ESCHATOLOGY - #2 LAST THINGS - NYOBS 07.80

• This image of the Antichrist appears to have life and can speak.

Rev 13:14-16

 15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. NKJV

• The Rebuilt Temple on the temple mount will be about 150 feet from the Dome of the Rock which will remain under the control of the Muslims referred to as “The Gentiles”.

Luke 21:24

24 … Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. NIV

DEAD SEA SCROLLS – RABBIT TRAIL

• The Damascus Testament: Addressing those who God foreknew would reject the Messiah:  “And they kept NOT the commandment of their maker until His wrath was kindled against them”. – “For God chose them NOT from the beginning of the world and before they were formed He knew their works; and He abhorred their generation from old, and hid His face from their land till they were consumed”.  Sounds like Devine Election/ predestination to me, just saying.
• Taxo- Moses speaking – “Receive thou the writing that you may know how to preserve the books which I shall deliver unto thee.  And you shall set these in order and anoint them with toil of cedar and put them away in earthen vessels in the place which He made from the beginning of the creation of the world, that His Name should be called upon until the day of repentance in the visitation wherewith the Lord shall visit them in the Consummation of the End of the Days”.
• The Jeremiah letter- Jeremiah came and found a cavern in the rock, and there he brought in the Tabernacle, and the Ark, and the Alter of Incense; and he made fast the door – “Yea, and the place shall be unknown until God gather the people again together, and mercy come; and then shall the Lord disclose these things” –
• Habakkuk Commentary -“For the vision (the end time) is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak and not lie”- Gods secrets are wonderful, “but if it delays, wait for it:  for it will surly come, and will not tarry”.  The times of God will come in due time.

• The Dead Sea Scrolls are the final reference to the Ark of the Covenant and its location.  Other writing not found in the Bible suggest that Solomon, concerned about an invading army, built a replica of the Ark of the Covenant for protection and that the real Ark was sent to Ethiopia for safe keeping with his son that he fathered with the Queen of Sheba and is under guard there even today awaiting its return.

2 Chron 8:11

11 And Solomon brought up the daughter of Pharaoh out of the city of David unto the house that he had built for her: for he said, My wife shall not dwell in the house of David king of Israel, because the places are holy, whereunto the ark of the LORD hath come. KJV

2 Chron 35:3

3 And said unto the Levites that taught all Israel, which were holy unto the LORD, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel did build; it shall not be a burden upon your shoulders: serve now the LORD your God, and his people Israel, KJV

Isa 18:1

18:1 Woe to the land shadowing with wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia KJV

Isa 18:3

3 All ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see ye, when he lifts up an ensign on the mountains; and when he blows a trumpet, hear ye. KJV

Isa 18:7

7 In that time shall the present be brought unto the LORD of hosts of a people scattered and peeled, and from a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden under foot, whose land the rivers have spoiled, to the place of the name of the LORD of hosts, the mount Zion. KJV

• There is an allusion that the Ark of the Covenant, referred to as God’s Glory and His Banner, will be returned to the Temple.  It will be returned before the invasion by Russia.

Ezek 39:21-23

21 "I will display my glory among the nations, and all the nations will see the punishment I inflict and the hand I lay upon them.

22 From that day forward the house of Israel will know that I am the LORD their God. NIV

Jer 4:6

6 Set up the “standard” toward Zion: retire, stay not: for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction. KJV

Readers Digest Cliff Notes on Daniel’s 70^th week – The 7 years of tribulations

• Satan and his angels are cast out of heaven - Need a mark to buy or sell – Worship the beast or die – World war III with Russia and Israel – Widespread famine – One half of humanity dies – Great Earthquakes - Cities and mountains leveled -  Islands disappear – Fire and Stars fall to earth – 100 pound hail – Stinging locust - Painful sores – Sea and Rivers turn red as blood – Intense heat – Battle of Armageddon – and other fun stuff.

The 70 weeks of Daniel

This is where we get the seven years of the

Tribulation period

• Each of the 70 weeks mentioned in Daniel would be equal to 7 years or a total of 490 years.
• The clock started when the Persian King Artaxerxes Longimanus gave the Jews permission to leave their Babylonian captivity and rebuild the city of Jerusalem.  This was April 445BC
• After 69 weeks of years or 483 years (69 X 7) of this allotment of time, The Messiah of Israel would be revealed to the Jews, be killed and their temple destroyed. Time is now on pause
• 490 years minus 483 years leaves 7 years (The Tribulation period) , the remaining time for the 144,000 Sealed Jews to reach out and preach the message of the Messiah throughout the world.
• God, during this time, will primarily reach out to the unbelieving world through his chosen people, the Jewish nation.

Dan 9:24-27

24 "Seventy `sevens' are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy. 

25 "Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven `sevens,' and sixty-two `sevens.' It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble.

26 After the sixty-two `sevens,' the Anointed One will be cut off and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed.

27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one `seven.' In the middle of the `seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing [of the temple] he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him."  NIV

DOOMSDAY CLOCK

• The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientist, starting in 1947, displayed a Doomsday Clock set at seven minutes till midnight. This symbolizes how close these scientists feel we are to a nuclear Armageddon.  It has continued to move forward closing the gap towards the total destruction of the world.
• Jan 14, 2010 , The Doomsday Clock was set back a single minute for the first time in its 63-year history. This moved the clock from five minutes before midnight to six minutes.
• Jan 10, 2012 the clock was moved back to 5 minutes again.
• NOTE:  Man has never invented a weapon that he has not used.

Deut 30:19-20

19 This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live NIV

20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. NIV

At death, it’s not the transition that counts, it’s the destination.

• There is not an “intermediate place” for the unsaved when they die.  There is no purgatory, or money that can be paid, or prayers that can be offered for a loved one. There’s not another chance to embrace Christ.  There is no debate with God.   It’s all over.
• Someone dies every 20 seconds in the United States, that’s three people every minute not counting the murdered aborted babies.  Everyone will spend eternity some where !
• In the parable of the Rich man and Lazarus, when they both died, neither ceased to exist, they were both still alive, but in different places.  It’s not a pretty picture. Luke 16:19.
• Every eight seconds there is a new birth, someone that needs to hear the good news of Jesus Christ.  How will they hear when the Holy Spirit and the church are gone?
• If you embrace Christianity just to have a “fire escape”, then you just………. “Don’t get it”.

Heb 9:27

27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: KJV

Rom 2:13

13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. NIV

Rom 1:32

32 Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

NIV

Dan 4:35

35 All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: "What have you done?" NIV

Rom 9:20-21

20 But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, `Why did you make me like this?'" 

21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use? NIV

First half of the Tribulation:

• The Holy Spirit is gone - Rise of the Antichrist – makes a covenant with the Jews – Judgments come on the nations – 144,000 Jews are sealed - Two Witnesses Preach – Israel is back in her own land.
• The world accepts the Antichrist’s false peace, because they have rejected the Prince of Peace.
• The first half of the tribulation is preparation for the last half; “The Wrath of God”.

Two purposes for the tribulations;

1) To purge Israel and prepare the believing Jewish remnant for the return of the Messiah.

2) To punish the wicked for their sins.

THE GREAT INVOCATION – RABBIT TRAIL

• This New Age Invocation has been in distribution since 1945 as a world prayer and has been translated into 52 languages.  It expresses truths that are common to all religions.  Since 1952 it has been observed on every “World Invocation Day”.
• It is used universally to unite religions in prayer and not offend any. It is politically correct. 
• It calls for - more light upon the way of man on earth – More love on the earth – and more power for the plan of earth.

From the point of Light within the Mind of God

Let Light stream forth into the minds of men.

Let Light descend on Earth

From the point of Love within the Heart of God

Let Love stream forth into the hearts of men

May Christ Return to Earth

From the centre where the Will of God is known

Let Purpose guide the little wills of men

The purpose which the Masters know and serve

From the centre which we call the race of men

Let the plan of Love and Light work out.

And may it seal the door where evil dwells.

Let Light and Love and Power restore the Plan on Earth.

• This prayer sound good as you read it, but it does not define which God it is relating to and redirects the readers mind to earth instead of heaven.  This Invocation takes the place of ”The Lord’s prayer” and the “23^rd Psalm” which could be offensive to some. Good Grief !

1 John 2:15-17

15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For everything in the world-the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does-comes not from the Father but from the world.

17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. NIV

First Seal - White Horse – Anti-Christ –counterfeit, pseudo Prince of Peace

Rev 6:1-2

1 I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, "Come!"

2 I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.

2 Thess 2:3-4

3 Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.

4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God. NIV

2 Thess 2:7

7 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. NIV

John 5:43

43 I have come in my Father's name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. NIV

• The first seal is opened immediately after the Rapture when Christ returns to the Father with the Saints and the Holy Spirit, thus removing the restraining force on Satan.
• This is the first of the four horsemen of the apocalypse. (Apocalypse means the un-veiling or revelation)
• The first rider cannot be Jesus Christ because Chronologically, Christ comes “to the earth” at the end of the Tribulation period.  This is actually a false Christ.
• The horseman rides a victor’s white horse and wears a victor’s crown and has a bow with no arrows.  During the tribulation period he will conquer without blood shed.  He will provide a false Peace and become the world ruler or world dictator ( He is the anti-Christ).
• We will not know the name of the rider, the Antichrist, until 3 ½ years into the tribulations.

Matt 24:4

4 Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you.

5 For many will come in my name, claiming, `I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. NIV

Dan 8:23-24

23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.

24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. KJV

Dan 9:27

27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one `seven.' In the middle of the `seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing [of the temple] he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him."  NIV

1 Thess 5:2-3

3 While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. NIV

•  “Seven” is the seven years of tribulation; the “middle” is 3 ½ years into the tribulation.

Dan 11:37-38

 37 He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers or for the one desired by women, nor will he regard any god, but will exalt himself above them all.

38 Instead of them, he will honor a god of fortresses; a god unknown to his fathers he will honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts NIV

Dan 8:24-25

24 He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy the mighty men and the holy people.

25 He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power. NIV

2 Thess 2:8-9

8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.

9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, NIV

• Zephaniah describes the last 3 ½ years of the Great Tribulation, with words like; wrath, distress, anguish, trouble, darkness, gloom, and blackness - building houses, but not live in them - planting vineyards, but not drink the wine.

Zeph 1:12-18

12 At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish those who are complacent, who are like wine left on its dregs, who think, `The LORD will do nothing, either good or bad.'

13 Their wealth will be plundered, their houses demolished. They will build houses but not live in them; they will plant vineyards but not drink the wine.

14 "The great day of the LORD is near- near and coming quickly. Listen! The cry on the day of the LORD will be bitter, the shouting of the warrior there.

15 That day will be a day of wrath, a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness,

16 a day of trumpet and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the corner towers.

17 I will bring distress on the people and they will walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their entrails like filth. 18 Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the LORD's wrath. In the fire of his jealousy the whole world will be consumed, for he will make a sudden end of all who live in the earth." NIV

• Judgment #3 – The Jewish Nation is judged
• This occurs during the tribulation period
• The location will be in Israel
• God is the Judge
• They will be judged on the rejection of the prophet’s words, the Jew’s acceptance or rejection of the Trinity – God the father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. 
• The 144,000 sealed Jews and their converts will be saved – All others stand condemned

Rev 16

1 Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, "Go, pour out the seven bowls of God's wrath on the earth."

2 The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly and painful sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped his image.

6…  for they have shed the blood of your saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve."

7 And I heard the altar respond: "Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments."

9 They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him.

10 … Men gnawed their tongues in agony

11 and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done. .

19 The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed.  …

20 Every island fled away and the mountains could not be found.

21 From the sky huge hailstones of about a hundred pounds each fell upon men. And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible. NIV

Jer 30:4-7

4 These are the words the LORD spoke concerning Israel and Judah:

5 "This is what the LORD says: "`Cries of fear are heard-- terror, not peace.

6 Ask and see: Can a man bear children? Then why do I see every strong man with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor, every face turned deathly pale?

7 How awful that day will be! None will be like it. It will be a time of trouble for Jacob, but he will be saved out of it. NIV

NEW WORLD ORDER - RABBIT TRAIL

• If our nation gets into unthinkable debt, deep recession and depression, no social security, or health insurance, joblessness, can’t buy or sell, people stealing just to eat, war upon war.… In our despair, wouldn’t we welcome a knight on a white horse who would save us, bring peace and give us a special numbered VISA card so we could buy and sell.
• Did you know that Executive order #11921 and #11490 gives the President Emergency Power without the approval of congress to Freeze bank accounts – Control money and credit - Control food supplies – transportation – communication and utilities?  He can confiscate “excess” or “surplus” personal property – ration the output of industry – shut down schools and take possession of buildings for government use.
• How about a president, not for a four year term, but for life. A “Dictator”, who comes on a white horse, conquering wars and bringing peace just long enough till his buddy “War” on the red horse is let out of the corral.
• The Antichrist will come from the European Union or a country or confederation that was once part of the Roman Empire.  The Roman Empire stretched from Ireland to Egypt and included Turkey, Iran and Iraq.
• The Antichrist will push for a New World Order, a One World Currency, and a One World Religion which is nothing new.  This goes back to the time of Nimrod and the tower of Babel when he tried the same thing.  (The tower of Babel is a study into its own self.)

Gen 11:1

11:1 Now the whole world had one language and a common speech NIV

Gen 11:4

4 Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth." NIV

Gen 11:8

8 So the LORD scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. NIV

Second Seal - Red Horse - War

Rev 6:3-4

3 When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, "Come!"

4 Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword.

• This is the second seal and second of the four horsemen.  He has been given power and he has a large sword.  Red and the sword of are symbolic of war.  Possibly nuclear warfare.
• Note: Red is associated with blood, death and terror: The Red Horse of War in 6:4; The Red Dragon in 12:3, and The Red Beast in 17:3.
• God gives authority to the rider to take Peace from the world as part of His Divine plan.  War is fought in countries that have not seen war on their own soil. 
• Eventually, Russia and its allies invade the Middle East and finally attack Israel.  The battle will escalate until it involves all the major power on earth and finally becomes the greatest battle in history, the battle of Armageddon.

Nah 2:3

3 The shields of his soldiers are red; the warriors are clad in scarlet. NIV

Josh 10:28

28 That day Joshua took Makkedah. He put the city and its king to the sword and totally destroyed everyone in it. He left no survivors. NIV

Matt 24:6-8

6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.

7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

8 All these are the beginning of birth pains. NIV

• It would be my “hearts desire” that everyone could here Glen Campbell’s song, “The four horsemen of the apocalypse”. It will bring tears to your eyes. He  was obviously inspired by God during the recording session and with the exception of the identity of the white horse, it is straight from the word of God.  You should be able to hear it on the internet. The album is “Show me Your Way”.  It will touch you. I promise… play it loud

Third Seal - Black Horse - Famine

Rev 6:5-6

5 When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come!" I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand.

6 Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, "A quart of wheat for a day's wages, and three quarts of barley for a day's wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!"

• This is the third seal and the third of the four horsemen and he has a pair of scales. 
• Black is the symbol of suffering, and famine. There is world wide economic collapse, a financial catastrophe.
• The Ephah was a unit of dry measurement – It was found on medallions and was a symbol of commerce.  The medallion had a two winged woman holding the Ephah and a balance scale.  It is symbolic of the satanic world system.
• The scales are symbolic of measurement during famine.  A days wage would buy only one meal of quality wheat, or you could get three meals of cheaper barley for the same wage, but still nothing left over for any other essentials. 
• Barley produced a black bread and was eaten by the slaves and very poor. You would have to share what ever you did get with your family.
• The rider of the black horse has some restrictions.  The oil and the wine could not be touched allowing the wealthy to still enjoy luxuries, but the middle class common man and the poor just cannot afford it. – Grain, Oil and Wine were the key products of Israel.
• THE TRIBULATION PERIOD IS ABOUT ISRAEL with the rest of the nations secondary.

