Tuesday, October 5, 2021

A Study of Prophecy - Tribulation Events in the First Half

 

The Great Tribulation is dealt with in Chapters 6 to 18 of the Revelation as follows:

Events Before Tribulation Starts Continuing into the First Half

The Ministry of Elijah the Prophet

Governmental System of the 10 Kings / Kingdoms

The First Half of the Tribulation

Rev 6 - The Seven Seals

Rev 7 - The Sealing of the 144,000, and the Great Revival

Rev 8 - The Seventh Seal and the Golden Cup of Incense, the Seven Trumpets

Rev 9 - The Seven Trumpets (Continued)

Rev 11 - The Two Witnesses Introduced

Rev 17 - The Great Prostitute and the Beast

Middle of the Tribulation

Rev 10 - The Angel and the Little Scroll

Rev 11 - The Two Witnesses and the Seventh Trumpet

Rev 12 - The Woman and the Dragon and Satan Thrown Down to Earth

Rev 13 - The False Prophet and the AntiChrist

Rev 14 - The Lamb and 144,000, the Three Angels, and the Harvest of the Earth

Rev 17 - The Great Prostitute and the Beast

The Second Half of the Tribulation

Rev 15 - The Seven Angels with the Seven Plagues

Rev 16 - The Seven Bowls of God's Wrath

Rev 18 - The Fall of Babylon

Some events occur sequentially throughout the Tribulation period. These events include the Seal, Trumpet and Bowl judgments.

Some other events happen simultaneously along with the sequential events. These events start before the Tribulation begins, including the ministry of Elijah the Prophet and the governmental system of the Ten Kingdoms.

Three remaining events occur simultaneously but begin after the Tribulation starts. These include the ministry of the 144,000 and the world wide revival, and the ministry of the Two Witnesses, and the rule of the religious Babylon that controls the religious world.

The 7 Seal Judgments

There are three sets of judgments. These judgments include the:

  • 7 Seals

  • 7 Trumpets

  • 7 Bowls

The opening of the first set of judgments of the 7 Seals is initiated by the signing of the peace covenant, and begins the Tribulation period.

The First Seal

Rev 6:1-2 I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, "Come!" (2) I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.

The AntiChrist as Peacemaker

The AntiChrist comes in as a peacemaker. The AntiChrist's initial foray into the world will be to set up his rule through the government. He will solidify and consolidate civilization, and humanity will gladly accept a global ruler who will promise to bring peace to earth. Apparently he is involved with Israel from the start, since he begins his rise with a confirmation of a peace deal with Israel. This aligns with Daniel, as peace is not taken from the earth until the next seal.

Dan 9:27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven.' In the middle of the 'seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him."

The rider of the "white horse" is not Jesus

White is a symbol of peace, which aligns with the AntiChrist initial years in the world. The covenant with Israel bears this out.

The white horse and it's rider is not Jesus. Jesus is opening the seal.

In addition, the rider's crown is a common crown worn by those who have overcome or are victors (stephanos). The crown that Jesus will wear is a royal crown of sovereignty and royalty (diadem). The rider of the white horse is the AntiChrist.

The AntiChrist will be a part of an unholy trinity.

Satan has constructed an imitation of the tri-unity of God. Satan imitates God the Father, and gives power to his "son", the AntiChrist, and the False Prophet imitates the Holy Spirit who brings all men to Jesus.

Here, Satan is referred to as the "dragon", and the "beast" is the AntiChrist. The dragon gives the beast his power.

Rev 13:4 People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, "Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?"

Rev 13:2 The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.

The "beast" is the "son" that imitates Jesus' death and resurrection in that he has a fatal wound, and that wound is healed.

Rev 13:3 One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast.

The "Spirit" is the False Prophet, a religious figure that drives all the people of earth to worship the "son", the AntiChrist.

Rev 13:12 It exercised all the authority of the first beast on its behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed.

The AntiChrist will be a Roman.

The identity of the AntiChrist as a Roman can be deduced from Dan 9:26-27.

Dan 9:26-27 After the sixty-two 'sevens,' the Anointed One will be put to death and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed. (27) He will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven.' In the middle of the 'seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him."

In vs. 26, it is said that "the people of the ruler who will come" will bring destruction. The people who brought destruction were the Romans in AD70. The ruler of the people would have been a Roman leader.

In vs. 27, it is said that "he will confirm a covenant", "he will set up an abomination", "the end that is decreed is poured out on him" are all references to the AntiChrist, the "beast" of the Revelation. (See also Mat 24:15-28)

The AntiChrist will be a Gentile.

There are a couple indications that the AntiChrist will be a Gentile. One is biblical typology, in which the biblical type of the AntiChrist is given in Antiochus Epephanes. Antiochus was a Gentile, so according to typology the AntiChrist would also be a Gentile.

Another indication is in Biblical imagery. Scripturally, when the Bible refers to "sea", it is used of Gentile nations. The "beast" arises out of the sea (Rev 13:1), so, out of the Gentile nations, indicating that he also will be a Gentile.

Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum does an exhaustive study of AntiChrist's identity in Footsteps of the Messiah, 2018 edition, page 205-216.

The AntiChrist's Origins

Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum points out in Footsteps of the Messiah 2018-Page 213) the supernatural origins of the AntiChrist. He states:

"Since the Messiah will not have a human father, His national origin will have to be reckoned after the woman, since His humanity comes only from her. So the very expression "her seed" implied a miraculous conception. In reference to Satan's "seed", this term, being in the same verse, implies the same thing: that of a supernatural and miraculous conception. The enmity against the Seed of the Woman comes from the seed of Satan If the Seed of the woman is Messiah, the seed of Satan can only be the AntiChrist. From this passage, then, it can be deduced that Satan will counterfeit the virgin conception and will some day impregnate a Roman woman who will give birth to Satan's seed who is going to be the AntiChrist."

2nd Thess 2:9 supports this thought:

2Th 2:9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie,

The Greek gives understanding that the coming of AntiChrist will be energized by Satan, and will be accompanied by miraculous power.

These characteristics of the AntiChrist will demonstrate his counterfeit nature, that of a human and that of a supernatural origin. Satan seeks to copy Christ in His character as a god-man.

The AntiChrist's Rise to Power

Another area where there is copying going on is in the similarity of the temptation of Jesus in Mat 4:1-11. In this pericope Jesus is offered the kingdoms of earth if He would bow down and worship Satan.

Mat 4:8-9 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. (9) "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."

In a like manner, the AntiChrist is offered the kingdoms of the world by Satan, but unlike Jesus, the AntiChrist accepts and worships Satan. This will initiate the AntiChrist's rise to power as shown in the following two verses:

Dan 11:38-39 Instead of them, he will honor a god of fortresses; a god unknown to his ancestors he will honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts. (39) He will attack the mightiest fortresses with the help of a foreign god and will greatly honor those who acknowledge him. He will make them rulers over many people and will distribute the land at a price.

