Truth Seekers Ministries Presents…
A Study on Revelation
“Unveiling”
The last book of the Bible is Revelation. The Greek word for revelation is (apokalupsis), to unveil or uncover, implying the raising of a curtain to reveal what is behind. This book is one of the most avoided and one of the most misinterpreted books of scripture. Because of much interest and many inquiries regarding Revelation, I will now attempt to shed much needed light and answer many questions people have about this very intriguing and prophetical book.
To properly understand Revelation, one must first consider some Old and New Testament prophesies about Jacob’s time of trouble, Israel’s rebirth as a nation, the Mystery of the Church Age, the Antichrist’s rise to power, and the “tribulation the Great Tribulation”. To understand more completely the text of Revelation, I will talk about these prophesies first.
Daniel 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. 25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. 26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. 27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
In dealing with Israel, God, through the prophet Daniel, gave his people, the Israelites, a time of 490 years to bring to fulfillment the age of evil and their oppression, and usher in the millennium of peace under the ruler ship of Jesus the Christ their messiah. The error of Israel, expecting their messiah to come in and overthrow the then ruling Romans, fulfilled scripture to the tee. By their rejection of Jesus, it opened the door for the whole world to be saved. Daniel was so accurate in his prophesies, that it has been speculated, that he wrote history instead of prophesy. There was to be a period of sixty-nine weeks of years from the decree to go and rebuild Jerusalem until their Messiah would be cut off, that is 483 years.
The Persian King Artaxerxes issued the decree to rebuild on Mar.14th, 445 B.C. On April 6th, 32 A.D. on Palm Sunday, Jesus rode into Jerusalem and presented himself as the Messiah. That’s 483 years, fulfilling scripture exactly. It don’t add up you say? It does if you take in to consideration the biblical calendar of 360 days per year, that was in use at the time. There was a total of 173,880 days in the 483 years, that number of days will add up correctly.
So far this prophesy has completed 483 of the 490 years. There has been a pause in this prophesy for almost 2000 years. This is where the Church Age is placed. The remaining seven year period, called “Jacob’s time of trouble”, is just on the horizon. God takes his attention off of the Church, and returns it onto the Jews. He will dispense his judgment on this evil world, in what has been termed, the “Tribulation the Great Tribulation”.
You may say, “why the pause ?, why the parentheses in time ?, and under what authority do scholars utilize this, in their interpretation of prophesy ?”. Jesus himself authorized it.
Luke 4:16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. 17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, 18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. 20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. He was quoting Isaiah 61. He for some reason stopped in the middle of verse 2 which says: “To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD,He stopped here. The verse continues. and the day of vengeance of our God….”.The, “And the day of vengeance of our God”, hasn’t happened yet. He stopped at just the right point in scripture to be able to say, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears”. The Day of Vengeance is none other than the Day of the Lord which interrupts the Great Tribulation, Jacobs time of trouble. If he were to read one more word, he couldn’t have made the comments that he did. He inserted a pause in prophesy fulfillment, in which God would divert his attention off of the Jew and his worship of God through ceremonies and sacrifices, onto the Church, the body of Christ and their faith in His son Jesus as their Savior. We have been pausing for almost 2000 years now during which time Jesus has built his church by calling his chosen ones unto faith and worship. He will take the church, his body, out of this world before God pours out his wrath on this degenerate world.
The true church of Jesus Christ, is not appointed unto God’s wrath. We, as the body of Christ, cannot undergo God’s wrath a second time. God has already passed judgment on Jesus in our stead. He will not judge him again. When God looks at us, he sees Christ, not as the true sinners that we are. It’s like God put’s on the “spectacles of Christ”(to borrow a phrase), and sees us through him. Our debt has already been paid. An old testament type, confirming this, regards Moses, striking the rock for water, the second time. Why did God not allow Moses to enter the promised land? He put up with the Israelites rebellions, murmuring, and dis-faith (apistis in Greek) for forty years in the wilderness. When the Israelites were murmuring for water, just three days after their delivery from Egypt, God showed Moses a rock. He told him to strike it and water poured forth. They carried this rock wherever they moved. The second time water was short, God told Moses to speak to the rock. He, however, being angry at the Israelites, struck the rock for the second time. Moses punishment, for disobeying God, was that God did not allow Moses to enter Canaan. God taught us something extremely important through this. Jesus is the Rock. The rock had to be struck for the sins of the world. Jesus, crucified, poured forth “Living Water” for all mankind. Once this Judgment of God has been fulfilled, the payment has been made. He cannot be stricken a second time. Now, through faith, we speak the word, and our faith opens that connection to God that was blocked off in the Garden of Eden. God is teaching us that we, as the true followers of Christ, are under the blood and covering of Jesus. God will not allow us to undergo his wrath during the Day of the Lord.
One main prophetic indicator showing us that his return is imminent, in our generation, is the rebirth of Israel in 1948. Israel has been dispersed and scattered throughout the world by many oppressors. Prophesies, indicate a final return to their homeland in the last days. After a period of 2520 biblical years (360 day/year), Israel would at last be founded again in her homeland. From 536 BC, a partial return in unbelief, there would be 360 years times 7, 2520 biblical years, 2483.8 calendar years, until their final return. (Lev. 26:18)
Israel was reborn on May 14, 1948, exactly 2520 biblical years later, just as foretold. Jesus says of Israel in Matthew 24:32-34,Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Jesus had, just earlier, commented to his disciples that Jerusalem would be destroyed, not one stone left on another, and He then went into his Olivet Discourse, regarding the last days and his return. The Fig tree represents Israel and it’s sprouting new leaves is when Israel would become a nation again. The generation that is alive to see Israel reborn, sprouting new leaves, will see the other world events indicated in his discourse and that generation would not pass until all things be fulfilled. Let’s look at the whole of his discourse.
Matthew 24:1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? 4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. 10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 14 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. 15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) 16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: 17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: 18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. 19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: 21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. 23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 25 Behold, I have told you before. 26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. 27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 28 For wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together. 29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. 32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: 33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. 34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. 35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. 36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be
We can see that the events for the most part will occur during the seven year period, the tribulation and the last half called the Great Tribulation. When he speaks of coming again he speaks about coming “in clouds with glory”, “every eye shall see him”. He will come for the elect at a time, when God chooses to “cut that time short” during the last half of the tribulation period.
Paul says in 1 Thess. 4:13: But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Here Paul states that at some point in time, God will send his Son back for the church. There will be a shout of an Archangel, and a Trumpet blast from God. Then all those that have died in Christ will be raised first, their physical yet glorified body will rise to unite with their spirit which has been with Jesus since their death. For to be “absent from the body we are present with the Lord”. Then we, that are alive in Christ, will immediately be changed to our glorified body and meet Jesus in the air. At the end of the Day of the Lord, He comes down with clouds, just as he left, and steps down on the Mt. Olives, just before the battle of Armageddon. He has his armies with him clothed in fine linen, white and clean. This army is the Church. So Jesus comes once for his church, at the Rapture, meeting in the air. It will be a “catching away”, There could possibly be millions on this earth that will disappear. It is believed, by most scholars including myself, that all the children that are under the age of accountability will be taken out with the church. There will be no warning and people left behind will amazed and confused. Just after the rapture, God’s wrath is unleashed on the Day of the Lord, and after that period of time, Jesus will return to earth, with us as his body, as his army, as his Bride, to take over this world. He sets his feet on the ground, then the MT of Olives will split and a mighty earthquake will tear that mountain in half. He then binds Satan, conquers the antichrist, and the false prophet, who gathered the armies of the world to make war with him. He destroys the world’s armies with the sword of his word out of his mouth that cuts to and fro and with the brightness of his coming. He turns the armies of the world against each other. He will use his angels, the saints, hail, fire and rain from Heaven, brimstone and pestilence, and a plague from God which will consume their flesh. Scripture says that “blood will flow up to the horses bridals”.
Now lets talk about the Anti-Christ. He will come on the scene appearing as a peacemaker. I will discuss more on that later. There is, however, a force on the earth that is restraining him from appearing or fully manifesting.