Hos 2:8-9

8 She has not acknowledged that I was the one who gave her the grain, the new wine and oil, who lavished on her the silver and gold- which they used for Baal.

9 "Therefore I will take away my grain when it ripens, NIV

Lam 5:10

10 Our skin was black like an oven because of the terrible famine. KJV

Jer 14:4

4 The ground is cracked because there is no rain in the land; the farmers are dismayed and cover their heads. NIV

Lam 5:10

10 Our skin is hot as an oven, feverish from hunger. NIV

Lam 4:4

4 The tongue of the sucking child cleaves to the roof of his mouth for thirst: the young children ask for bread, and no man break it unto them. KJV

Events in the Middle of the Tribulation

Satan and his angels are cast out of heaven – Antichrist breaks his covenant – Temple is taken over by the Gentiles – Two Witnesses are slain and then raised up – Russia is out of the way and the Antichrist begins his dictatorship and his terror is revealed. – Israel is persecuted and many believers are killed.

Fourth Seal - Pale (greenish) Horse - Death

Rev 6:7-8

7 When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, "Come!"

8 I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.

• This is the fourth seal.  I actually feel like there were 5 horsemen, as Death was the fourth claiming their body, then Hades, the Grim Reaper, “the fifth” followed right behind claiming their souls.
• Since Hades is also present, you can bet the majority of those killed are the unrighteous.
• The Greenish color suggest perhaps an epidemic of leprosy.
• World wide death comes through famines, hunger, disease, epidemics, pestilence and civil violence. Starving animals roam the streets and attack men.
• Today as of 7/26/2010, there are 6,858,766,806 people in the world. 
• At this point the saved have already have been “raptured” so a fourth of them, 1,714,691,701 unsaved people, will be killed. 
• Don’t get too mathematical with me here, but just run with the concept of the staggering number of dead carcass’s that God feeds to the birds and wild animals, and this is not even the final battle of Armageddon.
• If the fourth that’s killed is confined to a specific area instead of being spread over the world, then the results will be catastrophic, staggering, maybe no survivors at all.
• This will be World War III and will take place almost immediately after the rapture.
• Russia invades Israel, but is defeated by divine intervention.  It lasts only one day.
• Read below what Jesus Himself said about the earth before His second coming, as well as the Prophet Ezekiel.

Luke 21:10-11

10 Then he said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. NIV

Matt 24:28

28 Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.

NIV

Ezek 39:17-21

17 "Son of man, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Call out to every kind of bird and all the wild animals: `Assemble and come together from all around to the sacrifice I am preparing for you, the great sacrifice on the mountains of Israel. There you will eat flesh and drink blood.

18 You will eat the flesh of mighty men and drink the blood of the princes of the earth as if they were rams and lambs, goats and bulls-all of them fattened animals from Bashan.

19 At the sacrifice I am preparing for you, you will eat fat till you are glutted and drink blood till you are drunk.

20 At my table you will eat your fill of horses and riders, mighty men and soldiers of every kind,' declares the Sovereign LORD.

21 "I will display my glory among the nations, and all the nations will see the punishment I inflict and the hand I lay

Ezek 14:21

21 For thus saith the Lord GOD; How much more when I send my four sore judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast? KJV

• NOTE:  The first four seals or four horsemen are in the same order as Jesus predicted about the beginning of the tribulation period.

Matt 24:5-8    Jesus Predictions

5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; (White Horse) and shall deceive many.

6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of war: 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 (Red Horse): and there shall be famines (Black Horse), and pestilences (Pale Horse), and earthquakes, in divers places.

8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. KJV

• The skin, when a pale Greenish color is suggestive of a physically sick person with a deadly fever.  Sickness of this magnitude is referred to as a plague such as Malaria, Cholera and AIDS which are deadly
• Some plagues today are even given names. Smallpox (The Red Death), bubonic plague (The Black Death), tuberculosis (The White Death)
• The four horsemen ride throughout the entire tribulation period with escalated activity.

Fifth Seal – Souls under the Altar

Rev 6:9

9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained.

• Since the “dead in Christ” have already been raptured, then the souls under the altar are the people who are coming to the Lord during the Tribulation period and sacrificed their lives because of their decision, and even more souls are coming.  They are literally being slaughtered on the street. 
• “Under the alter” is symbolic of the blood of the sacrifices that was poured out under or at the base of the altar mentioned in the OT.

1 Kings 8:22

22 Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven NIV

Ex 29:12

12 Take some of the bull's blood and put it on the horns of the altar with your finger, and pour out the rest of it at the base of the altar. NIV

Lev 4:7

 7 The priest shall then put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of fragrant incense that is before the LORD in the Tent of Meeting. The rest of the bull's blood he shall pour out at the base of the altar of burnt offering at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting NIV

Wait a little longer

Rev 6:10-11

10 They called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?" 11 Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed.

• The Saints want their death avenged, so obviously their murderers are still alive on earth. Because a new dispensation has started, that of judgment and not that of mercy, the souls under the alter are not rebuked for asking for “vengeance” for their murder.
• The Saints are given white robe of “righteousness” and are told to wait for others that would also be martyred during the tribulation and would join them soon. 
• A great host from Israel and many other nations come to the Lord during the Tribulation.

Zech 8:20-23

20 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Many peoples and the inhabitants of many cities will yet come,

21 and the inhabitants of one city will go to another and say, `Let us go at once to entreat the LORD and seek the LORD Almighty. I myself am going.'

22 And many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the LORD Almighty and to entreat him."

23 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "In those days ten men from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, `Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.'" NIV

Sixth Seal – Earthquake

Rev 6:12

12 I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red,

Matt 24:7

7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. NIV

Joel 2:2

 2 A day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness. NIV

Joel 2:10

10 Before them the earth shakes, the sky trembles, the sun and moon are darkened, and the stars no longer shine NIV

Joel 2:30-31

30 I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke.

31 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD

NIV

Joel 3:15

15 The sun and moon will be darkened, and the stars no longer shine. NIV

Ex 10:21-22

21 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that darkness will spread over Egypt--darkness that can be felt." NIV

• Imagine darkness that is so dark you can feel it.
• Using our modern terminology, the prophet Haggai appears to indicate that the date of this earthquake will occur on the twenty-fourth day of December; however we don’t know the year, but it’s after the Tribulation.  (The 9^th month translates to our month of  December)

Hag 2:6-7

6 "This is what the LORD Almighty says: `In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land.

7 I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,' says the LORD Almighty. NIV

Hag 2:18-21

 18`From this day on, from this twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, give careful thought to the day when the foundation of the LORD's temple was laid. Give careful thought:

19 Is there yet any seed left in the barn? Until now, the vine and the fig tree, the pomegranate and the olive tree have not borne fruit. "`From this day on I will bless you.'"

20 The word of the LORD came to Haggai a second time on the twenty-fourth day of the month:

21 "Tell Zerubbabel governor of Judah that I will shake the heavens and the earth. NIV

Luke 21:25-26

25 "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.

26 Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. NIV

Stars fall – Mountains move

Rev 6:13-14

13 and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as late figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind.

14 The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.

Isa 34:4

4 All the stars of the heavens will be dissolved and the sky rolled up like a scroll; all the starry host will fall like withered leaves from the vine, like shriveled figs from the fig tree NIV

Isa 13:6-8

6 Wail, for the day of the LORD is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty.  

7 Because of this, all hands will go limp, every man's heart will melt.

8 Terror will seize them, pain and anguish will grip them; they will writhe like a woman in labor. They will look aghast at each other, their faces aflame. NIV

Isa 13:9-10

9 See, the day of the LORD is coming --a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger--to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within it.

10 The stars of heaven and their constellations will not show their light. The rising sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light. NIV

Isa 13:13

13 Therefore I will make the heavens tremble; and the earth will shake from its place at the wrath of the LORD Almighty, in the day of his burning anger. NIV

• Stars can also refer to meteors which turn red when they enter our atmosphere.
• Similarly nuclear tipped missiles turn red when launched from space. Russia has what’s known as a “Fractional Orbital Bomb” consisting of a dozen missiles that can be fired all at once from a space platform.
• The earthquake coupled with the darkening of the sun and moon is similar to the results of a nuclear explosion when the atmosphere rolls back on itself, and then rushes back into the vacuum causing tremendous destruction.

Events in the Last half of the tribulation

• Seven last plagues – Fall of Babylon – Battle of Armageddon – Christ returns to earth.

Hide us

Rev 6:15

15 Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains.

·          There is no discrimination, Presidents and plain citizens, rich and poor all seek refuge from His wrath.  The caves may also be refuge from the fallout from atomic radiation. Just saying.

• As bad as things get, most will still not accept Jesus Christ as their Messiah.

Who can stand

Rev 6:16

16 They called to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!

17 For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?" NIV

• The great day, is the entire tribulation period of seven years.  Only those who accept Jesus Christ will be “able to stand”, and those who do will be probably be martyred.

Mal 3:2

2 But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap. NIV

Matt 18:2-3

2 He called a little child and had him stand among them.

3 And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. NIV

Luke 21:36

36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man." NIV

Eph 6:11-12

 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. NIV

• It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
• Prepare to meet your God.

Heb 10:30-31

 30 For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," and again, "The Lord will judge his people."

 31 It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. NIV

Amos 4:12

12 "Therefore this is what I will do to you, Israel, and because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel." NIV

CHRIST KILLERS – RABBIT TRAIL

• The illegitimate High priest Ciaiphas was a political appointee by Rome.  He represented Rome, not the Jews.
• Herod, as well as the High Priest felt threatened by this “King of the Jews” and entered into a political plot to kill Jesus Roman style; by crucifixion. 
• Only a handful of Jews were involved in the plot.  They certainly did not represent the Million Jews living in Israel and Egypt. Nine out of ten Jews lived outside the city of Jerusalem.
• The Guards were Roman, not Jewish
• It was “US”, the Gentiles that Crucified Jesus - but, the blame fell to the Jews.
• Jesus prayed for God to forgive those that crucified Him, and God did.  But WE didn’t.
• Anti-Semitism started when the early church fathers labeled the Jews as Christ Killers, children of the Devil, demonic, blood thirsty pagans, and plague carriers.

Bishop John Chrysostom, AD 345 wrote this statement:

• The Jews are the most worthless of all men.  They are lecherous, greedy and rapacious.  They are perfidious murders of Christ.  They worship the devil; their religion is a sickness.  The Jews are the odious assassins of Christ, and for killing God there is no expiation possible, no indulgence or pardon.  Christians may never cease vengeance, and the Jews must live in servitude forever.  God always hated the Jews.  It is incumbent upon all Christians to hate the Jews.
• The Roman Catholic Church cut loose the Crusaders, a group of robbers, thieves and rapist whose sins were “Pre-forgiven” by the Pope plus cancelled any debts they owed to the Jews.  Their goal was to take control of Jerusalem, the Muslims and punish the “Christ Killer Jews” on the road to and from Jerusalem.
• Blood libel stories were fabricated that the Jews kidnapped Christian children, ritually killed them and used their blood in the making of unleavened bread for Passover. – This creating even more hate.
• The Roman Catholic Church cut loose the Spanish Inquisition – Jewish estates were confiscated by the Church. People were whipped and tortured on the rack till they confessed their sin of converting to Judaism.
• Jew Hunters are used in God’s plan today to aid in the return of the Jews to the nation of Israel.  First, He will fish for them and pull them in by love, later He drives them in by fear.
• Today, although Anti-Semitism still exists, many Gentiles are being drawn to the Jews and seek to help them.  The USA as a “Nation” has certainly supported Israel.  Pray it continues.

Luke 2:34

34 Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." NIV

Zech 8 23

23 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "In those days ten men from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, `Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.'" NIV

2 Kings 19:28

28 I will put my hook in your nose and my bit in your mouth,

and I will make you return by the way you came.' NIV

• There are two groups addressed in the upcoming chapter seven:

1)  Verses  2-8   The Sealed Jews

2)  Verses 9-17  The Saved Gentiles.

Four Angels – Four Winds

Rev 7:1-3

7:1 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree.

• Christ taught that the angels would have a part in gathering the elect from the four winds.
• The four angels have authority over weather conditions on Earth.  Changes in wind patterns can cause a hurricane, typhoon, dust storms, tornados, roaring seas and strange tides.
• The Winds come from the North, East, South and West. These four angels, when directed, can release hurricane force winds coming from every direction all at once.

Dan 7:2

2 Daniel said: "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me were the four winds of heaven churning up the great sea. NIV

Isa 11:12

12 He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; he will assemble the scattered people of Judah from the four quarters of the earth. NIV

Matt 24:31

31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. NIV

Luke 21:25

25 "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. NIV

• Along with ministering angels that have authority over winds are those with authority over fire and water – the things of nature.

Rev 14:18

 18 Still another angel, who had charge of the fire, came from the altar and called in a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, "Take your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the earth's vine, because its grapes are ripe." NIV

Rev 16:4-5

 5 Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say: "You are just in these judgments, you who are and who were, the Holy One, because you have so judged; NIV

The Sealed Jews

Rev 7:2

2 Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea:

3 "Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God."

• The seal of the living God speaks of protection and possession.  The Christian today is sealed by the Holy Spirit instantly when he receives Christ and inherits eternal life.

• God promised Abraham a son, who would be the beginning of a “special race” of people that would be blessed of God, a race which the Messiah would be born.  A people that would be a witness to the pagan world. 
• Their existence provided the Old and New Testaments and protected and preserved the purity of the scriptures.  - The Twelve Tribes of Israel produces the 144,000 witnesses.

144,000

Rev 7:4-10

4 Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.

5 From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000,

6 from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000,

7 from the tribe of Simeon 12,000, from the tribe of Levi 12,000, from the tribe of Issachar 12,000,

8 from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000, from the tribe of Joseph 12,000, from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.

• All of Revelation is not written in chronically order as this sealing occurs before the tribulation gets underway.  God seals 144,000 Israelite Jews, His servants, to protect them from the wrath that is starting to be unloaded.
• Today there are some cults, groups, and dominations that claim they are the 144,000
• The Mormons claim that they ONLY are the 144,000 who will inherit eternal life and the remainder of their denomination will just live in Paradise
• Jehovah Witnesses feel that they are the 144,000.  However, scripture says there will NOT be one Gentile in the whole bunch.  NOT ONE !
• These special 144,000 Jews were not true believers before the Rapture, but the rapture witnessed to them as well as the preaching of the two witnesses, as ordained by God.
• This mark is the seal of the living God signifying His ownership and guaranteed protection. It is literally on their foreheads just as the mark of the beast (antichrist) is literal on the forehead or arm of the lost.
• Some say the 12 tribes are now lost, but they are not lost to God.  These Jews will be saved after the rapture and just as the tribulation period begins and God already knows who they are and where they are.
• By Devine plan they are already scattered throughout the Nations where they will testify of Jesus Christ.

Gal 6:16

16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God. NIV

Rev 14:1

14:1 Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads NIV

Rev 13:16-17

16 He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead,

17 so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name. NIV

• Good News, when we become believers, we also are marked with the seal of God forever.

