01 - Revelation of Jesus Christ (1:1)
02 - John Bearing Witness (1:1-3,19)
03 - Greeting (1:4-8)
04 - the Son of Man, the Alpha and Omega (1:10-18)
05 - Summary of Interpretational Foundation
77 - 7 Churches (2-3)
06 - Rapture of the Church (4:1)
07 - One Sitting on the Throne: Creator (4:2-11)
08 - Scroll and the Lamb (5)
09 - 7 Seals (6:1-17, 8:1)
10 - Israel Sealed (7:1-8)
11 - White Robed (7:9-17)
12 - 7 Trumpets-Bowls: wrath of God explained (8:1-6, ch15)
13 - 4 Trumpets-Bowls: wrath of God (8:7-12,16:1-9)
14 - Woe, Woe, Woe (8:13-9:11, 16:10-11)
15 - Armageddon (9:13-21, 16:12-16)
16 - No More Time (10:1-10)
17 - Prophets (10:11-11:13)
18 - 7th Trumpet-Bowl: wrath finished (11:15-19, 16:17-21)
19 - Israel vs Satan (ch12)
20 - Beast & Persecution (13:1-10)
21 - Woman on the Beast (ch17)
22 - Antichrist & the Mark (13:11-18)
23 - Israel Saved & Final Warning (ch14)
24 - Babylon Destroyed (ch18)
25 - Rejoicing over Babylon's Fall (19:1-4)
26 - King of kings: takes rulership (19:5-6,11-21)
27 - Marriage of the Lamb (19:7-10)
28 - Millennium (20:1-10)
29 - Great White Throne (20:11-15)
30 - New Heaven and Earth (21:1)
31 - New Jerusalem (21:2-27)
32 - Life (22:1-5)
33 - Faithful Words (22:6-20)
34 - Invitation (22:17)

"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him..."

This one phrase, on one hand so full of rich meaning, and on the other a source of so much misunderstanding, misinterpretation and false teaching. I dare say, this single phrase is the very -key- to understanding the rest of the book of Revelation. If this phrase is misunderstood, the entire teaching of the rest of the book is prone to pitfalls and errors. But when it is correctly understood and received into the mind and heart, it opens up the rest of the book, like nothing else.

First of all, let us understand something this phrase does not mean. The Greek word for "revelation" is "apokalupsis"; the root to our English word, "apocalypse". Looking up the word in English dictionaries (American Heritage & Random House) reveals many definitions, the primary ones related to this book of Revelation, other Jewish writings, and to concepts of "total devastation and doom". Finally, after those definitions, almost as though lost in what preceeds it, is the true meaning: "prophetic disclosure: revelation"

When looking up the matter in the Greek lexicon there is -NO- aspect addressing "devastation or doom". It is all about "laying bare, disclosing something previously unknown, manifestation, appearance". Is it possible that those other English (dictionary) definitions are a result of years of continual use and association with false teaching? I notice the Webster's 1828 dictionary does not include the "doom" definitions. A more 'recent' phenomenon, perhaps?

There are many references throughout culture and literature to the "four horsemen of the apocalypse", indicating terror, dread, doom, devastation, annihilation, etc. And many prophecy teachers speak of a coming time, "the seven years of tribulation"...of tragedies and doom.

Well, the book of Revelation contains the word/s "tribulation" (or "affliction"; depending on what translation you read from) only five (5) times; and four of those are in chs 2-3, dealing with the Seven Churches. And the one mention in 7:14 might also easily be speaking of the Church; we'll discuss that when we get there. Thus, does it not seem strange to label the entire book of Revelation, as being -about- "The Tribulation"?

As you read this, if you are already beginning to shake your head at this writing, assuming this writer is "whacked-out-crazy" because this does not agree with the popular trendy teachings, please quote from Scripture a single passage, for all of us, that speaks of a "seven year" PERIOD OF TIME -called- "Tribulation"; or even a remote suggestion to such a title. There is none. And yet, the prevailing famous prophecy teachers that people flock to by the thousands, who sell their snake oil books, proclaim the coming time of the "seven years of tribulation". The expression is so-well-known that pretty much 'everybody' uses it (I used to, as well); even though it is in error.

Certainly, there is a coming period of time of seven years; the 70th week of Daniel 9:27 as it relates to Israel. Certainly there are coming some times of devastation and doom, called the time of "Jacob's Trouble". (Jer30:7) And the book of Revelation also correlates to Daniel when it speaks of periods of time corresponding to the seven year period being split in half, etc. And certainly there is much Scripture speaking of the annihilation of humanity, earthquakes, famine, objects from the heavens pummeling earth, etc. But there is no Scripture suggesting that this devastation is a seven-year-period of nothing-but-plagues, as many teachers would have people believe.

The book of Revelation certainly -contains- prophecy about catastrophe and doom; lots of it. But the book is NOT -about- that. Doom and gloom is -NOT- the primary focus of the book! Please understand this clearly. If all the reader sees is judgment and devastation, they have entirely missed what the book is about!