Rev 13:1-2 The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. (2) The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.

This rise to power on the part of the AntiChrist is described in the following passages.

Dan 8:23-25 "In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a fierce-looking king, a master of intrigue, will arise. (24) He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy those who are mighty, the holy people. (25) He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power.

Dan 11:36-39 "The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been determined must take place. (37) He will show no regard for the gods of his ancestors or for the one desired by women, nor will he regard any god, but will exalt himself above them all. (38) Instead of them, he will honor a god of fortresses; a god unknown to his ancestors he will honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts. (39) He will attack the mightiest fortresses with the help of a foreign god and will greatly honor those who acknowledge him. He will make them rulers over many people and will distribute the land at a price.

Notable characteristics in these passages are that the AntiChrist will be a "master of intrigue" (Dan 8:23), meaning that he will have skill to solve riddles supernaturally as Daniel did.

Dan 5:12 "He did this because Daniel, whom the king called Belteshazzar, was found to have a keen mind and knowledge and understanding, and also the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles and solve difficult problems."

But as Daniel received his ability from Yahweh, the AntiChrist will receive his ability through Satan.

Additionally, the passage states that the AntiChrist is one who "will become very strong, but not by his own power" (Dan 8:24), indicating that the power will come from Satan.

Another characteristic of his rise to power is that he will "cause deceit to prosper" (Dan 8:25). Deceit is defined as "the act or practice of deceiving; concealment or distortion of the truth for the purpose of misleading; duplicity; fraud; cheating:".

The Second Seal

Rev 6:3-4 When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, "Come!" (4) Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make people kill each other. To him was given a large sword.

The Tribulation period will be a time of war. As the AntiChrist come conquering and to conquer, wars will take peace from the earth after an initial time of peace, and this is the first of three wars. The second is in the middle of the Tribulation, and the third is the campaign of Armageddon.

The Third Seal

Rev 6:5-6 When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come!" I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. (6) Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, "Two pounds of wheat for a day's wages, and six pounds of barley for a day's wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!"

The third seal brings worldwide famine, which often accompanies war. This passage indicates a scarcity of and great expense of food. The famine will not be completely devastating, as grapes and olive trees will survive. Prices will be strictly controlled, and the rich will fare better than the poor.

Donald Grey Barnhouse has an interesting comment from his own experience on this.

"Just after World War I, I spent a few days in Vienna at the time when misery was very great … There was a shortage of coal and the police had ordered everyone off the streets by nine o’clock. The city was filled with wealthy refugees from Russia and other countries. Walking along the boulevard one afternoon as the crowds were coming out of the opera which began early to conform with the curfew regulations, I saw men with bare feet in the snow, their skeletons covered with rags, their ribs seen through the holes in the cloths with which they attempted to cover their bodies. From time to time there was blood on the snow from their feet. Out of the opera came men escorting women with fortunes in jewels upon them. Never have I seen more wonderful displays in any of the capitals of the earth. The beggars blocked the way to the fine limousines that came for the rich. I saw the men striking the beggars with their canes to clear the way for the women. Poor girls not clad in the gaudy finery of prostitutes, but with poor clothing and in wooden shoes, clattered about clutching at the passerby and offering to sell themselves for a coin which at that moment could be purchased for one five hundredth part of a dollar. Mark well, there was no famine in Vienna. There was scarcity in the midst of plenty, but there was no hurt to the luxuries."

The Fourth Seal

Rev 6:7-8 When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, "Come!" (8) I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.

This is a devastating seal, as one forth of the world's population is killed. As the text indicates, the death of a fourth of the world's people will come from the sword, famine, plague, and from the wild beasts of the earth. These are fairly self explanatory, as sword would be persecution and war, hunger, disease and from wild beasts who perhaps with the scarcity of food begin to attack humans for food.

Hades refers to the prison and temporary quarters of those unsaved between their deaths and the Great White Throne Judgment.

Luk 16:19-24 "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. (20) At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores (21) and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. (22) "The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. (23) In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. (24) So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.'

The current population of the world is just under 8 billion people. We are expected to reach 8 billion in 2023. A fourth part of the world would be 2 billion people. At this point, the unprecedented character of the Tribulation is starting to show itself.

Dan 12:1 "At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people--everyone whose name is found written in the book--will be delivered.

Joel 2:1-3 Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming. It is close at hand-- (2) a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness. Like dawn spreading across the mountains a large and mighty army comes, such as never was in ancient times nor ever will be in ages to come. (3) Before them fire devours, behind them a flame blazes. Before them the land is like the garden of Eden, behind them, a desert waste-- nothing escapes them.

Mat 24:21-22 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now--and never to be equaled again. (22) "If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.

The Fifth Seal

Rev 6:9-11 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. (10) They called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?" (11) Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been.

In this seal, attention is given to believers who have died since the Tribulation began. John and Matthew describe where these souls come from.

Mat 24:9-14 "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. (10) At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, (11) and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. (12) Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, (13) but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. (14) And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

How will these hear the gospel message if the church has been raptured? It is the 144,000 Jewish evangelist that will proclaim the gospel and as a result a great revival will take place.

Rev 7:1-3 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree. (2) Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: (3) "Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God."

Rev 7:9-10 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. (10) And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."

The Sixth Seal

Rev 6:12-17 I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, (13) and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. (14) The heavens receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. (15) Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else, both slave and free, hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. (16) They called to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! (17) For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can withstand it?"

Each of the sets of judgments concludes with convulsions in nature. Earthquakes (Rev 6:12), blackout (Rev 6:12) and a meteor shower (Rev 6:13).

Men choose to flee from God rather than turn to Him (Rev 6:15-17). It is interesting that the people recognize that it is God who is bringing this, that He is on the throne, the wrath is coming from Him, and yet they continue to reject Him (Rev 6:16).

The Father's vs. The Son's Throne

Jesus is at the "right hand" of the Father. He was raised to this position following His resurrection.

Mar 16:19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.

Heb 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, (2) fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Act 5:30-31 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead--whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. (31) God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins.

Act 7:55-56 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. (56) "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."

Eph 1:18-20 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, (19) and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength (20) he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,

Col 3:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Heb 1:3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

Heb 8:1-2 Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, (2) and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by a mere human being.

1Pe 3:21-22 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, (22) who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand--with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

Jesus is currently interceding for us.

Rom 8:34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

Jesus will be coming on the clouds.

Mat 26:63-64 But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God." (64) "You have said so," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."

