The Revelation Story

The Revelation Story Carl Monroe Elam Copyright 2005 Copyright 2005 1 Foreword In this book I tell a story that is derived from my interpretations of the Book of Revelation, interpretations that I have harmonized with both the Hebrew Scriptures and the prophetic words of Jesus. The interpretations given here are based upon a late First Century AD perspective, the time at which the Revelation was written and the Roman Empire reigned over that region of the world. I have assumed historical dates that approximate those devised by James Ussher (1581-1656) the Anglican Archbishop of Armagh and Professor at Trinity College in Dublin. James Ussher’s dates are based upon his literal interpretation of the Hebrew Scriptures. This method of dating is likely that also used by the author of the Revelation, traditionally thought to be the Apostle John but known to many scholars as “John the Seer” of Ephesus. As my interpretations developed it became apparent that the Book of Revelation is John’s story of the age. It seems that this story being told by John not only tells of the age but also presents his views on topics that include: The Church, The Trinity, God’s covenants, Sabbath observance, The role of the Temple, and The conquering Messiah. There was, without a doubt, a definite purpose to the theology being taught by John. He wrote late in the first century, many years after the Church began accepting Gentiles without conversion to Judaism. This practice led to the development of Christianity as a religion that was separate from Judaism. John had lifelong ties to both that could not be broken. As a result, he devised a personal theology that was inclusive of both Judaism and Christianity. Thus: John did not describe the Church as an innovation of Jesus’ disciples. Instead, the Church, or congregation, is symbolically presented as coexisting with God’s creation and the Hebrew religion from Adam down to the end of the age. The Trinity is not specifically mentioned in the Revelation. Only in passing, does John allude to the personalities and aspects of God and when so doing, never goes beyond the imagery found in Ezekiel, Chapter 1, where we see four cherubim surrounding God’s throne. God’s covenants were of great importance to John. He presents three covenants dealing with God’s law, mercy and judgment. These covenants are described as coexisting from the time of Noah and the flood and all seem to have equal importance. This equality would have been important to John in order to protect the standing of Judaism and the Mosaic Law and ensure that Judaism would not be supplanted by Christianity and in order to ascribe Christianity equal status with Judaism. Sabbath observance is deemed as important for the Christian as it is for each Jew. The Rabbis taught strict Sabbath observance and its importance to Messiah: Shemot Rabba 25:12; Yerushalmi, Ta’anit 1:10 “Though I have set a limit to ‘the end,’ that it will happen in its time regardless of whether they will do teshuvah (repentance) or not… the scion of David (Mashiach) will come if they keep just one Shabbat, because the Shabbat is equivalent to all the mitzvoth (commandments).” Sabbath observance is woven implicitly into the entire Revelation story and, for the Christian, Sabbath observance is deemed essential to honoring Messiah. The Jerusalem Temple was absent as a symbol of worship in the Revelation just as the Pharisees were abandoning the Temple and daily sacrifice as symbols of Jewish worship. The Pharisaic Rabbis favored the synagogue as a place of worship and preferred daily prayers to that of daily sacrifice. John clearly teaches the coming of a conquering Messiah and the millennial reign of Messiah on earth before God’s final judgment. As a matter of fact, the entire age of the creation is vividly described from creation to the final judgment in eight successive millennia. The structure of the age, as embodied within the Revelation, appears similar to and may have been borrowed from the Samaritan story of the age in which there are six millennia prior to the coming of Messiah. John, however, expanded that story to include eight millennia the Copyright 2005 2 last of which is the millennial reign of Jesus. In the telling of my story, I assign historic Jerusalem, rather than Rome, to the role of Babylon. I do so because I believe the imagery is appropriate for a prosperous Jerusalem, and I believe the story is primarily about the destiny of God’s city Jerusalem and God’s people Israel, not about Rome. I find some justification in this view from the well known commentary of Robert Henry Charles D.D. in which he ascribes Revelation 18, which describes the fall of Babylon, to an Hebrew source, “belonging to the Vespasianic period and written soon after the destruction of Jerusalem.” Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 A.D. whereas Rome burned in 64 A.D.. In addition, history teaches that only a portion of Rome burned but Jerusalem was completely destroyed as described in the Revelation text. Ultimately, each reader must arrive at his or her own conclusions regarding the meaning and purpose of the Revelation as I have done. Perhaps some of my ideas will enable others to devise a more satisfying interpretation and arrive at a greater understanding of John’s story. Carl Monroe Elam, Baltimore, Maryland 26 January 2016 Copyright 2005 3 Table of Contents Prologue…………………………………………………… Page 5 Chapter 1, The Revelation Story…………………………. Page 16 (Revelation 1:1 to 3:22) Chapter 2, God of Time………………………………….. Page 32 (Revelation 4:1 to 5:14) Chapter 3, The Seals……………………………………… Page 38 (Revelation 6:1 to 6:17) Chapter 4, God’s Servants………………………..……… Page 48 (Revelation 7:1 to 8:6) Chapter 5, Six Trumpets…………………………………. Page 56 (Revelation 8:1 to 9:21) Chapter 6, God’s Covenants……………………….…….. Page 75 (Revelation 10:1 to 13:18) Chapter 7, The Lamb on Mount Zion…………….……… Page 100 (Revelation 14:1 to 15:4) Chapter 8, Seven Last Plagues……………….…………... Page 113 (Revelation 15:1 to 16:21) Chapter 9, The Great Harlot………………………….….. Page 119 (Revelation 17:1 to 18:24) Chapter 10, Marriage of the Lamb…………………..…… Page 128 (Revelation 19:1 to 20:4) Chapter 11, Christ’s Thousand Year Reign…………..….. Page 133 (Revelation 20:4 to 20:6) Chapter 12, The Closing Days…………………….…….. (Revelation 20:1 to 22:16) Page 138 Chapter 13, Daniel’s Prophecies………………………… (Daniel 2:39-40) (Daniel 4:1-5, 10-17, 22-26) (Daniel 7:1-8, 23-25) (Daniel 8:1-17, 26) (Daniel 9:27) (Daniel 12:11-13) Page 147 Chapter 14 Ezekiel’s Prophecies………………………… Page 154 (Ezekiel 15:2-4) (Ezekiel 34:2-10, 23-24) (Ezekiel 35:1-6) (Ezekiel 36:8-10, 24-27) (Ezekiel 37:11-12, 16-17, 20-22, 24-28) (Ezekiel 40:1-4) (Ezekiel 43:1-2, 5-6, 10-12) Epilogue………………………………………….………. Page 159 Benediction…………….……………………..………….. Page 165 Copyright 2005 4 The Revelation Story Carl Monroe Elam 27 August, 2005 ***** I have painted the prophet's words upon a canvas of time for all to see. The prophet Isaiah proclaims: (Isaiah 55:10-11) 55:10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. ***** Salutation To the Church: I am writing concerning God's message, the message that we call, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ." God gave this story to His apostle John many years ago but it has been sealed from that time until now. By being sealed, its meaning has been hidden from understanding. Its meaning was hidden because the message was not intended for those intervenient generations. But now the story is revealed. All of the seals, which prevented its understanding, have been removed by the passing of time. This story is revealed not through prophecy but rather through God's Spirit who teaches us all things. For the pure in heart the message is one of encouragement; they are admonished to remain faithful and endure to the end. The message for the wicked is one of warning; God's judgment is certain. ***** Prologue This story displays God's creation as it progresses throughout the age. As we read we will see many of God's mighty acts; some of the drama will be difficult to understand with clarity. We know, however, that God is in control and His story is reasoned, it is complete and it shall accomplish His purpose. If we are inclined to strive for perfect understanding, we must stop and consider God's words to Job regarding man's limited ability to comprehend God's endless, awesome works. (Job 38) 38:1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, 38:2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? 38:3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. 38:4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. 38:5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? 38:6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; 38:7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? 38:8 Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had Copyright 2005 5 issued out of the womb? 38:9 When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it, 38:10 And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors, 38:11 And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed? 38:12 Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place; 38:13 That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it? 38:14 It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment. 38:15 And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken. 38:16 Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth? 38:17 Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death? 38:18 Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all. 38:19 Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof, 38:20 That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof, and that thou shouldest know the paths to the house thereof? 38:21 Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born? or because the number of thy days is great? 38:22 Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail, 38:23 Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war? 38:24 By what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth? 38:25 Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder; 38:26 To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness, wherein there is no man; 38:27 To satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth? 38:28 Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew? 38:29 Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it? 38:30 The waters are hid as with a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen. 38:31 Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion? 38:32 Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons? 38:33 Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth? 38:34 Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee? 38:35 Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go and say unto thee, Here we are? 38:36 Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart? 38:37 Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven, 38:38 When the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together? 38:39 Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions, 38:40 When they couch in their dens, and abide in the covert to lie in wait? Copyright 2005 6 38:41 Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat. The Message The message of the Revelation is made known to us not through prophecy, for Zechariah, speaking of the advent, proclaims: (Zechariah 13:1-5) 13:1 In that day there shall be a fountain (Jesus) opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness. 13:2 And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land. 13:3 And it shall come to pass, that when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the LORD: and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth. 13:4 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the prophets shall be ashamed every one of his vision, when he hath prophesied; neither shall they wear a rough garment to deceive: 13:5 But he shall say, I am no prophet, I am an husbandman; for man taught me to keep cattle from my youth. All prophecies were given to declare the advent of Christ and, thus, the work of the prophets was completed with the advent; it is God's Spirit who teaches us the meaning of the Revelation Story. The Tradition The message of the Revelation may be more easily received by understanding John’s first century perspective of the Hebrew scriptures and religion. The Pharisees, including John, believed that God’s laws for all mankind and for all time had been fully revealed in the five books of Moses. This belief is based upon a text from Deuteronomy Chapter 30 from which we read, (Deuternomy 30:9-20) 30:9 And the LORD thy God will make thee plenteous in every work of thine hand, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good: for the LORD will again rejoice over thee for good, as he rejoiced over thy fathers: 30:10 If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul. 30:11 For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. 30:12 It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? 30:13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? 30:14 But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it. 30:15 See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; 30:16 In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. 30:17 But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; Copyright 2005 7 30:18 I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it.. 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: 30:20 That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD swear unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them. Specifically, this scripture is interpreted to state that neither is there any mystery from God remaining to be revealed nor is the meaning of God’s word incomprehensible (Chapter 30, Verse 11) so as to require additional revelation. In addition, neither does God’s word have any unrevealed parts that remain in Heaven (Chapter 30, Verse 12) nor across the sea (Chapter 30, Verse 13). Instead, the word is already near Israel; it is already in their mouths and already in their hearts that they may do it (Chapter 30, Verse 14). John’s understanding of this text led him to describe the Covenant of the Law given to Moses and the Covenant of Mercy taught by Jesus as both being created simultaneously and having their origins at the time of Noah and the flood. Thereby the teachings of Jesus would not be condemned by this text from Deuteronomy. The Person John The person John who authored the story of The Revelation is traditionally thought to be the apostle John. The apostle John was the son of Zebedee and Salome, Salome being thought to be the sister of Mary, the mother of Jesus. The book was written after John's one year exile on the isle of Patmos, which ended about eighty-six A.D.. At this time he returned to Ephesus and sometime later, perhaps as late as ninety-six A.D., wrote his book. While on the isle of Patmos, it is likely that John was isolated from the church, fellow believers, the ancient Jewish texts and contemporary Christian writings of his day. This austere environment surely gave John an opportunity to reflect upon all the knowledge that he had acquired over his lifetime and it gave him the opportunity to reflect upon the words of Jesus regarding His return, as recorded in the writing of Matthew in Chapter 24 of his gospel. Here we have Jesus' prophetic words from the gospel of Matthew : (Matthew 24:4-51) 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 24:6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 24:8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. 24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, Copyright 2005 8 let him understand:) 24:16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: 24:17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: 24:18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. 24:19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 24:20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 24:25 Behold, I have told you before. 24:26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. 24:27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 24:28 For wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together. 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. 24:32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: 24:33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. 24:34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 24:37 But as the days of Noe (Noah) were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 24:38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 24:39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 24:40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 24:41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. 24:43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Copyright 2005 9 24:45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his Lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? 24:46 Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 24:47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. 24:48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My Lord delayeth his coming; 24:49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; 24:50 The Lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, 24:51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. In His prophetic words from the gospel of Luke, Jesus states: (Luke 21:25-27, 32) 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 21:26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 21:27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 21:32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. John and many others surely had believed, based upon this Verse 32 from Luke, that Jesus would return within their lifetime. It must have appeared to John, as well as others, that Christ's return would be the only means of ending the persecution by the Roman emperors. First it was Nero starting in the year sixty-four and now it was Domitian beginning in the year eighty five. But, Jesus had not returned and John's life was drawing to a close; thus John wrote his story. John's primary motive for writing this story was, most likely, the desire to rationalize for all believers of his day the delay in Jesus' return to rescue His people. Undoubtedly God planted this desire to write within John's heart so that all peoples that follow, will understand God's plan for the age. John's book, although prophetic in style, should not be viewed as prophecy in the tradition of the historic Hebrew prophets that foretold Christ. In the words of the prophet Zechariah, as quoted previously, we find an obscure and perhaps solitary reference to the cessation of prophecy with the advent of Messiah. One may assert that the foretelling of Messiah is the primary purpose of Biblical prophecy; in the broader sense its purpose is also preparing God's people for, and describing events leading up to, Messiah. While on the isle of Patmos, God surely gave to John a clear recollection of the scriptures from the Torah and the Prophets, Prophets such as Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos and Zechariah. John must have also recalled the prophetic words of Jesus as previously quoted and as recorded in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. With the events described in these inspired texts in mind, John began to envision the framework of the age. To incorporate lyrical tradition within his story, he seems to have envisioned the age within the context of the creation story of Genesis, the story in which Moses describes the creation in seven days. It is very interesting that John's story, which is very much like Moses' creation story, is situated opposite Moses' story in the Bible and thus the two stories enfold the complete Bible text. We now read from Moses' creation story: (Genesis 1:1-31) The First Day 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Copyright 2005 10 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. 1:4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. 1:5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. This first day that speaks of light and darkness is an image of the time of Adam and Eve in the garden in which good was contrasted with evil and sin. The Second Day 1:6 And God said, Let there be a firmament (heavens) in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters (blue sea below) from the waters (blue sky above). 1:7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. 1:8 And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day. This second day that speaks of creating the firmament and dividing the waters is an image of the time of Noah and the flood in which God opened up the firmament and allowed the waters from heaven to flood the earth. The Third Day 1:9 And God said, Let the waters under the heaven (blue sea below) be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. 1:10 And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called the Seas: and God saw that it was good. 1:11 And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. 1:12 And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good. 1:13 And the evening and the morning were the third day. This third day that speaks of dry land and seas appearing and of grass, herbs and fruit trees is an image of the time of Israel entering into the promised land, a land of milk and honey. The Fourth Day 1:14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: 1:15 And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. 1:16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. 1:17 And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, 1:18 And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good. 1:19 And the evening and the morning were the fourth day. This fourth day that speaks of lights in the heavens to bring light upon the earth is an image of the Hebrew prophets that brought the light of God’s word to the land of Israel and the nations. Copyright 2005 11 The Fifth Day 1:20 And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. 1:21 And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good. 1:22 And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth. 1:23 And the evening and the morning were the fifth day. This fifth day that speaks of the waters bringing forth abundantly is an image of the people and nations as the waters of the earth growing and prospering. The prophets often described the people as the waters. The Sixth Day 1:24 And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. 1:25 And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good. 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 1:28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. 1:29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. 1:30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so. 1:31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. This sixth day that speaks of creating man and giving him dominion over all the earth is an image of later times in which scientific knowledge and education has flourished allowing man to exert control over the earth. (Genesis 2:1-3) The Seventh Day 2:1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2:2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. 2:3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. Copyright 2005 12 This seventh day that speaks of God resting from His creation work is an image of the latter times within John’s story in which God rests from His strivings with mankind. By drawing from the creation story to tell the story of the age, John transforms the creation story of Moses from a legend of the past into a story of the age for all Adam's descendants. John surely also remembered the words that King David spoke in his Psalm regarding time, (Psalm 90:1-4) 90:1 Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. 90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. 90:3 Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men. 90:4 For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night. The apostle Peter in his second letter speaking of God's time said, (2 Peter 3:8-9) 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. With the text of Moses' creation story and the words of Peter and King David in mind, John surely must have envisioned an age that was patterned after the creation story, one in which there were seven thousand years, represented by the seven days of creation. Just as there was a sabbath on the seventh day of Moses' creation story, there should also be a sabbath period at the conclusion of the age as described by John. But with the traditional date of Adam and the creation being four thousand years before Christ's advent, there would only be three thousand years after Christ; this would not place Christ at the center of the age. Because of who He is, Jesus' rightful place is at the center of time. John needed one additional thousand year period added at the end of the age to accomplish the required symmetry. We shall see that John's story is consistent with having this one additional period added thereby giving us an age with eight one-thousand year periods or "eight days". By adding the eighth one-thousand year "millennial period" there would be not only four thousand years of history before the time of Christ, but there would also be four thousand years of future time after Christ. Let us consider, for a moment, this "new day" added by John: Since the time of the advent of Christ, the first day of the week has, for Christians, replaced the role of the traditional seventh day sabbath as the day of rest and has become known as the "Lord's Day". This new holy day, to which we may give the designation, “Christian sabbath” or "first day sabbath", is included by John into his story of the age as the eighth one thousand year period. This "new day," the eighth thousand year period, will usher in God's everlasting kingdom. As we study John's story and the words of Jesus and the prophets, we will see in the literature the use of many symbols that represent time and events to come. Perhaps the greatest challenge that is before us is finding an interpretation of these symbols that ensures consistency in the story presented by John and the words of Jesus and the prophets. ***** A Story of Time The story that you will now read is one that is written on the pages of time, the time spanning from: The Creation and Adam to, The Last Judgment and Final Trumpet of God. You will read of : Seven Churches, Seven Seals, Copyright 2005 13 The Half Hour of Silence, Seven Trumpets, God's Three Covenants and The Seven Vials of God's Wrath. These metaphorical symbols of time are given in the order in which they appear in John's story. The many symbols chosen by John in his telling of the story of the age were surely familiar to those to whom he was writing and they also surely had a symbolic significance within the religious traditions of his day. To aid in the understanding of John's story, we shall preview the meaning given to these symbols. ***** The seven churches represent the true believers within each of the first seven millennia beginning with the creation. The first church represents believers in the first thousand years (from about four thousand years B.C. to three thousand years B.C.). This is the time in which the ancients lived: God created Adam, Adam begat Seth, Seth begat Enosh, Enosh begat Cainan, Cainan begat Mahalalel, Mahalalel begat Jared, Jared begat Enoch, Enoch begat Methuselah, Methuselah begot Lamech, and Lamech begot Noah. The second church represents believers in the second thousand years (from about three thousand years B.C. to two thousand years B.C.). This is the period of Noah, the great flood and the early years of Abraham. The third church represents believers in the third thousand years (from about two thousand years B.C. to one thousand years B.C.). This is the period in which Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, King Saul, King David and King Solomon lived. The fourth church represents believers in the fourth thousand years (from about one thousand years B.C. to the advent). This is the period in which the nation Israel was divided into two kingdoms: Samaria and Judah. It was also the period in which Babylon destroyed the temple and the city Jerusalem. The fifth church represents believers in the fifth thousand years (from the advent to about one thousand years A.D.). This is the period from the birth of Jesus up to the first Crusades. The sixth church represents believers in the sixth thousand years (from one thousand years A.D. to about two thousand years A.D.). This is the period of the Renaissance up to the two great world wars and at the conclusion, the reestablishment of Israel as a state. The seventh church represents believers in the seventh thousand year period (from two thousand years A.D. to three thousand years A.D.). This is the thousand year period that follows the reestablishment of Israel and is contemporaneous with the telling of this story, the story of the apostle John. ***** The seven seals represent God's message to mankind throughout the first seven millennia of the age. These seven millennia are the same as the seven one-thousand year periods of the seven churches. The seventh seal also punctuates the beginning of the seventh and eighth millennia. These two bring the end of the age. This period contains the half hour of silence and the seven trumpets. ***** Copyright 2005 14 The half hour of silence represents a brief period of thirty three years that, coincidentally, is the same duration as the life of Jesus upon the earth. This thirty three year period occurs in the latter days and begins with the seventh seal (2,000 A.D.) and concludes 33 years later at 2,033 A.D.. This latter date is the time at which the first trumpet sounds. ***** The seven trumpets represent the passing of time and describe events that take place within the two final thousand year periods of the age. The time periods given for the seven trumpets are symbolic, therefore, the dates stated should be considered as approximate. The first trumpet sounds at the conclusion of the silence following the seventh seal; the time is 2,033 A.D.. Following the first trumpet is a period of 333 years, which is described symbolically in John's story. The second trumpet sounds at the conclusion of the 333 years following the first trumpet; the time is 2,366 A.D.. Following the second trumpet is a second period of 333 years. This period is also described in symbolic language as are the time periods of all the subsequent trumpets, with the exception of the seventh, which sounds to announce the end of the age. The third trumpet sounds at the conclusion of the 333 years following the second trumpet; the time is 2,699 A.D.. Following the third trumpet is a third period of 333 years. The fourth trumpet sounds at the conclusion of the 333 years following the third trumpet; the time is 3,033 A.D.. Following the fourth trumpet is a fourth period of 333 years. The fifth trumpet sounds at the conclusion of the 333 years following the fourth trumpet; the time is 3,366 A.D.. Following the fifth trumpet is a period of 300 years. The period of this trumpet is shorter than the others as John will reveal in his story. The sixth trumpet sounds at the conclusion of the 300 years following the fifth trumpet; the time is 3,666 A.D.. Following the sixth trumpet is a fifth period of 333 years. The seventh trumpet sounds at the conclusion of the 333 years following the sixth trumpet; the time is 4,000 A.D.. This trumpet announces the end of the age, the time of God's judgment and the time that a new heaven and a new earth are to be brought forth. ***** Within the second through the seventh thousand year periods, represented by the seven churches and seven seals, God has established His covenant period. This is the period that contains three covenants described by John in his story. These covenants begin at the time of Noah, midway through the second thousand years and end midway through the seventh thousand year period, before the return of Jesus to prepare the earth for His thousand year reign. These three covenants are not described within the seven churches or the seven seals but rather they are given their own place within John's story. ***** The seven vials of God's Wrath describe an outpouring of God's wrath, which takes place within the two final millennia of the age. Because of the similarities between the words of the seven vials and those of the seven trumpets, it is assumed that they occur concurrently. That is, the events, of each successive vial, take place at the same time as the corresponding trumpet. And now we read John's story: Copyright 2005 15 Chapter 1 ***** The Revelation Story John begins his story of the age with letters to each of the seven churches in Asia Minor. It can be seen within the contents of each letter that these churches are associated with each of the first seven millennial periods beginning with the time of Adam. We must believe, therefore, that John intended these churches to represent God's followers within those seven millennial periods. John first greets the seven churches which are in Asia; (Revelation 1:4-6) 1:4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. John next sees the Son of Man among seven golden candlesticks; (Revelation 1:13-16) 1:13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. 1:14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 1:15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 1:16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. In the midst of the candlesticks with seven stars in His right hand, Jesus speaks saying, (Revelation 1:20) 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. The seven candlesticks are the seven churches; the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches. We will later see that just as the seven candlesticks are assembled to represent the seven churches of the age, the seven lamps of the ancient tabernacle menorah of Moses are assembled to represent the week of years spoken of in Daniel's prophecy and the nine lamps of contemporary menorah are assembled to represent the eight millennia of the age with Messiah at the center. ***** Seven Letters Jesus next commands John to write letters to each of seven churches. Within each brief letter is one or more metaphorical phrases associating each recipient church with a specific time period within traditional history. Each church is, uniquely, associated with one of the seven successive millennia beginning with and following the time of the creation and Adam: Copyright 2005 16 We now read John's seven letters to the churches. These letters address the church that has as its foundation the generation of Adam; this church has and will exist throughout the age. We see within each brief letter a clue that each of the seven churches of Asia Minor represents one of the seven successive thousand year periods of the age, beginning with Adam. Actually each of the seven churches represents the true believers within each of those millennia. John chose to use these literary images to weave the church into the whole fabric of the age. This serves to illustrate the view that we, of the contemporary church, are one with all believers throughout the age; we must assume that we are not unique; their and our salvation is of the same origin, and all of our experiences in the spirit are the same. ***** Letter to Ephesus The church at Ephesus is of the first millennium beginning with Adam and Eve in the garden of God. Within this letter, Jesus said, (Revelation 2:1-7) 2:1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2:2 I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 2:3 And hast born, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast labored, and hast not fainted. 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 2:6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. In this first letter, John includes a reference to the tree of life in the Paradise of God; Moses describes this paradise in his creation story. (Genesis 2:8-9) Tree of Life 2:8 And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. 2:9 And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. We also see in the letter to Ephesus, seven golden candlesticks that represent the seven churches. John relates these seven churches to the first seven millennia of the age, which are, in turn, symbolized by the seven days of Moses' creation story. We read the words of Moses creation story in the Prologue. This creation story of Moses took place at the beginning of the first millennium, the time at which God created His Garden and therein placed Adam and Eve. Jesus also reminds the church of Ephesus that they have fallen and calls upon them to repent and do their first works (Revelation 2:5). This falling away symbolizes the sin of Adam and Eve whenever they disobeyed God by yielding to the deception of the Serpent; God therefore cast man and woman out from His garden. (Genesis 3:22-24) 3:22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: 3:23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, Copyright 2005 17 to till the ground from whence he was taken. 3:24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life. ***** Letter to Smyrna The church of Smyrna is of the second millennium, the period which includes Noah and the great flood. This period also includes the rise of the generation of Abraham and God's promises to him. Jesus spoke to John saying, (Revelation 2:8-11) 2:8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; 2:9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. The symbolism in this letter seems to relate to God's covenants: the covenant with Noah and the covenant with Abraham. Both of these men lived during this second millennium. It may also represent the new beginning for civilization after the great flood. We read from Moses' book of Genesis the story of Noah's three sons and their descendants, those who began this new civilization. (Genesis 10) 10:1 Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth: and unto them were sons born after the flood. The sons of Japheth: 10:2 The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras. 10:3 And the sons of Gomer; Ashkenaz, and Riphath, and Togarmah. 10:4 And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. 10:5 By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations. The sons of Ham: 10:6 And the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan. 10:7 And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabtah, and Raamah, and Sabtechah: and the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan. 10:8 And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth. 10:9 He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD. 10:10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. 10:11 Out of that land went forth Asshur, and builded Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth, and Calah, 10:12 And Resen between Nineveh and Calah: the same is a great city. 10:13 And Mizraim begat Ludim, and Anamim, and Lehabim, and Naphtuhim, 10:14 And Pathrusim, and Casluhim, (out of whom came Philistim,) and Caphtorim. 10:15 And Canaan begat Sidon his first born, and Heth, 10:16 And the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgasite, Copyright 2005 18 10:17 And the Hivite, and the Arkite, and the Sinite, 10:18 And the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite: and afterward were the families of the Canaanites spread abroad. 10:19 And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha. 10:20 These are the sons of Ham, after their families, after their tongues, in their countries, and in their nations. The sons of Shem: 10:21 Unto Shem also, the father of all the children of Eber, the brother of Japheth the elder, even to him were children born. 10:22 The children of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram. 10:23 And the children of Aram; Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Mash. 10:24 And Arphaxad begat Salah; and Salah begat Eber. 10:25 And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg; for in his days was the earth divided; and his brother’s name was Joktan. 10:26 And Joktan begat Almodad, and Sheleph, and Hazarmaveth, and Jerah, 10:27 And Hadoram, and Uzal, and Diklah, 10:28 And Obal, and Abimael, and Sheba, 10:29 And Ophir, and Havilah, and Jobab: all these were the sons of Joktan. 10:30 And their dwelling was from Mesha, as thou goest unto Sephar a mount of the east. 10:31 These are the sons of Shem, after their families, after their tongues, in their lands, after their nations. 10:32 These are the families of the sons of Noah, after their generations, in their nations: and by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood. ***** New Beginning The ten days of tribulation spoken of by John in Revelation 2:10, represent our years of innocence, the first twenty years of our lives before reaching adulthood and maturity. Later we will see how a day can represent two years and therefore how these ten days can represent twenty years. This first 20 years of life is symbolic of the new beginning for civilization after Noah and the great flood. This new civilization will grow and mature and at the end of the age, God will reward His saints with a crown of life. Solomon, king of Israel, speaking of youth and old age wrote of the importance of adhering to God's way while we are young, (Ecclesiastes 12:1-7) Youth and Old Age 12:1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; 12:2 While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain: 12:3 In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened, 12:4 And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of music shall be brought low; 12:5 Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets: Copyright 2005 19 12:6 Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. ***** God's Covenant with Abraham The ten days of tribulation and the crown of life may also be considered to represent circumcision, the sign of God's covenant with Abraham. We now read God's promise, (Genesis 17:1-8) 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. 17:2 And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. 17:3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying, 17:4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. 17:5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. 17:6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. 17:7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. 17:8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. God now presents instructions to Abraham for circumcising every male child as a sign of God's covenant. (Genesis 17:9-13) Every Male Child Circumcised 17:9 And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. 17:10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. 17:11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you. 17:12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed. 17:13 He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. There is, however, pain on the third day of circumcision. We next see, within the treacherous story of Jacob's two son's, Simeon and Levi, the pain that is part of circumcision. (Genesis 34:24-25) Pain of Circumcision 34:24 And unto Hamor and unto Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of the gate of his city; and every male was circumcised, all that went out of the gate of his city. Copyright 2005 20 34:25 And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males. From these texts we see that a child is circumcised on the eighth day and that on the third day thereafter, which is the tenth day from birth, there is pain. The result, however, is a "crown of life". It is through this "crown" that life begins for future generations. The first ten days of life and the pain of circumcision are therefore a part of the symbolism within the "tribulation for ten days" that John speaks of in his story. Abraham, with whom this covenant was made, is from this second millennium whose faithful are represented by the church at Smyrna. ***** God's Covenant with Noah John's concluding remark to the church in Smyrna speaks of the second death: (Revelation 2:11) 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. This verse symbolizes God's covenant with Noah. For us there will be no second death just as there will be no second destruction of the world while under the covenant that God made with Noah. God said to Noah, (Genesis 9:8-15) Never Again 9:8 And God spake unto Noah, and to his sons with him, saying, 9:9 And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you; 9:10 And with every living creature that is with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth. 9:11 And I will establish my covenant with you, neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth. 9:12 And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: 9:13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. 