Learn the Revelation

We Moved Our Site

2009-06-17T16:50:00.000-07:00

Thank you for visiting. We have, however, moved Learn the Revelation to http://www.learntherevelation.com

Please join us at our new location. Let's learn the Revelation.

God bless,

Jim Kobzeff

Have You Left Your First Love?

2008-12-30T07:33:00.000-08:00

In the second chapter of Revelation, Jesus made a remarkable complaint against the congregation at Ephesus. "Nevertheless I have this against you", He lamented, "that you have left your first love."

Before we explore that complaint, however, let's look back for a moment.

In about 95 AD, while imprisoned on the Isle of Patmos, the Apostle John was approached by Jesus and instructed to record the Revelation (see our article, "The Day the Revelation Came to Man"). Moreover, Jesus told John that the Revelation would consist of three parts, including one portion devoted to the Church comprised of seven letters to seven congregations. (For more about the outline, see our article, "Jesus Outlines the Revelation").

The seven letters are recorded in Chapters two and three, and are particularly noteworthy because they are as relevant today as they were in John's time.

Yes, Jesus addresses issues appropriate to those particular congregations, but at the same time can also apply to all congregations, and even more, to all individuals. In other words, when Jesus ascribed His knowledge of these congregations' works and condition (good or bad) in the first century, He was also speaking to you and me in the twenty first century.

We must, therefore, explore each letter and therein embrace each praise and rebuke, encouragement and hope, despair and delight. Bearing in mind, that our Lord continues to move about the Church, watchful to guard against internal and external evils and mindful to rightly preserve its spiritual well-being as steadfastly today as yesterday.

Okay, with that in mind, let's consider this letter to Ephesus and see whether it strikes a chord and perhaps intends to admonish us.

"I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil", Jesus said. "And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary" (vs. 2-4).

Foremost, we must notice the good works attributed to the Ephesians lest we consider ourselves above reproach and ignore the admonition. This is not a lazy congregation devoid of church service; the works of the Ephesians were admirable. "Nevertheless," Jesus said, "I have this against you, that you have left your first love".

What does Jesus mean?

The love in question is the "early love" of the congregation. That first enthusiastically warm and affectionate love following a new life in Christ, where self is denied, all that displeases God is gladly abandoned, and fellowship one with another is joyfully embraced. In other words, despite commendable devotion to the Word of God, the members had strayed from sincerity; or as one commentator puts it, "members were going through the motions without emotion".

Has that happened to you? Do you attend church services out of obligation or a force of habit rather than a passionate desire to worship God (as you did in the beginning)? And has your fellowship (where your earlier heart was tender for one another) become argumentative and divisive?

If so, confess that condition to God right now and return to your first love. He loves you as a bridegroom loves his bride, and not unlike the members at Ephesus, is admonishing you because He desires you.

Jesus Outlines the Revelation

2008-12-18T07:31:00.000-08:00

The Book of Revelation (or Revelation of Jesus Christ) is arguably the most complete future installment of God ever beheld by a man and subsequently addressed to the Church.

In this article, we will look at Chapter one, verse nineteen, and consider the instructions given by Jesus that virtually outlines the prophetic book.

It all began Sunday morning, 95 AD, somewhere on the small island in the Aegean Sea called Patmos. The Apostle John—having been banished to Patmos by Rome for his testimony of Jesus Christ—was in some remote corner of that island worshipping God. Then, as he knelt in prayer, he was confronted by Jesus Christ and instructed to record this Vision.

"Write the things which you have seen," Jesus told him, "and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this" (v. 19).

An earlier verse makes God's purpose clear: "the time is near" (v. 3). God wants us to know the prophecy because Jesus has completed the work of redemption on the cross, in turn starting the count down for what some refer to as "the sequel to the Cross", when Christ returns to gather His elect, vanquish His enemies, and redeem the planet.

Okay, now let's look at verse nineteen and see why it's the “key” to understanding the prophecy. Notice that John is instructed to write Revelation in three sections.

"Write the things which you have seen…"
"Write…the things which are…"
"Write…the things which will take place after this."

The phrase “the things which you have seen” is clearly in the past tense. John was instructed to write what he already witnessed. This concerns that which John had seen as he beheld Christ. Thus corresponding with John's eyewitness account of the risen and glorified Son of God as contained here in Chapter one.

The phrase “the things which are” is in the present tense. This concerns that which existed during the time of John, which is the Church. And as we will see, the next two chapters, Chapters two and three, surround the Church exclusively.

The phrase “the things which will take place after this” is in the future tense. This concerns the yet-future events shown to John beginning in Chapter four where he is taken in the “Spirit” to heaven and subsequently shown the future.

Study and contemplate this verse and consider these three parts. You'll discover that Revelation becomes more straightforward and your study of this great prophecy less chaotic.

The Day the Revelation Came to Man

2008-11-22T16:47:00.000-08:00

It was Sunday morning, 95 AD, somewhere on the small island in the Aegean Sea called Patmos where the Apostle John—having been banished there by Rome for his testimony of Jesus Christ—was in some remote corner of that island worshiping God.

Though other days were undoubtedly consumed in the company of other prisoners doing hard labor inside the mines of the volcanic island, Sundays apparently allowed the old Apostle time to be alone and to rest. For "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day", the Apostle said.

Little did he know, however, that on this given Sunday, as he knelt in prayer, he would come face to face with Jesus Christ and then taken into heaven to eyewitness the Revelation, a vision of the future never before revealed to any man.

We know it as The Revelation, the last book in our Bible. It is John’s written account of the Revelation exactly as he experienced it. All that he saw and heard he arduously recorded in compliance with the will of God so that the Vision might be shown to the Church, and thereby the Church would know it.

Moreover, the fact that the Apostle John was chosen to record the Revelation speaks volumes about God’s ability to accomplish His purposes despite even the most adverse of circumstances, whether from natural causes, or the cunning devices of devil and man.

After all, John was about ninety years old and therefore long past what might be considered a practical age for such an arduous task. Furthermore, it was the sole intention of Rome to silence John’s work and ministry when it banished him to the remote island of Patmos.

In other words, God was making what you and I might regard as an untenable choice and to our enemy an altogether improbable one when He selected John. Nonetheless, He knew all along the time, the place, and the man by which, and to whom He would reveal the Revelation, therefore nothing did (or ever will) prevent Him from accomplishing His own wise and holy ends.

"For I know that the Lord is great, and our Lord is above all Gods," the Psalmist wrote. "Whatever the Lord pleases He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deep places" (Ps.135:5, 6).

The Revelation was not John's vision. It was the vision of Jesus, shown to Him by the Father with instructions that it be revealed to man. Why the aged Apostle was chosen, we don't know. But those of us who are elderly should find encouragement in it, for we can be of service to God despite the odds, if He so graciously grants it.

Would you like to learn the Revelation?

Please read our commentary and study questions, preview our resources, links, and videos. It has never been as important for Christians to find assurance in the future.

Why We Must Learn the Revelation

2008-11-01T14:04:00.000-07:00

If you're a Christian, then you must learn the Revelation. Why, because God wants you to learn the Revelation.

It's true that the prophetic book is comprised of complex symbols and images that make it more than a casual reading. Nonetheless, it is God's intention for the Church to read the Revelation. For it is clearly stated that it is that "which God gave…to show His servants" (Rev.1:1).

Before we dig in to the purpose for the prophecy though, it would be helpful to understand its origin.

Late in the first century, the Apostle John was arrested by Rome for his testimony of Jesus Christ and imprisoned on a small rocky island in the Aegean Sea called Patmos. Then on one given day around 95 AD, the aged apostle, while in worship, was visited by Jesus Christ and subsequently escorted into the future by an angel to bear witness of and to document the vision.

Accordingly, from his first encounter with Jesus through his subsequent journey into the future and back again to Patmos, John arduously recorded every word of God, every testimony of Jesus Christ, and every word picture and symbol just as he heard it and saw it. Then he presented it to the Church.

What you and I regard as the last book of the Bible called "The Revelation of Jesus Christ" is that selfsame account, exactly as it was presented first to the congregation at Ephesus nearly two thousand years ago.

Okay, let's consider the vision.

Arguably, the most complete prophecy of future events recorded in Scripture, it should be noted that the Revelation is not John's vision. The vision belongs to Jesus Christ. God the Father gave God the Son the vision to reveal to John that he would in turn reveal it to the servants of Christ. So that Christians in every generation might know the "things which must shortly take place" (Rev. 1:1). That is, that we might know the future.

But let's be clear. Yes, God has given us the Revelation to learn, but not for reasons some would suggest. The Revelation was not given so we can set a date for Christ’s coming; the Bible is adamant that of that day and hour no one knows, except the Father (Matt. 24:36). Or was it given so we can identity the Antichrist; the Church has been instructed only to watch for Jesus Christ, not for the Antichrist.

Make no mistake; the Revelation has one purpose: To unveil Jesus Christ so we may know how God will accomplish all His work and purposes through Him in the last days. It is the final work of Christ—the destruction of all that is evil and the restoration of all that is good—that God wants us to understand.

But there's more. A blessing is promised to those who learn the Revelation. Listen to the Apostle: "Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it" (Rev.1:3). It's as Solomon stated, "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter" (Proverbs 25:2).

Finally, observe that Revelation is intended for "His servants" (Rev.1:1). That is to say, the "bond slaves” or devoted followers of Christ. What makes this special is found in the words of Jesus when He said, "No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends…" (John 15:15). In other words, we should want to learn the revelation, not as a mandate from God, but with an understanding that the privilege has been granted to us because we are regarded as His friends.

"Your words were found," the prophet wrote, "and I ate them and your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart" (Jer.15:16)

If you're a Christian, and haven't read the Revelation, you are invited to do so on my site titled "Learn the Revelation" at http://learntherevelation.blogspot.com. There is a verse-by-verse commentary along with some study questions. It's a labor of love, so feel free to join in. Hey, let's learn the Revelation together.

Welcome to the Revelation

2008-10-24T08:01:00.000-07:00

"It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
but the glory of kings is to search out a matter"
--Proverbs 25:2

WELCOME! to the Revelation of Jesus Christ. Arguably, the most complete future installment of God ever beheld by a man and subsequently addressed to the Church.

BEFORE we get started, it’s important for us to understand why God has chosen to reveal this apocalyptic vision to us. Contrary to the teaching of some, the Revelation is not meant to serve as a “Tribulation Survival Kit” for the Church because the Church won’t be here. Nor is it given so we can set a date for Christ’s coming, or that we might identity the Antichrist. The Revelation has one primary purpose:

"To unveil Jesus Christ so we may know how God will accomplish all His work and purposes through Him in the last days."

WHILE many marvelous passages of truth in Revelation lend themselves to topical studies that should be discussed and learned, there are commentaries written by inspired men of God already available to the serious student without my adding yet another one. Therefore, I have limited my notes primarily to the events in the vision and have purposely avoided the traditional theological arguments and more complex exposition generally offered by scholars. My purpose is only to assist you in reading the Revelation from start to finish, help you better understand what the vision is about, and perhaps to wet your appetite enough to prompt more study.

ONE MORE THING before we dig in. If you've been avoiding the Revelation because you've considered it far too complex, obscure, or confusing for laypersons like us to understand, put your mind at rest. Even with all its symbols and images and some erratic shifts of events associated with John’s time travel, you’ll be surprised to discover how logical, chronological, and interpretable by Scripture this awesome vision really is.

PLEASE read each chapter of the Revelation directly from the Bible and then use the menu at the right to access my verse-by-verse notes. Afterward, test your knowledge with the Study Questions, and be sure to explore the other resources provided. Click "Post a Comment" below to leave a comment, or the envelope image to email this Revelation article to a friend.

May God bless and keep you throughout this incredible journey.

Jim Kobzeff
October 24, 2008
Learn the Revelation

Revelation 22, John's Final Briefing

2008-10-22T12:08:00.000-07:00

In this chapter, John is first escorted inside the magnificent city of New Jerusalem then is taken back to Patmos to receive a final briefing from our Lord Jesus Christ.

v.1-2 "And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations."

Two remarkable elements of the magnificent city are revealed: A crystal clear river flowing from the throne of God and the “tree of life” seemingly planted squarely in the middle of it.

Although both are highly symbolic of God’s provision of eternal life in Christ Jesus (see—John 4:10, 13-14; Rev.2:7), the tree, with its twelve kinds of fruits, is also meant for the consumption of the saints (Rev.2:7), and its leaves “for the healing of the nations.”

Let’s consider it.

Scripture doesn’t speak of a need to eat in heaven. So it’s safe to say that our resurrected bodies won’t require food to subsist, and that the purpose of eating fruit from the tree of life is altogether distinct from survival. My own opinion is that it’s intended for a blessed communion together with God, and partaken of at future gatherings throughout eternity as a means of intimate fellowship between the saints and God. When He introduced the communion service, Jesus said, “But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now until that day when I drink it with you in My Father’s kingdom” (Matt.26:29). This seems to support the idea of a celestial gathering with Christ for fellowship and maybe explains why we would eat from the tree of life in heaven?

“And the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” Though the “nations” are seemingly those who inhabit the new earth for eternity (see notes—Rev.21:24-26), the purpose for their “healing” is not easily interpreted. Perhaps, as some commentators suggest, the application is substantive—having to do with the fact that they enter eternity in physical bodies and therefore require a perpetual healing. Or as others suggest, it's figurative, meant only to underscore the point that their flesh becomes new and never again experiences corruption. Whatever the case, we can be certain of God’s glorious provision for those written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

“Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You” (Ps.31:19)

v.3-5 "And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. And there shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever."

The "curse" speaks of that which God Himself imposed upon man and the planet in the Garden of Eden following the sin of man (Gen.3:16-19).

Since a curse won’t exist in the new heaven and the new world, we should also take it to mean that a curse will never again be implemented. That all which is perfected will remain eternally perfect because no lower nature or vile spirit will ever again exist and sin will never occur again, forever.

Moreover, the throne of God and of the Lamb shall dwell amongst men, and we shall see Him face-to-face. Throughout all of eternity there will be no dark places, nothing covered or concealed, and all will be shown by and all will be known in the eternal light of God Himself.