Jesus' enemies will be made footstools. "until your enemies be made a footstool" is an idiom that represents a victor at war placing his heel on the neck of the vanquished foe. (cf. Jos 10:24; 1Ki 5:3; Isa 51:23). This victory speaks of the second coming of Christ as He defeats Satan at the end of the Tribulation. Following this victory, Jesus will be established on His own throne in Jerusalem.

Act 2:33-35 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. (34) For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, "'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand (35) until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet."'

Heb 10:12-13 But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, (13) and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool.

Mat 22:44 "'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet."'

The "Lamb" is Jesus. He takes the 7 sealed scroll from the "one who sits on the throne".

Rev 5:6-7 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. (7) He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.

Jesus will sit on His throne in the Millennial Kingdom. All things are not yet under him.

Mat 19:28 Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Heb 2:8  YOU HAVE PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET." For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him. 

Note the contrast between "Him who sits on the throne", and the Lamb. Jesus is not yet on His throne.

Rev 5:13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!"

Rev 6:16 They called to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!

Rev 7:9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.

Rev 7:10 And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."

Jesus will receive His throne in the Millennial Kingdom.

2Sa 7:10-16 And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning (11) and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies. "'The LORD declares to you that the LORD himself will establish a house for you: (12) When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. (13) He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. (14) I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands. (15) But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. (16) Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.'"

During the events of the Tribulation period, God allows powers that are hostile to His people to rule the earth (2Co 4:4, Eph 2:2, Col 1:13).

2Co 4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Eph 2:2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.

Col 1:13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,

But at some point He will take control of what is going on, and His reign will become apparent. This reign switches from that of Satan to that of Jesus during the opening of the seventh trumpet.

Rev 11:15-17 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever." (16) And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, (17) saying: "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign.

The 144,000 Jews and World Revival

While the seals are being opened and chaos is breaking out on earth, there is also evangelism taking place.

At first, following the Rapture, there will be no believers left on earth. There will be no one to teach the Bible. At some point, however, 144,000 Jewish evangelists will begin teaching people about what is going on and about Jesus.

Rev 7:1-3 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree. (2) Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: (3) "Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God."

Who these 144,000 are is clearly spelled out in Rev 7:4-8. There is no need to speculate about their identity.

Rev 7:4-8 Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel. (5) From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000, (6) from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000, (7) from the tribe of Simeon 12,000, from the tribe of Levi 12,000, from the tribe of Issachar 12,000, (8) from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000, from the tribe of Joseph 12,000, from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.

Who Are The 144,000 Really?

AMillennial View - The Gospel Coalition - Kevin DeYoung

The AMillennial view is one that sees the Millennial Kingdom beginning at the cross, and continuing for an indeterminate period of time, concluding with the Tribulation. Following the Tribulation, we enter the Eternal State with the New Heaven and New Earth.

The AMillennialist understanding of "the Kingdom" is that of a spiritual kingdom, meaning that the kingdom exists in the hearts of believers. There is no future Kingdom and no future that includes fulfillment of physical promises to national Israel.

Kevin DeYoung is an AMillennialist....

"Now let’s come to Revelation 20. You’ll notice quickly that I believe that the text lends itself to an amillennial interpretation. And hopefully, that’s not just because I want to pick a camp that Reformed people are in, but because it is, in fact, biblical."

(https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevin-deyoung/making-sense-of-millennium-part-1/)

AMillennial view of the 144,000

"The 144,000 are not an ethnic Jewish remnant, and certainly not an Anointed Class of saints who became Jehovah’s Witnesses before 1935. The 144,000 represent the entire community of the redeemed."

(https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevin-deyoung/who-are-the-144000-in-revelation/)

Historic (or Covenant) PreMillennial View - George Ladd

Like Dispensational PreMillennialism, the Historic PreMillennialist view is one that sees the Millennial Kingdom beginning at the conclusion of the Tribulation period, last for 1000 years, and is followed by the Eternal State with the New Heaven and New Earth.

Where Historic PreMillennialism separates from Dispensational PreMillennialism is in the belief that Old Testament prophecies concerning national Israel are to be taken "spiritually". They view promises made to Israel of being God's people forever, inheriting the land of Canaan forever, ruling in God's theocratic Kingdom forever as promises not to be taken literally, but rather as spiritually applied to the Christian Church.

"Evangelical Christians who are not dispensationalists hold a variety of views. One of the most prominent expositors is the late George Eldon Ladd of Fuller Seminary. Ladd believed that the 144,000 represent the church just before the great tribulation, and the “great multitude” (also mentioned in chapter 7) represents the same individuals after the tribulation."

(https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1367&context=jats)

Ladd does not believe in a PreTribulation Rapture.

Jehovah's Witness

(https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/go-to-heaven/)

"The Bible indicates that 144,000 people will be resurrected to heavenly life. (Rev 7:4) In the vision recorded at Rev 14:1-3, the apostle John saw “the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000.” In this vision, “the Lamb” represents the resurrected Jesus. (Joh 1:29; 1Pe 1:19) “Mount Zion” represents the exalted position of Jesus and the 144,000 who rule with him in the heavens.​Psa 2:6; Heb 12:22."

Various Other Views

(https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1367&context=jats)

"The history of prophetic interpretation takes us down a winding path. It is sometimes a twisted, or even a knotted path, and none more bewildering than the variety of views on the 144,000 sealed ones of Revelation 7 and 14.1"

"Dispensationalists generally believe that the 144,000 are Jews who will convert to Christianity after the secret rapture. This is probably the most popular view among conservative Christians today."

"(See, for example, Ivan Barchuk, Explicacion del Apocalipsis (Barcelona: CLIE, 1975), p. 140. Lockyear believes the 144,000 are Jews who will be converted before the rapture (Herbert Lockyear, Apocalipsis: el Drama de los Siglos [Miami: Editorial Vida, n.d.], p. 97).) "

"There are not many liberals who take the book of Revelation seriously enough to study it in detail. Those who do generally take a preterist position. They believe the entire book refers to events that happened in the first century. Thus, the 144,000 are Jews John hoped would join the church in his day.3 "

"Numerous sects have emphasized the 144,000. They generally say: “We are the 144,000, and the rest of you are Babylon.” "

"Adventist interpretation of the 144,000 began with controversy. At one meeting not long after the disappointment, a “brother Arnold” stirred things up by insisting that the 144,000 were the people who rose with Christ at His resurrection.4 "

"Another brother was sure they were the babies that Herod killed in Bethlehem,5 while still another thought they were Jewish Christians of the first century."

"But after this initial flurry of controversy, the mainstream among those who would later be called Seventh-day Adventists arrived at a consensus. There was some disagreement as to details,6 but all agreed that the 144,000 were end-time believers, and that they were sealed so they could go through the “time of trouble” and be translated at Christ’s second coming."