9:14 And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud: 9:15 And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. We shall read more about this covenant later in John's story. At that time John will symbolically describe three special covenants that God has established. These three covenants have their origin within the covenant between God and Noah and every living creature, the covenant that God established with Noah after the great flood. ***** Letter to Pergamos The church of Pergamos is of the third millennium, the period in which Moses led the children of Israel from Egypt. Jesus said, Copyright 2005 21 (Revelation 2:12-17) 2:12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; 2:13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 2:15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 2:16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. Within this letter we find three symbols that are related to the third millennium. First there is a reference to the man Balaam. Balaam was a religious man who lived during the period of Moses and the exodus from Egypt. Balaam dwelt in the land of Babylon along the great Euphrates River. In the book of Numbers we read that during Israel's exodus from Egypt and sojourn in the wilderness, which took place within the third millennium, Balak the king of Moab feared the children of Israel and thus sent for help from Balaam. That Man, Balaam, was believed to hold the power of his God to convey a blessing or a curse upon whom he may choose. We read from Moses' fourth book, (Numbers 22:1-21) 22:1 And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho. 22:2 And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. 22:3 And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel. 22:4 And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time. 22:5 He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river (Euphrates) of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me: 22:6 Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land: for I wot (am aware) that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed. 22:7 And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak. 22:8 And he said unto them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as the LORD shall speak unto me: and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam. 22:9 And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men are these with thee? 22:10 And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, saying, 22:11 Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse me them; peradventure I shall Copyright 2005 22 be able to overcome them, and drive them out. 22:12 And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed. 22:13 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land: for the LORD refuseth to give me leave to go with you. 22:14 And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak, and said, Balaam refuseth to come with us. 22:15 And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honorable than they. 22:16 And they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me: 22:17 For I will promote thee unto very great honor, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people. 22:18 And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more. 22:19 Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what the LORD will say unto me more. 22:20 And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do. 22:21 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab. We shall see more of this story in our discussion of the letter to the church at Thyatira, the church to next receive Jesus' greetings. We shall see that Balaam is instructed by God to pronounce a blessing rather than a curse upon Israel, and we will read the words of that blessing. The second symbol that we find in this letter to Pergamos is God's hidden manna. In his second book, Exodus, Moses describes the wanderings of Israel's children and in that book we read about God's provision of manna for the multitude: (Exodus 16:4,35) I Will Give Manna to Eat 16:4 Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no. 16:35 And the children of Israel did eat manna forty years, until they came to a land inhabited; they did eat manna, until they came unto the borders of the land of Canaan. The third symbol found in this letter is that of white stones with writing upon them. We shall see next that the "new name" written on white stones described by John, corresponds with God's Law written on white stones described by Moses. In his second book, Moses, tells of God's instructions to Israel before their passing over the Jordan River into Canaan; he writes: (Deuteronomy 27:1-8) White Stones 27:1 And Moses with the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, Keep all the commandments which I command you this day. 27:2 And it shall be on the day when ye shall pass over Jordan unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, that thou shalt set thee up great stones, and plaster them with plaster: 27:3 And thou shalt write upon them all the words of this law, when Copyright 2005 23 thou art passed over, that thou mayest go in unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, a land that floweth with milk and honey; as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee. 27:4 Therefore it shall be when ye be gone over Jordan, that ye shall set up these stones, which I command you this day, in mount Ebal, and thou shalt plaster them with plaster. 27:5 And there shalt thou build an altar unto the LORD thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift up any iron tool upon them. 27:6 Thou shalt build the altar of the LORD thy God of whole stones: and thou shalt offer burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD thy God: 27:7 And thou shalt offer peace offerings, and shalt eat there, and rejoice before the LORD thy God. 27:8 And thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law very plainly. Moses states that the words written upon the stones are to be the words of the Law. John, however, said that within these white stones a new name is written. If we read further in Moses writings, we see him declare, (Deuteronomy 28:9-10) 28:9 The LORD shall establish thee (Israel) an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways. 28:10 And all people of the earth shall see that thou (the people) art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee. We read here in Moses' words, that the people shall be called by the name of the Lord if they obey the commandments written upon the white stones; God's name will become their new name. Thus we see that in John's story (Revelation 2:17), it is God's name that is written in these stones. ***** Letter to Thyatira Next, John writes to the church at Thyatira. The church at Thyatira is of the fourth millennium, which saw at its close the birth of Messiah. Jesus said, (Revelation 2:18-29) 2:18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; 2:19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. 2:20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 2:21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 2:22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 2:23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. 2:24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. 2:25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. 2:26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 2:27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. Copyright 2005 24 2:28 And I will give him the morning star. 2:29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. The name Jezebel is recited in this brief letter; Jezebel was the wife of Ahab, the infamous king of Israel who reigned in the fourth millennium. (I Kings 16:29-31) Jezebel 16:29 And in the thirty and eighth year of Asa king of Judah began Ahab the son of Omri to reign over Israel: and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty and two years. 16:30 And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that were before him. 16:31 And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him. In addition to the great evil of this period, a greater good was brought to pass, Jesus Messiah appeared. He, the Morning Star, appeared at the end of this, the fourth, millennium and He shall rule with a rod of iron. (Psalms 2:6-9) He Shall Rule His People with a Rod of Iron 2:6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. 2:8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. 2:9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. The prophet Isaiah proclaims that He shall rule the earth. (Isaiah 11:4-6) He Shall Rule the Earth with a Rod of Iron 11:4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth: with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. 11:5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. 11:6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the prophet Jeremiah speaks of a potter's vessel. (Jeremiah 19:10,11) They Shall be Dashed to Pieces 19:10 Then shalt thou break the bottle in the sight of the men that go with thee, 19:11 And shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Even so will I break this people and this city, as one breaketh a potter’s vessel, that cannot be made whole again: and they shall bury them in Tophet, till there be no place to bury. The prophet Balaam speaking to Balak, king of the Moabites, describes a Star that shall come: Copyright 2005 25 (Numbers 24:14-24) He Shall be the Morning Star 24:14 And now, behold, I go unto my people: come therefore, and I will advertise thee what this people (Israel) shall do to thy people in the latter days. 24:15 And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: 24:16 He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open: 24:17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth. 24:18 And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly. 24:19 Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city. 24:20 And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever. 24:21 And he looked on the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, Strong is thy dwellingplace, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock. 24:22 Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted, until Asshur shall carry thee away captive. 24:23 And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this! 24:24 And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish for ever. Isaiah speaks of Messiah Who is to come, proclaiming that God will give to Him power over the nations. (Isaiah 60:1-22) I Will Give Power Over the Nations 60:1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. 60:2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. 60:3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. 60:4 Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side. 60:5 Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee. 60:6 The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD. 60:7 All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory. 60:8 Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows? 60:9 Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, Copyright 2005 26 because he hath glorified thee. 60:10 And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favor have I had mercy on thee. 60:11 Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought. 60:12 For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted. 60:13 The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious. 60:14 The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee; The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel. 60:15 Whereas thou has been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations. 60:16 Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou shalt know that I the LORD am thy Savior and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob. 60:17 For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness. 60:18 Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise. 60:19 The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. 60:20 Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended. 60:21 Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified. 60:22 A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time. ***** Letter to Sardis The church at Sardis is of the fifth millennium; this is the first thousand years after Messiah in which many saints suffered and died. These martyrs are symbolized by those clothed in white raiment, the garments of salvation. Jesus said, (Revelation 3:1-6) 3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 3:2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 3:3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. 3:4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are Copyright 2005 27 worthy. 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. 3:6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Elsewhere in John's story we see an image of those clothed in white who suffered in the great persecution of the early church and throughout history before Jesus' advent. (Revelation 7:9-17) A Great Multitude in White 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; 7:10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. 7:11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, 7:12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. 7:13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 7:15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. 7:16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 7:17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. The Prophet Isaiah speaks of the garments of salvation: (Isaiah 61:10-11) Garments of Salvation 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. 61:11 For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations. In his letter to the church at Corinth, Paul wrote: (2 Corinthians 5:1-3) We are Clothed 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Copyright 2005 28 5:2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 5:3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. The Prophet Ezra, High Priest during the reconstruction of Jerusalem under the leadership of Nehemiah, spoke of being clothed with salvation: (2 Chronicles 6:41-42) Clothed with Salvation 6:41 Now therefore arise, O LORD God, into thy resting place, thou, and the ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness. 6:42 O LORD God, turn not away the face of thine anointed: remember the mercies of David thy servant. King David spoke of being clothed with righteousness: (Psalm 132:8-10) Clothed with Righteousness 132:8 Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength. 132:9 Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy. 132:10 For thy servant David’s sake turn not away the face of thine anointed. ***** Letter to Philadelphia The church at Philadelphia is of the sixth millennium, the thousand years that recently past into history, the period in which many faithful witnesses have taken the Word throughout the world. During this sixth millennium, the mission field of the world was an "open door" that Jesus had set before us. Those who were faithful witnesses kept His word and did not deny His name; they preached His gospel throughout the world. In this letter Jesus said, (Revelation 3:7-13) 3:7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. 3:9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation (great trouble), which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. 3:13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Copyright 2005 29 In this letter, Jesus speaks of the age of evangelism. Jesus refers to the "open door" of opportunity to carry His message to the world and He states that no one can shut it because His followers have not denied His name. The sixth millennium was truly an era of great evangelism in which God's message was carried to all nations of the world. Jesus also speaks, in Verse 10, of keeping His people (those of the sixth millennium) from the hour of temptation which shall come upon the whole world. This hour of temptation is a period of great trouble yet to come; it is the period of the seventh millennium, which is represented by the church of Laodicea. Jesus speaks of those who overcome: God will make of them, pillars in the temple of God. (Revelation 3:12) 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. Jesus speaks of a city; this city, of which Jesus speaks, is the bride of Christ, the New Jerusalem and the church. We will later see, at the closing of John's story, that the New Jerusalem will come down from heaven at a time that is far into the future. The coming of the New Jerusalem, spoken of in this letter is an image of that future event; it can also be seen as representing the revival of the nation Israel and Jerusalem following the two great world wars at the close of the sixth millennium. This event further serves to link the church at Philadelphia with this sixth period. ***** Letter to Laodicea The church of Laodicea is of the seventh millennium, the thousand years that we are now a part of. This is a time in which the price and value of loyalty will be as great as gold refined in the fire. In this period God's people will all be tested with fire, through which they will purchase His garments of white. In this letter Jesus said, (Revelation 3:14-22) 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth. 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried (refined) in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment (white garments), that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 3:22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Copyright 2005 30 These words speak of the seventh period, a time in which the blood of the church is neither cold as hail stones nor hot as a fire from heaven. These symbols will be seen later in John's story when he begins his description of seven angels sounding seven trumpets at the onset of the seventh millennium. We, the faithful, are admonished to be zealous and repent, to buy from God, His righteousness, the gold refined in the fire and to buy from God, His salvation, His white garments that will hide our sins. Later in his story and prior to the seven trumpets, John will describe Jesus opening the seven seals of the scroll given from the right hand of God. We will see, after the opening of the sixth seal, those who were faithful standing before the throne and before the Lamb, they being clothed in white robes. These are the faithful from the past; they are intended to be an example and encouragement to those of the seventh millennium that they too should be loyal to God's calling. We are charged to anoint our eyes with eye salve, His Holy Spirit, that we may see clearly, that we may see the signs of the time and know that the day of His appearing is close at hand. We are admonished to be zealous and repent that we may hear and recognize His voice at the door. If we fail to follow God's call to righteousness, He declares that He will vomit us out of His mouth. Jesus also declares that to those, who overcome, He will grant to sit with Him in His throne (Verse 21). We will see later on in John's story that Jesus returns to Zion in the latter years of the seventh millennium and will be joined by those who overcome Satan. We read again Jesus' final words to the church at Laodicea. (Revelation 3:20-22) 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 3:22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Copyright 2005 31 Chapter 2 ***** The God of Time Following the letters of Jesus to the seven churches, we see a vision of God as the God of time and as the God of the four beasts. The image here is one of God's throne surrounded by twenty four thrones of the elders as if in the center of a traditional timepiece, a timepiece like a sundial except this timepiece has twenty four hours. The twenty-four thrones of the elders around the throne represent the twenty-four hours of a day; the four beasts --- full of eyes before and behind --- represent four watches of the day and four watches of the night, each watch having three hours.---- Each watch of the day having three hours and each watch of the night having three hours. Each beast having six wings; all four beasts, taken together, having twenty-four wings; the wings like the thrones represent the hours of a complete day. The Prophet Isaiah also spoke of these beings: (Isaiah 6:1,3) 6:1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the LORD sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. 6:2 Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. 6:3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. And the prophet Ezekiel wrote: (Ezekiel 1:4-10) 1:4 And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the color of amber, out of the midst of the fire. 1:5 Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man. 1:6 And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings. 1:7 And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf’s foot: and they sparkled like the color of burnished brass. 1:8 And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings. 1:9 Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward. 1:10 As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle. John wrote: (Revelation 4:1-11) 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. 4:2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. 4:3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto Copyright 2005 32 an emerald. 4:4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. 4:5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. 4:6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. 4:7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. 4:8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, LORD God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. 4:9 And when those beasts give glory and honor and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, 4:10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. John, in Verse 3, describes the appearance of God on His throne as jasper and sardine stone; the rainbow around His throne was like an emerald. We will later read John's complete account of the New Jerusalem in which he describes the walls and their foundation stones. Here we will read his brief description of those stones which garnished the foundations. (Revelation 21:18-20) 21:18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. 21:19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; 21:20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. These stones include jasper, sardius and emerald, the same stones used by John to describe God. Jasper, the first foundation stone, represents God as the One Who sat on the throne (Chapter 4, Verse 2). Sardius, the sixth foundation stone, represents the six wings of each beast (Chapter 4, Verse 8). Emerald, the fourth foundation stone, represents the four beasts, and the four beasts represent God as four: as the God of Abraham, as Messiah, as God’s spirit and one other, as God’s people (Chapter 4, Verse 6). ***** The Sanhedrin: God’s Court of Justice John’s inspiration for the twenty-four elders around God’s throne (Chapter 4, Verse 10) was the Sanhedrin that was convened to condemn persons accused of blasphemy, murder and other serious crimes. That Sanhedrin, according to Jewish law would have consisted of 23 members and one senior elder. Jesus once stood in the midst of such a court and was condemned to die on a cross. That court that condemned Jesus now is shown as falling down before Him and worshiping. Copyright 2005 33 ***** The Four Faces of God The beasts represent God as four: The first beast was like a lion: Messiah from the tribe of Judah. The second beast was like a calf: our Provider, the God of Abraham, of Moses and of Aaron. The third beast had a face like a man: our companion and teacher, the spirit of God. The fourth beast was like a flying eagle: God’s people. We, the congregation, are made eagles by the power of God our Rescuer and Savior. The word speaks of these faces of God. (Genesis 49:1-2,8-12) The Face of a Lion 49:1 And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days. 49:2 Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father. 49:8 Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father’s children shall bow down before thee. 49:9 Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? 49:10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. 49:11 Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass’s colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes: 49:12 His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk. (Exodus 32:1-5) The Face of a Calf 32:1 And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. 32:2 And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me. 32:3 And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron. 32:4 And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. 32:5 And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the LORD. (John 14:15-17) The Face of a Man 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Copyright 2005 34 Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (Isaiah 40:31) The Face of an Eagle 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Thus, through the image of the four beasts who are "in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne," we see the four faces of our God: the face of Abraham’s God, the face of Messiah, the face of God's spirit and we see an image of the congregation. ***** Day of Jesus' Crucifixion Within John's revelation story, there is much symbolism used to describe the passing of time. One very important image of time is hidden within the day of Jesus' crucifixion. Before continuing, it is important to pause and understand the symbolism within that day. On that day as all days there were eight watches, each watch contained three hours. The first watch of a day began the evening before at about six o'clock. John interpreted the eight watches of that day and the three hours within each watch as being symbolic, and he wove that symbolism into his story. The eight watches represent the eight millennia of our age and the hours each represent a time period of one-third millennium or three hundred and thirty-three years. We read from the Psalms: (Psalm 90:4) 90:4 For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night. In this passage from the psalmist David, we see that he declares that a thousand years is as a day and even as a watch of the night in the eyes of God. We shall see, as John surely saw, that the day of Christ's crucifixion, as described in the Gospels, was a symbol or arch type of the age. The first four watches of that special day began at sunset, Sunset represents the creation at which God's presence shed light upon the world, Soon thereafter, man sinned and separated himself from God, And darkness fell upon the earth. After four thousand years, according to tradition, Jesus was born bringing light back to mankind, Just as after the four watches of the night, The sun rose upon the earth, Bringing light once again. The four watches of the night are: The First Watch that represents the period of the creation and the life of Adam and the early Patriarchs, The Second Watch that represents the period of Noah and the great flood and the appearance of Abraham, The Third Watch that represents the period of the birth of the nation Israel, Moses and Israel's salvation in Egypt and the settling of the promised land, and The Fourth Watch that represents the period of Israel as a divided nation, Israel's fall to the Assyrian and Babylonian empires, the resettling of the land and the advent of Jesus. Copyright 2005 35 Next, there were four watches of the day. These four watches are the four millennia that come after the life of Jesus and represent the light that He brought upon the earth. From noon, when Jesus was crucified, until three o'clock, Matthew, the disciple, writes that there was darkness upon the earth. These three hours are the seventh watch which represents the sabbath millennium; recall that this sabbath millennium is also represented by the church of Laodicea. The final three hours of that day, in which light returns, represents the last millennium which we shall later see is the thousand year reign of Christ on earth. The four watches of the day are: The Fifth Watch that represents the period of the life of Jesus, the fall of the Roman Empire and the dark ages, The Sixth Watch that represents the period of the Crusades, the Renaissance and the Age of Enlightenment, The Seventh Watch that represents the period of the sabbath millennium, the Neo-Dark Age and the return of Jesus, and finally The Eighth Watch that represents the period of the millennial reign of Jesus, the battle of Armageddon and the final judgment. Matthew speaking of the seventh watch of that day said, (Matthew 27:45-50) 27:45 Now from the sixth hour (noon) there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? 27:47 Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias. 27:48 And straightway one of them ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. 27:49 The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him. 27:50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. John surely believed that the events of the seventh millennium, which is represented by this seventh watch, are significant and proceeds to animate them, bringing this period to life in his story. John, in his writing, portrays this seventh millennium as a time when God's judgment and wrath will prevail upon the earth, a time in which He withdraws as the protector of civility. During the seventh watch of that day in history, noon to mid afternoon, darkness fell over Jerusalem and God the Father turned away just as it appears that He does during the seventh millennium in John's story. Following the seventh watch, however, there was light once again over Jerusalem, and we, therefore, see in John's story that God returns in the eighth millennium as the protector of mankind. It is interesting, as will be seen later, that John divides the seventh and eighth millennia, taken together, into six parts using the first six trumpets. This division follows from the similar manner in which the seventh and eighth watches of that day were divided into six hours. Thus, each trumpet represents one hour and each hour represents one-third millennium. In the story John allows this time period to vary somewhere between 300 and 333 years. This leads to an understanding of one particular use of the word hour by John in his story. It is these hours that are used by John to designate, as we shall later see, the one hour period of the destruction of Babylon and to designate the one hour period of authority of the beast and the ten kings. It should be understood, however, that there is another more traditional use of the hour as implied in Daniel's prophesies, that use is one in which an hour represents one month. It follows from this more traditional use that twenty-four hours, or a day, represents two years of time. This usage of the hour, as one month, and the day, as two years, by Daniel is also found in John's story and that usage can be seen throughout. John continues his story, Copyright 2005 36 (Revelation 5:1-7) John Sees the Book 5:1 And I (John) saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. 5:2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? 5:3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. 5:4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. 5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. 5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. 5:7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. 5:11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 5:12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. 5:13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. 5:14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever. The Lamb is worthy to take the book sealed with the seven seals. The Lamb stands in the midst of the throne, of the four living beasts and of the twenty four elders. This metaphorically represents the advent of Christ at the center of time and our age. The Lamb appeared as having been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes. These seven are the seven Spirits of God, "sent forth into all the earth." Later it will be seen that within God's covenants that there are seven spiritual beings being sent forth on earth: the two witnesses, the woman and Child, and the three spirits of Satan the dragon. These latter three are the beast, the lamb beast and the image of the beast. All of these will be described later on in John's story. Through the image of the twenty four elders who surround God's throne, we see the personification of God’s people who are represented by the creature with the face of an eagle. Of the twenty four elders, twelve elders represent the twelve tribes of Israel and twelve elders represent Jesus' twelve disciples. The Lamb now takes the book from the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. Copyright 2005 37 Chapter 3 ***** The Seals John now tells of the seals that bind the book that the Lamb took from the hand of God. John's story indicates that the seals contain the words uttered by the voices of the seven thunders that spoke at the Lion's roar. These seven thunders will be heard by John, later on in the story, whenever he encounters the Mighty Angel with the rainbow on his head and who was standing with his right foot upon the sea and his left foot upon the land. We will now briefly look ahead and read of that encounter. (Revelation 10:1-4) 10:1 And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: 10:2 And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, 10:3 And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. 10:4 And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. John was instructed to seal up the words of the thunders and not write them. We return to John's vision of the Lion of Judah opening the seven seals. The Lion's opening of the seven seals allows the message of the seven thunders to be heard and understood. These words of the seven thunders contain seven themes, themes of God's message to men throughout the age. These seven themes may be seen as representing the "Laws of Noah," God's laws for all men. Interestingly, the narrative associated with each seal is very brief, more so than those of the previous letters to the seven churches. There seems to be, however, a relationship between the seals and the churches as indicated by the reference to white garments within both the fifth seal and the fifth church. It is because of this similarity with the fifth church that it is reasonable to believe the seven seals are associated with the first seven millennia of our age. These first seven millennia are those in which man may be considered to be under the "Laws of Noah." We now read of the seven seals: ***** The First Seal In the first period of the age, Adam and subsequent generations settled and subdued the earth. The first theme of God's message, within the seals, is for God's people to subdue the earth. In the first book of Moses we read: (Genesis 1:27-28) 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 1:28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. The first seal pictures the rise of early kingdoms on earth after Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden. These kingdoms went forth to subdue the earth. John said, Copyright 2005 38 (Revelation 6:1-2) 6:1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder (voices of the seven thunders), one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. 6:2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. ***** The Second Seal The second theme proclaims that social evil will arise and must be punished: (Genesis 6:5,12-13) 6:5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6:12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. 6:13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. The second seal pictures the rise of evil in society as in the time of Noah. John said, (Revelation 6:3-4) 6:3 And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. 6:4 And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword. ***** The Third Seal The third theme declares that Justice, Temperance and the Law must prevail. The Law includes observance of the sabbath. The Law was given to Moses in the third period of our age. It was written upon two stone tablets and as we shall later see, God has ordained two sabbaths as witnesses of the Christ. We read in the second book of Moses: (Exodus 31:12-18) 31:12 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 31:13 Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you. 31:14 Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. 31:15 Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. 31:16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. 31:17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed. Copyright 2005 39 31:18 And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God. In addition to mandating Justice, Temperance and the Law, the third seal also pictures a time of famine and the attendant austerity in the land, as in Israel and the land of Egypt during the time of Joseph, through which event led subsequently to Israel's migration to Egypt and then, nearly four hundred years later, to the appearance of Moses. With Moses came deliverance from bondage in Egypt and the issuance of God's Law. These events occurred during the third millennium. John said, (Revelation 6:5-6) 6:5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. 6:6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny (denarius), and three measures of barley for a penny (denarius); and see thou hurt (use) not the oil and the wine. The third seal also pictures the atonement offering required of every man given as a ransom for himself to the Lord for trespassing God's Law. The amount required is half a shekel which is considered to be the same as two denari. We read from God's instructions to Moses, (Exodus 30:12-15) Half a Shekel 30:12 When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the LORD, when thou numberest them; that there be no plague among them, when thou numberest them. 30:13 This they shall give, every one that passeth among them that are numbered, half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary (a shekel is twenty gerahs): an half shekel shall be the offering of the LORD. 30:14 Every one that passeth among them that are numbered, from twenty years old and above, shall give an offering unto the LORD. 30:15 The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls. Notice that the offering is the same, two denari, for both rich and poor. The third seal also states that we are not to hurt the oil and the wine. This simply means that since this is an offering for bringing iniquity to remembrance and not an offering to God, the addition of oil and wine is not allowed. We read from God's instructions, (Numbers 5:12,14-15) Pour no Oil 5:12 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man’s wife go aside, and commit a trespass against him, 5:14 And the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be defiled: or if the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be not defiled: 5:15 Then shall the man bring his wife unto the priest, and he shall bring her offering for her, the tenth part of an ephah of barley meal; he shall pour no oil upon it, nor put frankincense thereon; for it is an offering of jealousy, an offering of memorial, bringing iniquity to remembrance. Copyright 2005 40 Again we read, (Leviticus 5:11) No Oil; No Frankincense 5:11 But if he be not able to bring two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, then he that sinned shall bring for his offering the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a sin offering; he shall put no oil upon it, neither shall he put any frankincense thereon: for it is a sin offering. These offerings were instituted by God to bring sin to remembrance just as God's Law serves to remind us of our imperfection and our dependence upon His mercy. ***** The Fourth Seal The fourth theme proclaims that God's chosen people must obey or suffer punishment: The Prophet Isaiah said, (Isaiah 1:2-3,24-26) I will Purge Your Dross 1:2 Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. 1:3 The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider. 1:24 Therefore saith the LORD, the LORD of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies: 1:25 And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin: 1:26 And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city. The fourth seal in keeping with the theme, pictures the rise of great nations: Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome all that aspired to rule the known world and the land of Israel, the fair land of Palestine. These nations are to become the instruments of God's providence. John said, (Revelation 6:8) 6:8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth. This pale horse and his rider, Death, represents the great nations of the fourth millennium. The "beasts of the earth" is a reference to the use of beasts such as elephants and horses in warfare by the Persians, Greeks and Romans. The reference to "the fourth part of the earth" is an allegorical description of the fourth thousand year period in which these great nations of history rise to prominence. This thousand year period extends from the time that the kingdom of Israel was divided into the two kingdoms of Samaria and Judah, after King Solomon's death, up to the time of the advent. ***** The Fifth Seal The fifth theme of God's message to mankind declares that God's servants will suffer but must remain faithful to the end: Copyright 2005 41 In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus said, (Matthew 24:9) Tribulation 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. In the Gospel of Mark Jesus said, (Mark 13:9) Watch Out 13:9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus said, (Luke 18:7-8) God will Avenge 18:7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? Continuing in the gospel of Luke, (Luke 21:12) For My Name's Sake 21:12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake. In the Gospel of John, Jesus said, (John 15:15-18) You are My Friends 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. 15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another. 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. The fifth seal pictures those disciples, apostles and faithful followers that were martyred for the testimony of Jesus during the first one thousand years after Christ's advent. John said, (Revelation 6:9-11) 6:9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the Copyright 2005 42 souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: 6:10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 6:11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. John states that, "They should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled." This is a reference to the fact that as the evangelism of the world continues into the next seal, the sixth, the persecution of the faithful will also continue. ***** The Sixth Seal God's sixth theme proclaims that His patience for convincing mankind will draw to a close and He will punish the wicked and unbelieving. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus said, (Matthew 24:6,8,14) The Beginning Of Sorrows 24:6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 24:8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. The prophet Joel also speaks of this time: (Joel 2:30-32) 2:30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. 2:31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the LORD come. 2:32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call. The sixth seal, described by John, pictures the end of pleasant times and the beginning of God's wrath; this is the second one thousand year period after Christ's advent. John said, (Revelation 6:12-17) Things to Come 6:12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; 6:13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. 