What -is- the book about? The opening words tell us. As a person reads through the rest of the book, this opening phrase should always be mentally at the head of the page.

"The revelation of Jesus Christ..."

What (who) is it about? The book is -about- JESUS CHRIST.

The Bible begins with the words, "In the beginning God..." (Gen1:1) The N.T. begins with "..the genealogy of Jesus Christ" (Mt1:1) "In the beginning was the Word....the Word was God" (Jn1:1) "God...has... spoken to us by His Son...the express image of His essence" (Heb1:1-3) "That which was from the beginning...the Word of Life" (1Jn1:1) The Bible begins with God, many of its books begin with God; and the last book of the Bible begins with God; and its ending message is, "Even so come, Lord Jesus" (Rev22:20)

The gospel of John speaks of the Deity of the 'man' Jesus (Jn8:58), and Hebrews addresses Jesus as our High Priest. (Heb8:1) But the book of Revelation -reveals- Jesus Christ for everything that He is. Most people like to limit Jesus as merely a "loving friend". Some might even see Him as Redeemer; the One whose grace does not condemn. (Jn8:11) But how many see Him with "power and great glory" (Mt24:30), full of wrath and judgment? The "wrath of the Lamb"? (Rev6:16) Oh, bbbut: a "loving God wouldn't...." One of the things that this book shows us is that God, indeed, -would-! Where Jesus appeared on earth in human form (Heb2:14) this book shows us what is meant by: "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God" (Heb10:31) The old chorus used to be sung around campfires: "Everybody ought to know who Jesus is" and the words would continue along, "He's the lily of the valley...He's the bright and morning star...He's the fairest of ten-thousand" but did not address, 'the Lamb of wrath and vengeance'. They like to sing, "Jesus loves me, this I know..." but do not realize that there is also a "judgment seat of Christ". (2Co5:10)

Where does this revelation come from? From God. You know what they say about the person who "toots his own horn". When I was a kid some of the adults used to joke, "If a man tooteth not his own horn, wherewithall shall it be tooted?" as they would also joke about the book they had written, "Humility, and How I Obtained It" Jesus said, "If I glorify Myself, My honor is nothing. It is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say that He is your God." (Jn8:54)

This revelation "God gave Him". For what purpose? For Jesus to sit there at the Father's "right hand", revelling and gloating in Himself? No. Even in His humanity the Scripture said, "He will not strive nor cry out, nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench, till He sends forth judgment to victory" (Mt12:19-20) He did not impose Himself upon people; when asked to leave a certain region after casting out the demons, He "got into the boat and returned" (Lk8:37) He complied. When the demons cried out: We know who You are, the Son of God; He would tell them to shush it. (Lk4:34-35) At Laodicea He "knocks" on the door; He does not ram-rod His way into the heart. (3:20)

This revelation is "..to show to His servants"

You know, as I see that phrase, it suddenly dawns on me why the world speaks of "apocalypse of doom". That expression is uttered by those who typically don't know God. And those prophets and teachers who speak of the "seven years of tribulation" are false prophets (or are following what they've heard from false teachers). They are not Believers. This book, in reality, isn't even -for- all of them. When Jesus was transfigured on the mountain, He took only Peter, Jacob and John; the three closest disciples. (Mt17:1-2) And they were warned to not reveal to the rest what they had seen, until after His resurrection. (vs9) Thus, this book really is only for Believers. The rest of the world will come to understand as the future events in the book are fulfilled. But the reason most people misinterpret it is because it is not for them. It is a book of the things of God, of the essence of Jesus Christ; things which the "natural man" cannot discern. (1Co2:14)

It is the revelation of Jesus Christ, and, yes...also about "things which must happen quickly". It is a book of "revealing". It is also a book containing prophecy. Could it not be said that most teachers, once they get past the first three chapters, treat the entire rest of the book as "prophecy"; things to happen in the future; especially during that presumed "seven years of tribulation"? But if the book is revelatory as well as prophetic, is it not understood that its entirety is -not- "prophetic"? We cannot do as many do: lay out the book as one huge prophetic (seven-year) "timeline". If it were all prophetic, where would be the "revelation"? And after all, the book's -title- is "Revelation". Its -primary- topic is "Revelation" -of- Jesus Christ. Yes, the book -contains- 'prophecy'...but always remember (never forget this!) that it is -about- 'Jesus Christ'. If we come to fully understand the book, we will then be that much closer to knowing Jesus Christ.

This Revelation: God "sent and signified it by His Angel to His servant John." (vs1)

First of all: Where does this book originate? Who is sending the message? God...the Father. Remember, it is the revealing -of- Jesus Christ. When something or someone is disclosed to others, it is not typically the thing or person, itself, that does the disclosing. Somebody, typically, unveils and brings the thing out into full view. Thus, if Jesus Christ is the One being manifested, He is not manifesting Himself. The Father is.

