the Firstfruits rapture. This rejection is actually a merciful act by Jesus as the following Scripture confirms that they will be given a final opportunity to rectify all of these shortcomings in their spirituality.  

18. I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.  

a. After its rejection prophesied in verse 16 above because of the spiritual conditions outlined in verse 17 above, Laodicea is counseled in this verse to make the most of the opportunity in the tribulation period. Laodicea is counseled to "buy of me gold," and this means to perform spiritual works that will deserve a reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ. "Tried in the fire" means that these works will be performed during the fires of the tribulation period. The purpose of buying this gold tried in the fire is so they will no longer be spiritually poor (i.e., "thou mayest be rich).  

b. Laodicea will also have a final opportunity to obtain the wedding garment of good works, so they will be clothed and not appear naked at the Judgment Seat of Christ.  

c. Laodicea will also have the opportunity to have their eyes healed and opened to the truths of Scripture. The persecution of the tribulation period will help the Laodiceans wake up to the truths of Scripture.  

d. It is important to note that all of these achievements in spirituality occur after Laodicea has been rejected by the Lord.  If this rejection took place at the Judgment Seat of Christ, then there would be no additional opportunity to earn spiritual rewards and be clothed in the garment of good works. Laodicea will be raptured in the middle of the tribulation period (i.e., Rev. 7:9-17). They are the ones "arrayed in white robes" described in Rev. 7:13.  

19. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

a. This verse proves that the Laodiceans are true believers. Jesus loves them so He will rebuke and chasten them in the tribulation period. Jesus cautions them to be zealous and repent of their sins and the life they are living. In this verse, there is still the possibility of repenting in time to avoid the tribulation period, which will be a time of rebuke and chastisement.  

20. 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.  

a. This verse is often misinterpreted as pertaining to spirit salvation, but it has reference to fellowship with Christians who have already been born again spiritually.  

b. Literally, this verse states that Jesus stands in charge of the door, and he is knocking on the door for the Laodicean to hearken to or obey his voice.  If he does heed the warning, Jesus will come in and fellowship at the evening meal, which occurs before midnight and the midnight cry. In this verse, there also appears to be ample time for the Laodicean Christian to repent and be eligible for the "Open Door" promised to Philadelphia.  

21. 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.  

a. This verse is also addressed to the Laodicean church during the Church Age. It includes the promise to all that overcome during the present age.  The highest position of reigning and ruling, "in my throne", is still available to the Laodicean Christian who is an overcomer.  

b. Verses 17 and 18 above are apparently the only verses in this passage that are specifically addressed to the Laodicean church in the tribulation period.  Verse 19 contains the warning about rebuke and chastisement in the tribulation, and verse 20 states the requirement for avoiding the tribulation.  That requirement is fellowship and intimacy with the Lord Jesus Christ. Verse 21 contains the promise to overcomers during the Church Age.  

22. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.  

a. This verse contains the universal appeal to all of the churches to hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.  

This ends the letters to the seven churches.  The Church Age ends with the pretribulation Firstfruits rapture of the faithful Philadelphia church. Thyatira, Sardis and Laodicea are left to go through the first half of the tribulation period.  The Church Age ends at Revelation 4:1.

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Revelation Chapter 4

The Firstfruits Rapture & the Heavenly Throne.

Rev 4 (KJV)  After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter. 2 And immediately I was in the spirit; and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. 3 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. 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 they had on their heads crowns of gold. 5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. 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. 7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. 8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. 9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, 10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.  

This chapter describes the Firstfruits Rapture and the heavenly throne, as those who participate in this rapture are gathered around the throne in heaven.  The 24 elders and the four living creatures are not only redeemed people, but they are faithful Christians who have earned crowns and thrones.  The Main Harvest Rapture does not occur until Rev. 7:9-17 at the middle of the tribulation period.  

1. After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter.  

a. "After this" is after the Church Age and John looks up to heaven and he sees the "Open Door" into heaven.  This is the same open door that was promised to the church of Philadelphia in Rev. 3:8, and John's rapture is the fulfillment of the promise to the Philadelphia church in Rev. 3:10 that they would be kept from the "hour of temptation" because of their faithfulness (i.e., "kept the word of my patience").  This is the same open door that the five wise virgins in Matt 25 went through because they had the extra measure of oil (i.e., they were spirit-controlled Christians).  The door is closed on the five foolish virgins who represent the churches of Thyatira, Sardis and Laodicea.

b. This is the out-resurrection (i.e., exanastasis) that Paul was working to attain to in Philippians 3:11.  This is the "better resurrection" that Christians sought in Hebrews 11:35.  This is the "strait gate" (i.e., narrow door) that Jesus exhorted his disciples to work very hard to enter (Matt 7:13; Lk 13:24).  Jesus warned his disciples that many believers would work very hard to enter this narrow door, but they would not be able to enter (Matt 7:14).  The Parables make it clear that the reason many Christians will not be able to enter in at this door is because they worked in the power of the flesh rather than the power of the Spirit.  

c.  The Christians who hear this voice "as it were of a trumpet" are those Christians who "watch and pray always" that they might be accounted worth to escape the "hour of temptation" (i.e., tribulation) (Lk 21:36).  

d.  Jesus even taught his disciples in the Lord's prayer to pray that they would not be brought into tribulation (i.e., lead us not into temptation; Mat 6:13).  This phrase means that we are to pray that the Lord will not bring us into tribulation.  The Greek word for temptation is peirasmos and it is identical to the word for temptation in Rev. 3:10.  Thus, even the Lord's prayer exhorts us to pray that we will escape the tribulation.  Jesus also exhorted his disciples in Gethsemene to "watch and pray" that they enter not into tribulation (i.e., temptation or peirasmos).  

e.  John was summoned directly to heaven to observe the things which were to take place after the end of the Church Age (i.e., hereafter).  

2. And immediately I was in the spirit; and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

a. John was instantaneously caught up to heaven, and he saw a throne "being set" at that very moment.  The picture is of the placing of the throne as well as the throne itself and the place of it being set.  It is a parallel with Daniel 7:9 where thrones are set (not cast down as the KJV shows).

b.  There is no mention of the name of the one who sits on the throne, but we know it is Jesus Christ in his glory.

3. 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.

a. The jasper and the sardine stones were the 12th (i.e., last) and 1st stones on the breastplate of the High Priest in Ex. 28:17-20).  The Jasper is a translucent stone of various colors that resembles fire and the sardine stone is the precious stone with a red hue (i.e., ruby).  Fire is the symbol of judgment and red the symbol of blood atonement or grace.  Everything in chapters 4-6 is preparatory for judgment (i.e., fire) but even the judgments are mingled with God's grace.  It is only at the end of the tribulation during the vials that a brief period of judgment without grace will be poured out upon the earth.

b.  The rainbow around the throne is a constant reminder of God's covenant with Noah that God will never again destroy all life from the planet.  It is significant that only about half of the world population will die during the seven-year tribulation period.  God will keep his promise that He made with Noah.  The rainbow that John sees completely encircles the throne.  In looking down on a rainbow from an airplane, the rainbow is a complete circle.  

c. The emerald is green and relates to the earth.  The rainbow covenant pertains to the earth as well as the life on the earth.  The earth will never again be totally destroyed (ruined or marred) like it was during the flood.  The idea that this world and its creature inhabitants are to pass away into oblivion is the foolish notion of poets.  We have here the special pledge and covenant of God that has been rehearsed in nearly every summer shower since the flood encircling the very judgment throne itself.  The judgment throne is not one of destruction but of conservation.  God is going to redeem the earth, not destroy it.  

d. The jasper and sardine project the terrible glory of consuming fire along with the grace of God, but the soft green of the emerald above offers promise and hope and mercy during a time of wrath.  It is redemption over-spanning the appearance of consuming fire.  

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 they had on their heads crowns of gold.

a. Around the throne of Jesus were 24 other thrones (same Greek word thronos) and 24 elders or mature believers were seated on these thrones.  The white raiment represent the righteous deeds or acts of the saints, and the crowns of gold are the stephanos (i.e., crowns) that Christians earn by their faithfulness to the Lord.  

b.  These 24 elders represent believers who have qualified to reign and rule with Jesus Christ in the kingdom of the heavens.  Twelve is the number of earthly government and 24 is twice twelve and represents heavenly government or the government of the heavens over the earth.

c. Resurrection time is coronation time, and no one can be crowned until he has been resurrected, or translated if living.  Therefore, this is proof that there is a resurrection/translation at the beginning of the seven-year tribulation period.  It is equally certain that everyone in this resurrection/translation is an overcomer because of the crowns and regal thrones.  

5. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

a. The “lightnings and thunderings and voices” are the precursors of the approaching judgments of God, which will be unleashed upon the earth.  The book of Revelation is clear that these judgments from God do not commence until after the seven seals are opened.  Thunders and voices are intimations of judgments in Psa. 29:3-5 and the promulgation of the law includes these signs and others in Exodus 19.  Exodus 19:16 shows the effect on the people: "All the people that were in the camp trembled."

b. The "seven lamps of fire burning before the throne" denotes the fullness of the Spirit in governmental action.  The Spirit here is not seen in His varied services in the Church, but in regard to the Holiness of God.  The Spirit is represented here in regard to the righteous character of the throne.  Everything inconsistent with this purity must be judged.  These seven lamps will search out and expose everything contrary to God's Holy nature.

c. The seven spirits of God have already been discussed.  The sevenfold ministry of God the Holy Spirit is found in Isaiah 11:2.  The all-consuming fire of judgment will act within the plenitude of the sevenfold spirit of God.  Everything will be in perfect accord with the perfect justice and righteousness of God.

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.

a.  The glass sea is an allusion to the laver in the tabernacle (Ex. 30:18-21) and the molten sea in the temple (1 Kings 7:23-37).  The purpose of both was to cleanse God's people on a continuous basis to maintain their holiness.  Here the water has solidified and this represents a fixed state of holiness "before the throne."  The glass points to a settled or fixed state of holiness while the "like unto crystal" intimates that this state is in accordance with God in His holy nature.  Glass is a manufactured article produced by exposing sand (i.e., the people of God) to extreme heat (i.e., the fires of judgment).  Crystal is a natural production representing divine purity, which is innate in God (Ezek. 1:22).  

b. The four beasts (i.e., living creatures) sing the same song that the elders sing (Rev. 5:9-10), and they give praise for the Lamb having died for them, and for redeeming them by his blood.  They are redeemed, glorified men who are in the midst of the throne, and around the throne.  They are more intimately associated with the throne than the 24 elders, as the 24 elders sit on their own thrones.  "In the midst of the throne" indicates that the four living creatures are an integral part of it.  "Round about the throne" shows that they are externally connected with the throne.  Thus, the four living creatures may be viewed as vitally connected with the judicial authority of God, even though separate and apart from it.   

c. "Full of eyes before and behind" demonstrate intuitive intelligence or the fullness of spiritual discernment.  This group of redeemed individuals is in the highest level of the kingdom of the heavens.  The 24 elders are in the second highest level of the kingdom.  It appears that the four living creatures are analogous to the Bride of Christ, and the 24 elders are analogous to the Bride's court.  Both will be taken out of the earth at the firstfruits rapture of Philadelphia Christians, and neither will have to experience the tribulation (i.e., the hour of temptation).

7. And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.

a.  The four living creatures are described as being like the four creatures depicting Jesus according to the four gospels.  In Matthew Jesus is portrayed as the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the King of the Jews.  This pertains to his reigning and ruling in the kingdom.  The four living creatures will share in this.  

b. Mark pictures Jesus as the suffering servant (i.e., the calf or the ox).  Jesus came to suffer and die as a servant.  Jesus had to suffer before he reigns as king, and this is applicable to his disciples also.  

c. Luke depicts Jesus as the Son of Man and this pertains to his human nature.  The four living creatures also have a human nature.  

d. The book of John delineates the divine nature of Jesus Christ, and the eagle is a symbol for this nature.  The four living creatures have become Godlike or Christlike in their character.  They have suffered with Christ, and they will now reign with Christ in the highest level of the kingdom.  They are able to share with Christ in his throne.  

e. Israel marched under the four banners of the Lion, the Ox (calf), the Man and the Eagle.  Judah's standard was the Lion, Ephraim's standard was the Ox, Reuben's standard was the Man, and Dan's standard was the Eagle.  These were the representative tribes, and the rest were marshaled under these four standards.  

f.  Ezekiel's vision of the four cherubim in chapter one of Ezekiel was a vision of them that cover, protect, and guard.  They were the executors of the will of the Spirit of the throne.  They operated with a complex series of wheels, high and dreadful rings, and full of eyes.  The wheels picture earthly operation.  The cherubim were angels.  The living creatures are redeemed men, glorified, and related to the judgment throne in heaven, and to the future affairs of the kingdom on earth.  The four living creatures will reign from the heavenlies over the earth, and they are the cherubim of the new order.  Therefore, they are connected to the throne of the new order.

g. Ezekiel saw four cherubim and four is the number of the scene of their ministrations, which is the earth.  Four is representative of many as there were many thousands who ministered over the earth (Psa. 68:17)

h. The four living creatures also represent many thousands of glorified ones who have the distinction of sharing the throne of their divine redeemer.  They will be the ministers and executors of his will throughout the ages.

8. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

a. They have six wings instead of four (Ezekiel's vision) to demonstrate the widespread authority over all the nations instead of just Israel.  

b. "Full of eyes within" signifies a picture of the inward spiritual perception of the governmental purposes and acts of God.  They are fully capable of reigning and ruling with the justice and righteousness of God.

c. They require neither sleep nor rest, and they are the leaders in the praise and worship of God Almighty.  The four living creatures have replaced Lucifer who was the praise and worship leader of God before Lucifer fell.

9. And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,

a. As the praise and worship leaders of heaven, it is the responsibility of the four living creatures to determine the appropriate times for praise and worship.  

b. "him that sat on the throne" is, of course, Jesus Christ in his power and glory.  

c. "who liveth for ever and ever" establishes that Jesus Christ will exist forever as the resurrected and glorified God-Man as the King of the Universe.  

10. The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

a. In following the lead of the four living creatures, this verse establishes that the 24 elders are subordinate to them.  This is very significant since the 24 elders are pictured as occupying high level positions in the kingdom.  The term elder itself indicates spiritual maturity.  The elders also occupy thrones, and they wear crowns.  The number 24 is twice 12 so it indicates heavenly administration or heavenly government over the earth.  The number 12 represents earthly government.  

b. The crowns are thrown at the feet of Jesus because it was his life lived out in the 24 elders that made it possible for them to win the crowns.  There is a big difference between being "in Christ" and having "Christ in you."  Every Christian is "in Christ," but not every Christian has "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Col. 1:27).  "Christ in you" pertains to the coming kingdom and not the new birth experience, which causes one to be "in Christ".  "Christ in you" is something for Christians to hope for so they will share in his glory.  It is not guaranteed to every Christian.  It is the "hope of glory."  Contrary to popular teaching, a hope is not something that is certain.  

c. Romans 8:24-25 explains the hope of the glory of Christ.  This hope is able to save our soul.  The salvation referred to in this Scripture is not spiritual rebirth but soul salvation.  The Scripture is as follows:  

Rom 8:24-25 (KJV) For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.  

NOTE: No Christian should hope that he has been born again.  He should know this from the assurance he receives by the indwelling Holy Spirit.  

d.  It should be clear that all 24 elders had "Christ in" them, so they have now realized the "hope of glory," which is to share the glory of Christ and reign in his coming kingdom.  

e.  The four living creatures have realized a higher position in the kingdom than even the 24 elders have.  

11. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.  

a. The 24 elders respond to the lead of the four living creatures in giving glory, honor and praise to the Lord Jesus Christ as creator and King of all creation.

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Revelation Chapter 5

The Seven-Sealed Scroll, Title Deed to the Earth.

Rev 5 (KJV)  And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? 3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. 4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. 5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. 6 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 had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. 7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. 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 odours, which are the prayers of saints. 9 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; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. 11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. 14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever. 

This chapter is the introduction to the seven-sealed scroll which is the title deed to the earth.  It is also the book of redemption for the all of the elect of God.  This whole chapter is a picture of the search for a kinsman redeemer for both the elect of God and the earth, which is currently under the control of Satan as the god of this earth.  The four living creatures and the 24 elders as the Firstfruits of the Church are observing the action taking place as Jesus Christ is in the process of establishing his legal right to claim possession of the earth.  This chapter describes the preparation for the ceremony of opening the deed to the earth.

1. And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

a. God the Father is seated on the throne holding the title deed to the earth, which contains the requirements for redemption.  Even though the authority of man to rule over the earth has been forfeited by sin, the sovereignty of God over the land has not been lost.  The sin of man does not vitiate (i.e., set aside) any of the rights of God.  Satan has merely usurped the possession of the earth, and God permits it for a time until the proper Goel comes to pay the price and eject the alien and his offspring. 

b. The seven-sealed scroll is equivalent to a lien on some mortgaged property or an inheritance that has been forfeited by default.  The writing on the inside enumerates the criteria for the redemption of the land, the widowhood of Israel, or the bride of Christ.  The writing on the outside contains the names and attestations of the witnesses to the forfeiture of the possession.  Thus, the scroll is a book of redemption rather than a book of revelation as some have stated. 

c. There are three criteria for redemption to take place.

1. A near kinsman must be found.

2. The kinsman must be willing to redeem.

3. The kinsman must be able to pay the purchase price for redemtion to take place.

d. Redemption is primarily still future, and it remains a hope for those who have received the firstfruits of the Spirit.  Regeneration of the spirit of man is the promise for the inheritance to be completely redeemed in the future.

2. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

a.  This verse shows the forfeited inheritance is now open for redemption, and the primary question is if there is a near kinsman who is willing and able to redeem the purchased possession.  If there is a kinsman-redeemer who is worthy to open the scroll and redeem the earth, it is now time to step forward.

3. And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

a. The purpose of this verse is to demonstrate the costliness of the purchased possession, and how the sin sickness of man has touched every human being upon the earth.  There was not one man found on the whole earth who was able to pay the required purchase price for redeeming the earth and the elect of God.

b. "...neither to look thereon" emphasizes that not only is no man able to pay the awesome price for sin, but no man even understands the awesomeness of the price that had to be paid.  Only the trinity of God fully comprehends the truly awesome price required for redemption to take place.

4. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

a. John in this verse demonstrates the profound sadness that comes from the seriousness of the depravity of mankind upon the earth.  He reveals the hopelessness of the situation, if Jesus Christ had not appeared to pay the price of sin.

b. John is not only sad over man's depravity, but he is distraught over man's inability to even fully comprehend what God has done for us through his Son. 

c. The lost estate of man was totally unrecoverable by man, angels or spirits of the underworld.  The situation was hopeless without God.

5. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

a. One of the Firstfruits of the Church consoles John and tells him to stop his weeping as a kinsman redeemer has not only been found, but he has already "prevailed to open the book."  This states that the redeemer has already paid the price, and He is now available to open the scroll.  The opening of the Scroll is the public demonstration that the price has been paid and the Goel is preparing to take over the possession of the land.

b.  The opening of the Scroll is the equivalent in modern days of the closing on a house as the legal requirement, before the new owners can move in and occupy the new house.  Jesus has to complete the closing before He can move in and boot out the occupants that govern the earth.

c. The legal transaction takes place during the first half of the tribulation, and Jesus makes his move to possess the earth in the last half of the tribulation period.

d. Jesus is the Lion of the Tribe of Juda, and He is the root or foundation of the Davidic hopes.  This shows his legal right as heir to the throne to reign and rule over Israel and the earth. 

6. 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 had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

a. John looks to the throne and sees the Lamb in the midst of the living creatures who are in the midst of the elders.  The Lamb has already paid the price of redemption by being slain.

b. The seven horns depicts the omnipotence of the Lamb.  Seven is the number of divine perfection, and a horn is the symbol of power.  Seven horns intimates that something more than sacrifice and intercession has now become his business.  He has fulfilled his roles as Prophet and Priest, and He is now to fulfill his role as the omnipotent King.

c.The seven eyes represent divine intelligence or the omniscience of Jesus Christ as God himself.  He is now to function as the all-knowing Judge of mankind with the redemption of his elect as the earth as his primary focus.

7. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

a. The Goel has not only prevailed to pay the purchased price, but He has now stepped forward to open the Scroll as the final step in the legal process of possessing the land. 

b. This is the most awesome individual act recorded in the apocalypse.  This act includes all that the suffering creation has been yearning for since the fall of creation six thousand years ago.  This act sums up all that is included in the remainder of the apocalypse.  This is the act that points to the subjugation of the world, the judgment of Babylon, the overthrow of Satan, the elimination of death, the end of the curse, the renewal of the earth, and the reign of everlasting peace and blessedness.  The earth will be transformed into an unfading paradise of God.  This act pictures the completion of the act of redemption.

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 odours, which are the prayers of saints.

a. The opening of the book is the Church's joy and glory.  It is the reinstatement of that which was lost by Adam.  It is the recovery of that which has long been deprived by sin.  Unless the book is opened, and its seals broken, the people of God must remain tearful, sorrowful and deprived of their inheritance.

b. The taking of the book by Jesus results in profound worship by the Firstfruits of the Church (i.e., the four living creatures and the 24 elders).  As the incense pertains to the office of priest, the harp pertains to the office of prophet (1 Sam 10:5; 1 Chron 25:3; Ps 49:4).  The harps are related to the worship of Jehovah and the prophesying of the coming kingdom.  Harps are especially related to redemption and the joyful song of redemption.  Singing the song of redemption is peculiarly related to the redeemed of the earth.

c. The Firstfruits of the Church are holding the shallow bowls of incense (i.e., odours) which represent their own prayers for the kingdom to come.  The prayers of the saints for the kingdom of God to come to earth is now in the initial stages of finally being answered.

9. 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;

a.  The Firstfruits of the Church are singing the song of redemption out of their overwhelming joy that the Lamb is worthy and ready to open the book of redemption that will complete the redemption of the earth, the purchased possession of God.

b. The phrase "...hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;" is peculiar to the Church.  Here, the Firstfruits are singing this song even though the main body of the Church is on the earth and will not be be raptured until Rev. 7:9 in the middle of the tribulation period.

10. And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
a. The Firstfruits are rejoicing that they have been made kings and priests, and they will reign on the earth.  It is important that no mention of being made kings and reigning on the earth is made at the Main Harvest Rapture in Rev. 7:9-17. Many in the Main harvest will not reign and rule with Christ.

11. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

a. This is a quick inventory by John of all of those in heaven.  This demonstrates that the four living creatures and the 24 elders are representative numbers that are symbolical of many thousands or even millions of individuals.

b. It is significant that they can be numbered here, but later at the Main Harvest Rapture, the multitudes could not be numbered by any man (Rev. 7:9).  This indicates that those in the Main Harvest Rapture will be many times the number in the Firstfruits Rapture.

c. The same number is given in Daniel 7:10, and this ties the saints of chapter 7 of Daniel in with the Church, and not Israel as is thought by many. 

12. Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

a. Jesus is pictured in the character of a Lamb that was slain, because it was by his perfect obedience unto death that qualified him to open the seven-sealed scroll.

b. It was his coming as a Lamb that qualified him to later come as a Lion to assert and enforce his supremacy.

c. There was not a holy heart unmoved in heaven, nor a holy tongue that did not sing the song of redemption.

13. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

a. John hears all of creation joining in on the song of redemption.  This is the consummation of Romans 8:19-22.  

14. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

a. The Four Living Creatures say "Amen" to the song of redemption, and the 24 elders fall down and worship the resurrected redeemer who lives forever and forever.

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Revelation Chapter 6

The Opening of the Six Seals: Prelude to Earthly Redemption

Rev 6 (KJV)  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. 2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. 3 And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. 4 And there went out another horse that was red: 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. 5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. 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 hurt not the oil and the wine. 7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. 8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth. 9 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: 10 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? 11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. 12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; 13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. 14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 15 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; 16 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: 17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?  

Contrary to popular belief the Day of the Lord does not begin with the opening of the seven sealed scroll, but the Day of the Lord and the Day of Christ begin after all seven seals have been opened.  The Day of the Lord is the time that God rains down his judgments on the earth.  It is a terrible time for the inhabitants of the earth.  The Day of the Lord does not begin until the middle of the tribulation period.  

The Day of Christ begins at the same time as the Day of the Lord, but it occurs in heaven, in contrast to the Day of the Lord, which takes place on the earth.  The Day of Christ begins with the rapture of the Church, and it also takes place in the middle of the tribulation period.  

The first half of the tribulation period is the 42-month period that God allows Antichrist free rein upon the earth without any restraining influence by the Holy Spirit.  It will be a terrible time of persecution of Christians.  This time period is called the "hour of temptation" (Rev. 3:10), and it is a period of trial for those Christians who are not taken in the Firstfruits Rapture of the Church.  

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.

a. John is watching as the Lamb (i.e., Jesus) breaks the first seal on the seven-sealed scroll.  Thunder is a warning of coming judgment, so the opening of the seals is a prelude to God's judgment or vengeance that is to be wreaked upon the earth during the Day of the Lord.  The opening of the seals is not a depiction of the Day of the Lord, but it is a warning about the Day of the Lord.

b. One of the four living creatures (i.e., faithful Christians taken to heaven in the Firstfruits Rapture) tells John to "Come and see."  John is to observe what will take place on the earth during the opening of the seven seals.

2. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
a. John sees a white horse that symbolizes a conqueror.  The person sitting on the white horse is the Antichrist and he will be given 42 months of authority upon the earth as explained in the following Scriptures:

Rev 13:5-8 (KJV) 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. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. 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. 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.

Dan 7:25 (KJV) 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.

b. The bow without the arrow is a picture of tremendous military superiority that does not have to be used to accomplish his takeover.  

c. The crown symbolizes his authority to reign and rule over the earth without interference by God for the entire 42 months.  

d. Antichrist is intent upon treading down the whole earth in his position as leader of the ten-horned beast.  The phrase "...and he went forth conquering, and to conquer" shows that his taking over the whole earth will not be completed before his time runs out and the Day of the Lord begins.  China and other oriental countries apparently never come under his complete authority.  

3. And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.

a. Jesus opens the second seal and the second of the four living creatures invites John to come and see what takes place on the earth.

4. And there went out another horse that was red: 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.

a. The second horseman is war, and this horseman is almost certainly the Great Russian Bear that will take peace from the earth.  Russia will invade Israel with its allies, and short range nuclear weapons will apparently be used.  Five-sixths of the army of Russia will be destroyed in the mountains of Israel.  This war is described in Ezekiel 38 and 39.

b. The "great sword" is a reference to the nuclear armaments of Russia.  One-fourth of the world population will die in this war and the subsequent famine and pestilence that will follow the war.

5. And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.

a.  Jesus opens the third seal, and the third living creature tells John to observe what takes place.

b. John looked and saw a black horse, and the rider had a pair of scales.  The black horseman symbolizes famine, and the scales picture the scarcity of food.

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 hurt not the oil and the wine.

a. A voice from the middle of the four living creatures states the price of a quart of wheat or three quarts of barley.  The price is a denarius which was equivalent to a day's wages.  A quart of wheat is enough for one meal and 3 quarts of barley is enough for three meals.

b. The statement "see thou hurt not the oil and the wine" signifies that the wealthy people of the world will not suffer from the famine.  Oil and wine represent the diet of rich people, and these are not affected by the famine.  This shows the injustice that will prevail during the first half of the tribulation period when Antichrist will be in authority.

7. And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.

a. Jesus opens the fourth seal, and the fourth living creature tells John to come and observe what is about to take place on the earth.  

8. And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

a. The rider on the colorless or ghostly looking horse is Death and Hell.  Death refers to the death of the body, and Hell refers to Hades or the abode of the soul after death.  Death is the aftermath of war, famine and pestilence.

b. The result of the above four horsemen of the apocalypse is the death of a fourth of the world population.  They will be killed from war, famine and pestilence.  It is commonly thought that these are the judgments of God, but verse 10 below confirms that these are not the judgments or vengeance of God.  They are the result of the reign of Antichrist upon the earth and the total depravity of man.  The judgments of God do not begin until after the seventh seal is broken.

c. The beasts of the earth will become extremely violent, and they will be responsible for many deaths also.

9. 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:

a. Jesus opens the fifth seal, and John sees the souls of those Christians that were slain for their testimony regarding the word of God.  These are the Christians who were in churches represented by Thyatira, Sardis and Laodicea.  They became faithful in "great tribulation" and they were martyred for their faithfulness.  These are the same Christians who are resurrected in Rev. 7:9-17.

10. 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?

a. This verse confirms that the war, famine and pestilence during the opening of the seals are not the judgments or vengeance of almighty God.  Satan, Antichrist and the depravity of man are responsible for the carnage during the first half of the tribulation period.  God has a hands-off policy during the first half of the tribulation period.

b. Antichrist and his followers will persecute the Church for 42 months during the first half of the tribulation period.  He will persecute the Jews during the last half of the tribulation period.  Chapter 1 of Habakkuk is a vision of the first half of the tribulation when God does not intervene.  The following Scripture describes God's initiation of judgment in the midst of the tribulation period:

Hab 3:2 (KJV)  O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.  