2 Thessalonians 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, (Apostasia, or spiritual departure), and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.(Michael the Archangel). 7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth(Witholdeth)will let, (Withhold),until he be taken out of the way. (Michael called back to heaven to throw Satan out) 8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: (At the Battle of Armageddon) 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 13;But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
Until the restraining force is removed, that Man of Sin cannot be revealed. The spirit of antichrist is already working behind the scene, manipulating countries and peoples so that when he does come bodily, everything will be in place for his last ditch attempt to take over the world. When the Michael the archangel, that restraining force, is called back to heaven, the antichrist will come on the scene with lies and deceitfulness. He will be one of the seven leaders ruling over the ten world economic regions. Since there is an “Apostasia”, there will be a massive departure from the faith, towards a “one world religion”. That woman riding the beast, seen later, will be the leader of the “World Church”. Persecution of Christians will be abundant. All those that will not accept this new world religion will be pressured into joining them with martyrdom used as a tool for convincing people to accept this New World Religion. It may even seem to be the right thing, the good and noble thing to do. Many facets of a unified world government and religion are already in place. Through his many lies and miracles the world will give that Man of Sin leadership. He will initiate and arrange for Israel to sign a peace treaty with many nations. This is what starts the seven year countdown. The world will think that a final lasting peace for the middle east will be at hand. Israel will rebuild it’s temple. Worship and sacrificing will again commence. For three and a half years there will be a “peace” for Israel under the protection of the Antichrist. Then on Passover, halfway through the tribulation, Satan will empower the Antichrist that had just been wounded, apparently unto death, but he will live. He will be a Satanic Prince, the same evil spirit that entered Alexander the Great. When he ruled the Grecian kingdom he was possessed by this same evil spirit and when he died that spirit has been in check by Michael. The antichrist, being empowered by the Beast and that Great Red Dragon, called the Devil and Satan, will enter the temple of God, cause the sacrificing to cease, and proclaim himself as God. He overpowers and kills the two witnesses, seen later. He will overthrow the one-world church, with the aid of the ten kings that he has given temporary power to. He will then overthrow three of the horns, three kings of the ten. He then becomes the eighth. The False Prophet then demands the world to worship the beast, instituting his mark that must be taken in order to buy or sell. Then after a time of severe persecution, there will be unleashed, by God, such terrible and awful judgments on this world, that if allowed to continue, everyone on earth would perish. God is so fed up with mankind’s sinfulness that he even sends a strong delusion so that everyone, except those chosen to be saved during the Great Tribulation, will believe Satan’s lie and will harden their hearts toward God. We as true believers have nothing to fear, we were chosen before the worlds were formed to be “In Christ”. Being in Christ is the only way to salvation, a oneness with God, with His protection and then we will escape the wrath of God to come.
Now with these things fresh on your mind, lets take a close look at Revelation in a verse-by-verse study.
Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: 2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. In the first three verses, we have John, exiled on the Isle of Patmos. He is the beloved of the Lord and the only apostle not to suffer a Martyrs death. He proclaims here, the validity of what he heard and saw. It was from Jesus himself, through an Angel sent by God. In addition, he promises a blessing on those that read and those that hear the words of this prophesy.
4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; 5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.This letter is addressed to the seven church centers of John’s day. He prays for grace and peace for them from God, from the seven spirits before the throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful one, first-born of the resurrection, and prince of this earth. He died for our sins, we are washed clean in his blood, and Yes, we are Kings and Priests for Christ our God and the Father. Praise be to Him Forever.
7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. This is when he comes back at the Battle of Armageddon. Every eye shall see him, realize their error, even Israel who rejected him the first time, and there will be much heartache, sorrow, and repenting wailing.
8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. Jesus is the first and the last, by him was all things created, and through him alone will we be allowed eternal life. He is the Almighty. He is God.
9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. Here John tells off his exile and reason for it. Faithful, even imprisoned, unto God and the testimony of Jesus. We can all learn from this. We really can’t complain about the situations we are in or the problems that we face. There is no comparison between our meager tribulations that we go through, and the apostles oppression, the early church oppression and, even, in some areas of the world today Christians are singled out for torture and martyrdom.
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 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. John was in deep communion with the Lord, on a Sunday, when suddenly, an awesome vision, a revelation occurred. The voice behind him indicates that the message is straight from the mouth of Christ. Telling him that the things he is about to see, he is to write down and to send copies of his vision to the seven church centers in Asia.
12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 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. 14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 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. As John turns to see what is going on behind him, a force takes over and turns him. He then sees a majestic vision of Christ in all his Glory and Majesty, he is standing in the midst of seven candlesticks which represent the Churches.
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: 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. To look upon this awesome sight was too much for John. It would be too much for anyone to bear. His head, white as snow, indicating his wisdom. His eyes were as a flame of fire, piercing through to our inmost being. His feet of Brass, indicating his coming as Judge, treading the winepress of the wrath of God. His voice blasting our entire being. He holds seven stars in his right hand. Out of his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, representing the Word of God going forth, cutting with each pass. His whole countenance was like the sun to look upon. This was an Awesome, overwhelming, vision of Christ.
19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; This verse 19 contains the key to interpreting the whole book of Revelation. John is to write about three things. First, is the things that he has just seen. He writes about the vision of Christ. Second, he is to write about the things that are, i.e. the churches and his message to each church. Thirdly, he is to write about the things that shall be hereafter, i.e. that is the end of the church age, the rise of Antichrist, and the wrath of God. There will be other references to this shortly.
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. Here, Jesus tells John, that the candlesticks are the churches, and the stars in his hand are the angels or messengers to each church.
The reasons for the messages to the churches are threefold. First, this is a local application. These seven letters portray actual conditions of the seven local churches in Asia. He addressed problems that each church had and was going through. Second, this is a prophetical application, revealing spiritual conditions of the local churches throughout the church age until the rapture. Individual churches, have experienced different aspects of the problems addressed in these letters, from the beginning of the church age, until the time we are taken out, just before antichrist is revealed. Thirdly, this is an individual application. All of us, from the beginning of the church age, go through different aspects and problems that are addressed in the letters, we can learn from them, and find encouragement by looking forward to the benefits of the over comers. The last day’s church will have the aspects of these churches as well.
Some teachers have taught a so called “dispensational” aspect to the seven letters. Seven different periods of time starting with Ephesus, through Laodecia. We would be in the Philadelphia or Laodecia period now. I personally believe that there is a dispensational aspect to these letters. There are periods of time, during the history of the church, that does relate to the letters of these churches. Even though there may be tendencies of the church that relates to the letters at certain time periods, this however is not accurate in every case, and the theory is not provable by scripture. It would therefore be wise not to delve into this teaching. There are too many variables and exceptions to this way of thinking. For instance, we, at this time in history, would be in the Laodecian church age. To be honest, there are a multitude of so called “believers” in the traditional church that are lukewarm. However, we seem to also be in the Philadelphian church age, for there are many true believers that fit into the aspects of the Philadelphian church. They are promised to be kept safe within the tribulation to come and raptured out of it. These will be the true believers caught up in the rapture. So there seems to be an overlapping of these church ages. To avoid confusion, I will not discuss at length this way of teaching. Revelation doesn’t need to be taught like this to be fully understood.
Lets now look at the things that are, i.e. the messages to the churches. I will make comments throughout these letters covering certain things, but the letters as a whole speak clearly enough by themselves. They really need no further elaboration.
Revelation 2:1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; A great commercial center of Asia Minor, at the mouth of the river Cayster on the shore of the Aegean Sea. It was noted for the Temple of Diana. 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. Walking by faith, which is how all of us start out as Christians. Simple, blind, childlike faith in Jesus and his sacrifice. 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. The site of the city is now covered with ruins and is the residence of a miserable Turkish village without a Christian, fulfilling verse 5.6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. The Nicolaitans were a sect of Gnostic who practiced and taught impure and immoral doctrines, such as the community of wives, teaching that committing adultery and fornication was not sinful, and that eating food that was sacrificed to idols was lawful. 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.
8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; A rich city in Turkey, now called Ismir. It is about 50 miles N.W. of Ephesus on the Aegean Sea. 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. A sect, or group, in Smyrna which professed Judaism, but blasphemed God and served 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.
12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; A town in Mysia on the river Caicus, it is about 50 miles north of Smyrna. 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:Supposed to refer to the removal of the headquarters of the ancient Babylonian cult, from Babylon to Pergamos. and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, An unknown Christian, who became known by his martyrdom for Christ. In the book “The Acts of Antipas”, he is the bishop of Pergamos and it states that he was put to death by being enclosed in a burning brazen bull. 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 Nicolaitans, 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.These were known to the ancients as Victory Stones . Also in ancient times they meant a pardon and evidence of it. Judges had white and black stones. If he gave a black one to a criminal, it would condemn him; if a white one was given he would pardoned. Also interesting is that the Conquerors, in the public games, were given white stones with their names written on them. This entitles them to be supported for their entire lives at public expense.
18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; A city in Western Turkey between Pergamos and Sardis. 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 (works) 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. (Christ is the morning star) 29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Revelation 3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; A city about 40 miles east of Smyrna, the ancient city of Lydia. These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name (Reputation)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.
7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write;A city about 30 miles S.E.of Sardis. 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. A wonderful indication that God will protect his church during the tribulation, and save them out of it before the Day of the Lord. The word “Kept” means literally to “guard or protect within a sphere of danger”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.
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write;Located in Phrygia, a few miles W. of Colosse. 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,They were indifferent and careless, completely dead, lacking in any zeal. 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.
This ends the messages to the churches. All true believers, if we are honest with ourselves, can relate to these letters. We can find ourselves in one or more of the spiritual conditions that exists in these Churches. We need to continually evaluate our faith and be ever renewing our oneness and relationship with God and Christ. This is the only way to become overcomers and reap the rewards of such. To the once saved, always saved, way of salvation teachers, I must remind you that these letters are written to Christians. The letters also indicate, that if there are overcomers, there also are failures. Who will suffer judgements with the rest of the unsaved. We have to run the race and fight the good fight of faith. None of us are perfect. There is none righteous, no not one. We are, however, forgiven when we repent, and then we have to forget what lies behind, and press on toward the mark of the high calling of Christ. As we walk in faith, God’s promise is that he will write his law on our hearts, and we will find ourselves fulfilling his law. Not because we have to, or to measure up to some standard, but because it will be our second nature. We will be like him, which is our goal. The change is never immediate, it is a process, a walk, with Jesus as our guide. We can be overcomers.