[This ends John’s incredible journey into the future. All that follows takes place back on Patmos].

v.6-7 "Then he said to me, 'These words are faithful and true.' And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place. 'Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.' "

Three testimonies in this passage undeniably embrace the record of John's eyewitness account and give formidable notice that the Revelation is both credible and accurate.

John’s angelic escort - He plainly says, "These words are faithful and true"; confirming that John recorded the vision exactly as it was presented.
John himself - He says “And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place”; reaffirming that his experience was real and genuine, not something he made up.
Jesus - He says, “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book”; which He would not have said had John’s record contained an error or omission.

It should be noted that three testimonies was the legal requirement for a testimony to be admissible in court (check—Deu.17:6; John 5:31-32). We may question the various interpretations, dear ones, but we can trust the Revelation to be true.

v.8-10 "Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. Then he said to me, 'See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.' And he said to me, 'Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.' "

John’s emotions are once more fueled and as before, he must be corrected for wrongly attempting to worship the angel. We must always bear in mind that angels are servants of God who minister to us (check—Heb.1:13-14).

"And he said to me, 'Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand'. “

Because "the set occasion" or "proper time" for the vision to be read and understood by the Church is at hand and it’s God's desire for us to have knowledge of this prophecy, John is commanded not “to keep it secret” (compare to—Dan.12:9). If we earnestly seek to understand, dear ones, He will reveal this vision.

v.11 "He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.' "

The Revelation, not unlike all the Gospel of Christ, will not affect all that read it in the same way.

Those who have been made righteous and holy by the blood of Jesus and therefore consecrated to God as pure are drawn to it and encounter a blessing, while those who resist the things of God and whose own soul remains unclean before God are hardened and repelled by it.

“Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand” (Dan 12:10)

v.12-13 "'And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.' "

The phrase “I am coming quickly”, stated no less than three times in this chapter (vs. 7, 12, 20), doesn't speak in terms of days (as if, "tomorrow I'm coming"), but rather implies that the events foretold will occur in rapid succession once they begin.

Jesus never intended for the Church to set a date for His return, but for us to expect Him at any moment, and therein ordering our lives in the light of that blessed hope. We must be ready especially because we aren't given a date, and instead only made aware that He can return at any moment, suddenly, and with no other warning than what He has already given.

“And My reward is with Me.” The word for "reward" means, “pay for service—good or bad” (more literally, a “wage”). The idea conveyed here is that Jesus will compensate the saints (Rev.11:18) and the unrighteous (2 Peter 2:12-13). A believer given the gift of life and rewarded for good works, the unbeliever the wages of death (Rom.6:23). There is no partiality with God. He “will render to each one according to his deeds” (check—Rom.2:5-16).

Okay, but let's not confuse “works” to mean that we work for salvation. Jesus said, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent” (John 6:29).

Born-again believers will gain or lose rewards at the judgment seat of Christ (2Cor.5:10) based on the “quality” of the works, not the quantity (1Cor.3:13-15). Our judgment is only to “test” our works (to determine what sort it is), not a judgment of our sins.

v.14-15 "Blessed are those who do His commandments that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie."

One last time, a clear distinction is drawn between those who will occupy New Jerusalem and those who will not. Those who do His commandments will enter New Jerusalem and find blessing at the tree of life, whereas those who do not will have no place there.

Here again, the blessing appears to be contingent upon one's ability to keep the commandments of God, as if man must make himself perfect to enter heaven. But that's a contradiction to Scriptural teaching.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" (Eph.2:8-9)

The commandments of God concern desire, not ability. One who is born again can desire to obey God and fail (check—Rom.7:14-25), and another who is not saved may possess the ability but lack desire (check—Mark 10:17-22). A promised blessing is made to believers, not because they managed to keep the commandments, but because their saving faith in Jesus Christ has prompted them to do His commandments. “Not to our doings, but to what He has done for us", one commentator writes, "founded, not on our merits, but on God's grace.”

v.16 "'I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches, I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.' "

It should be noted that there has been no direct mention of the Church since the completion of the letters to the seven churches (Rev.2-3). All throughout the tribulation, beginning in Chapter 4, the church has only been referred to indirectly, and only as it was seen in heaven, not on earth.

Now, in this final briefing to John, with the Revelation almost complete, Jesus reminds John that the Revelation is to be taught to the Church. To which He adds His two great titles "the Root and the Offspring of David" and "the Bright and Morning Star" to qualify His sovereign right to do so. Jesus Christ is the Messiah of Israel, and He is the Lord of the Church.

"…that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Phil.2:10-11)

v.17 "And the Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' And let him who hears say, 'Come!' And let him who thirsts come. And whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely."

This passage is both a plea and an invitation. As the Church pleas for Christ to return to the world, yet it longs for the world to come to Christ.

“And let him who thirsts come. And whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely." The greatest invitation ever extended unto man is God's call to "Come!" The greatest assurance to those who come is that none will be denied (John 6:37), and for those who “thirst” that they may come and take of the water of life freely and thus be saved (see also—John 4:10, 14).

v.18-19 "For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book. If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."

God's awful retribution won't be withheld from those who either add or delete from the words of the Revelation. But this doesn't mean that commentators who share various views about the Revelation are in danger.

"The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy" (Rev.19:10), and the doctrine of the gospel of Jesus Christ is the one truth God will not permit man to pervert. The issue concerns the true reality that grace can be found in none other than Jesus Christ, and the warning applies only to those who would preach any other gospel (see also—Gal.1:6-9).

v.20 "He who testifies to these things says, 'Surely I am coming quickly.' Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”

"Surely I am coming quickly", Jesus tells John. “So be it! Even so, come, Lord Jesus”, John responds. This is the final exchange between John and Jesus.

Okay, this begs a question. Will we be the generation that witnesses the Coming of Jesus Christ? We have no way to be certain, of course, but several things didn't exist prior to our generation that makes it highly plausible and worth considering. We'll begin with the most important development.

The Nation of Israel – In 70 A.D., Rome overthrew Jerusalem, destroyed their temple, and virtually scattered the Jews throughout the world with nothing that should have prevented them from assimilating into various cultures and disappearing as a people. Yet on May 14, 1948, over twenty-five hundred years after they were besieged by Babylon and ceased to be a nation, Israel once again became a nation. This needed to occur for many prophecies to be fulfilled (for example—Ez.37-39; Dan.9; Zech.12-14).
Nuclear weapons – Jesus said of the Tribulation, "And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved…" (Matt.24:22). The potential that all mankind (all flesh) could be annihilated quickly enough to concern Jesus didn't exist prior to nuclear weapons.
Telecommunications – The bodies of the two witnesses, for instance, will be displayed in Jerusalem and celebrated by the world (Rev.11:8-10). This instant knowledge and simultaneous worldwide jubilation could not have occurred before radio; and is only enhanced and made more plausible by television, satellite transmissions, and the internet.
Computers – Prior to computers, it would have been impossible for Antichrist to impose a mark on the entire world and then control every buying and selling transaction each and every person makes (Rev.13:16-17); at least not soon enough to make it meaningful inside a period of three and a half years.

The prophet Daniel was told that the time of the end would be characterized by an increase in knowledge.

"But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase." (Dan.12:4)

It is true that this "increase in knowledge" can be taken (as it is with some) to signify technological advances, and therefore interpret Daniel's prophecy to mean we should expect to see quantum leaps in technology as we near the end. It is certainly plausible that the end of this age will be marked with new increased levels of knowledge and intelligence; and certainly reasonable (if not correct). However, I interpret this verse otherwise.

I believe that it's the "knowledge of prophecy" that increases at the end of our age. In other words, as we behold the unfolding of events and technology, last-days prophecy will become more understandable in light of those events and technology.

v.21 "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."

The most complete future installment of God ever beheld by a man has been written, by the grace of God preserved, and by the power of the Holy Spirit made available for every believer to read and learn throughout every generation since.

As we heed God’s Word, dear ones, having seen how the history of time shall be closed and the history of eternity opened, may it more arouse in us to consider what manner of persons we ought to be in holy conduct and godliness. Moreover, may it embed within us the courage to warn the lost of their eternal doom and lovingly bid them to seek the Savior.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

STUDY QUESTIONS, Chapter 22

2008-10-22T12:03:00.000-07:00

1. True or False. The existence of both the river of water of life and the tree of life might be an indication that we will be required to eat and drink in heaven. (vs. 1-2)

2. Which of the following statements are not true concerning heaven? (vs. 3-5)

a. There shall be no more curse
b. There shall be no night
c. The throne of God and the Lamb are in it
d. There will no longer be a need to serve God
e. God’s name will be written upon our right hand

3. Which of the following testified that John’s record of the Revelation is both credible and accurate? (vs. 6-7)

a. The angel who escorted John
b. John himself
c. Jesus Christ
d. All of the above

4. True or False. John was instructed to “seal” up the words of the Revelation because it did not apply to his generation. (vs. 8-10)

5. Complete this statement: “And behold, I am coming ____________, and My ____________ is with Me.” (vs. 12-13)

6. Which of the following two groups did Jesus associate Himself with when He said, “I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star”? (v.16)

a. The angels
b. Israel
c. The Church
d. Those banished to the Lake of Fire

7. Fill in the blanks: “And the __________ and the _________ say, ‘________!’ And let him who __________ say, ‘Come!’ And let him who __________ come. And whoever ____________, let him take the water of life ______________.” (v.17)

8. True or False. God will severely judge anyone who deliberately adds or subtracts from the words of the Revelation in order to promote another doctrine other than the gospel of Jesus Christ. (vs. 18-19)

9. True or False. John concludes the Revelation with a prayer for the Church. (v.21)

Revelation 21, The New Heaven and the New Earth

2008-10-22T11:15:00.000-07:00

In this chapter, John is ushered into eternity and given a glimpse of the glorious new heaven and new earth God has prepared for His people beyond this age.

v.1 "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea."

The word “new” means “new in respect to freshness”, rather than “new with respect to existence.” So it would be safe to interpret what John sees to be a “fresh heaven and fresh earth” that has undergone a cleansing and renewal, not one that has been totally annihilated and then recreated.

Peter describes the process as a virtual melt down of the very elements that make up the earth and heavens (2Pet.3:12); a fiery purging and cataclysmic renewal that produces new elements from the old elements. “Yes, all of them will grow old like a garment,” the Psalmist writes, “like a cloak You will change them, and they will be changed” (Ps.102:26). As a result, every thumbprint, footprint, stain, and foul odor brought upon this present world by Satan, death, and sin will be sanitized. The blood, tears, bones, fossils, and grave sites that have long infected the earth's surface, the defilement brought upon its core by the implant of Hades, and the pollution of contaminated materials and unholy sound and electronic impulses long thrust into its atmosphere will neither be found nor remembered again forever.

"Also there was no more sea." Some commentators interpret this passage to mean the absence of a literal sea, but it might be figurative. The Bible generally uses the term "sea" and "waters" to symbolize Gentile nations, multitudes, tongues, and ethnic groups (Dan.7; Rev.13; Rev.14). I believe it is figurative and take it to mean that there will be no more distinction between Jew and Gentile in the New World, and the divisive cross-hatching of borders, boundaries, cultures, languages, and national allegiances between men will be done away with.

v.2 "Then I, John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”

New Jerusalem is the eternal city and dwelling place of the saints; “Whose builder and maker is God” (Heb.11:10) and every believer since Abraham has waited to see. Therefore, as John actually does see it, you can almost hear the exclamation of joy when he says "Then I, John saw the holy city."

New Jerusalem is the city “prepared” by God in the heavens for His resurrected and raptured saints. This is the same word used by Jesus when He told His disciples, “I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2), and elsewhere where it’s recorded “He has prepared a city for them” (Heb.11:16). And it's shown to John as a radiant bride ready for her husband because it personifies in virtue all of the saints residing therein.

v.3-5 “And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.’ Then He who sat on the throne said, 'Behold, I make all things new.' And He said to me, 'Write for these words are true and faithful.' "

The blessed presence of God with His people (us) is here proclaimed, and in heaven, it will not be interrupted as it is here on earth. He will dwell with us continually, and all relations between God and us will be filled up and perfected. Our souls shall be assimilated to Him in all love, honor, and delight; and His love shall be manifested to us, and His glory put upon us. It will be a blessed state free from the effects of all former and future trouble and sorrow. “For the former things have passed away” and all things will become “new.”

Moreover, dear ones, the certainty of this eventual state is so necessary for our perpetual memory and continual use that God ordered it to be written. “And He said to me,” John declares, “'Write for these words are true and faithful.' "

v.6-8 “And He said to me, 'It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and He shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.' "

Once Jesus puts all enemies under His feet and destroys death, He will deliver the kingdom to God the Father and become subject to the Father "that God may be all in all” (see—1Cor.15:24-28). Though the nature of this mysterious and wondrous eternal relationship between the Father and the Son isn’t explained, I believe it occurs right here, the moment Jesus proclaims “It is done!”

Sin is no more, death has been destroyed, the people of God have been delivered and enjoined unto Him, and the age has been consummated and all things have been made new. God the Son has completed the work and purposes of God the Father, and because it is done, therefore “God may be all in all.”

“He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and He shall be My son.” Believers, as citizens of New Jerusalem, will have unbridled access to the water of life flowing from the throne of God (Rev.22:1), shall “inherit all things” as “heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ” (Rom.8:17), and shall have a sure and indefeasible relationship with God, as a son of God (see also—1John 3:2).

“But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” This vastly different state of the unbeliever helps to illustrate the glory and blessedness of the saints and clearly distinguishes the goodness of God towards us. The unbeliever will never see New Jerusalem. They will die another death after their natural death. They will be consigned to the terrors and agonies of eternal death, or as one commentator puts it, they will “die and always be dying.”

v.9-11 "Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, 'Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife.' And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God. And her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal."

What I find compelling about this passage is the implication that God is so delighted in His bride that He relocates John so he can behold her. Rather than leaving him in heaven to watch her descend toward earth, He has a significant angel usher John to an unobstructed place to watch her descend to earth. It’s like a bridegroom that would have you stand alongside him to behold in full view the beauty and majesty of his bride as she makes her descent down the aisle.