11. And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

a. The souls (i.e., martyrs) under the altar were told to rest for just a little longer until all of those who would be martyred had been killed, and then God would release his judgments upon the earth.  The white robes are for their resurrection bodies that they will receive at the rapture of the Church.

b. Two classes of martyrs are identified in this verse.  The "fellowservants" would be Jews or Gentiles who were saved during the first half of the tribulation period, and the "brethren" would be Christian brothers who were saved before the tribulation period began.

12. And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;

a. John watches as Jesus opens the sixth seal, and there is a great earthquake.  This earthquake will be a worldwide earthquake that will undoubtedly be felt throughout the world.  This earthquake will probably include volcanic eruptions throughout the earth that will spit out dust and volcanic ash that will cause the sun to become black and the moon to become as blood.  The blackening of the sun and the moon becoming red could also be from supernatural means, but volcanic eruptions have caused this same phenomenon in a lesser degree in the past.

b. This verse is confirmation of the following Scriptures, which establish without doubt that the Day of the Lord is after the opening of the seals:

Joel 2:31 (KJV) The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.  

Joel 3:14-15 (KJV)  Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. 15 The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.  

13. And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.

a. As there is a general violent shaking of the earth in verse 12 above, this shaking will extend to the atmosphere, the sky and the heavenly regions, as they are perceived from the earth.  This verse is employing a figure of speech called accommodation.  It is describing the stars in the heavens as they are seen from the viewpoint of the earth.  The stars are not actually moving more than normal, but the violent shaking of the entire earth causes the stars to appear as if they were falling to earth.  We use the same figure of speech when we say that the sun rises in the East and sets in the West.

b. Everything in verse 12 and 13 is literal, and there is no justification for taking these verses symbolically.  This violent shaking of the earth is also prophesied in the following Scripture:  

Isa 24:20 (KJV)  The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.  

14. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

a. This verse also has to be taken literally since there is no indication that it is symbolic.  This seems to be a very good description of an extremely large nuclear bomb being exploded.  The heaven does appear to disappear and roll in upon itself just as a scroll is rolled up.  This would also line up with the last sentence in this verse about the mountains and islands moving out of their places

15. 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;

a. The practical effects of all of these portentious events is fear in unbelievers from all walks of life.

16. 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:

a. The unbelievers realize the supernatural aspects of all the signs, and they attempt to hide themselves from the wrath of the Lamb.

b. These people are aware of the coming judgments from God Almighty.

c. This verse also establishes that the wrath of God has not yet commenced upon the earth.  Thus, the day of the Lord is still future after the seventh seal has been opened.

17. For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

a. This verse establishes that the Day of the Lord is yet future after the sixth seal has been opened.

b. The "day of his wrath" is the same as the Day of the Lord.

c. No human will be able to stand up against the judgments of God.

 

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Revelation Chapter 7

144,000 Sealed

Rev 7:1-8 (KJV) And after these things I 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 on the sea, nor on any tree. 2 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, 3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. 4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. 5 Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. 6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. 7 Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. 8 Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.

The first half of the tribulation period is coming to an end, and the Day of the Lord is near.  There is a period of calm in the middle of the tribulation period before the wrath of the Lord is brought to bear upon the earth.  It is during this calm that the Main Harvest Rapture of the Church takes place, and the 144,000 Jewish Firstfruits are sealed to protect them from the wrath of the Lamb.  The first eight verses of this chapter describe this sealing of the 144,000, and the last 9 verses describe the Main Harvest Rapture of the Church.  

These 144,000 Jewish Firstfruits are Jews who were saved after the Firstfruits Rapture during the first half of the tribulation period.  They must pass through the time of Jacob's trouble, which is the last half of the tribulation period, but they will be miraculously protected from the wrath of God during this time.  Conspicuously absent from the tribes of Israel are the tribe of Dan and the half-tribe of Ephraim.  It is believed that Dan is missing because the Antichrist comes from this tribe, and the world will not know that the people of Antichrist are actually Jewish until the end of the tribulation period.  

The people belonging to the half-tribe of Ephraim are also not grouped with the remainder of the 10 lost tribes of Israel.  The people of Ephraim will not be known as Jews until the end of the tribulation period.  Jesus himself will bring these two tribes back into the fold of the nation of Israel at the end of the tribulation period according to the following Scripture:  

Isa 56:8 (KJV)  The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith,  Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.  

Other than Dan and Ephraim the remainder of the 10 lost tribes of Israel are in the area of the world known as Kurdistan, and they are known as Kurds.  Just as the Scriptures state about the Diaspora, the Kurds do not have a country of their own and they have no king to lead them.  They are also severely persecuted by the Arab nations.  The Kurds do not know that they are part of the lost tribes of Israel, but they will discover this in the very near future, and they will be gathered back to the nation of Israel where they will be reunited with the tribes of the southern kingdom of Judah.  The tribes of Judah are the ones in the world who are known as Jews.  

The tribe of Dan is known in the world as Celts.  The relatively small number that remain today are known as Welshmen, Cornishmen, Bretons, Scottish Highlanders, and the main group known as Irish.  The Antichrist is Irish, and he probably does not know that he is of the lost tribe of Dan.  King Authur was Celtic, and the Antichrist has already duplicated the life of King Authur, which has been handed down in the Arthurian legends.  Antichrist is on the verge of revealing himself to show that his mortal head wound has been healed.  There will be a brief return to Camelot, but it will end in mass destruction and the judgment from God Almighty.  

It is not absolutely certain, but it appears that the lost tribe of Ephraim is known to the world as American Indians.  The remnant that survives the tribulation period will not be reunited with the tribes of Judah until the end of the tribulation period.  They will be regathered along with the tribe of Dan.  

1. And after these things I 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 on the sea, nor on any tree.

a. These are the four angels who are to hurt the land and the sea in judgment, but the wrath of God cannot commence until the 144,000 Jewish Firstfruits are sealed (i.e., Vs 1-8), and the Church is raptured (Vs. 9-17) and taken to heaven.  This verse describes the period of calm that takes place between the 42 months that Antichrist is given free rein upon the earth and the wrath of God falls upon the earth.

2. 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,

a. This is the angel who will seal the 144,000 Jewish Firstfruits, and he speaks to the four angels who will unleash the wrath of God upon the earth.

3. Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

a. He asks the four angels to withhold their judgments until 144,000 "servants of our God" are sealed in their foreheads.

b. The seal in the forehead is a symbol of protection and ownership.  The Antichrist will have his seal also, but it will be placed on the hand or the forehead of the people he claims to own.  This is one reason why it is very important not to take the mark of Antichrist.

4. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

a. These are 144,000 literal Israelites with 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes listed.  They are not members of the Church, and they are not Jehovah's Witnesses or members of any other cult in the world.  

b. They will come from those who are known as Jews in the world today, and from the Kurds who will be identified early in the tribulation period as members of the 10 lost tribes of Israel.  They are currently being persecuted and killed by Turkey, Iraq, Syria and Iran.  The Arabs hate the Kurds in the same intensity that they hate the Jews.  

c. It is very significant that the film about the life of Jesus has recently been translated into the language of the Kurds, and the organization Youth for Christ has targeted the Kurdish people as ripe for evangelism.  This could very well be the method whereby the Kurds become believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, and realize that they are part of the 10 lost tribes of Israel.

5. Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.

a. Jesus comes from the tribe of Judah, which received the kingly inheritance from Reuben who was the eldest son.  Reuben lost his double inheritance because he committed fornication with one of his father's concubines (Gen. 35:22).  Judah and Reuben's mother was Leah.  Gad's mother was Leah's servant, Zilpah.  Gad was one of the tribes who settled on the East side of the Jordan along with Reuben and the half-tribe of Manasseh.  These tribes had large numbers of livestock and the East side of the Jordan was particularly suitable for raising livestock (Num. 32).

b. Judah means "confession or praise of God."

c. Reuben means "viewing the Son."

d. Gad means "a company."

6. Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.

a. Asher's mother was Zilpah.  Naphtali's mother was Bilhah.  Manasseh was the son of Joseph, and Manesseh and his brother Ephraim received the double portion of land that was forfeited by Reuben for unfaithfulness as stated above.

b. Asher means "blessed."

c. Naphtali means "a wrestler or striving with."

d. Manesseh means "forgetfulness."

7. Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.

a. Simeon's, Levi's and Issachar's mother was Leah.

b. Simeon means "hearing and obeying."  

c. Levi means "joining or cleaving to."

Issachar means "reward or what is given by way of reward."

8. Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.

a. Zebulun's mother was Leah, and Joseph's and Benjamin's mother was Rachel.  Saul, Israel's first king, was a Benjamite.  Paul of Tarsus was also a Benjamite.

b. Zebulun means "a home or dwelling place."

c. Joseph means "added or an addition."

d. Benjamin means "a son of the right hand or a son of old age."

NOTE:  All of these names taken together and in the order they are given mean:

"Confessors or praisers of God, looking upon the Son, a band of blessed ones, wrestling with forgetfulness, hearing and obeying the Word, cleaving unto the reward of a shelter and home, an addition, sons of the day of God's right hand, begotten in the extremity of the age."  

The Great Multitude in White Robes

This is the Main Harvest Rapture of the Church (Not the first fruits rapture but the second rapture for those left behiend)

Rev 7:9-17 (KJV)
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 with white robes, and palms in their hands; 10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. 11 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 worshipped God, 12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. 13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 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. 16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 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.  

Before the seventh seal can be opened and the Day of the Lord begins, the Main Harvest Rapture of the Church must take place, since the Church is exempt from the Day of the Lord.  Revelation 7:9-17 above is the description of the main body of the Church in heaven around the throne.  

9. 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 with white robes, and palms in their hands;

a. After the 144,000 Jewish Firstfruits are sealed for the time of Jacob's trouble, the main body of the Church is now in heaven around the throne.  It is an extremely large group of people from "all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues."  Included in this group are the souls who were under the altar in Rev. 6:11 who were given white robes to wear after their resurrection.  This also includes the ones who were persecuted by Antichrist in Rev. 13:7.  

b. It is important to note that there is no mention of these sitting on thrones or wearing crowns.  They are "before the throne" of God.  They are not joined to the throne as the four living creatures, and they are not associated with its Occupant as one who rules and reigns, but they are in heaven, and they are clothed with white robes.  These are the robes of righteousness and faultless splendor acquired through the Savior's blood.  They were once sinners, but now they are holy.

c. The palm is symbolic of beauty and prosperity, and it is a picture of the glad exultation over deliverance.  It was used to build the booths to celebrate the feast of Tabernacles, and palms were thrown in the path of Jesus when he rode into Jerusalem on the donkey.  Therefore, the Church is in heaven around the throne celebrating the establishment of the millennial kingdom.  The joy of the feast of tabernacles is theirs.

10. And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

a. The whole body of the Church is worshipping the Lamb who is seated upon the throne.  The Church body is a unit and they cry with one voice.  

b. Salvation is attributed to the Lamb who sits upon the throne.  

11. 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 worshipped God,

a. The picture in this verse is that of the Lamb seated on the throne with the four living creatures connected to the throne.  The 24 elders (these 24 elders are the people taken in the first fruits rapture) are seated on thrones in a semicircle behind and around the throne, and the angels are in a semicircle behind and around the elders.  The multitude is standing before the throne on the glassy sea, which symbolizes a fixed state of holiness.

12. Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

a. The angels are saying this in worship of God.  

13. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?

a. One of the 24 elders (the 24 elders are those taken in the first fruits rapture) asks John to identify who the new people are in heaven around the throne who are wearing white robes.  The Greek word for answered is apokrinomai (ap-ok-ree'-nom-ahee) and it means the elder is asking a question soliciting a response, but he has already come to a conclusion about the identification of the ones in the white robes (these people in white robes were taken in the main harvest rapture). 

b. The ones in white robes cannot be saved Jews or Gentiles who were saved in the first half of the tribulation period because they are God's earthly people, and they will be confined to the earth in their bodies of flesh and blood.  Also, the ones in white robes are clearly of the same class of saved individuals as the 24 elders and the four living creatures with the exception that the ones in white robes have no crowns and no thrones.

14. And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

a. John answers the elder by recognizing that the elder knows who they are in the white robes.  The elder's response is a clear identification that the ones in the white robes are Christians who went through great tribulation.  This one verse establishes that these Christians are the Main Harvest Rapture Christians who were members of the churches of Thyatira, Sardis and Laodicea (Lukewarm Christians that did not overcome sin before the first rapture).

1. In Rev. 2:22 Thyatira was told that she would be cast into "great tribulation."  These Christians came out of "great tribulation."

2. In Rev. 3:4 the main body of Sardis was told that they had "defiled their garments."  They have now "washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."

3. In Rev. 3:18 Laodicea was naked and ashamed, but verses 9 and 13 confirm that they now have white robes to wear.

b. It is not enough to identify these in white robes as tribulation saints since there are three classes of tribulation saints.  

1. The first class of tribulation saints includes all Christians who were rejected as the Bride and her court.  This includes those in the churches of Thyatira, Sardis and Laodicea who were "cut asunder" or separated from those Christians who were found as faithful.  These are Christians who did not attain unto the out-resurrection, the better resurrection, the abundant entrance, or the open door into heaven.

2.  The second class of tribulation saints includes all Jews who are saved after the Separation takes place.  If they were saved before the separation, they would be among the first class of tribulation saints.

3.  The third class of tribulation saints includes all Gentiles who will be saved after the separation takes place.  If they were saved before the Separation took place, they would also be among the first class of tribulation saints.  In the Church there is no difference between Jew and Gentile, but there is a difference outside of the Church Age.

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.

a. The Greek word for before is enopion, (en-o'-pee-on), and it means to be in the presence of or in the sight of the throne.  This is substantially different from being connected to the throne itself, as is the case of the four living creatures, or to have a throne, as is the case with the 24 elders.

b. They serve God night and day in his temple.  This is further confirmation that these are members of the Church, since the Church is a royal priesthood according to the following Scripture:

1 Pet 2:9-10 (KJV) But ye are a chosen generation, a  royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 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.

c. The word “serve” is the Greek word latreuo, (lat-ryoo'-o); from latris (a hired menial).  It is clear that these individuals are in a blessed position, and they are no longer subject to the vicissitudes and weariness of mortal life.  However, theirs is an inferior position in heaven, as there are higher dignities and sublimer joys for those who occupy the positions of rulership from the throne of Christ (the four living creatures) and from other thrones (the 24 elders) directly accountable to the throne of Christ.  

d. Christ himself shall dwell among these Christians, and their home will be the New Jerusalem.  This is further confirmation that these are not Jews or Gentiles who will become believers during the tribulation period.  Their dwelling place will be upon the earth in bodies of flesh and blood.  Their inheritance will be earthly and not heavenly.

e. In addition, everything in this passage of Scripture in chapter 7 is taking place in the middle of the tribulation period, and the judgments of Israel and the saved Gentiles who are saved during the tribulation period do not take place until the end of the tribulation period.  

16. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.

a. These Christians have been delivered from the straits, wants, and painful necessities of mortal life.  They have now reached their blessed home where earthly burdens, vicissitudes, and deaths are no more.  They have now been delivered from their aching, wasting, dying natures, and they know what it is to have abiding rest.

b. There is no more sunburn or heat stroke, which accompanied the curse under which man was to work by the sweat of his brow.  Work will still be accomplished, but it will not be toilsome and unpleasant.  These Christians now have glorified bodies that will not tire or suffer pain.

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.

a. This verse states the reason that these Christians fare so well in verse 16.  The Lamb or Jesus Christ who is at the very center of the throne shepherds or feeds them, and He guides them into fountains of living water.  The living fountains of waters are a picture of the controlling influence of the Holy Spirit, and the perpetual state of cleanness.  There will be no more washing of feet and hands (i.e., confession of sin), because these saints will remain cleansed.

b. The change in subject from the Lamb to God, who "shall wipe away all tears from their eyes," is an allusion to the future time after the millennium when Jesus Christ turns the kingdom back over to the Father, and everyone enters into the eternal ages.  All tears are not wiped away until the end of the millennium.

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Revelation Chapter 8

The Seventh Seal and The Seven Trumpet Judgments

Rev 8 (KJV) And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. 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 saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. 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. 6 And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. 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 trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. 8 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; 9 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. 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; 11 And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter. 12 And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, 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. 13 And I beheld, and heard an 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!  

1. And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.

a. This mysterious silence in heaven is just that.  At the opening of the seventh seal no voice is heard and no motion is seen.  A while before there was the ringing of triumphant exultation over the multitude in the Church which was now in heaven, but now silence replaces the songs, and everything is mute and motionless.  This silence is the direct result of the breaking of the seal.  It is a silence of intense interest and awful expectancy of the results of the breaking of the seventh seal.  The silence is "as it were half an hour," and this is a description of the agonizing suspense in waiting to see the coming judgments of God.  The Day of the Lord is about to commence.  The verse is literal.

2. And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.

a. Seven angels appear who stand in the presence of God.  These angels are of particular rank and dignity, since all angels do not have the same dignity and office.  These are known as the "Presence Angels."  The sons of God come before the Father only at appointed times, but there are some angels who "do always behold the face of the Father which is in heaven" (Matt. 18:10).

b. The presence-angels are the highest and mightiest of created beings.  The ancients believed in seven presence-angels, and the apocalypse confirms that belief.

c. We know the names of six of these presence-angels.

1. Gabriel is one of them as he stated to Zacharias, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God." (Luke 1:19)  

2. Michael is another one, as he is ranked with Gabriel in the book of Daniel, and he is pronounced as "the great prince" of the prophet's people, the Jews.

3. Raphael is apparently another one, as he is named in the Apocryphal book of Tobit.  He states in this book, "I am Raphael, one of the seven Holy angels, which present the prayers of the saints, and which go in and out before the glory of the Holy One."  Even though this book is not in the canon of Scripture, there is no reason to question its truthfulness.

4. The book of Enoch in chapter 20 lists the above three in addition to the names of Uriel, Raguel, and Sarakiel.

5. Lucifer was one of them before his fall, but he lost this position to Jesus Christ. The writer believes the bride of Christ will share this position with the Bridegroom.

d. The seven Persian princes who "saw the king's face," were the highest officers in the kingdom (Esther 1:14).  They were next to the king in rank and power.  The seven presence-angels are analogous to the seven Persian princes.  These seven angels are the prime executors of the oncoming judgments of God. Jesus Christ is the prime mover in all of God’s judgments upon the earth.

e. "And to them were given seven trumpets."  The trumpet is an expressive instrument with a significant voice described as a cry--a loud and mighty cry.  The trumpet was an important signal to Israel, and it always meant a time of importance or significance.  The meanings are as follows:

1. Trumpets were for the convocation of the people, and the moving of the camps of Israel (Numbers 8).

2. Trumpets pertained to the announcements of Royalty.  The trumpet was blown at the anointing of Solomon and Jehu.

3.  Trumpets are associated with the manifestation of the terrible majesty and power of God.  When the Almighty appeared on Mount Sinai, there was "the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled." (Ex. 19:16).  Amos states, "Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? (Amos 3:6)

4. Trumpets signal the overthrow of the ungodly.  It was at the blowing of trumpets that the walls of Jericho fell down and the city was given into the hands of Joshua (Joshua 6:13-16).  

5. Trumpets connect with war.  The command was: "And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets." (Num. 10:9)

f. All of these events can be expected with the blowing of the seven trumpet judgments.  There will be war; Israel will be gathered together and moved;  There will be the fulfillment of feasts and sacrifices; The ungodly will be overthrown; and there will be the commencement of a new reign by a new King.  Also, the revelation of Divine power and Godhead shall fill heaven and earth.

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 saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.

a. Many understand this angel to be the Lord Jesus himself--the Jehovah angel of the Old Testament.  This angel has a censer of gold, an implement of the Holy of Holies, and used only by the High Priest.

b. This angel offers the prayers of all saints, and renders them acceptable to God the Father.  This is an office that is not assigned to angels, but it is assigned to the Lord Jesus Christ as the Great High Priest.  

c. The incense is seen as the prayers themselves and as the mediatorship of Christ who makes the prayers acceptable.  Either way it is correct to say that they were given to him.  All the glories of the apocalypse are represented (Rev. 1:1) as being given to Christ even though they are rightfully his because of his personal obedience unto death.  The victors in the Olympic games were given the crowns even though they had personally earned them.  All things have been given to Christ as the just due of his own perfect fulfillment of righteousness.  Therefore, the giving of the incense to this angel does not exclude him as the Christ.

d. In chapter 5 we saw the four living creatures and the 24 elders holding up bowls of incense to the Lord Jesus Christ.  Here Christ offers up these prayers as the Great High Priest.

e. The prayers offered up are most certainly the ones pertaining to the kingdom, as is given in the pattern of the Lord's prayer.  This prayer is "Thy kingdom come! Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven!"  The time has come for this prayer to be answered so it is brought to remembrance.

4. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.  

a. The ascension of the sweet vapor into the presence of God is equivalent to an announcement that they are heard.

b. It bears repeating that the angel is the Lord Jesus Christ, and it is He that makes the prayers acceptable before God the Father.

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.

a. The Savior himself initiates the oncoming wrath of God which is appropriately called the Day of the Lord.

b. The same fire that wafted the prayers of the saints to God the Father is the fire that initiates the judgments upon disobedient and unbelieving men.  The same is true of the Word of God.  The same Word that saves souls because of obedience destroys souls because of disobedience.

c. Fire is the great consumer and purifier.  It bespeaks wrath, torture and destruction to the wicked, but cleansing and sanctification to the just.  It prefigures divine terribleness to the guilty.  It is the primary torment of the lost.  

d. When the Priest-Angel turns his fire-filled censer on the earth, it begins the day that shall burn as an oven, and the proud and ungodly shall be as stubble to the flames that devour. (Mal. 4:1)

e. The voices, thunders, lightnings and earthquake are the signs and instruments of God's judgments on his foes.  It is under the sounds and actions of the trumpets that these judgments are worked into the experiences of the earth and its inhabitants.  

6. And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.

a. The seven archangels deliberate, confer and adjust themselves as to the order of the coming judgments.  They are the executors of these judgments, and there must be last minute preparations before the judgments commence.

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 trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.

a. This is the first judgment of God that is released upon the earth during the seven-year tribulation period.  The plagues of Egypt are repeated on a selective and much larger scale upon the earth (Ex. 9:23-28).  Only here there is a further element of the mingling of blood with the hail and the fire.  These are to be understood literally just as the plagues of Egypt were literal.

b. The Old Testament prophesied this judgment as follows:  

Joel 2:30 (KJV) And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.

c. Bloody hail and fire burn up a third of the trees and all the green grass.  Under the sixth seal, this judgment could not be released until the servants of God were sealed or translated to heaven.  The earth and the trees can now be hurt under this judgment.

d. Some of the best manuscripts specify that a third of the earth was burned.  Thus, cities, towns, neighborhoods and the like are burned along with a third of the forests and all the grass.  This would include croplands, fields and pastures.  The description of this judgment must be taken literally.

8. 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;

a. A large object the size of a mountain and burning with fire falls into the sea.  Whether this is a large meteor or comet or some other object is unknown, but it is literal and the effects are devastating to the sea.  A large meteor would appear the most likely.  The third part of the sea becomes blood.  This is akin to the Egyptian plague upon the Nile River, which was turned into blood.  This is clearly a supernatural act of judgment.

b. The description of this object "as it were a great mountain" is proof that the rest of the words must be taken literally.

c. "The sea" appears to refer to a particular sea, and the Mediterranean would be the most logical, since it is closest to the center of the earth and Biblical events.

9. 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.

a. This verse can be taken just as it is stated.  The judgment on the sea is awesome but not total.

b. The blood is poisonous to the sea creatures so a third of them die.  Also, the effects of the burning object is so cataclysmic that one-third of the ships are burned, sunk or dashed on the shore.  

c. Some Old Testament prophecies of this judgment are Hosea 4:1-3; Zeph. 1:3; and Is. 2:16.

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;

a. A comet striking the earth would appear the most probable fulfillment of this prophecy.  The tail of comet could fall upon a third of the rivers of the earth a pollute them.  A comet is mostly gaseous and it could hit the earth without completely destroying the earth, yet its effects would be devastating.

11. And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.
a. A third of the rivers and fountains of the earth are made poisonous from this "star" that strikes the earth.  The gasses and particles from a comet could very easily poison a third of the fresh waters of the earth.

b. Many think that the waters become poisonous from nuclear radiation, since the word Chernobyl apparently means Wormwood.  There was a nuclear accident in this city in the USSR on April 16, 1986.  

c. A star is a luminous heavenly body, and a comet would be a literal fulfillment of this prophecy.  

12. And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, 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.

a. The results of a comet hitting the earth at the right angle could speed up the earth's rotation on its axis.  If the speed increased by 1/3, then the length of the day and the night would be decreased by 1/3.  The length of the days would shorten to 16 hours instead of 24 hours.  This would also fulfill the prophecy of Jesus in the Olivet Discourse about the days becoming shorter so that man will be able to survive.

Mat 24:22 (KJV)  And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

13. And I beheld, and heard an angel (eagle) 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!

a. The judgments of the first four trumpets have already been initiated, but there are three trumpet judgments that remain.  The trumpet judgments are progressive in their severity, so these last three judgments are called the "Woe" judgments, since they are particularly devastating.

b. The best and oldest of the manuscripts have the word eagle in this verse instead of the word angel.  The Codex Sinaiticus, the Codex Alexandrinus, and the Codex Vaticanus, the best and most reliable authorities on the reading of the New Testament have the word eagle.

c. Who are the eagles?  We must go to Scripture to understand this question.

Luke 17:34-37 (KJV)  I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. 35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 37 And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.

From this Scripture we see that eagles are those ready and watching saints, who are to be separated from the main body of the Church unto Christ in the translation of the Firstfruits of the Church.  The body is that of Christ, so the eagles will be gathered to Christ.

Revelation Chapter 9

More Trumpet Judgments

(Rev 9 KJV)  And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall (i.e., fallen-ASV, 1901 and NIV translate this correctly) from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. {2} 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. {3} And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. {4} And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. {5} And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man. {6} And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them. {7} And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men. {8} And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions. {9} And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle. {10} And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months. {11} And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon. {12} One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter. {13} And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, {14} Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. {15} 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. {16} And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them. {17} And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone. {18} By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths. {19} For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt. {20} And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: {21} Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.  

Thus far the trumpet judgments have only involved the objects of physical nature.  The effects of these judgments have been wrought in the material world.  The first trumpet smote the land, the trees and the grass.  The second trumpet smote the waters, the fishes and the ships of the sea.  The third trumpet smote the fountains, wells and rivers, or the fresh waters of the world.  The fourth trumpet darkened and obscured the sources of light and heat to the world.  The upcoming fifth trumpet is about to open the doors of separation between the earth and the evil spirits imprisoned in the abyss for their extreme wickedness.  

1. And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall (i.e., fallen-ASV, 1901 and NIV translate this correctly) from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.  

a. The context is clear that this is not a literal star since the verse refers to this star as "him."  The word star is often used figuratively in the Bible to refer to angels which is the case in this verse (See Job:38:7).  

b. This fallen star is Lucifer (i.e., Satan).  We read of the "angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation" (Jude 6).  These angels are of various orders and degrees, "principalities and powers" (Eph. 6:6; Col. 2:15).  They are the "angels that sinned," whom God did not spare (2 Peter 2:4).  The leader and prince of all of these angels is "the great dragon, that old serpent, called the Devil and Satan."  During the present time they have possession of the aerial or heavenly (i.e., first heaven) spaces (Eph. 6:12).  Satan is particularly called "the prince of the power of the air" (Eph. 2:2).  Their abode is currently the atmosphere above the earth, but in the middle of the tribulation period, they will be cast down to earth.  It is at this time that Satan will indwell the Antichrist, and he will turn his attention from Christians who have been caught up to heaven (Rev. 7:9-17; Rev. 12:5) to the Jews who are confined to the earth.  This time of persecution of the Jews is called the "time of Jacob's trouble" (Jer. 30:7)  

c. There is a dark underworld called the abyss or bottomless pit where a particularly wicked class of demons are held.  This abyss is called "the deep" in Luke 8:31 and Tarturus in 2 Peter 2:4.  Satan will be given the key to this pit, and these extremely evil beings will be loosed upon unregenerate mankind.  There will still be bonds and limitations upon these evil spirits.  

2. 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.  

a. Satan opens the abyss and a thick blackness issues from it that fills the air and obscures the sun.  

3. And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.  
a. Out of the smoke proceed living things horribly shaped with malignant dispositions.  They are armed with the power to afflict and torment men's bodies analogous to the sting of a scorpion.  

b. John calls them locusts, but they are supernatural, infernal beings, and not earthly locusts.  This is clear from the context.  John obviously calls them locusts because they swarm and obscure the sun in the same way that locusts do.  

4. And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.  

a. God is still sovereign so He places limitations on what these evil beings are able to do.  Even though they are called locusts, they do not harm the vegetation upon the earth.  Their sole mission is to torment unregenerate men.  