Revelation 4:1 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 shew thee things which must be hereafter. This is the beginning of the 3rd section of Revelation. These are the things that happen at the end of the Church age, through the Day of the Lord, and into the coming kingdom of Christ.
2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.This is a type of the Rapture, or “Catching Away”, of the Church. John is changed into spirit instantly, and immediately he is in Heaven before the Throne of God. We undoubtedly will experience the rapture just as John has done here. Just as Noah, his family, and all the animals that God would save from destruction, was safe in the Ark, the same day it started to rain. The body of Christ, all the true believers, will be safe in the heavens before the Day of the Lord starts. God, at this point, now takes his attention off the Church, which is safe in the heavens, and he turns his attention back to Israel, to fulfill their remaining judgment and the end of the 7 years of tribulation, their final chastisement under the law. Soon Israel will begin to recognize their Messiah that they rejected almost 2000 years ago.
3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper (an opaque crystalline quartz probably greenish in color) and a sardine stone: (red in color) and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. Here we have a glorious picture of God, a literal person, seated on a literal throne.
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. These elders, seated on thrones, clothed in white, with crowns of gold, represent all the raptured saints, both Old Testament and New. They do not represent the tribulation saints, nor the 144,000 sealed Israelite’s. This will be understood shortly. The reason for the number of 24 elders is not stated, but consider the following facts; (1).The whole priesthood of old was represented by 24 elders. (1 Chr. 24:1-9) and (2). The names of the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 Apostles are written on the Holy City New Jerusalem. (Rev. 21:10-14)
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. This denotes the Holy Spirit’s fullness and power, upon the Lamb, and before the Throne 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. Here, the floor surface, preceding, and up to, the throne, is seen as a sea of glass. It is clear and crystalline in appearance, reflecting light as diamonds. I imagine it refracting into various colors. Then circling the throne are 4 beasts. Greek word is zoa, meaning living ones, or creatures. They are literal angelic beings, distinct from the elders, seraphim, cheribum, and ordinary angels. These beasts purpose is sevenfold ; 1.To call attention to God’s Holiness,(4:4-8). 2. Fall prostrate and worship,(5:8-10). 3. Sing and Play Harps, (5:8-10). 4.Offer prayers of the Saints to God, (5:8-10). 5. Call forth the Horsemen, (6:1-8). 6. Give vials to angels, (15:7). 7. Listen to the worship of others, (14:3).
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. Here, as the beasts are giving glory to God, the elders, are acknowledging God’s supremacy and that we are redeemed and we are only able to receive crowns through his blessings and grace. We also acknowledge that the purpose of our creation, was for God’s pleasure. That is why we were created.
Revelation 5:1 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. This book was written on the front and back, probably like a scroll rolled up. You can see writing on the outside, and know that there is writing on the inside, yet there are seven seals down the edge of the rolled up papyri. These seals signify, as in ancient days, that only a specified person, or one that was of a certain status or royalty, was allowed to open the seals. Also realize that the breaking of the seals does not open the scroll, but unleashes Satan’s wrath, not God’s wrath which will begin when the scroll is opened and the trumpet judgments come.
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. Here, an unidentified angel, seeks to find the one worthy to open the book. The realization hits home, that there is none righteous, no not one. No man throughout history is found to be able. This book concerns man and his destiny. There needs to be at least one man worthy to open the book, and allow our destiny to come to fulfillment. In John’s dismay, he weeps sorrowfully.
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. Here, an unspecified saint calms John, and assures him that there is one. He indicates that Christ, as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, and also of the Root of David, is worthy to open the book. John is looking on that Lamb that was slain from the foundation of the world.
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.Since the lamb is a symbol of Christ, and it has the 7 horns and 7 eyes, these Seven Spirits of God, as in the Lamps earlier, has to represent the fullness and power of the one Holy Spirit upon the Lamb, and before the Throne of God.
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.Now Christ, as the Lamb of God, takes the book, to the adoration of the saints and creatures. They all have harps and vials of incense, for praising and offering up the prayers of the 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. This indicates that the elders and the beasts are offering up the prayers of all the saints that are to reign on the earth with Christ during the millennium and beyond. Also, important to note, that these elders are representative of the true believers that have been raptured.
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 worshiped him that liveth for ever and ever. Here you have a countless number of angels, along with the elders and beasts, around the throne, ascribing to the Lamb and God universal worship. Here ends John’s experience at the throne. He then goes and sees the things that will occur at the end of the church age, the Day of the Lord, and the future kingdom of Christ.
6:1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. 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. With the opening of the first seal, the tribulation period, the 70th week of Daniel’s prophesy, commences. This rider on the white horse is the Antichrist. He comes on the scene as a man of peace, signified by the bow and no arrows. He is powerful and yet comes to conquer through diplomacy at first. This is when he oversees the signing of the peace treaty with Israel and the other nations, then if it hasn’t started already, the Temple can begin being rebuilt.
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. Opening of this second seal brings on many wars. The antichrist first uses diplomacy, then, here he uses the sword to enforce his so called peace. This is also when that woman on the beast, the Religious Babylon called “Mystery Babylon”, starts the persecution of the saints of God. She will seek to make the whole world succumb to her New World Religion. The evil that will be abundant during this time will make for a world full of murder, thievery, sin, and chaos. This is when the full “Apostasy” of the professing believers starts, and they will start coming against each other, even worse than now.
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. This third seal brings on famine, and economic troubles. Foodstuffs will cost eightfold more than the costs are today. Only the very rich, symbolized by the oil and wine, are not affected by this seal.
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(under the authority of) the beasts of the earth. This fourth seal brings on Death and Hell. They will have reign over one fourth of the earth, probably in the mid-east, north Africa, and eastern Europe area. The beasts, the Antichrist, the False Prophet and the image of the beast, will use wars, persecution of new believers, starvation, and death by “unknown” cause. The “beasts” of the earth, of the 39 times it is used in Revelation, 38 times it refers to the Antichrist, the False Prophet, or the image of the Beast. In Daniel, the kingdoms are represented by beasts which were ruled by the spirit of the antichrist.
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. This fifth seal, reveals the slain martyrs that have been killed by throughout the history of the church. They are given white robes, and told to be patient, because there were others like themselves, that were to be killed.
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? This seal starts the earth shaking events. This is probably God’s reaction to the persecution of the saints, and also what we have brought this earth to ourselves. The earth itself reels to and fro. The stars appear to fall and the heavens roll up. These could be meteors or asteroids, but with everything taken into consideration, this earth appears to be tumbling off it’s axis, a polar axis shifting, which scientists now agree has happened before. The visible atmosphere is now blackened by volcanic activity and explosions are everywhere. Mountains are moved, or some may disappear altogether. Islands move, and some even sink into the oceans. Tidal waves would be everywhere. All this is due to an axis shift of the earth. Every man on earth, now starts to see, that the wrath of the Lamb is coming, and they are so terrified they would even seek death to try and escape. These are the signs we are to be looking for, we can now look up, for our redemption is truly nigh at hand.
Revelation 7:1 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. Here are four angels holding back the winds on the earth from every direction. This earth had just taken a tumble through space, and winds surely would be horrific, if it were not for these angels.
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. Now, we see why the winds are held still. God is about to seal the 144,000. 12,000 from each tribe of Israel. This seal protects them in the near future when God’s wrath is unleashed.
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 Nepthalim 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. Here, God indicates exactly, which people he has chosen to seal, that makes up the 144,000. These will be from all the tribes of Israel. God knows where all the so called “Lost Tribes” are. These tribes, except Judah, migrated northward, and west through Europe, during the “scattering”, They became known to us today as the Celtic Nations, but that is a different subject. These are not part of the church, which has just been raptured, but they are the Firstfruits of believing Israel.
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; 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. Here we see a countless multitude, which includes the souls under the altar, and the rest that were to be killed as they were. All the Saints, both new and old testament Saints, are standing before the throne and the Lamb. They cried out Salvation to God and the Lamb. Then the angels, elders, and beasts fall prostrate, and worship God.
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. Here, the elder tells John who this multitude is, the true followers of Christ, and tells how they are to be blessed of God.
Revelation 8:1 And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. The reason for the silence is not given. However bear in mind that this is the last seal keeping the scroll closed. Now, all heaven stands in complete silence, awaiting what is in the book to be revealed. No one knows what is inside, save the author. Every ear and eye in heaven is tuned in, and awaiting what is to come. Lets back up just a little, and take a look at what has happened so far. The seven sealed scroll is like God’s title deed of the earth. Adam gave it up to Satan, and Christ is about to take it back. The first five seals are typifying mankind’s activities that bring on misery to the earth. The sixth seal, seems to represent God’s reaction to the worlds persecution of the saints which he then raptures out. The opening of the seventh seal brings on the seven trumpet judgments. These originate from God, and are unleashed upon man.
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. Here John sees seven angels, or “messengers”, standing before God. They are given seven trumpets. Another angel is given a golden censer, then he is given much incense. He offers it upon the altar, along with the prayers of the saints. The smoke, along with the prayers, ascend up before God and He is about to unleash his wrath.
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.This angel with the censer, now fills it with fire from the altar, and casts it into the earth. This results in voices (undefined), thunder, lightning, and an earthquake. This fire from the altar, indicates that the prayers of the saints for God to respond, are about to be answered. Mankind is about to feel the “wrath of God”.