6:14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 6:15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; 6:16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from Copyright 2005 43 the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 6:17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? In the sixth seal, John describes a great earthquake, the sun becoming black as sackcloth of hair, the moon becoming like blood, and the stars of heaven falling to the earth as a fig tree drops its untimely figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. The earthquake and darkening of the sun represent a division between God and the world after the resurrection of Jesus in that God no longer has a direct presence and voice in the world by means of prophets or through His Christ. God does, however, have an indirect reflection of His presence through the voices of His martyrs who are cloaked in the Blood of Jesus and the blood of their own wounds. They are represented by the moon that became like blood, the moon that reflects the light of the sun. John also describes the stars of heaven falling which represent the dragon and his angels being cast out from heaven to the earth after the resurrection of Jesus. (Revelation 12:9,12) 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. The dragon and his angels will dwell on earth until conquered by the Lamb Who will strike the nations (Revelation 19:19-21). John, in the sixth seal, pictures the sky as receding like a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island being moved out of its place. Through the work of missionaries and evangelists, the skies will roll back as a scroll to reveal God to the world. Because of God's power working through His people, mountains will be moved and islands displaced. Here, in Verses 15 through 17, John is also metaphorically describing the closing of the gospel age; from now on the good news will become frightening news. At the close of the sixth seal, John describes men hiding from the wrath of the Lamb because the great day of God's wrath (the sabbath millennium) has come. Here John is introducing the period of the seventh seal that will soon follow in which the prayers of the saints will ascend before God, and the creation will feel the impact of the closing days of God's kindness and the coming of His wrath. The period of the sixth seal is the same as that of the church at Philadelphia because the message of this seal contains one feature that is similar to a feature in Jesus' letter to that same church. The sixth seal speaks of men fearing the day of God's wrath that has come, just as Jesus' letter to the church at Philadelphia speaks of keeping that church from the hour of temptation that is to come upon the world. Earlier in John's story, Jesus spoke to the angel of the church at Philadelphia, the church of this same period, John wrote, (Revelation 3:10,12) 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. In Verse 10, we hear Jesus speaking of "the hour of temptation, which shall come," this will be a period of years represented by one of the trumpets within the seventh seal. The day of God's wrath (Revelation 6:17), described by John in the sixth seal is the complete period of the seventh seal that will come. The events of the seventh seal and the trumpets within it will all be described later in John's story. Copyright 2005 44 Returning to the first two verses of the sixth seal, we read, (Revelation 6:12-13) 6:12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; 6:13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. These two verses also point to the great day of God’s wrath as did Verses 14 through 17 that followed. Verse 12 speaks of the moon becoming as blood. The moon becomes as blood during a lunar eclipse which can occur at only two seasons each year, at Passover and six months later at the Feast of Tabernacles. In addition, Verse 13 speaks of stars falling from heaven. There are also meteor showers, “stars of heaven falling,” associated with both of these religious seasons: the Lyrid showers from the constellation Lyra during Passover and the Draconid showers from the constellation Draco during the Feast of Tabernacles. Verses 12 and 13 seem to be referring to the Feast of Tabernacles at a time far into the future and at the day of the Lord’s coming. This day is described by Zechariah. (Zechariah 14) 14:1 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. 14:2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. 14:3 Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. 14:4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.. 14:5 And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee. 14:6 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark: 14:7 But it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light. 14:8 And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be. 14:9 And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one. 14:10 All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem: and it shall be lifted up, and inhabited in her place, from Benjamin’s gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananeel unto the king’s winepresses. 14:11 And men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction; but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited. 14:12 And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall Copyright 2005 45 consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth. 14:13 And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the LORD shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbor, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbor. 14:14 And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the heathen round about shall be gathered together, gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance.. 14:15 And so shall be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and of the ass, and of all the beasts that shall be in these tents, as this plague. 14:16 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. 14:17 And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain. 14:18 And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. 14:19 This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. 14:20 In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD’s house shall be like the bowls before the altar. 14:21 Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the LORD of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts. ***** The Seventh Seal Anticipated The seventh seal, which marks the beginning of the seventh millennium of the age, is opened a little later in John's story. The message of the seventh seal is that God will complete His work on earth according to a plan, which was laid out long ago. The seventh millennium is the sabbath of creation, the day in which God rests. It is on this day that God's proactive role ceases and man is left to struggle alone. Matthew, the disciple, describes the events of this time with the words of Jesus: (Matthew 24:20-31) The Sign of the Son of Man 24:20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 24:25 Behold, I have told you before. 24:26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. 24:27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 24:28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. Copyright 2005 46 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. In Verse 20, the "winter" and sabbath refer to the period of the seventh seal and the six trumpets. This is the time of the seventh and eighth one-thousand year periods. Jesus chose to metaphorically refer the last period of the age as the Winter. Springtime was the time of Adam and the creation and the time of Noah and the great flood, Summer was the period of Abraham, Moses, all the kings of Israel up to the advent, Fall was the two thousand year period following the Crucifixion and Winter is the final period, the seventh and eighth millennia, which represent the traditional and Christian sabbath. In Verse 28 Jesus speaks of Himself, the carcase, and God’s people, the eagles, being gathered together in the latter days of the sabbath period after a time of great tribulation. We will later see that this gathering represents Jesus joining the 144,000 of Israel on Mount Zion. Verse 29 describes the darkening of the sun, moon and stars at this same time. This darkening indicates that immediately after this tribulation period, God will not have a presence on earth. The sun, which represents God Himself and the prophets, it will be darkened. The moon, which represents God’s witnesses, it will also be darkened. The last two verses, Verses 30 and 31, speak of Jesus' return to gather His elect and to reign on earth for one thousand years. This is to be His millennial reign during the eighth thousand year period. Reference to His return and the gathering of His elect to reign on earth is described by John toward the end of his story. John tells us of that time in the following verse. (Revelation 20:4) 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. We will next see, in John's story, events leading up to the seventh seal and the trumpets that herald events after that. These trumpets within John's story are part of the last two millennia which are introduced by the seventh seal. We will read John's account of the trumpets later. In preparation for the seventh seal we will next see 144,000 servants of God receiving His seal upon their foreheads. The placing of the seal on these persons indicates that they have been chosen to be God's workers, fully dedicated to God's instructions even at the risk of death. These, from the tribes of Israel, are to be God's elect during the coming sabbath period, the seventh millennium. We will also see a great multitude in white robes; these have come through the great tribulation of the past millennia and have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb who is our Savior, Jesus. These are from all nations, tribes, people and tongues; they are entering into their reward while the 144,000 are just beginning their service to God. Copyright 2005 47 Chapter 4 ***** God's Servants (Revelation 6:17) 6:17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? The servants of God are able to stand: the one hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel and a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues. John now describes the preparation of the chosen of men prior to God initiating His wrath. First, John describes the sealing of the One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. Before we read John's words, let us consider the twelve sons of Jacob, whom God gave the name Israel. We will write each son's name along with the name of his mother, in the order of birth from Genesis 29-35: Ruben the firstborn son whose mother is Leah; Simeon the second son whose mother is Leah; Levi the third son whose mother is Leah; Judah the forth son whose mother is Leah; Dan the fifth son whose mother is Bilhah; Naphtali the sixth son whose mother is Bilhah; Gad the seventh son whose mother is Zilpah; Asher the eighth son whose mother is Zilpah; Issachar the ninth son whose mother is Leah; Zebulun the tenth son whose mother is Leah; Joseph the eleventh son whose mother is Rachel; and Benjamin the twelfth son whose mother is Rachel. Now let us read John's description of the sealing of the One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. (Revelation 7:1-8) 7:1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. 7:2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 7:3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. 7:4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. 7:5 Of the tribe of Judah (the fourth son of Israel) were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben (the first son of Israel) were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad (the seventh son of Israel) were sealed twelve thousand. 7:6 Of the tribe of Aser (the eighth son of Israel) were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim (the sixth son of Israel) were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses (the son of Joseph the eleventh son of Israel) were sealed twelve thousand. 7:7 Of the tribe of Simeon (the second son of Israel) were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi (the third son of Israel) were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar (the ninth son of Israel) were sealed twelve thousand. 7:8 Of the tribe of Zabulon (the tenth son of Israel) were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph (the eleventh son of Israel) were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin (the twelfth son of Israel) were sealed twelve thousand Manasseh, the grandson of Israel and the son of Joseph is given the same birth number as his father Joseph. The sum of the numbers, representing the order of birth, is eighty-four. This number, eighty-four, is comprised of the numbers seven and twelve. The number seven represents a week, having seven days, and the number twelve represents a year, having twelve months. Taken together, the two numbers represent a "week of years" or seven years, which has eighty four months. Copyright 2005 48 Week of the Covenant We will see John use this eighty-four months later on in his story when he introduces and describes God's covenants. At that time we shall see how John uses this number, eighty-four, to indicate the duration of the covenants God made with His people Israel under God's Law and with all Gentiles under God's Grace. This eighty-four months may, thus, be considered to correspond with the week of the covenant as described by the prophet Daniel in Verse 27 of the following text: (Daniel 9:26-27) Desolations 9:26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. Daniel said, "And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease." This week of which Daniel speaks, is the covenant period. Here, in Daniel, this week is a week of years which is seven years or 84 months. This seven years of the covenant will contain about two thousand, five hundred and twenty days. In these prophecies each day represents two years, each hour of a day being as one month. Thus, if each day represents two years then two thousand, five hundred and twenty days would represent five thousand and forty years. If we allow this time of the covenants to span from the days of Noah, about two thousand five hundred years before Messiah, it will conclude about two thousand and five hundred years after Messiah. This will place Christ's first appearing at the center of the covenant period. It was with Noah that God formed His covenant for all peoples; we will read about this covenant later. At Jesus' appearing, sacrifice and oblation did cease, affirming the prophet Daniel's words in Verse 27 above. These words from Daniel seem strange indeed but as we see, their meaning is simple. After Jesus appeared on earth, performed His ministry including many miracles and died on the cross, all the rituals of the temple in Jerusalem did cease. As a matter of fact, the temple was completely destroyed by Rome and has never been rebuilt. According to John, the 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel are sealed about the time of the seventh seal and prior to the four angels sounding the first four trumpets that will harm the earth, sea and trees. The sealing of the 144,000 of the children of Israel symbolizes the calling out of the elected ones of Israel. They are called in preparation for the period of trouble that will follow the opening of the seventh seal. This period begins at the seventh seal and continues until Jesus returns to prepare the earth for His thousand year reign. John will speak further of the One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel, later in his story. That occasion is when we see the Lamb with the One hundred and forty-four thousand on Mount Zion and takes place after the close of the covenant period whenever Jesus, the Lamb of God, returns to prepare the earth for His thousand year reign. Next John sees a great multitude; these are all saints who have been redeemed throughout the age from Adam and the creation to the opening of the seventh seal. These saints, clothed in white, like the 144,000 of Israel, will also stand in the great day of His wrath. These will stand as victors over the dragon and his power in the earth. They are described here to introduce the seven trumpets which follow, trumpets that bring punishment upon the earth in response to the prayers of all the saints. (Revelation 7:9-17) 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; Copyright 2005 49 7:10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. 7:11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, 7:12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. 7:13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 7:15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. 7:16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 7:17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. The great tribulation, spoken of here, is an image of the trials of all saints, trials that require extreme sacrifice. The most notable example is the extreme persecution and suffering inflicted on the early Christians by the Roman Emperors. It would be difficult to imagine any greater horror that could be brought upon common people, even in the present time in which we live with all of its instruments of war and inhumanity. This scene, of the 144,000 and those robed in white, is a passing of the "torch" from all peoples and nations back to those elected from the children of Israel. The torch being the responsibility for carrying God's message to the world. This is the same torch that was taken from the children of Israel after their rejection of Jesus as Messiah, as spoken of by the prophet Daniel. We read his words again, (Daniel 9:27) Bring an End 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. From John’s perspective, the desolation spoken of here begins at the time God brings an end to sacrifice and offerings; it begins at the time the Roman army destroys the Second Temple in 70 A.D.. We shall read more of this desolation later whenever we read John's account of Jesus returning to Mount Zion with the 144,000. The consummation, that Daniel speaks of, is the completion of this period of desolation and the return of the "Light" to the children of Israel. This "Light" is Jesus. However, the time of this consummation, as we shall see, will be far into the future. It will be at the end of the covenant period; it will be at the appearing of the Lamb on Mount Zion. The 144,000 will, therefore, carry the "torch" from the time of their commissioning at the seventh seal, until the return of the Lamb at which time they will join Him on Mount Zion. Finally before introducing the seventh seal, we read again John's words regarding the four winds, words that he spoke prior to seeing the 144,000 of all the tribes of Israel. (Revelation 7:1) 7:1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. Copyright 2005 50 These four winds can be seen as the witnessing spirits of God as embodied in the four faces of the four living creatures that we saw previously and that represent: Messiah, One God our Father, God’s Spirit and all believers. These four witnessing spirits carry God's saving message to mankind. Here we see four angels holding back the four winds; there is no mention of their release. They will be held back from the time the seventh seal is opened until the return of Christ as described by Jesus Himself in Matthew's gospel: (Matthew 24:30-31) His Appearing 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Here the metaphor, "from the four winds" not only emphasizes the dispersion of the believers but it also associates the gathering of the saints with the four winds that represent God's four witnessing spirits. We also read in the Gospel of John and in the book of the "Acts of the Apostles", scripture texts that describe God's Spirit as the wind: Jesus said, (John 3:8) 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. and Luke said, (Acts 2:2-4) 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. It should also be noted that John writes in Revelation 7:1 above, that the four winds shall not blow on any "tree". This is the withholding of God's Spirit from all men, where "trees" refer to people of the earth. This metaphor is found elsewhere as in the writings of Isaiah and the writings of King David in the Psalms: From the prophet Isaiah we read, (Isaiah 61:1-3) 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 61:2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. Copyright 2005 51 These words from Isaiah not only speak of God's trees of righteousness, they also describe the day of God's vengeance, this very time at the opening of the seventh seal. These words of Isaiah also describe a day of comfort for all that mourn, a day in which God hears the prayers of His saints, the saints clothed in white. King David also writes of God's "trees." (Psalm 1:1-3) 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. In conclusion, two comments are offered to further illuminate these scriptures: first, the holding back of the four winds during the sabbath period is in agreement with the letter to the church at Laodicea (seventh church) stating that this church is lukewarm and neither hot nor cold. This church is a poor witness, thus it is responsible for holding back God's spirit. Second, the elect that are gathered from the four winds (Matthew 24:31) surely include the 144,000 of Israel that have been chosen to serve during the sabbath millennium. We will read of this gathering later in John's story after he presents God's three covenants. We now watch Jesus open the seventh seal. ***** The Seventh Seal (Revelation 8:1-6) 8:1 And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. 8:2 And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. 8:3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 8:4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand. 8:5 And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. 8:6 And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. Here we see the words of Isaiah fulfilled, words that speak of the day of God's vengeance and speak of comfort for all that mourn. We read again the words of Isaiah. (Isaiah 61:1-3) 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 61:2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. Copyright 2005 52 The seventh seal pictures the beginning of the sabbath of creation, the day in which God rests. It is on this day that God's proactive role ceases and man is left to struggle alone. The time is two thousand years after the advent. We read in the words of Jesus as written by Matthew: (Matthew 24:5-22) Those Days will be Shortened 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 24:6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 24:8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. 24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) 24:16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: 24:17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: 24:18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. 24:19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 24:20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. In these verses, Jesus is speaking of the times following the complete downfall of Israel and Jerusalem to the Roman army. This is the time period from about 70 A.D. up to and including the time of the sabbath. In Verses 15 through 22, Jesus speaks specifically of the latter days, the time of the seventh seal, the sabbath of Creation. In John's story it is now the sabbath, the seventh millennium of creation, and it is to be a time of great tribulation. Jesus, in Verse 12, states that the love of many will grow cold; this reference to the indifference of God's people is also seen in the letter to the seventh church, Laodicea. In that letter Jesus accused the church of being, "lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot." One-Half Hour of Silence The seventh seal signals the beginning of God's period of rest, and we see that John punctuates this beginning with silence. John writes that when Jesus opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour (Revelation 8:1). There is a significance to this silence; it gives a clue as to the time that these events take place and affirms the notion that the time is two thousand years after the Christ's advent. Let us now look at how this silence gives a clue. If at the time period that falls two thousand years after Christ's advent, we compare the old Julian calendar, instituted by Julius Caesar, with the present day calendar, we will observe a loss of about fifteen and one-half days. The Julian Calendar was instituted by Julius Caesar about sixty-three years before Christ's advent and was the recognized calendar of the early church. Our present day calendar is a scientifically based calendar formulated by sixteenth century scientists Copyright 2005 53 and adopted for the Roman Church by Pope Gregory XIII. This loss of about fifteen and one-half days is of course about one-half month. A month is represented in prophecy as one hour and one-half a month would, therefore, be represented as one half an hour. This loss of fifteen and one-half days is symbolized by the silence in heaven for about half an hour at the opening of the seventh seal. This event, in which the two calendars differ by about fifteen and one-half days, occurs only at one point in history, the turn of the millennium at two thousand A.D. Thus according to this sign within John's story, the seventh seal is opened at two thousand years after Christ's advent. Daniel’s Messiah Let us now visit the words of the prophet Daniel, words that predict the time of the advent and the covenant period. We will see again, as we saw earlier at the calling of the 144,000, that the period of God's covenants will conclude about two thousand and five hundred years after advent, which is halfway through the time period of the seventh seal: (Daniel 9:24-27) But Not for Himself 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. 9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore (sixty) and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. 9:26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. Daniel continues in Verse 27 stating that the desolation shall be consummated as determined: 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. The meaning of this vision is now explained: The seventy week period is comprised of the seven weeks, sixty-two weeks and finally, the one week of the covenant. This one week of the covenant is different from the others in that it represents the entire covenant period from Noah to the end times. This week spans the approximate time period from about two thousand and five hundred B.C. to about two thousand and five hundred A.D. The first sixty-nine weeks of the seventy week period, however, begins about 536 B.C. with the edict of Cyrus the king of Persia. This edict allowed the children of Israel, who were captive in Babylon, to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the city and nation. The first group to return was Zerubbabel the Governor and Joshua the High Priest along with many settlers. They resettled the land and rebuilt the temple. The initial seven week period covers the 98 years following the edict, up to about 438 B.C., the period in which the city was rebuilt. The number of years that pass is determined from the seven weeks by considering that there are 49 days in seven weeks and from assuming that each day represents two years. This will determine a 98 year period. Late in this 98 year period, Neimeiah was appointed as Governor, and Ezra served as High Priest. Neimeiah led the settlers in rebuilding the walls of the City Jerusalem. The sixty-two weeks that then follow represent 434 years. In this case the sixty-two weeks represent weeks of years, each day represents a single year as opposed to representing two years as seen elsewhere. There are 434 days in sixty-two weeks. If 434 years are counted from 438 B.C., the year that is determined is 4 B.C. This, according to Daniel, is the year of Messiah's advent. Daniel went on to say, Copyright 2005 54 (Daniel 9:26) Messiah shall be Cut Off 9:26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. This is surely true; Messiah was cut off for others, not Himself. It was for others that He suffered and died. In Isaiah we read: (Isaiah 53:4-5) 53:4 Surely he hath born our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Daniel, in his words of Chapter 9, Verse 26, is describing events from the time of Jesus' death until the end of the covenant period whenever He returns to Mount Zion. There will be war and desolation brought on by the people of the prince, who is to come, until the end of the war. The beginning of the covenant was marked by a flood, the end of the covenants will be punctuated with a flood as in Verse 26. This flood, literal or metaphoric, can only occur at the end of the covenant period since God promised Noah, immediately after the great flood and at the beginning of the covenant, that as part of the terms of the covenant, there would be no more great floods. Who is this prince and who are His people that destroy the city and sanctuary and of what war does he speak? The answers will become apparent as we read further in John's story and see the fall of the great harlot. In Chapter 9, Verse 27, Daniel speaks of the final week, the seventieth week. This final week is symbolic, it is the "week" of the covenant. This is the week that we read about earlier when we saw God's servants, the 144,000, being called out. We saw that this week represents 5,040 years. According to Daniel, Chapter 9 and Verse 27, Jesus' advent is in the middle of this week, thus this symbolic period of one week spans the time from Noah, about 2,520 B.C., to the future time of 2,520 A.D.. This latter date, at the end of the covenants, comes shortly before Jesus returns to join the 144,000 on Mount Zion. This future time of 2,520 A.D. and Jesus' return will occur halfway through the seventh millennium, the period of the seventh seal. Thus, we have accounted for the entire seventy weeks described by Daniel. The final week of Daniel's seventy weeks is a major topic within John's story and is covered in great detail later in his, John's, writing concerning God's covenants. We shall next read of seven trumpets that add to the time of the seven churches thus extending the age beyond seven thousand years. We will see that the fourth, fifth and sixth trumpets add one additional millennium to the age thus giving a total of eight thousand years. The trumpets differ in their time duration from that of the churches; the first three trumpets are part of the seventh church, the seventh millennium, while the fourth, fifth and sixth trumpets represent the eighth millennium. The seventh and final trumpet signals the end of the age. Recall that we have presumed our age to be comprised of eight millennia in order for Jesus to be at the center. Also recall that in John's vision he saw the Lamb standing in the midst of time, this symbolically places Jesus in the center of the age and thus between the fourth and fifth millennia. Copyright 2005 55 Chapter 5 ***** Six Trumpets Immediately following the seventh seal, John states that there is silence in heaven for about half an hour and then begins his description of the seven trumpets heralding the wrath of God in response to the prayers of the saints. There are seven trumpets, the first three are directed to the earth, the fourth is directed to the heavens and the last three are directed to the unrepentant enemies of God. The purpose of the trumpets is to sanctify God’s creation by destroying the corrupt institutions of society and to convert all men to the way of God but as we shall see, they resist. (Revelation 9:20) But They Resist 9:20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: We now will read again John's words describing the seventh seal, the period of silence that follows and the introduction of the trumpets: Incense and Prayers (Revelation 8:1-5) 8:1 And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. 8:2 And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. 8:3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 8:4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand. 8:5 And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. We have previously discussed the significance of the half hour of silence; later, after reviewing the first three trumpets, we will continue the discussion. The incense that John speaks of may be considered as a symbol of the Holy Spirit's solicitations offered in our behalf whenever we pray. This incense accompanies our prayers to God. (Romans 8:26-27) 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. These prayers with the incense of God's Spirit added, are like the grain offerings that God instructed Moses to prepare, Copyright 2005 56 (Leviticus 2:1) 2:1 And when any will offer a meat offering unto the LORD, his offering shall be of fine flour; and he shall pour oil upon it, and put frankincense thereon: It is these prayers that invoke the seven trumpets and their plagues upon the earth and upon mankind, First Trumpet (Revelation 8:6-7) 8:6 And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. 8:7 The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. The first trumpet, described by John, signifies the initial period of the seventh millennium, the sabbath millennium. This initial period is that hour of trial referred to by John in the letter to the church at Philadelphia when he promised the Philadelphians that they would be protected from the hour of trial. Indeed they would be protected since they will pass into history before the sabbath millennium begins. The letter to the church at Laodicea, which represents the church of the seventh millennium, speaks of that church as being neither cold nor hot. This image of cold and hot is paralleled by the reference to hail (being cold) and fire (being hot) in the first trumpet of the seventh millennium. The first trumpet seems to indicate that all the faithful are killed: "and all green grass was burnt up." The metaphor "green grass" is a reference to all true believers. The story indicates that the wicked and the 144,000 chosen of Israel's tribes, will live on. The Psalmist David, describes man as grass: (Psalm 90:1-9) 90:1 Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. 90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. 90:3 Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men. 90:4 For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night. 90:5 Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep: in the morning they are like grass which groweth up. 90:6 In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth. 90:7 For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled. 90:8 Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance. 90:9 For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told. Isaiah wrote: (Isaiah 40:6-8) 40:6 The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: 40:7 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. 40:8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. Copyright 2005 57 Jesus emphasized the loss of all the faithful, in His final words on the way to the cross: (Luke 23:28-31) 23:28 But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. 23:29 For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck. 23:30 Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us. 23:31 For if they do these things in a green tree (while living in God's favor), what shall be done in the dry (whenever God withdraws His face)? The trumpets also have imagery that can be associated with specific events in the history of God's followers from the time of Adam through the first six successive millennia. One could believe from this that perhaps these events from history will repeat in the latter day period in which the trumpets sound. The first trumpet tells of hail and fire with blood being thrown to earth and trees and grass being burned up. We see in the early days of the first millennium, a curse from God being placed upon the earth as a consequence of Adam's sin and the sin of Cain who killed his brother Abel. (Genesis 3:17-19) 3:17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; 3:18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. (Genesis 4:9-11) 4:9 And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper? 4:10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground. 4:11 And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother’s blood from thy hand; In the third and fourth millennia of Biblical history, we see demonstrations of God's power through fire and hail from heaven. (Genesis 19:24-25) 19:24 Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven; 19:25 And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground. (Exodus 9:22-24) 9:22 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch forth thine hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, upon man, and upon beast, and upon every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt. 9:23 And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the LORD rained hail upon the land of Egypt. Copyright 2005 58 9:24 So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation. (I Kings 18:38-39) 18:38 Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 18:39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God. Second Trumpet (Revelation 8:8-9) 8:8 And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; 8:9 And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed. The second trumpet described by John signifies the middle years of the seventh millennium. The great mountain, described here, is a symbol of God's covenant with man. Here we see that covenant being burnt and cast into the sea, thus ending the agreement between God and man. We will read much more later regarding the covenant. The prophet Daniel makes reference to this mountain when he describes to King Nebuchadnezzar the interpretation of the King's dream. Daniel defines the mountain as that from which Christ emerges. (Daniel 2:44-45) 2:44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. 2:45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone (Jesus) was cut out of the mountain (God's covenant) without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure. The second trumpet describes a great mountain, burning with fire being thrown into the sea, and the sea became blood. From the book of Genesis we see, in the second millennium, the image of waters being used as the means of destruction in the days of Noah when God sent a great flood upon the earth. (Genesis 6:5-7,13-17) 6:5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6:6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. 6:7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. 6:13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. 6:14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. 6:15 And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits. Copyright 2005 59 6:16 A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it. 6:17 And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die. We also see the great mountains of Ararat being the haven of rest upon which Noah, his wife, his three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth and his sons' wives were rescued. (Genesis 8:3-4,14-22) 8:3 And the waters returned from off the earth continually: and after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated. 8:4 And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat. 8:14 And in the second month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, was the earth dried. 8:15 And God spake unto Noah, saying, 8:16 Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons’ wives with thee. 8:17 Bring forth with thee every living thing that is with thee, of all flesh, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth; that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth. 8:18 And Noah went forth, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons’ wives with him: 8:19 Every beast, every creeping thing, and every fowl, and whatsoever creepeth upon the earth, after their kinds, went forth out of the ark. 8:20 And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. 8:21 And the LORD smelled a sweet savor; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. 8:22 While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. Next we see the great moment in history at which God establishes His covenant with Noah. (Genesis 9:11-17) 9:11 And I will establish my covenant with you, neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth. 9:12 And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: 9:13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. 9:14 And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud: 9:15 And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. 9:16 And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth. 9:17 And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth. Copyright 2005 60 In addition to the rainbow, Mount Ararat becomes a symbol of God's covenant upon which His people rest and from which Messiah is taken. We now repeat the words of Daniel, who lived during the fourth millennium, as he tells of a great mountain and a stone cut from it. (Daniel 2:44-45) 2:44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. 2:45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone (Messiah) was cut out of the mountain (God's covenant) without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure. Third Trumpet The following words of the prophet Joel relate to the great battle in which Jesus leads His army robed in white during the period of the third trumpet and prior to His millennial reign on earth (Revelation 19:11-21). (Joel 3:9-13) 3:9 Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: 3:10 Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. 3:11 Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD. 3:12 Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about. 3:13 Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the vats overflow; for their wickedness is great. The third trumpet signifies the final years of the sabbath millennium. This trumpet describes a great star falling from heaven, falling on the rivers and springs of water. (Revelation 8:10-11) 8:10 And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; 8:11 And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter. This Great Star is Jesus, returning after the covenant years have expired to join the 144,000 on Mount Zion. He will bring victory over Satan the dragon and punish evildoers. We shall later see that at this time the armies in heaven, clothed in white, follow Him Who strikes the nations (Revelation 19:11-16). This is a battle that takes place at the close of the seventh millennium just prior to the fourth trumpet and before the thousand year reign of Jesus begins (3,033 A.D.). John will describe this battle later in his story. We see in Verse 11 that bitterness is part of God's punishment. (Jeremiah 9:13-16) The Bitterness of God's Wrath 9:13 And the LORD saith, Because they have forsaken my law which I set before them, and have not obeyed my voice, neither walked therein; 9:14 But have walked after the imagination of their own heart, and after Copyright 2005 61 Baalim, which their fathers taught them: 9:15 Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will feed them, even this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink. 9:16 I will scatter them also among the heathen, whom neither they nor their fathers have known: and I will send a sword after them, till I have consumed them. The waters became bitter, and many died from them. During the third millennium we find Moses leading the Children of Israel from slavery in Egypt. We see, in the image of the third trumpet, Moses striking the waters of Egypt with a plague as a sign to Pharaoh. God through Moses speaks to Pharaoh, (Exodus 7:17) 7:17 Thus saith the LORD, In this thou shalt know that I am the LORD: behold, I will smite with the rod that is in mine hand upon the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood. 7:18 And the fish that is in the river shall die, and the river shall stink; and the Egyptians shall loathe to drink of the water of the river. 7:19 And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone. We also see Moses stretching out his hands over the sea when parting the waters of the Red Sea to save Israel but to destroy Pharaoh's army. (Exodus 14:21) 14:21 And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. 14:22 And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. 14:23 And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. 14:24 And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the Lord looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of Egyptians, 14:25 And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: So that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the Lord fighteth for them against the Egyptians. 14:26 And the Lord said to Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen. 14:27 And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. 14:28 And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them. 14:29 But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. Copyright 2005 62 14:30 Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore. 14:31 And Israel saw that great work which the Lord did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the Lord, and believed the LORD, and His servant Moses. After crossing the sea we see Moses encountering poisonous waters while leading the people of Israel through the wilderness. We note however that God provided a Tree to cure the waters of Marah just as God provides His Word for people of all ages as a guide to obedience. (Exodus 15:23) 15:23 And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. 15:24 And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? 