Dispensational PreMillennial View

Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum states,

"In verses 4-8, the identification of those who are sealed is clearly specified as 144,000 Jews. To make it even more clear, twelve tribes are listed with the statement that 12,000 are chosen from each of the twelve tribes. Such careful delineation definitely indicates that these 144,000 are Jews, and will be nothing else, in spite of much speculation to the contrary."

The 144,000 are descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, ethnic Jews. This is the plain reading of the text. The fact that Rev 7:4-8 list the specific tribes they are coming from leaves no doubt they are Jewish.

vs. 1, "the four winds of the earth" seems to indicate that the 144,000 will come from all over the earth. This makes sense because the Jewish people today are scattered all over the earth, and have been since 70AD. Only recently have they been returning to the land of Israel, and in relatively small numbers.

The ministry of the 144,000 fulfills the prophecy of Mat 24:14.

Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

The Results of the 144,000

Rev 7:9-17 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. (10) And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." (11) All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, (12) saying: "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!" (13) Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes--who are they, and where did they come from?" (14) I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (15) Therefore, "they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. (16) 'Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,' nor any scorching heat. (17) For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; 'he will lead them to springs of living water.' 'And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.'"

After the ministry of the 144,000 Jews has been ongoing for a while, John looks and sees this great multitude. Many are saved through their ministry. These can be seen in the 5th seal saints.

Rev 6:9-11 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. (10) They called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?" (11) Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been.

Compare the "those who were slain" and "came out of the tribulation" of Rev 6:9 and Rev 7:14.

Compare the "white robes" of Rev 6:11 and Rev 7:9. The white robes symbolize the imputed righteousness of Christ and that these saints are "in Christ".

It is worth considering the great comfort that the slain saints, adorned in white robes, now enjoy in the presence of the Lord (Rev 7:15-17). They are in heaven.

There is an innumerable number that are saved through the ministry of the 144,000. There is no definite count here. This group is made up of people from every nation including Israel, whereas the 144,000 are all Jewish.

Note the contrasts and comparisons between these and believers of the church age. This shows that these Tribulation saints are distinct and different from the church age saints.


Church Age Saints

Tribulation Saints

Kept out of the Tribulation by the rapture (Rev 3:10)


Come out of the Great Tribulation through Martyrdom (Rev 7:14)


Clothed in white raiment or garments (%imation, mantle, cloak (Rev 3:5; Rev 4:4)


Clothed in white robes (stolh, a festal robe) (Rev 7:9)


Sit on thrones about the throne (Rev 4:4)


Stand before the throne (Rev 7:10)


Wear crowns (stefanos, the victor’s crown as promised to the church) (Rev 4:4)


No crowns mentioned


Have harps and golden bowls full of incense (Rev 5:8)


Palm branches in their hands (Rev 7:9)


Sing a new song (Rev 5:9)


Cry out with a loud voice (Rev 7:10)


Declared to be a kingdom of priests who will reign with Christ (Rev 5:10)


Serve Him day and night (Rev 7:15, cf. Rev 20:4)


The 7 Trumpet Judgments

The Seventh Seal and the Golden Censer

Rev 8:1-5 When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. (2) And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. (3) Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God's people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. (4) The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God's people, went up before God from the angel's hand. (5) Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake. (6) Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to sound them.

The opening of the seventh of the seals starts off with reflection on the part of those in heaven. This is likely due to the severe nature of the remaining judgments contained in the seventy seal. The judgments remaining would be all of the Trumpet and Bowl judgments yet to come.

Seven angels are prepared to begin the seven trumpet judgments.

Another angel has a golden censer, and he collected incense from the altar. The incense represents the sweet savor of Christ's person and work. The aroma of the incense and the prayers of the people rise before God.

Next, in an act foretelling judgement, the censer is hurled down to earth which triggers thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightening and an earthquake. When the seven angels carrying the seven trumpets see this, they prepare to release the judgments.

The First Trumpet

Rev 8:7 The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down on the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.

The first four of the trumpet judgments affect the God's creation, the earth, while the priority of the last three is mankind.

These judgments are meant to be understood literally. In the same way that we understand the events of the plagues in Egypt as real historical events, so we have no reason not to understand the Trumpet and Bowl judgements to be equally real future events.

This first judgment sees a third of the planet's surface burned up.

The Second Trumpet

Rev 8:8-9 The second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned into blood, (9) a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.

This second trumpet sees "something like" a huge mountain thrown into the sea. As a result a third of the planet's water turned to blood, either through chemical change or from the blood of the dead flowing into the sea. A third of the sea creatures die as a result of this mountain, and a third of the ships at sea are destroyed.

The description of the "huge mountain, all ablaze" matches with the description of an asteroid entering earth's atmosphere and hitting land.

J. Hampton Keithley provides this description:

"About 3,500 asteroids have been cataloged, and more are discovered each year. Their orbits are generally very elliptical, with one end closer to the sun than the other. The largest asteroid, Ceres, is about 620 miles (1,000 kilometers) in diameter. Next in size are Pallas, about 332 miles (534 kilometers); and Vesta, about 240 miles (386 kilometers).116

What would happen if even a small asteroid struck the earth? First, as it entered our atmosphere, as with shooting stars, it would begin to heat up and glow white with fire by friction. It would actually begin to burn. Then, when it hit the sea (as this object will if this is something like an asteroid) it would cause tidal waves and devastation for hundreds of miles. The meteorite which fell in Siberia in 1908 devastated over 1,000 square miles. The shock was felt as far away as Europe while trees up to 20 miles away were blown down. Yet the 1908 meteorite was only about 200 feet across—a far cry from one mile across!"

The Third Trumpet

Rev 8:10-11 The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water-- (11) the name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that had become bitter.

Again, a great star falls from the sky ablaze, this time falling on land and polluting rivers and springs. The name "Wormwood" is a reference to a type of wood growing in Israel that had a strong and bitter taste. Normally the "Wormwood" tree is not poisonous, but this object causes the rivers and springs to be undrinkable due to it's poisonous nature.

One third of the landmass and one third of the water on the planet are effected.

The Forth Trumpet

Rev 8:12 The fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them turned dark. A third of the day was without light, and also a third of the night.

This judgment takes away a third of the sunlight and moonlight. This could be a diminished amount of light reaching earth, or could be an eclipse that repeats every day. Charles Ryrie believed that it could mean the day-night cycle could be reduced from 24 to 16 hours per day.

These things are nearly impossible to imagine, as they defy the known physical laws of the universe. Only God in His omnipotence can explain these events, and we are given many scriptures that describe such things at this time.