6 And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. The seven angels now prepare to sound their trumpets. These trumpet judgments start the wrath of God being unleashed on the earth. The seals, show terrible problems on the earth, but these are the results of man problems, and new issues under the antichrist, not from God. The seals happened in succession, after which these trumpets also happen in succession. There is no evidence that there is some kind of overlapping, or that the trumpets are within the seventh seal. The seventh seal opens the scroll, the trumpets are within the scroll.
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. At this first trumpet blast, God brings great hail and fire mixed with blood onto the earth. This burns up a third of the trees, and all the grass on the earth. Since God creates all things, this blood is literal. It doesn’t look like blood, this scripture indicates that it is real blood.
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. This second trumpet brings on some kind of comet, or asteroid of great size. It is cast into the sea. It turns one third of the sea to blood. This results in the killing of one third of the animals in the sea. It also destroys one third of the ships, either through the impact, or by the resulting tidal waves.
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. This third trumpet brings on the second celestial object to the earth. Probably a comet impacting the earth, or maybe orbiting the earth, so that it’s tail sheds a bitterness. It could also be the impact and disintegration of this object, that casts bitterness into the fresh waters of the earth. A full one third part of the fresh water is made bitter, and many die because of the bitter water.
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. The fourth trumpet shows a darkening of the sun, moon, and stars, by one third of its normal brightness. This, is probably the result of the two celestial bodies that have just encountered the earth.
13 And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabitants of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound! Here, an angel shouts out to the earth, woe, woe, woe, (you thought the first four trumpets were bad, you haven’t seen nothing yet.) The next three trumpets will bring on even worse calamities. The three woes, represent the three next trumpet blasts.
Revelation 9:1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. 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. This “star”, out of heaven, is referred to as “him”. This denotes an angelic being, not a literal star. This angel is entrusted with an important duty. He holds the key to the bottomless pit. This is the “pit of the abyss”, not hell or hades. This pit holds fallen angels, spirit beings that have been chained in darkness, until the Day of the Lord. A great smoke, arose out of this pit, to the point darkening 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. 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. These demonic spirits, are released to torment those on the earth that don’t have the seal of God in their foreheads. Men will seek death but will not find it. God’s mercy still shows through. Those that have not accepted Christ, will be tormented. The torment is so intense, that they would wish death, but they cannot die. However, through God’s grace, they are still be able to repent, accept God, receive Jesus as Messiah, and be saved.
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. These demonic beings are herein described. They aren’t some modern helicopter, or B-52’s. They, as angelic beings, may or may not be able to be seen, yet their torments will be felt tremendously for five full months. Their leader, over them, is a special angelic being of a fallen state, who is in Satan’s hierarchy, in ruler ship over other evil spirits. It is probably not Satan himself, for Satan is not, at this time, bound in chains in the abyss. That his name is destroyer, is indicative of who he is, for followers of Satan do not build or construct, they ever seek to tear down and destroy lives of men.
12 One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter. This verse indicates that the first woe encompassed the fifth trumpet. Now the sixth trumpet brings on the second woe.
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.Here, we are introduced to four angelic beings. That they are evil, is evident in the fact that they were bound, and they were created for a special purpose, to be fulfilled at a very specific time. These are leaders, of an army of 200 million demonic horsemen, that are to be released to slay a full one third of mankind.
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. This description of these evil angelic horses defies all logic. They have heads as lions, blasting out fire, smoke, and brimstone. With tails as serpents with heads (plural). I see their tails as having serpents, like their hair would be. Hundreds of serpents, flailing and biting. The riders are wearing breastplates of fire, jacinth, and brimstone. This is not a picture of a human rider on literal horses, or even a mechanized army vehicle. These are unnatural, evil, demonic horses, with inhumane riders, advancing under the leadership of the four angels. They are sent out to slay one third of what’s left of mankind. This equals to approximately seven hundred million, to one billion. This additional third, that are to be killed by the 200 million horsemen, will equal to about the same amount, seven hundred million to one billion.
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. It’s important to remember here, that only the people on earth that do not have the mark of God, or those that are as of yet undecided, will be included in this third of mankind that will be killed by these monstrosities. Understanding these verses, only those that are unrepentant will undergo this. Believers are exempt from this judgment that is coming on the earth. God seems to be ridding the earth of all those that either are unrepentant, or those that he knows would not turn to Christ. This fifty percent of the worlds population, includes people that God would not have populating the earth during the Millennium under the ruler ship of Lord Jesus Christ, therefore they are taken out. The only believers that are killed during this seven years, are those who are martyred for their faith in Jesus as Messiah, and who reject the antichrist and his imposed system of government. These believers have turned to God since the rapture. When the restraining force, the true church, that is removed for antichrist to be revealed, is taken out, sin and rebellion against God and Christ will abound unrestrained. God will harden the hearts of all those that he doesn’t want to inhabit the earth during the Millennial Kingdom. We are now at the approximate middle of the Tribulation.
Revelation 10:1 And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a 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 (delay) no longer: This awesome angel, some scholars believe, is Christ. Christ, however, is not referred to as an angel in the entire book of Revelation, he is seen as he is, the Lamb of God, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Verse 5 & 6 proves this point. Christ wouldn’t swear by himself. This Mighty Angel raises his hand to heaven, and swears by Christ, that the time is up and that there will be no more delay. There are now only 1260 days left for this current age to come to completion, and the Kingdom of Christ to commence. In verse 4, John is about to write what the seven thunders uttered, and he is told to seal up..and write them not. This is the only place, in the whole book of Revelation that God hides something. It is not for us to know what was said, so we must not even speculate. Starting in verse 10:1 through 11:14 there is sort of a parentheses in the chronological unfolding of the judgments bearing down on man.
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. The mystery of God, is none other than Salvation through Christ. This mystery, that angels seek to understand, and men, from the fall until now, try to understand, is that God can provide fallen man a path back to unity again with Himself. This mystery, of being reinstated into fellowship with God, is through faith and not by works. How that God, can love man so much that he is willing to send his son to die for their sins. This mystery has been taught, beginning in the Old Testament through the New, and is now coming to complete fulfillment.
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. Here, John takes a scroll, apparently back on earth, and eats it. This scroll may well be the same seven sealed scroll, or it may be a new one indicating judgments yet to come on the earth. It is irrelevant which one it may be. When he is told to eat it, that indicates, in type, to mentally digest it. To learn and know it fully. We are to be in the Word of God, and prove ourselves faithful by studying the Word. The fact that it is sweet in his mouth, but bitter in his belly, is understood in that, to believers, God’s word and Jesus ultimate victory and his return to earth, is sweet. However, the judgments and torments, coming on the earth, is bitter. Also, as the Word of God is, to those who accept Christ, life, blessing, and sweet. The same Word, for the unbeliever, brings on death, destruction, and bitterness.
Revelation 11:1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. 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. This chapter involves a continuing parentheses taken out of the time line of the judgments. For we see things happening that take place from the start of the tribulation period, through the middle point of the tribulation. Here, it is seen that the temple is rebuilt, which happens at the beginning of the seven year period, when antichrist signs the treaty with Israel. The Jews sacrificial worship has been reinstated. The exemption of the outer court, and the holy city, indicates that although the Jews have their temple, the whole area and the rest of the city is still being occupied by gentiles. The antichrist will allow the Jews to rebuild and worship in their temple, however an occupation of the entire area by gentiles is clear. Like an occupying U.N. force, that enforces a so called peace. After forty two months, in the middle of the tribulation, when the Antichrist enters and desecrates the temple and starts persecuting the Saints, God will then intervene and unleash his wrath on antichrist and his kingdom. We, as Christian, need not to seek a worldly temple to find God. We are his temple, and we find worship with God when we look inward. Seek him, and dwell with him, in that “secret place”.
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. These two witnesses of God begin their ministry at the start of the tribulation period. They will testify of Christ, and be a thorn in the side of the Jews, and also the antichrist and his ruling government. They will be immortal until their testimony is fulfilled. No one can come against them. They will kill anyone that would hurt them, with fire out of their mouths, and they will call down all kinds of plagues on the earth. The identity of these witnesses can also be known. We know for sure that one of them is Elijah. It is prophesied that he would return before the “Coming of the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord”. He also called down fire from heaven, and shut up the heavens that it wouldn’t rain during his earthly ministry in the Old Testament. He also, was taken up to God, and did not, at that time, see death. The other witness will be either Enoch or Moses. The reason it may be Enoch, is the fact that Enoch also did not taste death, but was taken out. Enoch was a gentile, and he lived before Abraham. Therefore he is not identified with Israel in any way. Just because Enoch hadn’t tasted death, is not a good enough reason to assume he will be one of these witnesses. Hebrews tells us that the reason he was taken, was that he “should not see death”. These witnesses will see death. This fact itself should exclude Enoch from being one of them. Also understand, that there will be many exceptions to those that haven’t tasted death. For all true believers that are alive when Jesus returns at the Rapture, will not taste death either. More probably, this other witness will be Moses come back. For Moses and Elijah were the two that came down and ministered to Jesus at the Mount of Transfiguration. Moses, also called down all kinds of plagues, just as these witnesses do, when he was called to Egypt to free the Israelites. However, it is not imperative that we positively identify these witnesses in our study, God will reveal who they are in his own good time.
