REVELATION

Revelations: Unveiling of Secrets and what is more secret than a future which only God can know. The revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ: 1st Corinthians 1:7; 2nd Thessalonian 1:7; 1st Peter 1: 13; Luke 17:30.

PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE WE FUSED TOGETHER. Colossian 2:13-185 ; Ephesian 6: 12; 1st Corinthians 15: 24-26

Persecution began when Nero set the city of Rome on fire and blamed the Christians for it. Paul was hunted down and executed in the year A.D. 67, NERO WAS THEN MURDERED IN A.D. 68. Then with the reign of Vesparian A.D. 81 - 96 The terrifying experience for the Christians New experience. This environment was when the vision came to John while in exile under Domitian on the island called Patmos on account of the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus. One opinion is the vision was necessary revelation to confirm and strengthen the infant churches. Many believe all of revelation is codes that a Jewish person would understand. John the Apostle, Jew, His culture, his background, his reading and thoughts process were all Jewish.

The back ground of the book of Revelation was that the church was 66 years old and had made enormous growth. It had suffered greatly and was still suffering terrific persecution..  It is a book of Revelation there are mystery with many things we do not understand and a few things we do understand. Very likely John may of not know what all the symbol stood for. Those would be revealed only with time of the passing ages. What it was to do was to assure us again and again that we are under God's protect and the who will win in the end. One of the objects of the book might of been to fore tell the course of the Church History because of the amazing parallel between some of the images of the book and the course of the church history.

587 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem, The Jews were then allowed to return to their home land though the Persian Empire, but as subject to a foreign prince. Alexander united the world; single language, single culture, single religion, the Jews were to conform, or be put to death. 168 B.C. Greco-Syrian Emperor Antiochis Epiphanes the 4th, converted temple of Israel's God into a place of Pagan sacrifice and placed the image of the Olympian Zeus there. Under penalty of death circumcision observance of the sabbath was forbidden. 63 B.C. Jews becamse the subjests of Rome. The Jewish revolt of B.C. 67-70 ending. The destruction of all temples with the second revolt of B.C. 135 left Jerusalem an all pagan city.

Paul and Peter suffered martyrdom under Nero A.D. 64-67. Christians were crucified, thrown to wild beast, or wrapped in combustible garments and burned to death.

John was banished to the Isle of Patmos ( 1-9 ) during Emperor Domitian A.D. 95. Over 40,000 Christians were tortured and killed during his time.

Rome's imperial efforts to blot out the Christians faith soon took its toll. The Church started to show corruption and Apostasy within its self.

The resurrected Jesus appeared to John and gave him the information about the future. This book completes the theme of prophecies by the Old Testament and Christ, reveals events taking place immediately before, during and following the 2nd coming of Christ. 

Apokalypsis (GK) noun meaning "revelation" or "unveiling" Disclosure of some thing that was previously unknown Secrets ( SIR 22:22 ) works ( SIR 11:27 ) knowledge of God ( Eph 1:17 ) or plan of Salvation ( Eph 3:3 )

 Rev is the only book of prophetical in the new testament and is compared to the book of Daniel. 

The book of Revelation is a book where there are many different opinion of what it means. Ancient and Modern Schoars are divided on when it was written. The minority of them believe it was written in the late 60s of the first Centery. The majority of them believing it was written in A.D. 95 of the first centery while John was banished to the Isle of Patmog. There is greater evendenceto the middle 90s and very little evendence for the late 60s of the first centery. There are a few who try to argue that John who wrote Revelation wasn't the Apostle John, the beloved Disciple or the John who wrote the Gospel of John. There is little to no evidence of it being a different John who wrote Revelation. As for it being the Apostilic John, the beloved disciple is I.E. well-established tradition, The Apostolic Fathers and the Judgement of the Great Body of Christian's Believers to name a few.

There are many who will give you their opinion and they except that to settle all the matter of Revelations. My opinion is that you need to start with a Spirit of reverent, humility and openness of mind to what you read and what others tell you about the book of Revelation. There are basicly four kinds of interpretation of the Book of Revelation: (1) PRETERIST INTERPRETATION: it regards the book of Revelation to its own day. Christianity's struggle with the Doman Empire. (2) HISTORICAL INTERPRETATION: is theat book was designed to forecast the whole period of Churcl History or a general view or it. This was from John's time to the end of time or when Jesus Christ comes again. " a Vision of the Ages', Pictures of the great Epochs and the cristes of the Church. (3) FUTUREST INTERPRETATION: Centers the book largerly around the time of the Lord's coming and the End of the World. (4) SPIRITVALIST INTERPRETATION: separates the imagery of the book entirely from any reference to historical events--John's Day or end of Time--and deems it to be a pictorial representation in highly figurative applicable to all time.

Because of the Rome's attempt to blot out all the Christians at the time, it would very easy to think it was code to the Christian people to help them threw that time period and to the end of time.

GUILD TO REVELATION
THE NEW EARTH, NEW HEAVENS, AND NEW JERUSALEM ( 21:1-22:5 )
I. THE ACCOUNT OF "WHAT YOU SEE".
A. Introduction ( 1: 1-20 )
B. Inaugural Vision ( 1: 9-20 )
II. THE ACCOUNT OF " WHAT IS " ( 2: 1 - 3: 22 )
A. Letters to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, and Thyratira ( 2: 1-29 )
B. Letters to Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea ( 3: 1-22 )
III. THE ACCOUNT OF "WHAT IS TO TAKE PLACE: ( 4: 1 - 22:21 )
A. The Heavenly Liturgy of Creation and Redemption ( 4:1 - 5:14 )
B. The Seven Seals ( 6:1 - 8:5 )
C. The Seven Trumpets ( 8:6 - 11:19 )
D. The Seven Spiritual Figures ( 12:1 - 14:20 )
E. The Seven Bowls of Wrath ( 15:1 - 16:21 )
F. The Fall of the Harlot City ( 17:1- 18:24
G. The Marriage Supper of the Lamb ( 19: 1-10 )
H. The Judgement of the Beast, the Devel, and the Dead. (19:11 - 20:15 )

Some of the names of Jesus Christ you will see in Revelation:

Revelation  is concerning the Indestructible Jewish Nations. Dan 3,6  cf Rev 12;  the Ministry of the Antichrist Dan 3:1-7  7:7, 8, 24, 25 8:9-12, 23-25  9:27  11:36-45 cf Rev 13 and  the Length of the Tribulation Dan 9:24-27  cf Rev 11:2  12:6, 14  13:58ik       

 The listing of these seven Churches has been suggested that the seven church appears in the sacred record to accomplish at least the following purposes.
1. The Chronological Purpose: That the characteristics of these churches serve as a prophetical preview of the seven great periods in Christendom from Pentecost to the rapture.
2. The Composite purpose: That these messages are meant to be applied by all churches existing in all ages.
3. The Contemporary Purpose: That Christ had a direct message to seven literal churches existing at that time.” (Page 540 Willmington’s Guild To The Bible by Dr. H. L. Willmington.)

 History reveals that the Church has gone through seven basic periods or stages:

• 1.)    Ephesus-Apostolic church (Pentecost, A. D. 100)
• 2.)    Smyrna-Persecuted church (A.D. 100-316)
• 3.)    Pergamos-World Church (A.D. 316-800),
• 4.)    Thyatira-Medieval Church (A.D. 800-1517)
• 5.)    Sardis-Rise of the state church (A.D. 1517-1750)
• 6.)    Philadelphia-Missionary church (A.D. 1750-1900)
• 7.)    Laodicea-Apostate Church (A.D. 1900--?)

 Church Period (1517-1700) ; Champion: Martin Luther (1483-1546) founder of Protestantism ; Zwungku (1484-1531) the Great laborer with Luther ; John Calvin (1509-1572 one of the greatest theologians of the Christian faith. ; John Knox (1515-1572) he single handily swept Romanism out of Scotland. ; Roger Williams (1604-1684) founded the first Baptist church in America.

Revelation 01

CHAPTER 1 TO 3 THINGS WHICH ARE: Things which were in John's day. Dealing with the situation of that day to each church. Chapter 1 verses 1-3 A " Revelation" of things to come: Book of Revelation calls itself of things to come, revealing, making known, unveiling explaining ( 1:1, 19 4:1 ) Written to chart the course and testing of the church and to unfold the future.

v1. 1 The one revealing is Jesus Christ, 2 The messenger, acting under His authority is His angel, identified in 22:6-9 as a fellow servant of John; 3 The recipient is bond servant John. In Apocalyptic fashion the revealed message came from God. The first century readers believed that the fulfillment (1:12-20 22:16 ) of the book would happen in their life time.

v2. John is a faithful witness 1 of the Word of God, 2  the testimony of Jesus Christ, and 3  the things he saw in his vision, make this a fore view eye witness account.

v3. Blessing is to those who (1) read, (2) hear and (3) keep, or obey. The seven “Beatitudes” of   At hand means imminent, not necessarily immediately. The first of seven benedictions invoked upon those who head the injunctions of Revelation ( Rev.: 1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7; and 22:14. ) Disclosures about the future with reflections on the past and appeals to remain faithful in the present. They that hear the Word from reading themselves and listening to it in church to keep the Word close to your heart and mouth so you keep the Word, and do what the Word tells you to follow it. AND THUS IT CLOSES ( 22:7)

CHAPTER 1 : 4-8 GREETING TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES: EPHESUS, SMYRNA, PERGAMUM, THYATIRA, SARDIS. PHILADELPHIA, LEODICEA. These cities are named in their geographical order and are connected by a great Triangular highway. The list of Cities start with Ephisus that was about 100 miles to Pergamum and Southeast of Laodicea and 100 miles East of Ephesus. "Asia" (1:4) was a Roman Province in the west part of that we know as Asia Minor now a part of Turkey. Porgamum was its political Capital and Ephesus being its chief city. Laodicea had a letter from Paul. (Colossian 4:13-16) now lost. The home of Lydia was in Thyatira (Ac 16:14) Then only Ephesus was mentioned elsewhere in the New Testament. With many churches in "Asia" it is question why these were called the "Seven Churches" The only answer that is given is that the Seven Churches must of been the main center of the key cities in John's pastoral care of the region.

v4. Indefinite by name ( 1: 11 ) addressed individually in chapter 2-3 Asia 1:5 PS 89:27 Yahweh promises to exalt the messianic heir of David over every world ruler. This was fulfilled in Christ who became the "King of Kings" ( Rev 19:16 ) Resurrection and Ascension into heaven ( Act 2:29-36 ) Grace and Peace is standard greeting in Christian correspondence ( Rom 1:7 1st Peter 1:2 ) The adding the farewell ending in Rev 22:21 John gave the entire book in character of a letter to be read in the Liturgy ( Col 4:16 ; 1st Thess 5:27 ) Grace and Peace came from the Trinity.

v6. All believers will share in the royal priest hood of Christ. Everyone is among the Saints who possess the office of priesthood for each is a member of the eternal Priest.

v7. He is coming, is the towering expectation of the Book ( Dan 7:13 and Zech 12:10 ) Daniel see the Divine Court grant the Son of Man ,while riding a cloud into heaven, the Everlasting Kingdom that results in the destruction of His Enemies. Zechariah portrays Israel mourning the death of its pierced and rejected Messiah. Jerusalem the city that pierced Him (Rev 11:8 ) Generation lay in ruins ( Mt. 22:7 24:1-34 ) When the people will behold His splendor return and lament their participation in Sin (Acts 1:11 )

v8. Christ describes Himself in triple: 1 Alpha and Omega, ( First and Last letter of the Greek Alphabet and Sovereign Lord ( 22:13 ) 2 beginning and ending, 3 is, was and is to come, the Almighty.

CHAPTER 1:9-20 CHRIST IN THE MIDST OF THE CHURCHES.

These vision were given on the Island call "Patmos" (1:9) to John where he was banished. The Island is in the Aegean Sea, about 60 miles southwest of Ephesus, about 150 miles east of Athens. The Island is about 10 miles long, 6 miles wide, treeless and very rocky.

v9. “I John”, no disputing the writer, was in exile by the order of Domitian on Patmos. Patmos was a small Island in the Southern Aegean Sea and a little southwest of Ephesus, it was a Island used by the Romans as a Penal Colony for Criminals. John was sent there for his ministry for the Lord.

v10. Not, as a few believe, Day of the Lord, which is inconsistent with other statements, but actually the Lord’s Day, the first day of the week, Sunday,  when early Christians gathered for Liturgy to commenorate the resurrection of Jesus ( Luke 24: 1-7 Acts 20:7; 1 Cor16:2.   ) While engaging in prayer and worship John is seized by the Spirit and carried of into heaven ( Rev 4:2 ) into the wilderness ( 17:3 ) Summit of a high mountain ( 21:10 )

v11. The vision to be written to the mentioned seven churches, listed in clockwise manner, but it for us too.

CHAPTER 1: 12-17 TAKING IMAGES FROM EZEKIEL AND DANIEL (THAT ALL JEWS WOULD UNDERSTAND0 SHOWING JESUS IN BOTH DIVINE AND HUMAN FORM AND HAIR IS WHITE ( DAN 7:9 ) HIS VOICE IS LIKE THE RUMBLING OF GOD'S GLORY WHEN IT DRAWS NEAR ( EZEK 43:2 ) HIS APPEARANCE RESEMBLES A MAN ( DAN 7: 13 ) HIS EYS ARE TORCHES AND FEET ARE LIKE BRONZE FIRED IN A FURNACE ( DAN 10:6 ) JOHN FALLS PROSTRATE BEFORE THE EXALTED LORD ( REV 1:17 EZEK 1:28 44:4 DAN 10:9 )

v12,13 Unlike the Menorah in the temple which had a main and six side branches, Ex, 25:31, this was seven individual lamp stands so arranged. Symbolize the seven churches addressed by John ( Rev 1:20 ) Place on the branched candelabra or menorah, that glow in the sanctuaries of Israel I Ex 25:31-39 ) The passage evokes Zech 4:2 where a temple memorial burns with the oil of the Spirit. Just a reminder that the seven churches remains aglow with the Spirit and depends on Him to enlighten others. Through the Church's steady and true preaching, one and the same salvation radiates throughout the world. The seven-branched candlestick that bears the light of Christ is the Church. That Christ in a form of man, stood in the midst of the them. Christ referred to Himself as Son of Man eighty times in the Gospels. Note that all in heaven are fully clothed.

v14-16. Christ’s description. Priestly garments, hair same as Ancient of Days in Dan.7:9, eyes of judgment  that could weep in compassion. Feet bronze as the altar of sacrifice and would trample in judgment. A mighty voice as water falls and elsewhere as thunder. He had but to speak and judgment fell. His word sharper than the Roman two edged killer sword.

v17,18. John falls in awe before the one on whose breast he at one time leaned, but Christ reassures him and reaffirms His resurrection and His eternal state and power. At His death Christ descended into Hades which is still being enlarged by the wicked dead, Isa. 5:14. It was divided, Lk. 16:23-26. Believers He took to heaven at his resurrection, Eph. 4:8-10. He proclaimed victory to the spirits still there, so He has the keys of hell and death. (Comment: Some think Christ descended to the final Hell.)

CHAPTER 1:19 WHAT--WHAT--WHAT A basic outline of the book of what John sees is Chapter 1. What is refers to the present state of the churches addressed in Chapter 2-3. What is about to unfold hereafter is narrated in chapter 4-22.

v19. Told to write: Rev. 1, Introductory vision, Past, “things which thou has seen” Rev. 2,3 Present, existing conditions  “things which are”, Rev. 4-22 Future, future events,  “things which shall be hereafter” (Some consider only two divisions, present and future, because he saw them).

v20.  The seven lamp stands represent the light bearing churches, and stars represent angels of the churches. This properly supposes that there is an angel assigned to watch over each church, and as leaders come and go, the angel remains. There is overwhelming belief among scholars of the Bible that the angels, or messengers, are the pastors of those churches. an interpretation that fits comfortably in explanation. That has always been my understanding, but Henry Morris, in The Revelation Record, points out several things hard to refute  If pastor of the church had been meant, He would have said pastor, or elder, as He did twelve times later in Revelation. Angels are messengers, but no where else in the New Testament does it refer to pastors, while it does refer to angels 188 times. The word is used 67 other times in Revelation when it could not possibly mean a pastor. Regardless of which position we hold, the message is to the churches. 
The messages pertain to: 1 The churches actually addressed. 2 Churches of all time to show their true spiritual state in the sight of God. 3 Hearers and over comers on  a personal basis. 4 Prophecy regarding the history of the church with it’s repeated pattern and progress or decline of it’s spiritual state to the end of the Church Age.

Revelation 2

 Among the several churches in Asia Minor, these seven were chosen as typical of the Church of Christ from the end of the first century till His return for the Church, and is descriptive of seven church periods defined in church history. The last four persist to the end of the age. Each letter has seven parts. 1. Salutation; 2. Identifies Christ as sender; 3. Asserts His Knowledge; 4. Comment and Exhortation; 5. Promised (or threatened) Coming; 6. Admonition to Heed; 7. Promised Blessing.

v 1. In the Roman province of Asia it was the most prestigious cultural commercial and religions center. Paul commissioned Timothy to build on his foundation ( 1st Tim 1:3 ) of the church he had established there. It is uncertain if John assumed pastoral responsibility over any other church or not. Ephesus was capitol and largest city of province of Asia (southwest Turkey) and great seaport. Very immoral, worshiping fertility goddess Diana, with the idolatrous temple of Artemis where the silversmiths rose up against Paul. He spent much time there, Acts 20:31. Tradition  says John ministered there and Mary, mother of Jesus was with him (not reliable). Timothy had charge between them. Perhaps other six started from there.  EPHESUS is a back slid den church, but demonstrates the spiritually powerful apostolic church of the first century. Message from Christ to the messenger of the church in Ephesus. To each church, 2:1,6,12,18; 3:1,7,14, the same command, “write”.   While these messages were specific to these local churches, they are a test to churches of all time as to their spiritual state in the sight of God. They are for the personal evaluation of all those who hear, and are prophetic in regard to the spiritual history of the church. There is a behavior pattern that repeats in the visible church to the end of the Church Age, culminating in apostasy.

v 2. Ephesus commended for hard work and patient  perseverance, opposition to wicked men, identifying false teachers (An apostle had to have seen Christ),

v 3. They endured hardships, not succumbing to difficulties.

v 4. Paul had commended them in Eph. 1:15 for their love, and stresses the need for it in Eph. 1:4; 3:17; 4:2 4:16 and 5:2, 25, 28 33. This second generation of believers are still sound in doctrine and service, but they have lost that deep devotion to Christ of the original believers.

v 5. His unconditional supremacy over the world. Christ on the throne even wen things seems to be the darkest. Loosing love is a great fall. We are to love Christ even more than family  (Matt. 10:37). We may refrain from doing certain things on the Lord’s Day etc., not out of legalism, but because we love the Lord and want to please him. The Ephesus church continued nearly five hundred years before the Lord removed that lamp stand, and the area is now uninhabited. 

v 6. The Nicolaitans were professing believers, but a sect who denied God as creator, encouraged idolatry and lived very licentiously. There is no positive evidence that it was started by Nicolaus, one of the first seven deacons. The word means destroyer of the people. Theirs was the first attempt to bypass the people and establish Apostolic Succession  with Bishops, Cardinals and Popes etc. They even used miracles to deceive people, and God hated their deeds.

v 7. All believers are over comers in varying degrees, and all will partake of the tree of life which was in the garden of Eden, but will be in heaven, the New Jerusalem.

v8. SMYRNA  was a large wealthy seaport city about 35 miles northwest of Ephesus, still 200,000 today, now called Izmir, Turkey. It was a persecuted church in a martyr  period of time from Nero, AD 64 -Constantine AD 316. John’s convert, Polycarp, was martyred there about AD 155. Earlier persecution was mainly from Judaizes.   A comfort that the Lord was still in the midst of this persecuted church.    In his message Christ reminds of his deity and resurrection. While Ephesus had those who wanted to perpetuate apostleship, Smyrna had those who wanted to perpetuate the priesthood. These two efforts finally merged very ritualistic.

v 9. He comforts them that he knows all about their afflictions, and though they are in poverty, they are spiritually rich. He calls the synagogue of their Jewish persecutors the synagogue of Satan. The most severe persecutions have come from religionists. Rom. 9:6 they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Gal 3:29 Jn. 8:44

v 10. Do not symbolize or spiritualize the ten days. It is frequently used in the Old Testament as a numerous but indefinite term. They would have sufferings, but they would not be forever. Whether these sufferings were disciplinary, preventive, to teach obedience or provide a better testimony, if they are faithful, even if they must die for it,  unto (not until) death, they have the promise of a crown of life, the martyrs crown.

v 11. Christ spoke it, John wrote it,  the angel assured it’s arrival, the Spirit spoke to receptive hearts an additional reminder that the second death is only for the unbelievers. This was added encouragement to those facing death as martyrs.