5. And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.  

a. Another limitation placed upon these evil spirit beings is that they are not allowed to kill anyone.  They are only allowed to torment men with the severity of the sting of a scorpion, and they are also given a time limitation of five months.  The time limitation is literal.  

b. A scorpion was an instrument of torture in the Old Testament made of lashes and spikes.  It is analogous to the scourge used upon Jesus (1 Kings 12:11,14)  

6. And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.  

a. The torment of these evil spirits will be so severe that men will desire to die, and they will even expect to die from the pain and suffering, but they will not die from it.  This was a limitation placed on these evil spirits in verse 5.  

b. To interpret this verse to mean that a person will not be able to commit suicide goes beyond the meaning of the words.  Many people today suffering from crippling and painful afflictions desire death, but they do not commit suicide.  This is the thought in this verse of Scripture.  

7. And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men.  

a. This is simply a description of these supernatural creatures, and it is unnecessary to attempt to identify some earthly creature or some manmade object such as helicopters.  These are clearly supernatural beings so they will not resemble anything that mankind today has ever seen.  

b. They will apparently be visible to man since John gives a detailed description of them.

c. It should be noted that angelic beings can appear to mankind in various ways.  Christian literature abounds with angel stories where angels appeared as normal human beings in normal dress.  The fallen angels could just as easily appear as the hideous creatures described by John.

8. And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions.

a. John continues the description of these creatures.  It appears certain that these creatures have purposely chosen to appear in a form that would be exceptionally frightening to man.  The terror instilled by these creatures is most certainly part of their torment.  

9. And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle.  

a. Their description continues.  The breastplates seem to have the purpose of showing how invincible these creatures are and how mankind is unable to fight against them.  The wings show their mode of travel is not confined to earth.  The sound of their wings also appears to have the purpose of instilling fear into man.  

10. And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.  

a. This completes the description of these demonic beings.  The Greek word for power means "delegated authority," and this means that the "hurt" or suffering that these beings cause is a judgment or punishment from God.  They are acting under the authority and limitations of God.  

b. It is noted that these spirit beings or a sort of infernal cherubim or antipodes of the Living Ones.  The horse, the man, the lion and the scorpion are combined in these evil beings.  

c. Many and great minds have attempted to make an allegorical or historical interpretation out of these locusts, but the account given is that of literal realities.  The facts in the account should be taken just as they are written with the figurative language being clearly identified as figurative.  Everything not identified as figurative should be taken literally.  

11. And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.

a. This verse identifies the angel who is king over the abyss.  Both the Hebrew Abaddon and the Greek Apollyon mean destroyer or destroying angel.  This angel is not Satan, but he is one of the fallen angels under Satan's authority.  Satan opened the pit, but this angel is in immediate authority over these beings.  The abyss is a prison where these evil spirits are kept incarcerated.  This is the same place where Satan will be chained up for the millennium.  It is not the same as the lake of fire.  

12. One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter.  

a. This ends the fifth of the trumpet judgments, and there are two left.  

b. It is significant that this trumpet judgment has introduced the very torments of hell upon the theater of this world.  The worst is yet to come.  

c. As of now the judgments of God are coming.  They will not be delayed until this life is over.  They will come upon unregenerate men while they are standing on their feet in these earthly bodies of flesh and blood.  

13. And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,  

a. The sixth Presence Angel sounds his trumpet, and a voice comes from the four horns of the golden altar.  

(1) The golden altar was in the Holy Place before the veil and the Ark of the Covenant.  Incense was offered on it daily.  It typified the Lord Jesus Christ in his role as intercessor.  The brazen altar on the outside typified the death of Christ while the golden altar typified his resurrection.  

(2) The golden altar was made of shittim wood and covered with pure gold.  The wood symbolized the human nature of Jesus and the gold symbolized the divine nature of Christ.  Jesus is his human name and Christ is His divine name.  

(3) The High Priest sprinkled blood shed at the brazen altar at the door of the tabernacle on the four horns of the golden altar once a year.  This showed that the prayers and intercession of Jesus Christ on behalf of His people received their value completely and exclusively from the blood shed at the brazen altar (i.e., the cross).  If Christ had not died for us at the brazen altar, He would not have been able to intercede for us at the golden altar.  The blood sprinkled on the horns of the golden altar pictures the continual cleansing that believers must have through Jesus as intercessor.  The greatest privilege that Christians have is prayer and intercession (i.e., worship), and it is also the one most neglected.  Martha was not reproved because she was serving, but because she failed to worship first in preparation for service.  

b. The voice comes from the horns of the altar where the blood was sprinkled in order to obtain mercy and forgiveness.  Therefore, the normal cry from the horns of the golden altar was for mercy.  The horns are now about to cry out for judgment and vengeance.  

14. Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in (i.e., over or near) the great river Euphrates.  

a. The command is to the Angel who sounds the trumpet.  This confirms that the angel-trumpeters are of a superior order.  Other angels are concerned yet this particular angel has binding or loosing power over them.  

b. The command itself comes from the contemned Savior.  The One who has served as Intercessor is now calling for judgment for those who have rejected and despised the divine system of gracious atonement.  

c. The four angels are normally thought of as good angels, but good angels are not bound.  These angels are bound.  Good angels would only destroy men at the direct command of God.  These angels only have to be loosed and given permission in order to embark upon their mission of destruction.  The implication is that they would have been bent on destruction all along, if they had not been bound.  

d. These angels are most certainly four of the apostate angels whom God had "delivered into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto the judgment of the great day." (2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6).  Now has come the time for their bonds to be relaxed, and for them to be used by God as instruments of judgment.  This is not unusual for God since He will use Antichrist to punish the Jews for their disobedience.  God even ordained Hitler as a means of getting Israel to return to the land of Israel.  

15. 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.  

a. These four apostate angels are loosened from their chains.  They had been prepared for "the hour, and day, and month, and year" in order to slay one third of mankind.  

b. "The hour, and day, and month, and year" has been interpreted two different ways by two of the greatest scholars on the book of Revelation.  Joseph A. Seiss stated that this is the length of time that will be utilized in the process of slaying one third of mankind.  Walter Scott stated that this is the length of time that will elapse before the slaying commences.  It appears that Scott is correct in this, since the slaying of one third of mankind will occur at Armageddon when the kings of the East are released under the sixth vial or bowl judgment by the drying up of the Euphrates River.  

16. And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.  

a. The fact that China bragged back in the 60's that they could marshal an army of 200 million men confirms that this verse relates to the commencement of this slaying under the sixth vial judgment in Rev. 16:12.  Thus, the sixth trumpet is the preparatory stage for the sixth vial which is to take place 13 months, one day and one hour later.  

b. Seiss believed that these 200 million horsemen would be supernatural beings like the locusts, but there is nothing in this passage of Scripture that would mandate that the horsemen be supernatural.  On the contrary, we should take the horsemen as being literal unless the context clearly shows them to be figurative or supernatural.  

17. And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone.  

a. John proceeds to describe what he saw in his vision.  He calls them horses, but they are not proper horses.  The head's are like lion's heads, and their tails were serpentine (Vs. 19).  These horses have riders, but the riders are parts of the horses, and no separate action is ascribed to the riders.  It is not the riders but the horses that do all of the mischief.  It is difficult to identify what John saw in his vision, but it would have to be some kind of launcher for nuclear missiles.  

b. Out of the mouths came fire, smoke and brimstone.  It appears certain based on this description and the devastation of these three plagues that nuclear missiles are described.  The fire and smoke would describe the missiles on their way to the target, and the brimstone would be the bright flash that occurs upon detonation.  The word for brimstone means bright flash.  The fire could also be the aftermath of the burning that takes place after the bright flash, and the smoke could be a description of the nuclear radiation that kills people after the flash and the resulting flash.  John specifically lists all three with each one being a plague in and of itself.  The smoke from the missile would not actually kill anyone, but the nuclear radiation definitely would, so the smoke is most likely a description of the radiation.  The word for brimstone originally denoted fire from heaven.  The word for fire also pertains to the holiness of God, which consumes all that is inconsistent with this holiness.  

c. Other passages of Scripture appear to confirm that these final judgments of God are through the agency of nuclear devastation.  This is consistent with fire, smoke and brimstone as described in this passage.  

18. By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.

a. The three plagues kill a third part of men.  Even in His divine wrath, God shows His mercy in sparing two thirds of mankind.  

19. For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt.  

a. John emphasizes that the power is in their mouths and in their tails.  

20. And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:  

a. Even with the destruction of one third of mankind, the remainder will still not repent of their evil deeds.  They continue in their demonic activity, and their idolatry.  The idols of gold and silver would pertain to the wealthy while the idols of brass and stone pertain to the middle class.  The idols of wood would pertain to the poor people of the earth who continue in their sins.  Depravity does not restrict itself to any one class of people.  

21. Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.  

a. The four primary sins of today are listed, and mankind refused to repent of these sins. 
b. The crime of murder has become commonplace, and murderers are frequently released from prison after serving only a few years.  

c. Sorceries pertain to the use of drugs.  Drug use has become rampant throughout the world, and it is especially rampant in America (i.e., Babylon the Great).  Sorceries also include the excessive use of alcohol.  

d. Fornication pertains to any sexual sin, so it includes fornication, adultery, incest, homosexuality, pedophilia, and all other sexual perversions that have become rampant throughout the world in these last days.  

e. Thefts pertain to the act of stealing for the purpose of illicit gain.  It is a direct result of covetousness and greed, which has become so commonplace in today's world. 

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Revelation Chapter 10

The Mighty Angel and the Little Scroll.

(Rev 10 KJV)  And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a (i.e., the) rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: {2} And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, {3} And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. {4} And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. {5} And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, {6} And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer: {7} But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. {8} And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth. {9} And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey. {10} And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter. {11} And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.  

1. And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a (i.e., the) rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:  

a. This Mighty Angel is clearly the Lord Jesus Christ based upon His description and His actions.  Angel is a title of office and not of nature.  The Son of God is continually described as the Jehovah-Angel in the Old Testament.  There were other accounts of Jesus appearing as an Angel in the seventh and eighth chapters.  

b. This Angel is particularly distinguished from other angels such as the four loosed from the Euphrates and the seven angels who sound the trumpets.  

c. The attire of this Angel is indicative of Deity.  Wherever clouds are connected with glorious manifestations, we can look for Divine Presence.  Clouds intimate mystery, and mystery suggests Deity.  When the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle, "a cloud covered the tent of the congregation."  The Lord descended on Mount Sinai in a thick cloud.  The Lord occupied the Mercy Seat in a cloud.  Clouds are particularly the attire of Deity in Divine manifestations to fallen man.  Clouds depict the unapproachableness of God, His infinite majesty, and the necessity of shielding his consuming glory from the gaze of mankind.  No mere angel is ever arrayed with the drapery of clouds.  

d. "The rainbow on his head" further marks this angel as an uncreated being.  The fourth chapter gives the rainbow as a grand appurtenance of the throne occupied by Jesus Christ.  It is the sign of God's ancient covenant with the earth.  Only God is ever pictured as being surrounded by the rainbow.  

e. The clouds indicate Divine judgment, storms, rains and floods of the wrath of God, while the rainbow indicates Divine mercy in the midst of judgment.  The rainbow is a covenant of security to the believer in the midst of apparent total destruction.  A garment of cloud and the rainbow as a tiara is a perfect picture of the Savior in the administrations about to commence.  

f. "And his face was as it were the sun" identifies this Angel as the same Person who appeared to John in his first vision in chapter 1.  This luminousness of face is one of the characteristics of Christ.  The face of Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration "did shine as the sun."  Jesus also appeared to Saul of Tarsus in the same way on the road to Damascus (Acts 26:13).  The prophets of old were accustomed to describing him as the outbeaming glory of God--the very Sun of Righteousness.  

g. "And his feet as pillars of fire" is the same picture of Christ in the vision of the first chapter.  The picture is that of steadfast and consuming majesty.  No mere created angel is ever depicted in this fashion.  

2. And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth,  

a. This book or scroll has already been opened, and it can only be the seven sealed book or scroll that Jesus has already brokened the seals.  It is the title deed to the earth, and Jesus Christ has it in his hand.  The book is the title deed of man's lost inheritance, and Jesus Christ has fulfilled all of the requirements to redeem this lost inheritance.  Part of this inheritance is the sea and the earth.  

b. With the title deed in his hand, Jesus Christ sets his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the earth.  This is a distince and deliberate act and it is full of significance.  To set one's foot on a place expresses the purpose to take possession of that place.  Therefore, Jesus Christ is claiming possession of the earth and the sea, and He is further asserting his right and authority to occupy and rule over the earth.  This is an act befitting the character and office of Christ, but it is clearly not an action befitting a created angel.  This is further confirmation that this Angel is Christ.  

c. The setting of his feet on the sea and the earth is done in such a manner to demonstrate how useless it would be for his foes to resist him.  In verse one his feet were as pillars of fire.  A pillar represents an immovable object, and fire represents a consuming force.  Therefore, pillars of fire represent something that is steadfastly irresistible.  

d. In summation, Christ's takeover of the earth is legal, irresistible, and all consuming.  Satan will be powerless to prevent it.  

3. And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, [the] seven thunders uttered their voices.  

a. Along with the symbolic act in vs 2, there is a corresponding utterance.  This was not a cry of distress or fear, but it was a shout of power and vengeance upon enemies and usurpers.  Jesus is "the Lion of the tribe of Judah," and the OT states, "The Lord shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake."  It is a cry and herald of the coming of the remaining awesome judgment judgments of God.  

b. It is the seven thunders that utter their voices.  The seven thunders are mentioned with the definite article.  John assumes that the reader already has knowledge of the seven thunders.  In chapter 4, John states, "out of the throne go forth lightnings, and voices, and thunders."  Even though the number seven is not mentioned, the principle of seven as the number of dispensational completeness, and the understanding that these thunders are the complete administration of judgments from the throne, confirms that the seven thunders are the same thunders that emanated from the throne.  These same thunders are mentioned in chapter eight when the Priest-Angel turned the contents of his fire-filled censer upon the earth.  They are the Judgment thunders proceeding from the judgment throne, and everything in connection with that throne takes upon it the characteristic number of seven.  No created angel could evoke the seven thunders of the Almighty's wrath.  

c. The seven thunders depict personality, and they utter intelligible sounds of divine wrath that is to be inflicted upon unregenerate mankind.  

4. And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.  

a. John is about to write what the seven thunders uttered, but God the Father commands him not to reveal what the seven thunders stated.  The command was absolute, and John obeyed it.  Therefore, the message of the seven thunders are unwritten and unknown, and it will remain this way until the time comes when these judgments are fulfilled.  

5. And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,  

a. Jesus Christ lifts up his hand to heaven to sware an oath.  

6. And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:  

a. He makes an oath in the name of the creator, since there is no higher being, that there will be no more delays before the mystery of God is accomplished.  

b. Some theologians have stated that this swearing by the creator is indication that this angel is not Christ, but it is actually confirmation that this Angel is Christ, since no Angel would be allowed to sware in the name of God in regard to the certainty of an event.  Only Jesus Christ as God could make this oath.  This is not the first time that God has sworn upon his own name about a particular outcome of an event.

7. But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets

a. This verse confirms that the mystery of God will be accomplished during the administrations of the seventh trumpet angel.  Since the vial judgments are part of the seventh trumpet judgment, the kingdom of God will be established after the seven vial judgments.  

b. The mystery of God is the final summation of God's revelations and doings in regard to the reinstatement of man into his lost inheritance.  The establishment of this kingdom is the consummation of everything that Scripture points toward.  It is the prime subject of all of God's inspirations of his prophets.  Any gospel that drops or repudiates from its central themes the doctrine of the consummation of all things, as given in the Apocalypse, perverts the true Gospel of God, and the proponents of this perverted gospel will be held accountable.  

8. And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth.  

a. John is told to take the book from the hand of Christ who stand upon the sea and the land.  This verse takes John back to the time of his vision, so John is to take the action at that time.  

9. And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.  

a. John goes to the Angel and asks for the book.  He is told to eat it up, but it will be bitter in his belly, even though it will be sweet as honey in his mouth.  

b. The book contains all the requirements and prophesies about the establishment of the kingdom, and eating the book is a picture of taking the book and making it part of himself.  John was to partake of the book, digest it and make it part of himself.  This is what we are to do with the Word of God including the prophecies about the coming kingdom and the judgments that will occur prior to the establishment of this kingdom.  

c. The prophetic Word of God is sweet to the taste at first, but there is a bitterness that will occur after the prophetic Word has been ingested.  It is sweet because it is the word of promise, the word of grace, and a revelation of the love of God.  The bitterness comes from enduring the hardship as a good soldier of Christ.  There are persecutions from fellow believers, separations from friends and family, afflictions of age and discomfort, and a taste of the sufferings of Christ.  It is also bitter in that it not only contains the promises of grace, but it reveals the judgments of God that are to be released upon unregenerate mankind.  It is bitter to realize that some family and friends will be subject to these judgments.  

10. And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.  

a. John discovers that what Jesus said about the book is true.  

b. Any student of Bible prophecy who delves deeply into the consummation of prophecy will enjoy the sweet taste of the prophetic Word of God, but he will also experience the bitterness of knowing beforehand the awful judgments of God that are rapidly approaching.  Even Jesus wept over the rejection that He experienced at the hand of the nation of Israel, and the consequences that Israel was to suffer.  

c. The first joy of deeper knowledge of the prophetic Word is followed by sorrow deeper and more bitter than those of ordinary men.  

11. And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.  

a. After John had experienced the sweetness and the bitterness of the prophetic Word of God, he was to proclaim the message "before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings."  

b. John was to proclaim this message even though he knew that the majority would refuse to hear him.  This is true for all Christians today who attempt to preach the deeper truths of the prophetic Word of God.  

c. According to tradition, John was the only disciple of Jesus who was not martyred.  He died a natural death when he was very old.  In his old age John was a venerable and highly respected apostle of Christ, and he preached the prophetic Word of God "before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.

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Revelation Chapter 11

The Two Witnesses (Rev. 11:1-14)

(Rev 11:1-14 KJV)  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. {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. {3} And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. {4} These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. {5} And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. {6} These have 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. {7} 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. {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. {9} And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. {10} And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. {11} And after three days and an 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. {12} And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. {13} And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. {14} The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.

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.

a. John is representative of the "eagle saints" who were taken out at the beginning of the seven year tribulation period (Rev. 4:1).  He could also represent overcomers in the remaining Church who are taken out in the middle of the tribulation period before the seventh seal is opened.

b. "The Angel" is still Jesus Christ, the One who placed one foot on the sea and one foot on the land.  Jesus Christ is in the process of taking possession of the earth, and John is to participate in this takeover of the earth.  John is representative of those who inherit the earth.

c. The representative aspect of John's character occurs every time he is removed from being a mere spectator, and he becomes an actor in the unfolding events.  The literal switches to the figurative when John becomes an active participant in the unfolding events.  For example, Rev. 4:1 places John as a representative of the Philadelphia church, the five wise virgins, the faithful and wise servant, the one taken, etc.  He is thus representative of the overcoming Church, and this would include those who are overcomers when they go through the "hour of temptation."

d. Measuring something is symbolic of taking possession of whatever is measured.  When someone measures something, it means that it is now the property of the person doing the measuring.  Jesus Christ commissions John to participate in the measuring since the overcoming church will share in the inheritance that Jesus Christ has received.

e. It is highly significant that John is given "a reed like unto a rod" to do the measuring.  The rod is for chastisement purposes so that which is being measured is about to come under severe chastisement by the Lord Almighty.  A golden reed will be used to measure the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:15), and gold is the metal symbolizing deity.

f. It is the temple of God, the altar, and the worshippers that are being measured.  This is distinctly Jewish so this is clearly the "time of Jacob's trouble," and it encompasses the last half of the tribulation period.  The end of the next verse even gives the time frame as 42 months.

g. Antichrist will be given free rein over the earth during the first half of the tribulation period, but Jesus Christ will claim possession of the Jewish remnant who are to be saved at the return of Jesus Christ in power and glory.

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.

a. The outer court of the Jerusalem temple was called the Court of the Gentiles.  Even though elect Jews will be protected by the Lord during this last half of the tribulation period, Jesus will allow the city of Jerusalem to be tread under foot by the Gentile nations for 42 months.  The purpose is for the chastisement of the nation of Israel to cause them to turn to Jesus Christ as their Messiah.  It is at the very end of the tribulation period that Jesus will return in power and glory and judge the Gentiles for the way that they treated the Jews.  This judgment is called the sheep and goat judgment.

b. It is during the first half of the tribulation period that the 144,000 Jews will be saved as the Firstfruits of the Jews.  It is also during this period that millions of Gentiles will be saved.  It is when the fullness of the Gentiles has come in that the blindness of Israel will be lifted and Israel will begin to see spiritual truths that they have been unable to see up until that time.  

c. The fullness of the Church takes place at the separation between the faithful and the unfaithful, but the fullness of the Gentiles does not occur until the middle of the tribulation period when the time of Jacob's trouble begins.  The Jews will still be blinded during the first half of the tribulation, since they will believe that Antichrist is their Messiah during this time.  

d. The Jewish remnant will be the last to be saved.  The prophet Jeremiah wept over this fact in the following verse:  

(Jer 8:20 KJV)  The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.

e. The prophet Zechariah describes the trampling down of the city of Jerusalem and the salvation of the nation of Israel:  

(Zec 13:9 KJV)  And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.  

(Zec 14:1-2 KJV)  Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. {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.  

f. The Day of the Lord occurs during the last half of the tribulation period.  Even though the Gentiles are saved during the first half of the tribulation period, they will be judged for their works during the entire tribulation period after they are saved.  Their judgment is a works judgment and it will depend upon their treatment of the Jews during the tribulation period (Rev. 25:31-46).  

3. And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.  

a. These two witnesses are not given to John in vision, but the Glorious Angel, the Lord Jesus Christ, describes them to him.  The phrase "my two witnesses" is further confirmation that this Angel is the Lord Jesus Christ.  

b. These witnesses prophesy (i.e., they are the mouthpiece of God) for 1260 days.  This is during the same time that the Gentiles trample down the city of Jerusalem.  There are two because both the law and the gospel calls for two witnesses to establish important truth (Deut 17:6; Matt. 18:16).  

c. Now as saints from heaven are doing the measuring, it is appropriate that two other notable saints from heaven would be doing the prophesying.  There is no mention that those doing the measuring are known or visible to the people on the earth, but the two witnesses prophesy and preach, and they are the objects of persecution, affliction and death.  This difference is not only one of office and sphere, but there is also a difference in their physical being.  They are capable of death, so they are in their earthly bodies of flesh and blood.  

d. There are two Old Testament saints who were taken directly to heaven in their bodies of flesh and blood, and both were prophets of judgment.  Therefore, both would be capable of death and resurrection.  They were, and are God's pre-eminent.  These two prophets are Enoch, the seventh from Adam, and Elijah, the Tishbite.  

e. Scripture confirms that Elijah is one of the two witnesses:  

(Mal 4:5-6 KJV)  Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: {6} And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.  

f. Much of the literature in the early Church confirms that Enoch will be the other witness.  The most eminent teachers, bishops, apologists, and martyrs taught from the time of the apostles onward that Elijah and Enoch would be the two witnesses described in this chapter.  

g. These two witnesses are described as "My two witnesses," and the context of their being witnesses is in the area of judgment.  Of all men who ever lived, Enoch and Elijah are the two greatest judgment prophets.  

h. As far as is known, Enoch never preached on any subject other than "Judgment from above."  

(Jude 1:14-15 KJV)  And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, {15} To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.  

i. Both Elijah and Enoch had the spirit of judgment.  They will be dressed in sackcloth to demonstrate their humility and obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ.  This also shows they are from another dispensation other than the current one.  Sackcloth relates to other times and another ritual outside of the Church Age.  Enoch and Elijah fit the description perfectly.  

4. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.    

a. This verse is a definite allusion to Zechariah's vision in Zec. 4.  There was a complex golden lampstand with seven lamps on it that was fed with oil from a bowl of oil.  The lampstand was a picture of the Church.  Beside the lampstand were two olive trees.  They were described as "the two anointed ones that stand before the Lord of the whole earth."  

b. The two olive trees represented Zerubbabel, the prince, and Jeshua, the high priest, who restored Jerusalem, the temple and the people to the worship of God after the 70 year exile in Babylon.  

c. Zerubbabel and Jeshua were types of the two witnesses who would perform the same functions during the last half of the tribulation period.  

d. It is very important to note that the two witnesses, in addition to being two olive trees, are also the two lamps standing before the God of the earth.  It is highly significant that the seven-lamp lamp stand is not present.  The reason is that the entire Church as the light of God on the earth has been removed from the earth just prior to the coming of the two witnesses as God's light to the world.  This is further confirmation that the Church will remain on the earth as God's light to the world up until the middle of the tribulation period.  The two witnesses will then take over as God's light.  

e. The phrase "Lord of the earth" is confirmation that Satan has been displaced as the god of the world, and Jesus Christ has now taken his rightful position of authority, even though there are many judgments remaining to purge the earth of the influence of Satan and his cohorts.  

5. And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.  

a. Clearly, the Age of Grace is over and the time of judgment is upon the world.  Ministers of God are present, but their spirit and methods are entirely different from the ministers of the gospel in the present dispensation.  

b. The two witnesses kill, torment, deal out fiery judgments upon their enemies, and avenge even the desire to injure them.  This is not according to the Christian spirit, which is not to avenge ourselves, not to render evil for evil, not to smite and kill our enemies, but to love them and do good to them.  Jesus had all power, but he did not exercise it after the style of these two witnesses.  Jesus said He came to save lives and not to destroy them, and His servants have acted in this spirit.  

c. Stephen and James were beheaded.  Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned.  Peter was crucified, and Polycarp was burned.  Antipas was put to death.  None of these servants of Jesus attempted to resist, or defend himself by miracles, or to avenge the wrong inflicted.  It is clear that the two witnesses are ministers of another order.  The two witnesses are arrayed in sackcloth, and their very garments betoken calamity and judgment.  These are times of intense supernaturalism.  Satan is incarnate upon the earth, and the demons of hell run rampant upon the earth.  

6. These have 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.  

a. These two witnesses are ministers of the judgments of God against the people of the world.  It does not rain during their ministry, and they have the power to turn the waters to blood that do exist.  The plagues are reminiscent of the time of the plagues in Egypt.  

b. There is war upon the earth between the two witnesses of God and the Antichrist and his false prophet, who perform miracles themselves.  

c. The time of the ministry of these two witnesses is during the Day of the Lord.  It is the winding up of the affairs of this present world system.  

d. They witness for Christ, not as the bleeding and pleading Lamb of God, but as the avenger of his elect, who is about to break his enemies with a rod of iron, and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.  They are judgment prophets sent to resist the blasphemies of the Antichrist.  They warn the world of coming destruction, and they prepare the elect, God's earthly people, for the coming kingdom.  They breathe the law spirit, and they execute the law penalties.  

e. When Elijah was on the earth the first time, he prayed and it did not rain for three years and six months (James 5:17-18).  He will repeat this during the last half of the tribulation period.  

f. The coming of Elijah is also for the purpose of the restoration of fallen Israel.  According to Malachi 4:5,6 Elijah the prophet will come, "and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers."  Jesus Christ also stated, "Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things." (Matt. 17:11)

7. 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.

a. After the two witnesses have completed their testimony, the Antichrist will fight against them and slay them.  They were immortal until their work was finished.  God ordained this so that He could demonstrate his power even over life and death.  

b. The method of their death is unknown, but it is known that Antichrist will behead his victims.  John the Baptist came in the power and spirit of Elijah, and he was beheaded, so it is likely that the two witnesses will be beheaded.  

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.  

a The bodies of the two witnesses shall lie in the streets of Jerusalem for 3 !/2 days.  

b. The word spiritually is proof positive that this account can be taken literally, and the only portion that can be spiritualized or taken figuratively is the description of Jerusalem as being like Sodom and Egypt.  Jerusalem is not literally Sodom, but it is like Sodom in its apostasy (See Isa. 1:9,10; 3:8,9; Deut. 32:30-33; Jer. 23:14).  Jerusalem is also like Egypt in its idolatries (See Ezek. 23:3,4,8,19).  The Bible equates harlotry with idolatry.  

c. This verse positively identifies the city as Jerusalem by the reference to the city where Jesus was crucified.  

9. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.

a. The world shall witness the bodies lying in the streets of Jerusalem for 3 1/2 days.  This would have been impossible before the days of television by satellite and CNN Headline News.  

b. The devilishness and malignity of feeling against these two witnesses is demonstrated by the refusal to even bury their bodies.  The law provides that even the worst of criminals shall be awarded burial on the same day of their execution (Deut. 21:22-23).  In this case all law and right feeling is set in defiance in regard to these prophets of God.

c. Note: The joy over an enemy's death and refusal to bury him have been the world's manner of expressing enmity in all ages and countries.  It was true at the death of Phocion (Athenian general and statesman), Cleomanas (king of Sparta), Tiberius Gracchus (Roman statesman and reformer) and others.  At the death of John Huss (religious reformer), who was burned at Constance, the Council held banquets and expressed their joy in the same manner as when enemies are destroyed.  

10. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.  

a. The people of the world experience great joy over the death of these two witnesses, because of the torment that they inflicted upon them.  

b. Unbeknownst to the people of the world, these torments were but the earnests and the precursors of much greater woes about to be released in the seventh trumpet judgment, which opens up the bowl or vial judgments.  

c. Duped by Satan, the people consider themselves redeemed from torment with the death of these two witnesses.  They dismiss further fear and consider their trouble at an end.  They celebrate by sending presents to one another as if  this were some grand jubilee.  

11. 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.

a. God resurrects both witnesses into their glorified bodies of flesh and bone in the sight of the world.  This will instill great fear into the citizens of the world.  

12. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.  

a. The two witnesses will hear the same words from the Lord that the Philadelphia Church heard in chapter 3, "Come up hither."  It is clear that both witnesses will receive their inheritance in the kingdom of the heavens.  

b. The enemies who rejoiced over their death will watch them ascend into heaven.  This will be an extraordinary supernatural event to witness.  

c. Both Enoch and Elijah ascended into heaven in their bodies of flesh and blood in like manner thousands of years ago.  Only this time the world will witness this event

d. Those who refused to believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ will be eyewitnesses to the death and resurrection of the two witnesses.

13. And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.  

a. There will be a great earthquake in Jerusalem within the same hour that the witnesses ascend into heaven.  A tenth of the city of Jerusalem will be destroyed and 7000 people will die in the earthquake.  

b. Those who remain after the earthquake will be extremely fearful for their lives, and they will acknowledge God as the cause of these supernatural events.  This acknowledgment does not necessarily mean repentance or salvation.  It simply means that they will be forced to acknowledge that God's almighty power is in the events that just took place.  

14. The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.  

a. The sixth trumpet judgment is completed, and the seventh trumpet judgment is about to commence.  

b. This is proof positive that the seven bowl or vial judgments will take place in a very short space of time at the very end of the tribulation period.  This is true since the two witnesses appear in the middle of the tribulation period, and they witness for 3 1/2 years.  This only leaves a few weeks or a few months for the bowl judgments to be completed.  

I. The Sounding of the Seventh Trumpet (Rev. 11:15-19)

(Rev 11:15-19 KJV)  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 of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. {16} And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, {17} Saying, We give thee 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. {18} 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. {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.

The sounding of the seventh trumpet does not occur in an instant or moment of time, but it lasts for a period of days, weeks or even months during which time the seven bowls of God's judgments are unleashed upon the earth.  It is the seventh trumpet that culminates in Christ's complete takeover of the earth.  There is a resurrection, and there is the sheep and goat judgment of the nations, along with the judgment of Israel.  The Antichrist and the False Prophet are cast into the Lake of Fire, and Satan is confined to the bottomless pit for the millennium.  

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 of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.  

a. The seventh presence angel sounds the seventh trumpet, and there is great rejoicing in heaven over the kingdom of this world becoming the kingdom of our Lord.  The word kingdoms used two times in this verse is correctly translated kingdom in most translations.  It is the kingdom of the world that has now become under the authority and control of Jesus Christ.  The clause "he shall reign forever and ever" is literally translated he shall reign unto the ages of ages.  This confirms that his reign does not end with the millennium.  He will not reign with a "rod of iron" after the millennium, because sin and death will be conquered, and it will not be necessary to rule with an iron hand.  Righteousness will dwell upon the earth after the millennium, and the strong arm of the Lord will not be necessary in order to maintain order.  

b. In contrast to earlier announcements where only one voice spoke, the announcement of the kingdom belonging to Jesus Christ was made by great or loud voices in heaven.  The significance of the event is multiplied in the number of the voices.  

16. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,  

a. The 24 elders have appeared 7 times before in the book of Revelation.  They fall down twice in chapter 5 to worship (Rev.5:8,14), but this time they completely prostrate themselves with their faces on the heavenly pavement.  This also emphasizes the significance of the event taking place.  

17. Saying, We give thee 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.

a. The 24 elders give thanks to the Lord for exerting his power and reigning upon the earth.  The phrase "and art to come" is not in the best manuscripts.  The American Standard 1901, New International Version, and several others correctly leave this phrase out.  Jesus Christ has already come at the time this is taking place, so the phrase is inappropriate.  

b. The four living creatures are conspicuously absent in this chorus of praise and worship, and it causes some to wonder where they are at this moment in time.  One possible solution is that the four living creatures represent the Bride of Christ, and the Bride is preparing herself for her grand presentation.  

c. There are other hints in Scripture that the Bride will not return with Jesus Christ when He comes in power and glory to deal with his brethren and the nations (i.e., Gentiles).  

18. 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.  

a. The nations (i.e., Gentiles) were angry (past tense), but the wrath of the Lord is present (present tense), and the time of judging the righteous dead is now present.  Please note that only reward is mentioned in this context, since only the elect Gentiles and elect Jews will be resurrected at the end of the tribulation period so they can receive their rewards.  There are three classes of believers who will receive rewards at this time.  "Thy servants the prophets" are all those who are resurrected at this time who have been witnesses for the Lord.  This would be the highest class of the three.  "The saints" would be all those who separated themselves unto the Lord.  This is the second class.  "Them that fear thy name" represent the lowest class who did not separate themselves from the world, but they did fear the Lord.  Of course, these three groups of believers do not include any of the Church.  All members of the Church will have already been judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ.  The unrighteous dead will not be resurrected for judgment until the end of the millennium.  Theirs is the White Throne Judgment.

b. This is also the time when those unsaved who are still alive on the earth must be killed, since they cannot enter into the earthly aspect of the kingdom.  The phrase "and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth" is referring to these people.  They will be subsequently resurrected at the end of the millennium for the white throne judgment. 

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.  

a. Chapter 11 should have ended with verse 18.  Verse 18 gives the last historical action of the tribulation period in the judgment of those resurrected at the end of the tribulation period.  This verse introduces a new series of events, and it is actually the beginning of the events described in Chapter 12.  

b. The description of verse 19 picks up again in the middle of the tribulation period and describes the sequence of events pertaining to the nation of Israel, the casting out of Satan out of the first heaven, and the rapture of the main body of the Church.  

c. The opening of the temple of God takes us back to the middle of the tribulation period described in chapter 8 of Revelation.  The lightnings, voices, thunderings, and earthquake are even a repeat of Rev. 8:5 to show us that God is now going to give us some more details of the last 3 1/2 years of the tribulation period by picking up again at the point where The Seven Presence Angels appear to pour out judgments on the earth during the day of the Lord.  The "great hail" is a reference to the fire from the censer that was cast down to the earth.  This verse is as follows:  

(Rev 8:5 KJV)  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.  

d.  The opening of the temple of God is also a cue that God is about to deal with his people, the nation of Israel, which also is the time of Jacob's trouble.  This is the last half of the tribulation period when God allows Antichrist to afflict his chosen people, the Jews.

e.  The appearance of the Ark of the Covenant is also an unmistakeable tipoff that God has gone back to the middle of the tribulation period for the express purpose of dealing with Israel.   

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Revelation Chapter 11-12

The Seventh Trumpet and the Man Child

The Sounding of the Seventh Trumpet (Rev. 11:15-19)

(Rev 11:15-19 KJV)  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 of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. {16} And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, {17} Saying, We give thee 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. {18} 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. {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.  

The sounding of the seventh trumpet does not occur in an instant or moment of time, but it lasts for a period of days, weeks or even months during which time the seven bowls of God's judgments are unleashed upon the earth.  It is the seventh trumpet that culminates in Christ's complete takeover of the earth.  There is a resurrection, and there is the sheep and goat judgment of the nations, along with the judgment of Israel.  The Antichrist and the False Prophet are cast into the Lake of Fire, and Satan is confined to the bottomless pit for the millennium.  

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 of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever.  

a. The seventh presence angel sounds the seventh trumpet, and there is great rejoicing in heaven over the kingdom of this world becoming the kingdom of our Lord.  The word kingdoms used two times in this verse is correctly translated kingdom in most translations.  It is the kingdom of the world that has now become under the authority and control of Jesus Christ.  The clause "he shall reign forever and ever" is literally translated he shall reign unto the ages of ages.  This confirms that his reign does not end with the millennium.  He will not reign with a "rod of iron" after the millennium, because sin and death will be conquered, and it will not be necessary to rule with an iron hand.  Righteousness will dwell upon the earth after the millennium, and the strong arm of the Lord will not be necessary to maintain order.  

b. In contrast to earlier announcements where only one voice spoke, the announcement of the kingdom belonging to Jesus Christ was made by great or loud voices in heaven.  The significance of the event is multiplied in the number of the voices.  

16. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,

a. The 24 elders have appeared 7 times before in the book of Revelation.  They fall down twice in chapter 5 to worship (Rev.5:8, 14), but this time they completely prostrate themselves with their faces on the heavenly pavement.  This also emphasizes the significance of the event taking place.  

17. Saying, We give thee 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.  

a. The 24 elders give thanks to the Lord for exerting his power and reigning upon the earth.  The phrase "and art to come" is not in the oldest manuscripts.  The American Standard 1901, The New American Standard and the New International Version leave this phrase out.  Jesus Christ has already come at the time this is taking place, so the phrase is a redundancy.  

b. The four living creatures are conspicuously absent in this chorus of praise and worship, and it causes some to wonder where they are at this moment in time.  One possible solution is that the four living creatures represent the Bride of Christ, and the Bride is preparing herself for her grand presentation.  

c. There are other hints in Scripture that the Bride will not return with Jesus Christ when He comes in power and glory to deal with his brethren (i.e., the Jews) and the nations (i.e., the Gentiles).  

18. 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.  

a. The nations (i.e., Gentiles) were angry (past tense), but the wrath of the Lord is present (present tense), and the time of judging the righteous dead is now present.  Please note that only reward is mentioned in this context, since only the elect Gentiles and elect Jews will be resurrected at the end of the tribulation period so they can receive their rewards.  There are three classes of believers who will receive rewards at this time.  "Thy servants the prophets" are all those who are resurrected at this time who have been witnesses for the Lord.  This would be the highest class of the three.  "The saints" would be all those who separated themselves unto the Lord.  This is the second class.  "Them that fear thy name" represent the lowest class who did not separate themselves from the world, but they did fear the Lord.  Of course, these three groups of believers do not include any of the Church, for the whole Church has been in heaven since the middle of the tribulation period.  All members of the Church will have already been judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ.  The unrighteous dead will not be resurrected for judgment until the end of the millennium.  Theirs is the White Throne Judgment.  

b. This is also the time when those unsaved who are still alive on the earth must be killed, since they cannot enter into the earthly aspect of the kingdom.  The phrase "and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth" is referring to these people.  They will be subsequently resurrected at the end of the millennium for the White Throne Judgment.  

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.

a. Chapter 11 should have ended with verse 18.  Verse 18 gives the last historical action of the tribulation period in the judgment of those resurrected at the end of the tribulation period.  This verse introduces a new series of events, and it is actually the beginning of the events described in Chapter 12.  

b. The description of verse 19 picks up again in the middle of the tribulation period and describes the sequence of events pertaining to the nation of Israel, the casting out of Satan out of the first heaven, and the rapture of the main body of the Church.  

c. The opening of the temple of God takes us back to the middle of the tribulation period described in chapter 8 of Revelation.  The lightnings, voices, thunderings, and earthquake are even a repeat of Rev. 8:5 to show us that God is now going to give us some more details of the last 3 1/2 years of the tribulation period by picking up again at the point where The Seven Presence Angels appear to pour out judgments on the earth during the day of the Lord.  The "great hail" is a reference to the fire from the censer that was cast down to the earth.  This verse is as follows:  

(Rev 8:5 KJV)  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.  

d.  The opening of the temple of God is also a cue that God is about to deal with his people, the nation of Israel, which also is the time of Jacob's trouble.  This is the last half of the tribulation period when God allows Antichrist to afflict his chosen people, the Jews.

e.  The appearance of the Ark of the Covenant is also an unmistakable tip-off that God has gone back to the middle of the tribulation period for the express purpose of dealing with Israel.  This will be seen more clearly as we read and study chapter 12.  

J.  The Woman Clothed with the Sun and the Male Child. (Rev. 12)

(Rev 12 KJV)  And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: {2} And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. {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 heads. {4} 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. {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. {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. {7} And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, {8} And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. {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. {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. {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. {12} Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters 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. {13} And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. {14} 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. {15} And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. {16} 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. {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.  

As explained above from Rev. 11:19, which introduces the events in chapter 12, we have now gone back to the middle of the tribulation period for more details of the last 3 1/2 years of the tribulation period.  This chapter describes the casting of Satan and his angels out of the first heaven down to the earth, since he no longer has authority to rule over the earth from the "heavens."  It also describes the rapture of the Church and the fleeing of Israel into the wilderness to escape the persecution of Antichrist who is now indwelled by Satan himself.  

This chapter uses a sign or figure to outline the above sequence of events.  The figure is described in the first six verses, and verses 7-17 explain the figure.  It is left up to the reader to identify the woman and the man child, but ample clues are given in order for the reader to search the Scriptures and make a positive identification of both the woman and the man child.  The actual Greek words used in the figure are extremely helpful in making the identification.

1. And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:

a. The wonder or sign that appears in heaven is the cue that this sign and the ones associated with it are not to be taken literally.  The signs are representative of something else, and they are not to be taken literally.  The fact that the Bible gives us cues when something is not to be taken literally is also proof that the passages of Scripture that do not give us these cues can be taken literally.  

b. The woman does not represent Mary, Christ or the Church.  The description of the woman is an allusion to Genesis 37:9-11, where these heavenly bodies represent Jacob and Rachael as the father and mother of the nation of Israel, and the eleven stars represent the eleven brothers of Joseph.  The crown of 12 stars represents the rule over the nation of Israel through the patriarchs of the 12 tribes of Israel.  In the Old Testament, Israel is often represented as the wife of Jehovah, and she is represented as an unfaithful wife.  Here the woman represents the godly remnant of Israel who is faithful to God.  This remnant of faithful Jews was the mother to the Church when it was established at the time of Christ, and it will be closely associated with the Church during the first half of the tribulation period.  

2. And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.  

a. The woman, the faithful remnant of Israel, is pictured as suffering trials and afflictions right along with the child, the overcoming Church, during the first half of the tribulation period.  Israel as a nation will not experience persecution during the first half of the tribulation period, but the faithful remnant of Jews who turn to Christ at the onset of the tribulation period will suffer right along with the main body of the Church, which remains on the earth for the persecution of Antichrist.  

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 heads.  

a. This verse introduces another sign of a red dragon.  The dragon is clearly a sign for Satan, who up until this point has been the authority over the Gentile nations represented by the seven heads and ten horns.  The seven heads represent the seven Gentile empires of Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, and New Babylon.  The ten horns represent the final form of Gentile rule, which is a revival of the sixth empire of Rome.  Antichrist will have been leader over the seventh empire of New Babylon, and the eighth empire of revived Rome (Rev. 17).  Both Antichrist and the empire of Rome are thought to be dead by the world, but both are "resurrected" to life again, and they form the final form of Gentile rule upon the earth.  Antichrist as the head of New Babylon is the Little Horn of Daniel 7:8, and he is the prophetic fulfillment of Daniel 8:9.  The literal fulfillment of Daniel 8:9 was Antiochus Epiphanes.  The difference between the literal fulfillment and the prophetic fulfillment of a passage of Scripture is very confusing to many Bible scholars.

4.  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.

a.  It is important to understand that this whole scenario is figurative, and it is not to be taken literally.  The Dragon is Satan and he was responsible for one-third of the angels, represented as stars of heaven, rebelling against God.  At this point in time at the middle of the tribulation period, Satan and the angels who rebelled with him will be cast out of the first heaven down to the earth.  The child that is about to be delivered is the overcoming Church, and Satan on the earth is ready to devour the Church just as it is about to mature to the point of sonship.  It is very important to recognize that the transliterated Greek word for child in verse 4 above is teknon, and this is the word for an immature child.  

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.  

a.  This verse is key to the identification of the "man child" as the overcoming Church during the middle of the tribulation period.  In contrast to verse 4 above that used the Greek word for an immature child, the transliterated Greek word for child in this verse is huios, and this is the word for a mature son.  The picture is that of the Church just as it matures in the faith to the point of sonship, and Satan is intent upon destroying it just as it matures.  

b. The "man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron" is a clear reference to the overcoming Church, which has to go through tribulation in order to mature.  This is confirmed by the following verse that refers specifically to the church of Thyatira who is cast into great tribulation (Rev.2:22 ):  

(Rev 2:26-27 KJV)  And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: {27} 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.

c.  Another conclusive proof that the man-child is the overcoming Church is the clause "and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne."  This is a clear reference to the rapture of the Church.  The Greek word for child reverts back to the Greek word teknon, which refers to the entire Church, overcomers and non-overcomers.  The Greek word for "caught up" is harpazo, and this is the identical word used in 1 Thess. 4:17 to describe the rapture of the Church.  This Greek word is only used four times in Scripture.  The other two times are 2 Cor. 12:2,4 where Paul was caught up to the third heaven.  It is important to note that Jesus Christ was not "caught up" to heaven.  Jesus Christ ascended into heaven under his own power.  

d.  It should be clear from the above that the man-child that is to rule the nations is the overcoming Church.  The man-child can not be Jesus Christ for several reasons.  First, the man child as a sign can not be taken literally since the text states emphatically that it is a sign.  The woman is not a real woman, and the man child is not a real man child.  Both represent something else.  Secondly, this action takes place in the middle of the tribulation period just before the Day of the Lord, and Jesus went to heaven almost 2000 years earlier.  Also, Jesus ascended into heaven under his own power.  The Greek word used for Jesus being taken up to heaven is epairo, and the emphasis in this word is the raising up of oneself.  Thirdly, Jesus Christ is never referred to in the Scriptures with the Greek word teknon.  Fourthly, it is the Church that is described as ruling with a rod of iron in Rev. 2:27, and not Jesus Christ.  It is true that Jesus Christ will rule with a rod of iron (Rev. 19:15), but the overcoming Church will also rule with a rod of iron with Him.  

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.

a.  This verse ends the description of the figure, and the following verse begins the explanation of the figure.  The faithful remnant of Israel will be left on the earth after the Main Harvest rapture of the Church.  Therefore, Israel will be required to flee from the wrath of the Dragon (i.e., Satan) who will be indwelling Antichrist at this point in time.  

b.  The remnant of Israel will flee Jerusalem, and they will flee into the wilderness, which is on the other side of the Jordan River.  It is a widespread belief that they will flee to the ancient city of Petra for safety.  A missionary group has already stored numerous Bibles in the caves of Petra in moisture proof containers that will presumably be read and studied by this remnant of Jews.  There will obviously be other preparations by God to protect this remnant and feed them for the 3 1/2 years that they will be in hiding.  

c.  Rev. 11:19-12:6 has been an overview of the figure or sign in heaven, which has been a brief description of the events in the middle of the tribulation period, and the flight of faithful Israel into the wilderness for the last half of the tribulation period.  Rev. 12:7-17 is an explanation of the figure that was just given, so it repeats some information that was given in the figure, and it provides additional details.  This style of writing is common in Scripture.  

7.  And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

a.  This verse explains verse 4, and it gives additional details to verse 4 where Satan and his angels were cast to the earth.  This verse states that Michael, the Presence Angel who watches over Israel (Dan. 12:1), and his angels fought against the dragon (i.e., Satan) and his angels.  

8.  And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

a.  Satan and his angels lost the war, and Satan and his angels are cast out of heaven. Satan currently operates from his sphere of authority in the first heaven, which is the atmosphere immediately above the earth.  In the middle of the tribulation period, Jesus Christ exerts his authority to reign over the earth from the heavens, and Satan is no longer permitted to exercise his authority in the first heaven.  

b.  We also know from Job 1:6 that Satan still has access to the third heaven.  This is reasonable and logical since Satan is still the god of this world, but he is still subject to the will and control of God the Father.  Satan is analogous to a rebellious teenager who lives outside of the father's household, but he occasionally returns to have brief discussions with the father.  The time is coming in the middle of the seven-year tribulation period when Satan will be banned from all three heavens.  His only place to go will be the earth where he will indwell the body of Antichrist.  

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.  

a.  Satan and his angels are cast down to the earth.  Satan no longer has authority to rule over the earth from the heavens, and his angels have also lost their positions of authority.  It is at this time that Satan incarnates Antichrist and turns against Israel.  

b. This verse explains the figure of the dragon, and it unquestionably identifies the dragon as Satan.  It also identifies the figure of the stars as the angels who followed Satan in his rebellion.  God the Holy Spirit leaves it up to us to identify the woman and the man-child, but he gives us numerous clues that can be found in the Scriptures.  

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.

a.  The Day of Christ refers to the Main Harvest Rapture of the Church, and it refers to the events in heaven after this rapture of the Church.  It is a time of great salvation for the bodies of all Christians, and the souls of many Christians.  It is also the time when the kingdom of God is established, and the power of Christ is made manifest.  

b.  Satan has been the accuser of the brethren (i.e., Christians) right up until the time that he is cast out of heaven, and the brethren are raptured or caught up to heaven.  This verse is further confirmation that the Church remains on the earth up until the middle of the tribulation period, since Satan can not accuse the brethren who have already been resurrected into their glorified bodies.  Satan can only accuse Christians who are still subject to temptation by their old flesh natures.  It would be useless to accuse Christians who have already completed their lives on the earth, as their judgments will have already been inalterably set.  The Greek word for Devil is diabolos, and the verb is diaballo, which mean, "defaming," "slandering" or "accusing."  Satan is the master accuser of the brethren, and he will continue this right up until he is cast down to the earth, and the Church is caught up to heaven.  

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.

a.  This verse is a description of those Christians who became overcomers during the first half of the tribulation period.  

b.  These Christians have now been resurrected, but they overcame Satan during the first half of the tribulation by the blood of the Lamb, which cleansed them of all of their sins, and the word of their testimony, which is the preaching or profession of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  This outward profession of faith was made during the most difficult times imaginable.  

c.  "They loved not their lives unto the death" shows that they crucified the old flesh nature and died to themselves.  This would be true both literally and figuratively, since many will have been put to death during the first half of the tribulation period.  Many will have died to self even though they were not physically martyred.  

12.  Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters 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.

a.  This verse is a classic depiction of the difference between the Day of Christ, which takes place in heaven, and the Day of the Lord, which takes place on the earth.  Both occur at the same time, but one takes place in heaven, and the other takes place on the earth.  There is great rejoicing in heaven since the Main Harvest Rapture of the Church has taken place. There is great woe upon the earth, since Satan is now upon the earth, and the inhabiters of the earth and sea are now going to experience his wrath, in addition to the wrath of God.  

b.  Satan knows that his time is short until he will be locked up in the bottomless pit.  

13.  And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.

a.  God will actually use Antichrist incarnated by Satan to afflict and persecute the nation of Israel until one-third of the nation finally turns to God, and His Son Jesus.  Israel as a nation will accept Jesus as their Messiah at the end of the tribulation period.  

b.  The man-child has been raptured to heaven, so Satan can not persecute the Church at this point, but he can persecute the Jews, and this is what he does.  

14.  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.  

a.  The explanation of the figure continues, and additional figurative language is used to explain the figure.  Since the figure itself (i.e., the woman) is used in the explanation, the "two wings of a great eagle" would also be a figure.  This figure is derived from Ex. 19:4 and Dt. 32:11-12, and other passages of Scripture where God employs the strength of an eagle to illustrate his faithfulness in his care for Israel.  The eagle is often used as a figure for the divinity of God, so the eagle represents supernatural assistance from God himself.  

b.  This same flight is described in the Jewish section of the Olivet Discourse in Mat. 24:16.  Christ warns the Jews that they are to flee into the mountains when the abomination of desolation (i.e., Antichrist) sets himself up in the temple.  

c.  "Into her place" is thought by many students of the Bible to be the ancient city of Petra, where the faithful remnant will be cared for during the last 3 1/2 years of the tribulation period.  Two Old Testament types for this supernatural care of Israel in the wilderness are Elijah being cared for by God in the wilderness by the brook Cherith, and Israel being cared for in the wilderness for 40 years.  Ravens will not even care for their own young, but they brought food to Elijah in the wilderness.  This demonstrates the supernatural aspect of God's care for Elijah, since the behavior of the ravens was against their own nature.  God also supernaturally fed Israel with manna during their wondering in the wilderness.  God will also supernaturally care for Israel during the last half of the tribulation period.  

d.  Noah in the ark is another type of God's supernatural protection of Israel during the last half of the tribulation period.  

e.  "A time, and times, and half a time" is 3 1/2 years that Israel will be protected "from the face of the serpent."  This time period is given as 1260 days in verse 6 above.  

15.  And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.

a.  Figurative language continues to be employed, so it is inconsistent to take the flood as a literal flood—as some theologians have done.  The phrase "as a flood" clearly demonstrates that this is not a real flood of water.  It is simply a figure demonstrating the total effort of Satan to completely destroy the nation of Israel.  It means that Satan will do everything in his power to annihilate the nation of Israel.  

b.  Zec. 13:8 confirms that Satan will actually destroy two-thirds of the nation of Israel, so this demonstrates the extent of the effort that Satan will expend in accomplishing his purpose of destroying Israel, which is God’s elect people.  

c.  "Cast out of his mouth" means that by the power of words or language, Satan using the voice of Antichrist causes "water as a flood" to pursue "after the woman."  The word for water is hudor, and it means streams of water like a flood.  It can mean seawater as well as fresh water.  Fresh water is a symbol or figure for the Holy Spirit, but water of the sea symbolizes the many Gentile nations of the world.  For example, "many waters" denote many people or nations in Rev. 17:1,15.  Therefore, this verse simply means that Satan in the form of Antichrist will give the orders for the nations of the world to descend on Israel "like a flood" in order to destroy her.  This event is confirmed in the following Scripture:  

(Zec 14:2-4 KJV)  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. {3} Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.  

d.  It is clear from these verses that even though it is God who brings all nations against Israel, He will use Antichrist to accomplish his purpose, which is to miraculously save a remnant of the Jews at the last moment just before they are totally annihilated.  

e.  "Carried away of the flood" simply means to be completely overwhelmed and destroyed by the nations of the world.  The above reference in Zechariah confirms that the Lord Jesus Christ himself will fight on the side of Israel.  The following verse shows how the woman (i.e., the remnant of Israel) will be saved at the time that Jesus Christ fights against the nations of the world.  

16.  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.  

a.  Figurative language is still being employed in this verse.  The earth is personified and actually becomes instrumental in the protection of Israel. We must continue in Zechariah to see how the earth helps the woman.  

(Zec 14:4-5 KJV)  And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. {5} And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.

b.  As explained in Zechariah, when Jesus returns in power and glory, his feet will touch down on the Mount of Olives, and the mountain will split in the middle by a great earthquake.  The remnant of Israel will flee through the valley created by the earthquake as they run toward their Messiah, Jesus Christ.  The nations of the earth will pursue after the woman in order to destroy her, but the earth will open up and swallow "up the flood."  

c.  Zechariah states that the valley reaches all the way to Azal.  Azal is a Hebrew expression that simply means "the other side," and it has reference to the other side of the Mount of Olives.  The expression also means "nearby" "side" or "beside," and presents an amazing spiritual lesson.  Israel is in imminent danger of total annihilation at the time that Jesus appears on the Mount of Olives.  As his feet touch the mount, it splits in two and Jesus continues to descend to the valley.  Israel runs to his "side", and the earth swallows up the nations that follow.  

d.  One type in the Old Testament for this sequence of events is the salvation of the nation of Israel from the Egyptians as Israel flees through the Red Sea, and the Red Sea swallows up the Egyptian army.  The following song of Moses and the children of Israel describe this deliverance of the nation of Israel from the hand of Pharoah, a type of Antichrist:  

(Exo 15:1-13 KJV)  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. {2} The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him. {3} The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name. {4} Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea. {5} The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone. {6} Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy. {7} And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble. {8} And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea. {9} The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them. {10} Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters. {11} Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? {12} Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them. {13} Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.  

e.  Verse 12 above is a clear reference to the time in the future when the earth will swallow up the enemy of Israel as the antitype of the above passage of Scripture.  

f.  This valley created through the Mount of Olives will also be the winepress of the wrath of God.  The unsaved living of the world will be supernaturally cast into this valley, and trampled by the Lord Jesus Christ.  This valley will turn south after it goes through the Mount of Olives, and it extends to the Gulf of Aqaba, which is a distance of 200 miles.  It is in this narrow valley that the blood will flow up to the horses’ bridles when Jesus tramples the winepress of the wrath of God.  

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.  

a.  Satan in the form of Antichrist will be infuriated when the woman turns to Jesus Christ, and is saved and protected by him, and the armies of Antichrist are destroyed in the valley.  Therefore, Satan will immediately began "to make war with the remnant of her seed."  "The remnant of her seed" is the Gentiles of the earth who were saved during the first half of the tribulation period.  They are still upon the earth in their bodies of flesh and blood, and they are keeping the commandments of God.  They "have the testimony of Jesus Christ," and this simply means that they were saved by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  These are the sheep in the sheep and goat judgment (Mat. 25:31-46), and they will enter into the earthly aspect of the kingdom of God because of the way that they treated the Jews during the time of Jacob's trouble.
Summary of Chapter Twelve

It is very important to understand that the figurative exegesis of Scripture is only warranted when the Scriptures clearly demonstrate that the passage of Scripture in question is to be understood figuratively.  Chapter 12 began by explicitly stating that this vision in heaven was a sign and not a literal event.  There were numerous other clear indications in the chapter that the passage was not to be taken literally.  