Jos 10:12-14 On the day the LORD gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the LORD in the presence of Israel: "Sun, stand still over Gibeon, and you, moon, over the Valley of Aijalon." (13) So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the nation avenged itself on its enemies, as it is written in the Book of Jashar. The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. (14) There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the LORD listened to a human being. Surely the LORD was fighting for Israel!

Isa 13:9-10 See, the day of the LORD is coming --a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger-- to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within it. (10) The stars of heaven and their constellations will not show their light. The rising sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light.

Isa 24:19-20, Isa 24:23 The earth is broken up, the earth is split asunder, the earth is violently shaken. (20) The earth reels like a drunkard, it sways like a hut in the wind; so heavy upon it is the guilt of its rebellion that it falls--never to rise again. (23) The moon will be dismayed, the sun ashamed; for the LORD Almighty will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and before its elders--with great glory.

Joel 2:10 Before them the earth shakes, the heavens tremble, the sun and moon are darkened, and the stars no longer shine.

Joel 2:31 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.

Joel 3:15 The sun and moon will be darkened, and the stars no longer shine.

Mat 24:29 "Immediately after the distress of those days "'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.'

Mar 13:24 "But in those days, following that distress, "'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light;

Luk 21:25 "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.

Act 2:20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.

The Three Woes

Rev 8:13 As I watched, I heard an eagle that was flying in midair call out in a loud voice: "Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels!"

The word translated "eagle" in the NIV is "aggelos" in the Greek, translated "angel" in most translations. It could also be a "seraph" as described in Rev 4:7.

Rev 4:7 the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight.

Now that the first four trumpets have sounded, an angel announces the impending last three trumpet judgments. These three are called "woe" judgments, because as bad as the first four were, the last three are much worse.

The First Woe (5th Trumpet)

Rev 9:1-12 The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss. (2) When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss. (3) And out of the smoke locusts came down on the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth. (4) They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. (5) They were not allowed to kill them but only to torture them for five months. And the agony they suffered was like that of the sting of a scorpion when it strikes. (6) During those days people will seek death but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them. (7) The locusts looked like horses prepared for battle. On their heads they wore something like crowns of gold, and their faces resembled human faces. (8) Their hair was like women's hair, and their teeth were like lions' teeth. (9) They had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the thundering of many horses and chariots rushing into battle. (10) They had tails with stingers, like scorpions, and in their tails they had power to torment people for five months. (11) They had as king over them the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon and in Greek is Apollyon (that is, Destroyer). (12) The first woe is past; two other woes are yet to come.

In my experience, I have seen this passage of scripture promote fantastic imaginings and speculation. We must remember not to make of scripture more than what it actually states, and we would be wise to study the passages to uncover exactly what it does say.

We will take this passage verse by verse.

Verse 1 - "A Star" - Note that the passage states "I saw a star that "had" fallen. This is a star that had fallen in the past some time. We are viewing the aftermath here. That star is Satan. Satan is referred to as a star in other places in scripture that John would have been aware of.

Isa 14:12 How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!

Eze 28:11-17 The word of the LORD came to me: (12) "Son of man, take up a lament concerning the king of Tyre and say to him: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: "'You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. (13) You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: carnelian, chrysolite and emerald, topaz, onyx and jasper, lapis lazuli, turquoise and beryl. Your settings and mountings were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared. (14) You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones. (15) You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you. (16) Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones. (17) Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings.

Luke records Jesus' words about what He saw.

Luk 10:18 He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.

John also refers to this "star" as the "dragon" in Revelation chapter 12.

Rev 12:7-9 Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. (8) But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. (9) The great dragon was hurled down--that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

So this "star" is the person of Satan. He was given the key to the Abyss. Note that "When "he" opened the Abyss"... indicates the individuality of this person of Satan.

Having the key to the Abyss, Satan opens the Abyss. Other references to this Abyss are found in the following passages.

Jud 1:6 And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling--these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day.

1Pe 3:19-20 After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits-- (20) to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. ...

Gen 6:4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days--and also afterward--when the sons of God went to the daughters of humans and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown.

2Pe 2:4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment;

Screams from the Earth?

(https://answersingenesis.org/bible-questions/screams-from-the-earth/)

Verse 1 - "the Abyss" - The Abyss is a temporary place of confinement that demons feared to be sent (cf. Luk 8:31).

Luk 8:30-31 Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" "Legion," he replied, because many demons had gone into him. (31) And they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss.

Satan and his hordes will be banished to the abyss for 1000 years during the time period of the Millennial Kingdom, where they will no longer be able to influence humans.

Rev 20:1-3 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. (2) He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. (3) He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.

The final abode is the Lake of Fire at the conclusion of the 1000 year Millennial Kingdom.

Rev 20:14-15 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. (15) Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

Verse 2 - "smoke rose", "sun and sky darkened" - When the Abyss is opened, smoke rises from it and the sun and sky were darkened by the smoke.

Pictures taken near Weaverville, CA in August 2021 of the Monument Fire.






Verse 3 - "out of the smoke came locusts" - As the smoke darkens the sky and sun, out from the smoke comes some sort of demon called a "locust" that has power of the sort that scorpions have. This is not saying that the demons are scorpions, only that they "have power like scorpions". That power is to sting and cause pain like a scorpion does.

Locusts are associated with divine wrath. Locusts normally would devastate crops, but this locust will devastate man.

Exo 10:12-15 And the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over Egypt so that locusts swarm over the land and devour everything growing in the fields, everything left by the hail." (13) So Moses stretched out his staff over Egypt, and the LORD made an east wind blow across the land all that day and all that night. By morning the wind had brought the locusts; (14) they invaded all Egypt and settled down in every area of the country in great numbers. Never before had there been such a plague of locusts, nor will there ever be again. (15) They covered all the ground until it was black. They devoured all that was left after the hail--everything growing in the fields and the fruit on the trees. Nothing green remained on tree or plant in all the land of Egypt.

Verses 4-5 - These demons were given permission to harm only those who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. This refers back to the seal that the 144,000 Jewish evangelists received. Like when the 144,000 received the seal, the land, sea and trees were off limits to these demon locusts.

Rev 7:3 "Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God."

It is most likely that believers in the Tribulation are also exempt from being harmed.

It is notable that the demon locusts are not permitted to kill anyone, but only torment them for 5 months, or 150 days.

Verse 6 - In addition to the demon locusts with the scorpion like bite, tormenting the rebellious for 5 months, people who want to die will not be able to during those 5 months. Apparently suicide and murder will be ineffective. Men will be forced to endure the agony of the torment.

Verse 7-11 - We now come to a description of these demons. Notice the words "like". It is important to note that John is not saying that the demons are any of these things being described, only that they are "like" various characteristics.

The demon locust look like horses prepared for battle.