V12. Pergamos (Pergamum) was a wealthy, wicked, idolatrous city, center of province Asia, sixty miles north, inland of Smyrna. Altar to Zeus, largest altar in the world and one of Seven Wonders of the World. Set on a high hill it towered 800 feet over the plain. Parchment was made in Pergamos and got it’s name from the town. A 200,000 volume library and medical center. Deity of medicine was Aesculapius (from which we get the word scalpel) was worshipped with sign of coiled snake on pole, corruption of Num. 21:8,9. Pergamos is a licentious church and covers the Church Age from around AD 300 through the fifth century with some features continuing to the end of the Church Age. After Persia took over Babylon in Belshazzar’s time, 539 BC, they did not want to continue the mystery religion, so  the seat of Babylon's idolatrous immoral religion was moved to Pergamos. Then, 300 AD moved to Rome where it paginated Christianity. Christ’s double edged sword, the Word of God, condemn sin and separates believers.

v 13. It was commendable that Antipas and others did not deny the faith in this wicked place, the headquarters of Satan’s religious system. Long Robe: Vestments worn by a high priest (Ex 28:4 Sir 45:8) Jesus minister to the needs of the Seven Churches just as the temple Priest tended the Menorah lamps by trimming their wicks and replenish their oil (Ex 27: 20-21)

v 14. Balaam taught Balak to corrupt Israel by marriage and immorality with the women of Moab, thus defiling their separation, Num. 31:15,16; Jude 11; 2 Pet. 2:15 The believers here also were yielding to the rampant immorality, licentiousness and pagan practices of the area, thus corrupting the church. Constantine used Balaam’s method by giving much money, garments and Basilicas to the clergy. To please pagans in the church, pagan festivals were replacing true worship. Notable of these was changing the birthday of the Son of God from (probably April) to Dec. 25, the day pagans recognized as the birthday of sun god Tammuz. The church and state were thus united under Constantine, which began the persecution of the church by the state. The foot hold of the Nicolaitans (v 6) is seen in the rise of the Papacy. This union of church and state ushered in the first “Post Millennial View” that they could usher in the millennium without the return of Christ.

v 15. There were deeds of Nicolaitans at Ephesus, but here they also allowed the doctrine in members of  the church.

v 16. Repent  of compromise and immorality or be judged by the Word of God.

v  17. Those willing to hear will receive spiritual food here and a new name in glory. As the high priest alone had access to the manna hidden in the tabernacle and the name on the white stone, the Urim, we have access to Christ our manna, hidden for the time in heaven, and His new name (Rev. 3:12) He will give us His name as we are  His, and we will gain a new family name, His. (However God changed the name of several in the OT and it may be that He will change our names to fit our changed condition.) The stone with the overcomer’s new name will be known only to him and God, so he can be in constant communication with God. The name is more important than the white stone on which it is engraved. However there was an ancient custom of giving the condemned a black stone and the acquitted in trial a white stone. We are acquitted and approved by God.

v 18. THYATIRA was a much smaller city, 40 miles southeast of Pergamum, and was least important of these cities politically. It was another trade center, noted for crops and purple dye, and home of Lydia, seller of purple. Thyatira was a lax church and pictures the Church Age from around AD 500 to 1500, the period of the Dark Ages. Elements of that darkness continue and will climax in the apostasy of the end times. The Son of Man is here the Son of God. His eyes, like a flame of fire, show anger, and his feet, like bronze, indicate His indignation and righteous judgment. This symbolizes that Christ has royal and judicial power over life and death. (3:7) which is the power to lock and unlock the gates of the underworld, called Hades. (9:1; 20:1,13; Wis 16:13-14; more on MT. 16:18.

v 19. They are commended for their love, service and perseverance, and were increasing in these in contrast with Ephesus which did less. However, doctrine and godly living were failing.

v 20. Perhaps Lydia, converted by Paul in Philippi, introduced the people of this, her home town, to the gospel. But another woman is corrupting the church much as Jezebel of 1 Kings 16 corrupted Israel. She and her adherents are guilty of both extreme physical and spiritual adultery, and the church is allowing her to even teach in the church, contrary to 1 Cor. 14:34.  She promoted the idea that since salvation is free, it was not wrong to practice the state system, even of religious prostitution and temple orgies.

v 21.. She had been confronted, but refused to repent, as did her followers.

v 22. Pagan rites were involved with trade, and she may have taken her position as a means to reach more for church.

v 23. She and followers who practice physical - spiritual adultery will be cast into a bed of great tribulation at end of Church Age or before. She and her group in gross sin will suffer death so dramatic that all the church shall know that the judgment is from the Lord. In similar situation today it would usually be better for the true believers to pull out of the apostate church. Jezebel’s actions (whether or not that was really her name) are comparative to the woman of Rev. 17:1-5 which she typified. By the Dark Ages the Catholics were promoting Baptismal Regeneration, justification by works, celibacy, Mariolatry, confessionals, Purgatory, transubstantiation, indulgences, and penance. Millions of true believers were martyrs, up to 300,000 in a single day.

v 24, 25. The faithful remnant in Thyatira and other churches had been powerless to stop her doctrine, so they could only wait for Christ’s intervention at His return. 

v26. Overcoming believers will share in reign of Christ in His millennia kingdom,  1 Cor. 6:2

V27. This rule will be as a shepherd tends his flock, but His scepter will be strong as iron. With it He can bring destruction.

v 28. Christ the morning star giving Himself that they might reflect Him to others. To Israel He was the Sun of Righteousness, Mal. 4:2, because He will bring righteousness after their dark hour of the Tribulation. To us He is the Bright and Morning Star, Rev. 22:16, who will remove us before that hour of darkness.

v29. Again the exhortation to listen to what the Spirit has to say, and be ready for His return.
Summary. If we accept that Christ had a secondary purpose to match these seven churches with Church Ages, they would be something like this:

Revelation 03

  v 1. Sardis was a wealthy, wicked city and center of pagan worship about thirty miles southeast of Thyatira on the east-west trade route through the state of Lydia. It was the capitol of that country and had another temple of Artemis. A small remnant of the city exists, but most has been in ruins over 500 years. Most of the members were professing Christians, unregenerate, going through religious motions. Sardis,  the sleeping or dead church, is a view of the church from the time of the Reformation, about 1520 -1750 on down to our own day, the rise and corruption of Protestantism. The one with the seven spirits of God is Christ. This church had a reputation for being a live, active church, but this is not a commendation, because He points out that in reality they are spiritually dead. (Like the dead church of England. The persecutions and religious intolerance contributed to the settlement of America.)

v 2. Unlike the first four churches, Sardis had no commendation from God. The genuine believers were discouraged and about to give up because of their ungodly environment. They needed to kindle the spark of life that remained there because they were falling short of what was expected of believers. They needed to be watching for the second coming, a doctrine which had been neglected.

v 3. Ephesus was warned to repent or He would remove their candlestick, 2:5. Pergamos to change their ways or He would fight against them, 2:16. Now Sardis is warned to watch, He would come, not only the Rapture, but to steal away what is most important to them. The power of the Holy Spirit would leave them. Today many churches are “playing church”. Lots of activity without the power of the Spirit and like Samson, they don’t realize the power is gone from them.

v 4. There were a few faithful ones remaining. Accepting that the church at Sardis is typical of the church from the Reformation to the present day, there was a minority such as Martin Luther, Wycliffe, John Calvin, and many other less known faithful ones who have kept pure in a world giving lip service to God.

v 5,6. Those who are truly born again will be clothed in robes of righteousness, and are reassured here that they will never lose their salvation. Only believers names are written in the Lamb’s book of life, and none will be blotted out or it. They are eternally secure. Those aborted from conception or till knowingly sin will remain in the book of life. See extended notes on this, Rev, 20:15.

v 7. Philadelphia was 28 miles SE of Sardis in an area noted for agricultural products, and survives today as the city of Alasehir. It was destroyed by earthquakes several times and was named for a king of Pergamum, Attalus Philadelphus, who  built it.  Philadelphia, was a favored church and represents the true church, beginning with the missionary church of the last century and continuing on to the Rapture. Philadelphia in Greek means “brotherly love”, and there is Christian witness in that city yet today.  It is a church remaining faithful in the midst of apostasy and unbelief. It and Smyrna, were the only two churches not to be rebuked. Holy and true-God, Who is called the Holy One of Israel 31 times in the OT, and Christ of the NT are one. Key of David--Christ is anti type of Eliakim who, had that key laid upon his shoulder, and he had access to the king’s wealth, Isa. 22:22. Figuratively it refers to the responsibility of government placed upon the shoulders of Christ.  Peter had limited use of the keys of heaven, spiritual wealth. He opened the door to the Gentiles but later tried to partially close it, Gal. 2:11-18. Christ has the keys to both heaven and hell, no one can open or shut the doors but Him.

v 8. God is pleased with it’s works and has set before it an open door of witness and spiritual service that can not be shut by man. It is for any believer who meets these three qualifications: Have a little strength, Keep His word, Do not deny His name. Though they have but little strength, they are not rebuked. Christ can do much when the weak rely upon His strength, Phil. 4:13; believe that every word of the Bible is true, 2 Tim. 3:16; and recognize Christ’s authority over every area of their lives, Contrast Titus 1:16. Their little strength was being revived, and in this period we have revivals by Whitefield, John Wesley, Charles G, Finney and D. L. Moody.

v 9. All unbelievers belong to the collection of those who are of their father the Devil, even the Jewish religious leaders, John 8:44. Judaizers and ritualizes will bow and confess the Lord, Rom. 14:11. This will not be in repentance, but for judgment.

v 10. Those who have that blessed hope, the Rapture, waiting upon the patience of Christ to overthrow His enemies, will be kept from the Great Tribulation, just as Noah and Lot were spared from the judgments of their day. The Lord will return while Philadelphia type churches are still functioning. Their watchfulness is not regarding loss of salvation, but to losing reward. Multitudes will be saved during that tribulation, but many of them will be martyred. They, however, are not objects of the wrath of God.

v 11. Though Christ has delayed He will suddenly come. We won’t lose our salvation. but we are to live in readiness, not doing anything that would cause us to lose our crowns. One pertinent crown is for those who love His appearing, 2 Tim. 4:8.

v 12,13. Now we are lively stones,1 Pet. 2:5, but in glory we will be pillars, permanent, continually in God’s presence. As the high priest wore a gold plate over his forehead with the name “Holiness to the Lord”, Ex. 28:36-38, so we as priests will bear His name. Somehow we will have three marks of identification on us: 1. The name of God our Savior; 2. The name of the city of our heavenly citizenship (This is the city Abraham looked for, not the old Jerusalem.); 3. Our own distinctive new name selected by Christ, Rev, 2:17.  Again, regardless of the messenger, listen to the Spirit.

v 14. Laodicea was located along a river about   45 miles southeast of Philadelphia and 100 miles east of Ephesus near Colosse. Paul wrote to the church at Colosse to exchange letters with Laodicea.  It was wealthy and the church members shared in the wealth. It was impressive, but spiritually the poorest of all seven churches. Worldly; success blinded them to spiritual need, and they doubted the absolute authority of God. They got involved in humanistic philosophy, intellectualism, and evolution. Paul warned against this in Col. 2:8-10. Laodicea is a lukewarm church and represents the false church coming out of the Reformation and continuing to the end, the present days. This characterizes many so called evangelical churches today. There is no word of commendation to Laodicea. It and the church at Philadelphia have conditions that run side by side, but Philadelphia represents the church that is genuine and true.  Christ not only is the Truth, He proclaims the truth, He is the Amen,  the final word. He can be this because He was the creator of all things.

v 15. They were not a cold church who were in opposition to the things of God. They were merely professing a minimal spiritual life. They may not all have been unsaved, but if there were believers, they were indifferent to the vital doctrines of God. Dead orthodoxy is better than the neutral, compromising church with all it’s programs but no firm stand and true witness. Herein is a warning to the remnant Philadelphia church, who may not be constantly on fire, but needs to avoid the lethargy of being lukewarm in doctrine or practice. There are movements today which stress unity and fellowship but are lukewarm on doctrine for the sake of unity.

v 16. Physicians used warm water to cause vomiting, and lukewarm springs near Laodicea were putrid to taste. Any who were saved would experience the reproach, but not the wrath of God. The True Church will be caught away at the Rapture, but the apostate church God will spur into the tribulation period.

v 17. Just as Solomon’s increasing wealth coincided with his decreased Spirituality, this wealthy church does not recognize it’s need. They may have impressive buildings and programs. They may not endorse those who deny the basic doctrines, but neither do they take a stand on them and may themselves deny creation and total inerrancy of the Word.  WRETCHED - burdened. Their wealth was a burden which kept them from seeing their true condition. MISERABLE-to be pitied. POOR - nothing laid up for eternity. BLIND - no spiritual vision because no spiritual life. they saw only earthly things. NAKED - spiritually naked without Christ’s robe of righteousness.

v 18. Christ continues to call them, compare Isa. 55:1. Receive Christ’s salvation and be given that robe of righteousness. Eye salve is for physical blindness, they need spiritual sight  Eph. 1:17,18, because the god of this world has blinded their eyes, 2 Cor. 4:34.    d

v 19. These compromising people are believers or the Lord would not chasten them. They needed to repent fervently. Persecutions are not mentioned, but some present day persecutions have been by Hitler, Russia, China, Catholics especially in Central and South America, and Moslems against both Jews and Christians.

v 20. Christ does not force the door, the compromising believer must voluntarily repent and open the door when Christ knocks. In the picture of Jesus knocking on the door, there is no door knob showing. Such a call to those in a lukewarm church who have shut Christ out of their lives is to be ready for Christ’s return and  to sup with Him, Rev. 19:9.

v 21-22. As joint heirs we can sit with Him in his throne. In each church their is a message to overcomers. An overcomer is anyone who has been born again and has overcome from the standpoint of guilt and condemnation. However we can be “more than conquerors”, Rom. 8:37,  and receive rewards for exercising overcoming faith.
What a promise to those who were about to be spewed out of His mouth. The Promises: 1 Ephesus, tree of life;  2 Smyrna, deliverance from second death; 3 New name to Pergamos; 4 To Thyatira, the morning star; 5 To Sardis, white raiment; 6. To Philadelphia the New Jerusalem  7 To Laodicea, sharing of the throne. 
There are no churches on earth during the great tribulation, so  the Church is not mentioned again from 4:1 to Rev. 22:6, when John is reminded to send this entire book to all the churches. 

 Revelation 04

THE INITIATION 4:1-11

CHAPTER 4 TO 22 THINGS WHICH SHALL BE THERE AFTER. i 1:19, 4:1 ) covering from then to the END OF TIME.

The Old Testament focused on the Jews, and the Church Age was a mystery. It also mingled events soon to take place and at the end of the age. Epistles dealt with the Church, but more prophecy was needed to clarify sequence of end time events. The book of Revelation shows the events of Christ’s second coming and eternal reign.

John sees the Father 4:1-3

v 1. This begins the prophetic part of the book. The Lord has already opened the door to heaven and the voice John heard had the effect, if not the actual sound, of a trumpet call summoning him. John’s call up may be symbolical of the Rapture. “After this”, after the description of the seven churches which represent the Church Age, “things hereafter” would be after the Rapture of the Church. The apostate church is still here and will be referred to in chapters 17 and 18.

v 2. John’s body was on earth, but in his own spirit, he has transcended time and space, and it is as if he were in heaven. The first thing he sees sitting on a throne is . God the Father, as the Son is not introduced until 5:6. This is not the Judgment Seat of Christ or the Great White Throne in Rev. 20:11.

 v 3. A beautiful emerald green rainbow completely encircled the throne, but from the presence of Christ were the two colors at the ends of the rainbow spectrum. Red, possibly spoke of sacrifice and purple of royalty. God presented a rainbow of promise to Noah; Ezekiel saw a similar rainbow to this, and this appears again in 10:1.

John sees the twenty-four elders 4:4-5

v 4. The 24 elders in heaven during the Tribulation cannot represent angels because of their robes and crowns which are both promised to Church Age believers by God. Some think they will be the 12 apostles and  Old Testament saints representing the 12 tribes of Israel. However, they can’t be Old Testament saints because were not in heaven at the time of Isa. 6 or Ezek. 1-10, and they will not have been resurrected yet,. So they have to be representatives of the Church. As David established 24 orders of priests in 1Chron. 24, so these 24 will have priestly duties in heaven. At least 12 or more of these appear to be apostles of Matt. 19:28.  Perhaps some are chosen on merit.

v 5. These phenomenon are seen in Ezek 1 an cloven tongues of fire, Acts 2:3. Thunder is the voice of the Lord, Job 37:2: 40:9. The sevenfold Spirit of Isa. 11:2. (1.) Resting or abiding Spirit, (2.) wisdom, (3.) understanding, (4.) counsel, (5.) might, (6.) knowledge, and (7.) fear of the Lord.

John sees the four living creatures 4:6-11

v 6-9. The sea in the temple 2 Chro. 4:2-6 was for cleansing, but those here are already cleansed and have direct access to God. Sea of glass is refined sand, a completed body, the Church, compared to Rev. 20:8, the sands of the sea shore. These living creatures with eyes that could see all are specially created angels nearest to God to guard His holiness. Beasts, ie. living creatures described. Eyes within, nothing hidden from them. 7,8 They resemble the four cherubim of Ezek. 1:10, but there it is four wings. In Isaiah two covered the feet and two the face. They constantly proclaim God’s holiness.  9. They added thanks (perhaps for their special creation.) to their other praise for the holiness of the eternal Lord. See  accompanying Rev. 04 Creatures for comparison of heavenly beings in Scripture. Compare camps of Israel guarding holiness of God around the  tabernacle as to      banner figure,  banner color, color meaning, and what each represents. Then note the same symbols in the Gospels, to whom written and  representation of Christ.

v 10. The elders, following their example, fall at the feet of the Lord and cast their crowns before Him repeatedly to honor God

v 11. As the elders pronounce God Worthy, they honor him as the God of creation, something many in  the world refuse to do today.

  Revelation 05

The Proclamation Rev 5:1-2

As this chapter begins, the rapture of the Church has already taken place. If there is no break between, only the unsaved will enter the Tribulation. From David’s statement in 2 Sam. 12:23 we know children who have died before the “age of accountability” will be resurrected to go to heaven. The question has been asked, do children who have not yet reached the age of accountability leave at the Rapture or remain on earth even if their parents are raptured? The bible says we must all be humble like little children, so I would say “yes” all children under the age of accountability is taken when the rapture happens

v1. It was significant in ancient custom that the scroll was written both within and without. When a property was removed from a family, a scroll was prepared. Inside were written the details needed to redeem, buy back, the property, then it was sealed. On the outside was written the nature of what was inside, then left with a priest. If one were to redeem the property, he could check the outside to see if he qualified. Three conditions had to be met. He must be a near relative, he must be willing to act, and he must be able to pay the price. Remember in the book of Ruth, one near kinsman had the money but was unwilling to act, whereas Boaz met all three. This scroll is the title deed to the world. Adam  lost dominion of the earth to Satan temporarily. Christ has paid the price to redeem it, but He must return to claim and take it from Satan. . The contents and judgments in the book will be revealed when the seals will begin to be opened in chapter 6. Seven indicates that it will be complete and final.

The Investigation 5:3

v 2-4. The outside of the scroll would show that this strong angel or no one else was worthy, had authority, to open the book. It would also indicate that the contents would contain the words for the complete redemption of man, Israel and the earth. Adam, a man, forfeited possession and control of the earth to Satan, so a man must redeem it and open  the book. The work of judgment was ready to begin, so it was a deep grief to John that no one was qualified to open the book.

The Manifestation 5:5-7

v 5. Not an angel, but an elder comforted John. Rome had overrun Jerusalem, and the scepter had departed from Judah on earth, but it would be reclaimed. Christ in Gen. 49:8-12 is the Lion with the scepter, or king. In Isa. 11:10 He is the root of Jesse, the father of David. He has the authority to open the book because like Boaz. 1. Christ was a near relative, He became man. 2. He was willing. 3. He was able to pay the price, the Lamb of God, John 1:29, slain for us.

v 6. John had seen Christ in dazzling brightness, but now sees Him as a lamb, slain, the wounds still visible. The seven eyes are declared to be the seven (fold) Spirit of God, but the horns are less clear. They emit the trumpet calls, and Christ is a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, Lk. 1:69.
The seven horns show Christ’s, omnipotence His perfect strength to judge. Seven eyes his omniscience, his perfect knowledge to judge.

v 7. What Daniel saw in a vision, Dan. 7:13,14, John saw the actual events unfold. In the dramatic moment when Christ takes the book from the Father’s hand, He recognizes Christ as the Redeemer, and it shows that judgment and power over all the earth is now committed unto Christ.

The Adoration 5:8-14

v 8. A time of rejoicing because the 70th week of Daniel which the Jews have been waiting for, and the vindication the Church has been waiting for are about to be fulfilled. Even the choice angels bow down. Each of the twenty four elders had a  harp and a golden bowl with prayers of saints, which were a sweet incense before the Lord They used their harps in worship and their prayers, such as Matt. 6:10, ”thy will be done”, and John 17:23,24, “be with me and behold my glory”,  are going to be answered. Some think the elders are angels, based on many early manuscripts that use “them and they” instead of “us and we” in verses 9 and 10. However, no place in Scripture are angels called elders, but men as elders are frequently mentioned. Rev. 4:4,10 mentions the white robes and crowns which are given to men, never to angels.

v 9. The angelic host sang together at creation, Job 38:7, but now all the redeemed from every people on earth join in with them and the elders in the greatest song. Different from any OT song, this reiterates Christ’s worthiness as explained in verses 5 and 6. Also the recognition that all mankind was redeemed by His blood,

v 10. In Rev. 1:6, 5:10, believers of the Church Age will be supportive and  reign with Christ as kings and priests. Rev. 20:6 clearly states this reign is in the Kingdom Age, but it is not stated that we have to be living on the earth to do so.

v 11. An innumerable chorus of angels (billions) join in the rejoicing that Christ was worthy to open the book. Scripture indicates that each saint has a guardian angel, and there will be more beside those.

v 12. This is a seven fold anthem for Christ’s work of redemption. The same Greek words are sometimes used for Power, Riches Wisdom,  Strength, Honor, Glory, and Blessing.