When Jesus was on earth as flesh-and-blood, Jesus was manifesting to mankind the Father. Philip asks to be shown the Father, and Jesus replies, "He who has seen Me has seen the Father". (Jn14:9) Jesus was the revealed essence of the Father. (Heb1:3) Jesus proclaimed that His words were not His own, but "..as My Father taught Me, I speak these things" (Jn8:28)

Now, the table is reversed. The Father is now showing us the Son. This book is all about what Paul wrote: "Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him a name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in Heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Php2:9-11) Jesus came, humbled Himself to be born as a human baby, suffered a cruel death, and carried our sins to the cross where He was "despised and rejected by men" (Is53:3) But now we are shown the glories of Jesus, and who He really is.

Who is this "angel"? God promised Israel that He would send His Angel to lead them through the wilderness. (Ex23:23) Paul tells us that it was Jesus Christ who led them. (1Co10:4) And throughout the O.T. the "Angel of Jehovah" appeared to people demonstrating attributes of God Himself, speaking with God's (original) authority. (Gen16:7,13, Ex3:2,6, Num22, Jug13:16-22, etc) Thus, God is revealing Jesus Christ; who better to reveal Jesus Christ, than with Jesus Christ, Himself?

So, John, the one who at the Last Supper was "leaning back on Jesus' breast" (Jn13:25), the "disciple whom Jesus loved" (Jn21:20), is being called upon to "bear witness" to what Jesus, Himself, is about to reveal to him. Keep this little picture of 'intimate' friendship in your minds as we progress further down this chapter.

John is "bearing witness...to all things that he saw" (vs2) And what did he see? There are some translations (e.g. KJV) that entitle the book the "Revelation of John the Divine". That is inaccurate on two counts: 1) it is not -about- John, and the fact that he was "on the island called Patmos" due to persecution. (vs9) Some make a big deal of that. 2) Nor does the book 'originate' -from- John. Just as the Scriptures did not originate from "personal exposition" or "by man's choice" (2Pt1:20-21); so, too, this book John was -commanded- to write; as we shall see a bit later, under some rather fantastic circumstances. John is shown some series of visions as he "came to be in the Spirit". (vs10) Just as the rest of Scripture was written when holy men of God were "propelled along by the Holy Spirit", so is this book.

And while we already know, from the opening heading, that the book is about Jesus Christ; what are the parameters for John's writings? Please pay close attention to this, as well. Just as it is paramount to understand that the book is a revelation -of- Jesus Christ, it is every bit as necessary to understand the 'rules' for John's account, because in understanding the rules of the writing is understanding of the book:

"Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things" (vs19)

1. "which you have seen" -HISTORY
2. "things which are" -CURRENT EVENTS
3. "which will take place after these things" -PROPHECY

If it seems to you like I'm spending a lot of words establishing these couple of initial foundations, you are correct. When a foundation is straight and firm, the rest of the structure is more likely to be true. But when the foundation is shaky, the rest is prone to toppling over. And the errors about this book that exist, I really seriously doubt that those teachers have actually spent any time in chapter 1, here, but have delved on into the "juicy stuff" later on, that impresses their hearers, because global population is annihilated, and a star called "wormwood" falls from the heavens, and all sorts of fantastic things are spoken. They typically, essentially, ignore this entire first chapter. But this first chapter is like the color code. If you are familiar with electronics, and are working with resistors, they are striped with a color code, to know their resistive value. If you want to know the resistor's value, and its tolerance levels, being minus an ohmmeter you first need to know the color code (blk=0, brn=1, red=2, etc) Awhile back somebody gave me a bag-full of LinkSys/Multishare printer network interconnect modules. First time I tried to check them out, they didn't work. But then I found/downloaded a file (with drivers) with its accompanying "readme" file, which explained a special wiring polarity for what otherwise looked like normal telephone wires and connectors. You see, first time around, I had connected things up with standard telephone wires...and the system was short-circuited. I needed the -fundamental- concept of the correct wiring polarity. When that was corrected, the modules worked perfectly. And from there, then, I was able to experiment with different configurations to see what they were capable of, and work out a configuration for my own purposes.

To understand the rest of this book, we need to be 'plugged in' with wires 'untwisted', not shorting out. We must approach everything that follows with the correct fundamental premise (Jesus Christ); and with correct investigative observational methodology (past/present/future).

Thus: If we spend this time now, to gain a proper understanding of the 'rules' for the book, then, the rest of the book will be, relatively, a 'breeze'. I think we'll find it to be not nearly as 'mysterious' as many people think it to be.

Why is all this so important? Because of the "blessing". Most people, viewing the book as one huge account of God's judgment, miss God's righteousness, where the angels proclaim: "true and righteous are Your judgments" (16:7, 19:2)

Here is the blessing: "Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near" (vs3)

How can the reader receive God's blessing for obedience, if he has not rightly understood what is written? If there is not correct understanding, then obedience is impossible. Yes? The word "keep" means the same as "obedience". In other words, this book is not to merely be read, to be 'wowed' over the signs and wonders that are about to take place, whilst trying to pre-speculate about every last little detail of their implementation; nor is the reader to find someplace "out from the city" where they build themself a "booth" to sit comfortably in the shade, to watch God's destruction on "Nineveh" (Jonah4): Go, Get 'em God! Go, God, Go!