There are some rules that must be employed when performing an exegesis of a passage of Scripture that is figurative.  The first rule is that the understanding of the symbols must come from other passages of Scripture, and they must be consistent throughout the Bible.  The second rule is that the passage being explained must have also been explained literally in some other part or parts of the Bible.  The third rule is that the entire passage of Scripture being explained must fit together in a structured and coherent format.  If there are any verses, clauses, or phrases that do not fit neatly into the exegesis, then further inquiry of the Holy Spirit should be made before the exegesis continues.  

This warning about the exegesis of a figurative passage of Scripture is given because numerous theologians have attempted to make the whole book of Revelation a figurative discourse when the great majority of the book is to be taken literally.  Only those passages, which are clearly indicated as being figurative, should be understood figuratively.

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Revelation Chapters 13

The Antichrist and the False Prophet

(Rev 13 KJV)  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. {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 the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. {3} 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. {4} And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? {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. {6} And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. {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. {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. {9} If any man have an ear, let him hear. {10} 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. {11} And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. {12} 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. {13} And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, {14} 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 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. {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. {16} 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: {17} 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. {18} Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.  

This chapter concerns the rise of the two great end-time leaders of the tribulation period.  They are the Antichrist and the False Prophet.  The Antichrist is the political leader, and the False Prophet is the religious leader.  The Scriptures provide a detailed description of both so that both can be identified, if the Scriptures are studied and understood literally.  However, there are more details given about Antichrist than the False Prophet.  

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.  

a. John is depicted as standing upon the seashore, and he sees a beast rising up out of the sea.  The beast has seven heads, ten horns, and ten crowns upon its horns.  This beast is the ten-horned beast described in the Book of Daniel in chapters 2 and 7.  

b. The sea is a picture of the Gentile nations, so the ten-horned beast will rise up as a Gentile kingdom and have dominion over the whole earth.  The beast is the revived Roman Empire in the form of the European Union.  It is the ten toes on the image of the beast in Daniel 2.  

c. A horn in Scripture is a symbol for power and strength.  Crowns or diadems are the badges of regal dominion.  It has been argued as to whether Antichrist is a real person, or a mere system, power, government or influence.  The answer is yes to both.  There can be no kingdom without a king, and no empire without an emperor.  It is inconsistent to speak of imperial power or dominion without having someone as the personal head that represents and embodies that power.  

d. The ten-horned beast is the Gentile world power in its final consummation.  It will embody all of the Gentile empires that went before it.  The seven heads are the empires of Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome and New Babylon (i.e., United States of America).  America is the political aspect of Mystery Babylon, and the papal worship system is the religious or ecclesiastical aspect of Mystery Babylon.  Chapters 17 and 18 describe Mystery Babylon respectively in its ecclesiastical and political aspects.  The woman is a figure for both Religious Babylon and Political Babylon.  

e. The phrase "and upon his heads the name of blasphemy" depicts an empire that will openly defy God, and that will set itself in determined opposition to all that belong to God.  It will be an empire that is anti-God and anti-Christian.  The Roman emperors were worshiped as gods, and the revived Roman Empire will reinstitute this religious practice with the image of the Antichrist.  

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 the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.  

a. The ten-horned beast is also described in chapter 7 of Daniel, and it is described as trampling down the remainder of the four beasts described in that chapter.  The Leopard and the Bear represent the kingdoms of Egypt and Russia, so these beasts will be subordinate to the kingdom of Antichrist.  The lion is Great Britain, and it became part of the ten-horned beast prior to the time that the “remainder” was trampled down.  

b. Please note that it is the dragon or Satan that empowers the ten-horned beast, so this final form of Gentile power will be extremely powerful.  Even Russia will be submissive to this power for a period of time, but it will rebel by invading Israel and will be trampled down by the Beast.  

3.  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.  

a. This verse describes the apparent death of the leader of the ten-horned beast. This individual will have suffered a mortal head wound that has convinced the whole world that he is dead, but he will reappear with his mortal head wound healed. The whole world will marvel that the Antichrist is still alive and not dead.  

b. This verse establishes conclusively that Antichrist will not actually die, but he will only appear to have died at some point in the past. The only time limit for this deadly wound to have taken place is the life span of an individual. It is ludicrous to think that Nero or Judas will be resurrected as the Antichrist, although the early Christians thought that Nero had not actually died, and that he would reappear to fulfill the prophecies about Antichrist. The same story circulated that Hitler had not actually died as it had been reported. There were numerous reports that the true Antichrist did not die from his mortal head wound, but these reports were disregarded by the masses. Truman Capote wrote an article that Antichrist did not die from his mortal head wound, but he retracted the article after it was written.  

c. The biggest mistake believers make in understanding this verse is to assume that the miraculous healing of Antichrist takes place over a brief period of time. In actuality, the mortal head wound took place over forty years ago, and the healing has taken place over the last 42 years. Antichrist has not yet reappeared for the world to wonder after him, but the time is short.  

d. This verse also has reference to the Roman Empire, which apparently died, but it will also be resurrected in the form of the Ten-Horned Beast. Chapter 7 of Daniel covers the rise of the four kingdoms with the fourth one being the revived Roman Empire in the form of the ten-horned beast. The Lion is Great Britain; the Bear is Russia; the Leopard is Egypt with the four wings on its back representing Syria, Iraq, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. The Ten-Horned Beast is the European Union. The eleventh horn to come up among the ten horns is the Antichrist as the leader of New Babylon, which is the United States of America. There are numerous Scriptures that identify America as New Babylon. A few are Revelation 18, Jeremiah 50 and 51, Isaiah 18, and the three chapters in Habakkuk.  

e. The “little horn” in Daniel that comes up among the ten horns means a leader who was in power, but his power was shattered or broken. The horn is little because it has been broken. The Antichrist was once in power over Political Babylon the Great but his horn was shattered or broken when he received his mortal head wound. The nation of Babylon the Great will also be shattered or broken, which will provide the opportunity for Antichrist to usurp power and become the leader. Thus, the leader of New Babylon is a “little horn” and New Babylon will be a “little horn”. When Antichrist takes over the government of New Babylon, the “little horn” will quickly become more powerful than the other ten horns, as described in Daniel.  

4.  And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?  

a. People do not worship a system or a government, but they do worship an emperor or king. The unsaved people of the world will worship Satan who gave his power to the Antichrist, and they will worship the Antichrist.  It is here that the interchange takes place between the empire and the leader of the empire. The identity of the beast alternates between that of the empire and the leader of the empire. The empire becomes personified in its leader who is the Antichrist.  

b. The power of Antichrist will be so widespread and so complete that war against him would be incomprehensible. The combination of the power of the USA and the European Union will be phenomenal, and the nations of the world will submit to this power for a short time. It will be Russia that takes peace from the earth and attacks Israel, resulting in a nuclear war between the USA and Russia. Russia will be defeated in this war, but New Babylon will be severely hurt. New Babylon will not be totally destroyed until the end of the tribulation period when China, Russia and the Kings from the East come against her with numerous submarines carrying nuclear warheads, and Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) coming over the North Pole.  

c. The destruction of New Babylon is described in detail in chapter 18 and in Jeremiah 50 and 51.  

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.  

a. Antichrist will be a great orator, and he will be highly persuasive to the world in getting it to follow him. He will also speak blasphemies against God and the people of God, including Jews, Christians and Gentiles.  

b. God will allow him to act unchecked by the power of God for a period of 42 months. This is the same amount of time that Jesus Christ served as a witness to the world. This period of time will be during the first half of the tribulation period when Jesus Christ opens the seals in heaven. The last half of the tribulation period is the Day of the Lord, and it is the time that the judgments of God are rained down upon the world.

c. It is during these 42 months that Christians will be turned over to the Antichrist to be purged and purified according to Daniel 7:25. The main body of the Church is left behind after the Firstfruits Rapture of the faithful ones, and it is the unfaithful Church that is persecuted by Antichrist.  

(Dan 7:25 KJV)  And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints (i.e., Christians) of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they (i.e., Christians) shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time (i.e., 42 ½ months).

6.  And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.  

a. Antichrist will even blaspheme God's character and authority (i.e., “his name”). He will also blaspheme God’s tabernacle, which is the Church still on the earth, and them in the Church that have been taken to heaven to dwell (i.e., “them that dwell in heaven”). This verse confirms the separation where some of the Church is still on the earth, but some have been taken to heaven to dwell.  

b. God only tabernacles (i.e., indwells) the Church, and not the Jews or the Gentiles who will be saved during the tribulation period. Therefore, this verse proves that at least part of the Church is still upon the earth at the time that Antichrist is railing against God and his people. Antichrist does not turn against the Jews until the last half of the tribulation period when his 42 months have ended. The Church will be persecuted severely during the first half of the tribulation period.  

c. The book of Habakkuk describes this persecution of the Church (i.e., righteous Gentiles) during the first half of the tribulation period, and the Jews during the last half of the tribulation period. Please see my exegesis on the book of Habakkuk for these details, including the details about the mortal head wound of Antichrist.  

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.  

a. This verse describes the campaign that Antichrist will wage against the Church.  The Church is referred to as saints numerous times throughout the New Testament. Antichrist will operate unchecked by the Holy Spirit so he will be able to physically overcome Christians throughout the 42 months. Even though they will be overcome physically, they can still be overcomers spiritually as described in chapters 7 and 12. The generic term, “saints”, is used here for God’s people because it includes Church, saved Jews (i.e., the 144,000) and Gentiles saved after the Separation. The term “saints” is more inclusive than the term Church, but it includes the Church still on the earth during the first half of the tribulation period.

b. This verse states that Antichrist's power and authority will manifest itself over the whole earth, as it will be over all kindreds, tongues and nations. The following verse in Habakkuk has reference to this exerting his authority to other nations besides New Babylon:  

(Hab 2:5 KJV)  Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine, he is a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people:

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.  

a. This verse confirms that the whole earth will worship Antichrist except for those elect whose names were written in the book of life of the Lamb. Thus, no spiritually reborn person will worship the Antichrist.  

b. It is important to note that this verse is referring to everyone whose name was not originally written in the book of life. This encompasses all believers whether they remained faithful or not. This distinction is important since numerous Christians who are not over-comers will have their names blotted out of the book of life. It is also important to note that having one's name blotted out of the book of life pertains to the loss of reward and the loss of the soul, and not the loss of spirit salvation.  

9.  If any man have an ear, let him hear.  

a. A special admonition and command is appended to this vision of Antichrist making war against the saints and overcoming them. This warning is given in the following verse.  

10.  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.  

a. The warning is not to physically resist Antichrist and his followers. The warning is that of retributive justice. If the saints attempt to take captives, they will be made captives. If the saints attempt to kill with the sword, they will be killed with the sword. The battle will be moral and spiritual, and not physical. Christians are not to resist physically even if it means death. The example to follow is that of the martyrs of the Inquisition, and the Christians who died under the persecutions of Rome. Revenge belongs to the Lord, and He will repay. The verse ends with the summation that the patience and faith of the saints will be severely tried. The following verse is in reference to these Christians who will be martyred during the 42-month reign of Antichrist:

(Rev 6:9-10 KJV)  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: {10} 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?

b. This completes the description of the unchecked reign of Antichrist upon the earth for 42 months. The following verse describes the rise to power of the False Prophet. The False Prophet will be the leader of Ecclesiastical Babylon, which is described in Revelation 17. Religious Babylon is the harlot religious system that exerts its power over the kings of the earth. The Bible clearly places the headquarters of this religious system in Rome. It is not coincidence that the Vatican is located in Rome.  

c. Enough prophecy has been fulfilled at the present time to understand that the False Prophet will follow in the footsteps of the Antichrist in that he will apparently die and the whole world will mourn his death. His funeral was the largest spectacle in history, even receiving more honor, glory and attention than Antichrist at his funeral. The funeral of the False Prophet has provided virtually trillions of dollars in publicity to Ecclesiastical or Religious Babylon.  

d. The interim leader of Ecclesiastical Babylon is continuing the policies of the False Prophet even down to reassigning the same staff to their same positions, except for his own replacement. The interim leader has already emphasized that the focus of his reign will be ecumenical in nature. He has even stated that one of their primary goals at present is to build a bridge to Islam. Thus, the one world religion under Ecclesiastical Babylon is working hard to gather all religions under its power. The “resurrection” of the False Prophet after the “resurrection” of Antichrist will culminate in religious power being centered in the Vatican on the Seven Hills of Rome. More will be explained on this in the exegesis of Chapters 17 and 18.  

11.  And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.  

a. The False Prophet is described as coming up out of the earth as opposed to the Antichrist coming up out of the sea. Antichrist is closely associated with the sea, but the False Prophet is closely associated with the earth. It is highly significant that Pope John Paul II arose to power out of Poland. The word Poland literally means the people of the earth. Thus, John Paul II is a person who literally came up out of the earth. His mother was also a Jew, which makes him a Jew. In Scripture, the figurative meaning of the earth pertains to Israel while the figurative meaning of the sea pertains to the Gentiles. Thus, John Paul II literally and figuratively came up out of the earth. The Scriptures strongly indicate that both Antichrist and the False Prophet will be Jews.  

b. The two horns are literally fulfilled in the miter that the Pope wears. The miter has two peaks—one on the front and one on the back—that resemble horns. The figurative meaning of the "two horns like a lamb" ties him in to Christianity and the apparent meekness that goes along with lamb's character. It is also very significant that horns represent power in the Bible, and the miter of the pope is his symbol of power and authority.  

c. Even though he will appear as a Christian and represent himself as being the Christian leader of the world, he will actually receive his authority from Satan, and the words that the False Prophet speaks will be the words of Satan. This is what is meant by the clause "he spake as a dragon." The dragon is the figure or symbol for Satan.  

d. The sea also represents that which is unsettled or tumultuous while the earth represents that which is settled. The politics of the world is always unsettled and tumultuous, while religious sentiments and systems have always been more firm and fixed than political systems. This is clearly seen in the rapid change of political systems in countries throughout the world, while the papal worship system has remained virtually unchanged for over a thousand years. The same blasphemous and heretical traditions are maintained today that existed under the early papal system of worship, and the Pope remains the leader of this system.  

e. Pope John Paul II supposedly died on April 2nd 2005, but there were several mysterious circumstances that strongly indicate that he is not dead. Even though his body was not embalmed, he lay in state for six days with no noticeable deterioration in his body. The weather was unseasonably hot, but his body appeared to weather the heat without swelling up, turning black or exhibiting other ill effects typical of dead bodies that have not been embalmed. The official spokesman of the Vatican would only state that John Paul II was not embalmed, but that his “body was prepared.” The spokesman used carefully chosen words and would not expound on the procedures followed in preparing his body. The Vatican is highly adept in preparing wax figures of popes for the wax museum, so the preparation of a wax corpse would be a simple matter. The statement that his body was prepared could very well be alluding to the preparation of a wax figure of his body. The Vatican has done this in the distant past for dead bodies. The Vatican has even used the bones of deceased individuals and encased the bones in a wax replica of the individual’s body. Simply put, the Vatican is highly adept in making images of all kinds for saints and popes.  

f. Pope John Paul II had previously requested to be buried in his beloved Poland, but he mysteriously changed his mind and agreed to be buried at the Vatican under St. Peter’s Basilica. There was one highly publicized request that he was to be buried “in the natural earth”—unlike the rest of the popes. This request has apparently set the stage for the prophetic fulfillment of the clause “coming up out of the earth”. John Paul’s “body” was “buried” in his miter, so any rising up out of the earth would include his two horns.  

g. There is speculation that John Paul II did not actually die, but was merely incapacitated and unfit to continue in office. Instead of stepping down, his death from septic shock was announced, and a wax figure of the Pope was put on display for the world to mourn and for the most spectacular funeral in the history of mankind. The death of the Pope certainly gained more honor, glory and attention to the Babylonian Mystery Religion than a disabled Pope stepping down from office could ever achieve. It also sets the stage for the resurrection of the False Prophet “out of the earth” and his coming to power, miraculously healed from his Parkinson’s disease. Satan can heal Parkinson’s disease, but he cannot raise people from the dead. Of course, Antichrist must first be “resurrected” from the dead and ascend out of the abyss as the beast out of the sea, before the False Prophet can ascend out of the earth. It is no coincidence that the bronze casket of Antichrist was cast into the depths of the sea. This information was highly publicized about 40 years after it mysteriously disappeared.  

12.  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.

a. Just as Antichrist will be Satan's copy of Jesus Christ, the False Prophet will be Satan's copy of the Holy Spirit.  Of course, Satan himself is a copy of God the Father.  Therefore, this blasphemous trio will be the satanic trinity.  Just as the Holy Spirit causes people to worship Jesus Christ, the False Prophet will cause people to worship the Antichrist.  

b. This verse confirms that the power of the False Prophet comes from Satan just like the power of the Antichrist comes from Satan.  

c. This verse also reiterates the fact that Antichrist will recover from a seemingly fatal death wound that had the whole world deceived into believing that he was dead. The mortal head wound refers to the apparent death of Antichrist, and to the apparent death of the Roman Empire. Both are revived to reign over the earth along with the False Prophet who will also apparently come back from the dead.  

13.  And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,  

a. The False Prophet will perform miracles as part of his deception of the world. One of these miracles will be fire coming down from heaven in the sight of men. This verse clearly qualifies this fire as being in the sight of men.  Thus, it is unnecessary that the fire actually come down from heaven, but only that men will see apparent fire coming down from heaven. It is highly significant that this is exactly what happened in the vision of Fatima. Thousands of people testified that they actually saw the sun in a fireball descend from heaven upon the people, and then ascend back into heaven. It is very important to note that even though thousands of people observed this phenomenon, some people at the scene of the phenomenon saw nothing miraculous happen. Therefore, this great wonder could be a repeat on a much larger scale of the same type of deception through some type of mass hysteria.  Satan did this once at Fatima, Portugal, so he could repeat it.  It is also significant that the Pope is enamored with the vision at Fatima, and he has stated that the Virgin Mary is going to do something wonderful in the future to reveal her son to the world. This is apparently when the Pope will point his finger at Antichrist and identify him as "the Christ." Millions of people caught up in the New Age doctrines will immediately be deceived into believing that Christ has returned to earth. This deception is described in the following verse.  

14.  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 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.

a. This verse confirms that the False Prophet will cause the Antichrist to be worshipped, and he will even cause some kind of image of the Antichrist to be made.  The exact form this image will take may be a mystery until the prophecy is fulfilled.  Only one image is spoken of, but in regard to the sense, a multitude of images is meant.  Therefore, it seems probable that the television will be the medium in which the one image is multiplied throughout the millions of households in the world.  This would give a sort of ubiquitous presence of the Antichrist and mimic the omnipresence of God.  This would greatly facilitate his worship in all parts of the world.  

b. This verse also states for the third time that Antichrist was apparently dead, but somehow he miraculously survived.  It is ironic that numerous Christians refuse to believe the identity of the Antichrist simply because the man is believed to be dead by the entire world.  It would be ludicrous to look for Antichrist among the living when the Scriptures are so emphatic about his apparent death as far as the world is concerned.  The world is absolutely certain that Antichrist is dead.  Otherwise, the world would not be astonished when he miraculously appears alive.  

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.  

a. The False Prophet has the power to give spirit or breath (not life) unto the image of the beast, that the image should speak and cause those who do not worship the image to be killed.  It seems that since television is the most likely medium for the image to be transmitted throughout the world, the spirit that is given to the image would have to refer to the television signals that are transmitted around the world.  There was no word for television waves at the time Revelation was written, so the word for spirit, pneuma, would be the most accurate word to describe one image being converted into electromagnetic waves, and transformed into multiple images in millions of homes around the world.  This would be the form in which all the people of the world would be required to bow down and worship the image of the beast in their own homes.  There will have to be some kind of verification that everyone is participating in this worship of the beast.  The following verses describe the verification process that will be employed.  

16.  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:  

a. The False Prophet will require that everyone bow down and worship the image of the beast in order to receive his identification mark so that he will be able to participate in the new cashless monetary system.  

b. The mark is already being used in animals, and some famous individuals such as the children of Prince Charles have supposedly already taken the mark as a security measure against kidnapping.  

c. The mark is a tiny transponder the size of a large grain of rice.  It transmits a number in the form of the bar code when a scanner is waved over the place where the mark has been inserted under the skin with a needle.  

17.  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.  

a. The only way a person will be able to participate in the monetary system of the Antichrist will be to receive the mark in the right hand, or in the forehead in the event that both hands have been amputated.  

b. It is now well known that every bar code is encoded with three identical symbols incorporated into the mark that are identical to three sixes when seen by the naked eye.  However, the presence of extra or less spacing before the symbol, the computer reads the symbols as the starting, separating and stopping point in reading the entire mark.  The computer reads all of the other symbols in the mark as numbers.  Several books have recently been published explaining this mark in detail.  

18.  Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.  

a. This verse refers to the three sixes that are included in the bar code making up the mark of the beast.  Six is the number of man, since man was created on the sixth day.  Six is just one number short of the spiritually perfect number of seven.  It is the number of imperfection, the human number, the number of man as destitute of God, without God, and without Christ.  The three sixes together is the picture of man attempting to be God, but failing miserably.   

b. The attempt by many to make the name of Antichrist add up to 666 may have some merit, but it is unnecessary to prove the identity of the Antichrist.  Almost anyone’s name can be made to add up to 666 when numerous variations and methods are attempted.  The identity of the Antichrist is common knowledge to numerous Christians, because of his fulfillment of numerous prophecies, and not because someone was able to get his name to add up to 666.  The incorrectly translated phrase "for it is the number of a man" should have been translated "for it is the number of man."  The number of man as a triune being consisting of body, soul and spirit is 666.  It is only with the addition of God's number of 111 that man becomes spiritually complete or perfect as 777.  Man without God can never measure up to spiritual perfection.  

c. Please note that the mark is the "name" of the beast or the "number of his name". The name symbolizes a person's authority or character. For example, when the Scriptures tell us to pray in the name of Jesus, it means that we are to pray in his power and his authority. Ending our prayers "In Jesus Name" is not praying in the power and authority of Jesus Christ. We pray in the Name of Jesus when we crucify the old flesh nature and allow His Character and His Authority to be manifested in our lives. The name of Antichrist is the same. The mark of Antichrist is the symbol of his power and authority. The mark is the universal bar code, which is not a number but a series of marks or etchings. However, these etchings can be computed or counted as numbers. The scanners read these etchings and print out a number. Therefore, the mark is a number, and it is the symbol of his power and authority. Every bar code has three etchings that can be read by the naked eye as 666. However, the computer scanner reads these etchings as delimiters for reading the data. Consequently, every bar code mark contains three sixes, and these three sixes symbolize the power and authority of Antichrist. To grasp this in a simple straightforward manner, simply insert the word "authority" in the place of name in the above Scriptures, and you have the meaning of the verse:  

(Rev 13:16 NIV)  He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead,

(Rev 13:17 NIV)  so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the AUTHORITY of the beast or the number of his AUTHORITY.

(Rev 13:18 NIV)  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 666.  

The number 666 is man's number and it represents the power and authority of Antichrist. It is this mark with the number 666 in it that allows Antichrist to have authority over the masses. It will be used to coerce people into worshipping him.

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Revelation Chapter 14

The Reaping of the Earth and the Winepress of the Wrath of God.

(Rev 14 KJV)  And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. {2} And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: {3} And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. {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 from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. {5} And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. {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, {7} Saying with a loud voice, 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. {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. {9} 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, {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 he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: {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. {12} Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. {13} And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. {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. {15} And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. {16} And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. {17} And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. {18} And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. {19} 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. {20} 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.  

Chapter 14 goes back to the middle of the tribulation period to give some more details of the 144,000 Jews who were saved at the beginning of the tribulation period.  They are not members of the Church as some have thought.  They are firstfruits, but they are firstfruits of a different order or class of the redeemed.  They are the Firstfruits of the Jews who will be redeemed during the tribulation period.  The Main Harvest of the Jews will not take place until the Day of Atonement at the end of the tribulation period, but the Firstfruits are totally redeemed (i.e., body, soul and spirit) at the mid-point of the tribulation period.  Their spirits were redeemed at the beginning of the tribulation period, and they saved their souls by their obedience during the first half of the tribulation period.  At the midpoint of the tribulation period, they receive complete redemption of their souls and their new bodies of flesh and blood.  Since they are God's earthly people, they are not in heaven around the throne, but they are physically present in Jerusalem, standing on Mount Zion with Jesus.  

1.  And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.

a.  John uses the statement "And I looked (or "saw" or "beheld"), and, lo (behold)" ten times in Revelation, and each time serves as the introduction to something spectacular (Rev. 4:1; 5:6; 6:2; 6:5, 8; 7:9; 14:1, 14; 15:5; 19:11).  It would be something unbelievable had John not seen it with his own eyes.  

b.  John sees Jesus Christ standing on "the" mount Sion, and the 144,000 Jewish firstfruits are standing with Him.  When used in the literal sense, mount Sion always means the hill on which Jerusalem was built.  When the context warrants its use in the figurative sense, such as in Hebrews 12:22-24, it means the heavenly or the New Jerusalem.  Unless the context clearly indicates the figurative sense is meant, as is stated in Hebrews 12:22-24, the literal Jerusalem is meant.  The context of this verse clearly establishes the literal Jerusalem is meant in this verse, and this will be shown as the verses are explained.  The use of the definite article "the" is the first indication that the literal mount Sion is meant.  

c.  The fact that the 144,000 are standing confirms that they have received their redeemed bodies, although they are bodies of flesh and blood designed for habitation on the earth.  They are bodies that will never die, and man or beast cannot harm them.  This is the result of their sealing in Chapter 7.  

d.  They have the name of the Father on their foreheads, and this is the Jewish mark.  Their place on "the mount Sion" connects with the seat of the palace and throne of David and Solomon.  It demonstrates their inheritance in the earthly aspect of the kingdom of God.  They are expressly differentiated from the four living creatures, the 24 elders, and the harpers described in the following verse.  

2.  And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:

a. John hears "a voice from heaven," and this is further confirmation that he is referring to the earthly Jerusalem, and not the New or heavenly Jerusalem.  This voice is clearly the voice of God, since it "as the voice of many waters."  This demonstrates that the voice totally engulfs and overwhelms the listener, a primary characteristic of the voice of God.  An earthly analogy would be a close-up of Niagara Falls where the sound of the falls overwhelms the senses.  The sound of the voice as that "of a great thunder" identifies the time that this action is taking place as the time of judgment, or the time of the great Day of the Lord, which is the middle of the tribulation period.  

b. In addition to the voice of God coming from heaven, John also hears the voice or sound of harpers harping with their harps coming from heaven.  The Greek word for harpers means people who sing as they accompany themselves on the lyre or harp.  These harpers are completely redeemed individuals who are now in heaven singing the song of redemption.  The following verse further identifies these harpers.  

3.  And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.  

a. It is important to remember that the four living creatures and the 24 elders each had a harp and sang the "new song" in Rev. 5:8-9.  They sang this new song, a song of total and complete redemption, at the beginning of the tribulation period.  We now have a new group of harpers singing the new song of total and complete redemption in heaven, and the time is the middle of the tribulation period at the time of the Day of the Lord.  It is important to note that this sound is coming from heaven at the same time that the 144,000 are standing on mount Sion completely and totally redeemed.  The 144,000 are able to learn this new song because they have now been redeemed in spirit, soul and body.  They no longer have their old flesh natures, and this is confirmed by the phrase "were redeemed from the earth."  They are no longer subject to, influenced by, or have a part in the worldly system.  The following verses further confirms this state of being or existence.  Their earthly inheritance is set, and they can no longer be tempted into losing it.  Their complete redemption is in the past tense (i.e., "were redeemed from the earth).

b.  Just as the Firstfruits of the Church are kept out of the hour of trial during the first half of the tribulation period, the firstfruits of the Jews will be supernaturally sealed and protected during the last half of the tribulation period, when the main body of the Jewish remnant will be severely persecuted.  In both cases there is a reward for faithfulness. The Firstfruits of the Church were “kept from the hour of trial” for the Church, but the Jewish Firstfruits were protected during the “time of Jacob’s trouble”.  