1 POWER. All power is given unto me, Matt. 28:21.
2 RICHES. Though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, 2 Cor. 8:9.
3 WISDOM. In him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, Col. 2:3.
4 STRENGTH. He destroys all enemies, even death, 1 Thess. 15:24-26.
5 HONOR. All men should honor the Son ... as they honor the Father, Jn. 5:22,23.
6 GLORY. Glorify me with the glory I had with thee before the world was. Jn. 17:5.
7 BLESSING. Praise or eulogy, from Greek elegy. Worthy of eulogies.

v 13. The title deed to the earth covered it and all inhabitants including animals. Adam had been given dominion, Gen. 1:28, it was confirmed to Noah, Gen. 9:1,2,9,10, 16. but when it was lost, all creation groaned, Rom. 8:22. Now all creation rejoices. This is the fulfillment of Philippians 2:9-11 that every knee bow and every tongue confess..... before the Father on the throne and the Lamb, Christ. The Devil who wanted to be like the Most High will even have to acknowledge as he is cast into Hell.

v 14. The song being ended, the four creatures, elders, and no doubt everyone present bows to worship the Lamb. Most of them will be with Him when He comes to reclaim the earth as King of kings and Lord of lords.              

 Title Deed To The Earth

Redeemer must be close relative of mankind

Redeemer must be willing to pay the price

Redemption Price:  Blood of perfect sacrifice 

Revelation 06

 Revelation 6 begins the time of the Day of The Lord. This includes the seven years of tribulation (Known as the time of Jacob’s Trouble, the 70th week of Daniel, or Day of God’s wrath.), the 1000 year millennia reign and finally the Great White Throne Judgment. The Tribulation begins gradually and increases in intensity of judgment.
As each seal is opened it coincides with a judgment on the earth. On earth, tremendous things are taking place, see Ezek. 38,39. World peace with Israel’s neighbors appears, but threat of invasion of Israel by Russia. Israel will be surrounded by unfriendly neighbors. God will intervene with “natural” disasters and nations will fight among themselves. The number of is so great that it will take six months to bury them. These events will give Israel the desire and ability to rebuild their ancient temple. The dome on the rock will be razed (Some think there will be two, side by side.) Then ten western nations will unite under a one world ruler to form alliance with Israel. This begins the seven year period, so the Rapture will have taken place at some point before this. The Rapture will have a major effect on the world, and sets the stage for Rev. 6. Wickedness will be unrestrained, and ten judgments fall.

v 1. The Lamb is Christ in heaven surrounded by the heavenly host and New Testament saints as he opens the seals. Not thunder but as thunder. One of the living creatures invites John to see the content of the first seal. A different one bids him come see the content of each of the next three seals. Notice there are four different horses. There are no horses in heaven so these are symbolic. All have the same rider, Antichrist. Under the seven seals, destruction is basically the results of man, under the trumpets from Satan, and under the Bowls, direct from God.
That the scroll was written by God, not man, is apparent by the order of the seals and their contents. If man had written the scroll, the first seal would have been on the inside with the completion of the scroll the last thing to be unrolled. This has the beginning  on the outer portion and is  completed the farther it is unrolled. Scrolls, bottles and packages were sealed with wax or clay on which a signet ring had been stamped. Because of it’s legal character, a signet ring was a mans most prized possession. This is the significance of Jer. 22:24 where the Lord expresses extreme repudiation of Judah and her king for their sins when He says, “Though Jeconiah were the signet on my right hand, yet would I pluck thee hence.

v 2. Some scholars believe the rider on these horses to be Christ, and present good arguments. With all respect to those who hold that view, I believe the first seal shows a false Christ with a bow and riding a white horse. The absence of arrows indicates a “cold war”. He is given a crown (world leader) and is offering false peace to the world. I believe this is Satan’s imitation of Christ on His white horse in Rev. 19:11. (Compare the deceiver in 2 Thess. 2:9,10; John 5:43.) Even Israel will sign a covenant with him because they think he is the Messiah.

v 3,4. The second seal shows a red horse and a great sword was given to the rider. This represents war, the first war of the Tribulation. At this point see Daniel 11:40 and Ezekiel 38 and 39. Ezekiel 38:7 refers to Russia and her allies, with verses 8-11; 39:4 their fateful move into Israel.

v 5,6. The third seal shows a black horse and the rider carrying a pair of balances, which were probably given to him. Perhaps at this time the two witnesses call for a 3 1/2 year draught, as this represents famine. There is gross inflation with a quart of wheat, a days allowance for a soldier or slave, or three quarts of barley for a days wage. (Greek measure here is one quart whereas in Luke 16:7 Greek is 10-11 bushels.) However the rich will have oil, toiletries, wine and liquor. While conditions for famine exists, this is partially a contrived famine in which the leader is using food for control, distributing to those who are favorable to him. 
Zechariah saw a woman carried in a basket back to the Babylon area. With American world influence diminished, this may be commerce being reestablished at Babylon, perhaps about the time the temple in Jerusalem is being rebuilt. The voice from the midst of the beasts is God’s. 

v 7,8. The fourth seal shows a pale (yellowish green like a corpse) horse and the rider’s name is Death and Hades (The second death). He is given given power to kill one fourth of the people of the earth with sword, hunger, death (plagues and diseases that follow war including those from germ warfare and nuclear fallout), and with beasts of the earth. Environmentalists are preparing the way for the latter as their programs have resulted in vicious animals multiplying and roving even in the heart of our cities. A dry summer with shortage of food caused bears to have to be driven off park areas in 1998. This situation will be multiplied by the famine of the Tribulation. A fourth to the world people will die. (Beasts of the earth killing people may also be political and military.} 
These four horses should not be confused with the four horses of Zachariah 6, although they too have to do with judgment in the last days. In Zach. 6:5, they are clearly the four spirits of the heavens, or angels.

v 9 In the remaining three seals John looks without being called. In the fifth seal he sees under the altar the souls of believers who were saved since the rapture and who were martyred for their faith in the first half of the tribulation period. They will have had the testimony of the two witnesses, plus many books and influences left behind by others.

v 10. Bodies and souls of our age have reunited in heaven, but only the souls of tribulation saints are there. Some of the persecutors of these are still living on the earth. There were Old Testament martyrs, but the context here does not include them. As priests poured out blood under the Levitical altar, these martyrs have poured out their blood. They are crying out to the Lord as to when their blood will be avenged on the earth. They feel as many before them, “Why is God allowing this evil to continue.

v 11. These souls are given white robes of righteousness, possibly as Christ had after resurrection. The souls of believers today are clothed upon with a heavenly tabernacle, 2 Cor. 5:1-8. They are told they must wait until after they are joined by the martyrs of the next five or more years, or at least the last half of the tribulation. Verses 9-11a are martyrs of the first half of the tribulation, 11b are those killed in the last half.

v12 Opening of The sixth seal shows a great worldwide earthquake, (and probably volcanos). Dust and steam will envelop the earth so the sun is darkened and the moon appears red like blood. Zephaniah, Isaiah and Joel 2:30-32 prophesied of this darkness in the Day of the Lord.

v 13. The Lord will also shake the heavens, earth, sea. and dry land,  Hag. 2:6 and there will be giant meteorites and swarms of asteroids pummeling the earth such as the world has never known.

v 14. Slippage of the earth’s crust may accompany the quakes and volcanoes so that people will feel that the heavens are being rolled up like a scroll, Isa. 34:4.  Perhaps they get a glimpse of the throne of God. Mountains and islands will even be moved.

v 15-17. Rich, influential and poor alike will be terrified and flee to underground bomb shelters or natural caves to try to escape the falling debris.  They will know this is not just a natural phenomenon. Like Adam, they try to hide instead of repent. They cry out for the rocks and the mountains to fall on them as this is truly the day of the wrath of the Lamb, but that only transfers their existence till after death. They ask “Who shall stand?”, but their answer is found in Joel 2:32, whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord. 

Revelation 07

 v1. Chapter 7 occurs after the earthquakes and is an interlude in the midst of the chronological order after the sixth seal and before the seventh seal is opened. It looks back to the beginning of the seven years and forward to the eternal state. Four corners does not conflict with science, but the four quadrants, or fourths of the circle. Mariners would call them the four quarters of the compass. The four winds the four directions. The angels are not omnipotent but have great strength and possibly had done this before John noticed. This would account for no weather fronts, no wind, rain, jet stream or ocean waves for the three and one half years. Waters evaporating from the oceans would simply rise higher into the atmosphere. The four angels holding the world in a period of absolute calm are ready to bring judgment upon it.

v 2,3. A fifth and even more powerful angel called loudly and stopped the other four angels from doing any more damage until he had sealed in their foreheads, those who had turned to the Lord in distress. This group is in the next verse. This sealing may have involved special ability in their minds to learn and understand God’s purposes. It may also have implied an actual physical mark on their foreheads, which would identify them to all as being under God’s protection. We will see later how this is blasphemously imitated by the beast, causing people to take a mark on their forehead or arm. In Rev. 22:3,4 Christ’s name will be in forehead of saints. 

v 4. Though many Jews and Gentiles were being saved, God sealed only 144,000 Jews. The new temple was under construction, Rev. 11:1, and these were needed to minister the things of the Lord in fulfillment of Isa. 29:20 Study this some more. God did not give a reason why he chose the 144,000, other than 12,000 from each of 12 tribes of Israel. These were not saved before the Church was caught up prior to the Tribulation, or they would have been caught up then. They may have been saved by the testimony of the two witnesses. Though others were saved, these are sealed as first fruits.

v 5. The order is no doubt important to God, but irrelevant to us. (See the comments through verse 8.) Judah, the fourth son of Jacob was given the scepter, Gen. 49:10, and he is listed first. Most of the Apostles were probably also from that tribe. Reuben was firstborn and listed next, even though he had committed incest. No reason is given for Gad’s position, but Jacob prophesied, Gen. 49:19, “he shall overcome at the last.”

v 6-8. The positions of several is not clear. Dan is the only tribe not listed.  The tribes of Dan and Ephraim were the first to go into idolatry, and perhaps  Dan suffered some of the warning of Deut. 29:18-21. Their names are replaced by Joseph and Levi, and  here, Ephraim is called Joseph. However, all 12 tribes are mentioned in the Kingdom age, Rev. 21:12. Sometimes Ephraim and Manissa are listed as sons of Joseph and Levi is not listed, but all thirteen, including Levi, are in the Millennia Kingdom. At the last, the twelve gates of Jerusalem will be the names of the twelve actual original sons of Jacob.  For 144,000 see also Rev. 14:1-5.

v 9. Besides the Jews, an innumerable number of Gentiles from every nation and language have been reached by the Gospel and are saved in the last half of the Tribulation. That they are mostly Gentiles is shown when the question is asked, v13, and answered,14. Believers of the Church Age were raptured from the Tribulation while these come out of it. The three groups described in chapters 6 and 7 would be those saved and martyred in the first half, the 144,000 Jews sealed in the first half, and those martyred in the last half. Not mentioned here are those Tribulation saints who live on into the millennium. Kings and conquerors of the mid east were welcomed with palm branches and shouts of joy.  At the triumphal entry, Jesus offered himself as king and was welcomed with palm branches. but then rejected. Here he is truly welcomed as King. These have white robes in addition to the earlier martyrs in white robes. That they are standing before the throne indicates John’s vision was of a future time when they wave palm branches.

v10. They are rejoicing because, v14, they have been delivered and their robes have been washed white in the blood of the Lamb, saved by the blood. A similar cry to Hosanna at triumphal entry, Lk. 19:40.

v 11,12. The group in the anthem of Rev. 5:9-14 are joined by this great multitude in this seven fold praise. worshiping God and honoring those martyred saints. A difference, in 5:12 the Lamb is worthy to receive riches. In

7:12 God receives thanksgiving.

v 13. The elder asks a rhetorical question to inform John.

v 14. John answered respectfully he didn’t know who the white robed multitude was. The answer was that these had come out of great tribulation and had washed their robes white in the blood of the Lamb. They were unsaved at the time of Rapture. They will be people who had never heard the Gospel enough to accept or reject it. They are all martyred, and those believers not martyred, will live on into the millennia kingdom. Notice we were told in Rev. 3:10 that a the Church was kept out of the hour of  temptation, but these came out of great tribulation.

v 15. These martyrs will receive the crown of life, James 1:12; Rev. 2:10. They will also have the special privilege of serving Him day and night in the temple in the Millennium. There is no temple after that.

v 16.. This is quite the opposite of the starvation and persecution they had been experiencing in their martyrdom.

v 17 Christ will personally provide sustenance and comfort to them. This is physical water as will issue from the temple, Ezek 47:1-5, but also spiritual water, as promised the woman at the well, Jn. 4:10-14. Christ is the water of life for the thirsty soul, and provider of water for the body. These were comforting words to those starving in the tribulation, knowing there will be no cause for tears in the future life. These apply to all believers. As we prepare for the following chapters we need to realize what God is doing with  judgments to this point and the severe ones yet to come: He is dealing with the apostate church for rejecting Him in our day. ; He is dealing with Israel for rejecting their Messiah. ; He is dealing with Gentiles for their corrupting and persecuting Israel. ; He will deal with Satan for being the motivating force of all evil.

Revelation  08

 v 1. When the seventh seal was opened, it was greeted with awful silence, the only silence mentioned in this book. This reprieve in judgment lasts only a literal half hour. All in heaven stand in awe, as they expected other judgments to immediately fall, as when other seals were opened.  The opening of the seventh seal marks the mid point of the tribulation period (Though it could be after the opening of the sixth seal) and is like a lull before the storm. Ps 46:10 Be still and know that I am God. Out of the seventh seal, which gives a view of the last half of the Tribulation, came the seven trumpets. Out of them came the seven vials, each thing increasing in intensity. They do not follow the seventh seal but are a part of it.

v 2. Seven arch angels are each given trumpets with which to usher in judgments. They may have been assigned their position when angels were created in the first day of creation, right after God stretched out the heavens, Ps. 104:1-5. God made his angels spirits and later laid the foundations of the earth, probably the third day, when God made dry land appear. Their trumpets are not the trump of God. Neither were they for music but to convey a message as the trumpets of O.T. Israel. The first six seals revealed judgments as a result of man’s unrestrained wrath. The first six trumpets reveal Satan’s practically unrestrained activity. God has allowed Satan limited authority over natural forces as in Job 1 & 2. The bowl judgments are from the hand of God.

v 3. A mightier angel than the seven appears before them, acting as a high priest. This angel is not Christ because He is on the throne holding the seven sealed book. He brings the incense, which is the life and works of Christ that make the prayers for deliverance and vengeance effective.  It gives these prayers a sweet smell which pleases God. This was symbolic, as Christ is the only mediator between God and man. The prayers are made in His name. The prayers which the elders held, Rev. 5:8, are mixed with these. Prayers of suffering saints that had appeared unanswered, are also here.

v 4. Wise men brought frankincense to Christ, who became our sacrifice.  As the high  priest offered incense mingled with prayers, the angel offers prayer of saints with incense before heavens golden altar.

v 5 The censer of sweetness becomes a vessel of wrath as he casts the fire of judgment to earth. The indication is that God has heard and is finally answering. Suffering saints are vindicated as God takes vengeance on those who don’t know Him, 2 Thess 1:6-8. The silence is broken by  thunder and lightning (without rain) and  violent earthquake. The voices must be from the terrified on earth instead of voices in heaven.

v 6. Verse 5 was just a prelude to judgments to follow. The angels with trumpets have waited a long time for this moment and they prepared to sound.

v 7. First trumpet. Hail, fire, blood and a third of foliage destroyed. The devastation of the Yellowstone forest fires are nothing compared to this. This miracle of fire and blood may be blood red water with fire from a comet or volcano, with updrafts generating hail. The fires on an earth plagued by draught will be so intense that a third part of forest and prairie will be consumed. This will be a rebuke to environmentalists that are making nature their god.

v 8. Second trumpet. A great burning mass, possibly a nuclear device of man, but probably a meteorite or some other heavenly body that poisons the water with it’s gases, a direct act of God. It is cast into the sea, a third of which becomes at least a blood red color.

v 9. A third of sea life dies, and the impact of the object will cause such gigantic tsunami waves that a third of ships will be destroyed. This will be worldwide, but men still rebel against God. . Third trumpet. The first object from space was solid and caused an impact, but this burning object disintegrates, spreading it’s poison over a third of the rivers and aquifers, and causing many deaths. 

v 11. Wormwood is a deadly, bitter liquor ingredient known as absinthe. It was in the stupefying drink which Christ refused at Calvary. It is also used in making a poisonous product in France. In Jer. 9:15 wormwood represents bitterness and sorrow. Loss of life in the last two judgments may have been limited, but many people die as a result of the poisoned water sources. 

V 12. Fourth trumpet. A third part of sun, moon and stars darkened resulting in 16 hour days. Luke 21:25,26 warned of these heavenly signs and men’s hearts failing for fear. See Matt. 24:22 for troubles so great people couldn’t survive 24 hour days. Scientists can not understand this phenomenon, but God who created all things does. This no doubt cooled the earth, but what other effects we do not know.

v13. Four of the seven trumpets have sounded with serious results, but another angel  pronounces triple woe (the first woe), because the next three trumpets are going to be so much worse. Some ancient manuscripts call this angel an eagle. Ass of Num. 22 could speak, so could an eagle. Judgment falling as an eagle dives for prey. Or an angel with the appearance of an eagle, as a face of one living creature was of an eagle.

 Revelation. 09

 The first four trumpet judgments were directed toward the physical world and only affected men indirectly. The next judgments are upon man, and involve Satan and his host of fallen angels, who were created on the first day of creation along with the other angels. Satan was the chosen cherub of God, but he wanted to be above other angels and be like God, Isa. 14:13. A third of the angels sided with Satan, and he was banished to the earth, Ezek. 28:17. He could have been cast into outer space, but God allowed him to test man, to see if man would follow him or God. Of course Adam and Eve fell, but God promised that Satan would eventually be crushed, and God provided a means of sacrifice for sin. The demon possessed men of the world perished in the flood and those demons were removed and reserved for judgment. Satan has continued to try to deceive and exercise power over men. Here he will be unleashing his wrath upon man.
John’s descriptions of visions are accurately recorded but can not be adequately described by the limitations of human language and time frame.  We can know they are just comparisons if he uses “like, as, as it were”. To illustrate, our youth class composed how the people of John’s day might have described a steam engine coming down a railroad track: “A huge beast with the speed and noise as of a herd of buffaloes. One eye as bright as the sun and it cast it’s light before it day and night. It’s voice was louder than a lion that roared over it’s prey, and black smoke issued from it’s nostril. It clung to a trail as of solid rock, moving not to the right or left away from it.”

v  1. Fifth trumpet. Satan is the star literally fallen from heaven from the day he sinned, Ezek. 28:15. (1) In Isa. 14:12 and perhaps Luke 10:18 he fell from his position of Excellency. (2) He has some degree of access to the heavens as an accuser as seen in Job 1 and 2 and Rev. 12:9. (3) When Christ ascended he was judicially cast out, that is he is sentenced to death, but the execution does not take place until after the Millennium and the final battle. In spite of all the power he wields, we need to remember, Satan is a defeated foe. See  the threefold overcomers notes on 12:11. (4) At Rev. 12:9 He is finally cast to earth, being defeated from the heavenly area of angels, which would not necessarily deprive him of being the prince of the power of the air.  Christ has the keys of death and Hades, Rev. 1:18, but as he gave Satan limited power over Job, he now gives him limited authority  to open the pit and release these terrible demons on the earth. Satan is angry that so many men have turned to God, so now, in his wrath, he and his demons are allowed to torment men. The keys are retrieved from Satan at some point before a different angel takes them and binds Satan there in Rev. 20:1. “Keys” is less confusing if we think of them in terms of “Authority”. Not necessarily a transfer of the key, but a withholding of the authority that was given him temporarily.

v 2. To be bottomless, this pit would be in the center of the earth. It is only to this, of the various compartments of Hades, that Satan is given the key. Great billows of smoke from the earths internal heat and pressure will darken the world.

v3. Smoke like a furnace as at Sodom and Gomorrah would be frightening enough, without the demons described in 7-10 as locusts having animal like  characteristics. Demons are spirit but like to take on the form of something, as those that entered into the 2000 swine at Gadara or as Satan as a serpent to Eve. These demon creatures desire to destroy men before Christ can save them.

v 4. Normal locusts destroy plant life, but these are commanded from God to hurt only the men God has not sealed in the forehead. This would be the 144,000, but no unbelievers.

v 5. They were not to kill but to torment excruciatingly for a limit of five months. Some of this torture may have been actual demon possession.

v 6. Those tormented will want to die but can not even commit suicide.

v 7-10. Joel’s prediction of locusts, Joel 2:2, 4 may have also had a far fulfillment in these demonic creatures. Unable to put their description in terms that could be understood, John uses, “like, as, as it were”. He gave these locusts an eight point overall description: Horses going to battle, crowns like gold,  as men’s faces, as women’s hair,  as breastplates of iron, as lions teeth, wings sounding like chariots going to battle, and like scorpion, their tails inflicted pain. Again we note the limitation God places upon  them.

v 11. Unlike real locusts, these fallen angels have a king. His names, Abaddon, or Apollyon, are both Greek names for destroyer. This we know normally refers to Satan, but here it is possibly one of Satan’s chief demons, not Satan himself. He is chief over all the fallen groups.

v 12  Men on earth may hear and see the flying angels from God. There was little relief as the flying angel announced to any who could hear, that one woe was past, but two more were to come. The second woe is the sixth trumpet. which is sounded.

v 13. Sixth trumpet. In the OT, persons clung to the horns of the altar for mercy, but now an angel, or probably the Lamb, speaks forth from the altar in judgment.

v 14. His voice, commands the sixth angel to loose the four demonic angels from where they have been bound in the Euphrates. They are in charge of 200 million demons. We don’t know when they were bound, but surely in some connection to this wicked place. This is where Satan’s seat was, the center of idolatry corrupting the world clear into the Church Age.   The garden of Eden was watered from springs, and this fountain of the deep was broken up by Noah’s flood, so the present Euphrates is not the original. Perhaps that one is where they are somehow bound. The Euphrates is important as the area of the Garden of Eden, the first murder, Nimrod’s religion with the resultant confusion of languages at the tower of Babel, the call of Abraham, Queen Esther’s supplication for Jews, and the place of Daniel and friends in Israel’s 70 year captivity.

v 15.  The demonic locusts have been prepared and reserved for this particular moment. The previous plague lasted 5 months and men could not die. These will torment 13 months, and a third of the people will be killed. With those of the fourth seal, deaths now total half the population.

v 16,17. These 200 million are not horsemen as we know them. They were specially created by God for this time, and were possessed by the demons  when they came out of the Euphrates. The bodies of the riders merge into the bodies that are like horses. The  riders have armor of fire, jacinth and brimstone, and their heads are like lions. They breath out fire smoke and brimstone, possibly involving sulfur. John saw these creatures so they are not figurative but real, like fire breathing dinosaurs of past. (We will see God’s supernatural army in Rev. 19.

v 18,19. The likeness to tanks with machine guns and flame throwers causes some to speculate this is a huge army of Kings of the East from the Orient crossing the Euphrates to do battle in the holy land as in Rev. 16:12. However that is for the battle of Armageddon, whereas this is earlier. These are fearsome and deadly. It is not said if the demons are returned to the Euphrates. Henry M Morris speculates they may  finally be killed by military etc.

v 20. These things should cause people to turn to God, but If men finally repelled them, they trust in their own strength and do not repent, but they go into extreme idolatry.

v 21. Those who understood the gospel but rejected it before the Rapture are given a strong delusion to believe a lie, 2 Thess. 2:10,11, and continue in their corruptions. Sorceries is Greek “pharmakia”, or our word Pharmacy. It was originally the mixing of drugs and poisons used by magicians. This would indicate that wide scale use of drugs will increase in the Tribulation, along with stealing, murder, and illicit sex.