"And her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal." As one commentator suggests, if you can picture a diamond the size of the moon with a light as bright as the sun resonating inside of it, you get the idea of what John beheld. New Jerusalem not only resonates with the brilliant light of God Himself, but the light in turn is refracted through the precious metals of the massive structure into an array of dazzling colored beams of light.

v.12-14 "Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west. Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb."

The walls, gates, and foundations leave no doubt that New Jerusalem is a literal city made of solid materials. It’s not an apparition, a figment of ones imagination, backroom folklore, or taught simply because it sounds good. John is our witness, dear ones: New Jerusalem is a real city.

On each of the twelve gates are the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, and on each of the twelve foundations are the names of the twelve apostles (probably as a memorial to the work of God through man). The twelve tribes of Israel faithfully preserved and delivered His Law and His words through the prophets, and the twelve Apostles delivered the words and works of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The walls and the gates of New Jerusalem are symbolic, and meant only to signify the city's eternal security, safety, and well-being. There will be no need for fortification against any enemy in New Jerusalem (v.21).

v.15-21 "And he who talked with me had a gold reed to measure the city, its gates and its wall. And the city is laid out as a square, and its length is as great as its breath. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal. Then he measured its wall: one hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel. And the construction of its wall was as jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. And the foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eight beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass."

The dimensions and materials of the city are carefully recorded. Its length, breadth, and height are equally “twelve thousand furlongs” which some commentators estimate to be about 1378 miles cubed, others 1500 miles cubed, or as one put it, “about the size of our moon.” In any case, it’s clearly a vast cube.

The dimension of the wall is not as clear because it’s uncertain whether the angel is measuring the height or the width. As a result, some commentators regard the height of the wall to be about 216 feet while others consider it its thickness. As for the materials, they are all flawlessly precious and pure. Inlaid into its foundations and walls are varieties of brilliant stones, and each of its gates are solid pearl. The street of the city is made of pure gold.

In other words, the holy city of New Jerusalem is magnificent. It’s massive, perfectly uniform, flawlessly beautiful, and indescribably glorious. Once we see it in heavenly light, with its translucent whites, rainbow hues, and brilliant reflective colors, I believe we'll be surprised how much more it is than we imagined.

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him” (1Cor.2:9)

v.22-23 "But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it, and the Lamb is its light."

The temple and the sun are each part of this present world meant to serve man in this present age. The temple provided a place where sinful man can meet with God, and the sun was instituted at the dawn of creation to provide light to the world.

In New Jerusalem, however, a temple-structure would serve no purpose. Sin will be gone, the sinful nature of man passed away, and God shall Himself dwell with man, directly and eternally approachable by His people. Moreover, there will be no requirement for a sun. Though the sun and the moon are established forever (Ps.148:1-6), God—Who is light (1John 1:5) and "the Father of lights" (Jas. 1:17)—will forever illuminate New Jerusalem with His eternal presence (see also—Isa.60:19-20).

v.24-27 "And the nations of those saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it. Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). And they shall bring the glory and the honor of nations into it. But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life."

This passage implies that some saints will inhabit the new earth as "the nations" beneath the city of New Jerusalem. They will walk in its light, bring their glory and honor into it, and have a perpetual open door to enter and exit as freely as they choose. So who are they?

I believe (although speculative) that these are the self-same mortals (along with their offspring) who inhabit the earth and subsequently receive Jesus Christ as Savior during the Millennium. Why, because they’re the only group of saints otherwise not accounted for.

They did not take part in the first resurrection ending with the tribulation martyrs (Rev.20:4-5) otherwise they would not have been subjected to our Lord’s judgment of the nations (see notes—Rev.20:5-6).
It’s clear that they resist the devil in his final rebellion against God, and thus are righteous, otherwise they would have been destroyed at Millennium’s end (Rev.20:9).
They certainly did not resurrect with the dead (Rev.20:13) or they would have been cast into the lake of fire and had no part in the new heaven and new earth (Rev.20:15; 21:27).

Moreover, God’s judgment of sin and death has already taken place (Rev.20:14), therefore we must conclude that they're transformed from mortality to immortality and will inhabit the new earth. Undoubtedly in the same perfection found in Adam and Eve, but without a sin nature of the former world and instead eternally perfect.

STUDY QUESTIONS, Chapter 21

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1. Which of the following best explains the work God accomplishes when He creates the new heaven and the new earth? (v.1)

a. He dissolves the entire universe and then recreates it
b. He dissolves earth and heaven and recreates it
c. He dissolves the earth and its atmosphere and makes it fresh
d. He dissolves all of His creation and recreates it

2. True or False. New Jerusalem is the eternal city that God has prepared for those who love Him. (v.s 2-3)

3. Complete these statements Jesus made to John: (vs. 5-7)

a. “Behold, I make all things __________.”
b. “Write for these words are ______________ and ____________.”
c. “It is _________________.”
d. “I will give of the fountain of the ___________ of life _____________.”
e. “He who overcomes shall ______________ all things.”
f. “I shall be his God and he shall be My ______________.”

4. True or False. The New Jerusalem was called the "Bride of the Lamb" because it is where the Church (who is the Bride of the Lamb) will dwell. (vs. 9-11)

5. Which of the following is not true about New Jerusalem? (vs. 12-21)

a. It will have twelve gates inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, and twelve foundations bearing the names of the twelve Apostles
b. Its high walls will protect its inhabitants against evil forces outside the heavenly City
c. Angels will be posted at the gates to greet those who enter the City
d. It will be a perfect cube of 1500 miles wide, high, and long, and will be constructed of precious stones, gold, and pearls

6. Complete this statement: “But I saw no ________________ in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its _________________.” (v.22)

7. True or False. The glory of God will illuminate the City, and the Lamb will be its light, therefore the sun and moon will no longer exist. (vs. 22-23)

8. True or False. Those who inhabit earth for eternity as “the nations” probably refers to hosts of angels. (vs. 24-27)

Revelation 20, The Last Days of Time and History

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In this incredibly rich chapter, John records the sequence of events that conclude history, as we know it. The capture and ultimate abolishing of Satan, the one thousand year kingdom of Jesus Christ, the resurrection of the just and the unjust, and the final great white throne judgment of man, hades, and death.

v.1-3 "Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while."

In preparation for the millennial reign of Jesus Christ following Armageddon, John sees an angel lay hold of Satan and cast him into the bottomless pit (see also—Isa.14:15). And there he will remain sealed, shut up, and bound for a thousand years; up to the very end of the Millennial reign of Christ on earth.

The purpose for Satan’s abolishing is explained: “so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished.” In other words, during the full term of Christ’s one thousand year reign on earth, Satan will be in confinement in the bottomless pit without power. And as a result, all the nations of the earth will enter a time of peace and prosperity not known since before the fall of man. “But after these things he must be released for a little while." That is, after Christ has completed His earthly reign Satan will again be released with an ability to do evil for a short while.

Satan’s four awful names adequately define him:

The dragon – he's the persecutor of Christ and His people (Rev.12:17)
That serpent of old - the one in the Garden of Eden who tempted Eve (Gen.3:13)
The Devil ("slanderer") – he's the false accuser of the brethren and the author of lies (Rev.12:10)
Satan ("adversary") – he's the enemy of God, the murderer of God's people, and the destroyer of God's creation

v.4-5 "And I saw thrones, and they that sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.”

These kingly judges seated upon thrones are the saints of Christ. All those who had been redeemed by His blood, resurrected from the grave, and raptured into His presence. These (the saints) will reign as kings and priests with Christ (see—Rev.1:5-6; 5:9-10).

The remainder of the souls John sees is the tribulation martyrs. Seemingly, in view of the unique circumstances they will suffer and yet maintain a faithful witness for the Lord under the most severe difficulties, they are given special recognition and then deliberately reassured that they, too, will live and reign with Christ throughout the Millennium.

The “rest of the dead” speaks of the unsaved souls imprisoned in Hades who did not take part in the “first resurrection” with the redeemed—men and women who live and die without accepting Jesus Christ as Savior.

"And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake,
Some to everlasting life,
Some to shame and everlasting contempt" (Dan.12:2)

The "first resurrection" refers to the resurrection of the redeemed (more below).
v.6 “Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years."

According to the Bible, there are two “deaths” and two "resurrections". Since it's important for us to understand what they are and how they apply, let’s look.

There are two “deaths.”

The first death concerns that which is common to all man—namely, the death of the body (Heb.9:27). The second death concerns the spirit of man but only applies to the unredeemed that are made to suffer eternal death and damnation (v.14). In other words, though all men die, and therefore must suffer the first death, only the souls of the unsaved are affected by the power of the second death that leads to eternal torment. This is why John says of believers, “Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years."

There are two “resurrections.”

The word "resurrection" is a Greek word meaning, "to make to stand" or "rise up.” It speaks of that occurrence when the soul (which departs the body at death) reenters the body and causes it to rise up from the grave. Everyone dies, therefore everyone also resurrects, but the event is vastly different between the saved and unsaved.

The saved (those redeemed in Christ) take part in the first resurrection and acquire a new body in the process (Phil.3:20-21; 1Cor.15:52). “But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming” (1Cor.15:23). In other words, the first resurrection is not a one-time event, but a procession much like a parade. It began with Jesus Christ, seemingly ends with this group of tribulation martyrs, and in between, consists of at least three separate occasions where other believers are resurrected (see—Matt.27:53; 1Thess.4:16,17; Rev.11:11).

The unsaved (those not redeemed in Christ) take part in the second resurrection. Unlike the first resurrection, however, they are not given a new body, and the event is not in stages, but rather a one-time event that follows the Millennium. This is why John says of the unbelievers, “But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished.”

Okay, now let's shift gears and consider the Millennium.

It should be noted right up front that the word "millennium" does not appear in Scripture. But that doesn't mean the event is not scriptural, or that it will not occur. The word comes from the Latin words mille (“thousand”) and annum (“year”) and is always translated as a "thousand years".

John records the phrase "thousand years" six times in this chapter, and it's safe to say that he is always referring to the period we call the “Millennium”; described in Scripture as a time of righteousness, healing, and restoration unlike any other in the history of this earth. Listen to just some of the amazing facts about the Millennium:

Jesus Christ will sit on David's throne in Jerusalem and reign supreme over the earth in judgment and justice (Isa.9:7; Zech.14:9)
The nation of Israel shall be honored above all nations (Isa.62:2-3) and Jerusalem will be the capital of the world (Jer.3:17)
Satan (the Devil) will be taken from earth and locked up, so he can no longer tempt and deceive the nations (v.1-3)
There will be no war between men (Isa.2:4)
There will be peace with and within the animal kingdom (Isa.11:6-8)
The whole earth will be "full of the knowledge of the Lord" (Isa.11:9)
There will be no sickness or disease (Isa.29:18)
There will be absolute law and order (Isa.29:20)
All of the earth will be healed and subsequently restored to its original beauty (Isa.35:6-7; Isa.35:1-2)

Christians can look forward to reigning with Christ during the Millennium as priests, given the authority to teach and enforce righteousness over the inhabitants on earth; which, of course, raises the question: Who are the inhabitants on the earth over whom we rule?

When Jesus returns He will judge the nations to determine who amongst the living survivors may enter the Millennium (Matt.25:31-46). Those who did not accept the mark of the beast and showed favor to the Jews will be allowed; the others will be rejected. But these mortals allowed to enter the Millennium will not have a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. It will be our responsibility, therefore, to teach them the way and truth of God.

v.7-9 "Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. They went up on the breath of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them."

When the thousand years ends, Satan will be released from Hades and rally thousands of people “whose number is as the sand of the sea” to move “on the breath of the earth” and surround Jerusalem in an attempt to overthrow Christ.

Even in the best of environments, man is unable rid himself of that corrupt nature that opposes God, and unless one is “born again” and made new in God’s Spirit the sin that leads to death remains.

This invading army will all be devoured by a fire from heaven, making this the last rebellion of man against God forever and in turn ends the Millennium.

The identity of “Gog and Magog” at this point of the Vision is somewhat uncertain. Moreover, it seems unlikely that this is the fulfillment of Ezekiel's prophecy that Russia will lead such countries as Iran and Libya in an invasion of Israel (Ez.38:2-16). That invasion seems more probable during the Tribulation (see notes—Rev.14:14-20).

Maybe the answer is as one commentator noted that “Gog and Magog” is a mystical phrase that signifies “the prince and the people”, and in turn represents all of the final adversaries of the Messiah led by Satan in person.

v.10 "And the devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever."
Several aspects about hell are clearly answered here and should be noted:

It’s eternal. The phrase, “forever and ever” used in this verse to describe the “lake of fire’s” torment is the same phrase used elsewhere to describe the throne of Christ (Heb.1:8). So hell is unending as Christ is unending.
It’s a place of eternal torment. There’s nothing to suggest any future hope of clemency, forgiveness or escape from the lake of fire.
Unsaved man will be cast into the eternal lake of fire along with Satan and the unrepentant angels. In fact, two humans (antichrist and the false prophet) are actually cast into the lake of fire before Satan (see notes—Rev.19:19-20).

v.11-13 "Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which was the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works."

The “great white throne” speaks of the judgment throne of Christ, for it is to Jesus whom God has granted the authority to execute judgment (John 5:27). All the condemned shall be resurrected from their graves in corrupt flesh and made to stand before Him for judgment (check—Dan.12:2; John 5:28).

“From whose face the earth and heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them." Scripture says that from the face of Jesus Christ this present world and its atmosphere will pass away (Matt.24:35) in what Peter characterizes as a literal “meltdown” of all the elements of this earth and its atmosphere (2Peter 3:10).

Seemingly, the emphasis here is to show us what it will be like for the unbeliever that stands before the great white throne. There is no rainbow above this throne to suggest grace in judgment, no sign of a Lamb on the throne suggesting that He was slain in substitution for sinful man, no human figure, and no incarnate Son of man; rather, just an awesome Presence that is all a matter of trial and judgment.

"And books were opened, and another book was opened, which was the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books."

These “books” represent the Divine record of the works of the unsaved by which God will justify the sentence of eternal punishment passed upon the wicked. The “other book” called the Book of Life is the roster of the names of the righteous who inherit eternal life (Phil.4:3; Rev.3:5; 13:18; 17:8; 21:27).

v.14-15 "Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire."