15:25 And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD showed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, 15:26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, And wilt do that which is right in His sight, And wilt give ear to his commandments, And keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, Which I have brought upon the Egyptians: For I am the LORD that healeth thee. In contrast with these words of admonition to obey God’s ordinances and receive His blessings, we see in the third trumpet the results of disobedience to God; we see the Great Star falling and all waters made bitter. The Trumpets and Time Let us pause at this point and consider another important aspect of the trumpets. In addition to describing the plagues brought upon mankind, these trumpets are also used to refer to the passing of time after the seventh seal is opened. The author veiled the reference to time in all except the fifth trumpet where a hint is given to the reader that the passing of time is part of the message of the trumpets. Each of the first four and the sixth trumpets contain a reference to one third of trees, grass, waters and men while the fifth trumpet describes a time period of five months. The five months contain about one hundred and fifty days. If we assume that each day represents two years, as before, the fifth trumpet is, then, a reference to a three hundred year time period. The other trumpets are likely to contain similar references to time. A reader will discern this upon careful study with the help of two additional concepts. The first concept is the metaphoric representation of a day as one thousand years. We read from the Psalm of King David: ( Psalm 90:1-4) As a Thousand Years 90:1 Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Copyright 2005 63 90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. 90:3 Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men. 90:4 For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night. We also read in Peter's letter: (2 Peter 3:8-9) 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. The second concept is based upon the first and is developed by us as follows: First we assume that the trees, grass, waters, sun, moon, stars and people described in the trumpets are evenly situated over the entire earth. Second, we assume that the sun will pass over the entire earth in one day and over one third of the earth in one third of a day. From the foregoing we conclude that John uses the symbols: one third of the trees, one third of the grass, one third of the waters, one third of the sun, moon, stars and one third of the men, in the first four and the sixth trumpets, to represent one third of a day and thus one third of a thousand years or three hundred thirty three years. We have, therefore: 333 years for the first trumpet, 333 years for the second trumpet, 333 years for the third trumpet, 333 years for the fourth trumpet, 300 years for the fifth trumpet and 333 years for the sixth trumpet. If we add the years for each of the first six trumpets, the accumulated time is about one thousand, nine hundred and sixty-six years. This duration is 33 years short of the total time within the final two millennial periods, the seventh and the eighth millennia. We will see in the following that this 33 years represents the half hour silence prior to the first trumpet. Therefore the period of the silence along with that of the trumpets corresponds with the final two thousand years. One-Half Hour of Silence We shall now see that a thirty-three year delay in the sounding the first trumpet after the seventh seal, corresponds with the one-half hour of silence, that John describes in his story. Recall that the one-half hour of silence was described previously as indicating the fifteen and one-half day difference between the Julian and the modern calendars thereby signaling the year 2,000 A.D.. Here, however, we declare that the half hour of silence additionally denotes the actual duration of the time between the seventh seal and the first trumpet. In this case, each of the fifteen and one-half days represent two years so the fifteen and one-half days, in turn, is symbolic of thirty one years. It is interesting to note that the seventh seal is opened two thousand years after the advent while the sounding of the first trumpet is about 31 years later which closely coincides with two thousand years after the Passion of Jesus. If we assume the first three trumpets together have a duration of one thousand years, starting after the silence at about 2,033 A.D., then the final four trumpets will begin sounding a thousand years later at about 3,033 A.D.. The fourth trumpet will signal the last millennium and therefore, as we will see later, corresponds with the beginning of the often referred to "thousand year reign" of Messiah on earth. At the conclusion of this final thousand year period, the seventh trumpet will sound (4,000 A.D.) announcing the end of the age. This latter date comes as far, in time, after the advent, as Adam and the creation came, in time, before advent (4,000 B.C.). These dates affirm that Jesus' advent will be at the center of the age. The Last Trumpets The fourth, fifth and sixth trumpets, like the first three also indicate the passing of time, about 966 years of time. They describe in symbolic terms, events that will take place during the eighth millennium. John tells us that the fifth, sixth and seventh trumpets are three woes sent by God to punish the wicked inhabitants of the creation. These woes are found within the eighth millennium during the reign of Christ on earth. Copyright 2005 64 Fourth and Fifth Trumpets The Three Woes We now continue with a discussion of the trumpets. The fourth trumpet describes the sun, moon and stars being darkened and the fifth trumpet depicts a star fallen from heaven to earth. (Revelation 8:12-13) 8:12 And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise. 8:13 And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound! (Revelation 9:1) 9:1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. These events of the fourth and fifth trumpets are also described by Jesus according to Matthew. (Matthew 24:29-31) 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Here Jesus is confirming these events of the fourth and fifth trumpets as taking place at the time of His return to reign on earth for one thousand years. Jesus states that at this time the sun and moon will become dark and stars will fall. In Verse 30 of Matthew's writings Jesus refers to the "Sign of the Son of Man" appearing. This is a reference to the beginning of the fourth trumpet, the time period at the junction of the seventh and eighth millennia, the time when the seventh period ends and the eighth begins. It is the period of transition from the seventh millennium, the traditional sabbath period, to the eighth millennium, the Christian sabbath period. The significance of the joining of the traditional and Christian sabbaths and the meaning of its sign is described later in the epilogue. Joel also writes of these events: Joel states that the day of the Lord is near; this day is the millennial reign of Jesus. He speaks of the sun, moon and stars becoming dark and the subsequent reign of God, Who will "roar out of Zion." (Joel 3:14-17) 3:14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. 3:15 The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining. 3:16 The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Copyright 2005 65 LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel. 3:17 So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more. Zion is Mount Moriah, the mountain of Abraham and all his children; no descendent of his shall ever be excluded from this mountain. No man shall be a stranger in God's city. During this period of the fourth trumpet, at the beginning of the eighth millennium, Jesus gathers "His elect from the four winds" to reign with Him. This gathering is described by Matthew's words above (Matthew 24:31). Those who are gathered are described by John in the following text. (Revelation 20:4) 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. We also recall that these four winds of Matthew 24:31 were introduced earlier in John's story at the sealing of the 144,000 of Israel. These four winds are the witnessing spirits of God. The fourth trumpet describes the sun, moon, and stars being struck so they cannot give their light. The fourth trumpet from a historical perspective depicts the shutting off of God's light to the world through His nation Israel. The prophet Joel in his writings describes the decline of the nation Israel and speaks of a deliverance to come in the Person of Jesus, Israel’s Messiah. The imagery extends from Joel's period, before the fall of Samaria, to the time of the advent and beyond with Joel describing God's pouring out His Spirit on all flesh. Beginning with the words of Joel who is speaking of the former destruction, the fall of Samaria at 722B.C., we read, (Joel 2:1-5, 10-13) 2:1 Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand; 2:2 A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations. 2:3 A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them. 2:4 The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run. 2:5 Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array. 2:10 The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining: 2:11 And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it? 2:12 Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: 2:13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Copyright 2005 66 LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. The imagery continues to the time of Messiah's advent and beyond to the latter days of the sabbath millennium with Joel describing God's outpouring of His Spirit on all flesh." (Joel 2:27-32) 2:27 And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed. 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 2:29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. 2:30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. 2:31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the LORD come. 2:32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call. The fifth trumpet speaks of another Star, a Star fallen. This Star follows the seven stars from the right hand of Jesus that are the angels of the seven churches. This Star is the eighth star and is the same Great Star that fell from heaven at the third trumpet. This Star is Jesus, the Angel of the eighth church, the church of the eighth millennium; He follows the seven angels of the seven churches who went before Him. This Star fallen from heaven is given the key to the abyss, and He opens the abyss and out comes smoke and locust. The following words from Joel are an image of God’s great army of locust. (Joel 1:1-7,13-16) 1:1 The word of the LORD that came to Joel the son of Pethuel. 1:2 Hear this, ye old men, and give ear, all ye inhabitants of the land. Hath this been in your days, or even in the days of your fathers? 1:3 Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation. 1:4 That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpillar eaten. 1:5 Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine; for it is cut off from your mouth. 1:6 For a nation is come up upon my land, strong, and without number, whose teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he hath the cheek teeth of a great lion. 1:7 He hath laid my vine waste, and barked my fig tree: he hath made it clean bare, and cast it away; the branches thereof are made white. 1:13 Gird yourselves, and lament, ye priests: howl, ye ministers of the altar: come, lie all night in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God: for the meat offering and the drink offering is withholden from the house of your God. 1:14 Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD, 1:15 Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come. 1:16 Is not the meat cut off before our eyes, yea, joy and gladness from the house of our God? Copyright 2005 67 We now read John’s story of the fifth trumpet. (Revelation 9:1-11) 9:1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. 9:2 And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. 9:3 And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 9:4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree (the saints); but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. 9:5 And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man. 9:6 And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them. 9:7 And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men. 9:8 And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions. 9:9 And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle. 9:10 And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months. 9:11 And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon. We will later see that Satan and his associates will be bound up and put away at the end of the sabbath millennium before the fourth trumpet. Therefore this Angel, which we see here, is Jesus, the Angel of the eighth church. His two names, Abaddon and Apollyon, mean destruction and destroyer. This angel is Jesus. Why? Because only God can command His creation and have it respond with such complete obedience in every detail. It is He that releases the locust, having the power of scorpions which are to harm those not having God's seal on their foreheads. Verse 11 indicates that this Angel has the role of king over the hoard. He is King of the scorpion army. This Angel is the same Angel that comes down at the third trumpet at the end of the sabbath millennium and at that time binds the dragon, Satan, for one thousand years. Looking forward in John’s story we read, (Revelation 20:1-2) Jesus Binds the Dragon 20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, This King of the scorpion army, after binding Satan, opens the pit and takes control of this great army from the land of the dead and releases them at the sounding of the fifth trumpet to injure those who reject God Almighty. Perhaps this army is the ancient army of Assyria, risen and sent to redeem the descendants of that same nation: Babylonia, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome, in the far off time of John's story. We will see later on in the sixth trumpet that they appear to have been successful in their evangelism. We notice in Revelation 9:15-16 that the armies of those four nations are participants in God’s last crusade, Armageddon. Copyright 2005 68 The prophet Micah, who lived during the fall of Samaria to the Assyrians, also speaks of these events in his prophesy of coming Messiah. In Verses 5 and 6 he tells of God's deliverance for His people from Assyria; perhaps this deliverance is brought by God's scorpion army in the days of the fifth trumpet. (Micah 5:1-9) 5:1 Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter (city) of troops: he (God) hath laid siege against us: they (God's Grace) shall smite the judge of Israel (God's Law) with a rod upon the cheek. 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he (Jesus) come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. 5:3 Therefore will he give them up, until the time (advent) that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren (144,000 sealed) shall return unto the children of Israel. 5:4 And he (Jesus) shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they (remnant of Jacob) shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth. 5:5 And this man shall be the peace, when the Assyrian shall come into our land: and when he shall tread in our palaces, then shall we raise against him seven shepherds, and eight principal men. 5:6 And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword (Word of God), and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof: thus shall he deliver us from the Assyrian, when he cometh into our land, and when he treadeth within our borders. 5:7 And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the LORD, as the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men. 5:8 And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who, if he go through, both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver. 5:9 Thine hand shall be lifted up upon thine adversaries, and all thine enemies shall be cut off. Let us now consider Micah's words. Verse 1 speaks of God's siege against the "Daughter of troops", Israel and Jerusalem, for her sins. God will also remove the Law as His spiritual force, the Law being the "Judge of Israel." Verse 2 speaks of Bethlehem from which town Jesus, Who is to be Ruler, is born. Verse 3 speaks of God's abandoning Israel, He "gives them up" to desolation until Jesus appears. Micah then speaks of the remnant of His brethren returning to Israel. This can be seen as the calling out of the 144,000 of all the tribes of Israel prior to the seventh seal and the first trumpet up to the time when the 144,000 join Jesus on Mount Zion during the third trumpet. Verse 4 speaks of Jesus with the 144,000 and the subsequent millennial reign during the fourth, fifth and sixth trumpets. Verses 5 and 6 speak of the period of the fifth trumpet in which Jesus, King of the scorpion army, shall deliver us; "Thus shall He deliver us from the Assyrian." According to John's fifth trumpet, this symbolic victory against Assyria during the fifth trumpet is accomplished not by killing but rather by tormenting those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. It seems that these men are the descendants of Shem, Ham, Ishmael, Esau and others dwelling in that region, and it seems that the events of the fifth trumpet are intended to bring these men into unity with God's purpose and family. Whenever Micah speaks of the "Remnant of Jacob" (Verses 7 and 8) he is denoting the children of Samaria lost to the national family when overtaken by the Assyrian army in 721 B.C.. These children of Jacob never returned and were forever scattered among the nations of the world. Jesus, however, named these people among the 144,000 sealed of the children of Israel, so they too will be present in the latter days. They too will be among those who reign with Jesus as described by John. (Revelation 20:4) 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had Copyright 2005 69 not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. The prophet Micah, in his preceding text (Verse 5) speaks of Assyria's future incursion into the land of God's people and Israel. He writes poetically of God's raising of seven shepherds and eight principal men in defense. The seven shepherds were in the mind of Micah, no doubt, the prophets of Israel who were contemporary with and had gone before him. They were: Elijah, Elisha, Joel, Jonah, Amos, Hosea, and Isaiah. The eight principal men were perhaps, in the mind of Micah, eight good kings of Judah during the rise of Assyria to a position of world power. These eight kings of Judah could have been: David, Asa, Jehoshaphat, Joash, Amaziah, Uzziah, Jotham and Hezekiah. At the time of the fifth trumpet, these fifteen men are perhaps risen and among this ancient army of Assyria from the pit and led by the King sent to redeem those called by God. We may also give these seven shepherds and eight principal men a different but special meaning as they are considered in view of John's story. If we consider that these fifteen men, are each represented by the twenty years required to reach adulthood, then taken together they symbolize three hundred years of conflict with Assyria. This period of conflict corresponds with the three hundred year period of the fifth trumpet in which God's scorpion army afflicts those not having the seal of God, those represented by Assyria in Micah's words. The purpose of this conflict is to win the hearts of those nations symbolized by Assyria, the once powerful nation whose capital was the city Nineveh that lay along the Tigris River, beyond the Great Euphrates. This connection between Assyria and the fifth trumpet becomes more evident from John's story of the sixth trumpet that will follow. In the text of the sixth trumpet we shall see a reference to four angels beyond the great river Euphrates. These angels represent the four great nations that succeeded Assyria in world domination. These nations are: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome, nations that emerged from and after the great Assyria and they all, like Assyria, opposed God's people. In this sense these four were under the sway of Assyria. Under the sway of Assyria but nonetheless in the sixth trumpet they will be chosen to do God's bidding. Sixth Trumpet In preparation for the sixth trumpet we recall that the seven angels of the seven churches, spoken of by John, represent the church throughout the age; in addition, however, certain other angels are chosen by God to represent the great nations of the earth. In the writings of Daniel, we see a reference to certain powerful angels as the representatives and defenders of nations: (Daniel 10:5-6,12-13,20-21) 10:5 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: 10:6 His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in color to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude. 10:12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. 10:13 But the prince (angel) of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. 10:20 Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come. 10:21 But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me (stands with me) in these things, but Michael your prince. If we look further in Daniel's writings we see that the four particular nations that emerged after Assyria are described in a vision of King Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. Copyright 2005 70 The interpretations given here are based upon a late First Century AD perspective, the time at which the Revelation was written and the Roman Empire reigned over the region. At that time the four nations represented by the great statue of Daniel 2:31-45 were interpreted as representing Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome. This was not always so; the original interpretation of the four nations, nearly three centuries earlier whenever the Greek Empire reigned, would have been: Babylon, Media, Persia, and Greece. The feet of the statue would have represented the remnant of the Greek Empire (the Seleucids) that persecuted Israel. Here we read the words of Daniel describing the four great nations that are seen in this vision, (Daniel 2:31-35) 2:31 Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. 2:32 This image’s head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, 2:33 His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. 2:34 Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. 2:35 Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. Daniel states that the golden head is King Nebuchadnezzar himself; he represents the nation of Babylon. (Daniel 2:37-45) 2:37 Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. 2:38 And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold (Babylon). 2:39 And after thee shall arise another kingdom (Medo-Persia) inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass (Greece), which shall bear rule over all the earth. 2:40 And the fourth kingdom (Rome) shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise. 2:41 And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. 2:42 And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. 2:43 And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay. 2:44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. 2:45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone (Jesus) was cut out of the mountain (covenant) without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure. After the nation Babylon fell, three successive nations emerged: the Medo-Persian Empire represented by the chest and arms of silver, the Greek Empire represented by the belly and thighs of brass, and the Roman Copyright 2005 71 Empire represented by the legs of iron and feet of iron and clay. The feet of iron and clay picture the gradual decline and division of the Roman Empire into many nations that will remain until Jesus returns. Jesus is the Stone that is cut out without hands. We shall see next in the sixth trumpet of John's story that, after being redeemed by the army of ancient Assyria, these four nations: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome, follow God's bidding and go to war against the unrepentant people of the earth. Although the nations seen in the dream of King Nebuchadnezzar are to us today, historic nations of the past, those nations and peoples have never vanished from the earth and will remain to fulfill the vision of the sixth trumpet. We will see that these four nations, under the command of the four angels, are used by God to bring the world to repentance (Revelation 9:20-21). This army of the four angels is described as a great army of horsemen numbering two hundred million. In Verse 17, which follows, we see that the heads of the horses were as lions with fire issuing from their mouths. The lion is a symbol of Jesus and the fire a symbol of His Word. Thus Jesus and the Word of God are the strength and driving force of this army. This army wages God’s final great war to effect the repentance of men. This campaign, which we shall later see in the sixth vial of God's wrath, is the great battle at the place called Armageddon. We now read of the sixth trumpet. (Revelation 9:13-21) 9:13 And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, 9:14 Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. 9:15 And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men. 9:16 And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand (two myriads of myriads): and I heard the number of them. 9:17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone. 9:18 By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths. 9:19 For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt. 9:20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: 9:21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts. The reference to the hour and day and month and year in verse 15 can be understood as giving the time that the four angels are called into God's service. These are the four angels that represent the ancient nations of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome. The "day" can be understood as referring to the eighth millennium in which these events take place, a day symbolizing one thousand years. The "hour" symbolizes a time period of 333 years, the period of the sixth trumpet which is from 3,666 to 4,000 AD. This follows from the earlier discussion of Jesus’ Passion in which we saw that the seventh and eighth watches, which contain six hours, correspond with the seventh and eighth millennia, which contain the six trumpets. The “month” and “year” of Verse 15 can be understood as representing thirteen months. Thirteen months have about 390 days which represents 780 years. Perhaps the writer intended this 780 years to indicate the time period in the eighth millennium in which these events take place. The 780 year time period begins late in the period of the third trumpet whenever the kings of the nations and their armies are defeated (Revelation 19:19-21) and the angel of God lays hold of the dragon and binds him and casts him into the pit (Revelation 20:1-2). The time for releasing the four angels will be at the battle of Armageddon; this battle will take place 780 years later within the time period of the sixth trumpet (3,666 to 4,000 AD). Copyright 2005 72 Daniel also seems to speak concerning these events. We shall see that, based upon Daniel’s account, The life and work of the captive nations and the life of the beast will be extended for a season and a time after the reign of Jesus begins whenever the kings and their armies have been defeated at the end of the seventh millennium. We read from the words of Daniel: (Daniel 7:11-12) 7:11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame. 7:12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time. Here, Daniel states that their dominion was taken away and their lives prolonged for a season and a time. Their lives are prolonged so they may participate in this great battle. Like John’s story, the “season and time” period described in Daniel’s story begins during the latter part of the third trumpet whenever the kings and their armies have been defeated and the angel of God casts the Dragon into the pit. The “season and time” described by Daniel is a reference to a 900 year period. In Daniel’s writings, a “season” refers to three months or 90 days and a time refers to a year being twelve months or 360 days. The “season and time” taken together represent 450 days, wherein each day represents two years. The 450 days thus represent a period of 900 years. We now see that according to John the Beasts are called into service after 780 years and according to Daniel’s writings they will remain in God’s service until 900 years have passed. During their 120 years of service they will perform God’s work in the latter years of the sixth trumpet, the final days before God’s final judgment and the end of the age. The sixth trumpet describes four angels with a great army of horsemen numbering two hundred million. This army, although a mystery, is under the command of four angels and wages God’s final great war to effect the repentance of men. This trumpet, from an historical perspective, is an image of the Crusaders from Europe during the early part of the second thousand years after the Advent and it is also an image of the two great world wars, WWI and WWII, which took place later toward the end of that same period. The two world wars and the Crusades were fought to push back invading armies led by those with opposing ideologies. John declares of the sixth trumpet that this war like all previous wars will be of no avail. God's grace and God's judgment, these two alone can accomplish His purpose of winning the hearts of men. (Revelation 9:20-21) 9:20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: 9:21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts. God's people must trust Him to bring about the final victory. (Psalm 37:1-11) 37:1 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. 37:2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Copyright 2005 73 37:3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. 37:6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. 37:7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. 37:8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. 37:9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. 37:10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. 37:11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. Thus far in John's story, we have seen five visions: We have seen Jesus as: Lord of the church: He moved in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks with seven stars in His right hand, Lord of the Word: From His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and Lord of Life: He has the Keys of David that can unlock Death and Hades. We have seen a vision of God as the God of time: The vision of God on His Throne surrounded by four living creatures and twenty four elders. We have seen three visions of the events of our age: The vision of the seven churches, the vision of seven seals, and the vision of trumpets. Up to the present, we have only read of six trumpets. The seventh and final trumpet will be described by John in the following part of his story in which he tells of God's covenants. Copyright 2005 74 Chapter 6 ***** God's Covenants We shall now see another vision, a vision of God's three covenants dealing with His Law, His Mercy and His Judgment. This three part vision begins with an Angel holding a little book, opened, in his hand. The little, open book signifies the simplicity of God's salvation, provided through His covenant, and also signifies that God's Salvation is open and available for all people to receive. This book is the seven sealed book that was opened by the Lion of Judah, the book in which is written the “Laws of Noah.” John begins, (Revelation 10:1-3) 10:1 And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: 10:2 And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, 10:3 And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. The prophet Ezekiel in his first vision, speaks in like manner of God's glory, (Ezekiel 1:26-28) 1:26 And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it. 1:27 And I saw as the color of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about. 1:28 As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake. What John sees is an image of God's covenant, specifically God's covenant with Noah; this is born out by the presence of the rainbow over the Angel's head and His stance separating land from sea. The rainbow over His head is the symbol of God's promise, God's promise to Noah that never again would a great flood be sent. The Angel's stance separating the land from sea is a symbol that under this covenant, the land and seas would forever remain separate. We now pause and recite God's covenant with Noah, (Genesis 9:8-17) 9:8 And God spake unto Noah, and to his sons with him, saying, 9:9 And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you; 9:10 And with every living creature that is with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth. 9:11 And I will establish my covenant with you, neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth. 9:12 And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make Copyright 2005 75 between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: 9:13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. 9:14 And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud: 9:15 And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. 9:16 And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth. 9:17 And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth. Thus we see Moses' story of God establishing His covenant with man and how He used the rainbow as a symbol of His covenant with mankind. Now we return to John's story. In this vision of the covenants, John also describes the voices of seven thunders. (Revelation 10:3-4) 10:3 And (the Mighty Angel) cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. 10:4 And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. The utterings of the seven thunders are to be kept secret and John is instructed to seal them up and to not write them. We notice that the thunders responded to the Angel's roar which is as a Lion's roar. These thunders are the voices of those who proclaim God's message to men. They speak in response to the voice (roar) of Messiah, the Lion of Judah. John sealed up those things which the seven thunders uttered just as he was instructed. The messages of the seven thunders, which were sealed by John, are surely the same messages that the Lamb of God previously unsealed and opened before the throne; the Lamb of God Who makes the gospel message possible. The message of the seven thunders from God are the themes of the seven seals opened by Jesus: God commands man to subdue the earth, Man is commanded to shun and punish social evils, God commands that Justice, Temperance and the Law must prevail, God requires that His chosen people obey or suffer punishment, God instructs that His servants will suffer hardships but must remain faithful, God will punish the wicked and unbelieving, and finally, God will complete His work on earth according to His plan laid out long ago. Reading further in John's story, (Revelation 10:5-7) 10:5 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, 10:6 And swear by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer: Copyright 2005 76 10:7 But in the days of the voice (seventh trumpet) of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. The Angel in John's story tells us that at the time of the sounding of the seventh trumpet, the mystery of God would be finished. God's mystery is His love and the simplicity of His salvation provided for man. Continuing the story, we read, (Revelation 10:8-11) 10:8 And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth. 10:9 And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey. 10:10 And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter. 10:11 And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings. John was commanded to eat the little book; it was sweet in his mouth but bitter in his stomach. God's covenant, when heard in our ears is comforting and sweet, but the execution thereof is harsh, bitter in the stomach, and brings tribulation both to God and man. It brought tribulation to God through the sacrifice of His Son. It brings tribulation to man through the hardships encountered in our service to God. During Israel's years of Babylonian captivity, God called upon His prophet Ezekiel to speak to Israel. In that call, God's messenger used similar images: (Ezekiel 2:8-10) 2:8 But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee. 2:9 And when I looked, behold, an hand was sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book was therein; 2:10 And he spread it before me; and it was written within and without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe. (Ezekiel 3:1-4) 3:1 Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel. 3:2 So I opened my mouth, and he caused me to eat that roll. 3:3 And he said unto me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give thee. Then did I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness. 3:4 And he said unto me, Son of man, go, get thee unto the house of Israel, and speak with my words unto them. Returning to John's story we see that, like Ezekiel, John is following God's command to "prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues and kings." ***** Covenant of the Law The Two Witnesses This covenant celebrates God’s Law given to Moses at Mount Horeb. In Hebrew tradition the giving of the Law is celebrated at the festival of Pentecost which occurs each year fifty days after Passover (Leviticus 23:5-22). The first century Pharisees would have, no doubt, associated any biblical reference to the Copyright 2005 77 testimony of two witnesses with punishment for violations of the Law of Moses. In the Hebrew Bible, reference to the testimony of two witnesses is found at Numbers 35:30-34, Deuteronomy 17:2-7 and Deuteronomy 19:15. John’s narrative also includes two witnesses that give testimony or prophecy. These two witnesses would likely be associated by the first century Pharisees with the Law of Moses and the celebration of Pentecost. During the season of Pentecost each year the sun passes through the Constellation Gemini within the Zodiac. The Pharisees of the first century would have identified the two witnesses in the scripture with the twin characters Castor and Pollux within Constellation Gemini thus reinforcing the relationship between the two witnesses and the Law of Moses. John now begins his recitation of God's first covenant. (Revelation 11:1-2) 11:1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. 11:2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. We see John is instructed to measure the temple but we know that at the time of this vision the temple has been destroyed by Rome. Therefore, there is neither temple to measure nor altar, and there are no worshippers either. But the courtyard remains and is given to Rome and the Gentiles for forty-two months. This forty-two months is the last half of the week-of-years enunciated by Daniel (Daniel 9:27). This is the last half of the covenant period, the period from the advent to the covenant's conclusion at about 2,520 A.D.. During this period God decreed that the Nation Israel and the City Jerusalem, will be in exile among the Gentiles. We read about the week-of-years earlier whenever John told of God sealing the 144,000 of Israel. Now the angel continues speaking to John, in Jesus' behalf, (Revelation 11:3-4) 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. 11:4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. We will see later whom the two witnesses might represent. Verse 3 states that they will prophesy for 1,260 days; each day represents two years as before. Therefore, they will prophesy for 2,520 years beginning at the time of Noah when God gave the covenant and concluding at the advent about 2,520 years later. This 1,260 days is the first half of the week-of-years spoken of by the prophet Daniel. The prophet Zechariah, who wrote during the latter days of the seventy year Babylonian captivity, also saw a like vision of two olive trees and one golden candlestick. In this vision he speaks of Zerubbabel who was the governor of Judea, appointed by Cyrus, King of Persia. Zerubbabel led the rebuilding of the temple (535 to 515 B.C.). (Zechariah 4:2-14) 4:2 And (the angel) said unto me, What seest thou? And I (Zechariah) said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: 4:3 And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof. 4:4 So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my Lord? 4:5 Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my Lord. Copyright 2005 78 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. 4:7 Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it. 4:8 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 4:9 The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. 4:10 For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth. 4:11 Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof? 4:12 And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? 4:13 And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my Lord. 4:14 Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the LORD of the whole earth. We see that Zechariah was told by the angel that the two olive trees are the two anointed ones; John refers to them as two witnesses. ***** Two Witnesses We will now see that these two witnesses, which John describes, may be considered to represent the covenant of the Law (symbol of the Jewish faith) that was confirmed with Moses at Mount Horeb and that was represented by God's Commandments. This Law is a testimony and witness of God's requirements for man's righteousness and redemption. (Exodus 20:1-18) 20:1 And God spake all these words, saying, 20:2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 20:4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 20:6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. 20:7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. 20:8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 20:9 Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: 20:10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 20:11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. Copyright 2005 79 20:12 Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. 20:13 Thou shalt not kill. 20:14 Thou shalt not commit adultery. 20:15 Thou shalt not steal. 20:16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. 20:17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor’s. 20:18 And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. And God gave to Moses two stone tablets. (Exodus 31:18) 31:18 And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tablets of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God. ***** Moses and Elijah The two witnesses could appropriately be several other symbols from God's interaction with mankind. They could represent Moses and Elijah who appeared upon a high mountain with Jesus (Matthew 17). These two, like Jesus, were redeemers of Israel. Both Moses and Elijah as redeemers of the people, turned Israel back to God's way in the face of great adversity. Moses was the instrument of God's persuasive actions directed toward Pharaoh when God wanted the nation Israel released from Egyptian bondage (Exodus 3:1-12). Elijah was a prophet in Israel. He was instrumental in bringing King Ahab and the people of Israel back under the influence of God. As we continue reading John's story we shall see him describing the two witnesses as having power over both fire and water. (Revelation 11:5-6) 11:5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. 11:6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. Power over Fire John states that the fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. This fire from their mouths represents the word of God. We read in the book of Acts how God's Spirit came upon the apostles with fire and emboldened their witness through speech. (Acts 2:3-4) 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. According to John, the two witnesses will have power over fire and plagues. In addition, we see that Moses had power over fire and plagues when confronting Pharaoh of Egypt. Copyright 2005 80 (Exodus 9:13-16;22-24) 9:13 And the Lord said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me. 9:14 For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth. 9:15 For now I will stretch out my hand, that I may smite thee and thy people with pestilence; and thou shalt be cut off from the earth. 