  Revelation 10

 v1.  The mid point of the Tribulation was when the seventh seal was opened in Chapter 8; Chapters 10 an 11 do not advance the chronology of the book, but are an interlude in which the mighty angel and the two witnesses are introduced. The facts presented here help us understand better the total prophetic picture. Scholars are divided on whether the mighty angel is Christ or one representing Christ. At first reading it seems apparent that he would be Christ. I will not be dogmatic, but will take the view that this is a grand representative of Christ. This mighty angel is dressed to represent Christ, but is not Christ. Christ is in heaven, His feet don’t touch earth, v 2, till they touch the Mt. of Olives at the end of the Tribulation. While Christ  appeared as an angel in the O.T., after His incarnation, death and resurrection he is described in his glorified state. Christ will not be seen in a cloud until he comes in glory. In v 6 Christ would have sworn by Himself (As sometimes God has done), but the angel swears by Christ, the Creator. The angel is dressed in a special way as he is Christ’s special representative. As Moses face shone, this angel’s face shines from being in the presence of Christ. Note similar reflected glory by the angel in 18:1. The feet as fire represent judgment.

v 2. This little book has a portion of what is mentioned in the larger seven sealed book of 5:1, which contained the title deed to the earth. When the angel puts his feet on the land and the sea, he is claiming for Christ what the deed says belongs to Him. The sea or waters symbolize the peoples of the world, 17:15, and the land in Scriptures refer to the Israelites. Therefore, as God promised Joshua that every place the sole of his feet trod would be given to him, so this angel claims the nations and Israel for God’s plan in the end times.

v 3. With a voice like a lion, he represents Christ, the lion of the tribe of Judah. Not only the angel’s  loud voice, but seven thunders emphasize the point.

v 4. The only time John is told not to write what he heard, he can not record what the seven thunders said. It was not time for them to be revealed so John was to seal them up. Maybe they are revealed later because Rev. 22:10 says to not seal the prophecies for the time is at hand.

v 5,6. The vow, there will be no more delay. That is, things are now set in motion for the judgment, which will be in three and one half years, the millennium and events following, and then time will be no longer.
With his hand to heaven, the angel compares to the one in Dan. 12:7 in the words, action and appearance.

The mighty angel confirms creation to be by the Lord, and swore by the Lord. (Those who think this was Christ use Heb. 6:13 to prove  Christ swore by Himself.)

v 7. Perhaps the seventh trumpet will echo for three and one half years, “the days of the voice of the seventh angel”. Then the mystery of God, which has to do with when the kingdom will be established on earth, will be completed. This includes the whole purpose and plan of God: the Gentiles, Church, existence of evil, suffering etc. The kingdom had previously been announced to O.T., prophets. Before the ascension, the disciples asked, “Wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” In the Revelation the souls under the altar are wondering when they will be avenged. Now it is revealed that when the seventh angel begins to sound, the stage is set for the answer of the petition in the Lord’s Prayer, “Thy kingdom come.” 

v 8. John is addressed from heaven for the third time (Rev. 4:1; 10:4), and is told to take the scroll from the mighty angel. 

v 9. Apparently John’s body had resurrection ability to transcend space and go to the angel. The command to eat the book was not to physically consume it. To eat was to understand it and apply it to his life. In Jeremiah 15:16 he did not actually eat pages, but he read and enjoyed the Word. In Psalm 19:10 the Word is sweeter than honey. In Ezek. 2:8-3:4 it was also sweet as honey, but the message was bitter. Here it will be sweet - bitter. The word to John will be sweet, but responsibility of judgment entrusted to believers he represents is bitter. The coming kingdom is sweet but the cost to people and Israel is bitter. Salvation is sweet but persecution is bitter.

v 10. John found the words at first to be sweet, Christ was going to be victorious. Further understanding was bitter as he realized the terrible judgments that were going to be poured out before the kingdom is established. Apparently believers are observers in the first half of the Tribulation, but we will participate with Christ in the last half. Sharing with Christ is sweet, but we will weep with Christ when unrepentant humans die. Many today find the Word of God to be sweet till they find out what it will cost them in commitment and obedience. They are happy that we have a God of love, but revolt at the thought of a God of wrath.

v 11. John is to take up his pen again and write what he sees . There are people in all positions he is to write to and about,  so they may yet read the book of Revelation. His proclamation, worse is yet to come.  

 Revelation 11

v1. Jesus told the disciples that the temple would be destroyed, and it was, about 25 years before this writing. John knew it would be rebuilt, but had no idea when. The 10 nation confederacy king will make a seven year treaty with Israel, Dan. 9:27, and allow them to rebuild the temple under the auspices of the Antichrist, and it’s sacrifices reinstated. Defeat of Russian and Moslem allies, Ezek. 38, may allow them to quickly tear down the Dome of the Rock and erect their temple. Much of the first three and one half years is involved in this. John’s witness will be to these people. Measuring the temple and the worshipers did not involve size, but spiritual standard. The temple and altar, reconstructed by covenant with a godless dictator, are an insult to the Lamb who had offered one sacrifice for sin forever. Moses tabernacle was built after a heavenly pattern with the worship as God commanded. Worship in this temple will culminate in worship of the Antichrist, sitting “in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God”, 2 Thess. 2:4. With the rod, John literally measured the temple and counted people, but cubits or numbers is not the main issue, both are being measured to see if they meet the standard Christ will demand when he takes possession. The worshipers of the temple will come short when measured by God’s standard. Therefore they will enter a time of trouble, Jer. 30:7; Dan. 12:1; Matt. 24:21 and initiated Rev. 11:13, but most of the rest of the book is God’s judgment on Gentiles. Christ will build His perfect temple (Ezekiel’s temple) in the Millennium.

v 2. The outer court of the Gentiles is not measured. God says literally to cast it out because He has rejected it. He is dealing directly with the Jews to purify them first. Judgment on Babylon will come later  The Western Prince, Antichrist, is becoming irritated with the Jews and their offensive sacrifices. The 144,000 who had been saved and sealed were preaching everywhere, immune to harm. The 42 months are up at mid tribulation, and the Antichrist will break covenant with the Israelites and force all men to worship him. Jerusalem and the temple will be trampled by Gentiles until the end of the Tribulation, when the Times of the Gentiles will be fulfilled, Luke 21:24.

The Ministry of the Witnesses of God 11:3-14

v 3.Who are these witnesses? Some believe Elijah and Enoch. Hebrews 9:27 These two didn't experience physical death, so they were sent back to die that physical death in a martyr's death. Others believe that they are Elijah and Moses. Elijah: Malachi 4:5-6 predicts that Elijah was to be sent by God during that great and dreadful day of the Lord Mt 17:11 Also Elijah because he talked with Jesus when Moses talked to Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. One of the two repeats the ministry of preventing rain for some three years as Elijah had done. 1 Ki 17:1 cf Rev 11:6Jude 9 informs us that Satan attempted to acquire Moses dead body so that God would not be able to use him against the Antichrist. One of the witnesses turns water into blood as Moses had done, Ex 7:19 cf Rev 11:6 Mt 17:3 Henry F. Morris has given some very good arguments for his belief that the mighty angel is Christ, but the hardest to refute are the words: “My two witnesses”. The idea is that only Christ would have said, “My two witnesses”. On the other hand, as Christ’s representative, the angel could be repeating what Christ has told him. At least we can say positively that the angel is either Christ or His representative. While it is not stated in which half of the Tribulation the two witnesses serve, it can be assumed (almost dogmatically) it is in the first half. They probably led the sealed 144,00 to the Lord (unless there is a gap between the Rapture and the Tribulation), as well as many of the multitude who are saved then. The Antichrist tries to get rid of them but is not successful till God permits it at the middle of the Tribulation.

v 4. These are the two anointed ones, the anti type of the two olive trees standing before God in Zechariah 4:2,3,14. Then there was one candlestick, here they are two candlesticks, (to represent Jews and Gentiles?). Lamp stands are powered by olive oil, a type of the Holy Spirit who empowered them. I refute the speculation of some that they might be the two men (angels) who stood by the tomb in shining garments, Lk. 24:3, 4, and the two men in white apparel who stood by at the ascension, Acts 1:10.

v 5. Either fire proceeds directly from their mouths to kill their enemies or with their mouths they call upon God to send fire from heaven to consume them as Elijah did in 2 Kings 1:9-12. Some think that as the Lord told Jeremiah in 5:14 “I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them”, this will just be the convicting word from their mouths. That view is not consistent with their other miracles and the killing aspect. They will be protected like the 144,000,  and their attackers will be consumed as if by fire, 2 Thess. Rev.  2:8,2:16;19:15  Our God is, or as a consuming fire, Deut. 4:24;9:3;Heb 12:29.

v 6. These are literal men, if from the past. Probably Moses and Elijah as they perform very similar miracles, shutting up heaven so it can’t rain, fire, water turned to blood and plagues. The draught coincides with the third seal at the beginning of tribulation, Rev, 6:s5,6, followed by famine. Moses and Elijah were both involved in the violent deaths of large groups of men who opposed them, and both involved at the transfiguration vision. Jews have long required two witnesses, and would lean toward Moses and Elijah. Also Christ infers the prophecy about Elijah coming in Malachi 4:5 was only partially fulfilled in John the Baptist. Some think they are Elijah and Enoch as both were translated without dying, and it is appointed for men once to die, Heb. 9:27. That would eliminate Moses as he died once. But some would say Moses as representing the O.T. saints who have died, Enoch representing the Church caught away without dying. However, I reject the theories of Enoch, remembering  that God is dealing with Jews, not the Church, and pre-flood Enoch is totally out of context. (Of course many Gentiles will be saved then.) Still others, and I disagree, feel they are simply two contemporary witnesses that God chose. Most important of course is to realize that it is not the witnesses, but the power God has delegated to their use. The 42 month tyranny of Gentiles over Jerusalem and rule of the Beast was only possible when these two witnesses died. The restraint of weather fronts allow evaporation to reestablish the vapor barrier aloft, and may make for the fine environment in the Millennium. The plagues of the first 42 months were thus originated by both heaven and the two witnesses. Men probably attributed most of it to the witnesses, adding to the hatred toward their preaching.  .

v 7. After 3 1/2 years being invulnerable and destroying their attackers, they will finally be killed by the beast from the bottomless pit. He is the same beast in Dan. 7 and “the prince that shall come”, Dan. 9:26, the one who made a deal with Israel for building the temple. This is a man, the Antichrist. Perhaps it says he is from the bottomless pit, because he is Satan incarnate. At least he is aware that it is Satan who has enabled him to have his power, and the witnesses who have thwarted him. He wages all out war to get them, and now succeeds only because the 1260 days are completed, and the witnesses have finished the ministry God sent them to do. This beast is not a resurrected individual, as Satan can not do that. However it may be one who had an “out of this world experience”, appeared dead, and remained in a state of animation for some time before reviving. He is not a false Christ, but Antichrist, and multitudes will follow him, after his supposed power over the witnesses.

v 8. Their bodies will lie in the street in Jerusalem without even the decency of burial. Even with renewed temple and religion, Jerusalem has become so corrupt in apostasy and rejection of God it is called Sodom, a wicked place, or Egypt, a place that persecuted God’s people.

v 9,10. There will be rejoicing world wide as people who didn’t like to have their sin exposed see these bodies on satellite TV. At Christmas we (theoretically) give gifts because of Christ and what He has done. These people give gifts because of what the  Antichrist has done. They think the prince has removed the restrainers and defeated Christ.

v 11. After the three and one half days, with television cameras still rolling, the dead stinking bodies of the witnesses rise upon their feet. Revelry turned to hysteria, and some may have died from fear.

v 12. As TV cameras zoom in, everyone will hear the thunderous voice calling these men to “Come up hither”, the same words John heard Rev, 4:1.  Like Christ at the ascension, they are caught up and seen to disappear in a cloud, possibly the Shekinah glory.

v 13. So people would know this was of God, immediately the earth began to quake and a tenth of the city was destroyed with 7,000 killed. The frightened multitude were forced to admit this was from God, but they did not repent,and judgment fell.

v 14. At this horrendous mid point in the Tribulation, the call came from heaven that the second woe was past and the third was coming. This was probably uttered by the angel flying through the midst of heaven, Rev. 8:13. This is worse because it is the same as the judgment of the seventh trumpet, which will include all seven of the vial judgments. It will span all three and one half remaining years of tribulation, climaxing in destruction of the wicked and complete purging of the world.

v 15. This last of the seven trumpets is not the trump of God at the Rapture, 1 Cor. 15:52; 1 Thess 4:16,17, but the last trumpet call of the angels. Not the last trumpet any more than the last day in Jn. 5:40; 11:24 are not the last day of time. The stage is being set for all kingdoms of the world to rise up against Christ, and be defeated. Under some of the sealed judgments man brings destruction upon himself. Under the trumpets Satan is given a large degree of power to destroy. Now God is about to unleash His wrath. It is not stated that these loud voices in heaven are heard on earth, but is an announcement in the heavens that the eternal kingdom of Christ is imminent. It is so certain it is spoken of as though it were already here.

v 16. At this midpoint of tribulation, again the elders fall down and worship God as they see things unfolding.

v 17. It is better to say Christ has shown Himself as king, because he is not yet literally reigning. They can readily see that he will be though, just as if it had already happened. 

v 18. In contrast, the nations are becoming increasingly angry and have given allegiance to the beast. They are building up to the point in 19:19 where they actually and futilely declare war on God.  Few will now be saved. Certain definite acts of the end time are enumerated. The day of wrath including final judgments of the Tribulation, the judgment of the wicked dead at the Great White Throne, believers will have stood before the Judgment Seat of Christ and will have been rewarded, and God is ready to bring final judgment on Satan, the beast and the false prophet. The period of the seventh trumpet extends to Christ’s return. 

v 19. Heaven was opened four special times. 1. At the Rapture to take away the church before the Tribulation. 2. In Rev. 4:1,2 To let John see what was to be hereafter. 3. Here the temple was opened to encourage God’s people. 4. In Rev. 19:11 For the second coming of Christ at Armageddon. In the midst of all the chaos on earth, God gives John a glimpse into heaven to show by the ark that  He is still a God of love and mercy to those who call upon Him. The service of priests on earth were a pattern of the things in heaven, Heb. 8:5; 9:23,24. Men wonder where the ark has gone, whether some place on earth, or caught up to heaven. In regard to the latter, again, the things of the earthly tabernacle were just a pattern of the true in heaven. Perhaps the earthly ark will be brought to light in the Millennium.The draught ordered by the two witnesses is broken after their resurrection in a violent storm of lightning, hail, and probably rain. Compare this with the down pour when the three year draught ordered by Elijah,1 Ki. 17:1, was ended after the defeat of the prophets of Baal at Mt. Carmel, 1 Ki. 18:45.

Revelation`12

Chapter 12 is the key to the book of Revelation and the Bible. Many think the woman is the Church and the twelve stars in her crown  are the twelve apostles who founded it, that being one version the other one being:    The Woman is not the virgin Mary or the Church but is a figure of speech referring to a particular people and nation, Israel. (1)The sun, moon and twelve stars can be compared to Joseph’s dream in Gen. 37. While he referred to his immediate family, that family became the twelve tribes of Israel. (2)The woman is further identified as about ready to deliver a child. The child is identified in v 5 as the Lord Jesus Christ who will rule with a rod of Iron. (Compare Ps. 2:9; Rev. 2:27 and 19:15). (3)Israel is also described as a woman in travail, Micah 4:9,10. (4)The virgin Mary will not be on earth during the Tribulation when this woman is persecuted. (5)”Being, travailing and pained are in the Greek present tense indicating continuous action. Israel has been expecting since Abraham. (6)Israel is described in Isa. 54:5 as the wife of God, whereas the Church before the Rapture is the espoused bride of Christ.

 v 1. The opening of the seventh seal in 8:1 marked the middle of the Tribulation, but the events of chapter 12 occur almost simultaneously, as if following the seventh trumpet at 12:1. Though this marks the beginning of the last half of tribulation, John goes back in vision to the beginning of earth history, so he can understand what is to be revealed. “Wonder” is sign, so John is telling us that the immediate vision is symbolic rather than literal, for no woman was arrayed in the sun and stood on the moon. The implication is that most of Revelation is to be taken literally. Where the Bible is to be understood figuratively, the immediate or broad context enables us to understand the meaning. The two witnesses have finished their testimony and the Antichrist has broken his covenant with Israel. Chapter 12 is inserted to reveal Satan’s lifelong conflict with Christ and Israel, and presents the history and future of the nation of Israel. It deals only with the nation of Israel.

v 2. (It is true that the seed of woman goes back to Eve, so in a sense,, all believers  have been in travail . There is perpetual enmity between the children of the devil and the spiritual offspring of the woman, culminating in Christ on the cross. \

v 3. The Great Red Dragon is Satan, positively identified so in v9, the same as the serpent, or Satan, in the garden. Red dragon refers to his cruelty and  murders, John 8:4. Seven heads refer partially to the perfection of beauty he had as Lucifer, Ezekiel 28:12. The heads and crowns especially relate to his authority over the Antichrist in 13:1 and the government in 17:9,10. (see notes on v9,10). The ten horns refer to the ten nation empire of the Tribulation.
The dragon’s seven heads each had crowns, indicating the power of kings. They are interpreted, Rev. 17:10 as seven kingdoms of the past, and the to horns are represented in Rev. 17:12 as kings of the end times. Similar to vision of Daniel, except his vision had one head and ten horns. Later, in Rev. 17 we will see the identification of these kings. They are under the domain of Satan. Nations are governed by law, and to the extent these are based on the laws of God, nations will conform to God rather than Satan. Our nation is rapidly denying relationship of God’s laws to ours, and we see the corrupting results. As a whole, nations have united with the guiding spirit of the fiery dragon.

v 4. This was the fall of Satan into sin described in Isaiah 14:12-17.  The faithful angels in 5:11 were counted in billions, so even a third following Satan was an immense number. Satan is not omnipresent, but his helpers make him effective throughout the world even though some are currently bound awaiting judgment, 2 Peter 2:4. These may be those who some think cohabited with men in Gen. 6:2-4 (or demonic possession).  Satan caused Eve to fall into sin, and from the time of Abel, Satan has sought to destroy the line through which Christ would be born. He corrupted mankind before the flood, defied God through Nimrod and the tower of Babel, caused Abraham to doubt and fear and lie, barren womb of Sarah, near destruction of Jacob, rejection of Jacob’s first three sons, slaying of Judah’s first two sons, the attempt to kill all Israelite boys at Moses’ birth, caused Moses to doubt, sought to have Saul kill David, only Jehoram’s youngest son was left alive, Athalia had all the seed royal killed but Joash escaped, attempts to corrupt or destroy many of Judah’s kings, Haman’s attempt to destroy all Jews, Herod’s slaughter of baby boys at Bethlehem, the 40 day temptations in the wilderness, people incited to riot tried to throw Christ over a cliff, possibly even the storm on the sea of Galilee while Jesus slept, evil pursuers at the pass overs seeking his life, at the crucifixion the dares to “come down from the cross”, etc.  were all attempts of Satan in his battle against Christ. At the cross Satan thought he was victorious, but through death, Christ destroyed the one who had the power of death, Heb. 2:14.  Satan continues to persecute the symbolic woman and her seed.

v 5. The Male Child, This is clearly  Jesus Ps. 2:7-9. Since nations did not submit willingly to Him, He will rule with a rod of iron and sharp sword from his mouth, Rev. 19:15. In a secondary sense, all believers will reign with Him, and as He was caught up to the throne of God at His ascension, today’s believers, two witnesses and possibly Tribulation,. saints are Raptured.

