TRIBULATIONS - NYOBS 43.25

TRIBULATIONS

THE TRIBULATIONS COME BEFORE THE RETURN OF CHRIST

Speed Reading the Seven Years

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

First Word

·         THE TRIBULATION PERIOD IS ABOUT ISRAEL with the rest of the nations secondary

·         The Tribulations occur between the Rapture of the Church and the return of Christ.

·         Two purposes for the Tribulations

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

2.     To punish ALL the wicked for their sins.

·         NOTE:  A prophetical year was 360 days not 365.  So, if you use the 360 days the prophets used, the dates and times will work out perfectly.

·         No one knows when Christ will return, but it will be 360 days times 7 years or 2,520 days from the beginning of the tribulation period to his appearing.  (God said it, not me.)

·         The concurrent signs of the second coming:

·         1)  The preaching of the Gospel in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations: 

·         2)  Many turning away from the Faith because of false prophets.

·         3)  Great Tribulations more intense and extensive such as the world has ever seen since the beginning of time; GREAT Earthquakes, Increased Frequency of Wars, Terrorism, Famines and Pestilence. ALL occurring around the same time.

·      4)  As a sign, at some point Jerusalem will be completely surrounded by the enemy.

·      The last 3 ½ years will be known as the “Great Tribulations” or “Jacobs Trouble”.

Matt 24:6-8 – The beginning of the Tribulations

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

Luke 21:9-11 – Signs heavens – Earthquakes, Famines, Pestilence

9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.

10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:

11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. KJV

Matt 24:14 – Gospel will be preached to the whole world.

14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. NIV

Luke 21:20 – Jerusalem surrounded by the enemy

20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. KJV

Matt 24:10-12 – People leaving the Christian faith

10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other,

11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.

12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, NIV

Matt 24:21 – Unequaled distress from the beginning

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

The 70 Weeks of Daniel

·         This is where we get the SEVEN YEARS of the Tribulation period.

• The 70 weeks mentioned in Daniel is Seventy times Seven weeks for 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 hold.
• 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.  – NYOBS 35.16 – 144,000 THE MARK
• During this time, God will reach out to the unbelieving world primarily through his chosen people, the Jewish nation.

Dan 9:24-27 – (490 –49 –434) = 1 week or 7 years remaining

24 SEVENTY `sevens' (490) 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,'(49) and SIXTY-TWO `sevens.' (434) - It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble. (49 +434 =483)  (490 -483 =7)

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.' (7 years)  In the middle of the `seven' (3 ½ years) 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, (Anti-Christ Image) until the end that is decreed is poured out on him."  NIV

144,000 Evangelist Rabbit Trail

• Many facets of the tribulation began long before the Rapture by as much 20 to 30 years such as the birth of the Antichrist and False Prophet.  So in essence you could say that the rapture and the tribulation “sort of” overlap each other.
• The Antichrist will already be on the scene before “the rapture” as a peaceful conqueror and helps establish the United States of Europe which we call the Revived Roman Empire.  He is not yet a world leader and by all outwardly appearances, seems to be a good guy.
• God promised Abraham a son, who would be the beginning of a “special race” of people that would be blessed of God, a people that would be a witness to the pagan world. - A race from which the Messiah would be born. 
• Israel’s existence gave us the Old and New Testaments and protected and preserved the purity of its scriptures.  - The Twelve Tribes of Israel produces the 144,000 witnesses.
• God pours out his Spirit on 144,000 Jews and they are sealed before the beginning of the tribulation period with the mark of Christ and preach the Gospel and testify of Him throughout the whole world. - The 144,000 are NOT Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses or Seventh Day Adventist; they are ALL Jews. – It’s in the Book.
• The 12 Tribes of Israel, by God’s Devine design, have already been scattered throughout the world and are already a God fearing people and are predestined for just this cause.
• 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 Jesus Christ.
• The seal of the living God speaks of protection and possession. Today, when a Believer receives Christ, he is instantly sealed by the Holy Spirit and inherits eternal life.

·         At the Rapture, the Church is GONE, the Holy Spirit is gone and all that remains on earth is the wicked, the un-believing and the sealed 144,000 Evangelist. – NYOBS 01.23 – RAPTURE, NYOBS 35.16 144,000-THE MARK

• In the time of Moses, the tribulation plagues “Passed over” the children of Israel, but not this time.  The remaining Jews and the Gentiles will get it full force, there is NO Passover.

Rev 7:2-3 – Evangelist sealed BEFORE the tribulations

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." (NIV2011)

 Rev 7:4 – 144,000 from the Twelve Tribes of Israel

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

(NIV2011)

Acts 2:16-21 – In the Last Days God will pour out His Spirit

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 - A great multitude that no one can count will believe

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

Seals, Trumpets & Bowls

• NOTE: There are SEVEN Seals, the seventh Seal holds the SEVEN Trumpets; the seventh Trumpet holds the SEVEN Bowls.  The number SEVEN in scripture is the number for completeness – The multiple of that is 777 - MARK OF PERFECTION - God – Jesus – Holy Spirit
• Each Seal releases a horror – devastation – disaster -  
• Each Trumpet releases the same identical horror, but expands it even more -
• Each Bowl magnifies the previous horrors, but is even worse than before - It seems like a slow process as we read the scripture, but once we hit the seventh seal, it starts coming like a trip hammer.  From terrible, to 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 remaining last 3 ½ years, unleashing the seven trumpets and seven vials or bowls.  Some of the scriptures are not in chronological order and seem to overlap.  But from John the Revelator’s point of view; it’s all happening at once.
• Did you notice - We have SIX seals of horror, the seventh releases SIX trumpets of more horror and the seventh releases SIX bowls of even more horror. -  666 - MARK OF THE BEAST

First Four Seals

·         The Tribulations begin with the opening of the first FOUR SEALS by Jesus Christ.