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. When their testimony is complete, then and only then, will they be overpowered by the beast and be killed. Their bodies will lay in the streets of Jerusalem for three and a half days. The whole world will look upon their dead bodies. It amazes me, that only in our lifetime, has the technology been developed, that would allow the world to look at these dead witnesses. The beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will enter antichrist. Antichrist will, at that time, desecrate the Jewish Temple. He will overpower these witnesses, and overthrow that harlot, the New World Religious system. He will then conquer three of the ten kings that have been in power for a short time. This all happens at the mid-point of the tribulation.
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. The degenerate men on the earth, will gloat over these dead witnesses. They will be throwing a worldwide party over these two men, glad to see them dead, for the plagues that these men called on the earth have ceased.
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. In the middle of a worldwide party over these dead witnesses, God will raise them up, alive, and take them up to heaven. What a shock this will be to the peoples of the earth. For everyone will be able to see them resurrected, and a remnant will turn to God and believe. This event culminates the first half of the tribulation and sets the stage for the last half, the Great Tribulation to commence. It also starts a great revival, that continues through the last three and a half years. The times of the gentiles are over and the tribulation the “Great Tribulation”, will commence followed by the Day of the Lord. Here then ends this parenthetical passage.
14 The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly. 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. Here, at the sounding of the seventh angel, no particular judgments are rendered unto the earth. This sounding ushers in the bowls of wrath, devastating judgments on the earth. Voices in heaven are heard foretelling the taking away of the kingdom of Satan, and returning it to God and Jesus the Christ. Note here that the KJV uses the plural form “kingdoms”, whereas the actual meaning is singular “kingdom”.
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. The 24 elders, both old and new testament saints, the true body of Christ, those taken at the rapture, praise and thank God for taking back his kingdom, and power that had previously been held by Satan and his hierarchy. Their announcement, although not immediately fulfilled, would be fulfilled completely at the battle of Armageddon. In preparation of that great and terrible day, God unleashes such wrath on the earth, that never has or will ever again occur.
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. The elders continue disclosing events that are about to come to pass.
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. This original Temple of God, and the true Ark of the Covenant, are the first ones that God has. He gave the plans to construct the replicas to Moses on MT. Sinai. The lightning, voices, thundering, earthquake and hail, indicate the billowing wrath that is about to be unleashed from God in heaven, onto the earth during the time remaining of the last 3 1/2 years.
In chapter 12 we see another parenthetical passage. This one covers an extended period of time, from creation through the middle of the tribulation.
Revelation 12:1 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: 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. Verse 1 and 2 picture Israel awaiting her messiah to come. Verse 3 to 5 is showing Satan as a great red dragon. He is cast out of heaven, before the fall of Adam, and he takes with him a third of the angels who sided with him. He then causes the fall of Adam and Eve. Then seen here, he awaits the messiah’s birth, and tries to kill him to prevent him from fulfilling what he was sent to do. After Jesus’ crucifixion he, Jesus, was taken up to God’s throne, and his own throne, where he now is interceding for us. Verse 6 shows Israel fleeing into the wilderness, probably to Petra, from the antichrist at the middle of the tribulation, just after he desecrates their temple. They are kept safe by God, in the wilderness, for the last half of the tribulation.
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. Satan, until this point in history, has access to heaven, but, at the mid point of the tribulation, after he is cast out, he enters into this world. He empowers antichrist, already possessed by the beast out of the abyss, to oppress all those who are Christian or Jew, or who will not succumb to his governmental rule. He, at this time, has access to God to accuse us for our sins but soon, at the middle of the tribulation, he will be cast out and no longer will he have access. He will be stuck on the earth and will persecute mankind fiercely because he knows his time is short.
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. Here again, is the proclamation that the kingdom of this world is about to be taken from Satan and returned to God. Satan, being cast down to earth, no longer has access to heaven. He is crazy with anger, and pursues Israel. Israel flees to the wilderness, pursued by Satan. The flood he issues against Israel, may be literal, or symbolic of his armies. Either way, God uses the earth to help them. He also feeds, and keeps them safe for the next three and a half years, during the most catastrophic time this world has ever been through. Satan, in his anger, and constrained to the earth, makes war against the rest of the world, any Jews he can find, and especially those that have chosen to follow Christ and resist the new world government.
Revelation 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. 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. This is a parenthetical passage, that covers the rise of antichrist and his kingdom. This beast, represents the ruling world power that Satan has implemented, organized, and put into place. It also represents that Man of Sin, revealed after the rapture, becoming the antichrist. This economic power is ruled by seven leaders, that govern ten world regions. Antichrist will be one of these leaders. These ten world regions will, at a future date, have leaders appointed over them. These regions will become the ten horns and also the ten-toed kingdom, seen in Daniel. The Antichrist, empowered by that Red Dragon, who is Satan, and possessed by the Beast out of the Abyss will, through miracles and wonders, overthrow three of the ten kingdoms and receive his own, becoming the eighth. Another explanation regarding this beast is as follows. John is told that there are seven kings, five are fallen, one is, and one is yet to come. He is of the seven and he becomes the eighth. This can be explained as this. There are seven kings or nations that have oppressed Israel. Five have fallen, or have already been and gone. They are 1. Egypt ; 2. Assyria ; 3. Babylon ; 4. Medo-Persia ; and 5. Greece. One of the seven is, that is 6. Rome. This one is the oppressor that existed in John’s day. One is yet to come, that one is 7. The ten toed revised Roman empire. The beast that was, (before John’s day) is not, (not existing in John’s day) shall ascend, (will be released out of the abyss to enter the antichrist during the tribulation). This beast, the one that was, is not, and shall ascend, is none other than the evil spirit that had possessed Alexander the Great. When he was killed, that evil spirit was sent into the abyss, so in John’s day he “is not”. The fact that he is of the seven means that he was in Alexander the Great, leader of Greece, a previous oppressor of Israel. That he becomes the 8th could mean either one of two things. He will possess the antichrist that is in charge of the ten-toed kingdom, hence that seventh king becomes a new, evil possessed creature, and can be called a new or eighth king. Also, more likely, is the fact that when this evil spirit, as the little horn, comes up and overthrows three of the ten horns, there would be seven horns left, and he is given charge of the area of the three that he overthrew, hence he will become the eighth ruler of that last kingdom to rule before Jesus overthrows them all and institutes his own kingdom.
Interestingly, the current world trade organization, through regional treaties, fits this scenario exactly. The U.S. recently signed the GATT treaty. Within this governing power, which is now coming into play, using world trade treaties, the world is divided into ten mega-territories, they are even called “kingdoms”. They are governed or ruled by seven “Judges”. These “free-trade” treaties, that the whole world is being pressured into signing and agreeing to, actually overrules each individual countries’ own sovereignty. There are even stipulations, within these treaties, that indicate, that every individual citizen, within the participating countries, has to receive a tax identification number, without which they cannot buy or sell anything. This provision is currently not enforced. However the authority is already in place. We, as individuals within the “free trade” areas, have already been assigned this tax ID number. This number is not the social security number. It is a number that has been assigned, and is currently entered, as data, into the mega computer system called the “Beast”, which used to be in Brussels, and probably in other integrated systems as well. The beginnings of this world governing system, was founded by an organization called the “Club of Rome” in 1958. There are several world groups that are backing this one-world government. They include, the Tri-Lateral Commission, the World Trade Organization, the World Bankers Assn., the Council on Foreign Relations, and others. Another interesting fact, it has been rumored, is that the access code for this computer system “the Beast” is 666. These tax I.D. numbers, we have been assigned, could be similar to the current UPC symbols which utilize an eighteen digit number. There would be an easy transition to a worldwide monetary system, using bar codes, tattooed on people, for identification and economic transactions. Current UPC bar codes contain three sections of six numbers each. Actually they have two sets of six, a set of five, and one “straggler”. It is also possible that instead of a visible or even an invisible tattoo that is put on the skin, the technology is already here that enables a computer RF chip to be implanted under the skin. The govt is already using this technology on “select” groups. Mexico’s military is already using this chip on a large segment of their military and government officials.
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. The Antichrist, as one of the leaders of this “World Government”, will be wounded and appear to die. The beast will enter into him, along with Satan empowering him, and he will raise up or appear to be raised up from the dead. It will appear to be a miracle. This man, the Antichrist, will now be full with satanic power and will be the chief ruler of this World Government. The other ten heads will be merely pawns in his hand. At the mid-point of the tribulation, after his so called resurrection, he will enter the Jewish temple, proclaim himself as God, and cause the sacrificial worship to cease. This will be on Passover. He will duplicate what Jesus has done in order to be able to proclaim himself as messiah.
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. Here we see that the world will worship the “God”, Satan, that Great Red Dragon, that has caused this man to be raised from the dead. They also worshipped this man, the Beast, the Antichrist that has been raised from the dead. This so called messiah, will speak blasphemies against the one true God, and will make war against the Saints and against any who would oppose him.