No!

The result of reading this book should be 'obedience'. Regarding the expectation of seeing Jesus "just as He is" the exhortation is: "And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure." (1Jn3:3)

And just as Genesis is at the beginning of our Bibles, and Jesus' crucifixion is closer to the middle, Judas (speaking of near-end events) is near the end, and Revelation, speaking of the end events, is at the end. Earlier John writes, "even now many antichrists have risen up, by which we know that it is the last hour" (1Jn2:18); here he says, "for the time is near" (vs3b) As the days and weeks have gone by, eventually history comes up to the "last hour", often dubbed the "eleventh hour". Now, we are well into the eleventh hour, and it's JUST ABOUT TIME. Most-any-minute, now; most-any-second! That is the timeframe for which this book is written. And as we progress, if you weren't already aware of it, you -will- become so.

In the prior years of this ministry it was not the Lord's time for us to address this book, even though many others purporting to be for "the last days" were doing so; and subscribers would periodically request that we study the book. But now it is. As we watch our daily evening news, we see events related to Israel continuing to become more and more intense, and this year (2004), LIKE NO OTHER, the world's primary super-power nation, somewhat symbolic of prophetic "babylon", has -jumped- off the cliff into moral depravity in the likeness of the "days of Lot". Up until this year, it has been quickly 'running' towards depravity...but this year it has (as I say) jumped off the cliff, and it seems that various magistrates here and there cannot get on the homosexual 'marriage' bandwagon fast enough (breaking all established laws)...thumbing their noses and challenging society to do something about it (if they dare!!).

So, indeed, "the time is near".

"John, to the seven churches..." (vs4)

Remember? The "revelation" is -to- God's "servants". (vs1) This book is to the church. Believers. Those who have been "washed from our sins in His own blood" (vs5) The world may read this book. But they do so as 'outsiders', because it is not addressed to them.

"Grace to you and peace..." The world continues intoning the "peace, peace" mantra. But in the context of some end-time events, Paul informs us, "For when they say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall by no means escape." (1Th5:3) That is for "they" (the unsaved world), who will not escape God's wrath. But to the Believers is "grace and peace". As we shall see later, "they" will be made to come and bow at the feet of the Believers they had persecuted, while the Believers will be "kept from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth". (3:9-10) "Those", for whom the world is their home, compared to the Believer whose "citizenship is in Heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.." (Php3:20)

For you who still doubt that doctrine called "pre-trib" (pre-70th-week): you see, this entire book, which is typically associated with the 70th week (but as we've already spoken, is so much more), is enshrowded in a spirit of "grace and peace" to the Church. It certainly speaks of judgment upon Babylon and the Beast; but upon the 'overcomers' of the Seven Churches (ch2-3) it is about "grace and peace".

From whom is this Grace and Peace? From "Him who is and who was and who is to come" (vs4) That's God. "...even from everlasting to everlasting, You are the Mighty God." (Ps90:2b)

"..and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne" (vs4b) Of the various things we will see in this book, this is one that is yet a mystery. Jesus spoke of "-the- Spirit of Truth" (Jn14:17, 15:26, etc) Use of the definite article "the" suggests a 'singular' entity. But these "seven" are called "the seven Spirits of God" (3:1, 4:5, 5:6) Thus, as God is comprised of "Father, Son and Holy Spirit" (Mt28:19), is the Holy Spirit further-comprised of 'Seven'? Since I don't know of any Scripture that explains the matter, other than mentioning their existence, I'm going to leave it right there. A question. A 'mystery' yet to be understood when we see the Lord and understand "face to face" (1Co13:12)

"..and from Jesus Christ, the Faithful Witness, the Firstborn out from the dead, and the Ruler over the kings of the earth; to Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood" (vs5) Jesus was the Faithful Witness of the Father to the world; as He proclaimed, "..I always do those things that please Him" (Jn8:29b) In His resurrection, He was the "firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep". (1Co15:20,23) Jesus Christ is the very -definition- of the resurrection: "I am the resurrection and the life" (Jn11:25) And He is Ruler over the kings of the earth. He is the One who is "King of kings and Lord of lords" (19:16) He is the "only Potentate" (1Ti6:15) He is the one deserving of all praise: "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!" (5:12) It is -this- "Jesus" from whom Grace and Peace is bestowed to the Church.

Last time the world saw Him, He was hanging on a cross. And today's babylon 'church' keeps Him there, forever bleeding. But notice that "He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will wail because of Him" (vs7) You see... all the cataclysms that are prophesied in this book are actually the lead-in and introduction to -this- event, when Christ returns in power. Zec12:10 tells us that Israel will "mourn" for Him at His coming. But it was Roman soldiers who "pierced" Him. He will be revealed to Jew and Gentile, alike. And they will -WAIL- because of Him.