·         The WRATH of God cuts loose the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.  Although the four horsemen are released in a sequence; the first one is released some 20 to 30 years before the others and is waiting in the wings to spring into action once the other three have come on the scene and have reeked their havoc. -  So the Tribulation period is PROBABLY already in its infancy; it has started. (Just saying) - NYOBS 35.24 - FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE.

• The first 3 ½ years we are warned of many coming claiming that they are “the Christ” and many will be deceived.

·         The First Horseman is on a White horse and is a counterfeit Christ (Anti-Christ) which many will follow.  He will bring a temporary counterfeit false peace to the world. – He will display counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders and be of fierce countenance and understanding; his power will be mighty. – He will probably win the Nobel Peace Prize for his peace efforts.

·         The Second Horseman is on a Red horse – He has been given power to take peace from the world – Red is associated with War, blood, terror, slaughter and death. -   He seems to be the False Prophet who emerges at the same time as the Anti- Christ.

·         The Third Horseman is on a Black horse – He brings mourning, suffering, poverty and famine. There will be a worldwide economic collapse; financial catastrophe – Rain will be withheld – The Sun will scorch the land – Only the oil and wine will remain untouched; only the very rich will be able to afford it. – This is only a limited Judgment; it gets worse.

·         The Fourth Horseman is on a Pale horse and has been given power to kill a fourth of the world’s population through famine, hunger, disease, epidemics, pestilence and civil violence. Plagues will be like that of leprosy with sickness on the magnitude of the Bubonic Plague, Malaria, Cholera, Aids, Small Pox, and Tuberculosis.

·         The invisible plague will be POVERTY, which brings us up to the MARK OF THE BEAST.  If you want to buy or sell you must have his mark or you will starve. – To take the mark is the UNPARDONABLE SIN… you cannot change your mind.  NYOBS 07.141 – MARK OF THE BEAST

• NOTE:  The first four seals or four horsemen are in the same order as Jesus predicted concerning the beginning of the tribulation period. – Jesus says,” This is only the beginning”.

Matt 24:5-8 - Jesus Predictions of the FOUR HORSEMEN

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

6 You will 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

Rev 6:2 First Seal - White Horse – Anti-Christ

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.

Rev 6:4 Second Seal - Red Horse - War

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.

Rev 6:5 - Third Seal - Black Horse - Famine

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.

Rev 6:8 Fourth Seal - Pale (greenish) Horse - Death

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

Fifth Horseman - Hades

• I actually feel like there are FIVE horsemen of the Apocalypse as Hades (HELL) was following close behind the fourth horseman, Death.
• The name of the fifth horseman is Hades, the Grim Reaper. - Since Hades is now also present, you can bet that the majority of those killed are the unrighteous.
• As the fourth horseman Death was claiming their body; HELL the fifth horseman followed right behind, swallowing up “Death’s” victims, claiming their souls; their spirits.-  GOOD GRIEF
• Death Vacation - At some point later on, Death takes a five month holiday. The torment is so intense that men will wish they could die; BUT CAN’T.
• The four horsemen ride throughout the entire tribulation period with escalated activity.
• World War III takes place shortly, just after the rapture. -  If you will just open your eyes you can see the storm clouds are already gathering.

Luke 16:23 Hades; HELL, a place of Torment for the lost
²³ In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. (NIV2011)

Rev 9:5-6 - Men beg for DEATH, but it will elude them 5 months

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.

Glen Campbell’s Song

It would be my “hearts desire” that everyone could hear 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

Anti-Christ Rabbit Trail

• The First Horseman is the Anti-Christ; the False Messiah and is given unthinkable power. – He is NOT Satan; he is a man who will first come on the scene when is about 30, the same age as Jesus when he began His ministry. – He will mimic, duplicate and counterfeit the miracles and life of Christ. – He will seem like the Messiah.
• The Antichrist will come from the European Union or a country or confederation that was once a 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. – That’s another Word Study.  - NYOBS 17.02 -TOWER OF BABEL
• 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, resolving conflicts and bringing peace just long enough till his buddy “War” on the red horse is let out of the corral.

Gen 11:1 – One World Language

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

NIV

Gen 11:4 – New World Order

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

Satan Rabbit Trail

• Satan was an anointed Cherubim angel created by God. - He was “Top Dog”; the seal of perfection, handsome and full of wisdom.  God clothed him with jewels; ruby, topaz and emerald, chrysolite, onyx and jasper, sapphire, turquoise and beryl and even gave him a special ability with music. (Which he used to screw up the minds of our teenagers.) Just saying.
• He was placed in authority to protect Earth, including the atmosphere, and held court in the “Garden of God”.  At this point, man had perfect access and communication with God. 
• But that was not enough for Satan, he wanted to be “WORSHIPED” like God
• Satan rebelled with his five I Will’s: "I will ascend to heaven; - I will raise my throne above the stars of God; - I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain.  - I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; - I will make myself like the Most High”.
• Satan organized his kingdom into “principalities” and appointed “princes” to control the earthly governmental leaders.  That’s why we should pray for our leaders in government.
• After Satan’s Rebellion, about 50,000,000 angels who left their assignments were kicked out of Heaven and cast into Hell and are currently awaiting judgment.
• God took the authority of the earth away from Satan and created a man made a little lower than the angels and gave the authority to him.
• Satan was certainly not going to report to Adam, a man and of all things, made out of dirt. There’s just no way he would submit to any man made lower than him.
• Satan in the “Garden of Eden” introduced doubt and unbelief - the doctrine of: “God didn’t really mean what he said” – and “You too can become a God”.  This sin cut off that perfect access to God.
• Satan is not a disease or a symbolic principal with horns, a tail and a pitch fork.  He is handsome, powerful and REAL.