9:16 And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to show in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth. 9:22 And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch forth thine hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, upon man, and upon beast, and upon every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt. 9:23 And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the Lord sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the Lord rained hail upon the land of Egypt. 9:24 So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation. In addition, we see that Elijah had power over fire. We see that power on the occasion in which he called down fire from God in heaven. This fire consumed the sacrifice that he offered upon Mount Carmel in the presence of the people. (I Kings 18:36-39) 18:36 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. 18:37 Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. 18:38 Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 18:39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God. Power over Water We see that according to John, the two witnesses have power over waters. Moses also demonstrated power over waters when leading the Israelites from Egypt through the sea, (Exodus 14:13-16) 14:13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. 14:14 The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. 14:15 And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: 14:16 But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, Copyright 2005 81 and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. In addition, we see that the prophet Elijah had power over waters when he invoked a three and one-half year drought upon Israel as punishment for the idolatry of King Ahab, (I Kings 17:1) 17:1 And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. We also see that Elijah exercised power over water when he parted the Jordan River. (II Kings 2:8) 2:8 And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two (Elijah and Elisha) went over on dry ground. ***** Two Olive Trees and Two Lampstands Mercy and Judgment Now we shall consider a different understanding of whom the two witnesses might be: Let the two witnesses be a personification of the two olive trees and two lampstands, which are before God as suggested by John (Revelation 11:4). Let the two olive trees be God's mercy and God's judgment, which feed the two lampstands. The First Lampstand Let the first lampstand represent the menorah of Moses and the covenant. This lampstand has within, seven lamps that represent the week spoken of by the prophet Daniel, (Daniel 9:27) 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. As previously explained, this "week" is the time period that extends from the time of Noah, about two thousand, five hundred years before Christ's advent, to the future conclusion of the covenant, about two thousand, five hundred years after Christ's advent. This week is the seventieth and final week of the seventy weeks spoken of by Daniel (Daniel 9:24). The lamp in the center of menorah represents the advent period; this signifies that Jesus' life on earth takes place at the center of the covenant period. The Second Lampstand Let the second lampstand represent the menorah of Judas Maccabaeus and the age. This lampstand has nine lamps that represent the eight millennia of our age with the lamp in the center, the servant lamp, representing the advent of Christ. The menorah of Judas Maccabaeus was created to celebrate the victory of this great Jewish leader during the Maccabean revolution. This menorah celebrates Israel’s victory over a remnant of the Greek Empire, the Seleucid (Syrian) branch, and its infamous leader Antiochus Epiphanes. It also celebrates the subsequent cleansing of the temple about one hundred and sixty five years before the advent of Christ. Copyright 2005 82 These two witnesses represent both the covenant and the age which together brought to life the laws and traditions of Judaism and brought to life the prophets that announced the coming Messiah from Noah's day until the advent. ***** Mount Gerizim and Mount Moriah We shall now consider one last understanding of whom the two witnesses might be: Mount Gerizim is the temple mount for the Samaritans of the Northern Tribes of Israel and Mount Moriah is the temple mount of the Judean Israelites of the Southern Kingdom of Israel. Mount Gerizim is located immediately south of the ancient city of Shechem and Mount Moriah is located at the north-east corner of ancient Jerusalem. These two icons represent God’s Law. The Judean temple was built by King Solomon c. 970 B.C. Solomon’s Temple, was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. and rebuilt from 520 to 516 B.C. in the late Sixth-Century during the Persian Period and was ultimately destroyed by the Roman General Titus in 70 A.D. According to Judean tradition, Mount Moriah was purchased by King David as a resting place for the Ark of the Covenant and was also the ancient site at which Abraham built an altar to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice to God. The Samaritan Temple was built in the Fifth-Century B.C. during the Persian Period shortly after, and perhaps inspired by, the rebuilding of Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem. The Samaritan Temple was, however, destroyed in 110 B.C. by John Hyrcanus a ruler of the Hasmonean Kingdom that included Judea and the surrounding regions; he ruled from 134 to 104 B.C. According to Samaritan tradition, Mount Gerizim is the site (not Mount Ebal as written in Hebrew Scripture) where Joshua built an altar of white stones after entering the Promised Land (Joshua 8:30-35). This altar was built as instructed by Moses (Deuteronomy 27 and 28). Also according to Samaritan tradition but contrary to Hebrew Scripture, Mount Gerizim was the place where Abraham built an altar to offer his son Isaac. Mount Gerizim was, therefore, a holy place for the Samaritan people. Jesus encountered a woman of Samaria during His ministry; she spoke of these two icons: (John 4:19-26) 4:19 The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. 4:20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain (Mount Gerizim); and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. 4:21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 4:22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. 4:25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. 4:26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he. The two witnesses may, therefore, represent these two temple mounts and their respective kingdoms: Judea and Samaria. These two kingdoms are the stewards of God’s Law as written in the Books of Moses and as preserved by God’s first covenant. ***** From John's story we again read: (Revelation 11:3-6) 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. Copyright 2005 83 11:4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. 11:5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. 11:6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. And continuing on, we read: (Revelation 11:7) 11:7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. As we described previously, Verse 3 is a reference to the first half of God's covenant with Israel, the time period in which the witnesses were a dominant spiritual force; this period extends from the time of Noah to the time of Christ. This time period is 2,520 years in duration and is determined by the 1,260 days of Revelation 11:3. Here each day corresponds to two years, each hour of a day representing one month. The period that the two witnesses are active is, therefore, two thousand five hundred and twenty years. Note that the two witnesses prophesy only until the advent which confirms the words of Zechariah 13:1-5 when speaking of the advent and the cessation of prophecies. We have read these words of Zechariah much earlier in the prologue. After this period the two witnesses are killed and the holy city is given over to the Gentiles. We continue our reading by looking back and reviewing Verse 2, in which we previously saw the role of the Gentiles. Here we see events that take place during the latter half of the covenant period. This is the period from Jesus' life on earth to the end of the covenant. (Revelation 11:2) 11:2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. This latter period of forty two months (2,520 years) becomes an age in which God's people, Israel, lose their power as a nation. John next describes the role of the beast and the death of the two witnesses as they complete their testimony. (Revelation 11:7-8,11) 11:7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. 11:8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. 11:11 And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. The treading underfoot of the holy city, Verse 2, and the period of death for the two witnesses, Verse 11, are references to the same period of Gentile oppression from the time of Christ to the end of the covenant. This period is the last half of the "week" described in Daniel 9:27. Particularly, the three-and-a-half days, in Verse 11, coincides with Daniel's time period from the middle of the week to the consummation (Daniel 9:27). Likewise the three-and-a-half days in Verse 11 represent three and one half years, which has 42 months, the same period spoken of in the words of Verse 2. Regardless of which persons or objects we select to be represented by the two witnesses, the message, the time periods, the dates and the relationship to the words of the prophets like Daniel will all be the same. Copyright 2005 84 The Message During their lifetime, prior to advent, the two witnesses tormented the nations and the unbelievers thus effecting the deliverance of God's chosen people and thereby sustained the Jewish laws and traditions out of which came Messiah. We read next of the giving of gifts, making merry and rejoicing over the two witnesses. (Revelation 11:8-10) 11:8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city (Jerusalem), which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. 11:9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. 11:10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. We read from the story of Ester, similar words of merrymaking and gift giving: (Ester 9:20-23) 9:20 And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far, 9:21 To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly, 9:22 As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor. 9:23 And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them; However the Law of Moses which is represented by the first covenant, admonishes God’s people to not accept gifts as bribes that might influence the judgment of God’s people. We read from Exodus, (Exodus 23:7-8) 23:7 Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked. 23:8 And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous. We read from Deuteronomy, (Deuteronomy 16:19) 16:19 Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous. It seems likely that the giving of gifts after the death of the two witnesses is intended to represent a violation of the law that the two witnesses represent. We will soon see, however, the end of the covenant of the Law when the two witnesses hear a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." Copyright 2005 85 (Revelation 11:11-12) 11:11 And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. 11:12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. In concluding the first covenant John states: (Revelation 11:13) 11:13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. John’s reference to the tenth part of the city is derived from the story of Nehemiah after the rebuilding of Jerusalem following the Babylonian captivity. In Nehemiah’s story the tenth of the men refers to the people of Jerusalem. John is, therefore, referring to the fall of Jerusalem in the latter days of the covenant. We read from Nehemiah’s story of rebuilding Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity. (Nehemiah 11:1-2) 11:1 And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts to dwell in other cities. 11:2 And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem. In addition, John’s reference to the tenth part of the city seems to be foretold by the prophet Isaiah. In the following words the prophet Isaiah speaks of desolations and of a tenth of the men being consumed. Perhaps he too is speaking of the same latter day time. (Isaiah 6:9-13) 6:9 And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. 6:10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. 6:11 Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate, 6:12 And the LORD have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land. 6:13 But yet in it (Israel) shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance (stump) is in them, when they cast their leaves (are cut down): so the holy seed shall be the substance (stump) thereof. The prophet Isaiah, in the following text, also seems to be speaking of this same time period when the covenants end. In his words we read that there is a lack of holy men, many of the chosen having been consumed but the branch of the Lord shall be beautiful. Isaiah writes: (Isaiah 4:1-3) 4:1 And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach. Copyright 2005 86 4:2 In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped (are saved alive) of Israel. 4:3 And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem: In the time period following the conclusion of this covenant, Jesus, the Lamb, will return to Mount Zion and will fellowship with His chosen, the one hundred and forty-four thousand; John describes this meeting later in his story. He now speaks of the seventh trumpet which sounds at the end of the age. ***** Seventh Trumpet We next see the sounding of the seventh trumpet. This trumpet signals the end of God's work and the end of the age. John chose to describe the seventh trumpet at the conclusion of the first covenant although this trumpet is not actually sounded until after many years to come; it is sounded about 1,500 years later at 4,000 A.D.. It is sounded long after the end of the covenant and, as we shall later see, it comes after the one thousand year reign of Christ. John placed the sounding of the seventh trumpet as far after advent as Adam and the creation came before. This will satisfy the desire to place Jesus' life on earth at the center of the age. John describes the seventh angel's sounding of the seventh trumpet as a signal marking the end of the age. This is the time to judge the dead, the time to reward the prophets and saints and the time to destroy those who destroy the earth. Now the temple of God in heaven is opened and the ark of His covenant is seen in His temple. We now read John's account of the seventh trumpet, (Revelation 11:14-19) 11:14 The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly. 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. 11:16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, 11:17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O LORD God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. 11:18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. 11:19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail. This judgment of the dead (Verse 18) at the seventh trumpet is described again at the end of John's story; this is the final judgment after Christ's one thousand year reign. We now read John's words that describe this judgment, (Revelation 20:11-15) 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which Copyright 2005 87 were written in the books, according to their works. 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Unlike the first six trumpets, which denote the time periods within the two final millennia, the seventh trumpet punctuates the end of the age. John could have held back telling of this trumpet until the end of his story but he did not. Instead John chose to describe the seventh trumpet here, immediately after the covenant of the Law, in order to avoid displacing it too far from the six other trumpets. John will now describe two additional covenants and as the reader will see, these two covenants are concurrent with the first covenant and therefore also prevail from the time of Noah to the advent and an equal time thereafter, twenty five hundred years thereafter. ***** Covenant of Mercy The Woman, Child and Dragon The prophet Micah in the early days of the Kingdom, before the fall of Samaria, announces the advent of Messiah: (Micah 5:1-4) 5:1 Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us: they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek. Here we see Micah describing God's assault upon the Law and the traditions of Jerusalem. Let us pause and read Matthew's account of That Assault upon the Law, (Matthew 12:1-14) 12:1 At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungered, and began to pluck the ears of corn and to eat. 12:2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day. 12:3 But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungered, and they that were with him; 12:4 How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? 12:5 Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? 12:6 But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. 12:7 But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. 12:8 For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day. 12:9 And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue: 12:10 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. 12:11 And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? 12:12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful Copyright 2005 88 to do well on the sabbath days. 12:13 Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other. 12:14 Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. God's Messiah, Whose character was so different from that of the religious establishment, was indeed an assault upon Jerusalem. Micah continues, speaking of advent, the time when Messiah will visit Israel. 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. Next Micah speaks of the distant future beyond advent whenever Messiah will ultimately claim victory at the conclusion of the covenant. 5:3 Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel. 5:4 And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth. John now describes God's covenant of grace for all. This is the second covenant, the covenant through which Messiah is given. (Revelation 12:1-2) 12:1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: 12:2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. The woman in this passage represents the bride of Christ, those for whom He died to save: the congregation which includes people from all nations and races. She is clothed with the sun that represents God; the moon represents God's witnesses, those who are illuminated by the sun and bear His grace to others. The crown of twelve stars represents the twelve apostles of the Lamb, those twelve who were God's laborers and an important symbol and object of God's grace. In the Hebrew tradition from the book of Genesis, the sun represents Jacob, the moon represents Rachael, and the twelve stars represent the sons of Jacob. This symbolism also recognizes Israel as a beneficiary of the second covenant. We now read of Joseph’s dream, (Genesis 37:9-10) 37:9 Then he dreamed still another dream and told it to his brothers, and said, “Look, I have dreamed another dream. And this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me.” 37:10 So he told it to his father and his brothers; And his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall your mother and I and your brothers indeed come to bow down to the earth before you?” John’s vision of the woman, Sun and moon is perhaps intended to represent God’s covenant of Atonement as told by a story within the stars of the Zodiac. The travailing woman (the Constellation Virgo) clothed with the Sun and with the Moon under her feet represents the new year (Rosh Hashanah) and the Day of Copyright 2005 89 Atonement (Yom Kipper) that follows ten days later. During this season the Sun which represents God (the Source of Light) and His creation moves through the birth canal of the Virgin and is born anew each year. Also during this season from the new year to the Day of Atonement, the Moon, which represents God’s people Israel (those that reflect God’s Light), moves from the Virgin through the Constellation Libra (the Scales), the Constellation Scorpio (the Scorpion), the Constellation Sagittarius (the Archer), the Constellation Capricorn (the Goat), to the Constellation Aquarius (the Water Bearer). The progression of the Moon through Libra represents God’s time of judgment that is observed by Israel during this season of the new year (Job 31:3-8). The progression of the Moon through Scorpio represents God’s punishment for Israel’s sins against God’s creation (2 Chronicles 36:21). The progression of the Moon through Sagittarius represents God’s punishment for Israel’s sins against their fellow man (2 Chronicles 36:17). The progression of the Moon through Capricorn represents the two goats brought to the High Priest of Israel on the Day of Atonement, one for sacrifice and one for release into the wilderness carrying away all sins (Leviticus 16:7-10). The progression of the Moon to the Constellation Aquarius represents the washing away of Israel’s sins (Psalm 51). John next writes of Satan being ranked as first in heaven (Revelation 12:4); later, however (Revelation 12:9) we will see him being cast out from heaven, (Revelation 12:3-6) 12:3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. 12:4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. 12:5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. Here again John draws upon the stars for his story, this time he personifies the Constellation Hydra (the Sea Serpent) that waits among the stars at the feet of the Constellation Virgo. Hydra represents the dragon that stands before the woman in John’s story to devour her child. This dragon represents Satan. God’s Word pays tribute to the dragon in the text of Job. (Job 41) 41:1 Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down? 41:2 Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn? 41:3 Will he make many supplications unto thee? will he speak soft words unto thee? 41:4 Will he make a covenant with thee? wilt thou take him for a servant for ever? 41:5 Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens? 41:6 Shall the companions make a banquet of him? shall they part him among the merchants? 41:7 Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? or his head with fish spears? 41:8 Lay thine hand upon him, remember the battle, do no more. 41:9 Behold, the hope of him is in vain: shall not one be cast down even at the sight of him? 41:10 None is so fierce that dare stir him up: who then is able to stand before me? 41:11 Who hath prevented me, that I should repay him? whatsoever is Copyright 2005 90 under the whole heaven is mine. 41:12 I will not conceal his parts, nor his power, nor his comely proportion. 41:13 Who can discover the face of his garment? or who can come to him with his double bridle? 41:14 Who can open the doors of his face? his teeth are terrible round about. 41:15 His scales are his pride, shut up together as with a close seal. 41:16 One is so near to another, that no air can come between them. 41:17 They are joined one to another, they stick together, that they cannot be sundered. 41:18 By his neesings a light doth shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning. 41:19 Out of his mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire leap out. 41:20 Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron. 41:21 His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth. 41:22 In his neck remaineth strength, and sorrow is turned into joy before him. 41:23 The flakes of his flesh are joined together: they are firm in themselves; they cannot be moved. 41:24 His heart is as firm as a stone; yea, as hard as a piece of the nether millstone. 41:25 When he raiseth up himself, the mighty are afraid: by reason of breakings they purify themselves. 41:26 The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold: the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon. 41:27 He esteemeth iron as straw, and brass as rotten wood. 41:28 The arrow cannot make him flee: slingstones are turned with him into stubble. 41:29 Darts are counted as stubble: he laugheth at the shaking of a spear. 41:30 Sharp stones are under him: he spreadeth sharp pointed things upon the mire. 41:31 He maketh the deep to boil like a pot: he maketh the sea like a pot of ointment. 41:32 He maketh a path to shine after him; one would think the deep to be hoary. 41:33 Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear. 41:34 He beholdeth all high things: he is a king over all the children of pride. Jesus, the man child, was ordained Messiah, according to John’s story, from the beginning of the covenant, at the time of Noah. The woman represents the bride of Christ, those for whom He died to save: the congregation which includes people from all nations and races. The bride was, at the time of Noah, the early descendants of Adam but later included the nation of Israel and the other early converts. The bride remained in the wilderness, both spiritually and physically for 1,260 days, Revelation 12:6. She remained in the wilderness from the time of Noah until the advent at which time Satan is cast out of heaven onto earth, and his angels with him, Revelation 12:9. These 1,260 days correspond with 2,520 years and they are the same period as the 1,260 days that the two witnesses prophesied as described in the first covenant, Revelation 11:3. These 2,520 years are the time period from Noah to the advent. Repeating John's words from the second covenant we read, (Revelation 12:6) 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. In like manner, from John's words describing the first covenant, we read, Copyright 2005 91 (Revelation 11:3) 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. John next describes Satan being cast out of heaven after the 1,260 days of refuge that the woman took in the wilderness. (Revelation 12:7-9) 12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 12:8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Jesus, Himself, also speaking of Satan being cast out at advent, pronounces the following in the gospel of John: (John 12:31-32) 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. John continues his story, (Revelation 12:10) 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. Now God's salvation, strength, kingdom and His Christ have come and the accuser has been cast down. The dragon now persecutes the woman, initially by means of the Roman government and later by others. The woman, who represents all true believers and the church, flees (Verse 14) at the time of Christ's crucifixion, into the wilderness where she is protected for "a time, times and half a time" which is also two thousand five hundred and twenty years. This is the 2,520 year time period from the advent to the conclusion of the covenants. We continue reading John's words from the second covenant; we read how the brethren in Jesus overcame the dragon, their accuser. (Revelation 12:11-16) 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. 12:13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. 12:14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. 12:15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the Copyright 2005 92 woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. 12:16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. The time, times and half a time that the woman takes refuge from the face of the serpent in this second covenant, Revelation 12:14, corresponds with the three and one-half days of the first covenant in which the bodies of the two witnesses will lie in the great city, Revelation 11:11. We read John's words from the first covenant, (Revelation 11:11-12) 11:11 And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. 11:12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. The dragon, as we see in Verse 15, attempts to cause another great flood to disrupt God's creation but this being during the time of the covenants, God prevents a flood from occurring. The earth swallows up the flood because God's covenant with Noah, symbolized by the rainbow, prohibits such an event. Satan, being enraged, now turns to make spiritual war with all the saints. (Revelation 12:17) 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. We shall see that this war with the saints is mentioned again in Revelation 13:7, whenever we read of God's third covenant. ***** Covenant of Judgment Trinity of the Dragon God's covenant with the dragon, Satan, is described last. This third covenant begins at the time of Noah as did the first two covenants and through it God gives the dragon great authority over all nations and people of the earth. (Revelation 13:7) 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. God, however, limited Satan's actions; this is illustrated by the opening scene in the story of God's servant Job: (Job 1:6-12) 1:6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. 1:7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 1:8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Copyright 2005 93 1:9 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 1:10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 1:11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. 1:12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD. Satan The Father Just as our Holy God is seen as a trinity, Satan is also described as a trinity: Satan the father is a beast that is like a leopard, a leopard that is the personification of the rising nations and kingdoms of the world that emerged out from the sea after the flood waters of Noah's day receded. That is, these nations rose up after Noah and the flood. This leopard beast that John now describes is the first person in the trinity of the dragon. John now tells of the third covenant, (Revelation 13:1-10) 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. 13:2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. 13:3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. 13:4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. 13:6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 13:9 If any man have an ear, let him hear. 13:10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. Here we see that the beast of John's story is granted his authority from the time of Noah up to Christ's advent, for forty-two months (Revelation 13:5). This is the same time period that the two witnesses prophesy during the first covenant (Revelation 11:3) and the same time period that the woman hid in the wilderness during the second covenant (Revelation 12:6). This beast that rose up from the sea is the personification of the nations: Syria, Assyria, Babylon, MedoPersia, Greece and Rome. These are great nations that rose up after Noah and the great flood. We will later see that this beast is also described by Daniel (Daniel 7). Daniel, however, describes this beast that rose up from the sea as four different beasts. Copyright 2005 94 In John's story, the wound of the first beast's head (Revelation 13:3) seems to represent the period of injury for the Nation of Israel. All together, the seven heads of the beast represent the complete period of the covenant, 84 months or 5040 years. One seventh of that period, represented by the one wounded head, is 720 years. This 720 years for the one wounded head is the same as the 720 year period of trouble for Israel from the fall of Samaria to the advent of Messiah. Samaria fell to the Assyrians about 720 B.C. while Judah fell to the Babylonians about 606 B.C.. After that the temple was destroyed in 586 B.C. and the nation of Israel was subsequently dominated by Greece and Rome until Jesus' advent. The writers of Revelation saw Jesus as the Savior and Redeemer of Israel (Messiah), thus ending the 720 years of trouble. We may conclude from this discussion that the wounded head represents ancient Israel. The ten horns with ten crowns that are upon the beast that emerged from the sea (Revelation 13:1) represent the ten kingdoms that God promised Abraham for an inheritance. These kings will reappear whenever John tells of the "great harlot". John, in his writings, describes two additional beasts: a lamb beast and another beast that is an image of the first beast. Satan The Lamb Satan the lamb is the beast that rose up from the earth after Satan the dragon is cast out of heaven at advent. This lamb beast is the "false prophet" that John speaks of who deceives the people; he is the second person in this trinity of the dragon. Since there was no great flood at the time of advent, John declares that this beast rose up from the earth, dry land, unlike the first beast that rose from the sea. Truly, there could have been no flood since God’s covenant with Noah was still binding at advent. (Revelation 13:11-14) 13:11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. 13:12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13:13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, 13:14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. The two horns of the lamb beast (Revelation 13:11) represent the two kingdoms of First Century Israel: the kingdom of Judah and the kingdom of Samaria. This beast that is like a lamb, in Verse 11, is seen by early Christians as Antichrist of whom John wrote of in his letter, (I John 2:18-22) 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. 2:20 But ye have an unction (charisma) from the Holy One, and ye know all things. 2:21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. We shall now read of the "image beast" the third part of the trinity. Copyright 2005 95 Satan The Spirit We see that the early pre-advent nations of Syria, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome, are personified in the writings of Daniel and John by the Lion, Bear and Leopard beasts. Recall however that the beast that was wounded by a sword is ancient pre-advent Israel. Similarly, the ancient, pre-advent nation of Israel and its religion are personified by the “image of the beast” (Verse 14). This “image of the beast’ was established by the lamb beast that rose up from the land. The early Christians imagined that First Century Israel, rather than accepting Jesus as the Messiah, preferred to preserve and promote the ancient Hebrew traditions and the Law of Moses. (Revelation 13:14-18) 13:14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. 13:15 And he (the lamb beast) had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. 13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 13:18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred, threescore (sixty) and six. Satan the spirit is the image of the first beast, Verses 14 and 15, and he is the third person of this trinity of the dragon. This "image" is a likeness, of the first beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. This third person of the trinity can be seen as an image of historic Jerusalem and Israel, the one wounded by the sword, and yet lived (Verse 14). Israel was wounded unto death by the nations that ruled in that historic time and yet lives on in that day. Satan the spirit is the image of ancient Israel and its religion. According to John, the lamb beast was granted power from the dragon (Revelation 13:12) to give breath to the image of the beast. This power was made possible through the covenant of God with Satan. He, the image of the beast, caused all people to receive a mark upon their right hand or forehead. No one may buy or sell without the mark, or the name of the beast or the number of his name. The number of the beast is calculated knowing the "number of a man", which is the number twenty, and the number "Six hundred, three score and six." The number can be known simply from the covenants of the Law and of grace. This number corresponds with the Three-and-a-half days from the covenant of the Law (Revelation 11:9) and, a time and times and half a time from the covenant of grace (Revelation 12:14). These numbers refer to two thousand, five hundred and twenty years after Christ's advent; likewise the riddle of the number six hundred, three score and six is the same number or number of years. We can verify this relationship by calculating the number, as suggested by John. We must find the value of six hundred, three score and six using twenty characters for counting rather than using the customary ten characters, twenty being the traditional age for an adult man and therefore the traditional "number of a man" (Revelation 13:18). This value for six hundred, three score and six, turns out to be, two thousand, five hundred and twenty six. This number indicates the period of years from advent to the end of the covenant with Satan, in the same manner as did the other numbers indicate respectively: the number of years from advent to the end of the covenant of the Law and the number of years from advent to the end of the covenant of grace. The "number of a man", which must be used to calculate the number of the beast, is found in the book of Numbers. Here we read God's instruction to Moses for taking the census of Israel. God said, (Numbers 1:2-3) 1:2 Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of their names, every male by their polls; Copyright 2005 96 1:3 From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies. This first census was taken in the wilderness of Sinai after God gave the Law to Israel. The next census was taken forty years later in the plains of Moab by the Jordan River across from Jericho. God said, (Numbers 26:2) 26:2 Take the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, throughout their fathers’ house, all that are able to go to war in Israel. Thus we see that the number twenty is the traditional age of adulthood for the males of Israel. Thus, the number twenty is the "number of a man." We will now look briefly at the association of Israel with the dragon implied by John in the words that he chose in the telling of God's covenants. Jerusalem and The Dragon The third covenant contains four links between Jerusalem and the Dragon, the first is the association of the mortally wounded head, seen in Verse 3, with the 720 years of trouble in Israel. The second is the Lamb Beast with two horns that represent Judah and Samaria. The third link is the Image of the Beast that represents ancient Israel and its religion. The fourth link is the unfortunate association of the age for adulthood, which God assigned to the men of Israel, with the number of the beast. We also see John establishing an association between Jerusalem, sin and the beast in the words of the first covenant. We read in the first covenant: (Revelation 11:8) 11:8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. The great city spoken of here is that city where our Lord was crucified, thus it is Jerusalem. This city, which is called Sodom and Egypt, is also later called by the name, "Babylon the Great". "Babylon the Great" is described later by John in his story as the great harlot, the woman sitting upon the scarlet beast. Looking ahead we see a brief sample of John's words regarding the harlot. John recites, (Revelation 17:3-6) 17:3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 17:4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. 17:6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. (Revelation 18:24) 18:24 And in her was found the blood of the prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth. Copyright 2005 97 The only place that the blood of and guilt for, "all that were slain upon the earth," could possibly be found was in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus' Passion at which He carried the sins of the world upon the cross. John later on engages in a lengthily recitation describing the great harlot and her destruction. At that time we shall see more evidence of the relationship between Jerusalem and the dragon. The preceding verses are from that recitation. Looking back within the gospel of Matthew, Jesus spoke these same words: (Matthew 23:34-39) 23:34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: 23:35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. 23:36 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! 23:38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. 23:39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Let us now see how the beasts in the ancient prophesies of Daniel coincide with the beast that is like a leopard in John's story, the beast that rose up out of the sea. Daniel's Visions The content of John's visions is very much like that of Daniel's from about 600 years earlier. In his third covenant (Revelation 13) John describes three beasts; the first beast has seven heads, ten horns and on his horns, ten crowns that represent ten kings. This first beast also has the attributes of a lion, a bear, and a leopard. We are able to see a similarity between John's and Daniel's writings in that Daniel describes four distinct beasts: a lion, a bear a leopard and a terrible fourth beast. There are seven heads altogether on these four beasts and the fourth beast has ten horns which represent ten kings. Thus the vision of John affirms that of Daniel. In addition, it is interesting to see that in Daniel's vision, like that of John's, the four beasts rose up from the sea. The significance of each beast seen by Daniel will be described later whenever his prophesies are further studied. We read from Daniel: (Daniel 7:1-8,15-17) 7:1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters. 7:2 Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea. 7:3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another. 7:4 The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man’s heart was given to it. Copyright 2005 98 7:5 And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh. 7:6 After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it. 7:7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. 7:8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things. 7:15 I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. 7:16 I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things. 7:17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth. The angel continues explaining to Daniel, (Daniel 7:23-27) 7:23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. 7:24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. 7:26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. 7:27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him. We have now seen that in John's third covenant and in Daniel's prophecies that these beasts represent both Satan and the nations. These images will be used again by John later in his story to describe the great harlot and the scarlet beast. After completing his description of the covenants, John writes of events that take place in the time period that follows. It is now the latter half of the seventh millennium, the latter half of the one thousand years following the opening of the seventh seal. Copyright 2005 99 Chapter 7 ***** The Lamb on Mount Zion (Psalm 2) 2:1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? 2:2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, 2:3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. 2:4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision. 2:5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. 2:6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. 2:8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. 2:9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. 2:10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. 2:11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. John now describes the appearance of the Lamb on Mount Zion; this takes place soon after the closing of the covenants, perhaps at the sounding of the third trumpet at about 2,700 A.D.. The time at which the covenants conclude is about the year 2,520 A.D.. (Revelation 14:1-3) 14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Zion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. 14:2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: 14:3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. John describes, in these verses, the Lamb of God and the one hundred and forty-four thousand standing on Mount Zion, the city of David. This city represents the assembly of believers from the twelve tribes of Israel. John also heard the voices of a multitude in heaven with harpists singing a new song and it was like thunder. Like the seven thunders that uttered their voices at the cry of the Mighty Angel when John introduced God’s Covenants (Revelation 10:13). No one but the one hundred forty-four thousand could learn their song. This is the long awaited return of Jesus. In the words of Matthew that follow, Jesus is speaking to His disciples of this very time at which He returns to Mount Zion. (Matthew 20:17-19) 20:17 And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, 20:18 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall Copyright 2005 100 condemn him to death, 20:19 And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again. The "third day," mentioned by Jesus is the thousand years of the seventh seal. The Passion takes place near the beginning of the fifth millennium, and His return, according to John's story, is after the covenants expire, near the end of the seventh millennium. Jesus will, therefore, return to earth about 2,700 years later in the third thousand year period, the third day, after being crucified. The period of His absence includes the time of the fifth, sixth, and most of the seventh millennia. We also hear, in Luke's gospel, Jesus speaking of His return. He is preaching to the Pharisees, that came to warn Him of Herod's evil intentions, (Luke 13:32-35) 13:32 And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected. Jesus has just spoken of His resurrection and the time of His return to Mount Zion in the third millennium after His crucifixion. He continues, 13:33 Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem. 13:34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! 