But for the Believer this is not a time of calamity. Those 'clouds' Jesus returns with (Zec14:5) include the Believers who are returning to reign with Him a thousand years. (20:6) Thus, while the unregenerate world will be beating their breasts in horror and terror, the Believer will know Christ's righteous justice.

Thus, the response to the world's calamity is: "Even so, Amen!" (vs7b) Why? Because we have been made "kings and priests to God" (vs6) But this is not a rulership, as today's self-proclaimed 'gods' are, who, in their delusion, imagine themselves "commanding" God this and that. No! "To Him [the Father] be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." (vs6b)

Who is this God? "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the Ending, says the Lord, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty" (vs8) The very definition of the Most High is He who -DECLARES- "...the end from the beginning, and from antiquity things which are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure;" (Is46:10)

Are you picking up on a pattern, here? One of God's names is the "Alpha and Omega". (vs8) The greeting is from Him who is, was and is to come. (vs4) This One who is the very embodiment of eternity, who in O.T. praise and worship they proclaimed of Him, "His mercy is eternal" (1Ch16:34) This book is a 'revelation' of Jesus Christ, and as such John is instructed to write about the things Seen, Now and After these things. In looking at the past, present and future of history one is also looking at part of the very essence of God... of Jesus Christ.

"I came to be in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet." (vs10)

Here, now, we come to the third foundational principle regarding this book. Remember what the first two are? 1) Revelation -of- Jesus Christ; 2) Past, Present, Future; and now, 3) Vision. This entire book is a record of this fantastic vision God gave to John, to "write". (vs19) As such, we are going to see much allegory. From our recent series in "Bible Study Methods" we remember that an allegory is a symbol, representation, example, etc. But it is not the -actual- real thing.

Joseph interpreted for Pharaoh's two servants what would happen to them after three days, depicted by three objects on their heads. (Gen40) Pharaoh dreamed about seven cows and corn, where the dream spoke of coming seven years of famine. (Gen41) Nebuchadnezzar dreamed about a huge statue and tree. (Dan2,4) Ezekiel had visions of wheels, and of God's glory; and he uses much the expression "in appearance like". (Ezk1:14,26,etc) When he says that above God's glory was the "appearance like a sapphire stone" (1:26) it doesn't mean that there was -a- sapphire stone, but that he didn't know what it was, but his closest explanation for what he saw was "like" a sapphire.

In this passage it says Jesus' feet were "like fine brass". (vs15) This it not to suggest that any time we see some highly refined, shiny brass, that we are seeing "Jesus". No. When it says that His appearance was "like the sun shining in its strength" (vs16) does that mean we are to engage in sun-worship? No! With these visions that many had of God's glory, it was so indescribable that they could only suggest 'similarities' to things we know on this earth.

As such, here is our fourth principle for this book: Not everything we read will be answerable to us at this time. Paul says that right now we only "know in part and prophesy in part" because we only "see through a mirror dimly". We are not yet "face to face" where/when we "shall fully know" (1Co13:9,12) Even Daniel, in all his wisdom, whom God used to explain dreams and visions to Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar, when God showed him visions, some of it was told to him, "shut up the words and seal the book, to the time of the end" and Daniel expresses, "And I heard, but I did not understand" (Dan12:4,8) So you see, we will be seeing a lot of things we will not know for sure; we will not have definite answers; we will have to conclude, "I don't know". Some things we will even be left to speculate about, not concluding decisively whether or not the matter is 'literal' or 'allegory'. And there is nothing wrong with that; it only proves that we are yet 'human', and yet subject to the "corruption" of being "flesh and blood". (1Co15:50~)

And so, John hears a loud voice, "as of a trumpet". (vs10) This does not mean that John heard an actual 'trumpet'. But the voice was not the kind of sound he was used to hearing. The voice was piercing and clarion-like When Paul says that Christ comes for the Church with the "trumpet of God" (1Th4:16) is it this same sort of voice? Just a question... But this is John's 'call' to write. This was not the "whisper of a small voice" by which Elijah heard God. (1Ki19:12) This is a major announcement; an important message; something to which the churches will be exhorted: "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches" (2:7) with the warning that, if they will not be obedient, that their lampstand (their existence as a church 1:20) will be removed, unless they "repent". (2:5)

So John turns to see 'who' is speaking to him. He sees One "like the Son of Man". (vs13) John recognizes a 'resemblance' to Jesus; remember, John is the one "whom Jesus loved". But what John sees here is so fantastic. Please read this passage for yourselves. Jesus is appearing like nothing John had ever seen before: eyes like a flame of fire, a two-edge sword coming out His mouth, with a voice like the "sound of many waters". So awesome was the sight that John (the one whom Jesus loved, who leaned back on Jesus' breast at the Last Supper) collapses in a faint "as dead". This is the usual response when a man-of-God was shown God's glory. Isaiah wails, "Woe is me!" (Is6:5) Ezekiel says, "I fell on my face" (Ezk1:28) In Ezekiel's case God calls to him "stand on your feet" and the Holy Spirit enters him and "set" him on his feet. (2:1-2)

Here, Jesus comes and touches John with "His right hand". (vs17) And how does Jesus calm him? "Do not be terrified; I am the First and the Last."