Genesis 2:7 - God formed man out of the DIRT on the ground
⁷ And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (KJV)

Gen 1:26 – God gave dominion over the earth to Adam

26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth. KJV

Ezek 28:12-17 – Satan was created handsome & with perfection

12 You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom, perfect in beauty.

13 You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz and emerald, chrysolite, onyx and jasper,

14 You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones.

15 You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you.

16 Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, O guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones.

17 Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings. NIV

Isa 14:12-14 – Satan REBELLS with his five I WILLS.

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!

13 You said in your heart, "I WILL ascend to heaven; I WILL raise my throne above the stars of God; I WILL sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain.  

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

Eph 2:2 – Satan is the Prince of the Power of THE AIR

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 works in the children of disobedience: KJV

Eph 6:12- We fight against spiritual wickedness in high places

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against POWERS, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. KJV

Rev 12:4 – A third of the Angles followed Satan

4 His tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. NIV

Jude 6 – Fallen angels are bound in chains of darkness

6 And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home-these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. NIV

2 Peter 2:4 – The fallen angels are in Hell awaiting judgment.

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

Angels Rabbit Trail

• Christ taught that the angels will have a part in gathering the elect from the four quarters.
• Along with ministering angels, there are also angles that have authority over the winds and those with authority over fire and water – the things of nature.
• The Four Angels of Revelation have authority over weather conditions, changes in wind patterns that can cause hurricanes, typhoons, dust storms, tornados, roaring seas and strange tides. - These four angels, when directed, can release hurricane force winds from the North, East, South and West coming from every direction all at once.
• Fallen Angels – One third of the Angels (stars) created or about 50,000,000 fell from heaven - The number that remained was 10,000 times 10,000 or 100,000,000.  Running with that concept would mean that there were 150,000,000 angels in Heaven before the fall.
• 10,000 times 10,000 angels, in all probability means that the angels were actuality innumerable, but you get the point; there is still TWO GOOD angles to every EVIL Angel.

Isa 11:12 - Assemble the scattered from four quarters of earth.

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 - Gather His elect from the four winds

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

Rev 7:1 - Four Angels – Four Winds – Four Corners

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.

Dan 7:2 - Four winds of heaven

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

Rev 14:18 – Angel in charge of the fire

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 16:5 - Angel in charge of the waters

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

Rev 12:9 – Satan was hurled to the earth with his angels

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

Rev 5:11 – 100,000,000 Angels remained in Heaven

11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders.

Rev 12:4 – 50,000,000 of the Angels followed Satan

4 His tail drew a third of the stars (Angels) of heaven and threw them to the earth. NKJV

Jude 6 – The Angels lefts their assignments

6 And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home-these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day.

NIV

2 Peter 2:4 – Fallen Angels sent to Hell awaiting judgment

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

Tribulation Temple Rabbit Trail

• The Tribulation Temple, according to scripture, must be rebuilt or at least the Holy of Holies completed before the last 3 ½ years of the Tribulation period in order for the Anti-Christ to desecrate it.
• The Temple of the tribulation period could be the Great Synagogue in Jerusalem that was completed in 1983, but I really lean toward the rebuilding of the temple on the old site.
• In 1967, Israel recaptured the land that The Temple Mount sits on in “the six day war” and now it belongs to Israel.
• It is noteworthy to mention here that the Temple scrolls have now been found with the plans and specifications on exactly how the Temple is to be built.
• THE TEMPLE INSTITUTE has already made ALL of the temple instruments that will be used when the temple is finally finished.
• All that’s needed to begin construction is an unblemished RED HEIFER to sacrifice in order to get the ashes for the ceremony - See NYOBS 40.11 – RED HEIFER
• A school has already been established to train the priest of the tribe of Levi in the art of making sacrifices. (To learn more about the Temple Institute; Google the internet.)
• The Levitical “oblation sacrifice” will be reinstated at that time as a MEMORIAL in remembrance of the OT sacrifices.  The Antichrist will allow the Jew’s to resume the daily sacrifices in the temple.  Many will think he is the Messiah.
• The Antichrist breaks the peace covenant with Israel; stops the oblation sacrifice and then sets up an image of himself to be worshiped in the Temple.  
• This is referred to as the “Abomination of Desolation”
• Although he is already known, this is the first time he is revealed as the Antichrist,  scripture also calls him the Son of Lawlessness, the son of perdition and, that man of sin.
• The Antichrist is a “MORTAL MAN” that is totally consumed by Satan.

Speed reading of events

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.

The Time Clock has started

• Egypt and Russia have become a threat to Israel. The Antichrist, probably a Nobel Peace Prize winner enters into a Peace agreement between Rome and Israel which starts the time clock on the tribulation period. - Israel has peace for 3½ years until he breaks the agreement. 

·         Isaiah warned the Jews that the agreement would be an agreement with death.