About 2000 years has elapsed between v 5 and 6.

v 6. This is a preview of v 13 where we will see at least some of Israel fleeing to Petra in Edom for safety. All earlier believers have been caught up, so this woman represents Israel persecuted in the last half of Tribulation. The seven year treaty had been broken and at this time Gentiles rule Jerusalem. This is the abomination of desolation and the fleeing Jesus mentioned, Mt. 24:15-21. Jews will flee quickly to the Transjordan area southeast of the Dead Sea, Moab, Ammon, Edom, Dan. 11:36-45, especially Petra, Isa. 16:1-5. God calls His people to this place, Isa. 26:20-21 and will feed them, probably miraculously.

v 7. Michael, the Archangel, is the protector of Israel and warrior against Satan. Satan has had some limited access to appear before God in heaven. This is born out by 12:10 where he accuses the brethren before God day and night. Also Rom. 8:34 tells us that Christ makes intercession for us. We know Satan appeared before God regarding Job, Job, 1,2 and against Joshua the high priest, Zech. 3:1,2 and the lying spirit, 2 Chro. 18:18-22. Demons have roamed freely above, Eph. 2:2;  6:12; Prince of Persia, Dan. 10:12,13,20. but now they are to be expelled, with Michael in charge of the holy angels.

v 8. Shortly after the middle of the Tribulation Satan is permanently cast out of all access to the heavens. God could have destroyed Satan with a word, but permits the angels who have had conflict with Satan for ages to do the job. Satanic forces are driven from the three heavens and are limited to earth. We can’t even imagine the supernatural battle among those who can cross the universe in the blink of an eye or change planet orbits. It is at this time that he so violently pursues the woman, Israel. Satan being cast out of heaven is the third woe mentioned in 8:13 and 9:1. He does not go willingly but along with his angels is forced out by Michael and his angels. Now the prince of the power of the air is limited to the earth.

v 9. This is the middle verse of Revelation. The names leave no doubt as to who is this deceiver, the originator of every false religion in the world. The common factor is not accepting God’s word as absolute. Satan has even deceived himself, thinking to succeed.

v 10. A victory cry rings out from heaven. No more conflict of accusations. Satan in Hebrew means "accuser".

v 11. Believers, even martyrs overcame by faith and confession, 1 Jn 2:9. The threefold way of overcoming. (1)By the blood of the Lamb. We are more than conquerors....Rom. 8:37. (2)By the word of their testimony, that is God’s Word. The sword of the Spirit is the Word of God, Eph. 6:17. (3)By willing to be martyrs, which there have been throughout history, but that only as God permitted.

v12. There will be rejoicing in heaven over Satan’s defeat, but terrible danger to those living on earth. The fury of Satan will be intensified, knowing his time is limited to the remaining last half of the Tribulation.

v 13. His anger will be concentrated upon Israel the woman through whom Christ came. This will be Satan’s first  war with her. He is behind the breaking of the 7 year covenant, and he desires to completely eliminate the Jews, who have produced a Redeemer in spite of him. The end result  of persecution will only bring them back to God, Hos. 2:14-23. . Perhaps eagle wings refer to angelic help, as the Lord bore Israel out of Egypt  on eagle wings, Ex. 19:4.

v 14. The second battle against Israel will be the pursuit into the wilderness by the Antichrist. The two wings are not airplanes as sensationalists would claim, but a figure of speech about God’s deliverance as in Exodus 19:4, “I bore you on eagle’s wings”. It will be a rapid, safe flight. This refuge in the wilderness may possibly be Petra in Edom. It is a valley surrounded by cliffs 1000- 2000 feet high and the entrance a canyon only 12-40 feet wide. It is prepared from old with excavations up to 300 feet high. As in v 5, the Jewish remnant symbolized by the woman will be fed and protected in their refuge for the last 1260 days.

v 15. This refuge may be the anti type to the cities of refuge in the O.T. A slayer fled to the city for refuge from the avenger of blood, who was a relative of the slain. The Jews who killed Christ admitting “His blood be upon us and upon our children” are fleeing to this refuge to escape vengeance from kin. This kin should be a man descended from Jesus’ own family or relative.  (Since the Antichrist is seen as the beast from the sea, the restless mass of Gentiles, this would need to be the False Prophet, who will be the beast from the land, a Jew - probably but not positively.) That they can be released instead of executed for premeditated murder is born out by Christ’s word’s,”Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. Also Paul in 1 Cor. 2:8, had they known they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory. In the O.T. the slayer was released upon the death of the high priest, but these will be released from refuge when Christ, the great high priest returns. The lay of the land does not lend itself to the idea of this flood being literal water. It is more likely a vast army sent in pursuit of Israel. This is consistent with Jer. 46:7,8, 47:2; Isa. 8:7, 59:19; Dan. 9:26, 11:22; Amos 8:8, 9:5 and Nahum 1:8 and others.

v 16. The earth swallowing the flood could be as the earth opened and swallowed up rebels, Num. 16:32; by earthquake, a desert sandstorm or a combination. In view of v.15, some think it might be friendly armies.

V 17. Unable to reach the protected group, Satan is even more enraged and seeks to destroy. The Israelite Remnant Satan will kill two thirds of the Jews according to Zachariah 13:8. This would account for the small area of Petra being large enough for a refuge. He will be so furious at the escape of some of Israel, that he will vent more wrath upon any Jews who had not fled or who live in any other part of the world. This will be the third  battle against Israel. It is not clear if the 144,000 are a part of that remnant, but since they are sealed and protected, they are probably in addition to it. Neither is it clear if this battle will also be part of the battle of Armageddon, chapter 19. 
The Trinity of God and counterfeit trinity of Satan:

The true Trinity and the false trinities

              Location

1. Ephesus   On the coast
2. Smyrna      35 miles northwest of Ephesus,
3, Thyatira      40 miles southeast of Pergamum                    
4, Sardis          thirty miles southeast of Thyatira           
5. Philadelphia  28 miles SE of Sardis               
6. Laodicea      45 miles southeast of Philadelphia and 100 miles east of Ephesus       

Revelation 13

Revelation 14

Revelation 15

Revelation 16

Seven Bowl Judgments

 The last half of Tribulation is starting. The seven angels are prepared to proclaim judgment. Probably no more will be saved. The Jewish remnant has fled. Purge is going on and those refusing the mark of the beast are hiding. Draught and famine continue.

v 1. No one else is in the temple for the smoke, so this is the voice of Christ. In previous judgments the orders went out one at a time, but here the command goes to all seven angels at once. This would be near the close of the Tribulation, and while there are similarities to some trumpet judgments, there are notable differences. Some affected one third of the world, these will affect the entire world and in greater intensity. Some of them also have similarity to the judgments on Egypt through Moses.  The bowls are probably not all poured out at once, but in rapid succession and in proper order for His purpose. Whereas destruction under the seals was basically from man and under the trumpets from Satan, these judgments are direct from God.

v 2. First Bowl The angel may fly around the earth, but at least the content of the bowl covers the earth. Unprecedented infectious ulcers afflict everyone who took the mark of the beast or worshiped his image, but somehow believers will be spared. This was either an outright plague, or the angel released something that reacted to the chemical making the mark. These putrid sores are worse than any thing ever experienced and cannot be healed.

v 3. Second Bowl  This falls on the sea causing the water to either congeal like blood or appear so in a toxic condition. All marine life in the sea dies. Imagine the stench of the sea itself, even more so with all the dead creatures washed up on shore. Also what this may do to ship traffic. 

v 4 Third Bowl  This angel is called the angel of waters, so God has an angel that watches over our water supply, or this is simply the angel who dumps his bowl on the rivers and fountains of water. The effect of the third bowl is to cause all rivers and fresh water sources to become blood, or like blood. It will not be as toxic as the seas, and people can drink it to survive.

v 5,6. The angel reports to God that this is righteous judgment, the people got what they were worthy of. Jesus had told the Jews they were responsible for blood of righteous from Abel to Zacharias.  Men had not only rejected the blood of Christ, but shed the blood of prophets and believers for centuries.  The angel considers it  fair that those who have shed the blood of God’s people be given blood to drink.

v 7. The unidentified voice from the altar agreeing with the angel of waters was possibly a martyr, whose blood has been avenged.

v 8,9. Fourth Bowl This is cast upon the sun, and the heat is intensified so that men are scorched by it. This is when the sun and moon are seven times brighter, burning men, Isa. 24:6. Christ said in Luke 21:25 that among other things there would be signs in the sun, perhaps this is part of it. There would be rapid evaporation, but great ice caps would melt and temporarily flood all coastal cities, which may be the flooding in Amos 9:5,6. Like people who strike their thumb blaspheme, none of the unsaved repent, they just blaspheme the God who could help them. Again we don’t know how believers survive, but we remember the three Hebrew young men in the fiery furnace.

v 10.  Fifth Bowl The effect of the fifth bowl is darkness poured on the very seat of the beast, which would be Babylon. The two major cities concerned, Jerusalem and Babylon, are high enough not to be affected by the coastal flooding or the rivers leading to the coast. The result would be thick darkness in his buildings and throughout the city area, but not all the world. This would be thick darkness like Moses called down upon Egypt.  (Some would say the darkness upon the throne of the prince of the power of the air and kingdom of the beast affected the entire world of unbelievers.) With the combination of the heat, sores and other plagues, they will gnaw their tongues for pain.

v 11. Their hearts are so hardened they prefer to blaspheme God and the Holy Spirit, the unpardonable sin, rather than repent. In fact, along with the beast, they may be eager for confrontation with the One who hurt them.

v 12. Sixth Bowl This is poured on the great river Euphrates, which has been navigable for about half of its 1800 miles. Due to dams which have been built, it is now dry or nearly so at times. The effect of long draught, melted ice caps and direct divine intervention causes the Euphrates to go completely dry. Perhaps effects of the earthquakes will draw the water underground. Hydroelectric plants, water systems and sewage will all be shutting down. Noah’s ark may be revealed, but not concern men.
False religion and demonic activity is profuse around and east of Babylon, so the kings of the east will readily gather to fight the One who is causing all this trouble. The drying of the Euphrates is not necessary for the armies to cross. Psychologically the barrier between east and west is broken. More important, the demonic horsemen had come from the Euphrates, and now it is dry sand and no demons. The mark of the beast was worldwide, and when he beckons, they are quick to respond.

VERSONS 13 TO 16 PREPARATION FOF ARMAGEDDON

v 13. John sees back into darkened Babylon, and an amazing thing takes place. Unclean spirits resembling frogs come from the mouth of each one of the Satanic trinity as they plan lies and strategy to draw all nations in a grand attempt to defeat the forces of Christ. People will listen to their deception.

v 14. Historically, leaders are often  led astray and people follow. Apparently through the miracles they persuade the leaders of all the world to bring their armies to the battle, actually war, of Armageddon. They are deceived into thinking they are coming to Israel to gain political advantage, but Satan plans to unite them in one large force against Christ. They want to defeat Him before He becomes their Judge. Satan certainly knows what the Scripture says will be the outcome of all this, so why does he continue?. He is not a believer, and cannot believe he will be defeated. I have a friend that can not believe his favorite team on TV will be defeated, no matter what the score, till the game actually ends. Yet from what Satan does believe, he is lashing out in wrath because he knows his time is short, Rev. 12:12.

v 15. This verse seems almost out of place, but it is addressed to believers or anyone else on earth who has refused the mark of the beast and managed to survive. Christ’s coming to earth will be as a thief, that is unexpectedly, upon those gathered for battle. If an officer of the temple caught a guard sleeping, he was struck with a stick and his garment burned as discipline. The remnant of believers on earth need to be watchful and living pure lives so they can keep their garments. Some think that from As. 50:5,6  believers on earth may be translated to Jerusalem to join the returned Jewish remnant there just before the Lord returns,

v 16. After the word of comfort to Tribulation saints, John goes back to the drawing of the unsaved to Armageddon for battle. Satan’s forces are successful in gathering these armies to Armageddon or hill of Maginot, near the town of Maginot, or Ha (Mount) Maginot. This is about 60 miles north of Jerusalem, overlooking the plain of Megiddo on the west and plain of Esdraelon (valley of Jezreel) on the northeast. Since those plains can not hold the 100’s of millions of soldiers of the earth converged upon Israel, they will be deployed throughout the following areas:
Maginot - North Palestine                          Salk. 12:11
Valley of Gearshift - N.E. near Jerusalem  Joel 3:2,12
Idumea, Edom - S.E.. of Jerusalem                    Is a. 34:6
Jerusalem and Judo                               Salk. 12:2; 14:2
Troops will probably also arrive from the gulf ports and the Mediterranean ships.
The beast thinks he has persuaded the armies to assemble, but the Lord is drawing them. The immense forces lay siege to Jerusalem, Salk. 6:2, for a while. They finally overcome part of the city and do damage, Salk. 14:2; Joel 3:3; Is a. 10:38-31. (But the Lord’s victories, Salk. 14:3; Joel 3:16; Safe. 3:8).
Daniel 11:45 tells us that that the Antichrist will set his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain. In other words he makes the area around Jerusalem as his base of operations. Salk. 14:1-4 indicate the nations will gain partial victory over the city, but then Christ will come and destroy their armies.

v 17. Seventh Bowl This bowl is the last judgment before the coming of the Lord, and greatest of the seven plagues. It is poured out into the air, the domain of the prince of the power of the air, and affects the entire system which he had claimed as his, see Matt. 4:8,9. As Christ called out from the cross regarding redemption, “It is finished”, now He calls out from the temple, “It is done”, there is no escape from judgment. Notice the six “greats” in this portion. Great voice, earthquake, city, Babylon, hail and plagues.

v 18. John had heard voices thundering and lightnings Rev. 4:5; 8:5 and 11:19 before the seal, trumpet and bowl judgments. At the last two there had been earthquakes. This great judgment is preceded by all of them and is world wide.  These are the greatest storms and earthquakes the world has ever known Hag. 2:6,7. Isa. 24:17-21; Joel 3:16.

v 19. The topography of the earth will be changed, large cities destroyed, Babylon specifically, and Jerusalem divided into three parts. Christ’s feet will touch the Mt of Olives and it will split from east to west , half of the mountain going north and half going south, and there will be a great valley, Zech. 14:4. (More about this and Babylon in later chapters.) Mt Zion remains untouched. The quake has opened an aquifer which becomes a river from Jerusalem, Zech 14:8.

v 20. Under the sixth seal mountains and islands were moved out of their places. Now great mountains and islands of the world will vanish. With the change of land mass and build up of atmospheric moisture during the time of no wind, things will be preparing for the beautiful earth of the millennium, more like before Noah’s flood.

v 21.  Job 38:22,23 says God has treasuries of hail reserved for days of trouble, battle and war, and this is one of those times. The earthquakes and mountains shifting will be horrifying to the millions amassed for battle, but even more horrifying will be the stones from heaven weighing around 75-100 pounds, and from which there is no escape. This hail is not just frozen water, but the word in Rev. 8:7; 11:19 means anything falling. So these are also stones spewed from volcanos or meteorite debris. Men’s last minutes will be of terror, but it only causes these hardened sinners to blaspheme God more

Revelation 17
Doom of Religious Babylon

Babylon is not Rome as many of us have been taught. At the time John wrote there was still a city at Babylon with a substantial colony of Jews. The Babylonian Talmud was written there about 500 AD. There was a church there, 1 Pet. 5:13, but some say Peter was afraid to call it Rome. Timidity is out of character for Peter.  Paul wasn’t afraid to say Rome, and certainly John spoke the truth without fear. That was why he was in exile.

v 1. Much of Revelation is not in chronological order, so this angel may not yet have dumped his bowl of judgment. However, let us assume the angels have dumped their bowls, and one, probably the seventh, told John to come see the extraordinary judgment on he great harlot. She represents the apostate church, made up of apostate Protestantism, Catholicism, cults, apostate Judaism and the great pagan religions of the world. The waters on which she sits are described in v15 as people, indicating the woman will have world wide control. Jer. 51:7 and Isa. 47:7 were written about Babylonian people of their day, but with also a future fulfillment. If Babylon is called a whore,  it is because her idolatries had led many people to forsake God for idols, which is spiritual adultery.

v 2. Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylon is not in view here, but Nimrod’s kingdom which became the source and pit of evil rebellion against God. With the confusion of tongues, not only known Biblical truths, but Nimrod’s religious system were scattered to all parts of the world. False religions of every race stem from “drinking the wine” of Babel, resulting in the apostate church. The rulers of the world join with this woman using the apostate church to unite and control the people. The church in turn uses them for political preference and power.

v 3. John is translated in the spirit to another time and place to observe the whole history of Babylon’s corruption. John had previously seen the beast with seven heads and ten horns like the dragon. This dragon of chapter 17 is said to be the eighth with seven kings preceding him. The beast on which the woman rides is symbolic of the succession of dictatorial world governments empowered by Satan. The primary meaning of the beast here is political Babylon controlled by the dragon.
The woman sat upon the beast which was upon the waters, which symbolize the various nations, v 15. She is identified as Babylon the great in mystery form, v 5. The dragon empowers the beast, who empowers the woman, who makes the beast look beautiful, so he can more easily control. Harlot Babylon is a contrast  in type to chaste Jerusalem. The scarlet colored beast is obviously Antichrist, and  represents political Babylon and the whore is religious Babylon.  In this context, the beast allows the woman to sit on him as a state church because of the advantage it gives him in his rise to power in the first half of the Tribulation. The church in turn puts up with his blasphemy because of the political and military help it receives. These two, the political and the religious system, do not like each other, but they hang together for their personal gain.

v 4. Beautifully arrayed, the harlot seduces men to turn from God and enjoy her pleasure. Compare Prov. 5:3-5. Religious Babylon riding on political Babylon impresses people with costly temples, statues, temple prostitution in the name of gods and goddesses. This system established by Nimrod adapts to time. In our day, the purple and scarlet are the colors of Roman imperialism and the Roman Catholic Church. No one knows the total wealth of that church, even without the apostates of the wealthy Laodicean Church of chapter 3 that has united with it. The golden cup is the false gospel and spiritual adultery of the professing believers who are unfaithful to God. This is why as in the O.T. the Jewish nation was also called an adulteress. Even many Catholics recognize their church in this passage. I understand  they point to a time past, but this is united in one apostate church future.

v 5. In some ancient places harlots displayed their name covertly on there face or clothing, but this harlot displays her name boldly on her forehead. Several translations separate the word Mystery from her title because it describes her title. It may have been a mystery to John, but especially it is a mystery because of all the religious rites of Babylonianism that are incorporated in it. It originated with Nimrod at Babel and was carried into the Roman church. It includes the sign of the cross for Tammuz, keeping the public ignorant, and confessions, which puts every one under the control of the leader (black mail).  However, she is not limited to the Catholic Church. She is the mother of all harlots of the world, all the false religions, evolution, occult etc. This mystery form of Babylon has infected all nations and most religions.

v 6. This bloodthirsty aspect was true of Rome for centuries, and has been seen in communism and is rampant in Muslim societies throughout the world today. But this apostate religion will drip with blood of believers when the  Holy Spirit is no longer restraining. This explains John’s  “admiration”. which we would call awe or amazement.

v 7, The angel gives John a gentle rebuke, then explains. (The Church, the Bride of Christ was a past mystery not mentioned.) Here, Mystery Babylon, or all false religions, is the bride of Anti Christ, the beast that carries her. This is important information.

v 8. Satan does not control the keys of (authority over) the bottomless pit. Only Christ does. It is not Scripturally possible for the beast to be a resurrected individual. This is a man, the Antichrist. Ascending from the bottomless pit has to do with the Antichrist being Satan incarnate. The man is symbolic of the despotic world kingdom energized by Satan. Things to  Come, p335, “Rev. 17:8 does not teach that the head of the empire arose out of the abyss, but rather that the empire itself was brought about from the abyss or by Satan”.
Some would say this has a dual meaning of the Roman empire being, then practically diminishing, then to be restored in the 10 nation confederacy. However, as we saw earlier, Rome continues without reviving, but it is Babylon that revives. Obviously there is some type of apparent death and resurrection of the Antichrist. Whatever is real or fake, people will think Satan actually resurrected the Antichrist and will worship them, So it can be applied to either the man or the empire, that “he was, is not, and yet is”. Perhaps was is before he appeared to die, dead, when he is not, then apparently restored he is, but after judgment he will go into perdition.
Unsaved have never had their names written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, (see 20:15 notes) and they will will be amazed at the apparent revival of the beast. Believers are not surprised at the revival of the beast or of Babylon, because they have read this very portion written by John.

v 9. All believers have the privilege of wisdom the world does not have. (That does not mean believers must agree on all texts.) Many, including myself, have taught that the seven heads are the seven hills on which the Roman Catholic Church sits, but that is wrong. It sit all over the world, many cities have seven hills, and Rome has more than seven. A hill is not a mountain, and that word is used here. The seven mountains are seven kings, one of them being the beast in this chapter.

v 10. There are seven kings or literally kingdoms. The five fallen are 1, Egypt, 2, Assyria, 3, Babylon, 4, Medo-Persia, and 5, Greece. 6. The one in existence in John’s day was Rome. 7. The seventh head, or kingdom arising after John’s day exists only a ”short space”, about the first 42 months of the seven year treaty. This would coincide with the western alliance, which may include some but not all of NATO.

v 11. This beast, kingdom of the Antichrist, arises from the seven horns of the beast who appeared to die, yet lived, and his kingdom has never completely died. He has all the characteristics of the seven from Babel to Rome, and are Babylon in mystery form. In OT prophesies the Antichrist is identified with all six of the ancient empires. Babylon will be resurrected as a great city, but has existed in mystery form ever since Nimrod. All the seven kingdoms will thrive in the Millennium except Babylon, Isa. 13:19. The Antichrist, will be condemned of the Lord to perdition.

v 12. These 10 horns are the ten nation confederacy that was not yet in existence. Their one hour with the Antichrist at their head can be any definite time or moment, not 60 minutes. Their time to accomplish their purpose is 3 1/2 years.  Initially the beast’s kingdom will just be one of the ten.

v 13. The confederacy has one purpose, to do the bidding of the Antichrist. They start as equals, three offer some resistance, but finally all submit arms and authority to the beast, being leader. He must have very persuasive ways. Final push for him was the apparent dying then living. On his restoration, he killed the two witnesses that no one else could, (Their 42 months were up) so all worshiped him.

v 14. Thus verse looks ahead to when the Antichrist is obsessed with his victories and thinks he can even conquer the Lamb. He mobilizes all the armies of the earth, but the Lamb also has armies of saints in robes of white, who are called, chosen and faithful. (Probably those who received no reward will also be able to be in this army.) Of course Christ is the victor, the saints are cheer leaders.

v 15. Verse 15 looks back to verse 1, where the water is now described as all nationalities and dialects under the worldwide control of the apostate church. They have been deceived by Satan: The True Church of believers of course will have been caught away at the Rapture. Some think 2 Thess. 2:3,4 have to do with believers being caught away before the Tribulation, not just a falling away of people into sin. However, the word for “falling away” is a post a si a, meaning rebellion.

v 16. After believers leave at  the Rapture, church and state unite and she is in her glory. The beast realizes he can use religion as a tool, and with his miracles etc. he sways people to himself. The beast and false prophet no longer want this humanistic religion as a rival to their own power, and others have grown weary of this religious culture. The confederacy, with Antichrist the head, not only breaks covenant with the Jews, but rises against the apostate church. It has had too much power, and they have despised it all along. Men are content to worship the beast, except religious leaders who want prestige and power. They will then be annihilated and organized religion totally destroyed. Religion’s wealth is turned over to the state in order that Satan and the Antichrist can be worshiped. This consumes the corrupt religious system like a fire.

v 17. God had put this in the heart of the Satanic trinity, and He used them to destroy the corrupt system that had deceived men for centuries, just as he used nations to punish nations. He was also using this as a tool to draw all men together for the great battle.

v 18. The angel explained to John that the woman was that great city, whose name she wore so boldly, Babylon the Great. As a system, religious Babylon began at Babel, from whence it permeated every nation of earth. It has been so entwined with political Babylon, that when one falls, the other must soon. Political Babylon is a city, Rev. 18:10, 21, no matter what commentators say. 1. Destruction will take place at the time the the stars and sun are darkened, Isa. 13:1,9,10; 2 Become desolate as Sodom and Gomorrah burned with no remains, Isa. 13:19; Jer. 50:40; 3. Become desolate forever with neither man or beast there, Isa. 13:20; Jer. 51:62;  4. Time of judgment for Babylon as well as all nations;  5. It’s destruction will be followed by universal rest and peace, Isa. 14:7,8;   6. It’s destruction is directly related to the casting of Lucifer into Sheol, Isa. 14. 12-15;     7. Babylon’s stones (bricks) will never be used in construction, but thousands of them are used, many in later constructions, Jer. 51:26. There was a near and far fulfillment. This will require the restoration of Babylon. Babylon is an ideal place for world planners, and this can happen  almost “overnight” when the instability of today is removed by a world government, perhaps the world capitol. By mid tribulation it will be thriving.
Religious Babylon will be destroyed at the end of three and one half years, or the middle of the Tribulation. Political, or  commercial Babylon at the close of the Tribulation. See chapter 18.
Summary:  Combined Roman - Apostate Church, 17:1-9, was carried,  by the ten nations world rulers for mutual power and benefit, v 7, but they hate her, and in 17:10-18, viscously destroy her, v 16, and give their worship to Satan and Antichrist, 13:4, at the end of three and one half years.