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 from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.  
a.  The clause "These were redeemed from among men" means that they were separated entirely from the common course of this world.  They have been removed from the ordinary fellowship of men.  They have been severed from the world in heart and life, yet they still remain standing upon the earth in the earthly Jerusalem.  They are still in the world, but they have been completely redeemed from their old flesh natures.  Their salvation is complete in body, soul and spirit.  This is why they were able to learn the New Song, which is a song of redemption.  

b.  The first sentence of this verse is not necessarily referring to their celibacy, or to their gender, but to their purity of life.  Therefore, we do not have to suppose that they are all males, or that they have never been married in the literal sense.  The figurative sense of the words is meant.  For example, they did not literally walk behind Jesus following him physically, but they followed Him in the sense of being His disciples, and obeying His commandments.  

c.  "They are virgins" is not referring to their physical condition, but their spiritual condition before the Lord.  The meaning is the same as the ten virgins in the parable by that name in Matthew 25.  The phrase "not defiled with women" would have special reference to the false religious system described as the "Great Harlot of Babylon."  Spiritual unfaithfulness is figuratively referred to in the Bible as adultery with women.  

d.  The phrase "the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb" has no reference to the Church, but signifies the first ones to ripen or mature from the remnant of Israel.  This remnant will receive their atonement at the end of the tribulation period at the time that Jesus Christ returns to the Mount of Olives.  The 144,000 firstfruits of Israel serve as a promise of that which is to come in Israel's Day of Atonement.  The prepositional phrase "unto God" shows the Jewishness of these firstfruits.  The Jews have a special relationship with God the Father, while the Church has a special relationship to God the Son.  

5.  And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.  

a.  The first clause in this verse confirms that the figurative sense of the words is meant, since no one is literally opening up their mouths to look for guile.  "And in their mouth was found no guile” simply means that a primary quality of the 144,000 will be truthfulness.  Anyone who fails to live his profession or show by his works what he speaks with his lips is a liar.  It is important for believers to be careful about their conversation and guard the things that they say.  It is a devilish thing to speak falsehood, and to exercise a deceitful and untrustworthy tongue.  Satan is a liar and the father of lies.  The 144,000 will hold the true faith with a true heart, and they will exemplify it by a true manner of life.  They will be the children of truth in a world of untruth during the first half of the tribulation period.  It will be because of this that they will be completely redeemed 3 1/2 years earlier than the main body of the Jewish remnant, who will receive their atonement at the end of the seven years of tribulation.  

b.  The phrase "before the throne of God" is not in the best manuscripts, and the phrase is dropped by common consent of the greatest of Bible scholars.  The KJV is the only translation that incorrectly includes this phrase.  The words make no difference in the sense of the verse since the blamelessness of these people must also be blamelessness before the throne.  The phrase is misleading though, since some take it to mean that these 144,000 are in heaven "before the throne of God," which is not the case.  It would also suggest a connection with the heavenly throne that does not exist.  

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,  

a.  The fact that an angel is preaching unto them on the earth is proof positive that the Church period has ended completely, and all members of the Church have been removed from the earth.  In the current age the charge of preaching and witnessing for God, and the teaching of his Word is the peculiar office of the Church.  The gospel being preached by this angel is that of the kingdom age.  This verse is the fulfillment of the following verse of Scripture:  

(Mat 24:14 KJV)  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.  

This angel begins his preaching at the beginning of the Day of the Lord in the middle of the tribulation period, so the message is not that of Grace and reconciliation to God, but of obedience to God or else judgment, as is stated by this first angel in the following verse.  

b.  Antichrist may be successful in hushing up or burying in caves, mountains and wildernesses man's testimony for God, but the truth of God and his claims must be spoken.  Just as Jesus stated in his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, if men are silenced, then the rocks will cry out.  

7.  Saying with a loud voice, 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.  

a.  This angel preaching the age-lasting good news is warning all nations on the earth to fear God and to give him glory, for the time of his judgment has come.  This angel starts his preaching at the middle of the tribulation period at the time that the Day of the Lord commences.  The proclamation to fear God and worship him is accompanied by the pronouncement that this same God is the Creator of all things.  This gives him the right and authority to judge all things.  There is no meek and entreating message to come to God and receive forgiveness, but a commandment to fear God and give him glory "for the hour of his judgment is come."  This is further confirmation that the Day of the Lord does not occur until the middle of the tribulation period.  

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.  

a.  Another angel follows the first angel, and this one is warning about the fall of Babylon the Great.  This is not a confirmation of something that has already occurred, but a warning of something that was yet future.  The certainty of the coming fall of Great Babylon is emphasized by the proclamation in the past tense just as if it had already happened.  This method of proclaiming a future event in the past tense is frequent in the Old Testament prophecies.  The prophets actually saw the events happen in their visions, and they prophesied the events just as if they had already happened, even though the reality of the events were still in the future.  

b.  This Babylon the Great will be destroyed at the end of the tribulation period (Rev. 16:19).  This Babylon is that great city, so it is the political Babylon described in Chapter 18 of Revelation.  The numerous prophecies about this endtime nation confirm it to be the United States of America, the home and first domain of the Antichrist.  After the "resurrection" of Antichrist, he expands his kingdom to include the Ten-Horned Beast, and his authority is exerted over the whole earth.  This is confirmed in the following Scripture:  

(Hab 2:5 KJV)  Yea also, because he (i.e., Antichrist) transgresseth by wine, he is a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but  gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people:  

c.  In contrast to what is stated above and what has been taught by some of the greatest theologians, it is possible that the statement that Babylon is fallen, fallen has reference to its moral and spiritual fall that has already occurred at the time that the angel is making this proclamation.  If this is true, then the word fallen simply means that Babylon has acted or behaved in such a way that she is now ready for God's judgment, which will occur at the end of the tribulation period. It is expressly stated that the Great City Babylon is destroyed during the seventh bowl judgment.  

9.  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,  

a.  The third warning concerns the worshipping of the Antichrist, and the taking of his mark.  The dire consequences of worshipping the Antichrist and taking his mark are enumerated in the following verses.  

b.  The worship of Antichrist and the taking of the mark are linked, so a person can only take the mark if he submits to the worshipping of Antichrist.  

c.  The mark is a miniature transponder the size of a large grain of rice that has a number encoded into a bar code.  Every bar code has 666 as part of its design, so that a scanner can read it attached to a computer.  This verse confirms that the mark will not become mandatory worldwide until the middle of the tribulation period.  It may be implemented earlier in the "Great City Babylon" or the Ten Horned Beast, so it could become an issue for the main body of the Church during the first half of the tribulation period, but this is only conjecture.  

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 he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:  

a.  This is the most solemn warning in all of Scripture.  The person who worships the Antichrist and takes his mark will suffer the wrath of God, which will be poured out without any mixture of grace and mercy.  He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the angels and the Lamb.   

b.  The first half of this verse is a picture of the judgments of God during the last half of the tribulation period, and the second half of the verse is in reference to the torment of Gehenna or the Lake of Fire, which is the Second Death.  The duration of this torment is given in the following verse.  

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.  

a.  The use of the Greek word aion twice shows that the duration of this torment is unto the ages of ages.  This is how the idea of eternity is expressed in the Greek.  The use of the Greek word aion (age) or aiones (age-lasting) signifies that the action pertains to one age, which varies anywhere from one thousand to two thousand years, or even longer.  

b.  Since the punishment for taking the mark is unto the ages of ages, it seems certain that no believer will actually take the mark.  The fact that an angel has warned the whole earth about not taking the mark precludes any believer from taking the mark out of ignorance of God's requirement.  

12.  Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.  

a.  This has reference to the believers who are on the earth during the last half of the tribulation period.  The word saints is a generic term for all of God's people, and it can refer to Christians (i.e., Church members) as well as Old Testament saints and tribulation saints.  The context has to determine the people in view.  It is generally used when two or more classes of God's people are meant such as Christians and elect Jews, or elect Jews and elect Gentiles.  

b.  It will require great patience in order to keep God's commandments during this last half of the tribulation period.  Martyrdom will often be the consequence of keeping God's commandments, and maintaining faith in Jesus.  This faith implies continued obedience, and not just the one-time belief that Jesus died for this person's sins.  There will be reward for this kind of faith, as is stated in the following verse.  

13.  And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.  

a.  Every believer who is martyred during the last half of the tribulation period will receive a reward in the earthly aspect of the kingdom, since all members of the Church have been raptured at this point.  The martyrs' work will be over, but their works will merit a reward in the earthly aspect of the kingdom.  

b.  It is important to note that John is still on the earth in this verse since he hears "a voice from heaven."  The scope of the action started out in verse 1 with the 144,000 standing on the earthly mount Sion, and the action continues to be on the earth.  

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.  

a.  John looks and sees a white cloud with Jesus Christ sitting on it.  The white cloud is reminiscent of the ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven, and it also portrays his return to the earth in power and glory (Matt. 24:30; Luke 21:27).  

b.  The golden crown shows his authority over the earth, and the sharp sickle points to his purpose of judging the Gentiles upon the earth.  The following Scripture depicts this time of judgment:  

(Joel 3:12-13 KJV)  Let the heathen (i.e., Gentiles) be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat:  for there will I sit to judge all the heathen (i.e., Gentiles) round about. {13} Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the vats overflow; for their wickedness is great.  

This is the sheep and goat judgment described in Matthew 25:31-46.  

15.  And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.  

a.  This is the fifth angel in this series of seven angels, and he comes out of the temple that appears to be the earthly temple.  He cries out to the angel on the cloud, which is clearly Jesus Christ.  The cry must be seen as a plea rather than a command since the angel on the cloud is Jesus Christ.  

b.  The "reaping of the earth" is different from the "gathering the vine of the earth."  Although scholars disagree on this point, this reaping appears to be a reaping of the sheep as opposed to the vintage, which is the goats in the sheep and goat judgment.  

c.  The clause "for the harvest of the earth is ripe" is the picture of a harvest where that which is being harvested has mostly been taken, and what is left is dried up and overripe.  That which is left is a good product, but it is not equal to that which was taken in the firstfruits or in the main harvest.  That which is left is the gleaning.  This verse is still referring to the harvest of grain, and not the vintage.  The grain is harvested and threshed.  The vintage is next, and it is "gathering the vine of the earth."  The vintage is the judgment on the goats.  

d.  The Greek word for ripe in this verse is xeraino and it means fully ripe but not in its prime.  It is dried up or overripe.  It is the result of being in the field too long before it finally became mature.  It is ripe or mature, but it is not Class 1 or Grade A in quality.  This is different from the word for ripe in verse 19 below.  

16.  And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.  

a.  Jesus is the harvester in this, and those that are harvested are saved Gentiles who were saved at some point in the tribulation period.  This completes the gleaning which pertains to saved people.  

17.  And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.  

a.  This sixth angel comes out of the temple in heaven.  He has the       "sharp sickle" that will harvest the vintage.  This is a judgment on the unsaved.  This judgment on the unsaved proceeds from the temple in heaven and not from the one on the earth.  

18.  And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.  

a.  This seventh angel comes out from the altar or the place of sacrifice.  This would be the brazen altar of sacrifice, which typifies the cross of Jesus Christ.  He tells the sixth angel that the time has come to "gather the clusters of the earth."  

b.  This angel has power over fire, which is the symbol of judgment upon a sin sick world that has rejected the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on Calvary.  This is the grape or vintage harvest, and it typifies the harvest of the unsaved.  The unsaved have produced fruit, but it is the fruit of the world.  This is seen in the clause "gather the clusters of the vine of the earth."  That which comes from the vine of the earth is evil.  Good fruit can only come from the vine from heaven, which is Jesus Christ.  

c.  The Greek word for ripe in this verse is akmazo.  The word means to be completely ripe and in its prime.  It is referring to the fruit of evil that has reached its peak.  It is at the best time for being harvested.  This is in contrast to the word for ripe in verse 15, which pertained to fruit that had been in the field too long.  

19.  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.  

a.  It is significant that not only the clusters of the vine of the earth are gathered, but also the whole vine is gathered and cast into the great winepress of the wrath of God.  All of the people and the whole world system will be brought to an end at this point in the tribulation.  

20. 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.  

a.  The winepress will apparently be the valley outside of Jerusalem that will be created when Jesus Christ sets his feet down upon the mount of Olives and the mountain will split.  

b.  All of the unsaved of the earth will be supernaturally cast into this valley, where Jesus Christ will physically destroy them.  Jesus Christ himself treads this winepress alone.  His robes will be stained from the blood of his enemies, and the blood will flow out of this valley so deep that it will be up to the horses' bridles.  There is no indication that this statement is to be understood figuratively.  The description of the trampling in the winepress is given in the following Scripture:  

(Isa 63:1-3 KJV)  Who is this that cometh from Edom, with  dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. {2} Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? {3} 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.  

It is difficult for Christians to picture Jesus in this role as Judge and Executioner, but it must be remembered that Jesus Christ is God Incarnate, and He has the same characteristics as God.  God is Love and Mercy, but He is also Justice and Divine Wrath.  The end of the tribulation period is a time of judgment unmixed with grace and mercy.

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Revelation Chapters 15

The Bowls of God's Wrath

The Seven Angels and the Seven Bowls of God's Wrath.

(Rev 15 KJV)  And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. {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. {3} And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. {4} Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest. {5} And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened: {6} And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles. {7} And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever. {8} And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.  

Chapters 15 and 16 go together in their chronology of events, and they complete the consummation of the chronologically ordered events leading up to the second coming of Christ in chapter 19.  Chapters 17 and 18 are a parenthesis or break in the sequence of events to describe ecclesiastical and political Babylon.  Chapter 15 introduces the seven angels who are to dispense the seven bowls or vials that complete God's judgments upon the earth.  It also pictures the resurrection of the martyred saints of the last half of the tribulation period standing upon the sea of glass mingled with fire.  

1. And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.  

a.  The statement that John sees "another sign in heaven" tells us that what he is about to describe is a figurative description of what is about to happen.  Consequently, the angels are not literal angels, and the bowls are not literal bowls.  The word "another" refers back to the two preceding signs of chapter 12, the "woman clothed with the sun" and the "great red dragon".  It should be remembered that the woman was a figure for Israel and the dragon was a figure for Satan.  Therefore, we must seek for other clues as to the identity of these seven angels as we study this chapter.  

b. It is important to remember that the Angel who initiated the trumpet judgments was the Lord Jesus Christ, and the seven angels who executed the judgments were the seven Presence Angels that stand before the throne of God.  This knowledge will help us shortly in identifying the seven angels who will complete the wrath of God.  

c. The phrase "filled up the wrath of God" means that these are the final judgments of God upon the earth.  

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.  

a. John also sees "as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire".  The "as it were" phrase confirms that this is not a literal sea of glass, but a figurative expression to convey some information.  We have established earlier (Rev. 4:6) that the sea of glass represents a state of fixed holiness that can only be attained by resurrection bodies not subject to the old flesh nature.  This is confirmed by the description of who is standing upon this glassy sea.  The ones described are the martyrs of the last half of the tribulation period.  The following verse identifies these saints as being both Jew and Gentile.  

b. It must be noted that this sea of glass is quite different from the sea of glass in Rev. 4:6.  First, this sea of glass is not described as being in heaven.  Consequently, it must be understood as being upon the earth (Remember that this is figurative and not literal).  This is confirmed by the fact that the sea of glass in Rev. 4:6 was "before the throne".  Second, this sea of glass is not "like until Crystal".  This means that those on this sea of glass have a fixed state of holiness, but this holiness is not like unto God's holiness, which is as crystal.  As described earlier, crystal is innately pure, whereas glass is made pure by the subjection of sand to extreme heat, which purifies it.  Therefore, those on the crystal sea in heaven have been conformed to the image of Jesus Christ, but those on this sea of glass have been purified and made holy, but they do not have the glorified body like unto Jesus Christ.  

c. Third, this sea of glass is mingled with fire.  This is a figure for showing that these martyred saints have actually gone through the judgments of God upon the earth.  The glassy sea "before the throne" in Rev. 4:6 was not mingled with fire because that sea was for the Church who were not subjected to these judgments.  

d. The statement that these saints were standing on the glassy sea shows they have been resurrected, and they now have bodies.  These are not bodies like unto Christ that are fit for heaven, but bodies like unto Adam before he sinned that are fit for dwelling upon the earth.  However, the figure of them standing on the glassy sea portrays a fixed state of holiness, so they are incapable of sinning.  They will enter into the earthly aspect of the kingdom.  

e. The fact that these have gotten the victory over the beast and his mark shows that they were martyrs in the last half of the tribulation period.  The harps depict their total and complete salvation.  

3. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.  

a. This verse confirms that those on the glassy sea are both saved Jews and saved Gentiles.  It is the Jews who sing the song of Moses, and the Gentiles who sing the song of the Lamb.  The definite article (i.e., the) before each song shows that two songs are involved and not one song.  

b. There are two songs of Moses that could be alluded to in this verse.  One is the song of Exodus 15 sung by Moses and the children of Israel after the triumph over the host of Pharaoh at the Red Sea crossing.  The other is the song of Moses recorded in Deuteronomy 32.  This song was personally written and spoken by Moses to the children of Israel at the end of his life.  This song pictures the faithfulness of God to Israel and His purpose to completely defeat their enemies.  This is the song most likely referred to, but both songs praise God for the deliverance of Israel and are similar to the song described in this verse.  Both refer to the redemption of Israel by God.  

c. The song of the Lamb speaks of redemption from sin by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.  Therefore, it would pertain to the Church, the Jews and the Gentiles, but in this verse it has special reference to saved Gentiles who cannot sing the song of Moses.  They can sing the song of the Lamb.  

d. The Church has already sung this song of redemption.  The Firstfruits of the Church sang this song in Rev. 5:9, and the Main Harvest of the Church sang this song in Rev. 14:3.  

e. Praise is ascribed to God for his great and marvelous works.  They are great in extent, and the word marvelous means they arouse wonder or astonishment.  

f. God is also described as just and true.  He is just because He is perfectly righteous, and He is true because He keeps His promises.  

g. The expression "King of saints" is recorded in the better manuscripts as "King of the ages".  

4. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.  

a. This ascription of praise is futuristic and points to the millennial kingdom.  The nations neither fear God nor glorify Him now, but everyone in the millennial kingdom will fear and glorify Him.  The question beginning this verse is rhetorical and implies that the answer to the question is "no one".  

b. Only God is holy and all nations (i.e., Gentiles) shall go to Jerusalem during the millennial kingdom and worship Jesus Christ according to the following Scripture:  

(Zec 14:16-17 KJV)  And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. {17} And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.  

c. All nations will come to worship Jesus Christ because they will have seen the application of divine judgments to the wicked earth.  This is what is meant by the clause "for thy judgments are made manifest".  There will be some on the millennial earth who are born during the millennium who will not want to go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, but they will be afraid not to go.  The Lord and the overcomers in the Church will reign and rule during the millennium with an iron rod of correction.  

5. And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:  

a. The expression "I looked, and behold" always introduces something dramatically new.  The Greek word for temple is naos and it refers to the inner sanctuary or Holy of Holies in this context, and the tabernacle refers to the whole heavenly structure.  It is called the tabernacle of testimony because the Ark of the Covenant is located there.  This verse expressly states that this is the Holy of Holies in heaven that is opened.  If the prepositional phrase "in heaven" had not been used, then it would be referring to the temple on the earth.  

b. It is the Holy of Holies where close communion and fellowship with God takes place.  It is the Holy Place where close communion and fellowship with other believers take place.

6. And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.  

a. These seven angels are the sign referred to in verse 1, so they are not literal angels.  We must determine whom these seven angels represent from the description of them.  They come out of the Holy of Holies, so they clearly represent a group that has close communion and fellowship with the Lord God Almighty in heaven.  Since they are not literal angels, this narrows it down to either the four living creatures or the 24 elders.  This is confirmed by the statement that they are clothed in pure and white linen.  Pure and white linen represents the righteous deeds or acts of those in the Church who are overcomers.  

b. The statement that they are girded about the chest with golden girdles signifies their authority to exercise judgment.  This judgment will be released upon the earth, and it is figuratively described as bowls of God's wrath that will be quickly poured out upon the earth.  

7. And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.  

a. We are now told that one of the four living creatures dispenses the seven bowls to these seven angels.  This excludes the four living creatures as being represented by the seven angels, so the seven angels would represent the 24 elders that will dispense the judgments of God against the earth.  

b. We remember that it was Jesus Christ who initiated the trumpet judgments in Rev. 8:3, so it would be highly appropriate that His bride (i.e., the four living creatures) would be the one to initiate the seven bowl judgments.  It was the seven Presence Angels that announced the trumpet judgments, so it would be appropriate for the 24 elders to pour out the bowl judgments.  The fact that Christians will judge the world is confirmed in the following Scripture:  

(1 Cor 6:1-2 KJV)  Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? {2} 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?  

"The saints" in this verse of Scripture refer to Christians in the Church.  Please note that it does not say the Church or the Body of Christ will judge the world.  It will be a select group of Christians out of the Church who will do the judging.  Based on this verse of Scripture, it appears that the 24 elders will execute the bowl judgments under the authority of the four living creatures, which represent the bride of Christ, or the highest level of rule in the kingdom of the heavens.  

8. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.  

a.  The smoke is the glory cloud from God's holy presence.  The brilliance of His holiness and the invincibility of His power are the signal that the wrath of God is about to be poured out without measure upon a rebellious earth.  Even the redeemed hosts closest to the throne of God are unable to enter the Holy of Holies until the seven last plagues of God's wrath have been fulfilled.  

b. There have been similar occasions on the earth when those closest to God were unable to enter into the tabernacle because of God's presence.  The Scriptures are as follows:  

(Exo 40:34-35 KJV)  Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. {35} And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.  

(1 Ki 8:10-11 KJV)  And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD, {11} So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.

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Revelation Chapters 16

The Bowls of Divine Wrath are Poured Out

The Bowls of Divine Wrath.

(Rev 16 KJV)  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. {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 worshipped his image. {3} And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man; and every living soul died in the sea. {4} And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood. {5} And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus. {6} For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. {7} And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments. {8} And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. {9} And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory. {10} And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, {11} And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds. {12} And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. {13} 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. {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. {15} Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. {16} And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. {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. {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. {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. {20} And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. {21} And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.  

Chapter 16 is a continuation of chapter 15 and concerns the third or last woe of the trumpet judgments, which includes the seven vials poured out upon the earth.  We have already established that these seven angels are a figure and are not literal angels.  We have also established that they are almost certainly representative of the 24 elders, who have been in heaven since the beginning of the tribulation period.  It was the 24 elders and the four living creatures who were taken out of the Church in the Firstfruits Rapture, which is the Separation that took place at the beginning of the tribulation period.  

It is important to know whom these angels represent because it is one of them that introduces the Bride of Christ in Rev. 21:9.  Since they are introducing the Bride of Christ, they cannot be part of the Bride of Christ.  We now have Scriptural evidence that the 24 elders are not included in the Bride of Christ, so we must conclude that only those represented by the four living creatures are included in the Bride of Christ.  We had already surmised this from Rev. 4:6, since they actually shared in the throne of the Lamb, while the 24 elders had their own thrones around the throne of Christ (Rev. 4:4).  Also, it was the four living creatures who were the praise and worship leaders in heaven (Rev. 4:9).  It should be remembered that it was Lucifer who was the praise and worship leader in heaven before his fall, and he was originally one of the Seven Presence Angels who stood before the throne of God.  He was also the most powerful of all of the angels. 

We know that those in the Church who are overcomers will fill the positions vacated by the fallen angels under the leadership of Lucifer.  It now seems clear that the Bride of Christ will fill the position vacated by Lucifer.  Christ will be head over the Church and the Bride will share in His power and authority.  Relatively speaking, only a few in the Church will attain unto this position.  Even the 24 elders will not attain unto it.  

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.  

a. Since it was one of the four living creatures that gave the vials to the seven angels, we conclude that this great voice would be either that of Christ or the four living creatures.  The great voice in Rev. 1:10 and 11:12 was Christ and the great voice in Rev. 16:17 comes out of the throne, so it would have to be Christ or the four living creatures.  It is more probable that the voice is that of Christ.  

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 worshipped his image.  

a. The figure of the seven angels continues, and the first angel pours out his vial or bowl upon the earth.  The picture is that of a shallow bowl that is completely emptied upon the earth with one quick motion.  The judgment will be intense, but not enduring for a long time.  All seven bowl judgments will occur at the very end of the tribulation period over a short time span.  

b. It is significant that the word "angel" is not used after the word "first" like it was in the trumpet judgments.  The reason is that they were literally angels in the trumpet judgments, but the seven angels in this instance are only a figure employed to represent a group of people (i.e., the 24 Elders).  

c. The noisome and grievous sore is analogous to the sixth Egyptian plague (Ex. 9:10,11).  In Rev. 15:1 it is the seven angels and the bowls of wrath that are the figure or sign.  The plagues are literal just as they are described.  

d. It is unnecessary to conclude that there will be something inherent in the mark itself that will cause this sore on the people who take it.  This is a divine judgment so those who take the mark and those who worship the Antichrist will come under divine judgment.  These judgments will be supernatural just as the plagues upon Egypt were supernatural.  There is no need for determining a providential cause of these plagues.  There is nothing providential that could cause the rivers and fountains in verse 4 to actually become blood.  

3. And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man; and every living soul died in the sea.  

a. This judgment is upon the sea, and the sea became "as the blood of a dead man".  The sea does not become blood, but it becomes corrupted like the blood of a dead man.  The rivers and waters in the following verse actually become blood.  Because of the corruption of the sea, every kind of creature that lives in the sea dies.  It is not every single creature in the sea that dies, but every kind of creature that dies.  It is the same word as in Matthew 4:23 where the Lord healed "all manner (i.e., kinds) of sickness and all manner (i.e., kinds) of disease".  He healed every kind of sickness and disease.  

4. And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.  

a. The word angel is not in the best manuscripts for the reason stated above.  

b. Unlike the sea, which becomes corrupted in verse 3 above, the rivers and fountains actually become blood.  This is clearly a supernatural judgment that cannot be attributed to any providential happening upon the earth.  The people of the earth have rejected the blood of Christ, so the Lord deemed it appropriate that they be given blood to drink in lieu of water.  

5. And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus.  

a. The Greek word for angel in this verse is in the best manuscripts, and there is a reason for it.  This is a literal angel who is in charge of the waters of the earth.  This is equivalent to an imprecatory psalm where the Lord is lauded for his judgments upon the waters of the earth.  This is true even from an angel whose responsibility is the protection of the waters of the earth.  

b. Apparently, different angels have responsibility for watching over the various components of the earth.  Some of the angels even have responsibility over different countries.  For example, Michael is the chief prince who watches over Israel according to the following Scriptures:  

(Dan 10:21 KJV)  But I will show 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.  

(Dan 12:1 KJV)  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.  

6. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.  

a. This verse reiterates the fact that the water has become literal blood.  The reason for giving them blood to drink is related to the fact that they have shed the blood of saints and prophets.  The punishment is related to the sins that were committed.  Since they have shed the blood of God's people, God saw fit to give them blood to drink.  It is, so to speak, punishment that fits the crime.  

b. "For they are worthy" simply means that they deserve this judgment.  

7. And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.  

a. The voice comes out of the altar, which is the place of sacrifice.  The voice confirms that the judgment is true and righteous.  The altar would point to the sacrifice of the saints and prophets, but it would also point to the sacrifice of Christ.  

8. And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.  

a. Again, the word for angel is not in the best manuscripts.  

b. So far, the judgments have been upon the people who took the mark and worshipped Antichrist, the sea and the rivers and fountains.  We now have judgments upon the sun, and the "fourth" has been given power to scorch men with fire.  

9. And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.  

a. The people of the earth are scorched with a great heat from the sun, and they blaspheme the authority and character of God because of it.  They know that it is God who is the cause of these plagues, but they refuse to repent and give him glory.  This confirms the total depravity of man without a regeneration of his spirit by the Holy Spirit.  No amount of knowledge or human persuasion can cause a person to turn to Christ without the quickening of the spirit of man.  

10. And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,  

a. Again, the word for angel is not in the best manuscripts.  

b. This vial is poured out upon the throne of the antichrist, which is the great city Babylon.  His entire kingdom becomes engulfed in darkness.  Immediately after the intense heat there is intense darkness, and mostly likely intense cold that would accompany the darkness.  The pain and suffering will be so intense that people will gnaw their tongues in agony.  Their tongues have spoken blasphemies, and they themselves punish their own tongues.  They would rather gnaw their tongues in pain rather than speak a prayer in repentance  

11. And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.  

a. Again, the people know from where the judgments are coming, but they continue to blaspheme God, and they continue to refuse to repent of their sins.  

12. And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.  
a. Again, the word for angel is not in the best manuscripts.  

b. The sixth vial is poured out upon the river Euphrates, and the river dries up to prepare the way of the kings from the East.  This is preparation for the battle of Armageddon.  Partial preparation has already been made for this judgment when the sixth trumpet judgment was sounded (Rev. 9:13-15), and the four bound angels were loosed in preparation for this upcoming judgment.  

c. The kings of the East will most likely be China, Japan, North Korea and perhaps a few other oriental countries that will come against Antichrist who will have his troops stationed in the Middle East.  Their armies will assemble in the Valley of Magiddo, and there will be 200 million of them.  They will think that they are coming against Antichrist, but they will transfer their animosity towards Jesus Christ when He returns in power and glory.  This sequence of events is given in the remaining verses of this chapter.  

13. 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.

a. Three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouths of the members of the satanic trinity.  We need not speculate about these three unclean spirits for the following verse states precisely their identity.  

b. According to Walter Scott, "The mouth is regarded as the source and means of destructive agency."  