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. This next beast is the false prophet. He looks like a lamb yet speaks as a dragon. This religious leaders plan, is to mislead the world. He puts into play the authority that the first beast has, yet has not, as of yet, enforced. He even does miracles in front of mankind, to prove his authority. He convinces mankind to make an image of the first beast, the Antichrist, that was raised from the dead. He will also be the driving force that overthrows the woman riding the beast, which is a world religious system that is put in place soon after the rapture of the true church. This will be discussed in detail shortly. Just as the true God has his trinity; the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Satan will also have a counterfeit trinity, Satan called the Devil or that Great Red Dragon, the Antichrist, and the False Prophet. Satan always moves into truth’s of God, and provides substitute, and counterfeit ways, that on the surface may look good and right, but underneath it’s outward appearance, they are full of evil, and are contrary to God’s perfect plan.
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. He, the False Prophet, makes this image of the Beast appear to come to life. He then causes mankind to worship this image. All who refuse this order will be put to death. At no other time in history, through computers, and possibly some sort of holographic imagery, would he be able to do this. We are living at a point in world history like none other. All the devices that he needs, to perform these so called miracles, are available, and at his disposal now. Some miracles that he does may in fact be miraculous. God has said that he will have the power to perform such things to deceive even the elect, if that were possible. Time is so short, and prophesy points to a savior soon returning for his bride. God’s chosen ones need to be ready now.
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. This second beast, the false prophet, then enforces the authority of the first beast. The mark of the beast will then be required for anyone to buy or sell. This mark will probably be a bar code, or something similar that computer scanners can read. It will be a truly electronic system of commerce. No money or credit cards will be of value or be used. Each person will have his or her own, unique mark, in a commerce system using computers and electronic transfers. This world is so close to accepting this type of system, that it would only take a catastrophic event, like the disappearance of millions at the rapture, for everyone, and most every country, to readily accept this type of a system of commerce.
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 number has been speculated by many scholars. Many have accused particular men, because their names seem to fit their individual numerology systems. I will not speculate on any specific man as having this number in their name. I do, however, see a connection with the access code for the “Beast” computer system, and the UPC symbols having eighteen digits.
Revelation 14:1 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. 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. Here is seen the 144,000 sealed Israelites. They are somehow, either killed or raptured before being seen here. If these are the same sealed Israelites, then they will be raptured at the mid-point of the tribulation, so they can at this time be seen in heaven.
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. Now is seen three angels, proclaiming messages to the earth’s inhabitants. The first one’s message is to preach the everlasting gospel to all the peoples on the earth. Also to fear, and give glory to God for his judgment that is about to hit the earth. The second one proclaims the impending fall of Babylon. The third one warns men to not receive the mark of the beast, or worship him or his image. He also describes the punishments to all who receive this mark, or worship him or his image.
12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. The temptation will be great to take his mark. Imagine not being able to work, buy food, or anything. Fathers and mothers cannot feed their children. It will take great perseverance to resist. Many followers of Christ will die of starvation, if they can escape the guillotines.
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. Yes, God will bless those that resist Satan, even unto death. But there is a way to escape all of this. You don’t have to be there. It will be a greater blessing for the Bride of Christ. To believe now, without having seen Christ or these catastrophic events, is more blessed than to believe after seeing these things. God is patient, and although time is short, if you haven’t asked Jesus into your heart, you can still do so now, and escape the trying times that are soon to come on the earth and all mankind.
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. Here we see Jesus, reaping the harvest of true believers from the earth. This happens just before God’s wrath is poured out on the earth sometime during the last 3 1/2 years of the tribulation. Jesus will take all those on earth that have chosen to accept Christ and reject antichrist before that winepress of the wrath of God is unleashed.
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. Here, an angel, reaps the earth of those that have stubbornly refused Christ, and the appeals of the three angels earlier. This happens during the last half of the tribulation, culminating in the Battle of Armageddon.
Revelation 15:1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. These angels, are about to pour out God’s last and greatest wrath on the earth. Some scholars teach that these angels are actually men. This may in fact be true. The word “angel” or “angels” merely means “messenger”. These angels are seen wearing pure and white linen, the same as resurrected saints. Later in Rev. 22 V. 8, 9 , John bows to one of them, and is admonished not to do so, for he is a fellow servant, and of the brethren the prophets, and of them that keep the sayings of this book. It does seem very interesting and satisfying, for all of the true believers, if God actually uses resurrected saints to pour out his final wrath on the earth and on Satan’s domain.
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 marvelous 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. These, are all those that are saved at the rapture. That great multitude that could not be numbered. When the rapture of the true church, the true believers and followers of Jesus, takes place, this great number of believers will be safe and sound, worshiping our Lord.
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. Here, at last, appearing out of the temple of God in heaven, are seven angels or messengers having plagues. They are given seven bowls or vials, filled with the wrath of God, by one of the four beasts around the throne of God. The temple then fills with smoke from the glory of God and his power, and then the temple is closed off from anyone entering, until these last plagues are released on the earth. God deals with man with mercy until the middle of the tribulation. The fact that the temple is closed, indicates that for the remaining 3 1/2 years, there will be no more mercy. God then deals with mankind in judgment, his mercy is finished.
Revelation 16:1 And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. 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. This first vial brings painful sores on those that receive the mark of the beast and worship his image. This is similar to the plague of boils in the old testament. One important thing to note here, is that these seven plagues come upon men that worship the image of the beast. This indicates that the seven seals, seven trumpets, and these bowls, all run sequentially not concurrent as some scholars teach. These last bowl judgments, have to occur after the middle of the tribulation. The image that is worshipped, happens at the mid point of the tribulation, therefore judgment on those that worship this image happens after this. Many scholars teach that all the judgments happen at the same time. Example: the first seal, the first trumpet, and the first vial happen at the same time. Then the second seal, the second trumpet, and second vial happen at the same time. Etc… This cannot be so, as explained above. Also note, that this judgment is inflicted, only on those that have received the mark, or those that have worshiped his image. This makes it clear that God will protect those that haven’t bowed to Satan and his minions, just as he protected the Israelites during the plagues on Egypt.
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. During the second trumpet, God turns a third part of the sea to blood. Here, God turns the entire sea to blood. Every living thing in the sea will die. Just imagine what results from this. The dead bodies, of every sea creature, will float and decay. The stench will be unbearable. Diseases, and lack of clean water, will be the norm. The obstructions on the surface of the sea, caused by the floating corpses, will have an impact on the shipping industry. This plague seems unimaginable, yet there remains five more.
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. In the previous judgment, God deals with the seas, now he deals with all the fresh water. He turns all the springs, or sources of fresh water, i.e. the streams, rivers, and lakes, to blood. Men will have nothing to drink. Whether this is literal blood, or not, is irrelevant. There will be pestilence and diseases, and unless God provides another source of water, or mankind can figure out how to purify this liquid, mans existence will turn into a state of chaos and confusion. Water, is one of two basic needs, food and water. Without water, it would be only a matter of days before all life on this planet would perish.
God reveals, from time to time, some interesting aspects about angels. In verse 5 we read that there is an “angel of the waters”. This angel speaks of the justification of God’s plague on the waters. In other books of the bible, and in apocryphal books, we learn that God has placed angels in charge of snow, rain, winds, thunder, lightning’s, and many other things. It is humbling, for me to understand, that the more we learn of God and his ways, the more we realize, that we lack in knowledge and understanding of God’s ways. God is amazing, “for now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face, now I know in part, but then I shall know even as I am known”. (1 Cor.13:12) One day we will understand all things. It is a time, that I so long, and look forward to.
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. In this fourth plague, the sun will either produce extreme heat, or possibly, the protectiveness of the atmosphere will be diminished to the point that men will be burnt by very little exposure to the sun. We all have been through heat waves, and seemingly unending summers, and many have died of heat strokes. There is nothing, though, that mankind has gone through, that could compare to the heat wave this world will go through by this plague. It seems inconceivable that men would not repent to God and turn to him after this, yet they do not.
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. This fifth vial is a repeat of the ninth plague on Egypt. This darkness will, at first, seem to be a relief from the searing heat of the previous vial. However, this darkness will be so severe, it will appear to be thick. Being unable to see, even your hand, in front of your face. Men will be disoriented and will be unable to move about with any ability. This plague, appears to be local to antichrist’s kingdom. This could be Babylon the Great (discussed shortly), or possibly Jerusalem, since the antichrist takes over the temple there and claims his own “godship”, in that area. It is also possible, though, that it will be worldwide, if you take into consideration that Satan, has just been cast out of the heavenlies, and is confined to the earth, where he is the “prince of the power of the air” here. The whole earth is his throne and his “seat”.
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. This sixth plague is divided into two parts. The first part has the river Euphrates dried up to allow the kings of the east to cross over for the last great battle. The kings of the east, literally means, the “kings of the sunrise”, or the oriental kings. This means that all the Asian countries will gather, in corporation with each other. They will most likely be coming against antichrist, to begin with, but, through the lies of demon spirits, they will join with his armies to fight against Jesus at the battle of Armageddon.
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. Here, is the second part of the sixth plague. Great demonic spirits, like frogs, go out to the kings of the earth, and through their miracles, they will gather the armies of the world together at the Valley of Megiddo, to fight against the King of all Kings, Jesus Christ. Their fatal error, is that they believe they can conquer and win this battle. God still protects those that repent and follow him, and even now pleads with them to be ready.