The “second death” is the ultimate death. The very "death of deaths” in which one becomes eternally gone and eternally forgotten even by God Himself (check—Isa.65:17; Ps.88:5). All in opposition to God will be cast into the lake of fire and endure the second death: Antichrist, the False Prophet, Satan, the fallen angels, the unsaved, Death, and Hades.

The idea that "Hades" will be cast into the "lake of fire" might be confusing so let's consider what each signifies.

"Hades" is a Greek word used in the New Testament to denote the realm of conscious departed spirits and is generally equivalent to the Hebrew word "Sheol" in the Old Testament. It is not "Hell" and it is not eternal. Hades is a temporary holding place in the center (bottomless pit) of the earth. Once consisting of two compartments as the abode of all departed souls (see—Luke 16:19-31), when Christ died His spirit descended into Hades (Eph.4:9), proclaiming victory to the evil spirits incarcerated there (1Pet.3:19) then returned with the souls of those who died in faith (Eph.4:8; Matt.27:52-53). Today when the righteous die, they go into the immediate presence of the Lord (2Cor.5:6-8; Phil.1:23). Hades is only where the disembodied spirits of the unsaved dead are confined until the day of judgment.

The "lake of fire" speaks of Hell, the final eternal abode of the wicked after judgment. The Greek word "Gehenna", also used with the same meaning, furnished the imagery of Hell. Taken to mean Valley of Hinnom (a garbage dump south of Jerusalem with perpetually burning fires once notorious as a place of child sacrifice to Molech) Gehenna describes the dread, fear and torment of Hell. Today no one is yet in Hell (Gehenna).

STUDY QUESTIONS, Chapter 20

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1. True or False. During the Millennial reign of Christ, Satan, although bound in chains to limit his powers, will be allowed to freely roam the earth. (vs. 1-3)

2. Which of the following is not a provision of the Millennium? (v.4)

a. Jesus will sit upon the throne of David as King
b. Israel will be honored above all nations
c. There will be no wars between men
d. There will no need to fear any animal
e. The earth will be restored to its original beauty
f. The earth will be filled with all believers

3. Which of the following is true concerning the resurrection? (vs. 5-6)

a. Everyone who dies will be resurrected
b. The saved will all resurrect before the Millennium
c. The unsaved will not resurrect until after the Millennium
d. All of the above.

4. Which of the following is not true about the "first resurrection"? (vs. 5-6)

a. It concerns the saved only
b. It takes place in stages
c. It began with Christ and will conclude with those who are His at His second Coming
d. It does not eliminate the possibility of the second death
e. Those who take part in it will become priests of God, and subsequently will reign with Jesus for a thousand years

5. Complete this statement. Satan will be _____________________ at the end of the Millennium and will deceive the nations into surrounding Jerusalem in order to battle against Christ. But they will be devoured by _____________. (vs. 7-9)

6. True or False. Satan will be cast into an eternal place of torment separate from the place where Antichrist and the false prophet are cast. (v.10)

7. What best explains the meaning of the Great White Throne? (v.11)

a. It is where God will reign throughout eternity
b. It is where Satan will be judged
c. It is where Jesus will judge all the unsaved
d. It is where the saved will receive their rewards
e. It will be located within the New Jerusalem

8. Which is not true concerning the judgment of the condemned? (vs. 12-13)

a. First the "books" are opened, then the "book of Life" is opened
b. Each one will be judged according to his works
c. If one’s good works outweigh his evil works, he will be set free
d. The books will provide irrefutable evidence that one’s works have fallen short of the glory of God

9. Complete this statement. "Then ________________ and ________________ were cast into the ____________ of ________________." (vs. 14-15)

10. True or False. The term, "the second death" speaks of the eternal death and separation from God that awaits all who have not received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. (vs. 14-15)

Revelation 19, The Second Coming of Jesus Christ

2008-10-22T10:17:00.000-07:00

In this chapter, having been moved from the "wilderness" and brought back into the vibrant throws of heaven, John finds it in full celebration over the destruction of Babylon. Then he witnesses two of our most anticipated events: The wedding of the Lamb, and the glorious Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

v.1-4 "After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, 'Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power to the Lord our God! For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her. Again they said, 'Alleluia! And her smoke rises up forever and ever!' And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshipped God who sat on the throne, saying, 'Amen! Alleluia!' "

"After these things”—that is, after God's vengeful judgment and destruction of Babylon—John hears the great voice of the multitudes in heaven break out into a Hallelujah chorus.

With the awareness that "the great harlot" Babylon has been uprooted, and the presence of her idolatry, wickedness, and cruelty vanquished, heaven simply cannot refrain itself from worshipping God. Moreover, because of Babylon's long corruption of the earth and her persecution and murdering of God's servants, they declare it "true and righteous" that God has made her “smoke” to rise up “forever and ever” (see also—Jer.51:47-48).

v.5-8 "Then a voice came from the throne, saying, 'Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!' And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, 'Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.' “

As one celebration ends, immediately another loud and thunderous ocean of adulation and praise begins.

"Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!" Interestingly, this is the only chapter in all of the New Testament in which the word "Alleluia” (the Old Testament word, Hallelujah) is used. And how fitting that the Holy Spirit has reserved it for this juncture of Revelation with the end so near and the glorious Return of our Lord to earth about to take place.

"Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready." Although most commentators see this as an announcement for the wedding only between Christ and His Church, I tend to believe that there are actually two events inside this declaration that cause the joy and excitement in heaven.

The first, indeed, does surround the “marriage” of the Church to Jesus. For the Bible does speak of our relationship to Christ in terms prefigured by the symbol of marriage (Eph. 5:32), and it does allude to a moment in time when we will be presented to Him as a chaste virgin and intimately joined to Him for all the ages as unto a husband (2Cor. 11:2).

But I also believe that the phrase “and her wife has made herself ready” concerns the nation Israel. And is meant to mean that the nation has been reborn and made ready to receive Jesus Christ as its Messiah (see notes—Rev.12:17).

"And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints." The Bride shall be “granted” to wear clean and bright fine linen, which is “the righteous acts of the saints”, because no person can ever earn the righteousness that leads to salvation by any amount of good works. All righteousness is imparted unto us from God by faith.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" (Eph.2:8-9; see also—Phil3:9).

v.9 "Then He said to me, 'Write: Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' And He said to me, 'These are the true sayings of God.' "

This "marriage supper” of the Lamb is not the wedding, but the ceremonial feast that traditionally follows a wedding (check—Matt.22:1-14).

Moreover, I believe that this supper will be delayed until the Millennium and served on earth; to commemorate both the marriage between Christ and His Church (that will take place in heaven before His return to earth), and the restoration of a bridal relationship between God and Israel (following His return to earth).

Bear in mind that Israel is figuratively called the “wife” of God in the Old Testament (Jer.31:32; Isa.54:5-6). And though she has been put away by God because of her sin (Isa.50:1; Jer.3:8), it's not without the assurance that God loves her still, and not without the promise that He will one day take her back and restore her unto Himself (compare—Hosea 1:2; 3:1-5).

It will all occur during the Tribulation years. God will take Israel aside and once again turn her heart back to Him, and when she is again ready to receive Him as her Husband He will return for her and “betroth” her unto Himself forever (see—Hosea 2:14-23; 5:15; 6:1-2; Isa.54:4-8).

v.10 "And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, 'See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.' "

John is so overcome with awe to hear that the eternal union with Christ is "the true sayings of God" he becomes a victim to his emotions and wrongly attempts to worship the angel. "See that you do not do that!" the angel tells John, "I am your fellow servant...Worship God!"

Then the angel adds:

"For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy"

True prophecy always surrounds Jesus Christ. Even the Revelation, despite its awesome and wondrous truths about future events, serves no other purpose than to rouse the hearer closer to Christ.

v.11 "Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses."

John's attention is suddenly drawn to the open doors of heaven where the Lord Jesus Christ in all His glory is seated upon a white horse leading the armies of heaven.

“And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True." These names define the nature of Jesus—for He is Faithful to keep His promises, He is True to His Word, and His Word is true.

"And in righteousness He judges and makes war." The war speaks of the final stage of Armageddon wherein Jesus will battle against and destroy the armies of Antichrist (see notes—14:14-20).

"His eyes were like a flame of fire." This speaks of the ability God has to see everything and miss nothing. The Bible says, "Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight, but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with Whom we have to do" (Heb.4:13).

"And on His head were many crowns." There are two Greek words used in the Revelation for “crown.” One is "Stephanos" (signifying royalty) that's used in connection with the Church (Rev.2:10; 3:11), the twenty-four elders (Rev.4:4,10), Israel (Rev.12:1), Jesus Christ (Rev.14:14), the locust-demons (Rev.9:7), and the Antichrist (Rev.6:2). The other is '"diadem” (meaning "as bound about the head”) speaks of a crown meant to signify something less than royalty. It's used in connection with seven worldly kingdoms and the ten yet-future kings that make up the heads and horns of the image of the beast (Rev.12:3; 13:1).

In this case, when Jesus returns, He will be wearing many "diadems", the crowns associated with the kingdoms of man and worn by the beast. Why, probably because as King triumphant, Jesus is showing Himself as the King of Kings against whom neither man nor kingdom can stand.

"He had a name written that no one knew except Himself." For reasons known only to Him, Jesus will bear a name unutterable and unintelligible to others.

"He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood." This is the blood of His enemies. For Jesus will severely judge and destroy their armies at Armageddon (see—Rev.16:21; Isa.63:1-4).

"And His name is called The Word of God." This is the name which has been His from the beginning with God (John 1:1,14).

"And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses." These armies in heaven are the believers the Bible has long told will join with Christ in His Second Coming. (check—Jude 14-15).

v.15-18 "Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Then I saw an angel standing in the sun and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, 'Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great.' "

In one final desperate attempt to retain the world by preventing our Lord’s Coming, Satan will cause the armies of the world to do battle against the Lord. Unbeknownst to them, however, they will be gathering themselves together to receive the great judgment of God; not even aware that the fowls of heaven have been called by God to indulge themselves on the soon-to-be exposed flesh.

v.19-20 "And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh."

The reality of Armageddon is that man’s war against God never takes place, and only God battles. It’s even doubtful the armies of Antichrist ever see Jesus; most are crushed under one hundred pound hailstones unleashed in the aftermath of the seventh bowl judgment (Rev.16:17-21) even before He appears. Moreover, those who aren’t crushed are mysteriously “dissolved.” Listen to the Bible:

“And this shall be the plague with which the Lord will strike all the people who fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh shall dissolve while they stand on their feet, their eyes shall dissolve in their sockets, and their tongues shall dissolve in their mouths” (Zech.14:12).

The Antichrist and False Prophet are rendered helpless by the breath of our Lord’s mouth and the brightness of His Coming (2 Thess.2:8) and then thrown “alive” into the lake of fire (see also—Dan.7:11).

Satan is cast into the bottomless pit (Rev.20:1-3) where he remains bound for one thousand years until again released (Rev.20:7) and then subsequently cast into the lake of fire (Rev.20:10).

It should be noted that the armies know they have gathered to fight Jesus. How they come to accept the idea they must fight Christ isn't explained, though the Bible does speak of a strong “delusion” that God permits the world to fall under, therein believing the “lie” of Antichrist (2 Thess.2:11). Perhaps the world will be conditioned during the Tribulation to believe that Jehovah God is an extra-terrestrial enemy whose power they must resist (check also—Psalm 2:1-3).

STUDY QUESTIONS, Chapter 19

2008-10-22T10:11:00.000-07:00

1. True or False. The only time that the word "Alleluia" is used in all of the New Testament is in this chapter of Revelation. (vs. 5-7)

2. Complete this statement: "Alleluia! For the God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be __________ and ____________ and give Him glory, for the ______________ of the ________ has come, and His ________ has made herself _________." (vs. 5-7)

3. Fill in the blank: The Bride of the Lamb is the ____________. How does the Bride acquire her wedding gown? (v.8)

a. By her good works
b. She made it herself
c. She earned it while on earth
d. It is given to her

4. Which of the following best explains the "marriage supper of the Lamb"? (v.9)

a. It will be served on earth
b. It will honor the Lord and His Church
c. It will honor the Lord and Israel
d. Blessed are those who are called to attend
e. All of the above

5. Complete this statement: After restraining John from worshipping him, the angel said, "Worship God! For the _____________ of ____________ is the ____________ of _______________." (v.10)

6. Which of the following is not what John said as he beheld Christ about to leave heaven and return to earth? (v.11)

a. He is called Faithful and True
b. His eyes were a flame of fire
c. His robe was white and clean
d. He had a name known only to Himself
e. His name was called The Word of God
f. Upon His heads were many crowns

7. True or False. Jesus will strike the nations down with a sword He yields in His right hand. (vs. 15-18)

8. True or False. The "supper of the Great God" that follows Armageddon concerns a gathering of birds to eat the flesh of the dead. (vs. 15-18)

9. Which of the following does John bring to light in his epilogue of Armageddon? (v.20)

a. There will be many soldiers who survive
b. The nations go to Armageddon to fight against Christ
c. The Antichrist and the false prophet are cast "alive" into Gehenna
d. Both (b) and (c)

Revelation 18, The Judgment of Babylon

2008-10-22T09:57:00.000-07:00

In this chapter, another angel of great authority repeats the prediction about Babylon’s complete and utter destruction and then signifies it with an unusual ritual last performed in the Old Testament.

v.1-3 "After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. And he cried mightily with a loud voice saying, 'Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a habitation of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.' "

This chapter continues with the fall of Babylon, but unlike the previous chapter, it’s not John’s eyewitness account of the city’s ruin. Instead, it's an angel’s narration of what occurs as a result of her judgment. A judgment so absolutely determined by God against the city that He sees fit to repeat the prediction in His Revelation to John.

God has spoken these words against Babylon before. Listen to the ancient prophets.

“Babylon is fallen, is fallen! And all the carved images of her gods He has broken to the ground” (Isa.21:9).

“‘For I will rise up against them,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘And cut off from Babylon the name and remnant, and offspring and posterity,’ says the Lord. ‘I will also make it a possession for the porcupine, and marshes of muddy water; I will sweep it with the broom of destruction,’ says the Lord of hosts” (Isa.14:22-23).