Eph 1:13

13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, NIV

Eph 4:30

30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. NIV

2 Cor 1:21-22

21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us,

22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come NIV

2 Cor 5:5

 5 Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. NIV

John 6:27

27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval." NIV

• Oddly enough, there were twelve spies, representing the twelve tribes of Israel that went into the Promised Land, ten of the twelve came back with a negative report and would not take the land as God commanded.  Those ten tribes are now scattered.
• The 10 tribes of the Northern kingdom of Israel were all carried off into captivity and scattered among the nations, lost, vanished.  The remaining two tribes in the Southern kingdom were Dan and Judah. 
• Judah is where we get the name Jew and is the tribe from which our Messiah Jesus Christ would be born.
• The Jewish nation is the only people that did not lose their national identity when stripped from their homeland, but hung to the vision of returning back to the nation of Israel.
• The Jews are the “Chosen People” although they rejected their own Messiah Jesus the Christ just as the prophets taught.
• This produced the “New Covenant” in which the Gentiles were grafted into the branch and would receive the promise passed down from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
• The Messiah will come back to Jerusalem “the most Holy place in the world”.

Num 13:31-32

31 But the men who had gone up with him said, "We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are."

32 And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, "The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. NIV

Jer 31:31

31 "The time is coming," declares the LORD, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. NIV

Heb 9:15

15 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance-now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. NIV

• The tribe of Ephraim is missing from the sealed 12,000 mentioned in Revelation 7:4-10, because this tribe led the way in causing the civil war which divided the ten tribes of the north form the two tribes in the South.
• The tribe of Dan might possibly be the source of the Antichrist since it’s tribe is missing in the line up in Revelation 7:4-10 and thus was substituted.

Gen 49:17

17 Dan will be a serpent by the roadside, a viper along the path, that bites the horse's heels so that its rider tumbles backward. NIV

The Saved Gentiles

Rev 7:9

9 After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.

• The palm branches were symbolic of conquering heroes returning from a conquest.
• Palm branches were waved when Jesus, as their king rode into Jerusalem on a donkey.

John 12:12-13

12 The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem.

13 They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, "Hosanna!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Blessed is the King of Israel!" NIV

• God pours out his Spirit on the 144,000 and they testify of Him. 
• Every nation and tribe will hear them speaking in their own language and dialect, endued with the same power as on the day of Pentecost.  The gift of tongues.  144,000 life changers with the zeal of the Apostle Paul.
• Multitudes of Gentiles, people from every nation will be saved, but lose their earthly life, only to gain eternal life with Christ.

Acts 2:16-21

16 this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

17 "`In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.

18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.

19 I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke.

20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood

before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.

21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'  NIV

Rev 7:9

9 after this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. NIV

Praise, Glory, Wisdom, Thanks, Honor, Power, Strength

Rev 7:10-12

10 And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." NIV

11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,

12 saying: "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!"

The martyred Dead

Rev 7:13

13 Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes-who are they, and where did they come from?"

14 I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

• The “who are they?” are a specific group of souls that will accept Christ as the Messiah during the Tribulation and then lose their lives. They are the martyred dead.
• These may very well be of the “Sheep Nations”, the Gentiles that did not take the mark of the beast and loved the Jews and endured the terrible times of the tribulation.

Matt 25:32-33

 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. NIV

His Tent

Rev 7:15

15 Therefore, "they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them.

• His tent is His glory, covering His saints.

Ex 40:19

19 And he spread abroad the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent above upon it; as the LORD commanded Moses. KJV

Ex 40:34

34 Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. KJV

16 Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat.

• Those that did not take the mark of the beast were forced to hide outside with the scorching sun beating down on them.  They were forced to beg and steal for food and water.
• They will never hunger and thirst again.  (Praise the Living Lord !)

The Shepherd

Rev 7:17

17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." NIV

• As our Shepherd; He provides a relationship that leads and guides.

He comforts, restores, anoints, gives hope, blessings, goodness and love. 

He supplies our needs in abundance, and takes away all fear.

He tests, protects, gives rest, provides healing, and lives with us forever. 

• Awesome!  Can you say Hallelujah !!

Ps 23:1-6

1The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,

3 he restores my soul.  He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. NIV

• The Living Waters is the indwelling in us of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Jer 17:13

13 O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters. KJV

John 4:10

10 Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." NIV

John 7:38

38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." NIV

Zech 14:8

8 On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half to the eastern sea and half to the western sea, in summer and in winter. NIV

OK, this is where we are.

• Israel is back in their land, but they are in unbelief about Jesus Christ as their Messiah.
• The Temple has been restored and worship has begun
• The Anti-Christ is ruling the United States of Europe, the revived Roman Empire.
• There is war, famine and trouble in the world..
• The Two Witnesses are preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ in Israel.
• 144,000 Jews have been commissioned to be witnesses of “Christ the Messiah” to the world.
• First Group – 144,000 Jews, sealed and protected – God’s special missionaries – saved
• Second Group – Multitudes of Gentiles  & Jews witnessed to - many saved – many martyred

Seventh Seal - Dead Silence

Rev 8:1

8:1 When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.

• We are not told the reason for the breathless silence.  I can only imagine that this 30 minutes is a short span of time when all creation in Heaven is silent. They are waiting for what is to happen next, like the foreman of a jury preparing to read the jury’s verdict.  Like the lull before the storm.  Perhaps they are just stunned learning what is to happen next.
• The seven trumpets are under the seventh seal and expand and enlarge what has already happened under the other six seals.
• The Trumpets sound during the first 3 ½ years; the Bowls or Vials are poured out during the last 3 ½ years.  The Trumpets and Bowls are the same except the Bowls intensify what occurred with the Trumpets.  So in essence, things are getting worse with the bowls.
• Imagine the 7^th seal like fire works; like shooting a sky rocket into the air, then seven more burst out from that rocket (Trumpets), then seven more burst from each of those (Bowls / vials).
• Everything speeds up like a trip hammer.  Bam, bam, bam, bam, bam, bam, bam.

Seven Trumpets – Sounded during the first 3 ½ years – The Wrath of God

Rev 8:2

2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets.

• The trumpet was used with different sound blasts for different occasions.  Sometimes to call the assembly together as well as to signal for war.  (Again seven is completeness.)

Ex 19:19

 19 and the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder. Then Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him.   NIV

Num 10:9

9 When you go into battle in your own land against an enemy who is oppressing you, sound a blast on the trumpets. NIV

Num 10:1-2

1 The LORD said to Moses:

2 "Make two trumpets of hammered silver, and use them for calling the community together and for having the camps set out. NIV

Lev 23:24

 24 "Say to the Israelites: `On the first day of the seventh month you are to have a day of rest, a sacred assembly commemorated with trumpet blasts. NIV

Golden Censer

Rev 8:3

3 Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne.

4 The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel's hand.

5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.

• In Old Testament times, the priest would take a censer with live coals and incense and swing it back and forth and smoke would rise like PRAYERS and fill the temple and was a sweet aroma to the Lord. 
• The prayers of the saints have gone up and received by God.  These are the prayers of God’s people. They are NOT prayers given in the name of Saints already in Glory.  No saint was found worthy to open the book except the Son.
• The hurling of the censer is symbolic of judgment on the earth and is the beginning of the answer to the prayers of the saints under the alter.
• The peals of thunder and rumblings signal the coming upheaval of nature on earth.

Lev 16:12

12 He is to take a censer full of burning coals from the altar before the LORD and two handfuls of finely ground fragrant incense and take them behind the curtain. NIV

6 Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to sound them.

1^st Trumpet – Hail, fire, blood

Rev 8:7

7 The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down upon the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.

• LAND - 1/3^rd of the vegetation is burned up in this plague.  This is similar to the plague in the time of Moses.  It is literal and not symbolic. 
• The blood is from man and beast that were unable to hide.

Ex 9:24-25

24 So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.

25 And the hail smote throughout all the land of Egypt all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail smote every herb of the field, and broke every tree of the field. KJV

2^nd Trumpet – Blazing meteorite

Rev 8:8-9

8 The second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned into blood,

9 a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.

• SEA - 1/3^rd of the marine life in the sea dies and 1/3^rd of the ships are sunk as a burning meteorite hits the sea.  Blood in this passage is symbolic of death.
• The sea turns blood red around the impact with death to sea life and the men on the ships.
• I have no problem believing the water actually turns to blood, it certainly happened in the time of Moses.  Whether it is actual blood or looks red as blood, the results are the same.
• The Red Tide that we see today causes thousands of dead fish to wash up on the shore polluting the beaches and the air for miles.  I have been in this yuk and it sticks to you like oil.  This will be a thousand times worse and stink up to “high heaven”.
• Some students believe this affects only the Mediterranean Sea; could be; but logically, I believe its world wide.

Jer 9:15

15 Therefore, this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: "See, I will make this people eat bitter food and drink poisoned water. NIV

Ps 105:29

29 He turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish. KJV

Ex 7:20-21

20 Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded. He raised his staff in the presence of Pharaoh and his officials and struck the water of the Nile, and all the water was changed into blood.

21 The fish in the Nile died, and the river smelled so bad that the Egyptians could not drink its water. Blood was everywhere in Egypt. NIV

• There are 13 references to a 1/3^rd Part in the Revelation.  Some students of the word feel like these 1/3^rd references affect only the area of land ruled over by the Antichrist’s revived Roman Empire.  I can see this, but for a number of reasons, my systematic logic says it must affect the whole world. (just saying)

3^rd Trumpet – Blazing Star          

Rev 8:10

10 The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water-

11 the name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that had become bitter.

• RIVERS - 1/3^rd of the rivers and springs become poisoned - judgment is on nature and men… water is scarce, people die.
• Wormwood is an extremely bitter perennial herb used in the manufacture of absinthe; a highly intoxicating liquor that is sold in France and is highly destructive to the body.
• A bright star named “Wormwood” will fall on the earth in the end times and poison the waters.  This could very well be a nuclear bomb.
• In Russia, the nuclear fallout from the explosion at Chernobyl poisoned the rain and destroyed their fresh waters. Interestingly, in Russian, the word “Wormwood” is pronounced Chernobyl.

Ex 15:23

23 And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. KJV

Lam 3:15

15 He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath made me drunken with wormwood. KJV

4^th Trumpet – Sun and Moon

Rev 8:12-13

12 The fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them turned dark. A third of the day was without light, and also a third of the night.

• HEAVENS – 1/3^rd of the Sun, moon and stars turn dark
• Interestingly, on the fourth day of creation the heavenly bodies were lit up and now with the fourth trumpet, they are darkened.
• At this point; food, distribution, water and the growing season has become limited.
• Terror and Crime waves will increase because of the dark:  “Everyone that does evil hates the light”.
• It’s worthy to note that the Two Witnesses or prophets will use this same plague in the deliverance of Israel.  They will turn out the lights.

13 As I watched, I heard an eagle that was flying in midair call out in a loud voice: "Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels!"

• The Inhabitants of the earth are not those living ON the earth, but those living FOR the earth, those that lust after the food of Babylon and have rejected the manna from God.

Phil 3:18-20

18 For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.

 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.

20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, NIV

• Some manuscripts have “eagle” as “angel”.  The results are the same.

Hos 8:1

"Put the trumpet to your lips! An eagle is over the house of the LORD because the people have broken my covenant and rebelled against my law. NIV

Obad 4

4 Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down," declares the LORD. NIV

• The prophet Joel says in that day there will be darkness and famine; seed and grain dried up, water dried up, no pasture, flocks dying and everywhere they turn to look fire is burning.

Joel 1:15-2:11

15 Alas for that day! For the day of the LORD is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty. 

16 Has not the food been cut off before our very eyes- joy and gladness from the house of our God?

17 The seeds are shriveled beneath the clods. The storehouses are in ruins, the granaries have been broken down, for the grain has dried up.

18 How the cattle moan! The herds mill about because they have no pasture; even the flocks of sheep are suffering.

19 To you, O LORD, I call, for fire has devoured the open pastures and flames have burned up all the trees of the field. 20 Even the wild animals pant for you; the streams of water have dried up and fire has devoured the open pastures.

Joel 2:1-11

2:1 Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming. It is close at hand-  

2 a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness. Like dawn spreading across the mountains a large and mighty army comes, such as never was of old nor ever will be in ages to come.

3 Before them fire devours, behind them a flame blazes. Before them the land is like the garden of Eden, behind them, a desert waste- nothing escapes them.

4 They have the appearance of horses; they gallop along like cavalry.

6 At the sight of them, nations are in anguish; every face turns pale.

11 The day of the LORD is great; it is dreadful. Who can endure it? NIV

• If what has happened is not bad enough, more is coming compounding “Jacob’s Trouble”.
• Woe, Woe Woe.  This isn’t so good… One “Woe” is bad enough, but “three Woes” is a disaster.  These three perils could come one right after another or all three at once.

Ezek 16:23

23 "`Woe! Woe to you, declares the Sovereign LORD. In addition to all your other wickedness, NIV

Luke 6:25

25 Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.

NIV

Jer 50:27

27 Woe to them! For their day has come, the time for them to be punished. NIV

Isa 3:11

11 Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them! They will be paid back for what their hands have done. NIV

Isa 5:20-21

20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.

21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes

and clever in their own sigh NIV

Isa 10:1

1 Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, NIV

Isa 30:1

1 "Woe to the obstinate children, "declares the LORD, "to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin NIV

Jer 23:1

23:1 "Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!" declares the LORD. NIV

Woe Number One

5^th Trumpet – Sun and Sky darkened

Rev 9:1-2

9:1 The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss.

2 When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss.

• Based on the scriptures, this fallen star is different, it is a Fallen Angel.  Probably Satan himself, who unlocks the abyss, which is the abode of demons and beast which release destruction on the world. Satan’s name is “Lucifer” which means “brightness” or “Morning Star”.
• Since Jesus holds all the keys to death and hell, He is the one who gives the Key to Satan.
• The Abyss or bottomless pit is a prison with darkness so dark you can feel it; this is where demons are housed in the underworld.  It is so feared that even the demons beg not to be sent there.
• The abyss is also symbolic of horrors to be released; drugs, violence, famine, dictatorships, terrorism, anarchy, natural disasters, weather manipulation, nuclear annihilation, chemical and biological warfare and stuff we don’t even know about yet.
• SMOKE from the fire of this great furnace billows forth creating world wide smog which pollutes the air and darkens the day.  This is scary stuff.

Rev 1:20

20 The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. NIV

Isa 14:12

12 How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn!

You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! NIV

Rev 11:7

7 Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. NIV

Rev 17:8

8 The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and will come up out of the Abyss and go to his destruction. NIV

Luke 8:30-31

30 Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" "Legion," he replied, because many demons had gone into him.

31 And they begged him repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss. NIV

Ex 10:21

21 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that darkness will spread over Egypt--darkness that can be felt." NIV

• After the Tribulation, the Angel of God will lock Satan in this same abyss during the thousand year reign of Christ, and then Satan will be released for a short season.

Luke 10:18 KJV

18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

John 12:31

31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. KJV

Rev 20:1-3

1 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain.

2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.

 3 He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time. NIV

Demonic Locust - like Scorpions

Rev 9:3

3 And out of the smoke locusts came down upon the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth.

4 They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads.

• Scorpions were common to Israel with some species growing to 6 inches in length and were considered a “symbol” of painful judgment.
• SUFFERING - This plague is similar to the one wrought by Moses, but this time the locust were not allowed to harm the earth, Only people that did not have the seal of God.  The 144,000 Jews would be safe AND other believers that had accepted Christ.  When you receive Christ, you have the “seal” of the Holy Spirit.