13:35 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. And we read the words of Hosea that also speak specifically of the time when Jesus returns to heal the nations. (Hosea 6:1-2) 6:1 Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. 6:2 After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. The prophet Micah also speaks of these times: (Micah 4:6-8) 4:6 In that day, saith the LORD, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted; 4:7 And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever. 4:8 And thou, O tower (Jesus) of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter (city) of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem. In Micah's Verse 8, the "Tower of the Flock" , is a reference to Jesus. Next, the prophet Joel describes the events of the sixth seal leading up to this time of Jesus return. Joel's words are like those of the sixth seal in John's story that describe the last days before the beginning of the sabbath period, "before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come," (Verse 31). Copyright 2005 101 (Joel 2:30-32) 2:30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. 2:31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come. 2:32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call. Then Joel describes a judgment that is very much like the judgment of John's story and that will soon transpire after the Lamb appears on Mount Zion. (Joel 3:1-2) 3:1 For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity (gather the captive people) of Judah and Jerusalem, 3:2 I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted (divided) my land. This remnant, Verse 32, are those, 144,000 of Israel, called out prior to the opening of the seventh seal. They are the ones who have been called out to serve God during this time after the seventh seal is opened. John continues with his description of the 144,000. (Revelation 14:4-5,12) 14:4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. 14:5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. 14:12 Here is (a witness to) the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Again, the time of this scene in which the Lamb of God appears is in the sabbath millennium and is after the covenant which concludes about two thousand and five hundred and twenty years (2,520 years) after Christ's advent. This sabbath period is also spoken of by the prophet Daniel; this narration begins with an angel speaking to Daniel. (Daniel 12:1,5-10) 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. 12:5 Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river. 12:6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? 12:7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and swear by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a Copyright 2005 102 time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. 12:8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? 12:9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 12:10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. Here in these Verses, Daniel is describing a time of "scattering the power" that will culminate after a time, times and half a time when “all these things shall be finished.” From the perspective of the first century, this is the 2,520 year period from the advent of Jesus to the end of the covenant at about 2,520 A.D.. This is the three and one half day period in which the two witnesses of the first covenant lie dead. From Daniel’s perspective this period also represents a 2,520 year period. This period extends from the reconstruction of the temple (520 B.C.) to the latter days (2,000 A.D.) at which time, according to Samaritan tradition, Messiah is to appear. Daniel continues with the angel speaking, (Daniel 12:11) 12:11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. From Daniel’s perspective this period, described in Verse 11 by the angel, may be interpreted as two thousand five hundred and eighty (2,580) years into the future from the time of the destruction of Solomon’s temple by Babylon in 586 B.C., at which time the daily sacrifice was taken away. Here in Verse 11, each day represents two years. As before, this period culminates at 2,000 A.D. at which time, according to Samaritan tradition, Messiah is to appear. Daniel continues, (Daniel 12:12) 12:12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. Here again in Verse 12, each day represents two years. The period described in Verse 12 may be interpreted as 2,670 years from the destruction of Solomon’s Temple. From Daniels perspective, this could be a reference to the coming of Messiah in the distant future ninety years after the culmination of the desolation (Daniel 12:11). From a first century perspective, the angel seems to be speaking of the time when Jesus returns to join the 144,000 of the tribes of Israel, who will have been sealed by God; this time will be two thousand six hundred and seventy (2,670) years after Jesus' crucifixion, which took place about 30 A.D.. This will place Jesus' return to Mount Zion at about 2,700 A.D., the time for sounding the third trumpet. Note that the first trumpet sounds at 2,033 A.D., two thousand years after the Passion. The second trumpet sounds 333 years later at 2,366 A.D. and the third trumpet 333 years later at 2,699 A.D.. This year of the third trumpet is in agreement with the year 2,700 A.D. which the angel speaks of in Verse 12 regarding Jesus' return. It is in connection with the one hundred and forty-four thousand standing on Mt. Zion, that John now introduces into his story the great harlot by her name, Babylon the Great . These redeemed ones, the 144,000, had resisted the influence of Babylon the great harlot; these 144,000 are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. Copyright 2005 103 ***** Three Angels Three important announcements are now made by three angels. (Revelation 14:6-12) 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 14:7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. 14:8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. 14:9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, 14:10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: 14:11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. 14:12 Here is (an example of) the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. As we have seen before, these events take place after the close of the three covenants and during the latter half of the sabbath millennium, the seventh thousand year period of the age. We also have seen that the first three trumpets sound during this millennium. Verses 6 and 7 refer to, "Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters" in the same manner as did the first three trumpets refer to God's wrath upon the earth, the sea and the fountains of waters. These words tend to connect the pronouncements made by the three angels with the first three trumpets. This further implies that these events surrounding the three angels occur during the sabbath period. Later in John's story we will read more of Babylon The Great when she falls and of the Lamb when He conquers those who worship the beast. Both of these events are proclaimed by the three angels and therefore take place within the seventh millennium. The next event that John describes is Jesus' harvest of people from earth. This harvest includes both the gathering of the good and the judgment of those who worship the beast and it occurs late in the sabbath millennium, prior to Jesus' reign on earth. The time has come for Jesus to judge. ***** Harvest of the Saints and Wicked Then One like the Son of Man on a white cloud thrusts His sickle to reap the earth. This is the gathering of the saints, the harvest of the Son of Man. (Revelation 14:13-16) 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them. 14:14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and Copyright 2005 104 in his hand a sharp sickle. 14:15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. 14:16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. Jesus spoke of this gathering in the words of Matthew: Jesus said, (Matthew 24:31,36-44) 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 24:37 But as the days of Noe (Noah) were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 24:38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 24:39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 24:40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 24:41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. 24:43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. The reader should notice that in Verses 37-39 Jesus relates the time of His return to the time of Noah. This comparison is appropriate since Jesus returns at the conclusion of the covenants just as Noah appeared early in history at the beginning of the covenants and Noah is the representative of mankind with whom God institutes the covenants. In Verse 31, the trumpet may be considered to be the third trumpet of John's story, the trumpet that sounds at His return. Here, Jesus also speaks of gathering His elect, the 144,000, from the four winds that we declared previously to be the four witnessing Spirits of God. These words of Jesus are similar to those of John, which we read earlier, that speak of God's calling (sealing) of the 144,000 chosen of Israel and God's power over the four winds. We read again those words of John (Revelation 7:1-4) 7:1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. 7:2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 7:3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. 7:4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. Copyright 2005 105 Continuing our reading in John's story, we next see the harvest of the wicked. (Revelation 14:17-20) 14:17 And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. 14:18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. 14:19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 14:20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs. Here we see another angel with a sharp sickle coming from the temple. An angel with power over fire cried to him, "Thrust and gather." This is the gathering of the evil for the great winepress of God's wrath. Blood came out of the winepress for one thousand six hundred furlongs. His judgments are manifest by the great winepress. The prophet Joel, one of the early prophets of Judah after King Solomon's reign, spoke of this harvest of the wicked: (Joel 3:12-13) 3:12 Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about. 3:13 Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the vats overflow; for their wickedness is great. These words speak of punishment for the wicked in the battle for men's souls waged by Jesus. Later in John's story, Jesus and His army clothed in fine linen are engaged in a battle that depicts this harvest of the wicked. We will pause and read a portion of that drama at this time. As we read about this battle, events of the harvest are brought to life. (Revelation 19:11-16) 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 19:12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 19:13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 19:16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. Now returning to Chapter 14, John states that the blood from the winepress of God's wrath travels a great distance. Metaphorically, the blood from the winepress will spread out a distance that represents time. The event to which the blood extends is the Passion, the time and event at which Jesus' blood was spilt upon the Copyright 2005 106 earth to cover the sins of men. The distance the blood travels, one thousand six hundred furlongs according to John, is a distance of 200 Roman miles. We shall see how this distance represents 2,800 years and thus indicates that this judgment and battle take place about two thousand and eight hundred years after Jesus' crucifixion. The time of the battle is obtained from the fact that the distance the blood was spread, according to Verse 20, represents two hundred miles or sabbath day journeys. In terms of time, a person who observed the Law could travel two hundred sabbath day journeys in two hundred weeks. Therefore we define this vision to represent two hundred weeks, each having a sabbath and six other days. This two hundred weeks has one thousand and four hundred days. Each day represents two years so this two hundred weeks actually represent about two thousand and eight hundred years. This 2,800 years is the time period between the Passion, at which time Jesus' blood was shed upon the earth, and the judgment of the saints and the wicked at which time the wicked's blood is shed upon the earth. We see, therefore, that these latter events take place about three hundred years after the end of the covenant and about two hundred years before the beginning of the eighth millennium after the creation. This eighth millennium will be the time that Jesus reigns on earth. The battle, described in Chapter 19 of John's story, is led by the King of kings and Lord of lords; this battle may also be thought of as taking place over our entire age and culminating with the harvest of the good and the evil and the winepress of God's wrath. From John's description of the battle, we read again Verse 15, (Revelation 19:15) 19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. "And He shall rule them with a rod of iron," we see from these words that His work is not yet completed; the end is not yet. ***** Song of Moses We now see those from the harvest of the Son of Man: those from the tribes of Israel who have victory over the beast, over his image, over his mark and over the number of his name. These are singing the song of Moses. This song speaks of God's greatness: (Revelation 15:2-4) 15:2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. 15:3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. 15:4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest. His judgments are manifest by the great winepress! John is speaking of the one hundred and forty-four thousand that will stand with the Lamb on Mt. Zion; they now have victory and are singing before God as those other saints robed in white sang out prior to the opening of the seventh seal. As the praise and prayers of those other saints bring the trials of the seven trumpets, so also will the song of the one hundred and forty-four thousand on Mount Zion bring the plagues of the seven golden vials. We now read lyrics from the four Songs of Moses found in the Bible: Copyright 2005 107 The first song was sung when Moses met Aaron upon returning to Egypt to free God’s people. (Psalm 91) The First Song of Moses 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 91:2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. 91:3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. 91:4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. 91:5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; 91:6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. 91:7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. 91:8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. 91:9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; 91:10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. 91:11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. 91:12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. 91:13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. 91:14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. 91:15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him. 91:16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. The second song was sung after Israel, leaving Egypt, crossed the Red Sea. (Exodus 15) The Second Song of Moses 15:1 Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. 15:2 The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him. 15:3 The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name. 15:4 Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea. 15:5 The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone. 15:6 Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy. 15:7 And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which Copyright 2005 108 consumed them as stubble. 15:8 And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea. 15:9 The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them. 15:10 Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters. 15:11 Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? 15:12 Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them. 15:13 Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation. 15:14 The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina. 15:15 Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away. 15:16 Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased. 15:17 Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O LORD, which thy hands have established. 15:18 The LORD shall reign for ever and ever. 15:19 For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea. 15:20 And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. 15:21 And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. The third song was sung when Israel arrived at the Jordan River across from Jericho. (Deuteronomy 31:30-32:47) The Third Song of Moses 31:30 And Moses spake in the ears of all the congregation of Israel the words of this song, until they were ended. 32:1 Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. 32:2 My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: 32:3 Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. 32:4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. 32:5 They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation. 32:6 Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise? is not he thy father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee? 32:7 Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: Copyright 2005 109 ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee. 32:8 When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel. 32:9 For the LORD’s portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance. 32:10 He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye. 32:11 As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: 32:12 So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange God with him. 32:13 He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock; 32:14 Butter of kine, and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs, and rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the fat of kidneys of wheat; and thou didst drink the pure blood of the grape. 32:15 But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation. 32:16 They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger. 32:17 They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not. 32:18 Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee. 32:19 And when the LORD saw it, he abhorred them, because of the provoking of his sons, and of his daughters. 32:20 And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith. 32:21 They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation. 32:22 For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains. 32:23 I will heap mischiefs upon them; I will spend mine arrows upon them. 32:24 They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust. 32:25 The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man of gray hairs. 32:26 I said, I would scatter them into corners, I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men: 32:27 Were it not that I feared the wrath of the enemy, lest their adversaries should behave themselves strangely, and lest they should say, Our hand is high, and the LORD hath not done all this. 32:28 For they are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them. 32:29 O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end! 32:30 How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up? Copyright 2005 110 32:31 For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges. 32:32 For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah: their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter: 32:33 Their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps. 32:34 Is not this laid up in store with me, and sealed up among my treasures? 32:35 To me belongeth vengeance and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste. 32:36 For the LORD shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth that their power is gone, and there is none shut up, or left. 32:37 And he shall say, Where are their gods, their rock in whom they trusted, 32:38 Which did eat the fat of their sacrifices, and drank the wine of their drink offerings? let them rise up and help you, and be your protection. 32:39 See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no God with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand. 32:40 For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever. 32:41 If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me. 32:42 I will make mine arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh; and that with the blood of the slain and of the captives, from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy. 32:43 Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, and to his people. 32:44 And Moses came and spake all the words of this song in the ears of the people, he, and Hoshea the son of Nun. 32:45 And Moses made an end of speaking all these words to all Israel: 32:46 And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law. 32:47 For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it. The fourth song was sung at the time of Moses’ death upon Mount Nebo. (Psalm 90) The Fourth Song of Moses 90:1 Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. 90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. 90:3 Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men. 90:4 For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night. 90:5 Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep: in the morning they are like grass which groweth up. 90:6 In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth. 90:7 For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled. 90:8 Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance. Copyright 2005 111 90:9 For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told. 90:10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. 90:11 Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath. 90:12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. 90:13 Return, O LORD, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants. 90:14 O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. 90:15 Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil. 90:16 Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children. 90:17 And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it. From the temple in heaven now come seven angels and they are given seven golden vials full of the wrath of God to pour out upon the earth. Copyright 2005 112 Chapter 8 ***** Seven Last Plagues (Revelation 15:1,5-8) 15:1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. 15:5 And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened: 15:6 And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles. 15:7 And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever. 15:8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled. Thus, from the temple comes seven angels with the seven last plagues; they were given seven golden vials full of the wrath of God. These vials of God's wrath, which we will read about next, follow the pattern of the seven trumpets. The trumpets were given for two purposes: first, to redeem the earth in response to the prayers of the saints and second, to mark the time from the seventh seal to the end of the age. The seven vials now bring God's plagues that will fall to avenge His Law and His chosen ones. John reveals in Verse 8 that the seven vials of wrath must be completed before anyone can enter the temple. These vials represent God's punishment for sins against His Law, against the saints and against His prophets. The first vial will bring a plague upon those with the mark of the beast, those who have fallen under the influence of the dragon. The second vial brings death to the souls of all living in the sea, the sea that symbolizes mankind. The words of the second vial tell us that God has withheld His Spirit, the four winds, during the sabbath period and thus few men are redeemed. Those who are saved are martyred. The only living witnesses in this period are the 144,000 sealed of God prior to the opening of the seventh seal. The third vial brings blood to punish the nations for shedding the blood of saints and the prophets. Jerusalem and Israel will be among these nations. John will describe this punishment of Israel and Jerusalem, the great harlot, later in his story (Revelation 17 and 18). The punishment of the nations does not end here, however. The remaining vials of wrath extend God's retribution to the end of the age. The four remaining vials are in the future beyond the time of the harvest of the saints and the wicked. These remaining vials are beyond the stories of the great harlot and the marriage of the Lamb, stories that John will tell later. Nevertheless John will, at this time, continue telling of the four remaining vials of wrath. The fourth vial brings scorching fire from the sun just as the fourth trumpet brought a plague upon the sun, moon and stars to diminish their light. The fifth vial brings darkness and pain to the kingdom of the beast while the fifth trumpet brought darkness from smoke and brought the painful sting of scorpions to the nations under the influence of the beast, to all men without the seal of God on their foreheads. The sixth vial will be the final punishment of the nations for following the dragon. They are gathered together to a place of battle that is given a Hebrew name, Armageddon. This name signifies that this is a battleground of Israel; this is the place of final punishment for the Nations. John will again later speak briefly of this punishment near the conclusion of his story (Revelation 20:7-10). We now read of God's vials of wrath, Copyright 2005 113 (Revelation 16:1-11) 16:1 And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. 16:2 And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image. 16:3 And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea. 16:4 And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood. 16:5 And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus. 16:6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. 16:7 And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments. 16:8 And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. 16:9 And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory. 16:10 And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, 16:11 And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds. John states within the fifth vial, Verses 10 and 11, that the kingdom of the beast did not repent of their deeds. However, within the fifth trumpet described by John earlier, we state that the plague of the fifth trumpet did indeed redeem those of the four ancient nations so that they may join God's army in the time of the sixth trumpet. Perhaps we may believe that many nations other than these four did not yield to God's witness and thus did not repent of their deeds, Verse 11. It is surely these nations that God pursues at the war of the sixth trumpet and at Armageddon within the sixth vial of wrath. Within the sixth vial, which John tells of next, we find that great battle where the Kings of the earth and the whole earth gather on that great day of God Almighty. This is the same battle that was described in the sixth trumpet seen earlier. Here, in the sixth vial, the location of that great battle is actually named. It is at a place called Armageddon. (Revelation 16:12-16) 16:12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. 16:13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 16:14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. 16:16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. We see in Verse 13 that three unclean spirits came out of the mouth of the dragon, the beast and the false prophet just as in the sixth trumpet three plagues: fire, smoke and brimstone came from the mouth of the Copyright 2005 114 horses of God's army, God's army that was won over at the fifth trumpet and taken from the influence of the beast. The battle at Armageddon takes place near the close of Jesus' thousand year reign and is the final stand of Satan the dragon with his hoard against Almighty God with His power and His Army. Armageddon was not the only battle, as we have seen; there was an initial battle nearly one thousand years before. This battle was led by Jesus and His army in white prior to the close of the sabbath millennium during the harvest of the wicked. We will read later in John's story a more detailed account of this initial defeat of Satan the dragon who is: the beast, the lamb beast and false prophet, and the image of the beast. Here we read a brief excerpt from that account of Satan's initial defeat. (Revelation 19:20-21) 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. 19:21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh. According to John, this defeat is not final. (Revelation 20:1-2) 20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, This initial defeat of Satan is also foretold by the prophet Daniel: (Daniel 7:11-12) 7:11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame. Also, according to Daniel, this defeat is not final: 7:12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time. John tells us later in his story that although Satan is initially defeated and bound, he will be later freed to mount one last campaign against God's people. As John states, this will be at the place called Armageddon. (Revelation 20:7-10) 20:7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 20:8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. 20:9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. Copyright 2005 115 Note that John includes the land of Magog and also Gog the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal (Ezekiel 38:3) in the number of Satan's army. These nations are the descendants of Japheth, one of three sons of Noah. We previously read Moses' story of Noah and his three sons and their descendants when we studied the church at Smyrna. We read again from Moses' story. (Genesis 10:1-5) 10:1 Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth: and unto them were sons born after the flood. 10:2 The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras. 10:3 And the sons of Gomer; Ashkenaz, and Riphath, and Togarmah. 10:4 And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. 10:5 By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations. In Ezekiel's writing we find that Gog is a chief prince. (Ezekiel 38:1-3) 38:1 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 38:2 Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, 38:3 And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: Next we see the seventh and final angel pour out his vial, (Revelation 16:17) 16:17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. This is the closing of the age, the time of God's final judgment. We read John's words, found later on in his story, words picturing God's final judgment, which will take place at the pouring out of the seventh vial. (Revelation 20:11-12) 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. After the seventh vial is poured, John describes God's wrath upon the earth and the fate of Babylon the Great. We see within this period that the great Babylon was remembered before God; Babylon is the unfaithful Jerusalem, the city of God's people. We continue our reading from John's story, God's Wrath after the Seven Vials (Revelation 16:18-21) 16:18 And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. Copyright 2005 116 16:19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. 16:20 And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. 16:21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great. This demonstration of God's wrath, after the seventh vial is poured, is very much like two other demonstrations of God's wrath described by John: the first is after the seventh seal is opened and the second is after the seventh trumpet is sounded. All three events include: voices, thunderings, lightnings, great earthquakes and great hailstones. God's Wrath after the Seventh Seal We revisit John's words describing those periods; first we will read of God's wrath after the seven seals. (Revelation 8:5-7) 8:5 And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. 8:6 And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. 8:7 The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. God's Wrath after the Seventh Trumpet Next we read of God's wrath after the seventh trumpet. (Revelation 11:15-19) 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. 11:16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, 11:17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O LORD God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. 11:18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. 11:19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail. These three displays of God's wrath punctuate history at two points: The first is at the time of the seventh seal, which is opened at 2,000 years after the advent, and the second is at the end of the age 2,000 years later. This latter event takes place at the sounding of the seventh trumpet and the pouring out of the seventh vial of God's wrath. Before concluding our reflections upon God's vials of wrath, we read one final time, God's most serious accusation against Jerusalem at the pouring out of the third vial in the latter days of the sabbath millennium. Copyright 2005 117 (Revelation 16:4-7) 16:4 And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood. 16:5 And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus. 16:6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. 16:7 And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments. We shall soon see more evidence of the great harlot's guilt in John's description of her fall, which he animates next in his story. Copyright 2005 118 Chapter 9 ***** The Great Harlot (Isaiah 1:21-31) 1:21 How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers. 1:22 Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water: 1:23 Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them. 1:24 Therefore saith the LORD, the LORD of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies: 1:25 And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin: 1:26 And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city. 1:27 Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness. 1:28 And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the LORD shall be consumed. 1:29 For they shall be ashamed of the oaks which ye have desired, and ye shall be confounded for the gardens that ye have chosen. 1:30 For ye shall be as an oak whose leaf fadeth, and as a garden that hath no water. 1:31 And the strong shall be as tow, and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them. These words from Isaiah reflect Jerusalem’s long history of transgression against God’s law. We return now to the latter part of the seventh millennium to witness the fall of Babylon. Jerusalem is the city of God's people, and because that city has been deemed unfaithful, John calls her "Babylon the Great," the great harlot; "Babylon" is the unfaithful "Love" of Christ. Her apostasy is so grievous to God that John devotes a very long recitation within his story to describing her downfall. We now hear of the great harlot in John's story, (Revelation 17:6) 17:6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. Toward the end of John's recitation we hear, (Revelation 18:24) 18:24 And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth. Even Jesus recognizes and acknowledges Jerusalem's great sins, Jerusalem the city whose redemption is the object of His sacrificial journey into this world and the object of His Passion. (Luke 13:34-35) 13:34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, Copyright 2005 119 and ye would not! 13:35 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. The sins of Jerusalem extend back even to the days of the prophet Zephaniah who proclaimed at the time of the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem: (Zephaniah 3:1-9) 3:1 Woe to her (Jerusalem) that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city! 3:2 She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God. 3:3 Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow. 3:4 Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law. 3:5 The just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame. 3:6 I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made their streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, that there is none inhabitant. 3:7 I said, Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction; so their dwelling should not be cut off, howsoever I punished them: but they rose early, and corrupted all their doings. 3:8 Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them (Jerusalem) mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy. 3:9 For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent. Zephaniah proclaims that God will pour out His indignation against the oppressing city, Jerusalem. According to the words of Jesus, God will not ignore these sins. Jesus said, (Matthew 22:2-10) 22:2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 22:3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 22:4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. 22:5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 22:6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. 22:7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 22:8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 22:9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 22:10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. In the days of Moses, Balaam the son of Beor announced the destruction of the city, saying, Copyright 2005 120 (Numbers 24:14-24) 24:14 And now, behold, I go unto my people: come therefore, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days. 24:15 And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: 24:16 He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open: 24:17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners (boundaries) of Moab, and destroy (break down the walls of) all the children of Sheth (Seth). 24:18 And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly. 24:19 Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city. He that shall have dominion; "He," is Jesus. 24:20 And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever. 24:21 And he looked on the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, Strong is thy dwellingplace, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock. 24:22 Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted, until Asshur shall carry thee away captive. 24:23 And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this! 24:24 And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim (Cyprus), and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish for ever. In this prophesy by Balaam, son of Beor, he proclaims the destiny of several nations in addition to the city, Jerusalem. He speaks of: Moab, the firstborn son of Lot (Genesis 19:37); Edom, the land of Esau (Genesis 32:3); Mount Seir, the mountains of Edom (Genesis 36:8 and Deuteronomy 2:4-5); Amalek, an Edomite tribal chief and grandson of Esau (Genesis 36:15-16); the Kenites, a Midianite people that dwell along the coast of the Dead Sea (Genesis 15:18-21); Kenite, a Midianite people (descendants of Jethro) that dwell within the land of Judah (Judges 1:16); Asshur, the son of Shem, whose descendants lived in ancient Assyria (Genesis 10:21-22,30); and Eber, the great grandson of Arphaxad the son of Shem. He, Eber, is believed to be the father of the Hebrew race (Genesis 10:21 and Luke 3:34-36). The ships that come from Chittim (Cyprus) (Verse 24) may be a picture of the future Greek domination of Israel and Mesopotamia beginning about 334 B.C.. Edom and Amalek were destroyed by Babylon about 582 B.C., thus they perished as a nation. Finally, in Verse 17 Balaam speaks of Seth, the third son of Adam and Eve (Genesis 4:25-26). Seth and his son Enoch represent all nations that call upon God; thus from Verse 17 we see that “a Star out of Jacob” shall break down the walls between all people that call upon God. Again, about 800 years after Balaam, the prophet Ezekiel spoke, as did Zephaniah, of the sins of Jerusalem. This was at the time of Jerusalem's destruction by the army of Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, (Ezekiel 22:1-4) 22:1 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 22:2 Now, thou son of man, wilt thou judge, wilt thou judge the bloody city? yea, thou shalt shew her all her abominations. 22:3 Then say thou, Thus saith the Lord GOD, The city sheddeth blood in the midst of it, that her time may come, and maketh idols against Copyright 2005 121 herself to defile herself. 22:4 Thou art become guilty in thy blood that thou hast shed; and hast defiled thyself in thine idols which thou hast made; and thou hast caused thy days to draw near, and art come even unto thy years: therefore have I made thee a reproach unto the heathen, and a mocking to all countries. John, in his story, metaphorically refers to Jerusalem as "Babylon," giving her the same name as the great world empire that reigned during the lifetime of the prophets: Zephaniah and Ezekiel. The prophet Isaiah has declared Jerusalem to have become a harlot. John now describes in detail God's plan for the great harlot, Jerusalem, "Babylon the Great." The sins of Jerusalem must be dealt with. ***** The Judgment of Babylon (Revelation 17) 17:1 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: 17:2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. 17:3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. The scarlet beast on which the woman sits is a foundation, the nations of the world, provided by the kingdom of Satan the dragon. Satan is enabled through the sustaining power given to him through God's covenant. 17:4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. 17:6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. 17:7 And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns. 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. 17:9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. 17:10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. 17:11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth (king), and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. 17:12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. Copyright 2005 122 17:13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. 17:14 These (the ten kings) shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. 17:15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. 17:16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. 17:17 For God hath put in their hearts to fulfill his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. 