"Because of the wrath of the Lord she shall not be inhabited, but she shall be wholly desolate. Everyone who goes by Babylon shall be horrified and hiss at all her plagues; 'They shall not take from you a stone for a corner nor a stone for a foundation, but you shall be desolate for ever,' says the Lord" (Jer.50:13; 51:26).

Why does God repeat in the future that which He declared in the past? Because the utter destruction announced against Babylon didn’t occur during the fall of the ancient city because it's reserved for the Tribulation upon the rebuilt city of Babylon. And at that time, the words of the prophets will come to pass. Everyone in the city will die, every one of her buildings and structures will be leveled, all will be wholly desolate, and nothing but demons released from the dead and scavenger birds coming to feed upon the carnage will even dare enter it.

“…the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.” In the same way Babylon was shown for her apostasy in the previous chapter, she is also indicted for luring man away from God through “commercialism” in this chapter. The Bible never condemns money itself as an evil, but it does adamantly call the love of money the “root of all evil” (I Tim.6:10). “You cannot serve God and mammon,” Jesus said. “For either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other” (Matt.6:24). And by the enticements of her luxury, Babylon causes man to love money and thereby to hate God; an idolatry associated with the city of Babylon’s glory long past, and once again predominate in the city of Babylon’s glory yet to come.

v.4-7 "And I heard another voice from heaven saying, 'Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. Render to her just as she rendered to you, and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mixed for her double. In the measure that she glorified herself and lived sensually, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, 'I sit as a queen, and am no widow and will not see sorrow.'

During the Tribulation, the rebuilt city of Babylon will thrive with international bankers and corporate executives, mercantile barons and shipping magnates. Even in the midst of the terrible plagues of the Tribulation, it will be business as usual. All the money-worshiping, power-seeking money kings will be there to take advantage of the situation and increase their riches still more, and Jews will likely be part of that mix; a probable reason why Jesus repeatedly warns them ("my people") to leave Babylon.

“For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.” It has been said, "Babylon has a long history of accumulated sins, and God has the record.” The evil Babylon has long rendered to God, He will repay her "double" the evil in vengeance. In the same measure she has glorified herself and lived sensually God will measure unto her torment and sorrow.

"For she says in her heart, 'I sit as a queen, and am no widow and will not see sorrow.'” This was first said of Babylon after the ancient Empire conquered and mistreated Israel (check--Isa.47:5-8). It intends to show the prideful indignation of those in Babylon and carries the notion that they consider themselves above the children of Israel, and by their defeat of the Nation, above even the One true God.

v.8-10 'Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her. And the kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning, standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, 'Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgments has come.'

Babylon’s destruction by “fire” will come unexpectedly, suddenly, and with utter destruction. The intensity of which is described by the prophets.

"Behold, they shall burn as stubble," Isaiah writes, "the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame; it shall not be a coal to be warmed by, nor a fire to sit before!" (Isa.47:14). "The broad walls of Babylon shall be utterly broken, and her high gates shall be burned with fire,” Jeremiah said. “The people will labor in vain, and the nations, because of the fire; and they shall be weary" (Jer.51:58).

As a result, people around the globe will dread the fire and stand at a distance “for fear of her torment.” Moreover, the corporate leaders, investors, and financiers who "committed fornication and lived luxuriously" with Babylon will stand back and wail—or more literally—they will sob convulsively and beat their breasts in anguish because of her destruction.

v.11-14 'And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise anymore: merchandise of gold and silver, precious stones and pearls, fine linen and purple, silk and scarlet, every kind of citron wood, every kind of object of ivory, every kind of object of most precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble; and cinnamon and incense, fragrant oil and frankincense, wine and oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and bodies and souls of men. And the fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you, and all the things which are rich and splendid have gone from you, and you shall find them no more at all.

There is not a single necessity in this list. Everything mentioned is for either luxury, self-indulgence, or pleasure. It even includes the "bodies and souls of men”, perhaps a reference to the fashion or entertainment industry, or something more perverse like prostitution or pornography.

“And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise anymore.” I have always considered this heavy lament over the fact that no one buys the goods and merchandise anymore to be somewhat of a mystery.

After all, it would seem that the goods and merchandise are replaceable, and they could be sold again despite the financial loss. Yet there is anguish, why? I believe that it’s because it concerns more than the loss of a few goods and services. In my opinion, when Antichrist destroys Babylon, he also does away with free enterprise. For soon after, his government will introduce the "mark" that controls who buys and who sells.

“And the fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you…” Jesus said, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses" (Luke 12:15). When a person’s wealth becomes the “fruit” they most long to possess, it suggests a denial of God by neglecting the fruit of His Spirit.

v.15-20 'The merchants of these things, who become rich by her, will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, and saying, 'Alas, alas, that great city that was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls! For in one hour such great riches came to nothing.' And every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade by the sea, stood at a distance and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, 'What is like this great city? And they threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and wailing, and saying, 'Alas, alas, that great city, in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! For in one hour she is made desolate. Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her!' "

It shouldn’t surprise us that God’s judgment of Babylon causes heaven to rejoice. For at long last the great city founded by man in rebellion against God (Gen.11:4) and the world system it produced at enmity with God (James 4:4) will be gone.

v.21-24 "Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, 'Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down, and shall not be found anymore. The sound of harpists, musicians, flutists, and trumpeters shall not be heard in you anymore. And no craftsman of any craft shall be found in you anymore. And the sound of a millstone shall not be heard in you anymore. And the light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore. And the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all nations were deceived. And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth.' "

Taking up a stone and throwing it into the sea by this mighty angel is so similar to an action recorded in the book of Jeremiah that we would be remiss not to consider it as a probable explanation.

Prior to ancient Babylon’s fall to the Medes the prophet Jeremiah wrote upon a scroll all the words of God concerning her fall. Then he ordered a man named Seraiah to read the scroll aloud at Babylon followed with instructions to afterward tie it to a millstone and then throw it into the Euphrates (Jer.51:59-62). Listen to the rest of it:

“Now it shall be, when you have finished reading this book, that you shall tie a stone to it and throw it into the Euphrates. Then you shall say, ‘Thus Babylon shall sink and not rise from the catastrophe that I will bring upon her. And they shall be weary’ “(Jer.51:63-64)

In my opinion, this chapter repeats the action taken by Seraiah. The angel first recites the calamity of Babylon and then tosses a rock into the sea to confirm it. Moreover, I feel it all intends to show that Babylon has yet to endure the full wrath of God's judgment, but during the middle of the Tribulation, it will.

STUDY QUESTIONS, Chapter 18

2008-10-22T09:52:00.000-07:00

1. In his opening statement to John, the angel uses graphic imagery to describe the destruction of Babylon. What is it that he said? (vs. 1-2)

a. Babylon will put up a bloody fight
b. Babylon will be utterly destroyed
c. Babylon will become a habitation of demons and scavenger birds
d. Both (b) and (c).

2. True or False. When the angel told John, "the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her," he was suggesting that the world leaders will embrace the Babylonish world system of covetousness. (v.3)

3. Who is it that Jesus warns to get out of Babylon? (vs. 4-5)

a. The women and the children
b. God's people, the Jews
c. The corporate executives
d. Everyone living within the city limits

4. What is that the Father is asked to do with Babylon? (vs. 6-7)

a. Be patient with her
b. Repay her double
c. Give her torment and sorrow
d. Both (b) and (c).

5. True or False. The plagues brought upon Babylon will span a period of three and a half years and slowly destroy her. (vs. 8-10)

6. Which describes the merchants’ reaction to the destruction of Babylon? (vs. 11-13)

a. They are humbled before God
b. They bewail those who die in Babylon
c. They bewail the loss of necessities needed by the world
d. They bewail because of their own self-interests

7. Complete this statement: "And the __________ that your ________ longed for has _______ from you, and _____ the things which are ______ and _________ have gone from you, and you shall find them ______________ _____________." (v.14)

8. Fill in the blank: What are those in heaven encouraged to do in the aftermath of Babylon's destruction? _______________________. (vs. 15-20)

9. True or False. The throwing of the large stone into the sea at the conclusion of this chapter is consistent with how Jeremiah concluded his warning of judgment against ancient Babylon. Therefore the angel might have repeated it here in Revelation to establish the fact that God’s word will come to pass, and that Babylon will in deed vanish forever. (vs. 21-23)

10. True or False. The spirit of Babylon is both perverse religion and covetousness, and has resulted in the suffering and death of many innocent people. (v.24)

Revelation 17, The Harlot and the Beast

2008-10-22T09:24:00.000-07:00

In this chapter, John gets a more detailed look at BABYLON THE GREAT and the beast that God uses to destroy her.

v.1-2 "Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, 'Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.'

With the judgments of God complete, one of the angels used in the deployment of the judgments comes to show John the judgment of the “great harlot.” Which we come to see is the city of Babylon (v.18), and thus the fulfillment of the flying angel’s prophecy that Babylon would fall (Rev.14:8).

She is "the great harlot” because she is a spiritual fornicator that serves and worships gods other than Jehovah God.

She "sits on many waters" because she holds power, authority, and influence over many people, nations, and tongues.

She is the one "with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication" because she has caused world leaders to join with her in her idolatry, spiritual wickedness, and contempt for God and His people.

She is the one who has made the earth “drunk with the wine of her fornication” because she has caused the inhabitants of the earth to become intoxicated (deranged) because of her many idols, and in so doing has led multitudes away from the truth of God and the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

v.3-5 "So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness, And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of the abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH."

The angel carries John away to the “wilderness” (or as the word implies, a “lonely and desolate” place) that is not identified. Some have suggested that this wilderness place speaks of some remote area of the earth, and others suggest that it might even be the earth itself. We don't know. But it’s not where John was, and it’s clearly far removed from the other activities in heaven (which is not explained).

Okay, let’s examine John’s eyewitness account of the woman, but for our purposes, in the reverse order, beginning with her name.

She is MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. How she came to earn this name is explained in her history.

Babylon first appears in the Bible as a kingdom named “Babel” (Gen.10:10), a word that means “confusion” because of God’s confusion-of-tongues judgment upon the rebellious who lived there (Gen.11:9). Following the great flood, God instructed man to disperse and "fill the earth" in order to replenish it with humanity (Gen.9:1). In blatant disobedience to the will of God, however, a descendant of Cush called Nimrod rallied the people to built a city whose tower “may reach unto heaven” to gain “a name” for themselves, and lest they “be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth” (Gen.11:3-4). As a result, God changed their languages to prevent them from communicating amongst themselves, and thus forced them to disperse (Gen.11:5-8).

But not before Satan impregnated them with a taste and irresistible desire for a commercial and pagan “world-system” in defiance of God; which they in turn carried away with them to every region of the planet. The self-same God-less system of materialism, vain philosophy, and malignant religious practices known as “the world” which has opposed God in every generation since (Jas.4:4), and given breath to the spirit of “Babylon” in all ages.

Now let’s consider the rest of her.

She is “sitting on a scarlet beast, which is full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.” The beast’s identity is interpreted for us later so allow me to defer a comment about this to another passage (v.15).

And she “was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of the abominations and the filthiness of her fornication.” This speaks of her as both prominent and influentially wicked; with the prominence of a queen she has openly enticed man to drink from her cup of abominations and filthiness (check—Rev.18:3,7).

v.6-7 "And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement. But the angel said to me, 'Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns.”

When the Godless world-system cannot subvert truth by infiltration and false teaching, it will seek to destroy it by persecution. Jesus said, “If the world hates you, you know it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (John 15:18-19). As a result, through the ages, so many multitudes of true believers have shed their blood in the cause of Christ and during the Tribulation so many more, that John sees the woman “drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.”

“And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.” It’s uncertain whether John was bewildered by the image of the woman as in dumbfounded, or, merely surprised to see Babylon anywhere in the future. Especially in a place of prominence, for the glory Babylon had during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar had long since vanished many hundreds of years before the time of John.

v.8 'The beast you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

This repeated thought that the beast “was…was not…was again” corresponds with what we read earlier about the Antichrist (see notes—Rev.13:3-4).

That at the height of his political notoriety he is struck down by an assassin, appears to die, then “miraculously” recovers to the awe of the world, or as this passage declares, “those who dwell on the earth will marvel…when they see the beast.” In other words, Antichrist "was" (a living person), "was not" (appeared dead), and "was again" (appeared resurrected back to life).

And the beast “will ascend out of the bottomless pit.” That is, when Antichrist resurrects from "death" he will be bodily possessed by Satan. The man who once ascended from the womb of a woman will now ascend from hell, and therein transform from the man that was into the most vile and evil human being that has ever lived.

And the beast will “go to perdition.” His reign of terror will be temporary, however. After three and a half years, God will judge him, remove him from this planet, and cast him, along with the false prophet, into eternal damnation (Rev.19:20).

v.9-11 'Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time. And the beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eight, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition.

Some commentators interpret these seven heads that are "seven mountains” to mean the literal city of Rome because it sits upon seven hills; leading them to suggest that the woman in the image is the Catholic Church, because the Vatican is located in Rome. But I don’t agree with that interpretation.

A “mountain” is frequently used in Scripture figuratively to mean a “kingdom”. The kingdom of the Messiah, for example, is figured by a mountain (Dan.2:35), as is the ancient Babylonian kingdom (Jer.51:25). Moreover, this passage says there are “seven kings”, making it more logical to consider these as mountains of kingdoms, and not literal mountains.

At the time of John, five large and influential kingdoms had indeed fallen: Assyria, Egypt, Babylon, Media-Persia, and Greece. Rome, a sixth kingdom, was presently in power. And a seventh king—the man Antichrist—had “not yet come.” The woman sits upon these seven kingdoms to show her presiding as queen over these kingdoms; each a kingdom full of her abominations and wickedness.

“And when he comes, he must continue a short time.” This speaks of the seventh king, the man Antichrist. His reign will be a “short time” when compared to all other kingdoms that existed before him, lasting a mere three and a half years.

"And the beast…is himself also the eight." The idea that Antichrist, who is the seventh king, would also become the eighth king seems redundant. After all, if he were already king of an empire, why would he supplant himself?