Ex 10:12

12 And the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over Egypt so that locusts will swarm over the land and devour everything growing in the fields, everything left by the hail."

NIV

Ex 10:15

15 They covered all the ground until it was black. They devoured all that was left after the hail--everything growing in the fields and the fruit on the trees. Nothing green remained on tree or plant in all the land of Egypt. NIV

Eph 1:13

13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, NIV

2 Tim 2:19

19 Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness." NIV

Torture

Rev 9:5

5 They were not given power to kill them, but only to torture them for five months. And the agony they suffered was like that of the sting of a scorpion when it strikes a man.

6 During those days men will seek death, but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them.

• There is no indication in scripture that these wicked unsaved men ever call out to God for help or redemption.

7 The locusts looked like horses prepared for battle. On their heads they wore something like crowns of gold, and their faces resembled human faces.

8 Their hair was like women's hair, and their teeth were like lions' teeth.

9 They had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the thundering of many horses and chariots rushing into battle.

10 They had tails and stings like scorpions, and in their tails they had power to torment people for five months.

11 They had as king over them the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek, Apollyon. 

• In Italy locust are called “little horses” as some of them resemble a horse.
• These are hellish creatures possessed by Hell’s worst demons and fallen angels that look similar to a horse and can fly.  They swarm like a locust army.  This description is literal and you are seeing the true characteristics of a demonic creature.  They are “spirit beings” that have been given power and therefore they are indestructible by man.
• In addition to all the other plagues, they sting like a scorpion with the pain and suffering they inflict lasting for 5 months, but it’s not lethal.
• Death takes a five month holiday. The torment is so intense that men wish they could die. Their soul is griped with terror and horror just seeing one of these creatures.
• Locust do not have a king, but these do.  Their King, Abaddon in Hebrew means “destruction” and Apollyon in Greek means “destroyer”.  These are the same two characteristic of Satan and his demons. 
• The King is a fallen angel, one that rules over the abyss and has been locked away with his demon subjects.  Their King is not Satan although he is in control.
• The sting of the scorpion could actually be a modern day airborne device spraying bio-chemical and nerve gas.  Just saying.

Prov 30:27

27 locusts have no king, yet they advance together in ranks; NIV

2 Peter 2:4

4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment; NIV

One Woe down - two to go

Rev 9:12

12 The first woe is past; two other woes are yet to come.

• While this woe is past, their suffering continues for 5 months.

This is where we are.

• The Antichrist is already head of the revived Roman Empire and is supported by the Roman Catholic Church plus the United Nations. 
• Russia will invade Palestine around the middle of the Tribulation period, but the Jews are reinforced by the Antichrist with his false Peace Covenant with Israel.
• Russia is judged by God and sent home in defeat. They are not the 200,000,000 man army.

Woe number Two

6th Trumpet – Four angels loosed

Rev 9:13

13 The sixth angel sounded his trumpet, and I heard a voice coming from the horns of the golden altar that is before God.

14 It said to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates."

15 And the four angels who had been kept ready for this very hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind.

• The Euphrates River is prominent in history.  In the beginning it flowed from the Garden of Eden, later Babylon was situated on it, and soon a 200,000,000 man army will cross it.
• God’s angels are not bound, only wicked angels are bound. When these angels are released, they kill 1/3^rd of mankind. This now makes a total of one half of the world population killed.  In case you forgot, that would now be a total of 3,429,383,403 dead people. 
• The hour and day and month and year means God has a specific time already planed for the “Day of the Lord”.

200,000,000 Army – This occurs just before the middle of the tribulation period.

Rev 9:16

16 The number of the mounted troops was two hundred million. I heard their number.

• 200,000,000 mortal men are possible, but more probably this number is symbolic and means that there were so many in the army, you could not count them.  This is similar to “ten thousand times ten thousand” angels.  But running with this number, the four fallen angels would have command of an army of 50 MILLION men each.  Good Grief.

17 The horses and riders I saw in my vision looked like this: Their breastplates were fiery red, dark blue, and yellow as sulfur. The heads of the horses resembled the heads of lions, and out of their mouths came fire, smoke and sulfur.

18 A third of mankind was killed by the three plagues of fire, smoke and sulfur that came out of their mouths.  

19 The power of the horses was in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails were like snakes, having heads with which they inflict injury.

• The angels at the Euphrates River release an army of 200,000,000 men or demons.  We are actually not told where this army comes from, but by the description given by John, you can see clearly that they are demonically controlled and will come overland via the Euphrates.
• Some feel John did the best he could at explaining what he had never seen before and this was actually a description of an huge army from the East in modern warfare with apache helicopters and tanks. The fire, smoke and sulfur are certainly characteristics of a thermonuclear war.  Just saying
• Whether these are plain old run of the mill demonic creatures from the abyss or a great army from the East, the results are the same; it’s bad news.
• This army is in addition to the Locust that have already been released.
• Population

    China has a population of 1,339,860,000 which is 19.5% of the world population.

    Japan has a population of 127,390,000 – or just 1.85%

    Russia  “from the North” is sitting at 141,927,297 –which is a little more at  2.06%

    U.S.A. referred to as the “coastal countries” has a population of 310,411,000 about  4.52%

Did not repent

Rev 9:20

20 The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood-idols that cannot see or hear or walk.

21 Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts. NIV

• God   in His mercy allowed many to live, but they continued in their sins and did not repent.
• Millions of people are deceived with the one world religion as they continued to worship the demonic spirit world and the occult.  Idol worship is actually demon worship.
• The magic arts of the occult refer to the use of drugs.  Pharmakia; (Greek for pharmacy), further translated means Witchcraft or Sorcerer. There are many organizations of Witchcraft in the world today, just check out “Barns & Nobel” bookstore for an eye opener.
• The Seven big sins during the tribulation are Drugs & Witchcraft, Demon worship, Murder, Crime & Theft, and sexual activity outside of the one partner (male/female) marriage.

Jer 6:15

15 Are they ashamed of their loathsome conduct? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush. NIV

Ps 115:4-8

4 But their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men.

5 They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see;

6 they have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but they cannot smell;

7 they have hands, but cannot feel ,feet, but they cannot walk; nor can they utter a sound with their throats.

8 Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them. NIV

• You would think that folks would call out to the God, repent and beg for mercy, but NOT.

• Modern Spiritualism today is things of the world becoming our idol.  Being so caught up in how our body looks, our collection of objects, our next car, and the next big step up in the company, this consumes us.
• A friend, after looking at how much time I spent on my Lionel train table and collection; said, “Nice shrine, there must be an alter in here somewhere.”  Sure made me start thinking.

• There are three sins that will cause God to give up seeking after the person.

      1) They knew God, but refused to accept Him.

      2) They changed the truth of God into a lie and worshiped and served the things created

           instead of the creator.

      3) They did not want the knowledge of God in their mind.

Rom 1:21-28

21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.

24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.

 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator-who is forever praised. Amen. NIV

26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. NIV

28 Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. NIV

Ok, here’s were we are.

• We are now in the middle of the tribulation period. – Antichrist breaks his covenant with Israel – The two Witness are slain – The remnant of Jews are protected – Satan is cast out of heaven – all believers are persecuted – Jerusalem is “trodden” under by the Gentiles.

Another Might Angel

Rev 10:1

10:1 Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars.

2 He was holding a little scroll, which lay open in his hand. He planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land,

• The cloud is the deity and glory of God. The rainbow is a symbol of God’s covenant and promise of mercy. The fiery pillars are His judgment.
• Many believe the mighty angel was an Archangel like Michael, but the description is more like unto Christ. The position of His feet on the land and sea are indicative of Christ’s total authority and power over the whole earth.

Rev 1:13-15

13 and among the lamp stands was someone "like a son of man," dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest.

14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire.

15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. NIV

Dan 10:5-6

5 I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of the finest gold around his waist.

 6 His body was like chrysolite, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude.

NIV

• Some versions of the Bible say “book” others say “scroll”.  Anyway, the little book or scroll is pictured as “already open”, so the scroll with the seals and little book are the same.
• It was Christ who took the scroll or book from the Father and opened it.

Rev 5:1Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals.

Rev 5:6-7

6 Then I saw a Lamb…

7 He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.

Rev 6:1I …the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals.

Rev 6:3 opened the second seal - Rev 6:5opened the third seal,

Rev 6:7  opened the fourth seal - Rev 6:9 opened the fifth seal,

Rev 6:12 opened the sixth seal-Rev 8:1opened the seventh seal

Seven Thunders

Rev 10:3

3 and he gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion. When he shouted, the voices of the seven thunders spoke.

• The seven thunders are the complete voice of God.  Think of the magnitude of a hurricane.
• This voice is not an invitation of grace, but an announcement of Judgment.
• It’s Powerful and Majestic, it breaks, strikes, shakes, twists, and strips. ( 7 thunders )

Ps 29:3-9

3 The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD thunders over the mighty waters.

4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic.

5 The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars;

7 The voice of the LORD strikes with flashes of lightning.

8 The voice of the LORD shakes the desert;

9 The voice of the LORD twists the oaks and strips the forests bare.  And in his temple all cry, "Glory! NIV

Seal it up

Rev 10:4

4 And when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven say, "Seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write it down."

• These mysteries were seen and heard by John to “help” in his understanding of the revelation that was being given. What the seven thunders spoke was for John’s ears only.
• This is the only words revealed to John that has been sealed up in the book of  Revelation.
• This is an indicator that there are still mysteries that God has retained for Himself.

Deut 29:29

29 The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law. NI

5 Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven.

6 And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, "There will be no more delay!

7 But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets."

• Christ has taken total authority over the Sea and the Land; all the earth belongs to Him.
• The mystery is of Jesus Christ, the second Adam, taking back dominion of the world which Satan had stolen from the first Adam.  The scroll contained the “title deed” to earth. The scroll has been opened, the earth has been redeemed and the slaves to sin are set free. 
• Satan was allowed to continue on this earth as an example to all angels, demons, men and creatures that “God is God”, that He is the “I am, that I am” and there is no other.
• All creation has watched how many times God has provided Satan and man a way back to Him. They have watched Satan try to imitate God, and observed that he could not create anything.
• All creation will see Satan’s and his followers “works” come to nothing and are burned up. 
• All Creation will tell this story over and over again, and shake their heads in disbelief at this rebellion.  It will never happen again.

Jer 31:34

34 No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, `Know the LORD,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, "declares the LORD NIV

Rom 16:25

25 Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, NIV

Eph 1:9-10

9 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,

10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment-to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ NIV

Eph 3:6

6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. NIV

Eph 3:9

9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. NIV

Col 1:27

27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. NIV

Col 1:26

26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. NIV

Amos 3:7

7 Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets NIV

- SEVEN OTHER MYSTERIES -

These were declared to His prophets and are distinct from the “Mystery of God” mentioned here.

The mystery of God’s Will – Eph 1:9

The mystery of iniquity – 2 Thess 2:7

The mystery of godliness  –   1 Tim 3:16

The mystery of Israel   -   Romans 11:25

The mystery of the seven stars – Rev. 1:20

The mystery woman on the beast-  Rev 17:7

The Little Scroll

Rev 10:8

8 Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me once more: "Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land."

9 So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, "Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey."

• Here it is implied that it’s not enough to read the word – We are encouraged to dine on it – to digest it – understand it - make it part of our body life – live it – share it –  witness it.

10 I took the little scroll from the angel's hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour.

• God’s word, His love and provision is sweet as honey as it is received by the believer.
• Because of the rejection of God’s supreme plan and the bitterness of the persecution that follows, it turns sour.  Remembering, John is already in prison on the isle of Patmos.
• It’s sweet to the believer because of his rewards, but bitter at the thought of those remaining who are perishing and will be lost forever.  Thus the term; “Bitter Sweet”

Ps 19:9-10

9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.

10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb NIV

Acts 8:1

On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. NIV

Acts 11:19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. NIV

Heb 10:33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated NIV

• The word came down from the father and was made flesh and lived among us so that we might digest His word into our body and receive eternal life.

John 1:14

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth NIV

John 6:53-54

53 Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.

54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. NIV

11 Then I was told, "You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings." NIV

• This prophesy was not intended just for Israel or the surrounding land, but for the world.
• This is probably a stretch to say the scripture might suggest that John might be one of the two witnesses that in the end times preaches to the nations.  Who knows.  Just saying.

Revelation 11  Informational Chapter coming up

 Having to do with the Jewish Nation of Israel in the middle of the Tribulation period

Here is where we are

• The temple is rebuilt and the Jewish people are now worshiping, some are believers.
• John is told to measure the Temple of God.  A measuring rod indicates ownership and is a symbol of Devine judgment, like ‘the scales’ in weighing.  God also evaluates the character of the worshipers to see if they “measure up”.

Measuring Rod­ –

Rev 11:1

1)      I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, "Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the worshipers there.

Zech 2:1-2

1 Then I looked up-and there before me was a man with a measuring line in his hand!

2 I asked, "Where are you going?" He answered me, "To measure Jerusalem, to find out how wide and how long it is."

NIV

Ezek 40:5

5 I saw a wall completely surrounding the temple area. The length of the measuring rod in the man's hand was six long cubits, each of which was a cubit and a handbreadth. He measured the wall; it was one measuring rod thick and one rod high. NIV

Rev 21:15

15 The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls. NIV

2 But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months.

• The 42 months seem to be that of the Gentiles dominance and persecution of the Jews during the last 3 ½ years of the tribulation period.
• The Jews now worship God and the Lamb.
• Everyone that was not a Jew was considered to be a “Gentile” and sometimes called “Greek”.

Luke 21:24

24 They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. NIV

Here’s what’s going on

• God prepares a special place of refuge for the Jewish people in the desert to be protected during the last 3 ½ years of the tribulation period.
• The place of refuge is the modern day Jordan, known as Edom, Moab and Ammon.
• It is highly probable that the inhabitants of these countries, recognizing the “God of Israel”, will take the Jews in their homes and hide them.
• If necessary, God will supernaturally take care of them - Manna from heaven and water from the rocks will sustain them.

Rev 12:6

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. KJV

Dan 11:40-42

 41 He will also invade the Beautiful Land. Many countries will fall, but Edom, Moab and the leaders of Ammon will be delivered from his hand. NIV

Two Witnesses

Rev 11:3-5

3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth."

4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.

• This 1,260 days seem to be the same time period as the last 3 ½ years of the tribulation. 
• The two olive trees and two lamp stands are symbolic of the two witnesses.  Olive oil and lamp stands both give light and are also symbolic of the “word” of God.

5 If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die.

• Theses two evangelist, the Two Witnesses could be Moses and Elijah. The miracles performed by Moses are like the ones performed while freeing the Israelites from Egypt.

Matt 17:3

3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. NIV

Mal 4:5

5 "See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. NIV

Mark 9:11-12

11 And they asked him, "Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?"

12 Jesus replied, "To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? NIV

• Some also think the two witness’s might be Enoch and Elijah as neither one died, but were translated directly to Heaven.  I embrace the latter since they will die for the first time on earth and then are raptured.  We really don’t know.  God can raise up whom ever He wants.