Well...isn't that part of the very thing that has terrified John? Jesus proclaiming Himself the "Alpha and Omega"? Well, yes, with that loud trumpet-like voice. But Jesus further confirms His identity to John, the one who had written Jesus' words, "I am the resurrection and the life" (Jn11:25) and the disciples' conclusion that with Jesus were the "Words of Eternal Life" (Jn6:68), like this: "I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen." (vs18) Remember, John had seen the cocoon-like empty burial clothes: he "saw and believed" (Jn20:8) Here, Jesus reminds him of his faith, and says, essentially, "It's Me"...only, with considerable grandeur!

Notice also: "And I have the keys of Hades and of Death". Perhaps this explains to us better the "Rock" upon which Christ's Church is built, and exactly to 'whom' the keys were given in Mt16:18-19?

Notice the imagery. The lampstands being "the seven churches" (vs20); and "in the MIDST of the seven lampstands" is where the Son of Man is seen. (vs13) Jesus had said, "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." (Mt18:20)

This Jesus, the One who called the disciples His "friends" (Jn15:14), the One about whom all our 'love songs' are written: "Jesus loves me", "My Jesus I love Thee", etc.; indeed He comes and touches us, giving us strength.

But how many from the Church know the eyes as a flame of fire, the clarion-like voice, the two-edge sword, the brightness that is blindingly intense, the purity that is the white hair, the uncleanness purged out like refined brass? When Isaiah heard the seraphim calling out, "Holy, Holy, Holy is Jehovah of Hosts" (Is6:3) he wailed it his own corruption. The Church used to sing, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty" Now that which calls itself "church" (whose lampstand is about to be vomited out 3:16) sings, Holy, holy..."I lift Your name on high"...as I make myself -feel- holy in worship and emotional swooning and cooing. There is no trembling before the Holy God! Remember folks, John was as close to the earthly Jesus as any man was, used of God to record Jesus "Deity" in the Gospel of John...and yet this man, who had known Jesus as well as any would, when he saw Jesus in His glory, faints at His presence. Kinda like when the Queen of Sheba saw all of Solomon's glory it says "it took her breath away". (1Ki10:5) Well, here, Jesus' splendor not only took John's breath away...he fainted cold-out. It was more than his human senses could fathom.

And so, where does today's so-called "church" come off, assuming this certain 'familiarity' with Jesus Christ, as they come in all their sin and perversity ("just as I am"), assuming that Jesus is now their "buddy" who is just eager and waiting to roll around in the dirt with them, as though He doesn't care about their sin?! Or they swoon about Him in their emotions as though they were walking hand-in-hand, barefoot on the beach at sunset, as He caresses them and becomes an object of the fulfillment of their lust?!

People who view Jesus in these ways... DO NOT KNOW JESUS the CHRIST!

Before we go any further, let us review the prime points of interpretational understanding for this book. A good many prophecy teachers, when addressing this book, typically don't spend much time with the first chapter. Chapter 1 does not contain all the "drama" of the blockbuster movies like "Deep Impact" or "Armageddon", that draws the crowds that makes them (the teacher) famous, for the telling.

It tells us of JESUS CHRIST.

But just like that "readme" file I mentioned earlier, which was key to making the printer network work; so, too, is this first chapter. Without it, the rest of the book is typically greatly misunderstood.

Summary:

1. Revelation -of- Jesus Christ: While the book -contains- prophecy, history and current events, the primary focus is not those things. All those things 'reveal' to us JESUS CHRIST.

2. Past, Present, Future: Jesus' very essence is the One who is and who was and who is to come. (1:4,8,18,etc) The book certainly contains prophecy; but that is not its only function. It reveals to us Jesus Christ, who encompasses all time and eternity and contains a record of:
   • History,
   • Current Events
   • Future Events (vs19)
3. Vision: The book is the writing down of the vision (or series of visions?) given to John. As Scriptural visions go, proper understanding recognizes the use of allegory. Many things in the book are literal. But also, many things are allegory.

4. Not everything is understandable at this time: Things that are history or current events may be understood. But as with all prophecy, even the prophets recording God's Words did not always understand everything they wrote about. (1Pet1:10-12) Many details of prophecy are for those living at the time of fulfillment. And some prophecies are revealed 'after' their fulfillment; just as Jesus, after His resurrection "..opened their mind to understand the Scriptures" (Lk24:44-45) regarding all the things about Himself, and how they had been fulfilled.