• This study covers only the last 3 ½ years of the tribulations. – For a deeper study please see the Word Study NYOBS 35.24 - FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE. – Even deeper see NYOBS 07.02 - ESCHATOLOGY; LAST THINGS TO HAPPEN ON EARTH

• The first half of the tribulation is preparation for the last half; “The Wrath of God”.
• The last half is known as the “Great” Tribulations or “JACOBS TROUBLE”.

Jeremiah 30:7 – Tribulations known as JACOB'S TROUBLE
⁷ Alas! For that day is GREAT, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.

(KJV)

The fifth Seal – Saints call out

• The fifth seal is opened revealing the presence of the martyred new believers under the Alter calling out, “How long before you avenge our death”?
• 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 to follow Christ. Even more souls are still coming, they are literally being slaughtered on the streets. 
• “Under the altar” is symbolic of the blood of the sacrifices that was poured out under or at the base of the altar as mentioned in the OT.
• 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 altar are not rebuked for asking for “vengeance” for their murder.
• The Saints are given white robes of “righteousness” and are told to wait for others that would also be martyred during the tribulation and would soon join them. 
• A great host from Israel and many other nations come to the Lord during the Tribulations.  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.

Rev 6:9-11 Fifth Seal – Saved Tribulation Saints under the Altar

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.

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.

NIV

Lev 4:7 – Pour out the blood at the base of the altar.

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

Zech 8:20-23 – Many will seek the Jew and his God

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

The Sixth Seal - Earthquake

• The Sixth Seal is opened and  there is an EARTHQUAKE; every Island and Mountain is moved, the sun is darkened, the moon turns RED, the stars do not give light – It’s described as; Darkness – Blackness – Fire -  Billows of Smoke – Seas Roar - Famine – Blood – Gloom - Anguish and Perplexity. – The Atmosphere rolls back like a scroll.  ( sound NUCLEAR to me)
• 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. Imagine DARKNESS that’s so dark you can feel it
• When does this occur? - 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.  (The 9^th month translates to our month of December)

Rev 6:12-14 - Sixth Seal – Earthquake – Sun Black – Moon Red

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,

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.

Matt 24:7 – Famines and Earthquakes

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

Joel 2:2 - Darkness - Gloom - Blackness.

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

Joel 2:10 – Earth & Sky shakes – Sun & Moon Dark – No Stars

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 – Blood and Fire and billows of Smoke

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 – Stars will no longer give light

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

Ex 10:21 – Darkness so dark that you CAN FEEL IT

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

Hag 2:6-7 - Shake the heavens & earth; the sea & the dry land

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

Luke 21:25-26 – The Sea will roar and toss – Heavens shaken

25 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

Hag 2:18-21 – Earthquake – December Twenty Fourth

18 From this day on, from this twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, (our December) 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

HERE’S WHERE WE ARE

Ø  The first half of the Tribulation

• The protestant Church moves closer and finally embraces the World Church of Rome.
• There is now a union between the Church and State.
• The Vatican finally gets the power she has always wanted.
• The World Church will try to manipulate and control the political affairs of the world.
• The Antichrist will support the World Church’s agenda via the Federated States of Europe.

Ø  The middle of the Tribulation

• The Antichrist is now revealed for who and what he really is, and he wants ALL the power.
• He does away with the World Church with the help of the Federated States of Europe.
• He breaks his covenant of Peace with Israel
• He sets himself up as god and demands to be worshiped.

Ø  The Last half of the Tribulation; The Antichrist still has 3 ½ years more to wreak his havoc, fulfilling the Word of God. – The Four Horsemen are still running rapid.

Seventh Seal – Dead Silence

• DEAD SILENCE, We are not told the reason for the breathless silence in Heaven.  I can only imagine that this 30 minutes is a short span of time when all creation in Heaven is silent. They are waiting to see what is going 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 upon learning about what is going to happen next.
• Then the jury foreman reads the verdict of the 7^th seal; then imagine fireworks; like shooting a sky rocket (seventh seal) into the air, then seven more burst out from that rocket (Trumpets), then seven more burst from each of those (Bowls / vials).
• The Seventh Seal releases the Seven Trumpets. – The Trumpets are under the seventh seal and expand and enlarge what has already happened under the other six seals.
• The Trumpets sound during the LAST 3 ½ years along with the Bowls or Vials being poured out. - 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.
• Everything speeds up like a trip hammer.  Bam, Bam, Bam, Bam, Bam, Bam, Bam.
• Men’s hearts melt, their hands go limp; terror and anguish seizes them, their faces burn.

Rev 8:1 Seventh Seal - Dead Silence

1 When he opened the seventh seal, there was SILENCE IN HEAVEN for about half an hour.

Isa 13:13 – Heavens and Earth are shaken

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

Isa 13:9-10 – Sun will be darkened – Moon will not give its light

9 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 34:4 – Heavens dissolve - Sky rolled up like a scroll

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

Isa 13:6-8 – Hands go limp – Hearts will melt – Writhe in pain

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

First Trumpet - Land

• The first Trumpet sounds and 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.

Revelation 8:6-7 – One third of the earth was burned up
⁶ Then the seven angels who had the SEVEN TRUMPETS prepared to sound them.
⁷ THE FIRST angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down on 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.

Second Trumpet - Sea

• The Second Trumpet sounds; 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 it’s worldwide.

Revelation 8:8-9 One third of the sea turned to blood - poisoned
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.

Ex 7:20-21 – Moses – Turned waters into blood – could not drink

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.

Ps 105:29 – Killed the fish

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

Jer 9:15 – Prophecy – Eat Bitter Food – Drink Poisoned Water

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.