The answer is that during the first half of the Tribulation, Antichrist is king over a confederation of European states only, not king over the entire world. He is a man, and his kingdom is of man. During the second half of Tribulation, however, having been possessed by Satan with his full authority and power, he will become the beastly eight king as the incarnation of Satan. And will rule, not as a man, but as the devil over the entire world.

v.12-14 'And the ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of Lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.' "

The "ten horns" of the beast are ten kings that comprise the kingdom of Antichrist during the first half of Tribulation. None individually rules the world, but collectively “as kings with the beast”, become an empire that mutually shares in the “hour” of power allotted to Antichrist—perhaps like a United Nations.

The prophet Daniel tells us more about these nations along with the origin of the Antichrist inside two of his visions.

In one, Daniel saw a composite image of a man that had a head of gold, arms and chest of silver, belly of brass, legs of iron, and ten toes partly of iron and partly of clay which he later interprets to be a succession of Gentile empires: Babylon (the head of gold), Media-Persia (the arms of silver), Greece (the belly of brass), Rome (the legs of iron), and an unnamed empire of the last days being the ten toes of iron mingled with clay (Daniel 2).

In a subsequent vision, the prophet saw the same succession of Gentile empires in the form of animals. Babylon was a lion, Media-Persia was a bear, Greece was a leopard, Rome was a creature identified only as a "dreadful and terrible" beast, and the last day’s empire shown merely as ten horns growing from the head of this fourth dreadful and terrible beast. Then Daniel saw "another horn, a little one" coming up among the ten horns which plucked out three of the first horns, “And there, in this horn, were the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words,” Daniel writes (Dan.7).

This has lead some commentators to conclude that Antichrist’s kingdom and origin consists of a conglomerate of ten nations once a part of the old Roman Empire; comprising a revived form of that Empire (see also notes—Rev.13:2).

Some go further. They see the European Union as the fulfillment of this kingdom. Since it was founded in 1951, the EU not only has become one of this world's most formidable political, economic, and military blocks, but all of the European nations currently in the EU can be traced back to the old Roman Empire. If this is correct, that the EU becomes man's final kingdom on earth, than we are witnesses, dear ones, to what shall become the body of nations from which Antichrist will one day emerge.

“These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast...” Sovereign nations willing to give up their power and authority to one world leader is already becoming a reality in our present day. We need only to look at NATO, the United Nations, or the EU to see how the global quest for peace has brought nations together with treaties and contractual agreements into a single unified body. So the stage is set. The charismatic Antichrist needs only to surface to win them over and lead them, and for Satan to “resurrect” inside him to become their king.

“These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of Lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful." There will be no other power on earth but the kingdom of Satan during the second half of the Tribulation. And only the Lamb, the Lord of Lords, can overcome it.

v.15-18 "And he said to me, 'The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire. For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.' "

This chapter ends with additional information about Mystery Babylon: She is a city, and she is destroyed by the government of Antichrist.

We’ve discussed how the harlot Babylon characterizes the corrupt world-system of false religion and commercialism diabolically opposed to God. That she is "seated upon" the beast (v. 3-4) to show her authority and influence over the beast and the masses of people influenced by the corrupt world system she personifies.

We haven't yet considered, however, that she is also a literal city. Nor have we reconciled how a literal city might subject Antichrist, cause people in every nation, culture, and ethnic background to surrender sovereignty, or why Antichrist would destroy it.

Let’s start with a prophecy that concerns the ancient city of Babylon’s destruction.

During the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Babylon was at the height of its glory as the capital city of the vast and formidable Babylonian empire. After God brought judgment against her, however, she was over thrown and destroyed. But according to Jeremiah, God's judgment stated that nothing would remain of her, not even a stone to build a foundation (Jer.50:26; 51:26).

Yet, as one commentator points out, stones from Babylon were found in a rock quarry in the 1800’s, suggesting that the prophecy against the city has not yet been fulfilled. Moreover, beginning in 1970 Saddam Hussein spent millions rebuilding Babylon, thus seeming to contradict God’s proclamation to make Babylon “desolate forever” (Jer.51:26). The notion is that God intended to fulfill the prophecy at a future time, and would ultimately destroy the literal city of Babylon during the Tribulation.

Okay, now let's see how a city might influence the people and the beast.

Sometime during the first half of Tribulation, I believe that some event will bring about a consolidated Arab alliance that unites their people and causes them to make Babylon their capitol. The Arabs currently possess half of this planet's oil reserves and Islam is the largest, fastest growing, and most influential religion in the world. So it’s at least conceivable that a merger of these economic and spiritual blocks of powers could give Babylon influential control over the world, including the European government of Antichrist. Yes, such an amalgamation seems unlikely currently because the Arab oil cartels are fractured by greed and Islam is divided. But we can’t deny the ability of spiritual forces to arrange it.

Finally, let’s consider why a composite of nations as civilized as the Europeans would agree to wage war against the Arabs at a literal city of Babylon, and for that matter, why Satan would want to eliminate the world-system (characterized by Babylon) that has long been his virtual "stronghold" of evil throughout the ages.

The answer to the first part is given to us. "And the ten horns…will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked…and burn her with fire. For God has put it in their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast.” It's straightforward: God motivates the decision-makers to give their kingdom to Antichrist, and in turn to hate and subsequently destroy any power on earth that controls him, or would prevent him from achieving absolute worship from all men.

As for the second part, I believe the reason why Satan destroys the Babylon-ish world-system of commercialism and false religion is to subject all men to him by the elimination of entrepreneurial and moral freedom. Between the mark of the beast and his image, and no other available choice, all men will be required to seek, serve, and worship him alone.

STUDY QUESTIONS, Chapter 17

2008-10-22T09:17:00.000-07:00

1. Which of the following opening statements was NOT made to John concerning Babylon? (vs. 1-2)

a. She is "the great harlot"
b. She symbolizes the city of Rome
c. The kings of the earth have committed fornication with her
d. The inhabitants of the earth were made drunk by her

2. True or False. John saw the great harlot beautifully adorned and carrying a scarlet beast upon her shoulders. (vs. 3-4)

3. Complete this statement: "And on her ____________ a name was written: ____________ BABYLON THE GREAT, THE ____________ OF HARLOTS AND OF THE __________________ OF THE _______________.” (v.5)

4. Which of the following might best explain why the great harlot bore such a strange and perverse name? (v.5)

a. The city was originally founded in rebellion against God
b. Historically, she is the fountain-head of malignant religious practices and false deities
c. She has influenced hundreds of thousands away from God
d. All of the above.

5. True or False. For all wickedness attributed to Babylon, at least it can be said that a Babylon-ish society would never consider murdering God's people. (v.6)

6. In his explanation of the "beast" (Antichrist), the angel told John that he "was", "is not", and will "ascend out of the bottomless pit." Which of the following might explain what the angel meant? (v.8)

a. It is a mystery of God which is not intended to be understood
b. Antichrist will appear in power, be dethroned, and then again emerge in power
c. Antichrist will appear to die, then appear to resurrect, and in the process become possessed by Satan
d. None of the above.

7. True or False. The meaning of the "seven heads" of the beast is this: They represent seven kingdoms. Five having passed prior to John's lifetime, the Roman kingdom being the sixth, and yet future kingdom of Antichrist being the seventh. (vs. 9-10)

8. True or False. The Antichrist is the "seventh" king, and then becomes the "eight" king when resurrects as Satan-incarnate. (v.11)

9. Who are the "ten horns" on the head of the beast according to the interpretation of the angel? (v.12)

a. The European Union
b. Ten kings who rule with Antichrist for "one hour"
c. Ten kings who subsequently give their power and authority to Antichrist
d. Both (b) and (c).

10. Which of the following statements is NOT true concerning the desolation of the "harlot" Babylon? (vs. 16-17)

a. Antichrist and his kingdom of nations will hate her
b. Antichrist and his kingdom of nations will destroy her
c. God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose
d. Antichrist will lose the support of many of his followers as a result

11. True or False. Babylon does not represent a literal city. (v.18)

Revelation 16, The Full Wrath of God is Delivered

2008-10-22T08:58:00.000-07:00

In this chapter, John watches seven chosen angels pour out the seven last bowls of judgment filled with the full wrath of God onto the earth during the last half of Tribulation.

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

This marks the beginning of what will be the most horrific period in the history of man. Regarding this time, Jesus said, “For then will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matt.24:21). Other prophets call it the “day of the Lord”; when God’s wrath and fierce anger come as destruction, with darkness and gloominess, causing devastation, desolation, and distress upon men.

"Behold, the day of the Lord comes, cruel, with both wrath and fierce anger to lay the land desolate; and He will destroy its sinners from it" (Isa.13:9).

"Alas for the day! For the day of the Lord is at hand: it shall come as destruction from the Almighty…a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness…" (Joel 1:15; 2:2).

“That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of devastation and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of trumpet and alarm against the fortified cities and against the high towers. I will bring distress upon men, and they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the Lord; their blood shall be poured out like dust, and their flesh like refuse” (Zeph.1:15-17).

As we read the judgments, pay close attention to the striking resemblance many bear to those God imposed on Egypt in the deliverance of Israel from the bondage of Pharaoh (Ex.8-11). Moreover, not unlike those judgments in Egypt, which broke an oppressive kingdom and delivered Israel from slavery, by these judgments the kingdom of Satan will be destroyed; Satan himself will be immobilized; and the nation of Israel will once again be delivered from bondage forever. “For it is the day of the Lord’s vengeance,” Isaiah says, “the year of recompense for the cause of Zion” (Isa.34:8).

Also, keep in mind that the period covered by these plagues is three and a half years. So I would assume at least some of the judgments evolve in intensity during that time and therefore don’t reach their absolute and deadliest worst until the end, just before the Coming of Christ.

v.2 "So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast, and those who worshiped his image."

This "first judgment" is appropriately poured upon the earth, which is the kingdom of Satan.

As a result, those who had taken the mark of the beast and worshiped his image, break out in a “foul and loathsome” sore. But this is no mere skin blemish; the thought conveyed is a “diseased and malignant” sore that is both highly repulsive and agonizingly painful to those who are afflicted by it. The cause is unknown, though one commentator speculates that the sore could be the result of a lithium leak from the computer chip implanted under ones skin, and another, that it might be form of cancer resulting from the fourth judgment upon the sun (vs. 8-9).

v.3 "Then the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died."

This "second judgment" is poured out upon the sea.

As a result, the oceans become blood, in turn killing every fish, mammal, and organism in every ocean in the world. This will not only contribute to famine, but considering the valuable food chain that the oceans supply, will undoubtedly have a devastating impact on the world's economy as well.

v.4 "Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood."

This "third judgment" is poured out upon the rivers and springs.

This causes all the fresh water both above and below ground to become blood; thereby eliminating the presence of all drinking water, and further reducing the availability of food generally provided by fresh water lakes and streams.

v.5-7 "And I heard the angel of the waters saying: 'You are righteous, O Lord, the One who is and who was and who is to be, because You have judged these things. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink. For it is their just due.' And I heard another from the altar saying, 'Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments.' "

This is heaven’s reassurance that God’s judgments are purposeful and just.

Note how incessantly ready the angel is for them to finally occur and how genuinely righteous the angel acknowledges them to be, and who better, but an angel, could give testimony to such things. For angels know the whole story of man’s rebellion, and have remained astute witnesses to the bloodshed of God’s saints from the very beginning.

It’s unclear whether this “angel of the waters” is a specific angel whose duties might include charge over the waters, or the third angel whose bowl turned the waters to blood. As for the answering cry made from the altar, it would seem that that came from the souls of the Tribulation martyrs John saw earlier at the altar crying out for God to avenge them (Rev.6:9-11).

v.8-9 "Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God, who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory."

This "fourth judgment" is poured upon the sun.

This results in men being so severely scorched by fire and great heat that the prophet Malachi refers to it figuratively as an oven that will burn up the wicked like stubble (Mal.4:1).

The cause of this solar event is speculative. Some have suggested a super nova (a process at the end of a star’s life in which it becomes intensely brighter just before it burns out). Others see it as a dramatic depletion in the ozone layer resulting in extremely high levels of ultra violet rays.
Whatever its cause, the hearts of the people in these last days would have become so incurably wicked that even in their suffering, rather than repent, they only grow in their contempt for God. (see also—2Tim.3:13).

v.10-11 "Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues because of the pain. And they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and sores, and did not repent of their deeds."

This "fifth judgment" is poured out upon the throne of the beast himself, causing his kingdom to become absolute and utter darkness.

Any number of catastrophes, including a nuclear blast, forest fires, oil fires, or volcanic eruptions could explain the sudden darkness, and most certainly fits what the prophet Joel describes as pillars of smoke being the cause (Joel 2:30-31). But we don't know.

Nonetheless, for all the turmoil, chaotic despair, and gnawing pain these plagues are causing, the people are so dark spiritually and morally that they continue to blaspheme God and do not repent.

"For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people" (Isa.60:2)

v.12-15 "Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the kings from the east might be prepared. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame."

This "sixth judgment" is poured out upon the Euphrates River.

This causes the river to dry up and in turn prepares “the way” for the kings from the east, or more literally “the kings of the rising sun.” Moreover, in concert with the elimination of the Euphrates, comes the release of three unclean spirits, who, through the performing of signs, awaken the kings of the earth to gather them for battle at Armageddon (see also—Rev.14:17-20).

It should be noted that the final divine promise Jesus makes regarding His Coming "Behold, I am coming as a thief" seems out of place in this passage, having nothing to do with the context before or after it. Moreover, its common use in Scripture regards the need for the Christian to be ready and watchful for the imminent return of Christ. At this point, however, the rapture is already past, so it's not directed to the Church. It's possible that it's a call for repentance to the unbelievers watching this event (check—Zep.2:1-3), or maybe God is engaging the believers alive in this world to prepare for it as He is doing today.

v.16 "And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon."

The word "Armageddon" is a compound of the two Hebrew words, “Har-megiddo”, which means “Mountain of Megiddo.” It lies to the west of Jordan about sixty-eight miles north of Jerusalem near the town of Nazareth in the vast plains of Esdraelon; a Greek modification of the name Jezreel, or “God sorrows,” an area roughly fourteen miles wide and twenty miles long.

Traditionally, the plains of Esdraelon have been a chosen place or encampment and popular battlefield throughout Israel’s history. Including wars against such mortal enemies as the Canaanites, Midianites, Philistines, and Egyptians; and under the command of such notables as Deborah (Judges 4:4-10; 5:19), Gideon (Judges 7:1-25), Saul (1Sam.31:1-3), and Josiah (2Chron.35:22).