Heb 9:27

27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: KJV

Heb 11:5

5 By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. NIV

2 Kings 2:11

As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. NIV

• The purpose of these two Jews, also know as “prophets” is to display the power of God, and foretell the great events of wrath to come.  Jew and Gentile alike will come to the Lord because of their testimony.
• They will be hated by the antichrist and his people.  The two prophets cannot be harmed until their assignment is finished.
• These “Two Witnesses” parallel the OT, when God’s servants Zerubbabel and Joshua, were chosen to reclaim and rebuild the Jewish temple after the Babylon captivity.

   God endued them with His Spirit to accomplish His work.

Zech 4:6

6 So he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: `Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty. NIV

• Jewish Law teaches that in the testimony of “Two Witnesses” a thing is establishes as fact.
• NOTE:  The Old Testament is one witness and the New Testament is the second witness.

Matt 18:16

16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. KJV

Deut 17:6

6 At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death. KJV

Deut 19:15

15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established. KJV

John 20:12

12 And seeing two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. KJV

Acts 1:10

10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; KJV

Luke 10:1

10:1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. KJV

Plagues

Rev 11: 6

6 These men have power to shut up the sky so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.

• The two evangelists are endued with power and only have to “speak” and fire consumes their enemy, very similar to Moses and Elijah. They can bring drought, turn water into blood bring on plagues.  There power does not seem to have any limit.

Ex 7:17

17 This is what the LORD says: By this you will know that I am the LORD: With the staff that is in my hand I will strike the water of the Nile, and it will be changed into blood. NIV

Num 16:35

35 Moses… And fire came out from the LORD and consumed the 250 men who were offering the incense. NIV

2 Kings 1:10

10 Elijah answered the captain, "If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men!" Then fire fell from heaven and consumed the captain and his men. NIV

7 Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them.

• The beast from the abyss is the fallen angel already discussed… It is not Satan, the Antichrist or his Prophet.
• The two witnesses are killed after their assignment has been completed.  Many people are saved right up to the time of the prophets deaths.
• The Antichrist can now take possession of the temple.  This is the middle of the tribulation.

8 Their bodies will lie in the street of the great city, which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified.

9 For three and a half days men from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial.

10 The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.

• Three and a half days are literal; as three and a half years would not work chronologically.
• This is victory for the beast and his followers; they hated and feared the evangelists.   They are happy now because they no longer have to fear the wrath of God.
• All criminals were granted burial the same day of their execution, however these two witnesses were not buried. This illustrates the pure hatred and spite towards them, even mocking and gloating over their decaying bodies in the streets.
• These persecuting prophets are dead, so they party, celebrating and exchange gifts; this might possibly denote the (Satanic) Christmas season.
• With satellite and television technology, the whole world will see the two slain witnesses lying in the street. This would have seemed impossible 100 years ago. 

11 But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. 12 Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on.

• The world hears an audible voice say, “Come up here”. 
• Via television, the world sees the two witnesses come back to life and “translate” into heaven.  In the Rapture, the translation happens in the blink of an eye, but this catching up into Heaven will be slow enough for everybody to see. 
•  You can be sure, that because of the awareness of this book of “Revelation”, that many cameras will be trained on them from every angle possible, including “looking upward”, not wanting to miss a thing.  I will get to see this personally and up close, but from up above.

13 At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.

14 The second woe has passed; the third woe is coming soon.

• As the two witnesses begin their ascension, a severe earthquake occurs.  Seven Thousand men are killed; fear grips the hearts of the survivors. The Jews recognize; This is the hand of God and give him Glory.

INFORMATIONAL AND PROPHETIC CHAPTERS Follows

• NOTE:  Under the Seventh Seal, are the Seven Trumpets, and under the Seventh Trumpet are the 7 bowls that are soon to be poured out.  THE THIRD WOE.
• 3 ½ years must still pass before Christ’s reign is fully accomplished on earth.
• Verses 15-18 are prophetic in nature of events to come, because chronologically Christ does not return until verse 19:11, but His praise is already in progress.

RECAP of Jacob’s trouble… The Tribulations

• Loss of vegetation including grain, wheat, rice and oats – Soil erosion, floods and mudslides – Air pollution from smoke – Sunlight reduced by 1/3 - Ecology thrown out of balance – an enormous meteor or nuclear bomb slams into the sea turning it blood red - sea life and Naval warships and merchant ships are destroyed. – Famine because of the reduction in the growing season, reduction in vegetables, fish, and freighter transportation - A falling star called “wormwood” contaminates 1/3 of all freshwater sources, killing people; Wormwood is probably a thermonuclear weapon. (Just saying)

Seventh Trumpet – Heavenly voices prophesy in excitement of Christ’s return.

Rev 11:15

15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said:

"The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever."

16 And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God,

17 saying: "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign.

• As the seventh trumpet sounds and the seven bowls or vials are poured out, the voices IN HEAVEN announce the prophecy of CHRIST’S RETURN to the earth.  
• The Elders, hearing the prophecy and in anticipation of the events soon to come, give thanks and praise to God as Creator and Redeemer.

Rev 4:11

11 "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being." NIV

Rev 5-9

 9 And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. NIV

18 The nations were angry; and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great- and for destroying those who destroy the earth."

·         Verse 18 outlines what is to happen during the last 3 ½ years of the tribulation period.

1.       There will be International hatred for Christ and the Jews; persecution will increase.

2.       The Tribulation martyrs will be resurrected and receive rewards.

3.       The wicked dead, “those that destroy the earth”, will be resurrected, judged and be destroyed by God’s wrath.

Dan 12:1-2

1 There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people-everyone whose name is found written in the book-will be delivered.

 2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. NIV

1 Cor 3:11-15

11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.

12 If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw,

13 his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work.

14 If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.

15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. NIV

Matt 16:27

 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. NIV

Matt 25:31-32

31 "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory.

32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. NIV

• Symbolically the scriptures indicate that the sheep are the saved and the goats are the unsaved.

John 10:14-16

14 "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-

15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father-and I lay down my life for the sheep.

16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.  (Jews and Gentiles)

Matt 25:32-33

 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

The Ark of the Covenant

Rev 11:19

19 Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a great hailstorm. NIV

• When Heaven opens, the earth quakes, thunder, lightning and a great hailstorm come forth.
• We get a glimpse inside the Temple, a glimpse of the real Ark of the Covenant.
• The Ark that Moses constructed was only a copy of the real Ark in Heaven.

Heb 8:5

 5 They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: "See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain." NIV

Heb 9:23

23 It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. NIV

Chapter 12 – is a reflection on history - an “Informational Chapter”

• There are seven players coming up in Chapter 12.

          1)  The Woman - Representing the Nation of Israel– Symbolic also of Eve

          2)  The Seed – The remnant of Israel

          3)  The Man Child – Jesus the Messiah

          4)  The Archangel - Michael

          5)  The Beast out of the Earth – The Religious Leader – The false Prophet – False Spirit.

          6)  The Beast out of the sea – The world Dictator – The Antichrist – False Son

          7)  The Dragon – Satan – The Anti-God – False God.              (Notice the Counterfeit Trinity)

CONFLICT – Forces of Satan vs. People of God

Pregnant Woman

Rev 12:1-2

1 A great and wondrous sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head.

2 She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth.

• The woman is Israel: (through Eve) the following scriptures show the simple means of mankind being saved during the last 3 ½ years of the tribulation.
• The sun and the moon symbolize Jacob and Rachel and the twelve stars are their children, their twelve sons or the twelve tribes of Israel.  This is fulfilling the Abrahamic Covenant.
• Israel cries out in yearning for the “Messiah” to come forth.

Gen 3:14-15

14 So the LORD God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this, "Cursed are you above all the livestock and all the wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life.

15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." NIV

Gen 37:9-10

9 Then Joseph had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. "Listen," he said, "I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.”

10 When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, "What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?" NIV

Red Dragon

Rev 12:3

3 Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads.

4 His tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that he might devour her child the moment it was born.

• The red dragon is Satan, the anti-God. – Red is death and destruction.
• The third of the stars, about 50,000,000, are fallen angels that followed Satan.

Rev 12:8-9

 9 The great dragon was hurled down-that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. NIV

• The seven heads are symbolic of seven Kingdoms he rules.  There are seven continental land masses; North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and Antarctica
• Horns always represent political power.
• The ten horns are symbolic of 10 kingdoms, some yet to be formed that he will eventually rule. This is the revived Roman Empire.
• The ten crowns indicate his governmental authority over the ten kingdoms.
• The number 10 appears often and is significant.  The law declared that in the gathering of a Jewish assembly of 10 persons, they could indulge in public readings of the Word of God.

Male Child

Rev 12:5

5 She gave birth to a son, a male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter. And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne.

• The male child is the Messiah, Jesus Christ. John is reflecting back on history in parts of this informational chapter for us to get the full picture of what is happening to Israel.
• Note:  From His birth (5a) to the snatched up process (5b), there is a period of 33 years. This is the entire Church Age, as He now sits at the right hand of the Father.
• God had announced in the Garden of Eden that Eve’s seed would crush Satan’s head.  Satan was not after the woman, he was after her seed, “The Messiah”.
• Christ was born, then with his death, paid the price to redeem men from the curse of the law, and then was “snatched up” to the Father and has “made ready” to come again.

Gen 3:15

15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." NIV

John 19:30

30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

NIV

Ps 2:9

9 You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like potter NIV

Isa 66:7-8

7 "Before she goes into labor, she gives birth; before the pains come upon her, she delivers a son.

8 Who has ever heard of such a thing? Who has ever seen such things? Can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment? Yet no sooner is Zion in labor than she gives birth to her children. NIV

Dan 12:1-2

At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people-everyone whose name is found written in the book-will be delivered. NIV

1,260 days

Rev 12:6

6 The woman fled into the desert to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days.

• The Woman – Israel – The Jews are helped and hidden by the believing Gentiles.  The Jews are probably hid in the cities of Edom, Moab and Ammon. Archeologists have found these cities were carved out of rock which is a perfect refuge. If it were not for Israel, we Gentiles would not have a Bible or a Savior.
• There is a dual war going on - God dealing with the unbelievers and - the antichrist is killing the believers.  Because of His elect, the believing Jews, this period of time is shortened or no flesh would survive. 
• The 1,260 days are the last 3 ½ years of the tribulation period.

Ps 124:1-5

1 A song of ascents. Of David.

2 if the LORD had not been on our side when men attacked us, 3 when their anger flared against us, they would have swallowed us alive;

4 the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have

 swept over us

5 the raging waters would have swept us away. NIV

Isa 26:20

20 Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut the doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while

until his wrath has passed by. NIV

Dan 11:41

41 He will also invade the Beautiful Land. Many countries will fall, but Edom, Moab and the leaders of Ammon will be delivered from his hand. NIV

Matt 24:22

22 If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. NIV

Michael - Archangel

Rev 12:7

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

8 But he (the dragon) was not strong enough, and they (the fallen angels) lost their place in heaven.

9 The great dragon was hurled down-that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

• Michael is the Archangel that defeats Satan and his angels  which are cast out of heaven.
• This occurs during the last 3 ½ years of the tribulation.

Dan 12:1

1 At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people-everyone whose name is found written in the book-will be delivered. NIV

Dan 10:13

13 But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia.

NIV

Dan 10:21

21 but first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. (No one supports me against them except Michael, your prince. NIV

Jude 9

 9 But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" NIV

The accuser

Rev 12:10

10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ.

For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.

• The accuser is Satan who is no longer allowed in Heaven to come before God and accuse us of our sins.  So now this Devil Angel pursues the Saints on earth, primarily the believing remnant of the Jewish nation.  There is Joy in Heaven, but there is Woe on Earth.

Zech 3:1

1 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. NIV

Job 1:6-9

6 One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them.

 7 The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it."

9 "Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. NIV

Satan is furious

Rev 12:11

11 They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.

12 Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short."

• The Devil is HOT from being thrown out of Heaven.  He has been told his fate and still thinks he can change things.  This is where the term comes from; He was “Raising Hell”.
• The believers testify of the redeeming grace of Jesus Christ’s death at the cross and knowingly, lose their lives because of their testimony.

Rev 20:3

3 …  After that, he must be set free for a short time. NIV

13 When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child.

• Because the Messiah comes from Israel, Satan turns on the Jews relentlessly.
• Two thirds of the Jews are killed – Those that remain are tested by God, they atone for their sins and are purified.
• The remnants accept Jesus Christ as the Messiah and are saved.

Dan 12:10

10 Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, NIV

Zech 13:8-9

8 In the whole land," declares the LORD, "two-thirds will be struck down and perish; yet one-third will be left in it.

9 This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, `They are my people,' and they will say, `The LORD is our God.'" NIV

Rom 11:26

26 And so all Israel will be saved NIV

Eagle Wings

Rev 12:14

14 The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the desert, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent's reach.

• Time, times and half a time is 3 ½ years, is the last half of the 7 year tribulation period
• Eagle’s wings are symbolic of God’s deliverance. Many people hide or absorb the Jews just as they are dispersed among the Gentiles today.

Ex 19:4-5

4`You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. NIV

Deut 32:11

11 like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them on its pinions NIV

• The last 3 ½ years, The Antichrist sets up his image in the temple for worship, this is known as the abomination that causes desolation. 
• The Jews that have not accepted Christ as their Messiah are still under the old Levitical law.  Observing the Levitical laws they are urged to pray that it doesn’t happen on the Sabbath, because if you flee too far on the Sabbath you would be breaking the Levitical law.

Matt 24:15-22

15 "So when you see standing in the holy place `the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel-let the reader understand-

16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

17 Let no one on the roof of his house go down to take anything out of the house.

18 Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak.

19 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers!

 20 Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath.

21 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now-and never to be equaled again.

22 If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. NIV

River of water

Rev 12:15

15 Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river, to overtake the woman and sweep her away with the torrent.

16 But the earth helped the woman by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of his mouth.

17 Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring-those who obey God's commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus. NIV

• The Antichrist being a great orator will speak and flatter the nations to get them to reveal where the Jews are hiding, but the multitudes do not listen.
• Serpent spewed water is symbolic of Satan pulling out all the stops on his evil organ to destroy the nation of Israel, to make it impossible for God to keep His promise. 
• There will be a supernatural intervention that protects Israel whether by angels or nature.
• The rest of her offspring is the remnant of Israel, and God is reclaiming them a second time and breathing life back into them.
• The remnant of Israel has accepted God and the Lamb; Satan in great fury immediately goes forth to destroy all of them.

Isa 11:11

 11 In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to reclaim the remnant that is left of his people from Assyria, from Lower Egypt, from Upper Egypt, from Cush, from Elam, from Babylonia, from Hamath and from the islands of the sea.

NIV

Ezek 37:3-6

 3 He asked me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" I said, "O Sovereign LORD, you alone know."

4 Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones and say to them, `Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD!

5 This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.

6 I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.'" NIV

·         Down through the ages, those that have persecuted the Jewish Nation have been dealt with severely by God, as like “in ruin”.  Egypt, the Assyrians, Babylon and in recent history, the Crusaders, Turks, Arabs, and Nazi Germany all are now “in ruin”.

·         The law of retribution is in operation; an eye for an eye.  Whatever you do to the Jews, God will do to you.  (If you bless the Jewish Nation, God will bless you.)

·         Many Jews will be brought back to Israel by force, because of Anti-Semitic hunters.

·         Pray that the United States does not withdraw our support of Israel.

Gen 12:3

3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse ;and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." NIV

Ps 2:1-2

1 Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain?

2 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One. NIV

Jer 16:14-16

 15 but they will say, `As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the Israelites up out of the land of the north and out of all the countries where he had banished them.' For I will restore them to the land I gave their forefathers.