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. This seventh and last plague, brings an exclamation from the throne of God saying “It Is Done!”. This welcome statement means an end of the judgement of God, and the end of “Jacob’s time of trouble”. This is accompanied by the greatest earthquake this world has ever known. So great an earthquake, that the “great city” is divided into three, the cities of the world will crumble, and even the mountains and the islands of the world will disappear. In addition to this, a great hail will fall on men. This hail will be, in weight, approximately 135 pounds. This catastrophe will be so severe that the surface of the world will be changed. Men, however, will still curse God and not repent. Imagine, hail that large, and the devastating effects of this earthquake, and this hail. Job 38:22,23 is interesting to note here, “he has filled his armory full of hail and snow against the time of trouble against the day of battle and war”.
The next section in Revelation is a parenthetical one. The actual culmination of this last plague and the great battle of the Lord continues in chapter 19.
Revelation 17:1 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew 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 coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, 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. This chapter seventeen, I will comment on as a whole. Along with the next chapter eighteen, they are some of the hardest, yet most sought after chapters, in the whole bible to understand. There are many different views, to the interpretation, of this woman riding a beast, and I have studied many of the differing viewpoints. I will now, humbly before my Lord, attempt to discuss this in the most obvious and simple way possible.
The woman on the beast and the whore sitting on many waters, are one and the same. She has a name, “Mystery, Babylon the Great. Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the earth”. The beast is the same beastly kingdom as seen earlier, antichrist’s world kingdom, having seven heads and ten horns, antichrist himself as one of the heads. Her riding this beast, indicates that she is being supported by, and has some authority over this last World Government. Just as the Bride of Christ, is seen as a woman and she represents the true church and is called the “New Jerusalem”, discussed later in our study. This woman is Satan’s bride, his Religious Church, that will rule from the beginning of the tribulation until she is overthrown at the middle of the tribulation. She is conquered by antichrist when he, along with the ten kings, abolishes her and demands that he is to be worshipped. In order to identify this harlot, lets consider these following attributes that are shown of her.
1.) She is the “Great Harlot”
2.) She “sitteth upon many waters”
3.) She is “with whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication”
4.) The “inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk by the wine of her fornication”
5.) She, in the wilderness “sits upon a scarlet colored beast”
6.) She is “arrayed in purple and scarlet”
7.) She is “bedecked with gold and precious stones”
8.) She has “a golden cup in her hand, full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication”
9.) She has a name “upon her forehead, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH”
10.) She is “drunk with the blood of saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus”
Identifying this woman is not as hard as it may seem. First, this can’t be a literal woman. A woman couldn’t commit fornication with the kings of the earth, nor could a woman be drunken with the blood of saints, and martyrs of Jesus. She has to be a symbol of something. She symbolizes a religious power. She comes out of, and rules over, all the nations of the world. She is a religious power, that encompasses all the world’s religions, and she has persecuted and still persecutes the saints of God. This religious power will be given authority over the one-world government for a portion of the tribulation. Hence, she is riding the beast. She will be rich, and looked on lustfully by the antichrist, the ten kings, and peoples of the earth. To further identify this harlot, let’s look at the mystery religion of Babylon. Because of her name, there has to be a relation to that literal ancient Babylon.
Babylon, has been called “the cradle of civilization”. Most of the nations of the world have their origins and their religious beginnings coming from Babylon. Nimrod, that great hunter and rebel before the Lord, founded this city. Satan has used this city, more than any other, as a capital for his evil operations. From here originated false religions, idolatry, and rebellion against the one true God. This harlot is none other than the Babylonian system of religious idolatry. This religion has encircled the globe, and her practices have invaded every major religion that has existed, even today. The Catholic church embodies much of the same teaching as the ancient Babylonian religion. Easter, Christ-mass, The Pope, nuns, absolution of sins, the round wafer (used in communion instead of broken bread), all have their origins in the ancient religion of Babylon. There are many other things within the Catholic church and in protestant Christendom that are derived from Babylon. I am not saying that all catholic believers in Jesus will not be a part of the bride of Christ. There are probably a great many, out of the Catholic church, that are faithful followers of Christ. What I am saying is that the Catholic Church System, will be the base and founding unit of the One-World Religion. The Catholic church however is only a part of this One-World Religion. She, that harlot, uses the power and wealth of the Catholic church, yet the rest of the world’s religions will combine with the Catholic church and the Apostate Protestant church that is here will join to form this last great World Religion. It seems obvious to me that the Christian and Catholic, are both trying to “reach out” to the other religions in the world. They want to even worship together, “unifying”, hand in hand, and seek God together. These are the beginning signs, of that last One-World Church. There will be an excuse, so believable, that all the world will believe them, and then unite together to worship God in any way they want, except for salvation through Jesus.
Revelation 18:1 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.
I will now comment on chapter 18, again as a whole. I will probably step on a great many toes with this, but I have to say what is on my heart, and what I truly believe about this Great Babylon.
In this chapter, God is issuing his judgment on Babylon, the Great. This is not the same as the Mystery Babylon, the one world religious system seen in the previous chapter. This is a political and economic power ruling at the end time. To think, that the literal city of Babylon in Iraq, fits the description of this Great Babylon, would be, I believe, to think error. No one can logically say, of the literal city of Babylon, the things that are said of this city. Babylon lies desolate, and I just can’t see it being rebuilt, and used as the center of world politics and trade. There is only one nation in the world, about which, the statements in this chapter can be said. I may be wrong, but I sincerely believe that the United States of America is Babylon the Great. Or, at the least, the system of world trade that has it’s center in the U.S., is representative of that Babylon the Great city. I find it ironic, that the tragedy of 911, when the world trade center was taken down “in an hour”, seems to represent a type of fulfillment of this prophesy. This may not fulfill this prophesy in full, because the center of world trade hasn’t been changed, nor has it been obliterated. It seems like a forerunner to the fulfillment of this prophesy. All the world traded, in every kind of goods, just like in this prophesy, within these two buildings. These two buildings were symbols of world trade to the entire world. They were taken down almost instantly and the smoke arose, and could be seen for miles all around it. I do not condone what happened, nor do I think that this tragedy fulfills this scripture in it’s entirety. I just feel that 911 was a precursor to the actual fulfillment that will take place at the end of the tribulation.
Now the last part in verse 23, we see something interesting. We see that Babylon the Great deceives all the nations of the world by her sorceries. That word “sorceries” in the Greek is the word “Pharmakeia”. We get the word Pharmaceuticals, Pharmacy.. etc., from it. So this worldwide evil cabal, will deceive the world through the medicines she gives and forces mankind to take. And the blood of the Saints, Prophets, and a great many slain in the earth, is in her. (Babylon the Great). Currently, in 2020-2023, the major powers in the world are trying to force a DNA modifying vaccine to everyone in the world, and there are untold numbers of injuries, including blood clotting, heart problems, cancers, vaccine induced Aids.. and the lost goes on, with many millions injured and millions killed. This sounds a lot like the work of the horsemen to me.
The United States is still the center of all world trade. It is the richest, and is of the most prosperous of the nations of the world. The U.S. is the only nation in the world with the influence, and power to back it up, that could possibly enforce a one-world government. I will have to say, that the U.S. started as a Christian, and truly, a God fearing nation. The times, however, have changed. The U.S. can no longer be called a “Christian” nation. The United States is now a melting-pot of all the worlds religions. With Hollywood, and through many other avenues, the U.S. no longer perpetuates God and Truth. It is spreading sin, and lawlessness, worldwide. The nations of the world are drunk, with the sin and fornication that comes out of the U.S.
There are still, however, in the U.S., voices spreading the truths of God, and of salvation through Jesus Christ to the world. These voices seem to be, though, getting fewer in number, as the U.S. gets older. I will, along with many other voices, continue spreading God’s word, and truth’s about salvation through Jesus, and him alone, to the world, even in the midst of Satan’s seat. I will show Jesus, that yes, he will still find faith when he returns. In some visions that God gave to me back in 1986, I saw God’s wrath being poured out abundantly, here, in the U.S. This chapter makes it clear that God will totally destroy this Babylon the Great, in one hour. Whether it is just a city like New York, or this entire nation, is up to God. My dear friend, if you have read this far, and have not given your life to Jesus, I beg you to wait no longer. It will be “Hell to Pay”, for those that are left after the rapture. If I am wrong and the U.S. is not the Babylon the Great, then where ever it happens to be, it, and all those that live in her, will be destroyed almost instantly. You don’t want to be living on the earth after all the true believers of Jesus Christ are removed. There will be terror, problems, and perils, everywhere on the earth, but this city, or nation, will feel the full force of God’s wrath. She will be destroyed in one hour.
Revelation 19:1 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: 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. Here, is shown, the scene in heaven, when both Mystery Babylon (the religious power), and Babylon the Great (the political and economic power) are judged. Praises and worship are given to the Lord for his judgments on Babylon.
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. Here is shown the elders and the four beasts worshipping and praising God for all that he is and does.
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. At this point, we are at the end of the last half of the tribulation. It is time for the marriage of the Lamb of God (Jesus) to his bride (those of the true church, the true believers of Jesus, his body). The bride of Christ is now to be joined to her beloved.
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. Notice here, that there will be those that are not the bride, but they are called to the marriage supper. The true believers, that are his bride, will include all those that are saved up and through the Rapture of the Church. Those that are saved after the rapture and during the Day of the Lord, while they are called to the marriage supper and are blessed, they do not represent His Bride or His Body. There are different blessings and levels of blessings in heaven, just as there will be different levels of punishments in hell.