17:18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth. Zechariah 14:16-21 illustrates Jerusalem as reigning over all people of the earth. The period in which we now find ourselves is late in the sabbath millennium, the period of the third trumpet. Here John describes the “woman” as sitting upon many waters and upon a scarlet beast. The “woman” is Jerusalem; the many waters are the peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues throughout the earth into which the children of Israel have been scattered. The scarlet beast represents the nations, one of the many faces of Satan the dragon. This beast has seven heads and ten horns as does the beast of the covenant and also as do the four beasts of Daniel's vision. The angel tells John that the seven heads are seven mountains and that there are also seven kings. The five fallen kings represent the past kingdoms of the beast, the beast whose head was wounded. These first five kings represent the old empires, perhaps those of Syria, Assyria, Babylonia, Medo-Persia and Greece. The one king "that is," is represented by the sixth head. The sixth head or king refers to the nation of Rome, which ruled during John's lifetime, and it also refers to subsequent nations that came after Rome. This sixth head or king also represents the lamb beast, First Century Israel, that, according to John, is Satan fallen from heaven; Satan is now present on earth at this telling of John's story. Recall, from the second covenant, that at advent, Satan was cast down from heaven to earth. The "other king", is the seventh head and according to John’s story follows the lamb beast and therefore is the image of the beast. Recall from the third covenant that the lamb beast's two horns represent two kingdoms: the kingdom of Samaria and the kingdom of Judah. The first six heads of the beast represent the ancient nations while the image of the beast represents a latter day image of the ancient nations including Israel, the wounded head. John has now described all seven kings represented within the scarlet beast. The scarlet beast is described by John as "the beast that was, and is not, and yet is" (Revelation 17:8). "The beast that was, and is not, and yet is," is the eighth king; this is Satan the dragon, the scarlet beast upon which the woman sits. This beast is comprised of all the others, the seven. John's reference to the transient nature of this eighth beast is due to its disappearance when cast into the bottomless pit for a thousand years. We will read of this whenever John tells us of the marriage of the Lamb (Revelation 20:110). After introducing the eighth king, in Verse 11, John describes the ten horns (Verses 12-14), they are ten additional kings that will join the eighth beast to wage war with the Lamb of God. The "ten kings" of Revelation 17:12 will accompany the beast, which is the dragon, into the great battle against Jesus during the "one hour" of their authority. The reference to "one hour" here indicates the latter 333 years of the seventh millennium; the period following the third trumpet from about 2,700 A.D. to 3,033 A.D.. The scarlet beast represents the empires of Syria, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. The ten kings represent ten kingdoms that God promised to give to the descendants of Abraham. These descendants include the families of both Ishmael and Isaac. Joshua and the army of Israel conquered several Copyright 2005 123 of these ten nations during the Exodus period which took place about 1,400 B.C. (Deuteronomy 7:1). Now these ten kings have returned to reclaim their lands. We read of God's promise to Abraham. (Genesis 15:18-21) 15:18 In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: 15:19 The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites, 15:20 And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims, 15:21 And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites. In John's drama, these ten kings will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire. We read John's words again. (Revelation 17:16) 17:16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. We read Zechariah's words of Jerusalem's destruction, the subsequent war with the nations and of peace that will follow. Zechariah wrote during the period in which the temple was being rebuilt (520 to 516 B.C.). (Zechariah 14:1-11) 14:1 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. 14:2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. 14:3 Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. Now God reigns: 14:4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. 14:5 And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee. 14:6 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark: 14:7 But it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light. 14:8 And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be. 14:9 And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one. 14:10 All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south Copyright 2005 124 of Jerusalem: and it shall be lifted up, and inhabited in her place, from Benjamin’s gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananeel unto the king’s winepresses. 14:11 And men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction; but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited. We will later see that these words are like those of John that describe God's new heaven and earth, His everlasting kingdom to come (Revelation 21). We now read from Matthew's Gospel another indictment against Jerusalem. Jesus speaks of the time, at which He returns to Mount Zion. (Matthew 12:38-42) 12:38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. 12:39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: 12:40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. Jesus continues, 12:41 The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. 12:42 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here. We now look again at the words of Daniel that tell us of this time, (Daniel 9:26) 9:26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. We may now answer the questions posed when we read about the seventh seal: Who is the prince, who are His people that destroy the city and sanctuary and of what war does Gabriel speak? We can now understand the symbols that Daniel chose to use: The prince is the dragon, His people that destroy the city and sanctuary are the ten kings (Revelation 17:16-17), and the war that shall bring an end of desolations is the great battle led by Jesus at the close of the seventh millennium (Revelation 19:11-16). John now continues his description of Babylon's fall. (Revelation 18) 18:1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. 18:2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. 18:3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication Copyright 2005 125 with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. 18:5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. God is calling His people out of Babylon, "Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities." He refers to His people, caught up in Jerusalem, as unclean and hated birds (Verse 2). This metaphor is derived from the image of God’s people as an eagle that we saw when John described the four living creatures around God's throne. 18:6 Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. 18:7 How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. For she says, "I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow." The great harlot imagines herself to be the bride and queen of the risen Jesus, our great King, Who will return to reign on earth. Assuredly, if she were Jesus' bride, she would indeed be no widow since Jesus truly is alive. The harlot, however, is not the bride; the congregation of true believers are Jesus' bride. 18:8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire (Revelation 17:16): for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. "In one day" is a metaphor for the seventh millennium in which these events take place. 18:9 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, 18:10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. "Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come." "In one hour," is interpreted here as the time of the third trumpet, the final 333 years of the seventh millennium. 18:11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: 18:12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, 18:13 And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. 18:14 And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. 18:15 The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 18:16 And saying, Alas, alas that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! She is clothed as the Harlot (Revelation 17:4). Copyright 2005 126 18:17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, 18:18 And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! 18:19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate. 18:20 Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her. 18:21 And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. 18:22 And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; 18:23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. 18:24 And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth. Again we consider God's plea: "Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities." She says in her heart, "I sit a queen," believing herself to be the intended bride of Christ the King, "And am no widow," since Christ has died and arisen, "And shall see no sorrow." But Jesus said, "She shall be utterly burned with fire," Verse 8. The true bride of Christ, however, is the assembly of faithful followers, from throughout the age, comprised of Jews, Gentiles, sons of Ishmael, sons of Isaac, sons of Jacob and sons of Esau. Echoing through the age we hear the words of Micah that tell us of true religion: (Micah 6:6-8) 6:6 Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? 6:7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? John will soon, in Revelation 19:15-21, describe the battle between the dragon and the Lamb of God and the downfall of the nations at the close of the sabbath millennium. This conquest will make way for God's kingdom to live again on the "eighth day" at which time, Jesus shall reign on earth. Copyright 2005 127 Chapter 10 ***** Marriage of the Lamb God has now judged the Harlot, and now the marriage of the Lamb to His true bride will take place. His bride includes all believers: those from the great tribulation who are clothed with white robes, the 144,000 chosen of Israel and the righteous from the harvest of the Son of Man. We now read of this marriage in John's story. (Revelation 19:1-10) 19:1 And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honor, and power, unto the Lord our God: 19:2 For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. 19:3 And again they said, Alleluia And her smoke rose up for ever and ever. 19:4 And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. 19:5 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. 19:6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 19:9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. As we read before from the words of Matthew, Jesus Himself speaks of His marriage. (Matthew 22:1-14) 22:1 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, 22:2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 22:3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 22:4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. 22:5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 22:6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. 22:7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 22:8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which Copyright 2005 128 were bidden were not worthy. 22:9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 22:10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. 22:11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 22:12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 22:13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen. ***** Harvest of the Wicked After the marriage of the Lamb, we immediately find ourselves at a battle between the dragon and the Lamb of God. The Lamb now, "treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God" and "the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean." These words are from Verses 14 and 15 that follow. Whether John intended this battle to be an actual campaign fought with violence or a spiritual battle fought with the words of God, the sword that goes out from Jesus' mouth as in Verse 15 that follows, we do not know; perhaps it is both. Recall that earlier in his story John gave us a preview of the harvest of the wicked when the angel thrusts the sharp sickle and gathers the clusters of the vine of the earth (Revelation 14:17-20). We will now witness the events of this harvest in greater detail. (Revelation 19:11-16) 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 19:12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. During the present covenant period, He, the Lamb of God, has a Name that we may know and use to invoke His power. At the time of this battle, however, the covenant will have concluded and He will have a new name that no one knows. Verse 13 that follows states, however, that this new name is called the word of God. We may, therefore, invoke His power through His word. His word is the sword that goes out of His mouth, Verse 15. 19:13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 19:16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. A great war follows in which the leopard beast, referred to earlier as the Father within the trinity of the dragon, along with the, "kings of the earth, and their armies," are, "gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army (Verse 19)." They make war against His army which is, "clothed in fine linen, white and clean (Verse 14)." Copyright 2005 129 (Revelation 19:17-21) 19:17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; 19:18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. 19:19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. 19:21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh. These two: the leopard beast and the false prophet, who is the lamb beast, were captured and cast alive into the lake of fire. The rest were killed with the Word. Satan the dragon, however, is not killed but is bound for a thousand years. He is cast into the bottomless pit and shall deceive the nations no more until after the one thousand years has passed. John continues with his story. (Revelation 20:1-4) 20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 20:3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. Daniel in his writings also describes the events of this period: (Daniel 7:9-12) 7:9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. 7:10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. 7:11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame. 7:12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time. Copyright 2005 130 Daniel and John both speak of thrones being set in place and a judgment following. According to John, this occurs after Satan is bound and put away at the beginning of Jesus' thousand year reign at the fourth trumpet, about 3,033 A.D.. And from the writings of the prophet Joel we read a warning to God's enemies: (Joel 3:7-15) 3:7 Behold, I will raise them (God's elect) out of the place whither ye (God's enemies) have sold them, and will return your recompense upon your own head: 3:8 And I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the children of Judah, and they shall sell them to the Sabeans, to a people far off: for the LORD hath spoken it. 3:9 Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: 3:10 Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. 3:11 Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD. 3:12 Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about. The Valley of Jehoshaphat is also known as the Valley of Kidron which is east of Jerusalem, 3:13 Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press (winepress) is full, the vats overflow; for their wickedness is great. "Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the winepress is full," 3:14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. And finally we see that the time of the fourth trumpet is approaching, the time whenever, "the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise." (Revelation 8:12) Joel continues, 3:15 The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining. Those who have resisted the beast and have been martyred will live and reign with Christ for one thousand years. This is the first resurrection. The rest of the dead will live again after this period. John tells us nothing about Jesus' reign on earth. However, from the earlier appearance of the angel with the little book and the attendant voices of the seven thunders, we can assume that the message of the seven thunders, which was sealed by John, will be placed into practice during Jesus' reign on earth. It is through the voices of the thunders as communicated by the seven seals that God provides His guidance to mankind. That guidance is comprised of the seven themes, "sealed" by John within the seven seals. These are the seven seals that we read about previously in his story. Those seven themes are: God commands mankind to subdue the earth, Man is commanded to shun and punish social evils, God commands that Justice, Temperance and the Law must prevail, Copyright 2005 131 God requires that His chosen people obey or suffer punishment, God instructs that His servants will suffer hardships but must remain faithful, God will punish the wicked and unbelieving, and finally, God will complete His work on earth according to His plan laid out long ago. Copyright 2005 132 Chapter 11 ***** Christ's Thousand Year Reign Those who were persecuted will now live and reign with Christ on earth for a thousand years. In John's gospel Jesus spoke to the Jews metaphorically of His return to reign upon the earth, (John 2:19) 2:19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. As we read earlier, the prophet Hosea likewise proclaims: (Hosea 6:1-2) 6:1 Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. 6:2 After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. It is now the "third day" after the "day" of Jesus’ crucifixion. In this text, Hosea is referring to the calling out of the 144,000 of Israel, to Messiah's appearance, and to the resurrection of the martyred faithful that will reign with Him for a thousand years. In Verse 2 the phrases, "After two days" and "In three days" both have similar meanings. The phrase, "After two days" means that the revival of Israel (the calling of the 144,000) will occur after two thousand years pass following the Passion of Jesus, and the phrase, "In the third day" means that Jesus will raise up His chosen (the 144,000) within the third millennium following His Passion. John's words telling of Jesus' reign on earth are very brief and only speak of the character of those chosen to reign with Jesus. Here in Verses 5 and 6 John speaks of the "first resurrection" and the "second death." (Revelation 20:4-6) 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. John tells us of the second death and the character of those whom God assigns to that judgment. (Revelation 21:8) 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Jesus presents the attributes of His good witnesses in His sermon from the mountain: (Matthew 5:1-12) 5:1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when Copyright 2005 133 he was set, his disciples came unto him: 5:2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. We now read words of hope from the prophets: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Micah and Zephaniah. They are telling of these latter days in which God will establish His kingdom and reign from Zion. Hosea speaks of God's drawing Israel back to Himself: (Hosea 2:14-23) 2:14 Therefore, behold, I will allure her (Israel), and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her. 2:15 And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt. The Valley of Achor, near Jericho, represents God’s gateway to the Promised Land. 2:16 And it shall be at that day, saith the LORD, that thou shalt call me Ishi (Husband); and shalt call me no more Baali (Master). Likewise, in John' gospel Jesus declares that we are no longer servants; we are now God's friends. (John 15:15) 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Hosea continues, 2:17 For I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth, and they shall no more be remembered by their name. 2:18 And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely. 2:19 And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies. 2:20 I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD. 2:21 And it shall come to pass in that day, I will hear (and respond), saith the LORD, I will hear (and respond to) the heavens, and they shall hear (and respond to) the earth; The heavens, they, shall respond and send sunshine, rain, and dew upon the earth. Copyright 2005 134 2:22 And the earth shall hear (and respond with) the corn, and the wine, and the oil; and they (the people) shall hear (and reply) Jezreel (God will sow). 2:23 And I will sow her (Israel) unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God. And Joel speaking of the latter days in which God will reign from Zion announces, (Joel 3:16-21) 3:16 The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel. 3:17 So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more. 3:18 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth out of the house of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim. 3:19 Egypt shall be a desolation, and Edom shall be a desolate wilderness, for the violence against the children of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land. 3:20 But Judah shall dwell for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation. 3:21 For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the LORD dwelleth in Zion. Amos speaking of God's reign declares, (Amos 9:11-15) 9:11 In that day will I raise up the tabernacle (family) of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old: 9:12 That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this. 9:13 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt. In that day the curse of God upon the earth because of Adam's sin (Genesis 3:17-19) will be removed and the ground of the earth shall prosper again. The reapers and treader of grapes will be overwhelmed with the harvest, so much so that the plowman and sewer of seed must wait for the prior harvest to be completed before beginning their work for a new planting season. 9:14 And I will bring again the captivity (return the captives) of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. 9:15 And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the LORD thy God. From Obadiah we also read of Zion. Copyright 2005 135 (Obadiah 1:17-21) 1:17 But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions. 1:18 And the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau (Edom) for stubble, and they shall kindle in them, and devour them; and there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau; for the LORD hath spoken it. 1:19 And they of the south shall possess the mount of Esau (Mount Seir); and they of the plain the Philistines: and they shall possess the fields of Ephraim, and the fields of Samaria: and Benjamin shall possess Gilead. 1:20 And the captivity (captives) of this host of the children of Israel shall possess that of the Canaanites, even unto Zarephath; and the captivity of Jerusalem, which is in Sepharad, shall possess the cities of the south. 1:21 And saviors (deliverers) shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’s. From Micah we read of the last days and God's reign from Zion. (Micah 4:1-8) 4:1 But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. 4:2 And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 4:3 And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. They shall not learn war any more. 4:4 But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it. 4:5 For all people will walk every one in the name of his God, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever. 4:6 In that day, saith the LORD, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted; 4:7 And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever. 4:8 And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter (city) of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem. Micah continues speaking of God's mercy. (Micah 7:11-20) 7:11 In the day that thy walls are to be built, in that day shall the decree be far removed. 7:12 In that day also he shall come even to thee from Assyria, and from the fortified cities, and from the fortress even to the river, and from sea to sea, and from mountain to mountain. 7:13 Notwithstanding the land shall be desolate because of them that Copyright 2005 136 dwell therein, for the fruit of their doings. 7:14 Feed thy people with thy rod, the flock of thine heritage, which dwell solitarily in the wood, in the midst of Carmel: let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old. 7:15 According to the days of thy coming out of the land of Egypt will I shew unto him marvellous things. 7:16 The nations shall see and be confounded at all their might: they shall lay their hand upon their mouth, their ears shall be deaf. 7:17 They shall lick the dust like a serpent, they shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth: they shall be afraid of the LORD our God, and shall fear because of thee. 7:18 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. 7:19 He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. 7:20 Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old. From Zephaniah we read of God's mercy. (Zephaniah 3:9-20) 3:9 For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent. 3:10 From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants (worshipers), even the daughter (city) of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering. 3:11 In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain. 3:12 I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD. 3:13 The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid. 3:14 Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. 3:15 The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more. 3:16 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. 3:17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. 3:18 I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden. 3:19 Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame. 3:20 At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD. Copyright 2005 137 Chapter 12 ***** The Closing Days Last Battle After the one thousand years in which Jesus reigns on earth, Satan, the dragon and Devil, will be released from prison that he might have his final stand against God Almighty. He has been bound up during Jesus' reign on earth; both Daniel and John tell us of this imprisonment of the dragon. We read again from Daniel, (Daniel 7:12) 7:12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time. And we read from John's story, (Revelation 20:1-3,7-10) 20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 20:3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. 20:7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 20:8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. 20:9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. After being released from bondage, Satan will deceive the nations to gather them together to battle one last time. This battle takes place in the latter years of Jesus' thousand year reign, at the time of the sixth trumpet. We see here, as before in God's sixth vial of wrath, that Satan's army is described as having in its number Gog and Magog, those who symbolize the descendants of Japheth. Satan and his army surround the "camp of the saints" and the "beloved city." Fire from heaven will destroy them. Satan is then cast into the lake of fire with the beast and false prophet. They will be tormented forever. John, rather than envisioning a violent physical battle, may have intended for these words to animate God's spiritual battle with Satan that will be fought in the latter days through the spiritual strength and fidelity of His people. We read of this battle at the place called Armageddon in the words of Zechariah. This is the plague that God will bring at Armageddon: (Zechariah 14:12-15) 14:12 And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth. Copyright 2005 138 14:13 And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the LORD shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbor, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbor. 14:14 And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the heathen round about shall be gathered together, gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance. 14:15 And so shall be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and of the ass, and of all the beasts that shall be in these tents, as this plague. And finally we read Ezekiel's prophecy against Gog from the Land of Magog. In his words that follow, Ezekiel describes the gathering storm of war from the nations. Here Ezekiel seems to be describing that great final battle spoken of by John (Revelation 20:8). (Ezekiel 38:1-9,14-23) 38:1 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 38:2 Son of man, set thy face against Gog, (chief prince of) the land of Magog (north of the Caspian Sea), the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal (east of the Black Sea), and prophesy against him, 38:3 And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: 38:4 And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armor, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords: 38:5 Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet: 38:6 Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee. 38:7 Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them. 38:8 After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them. 38:9 Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee. 38:14 Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say unto Gog, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In that day when my people of Israel dwelleth safely, shalt thou not know it? 38:15 And thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou, and many people with thee, all of them riding upon horses, a great company, and a mighty army: 38:16 And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes. 38:17 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Art thou he of whom I have spoken in old time by my servants the prophets of Israel, which prophesied in those days many years that I would bring thee against them? 38:18 And it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, that my fury shall come up in my face. 38:19 For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel; Copyright 2005 139 38:20 So that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that are upon the face of the earth, shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground. 38:21 And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord GOD: every man’s sword shall be against his brother. 38:22 And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. 38:23 Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD. The armies of the nations will be defeated: (Ezekiel 39:1-5) 39:1 Therefore, thou son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: 39:2 And I will turn thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee, and will cause thee to come up from the north parts, and will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel: 39:3 And I will smite thy bow out of thy left hand, and will cause thine arrows to fall out of thy right hand. 39:4 Thou shalt fall upon the mountains of Israel, thou, and all thy bands, and the people that is with thee: I will give thee unto the ravenous birds of every sort, and to the beasts of the field to be devoured. 39:5 Thou shalt fall upon the open field: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD. The aftermath is described in poetic language: (Ezekiel 39:17-20) 39:17 And, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; Speak unto every feathered fowl, and to every beast of the field, Assemble yourselves, and come; gather yourselves on every side to my sacrifice that I do sacrifice for you, even a great sacrifice upon the mountains of Israel, that ye may eat flesh, and drink blood. 39:18 Ye shall eat the flesh of the mighty, and drink the blood of the princes of the earth, of rams, of lambs, and of goats, of bullocks, all of them fatlings of Bashan. 39:19 And ye shall eat fat till ye be full, and drink blood till ye be drunken, of my sacrifice which I have sacrificed for you. 39:20 Thus ye shall be filled at my table with horses and chariots, with mighty men, and with all men of war, saith the Lord GOD. ***** Final Judgment John then saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it. The dead, which includes the small and great, stand before God. The books are opened. The Book of Life is opened. The dead are judged. Death and Hades are cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. Anyone not found written in the Book of life is cast into the lake of fire. Copyright 2005 140 (Revelation 20:11-15) 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Jesus, Himself, tells of the judgment and its simplicity. By His words we can know our standing with our Lord. (Matthew 25:31-46) 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 25:35 For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 25:42 For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 25:43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 25:44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 25:45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. And from Daniel we see justice fulfilled, Copyright 2005 141 (Daniel 7:26-27) 7:26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his (Satan's) dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. 7:27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him. And from Daniel we find hope for joys to come, (Daniel 12:1-3) 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. ***** New Heaven and Earth Now John saw a new heaven and new earth. There is no more sea to separate peoples; all men will be "ONE" under God. The New Jerusalem: the holy city, the city of God, the assembly of God's people, will now descend from heaven, a bride adorned for her Husband. Why a New Jerusalem? Because the "Harlot" has been destroyed and swept away with the old earth. (Revelation 21) 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 21:6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. 21:9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife. 21:10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, Copyright 2005 142 and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 21:11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; 21:12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: 21:13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. 21:14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 21:15 And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. 21:16 And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal. 21:17 And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. 21:18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. 21:19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; 21:20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. 21:21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. 21:22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. 21:24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it. 21:25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. 21:26 And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. (Zechariah 14:16-21) 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life. The apostle John is speaking of a great New Jerusalem that will be the City of all Abraham's children, even those raised from stones. John the Baptizer admonishing the Pharisees and Sadducees recites, (Matthew 3:7-9) 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: 3:9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. In the apostle John's closing words, he describes the new Jerusalem with the measurements by an angel. John describes the city as foursquare with its length, breadth and height being equal. An angel measured the city; it was 12,000 furlongs. This distance was possibly intended by John to represent the length of each edge, the sum of all twelve edges of this very large city being 144,000 furlongs. This number equals the 144,000 persons chosen from the tribes of Israel and that appear with Jesus on Mount Zion. This coincidence surely signifies that these 144,000 chosen of Israel are representative of all the inhabitants of this great city. Copyright 2005 143 On the other hand, we can also believe that this 12,000 furlongs is the sum of all twelve sides and thus the city is 1,000 furlongs along each edge and side. This means that to walk around the outside of the city a person would travel 4,000 furlongs or 500 miles. This distance can be related to the passing of time in that one mile is a sabbath Day's journey. This means that 500 sabbath Days' journeys are required to circumnavigate the city. Each sabbath Day's journey represents one week or seven days, therefore 500 sabbath Days represent 500 weeks or 3,500 days. Since each day, traditionally in prophesy represents two years, the time required to circumnavigate the city symbolically represents 7,000 years, the time period that the earth is under man's dominion. This is the time period from Adam to the return of Jesus upon Mount Zion. John also describes the measuring of the city walls. The angel measures the walls as 144 cubits. The angel's measuring reed is assumed to be six cubits rather than the seven cubits of the royal rod as described in Ezekiel 40:5. The thickness of the wall would therefore be 24 reeds. This number 24 indicates the combined number of the twelve sons of Israel and the twelve apostles of the Lamb. The strength of these 24 will provide protection for the city. Just as John describes the foundation stones of the city walls being garnished with precious stones, we also read an account of similar precious stones in Moses' words describing the breastplate of judgment that God designed for the high priest of Israel. (Exodus 39:8-14) 39:8 And he made the breastplate of cunning work, like the work of the ephod; of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen. 39:9 It was foursquare; they made the breastplate double: a span was the length thereof, and a span the breadth thereof, being doubled. 39:10 And they set in it four rows of stones: the first row was a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this was the first row. 39:11 And the second row, an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. 39:12 And the third row, a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst. 39:13 And the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper: they were enclosed in ouches of gold in their enclosings. 39:14 And the stones were according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet, every one with his name, according to the twelve tribes. The stones of this breastplate represent the twelve sons of Jacob (Israel). The arrangement of stones described by John may represent the actual stones in a breastplate crafted by Ezra the High Priest after his return to Jerusalem from Babylonian captivity about 458 B.C.. Upon his return and later under the governorship of Nehemiah, that began about 444 B.C., Ezra reestablished worship in a new temple that was built between 536 B.C. and 515 B.C. by Zerubbabel the first post captivity governor of Judea. When reestablishing temple worship, Ezra may have replaced the breastplate of Moses that, possibly, was lost during the siege of Jerusalem that began about 606 B.C. and culminated in the destruction of Solomon's temple in 586 B.C.. That new breastplate may have survived unto the day of Herod the Great's temple and the lifetime of John. John continues: (Revelation 22:1-5) 22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 22:2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 22:3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: 22:4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. 22:5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall Copyright 2005 144 reign for ever and ever. The house of God is now with men. God himself will be with them. There will be no more death or sorrow. God will give of the fountains, the water of life freely. Within the Holy Jerusalem, City of God. His people shall dwell: Jew and Gentile, sons of Ishmael, and sons of Isaac, sons of Jacob, and sons of Esau. His people shall dwell, all from the seven churches of the age: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. There is no temple in this new city: for the Lord God Almighty and His Lamb are the temple. The city has no need for sun or moon: for the glory of God illuminates it. The angel showed John a pure river of water of life proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. The Tree of Life was there. It bore twelve fruit. The leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. Let us now read Zechariah's vision of this new city. Zechariah's words of Verses 4 through 11 are universal in that they describe Jesus' reign both on earth during the eighth millennium and over the new Jerusalem thereafter. (Zechariah 14:4-11,16-21) 14:4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. 14:5 And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee. 14:6 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark: 14:7 But it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light. 14:8 And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be. 14:9 And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one. 14:10 All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem: and it shall be lifted up, and inhabited in her place, from Benjamin’s gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananeel unto the king’s Copyright 2005 145 winepresses. 14:11 And men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction; but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited. All nations shall worship the King: 14:16 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. 14:17 And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain. 14:18 And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. 14:19 This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. 14:20 In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD’s house shall be like the bowls before the altar. 14:21 Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the LORD of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe (boil) therein: and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts. Jesus gives His final appeal: (Revelation 22:7,12-14,16) 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 22:13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. Copyright 2005 146 Chapter 13 ***** Daniel's Prophecies Daniel is the most notable Hebrew prophet with respect to giving the chronology of and seemingly specific times for future events. Throughout this commentary on John's story, many references from Daniel's prophecy have been cited. The interpretations given here are based upon a late First Century AD perspective, the time at which the Revelation was written and the Roman Empire reigned over the region. At that time the four beasts of Daniel 7:1-8 were interpreted as representing Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome. This was not always so; the original interpretation of the four beasts, nearly three centuries earlier whenever the Greek Empire reigned, was Babylon, Media, Persia, and Greece. ***** The Four Beasts Let us now listen to more of Daniel's visions that are related to John's story. We begin by looking closer at Daniel's dream of four great beasts that we read about in the third covenant. (Daniel 7:1-6) 7:1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters. 7:2 Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea. 7:3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another. 7:4 The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings: I beheld till the wings (two) thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet (two) as a man, and a man’s heart was given to it. 7:5 And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh. 7:6 After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it. In these verses from the words of Daniel the prophet, we see the first three great beasts that came up from the sea. The first was like a lion with eagle's wings; this lion beast personifies the Babylonian Empire which was established about 625 B.C. and prior to the fall of Jerusalem and the captivity of Judah. The two wings of an eagle and the two feet of a man symbolize the kingdom as being comprised of two nations, Assyria and Babylon. The second beast was like a bear; this beast personifies the Medo-Persian Empire which rose to prominence about 539 B.C.. The three ribs in the mouth of the bear symbolize the regions of Assyria, Babylonia and Egypt which were dominated by Medo-Persia. The third beast was like a leopard; this beast personifies the Greek Empire that rose to power with Alexander the Great about 336 B.C.. The four heads and four wings represent the four kingdoms that were dominated by Greece. These four kingdoms were: Assyria, Babylonia, Egypt and Persia. Daniel, continues in his writings, speaking of a fourth beast and a period of repression; (Daniel 7:7-8) 7:7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron Copyright 2005 147 teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. 