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.  

a. The unclean spirits are demons working miracles who go out to the kings of the earth and supernaturally influence them to gather for the battle of Armageddon.  The kings of the earth think they are coming for a battle between Antichrist and the kings from the East. They are being deceived by these three demons, so that the nations of the earth will be in Israel to fight against Jesus Christ at the time He returns in power and glory.  

b. God is about to set up His King on Mount Zion, and Satan is gathering the nations of the world to fight against Him.  

15. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

a. The normal meaning of this verse in another context would refer to the Separation or the Rapture, but the context of this verse is at the end of the tribulation period and requires another interpretation.  The context is the Second Coming in power and glory, and the nations of the world are gathered to fight against each other in Israel.  Jesus Christ will suddenly appear in power and glory, and the nations of the earth will turn to war against Him.  There will be saved people on the earth at that time who will be looking for the return of Christ at the end of the tribulation period.  This is a warning for them to keep watching for the return of Jesus, and to remain undefiled in their walk.  Otherwise, they will be ashamed and lose all rewards.  

b. The context of this verse pertains to the earthly aspect of the kingdom and not the heavenly aspect of the kingdom.  Admittedly, it is tempting to try and remove this verse from its context and apply it to the Rapture, but the context will not allow it.  

c. The verse is an interjection by Jesus Christ himself to the believers who are alive at the time of His triumphant return.  Just as Christians who are prepared at the Separation and at the Main Harvest Rapture of the Church, the believers who are prepared at the return of Jesus Christ in power and glory will be rewarded for their faithfulness.  Jesus will come three times as a thief in the night.  These three times are the Separation, the Rapture and the Second Coming in Power and Glory. Jesus will come as Bridegroom at the Separation, and He will come as Lord at the Main Harvest Rapture. He will come as King at the Second Coming in power and glory.  

16. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.  

a. Satan will gather the nations of the world into the Valley of Mageddo.  This is the final preparation for the last battle between Jesus Christ and the nations of the world. Armageddon is the final battle in this age between good and evil. There will be another battle between Satan and God at the end of the millennial kingdom age.  

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.  

a. The seventh and last vial is poured out into the air, and the great voice out of the temple—probably Jesus Christ—says, "It is done."  

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.

a. The voices, and thunders, and lightnings announce the final, but the most devastating judgment from God Almighty.  

b. An earthquake will take place that will shake the whole earth.  This is undoubtedly the earthquake described in the following Scripture:  

(Isa 24:20 KJV)  The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.    

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.  

a. The great city could refer to either Jerusalem (See Rev. 11:8) or Babylon the Great (See Rev. 14:8).  Since Babylon is referred to further on in this same verse, it must be concluded that Jerusalem is the reference.  This is consistent with other Scripture since the earthquake will affect Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will split in two in order to make a way of escape for the remnant of Israel to escape destruction by the nations.  Also, "the great city" is simply divided into three parts, but the other cites and great Babylon will be destroyed completely.  

b. The cities of the nations that fall are literal cities, but they also represent the world system.  They will be destroyed from the earthquake.  Babylon the Great will also be destroyed by the great earthquake.  Chapters 17 and 18 of Revelation go into detail regarding the identity and the destruction of Babylon the Great.  

c. The USA is both political and commercial Babylon.  Washington DC is the political Capitol of Babylon, and New York City is the commercial Capitol of Babylon.  Religious Babylon is the papal worship system, and its Capitol is located in the Vatican in Rome, Italy.  All three Babylons will be discussed in detail in the studies of Chapters 17 and 18 where numerous clues are given to the identities of these three Babylons.  These three Babylons together will form the leadership of the New World Order with Antichrist as its political leader and the False Prophet as its religious leader.  

d. It is important to understand that America is on the verge of losing its sovereignty as a nation, but it will be the headquarters, both politically and commercially, of the ten-horned beast.  America with Antichrist as its leader will be the little horn that comes up among the ten horns in Daniel 7:8.  Little horn is an ancient oriental idiom that means a young powerful nation.  The word little is not in reference to power, but the age of the nation.  The word horn by itself means it is a powerful nation, and the word little means it is a young powerful nation.  Thus, America will not lose its power and might until it is destroyed at the end of the tribulation period.  It will, however, lose its independence and sovereignty as a free nation when it becomes amalgamated with the European Union.  Even Russia and the middle-eastern Arab countries under Egypt will be associated with the kingdom of Antichrist.  This is why the ten-horned beast will be so powerful, and Antichrist will be the leader of this world power.  

20. And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.  

a. The topography of the earth will be greatly changed for the institution of the millennial reign of Jesus Christ.  This does not say that islands will cease to be or that there will be no more mountains.  It says that islands will recede from their present places, and some mountains will entirely disappear.  

b. In Rev. 6:14 at the beginning of the day of the Lord, the mountains and islands were loosened from their present positions, but they are not completely removed from these positions until the end of the day of the Lord.  

c. Jeremiah describes this scene in the following Scripture:  

(Jer 4:23-26 KJV)  I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light. {24}  I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly (i.e., leaping and gliding from their places). {25} I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled. {26} I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the LORD, and by his fierce anger.  

d. The devastation that will occur is probably incomprehensible to our minds at present.  The Lord is going to completely demolish everything connected to the world system, and He is going to rebuild, replenish, and renew everything according to His blueprint.  The globe will not cease to exist, and God will not destroy the matter that makes up the earth.  He is going to redeem the earth, and make all things new.  He is going to completely and totally renovate the earth.  It will be unrecognizable when He is finished with it  

e.  Even though the moving of the islands and mountains will be a literal topographical change in the earth's surface, there will also be a figurative fulfillment of this same Scripture.  Mountain is a symbol for an earthly kingdom, and island is a symbol for an independent and sovereign nation separate and apart from Israel.  Both will cease during the millennial kingdom.  The only kingdom (i.e., mountain) will be that of the Lord Jesus Christ, and all nations (i.e., islands) will look to Jerusalem in Israel for leadership and guidance.  The following Scriptures confirm this to be true:  

(Isa 2:2-3 KJV)  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. {3} 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 from Jerusalem.  

(Zec 8:3 KJV)  Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain.  

21. And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.  

a. This is literal hail that falls out of heaven.  The Jewish talent for silver-weight was 115 lbs. and for weighing other things, it was 135 lbs.  The Egyptian and Greek talent was about 86 lbs.  There was a talent used at Antioch that weighed 390 lbs.  Even if the Greek talent of 86 lbs. is meant, the devastation will be total and complete.  

b. A hailstorm occurred in Constantinople in October 1831 in which the hailstones weighed about a pound.  The hail destroyed everything upon which it fell.  Hailstones weighing in excess of 86 pounds will reduce cities, buildings and homes to rubble.  As the hail melts it is likely that the places where cities once stood will look like plowed and harrowed fields ready to be planted.  All vestiges of the current world system will be done away with.  

c. It is still amazing that men will continue to blaspheme God for the destruction.  There is no sign of repentance on the part of mankind during these plagues.

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Revelation Chapters 17 and 18

The Fall of Babylon - Ecclesiastical and Political.

(Rev 17 KJV)  And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: {2} 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. {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. {4} 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: {5} And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. {6} And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. {7} And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns. {8} The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: 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. {9} And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. {10} And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. {11} And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. {12} And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. {13} These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. {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. {15} And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. {16} And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. {17} For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. {18} And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.  

Chapters 17 and 18 of Revelation deal with Mystery Babylon the Great, the great harlot of the Bible.  Babylon the Great is a system that goes all the way back to the very first Babylon described in chapters ten and eleven of Genesis.  The first Babylon inaugurated the original and all subsequent harlotries described in the Bible.  Harlotry is the primary symbol in the Bible for a debauched worship, idolatry, and false devotion.  These two chapters depict the end time culmination of Mystery Babylon the Great, and it consists of two primary areas of emphasis.  There is first ecclesiastical or religious Babylon, and this is the false worship system that began under Semiramus, wife of Nimrod, who was the political ruler of ancient Babylon.  Nimrod is a type or picture of Antichrist, and Semiramus was the founder of the false religious system that has culminated in the papal worship system today that has its headquarters in the Vatican in Rome, Italy.  The pope is the leader of religious Babylon.  He is the beast out of the earth in chapter 13 that has the two horns like a lamb.  The two horns are the two points on the miter, the liturgical headdress of the pope.  

In addition to religious Babylon, there is a political Babylon that is depicted as a Great City that reigns over the kings of the earth.  Political Babylon encompasses both a political system and a commercial system that has its headquarters in a Great City that symbolizes wealth, luxurious living, and commercial enterprise.  Thus, Mystery Babylon is both a religious system and a Great City, and both are symbolized by a harlot that rides upon and controls an endtime power called the Ten-Horned Beast.  The Ten-Horned Beast is the final world power that wields its influence over the whole earth.  It is depicted as the revived Roman Empire that was apparently dead, but turns out to be very much alive.  The children's nursery rhyme of Humpty Dumpty is a depiction of the Roman Empire that suffered a mortal wound, but will be miraculously revived under the auspices of its leader, Antichrist.  Amazingly, Antichrist follows in the same steps as the Roman Empire in that he has also apparently died of a mortal head wound, but he will miraculously reappear with his mortal head wound healed.  Political Babylon is represented as a city, but it is also a nation that is very powerful in the world.  The Bible goes into minute detail describing this city (i.e., nation), and the identification of this city and nation is unmistakable for those Christians who are open to the truths of God given in his Word.  Political Babylon is the United States of America, and Antichrist is a past leader of Political Babylon.  He will return to reign over Babylon again, but this time Babylon will be merged with the Ten-Horned Beast.  Antichrist is the one who unites political Babylon with the Ten-Horned Beast, and he reigns over the whole world for a very short period of time.  Of necessity, Antichrist will also be closely associated with religious Babylon, because Antichrist and the False Prophet will work together for a period of time during the tribulation period.  The False Prophet is the one that causes the whole world to worship the Antichrist.  With this brief introduction and background to the understanding of Mystery Babylon, we will now begin our exegesis of Chapter 17 of Revelation.  

1. And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:

a.  The seven angels are described earlier as a figure of something else, and we have shown earlier how the seven angels appear to be representative of the 24 elders in the Church.  The figure of the seven angels is used in this passage of Scripture because the remainder of this chapter and chapter 18 involves a great deal of figurative language.  The great whore that sits upon many waters is not a literal woman of harlotry, but she symbolizes or represents something else.  She represents the ancient Babylonian mystery religion that finds its greatest manifestation in the papal worship system with its headquarters being at the Vatican in the city of Rome, which is built on seven hills.  She also represents the Great City that reigns over the kings of the earth.  That city is New York City (NYC) where the United Nations has its headquarters.  The waters are peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues.  NYC is the melting pot of the world representing every nation in the world with its population, embassies, and the United Nations Building with virtually every tongue in the world being translated in its meetings.  Also, NYC is the commercial capital of the world with the World Trade Center headquarters located there.

b.  Not only were the seven angels figurative, but the seven vials were also figurative.  This is clearly indicative that the following information will also be figurative, and the language used establishes that this is true.  A literal woman cannot sit upon many waters.  Therefore, the woman symbolizes something else as stated above.  As will be seen throughout this exegesis, the woman symbolizes both Political Babylon and Religious Babylon.  

c. Waters or seas symbolize the Gentile nations of the world, and both the papal worship system and the U.S.A working through the United Nations exercise authority over the nations of the world already, and this authority will mushroom when Antichrist and the False Prophet come into power with Satan as the source of their power and authority.  All three working together are the satanic trinity symbolized by the number 666.  Therefore, the woman is depicted as sitting or resting upon many nations of the world.  

d.  There will definitely be judgment for both Babylons.  The leaders, the cities and the systems will be utterly destroyed by the Lord God Almighty.  

2.  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.  

a.  The plans and purposes of both religious and Political Babylon are to bring the whole world under her authority and power.  The Pope has been working desperately to bring all religions under his authority, and the Antichrist behind the scenes in the U.S.A. has been working to bring all nations under the authority and protection of the United State of America, which is political Babylon the Great.  The U.S.A. is seventh empire to wield authority in the times of the Gentiles.  The U.S.A. is the eleventh horn of Daniel, and the European Union will culminate into the Ten-Horned Beast of Daniel.  The eighth empire will be a combination of the USA as the Eleventh Horn and the Schengen in the European Union serving as the Ten-Horned Beast.  

b.  The kings of the earth have committed fornication with Religious Babylon and Political Babylon, and the nations have become intoxicated or greatly influenced or controlled by both.  The nations have become drunk with the wine of her fornication.  The false teachings of the papal worship system and the emphasis on hedonism and materialism in America have influenced the world to the point where the world desires the same luxuries.  The whole world has been influenced by the hedonistic lifestyle of Americans.  The false teachings of the papal worship system have also spread throughout the world.  

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.

a. John was carried away in the spirit into the wilderness.  The wilderness in the Bible is a picture of a desert place without much water.  Water symbolizes the Holy Spirit or spiritual sustenance.  The world will be a desolate wilderness during the tribulation period, and John was given a vision of what the world will be like during this period of time.  

b. The woman is the harlot representing religious and political Babylon.  She is riding or controlling the ten-horned beast.  The Ten-Horned Beast is a culmination of the world empires symbolized by the seven heads.  The seven empires were Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, and New Babylon (U.S.A).  The Ten-Horned Beast is the eighth with Antichrist as its leader.  Antichrist was leader of the seventh, and he will also be leader of the eighth.  This will be shown later in this same chapter.  

c. Scarlet in the Bible symbolizes both sin and blood.  In this instance, it would symbolize both. Political Babylon and Ecclesiastical Babylon are both filled with sin and decadence, and both will be responsible for shedding the blood of the saints.  Blasphemy is the act of claiming for oneself the attributes and rights of God.  The beast is extremely decadent and full of blasphemy.  The seven heads are the seven empires culminating in the eighth, and the ten horns represent the ten nations that will make up the European Union in the pinnacle of its power.  

4.  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:  

a. Purple and scarlet are the primary colors utilized by the Vatican in its clothing and decor.  Purple symbolizes luxury or elegance, and red symbolizes sin.  The gold, precious stones and pearls symbolize the wealth and materialism found in both Babylons.  The Hebrew Word for blue in the Old Testament is translated as blue, purple, and violet.  Also, there is no Greek word in the New Testament that is translated blue, so this word for purple can just as easily be translated as royal blue.  Blue and red are America's colors.  We will explain this in more detail in chapter 18 where political Babylon is arrayed or dressed in red, white and blue.  

b. The golden cup in her hand is attractive and appetizing, but it is full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication.  The idea from ancient Babylon was to introduce these abominations and filthiness a little at a time gradually over time until the whole cup had been drunk.  If these heresies were introduced all at once, they would be rejected, but if taken gradually a little at a time, the cup would be fully consumed.  The same principle applies to the frog who will jump out of hot water, but he will remain in water that is gradually heated until he is cooked to death.  The same analogy applies to leaven or false teachings in the church.  

5. And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

a. A mystery signifies a hidden system that is gradually revealed to those who are the initiates.  Nimrod was known as the god of the Chaldean Mysteries.  His name was Saturn.  Saturn and mystery are correlative Chaldean words that mean hidden.  As the religious system was hidden, so is the god hidden.  Antichrist has been hidden in the world for over 35 years, but he will be revealed or unveiled when the time for the initiation is to take place.  In the litany of the Mass, the worshippers are even taught to pray, "God Hidden, and my Saviour, have mercy upon us."  

b. The mysteries of ancient Babylon are hidden in the rituals and rites of the Catholic worship, and the mass is heretical and blasphemous; yet, it is practiced by millions of Christians who have no knowledge of the significance of these rites.  

6. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.  

a. The papal worship system is responsible for the slaughter of multitudes of Christians during the period of the Reformation.  Foxe's Book of Martyrs is a documentary of the atrocities of the great religious harlot in the name of Christianity.  This slaughter of Christians will be repeated during the first half of the tribulation period when the satanic trinity will be operating under the guise of religious diversity.  America will be the heart of this persecution and martyrdom.  America under the leadership of Antichrist will slaughter millions of Christians.  Americans do not believe this could be possible, but neither did Germans believe that Germany under Hitler would slaughter and burn six million Jews and Christians.  The Catholic Church was closely associated with Hitler and Nazism.  Hitler was frequently photographed with high officials of the Vatican adorned in their vestments of purple and scarlet.  This will be repeated with the Antichrist in America. It is highly significant that Antichrist is a Roman Catholic. The Antichrist is not a Southern Baptist as many think.  

7. And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.  

a. The angel is about to explain the mystery of the woman, and the beast that she rides that has the seven heads and ten horns.  The beast is the revived Roman Empire with Antichrist as its leader.  

b. The purpose here is to reveal that which is symbolized by the beast and the woman.  The remainder of chapter 17 describes the beast and the Great Harlot as seen in the papal worship system.  The woman as the Great City is explained in chapter 18.  It is introduced in verse 18 of this chapter.  

8. The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: 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.

a. The beast represents the revived Roman Empire with Antichrist as its leader.  The word beast is used interchangeably for the empire and its leader.  The description of the beast applies to both the empire and its leader, the Antichrist.  

9. And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.

a. The woman, religious Babylon, sits on seven hills.  Rome is famous for being built on seven hills.  Vatican City remains an independent enclave within the confines of Rome.  

10. And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.

a. The seven kings are the seven empires of Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, and New Babylon (Political).  The first five were fallen at the time this was written, and Rome was the one that "is".  The one that "is not yet come" is the New Babylon (U.S.A.).  America is a relatively young nation at slightly over 200 years old, so America "must continue a short space."  The leader of New Babylon also "must continue a short space."  Actually, he was leader for a very short time of approximately 1000 days before he received his mortal head wound.    

11. And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.

a. The Roman Empire "was", but "is not" currently.  Also, Antichrist "was", but "is not" currently.  The revived Roman Empire "is the eighth" empire and Antichrist will be the leader of this eighth empire.  Also, the Roman Empire was number six of the seven empires, and Antichrist was the leader of number seven of the empires.  Therefore, both the revived Roman Empire and the Antichrist are "of the seven".  Also, both "goeth into perdition".  Perdition is destruction.  

b. The prophecy in this one verse is absolutely astounding in its conciseness and accuracy in describing the ten-horned beast and the leader of the ten-horned beast.  In the Scriptures, the empire and the leader of the empire are virtually synonymous.  Often, the Scriptures will be describing an empire as a beast, and instantly revert to the personal pronoun "he" in reference to the leader of the empire.  "He" is used in reference to the beast, which symbolizes the empire and the leader.  

12. And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.

a. These ten horns refer to the leaders of ten nations that will unify with the Antichrist in forming the revived Roman Empire.  It is no coincidence that it was the "Treaty of Rome" that established the European Common Market.  The European Common Market is currently referred to as the European Union.  It currently has 15 primary members, but it will wind up with ten members after Antichrist comes on the scene as the new leader of New Babylon.  The current leader of New Babylon is the "Raiser of Taxes", but he will be destroyed, and the "Vile Person" (i.e., Antichrist) will take over the leadership of New Babylon by "smooth flatteries"  

13. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.  

a. These ten leaders will need a leader for the European Union, and Antichrist will fill the bill.  Europe is desperately in need of a leader right now, and it has been demonstrated periodically since 1945 that Americans make the best leaders for Europe.  Germany is the economic superpower of Europe, and it would be logical for the leader of Germany to be the European leader, but Europe can not bring itself to trust Germany in a leadership role after the Nazi experience.  The German word for leadership is führershaft, and the word itself is problematic for Germans, Europe and the whole world.  The problem of a leader for Europe will be resolved in the very near future with a past leader of the U.S.A. being revealed who will unify the U.S.A. with the European Union, and he will lead the world into mass destruction. The fact that Antichrist is associated with Ireland, a member of the European Union, is highly significant. Antichrist always considered himself to be an elite European, and the Europeans revere him and consider him to be European. The famous “Ich Bin Ein Berliner” speech in 1963 a few months before the “mortal head wound” confirms the association of Antichrist with Europe. His Irish ancestry also confirms the European association.  

b. The European Union will voluntarily "give their power and strength unto the beast."  Before his mortal head wound, Antichrist was greatly loved in Europe, even more so than in the U.S.A. It is common practice for Europeans to have a picture of Antichrist hanging in their homes.  

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.

a. The European Union will fight against the Lamb along with all the nations of the world when the Lord Jesus Christ returns to the earth in power and glory.  Jesus Christ will destroy them by the Word of His mouth.  

b. The ones that return with Jesus to fight against these kings are the called, chosen and faithful.  The called are all born-again Christians.  The chosen are those who qualify to reign and rule with Jesus Christ in his coming kingdom.  The faithful are those who qualify to reign and rule from the second level in the kingdom.  It appears that the faithful and the 24 elders are the same.  

c. Conspicuously absent from these groups of Christians is the group that is called the faithful and wise.  This is the group of Christians that qualify as the Bride of Christ.  It appears that the Bride will not return to the earth with Jesus when Jesus returns to confront His brethren, the Jews.  

15. And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.  

a. This verse confirms the figurative understanding of the meaning of waters.  The papal worship system has established itself among peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues throughout the whole earth.  

16. And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.  

a. The ten kings will wind up hating the papal worship system, and they will wind up destroying it.  

17. For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.  

a. Ecclesiastical Babylon will be destroyed, but the ten kings will continue with the Antichrist as their leader until the end.  

b. God will use the beast to destroy Ecclesiastical Babylon.  God frequently uses unholy powers to accomplish his purposes and even to punish and correct his people.  For example, God will use the Antichrist to chastise the Jews and cause them to return to God, and even Jesus Christ as their Messiah at the end of the tribulation period.  

18. And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.  

a. This chapter has provided a detailed description of the figure and the interpretation of it as ecclesiastical or religious Babylon, but the woman also represents the Great City that reigns over the kings of the earth.  This verse introduces us to the second interpretation of the figure as political or commercial Babylon, which is described in detail in chapter 18.  

(Rev 18 KJV)  And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. {2} And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. {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 rich through the abundance of her delicacies. {4} 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. {5} For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. {6} Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. {7} How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. {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. {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, {10} 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. {11} And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: {12} 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, {13} And cinnamon, and odours, 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. {14} And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. {15} The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, {16} And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! {17} For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, {18} And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! {19} And they cast dust on their heads, 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. {20} Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her. {21} And a mighty angel took up 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. {22} And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; {23} And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. {24} And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.  

Chapter 18 of the book of Revelation gives a detailed description of New Babylon, that city (i.e., nation) that reigns over the kings of the earth.  There are numerous Scriptures in the Bible that refer to and describe this last great nation that is so blessed and mightily used by God until it turns its back on God, becomes corrupted and leads the world astray.  God's people are located in this nation in abundance, but the nation becomes so evil that God finally destroys it.  Antichrist was once leader of this great end-time nation until he received his mortal head wound.  He will again take over the reigns of power just before he unites this nation with the Ten-Horned Beast.  Antichrist as the absolute dictator of political Babylon is the eleventh and little horn (Dan. 7:8) of Daniel that comes up among the other horns.  A little horn in Scripture symbolizes a powerful nation and the leader of that nation, but the power of the leader and the nation has been broken. The “little horn” is little because its power has been broken. The power and authority of Antichrist was broke when he suffered his mortal head wound. The power and authority of the USA will be broken or shattered just before it is time for Antichrist to be resurrected and take over the reigns of the government once again as the “once and future king”.  Jeremiah 50:12 confirms that New Babylon will be a mighty nation that arises in the last days of this age.  Jeremiah 50 and 51 provide a comprehensive description of New Babylon, so that anyone seeking to identify New Babylon out of a pure heart will have no trouble in doing so.  New Babylon is a nation whose mother is in existence at the time that New Babylon is totally destroyed by "arrows" (i.e., missiles) that come out of the north.  It is the wealthiest and most powerful nation in the world, and it is the headquarters of Antichrist at the time that he is leader of the Ten-Horned Beast.  Babylon is also a land of mixed or mingled people.  It is the "hammer of the earth" so it uses its power and influence to shape and mold the rest of the earth. The USA got its name as “hammer of the earth” because of the numerous bombs dropped on rebellious nations in various parts of the world. The U.S. led NATO bombing of Bosnia-Herzegovina was described in the headlines as “hammering the earth”. Thus, the U.S.A. is the “hammer of the earth” in accordance with headline news.  

Chapter 18 of Isaiah also provides an unmistakable description of New Babylon, but this chapter is much more difficult to understand.  This chapter describes New Babylon as the nation that invents the airplane, and as a very strong or mighty nation even from its inception.  Isaiah also describes Babylon as a nation where all of its land has been strictly measured and marked off for ownership.  It is also a nation that utilizes its rivers and waterways as the boundaries for marking off the land. Please see my exegetical discourse on Isaiah 18 for a more detailed explanation of this very accurate description of the U.S.A. as the “Land of Whirring Wings”.  

It should be clear from this brief description that New Babylon is the United States of America.  Great Britain is our mother, and she will be in existence when America is totally destroyed by nuclear missiles that come over the North Pole from Russia and China.  America is a young nation, and it has become the wealthiest and mightiest nation on the face of the earth.  God has mightily used America, but it has turned its back on God, and will be judged for it.  America invented the airplane, and it is a land that has every square mile measured off and marked out.  Its state and county lines are frequently the waterways that cross and crisscross the land.  

We will now seek to understand chapter 18 of Revelation verse-by-verse as it reiterates and adds to some of the above detailed descriptions of New Babylon.  

1. And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.

a. This angel is quite different from the angel in Rev. 17:1.  This angel does not speak from heaven, but he comes down from heaven.  He has great power or authority, and the earth is lightened with his glory.  This angel is clearly Jesus Christ Himself.  Such language is nowhere used in Scripture concerning created angels or angels in the figurative sense.  

b. The coming down to earth in His Glory clearly places this event at the end of the tribulation period.  The separation has already occurred at the beginning of the tribulation period where the Bride and her court are taken directly to heaven.  The rapture of the Church (those remaining) has already occurred in the middle of the tribulation period where Jesus Christ comes in the air to take away the Church.  We now have his coming in power and glory to the earth with his glory lighting up the earth.  This lighting up of the earth with His glory does not take place at the separation or at the rapture.    

2. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.  

a. Jesus Christ calls out with a mighty voice that brings destruction to the Great City Babylon.  The proclamation about Babylon is not simply the word of information about what has happened to Babylon or what is going to happen, but the Word of the Lord that effects its total and complete fall.  

b. The repetition of the word fallen is not a stutter, and it is not repeated solely for the purpose of emphasis.  It is repeated because there are two falls of Babylon that are effected by the Lord Jesus Christ.  The first is religious Babylon, and the second is political Babylon.  The first is described in Rev. 17:16-17, and the second is described in Rev. 18:8-10.  The first takes place around the middle of the tribulation period, and the second takes place at the end of the tribulation period.  There are two distinct falls, so the word fallen is stated twice.  

c. The Lord Jesus Christ also effects the statement that Babylon is the habitation of devils, the hold of every foul spirit, and the cage of every unclean and hateful bird.  Babylon has been turned over to Satan and his emissaries according to the Word of the Lord.  

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 rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

a.  The Lord explains why He has turned Babylon the Great over to the emissaries of Satan.  It is because of her utter wickedness, which has affected the entire world.  The kings or leaders of the earth have committed fornication with her.  This means spiritual adultery or idolatry.  Idolatry is the placing of anything ahead of God in importance.  America has worshipped the god of materialism since the turn of the century, and it has now affected all of the nations.  The nations of the world seek after what America now has, but it will result in the destruction of America in judgment, and judgment upon the world.  

b. Unfortunately, Christians have been caught up in this covetousness, which is the same as idolatry.  Christians are now worshipping cars, clothes, houses, jewelry, food, television, technology, and all forms of luxurious living.  

4. 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.  

a. The children of Abraham will be among the population of Babylon the Great.  This is logical for wherever we find great trade and banking, we may expect to find Jews, and these are the people being addressed in this verse.  

b. America has more Jews than any other nation—even Israel—and the Lord God commands them to come out of her so they will not partake in her sins and receive of her plagues.   

c. The command for the Jews to flee out of Babylon is confirmed in the following verse:  

(Jer. 51:6 KJV)  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.    

5. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.  

a. The sins of Babylon have reached up to heaven.  The Greek word for reached is kollao and it means they are glued or welded together as bricks are piled on top of each other to form a building.  The allusion is definitely to the tower of Babel, which initiated the wickedness of ancient Babylon.  

b. Though God permits the increment of sin, its final judgment is certain.  It may appear that people are getting away with sin, but God's judgment is sure.  

6. Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.  

a. The sins of Babylon will be recompensed two-fold over what she has done.  It is difficult for us to imagine the destruction and devastation that will take place in America, but it is certain.  God has spoken it, and it will occur.  

b. America is friendly toward the Jews now, but this will change greatly during the last half of the tribulation period.  America will also be the focus of the persecution of the Church during the first half of the tribulation period.  This focus will shift from the Church to the Jews when the Main Harvest Rapture takes place.  