Given its capability to be a bivouac area for sizable troops, along with Israel’s historical connection with it, Armageddon seems to explain why God has chosen it as the epicenter to defeat His enemies and those of His people once and for all.

v.17-21 "Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, 'It is done!' And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. And great hail from heaven fell upon men, every hailstone about the weight of a talent. And men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great."

This "seventh judgment" is poured into the air, perhaps because the devil is “the prince of the power of the air” (Eph.2:2). It is the final outpouring of God’s great wrath, and brings to an end the tribulation judgments.

The words “It is done!” are clearly those of God because they are spoken from within the temple where God has remained alone during the judgments (see notes—Rev.15:8). It signifies that the mystery of God has finally been answered, the bowls of wrath have fully been poured, and His judgment work on earth is done.

As a result, there will be a great earthquake of such magnitude that the earth is said to be “violently broken…split open…shaken exceedingly” (Isa.24:19). By it, Jerusalem ("the great city") will divide into three parts, the remains of Babylon will be completely disposed of, cities will be toppled, and virtually every island and mountain range around the globe will be leveled.

Moreover, there will be “hailstones” or a “hail of stones” (the literal Greek meaning) weighing seventy-five pounds that will plummet from heaven “as fruit falling from a fig tree” (Isa.34:2-4) and virtually stone the wicked; as one commentator points out, an appropriate ending to the judgments considering that God has made blasphemy punishable by stoning (Lev.24:11-16).

There is one battle yet remaining. My opinion is that the horrific outcome of this outpouring causes man to make war against Christ Himself at His Second Coming (check—Rev.19:19), ultimately bringing to an end life on this planet as we know it.

STUDY QUESTIONS, Chapter 16

2008-10-22T08:53:00.000-07:00

1. Complete this Statement: "Then I heard a loud voice from the ____________ saying to the __________ angels, 'Go and ________ out the _________ of the __________ of ________ on the __________.' " (v.1)

2. Fill in the blanks: Name the three things affected by the outpouring of the first three judgments? (vs. 2-4)

a. The first judgment:______________________________________.
b. The second judgment:___________________________________.
c. The third judgment:_____________________________________.

3. True or False. Some angels can’t help but question God’s motives as He pours out His judgments. (vs. 5-7)

4. Fill in the blanks: Name the three things affected by the outpouring of the next three judgments? (vs. 8-12)

a. The fourth judgment:________________________________.
b. The fifth judgment:__________________________________.
c. The sixth judgment:__________________________________.

5. True or False. The "frog-like" demons that came from the mouth of Satan, Antichrist, and the false prophet, subsequently awaken the kings of the earth to join forces with Antichrist, and to do battle against God. (vs. 13-14)

6. Which might be the best explanation of Armageddon? (v.16)

a. It will be demon-inspired
b. It will be a gathering of armies in Israel
c. It will be according to the purposes of God
d. All of the above

7. What did Jesus mean—following the outpouring of the seventh bowl judgment—when He said, “It is done!” (v.17)

a. The mystery of God is complete
b. The full wrath of God has been spent
c. He has completed His redemptive work
d. He is about to return
e. All of the above

8. True or False. The "great earthquake" recorded in this chapter will divide Jerusalem into three parts, demolish the ruins of Babylon, and topple every city on the globe. (vs. 18-20)

9. Which of the following will not occur at Armageddon? (v.21)

a. Great hail will fall from heaven
b. Absolute annihilation of the armies gathered there
c. The world-at-large will still blasphemy God
d. All of mankind will die as a result

Revelation 15, Heaven Prepares to Deliver God's Full Wrath

2008-10-22T08:44:00.000-07:00

Having witnessed heaven prepare the world to receive the outpouring of God's full wrath, in this chapter John watches as heaven prepares to deliver it.

v.1 "Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels having seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete."

This is the last set of seven judgments delivered during the tribulation, and is unquestionably the worst of all. “For in them,” John says, “the wrath of God is complete." That is, they contain the full bounty of all of God’s righteous indignation, fierce anger, and fury against all that is evil; and by them, He will hold nothing back, nor will He keep any of His power hidden.

We must always keep in mind that the long patience of God that permits sin does not mean that He will excuse sin. God has plainly said: "I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity" (Isa.13:11). So to the same degree that God is merciful, He is also holy, and because He is holy He must judge sin.

v.2-4 "And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: 'Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the saints! Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments have been manifested.' "

This group John sees in heaven are the men and women hunted down during the Tribulation and murdered for their refusal to accept the mark of the beast. Thus, they have victory over the beast for having clearly passed through death in possession of their souls (see—Matt.10:28).

The “sea of glass” probably alludes to the beautiful “sea of glass like unto crystal” that John saw earlier before the throne of God (Rev.4:6). Why the sea is mingled with fire is not explained, but here are several suggestions. Either the image intends to show these martyrs standing in victory over that frightful persecution by the beast and over all the fiery trials brought against them for keeping the commandments of God; or it’s a symbolic representation of the coming judgment of God.

Whatever the case, it’s upon this sea that they sing two songs of deliverance. The “song of Moses”, the same song the nation of Israel sang after God miraculously delivered them safely across the Red Sea from the oppression of Egypt, and then in full view, destroyed the armies of Pharaoh behind them (Ex.15:1-21). And the “song of the Lamb”, which speaks of our redemption in Jesus Christ and our miraculous deliverance from death to life (check—Rev.5:9-12). On the victory shores of heaven, the Tribulation martyrs can sing both songs. For they have, by physical death, been delivered from the oppression of Antichrist whom God is about to destroy behind them in the sea of His full wrath. And at the same time by the blood of Jesus Christ, they have been delivered from the death of trespasses and sins, and made alive in Him (Eph.2:1).

v.5-8 "After these things I looked, and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened. And out of the temple came seven angels having the seven plagues, clothed in pure bright linen, and having their chests girded with golden bands. Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever. The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one was able to enter the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed."

This concluding passage brings us to what I consider one of the most sobering and compelling scenes in all of Revelation. As heaven prepares to deliver the final awful judgments of God upon the world, God retreats alone into His temple.

Picture the scene, dear ones.

Seven angels come forth in procession from the temple to an awaiting living creature, where each angel is given a golden bowl of plagues to deliver upon the earth. All the while, behind them the temple fills with the "smoke" of God’s glory and power as He conceals Himself inside the temple, allowing none to enter it until the plagues are delivered, and each plague has completely run its course.

So why would God choose to be alone? One would think that, now at the threshold of this world's purging and the uprooting of the Adversary's kingdom, a king’s reaction would be the opposite in the face of battle. That he would openly delight in the vanquishing of his enemy.

Perhaps the answer is at Golgotha. The one other place where God poured out His full wrath to achieve complete victory, yet likewise retreated until the judgment had passed. Where Jesus Christ the Son and Lamb of God, being made sin for us, hung in darkness, and in the absence of the Father cried out, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Matt.27:46).

God is holy and therefore God must judge sin. Nonetheless, God is also love. Perhaps He retreats into His temple alone because He takes no pleasure in judgment, regardless how great the victory.

STUDY QUESTIONS, Chapter 15

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1. True or False. As horrible as the last seven plagues will be, at least it can be said that they do not yet contain the full wrath of God. (v.1)

2. Which of the following best describes the assembly shown to John standing on the "sea of glass" in heaven? (v.2)

a. They are the ones who are raptured before the Tribulation
b. They are the ones who refuse the mark of the beast
c. They are the Tribulation martyrs
d. Both (b) and (c)

3. Identify the two songs sung to God by this heavenly assembly. (vs. 3-4)

a. The song of Moses
b. The song of Solomon
c. The song of the Good Shepherd
d. The song of the Lamb

4. True or False. The seven angels who deliver the last seven bowls of judgment came out from within the temple. (vs. 5-6)

5. Complete this statement: "Then one of the four __________________ gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls ________ of the __________ of God who lives forever and ever." (vs. 5-6)

6. Complete this statement: After John witnessed the temple filling with the Shekinah glory of God, ________________ was permitted to ___________ the temple until the seven ______________ of the seven angels were ________________. (v.8)

7. Which might be a possible explanation for God choosing to be alone? (v.8)

a. He wanted to reconsider the judgments
b. He wanted to be alone until the first judgment was completed
c. He needed to prepare the judgments
d. He takes no pleasure in judgment regardless how great the victory

Revelation 14, Heaven Prepares the World to Receive God’s Full Wrath

2008-10-22T08:06:00.000-07:00

This chapter opens with a glimpse of Jesus Christ then shows us a "behind-the-scenes" look at heaven as it prepares the world to receive God’s full wrath.

v.1-5 "Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father's name written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps. And they sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth. These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile, for they are without fault before the throne of God."

In stark contrast to the counterfeit lamb rising out of the earth in the last chapter, John beholds the true Lamb of God standing on Mount Zion (the future site of His Millennium reign; Isa.2:2-3, Ps.132:13-14). The one hundred and forty-four thousand with Him are those upon whom God had earlier sealed as immunization against the plagues about to be unleashed on the earth-dwellers (Rev.7:1-8). Seemingly, just before the final bowls of judgment are poured upon the earth, the Lord stops to reassure His own that He has already taken His place in government and that His own are safe in Him.

Okay, let’s look at the one hundred and forty-four thousand and consider the many unique and exclusive characteristics that surround them.

They sing a “new” song. For all the songs sung in heaven, only two are called new songs. That sung earlier by the twenty-four elders (Rev.5:9) and this one. Moreover, though loudly exclaimed and joyfully celebrated by those who hear it, this song cannot be learned by anyone in heaven but by the one hundred and forty-four thousand. This is probably because of how uniquely different they are from other groups. They are saved after the rapture; subsequently given protection from death by a guarding seal; and they accomplish a very demanding ministry during a time when man’s greatest persecution and God’s greatest judgments are on earth.
They are virgins who have not been defiled with women. This might suggest that they are unmarried men (check—Matt.19:12).
They "follow the Lamb wherever He goes.” This probably hints at their future place in the Millennial Kingdom, and perhaps explains why they are revealed to John alongside of Jesus on Mount Zion.
They "were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.” In other words, they are God’s Tribulation harvest. They are planted during the Tribulation, bear fruit throughout the Tribulation, and then redeemed from among men at the end of the Tribulation.
"And in their mouth was found no guile." The word guile means “without decoy, or deceit,” and undoubtedly alludes to the fact that they do not accept "the lie" perpetrated by Antichrist (see—2Thess.2:11). In other words, their witness of Jesus Christ remains true, completely without compromise, and thus "without fault before the throne of God.”

v.6-11 "Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth-- to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people-- saying with a loud voice, 'Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.' And another angel followed, saying, 'Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.' Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, 'If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. And he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they shall have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.' "

In this quick succession of three flying angels, John records the ominous and foreboding message each delivers to those dwelling upon earth.

It should be noted, however, that the message is for the unbelievers, not the redeemed. The “earth dwellers” are those who set their mind on earthly things, and therefore, because they are friends with the world, are at enmity with God (Phil.3:17-19; Jas.4:4). On the other hand, the redeemed are classified as citizens of heaven, strangers in the world who desire only a heavenly country (Phil.3:20; Heb.11:13-16).

Okay, let's consider the three messages.

The first angel delivers the "everlasting gospel.” This signifies a message of "good news” that the long awaited judgment of God has come, that Satan's reign upon earth is about to be consummated, the deliverance and restoration of Israel is about to take place, and the rule of Jesus Christ on earth is about to begin. Moreover, the angel preaches it with a "loud voice" so that every nation, tribe, tongue, and people might immediately fear, give glory to, and worship God.

The second angel carries a message of judgment against the city of Babylon. The phrase "Babylon is fallen, is fallen" is not meant to mean that Babylon has fallen, however, as if the judgment had already taken place, but is used in the same way the Old Testament prophets used it, to signify that Babylon is about to fall (check—Isa.21:9; Jer.51:8). This is furthered evidenced in the repetition of the phrase "is fallen, is fallen," which in Scripture is used as a declaration that God has established judgment, and will shortly bring it to pass (Gen.41:32). So the angel is reiterating that which Scripture has already declared—that Babylon has been sentenced for judgment by God, and that her judgment is coming (we'll see this later in Chapters 17 & 18).

The third angel speaks of judgment upon the souls of men. This is arguably the most alarming of the messages because it carries with it an irreversible consequence based upon a singular decision: One must refuse to worship Antichrist and his image and to accept his mark, or "he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God" and be made to endure God’s judgment and "he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone" forever and ever. In other words, those who take the mark cannot be saved.

v.12-13 "Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, 'Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.' 'Yes,' says the Spirit, 'that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.' "

The saints (those who receive Jesus Christ as Savior during the Tribulation) will be required to endure the evil without compromise, even to death. Their faith will be tested especially by the mark of the beast. For by refusing to accept the mark, they will be prevented from buying or selling goods and services, will become targets for death by the government, and will become enemies even to members of their own family. It will a time of such unprecedented bloodshed and human suffering, and the patience to endure it will be a life-or-death struggle they must contend with during every moment of the Tribulation (see also—Luke 21:16-17,19).

This might explain why this is the first of only two instances in Revelation where the Holy Spirit speaks directly. An encouragement to the Tribulation saints that they will find rest in death, and His blessed assurance that their works will accompany them to heaven.

v.14-20 "And I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat one like the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple crying with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, 'Thrust in your sickle and reap, for the time has come for you to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.' So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped. Then another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire, and he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, 'Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe.' So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trampled out side the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses' bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs."

John now sees what I deem to be a behind-the-scenes look at heaven in spiritual preparation for the outpouring of God’s wrath with the seven bowl-judgments about to follow (Rev.15-16). I consider it behind the scenes because it appears more to set the stage for the impending judgments, rather than an event man will recognize is actually occurring.

The purpose is to "separate" and "gather". The imagery used is that of a harvest of wheat and grapes. First, in a manner not unlike the cutting and threshing of wheat, God will separate this world’s spiritual powers of good and evil and all concerned with false religious powers. Then, like a vintage of grapes, He will gather up His own and then assemble the unholy and all evil governmental powers together for judgment (Joel 3:12-14; Matt.3:12; Matt.13:30).