The heads of the "horses" had something like crowns of gold.

The faces of the demon locusts resembled human faces.

Their hair was like women's hair.

They had wings that sounded like the thundering of many horses and chariots rushing into battle.

They had tails like stingers.

Their tail is where the power was to torment men for 5 months.

These demon locusts had a king over them named "destroyer".

Verse 12 - Verse 12 announces the end of the 5 months of torment, and the coming of the second woe, or the 6th trumpet.

The Second Woe (6th Trumpet)

Rev 9:13-21 The sixth angel sounded his trumpet, and I heard a voice coming from the four horns of the golden altar that is before God. (14) It said to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates." (15) And the four angels who had been kept ready for this very hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind. (16) The number of the mounted troops was twice ten thousand times ten thousand. I heard their number. (17) The horses and riders I saw in my vision looked like this: Their breastplates were fiery red, dark blue, and yellow as sulfur. The heads of the horses resembled the heads of lions, and out of their mouths came fire, smoke and sulfur. (18) A third of mankind was killed by the three plagues of fire, smoke and sulfur that came out of their mouths. (19) The power of the horses was in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails were like snakes, having heads with which they inflict injury. (20) The rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood--idols that cannot see or hear or walk. (21) Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.

Verse 13 - The "voice" is the same as that of Rev 8:3. This voice tells the sixth angel to release four angels bound at the Euphrates river. It is great because of it's historical prominence and it's length of 1780 miles.

Verse 14-15 - Apparently, these angels have been kept ready for this moment for some time. Since they are said to have been bound, these are probably fallen angels and not good angels.

What these angels release kills another third of mankind. Previously, in Seal 4 (Rev 6:7-8), a fourth of the earth was given over to be killed by the sword, famine, plague, and wild beasts, amounting to some 1.95 Billion people. With a current population of 7.8 billion people, this leaves some 5.85 billion people. If we further remove another 1/3rd (1.95B) of the population, this results in 3.9B people left on earth from a start of 7.8B.

7,800,000,000

-1,950,000,000

=5,850,000,000

-1,950,000,000

=3,900,000,000

It is interesting that in Covid-19, animals can be carriers according to the NIH.

Animal reservoirs of SARS-CoV-2: calculable COVID-19 risk for older adults from animal to human transmission

(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34460063/)

In this judgment, the third of mankind that is killed is explained in the following verses.

Verses 16-19 - An army of "ten thousand times ten thousand" is 200,000,000. This would amount to 2/3rds the total population of the United States. It is an inconceivably large army.

There is disagreement over whether the size is metaphorical or literal, and who make up the 200M. Ryrie thought that they were demons, other think they are a Chinese people due to the weapons they had, fire, smoke and brimstone or sulfur which are weapons of hell. Fruchtenbaum also believes they are demons.

Whatever and however this force manifests, they will slay a third of the humans left on earth.

Joel also describes this same army:

Joel 2:1-11 Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming. It is close at hand-- (2) a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness. Like dawn spreading across the mountains a large and mighty army comes, such as never was in ancient times nor ever will be in ages to come. (3) Before them fire devours, behind them a flame blazes. Before them the land is like the garden of Eden, behind them, a desert waste-- nothing escapes them. (4) They have the appearance of horses; they gallop along like cavalry. (5) With a noise like that of chariots they leap over the mountaintops, like a crackling fire consuming stubble, like a mighty army drawn up for battle. (6) At the sight of them, nations are in anguish; every face turns pale. (7) They charge like warriors; they scale walls like soldiers. They all march in line, not swerving from their course. (8) They do not jostle each other; each marches straight ahead. They plunge through defenses without breaking ranks. (9) They rush upon the city; they run along the wall. They climb into the houses; like thieves they enter through the windows. (10) Before them the earth shakes, the heavens tremble, the sun and moon are darkened, and the stars no longer shine. (11) The LORD thunders at the head of his army; his forces are beyond number, and mighty is the army that obeys his command. The day of the LORD is great; it is dreadful. Who can endure it?

Verse 20-21 - These verses speak of the shear blindness that has come over those remaining on earth. It is like they have decided to give power to a force that has come over them to fog their brains and cause blindness. We are seeing this happen today.

The Delusion

1) Why ivermectin should not be used to prevent or treat COVID-19

(https://www.ama-assn.org/.../why-ivermectin-should-not-be...)

"The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) echoed the CDC’s warning against the use of ivermectin for prevention or treatment of COVID-19. That is because ivermectin is not approved or authorized by the FDA for COVID-19. Additionally, the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines Panel determined that there is insufficient evidence and data to recommend ivermectin for treatment of COVID-19. This recommendation is consistent with the Infectious Disease Society of America’s Guidelines on the Treatment and Management of Patients with COVID-19, which speaks against the use of ivermectin in hospitalized patients and ambulatory persons with COVID-19, outside of the context of a clinical trial. There is also no evidence to suggest that ivermectin can be used to successfully prevent COVID-19 infection."

Note that according to AMA, who quoted the NIH in the article, "There is also no evidence to suggest that ivermectin can be used to successfully prevent COVID-19 infection."

But look at what the NIH website says:

2) A five-day course of ivermectin for the treatment of COVID-19 may reduce the duration of illness (National Institutes of Health)

(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33278625/)

"A 5-day course of ivermectin was found to be safe and effective in treating adult patients with mild COVID-19."

3) Review of the Emerging Evidence Demonstrating the Efficacy of Ivermectin in the Prophylaxis and Treatment of COVID-19

(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8088823/)

"A large majority of randomized and observational controlled trials of ivermectin are reporting repeated, large magnitude improvements in clinical outcomes. Numerous prophylaxis trials demonstrate that regular ivermectin use leads to large reductions in transmission. Multiple, large “natural experiments” occurred in regions that initiated “ivermectin distribution” campaigns followed by tight, reproducible, temporally associated decreases in case counts and case fatality rates compared with nearby regions without such campaigns."

4) Ivermectin: a multifaceted drug of Nobel prize-honoured distinction with indicated efficacy against a new global scourge, COVID-19

(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8383101/)

"Since March 2020, when IVM was first used against a new global scourge, COVID-19, more than 20 randomized clinical trials (RCTs) have tracked such inpatient and outpatient treatments. Six of seven meta-analyses of IVM treatment RCTs reporting in 2021 found notable reductions in COVID-19 fatalities, with a mean 31% relative risk of mortality vs. controls. During mass IVM treatments in Peru, excess deaths fell by a mean of 74% over 30 days in its ten states with the most extensive treatments."

Could it be that people are dying because they are being refused treatment that is safe and effective according to the NIH?