16 "But now I will send for many fishermen," declares the LORD, "and they will catch them. After that I will send for many hunters, and they will hunt them down on every mountain and hill and from the crevices of the rocks. NIV

·         God brings the invasion of Israel in the last days to demonstrate to the nations that there is a God in Israel and whoever touches Israel, sticks his finger in the eye of God.

Zech 2:8

8 For this is what the LORD Almighty says: "After he has honored me and has sent me against the nations that have plundered you-for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye- NIV

Ezek 38:8-9

8 After many days you will be called to arms. In future years you will invade a land that has recovered from war, whose people were gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate. They had been brought out from the nations, and now all of them live in safety.

 9 You and all your troops and the many nations with you will go up, advancing like a storm; you will be like a cloud covering the land. NIV

Ezek 38:16

16 You will advance against my people Israel like a cloud that covers the land. In days to come, O Gog, I will bring you against my land, so that the nations may know me when I show myself holy through you before their eyes. NIV

NOSTRADAMUS - RABBIT TRAIL

• Nostradamus prophesied in the 16^th century, that World War III would arise out of the unification of Islam nations under a strong master of Mohammedan law, who will wage war on the United States and Europe.
• C10 Q33 – The cruel sect of the Moslems will come, hiding weapons under their robes.  (Sounds like Individual Explosive Device to me.) There leader will take Florence and burn it twice, sending ahead cleaver men without laws.  ( No morality)
• C4 Q95 – The rule is left to two, they will hold it for a very short time.  After three years and seven months they will go to war.  Their vessels rebel against them.  The victor born on American Soil. (This sure looks like the U.S. and Russia during the first 3 ½ years )
• C5 Q8 – Living fire and hidden death.  C2 Q91 – Extending towards the north,
• C8 Q77 – Blood soaked human bodies, water and reddened icy rain covering the entire earth.
• C9 Q83 – There will be a tremendous earthquake, the great theater filled with people will be ruined, the air, heaven and the Earth will be dark and obscure, when the unbelievers call on God and the saints.
• Nostradamus predicts the fall of the Roman Catholic Church and the establishment of a new world wide religion.
• I have always been interested in the prophecies of Nostradamus until I read about his background in witchcraft, the dead and the occult. -  If the Bible says do not consult with the dead; then evidently it can be done. While I do not discount his visions, the Bible says to stay away from such stuff and I believe the Bible. 

Deut 18:10-11

10 Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft,

11 or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. NIV

MUSLIM MESSIAH – RABBIT TRAIL

• Louis Farrakhan, leader of the Black Muslim movement said that Elijah Mohammed had risen up inside of him; in essence he claims to be “the second Messiah”.
• Muslims believe Jesus, the son of Mary said, “I am a messenger of “Allah”, bringing good tidings of a messenger who comes after me, whose name is ‘the praised one”, Mohammad”.
• The Quran given to the “Last Prophet” Mohammad, is the perfect revelation of Allah.
• The Hadith is a collection of sayings, deeds and behavior of Mohammad including; eating, sleeping, praying, mating, planning revenge on his enemies and dispensing justice. - These actions were considered the actions of “Allah”.  A good Muslim will do these same things as well as name their children Mohammad.  The Hadith in some sects is followed more than the Quran and its sayings can supersede the Quran.
• Sura 19:96 – Allah has no affection for any creature.  Love is conditional on good works.
• Sura 5:75 – Christ, the son of Mary was no more than a messenger. Many were the messengers that passed away before him.
• Sura 4:157 – Christ did not die on the cross, but was made to appear so.
• Sura 3:129 – Allah has predestined some to paradise and some to hell.
• Sura 32:13 – Allah sends to hell whomever he wants.  He created a multitude of spirits and men specifically for the purpose of sending them to hell.
• Sura 9:5 – When the sacred months have passed, slay the idolaters wherever ye find them, seize them; lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war).
• Hadith 2:483 – I have been ordered to fight the people till they say, Allah be worshipped.
• Sura 9:29 – Muslims are inspired to fight people who do not accept the religion of Islam.
• Sura 5:33 – Those who wage war against Allah and his messenger (there fate) is execution or crucifixion or the cutting off of hands and feet on opposite sides or exile.
• Hadith 9:57 – Whoever changes his Islamic religion should be killed.
• Mohammad: “He, who relinquishes his faith; kill him.  I have been ordered by Allah to fight with people till they testify there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger”.
• Hadith 1:505 – Anyone who dies in a Jihad will have a prominent place in paradise.
• Hadith 9:459 – Anyone who engages in a holy war (jihad) will be admitted into paradise with his reward of booty.
• Sura 78:33 – In paradise man can have many women.
• Ayatollah Khomeini: “The purest joy in Islam is to kill and to be killed for Allah”.
• There can be no peace with the Jews or Christians or any other non-Islamic people; and that if peace must be made, only a truce is permissible and that “for a maximum of 10 years as an expedient to hone our swords, whet our blood and strengthen our will.” 
• Islamic Extremist is a misnomer - If you follow Islam, the Quran and the Hadith, then none are extremist, they ALL hate non Muslims; their mission is to convert or kill us in the name of Allah.
• Side Bar:  Muslims believe it is the will of God for Islam to rule the world.  Islamic law stipulates that to fulfill Muhammad’s task, every “infidel domain” must be considered a territory of war.  Moris Farhi author The Last Days

• Ezekiel prophesied twenty five centuries ago of a war between an un-walled city, Israel and a nation to its North, Russia.  When Israel became a Nation again in 1948, this war become imminent.
• Gog which is the nation of Russia and Magog its army of allied nations will invade Israel and there will be an earthquake so catastrophic that the whole world will be affected.  God will rain down hailstones on them with burning sulfur, plagues of pestilence, and they will be in such confusion, they want even know who they are fighting and will be killed by friendly fire.
• It’s possible the Russian army will be destroyed by there own thermonuclear bomb, fire and brimstone.
• The modern nation’s names are Russia, East Germany, Poland and Bulgaria plus Persia (Iran) Ethiopia, Libya and Turkey.

Zech 14:12

12 This is the plague with which the LORD will strike all the nations that fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths. NIV

Ezek 38:22

 22 I will execute judgment upon him with plague and bloodshed; I will pour down torrents of rain, hailstones and burning sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him. NIV

Ezek 38:19-23

19 In my zeal and fiery wrath I declare that at that time there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel.

20 The fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the beasts of the field, every creature that moves along the ground, and all the people on the face of the earth will tremble at my presence. The mountains will be overturned, the cliffs will crumble and every wall will fall to the ground.

21 I will summon a sword against Gog on all my mountains, declares the Sovereign LORD. Every man's sword will be against his brother.

Hag 2:6-7

6 This is what the LORD Almighty says: `In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land.

7 I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,' says the LORD Almighty. NIV

Ezek 38:21-22

 21 I will summon a sword against Gog on all my mountains, declares the Sovereign LORD. Every man's sword will be against his brother.

22 I will execute judgment upon him with plague and bloodshed; I will pour down torrents of rain, hailstones and burning sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him.

Ezek 39:1-6

1 … I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal.

2 I will turn you around and drag you along. I will bring you from the far north and send you against the mountains of Israel.

3 Then I will strike your bow from your left hand and make your arrows drop from your right hand.

4 On the mountains of Israel you will fall, you and all your troops and the nations with you. I will give you as food to all kinds of carrion birds and to the wild animals.

5 You will fall in the open field, for I have spoken, declares the Sovereign LORD.

6 I will send fire on Magog and on those who live in safety in the coastlands, and they will know that I am the LORD. NIV

·         Note:  The Coastlands are the Gentile Nations – Like the United States who live in safety.  However, because on this specific occasion, we did not help Israel when they needed us, we will receive destruction, probably nuclear.

Ezek 39:6-7

 6 And I will send fire on Magog and on those who live in security in the coastlands. Then they shall know that I am the LORD. NKJV

Gen 12:3

3 I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." NKJV

·         The Russian armies will be defeated without being attacked by any other nation.  It will take seven months to bury the dead.

Ezek 39:2-16

2 I will turn you around and drag you along. I will bring you from the far north and send you against the mountains of Israel.

3 Then I will strike your bow from your left hand and make your arrows drop from your right hand.

4 On the mountains of Israel you will fall, you and all your troops and the nations with you. I will give you as food to all kinds of carrion birds and to the wild animals.

5 You will fall in the open field, for I have spoken, declares the Sovereign LORD. NIV

Ezek 39:12-16

12 "`For seven months the house of Israel will be burying them in order to cleanse the land.

13 All the people of the land will bury them, and the day I am glorified will be a memorable day for them, declares the Sovereign LORD.

14 Men will be regularly employed to cleanse the land. Some will go throughout the land and, in addition to them, others will bury those that remain on the ground. At the end of the seven months they will begin their search.

15 As they go through the land and one of them sees a human bone, he will set up a marker beside it until the gravediggers have buried it in the Valley of Hamon Gog.

16 (Also a town called Hamonah will be there.) And so they will cleanse the land.' NIV

• Only one sixth of the Russian-Iranian armies will be left alive.  Five out of six will die, that is a death rate of 84%.

Ezek 39:2

2 And I will turn thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee, and will cause thee to come up from the north parts, and will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel: KJV

• Russia has Lignostone, a compressed wood product developed in Holland for weapons.  It is strong as steel, light weight, can be pliable and is invisible to radar, but will burn.  These weapons will be collected and used for fuel.  I’m thinking tanks and personnel carriers.

Ezek 39:9-10

9 "`Then those who live in the towns of Israel will go out and use the weapons for fuel and burn them up-the small and large shields, the bows and arrows, the war clubs and spears. For seven years they will use them for fuel.

10 They will not need to gather wood from the fields or cut it from the forests, because they will use the weapons for fuel. And they will plunder those who plundered them and loot those who looted them, declares the Sovereign LORD. NIV

              Ancient Nations names         Modern Nation names

Gog and Magog                                     Russia

Meshech                                               Moscow

Tubal                                                   Tobolsk

Persia                                                   Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan

Ethiopia                                                Ethiopia and Sudan

Libya                                                    Libya

Ashkenaz                                              Austria, Germany

Gomer                                                   Eastern Europe

Togarmah                                             Southeastern Europe

• Oddly enough, the name for the Great Wall of China that kept out the invading armies of Russia. was called “Al Magog”.
• Russia and its allied troops are Persia (Iran), Ethiopia and Libya.
• The seven sons of Japheth were Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech and Tiras.

Ezek 38:3-6

3 and say: `This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal.

 4 I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws and bring you out with your whole army-your horses, your horsemen fully armed, and a great horde with large and small shields, all of them brandishing their swords.

 5 Persia, Cush and Put will be with them, all with shields and helmets,

6 also Gomer with all its troops, and Beth Togarmah from the far north with all its troops-the many nations with you. NIV

Chapter 13 is an “INFORMATIONAL CHAPTER”

reflecting back and forth,

We now  have the Satanic Trinity

Satan  –  The Dragon

Antichrist  –  Beast out of the Sea

False Prophet – Beast out of the Earth.

Beast out of the Sea – The Antichrist - The political world Dictator – A Gentile

Rev 13:1

1 And the dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. He had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on his horns, and on each head a blasphemous name.

• NOTE:  The beast is not an animal, but a description of animal-like appetites and powers.
• The sea in this scripture is symbolic of the sea of humanity, the Gentile nations in ciaos.
• The beast or Antichrist is a natural man; he will quietly rise and becomes a ruler of one nation and eventually becomes the political world dictator. He is a Gentile. He may already be born.  His time line most probably starts before the rapture.
• The seven heads are symbolic of seven Kingdoms he rules.
• The ten horns are symbolic of 10 kingdoms, some yet to be formed that he will eventually rule.  He will subdue and conquer three of the ten.
• The ten crowns indicate his governmental authority over the ten kingdoms.
• The blasphemous names on the crowns of the puppet leaders of the Antichrist’s kingdoms are overt indicators of their open opposition to God and Jesus Christ.
• His three point plan is; 1) one world government, 2) one world currency., 3) one world religion
• The scriptures say that those who are not “for God” are against God; they are antichrist, and Satan “The” Antichrist, will use these people for his own end. 
• He will not just oppose Christ; he will rival Christ, a man who will raise himself up to receive the Honor due of the Son of God.

1 John 2:18

18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. KJV

1 John 2:22

22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. KJV

1 John 4:3

3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. KJV

2 John 7

7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. KJV

2 Thess 2:3-4

3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

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. KJV

·         The Antichrist although active, cannot come on the scene in power until the restraining force is removed which is the Holy Spirit in the Church, and that happens at the rapture.

2 Thess 2:6-7

 6 And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time.

7 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. NIV

• The Antichrist has no normal desires for a woman, sex or marriage and is quite possibly a homosexual.  He probably promotes homosexuality since God hates it.  But it could also be a slam against women, specifically the mother of Jesus whose God is Jehovah.

Dan 11:37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all. KJV

• Names of the Antichrist (He is not Satan)
• Anti-Christ, King of fierce countenances, King of Babylon, Little Horn, Man of Sin, Wicked, Beast, Leopard and Son of perdition; the number of his name is 666.
• Interestingly – Judas was also called “The son of perdition” Does he live again?  Just saying.

John 17:12

12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that you gave me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition (Judas); that the scripture might be fulfilled. KJV

Dan 8:23

23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. KJV

Dan 7:8

8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things. KJV

Dan 8:9

9 And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land. KJV

2 Thess 2:3

3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; KJV

2 Thess 2:8

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: KJV

Rev 13:1

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. KJV

1 John 2:18

18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. KJV

Rev 13:17

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. KJV

Rev 13:18

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. KJV

Rev 13:2

2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard,… and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. KJV

Isa 14:4

4 you will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon: NIV

2 Thess 2:3

3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; KJV

• Prophecy says before the antichrist can come, the church will start falling away from the doctrines of Christ, then the remaining true church will be raptured and with it, the Holy Spirit which is the hindering force of the Antichrist, then about 3 1/2 years into the tribulation period, the antichrist will be revealed.
• The falling away has already started with the New Age Movement proclaiming the heresy that all the religious “spokes in a wheel” lead to the same hub, the same god.

2 Thess 2:1-8

1 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him,…,

3 Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.

6 And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time.

7 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.

8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, NIV

Leopard, bear and Lion – Power

Rev 13:2

2 The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.

• The Leopard, Bear and Lion are symbolic of the Antichrist’s powerful, diabolical, ruthless and great political power as seen in Daniels vision.
• The Leopard is the ancient Greek Empire, the Bear is the Medo-Persian Empire and the Lion is the Babylonian Empire which is symbolic of Israel harlotry.
• The continuation of these three kingdoms makes up a fourth kingdom which is of the Antichrist, the revival of the old Roman Empire.
• The Antichrist receives his great position authority and power directly from Satan.

Dan 7:2-8

2 Daniel said: "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me were the four winds of heaven churning up the great sea.

3 Four great beasts, each different from the others, came up out of the sea.

4 "The first was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I watched until its wings were torn off and it was lifted from the ground so that it stood on two feet like a man, and the heart of a man was given to it.

5 "And there before me was a second beast, which looked like a bear. It was raised up on one of its sides, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. It was told, `Get up and eat your fill of flesh!'

6 "After that, I looked, and there before me was another beast, one that looked like a leopard. And on its back it had four wings like those of a bird. This beast had four heads, and it was given authority to rule.