Okay, let's take a closer look.

The threshing of wheat speaks of God’s judgment of the false religious powers that have long co-existed in bitter opposition with the truth of God. Our Lord explains it best in His parable of the “wheat and tares” where He speaks of a field implanted with good seed and bad seed, later interpreted as the “sons of the kingdom” and “sons of the wicked one” co-existing in the world. Moreover, He goes on to say, whereas He will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend and cast them into the furnace of fire, the righteous (elsewhere called “the precious fruit of the earth” whom God has patiently waited for; Jas.5:7), He will gather unto Himself (Matt.13:24-30; 36-43).

“His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire” (Matt.3:12)

The vintage of grapes shows us the conclusion of the harvest, speaking of God’s severe judgment by war of the evil governments of the world culminating at Armageddon. For the governments of man, like clusters of ripe grapes plucked from the vine and brought into the husbandman's vat for trampling, will in these last days be brought to the winepress called Armageddon and therein crushed under the heavy foot of God’s great wrath (see also--Rev.16:21). And human blood, as the result of war, will gush from the valley like a river and flow downstream at a depth of about four feet and for a distance of one hundred and eighty miles.

"Let the nations be wakened, and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; for there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations. Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, go down; for the winepress is full, the vats overflow—for their wickedness is great. Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision" (Joel 3:12-14).

Okay, now let's consider Armageddon.

The battle of Armageddon represents the final conflict between Christ and Antichrist. And though generally considered as one single battle waged at the conclusion of the Tribulation, it might actually include three battles waged over the entire last half of the Tribulation (tantamount to a three and a half year world war). For Scripture speaks of three battles in the last days; all fought in and around the vast plains of Esdraelon, which is called Armageddon; all resulting in untold human casualties; and all used by God to in fact destroy all the major world governments long in opposition to Him and His nation Israel.

The first battle concerns the invasion of Israel by a coalition of Russian and Islamic nations (Iran, Turkey, Libya, and Egypt; Ez.38-39). This will cause an intense war in which Israel is spared, but results in the invading army becoming utterly destroyed by “pestilence and bloodshed…flooding rain, great hailstones, fire and brimstone” (Ez.38:22). Moreover, the country of Russia will be engulfed in fire, as will another country (or countries considered out of harms way) along “the coastlands” (Ez.39:6). This may or may not allude to the United States, as some commentators believe. It should also be noted that in April 2008 Russian President Vladimir Putin became the first Russian leader in history to Libya, creating a strategic alliance, signing numerous agreements, and negotiating a $2.5 billion arms sale to this enormous and historic enemy of Israel.

The second battle concerns the invasion of the Middle East by a coalition of Asian countries referred to as “the kings of the east” (Rev.16:12) and probably headed up by China. This not only escalates the first war, it significantly expands it; and as a direct result of the confrontation every major city in the world will be destroyed (check—Rev.16:12; Zep.1:15-18; Isa.24:1-6).

The third battle concerns the invasion of planet earth by Jesus Christ at His Second Coming, in my opinion to prevent the annihilation of Israel. For Jesus said, “And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s [Israel’s] sake those days will be shortened” (Matt.24:22). As a result, all the remaining armies of the world are consumed, and the Antichrist and the False Prophet are plucked out alive from this planet and cast into the lake of fire (Rev.19:11-21).

STUDY QUESTIONS, Chapter 14

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1. At the opening of this chapter John was clearly looking farther into the future—past the Tribulation—and then given a glimpse of Jesus Christ reigning on earth. Which group of believers did he see with Jesus? (v.1)

a. The Church
b. The 144,000
c. The Tribulation martyrs
d. The nation Israel

2. Which of the following is not one of the messages John heard delivered to the world by the three orbiting angels? (vs. 6-11)

a. The everlasting gospel
b. The announcement of the impending fall of Babylon
c. The “conditional” judgment regarding the souls of men
d. The warning to leave Jerusalem

3. True or False. Those who subsequently worship the beast or his image, and take his mark, cannot be saved. (vs. 9-11)

4. Complete this statement. "Blessed are the ________ who die in the ________ from now on. 'Yes,' says the __________, 'that they may ________ from their labors, and their works ___________________________________ them.' " (v.13)

5. True or False. The "harvest" revealed to John is a fore view, or "behind-the-curtains" look at heaven spiritually preparing the world for the judgments about to come. (v.14-16)

6. Which might best explain the "reaping" personified in the harvest? (vs. 14-16)

a. It speaks of judgment upon evil
b. It speaks of judgment that is long overdue
c. It has a unique judgment in mind
d. All of the above.

7. The "harvesting of wheat" judgment finds its fulfillment in which of the following? (vs. 14-16)

a. The deliverance of the nation Israel
b. The fall of Babylon
c. The gathering of Antichrist's armies to Israel
d. The gathering of the 144,000
e. The rapture of the Church

8. Which of the following is not associated with the "vintage of grapes"? (vs. 17-20)

a. It includes believers gathered from the "True Vine"
b. It will find fulfillment at Armageddon
c. It concerns Antichrist and his followers
d. It results in a virtual blood bath

Revelation 13, The Antichrist and the False Prophet

2008-10-21T11:13:00.000-07:00

In this chapter, as the signs in heaven continue, John sees the Antichrist and the False Prophet arise from the earth in the form of two hideous beasts that together strive in unison to accomplish the will of Satan.

v.1 "Then he stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name."

This image is a continuation from the last chapter, therefore, it's Satan whom John sees standing on the sand of the sea, and as we'll discover, the Antichrist who is the beast emerging from the sea. Moreover, both idioms "sand" and "sea" are symbolic to mean multitudes of people on this earth (Gen.32:12; Rev.17:15). So the image can be stated this way:

"As the fallen angelic spirit Satan stands upon the people in dominion over them, the Antichrist will be a man he raises up from amongst the people"

Okay, let's look at the Antichrist. Clearly, this beastly characterization of the global leader appears much more deviant to John here at the second half of the Tribulation then what was shown to him earlier at the beginning of the Tribulation (Rev.6:2). In other words, Antichrist, the man John was shown riding upon a white horse has now become a beast emerging from the sea.

I’m going to suggest that this current less human characterization of the Antichrist might be due to the fact that he has become possessed by the devil and thereby becomes the personification of the beast.

Allow me to summarize (details follow in our notes below).

At the start of Tribulation, Antichrist, the man, will possess extraordinary political and militarily skills and personal charisma that will soar his popularity with the ungodly. Moreover, because he is more sinister than most, full of blasphemies and lies and flattering words, it gains him leadership over the New World Order, and with cunning and force, he will subdue kingdoms.

During the middle of the tribulation, however, he will be assassinated. And for some amount of time, at least to the world, he will appear to be dead then shortly afterward will appear to resurrect back to life; thus setting the stage for Satan to deceive the world on a scale as never before.

I believe, given Satan is cast out of heaven knowing little time remains (Rev.12:9), that he seizes the assassination of Antichrist as an opportunity to cut a deal with him, to possess and empower him, and in turn to “miraculously” raise him as the incarnation of himself on earth (more to follow in the notes below).

The heads, and horns, and crowns of the beast are identical to the dragon (Rev.12:3) because of the similar character and purposes and activities of the beast and the dragon. The unknown “blasphemous names” on his heads denotes exaltation of man as a god, thereby blaspheming the true God.

v.2 "Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority."

The form and shape of the beast are interpreted for us by Daniel as four kings and kingdoms.

“And four great beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other…The first was like a lion…And suddenly another beast, a second like a bear…After this I looked, and there was another, like a leopard…After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns” (Dan.7:3-7)

“Those great beasts, which are four, are four kings which arise out of the earth” (Da.7:17)

Four great world empires evolved from Daniel to John: Babylon (the ruling empire when Daniel saw his vision), Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome (the ruling empire at the time of John).

Each empire was subsequently conquered by the empire that followed it except for Rome. The Roman Empire (“different from all the beasts that were before it”) merely dissolved and was never conquered by a subsequent kingdom. Thus making Rome the world’s last great empire; thereby conforming to Daniel’s prophecy that just four great kingdoms would rise up out of the earth starting in his day through to the end of the age; and the reason why it is generally agreed that the “ten horns” of the fourth beast in Daniel's prophecy signify ten nations that rise to power in the latter days from territories that were once part of the ancient Roman Empire.

“And the dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority." No other insight about Antichrist better explains his position of world eminence, powers of deception, and hatred for God during the second half of the Tribulation better then this one. As stated earlier, I believe that Antichrist cuts a deal with Satan following his assassination at the middle of the Tribulation. He agrees to become the personification of the devil, fully possessed, and with the power, throne, and authority of the devil.

One interesting note before we proceed. Compare the order of the beastly kingdoms given by John to that given by Daniel. Whereas Daniel begins with the lion and concludes with the beast, John lists them in reverse order, beginning with the beast and concluding with the lion. As one commentator observed, this is because Daniel was at the head of the line gazing into the future, whereas John was in the future gazing back into the past.

v.3-8 "I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. So they worshipped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshipped the beast, saying, 'Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?' And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blasphemy His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. And it was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. And all who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”

Some commentators interpret the head of the beast that's mortally wounded and resurrected to be a nation, and not an individual. But I disagree, and later will make the argument that the seventh head is in fact that of the Antichrist (notes—Rev.17:9-11). I also accept the notion that the phrase “mortally wounded” implies assassination and is reminiscent to the following prophecy given by Zechariah.

"A sword shall be against his arm and against his right eye; His arm shall completely whither, and his right eye shall be totally blinded" (Zech.11:17)

But that raises another question. Does the “mortal wound” kill the Antichrist? And do the subsequent events suggest that he actually resurrects from the dead? I don’t think so. God alone possesses the power to raise the dead, and there’s no Scriptural evidence He has, or ever will give that power to Satan.

From the world’s reaction, however, it does appear that the ungodly believe Antichrist dies and resurrects; and therefore will exalt and worship him as a god from that point forward throughout the entire three and a half years of the second half of the Tribulation (which is “forty-two months”). The result of which will cast the entire world headlong into the darkest, most violent, and ungodly age that humanity has ever known.

"He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time" (Dan.7:25)
“'Behold, the days are coming,' says the Lord God, 'that I will send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the Lord, but shall not find it' " (Amos 8:11-12)

v.9-10 "If anyone has an ear, let him hear. He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints."

These will be days of horrendous persecution for the believer. And though God makes no promise of immunity from either death or from any other terror, He does encourage the believer to remain patient inside the assurance that their suffering will not be in vain. God’s purposes are at work. Those who lead into captivity will go into captivity, and those who kill will be killed. In the end, following their judgment, they will become captives of the eternal fires of damnation, sentenced to an eternal death.

v.11-14 "Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived."

We know that the identity of this second beast is the false prophet because it's stated so later (Rev.19:20). He too will arise out of the earth as the same-type dangerous-beast as the Antichrist, but with a dramatically different appearance.

Upon his head are not the horns of nations but “two horns like a lamb.” This is taken to mean that he will appear Christ-like, or gentle, serene, and deeply spiritual. He will exercise all the authority of Antichrist but for a profoundly different purpose: Antichrist is intended to rule the world as a god; the false prophet is intended to inspire the world to worship him as a god.

His influence will come from an ability to perform great signs. “So that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.” Moreover, his sphere of influence will help Antichrist. Keep in mind that the Antichrist is a politician from Europe whose oratory and military skills might have minimal positive affect on his popularity to a religious people in a third world country, and in fact could alienate it.

The false prophet will exalt the Antichrist in the eyes of the world as a god. And with great signs and wonders cause the unbelieving religious-minded and the whole world to believe the lie, and then to erect an image to Antichrist as a form of worship and adoration.

“The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie…” (2Thess.2:9-11)

v.15-17 "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. And he causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name."

The "image of the beast" and the "mark" are both highly speculative. Theories offered by commentators range from the supernatural to a form of advanced technology. Some interpret the false prophet’s “breath of life” as a lofty call to the demons, and others as an act as ordinary as switching on a computer. So let’s examine both events in the light of what Scripture tells us then consider a possible scenario.

According to Scripture, the image of the beast is definitely some form of idol that characterizes the Antichrist. It's made by man as an object of worship, and when set in the holy place of the temple becomes an abomination that desolates the temple (Dan.9:27). What we know of the mark we read here in Revelation. It includes the name of the Antichrist and the number of his name and in turn carries with it the privilege to buy or sell goods. Its purpose will be to identify dissenters. For when one attempts to exchange goods without the mark, they will be branded an enemy of the state and thereby arrested and executed.

Okay, here’s a possible scenario:

In my opinion, given our world’s newly acquired reliance upon the computer, I see both the image and the mark as parts of a computerized system—the image being a computer, and the mark a computer chip implanted under the skin that feeds data into that computer. It’s the swiftest and surest way to monitor the buying and selling activities of every man, woman, and child simultaneously across the globe. Moreover, for his purposes, Satan can accurately separate out from humanity those who worship Antichrist and those who do not.

v.18 "Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666."

This chapter closes with possibly the most widely known element in all of the Revelation—the number 666. It might also be the most-widely misunderstood. So, before we dig in, let's first consider what the passage says about the number.

It is wisdom - insight about the number is given by God
It should be understood – people of understanding will calculate the number
It is the number of the beast and a man – the Antichrist
It is a real number – "His number is 666"

Now let's consider what it might mean.

Most commentators believe (as do I) that the name of Antichrist, when translated into either Hebrew or Greek, will contain letters that total the number six hundred sixty-six. For unlike our alphabet, Hebrew and Greek alphabets assign a number to the letters. The letter 'A", for instance, might be assigned the number "1", "B" the number "2", and so on. Therefore, when a name is translated into either Hebrew or Greek, a number can be calculated simply by adding the numerical values assigned to the letters. In the case of Antichrist, it appears that the name of this man translated into Greek or Hebrew will total the number 666.

Okay, but allow me to stress this about the number:

Those who calculate the names of world leaders hoping to locate and identify the Antichrist are mistaken. God imparted this wisdom for those who are here during the reign of the beast so they can recognize, and not be deceived by him. We should know about these things to teach others, but should keep in mind that the Church is told to watch for Jesus Christ, not the Antichrist.