These two chapters were addressed originally something like a half dozen years ago. In re-reading them now, even though they were written with a 'flavor' of being their own enclosed entity and not as though part of a 'series' which we have now engaged, it is apparent that nothing really needs to be changed. So we'll just link over to them, and from there, back over to this spot. If you are studying in-depth, please be sure to click on both the Outlines as well as the Narratives.

Summary:

And once you have finished that series, please also check out the application to the heart: Q/A - Where do you Stand? also written previously.

"After these things I looked, and behold, a door having been opened in Heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after these things." (4:1)

When a person sees a phrase saying "after these things", one is immediately made to think of passage of 'time'. Some sort of time stamp. Some moment or place in time where something was the case -before- that moment, and then there is something which follows -after- it. If we remind ourselves that the Scriptures did not originally come with chapter numbers, we understand that a person would have been reading along and 3:22 would have led, directly, into 4:1. Thus, the -context- of our reading strongly suggests "after" -what-? What were we just reading about? The Seven Churches.

Also notice the "door having been opened in Heaven". Notice the perfect passive participle; which we will look at in a moment

Notice also that thus far, nothing is allegory (figurative). The Seven Churches are not allegory; they existed historically in Asia Minor; and the current-day application is a present reality. Although allegorical imagery is used to describe various qualities of disobedience or faithfulness; it speaks of the -actual- Church of Jesus Christ and its various apostasies and counterfeits. This "door in Heaven" is not said to be "something -like- a door opening". This is not imaginative; it is real. The actual Heaven (God's dwelling 1Ki8:30); and the actual "door" (the place where one would enter and exit). Opened.

And then, an actual invitation: "Come up here" Now in John's vision the invitation is for the purpose of seeing what happens "after these things"; in other words, events -after- the Seven Churches (that is his mission, to write the past, present and future). When something is spoken of in a time-frame such as this, when one thing is, and after that something else is, it often suggests that the first thing has come to a conclusion; just as Jesus proclaimed that the O.T. functioned up through to John the Immerser. (Mt11:13, Lk16:16) Jesus died and rose. And then at Pentecost the Holy Spirit was given and the Church began through the ministry of the apostles; and Paul teaches that Christ was the "end of the Law". (Rom10:4) Now, "after these things" is something else. The invitation: "Come up here". The scene moves from the earthly Church, up to Heaven and God's presence, of the One who sits on the throne.

Even if this verse did not exist, there is plenty of other Scripture that boldly proclaims that which people have come to call the "pre-trib" Rapture; thus, this verse is merely 'frosting' on the cake of that doctrine, and also provides beautiful imagery.

The invitation is given by a "voice..like a trumpet". Why a "trumpet"? Again: sorry scoffers, it is not what you like to taunt... a "secret" rapture. Trumpets, by design, are -loud-. When the "dead in Christ" are raised, and those alive at that time are called up to be "with the Lord in the air", that call is given with the aid of the "trumpet of God". (1Th4:16-17) As Paul says elsewhere, "For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." (1Co15:52) And remember how Jesus spoke to John with a "loud voice, as of a trumpet"? (1:10) When Jesus called Lazarus from the dead, it says He "cried with a loud voice, Lazarus! Out here! Now!" (Jn11:43)

Is this (4:1) actually Jesus Christ calling? Jesus did say: "I will come again and receive you to Myself" (Jn14:3) When a person 'receives' another, do they not typically 'call' to that person? Above we noticed the perfect passive participle. Jesus had promised to go and "prepare a place" for us. That 'place' is now prepared, the doors HAVE BEEN OPENED to receive those for whom it was prepared, and the invitation is proclaimed. The butler comes around ringing the bell, announcing: "Dinner is served!" The porter asks: "May I take your coat?" and motions with the white gloves towards the 'open' door, directing the person in through the open doors. The ones for whom the mansion has been prepared does not need to come knocking: the doors are open, so they can walk right-on-in. Jesus said, "I am the door". (Jn10:7,9) Entrance is gained only through Jesus Christ.

And then, as Paul also writes regarding the resurrection: "But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God, even the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power." (1Co15:23-24) Notice that word "then".

Thus, in order: 1) the Seven Churches, 2) Invitation/Rapture to "come up here" to enter the open door, and -THEN- 3) The things which take place -after- these things (after the Church age, and its rapture).

So then, once the Church gets to Heaven, what awaits?

(That's the next lesson)

Q/A -Rev4:1 NOT the Rapture?

"..a throne was set in Heaven, and One sat on the throne" (4:2)

Now, the things we know for sure is that there is a Heaven, a throne, and One who sits on the throne. But then, notice all the descriptive expressions: 'like' jasper, the -appearance- 'like' an emerald, a glassy sea 'like' crystal. Please read this passage for yourselves. But it is quite the sight.

Uhhh...Where's Peter? the pearly gates? Oh, that's right. Those are expressions of that earthly satanic cult, and various churchling jokes! What we see is: The doors open and -Jesus- invites... and then:

BEHOLD THE SPLENDOR OF THE ALMIGHTY!