7:8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things. Daniel came near to one of those angels who stood by, and asked him the truth of all this, to make known the interpretation of these things: (Daniel 7:23-25) 7:23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. 7:24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing (one-half) of time. The fourth beast, in Verses 7 and 23, personifies the Roman Empire. The fourth beast is also the lamb beast, who is Satan the dragon cast down from heaven; the lamb beast shall also be known as the false prophet (Revelation 19:20). The ten horns, in Verses 7 and 24, are ten kingdoms that God promised to the descendants of Abraham (Genesis 15:18-21). We read about these ten kingdoms whenever we read of the great harlot in John's story (Revelation 17:12). The little horn, Verses 8 and 24, is Satan the Dragon, “the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.” We read of this when we studied the Harlot. The little horn is raised up in the latter days to battle with God at Armageddon. The little horn will be the eighth remaining king (Revelation 17:11) after he subdues three of the first ten horns. These three subdued horns are the nation represented by the second beast, the bear. The bear has three ribs between his teeth; the three horns from the fourth beast provide a second cardinal number three that can be associated with the bear. The first beast, a lion, has two wings of an eagle and two feet of a man; the bear has three ribs between his teeth; the third beast, a leopard, has four heads and four wings; and the fourth beast has ten horns which are five and five more. Thus each beast requires two equal cardinal numbers and the three horns of the fourth beast provide the second number three for the bear. This bear personifies the Medo-Persian empire, a kingdom which found favor with God because of their role in carrying out God's plan for His people Israel. King Cyrus of Persia and his successors freed the Israelites from bondage in Babylon and assisted them in rebuilding their nation. It seems, however, from these words of Daniel that in the latter days the little horn will cause trouble (subdue three kings) within the Medo-Persian Empire. Here the Medo-Persian Empire may represent all nations that obey God’s commands. It is interesting to note that according to tradition, three Magi (kings) from this region traveled to Jerusalem to announce the advent of Messiah to Herod the Great, King of Israel. These three may indeed be the same three kings that Daniel's words describe. In Verse 25, the time period is comprised of: "a time" which is one day, the plural of "a time" which is "times" this is two days, and a "dividing of time" which is one-half of a day. This total time is three-and-onehalf days which symbolizes three and one-half years or 42 months. This 42 months is the time period that, until the end of which, the saints "shall be given into his hand" (Verse 25). This is the same time period as the 42 months in the first covenant that the Gentiles will tread underfoot the holy city (Revelation 11:2) and it is also the same time period as the three-and-a-half days that the people and nations will see the dead bodies of the two witnesses and not allow them to be put into graves (Revelation 11:9). This is the last half of the week of the covenant (Daniel 9:27), the time from the advent to the conclusion of the covenant at about 2,520 A.D.. Daniel speaks of a little horn on one other occasion and that occasion appears next in his writings. Copyright 2005 148 ***** The Ram and He Goat We will next listen to another of Daniel's visions in which he speaks of the rise and fall of great nations and, after that, Daniel describes a vision in which he speaks of the sanctuary being cleansed after two thousand and three hundred days. (Daniel 8:1-14) 8:1 In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared unto me, even unto me Daniel, after that which appeared unto me at the first. 8:2 And I saw in a vision; and it came to pass, when I saw, that I was at Shushan in the palace, which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in a vision, and I was by the river of Ulai. 8:3 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last. 8:4 I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became great. The Ram with two horns symbolizes the Medo-Persian Empire; the larger horn represents Persia. 8:5 And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes. 8:6 And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power. 8:7 And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler (anger) against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand. 8:8 Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for (in place of) it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven. 8:9 And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land (Palestine). The male Goat with one large horn represents Alexander the Great and the Greek Empire. The four horns are the subsequent divisions of that empire after Alexander the Great died (323 B.C.); his death is symbolized by the broken horn. The little horn, which grew exceedingly great, is Satan the Dragon (Daniel 7:8,24). Israel, at this time, coexisted with the Greek Empire and was subsequently dominated by the Seleucid Kingdom (Syria-Mesopotamia) and the Ptolemaic Kingdom (Egypt) until 167 B.C.. At that time, Israel regained independence as a result of the Maccabean revolt. In 63 B.C., Israel came under Roman domination and became a great nation and prospered once again. Daniel continues, 8:10 And it (little horn) waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them. We see a similar illustration of the stars (God's messengers) being cast down by a great red dragon in John's story (Revelation 12:3-4) whenever John tells of the second covenant. We subsequently see in the second covenant that the dragon himself and his angels are cast down at Jesus' advent (Revelation 12:9). Copyright 2005 149 We continue reading Daniel's words, 8:11 Yea, he (little horn) magnified himself even to the prince (Jesus) of the host, and by him (little horn) the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of the sanctuary (Jerusalem) was cast down. 8:12 And an host was given him (little horn) against the daily sacrifice by reason (because) of transgression, and it (transgression) cast down the truth (tradition) to the ground; and it practiced, and prospered. Verses 10 through 12 are difficult to understand but it appears that the Prince is Jesus and the sanctuary is the city of Jerusalem. We know that at the Passion the reign of Jesus the Prince was established and forty years later Jerusalem, the refuge of Israel, was cast down (Verse 11) and the Law was cast down also (Verse 12). In Verse 12, we see that the transgression of the host of Israel was the cause for the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple thus bringing an end to the daily sacrifice. Because of Israel's transgression, truth was cast down and thus the period of desolation followed. Israel's transgression was practiced and prospered and it shall continue until Jesus returns. 8:13 Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? 8:14 And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed. In Verse 13 the angels speak of "how long" the desolation will remain. We must be mindful that the first time that the daily sacrifice was interrupted was in Daniel's lifetime whenever Babylon conquered Israel and destroyed Jerusalem and the temple. The angel Gabriel was commanded to make Daniel understand the vision. (Daniel 8:15-17) 8:15 And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man. 8:16 And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision. 8:17 So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision. Within Gabriel's words that follow we see how the hearer should interpret the time duration of the desolation until the cleansing: (Daniel 8:26) 8:26 And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days. Gabriel, in Verse 26, instructs us that the 2,300 days of Verse 14 should be interpreted as 2,300 evenings and 2,300 mornings where an evening and a morning each represent one year. Recall that each day in prophesy has generally been interpreted as either one thousand years or as two years, here each day represents two years. This means that the sanctuary will be trampled underfoot and will be cleansed after 4,600 years. This 4,600 year period begins in Daniel's lifetime whenever the Babylonian army conquers Jerusalem in 606 B.C. and deports the people and subsequently destroys Solomon's temple in 586 B.C.. It is with the destruction of the temple that the daily sacrifice is taken away and it is with the captivity of the people that the host is trodden under foot. The kingdom has never been restored to its greatness since that time and according to Copyright 2005 150 John's story it will never be until 4,600 years later at the end of the age whenever the seventh trumpet sounds and the new Jerusalem comes down from heaven. This will be at 4,000 A.D. . This next passage is from the final words of Daniel; it signals two important events that take place in the latter days after Messiah: The first is the onset of the sabbath period whenever God rests. The second is the return of Jesus to reign on earth. We now read and understand the angel's closing words to Daniel, (Daniel 12:11-13) 12:11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. 12:12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. 12:13 But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days. In Verse 11 the 1,290 days refer to a 2,580 year period from the time that Jerusalem and Solomon’s temple were first destroyed in 586 B.C.. It was at this time, during Daniel's lifetime, that the temple was destroyed, that sacrificial offerings ceased and that desolation overshadowed Israel. This 2,580 year period from 586 B.C. points to the time, in the latter days, at which the sabbath period of creation begins. As stated earlier, this is the time of the sabbath millennium in which God rests and withdraws from His creation; desolation shall come upon the earth. The angel concludes with, "Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days." From John’s perspective, this latter period corresponds with a period of 2,670 years, each day being two years. This period designates the time that Jesus waits before returning. If this waiting period is counted from Jesus' Passion at about 30 A.D., then His return will be about 2,700 A.D., the time of the third trumpet. At that time Christ will return and will worship with the 144,000 on Mount Zion and will carry out the harvest of the good and evil which follows. We have seen that John's story confirms these words. ***** The Great Tree We will now read about one final vision before leaving Daniel. We read in Daniel's writings about the second dream seen by King Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon. As we read of the king's dream we can see the image of the Nation Israel as the great tree. It is within and under this great tree that we, the latter day saints, envision God's spiritual provision for the saints of all ages. King Nebuchadnezzar speaks, (Daniel 4:1-5,10-17) 4:1 Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. 4:2 I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me. 4:3 How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation. 4:4 I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace: 4:5 I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me. 4:10 Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great. 4:11 The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth: 4:12 The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and Copyright 2005 151 the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it. 4:13 I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven; 4:14 He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches: 4:15 Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron (Roman Empire) and brass (Greek Empire), in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts (nations) in the grass (people) of the earth: 4:16 Let his heart be changed from man’s, and let a beast’s heart be given unto him; and let seven times (one week of the covenant) pass over him. 4:17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men. Daniel gives King Nebuchadnezzar the interpretation. That interpretation describes the great tree as being the king himself. (Daniel 4:22-26) 4:22 It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth. 4:23 And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him; 4:24 This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my Lord the king: 4:25 That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. 4:26 And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule. If we read further in Daniel's writings and in the writings of the prophet Isaiah, we can see a second interpretation to the Great King's dream. We can see that God has given King Nebuchadnezzar a vision of the Nation Israel. This vision pictures God's covenant with Israel as being for seven times just as Daniel's vision speaks of God's covenant being given for one week. (Daniel 9:27) 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. King Nebuchadnezzar's vision speaks of the tree as being cut down just as Daniel speaks of bringing an end to sacrifice and offerings in the middle (midst) of the week. "The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven," as did also the little horn that we saw from Daniel 8:10. The tree was cut down and its fruit scattered as were the children of Israel after the destruction of Jerusalem by Rome. The nation's heart was changed to that of a beast just as John pictures in his story of the third covenant in which Israel becomes as the beast and an image of the beast (Revelation 13). Copyright 2005 152 The King saw the tree bound with a band of iron, the Roman Empire, and a band of bronze, the Greek Empire. Elsewhere in Daniel's words we read, (Daniel 2:39-40) 2:39 And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass (Greece), which shall bear rule over all the earth. 2:40 And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron (Rome): forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise. These two bands represent the conquest of Israel by these two great empires causing the nation to vanish into history after the Passion and again much later after the final destruction of Jerusalem as the great harlot at the time of the third trumpet. From the writings of Isaiah we also see Israel described as a tree having been cut down and the holy seed remaining. We saw these words of Isaiah previously whenever we read John's account of the first covenant. (Isaiah 6:9-13) 6:9 And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. 6:10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. 6:11 Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate, 6:12 And the LORD have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land. 6:13 But yet in it (Israel) shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance (stump) is in them, when they cast their leaves (are cut down): so the holy seed shall be the substance (stump) thereof. It is interesting to consider that from Daniel's perspective the midst of the week that he spoke of (Daniel 9:27) occurred at the Babylonian destruction of Solomon's temple in 586 B.C.. This opinion is very likely true since Daniel probably subscribed to the prophetic view that Moses' seven day creation story represented an age of seven thousand years. Thus, the time of the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the temple at about 500 B.C. would have been near the center or midst of that seven thousand year age. Indeed at that time, his prophecies (Daniel 8:11-12 and Daniel 9:27) did come true; sacrifice and oblations did cease and Jerusalem was cast down. We will next read words from the Prophet Ezekiel's writings, words that reflect the visions of John. Ezekiel will speak much about the return to Zion of those scattered among the nations but we have seen in John's story that the ten kings laid waste to the land. Jesus, the servant David, will therefore rebuild Zion and it will become a new city for all God's children. Copyright 2005 153 Chapter 14 ***** Ezekiel's Prophecies Within John's story of the age, we have seen scripture quotations from Ezekiel's writings that relate to: the cherubim surrounding God's throne, the little book, the sins of Jerusalem and the last battle. We will now look at other selections from Ezekiel's words taken from Chapter 34 through Chapter 43. These words relate in a general manner to many of the events described by John in his story. ***** The Shepherds of Israel Beginning with Chapter 34, Ezekiel speaks of the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves rather than the people. (Ezekiel 34:2-10) 34:2 Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? 34:3 Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock. 34:4 The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them. 34:5 And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered. 34:6 My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them. 34:7 Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD; 34:8 As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock; 34:9 Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD; 34:10 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them. In the following Verses, God says that the shepherds of Israel will be relieved of their positions and a new Shepherd, David a prince, will be established. David, of course, being a metaphor for Messiah, the descendant of David. (Ezekiel 34:23-24) 34:23 And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. 34:24 And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the LORD have spoken it. These words look forward to the establishment of a new Shepherd from the lineage of David and these words also anticipate the cessation of the traditional priesthood and its practice. The destruction of the temple in Copyright 2005 154 Jerusalem by Rome in 70 A.D. appears to have indeed brought to fruition a permanent cessation of the traditional priesthood. ***** The Destruction of Edom Ezekiel now turns away from indictments against Israel and in Chapter 35, he speaks of the future desolation of Edom for that nation's hatred and role in the persecution of Israel. (Ezekiel 35:1-6) 35:1 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 35:2 Son of man, set thy face against mount Seir, and prophesy against it, 35:3 And say unto it, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O mount Seir, I am against thee, and I will stretch out mine hand against thee, and I will make thee most desolate. 35:4 I will lay thy cities waste, and thou shalt be desolate, and thou shalt know that I am the LORD. 35:5 Because thou hast had a perpetual hatred, and hast shed the blood of the children of Israel by the force of the sword in the time of their calamity, in the time that their iniquity had an end: 35:6 Therefore, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will prepare thee unto blood, and blood shall pursue thee: since thou hast not hated blood, even blood shall pursue thee. In this text from Ezekiel, the land of Edom is called by the name Mount Seir. Mount Seir is a mountain range which is south of the Dead Sea and lies in the central region of Edom, a nation which fell long ago. According to tradition, Edom was inhabited by the descendants of Esau the rival brother of Jacob, Jacob who was renamed Israel and whose sons fathered the tribes of Israel. Herod the Great, his son and grandsons descended from Esau and from Edom. These men were very important rulers in the history of Israel at the time of Jesus. They were appointed by Rome as Kings of Judea from 37 B.C. through about 60 A.D. after which, according to tradition, they disappeared from history. These were the last important remnant of Edom. The Nation Edom itself had been overtaken years before, shortly after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C.. The fall of Edom and the family of Herod are not mentioned by John in his story. ***** Rebuilding the Nation In Chapter 36, Ezekiel talks of rebuilding Israel and its cities, after the people return from being scattered among the nations: (Ezekiel 36:8-10,24-27) 36:8 But ye, O mountains of Israel, ye shall shoot forth your branches, and yield your fruit to my people of Israel; for they are at hand to come. 36:9 For, behold, I am for you, and I will turn unto you, and ye shall be tilled and sown: 36:10 And I will multiply men upon you, all the house of Israel, even all of it: and the cities shall be inhabited, and the wastes shall be builded: 36:24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. 36:25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. Copyright 2005 155 These words from Chapter 36 could be interpreted as the reestablishment of the Nation Israel that took place after the seventy year Babylonian captivity which lasted from 606 B.C. to 536 B.C.. These words could also be interpreted as the calling out of the 144,000 servants and the reestablishment of God's Spirit in the Nation of Israel at the opening of the seventh seal. ***** Valley of Dry Bones In Chapter 37, Ezekiel describes his vision of a valley full of dry bones: (Ezekiel 37:11-12,16-17,20-22) 37:11 Then he (the Lord) said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts. 37:12 Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. 37:16 Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim and for all the house of Israel his companions: 37:17 And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand. 37:20 And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes. 37:21 And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land: 37:22 And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all. This vision describes the desolation and subsequent return of the people to the Land of Israel. These events originally took place after the seventy year period of captivity in ancient Babylon after which a remnant of the Southern Kingdom returned. They may also be considered to take place again in the future after a period of desolation that extends from the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. to the time at which Jesus returns to Mount Zion at the sounding of the third trumpet. This prophesy states that the people will become one nation again and will no longer be divided as they were after King Solomon died. ***** David the Prince In his following words from Chapter 37 (as in Ezekiel 34:24), Ezekiel states that David shall be their prince: (Ezekiel 37:24-28) 37:24 And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them. 37:25 And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children’s children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever. 37:26 Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. Copyright 2005 156 37:27 My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 37:28 And the heathen shall know that I the LORD do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore. Recall that the 144,000 of all the tribes of Israel are sealed prior to the seventh seal and are called into service during the sabbath period following the opening of the seventh seal. These events signal a revival in Israel as a result of the calling out and the evangelism of the 144,000. These 144,000 are joined in their work by Jesus, the Prince, on Mount Zion in the latter years of the sabbath millennium, at the sounding of the third trumpet. This text is also an image of the New Jerusalem that came down from God out of heaven. This is described in John’s vision of a new heaven and a new earth in Chapter 21 of his story. ***** A New Temple In Chapter 40 through the end of his writing, Ezekiel describes his vision of the temple (Chapters 40-42), the laws of the temple (Chapter 43), rules for the priests (Chapter 44), the prince and His role (Chapters 45 and 46), and the land of inheritance (Chapters 47 and 48). We now read the introduction to Ezekiel's vision of a new temple. (Ezekiel 40:1-4) 40:1 In the five and twentieth year of our captivity (572 B.C.), in the beginning of the year, in the tenth day of the month, in the fourteenth year after that the city was smitten, in the selfsame day the hand of the LORD was upon me, and brought me thither. 40:2 In the visions of God brought he me into the land of Israel, and set me upon a very high mountain, by which was as the frame of a city on the south. 40:3 And he brought me thither, and, behold, there was a man, whose appearance was like the appearance of brass, with a line of flax in his hand, and a measuring reed; and he stood in the gate. 40:4 And the man said unto me, Son of man, behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, and set thine heart upon all that I shall shew thee; for to the intent that I might shew them unto thee art thou brought hither: declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel. Ezekiel wrote down every detail of the vision in his words that followed. This temple was surely intended as a plan for the reconstruction of Solomon's temple in Jerusalem after the seventy year exile in Babylon. This new temple was to be the "Temple of the Advent"; the temple that would receive Messiah the Prince. This temple described by Ezekiel contains seven images of the menorah created by Moses for the tabernacle. The first image is found in the pattern of the temple structure that represents the "Servant Candle" and the three companion buildings on either side. These buildings along with the wall of the inner court form an image of menorah, the symbol of God's covenant with man. The remaining images are found in the plans of the six gates that lead into the "Court of the Gentiles." These gates each have a central passage that represents the "Servant Candle" and three adjacent chambers on either side. These gates represent God's three covenants that John describes in his story. Three gates lead from the "Court of the Gentiles" in two separate directions: into the world and into the presence of God. After seeing this vision Ezekiel wrote, (Ezekiel 43:1-2,5-6,10-12) 43:1 Afterward he brought me to the gate, even the gate that looketh toward the east: 43:2 And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory. 43:5 So the spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and, Copyright 2005 157 behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house. 43:6 And I heard him speaking unto me out of the house; and the man stood by me. 43:10 Thou son of man, shew the house to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities: and let them measure the pattern. 43:11 And if they be ashamed of all that they have done, shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out thereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof: and write it in their sight, that they may keep the whole form thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and do them. 43:12 This is the law of the house; Upon the top of the mountain the whole limit thereof round about shall be most holy. Behold, this is the law of the house. This temple of Ezekiel's vision became the vision for Zerubbabel, the governor, in his rebuilding of the temple after he and many exiles returned from Babylon about 536 B.C.. The temple was completed about 516 B.C.. This temple was later embellished by Herod the Great, King of Judea from 37 to 3 B.C., and became the “Temple of the Advent" in which Jesus worshiped. Perhaps there will be a second opportunity for this “Temple of the Advent" to be built. That occasion will be in the latter days of the sabbath millennium at the sounding of the third trumpet, the time when Messiah the Prince returns. At that time a remnant of Israel, the 144,000 and their converts, will have seen revival and they will sing. They will sing the song of Moses. John describes this scene in the verses that follow. (Revelation 15:2-4) 15:2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. 15:3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, 15:4 Copyright 2005 Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest. 158 ***** Epilogue In closing we will revisit six significant symbols from John’s story. These are: The seven seals, Jesus’ Passion, God’s sabbaths, God’s covenants, God’s temple and God as four. The Seven Seals Within the seven seals, John presents seven themes that may be recognize as God’s laws for all men, the "Laws of Noah." These laws have been recognized throughout history as God's requirements placed upon men. Torah scholars recognized and wrote regarding the "Laws of Noah." These laws are derived from the Books of Moses. The apostles, who were also Jews and had been taught Torah, confirmed this precept when they met at the Council of Jerusalem. We read of that meeting: (Acts 15:1-29) 15:1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. 15:2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. 15:3 And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. 15:4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. 15:5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. 15:6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. 15:7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. 15:8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; 15:9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 15:10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 15:11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. 15:12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. 15:13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: 15:14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. 15:15 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, 15:16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: 15:17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, Copyright 2005 159 who doeth all these things. 15:18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. 15:19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: 15:20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. 15:21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day. 15:22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: 15:23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: 15:24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: 15:25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 15:26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15:27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. 15:28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; 15:29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well. Although the requirements stated by James in Verses 20 and 29 are brief and do not include all the "Laws of Noah," those laws that James does state are important requirements of those laws and thus stand in stead of and represent the whole "Law of Noah." It is commonly believed in Hebrew tradition that a person must observe each part of the Law, otherwise, he is guilty of breaking the whole Law. James, in his letter to the early Christians, states this belief: (James 2:10,11) 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 2:11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. Continuing: It is also commonly believed in Hebrew tradition that all persons who are not Jews, are bound to the "Laws of Noah." Thus the apostles declared that non Jews must observe the "Laws of Noah.” On the other hand, it was similarly required that all Jews must observe the "Law of Moses.” Jesus’ Passion We next see how God's plan for the age is illustrated in the Passion of Jesus. The day of His Passion is an important symbol within God's plan; this is the day on which Jesus was crucified. This day, from history, can be used as a guide for understanding God's plan for the age. We see, as John surely saw, that the day of Christ's crucifixion, as described in the Gospels, was a symbol and archetype of the age. On that day as all days, there were eight watches, each watch containing three hours. The first watch of a typical day began the evening before at sunset which occurred about six o'clock. On the day of Jesus' crucifixion, however, the watches were prophetic. The watches of that day represent the eight consecutive days or thousand year periods of our age. The first four watches from sundown to dawn represent the four thousand years from Adam and the Creation to the advent. Daybreak and sunrise occur Copyright 2005 160 between the fourth and fifth watches just as Christ's first appearance on earth at advent occurred between the fourth and fifth millennia. Christ's appearance brought light to the world as did the sunrise on that great day. For the next two watches of that day, Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate the governor, he was beaten, he was crowned with thorns, mocked, spat upon and led away to be crucified. These two watches represent the two millennia following Jesus life on earth and the suffering of His faithful followers. At noon, however, on that day darkness fell over all the earth and remained during the seventh watch, Matthew said, (Matthew 27:45-50) 27:45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? 27:47 Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias. 27:48 And straightway one of them ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. 27:49 The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him. 27:50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. John believed that this seventh watch of that day, which represents the seventh millennium, and the sabbath, was significant and proceeds to bring it to life in his story. John in his writing portrays this seventh millennium as a dark time when God's presence will be withdrawn from the earth. Following these events, in the final watch of the day, there will be light once again; this eighth watch represents the thousand year reign of Jesus on earth. If this day of Jesus' crucifixion is indeed an archetype of the age, then the eight watches illustrate the eight millennia of our age with God withdrawing His protecting hand during the seventh period. It is interesting that John divides the seventh and eighth periods, taken together, into six parts using the first six trumpets and the first six vials of God's wrath, in just the same manner as the seventh and eighth watches of a day are divided into six hours. It is these hours that are used by John to designate within the seventh millennium the one hour period for the destruction of Babylon and to designate the one hour period of authority for the beast and the ten kings. God’s Sabbaths We will next see the sabbaths and their role in God's plan for the age. John has shown that in the latter days Jesus returns to reestablish God's kingdom on earth starting with the third trumpet, late in the seventh millennium, and continuing through the eighth day, the eighth millennium. This eighth day represents the Christian sabbath, the Lords Day, the first day of the week. The seventh millennium represents the traditional sabbath. John, in his story, suggests that Jesus, in the latter days, will return to earth between the traditional sabbath and the Christian sabbath, in the same manner as He did at His advent. We observe in Hebrew history and Christian tradition, that God placed the transition from the traditional to the Christian sabbath at the time of Jesus' advent and life on earth. Before Messiah, the traditional sabbath day was on the seventh day, the last day of the week. The last day was the closest day, within a week, to the future Messiah and thus signified that He would arrive sometime later. After Messiah had appeared, the sabbath became the first day of the week. The first day was the closest day, within a week, to the crucified Messiah and signified that He had already appeared. Thus, the traditional sabbath and the Lords Day, the Christian sabbath, both point to the Christ and thereby honor Him. We see, therefore, as John surely saw, that the two sabbaths, both traditional and Christian, are each a testimony and witness that Jesus is the Christ. This witness of the sabbath is surely why God instructs us to hallow that day for all time. The sabbath is an important witness not only for the children of Israel but also for all Gentiles. Based upon these words, we can draw one important conclusion regarding the point in time at the end of the seventh millennium and the beginning of the eighth. This point in time is like that at Jesus' advent; it is the time at which the seventh day sabbath and the first day sabbath meet. This joining of the two sabbath Copyright 2005 161 millennia signifies the return of Jesus and is therefore the "Sign of the Son of Man" spoken of in the scriptures. We see within this sign that the sabbath is an important symbol within God's plan for honoring His Son. The prophet Isaiah spoke of the importance of sabbath observance for all people. In these verses, God welcomes the Gentiles who observe His sabbath: (Isaiah 56:1-8) 56:1 Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed. 56:2 Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil. 56:3 Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. 56:4 For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; 56:5 Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. 56:6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; 56:7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people. 56:8 The Lord GOD, which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him. God’s Covenants We will now look briefly at God’s covenants and their role in His plan for the age. John saw symmetry in God's covenants. The visions of the three covenants as described by John are in harmony with the words of Daniel, (Daniel 9:27) 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it (the covenant with Israel) desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. Just as Daniel divides the week of the covenants into two parts at "the midst of the week," we saw that John also divides each of the three covenants into two equal time periods, one period before advent and one after. The original covenant, described by Moses in his book of Genesis, was that which God made with Noah, and that covenant forms the basis for the three covenants in John's story of the age. It is interesting to note that John describes the three covenants in the order that they achieve prominence in God’s plan. First the covenant of the Law became prominent and was the force behind the rise of Judaism and God's giving of the Law. Second the covenant of grace became prominent and was the force behind the advent of Jesus and the subsequent rise of Christianity. And finally, the covenant with Satan became prominent, it was the force behind the rise of the beast after the great flood and will become the force behind the era of darkness on the seventh day. John describes these three covenants as coexisting throughout the age and thus gives a perception that he did not view Christianity as a new religion but rather as a continuation of Judaism. John, like other Pharisees, must have believed that God’s laws for mankind had been fully revealed in the five books of Moses and that Copyright 2005 162 Jesus was Messiah who taught personal righteousness but not strict observance of the traditional Jewish oral laws and traditions that had evolved over prior centuries. It was Jesus himself who said, (Matthew 5:17-20) 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. God’s Temple The next symbol we consider is the temple in God's plan. Perhaps one of the most interesting features of John's writing is the absence of the Herod's temple that had already been destroyed perhaps as many as twenty years prior to his writing. The justification for not resurrecting the temple is consistent with John's views of the first covenant that he describes in his story. Specifically, in John's view, the temple would be desolate until the end of the covenant in the latter days and perhaps beyond. This is surely based upon Daniel's writings (Daniel 9:27). Thereafter, when the covenant would have ended, the temple would surely have no significance. In his story however, John does mention on several occasions, the temple being in heaven, but not on earth. Even with the latter-day appearing of the New Jerusalem, John specifically states, as a matter of fact, that in the New Jerusalem, there is no temple structure; the temple of that city will be Jesus. God as Four The final symbols we consider are the four faces of God. We are familiar with the church doctrine of the trinity that includes within the person of God: God the Father, Jesus the Son and God’s Spirit. However, the imagery within the Revelation includes the congregation as a fourth component of God. This deification of the congregation was supported by Jesus. Jesus, in His debate with the Pharisees concerning His deity, constructed an argument that drew this concept from the Psalms, (Psalm 82) 82:1 God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods. 82:2 How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah. 82:3 Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. 82:4 Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked. 82:5 They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course. 82:6 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. 82:7 But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes. 82:8 Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations. We read now of Jesus’ debate with the Pharisees, (John 10:24-39) 10:24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. Copyright 2005 163 10:25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. 10:26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 10:29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. 10:30 I and my Father are one. 10:31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. 10:32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? 10:33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. 10:34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? 10:35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; 10:36 (Why) Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? 10:37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. 10:38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him. 10:39 Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand, The Purpose Why did John write this book?-----For whom was this story written?-----Why does his book defy consensus of interpretation? These are compelling and important questions to consider when reading the book. Perhaps the primary reason for so little consensus of interpretation is that most of us attempt to read the book as if it were a more traditional prophecy such as those of Daniel that seem to have as their purpose: describing future events and giving their chronology in a somewhat direct manner. Without a doubt we can agree that the story was written to give the early Christians and all of God's friends hope. The story gave hope by offering to explain why Christ had not returned as anticipated, during the lifetime of John and the other disciples. Further, it was written to convey John's spiritual insights into the age that surely had evolved from his years of service with Jesus during His lifetime and thereafter from working in the service of God and the early church. John's story is, most likely, not intended to be a factual account of all events throughout history, but rather a poetic, lyrical, and prosaic epic that describes the spiritual evolution and eventual revolution that is taking place in our age. The necessity for revolution is prompted by the coexistence of three powerful covenants and the resulting struggle for the spiritual loyalty of mankind. This evolution and revolution will have, at its culmination, the eventual triumph of God and His servants. As Daniel declared: (Daniel 12:2-3) 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. Copyright 2005 164 ***** Benediction We read from Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians: (I Thessalonians 4:13-18) 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (I Thessalonians 5:1-28) 5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 5:7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. 5:12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 5:13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves. 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. 5:15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. 5:16 Rejoice evermore. 5:17 Pray without ceasing. 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 5:19 Quench not the Spirit. Copyright 2005 165 5:20 Despise not prophesyings. 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 5:24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. (sanctify you completely and preserve you blameless) 5:25 Brethren, pray for us. 5:26 Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss. 5:27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren. 5:28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. Copyright 2005 166