Listen to Dr. Peter McCullough explain what happens when he tries to explain the response when he tries to explain early treatment with Ivermectin and Hydroxycloroquine as a response to early onset of Covid to his peers.

PERSPECTIVES ON THE PANDEMIC XX

Video: "THIS INTERVIEW COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE" PART TWO: THE DANGERS OF THE INJECTIONS

(https://www.thepressandthepublic.com/post/perspectives-on-the-pandemic-xx) (59:00-1:02:35)

No doubt some people are wicked and evil and outright rebel, but others could rebel due to their own choice to reject the truth.

Joh 3:19-21 And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who practices the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.

This is what Doctor McCullough is discussion with regards to the attempt to explain what is going on, and how people are just in a fog about it.

2Th 2:11-12 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie (12) and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.

It's like we are seeing this in real time. We can look at the deluded and what they are saying and see that it makes zero sense and can't believe people would say such things. This seems to give new insight into "how Satan works".

2Th 2:9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie,

But it seems to be affecting the Christian base too.

Mat 24:24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

I am more and more convinced that the proper immunization for these days have entered into and seem poised to continue into the future is knowledge of the Word. Christians who believe but don't know the word can be deceived.

Dan 8:25 He will cause deceit to prosper,

What will happen to those who do not turn to God during these times? Some of the characteristics of this time that we are moving into are:

Demon influence - Common influence we all face today

Demon Subjection or Control - things that happen due to man's lust of the flesh and other tempations.

Demon Harrassment or Opression - Direct demon attach that leads to severe harm mentally, emotionally and physically.

Demon Possession - Demons taking up residence inside of people and controls and uses them and their vocal cords and nervous system as seen in the Bible.

Moral Decadence - The natural outcome of demonic activity of all sorts. Abortion, prostitution, sexual deviance, and so on.

Sins of Murder - Killing will become common place, no one will think of killing other people.

Sins of Sorcery - Drugs, incantations, enchantments. Practically everyone will be on drugs and men will kill and steal to get them.

Sins of Immorality - Sexual sins and perversions

Sins of Thefts - Stealing

The Two Witnesses

Rev 11:3-14 And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth." (4) They are "the two olive trees" and the two lampstands, and "they stand before the Lord of the earth." (5) If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. (6) They have power to shut up the heavens so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.

John Walvoord writes:

"The guiding lines which govern the exposition to follow regard this chapter as a legitimate prophetic utterance in which the terms are taken normally. Hence, the great city of 11:8 is identified as the literal city of Jerusalem. The time periods are taken as literal time periods. The two witnesses are interpreted as two individuals. The three and half days are taken literally. The earthquake is a literal earthquake. The seven thousand men who are slain by the earthquake are seven thousand individuals who die in the catastrophe. The death of the witnesses is literal as are their resurrection and ascension."

This passage of scripture does not advance the timeline of the Revelation. Rather, John is taking time to describe a couple things. He is describing the Ministry of the Two Witnesses which takes place over a 3 and one half year time period, and secondly, the spiritual condition of the temple and Jerusalem as it will exist in the Tribulation.

Verses 3-4 - The Identity of the Two Witnesses

Rev 11:3-4 And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth." (4) They are "the two olive trees" and the two lampstands, and "they stand before the Lord of the earth."

Lamp stands are light bearers, or holders. They are not the light, but they contain the light. This indicates that relationship between the Two Witness and God is close, with God dwelling in the Two Witnesses and projecting His light through them.

The Olive Trees or branches are the source of the oil. The branches are connected to the lamp stands and provide a constant flow of oil, much how God continuously keeps us filled with His Holy Spirit. And so it is that these two will prophesy the words that God will provide them with.

Zechariah also refers to these two witnesses.

Zec 4:11-14 Then I asked the angel, "What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?" (12) Again I asked him, "What are these two olive branches beside the two gold pipes that pour out golden oil?" (13) He replied, "Do you not know what these are?" "No, my lord," I said. (14) So he said, "These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth."

Scripture does not reveal the identity of the Two Witnesses will be. It seems likely that they will just be two men that God will raise up during the first half of the Tribulation.

Verses 5-6 - The Provision for the Two Witnesses

Rev 11:5-6 If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. (6) They have power to shut up the heavens so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.

The Ministry of the Two Witnesses is provided for by granting them protection (vs. 5), miraculous power (vs. 5), authoritative and effective testimony (vs. 4), and ultimate deliverance (vs. 11-12).

The Two Witnesses have the power to kill men by fire, cause drought by withholding rain, turn water to blood, and cause other plagues.

Their ministry will be centered in the city of Jerusalem. This is in contrast to the 144,000 that will be spread around the world.

This is a good example showing that whatever the task God sets before us, He will provide the means for accomplishment.

Php 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (7) And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

We should walk calmly, being fully convinced of God's provision to complete what He sets before us, whether that is recovery or ministry.

1Sa 17:47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands."

There will be more said about the Two Witnesses in a later session dealing with the middle of the Tribulation.

The Ecclesiastical Babylon

Rev 17:1-6 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters. (2) With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries." (3) Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. (4) The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. (5) The name written on her forehead was a mystery: BABYLON THE GREAT THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. (6) I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God's holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. When I saw her, I was greatly astonished.

During the first half of the Tribulation, Ecclesiastical Babylon, or "religious Babylon" will rule.

There are two political rules that occur during the Tribulation. The first half is rule by 10 Kings. The second half is rule by the AntiChrist. Likewise, there are two religious systems ruling during the Tribulation. The first half is rule by this ecclesiastical Babylon.

Verse 1 - This religious Babylon is said to be "the great prostitute". To prostitute something means to change it from it's intended purpose into something perverse. Like changing the intended purpose of sex in the bounds of marriage into something perverse as selling yourself through sex for money, or general fornication.

So it is with this religious Babylon, it changes the true purpose of religion into something perverse. The true purpose of religion is described by James:

Jas 1:26-27 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. (27) Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

With this religious Babylon, religion is perverted and rather than serving, it rules. It causes spiritual fornication, which is a form of unfaithfulness.

Hos 1:2 When the LORD began to speak through Hosea, the LORD said to him, "Go, marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the LORD."

Jer 2:20 "Long ago you broke off your yoke and tore off your bonds; you said, 'I will not serve you!' Indeed, on every high hill and under every spreading tree you lay down as a prostitute.