Ex 9:24-25 – Moses - Hail mingled with Fire

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

Third Trumpet – Fresh Water

• The Third Trumpet sounds and 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.

Revelation 8:10-11 – One third of the Fresh Water poisoned.
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.

Ex 15:23 – Moses – Water was bitter and they could not drink

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 – Wormwood is a name for poison

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

Fourth Trumpet - Darkness

• An Eagle calls out- One Woe is bad news, but Woe, Woe, Woe is indescribable bad news.
• The Fourth Trumpet sounds in the HEAVENS, 1/3^rd of the Sun, moon & 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” for food has become limited.
• Terror and Crime waves will increase because of the dark:  “Everyone who does evil hates the light”.
• It’s worthy to note that the Two Witnesses or prophets will use this same plague of darkness in the deliverance of Israel.  They will turn out the lights.

Revelation 8:12-13 – One third of the day was without light
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.
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!”

(NIV2011)

John 3:20 - For everyone who does evil hates the Light
²⁰  "For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. (NASB)

Fifth Trumpet - Scorpions

• The Fifth Trumpet announces a falling star and based on scripture, this fallen star is different from the others, it’s a Fallen Angel.  Probably Satan himself, who unlocks the abyss, which is the abode of demons and beast that release destruction on the world.
• Satan’s name before his fall was “Lucifer” which means “brightness” or “Morning Star”, but no more, today Jesus is now called the “Star of the Morning”. – Satan has lost his place.
• 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 that are TO BE RELEASED; violence, drugs, 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 worldwide smog which pollutes the air and darkens the day.  This is scary stuff.
• SCORPIONS are released to torment people, 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.
• There is no indication in scripture that these wicked unsaved men ever call out to God for help or redemption.

Revelation 9:1-12 – Smoke – Locusts sting for five months
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.
³ And out of the smoke locusts came down on 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.
⁵ They were not allowed 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.
⁶ During those days people will seek death but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them.
⁷ The locusts looked like horses prepared for battle. On their heads they wore something like crowns of gold, and their faces resembled human faces.
⁸ Their hair was like 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 with stingers, 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 is Apollyon (that is, Destroyer).
¹² The first WOE is past; two other WOES are yet to come. NIV

Ex 10:12 – Moses brought forth locust

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 – Locust devoured everything growing

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 – Those in Christ are marked with a seal

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 – The Lord knows those who are His

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

LOCUST RABBIT TRAIL

• In Italy locust are called “Little Horses” as some of them resemble a horse.
• These are hellish creatures possessed by Hell’s fallen angels and worst demons 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 will wish they could die. - Just seeing one of these creatures, their soul is griped with terror and horror.
• 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 similar to an Apache helicopter spraying bio-chemicals and nerve gas.  Just saying.

Prov 30:27 – In nature, locusts have no king

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

 NIV

2 Peter 2:4 – Fallen Angles sent to hell

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

The Sixth Trumpet - War

• The Sixth Trumpet. - The bound angels at the Euphrates River release an army of 200,000,000 men or demons.  We are not actually 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.
• God’s angels are not bound, only wicked angels are bound. When these bound 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 don’t know the world’s population; that would be a total of 3,429,383,403 dead people. 
• 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.
• Some feel John did the best he could at explaining what he had never seen before and this was actually a description of a 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 just 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.
• 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%

• 200,000,000 mortal men are possible, but more probably this number is symbolic and means that there were so many in the army, that 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 EACH have command of an army of 50 MILLION men.  Good Grief.
• This army is in addition to the Locust that have already been released.

Revelation 9-13-16 – One third mankind killed by 200 Million men
¹³ The SIXTH angel sounded his trumpet, and I heard a voice coming from the four 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.
¹⁶ The number of the mounted troops was twice ten thousand times ten thousand. I heard their number. (200,000,000)

Revelation 9-17-21 – Apache Helicopters & Armored Tanks  

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 was in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails were like snakes, having heads with which they inflict injury.
²⁰ The rest of mankind who 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.

(NIV2011)

First Bowl – Boils & Ulcers

• The First Bowl is poured out and this plague only affects those with the mark of the beast. Evidently there was a remnant still alive that didn’t take the mark or worship the image.
• 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.

Revelation 16:1-2 – Ugly, Festering Sores
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, festering sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image.

(NIV2011)

Second Bowl - Sea

• The Second Bowl contains the similar plague that was before that affected only 1/3 of the sea.  This plague affects EVERY LIVING THING in the sea, extending, intensifying and magnifying.  – Every living thing in the sea died.

Revelation 16:3 – Every living thing in the sea died
³ The SECOND angel poured out his bowl on the sea, it turned into blood like that of a dead person, and every living thing in the sea died

Third Bowl – Rivers & Springs

• Don’t you think it’s cool, that the angels have different assignments?  This one is in charge of the rivers and springs.
• The Third Bowl is poured out and the waters turn red as blood and become unfit to drink; this is symbolic of avenging the shed blood of the saints and prophets.
• The law of retribution is in effect; 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 instead he and his sons were hung on it.
• God is now answering the prayers of the saints under the alter.

Revelation 16:4-7 – All the Fresh Water became poisoned
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, O Holy One, you who are and who were;
⁶ for they have shed the blood of your holy people and your 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.”

Fourth Bowl - Sun

• The Fourth Bowl is poured out and the sun scorched “people” with intense heat. - The implication is; “some” people were scorched, not All.  It may be that believers as well as creatures are not affected by this plague.
• You would think men in all of their anguish would repent and seek God’s face, but not so.  – THEY REFUSED TO REPENT.