7. How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.  

a. Babylon is a nation that has greatly glorified herself, and she has lived deliciously or luxuriously.  She has great wealth and she has lived sumptuously.  We in America live sumptuously, yet we want more.  This is pure covetousness, which is called idolatry in the Bible.  

b. "Hath glorified herself" refers to attitude and not to attainment.  The similarity to ancient Babylon is "Let us make us a name" (Genesis 11:4).  

c. Unlike Hiroshima, Berlin, London, North Vietnam and other war-devastated places, America has never felt the sting of bombs upon her soil.  "I sit a queen, and am no widow" is a metaphorical expression for a city that has not been stripped of its inhabitants and its riches.  "Shall see no sorrow" means Babylon cannot envision herself being stripped of her inhabitants and her wealth.  The inhabitants of Babylon will not be able to foresee the coming destruction that is certain to engulf her.  

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.  

a. The destruction of Babylon will take place in one day and even in one hour as verse 10 attests.  The plagues that befall her will cause death, mourning and famine.  She will be utterly burned with fire, and it is the Lord God Who judges her.  

b. The plagues that destroy her are clearly from a surprise nuclear attack from Russia, China and other far-eastern countries that will have nuclear submarines at the time.  We learn this from a study of Jeremiah 50 and 51, and specifically the following verse of Scripture:  

(Jer. 50:9 KJV)  For, lo, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the north country: 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.  

The arrows with none missing its mark is a prophetic description of nuclear missiles coming over the North Pole from Russia, China, and from submarine launched nuclear missiles from countries that have lined themselves up in an array around the U.S.A. The fact that China has stolen our nuclear secrets for smaller, compact nuclear weapons and guidance systems for submarine launched missiles is highly significant. The destruction of the U.S.A. by nuclear weapons is at the end of the seven-year tribulation period, so China has plenty of time to perfect her submarine launched nuclear weapons.  

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,

a. The kings of the earth who committed fornication with her are those that will share in her power and great wealth before she is destroyed.  This includes the European countries that will make up the Ten-Horned Beast and possibly other countries that will prosper during the reign of Antichrist.  

b. These countries that lived luxuriously with Babylon will express their deep sorrow and mourn over Babylon when they see the smoke of her burning. The reason for this great mourning over the loss of such great wealth is that the nations of the world have heavily invested in America by buying up real estate and companies. It is truly sobering to realize how much of America is owned by foreign interests. This great wealth will be lost in one hour and the foreign owners will bewail and lament over their great loss.  

10. 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.

a. These countries will be afraid to come close to Babylon for "fear of her torment."  This torment will be the nuclear radiation that will come from the numerous nuclear warheads that caused Babylon to be burned.  

b. This verse confirms that a literal day and hour is meant for the time it takes for Babylon to be totally destroyed.  Nuclear scientists have estimated that if the U.S.A. is ever involved in a nuclear war with Russia, the war will be over in one hour.  This conclusion was reached independently of a knowledge and understanding of this verse. The same conclusion would apply to nuclear war with any nuclear power. The number of nations becoming nuclear powers is growing rapidly, and the Bible is clear that more than one nation is responsible for the destruction of New Babylon.  

11. And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:  

a. The merchants of the earth weep and mourn over her because she was their best customer.  Babylon bought the merchandise from the merchants of the earth, and this falls in line with her luxurious lifestyle.  This is a perfect description of America whose trade deficits are extremely large and growing.  

b. It is significant that America represents about 7 per cent of the world's population, yet she has in her possession more than half of the world's wealth.  She has 63 percent of the world's manufactured goods, 74 per cent of the world's automobiles, 52 per cent of the world's trucks, 56 per cent of the world's telephones, 47 per cent of the world's radios, 46 per cent of the world's electric output, 52 per cent of the world's steel, 53 per cent of the world's petroleum, and consumes 35 per cent of the world's energy.  

c. We in America have lived luxuriously and glorified ourselves.  We have forgotten that our blessings come from God, and we have forgotten about God as the source of everything.  We are ungrateful, selfish, uncaring, egotistical, lazy, arrogant, prideful, and just plain nauseating to God.  This is why the Church as a whole will be rejected as the bride of Jesus Christ at the separation, which is to take place very soon.  

d. Over 50 per cent of Americans profess Jesus Christ as their Savior.  This is higher than any other country in the world.  Is it any wonder that only a small number of Christians will be accounted as worthy to escape the coming tribulation period, which is called the hour of trial?  

12. 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,  

a. These are all luxurious items that American merchandisers import for our jewelry stores, clothing stores, and specialty and import stores.  No country in the world matches the stores and malls that carry everything imaginable that is produced in the world.  Stores in our larger cities have whole floors devoted to special categories of goods, and many or most are imported.  All of these items mentioned are luxurious items that are only purchased by people who are wealthy relative to the world's standards.  None of these items fall in the category of being needed for survival.  

13. And cinnamon, and odours, 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.  

a. Cinnamon is an import of America, and odours are a fragrant powder burned in religious worship.  Ointments are simply perfumes, and America imports more perfumes than any other nation in the world.  Frankincense is incense that is burned for its fragrant aroma.  The implication is incense burned in pagan worship.  America has become a center for all the pagan worship systems of the world such as Hinduism, Hare Krishna, Buddhism, etc.  

b. America buys more imported wine than any other nation.  The oil is olive oil and all of our olive oil is imported.  We also import more of this than any other nation.  Fine flour means that flour that is the finest.  America grows more wheat than any other nation, yet we import fine flour.  Another understanding of this verse is that America exports more wheat than any other nation so the ship owners of the earth have also gotten wealthy from carrying our cargoes of wheat.  Either understanding points to America as the referent.   

c. Beasts means cattle or large four-footed domestic cattle.  Sheep refers to small four-footed domesticated animals such as sheep and goats.  The primary meaning of beasts is possessions, and it is the figurative meaning.  The figurative meaning of sheep is God's people.  America imports large amounts of beef and mutton, which is the literal interpretation of this verse, but Americans have more possessions, and many of God's people are domiciled in America.  

d. Horses and chariots during the first century A.D. would be the modern day equivalent of automobiles.  Interestingly, the Greek word for chariots does not mean a two-wheeled chariot as we normally think of, but a four-wheeled carriage.  It is ironic that the automobile was invented in America, and America was the only exporter of automobiles for many years. Today, America is the world's largest importer of automobiles.  Most of the automobiles built in the world are built for Americans.  Most are Japanese, but the Japanese utilize mass transit, bicycles and motorcycles, which are two-wheeled "chariots".  

14. And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.

a. The word for “fruits” means the vintage of late summer or autumn, and the word for “lusted” means forbidden things.  It means material possessions that were sought after over and above that which was needed.  It is a picture of covetousness of things that have now departed from the people seeking after them.  

b. “Things which are dainty” are things that are sumptuous or expensive.  Things that are "goodly" are things that appeal to the lust of the eyes.  All refer to the excessive luxury that so enamors Americans.  We are not satisfied with our needs being met, and a decent place to live, and simple clothes to cover our nakedness.  We seek after the best and most expensive foods, the best and most expensive homes, the best and most expensive cars, the best and most expensive furniture, the best and most expensive clothes, the best and most expensive jewelry, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.  

c. The second departed in this verse is different from the first.  The first means they have gone away, and the second means that they have been destroyed.  America shall not find them anymore because America shall be no more.  

15. The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,  

a. The merchants of the earth who got rich because of America's unbridled lust for possessions shall weep and wail over her destruction.  

b. These merchants will not come close to America because of her torment.  This torment is clearly the nuclear radiation that will engulf America after the all-out nuclear attack on America by other nations that hate and resent her.  

16. And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!

a.  The Greek word for clothed has reference to being draped around as clothing or thrown around everywhere.  When speaking of a nation it would refer to its flag, and the colors of red, white and blue are clearly linked to America.  The linen is white, and the scarlet is red.  The word for purple has the same meaning as the Old Testament word for blue.  No Greek word in the New Testament is translated blue, but this word means blue. 

b. The Greek word for clothed also has a secondary and figurative meaning of palisade or defense.  This simply means that the red, white and blue American flag is not just used for decorative purposes.  It is also used as a symbol of her defensive capabilities.  The American National Anthem clearly depicts the American flag as a symbol of our defensive capabilities.  The Star Spangled Banner reflects the attitude described above in verse 7 of being invincible.  This same attitude was rampant in the ancient city of Babylon the night that Daniel interpreted the handwriting on the wall for Belshazzer.  It was that same night that the Medes and Persians came in through the river gates after diverting the flow of the Euphrates River, and Babylon fell to Cyrus the Great.  America will also fall in a single day.  

c. The Statue of Liberty also reflects this attitude of freedom and invincible liberty.  The one arm raised on the Statue of Liberty reflects the exaltation of man rather than God.  Two arms raised reflects the exaltation of God.  One arm raised with a clinched fist is the universal symbol of defiance and rebellion.  It is also significant that the crown of the Statue of Liberty is the very same one that is seen on the relief of Ishtar, the Babylonian Mystery Goddess of love and fertility.  

d. The Greek word for decked means a woman who is so profusely ornamented with gold that she appears to be gilded.  The same is true for the precious stones and the pearls.  Figuratively, to be decked with gold is to have a superabundance of blessings from God.  The precious stones have a special reference to the twelve tribes of Israel because of the 12 precious stones on the breastplate of the High Priest in the Old Testament, so this figuratively means that America has a superabundance of Jews from all 12 tribes of Israel.  This is clearly indicative that in addition to the Jews who came out of the Southern kingdom of Judah, there are also Jews from the 10 lost tribes of Israel.  It is my belief that the American Indians are out of the ten lost tribes of Israel.  

e. We learned from the parables of the kingdom that pearls are used figuratively for the Church.  This means that the Church is also present in superabundance in America or Babylon the Great.  This is such a well-known fact that no statistics or documentation is required to substantiate the conclusion.  

f. Briefly summarized, this verse states that the Great City Babylon is symbolically represented by the colors red, white and blue and these colors typify her strong defenses that appear to be invincible.  In addition, she has been greatly blessed by God, and God's people, including all twelve tribes of the Jews, and all seven churches of the Church, dwell in Babylon in large numbers.  It does not take a superabundance of imagination to see that this is an accurate description of America.  

17. For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,  
a. America will be totally destroyed in one hour on a particular day.  This is literal and there is no reason to take this to be figurative.  

b. The maritime merchants of the earth will also greatly mourn the destruction of America, for they have gotten rich from her excessive luxuries.  It is ironic that even with all the riches and commercial enterprise in America, we do not have a large maritime fleet.  Most of the ships that carry the goods to and from America are owned by foreigners.  

c. The Greek word for come to nought means to lay waste or become desolate.  The shipmasters, people who work on the ships, and the ones who actually operate and steer the ships stood a long way off and express astonishment at the destruction of this great nation that has been laid waste and desolate.  

18. And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!  
a. The individuals stated above will be able to see the total destruction of America, and they will express their dismay that such wealth has been destroyed.  

19. And they cast dust on their heads, 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.  

a. These same individuals will cast dust upon their heads, a sign of mourning, and reiterate the fact that this great nation had made the ship owners rich because of her excessive luxury, but she was totally destroyed in one hour.  Again, the hour is clearly literal, and there is no hint that a figurative interpretation should be made.  

20. Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.  

a. This verse confirms that America will be the focal point for persecution of both the Church and the Jews during the tribulation period.  Heaven would refer to those who occupied heaven during the time of persecution.  The word apostles is a special reference to the Church or those who are persecuted during the first half of the tribulation in Babylon.  The word prophets is a special reference to the Jews who are persecuted during the last half of the tribulation period.  The reference to heaven first, and then to the apostles and prophets seems to have the purpose of clarifying that the apostles and prophets were not occupiers of heaven at the time of the persecution.  In other words heaven is addressed not so much to distinguish those in heaven, as to distinguish that the apostles and prophets were not in heaven at the time of the persecution.  The revenge is exacted for the apostles (i.e., Christians) and prophets (i.e., Jews) who were persecuted during the seven-year tribulation period.  

21. And a mighty angel took up 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.  

a. Babylon the Great (America) will be totally destroyed.  God will judge her for her sins.  This may be difficult for Christians to accept, but this is because most Christians love the world, and America is the prime example for the world system of covetousness and greed.  The citizenship of Christians is in heaven, and our loyalty should lie in heaven.  This does not mean that we rebel against the U.S. Government.  We are ambassadors here, and we are to conduct ourselves in obedience to the law and the rulers as long as it does not conflict with our obedience to God.  We are not to become involved in the political system or strive for rulership in the system.  Christians who do this are getting caught up in this world system just like Lot got caught up in the affairs of Sodom.  

b. The use of "a great millstone" is a perfect analogy for the throwing down of America, since America is the breadbasket for the world.  We grow and export more wheat than any other nation in the world.  

c. The Greek word for violence comes from another Greek word that means an attack.  Babylon will be destroyed by an attack out of the North and from submarines in array around her, as explained earlier.  

d. Babylon will not be found again after she is destroyed.  America will cease to exist as a nation.  

22. And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;  

a. The full range of human emotions is given expression in the form of music.  It represents all of the aspects of life such as joy, sorrow, worship, jubilation, toil, and even warfare.  It is no coincidence that music is a primary aspect of life in America, and not all of it is good.  Music is at the center of American pop culture, and it a primary source of influence for young people and adults.  American music now contains satanic songs of worship, rebellion, sex, and all forms of debauchery.  This music is now exported to countries all over the world, and it is part of "the Americanization of the world."  Babylon is described as influencing the whole world, and this is definitely true for America.  Pipers are flautists.  The cessation of all music demonstrates the cessation of a culture and all aspects of life associated with that culture.  

b. The demise of all craft is another expression for the death of a culture.  Work or craft is the expression of livelihood, and without it all life ceases.  

c. A millstone is the symbol for the source of food or sustenance.  Without food, life also ceases.  Also, the use of a millstone in describing the cessation of life and culture is very appropriate in the description of America, as explained above.  

23. And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.  

a. A candle is the source of light for a home, so it is a picture of home life, another primary aspect of a culture.  It also symbolizes the knowledge and wisdom that emanates from a people.  This verse is a continuation of the description of the cessation of a culture.

b. The bridegroom and the bride are the picture of procreation and proliferation of life, another primary aspect of any culture or people.  

c. Babylon's merchants are described as the great men of the earth.  In context with the light of a candle and the bridegroom and bride, America's culture has been spread throughout the world.  The use of the word sorceries in deceiving all nations has reference to America's idolatries, or the covetous and hedonistic lifestyles that American pop culture has spread throughout the world.  

24. And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.  

a. Ecclesiastical Babylon has already been responsible for the deaths of both Jews (prophets) and Christians (saints).  The Great City Babylon (America) will be the focal point of persecution and martyrdom for Christians during the first half of the tribulation period, and Jews during the last half of the tribulation period.  The reference to "all that were slain upon the earth" has to be used in the collective sense, so it means all types of people in the world.  Therefore, it would have reference to the Gentiles who are saved during the tribulation period, and subsequently martyred for not taking the mark of the beast.  This verse is referring to the persecution and martyrdom of all three classes of God's people during the seven-year tribulation period.  These are the Jews, the Church, and the Gentiles.

 
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Revelation Chapter 19

The Song of Halleluah and the Second Coming.

(Rev 19 KJV)  And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: {2} For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. {3} And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever. {4} And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. {5} And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. {6} And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. {7} Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. {8} And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. {9} And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. {10} And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. {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. {12} His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. {13} And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. {14} And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. {15} And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. {16} And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. {17} And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; {18} That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. {19} And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. {20} And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. {21} And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.  

Chapter 19 covers the Song of Hallelujah in Heaven in verses 1-10 and the Second Coming of Christ in power and glory in verses 11-21.  

P. The Song of Hallelujah in Heaven (19:1-10)

1. And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:

a. After the destruction of the Great City Babylon, John hears "a great voice of much (i.e., many) people in heaven."  Jesus Christ is praised and worshipped for bringing salvation to His people, and He is ascribed with honor, power and glory.  

b. The singular voice shows that all are in one accord in ascribing true and righteous judgments to the Lord Jesus Christ in His destruction of New Babylon (See following verse).  

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.  

a. The Lord was true and righteous in destroying Babylon the Great, for she had corrupted the earth with her fornication (i.e., idolatry).  

b. She was also destroyed because of her persecution and martyrdom of God's servants.  The word servants includes the Jews, the Church, and the Gentiles.  This is further confirmation that the focal point of persecution and martyrdom will be in the United States of America during the tribulation period.  This is in accord with the fact that the majority of Americans are Christians now at this point just before the separation, and many will probably be saved after the separation.  

3. And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.  

a. Those in heaven again praise the Lord, and the statement is made that the smoke of Babylon "rose up for ever and ever."  This confirms that the destruction of Babylon is a permanent event.  Babylon will never be revived, and this includes the whole Babylonian system that has existed since Nimrod founded the city and the system.  

b. Even though this is literally referring to the destruction of the Great City Babylon, it also has reference to the entire Babylonian system.  Just as the "beast" refers to the leader of the empire and the empire, "Babylon" refers to the city, nation, and system where everything associated with Babylon resides.  

4. And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.  

a. The 24 elders and the four living creatures are the leaders in the praise and worship in heaven.  It should be remembered that they were in heaven at the very beginning of the tribulation period.  They are the ones taken in the Separation that takes place at the beginning of the tribulation period.  

b. We have explained earlier how the four living creatures are almost certainly the bride of Christ, and the 24 elders are in the second highest position in the kingdom of heaven.

5 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.  

a. This voice coming out of the throne is not God, but it is the voice of authority telling all the servants to worship God.  Since it is so intimately connected with the throne, yet not the voice of God, it must be the voice of the four living creatures, who will be announced as the bride later.  Since the bride has not yet been introduced, it would be appropriate for her voice to be anonymous at the present time.  

6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.  

a. John hears another voice as if it were a great multitude, and as if it were the sound of many waters, and as thunderings.  All of these are characteristic of the voice and authority of God, but this is not God, since they praise the Lord and proclaim the reign of the "Lord God omnipotent."  This almost certainly would have to be the voice of the 24 elders, since they announce the bride in the following verse  

7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.  

a. This voice of authority speaks of the Lamb and the bride by announcing the impending marriage of the Lamb.  

b. It is highly significant that the bride has made herself ready.  The blood of the Lamb has cleansed her, and she has prepared her wedding garment of good works or righteous deeds as shown in the following Scripture.  

8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.  

a. The bride is arrayed in fine linen that is clean and white.  The bride has availed herself of the cleansing that Jesus provides currently as our High Priest.  

b. The fine linen also represents the righteous deeds of the saints who are not disqualified as the bride of Christ.  The Greek word for righteousness is actually in the plural, so it should be translated as righteousnesses or righteous deeds.  This is the wedding garment that the bride works on herself.  It is not the garment of salvation, which is the imputed righteousness of Christ.  This righteousness is in the singular.  

9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.  

a. This wedding must be compared to the weddings in the first century that consisted of three stages.  

(1) The first stage is the legal consummation of the marriage by the parents of the bride and the groom, and the dowry is paid.  Jesus did this at His first coming.  His death on the cross was the price of redemption.  

(2) The second stage is the bridegroom coming to claim his bride.  This will be fulfilled at the Separation that will take place at the beginning of the tribulation period.  It is true that the whole Church was part of the legal consummation, but the majority of the Church has been unfaithful during the time between the consummation and the time that the Lord will come for His bride.  

(3) The third stage will be the wedding supper that will take place at the end of the tribulation period when Jesus returns in power and glory.  It has been greatly debated whether the wedding supper takes place on the earth or in heaven.  It seems certain that this is an earthly event since those who are God's earthly people have an opportunity to attend the wedding supper, and they will be in bodies of flesh and blood.  

b. The use of the Greek word gyne in verse 7 above literally means wife, so the second stage of the wedding has already taken place.  It is now time for the presentation of the bride and the celebration of the wedding feast or supper.  

10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.  

a. John falls at the feet of the "angel" identified in Rev. 17:1 and later in 21:9.  We have concluded earlier that this angel is representative of the 24 elders.  He refuses the worship and states that he is a fellow servant of John and one of his brethren that has the testimony of Jesus.  This is in keeping with our identification of him as being representative of the 24 elders.  

b. The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.  This confirms that this is not a literal angel since angels do not hold or cling to the testimony of Jesus.  Saved people hold to the testimony of Jesus, or the spirit of prophecy, which simply believes what the prophetic Word of God states.  Those who hold to the spirit of prophecy believe that Jesus is coming back to establish His kingdom upon the earth.  They are anxiously looking forward to His return and the fulfillment of the prophetic Word of God.  The 24 elders were certainly holding to the testimony of Jesus, and this is the reason they were taken out in the Separation, and have a prominent role during the judgments of the seven-year tribulation period.

Q. The Second Coming of Christ (19:11-21)

In this section we see the second coming of Christ in power and glory.  He comes as a conquering warrior riding a white horse, The Antichrist—indwelled by Satan—and the False Prophet come out to war against Him with all the nations gathered in the valley of Mageddo (Armageddon). This is the last ditch effort of the satanic trinity to keep the Lord Jesus Christ from assuming complete and total control over the earth.  

It is difficult to imagine that anyone could think that he could war against the Lord and possibly win, but it must be remembered that these are the armies deceived by Satan into thinking that Antichrist is God.  They consider him immortal and almighty.  This would be the only way that these armies would even consider fighting against another supernatural being such as Jesus Christ.  

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.  

a. In Rev. 4:1 we saw a door opened in heaven for the separation.  We now see all of heaven open up, and Jesus Christ comes out riding a white horse.  This is in sharp contrast to the first time he rode into Jerusalem on the humble and meek donkey to proclaim Himself the King of Israel.  The white horse is symbolic of a conquering hero.  Antichrist was seen as the rider on the white horse at the beginning of the tribulation period.  He was the conquering hero for a period of 42 months at the permission of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  

b. Jesus Christ is Faithful and True in sharp contrast to those He comes to judge and destroy.  The Dragon is the deceiver, and the Beast is the False Christ.  The companion to the Beast is the False Prophet, and their followers are false worshippers.  All of these are now to be dealt with by the Embodiment of all Faithfulness and Truth.  Though all men are liars, Jesus Christ is absolutely true and faithful.  

c. Human beings and nations war out of covetousness, pride, and for selfish ambition and dominion.  Jesus Christ comes to war in absolute justice and righteousness.  He unsheathes the sword of infinite power, and the carnage is great and dreadful, but no one can say that it is not merited and even demanded to fulfill righteousness and justice. 
d.  The powers of judging and warring are often separated in earthly kingdoms, but they go together.  Wherever war is made there has already been a judgment made.  The general in battle is the sheriff and hangman for the court.  Christ is both Judge and Executioner, and He exercises both in perfect justice and righteousness.  

12. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.  

a. His eyes as a flame of fire demonstrate the penetrating force that goes into rightly judging.  He searches all depths, looks behind masks, penetrates into the darkness of the human heart, and tries everything in accordance with the truth.  

b. Jesus Christ is not only Judge and General, but He is the Absolute King.  David put the crown of the Ammonites on his head when he conquered them.  This was in addition to his own crown.  Ptolemy placed the crowns of Asia and Egypt on his head when he entered Antioch.  The Dragon wore seven crowns on his seven heads as the possessor of the seven great world powers.  The Beast wears ten crowns on his ten horns conbining ten sovereignties.  The accumulation of crowns expresses accumulated victory and dominion.  Jesus Christ comes as the One anointed and endowed of heaven with all the sovereignties of the earth.  They are His rightful due and possession.  He comes now as the Warrior, Judge, and King against the usurpers who dispute His right to the dominion purchased with His own blood.  

b. The name is the reflection of the character and the true essence of a person.  There is no man who has a full and complete understanding of the character and essence of Jesus Christ.  Therefore, Christ has a name that is unknowable.  He appears here in all of the unrevealed and unknowable wonders that connect Him with the incomprehensible Godhead.  He is seen in His awesome power and glory, yet He has a name that is unknowable.  

13. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.  

a. He is clothed in an outer garment that has been dipped or stained in blood.  Contrary to popular opinion this is not his own blood, but the blood of his enemies.  The following verse confirms this:  

(Isa 63:1-3 ASV)  Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, marching in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. {2} Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winevat? {3} I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the peoples there was no man with me: yea, I trod them in mine anger, and trampled them in my wrath; and their lifeblood is sprinkled upon my garments, and I have stained all my raiment  

b. Some are perplexed that the blood of his enemies is on His garments before the engagement in battle.  According to Seiss the stains are from enemies previously slain, and are the marks of a veteran in battle.  Others say that the picture is anticipatory of the battle that is yet to come.  Regardless, the blood is from His enemies and not from Himself.  

14. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.  

a. These are the saints in heaven that follow Him on white horses.  They are dressed in fine linen, white and clean.  The fine linen represents the righteous deeds of the saints.  

b. Included in these armies could be the Old Testament saints who did not lose their inheritance in the kingdom of the heavens. Even though the Jews as a nation forfeited their inheritance in the kingdom of heaven, there were individual Jews that realized their inheritance.  

15. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.  

a. The sharp sword that goeth out of His mouth represents the Word of God.  He needs no other weapon than the Word of His mouth.  He will smite the nations and rule them with a rod of iron.  He simply speaks and it is done.  He commands and it is accomplished.  

b. The winepress is the battle of Armageddon where He speaks the word and hundreds of millions of soldiers are killed and supernaturally transported into the winepress outside of Jerusalem.  It is in this winepress that the blood will flow up to the horses' bridles.  This winepress will go through the Mount of Olives, and then turn south to the Gulf of Aqaba.  

16. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

a. This name King of Kings, and Lord of Lords has reference to His Second Coming when He comes to reign over the world.  The previous name stated as being unknowable has reference to His deity.  His name as the Word of God has reference to His incarnation as the Incarnate Word.  

17. 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;  

a. The angel standing in the sun is mentioned to show that the night has passed and the light of day has appeared.  The night of the tribulation period is over, and the Sun of Righteousness is appearing to complete His judgments and usher in the millennial kingdom.  The tribulation period is seen in the Scriptures as a long dark night of threshing and winnowing.  The bride goes to be with the Bridegroom at midnight.  The main body of the Church receives the Morning Star which appears about 3:00 in the morning just before the darkest part of the night.  Midnight to 3:00 represents the first half of the tribulation period, and 3:00 to 6:00 represents the last half of the tribulation period.  The sun is up at the very end of the tribulation, so the battle of Armageddon occurs at the very end of the tribulation.  

b. The carnage will be so great that it will be a feast for the birds of prey as described in the following verse.  

18. That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.  

a. This tells the awful story of how the greatest of men are made food for the vultures.  Kings and leaders have become carrion for the birds.  Those who thought to conquer heaven's anointed King are rendered helpless even against the timid birds.  

19. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.  

a. The Antichrist and the kings of the earth gather to make war against Jesus Christ.  

20. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.  

a. Both the Antichrist and the False Prophet are taken alive and cast into the lake of fire.  They are the first two individuals to be cast into the lake of fire.  

b. The verse summarizes some of the past works of both the Antichrist and the False Prophet.  

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.

a. The battle is explained in one verse that is clear-cut, concise and final.  Christ speaks the word and hundreds of millions of people are slain.  

b. The sword is the spoken word from the Lord Jesus Christ.  This verse establishes without a doubt the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ.

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Revelation Chapter 20

The Millennial Reign & The Great White Throne.

(Rev 20 KJV)  And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. {2} And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, {3} And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. {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 worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. {5} But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. {6} Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. {7} And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, {8} And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. {9} And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. {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. {11} And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. {12} And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. {13} And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. {14} And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. {15} And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.  

Chapter 20 gives a brief summary of the millennial reign of Christ and the Great White Throne Judgment.  It is important to note the perspective from which John observes the action taking place in this chapter.  Since John sees an angel come down from heaven, it is apparent that John is on the earth.  Also, the dragon has been cast to the earth and this is where the angel laid hold on him, so this is conclusive proof that the place of the action is the earth.  This also confirms that the thrones that John sees are upon the earth and not in heaven.  This is highly significant since John is about to address those who were overcomers in the last half of the tribulation period, and no member of the Church would be included in this number.  This is important since the Church inherits the heavenly aspect of the kingdom.  John is now addressing the earthly aspect of the kingdom, so the focus of action has to be upon the earth.  The overcomers enter the earthly aspect of the kingdom, and they reign upon the earth.  

It is also clear that a resurrection takes place in this chapter, but there is no translation of humans that are alive since the bodies they have are suited for inhabiting the earth.  It is also significant that this resurrection is called the first resurrection.  This seems inconsistent with the rest of Scripture since we know that those in the Church have already been resurrected.  It is important to remember that the Church Age is a parenthetical insertion of an age into God's dealing with the Jews.  At this point in time in this chapter, the Church Age is over and God's determination of those in the Church who will reign in the heavenly aspect of the kingdom has been completed.  God is now dealing with the earthly aspect, and this is the first resurrection of those who will enter the earthly aspect of the kingdom.  The second resurrection is at the end of the millennium, and it is a resurrection of the unsaved dead of all ages.  

The first resurrection in this chapter is the resurrection that the Old Testament saints looked forward to since they knew nothing about the Church Age, and the resurrections for that particular dispensation.  With this understandi