7 "After that, in my vision at night I looked, and there before me was a fourth beast-terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the former beasts, and it had ten horns.

8 "While I was thinking about the horns, there before me was another horn, a little one, which came up among them; and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth that spoke boastfully.

NIV

• The dragon is none other than Satan, adding deceiving satanic power to the Antichrist, this world ruler’s.  He will perform counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders.

Rev 20:2

2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. NIV

2 Thess 2:9-10

 9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders,

10 and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. NIV

Dan 8:24-25

24 He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy the mighty men and the holy people.

25 He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior NIV

Dan 11:39

39 He will attack the mightiest fortresses with the help of a foreign god and will greatly honor those who acknowledge him. He will make them rulers over many people and will distribute the land at a price. NIV

Fatal Wound – one of the kingdoms or the Antichrist himself.

Rev 13:3

• The first indicators are that this “wound” happens to one of the countries that the Antichrist represents which is devastated, dispersed, and then is revived. This could be the old Roman Empire coming back as the European Common Market, the EEC.
• This is what I first embraced, but this reasoning with the rest of the scriptures does not seem to hold up.  So, this could actually be a FATAL wound to head of the Antichrist.  One way or the other, the whole world is amazed – I must run with the latter because of related scriptures.

3 One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was astonished and followed the beast.

• The Antichrist, consumed by Satan, appears to be shot in the head and dies, and then is resurrected. 
• This is a counterfeit resurrection to seem like that of Jesus Christ.  Satan does not have power to give life or to resurrect a natural man, but he can and will perform powerful miracles and illusions to deceive the world.
• The world will marvel at this and follow him like he is the Messiah.
• This happens 3 ½ years into the tribulation period, around the time he sets up his idol image.
• God will send a powerful delusion to further separate the “Goats from the Sheep”.

2 Thess 2:10-12

11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie

12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness. NIV

World Religion – The Antichrist and Satan

Rev 13:4

4 Men worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, "Who is like the beast? Who can make war against him?"

• This is the One World Religion with the Antichrist’s prophet as its leader.
• The Antichrist, like Satan, desires to be worshiped and wants to be like god.
• Mankind turns to where the “Power” comes from; wholesale occultism and devil-worship.

Isa 14:14

14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High." NIV

Blasphemes God – the Antichrist

Rev 13:5

5 The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months.

6 He opened his mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven.

• Forty-two months is the last 3 ½ years of the tribulation period, although the Antichrist is actually around for the entire 7 years.
• There are four power groups, with Israel considered as the geographic center of God’s Plan. On the West is the European Union and America led by the Antichrist; Then Egypt, the Arab nations on the South; Then Russia on the North and with China on the East, leaving Israel hanging out in the middle.
• The Antichrist makes a covenant of Peace just before or at the beginning of the tribulation period to resolve the Islamic/Israeli dispute and to protect and defend Israel.
• Egypt and Russia invade Palestine.  The Antichrist keeps his promise and comes to the rescue and defeats Egypt.  God then defeats Russia on the mountains of Israel.
• The Antichrist decides he wants Israel for himself and breaks his covenant after 3 ½ years.
• He slanders God’s name and defiles the Temple the dwelling place of God, with his own image set up as god.

Dan 9:27

 27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one `seven.' In the middle of the `seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing [of the temple] he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him."  NIV

The book of Life – Names of  the Saved only.

Rev 13:7

7 He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. 8 All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast-all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world. 

• Not all worship the Antichrist; Christians are still around, mostly the Jews.
• The book of life contains the names of the saved, those that believed on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Rev 3:5

 5 He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. NIV

Rev 20:12

12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. NIV

Rev 20:15

 15 If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. NIV

Retribution – for the saints.

Rev 13:10

9 He who has an ear let him hear.

10 If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he will be killed.

This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints.

• The Law of retribution - If someone persecutes the saints of Israel, with imprisonment, then they will go into prison. - If they killed them with the sword, then they will be killed by the sword.
• The Law of Seedtime and Harvest – What you sow, you shall reap – Sow hate, reap hate.
• This is a message of Hope for those living at this time.
• Pray that our nation does not abandon Israel, lest God abandon this great nation.

Matt 5:38

38 "You have heard that it was said, `Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' NIV

Gen 9:6

6 "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man. NIV

Matt 26:52

52 "Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. NIV

Rom 12:19

19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.  NIV

Gal 6:7-8

7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.

 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life NIV

Beast out of the earth - The false Prophet & Religious Leader – The Anti-spirit – A Jew

Rev 13:11

11 Then I saw another beast, coming out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon.

• Out of the earth is symbolic that the beast is a natural man, born in the last days, the same as the first beast.  He is Satan’s mouth piece, the religious leader and prophet.  He promotes the Antichrist.  He is a Jew.
• He has two horns; First – The appearance of a lamb which is a counterfeit meekness like the Christ, and Second - His actions and speech is like that of the blasphemous Satan.
• Two horns are limited power, seven horns are complete power.
• The appearance is similar to Jacob’s disguise to defraud Esau of the blessing of his father.

Gen 27:22-23

22 Jacob went close to his father Isaac, who touched him and said, "The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau."

23 He did not recognize him, for his hands were hairy like those of his brother Esau; so he blessed him. NIV

• The time is perfect time to “suggest” an image to honor the world dictator and worship him.
• The false prophet will exercise unlimited authority – Cause fire to streak through the sky to the earth - Perform great miracles – Deceive the population – Force people to wear the “mark of the beast” - Force people to worship the man, the Roman Antichrist – Force people to worship the Image of the Antichrist in the Temple and Murder the non-conformist.
• This is the merging of the religious power and the secular power.  The Antichrist no longer has a need for the World Church, as he sees himself as God.

12 He exercised all the authority of the first beast on his behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed.

13 And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men.

• Satan has power to provide signs and he will -  He is “The Prince of the Power of the Air”.
• These counterfeit signs are like those “of old”, to deceive all the inhabitants of the earth.

Eph 2:2

2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience KJV

2 Kings 1:10

10 Elijah answered the captain, "If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men!" Then fire fell from heaven and consumed the captain and his men. NIV

Acts 2:3

3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. NIV

Rev 11:5

 5 If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. NIV

• This Jewish messiah, a false prophet will rise up in Israel, doing counterfeit miracles and will lead Israel to worship the leader of the 10 nations, the Antichrist. 
• The Antichrist will side with Israel against Russia who backs the Arabs claim to Palestine.
•  He will lead Israel to sign a peace treaty with the Arabs.  The prophet Isaiah said this would be a contract with the pit (Hell); death.

Dan 9:27

 27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one `seven. NIV

Isa 24:16-17

16 From the ends of the earth we hear singing: "Glory to the Righteous One”.  But I said, "I waste away, I waste away! Woe to me! The treacherous betray! With treachery the treacherous betray!"

17 Terror and pit and snare await you, O people of the earth.

Rev 13:12-13

12 He exercised all the authority of the first beast on his behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast….

13 And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men. NIV

Image of the beast - The Antichrist

Rev 13:14

14 Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived.

• There are two thoughts on the fatal wound received by the Antichrist.  I prefer the former, but the rest of the scripture seems to embraces the latter.
• (1) Just as our Nation or “kingdom” is represented by a “man” like our President; a “man” can also be considered “the kingdom”.  In this case, this is the kingdom that was wounded or desolated and was revived and made whole again and the president or ruler is the Antichrist.
• (2)  The Antichrist is actually shot in the head and seems to die and Satan produces a counterfeit resurrection.

15 He was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed.

• Satan cannot give life.  This miracle is a deception, whether by robotics, electronics, illusion or demonic influence, it is counterfeit.
• As part of the plan, all creation observes this and is waiting to witness the final outcome.

Ex 20:4

4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: KJV

16 He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead,

17 so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name.

• This is known as the mark of the beast.  Most probable, the mark at first will be like a tattoo, with invisible ink on the forehead, revealed with a laser scan at checkout counters or on the hand for use at an ATM and it will have a connection in some way with the code 666.
• At some point this mark will be desirable and sought after as it marks the person as a spiritually “enlightened one”.
• It’s also possible for a computer chip seed to be implanted, like that being currently used in animals, but with GPS technology. Your location would be known at anytime.  Currently the GPS technology is accurate within 10 feet.
• This mark is used to control the person and clearly identifies that the person is a worshiper of the “image” of the Antichrist.  It is a mark of allegiance and loyalty to the world leader.
• This is a perversion of the Mark of God that was placed on the 144,000 Jews who testified of Christ.
• NOTE; If you receive the mark of the beast, you cannot reverse your decision.

Rev 19:20

20 But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.  NIV

• Interestingly, many credit cards in the USA have a prefix number of 666, Bell Canada has the prefix 666, the overseas telephone operator number from Israel is 666, and The World Bank code number is 666.  I have seen a list of 15 other places over the years, where our government, banking and retailers use the number 666 in one way or another.

666 - The Antichrist

Rev 13:18

18 This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number. His number is 666.NIV

• The beast or Antichrist is a man consumed by Satan, who may already be born and may not come on the scene till he is in his thirty’s, similar to Christ. 
• God’s number is 7 and is symbolic of completeness. 777 is God magnified to the most perfect. For a study in biblical numbers, get the book “Theomatics” listed on the last page 
• Falling short of seven is sinful man’s number of six. The Antichrist’s name is 666, the most sinful and most evil number, magnified to its height.
• We will not know the name of the Antichrist for sure till the middle of the Tribulation, so we can stop trying to figure out who he is.  However, if all your friends have disappeared ……You might want to start figuring.
• The Antichrist weapons; deceit, tolerance to false teachings and patience with popular sins.

ROMAN NUMERAL – RABBIT TRAIL

·          The first 6 (progression) letters of the Roman numerals add up to 666 – could this mean the antichrist comes out of the Roman Empire? Just saying

I =    1                           Man’s number is 6 – a sinner.

V =   5                          Man was created on the 6th day.

X = 10                          Man was given 6 days to labor.

L =  50                         There are 6 names for man – Four in Hebrew and Two in the Greek.

C = 100                         The number 6 was used in the secret mystery religions of the East.

D = 500                        There are 6 names for the “serpent”.

      666                        The Antichrist’s number is 666 – sin perfected.

• LISTEN:  Have you picked up on the counterfeit trinity woven through the text.  Satan as God, the Antichrist as Christ and the false Prophet as the Holy Spirit.
• Consider The Satanic Trinity: Understanding that 6 is the number of sinful man; Satan is six, the Antichrist six, the False Prophet six – 666.   just saying

Chapter 14 - Mostly a reflective Informational Chapter

A New Song

Rev 14:1

14:1 Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads.

• John sees Christ briefly back on earth with the rapture of the 144,000 evangelist and suddenly they are all before the throne singing the song of the redeemed.

2 And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps.

• The sound  of waters are the voices of the many saints brought home for some 4,000 years.  It’s now been almost a total of 6,000 years.

3 And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.

4 These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they kept themselves pure. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among men and offered as first fruits to God and the Lamb.

• It is possible that the 144,000 did not marry, but more probable it means they did not whore after other God’s, but were true to the God of Israel.  Anyway at face value, they are all saved, Jewish unmarried men without family responsibility, without fault before God.

Jer 18:13

13 Therefore this is what the LORD says: "Inquire among the nations: Who has ever heard anything like this? A most horrible thing has been done by Virgin Israel. NIV

Jer 31:4

4 I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt, O Virgin Israel. NIV

Amos 5:2

2 "Fallen is Virgin Israel, never to rise again, deserted in her own land, with no one to lift her up." NIV

2 Cor 11:2

2 I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. NIV

True Believers

Rev 14:5

5 No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.

• The 144,000 were blameless Jewish men sought out by the angel of God just after the rapture of the saints to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Jews.
• They are the tribulation’s FIRST FRUITS of the Jewish nation during “Jacobs Trouble”.
• There devotion to God was true in contrast to others around them who claimed to be followers of Jehovah God, but whose lives indicated something entirely different.

Rom 1:25

25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator-who is forever praised. Amen. NIV

Rev 21:27

27 Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life. NIV

Rev 22:15

15 Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. NIV

Answers to the prayers of the saints under the alter.

Rev 14:6

6 Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth-to every nation, tribe, language and people.

7 He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water."

• This angel may have led a multitude of angels that gave the everlasting Gospel one more time.  This continuous mercy of God, one more time goes out to the Jew and Gentile alike.
• The eternal gospel sounds like the “good news of Jesus Christ”, but may very well be the announcing of the eternal news that God has now come in Judgment and has established His sovereignty over the world and a command that all should worship and give glory to the creator.
• Armageddon has been announced. 
• Armageddon in Hebrew means “Mountain of Megiddo”.  This battlefield lies in the northern part of Israel, east of Mount Carmel and stretches from the Mediterranean Sea eastward across the northern part of Israel.
• Many wars were fought on the plain of Har-Megedon. The term “Armageddon” was used “symbolically” whenever in a Great War; the need was the greatest for God’s intervention.

Judg 5:19

19 "Kings came, they fought; the kings of Canaan fought at Taanach by the waters of Megiddo NIV

Matt 13:38-43

38 The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one,

39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.

40 "As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age.

41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil.

42 They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.  He who has ears, let him hear. NIV

• God has given Man repeated warnings or “Course Correctors” through the writings of the prophets, and even sent His only begotten Son, Jesus the Christ, to get man back on the path, but most have rejected His efforts.
• God, at the end will send a deluding Spirit to harden their hearts so they are unable to turn back and repent.  God gives them what they want.

2 Thess 2:9-12

 9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders,

10 and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.

11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie

12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness. NIV

TERRORISM – RABBIT TRAIL

·         In 1921 Lenin predicted the victory of Communism over Capitalism when he said “our suppliers (the United States) will supply us with the needed materials and the technologies which we lack.  They will also assist us in building our arms industry which we will use in our victorious attack against the suppliers.” - Are we not doing that now? Have we not scrapped our civil defense system while Russia’s is extensive?  Are we supplying the hangman a rope?

·         A Trident missile is capable of delivering ten nuclear warheads, each 15 times the size of those dropped on Hiroshima.

·         New York City is now trained in response to Dirty Bombs; Nerve gas, Chemical, Biochemical, Biological and Germ warfare.  These are silent deadly contagious weapons, that cannot be smelled or tasted and may take days to surface in people while infecting everyone that they come in contact with.

·         In The Congressional Report; Intelligence experts believe Iran has an EMP bomb - Electro Magnet Pulse- It releases plutonium in the air blanketing the USA with gamma rays… This kills the movement of electrons, stopping electrical distribution.  Missile systems fail, computers will not function.  No lights, no refrigeration, no transportation, no radio or TV. Nothing electronic works for month’s maybe years.  (I have never heard of such a thing.)

·         Terrorist activity around the world is rapid and seems un-controllable; we are warned this is a sign of the end times.  These terrorist take on a form of godliness, but kill in the name of their god.  Pray for these men and women to come to the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

2 Tim 3:1-7

1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.,

3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,

5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.