10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Here is another verse about which I had referenced to earlier. This angel or messenger, may be a man, a fellow believer or a resurrected saint, not an angel.
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. Here, is seen an awesome picture of Jesus the Christ. He is seen on a white horse. This is just preceding his return to earth, to battle with Satan and take back the world.
14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. This verse shows that his armies are made up of his bride, the resurrected saints. We will be with him, each on a white horse of our own. It will be an awesome experience, to be with him and we will take over this world together.
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. Now we look back at our Lord. The sword out of his mouth is his WORD. With just a word he will cut down and destroy his enemies. He will come to rule this world with a rod of iron, and he will mete out God’s fierce wrath on his enemies. On him is written, for all to see, his title 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. Next we see an angel, calling to the fowls of the earth, to gather at the Valley of Megiddo, for they are about to have a great feast.
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. Here, the antichrist gathers the armies of the world together, in a last ditch, futile attempt, to defeat Jesus and his army, the saints.
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. First, Jesus takes the antichrist and the false prophet and throws them into a burning lake of fire and 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. Second, with just a word, the armies of the world are slaughtered and all the birds begin their feast.
Revelation 20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 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. Lastly, we see an angel come down out of heaven. This will probably be Michael because I think he has been waiting for this day to come. He has a great chain, he binds up Satan, the Devil, that Red Dragon, and casts him into the bottomless pit. He seals the pit with a seal that lasts for a thousand years. After that time Satan will have to be loosed for a little season (no one knows how long this season is), he will then again deceive the nations.
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. Here, the nations are judged. Also notice, that now is recognized, those that have been killed during the tribulation. They are not part of his bride, yet they will live and reign with Jesus and his bride for one thousand years. This thousand year period on earth, will be the greatest period of time this earth has ever gone through. Jesus, will rule the world with a rod of iron. This means, that most likely, it will take some time for all the nations and peoples of the world, to succumb to the ruler ship of the Lord Jesus. We, as kings and priests under the leadership of Jesus, will assist in the world takeover. The nations of the world will be ordered to come to Jerusalem once a year to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. Nations that refuse to keep this feast, will have plagues cast on them by God. Once the people are persuaded, to look unto their new Lord and King, they will see the truth and that truth will set them free. This old world is in for a rude awakening. People, unbelievers that is, scoff and ridicule the truly faithful followers of Jesus. They think that we are delirious for believing in a risen savior. Miracles can’t happen. When you’re dead, you’re dead. We’re crazy for believing that he will return for us, that he will destroy the evil in this world, and that he will take over and run this world. It does seem like fanciful and irrational thinking, if Jesus didn’t come out of that tomb. The problem, for the unbeliever, is the fact, that Jesus did raise up from the dead. His promise, for all those that will follow him, is that he will give us eternal life. Of course the unbeliever has eternal life too, it is just that his life will be in separation from God, doomed to live forever in a lake of fire with the rest of the evil beings and people that reject God’s son. Another blessing that the believers of this generation could have, is that Jesus will even allow some of us to escape death altogether. We just have to be living at the moment that he returns. I plan to be in that group, how about you?
5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. The rest of the dead, are those that have died apart from God and Christ, from the beginning of the Adamic age until now. They will not be raised, until after the thousand years. They then will be raised, and judged, at the White Throne Judgment. Those that go to that judgment, will all suffer punishment and separation from God. This shows also, that there will be varying degrees of punishments in hell.
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. Here, we are told of the blessings of being part of the first resurrection.
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. After the thousand year reign of peace under Jesus. Satan will be loosed again, he will go about the world, deceive the nations again, and gather them again against Jesus and his saints. God will send down fire from heaven, it will consume them. He will then cast Satan into the lake of fire, where the antichrist and false prophet have been for the thousand years. They will all be tormented continually, 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. After God sends Satan to the lake of fire, he then sets up his Great White Throne. This is the judgment that awaits all the un-saved that have died since Adam. They will be judged by what they have done while they were alive.
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. Here, God sends death and hell into the lake of fire, along with all those at the white throne judgment, for all those that are judged here will not be found in the book of life.
Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. When God sets up his Great White Throne Judgment, the current earth and heaven flee before it. Now, God creates a new heaven and a new earth. On this new earth, there will be no oceans.
2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. Here, John sees the holy city New Jerusalem, descending down from God to the new earth he has just created. God will now dwell with man. Even during the millennium, under the rule of Christ, the natural people on earth will still experience sickness and death. Life will be extended, Jesus will provide healing, there will be advances in medicine, science, and technology. However, until the new heavens and earth are created, there still will be death. On this new earth there will be no more death, pain, sickness, sorrow, hunger or thirst. Here is seen the blessings that await those that have placed their faith in Jesus. Those he has chosen, before this world was even formed.
8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. The future, for those that haven’t been chosen, will be with Satan, the beast, and the false prophet in the lake of fire and brimstone.
9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife. 10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, John is taken to a great mountain to see the bride of the Lamb. He sees a great city, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. The bride of the Lamb of God is the New Jerusalem along with all it’s inhabitants.
11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; 12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: 13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. 14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. Here, John is shown in detail, this holy city the New Jerusalem, that is the dwelling place of the bride and of the Lamb. This city will radiate with the Glory of God. This city will have twelve gates, that are named after the twelve tribes of Israel. It will have twelve foundation levels, which have written on them the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
15 And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. 16 And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal. This most awesome city, is 1500 miles on each side. It will be either, in the form of a cube (most likely), or a pyramid. Because the length, breadth, and height of it are all the same. It is hard to imagine 1500 miles high. Try to imagine, from the pacific coast of the U.S. to the Mississippi river. That is approximately 1500 miles. Make that into a square, and then, that same distance straight up. The new earth, will probably be much larger than the current earth. A fifteen hundred mile high cube, or pyramid, on this earth, would look pretty strange from space.
17 And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. Encompassing this magnificent city, is a wall that is about 216 feet high. Within this wall are twelve enormous gates, three on each side.
18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. 19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; 20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. The wall is made of Jasper, probably a greenish crystal. The city is made of the purest gold, so pure it will be clear. The twelve foundation levels of the city, are adorned with various gems and precious stones. It will be an amazing site to behold. That will be our new home for eternity.
21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. Each of the twelve gates will be made of huge pearls, one giant pearl per gate. The street, will be made of the same pure gold, looking probably similar to crystal.
22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. There will be no need for a particular temple inside. We are the temple of God, and God and Jesus will be dwelling with us continually. We will be changed, and a oneness with Jesus will be complete, in so much as, that all that we think or do, will be as Christ is, says, and does.
23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. This city will so shine from the Glory of God, that there will be no need of a light from anything.
24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. God will still have a world inhabited by humans. We will be as Christ in his glorified body, but God still wants to have a perfect human race, just like the original plan was for Adam. They will be dwelling on the new earth, and will have access to this great city.
25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. 26 And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. 27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life. The gates of the city will be open always. The nations of the world, will bring their glory and honor for God to this city. Nothing ever, that could defile or deceive, will be able to enter, only those that are written in the Lamb’s book of Life.
Revelation 22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: 4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. There will be a river of water of life, coming out of the throne of God and the Lamb. There will be the tree of life, growing on both sides of the river, and in the middle of the street. It will produce twelve types of fruits. It will bear fruit every month, and the tree’s leaves will have healing powers that will be taken out to the nations. God will dwell with men, they that serve him will see his face and will have his name written on their foreheads.
5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. This place will be like a constant springtime, with a constant day. There will be no night. God will illumine the whole city, and we will reign with him for ever and ever.
6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. 7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. John is now told, that the things he has seen and heard are true and will come to pass. Time is short, and Jesus will come quickly. There are blessings attached to those that heed and keep what is written in this book.
8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. 9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. Here, John bows down to worship this angel, and is admonished not to, for he is a fellow servant, of the prophets and of those that keep the sayings of this book. He may be a man or a resurrected saint, we are to worship God and him alone.
10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. 11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. John is now told, to not seal up this book. It needs to be available for all to read, because the time is at hand. Let he that is evil, continue in his evil. But let those that are his, continue pressing on to that mark, running that race to win. There are those, that are not part of the called ones. God doesn’t want everyone, only that pearl of great price. If you have that urge, that unction, to come to God, then he is the one that has activated that will of yours, to even want to come to him. Don’t resist that call, you don’t know when that door will close.
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. 14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. Jesus speaks now, it is urgent for us to be working for him because the time is short. To be about his work, adds rewards in heaven. Those that are without, will never experience the blessings, that are to be given to those that are his.
16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Jesus now affirms, that he sent his angel, to tell these things to the churches. All who heeds this call, can take of the water of life that Jesus so freely gives.
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. 20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. 21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Lastly, in this greatest of the books in the Bible, is given a stern warning, to anyone that would add to or take away from anything that is written within. Surely he will come quickly. I Say Come Quickly My Lord Jesus, I Eagerly Await Your Return.
This ends my study on the book of Revelation. I hope you have been informed and enlightened. May God’s grace and mercy be poured out on anyone that reads this. My prayer is for God, to speedily issue the order for Jesus to go and receive his bride, so that he will come and receive us to himself. Come Lord Jesus, Quickly!
With Love In Christ,
Patrick Robinson
07/27/2003