Revelation 18
Doom of Political, Commercial Babylon

v 1. The last chapter closed with the destruction of religious Babylon at the middle of the Tribulation, This chapter tells what comes after these things, the destruction  of rebuilt commercial,  political Babylon on the Euphrates at the end of the Tribulation. John had already seen the seven plagues completed. Now a very powerful angel came to show him Babylon's demise. Perhaps he is the same one who announced the destruction of Babylon in 14:8. This angel messenger is so powerful and majestic that his appearance lights up the earth. Babylon’s construction blossomed under the ten nations and exploded under the beast, but it’s destruction will be much quicker. Babylon had been spared for her own special destruction. 

v 2. The prophecies of Isa. 13:19-22 and Jer. 50:39,40 concerning the total destruction of Babylon has not yet taken place. Though the destruction was great, it was not sudden. People still live there and bricks from old Babylon are in use in several small cities. In fact, it is currently being rebuilt. Double “is fallen” indicates the fall is to be all at once.  When her fall was mentioned in 14:8, it was a warning. Now it is announced. There will be complete destruction of the city and it’s inhabitants. This seat of the world’s idolatrous practices is also the stronghold of demons, and will be populated by demon possessed men. None will be left but a horde of demons and evil spirits. The bodies they had possessed had been burned. Carrion birds , possibly demon embodied, on the way to Armageddon will stop to eat the burned flesh of people.

v 3. Babylon’s wickedness is the same in Rev. 14, 17 and 18. The entire world will be deeply engrossed in the godless commercialism being transacted here and the wealth it generates. The rich church has been destroyed, but political and commercial Babylon continue to thrive and seduce men. Zechariah saw and described this as the woman and the epha, Zech. 5:5-11. The commerce had been removed but he saw two women carry it back, Zech. 5:9-11. So even though it looks now like New York would be destroyed,  world finance may move from New York, Geneva etc. back to Shinar or Babylon. Some believe Zech. 5 also allows for reestablishment of the pagan religion. (See notes there.)

v 4. God called 8 righteous people out before destroying the world in the flood. He called 3 out before destroying Sodom and Gomorrah. He calls the Church out before the start of the Tribulation. In 2 Cor. 6:17 believers are told to come out and be separate. Whatever the size of the remnant here, the Lord Himself called from heaven for believers to come out, before he brings sudden total destruction on Babylon. Although it could have come later, this call may have been shortly after the middle of Tribulation, before the last plagues. This would have been about when the three angels went about over the earth preaching to people. Believers should not have been there, but Mystery Babylon and things of the world have always had an attraction for believers, in spite of the unequal yoke warning of 1 Cor. 6:14-17 or Jer. 51:45.

v 5. Sins of Nimrod, Nebuchadnezzar and hosts of others in Babylon have raged for centuries, not just the Tribulation. God  has kept a perfect record of it

v 6. Several decades ago school children with a gripe used a retaliatory expression, “Double. double too.” Here God pronounces double judgment but  it is judgment that is well deserved.

v 7. This Babylon will be totally complacent in pride, living luxuriously and sensually. This will be replaced with pain and sorrow, and the beautiful new buildings will be ruined.

v 8. Proud Babylon boasted of being a lady forever with no sorrow, but in a day she will be utterly burned as Sodom was, v 10,17,19.. Her new buildings may have withstood the earthquakes of the last plague, but she is still burned. The Lord may have had the earthquake unleash fires from below, He may have sent fire from heaven, but it is “God who judges her”.

v 9. Babylon will have the world’s first total dictatorship. She will be the wall street of the financial world, the Paris of the fashion world, the Los Vegas of the gambling world, the Hollywood of the entertainment world and even the ungodly religious center of the world. There may be a short interval between the quakes and the fiery destruction, because people all over the world watch her burning. Men committed suicide at the great stock market crash, and these men will wail to see their commerce and investments going up in smoke. 

v 10. World wide satellite television  will display the sudden destruction. The stock market crash of 1929 with it’s agonies and suicides will be but a drop in the bucket compared to this worldwide crash.

v 11. Great merchants are not weeping over sin, but loss of commerce.

v 12,13 Every kind of merchandise and luxury available will be there, including drugs, v. 23, called sorceries. Oil is probably not just olive oil but petroleum. Ruthless cheap labor  may include slavery, but sadly, people of all age and gender will sell their bodies to immorality and their souls to Satan to satisfy their pleasure.

v 14-19. The lament continues for all the lost luxuries and riches, and they bemoan that the destruction was so sudden. Shipping and every other related industry will be bankrupted, and they can only agonize as they see the smoke of her burning.

v 20. While all earth mourns, all heaven rejoices at the vindication of God’s justice and holiness. There is joy that brazen corruption of men who had turned against believers and persecuted them are finally brought to judgment. They see the fulfillment of Rom. 12:19, vengeance is the Lord’s, Deut. 32:35.

v 21. Another angel appears, and this may coincide with 16:17-21. This is days after the burning, and vultures have completed their work. He cast a great millstone into the sea, probably the Persian Gulf, while saying, “Babylon is no more”. Obviously the stone would sink, never to rise again. At the end of Jeremiah’s prophecy concerning the destruction of Babylon, he said to bind a stone to the book and throw it into the middle of the Euphrates. Likewise, Babylon would sink and rise no more, Jer. 51, 63, 64.
About simultaneous to this millstone being cast into the sea, the worldwide earthquake levels Babylon splitting the crust of the earth. The molten burning asphalt like material which underlies the city will engulf it and it will sink from sight with only the smoke of it’s destruction remaining. The whole Mesopotamian plain may drop and be covered over by both the Euphrates and the waters of the gulf. Nothing of it will ever be seen again, Jer. 51:41,42.
This will be the final destruction spoken of in Jer. 50:39, “it shall be no more inhabited forever.” It also fits the time frame of Isa. 13:9,10. It is the day of the Lord when the sun, moon and stars  will be darkened. This will also be almost the end of the Tribulation. Dan. 2:35 describes Christ’s kingdom as a mountain that filled the whole earth destroying other kingdoms. Also Dan. 2:44,45 speaks of Christ as the smiting stone that crushes kingdoms. Soon God will destroy the dragon that is in the sea, Isa. 27:1.

v 22,23.  Seven times in this chapter it is said of the things the world desires, that they will be no more at all. All skills, craftsmen and culture will be wiped out forever with the city. No more of even the most normal things of living can exist there anymore. Along with other corruption, Babylon had deceived men by the drugs and supernatural demonic activity 
24. Worse than all her corruption is the bloodshed of God’s people throughout the centuries. All the barbaric and atrocious acts of every generation and in every nation have stemmed from the anti God movement started by Nimrod and reinforced by demonic influence from Babylon. Truly, that is where Satan’ seat is. Rev. 2:13.
In Rev. 6:9-11 the martyrs under the altar were crying out for their blood to be avenged. With this great destruction upon the system that killed them, they have been avenged. The destruction of both Religious and Political Babylon has been complete.

Revelation 19

The Great Hallelujahs

(INSERT: When will the battle of Gog and Magog actually be held? Definitely not during or after the Millennium. Definitely not before the Rapture. Many Scriptures point out differences between it and the final battle of Armageddon, so it is not at the close of the Tribulation. Tim LeHaye and others think there is a period of time between the Rapture and start of Tribulation and present strong arguments. Since it comes when Israel is at peace, it would more likely be during the first three and one half years, when there is false peace under Antichrist. Pentecost, in Things to Come, page 354, gives a very good chronology of events placing it at the middle of the Tribulation. But it may be better if it is considered right after the start of Tribulation. For one thing, cleansing the land for burial seven years would be done during the seven years of Tribulation. This does not address the issue of cleansing after the final battle of Armageddon. A simple chronology of the whole campaign of Armageddon would be: 1. The armies of the South are defeated in campaign. 2. The armies of the North are smitten by the Lord.  3. The armies of the Beast and the East are slain by the Lord at His second advent.) 

Three special things to notice in chapter 19:
(1) This is the final Psalm of praise begun in Psalm 145. Psalm 145 is a song of praise to the gracious God, in 146 God is praised for His help, in 147 God is praised for regathering Israel, in 148 God is praised by all creation, in 149 God is praised by the children of Zion, Psalm 150 is a summary of praise to God by everything that has breath. But this is only six Psalms and we could expect there to be seven. The seventh Psalm of praise then is in Rev. 19:1-4, or possibly 8, where God is praised for judging the great harlot church, avenging the blood of saints, and for His omnipotent reign. 
(2) Two special events, Second Coming of Christ and Marriage of the Lamb.
(3) Two feasts announced, Marriage Supper Feast and Bird’s Feast.

v 1. In 18:20 the call goes out for heaven to rejoice. After the destruction of commercial Babylon at the end of the Tribulation there will be a multitude in heaven giving a great hallelujah to God in response to that call. Alleluia or Hallelujah - Praise ye the Lord. Hallel means praise and jah is short for Jehovah, because Jews thought it irreverent to use His name. Many Jewish names end in ah, in respect to the Lord. He was praised for His creation, 4:11 and His Redemption, 5;12.  Now the praise is for completed salvation, as in 7:10.

v 2. They will be rejoicing because the harlot church that was unfaithful to God has been judged. His terrible judgments have been righteous,  and the blood of the saints who she killed has been avenged.

v 3. Again praise. The smoke of Babylon’s torment spoken of in 14:9-11 is now seen as fulfilled. Babylon will have sunk, but the smoke will dissipate into vapor and eventually space. Secondarily, smoke of the unsaved will rise eternally, 14:11. Some speculate from 2 Thess, 1:9 that the place of torment may be transported eventually to outer space.

v 4. Part of that hallelujah chorus are the 24 elders, representing the raptured and rewarded Church (comments 4:4). The 4 living creatures represent all the angelic host as praise is drawing to a grand climax.

v 5. Comparing with verse 9, this voice is probably a cherubim near the throne.

v 6. They respond with a resounding sound such as the Lord had given, so great that it was like thunder or a waterfall. They praise God for the destruction of the Harlot Church, which actually took place at the middle of the Tribulation, and for His might and eternal reign.

v 7. Scripture speaks of Israel, the adulteress and restored wife of Jehovah. This speaks of the chaste, virgin Bride of Christ, who has been purified and made ready at the Judgment Seat of Christ. “Marriage of the Lamb is come” is better translated “marriage of the Lamb is consummated.” Here the marriage, which took place then, is announced (Compare announcement of consummation in later paragraphs.) The supper announced in verse 9. Before discussing that, we must be reminded of Jewish marriage customs at the time of Christ.
As a covenant of betrothal, the bridegroom was to drink a cup of wine and  pay a price for his prospective bride. Christ drank the bitter cup that He mentioned in the garden of Gethsemane, and paid the price of His blood for us. This betrothal was just as legally binding upon the bride and groom as marriage. In the manner of Jewish custom, believers are likewise  at the present irreversibly betrothed to Christ (another point for eternal security).
During a time lapse, the  bridegroom prepared a place for the bride in or adjacent to the home of his father. If any one asked the groom when he was going to return for his bride he would answer that  only his father knew. Christ has gone away to prepare a place for us, but His return is  known only by the Father, Mt. 24:36; Acts 1:7.
After the place is approved by the father, the bridegroom can return for his bride with a blowing of trumpet. His escort will give a shout and they will literally steal her from her home as they catch the bride away. When we hear the trumpet and the shout of the archangel, we will be caught away at the Rapture to be with Christ. The bridegroom may come at any time to take the bride to his father’s house, so she must always be ready. We too must always be ready, because Christ may come at any time.
(Let us digress a moment to explain the trumpet. In 1 Cor. 15:52 we are told that this will be at the last trump. This is not the last trump chronologically because we have the seven trumpets of Revelation which follow the Rapture. This refers to the trumpets of the Jewish festivals. At the feast of tabernacles or ingathering, a trumpet is blown to indicate the harvest is complete for the year. The last trump of 1 Cor. indicates that the harvest is over to be saved and become a part of the Church here on earth.) 
The bride’s virgin friends, with their lamps, would be waiting in anticipation with her, so that they could follow the couple in a parade through the city to the grooms home. It was very foolish for any of them to be caught short of lamp oil, because they would have to search for oil at that late hour. At some point in the festivities the groom’s father would shut and lock the door and any prospective guests who delayed coming could no longer get in regardless of their excuse. When the foolish virgins finally arrived, they would not be able to enter. This is in parallel with the parable of the virgins in Matt. 25:1-13. But the  door was shut by the Lord, see Isa. 22:22 and Rev. 3:7. This parable is sometimes used to warn people to come to Christ before the Rapture. However, it is actually the Lord’s warning to the unbelieving remnant of Jews who merely profess to be looking for the Messiah. They need to come to Him in the Tribulation, before they are shut out and can not enter the Kingdom.
At the home of the grooms father, the bride’s father places her hand into the hand of the groom’s father, who in turn places her hand into the hand of the groom. Sometimes the groom asks the father to get her for him, as in the case of Samson, and a similar procedure is followed. In either event, this is known as the presentation and the marriage is not merely legally binding but fully binding. We experience this when as in Eph. 5:27 Christ presents the Church unto Himself.
The bride and groom then go to the place  prepared and stocked with provisions by the groom. In the privacy of the room the groom removes the bride’s veil and she is  fully exposed before him, revealing her beauty and imperfections. In what would be embarrassing today, the crowd waits with modest anticipation in the father’s house till the groom passes word (announces) to an attendant outside the door, that the marriage has been consummated. Instead of snickers and vulgar jokes, the guests rejoice in this union and repeat from Ruth 4:11 “The LORD make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel:” Then they begin celebrating and feasting, but the couple do not come out for seven days. Much wine is consumed in these seven days, causing some places to run out of wine, as happened at the marriage in Cana where Christ turned the water into wine, Jn. 2.
Our (the Church) marriage to Christ is consummated, a spiritual union, in heaven shortly after our arrival and during the first half of the Tribulation. He removes our individual veils, so to speak, at the Judgment Seat of Christ, which is not a judgment of sins, but a determining of rewards. There, stripped before Him, He sees the imperfections of our works as they are tried by fire, 1 Cor. 3:12-15. Then He views us and sees “a glorious church without spot or wrinkle”, and crowns are given. We will be with Him, not just seven days, but during the seven years of Tribulation on earth, and will be in an intimate spiritual relationship with Him. This means our first desires on getting to heaven probably won’t be trying to see Mother or shake hands with the Apostle Paul, but getting better acquainted with Christ. There will be great celebrating in heaven and at the end of the seven years, we will no longer be the Bride (Numphe noom-fay’  ) of Christ, but His unveiled, matured wife (Gune goo-nay’ ), both Rev. 19:7; 21:9. But notice, it is Christ, not his wife that receives the honor. She is not to be confused with Israel, the O.T. wife of Jehovah, who will be restored in the Millennium, or the doomed harlot church that claims to be the wife of Christ.
There is a difference of opinion, because some think what we have been telling about was the wedding supper in heaven, period. Although the guests have been eating and drinking during this time, the old Jewish custom was to follow this supper with a huge, second  marriage feast, and the groom takes his wife to his own home or kingdom. This would lead us to believe that we will have a huge marriage feast on earth as Christ enters His Millennia Kingdom.
With this interpretation, which is consistent with both Scripture and Jewish custom, there has been a marriage supper in heaven, but our marriage feast will be during the millennium and could last up to 1000 years. Rich Jews gave guests a special wedding garment. In Matt. 22:1-14 Christ gave a parable of a wedding feast in which a man without a wedding garment was cast into outer darkness. No one in heaven could be cast into outer darkness, so this has to be  someone born in the millennium, who has not turned to Christ.
The bride and groom are not called as guests at the marriage supper or feast on earth, they are the ones honored. The church is not one of the guests, because she is the bride. Called as  a  special guest will be John the Baptist, the friend of the bridegroom, John 3:29.  Also Dan. 12:1,2,13 indicates O.T. saints will be resurrected at the end of the Tribulation and will be there. Rev. 6:9-11 with 20:4 indicates martyrs of the Tribulation will be there for 1000 years, and of course redeemed of Israel and Gentiles who have lived through the Tribulation. In other words, except for the Church, all believers from Adam to the Millennium will be invited guests. Angels probably observe, but are not guests as they have never been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.
Some might question a break in Jewish custom, for Christ to halt the festivities to take time to defeat Satan, Rev. 19:11-21 but that is just a matter that had to be done. During the seven days of honeymoon, the groom could not be called out to go go war, but here the seven years have just ended, so it does not conflict with custom. We are with Him, the marriage feast is near and God is not bound by custom, so no problem.

v 8, This supper garment is the righteousness of saints, the good works that 1 Pet. 2:12 tells us will glorify God in the day of visitation. This gown allows men to see the good works, Mt. 5:16; Shows men a pattern, Titus 2:7; and shows the beauty of humility, 1 Peter 5:5. Self righteousness was exposed and  judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ, and He has given the bride permission to wear this pure garment which the grace and Spirit of Christ has wrought in her. This is the only time it will be worn, as at all other times we will be clothed in Christ’s righteousness.

v 9. The marriage supper was announced in v 7, but the events of v 11- 21 must take place first. For those called to the supper (feast), see the last three paragraphs of verse 7 notes.