Revelation 16:8-9 – Sun scorched people with intense heat
⁸ The FOURTH angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was allowed 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.

Deut 32:24 – Hunger - Burning Heat - Poison Snakes - Beast

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 – Burn as an oven – Shall be as stubble

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 – Burned – Few men left

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

Fifth Bowl - Darkness

• Darkness, Pain, Sores. - This fifth bowl of Wrath is specifically directed toward 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 the one God of Israel, their blasphemies get worse. – THEY REFUSED TO REPENT.

Revelation 16:10-11 – Darkness – Painful Sores
¹⁰ The FIFTH angel poured out his bowl on THE THRONE OF THE BEAST, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People 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.

(NIV2011)

Sixth Bowl – Euphrates River

• The great Euphrates River is dried up to prepare the way for WAR from the East.
• This river is 1800 miles long, 10 to 30 feet deep and is 300 to 1200 yards wide.  It extends northwestward from the Persian Gulf to present-day Lebanon. - This is a big deal. 
• 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 is actually a TRAP prepared by God that triggers the battle of ARMAGEDDON.
• Three Impure Spirits - Satan the Anti-God, the Anti-Christ and the False Prophet make up this counterfeit trinity.
• These slimy, filthy, loathsome, disgusting frogs are evil spirits of propaganda coming out of the counterfeit trinity to seduce all the kings of the world to come out to the battle of Armageddon. - Sadly, the whole world would include an army from the United States.

Revelation 16:12-14 – Euphrates dried up – War is next
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.
¹³ Then I saw three impure spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
¹⁴ They are demonic spirits that perform signs, and they go out to the kings of the WHOLE world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty.

(NIV2011)

Revelation 16:16 – Armies gather for ARMAGEDDON
¹⁶ Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.

(NIV2011)

ARMAGEDDON - Two Battles

• A magician keeps you looking at his left hand while his right hand is doing something else.  Caution; don’t take your eyes off the right hand. - While you are thinking about the Russians, China and North Korea; THE REAL PLAYERS are the Muslims and the Jews.  This is what the battle is really about.
• The place is the “Hill of Megiddo” which is geographically the center between three continents; Europe, Asia, and Africa.
• There are actually two battles or wars that are to take place on the plains of Megiddo; or I could say there is just one battle, but in TWO PHASES; it starts, then is put on hold for 1,000 years and then picks up again for the final conclusion.
• The First battle between the MUSLIMS and JEWS last for about 3 ½ years and is about LAND. 
• The Second and final battle is between SATAN and JESUS CHRIST and lasts for less than one day.  This battle is about SOULS.
• The Battle of Armageddon will not be covered here, but you can read about it in NYOBS 22.02 - ARMAGEDDON

Invasion of Israel Rabbit Trail

• The Kings of the South, Arab-African confederacy headed by Egypt and the King of the North, Russia, will launch an all-out invasion against Israel.
• The Arabian Peninsula of Ethiopia is the Arab States – Southern Ethiopia is Africa.
• CIS is the Commonwealth of Independent States.  There are currently 12 former Soviet Republics, including Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and the Republic of Georgia.  Their allies are Persia (Iran), Turkey, Ethiopia, Libya, Gomer and Torarmah
• Russia wants oil.  Although they have oil, it’s not very accessible
• Russia wants a warm water sea port and easy oil.
• Russia wants the 12 billion tons of magnesium chloride and twelve billion tons of sodium chloride in the Dead Sea.  There is also 2 billion tons of potash for enriching soil.
• Russia’s Allies wants the LAND OF ISRAEL. - What a deal.
• Russia and the Arab nations will come against Israel and cover the land like a cloud.
• There is a classic double cross by Russia against the United Arab Republic as they pitch their tents between the Dead Sea and The Mediterranean Sea and Mount Zion.
• Russia is an atheistic Nation. - Joseph Stalin said, “We have deposed the czars of the earth and we shall now dethrone the Lord of heaven.” – When Sputnik was launched, Russia said, “Our rocket has bypassed the moon.  It is nearing the sun.  We have not discovered God.  We have turned out lights in heaven that no man will be able to put on again.  We are breaking the yoke of the gospel, the opiate of the masses.  Let us go forth, and Christ shall be relegated to mythology.  (John Hagee)
• NOTE: The nations of the world including the USA, know what Russia and the Arabs are up to and do nothing to help Israel, but simply offer only a shallow rebuke of the actions of Russia.  – (This is how we treat Israel today and we will feel God’s wrath for our inaction.)
• There’s an earthquake that swallows up masses of the enemy, fire and brimstone rain down, confusion abounds and the armies start killing each other.
• The nature of forces unleashed on the armies sounds much like that of a NUCLEAR BOMB which can generate 150 million degrees of heat in a millionth of a second; you are disintegrated before you hit the ground, you could say your flesh, eyes and tongue literally disintegrate.
• There is devastation so great, that only one sixth part of the Russian army survives.

Dan 11:40 – Egypt heads Arab-African Confederacy with Russia

40 "At the time of the end the king of the South will engage him in battle, and the king of the North will storm out against him with chariots and cavalry and a great fleet of ships NIV

Ezek 38:15 – Allies Persia (Iran), Turkey, Ethiopia, Libya, Gomer

15 You will come from your place in the far north, you and many nations with you, all of them riding on horses, a great horde, a mighty army. NIV

Ezek 38:11-12 – Jerusalem is the un-walled city.

11 You will say, "I will invade a land of un-walled villages; I will attack a peaceful and unsuspecting people-all of them living without walls and without gates and bars.