7 always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. NIV

FACTS SURROUNDING ARMAGEDDON

• The reason for this war is that everyone will know that there is a God in Israel. “God is God”
• It takes place after the seven years of tribulation – immediately after Christ’s second coming – after the marriage Supper of the Lamb.
• It comes before the Millennium reign of Christ
• The participants in Armageddon are the Antichrist’s Gog and Magog and the armies of God from heaven.
• Gog, Russia and Magog its allied nations; East Germany, Poland and Bulgaria plus Persia (Iran) Ethiopia, Libya and Turkey.
• It will last exactly one day – in semi-darkness
• It will be fought in the Valley of Jehosophat – 40 miles North of Jerusalem
• The armies of the Antichrist will be destroyed.- no survivors
• The Antichrist and the False Prophet are cast into the lake of fire.
• The wedding supper of the Lamb begins – (The saved)
• The 1,000 year reign of Christ begins.
• The great supper of God begins – The birds of the sky feast on the carnage.
• Satan is bound and cast into the bottomless pit for 1,000 years.
• 80% of the armies of the earth have been destroyed.
• Horses sink into the blood and mire up to the horses bridles.

23 And so I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.' NIV

Armageddon

Rev 14:8

8 A second angel followed and said, "Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great, which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries."

• The term “second angel” is just an indication that many angels are involved.
• Babylon, where the tower of Babel was built, was a great city, but very evil and great judgment is on its way.  Those who drank her wine or participated in her evil will get the same judgment.

Rev 17:2

2 With her the kings of the earth committed adultery and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries." NIV

Jer 51:33

This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says:

"The Daughter of Babylon is like a threshing floor at the time it is trampled; the time to harvest her will soon come." NIV

• The Antichrist will be attacked by African with the Arab nations led by a King of the South plus Russia the king of the North and their allies, but the Antichrist defeats them
• Later; The battle of Armageddon is between a coalition of armies from Europe and America,  the Kings of the West controlled by the Antichrist, and the 200,000,000 man army from China the Kings of the East.
• When the sign of the “Son of Man” appears, the combined forces of these nations decide to fight the Son of Man instead of each other. - They lose

Rev 16:12

12 Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. NKJV

Rev 9:16

16 The number of the mounted troops was two hundred million. I heard their number.

Dan 11:44

 44 But news from the east and the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many. NKJV

Matt 24:30

30 "At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. NIV

Zech 14:1-3

1 A day of the LORD is coming when your plunder will be divided among you.

2 I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city.

3 Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights in the day of battle. NIV

Joel 3:1-2

1 `In those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem,

2 I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will enter into judgment against them

concerning my inheritance, my people Israel NIV

• The battle of Armageddon will take place exactly 1260 days from the time the Antichrist enters the re-built Temple.  This is a bold statement, but God said it, not me.

Rev 11:2-4

 2 But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months.

 3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth." NIV

Rev 12:6

6 The woman fled into the desert to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days. NIV

Rev 13:5

5 The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months. NIV

Dan 7: 25

 25 He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws. The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time.  NIV

• After the defeat of Russia, God will restore the Hebrew language to his people.  This pure language had been dead for 2000 years.  (Interestingly, There are not any” cuss” words in Hebrew)

Zeph 3:9-10

9 For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.

10 From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering. KJV

• After the battle of Armageddon, The Ark of the Covenant will not be needed or talked about any longer, because the Messiah King is on His throne among them.

Jer 3:16-17

16 And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, saith the LORD, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the LORD: neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember it; neither shall they visit it; neither shall that be done any more.

17 At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: KJV

• After the defeat of Russia, there will be a second exodus from Russia much like the one with Moses from Egypt.

Jer 31:8

8 Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travails with child together: a great company shall return thither. KJV

Ezek 39:25

25 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name; KJV

Ezek 39:27

27 When I have brought them again from the people, and gathered them out of their enemies' lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations; KJV

Jer 16:14-15

14 Therefore, behold, the days come, says the LORD, that it shall no more be said, The LORD lives, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;

15 But, The LORD lives, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers. KJV

The Unpardonable Sin

Rev 14:9

9 A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: "If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand,

10 he, too, will drink of the wine of God's fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb.

11 And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name."

• I don’t know what this sounds like to you, but to me, it says that if you took the mark of the beast, you have refused the Holy Spirit.  You have entered into the “unpardonable sin”.  Repentance is too late; there is no choice now on “smoking” or “non-smoking”.
• The drink is full strength, it’s not watered down with grace, mercy or compassion.
• The third angel is just one more of the 100,000,000 angels that are available.

Hang in there!

Rev 14:12

12 This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God's commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.

13 Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on."

"Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them."

• The faithful are told by the Holy Spirit to endure patiently and not take the easy way out with the mark of the beast…  It is better to be dead in Christ than alive with Satan.

(Better is one day in your courts, than a thousand elsewhere.)

14 I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one "like a son of man" with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand.

• This is a description of Christ ready for the world harvest.

15 Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, "Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe."

16 So he who was seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested.

• Christ came and sowed the seed of the Word and then waited for the time of harvest.
• Only the Father knows “the time” of the harvest.  This angel is sent by God to Christ telling him, it’s “time”, and Christ begins the harvest.
• Based on the up coming verses, this seems to be the harvest of the saved.

Matt 13:47-50

47 "Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish.

48 When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away.

49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous

50 and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. NIV

The Great Winepress

Rev 14:17

17 Another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle.

18 Still another angel, who had charge of the fire, came from the altar and called in a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, "Take your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the earth's vine, because its grapes are ripe."

19 The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered its grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God's wrath.

20 They were trampled in the winepress outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses' bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia.  NIV

• The sown seeds of iniquity are coming to fruition, the tares among the wheat.
• The grapes are full to bursting with evil.  This is the harvest of the wicked unsaved.
• There was so much blood, that it splattered up as high as the horses’ bridle as they sank into the mire of mud and human carnage

Joel 3:13

13 Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, trample the grapes, for the winepress is full and the vats overflow- so great is their wickedness!` NIV

Isa 63:4

4 For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and the year of my redemption has come. NIV

Isa 63:6

6 I trampled the nations in my anger; in my wrath I made them drunk and poured their blood on the ground." NIV

Rev 19:15-16

15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: NIV

Jude 14-15

14 Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men: "See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy one.

15 to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him." NIV

JEVOHAH WITNESS – RABBIT TRAIL

• Jehovah’s Witness theology states that God is a single person not a trinity.  Trinitarianism is a demonic doctrine and the pastors that teach this are anti-Christ’s and their churches are run by Satan.
• God does not know all things and can’t be but in one place at a time.
• Michael the Archangel was the first thing created by God, who then in turn created the heavens, earth and man.  Michael then came back in human form as baby Jesus.
• When Christ died, His body was not resurrected, but it dissolved into gases and disappeared forever.  After three days he appeared in a fake body so His disciples would believe.
• The cross is a pagan sex symbol.  Christ was killed on a stake.
• They have their own Bible – The NWT, the New World Translation of the Holy scriptures.  Four out of the five translators did not know Greek or Hebrew, but were experience JW followers and were anointed to do the work.
• The Watchtower claims they are the only channel of God’s truths and they alone can interpret God’s word. There is no salvation apart from following the NWT bible.
• When the Watchtower Society changes their doctrines, they say it’s because the “light of truth” is getting brighter.
• For your prayers to be heard you must use the correct name for God, the name Jehovah.
• They claim Jesus returned invisibly to earth in 1914 and has now returned to heaven till the millennium, when the dead will be resurrected and have a chance for eternal salvation by following the principals of the Jehovah Witnesses.
• There is a place in heaven for a special group of 144,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses; they will have immortal life and spirit bodies.  All other will have just everlasting life and resurrected bodies which still need to eat and drink.
• They have restrictions: No blood transfusions – must refuse to vote or join the military – do not salute the flag or sing the national anthem – do not celebrate birthdays or Christmas – must have a schedule to canvass door to door and solicit contributions.
• If you leave the organization, you are an apostate and are to be shunned; your remaining family will not be allowed to speak to you.

Chapter 15 is Informational and is not reported in chronological order

Marvelous Sign -

Rev 15:1

15:1 I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues - last, because with them God's wrath is completed.

• The great and marvelous sign is the saints playing harps and singing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb.

2 And I saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and over the number of his name. They held harps given them by God

• The sea of glass is a reflection of God’s pure light, transparent with prismatic colors produced by His glory. 
• The fire is a reminder of God’s wrath is about to be revealed.
• The Victors are those that did not take the mark of the beast.  They play harps and sing two songs of praise.

Rev 21:23

23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. NIV

1 Tim 6:16

16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen. NIV

Song of Moses – Song of the Lamb

Rev 15:3-4

3 and sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb:

"Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the ages.

4 Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed."

• The song of the Lamb as stated in verses three and four is victory over Satan and all the enemies of God and man.

Col 2:14-15

14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.

15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. NIV

• The song of Moses represents the Law – The song of The Lamb represents God’s grace. – The union of Law and Grace.
• The song of Moses about Israel’s deliverance from Egypt is quite lengthy, and has its own symbolism, but here is some of it.

Ex 15:1-18

1 Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD:"I will sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted. The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea NIV

Ex 15:17-18

17 You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of your inheritance--the place, O LORD, you made for your dwelling, the sanctuary, O Lord, your hands established.

18 The LORD will reign for ever and ever." NIV

Deut 31:30

30 And Moses recited the words of this song from beginning to end in the hearing of the whole assembly of Israel:

Deut 32:1

1 Listen, O heavens, and I will speak; hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. NIV

Deut 32:43  

43Rejoice, O nations, with his people, for he will avenge the blood of his servants; he will take vengeance on his enemies

And make atonement for his land and people NIV

5 After this I looked and in heaven the temple, that is, the tabernacle of the Testimony, was opened.

• This is the second time the Temple in heaven is opened for us to see inside.
• The tabernacle of the Testimony was the Holy of Holies, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept containing the Ten Commandments.

Ex 32:15

15 Moses turned and went down the mountain with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands. They were inscribed on both sides, front and back. NIV

Acts 7:44

44 "Our forefathers had the tabernacle of the Testimony with them in the desert. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen. NIV

• The Israelites believed that by keeping the laws of Moses and the Ten Commandments they did not need a Messiah to deliver them from their sins.  Jesus pointed out to fail in any point of the Law; you have failed in them all.
•  Christ says that what happens inside of a man heart is what counts; good works should be  produced because of a tender heart of desire, not because of rules of man.

Mark 7:6-7

6 "`These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.

7 They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men. NIV

Mark 7:15

15 Nothing outside a man can make him `unclean' by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him `unclean.'" NIV

Mark 7:21-23

21 For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,

22 greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23 All these evils come from inside and make a man `unclean.'" NIV

Matt 5:27-28

27 "You have heard that it was said, `Do not commit adultery.' 

28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. NIV

• There are over 300 separate prophecies in the Old Testament about the coming Messiah.
• Even though the Jewish Nation  knew the Old Testament prophecies from the prophet Isaiah about a Messiah, they just did not believe that Jesus was the one that was to come. 
• Where was the Sign?  We want a sign.  Jesus would not give them a sign.  He was the sign.

Matt 12:39-41

39 He answered, "A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.

40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. NIV

Matt 11:3-6

3 to ask him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?"

4 Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see:

5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. NIV

Isa 35:4-6

4 say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you."

5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped.

6 Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. NIV

6 Out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues. They were dressed in clean, shining linen and wore golden sashes around their chests.

Rev 19:7-8

7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.

8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear."  (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) NIV

• The shining linens and golden sashes are reminders of the OT priest and are symbolic of holiness and royalty; “Kings and Priest”, a royal priesthood.

Coming to the end        

Rev 15:7

7 Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever.

• The seven angels complete God’s judgments.
• The Bowls or Vials are full bringing an end to the wrath being poured out.
• In the Greek, “filled” is translated; finished - bringing to an end – expire – accomplish - fulfilled.

8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed. NIV

• Interestingly, Man now has access to the temple except during this special time, the KJV says no “man” could enter the temple to intercede for the nations.

Ex 40:34-35

34 Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

 35 Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled upon it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. NIV

• NOTE: There are seven Seals, the seventh Seal holds the seven Trumpets; the seventh Trumpet holds the seven bowls.  It seems like a slow process as we read the scripture, but once we hit the seventh seal, it’s coming like a trip hammer.  From horrible to the worst excruciating in rapid succession.
• The first six seals cover the first 3 ½ years of the tribulation period with the 7^th seal covering the last 3 ½ years, unleashing the seven trumpets and seven vials or bowls.  Some of the scriptures seem to overlap and are not in chronological order.  But from John’s point of view; it’s all happening at once.

Chapter 16 is an informational chapter

The Third Woe

Seven Bowls – Vials – Poured out during the Last 3 ½ years.

1^st Bowl - Painful Sores

Rev 16:1

16:1 Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, "Go, pour out the seven bowls of God's wrath on the earth."

2 The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly and painful sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped his image.

• This plague only affects those with the mark of the beast. Evidently there was a remnant that did not take the mark or worship the image and are still alive.
• These”ulcers” and running “boils” with highly offensive odors, were accompanied by pain, fever and suffering.
• This plague is similar to the Seals and trumpets, but instead of 1/3 of the world, the sores are on the whole world.  The bowls are the last of the plagues and seem to magnify and intensify the previous plagues.
• The KJV of the Bible says; Vials instead of Bowls; same thing: same effect.

2^nd Bowl - Sea creatures die

Rev 16:3

3 The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it turned into blood like that of a dead man, and every living thing in the sea died.

• Second Angel, Second Bowl - The similar plague before affected only 1/3 of the sea.  This plague affects every living thing in the sea, extending, intensifying and magnifying.

3^rd Bowl - Rivers and springs turn red

Rev 16:4

4 The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood.

5 Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say: "You are just in these judgments, you who are and who were, the Holy One, because you have so judged;

6 for they have shed the blood of your saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve."

7 And I heard the altar respond: "Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments."

• Don’t you think it’s cool, that the angels have different assignments?  This one is in charge of the rivers and springs.
• The waters turn red now and become unfit to drink; symbolic of avenging the shed blood of the saints and prophets.
• This is the law of retribution:  Pharaoh of the OT ordered the male Jewish children to be drowned, so God drowned his whole bunch in the Red Sea - Haman had a gallows built to hang the Jew Mordecai on, but he and his sons were hung instead.
• God is now answering the prayers of the saints under the alter.

4^th Bowl - Intense Heat

Rev 16:8

8 The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was given power to scorch people with fire.

9 They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him.

• The implication is; “some” people were scorched.  It may be that believers as well as creatures are not affected by this plague.
• You would think men would repent and seek God’s face, but not. 

Deut 32:24

24 They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust. KJV

Mal 4:1

1 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, said the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. KJV

Isa 24:6

6 Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left. KJV

5^th Bowl - Darkness

Rev 16:10

10 The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was plunged into darkness. Men gnawed their tongues in agony

11 and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done.

• This is specifically directed to the kingdom of the Antichrist.
• The darkness would turn the earth extremely cold, adding to the suffering miseries.
• Their pain was so intense that men gnawed their tongues and did not even notice the  pain.
• The accumulation of these plagues is taking a toll on the wicked and now their world has turned pitch dark and instead of turning to God, their blasphemies get worse.

6^th Bowl - Euphrates dries up

Rev 16:12

12 The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East.

• It is reasonable to take this scripture literally.  Eastern powers like Japan, China, India and others prepare for an invasion of Israel as the waters in the Euphrates dries up. 
• The kings of the East combine their armies with the Kings of the North and South.
• This river is 1800 miles long and is 10 to 30 feet deep and 300 to 1200 yards wide.  It extends Northwestward from the Persian Gulf to present-day Lebanon. This is a big deal. 
• This is actually a trap prepared by God that triggers the battle of Armageddon.

CONTINUED ON BOOK 3 - REV 16:13