V. 10. John overreacted to the announcement of the feast and had to be reminded not to worship the angel messenger, but only God. He too is a servant of Jesus, the human name John would know. All these great future revelations or prophesies have Christ as their center object.

v 11. In 4:2, heaven was opened to let John enter by the Spirit, now it opens to let Christ return to earth. (see notes 11:19.) Matt. 24:30 tells us that there will be great fear and instead of fighting each other, unite to fight Christ, because men see the sign of His coming. We don’t know what the sign is, but Christ will come with power and great glory. It may be that the brightness of His coming will be such that the light of the sun becomes as insignificant as a match when the light is turned on. The false Christ of Rev. 6:2 rode a white horse and proclaimed a false peace. In marked contrast, the true Christ rode an ass at His first coming with a true offer of peace. Since He was rejected, at the second coming He will be riding on a great white horse to judge and make war. All the armies of glorified saints will be following Him  From this point and v21 on, no more people can be saved on earth until more are born in the Millennia Kingdom. Because of the Rapture, unless there is an interval between, only unsaved will enter the Tribulation, and because of this judgment, only the saved will enter the Millennium. For indication that no unsaved will enter the Kingdom, see Jn. 3:3; Matt. 18:3; 25:30,46; Jer. 31:33,34; Ezek. 20:37,38; Zech. 13:9.

v 12. Christ’s eyes will be a flame of judgment from which nothing can escape. His crowns are diadems, crowns of royalty, not reward crowns. Some monarchs have worn a crown for each major country he ruled. Christ will not be top heavy with crowns, but he will be crowned KIng of Kings in every aspect of full authority. The name is made known in the next verse, “The Word of God”. Compare John 1:1.

v 13. Perhaps the blood of martyrs has stained His garment, but now He will tread the wine press of His enemies and their blood will be splashed upon it. Isa. 63:2-6. Christ is also known throughout Scripture by many other names as: Light, Master, Messiah, King of Israel, Son of God, Son of Man, Lamb of God, Son of Man, Prince of Peace.

v 14. The clean, white garments identify these armies as believers of the Church Age, since O.T. and Tribulation saints will not yet be resurrected. Questions are raised. Are there really horses in heaven? Did God create them at this time just for this specific purpose, or what would be done with them later? Do people of all ages fearful of riding horses suddenly become agile as cowboys? Or is this figurative language of being supported by angels? Elijah saw the chariot of Israel and the horsemen, 2 Kings 2:12, and Ps. 68:17 describes the chariots of the Lord as thousands of angels. Their could be billions of angels in these armies as we saw in 5:11. Or were these horses in vision form only, to enable John to understand, or explain the supernatural situation to us? This coming of Christ has been prophesied from the time of Enoch, Jude 14,15, and prophets through 1 Thess. 3:13, when He comes with all His saints.
(I agree with Morris and others that Christ is coming for His saints at the Rapture and with his saints at the end of Tribulation. Zech. 14 supports this view. Oliver Green and others believe the Rapture is in view in 1 Thess. 3:13, and coming with His saints would be with the souls of believers to be reunited with their resurrected bodies.)

v 15. The armies are a cheering section, not participants in the battle. The Lord spoke eight times in Genesis 1:3,6,9.11,14,20,24 and 26 and all creation came into being. Now just by the word of His mouth, Christ will defeat all the human as well as the demonic armies. 2 Thess. 2:8 says the Lord will consume with His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. Both terms are confirmed in Rev. 1:16 as the sharp two edged sword from His mouth and His countenance as the sun. The rod of iron will no doubt be the rules from His mouth also. (Isa. 11:4 Rod of His mouth, breath of His lips)  He will rule the Millennium with love, but requiring absolute obedience. (Good way to bring up children.)

v 16. He is king over all life, time space, and creation. This wonderful name is written on His vesture, and since He needs no sword but his mouth, it is also written on His thigh.  We don’t know how this is written, but at least it identifies Christ as the final authority.

v 17, Angels are identified with stars, and this one apparently is in charge of the sun. Perhaps the one who controls it’s intensity at God’s command.  We have discussed battles in the Armageddon campaign, but this is the final battle of the Tribulation, the one commonly called the battle of Armageddon. Megiddo is west of the Jordan in the plain of Jezreel between Samaria and Galilee, about 10 miles south of Nazareth and beginning about 15 miles in from the Mediterranean Sea . The valley of Jehoshaphat lies east of Jerusalem, but the armies will be throughout Israel. in fact, there will be street fighting going on in Jerusalem that very day, Zech. 14:2,3. This battle fulfills the smiting stone prophecy of Dan. 2:35. The angel is calling carrion type birds to feast upon this great slaughter, as in the earlier battle of Gog and Magog, Ezek. 39:4, 17-20.
In the late 70s a tract was circulated about the great increase of vultures in Israel, with the implication that this battle was almost immediate. Indeed, their seemed to be an increase in our area, possibly because of increased deer population being killed and lack of predators. When the Rapture didn’t take place, the tract bearers lost some of their credibility, but that day will come in God’s time. As of 2004 AD there were 400 such birds in the Mideast where there were 50 a few years before. They are tagged flying 250 miles a day, so can gather rapidly. When my father was young, migrating fowl were so thick over Iowa, they darkened the earth at times. These gathering scavengers will do likewise. What a ghastly feast the supper of the great God will be compared to the marriage supper of the Lamb, v 9. 

v 18. Death will be no respecter of any nationality or position. These will all be carrion for the vultures. This is similar to Ezek. 39:17-20. Though similar, that  battle of Gog and Magog will be at the beginning or midpoint of the Tribulation, Armageddon at the end. The first is by divinely controlled elements on from mighty men to various animals. This is by Christ against men and horses.

v 19. At the middle of the Tribulation, 17:3, the kings of the earth deeded their power and strength to the beast. He has been world ruler for three and one half years. In another three and a half years, the Satanic trinity called the nations of the earth to the battle of Armageddon, 16:3, and the great slaughter of Isa. 34:1, 2 is about to begin. How futile for these armies to think they can stand up against the Lord, but there are people today who claim nobody, including God, can tell them what to do. Their futility and God’s reaction are described in Ps. 2:1-4.

v 20. The beast and false prophet were not just demon possessed, but one at a time they were in dwelt by Satan. Apparently only believers were not deceived by them into taking the mark of the beast. By his miracles and charisma, the beast had persuaded leaders and most men to take his mark, thus cutting off any hope of turning to God. They have faith and desperate hope that he will still be able to overcome Christ. Imagine their horror when by the word of His voice or his angel host, the beast and false prophet are suddenly snatched from leadership and whisked off to the lake of fire, the final Hell. Their bodies may burn but their spirits remain in torment. Dan. 7:11. These are the first occupants. (For any who doubt how  they could burn forever and not be consumed, think of Moses and the burning bush.)  The Lord and holy angels will observe their location and condition, then after the wicked pair have bowed their knee to Christ, He will turn from them and leave them to the blackness of darkness forever, Jude 13. Unsaved are in torment in Hades across the gulf from where Paradise was. Satan, who is bound, and all unbelievers will not be judged and sent to the lake of fire until after the 1000 years and another battle, Rev. 20:10-15. 

v 21. This is the fulfillment of verse 18. With leaders snatched away and Christ appearing, the  the hearts of the vast armies fail for fear, Lk. 21:26,27. The sword from the mouth of Christ slices all the jugular veins at once, with a mighty outpouring of blood, as He tramples the winepress, smearing His garment with blood. This long awaited battle was prophesied in Ps. 9:17; 110:5,6; Isa. 34:3,4; Jer. 25:29-33; Zeph. 1:17,18 etc. Israel will witness this and return to the Lord, Zech. 12:3,4,9,10; 13:1,9. Christ will stand upon the Mount of Olives, Zech. 14:4,8 setting off the earthquake which will open up the spring at the temple and flatten the terrain. Then the scavenger birds swoop down upon the millions of bodies lying in  blood. It is not stated how the land will be cleansed of the bones before the Millennium.
With Beast and False Prophet gone, the remnant slain will include all the kings and armies of the earth. As for civilians, Israel was judged as described in Matt. 24-25:30. The Gentiles judged as described in Matt. 25:31-46. First appearance might cause some to think that these Gentiles were judged according to their works, which is never true. However their works of kindness are the indication that they have received the gospel preached by the remnant during the tribulation. They are showing their faith by their works, James 2:18. They are not saved as a national unit but individually.
(Here is just a reminder that the Valley of Megiddon is 10 miles south of Nazareth and 15 in from the Mediterranean Sea, while the Valley of Jehoshaphat is east of Jerusalem, covering an even larger area to the south.)

Revelation 20

v 1. If this key was given to Satan in 9:1, it has been retrieved and an unnamed angel comes to bind Satan. Acting under the power of Christ, there is a marked contrast to Dan. 10:13 and Jude 9, where Michael seems inferior to Satan, but overcoming him in Rev. 12:7-9. We can claim Phil. 4:13. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

v 2. We don’t  know the nature and composition of this “chain”, but it was sufficient to bind Satan during the entire Millennial reign.

v 3. The bottomless pit is a different place than the final hell. It is God’s purpose to allow Satan a short freedom, see verses 7-9.

v 4. This apparently is not the thrones of the apostles of Matt. 19:28. These are the martyred, resurrected Tribulation saints. According to Isa. 26:19,20 and Dan. 12:1,2,  the O.T. saints will be resurrected here too,  completing the resurrection of saints who will move on to reign with Christ throughout the Millennium.

v 5. With Enoch, Elijah, possibly those who arose from the graves after Christ arose and the resurrected of the Church Age, this completes the first resurrection. It will be separated from the resurrection of the unsaved of all time by 1000 years.

v 6. What a time of blessing for these resurrected saints.
Since verses 4-6 are very brief, we need to take a comprehensive look at the Millennial Kingdom.
A. It is for 1000 years between the Tribulation and the rest of the eternal kingdom. I dogmatically teach the Pretribulation Rapture and the Premillennial return of Christ. We can have fellowship in many ways with born again believers who believe otherwise, but feel there is no Scriptural basis for their belief. To accept a Postmillenial or Amillenial view would be to ignore or misunderstand countless teachings of Scripture. It is somewhat like the teaching of eternal security. You can believe otherwise and still be saved, but what a blessing you are missing! 
B. It is the consummation of the earthly sphere of God’s theocratic kingdom, or His  rule, over the earth.  He has used Adam, Human government instituted at the time of Noah, Abraham (through Israel), Moses, Judges, Kings and Prophets to administer His kingdom. Now it will be administered by Christ.
C. It is a test revealing man’s rebellion against God even under perfect conditions.
(1) Perfect moral environment. Only believers will enter the Millennium, Christ and only believers will be ruling, and holiness will be preeminent, Zech. 14:20,21.
(2) Perfect spiritual environment. Satan will be bound, see vs. 1-3. Also feast of tabernacles and worship will be kept annually at Jerusalem, Zech. 14:16,17.
(3) Perfect physical environment. The wolf and lamb, child with asp, not hurt nor destroy etc., Isa. 11:6-9. Desert blossom as rose, Isa. 35:1,2. Deaf hear and blind see etc., Isa. 35:5-7. Everyone own their own land, Mic. 4:4,5. Land so productive the plower will overtake the reaper, Amos 9:13. (Not like after a winter of blizzards I stopped plowing to pick my last corn, then continued plowing) Timely rains will return, Zech. 10:1.
D.  Christ will be ruling from Jerusalem, extending  to the ends of the world.
E.  Old Testament, dead and martyred Tribulation and Church saints will share in ruling with Christ. They will therefore be in communication with or inhabiting the earth to some degree, as well as the 144,000 and other living tribulation saints who will move live into the Kingdom. The millions who are born there will need to be saved. Isa. 52:7,8 infer Israel will pick up their responsibility to evangelize the world.

v 7. Some say, “The Devil made me do it.”  God is absolutely fair, and gives 1000 years of perfect physical, moral and spiritual environment with Satan out of the picture, so no one can claim, “The devil made me do it.”   Satan is then let loose to deceive those people into following him.

v 8. In this great environment, the population of the world may be the largest in history. The great deceiver has deceived himself into thinking that with those great numbers, he has one last chance to overthrow Christ. Apparently Satan convinces people that they can actually win a battle against the Lord, and he gains a huge following. In this perfect environment, many probably felt like they didn’t need God, and with Christ ruling with a rod of iron, many were probably “making fists in their pockets”. They still had the old nature and resented that even pots and bells on horses expressed “Holiness to the Lord”, Zech. 14:20,21, and they were happy to join Satan in rebellion against Christ.  Presumably Satan’s demon helpers are also released to help him. His stronghold, Babylon, has been destroyed, but he finds ready assistance from former allies, Gog and Magog. Magog is Russia, or it’s people, and Gog the ruler. (Some think the term is just used symbolically of formidable enemes.)
This is not the same battle as in Ezekiel 3. There, the armies come from specified countries. Here, from all over the world. There they are destroyed by an earthquake and volcano. Here directly from God in heaven. There they had seven months burying bodies and seven years burning weapons. Here it is followed by renovation of the earth and a final judgment. Over a thousand years separate the two battles (Megiddo was in between).

v 9. Many descendants of the defeated armies have resentment against the Jews, Jerusalem and believers gathered there to be near Christ. It probably did not take long for Satan and his demon possessed followers to assemble people for the big assault on Jerusalem, and Christ who had ruled so strictly. The enemy filled the country for miles to launch a massive assault, possibly even by aircraft,.
They have rejected the perfect condition to receive Christ, so God merely wipes out the army. A ring of fire  from heaven will surround the holy area and spread out in all the world, destroying every one who is unsaved. Satan no doubt has been using apparent miracles to deceive his followers. They now look to him in vain for a miracle to overcome the power of God. They go to no grave, but their ashes will be gathered together and resurrected for judgment.

v 10. Satan was judged at the cross, but God granted a stay of execution till his purpose for him on earth was over. By some means of the spirit world, Satan is finally cast into the eternal lake of fire where the beast and false prophet have been for over 1000 years. He will not be ruling in hell, but will be in torment like all the others. He knows the Word and his doom, but of all he had deceived from the time of his first rebellion, he had deceived himself most of all. Like an ardent fan of a loosing team clings to the hope that they will recover a fumble or something. If I was unsaved I would tremble at the words, “tormented day and night forever and ever.”  

v 11. The mighty power that instantly slew millions now causes the earth and lower heavens to disintegrate, 2 Pet. 3:7,10-12. This prepares the way for the new heaven and earth of 21:1 Liquids and solids in the earth and atmosphere are vaporized by the intense heat which precedes the Lord as He ascends to His throne of judgment. Only the triune Godhead sits to judge, and that through Christ, Jn. 5:22, Acts 10:42. There is no rainbow and no Lamb to bring grace to the condemned. No believers will be there, and nothing is said about them. Apparently they are transported to the New Jerusalem to escape the purging of the earth.
Distinguish that this is not the same as the judgment of nations (or Gentiles), Matt. 25:31-46.  That takes place at the end of the Tribulation to determine which individual Gentile believers may enter the kingdom, evidenced by their treatment of the Jews. The sheep are saved Gentiles, the goats are unsaved Gentiles and brethren are the people of Israel. The wording of v 41 implies that the unsaved ones go directly into the lake of fire, but they have to appear first at the great white throne to receive their judgment of works, Rev. 20:12. The solution must be that they go directly live to hades as those who rebelled against Moses, Num. 16:30, which was a new thing. These all will later be brought before the great white throne before going to the lake of fire.
God governs the universe from the eternal throne in heaven, Rev.4:2-11. There was an altar there, Isa. 6:6, but none at the great white throne. On earth,Christ judges the Gentiles from ”the throne of His glory”, Matt. 25:31. The Father turned all judgment over to the Son, John 5:22 and Acts 10:42, so Christ will judge all the wicked dead of all time at the great  white throne which will only be used the one time. Since the earth will be gone and unbelievers are not allowed in heaven, this will be somewhere in space.
Some place a high significance on  dreams, but it is vitally important to rely on Scripture, not experience. What we eat, think about, or have experienced may lead to incorrect dreams. I have even dreamed of being locked out in a blizzard, only to awaken and find out that the covers are off. A believing acquaintance had lost her husband, also a dedicated believer. She enthusiastically told me that she dreamed she saw her husband standing before the great white throne. Obviously this dream was not inspired by the Spirit, but was in response to what she had been thinking about, based on misunderstanding of Scripture. Praise God her believing husband will never stand before the great white throne, and even if he had been unsaved, he would not have been there at the time of her dream.

v 12. This is the second resurrection, or resurrection unto damnation, Jn. 5:29.. All unsaved dead of all time are brought bodily before the great white throne for judgment and sentencing. A vital book is the Lamb’s book of life, 21:27. See extenced comment in notes on Rev. 20:15 regarding names  being written or blotted out,
We do not know the nature of the books which are opened, but in God’s omnicience, He may have records that compare to modern DVD in which a person’s lifetime can be quickly scrolled before them. God is omnipresent, so vast numbers could be seeing their record at the same time.  However it is open for all to see.  If He spent time with each one individually, that could take millions of years, but what is that, when measured by eternity. Since this part of the judgment will be based on works, there will be degrees of punishment in hell, though it will be eternal for all. This is borne out in Lk. 12:47,48 where the servants will receive whipping according to the knowledge they had. Also in Matt. 11:21-23, Christ warned Jewish cities that it would be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon, who had not received the teaching they had.

v 13. At the same time death will give up the bodies of unbelievers and hades, the place of torment will give up their souls to be judged. Whether a body has been buried, cremated, or decomposed on land, at sea or the Genesis flood, it will be resurrected to be judged according to works. Some may try to claim their good deeds out weigh their bad deeds, but will find God does not know them, Matt. 7:22,23.

v 14. The first death is the death of the body, the lake of fire is the second death. Recent wicked dead and those in Hades for centuries will all be cast into the lake of fire. Some suggest that the bodies may be consumed, but the souls live on in torment. However, Jesus warned about the place where ‘their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched’. Mk. 9:43-48. We know also how the rich man in Lk.16 suffered torment in the flame. There is some indication that the lake of fire may be moved to distant space, perhaps to one of the dark burning stars, Matt. 8:12; Jude 13. 

v 15. Emphasis is placed on the fact that all who are not found in the Lamb’s book of life will be dispatched to the lake of fire. It will be no comfort to unbelievers who say, “I’ll have a lot of friends there”. They will not be seen in the darkness, and any contacts will be with intense hatred.
Some think on the basis of Ex. 32:32,33 that every one’s name is written in the book and the unsaved are blotted out at the day of judgment. They point out that if a priest was found to be a criminal or not in Aaron’s line, his name was erased. and him ousted. Also that ancient cities had a register of all their living citizens. At birth a name was added, and at death, the name was removed. Moses kept a similar register of all the tribes called “the writing of the house of Israel”, Ezek. 13:9. The book referred to in Ex. 32:32,33 is the same mentioned in Ps. 69:28, the “book of the living”. The wording there would seem to indicate that every one who ever lived is written in this book, but the wicked will be blotted out, leaving only the names of the righteous. Rev. 3:5 gives strong indication that names could be blotted out of the book of life. Hence, the view by some that the book of life is a register of everyone who has ever been conceived, and those who finally rejected Christ will have their names blotted out. leaving an empty space.
Others believe that If Pilate could say, “What I have written I have written, so much more, what God has written shall stand. We know that believers are chosen and written in the book from the foundation of the world, Eph. 1:4 and Rev. 17:8. Scripture is clear that those names will not ever be erased, Jn. 10:28,29. We believe this to also be true of those aborted from conception or who have not yet reached the age or condition of accountability (knowingly sin).
According to John 3:18, unsaved are condemned already, not according to deeds they have done, but because they have not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God. Final judgment is not to see if an unbeliever is to be blotted out, but to judge them for their works. Since they are already condemned, would their name be in the book? Moses was not referring to the book of life, but probably to God’s census of the people. The book of life is a roster of the righteous who are to inherit eternal life. Rev 3:5 is a promise of eternal security to  believers that their name will not be blotted out, not an inference that others will be blotted out.
Just because God wrote in the name of believers from the foundation of the world does not bar anyone from being saved as an elective decree. God knows who will receive Him and who will ignore or refuse. If there is a roster of the called, many will be on it, but comparative few would be on a roster of the chosen, Mt. 22:14.
Which ever view you take, believers will not be blotted out!
Now is the day of salvation 2 Cor. 6:2. Now is the time to make sure our names are written in the book of life, not just a blank space where our name should be.

To avoid confusion, here is a summary of the resurrections:
1. The resurrection of Christ  as the first fruits, 1 Cor. 15:23. (Many good scholars believe the  saints who arose right after He did, did not die but went to heaven at the same time He did. It is only conjecture and cannot be proven.)
2. The resurrection of church age saints at the Rapture, 1 Thess. 3:16.
3. The resurrection of Tribulation period saints, Rev. 20:3-5 (includes the souls under the altar, 6:9) along with -
4. Old Testament saints at the second advent of Christ, Dan. 12:1,2; Isa. 26:19,20.
5. The resurrection of all the unsaved dead, Rev. 20:5, 11-14.
The first four are the first resurrection, or resurrection to life. The fifth one is the second resurrection, or the resurrection unto damnation.
The Word is silent on the resurrection of those who died in the Millennium, but the destination of saved and lost is as sure as any before them. They will definitely be on the new earth.