Eze 16:14-21 And your fame spread among the nations on account of your beauty, because the splendor I had given you made your beauty perfect, declares the Sovereign LORD. (15) "'But you trusted in your beauty and used your fame to become a prostitute. You lavished your favors on anyone who passed by and your beauty became his. (16) You took some of your garments to make gaudy high places, where you carried on your prostitution. You went to him, and he possessed your beauty. (17) You also took the fine jewelry I gave you, the jewelry made of my gold and silver, and you made for yourself male idols and engaged in prostitution with them. (18) And you took your embroidered clothes to put on them, and you offered my oil and incense before them. (19) Also the food I provided for you--the flour, olive oil and honey I gave you to eat--you offered as fragrant incense before them. That is what happened, declares the Sovereign LORD. (20) "'And you took your sons and daughters whom you bore to me and sacrificed them as food to the idols. Was your prostitution not enough? (21) You slaughtered my children and sacrificed them to the idols.

Eze 16:20-21 are a powerful warning against the practice of abortion. Idols today are convenience, desire, indifference. Do not think that if you are a Christian that you can excuse this killing of unborn children, it is a powerful physical outworking of a spiritual fornication. Do not be a part of this religious Babylon.

John is told that this religious Babylon will be judged and punished.

Religious Babylon is said to "sit by many waters". The "waters" are defined in verse 15, "The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages." The woman "sitting" by the waters indicates that she has the support of the people of the world. There will be a unity of religion and state.

This is the religious system that will enforce the worship of the AntiChrist and the taking of the Mark of the Beast.

Rev 13:11-12 Then I saw a second beast, coming out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon. (12) It exercised all the authority of the first beast on its behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed.

Rev 13:15-17 The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. (16) It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, (17) so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name.

Verse 2 - The unity of religion and state is further supported by the fact that "the kings of the earth committed adultery" and "the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries". The religious system, political system, and the people of the earth are all involved in this spiritual fornication.

As we read through chapters 17 and 18, we see that this "great prostitute" is called by various names.

The Great Prostitute

A woman

Babylon the Great

The Mother of Prostitutes

Prostitute

 

Great City

Mighty City of Babylon

Great City of Babylon

Verse 3 - In this verse we see a "woman" and a "scarlet beast". The woman in this verse is "the great prostitute that we have been discussing. The scarlet beast is the 4th imperialist empire in it's later stages. The scarlet beast is the one that has the 7 heads and 10 horns, which is detailed in Daniel.

Dan 2:40 Finally, there will be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron--for iron breaks and smashes everything--and as iron breaks things to pieces, so it will crush and break all the others.

Dan 7:7-8 "After that, in my vision at night I looked, and there before me was a fourth beast--terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the former beasts, and it had ten horns. (8) "While I was thinking about the horns, there before me was another horn, a little one, which came up among them; and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like the eyes of a human being and a mouth that spoke boastfully.

In this passage, the great prostitute is sitting on the scarlet beast, indicating that the false religious system has the support of the government, at least till this point.

Verses 4-5 - The description and identification of the woman is given in these two verses. She appears beautiful, wealthy and influential. Her full name is given, "BABYLON THE GREAT THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH".

These verses contain the final form of religious apostasy, a degradation to a one world super church. She is a final form of the Jezebel spirit united with the Laodicean church.

Jezebel was the wife of Ahab, an evil king of Israel, and a killer of God's people in Old Testament, and the Laodicean church is the church that was lukewarm.

Rev 2:20-21 Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. (21) I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling.

1Ki 18:13 Haven't you heard, my lord, what I did while Jezebel was killing the prophets of the LORD? I hid a hundred of the LORD's prophets in two caves, fifty in each, and supplied them with food and water.

Rev 3:15-16 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! (16) So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

Babylon the Harlot represents the one world religious system that rules over the religious affairs during the first half of the Tribulation. During the first half of the Tribulation, she has the reluctant support of the government.

Scripture indicates that the headquarters of this one world religion will be the rebuilt city of Babylon.

Where did this city come from?

Gen 11:1-9 Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. (2) As people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there. (3) They said to each other, "Come, let's make bricks and bake them thoroughly." They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. (4) Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth." (5) But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. (6) The LORD said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. (7) Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other." (8) So the LORD scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. (9) That is why it was called Babel--because there the LORD confused the language of the whole world. From there the LORD scattered them over the face of the whole earth.

The Hanging Garden's of Babylon is one of the seven wonders of the world.

(https://www.nationalgeographic.org/article/seven-wonders-ancient-world/)

"Despite being named one of the Seven Ancient Wonders, there is not much firsthand evidence that the gardens actually existed. Those who claimed to have witnessed the gardens, including Greek historians Strabo and Diodorus Siculus, described them as marvels of agricultural engineering. An amazing array of blooming flowers, luscious fruit, exotic foliage, and impressive waterfalls were said to have filled them. The hanging gardens were believed to have been built around 600 B.C.E., by Nebuchadnezzar II, who ruled Babylonia from 605–562 B.C.E."

There are many articles that talk of Babylon being rebuilt.

Babylon Today: Rebuilding the Ancient City

(https://www.davidjeremiah.org/age-of-signs/babylon-today-rebuilding-the-ancient-city)

"The rebuilding of Babylon is not just an idle topic of scholarly books. When Saddam Hussein rose to power in Iraq, he conceived a grandiose scheme for the rebuilding of that ancient city. He promised that Babylon's grand palaces and legendary Hanging Gardens (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World) would rise from the dust. Believing himself to be the reincarnation of King Nebuchadnezzar II, who had conquered Jerusalem 2,500 years earlier, Hussein invested more than $500 million toward his goal of restoring Babylon's ancient city."

The Future of Babylon

(https://www.wmf.org/project/future-babylon)

"For more than a decade, WMF has continued to implement the Babylon site management plan, undertaking conservation work at specific sites within the archaeological park such as assisting with the conservation and stabilization of the Lion of Babylon. Projects at Ishtar Gate and Ninmakh Temple, launched in 2016 and 2019 respectively, are still ongoing."

Verse 6 - This verse shows that God's people remain separate from religious Babylon, and as a result are killed. It is the great prostitute that is "drunk with the blood of the saints". John was greatly astonished. This is quite like what happened to true believers in the Old Testament times where Israel is said to kill the prophets that were sent to her.

Summary

This concludes the study of events of the first half of the Tribulation period. As we can see, some events are chronological, occurring in sequence, and some are taking place throughout the entire first half time period. 

Things that are pervasive throughout are:

The Ministry of Elijah

The Ministry of the 144,000 Jews

The Resulting World Wide Revival

The Ministry of the Two Witnesses

The Political System of the 10 Kings

The Religious System of Ecclesiastical Babylon

The events covered so far have been:

Rev 6 - The Opening of the Seven Seals

Rev 7 - The Sealing of the 144,000, and the Great Revival

Rev 8 - The Seventh Seal and the Golden Cup of Incense, the Seven Trumpets

Rev 9 - The Seven Trumpets (Continued)

Rev 11 - The Two Witnesses Introduced

Rev 17 - The Great Prostitute and the Beast