12 I will plunder and loot and turn my hand against the resettled ruins and the people gathered from the nations, rich in livestock and goods, living at the center of the land NIV

Dan 11:40-41 – Russia will DOUBLE CROSS their allies

40 He will invade many countries and sweep through them like a flood.

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

Dan 11:42-45 – Egypt does not escape Russia

42 He will extend his power over many countries; Egypt will not escape.

 43 He will gain control of the treasures of gold and silver and all the riches of Egypt, with the Libyans and Nubians in submission. NIV

45 He will pitch his royal tents between the seas at the beautiful holy mountain. NIV

Ezek 38:16 – Russia will advance like a cloud against Israel

16 You will advance against my people Israel like a CLOUD that covers the land. In days to come, O Gog, (Russia) 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

Ezek 39:11 – Russia will be buried in the Valley of Hamon Gog

11 On that day I will give Gog a burial place in Israel, in the valley of those who travel east toward the Sea. It will block the way of travelers, because Gog and all his hordes will be buried there.  So it will be called the Valley of Hamon Gog.  NIV

Hab 2:17 – Russia has destroyed Lebanon – Lands and Cities

17 The violence you have done to Lebanon will overwhelm you, and your destruction of animals will terrify you. For you have shed man's blood; you have destroyed lands and cities and everyone in them.

NIV

Ezek 38:13 – Russia plunders, silver, gold, livestock and goods

13 Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish and all her villages will say to you, "Have you come to plunder? Have you gathered your hordes to loot, to carry off silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods and to seize much plunder?" NIV

Zech 11:1 – Fire in the Valley of Lebanon

1 Open your doors, O Lebanon, so that fire may devour your cedars!

Num 16:30 - The earth opens its mouth and swallows them,

30 and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them, with everything that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the grave, NIV

Ezek 38:22 - Hailstones and burning sulfur

22 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

Judges 7:22 - The men turn on each other with their swords

22 When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the LORD caused the men throughout the camp to turn on each other with their swords. NIV

Zech 14:12-13 - FLESH, EYES and TONGUES will disintegrate

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.

13 On that day men will be stricken by the LORD with great panic. Each man will seize the hand of another, and they will attack each other. NIV

2 Peter 3:10 - Heavens will disappear; earth will be laid bare.

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.

NIV

2 Peter 3:12 - Destruction of heavens by fire, elements melt

12 That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. NIV

Ezek 39:2 – Only a sixth of Russia’s Army will survive

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

Seventh Bowl – Last day of the Tribulations

• A bowl of wrath is poured out into the AIR with lightning and thunder.
• Satan’s title is the “Prince of the Power of the Air”, but now his domain in the Air is gone. 
• Jesus Christ says, “IT IS DONE” -  “It is finished”
• The great earthquake splits the city into three parts and makes islands disappear, mountains are leveled, and what’s left is destroyed with 100 pound hail, and men still cursed God. – NOTE; A talent, or “talantos” in the Greek, is actually translated to be about 114 pounds.
• The Great City seems to be Jerusalem, as Babylon is mentioned often separately.
• The earthquake convulses Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives splits.
• At this very same time the two witnesses are being caught up to heaven.
• In the OT a blasphemer was stoned to death; today men “get stoned” and blaspheme God.
• This is the last day of the tribulations.

Revelation 16:17-20 – Thunder Lightning Earthquake It is done
¹⁷ The SEVENTH angel poured out his bowl into THE AIR, and out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne, saying, “IT IS DONE!”
¹⁸ Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since mankind has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake.
¹⁹ THE GREAT CITY split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. God remembered Babylon the Great and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of his wrath.
²⁰ Every island fled away and the mountains could not be found.

Rev 16:21 - 100 Pound Hailstones

21 From the sky huge hailstones of about a (talent) hundred pounds each fell upon men. And THEY CURSED GOD on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible.

NIV

Rev 11:8 – Dead bodies in the street of Jerusalem

8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. (Jerusalem) KJV

Rev 11:12-13 – Earthquake – one tenth of Jerusalem falls

12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither….

13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, KJV

Zech 14:4 – The Mount of Olives will be split

4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.  KJV

Hide us

·          Who can stand against this? - THERE IS NO DISCRIMINATION, Presidents and plain citizens, rich and poor all seek refuge from His wrath. - The caves may be a refuge from the fallout from the nuclear radiation. Just saying. -

• 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.
• As bad as things get, most will still not accept Jesus Christ as their Messiah.
• It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.  - PREPARE TO MEET YOUR GOD.

Mal 3:2 – Who can stand when He appears?

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

Heb 10:30-31 – It’s a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of God

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

Rev 6:15-17 – Hide us from the wrath of God

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.

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

Amos 4:12 – PREPARE TO MEET YOUR GOD

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

Luke 21:36 – Watch Pray that you may be able stand before Christ

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

Matt 18:2-3 – Come like a little child and stand

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

Eph 6:11-12 – Put on the armor of God and take your stand

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

White Robes

• The question was; who are the people in the WHITE ROBES?
• They are a specific group of souls that will accept Christ as the Messiah during the Tribulation period 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.
• It is interesting to me that those that were saved during the Tribulations would not have had to endure the horrors of it had they just been Believers before the RAPTURE.

Rev 7:13-14 - The martyred Saints from the Tribulations

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.