Revelation 21

v1. With this verse we step from time into eternity. This is not the Millennium. The term new heaven and new earth and the fact that the first earth has passed away poses a problem among scholars. There are also the words of Jesus in Matt. 24:35 that heaven and earth shall pass away but my words shall not pass away. Some claim that when the earth was destroyed by a flood the framework remained, so when the earth is destroyed by fire, the framework will remain. They very convincingly argue that “pass away” means to pass from one existence to another and that “dissolved” in 2 Pet. 3:11 simply means loosed, so the earth is loosed from the bondage that sin has caused. They quote the Greek (but their interpretation is debatable) and it is easy for them to consider our old earth regenerated by fire. However,  when possible, it is better to compare Scripture with Scripture above comparing with Greek. I believe we have that in Isa.65:17 where God says He will create new heavens and a new earth. To create here is not to recondition but to make something out of nothing. So while I will not be dogmatic about it, I will  approach this from the standpoint that 2 Peter 3:7,10 indicated a total destruction  when he said the elements would melt with fervent heat and the earth would be burned up.
As to the heavens, there are three. The first, or atmospheric heaven, place of fowl, God created as the firmament and called it heaven in Gen. 1:6-8, 20. There was water below and vapor above. The windows of this heaven were opened in Noah’s flood. The second heaven also called a firmament, God identified in Gen. 1:14 as the place of the stars and other lights. The third heaven, and named such by Paul, 2 Cor. 12:2-4, is several times  called paradise or the heaven of heavens, God’s dwelling place. The third heaven is obviously exempt from destruction. The solar heaven undergoes some drastic changes during the Tribulation, but if it is destroyed It will not be till here. Rev. 21:23 says the city has no need of the sun or moon, because the glory of God and the Lamb are the light, but it does not state they will not be needed in the rest of the world. The main object of destruction will be the first, or atmospheric heaven, Which has been the abode of Satan for centuries. This is the heaven, or heavens, meant when Heb. 1:10,11 says the Lord created them and they will perish but He will remain.

v2. The New Jerusalem is the city Abraham was seeking, Heb.11:10,16. It may be in this that Christ prepared a place for us, His bride, and probably will be our abode during the Millennium. It comes down from heaven to at least the space above the earth, but possibly clear to earth because it has foundations. (Although this foundation could refer to basic principals.) It will take up considerable space, see comments on v. 16,17.

v3. The Israelites were blessed when God dwelled in the tabernacle and temple and could have been further blessed had they received Christ on earth. Now the Trinity will actually dwell right among men in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

v4. Some interpret this to mean there will be tears in heaven, either from remorse over past sins or people are crying when they enter heaven and God wipes away their tears. This seems absurd when we realize that over a thousand years have gone by since we have been caught up and the judgment seat of Christ took place. It merely means what stated, the former things are past away. Indeed, Isa. 65:16,17 would cause us to think that past things will not even come into our minds. However, Rev, 6:9,10 may give the impression that during the Tribulation the saints under the altar may be aware of what is going on upon earth. Also in Rev. 18:20 the souls in heaven rejoice over being avenged on earth. Perhaps it is not until the old is passed away that all memory of the past is gone.

v5. God faithfully promised all things are made new, not just made over. Already mentioned are the new heaven and new earth (see comments on v.1). When we were saved we were not just made over, for 2 Cor. 5:17 says if any man is in Christ he is a new creature (new creation). Then 1 Cor. 15:53 tells us that our resurrected bodies are not made over but are new. We are so limited by our concept of time that I suppose eternity will be a new thing too.

v6,7. Here Christ assures John that prophetically, this is as good as done. All our spiritual desires will be abundantly supplied and the reality of Rom. 8:17 will be fully recognized, we will be joint heirs with Christ.
This is differ from the “It is finished” of Jn. 19”30. That is all one word in Greek, Testelestai, meaning “paid in full”.That word appears on many old Greek receipts. This is more in the sense that it has come to pass, or brought to an end.

v8. The charitable, moral unbeliever is just as doomed as the most abominable on this list. Whatever happens to the earth, the lake of fire continues as a place of torment for eternity.

v9,10.This angel had an unpleasant task in chapter 17 of carrying the bowl judgments, and showed John the harlot wife sitting on the seven mountains. Some think Romem but actually seven kingdoms. She viciously gained  control of all the peoples of the world in conjunction with the antichrist. But now, in contrast, he has the pleasant task of showing the Lamb’s wife. See notes on  19:7 for the Church now being a wife, not just a bride.  She sits on a high mountain, the New Jerusalem, and seeks only to honor Christ. (She is not the New Jerusalem as some feel.) Probably this is the place Christ prepared for us in heaven but some access to earth is implied for us in Rev. 20:6 when we reign with Christ. When it descends after the Millennium, we will be dwelling in the same city here on earth.

v11. Jasper stone may be purple, blue, green or brass, with still others clear as crystal. This was seen about Ezekiel’s creatures and even about Satan when he was first created. It is seen with the glory of God various times in Scripture.

v12,13. There are no lost tribes to God and each of the 12 gates will have the name of one of the 12 tribes. What a city to have angels as the gate keepers!

v14. Probably the name of an apostle on each of the 12 foundations.
We are given a preview in Eph. 2:20 that the Church is built on the foundation of the apostles (and prophets) with Christ the chief corner stone, or capstone if we believe the city is a pyramid. If this is the case, probably the throne is at the top and the river of pure water, Rev. 22:1, flows from it.

v15. John is not just given a glimpse but exact measurements.

v16. The city is large, roughly 1500 miles in l, w, and h. About the distance from Des Moines to Phoenix, AZ or Spokane, WA., an area greater than the entire  United States west of the Mississippi.

v17-20. The walls are further described as about 216 feet thick. In addition to the Jasper, which here is probably the clear type, is transparent gold. These transparent walls and street of v 21 would allow the glory of God to radiate through to all the world as light. If, as some think, the solar lights have been removed from the new heavens, this would be another part of what Christ meant when He said “I am the light of the world.” Then each foundation is garnished with a different precious gem.

v21. It is difficult to imagine pearls of the size to make each of these gates. No wonder Christ used the parable of a pearl of great price. The other gems are mined and polished, but the pearl comes from a living organism which it has caused pain. Comparatively, the Church has grown out of the pain that was laid upon Christ. Or to carry out the parable of Matt. 13: 45,46, the rich man paid all he had for that pearl, and Christ paid his life for the pearl which is the Church. 

v22. No need of a temple when God is right in the midst. The New Jerusalem will be the Holy of Holies and the Church will be the priesthood,  Rev. 1:6, serving through eternity without the ministry of intercession.

v23. The glory of God lights the city, may or may not light the whole world. He could readily provide a way for the light to shine or reflect on the other side of the world, assuming the new world will be round.

v24. We have seen in v 9 that the Bride, or Church, will be there. Verse 12 would indicate that converted Israel will be there. Verse 24 tells us that Gentiles outside of both groups will be there.

v25. The gates will remain open because there is no sin, and there is no night because Christ is the Light.

v26,27. Only believers will be there, and they will desire to honor and worship God. All others will be in hell.

Revelation 22

Chapter 22 : 1-5 THE TREE OF LIFE Beside the river of water of life 22: 1, 2 Genesis 2:9, 10 Exekiel 47: 1-12 Johin 4:14 and John 6:35, 51.

v 1. This is the new paradise, even superior to that from which Adam was expelled, has the river of water of life proceeding from the throne. 

v 2. Commentators agonize over the layout of the river and street and tree, even suggesting inconsistently that maybe the street could be translated plain. In Ezekiel 47:12 there are trees on both sides of the Millennial river, but they are spoken of singularly as “it”. Probably this is also a series of trees, making more sense out of the words, “on either side of the river was the tree of life”. Since they are in the midst of the street, it is easy for me to visualize a beautiful walkway on both sides of the river where one can stroll and pick fruit. It certainly won’t be boring, there will be a different fruit in season every month. There is no sickness that needs to be healed. This is merely therapeutic (healing - Gr. Therapeia), probably imparting both spiritual and physical health and pleasure.

v 3. The Adamic curse is gone from the earth and only believers are serving there.

v 4. We shall be like Him for we shall see Him as He is, 1 John 3:2. So much better to have His name in our foreheads, promised in Rev. 3:12  than those who take the mark of the beast, Rev. 4:19.

v 5. As in 21:23-25, the Lord gives the light in the city, the sun and moon may or may not be available to the rest of the world.

CHAPTER 22: 6-10 IMPORTANCE OF THE BOOK: Is the Word of God (22:6) ( 1:3 As it began and as it closes 22:7 )

v 6.  This verse begins the last words of confirmation of what John has seen and which will take place soon in relation to all the ages or eternity. It begins a flashback out of chronological order, and a summary of the end time is given. It leads up to the final invitation to come to the Lord.

v 7. Christ’s  coming is assured and quickly means on time. God does not depart from his appointed time. Gal. 4:4 “when the fullness of time is come”, God sent forth His Son. Acts 2:1-4 “When the day of Pentecost is fully come”, the Holy Spirit came.  See Rev. 1:3 where a similar blessing is given to those who read, hear and keep the things of the book of Revelation. This is not just to be enthused about the prophecies or expert as a student of the book, but to keep or observe the sayings. The study of the book has been wasted if it has not affected our attitudes and activities of obedience.

v 8. Compare 19:10. John is so overcome by the awesome things he has seen and heard that he instinctively falls to worship before the angel.

v 9. The angel quickly reminded John that he is just the messenger of God, a servant just like John or any other believer. This reminds us of Christ’s words to Satan in Matt. 4:10, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and Him only shalt thou serve.

v 10. This is just the opposite of Dan. 12:4 where he was told to seal up the book to the time of the end. People of his day could in no wise understand those things, but so much of it has been fulfilled that we are primed to understand the basics of the prophecies given to John. The rest will be fulfilled relatively soon, “at hand”.

CHAPTER 22 : 11-15 END OF THE DAY OF GRACE: A point in time if we are saved or unsaved we will remain that way. (22:11 22:14, 15 ) 21: 6-8 ONLY TWO CLASSES OF PEOPLE: SAVED OR UNSAVED.

v11. The wicked of today who do not turn to Christ will remain in their filthy wickedness forever. The saved however will continue to grow in righteousness and holiness through eternity. The choice must be made now.

v 12. This does not refer to the rewards to the Church at the Judgment Seat of Christ following the rapture. This is over 1000 years later, and includes believers before and after the Church Age. It is still not a judgment on sin, but on the quality of their works. This is referred to in Isa. 40:10, and  Isaiah may have thought  the Millennium was near. The reward is “recompense which He gives for work". (Some think it could mean ”the recompense which He Himself receives in his redeemed people”. They compare this to Isa 53:11, "He shall see of the travail of his soul, and be satisfied.")

v 13. In Rev. 1:8,11: 21:6 and in this verse Christ calls himself by these spectacular eternal titles. He is our Maker, Redeemer, Friend, Lord and coming King. He is the origin of and the consummation of everything.

v 14. The great beatitudes of the book of Revelation are in 1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7 and here in v 14. Most texts, other than KJV, say “wash their robes”, and it is true, we are saved by faith, not by keeping the commandments. However, believers who love Him will keep His commandments, Jn 14:15, and if we keep His commandments we will abide in His love, Jn 15:10. Just don’t confuse this with the belief of salvation by works. Only blood washed believers can enter the Holy City and eat of the tree of life.

v 15. Dogs were sodomizes and sorcerers were involved in occult and drugs. Liars are grouped right in with all these terribly wicked. All whose names are not in the book of life are confined in the lake of fire.

CHAPTER 22: 16 AND 17 FINAL INVITATION.

JESUS STATES HE IS THE OFF SPRING OF DAVID ( 22:16 NUMBER 24:17 ) Prophecy points toward Him and is fulfilled in Jesus

v 16. This begins the last section of the last book of the Bible. These things have been revealed for John to testify to the seven churches and all others which they represent in the Church Age. The churches of the Church Age have not been mentioned since Rev. 4. No local churches are mentioned in the Tribulation or thereafter, because the True Church has been raptured. There will be religious organizations. The churches at John’s writing were largely Gentile, but Christ identifies with Israel when He says He is the Root and Offspring of David. Here  He identifies Himself for the first time with the Church as the Bright and Morning Star, Who will appear out of the dark conditions to take her away. The Greeks thought of the morning star as Venus. Satan has been called son of the morning, Isa. 14:12. Lucifer is often translated as Day Star, the apparent angel of light, as Venus is a bright morning star. Christ used this term to point out conclusively that He, not Satan, is the true morning star whose light would never be dimmed. Later, Christ will appear to Israel as the Sun of Righteousness, Mal. 4:2.

v 17. This is a beautiful and all inclusive invitation for Christ to come, as well as an invitation to the unsaved to come to Christ now, and extending to others at each opportunity to the end of the 1000 years. The Holy Spirit and the Church invite Him. All who hear invite Him, in the sense of  John 5:24, “He that hearth my word and believeth on him that sent me.” Now the invitation is given to others to come to Christ so that they too may welcome Him. Anyone who thirsts, see Isa. 55:1 “Ho every one that thirsteth” or John 7:37, “If any man thirst, let him come to me and drink.”  Whosoever will, John 3:16, “whosoever believeth in him”, or Rom. 10:13 “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”. Christ offered living water to the woman at the well, and living water flows from the throne, v 1.

CHAPTER 22: 18-21 FINAL WARNING: Against any mutilation of the Book, Many do not like this book because it doesn't allow them to choice what verses they like and follow only them, and not following the ones they don't like. Pick and choose. ( Deuteronony 4:2 12:32 )

v 18. This is far more serious than the past commercial, “Don’t mess with mother nature”. Tampering with the Word of God by allegorizing or explaining away it’s true meaning or in any way despising the inspiration has the consequence of eternal damnation. This does not mean some one will lose their salvation. Believers may have doubts in time of testing, but those other people have never been truly born again. While this  is referring specifically to the words of the book of Revelation, we can take it to mean any of the divine Scripture. Christ has told us everything He intends to tell us, so no one should presume to add any thing to what God has said, or they face severe penalty. At one time we would have thought primarily of Mormonism, Jehovah Witnesses and Muslim, but there is an increasing number of cults.

v 19. Adding at least leaves the saving Gospel, but taking away from the Word is even more serious. Humanists, evolutionists. liberals and others who omit or try to explain away the Scriptures are in danger of having their name blotted from the book of the living (Ex 32:33, Ps;69:2) They have never been saved, so are not allowed in book of life or heaven.

v 20. Christ uses the word “surely” to emphasize the fact that He is coming again at His appointed time, then repeats through John  for further emphasis, “so be it”. The response of John, “Come”, should be the response of us all as in v 17. This promise was made nearly 2000 years ago, which is short in eternity. When these things begin to be fulfilled, it will be done in God’s time and speedily. Plea for His return is the last prayer of the Bible, and has been on many lips since then. Pieces of the puzzle have been falling into place since Israel became a nation again, May 15, 1948, and later events make it appear even more imminent.

v 21. Grace has been offered for both salvation, Eph. 2:8,9, and spiritual growth, 2 Cor. 9:8. As God’s grace has abounded to us, so should we abound in every good work, or grow in grace. The O.T. ended with the threat of a curse. The N.T. ends with the blessing of God’s grace. John closes with personal greetings and prayer for his friends.

 Letters to Seven Churches Teacher

 1. Ephesus v 1-7   Apostolic Age - Before AD 100 - The early Church Christ described - Holds 7 stars in hand, stands in midst of 7 candlesticks Commendation - Faithfulness, patience, spiritual purity, discernment Fault - Backslidden, left their first love Promise - Overcomers will eat of Tree of Life
2. Smyrna v 8-11  Age if Persecution  -  AD 100-AD 313 -  Jews and Nero etc. Christ described - First and Last. Was dead now alive. Commendation, Endured tribulation Fault, None, but there were false professors among them. Promise, Given Crown of Life
3. Pergamos v 12-17   Imperial Church Age    AD 313-AD 590 - Paganism introduced by kings Christ described - Has sharp two edged sword Commendation - Haven’t denied the faith even though Satan’s seat was there. (Sun god from Babylon 539 BC then to Rome 300 AD} Fault, Offer to Idols, fornication, Doctrine of Balaam, and of Nicolaitans  (Clergy rule, combine church and state leading to Popes.) Promise - Overcomers eat of hidden manna, get white stone, new name.
4, Thyatira  v 18-29 - Age of Papacy  - AD 590-1517 Dark Ages, no Bibles Christ described - Son of God, eyes like flame of fire, feet of fine brass Commendation, works, charity, faith, more works Fault, Allowed false prophetess Jezebel to encourage fornication and eat meat offered to idols  Need to repent or have great tribulation  Promise Godly overcomers will have power over nations, receive the morning star
5, Sardis 3:1-6 - Reformation Age - AD 1517-1730 - Martin Luther, Bibles printed etc. Christ described - He has the 7 spirits of God and the 7 stars Commendation, A few names who have not defiled their garments Fault, Lives but dead, imperfect before God, hear, so need to repent Promise - Overcomers will be clothed in white, name won’t be blotted out of the book of life, but be confessed before the Father and the angels
6. Philadelphia v 7-13  -  Missionary Age -  AD 1730- 200? Christ described - Holy and true. Has key of David, only He can open and shut Commendation, A little strength, kept God’s word, not denied His name Fault, False professors among them Promise - Raptured before Tribulation, be pillars in heavenly temple, God’s name, name of New Jerusalem and Christ’s new name written on them
7. Laodicea v 14-22 - Age of Apostasy - AD 1900- ?  Christ described - The Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God Commendation, None  (But it is in last time as Philadelphia Church) Fault, Neither cold  or hot, think they are rich but are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked. Christ rebukes and chastens those He loves so they need to repent.  Promise - Overcomers will sit with Christ on His throne.

BIBLICAL TERMS FOR THE TRIBULATION

OLD TESTAMENT

 THE TRIBULATION                                                     Deuteronomy 4:30
THE DAY OF ISRAEL’S  CALAMITY              Deuteronomy 32:35  Obadiah 1:12-14
THE INDIGNATION                                                    Isaiah 26:20;  Daniel 11:36
THE OVERFLOWING SCOURGE                            Isaiah 28:15, 18
THE LORD’S STRANGE WORK                                 Isaiah 28:21
THE YEAR OF RECOMPENCE     Isaiah 34:8
THE DAY OF VENGEANCE         Isaiah 34:8  35:4  61:2
THE TIME OF JACOB’S TROUBLE                           Jeremiah 30:7
THE SEVENTIETH WEEK OF DANIEL                     Daniel 9:27
THE TIME OF TROUBLE                                             Daniel 12:1; Zephaniah 1:15
THE DAY OF DARKNESS                            Joel 2:2;  Amos 5:18, 20; Zephaniah 1:15
THE DAY OF WRATH                                                 Zephaniah 1:15
THE DAY OF DISTRESS                                                Zephaniah 1:15
THE DAY OF WASTENESS AND DESOLATION    Zephaniah 1:15
THE DAY OF GLOOMINESS                                        Joel 2:2; Zephaniah 1:15
THE DAY OF CLOUDS AND THICK DARKNESS      Joel 2:2;  Zephaniah 1:15
THE DAY OF THE TRUMPET AND ALARM              Zephaniah 1:16

NEW TESTAMENT

THE GREAT TRIBULATION                         Matthew 24:21   Revelation 2:22   7:14
THE TRIBULATION             Matthew 24:2
THE WRATH TO COME 1 Thessalonians 110
THE DAY OF THE LORD    1 Thessalonians 5:2
THE WRATH      1 Thessalonians 5:9; Revelation 11:18
THE HOUR OF TEMPTATION      Revelation 3:10
THE GRAT DAY OF THE WRATH OF THE LAMB OF GOD   Revelation 6:16-17
THE HOUR OF JUDGMENT      Revelation 14:7
THE WRATH OF GOD             Revelation 14:10, 19;  15:1, 7;   161

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www.christisalive.net
All Rights Reserved.

In the early 90's I started studing the bible by taking college courses, because I believe the Lord wanted me to become a pastor in a Nazarne Church. My goal has changed with all my studies. My wife and I have both joined the Catholic Church. I have read and compared numerous translations and commentaries in my many years of studying the bible. Some of these authorities disagree with each other. I come across information on studies and classes that I have taken 15 to 20 years before and I have no documentation of where it came from. Plus I have given away or returned many books for college classes that I have taken. So if I have failed to give someone the credit that is due them I ask for their forgiveness. The following is a list of translations and commentaries that I still have and use.

1. Apocrypha
2. Confessions of St Augustine
3. Divine Comedy of Dante (Henery Carytr)
4. King James Bible
5. LDS (Mormons)
6. Martin Luther
7. St John of the Cross
8. Budhist
9. Christian-King James
10. Hindu
11. Islam
12. Judaism
13. Sikh
14. Tao
15. Zoroastrian

OUR ETERNAL HOME by Richard W. Dehaan,
PROPHECY STUDY BIBLE by Tim Lahaye
READER'S DIGEST JESUS AND HIS TIMES by the Readers Digest Association Inc,
REFLECTING GOD STUDY BIBLE By Zondervan Corporation;
SAINT JOSEPH EDITION OF THE NEW AMERICAN BIBLE by Catholic Book Publishing Co.
SEVEN KEYS TO FAMILY POWER by Billy Joe Daugherty,
SIX HOURS ONE FRIDAY by Max Lacado,
THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE by the Zondervan Corporation;
THE BATTLE BELONGS TO THE LORD by Jocyce Meyer,
THE BIBLE PROMISE BOOK by Babbour Publishing Inc,
THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER by Charles Mortimer Guilbert
THE BOOK OF HOPE by Tyndale House Publishiers, Inc,
THE BORN AGAIN CATHOLIC by Albert H. Boudreau,
THE CASE FOR CHRIST by Lee Strobel,
THE CATHOLIC ANSWER BOOK by Peter MJ Stravinsiasi
THE COMPLETE BOOK OF BIBLE KNOWLEDGE by Mark D. Taylor;
THE DAY CHRIST DIED by Jim Bishop,
THE GREAT BIBLE QUESTION AND ANWERS BOOK by Playmore Inc
THE HOME BIBLE STUDY COURSE by Dr. Harold L. Wilmington;
THE KING JAMES BIBLE ARCHAIE WORDS DEFIND by David W. Daniel
THE KING JAMES BIBLE COMPANION by David W. Daniels;
THE KING JAMES STUDY BIBLE by Thomas Nelson Publishers,
THE LAYMAN’S BIBLE  DICTIONARY by George W. Knight and Rayburn W. Ray;
THE LAYMAN’S PARALLEL NEW TESTAMENT by Zondervan Bible Publisher
THE LAYMAN'S LIST by Calance Stucup
THE MESSAGE BIBLE by Eugone H. Peterson,
THE NEW AMERICAN BIBLE by World Catholic Press;
THE NEW AMERICAN BIBLE Saint Joseph Edition;
THE NEW STRONG’S EXHAUSTIVE CONCORDANCE OF THE BIBLE by James Strong LL. D S.T.D.;
THE RISKS AND REWARDS OF INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE by Cardinal Francis Arinze
THE TRINITY by Rose Publish
THE VERY FIRST ESTER by Paul L. Maier,
THE WAY CATHOLIC LIVING BIBLE by Tyndale House Publishers;
UNCHRISTIAN by David Kennan and Gabe Lyon
UNDERSTANDING GOD’S LOVE by Ronald Greib
VINE’S EXPOSITORY DICTIONARY OF OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT WORDS By W. E. Vine;
WHAT’S SO SECRET ABOUT THE RAPTURRE? By Christian Record Services, INC
WHEN GOD WINKS AT YOU by Tomas Nelson
WILLMINGTON’S GUIDE TO THE BIBLE by Dr. H.L. Willmington,
WOMAN OF FAITH STUDY BIBLE by Zschech/Heillsong
YESTERDAY TODAY AND FOREVER by New Leaf Press
YOU WERE BORN FOR THIS by Anthony Wilhen

08/19/2011