NIV

Matt 25:32-33 – Sheep will be gathered from the Nations

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

Summary of the Tribulations

Great Earthquakes - Sky, and Heavens shaken – Heavens dissolved and disappear with a roar; rolled up like a nuclear bomb explosion – The Earth trembles - The Elements melt in the heat; destroyed by fire – Men’s FLESH will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their EYES will rot in their sockets; their TONGUES will rot in their mouths like the aftermath from nuclear fallout. – They will writhe in pain with their faces aflame

The Sun will scorch people with intense burning heat from fire and sulfur - Smoke billows forth from a gigantic furnace in the earth. -  The earth and everything growing in the fields along with the fruit on the trees are laid bare; burned up - Nothing green will remain.

The Seas roar, shake, toss and every living creatures in it dies - A third of the ships will be lost. - All the Rivers and Fresh Waters will become red as blood and poisoned.

Cities and Mountains will be leveled and Islands disappear - The sun and moon become darkened -The stars of heaven and their constellations will not show their light; no longer shine - Blackness – DARKNESS that’s so dark you can feel it – Stars, 100 pound hail and Fire mixed with blood fall to the earth and strikes down every herb of the field, and breaks every tree of the field.

Natural Disasters occur - Hurricanes, Typhoons, Dust Storms, Tornados, Roaring Seas and Strange Tides.

Economic Collapse - Financial Catastrophe - Poverty - Hunger – Famine – People will eat bitter food and drink the Poisoned Water.  – They will get diseases; there will be epidemics - Leprosy - Bubonic Plague – Malaria – Cholera – Aids - Small Pox - Tuberculosis - Painful Ugly Festering Sores - Ulcers and Running Boils.

Wild Beasts devouring people - Poison Snakes - Pestilence - Locust like scorpions that are indestructible by man, with stingers in their tails that with one sting can hurt and torments a person for five months.

Dictatorships – Terrorism - Anarchy - Nation rising against Nation - War with a 200,000,000 man army - Weather Manipulation - Nuclear Annihilation - Chemical and Biological warfare – Cyber Espionage - Slaughter - Blood – Death – Terror – Panic – Confusion. - Civil Violence and Drugs.

Hearts will melt, Hands will go limp -There is nothing left but Gloom, Anguish, Suffering, Perplexity and Mourning, and that’s the GOOD NEWS – Hell is worse – The Lake of fire is worse than Hell.

Valley Of Decision

• The prophet Joel pointed to this same valley where Jehoshaphat fought his battle, where the Messiah would soon destroy the armies of the nations and establish his kingdom. – Joel called it The Valley of Decision.

Joel 3:9-14 – THE VALLEY OF DECISION

9 Proclaim this among the nations: Prepare for war! Rouse the warriors! Let all the fighting men draw near and attack.

10 Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weakling say, `I am strong!

11 Come quickly, all you nations from every side, and assemble there. Bring down your warriors, O LORD!

12`Let the nations be roused; let them advance into the Valley of Jehoshaphat, for there I will sit to judge all the nations on every side.

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!

14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the VALLEY OF DECISION.

NIV

We have that same Valley today; THE VALLEY OF DECISION; why would you be a participant

and fight the battle in the valley, when you can sit on the hill as a spectator.

Why would you drive a defective car for 10 years, then fix it in order to sell it

when you could have fixed it in the beginning and enjoyed it for 10 years.

Don’t wait for the tribulations to find Jesus Christ.

Life is Choice Driven

and the choices you make today have eternal consequences.

The empty tomb in Jerusalem

is the only tourist attraction on Earth

where people line up to see nothing.

In the multitude of counselors,

there is wisdom.

Proverbs 11:14

I am grateful to those that went before me providing concepts, ideas, historical information, and scripture verses.  Because of them I can stand on their shoulders and see further that I otherwise ever could have.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

A Planned Deception – New Age Messiah – Constance Cumbey

An expository Dictionary of Biblical Words – W. E. Vine

Angels A-Z – Lewis Oliver

Angels: Gods Secret Agents – Billy Graham

American Standard Version Bible - ASV

Apocrypha:The – Edgar J. Goodspeed

Armageddon-Appointment with Destiny – Grant R. Jeffrey

Countdown to Armageddon, the 1980’s – Hal Lyndsay

Dake’s Commentary Bible – Dake

English Standard Version Bible – ESV

Final Dawn over Jerusalem – John Hagee

Forgotten Books of Eden; The - World

From Daniel to Doomsday – John Hagee

Great Doctrines of the Bible 5 – Soteriology – W. A. Criswell

Invisible War; The -   Donald Grey Barnhouse

Islam and the Bible – David Goldmann

Jerusalem Countdown – John Hagee

King James Version Bible – KJV

Late Great Planet Earth; The – Hal Lindsey

Lost Books of the Bible; The – Bell Publishing

Matthew Henry’s Commentary – Zondervan

Mystery Mark of the New Age – Texe Mars

Naves Topical Bible - Nave

New American Standard Bible – NASB

New International Version Bible; The - NIV

New Living Translation Bible – NLT

New Millennium; The – Pat Robertson

Nostradamus & The Millennium – John Hogue

Revelation; The – verse by verse – Oliver B. Green

Revelation of Jesus Christ; The – Walvoord

Revelation Seminar; The – 1975 - Hilton Sutton

Revelation Study; The - 1973 – Dr. Warren Wiersbe

Systematic Theology – Stanley M. Horton

The Other Side of the Good News – Larry Dixon

Thru The Bible Commentary – J. Vernon McGee

What the Bible says about Death - Signs of the times

Theomatics – Jerry Lucas

Wycliffe Bible Commentary; The – Moody Press