There are also the four creatures that appeared in past O.T. visions of Isaiah and Ezekiel (Is6:2, Ezk1:10, 10:14, etc) when they saw similar visions of "the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up" (Is6:1) with all these same colors and the "rainbow". (Ezk1:26-28) Everyone who is given a glimpse of God's presence seems to see the same thing. It must be real, eh!

In God's presence are the "twenty-four elders" wearing crowns on their heads. (4:4) Who are these 24 elders? There has been much speculation by many, but this study is not going to presume to affirm something that we must ultimately conclude: I don't know (for sure). But we can make some observations.

Remember that the O.T. temple matters were to be made according to the "pattern" (Ex25:40), serving a "shadow of the Heavenly things". (Heb8:5) Some have speculated that these 24 elders correspond to the 24 priestly divisions that David and Solomon established for the temple rituals and worship. (1Ch23:6,etc) The priests being man's representatives before God.

Here's another observation: Throughout the Bible an "elder" is a leader. In the O.T. in Israel it was typically "heads of fathers". (1Ch8:28) For the Church, the elders are the congregational leaders and pastors. (Ja5:14, 1Ti5:17, etc) In Israel, when the nation was summoned and gathered to Moses or a king, it was typically the representative elders who would appear first, just like elected officials 'represent' the people of their constituency. Consider how Israel had 12 tribes, and at any given time there was -a- chief father/elder over each tribe. The Church was initiated through 12 apostles (the 11 plus Paul). Now, consider how Paul explains how Jesus' blood brings both Jew and Gentile, alike, to God: He has "made both one". (Eph2:14) Could it be that these elders are like "representatives" of both Israel and the Church, together; the 'saints' before God's throne? (12 plus 12 equals 24)?

And then, we see the "seven lamps of fire" (4:5) burning before the throne. What are they? The "seven Spirits of God". Remember at Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was given to the Church, he appeared as "tongues of fire". (Ac2:3) God appeared to Moses as a flame of fire in the bush (Ex3:2-3); as God also is called a "consuming fire" (Ex24:17, De4:24) But as I've mentioned in the past, even though Jesus spoke of "-the- Spirit of Truth" (Jn15:26); that the "birth from above" is a birth of "-the- Spirit" (Jn3:3,8); here we see the Spirit represented as "Seven". While I'm sure some would wax eloquent about the number "seven" being the number of "perfection" or "completion", and wax symbolic over this; in frank terms, I don't know of a specific Scripture that actually explains this. Thus, let us leave this particular matter as an 'observation'; something to wait for further enlightenment when we actually pass through those doors into God's presence, and have it revealed to us; if it is God's will at that time to do so.

We may not understand everything; but perhaps it is merely enough that we know it is so? Accepting it "by faith, not by sight"? (2Co5:7)

And just like in Isaiah, here we see the four living creatures saying continually: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come! (4:8) HOLY: meaning to cut away and be separate from the filth of sin, being continually proclaimed day and night.

And the elders bow down, prostrating themselves, proclaiming God's worthiness to receive all glory and honor, acknowledging Him as "Creator". "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Gen1:1) And repeatedly, if one does a simple search, one sees how often God is proclaimed in prayers and to the heathen that God is "He who created..." all things. (Is42:5, 45:18, Rev10:6, Ac17:24, etc)

God created all things, and by His "will" they exist. He is the Potter, and we are the clay. (Jer18:6, Rom9:21) Thus, for those who would swell themselves up with pride the question is issued: "O man, who are you to reply against God?" (Rom9:20) "Know that Jehovah, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture." (Ps100:3)

When the Church is raptured, we go into God's presence. This that is written in this chapter, of which we have scarcely even scratched the surface, is the scene into which we will find ourselves. And, if you will, is the 'command-and-control' center for everything else in the book that follows.

"And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, having been sealed with seven seals." (5:1)

In ancient times before the advent of printing presses and computerized databases with security encryptions, official documents were kept in scrolls. If it was an important document such as a will, something designated for a special person, it might be sealed, so that its contents might not be known by anybody other than its author and recipient. The only two people who could break those seals was either the originator of the document, or its intended recipient. Depending on the nature of the document, and the authorizing power/government behind the seals, if anybody else were to break those seals, they did so at the peril of their own lives.

Now, is this an -actual- 'scroll' made of parchment? Let us observe that 4:1 shows us an actual door in Heaven. There is an actual invitation up to Heaven. But then, after that invitation: "Immediately I came to be in the Spirit" (4:2) Thus, everything from 4:2, through to where we are now, is new 'vision' John is being given. As we have observed at other times, visions typically are full of 'symbolisms'. Pharaoh had dreamed about cows and corn, but the dream was about a coming famine. I believe this vision of a "scroll" is symbolism for the time in which it was written, but the imagery is quite definite. The One, God, on the throne, produces this official document with seals. God has authority over the seals, because He is producing it. But then, the call goes out: "Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loosen its seals?" (5:2)

This is a special assembly. Could we suggest that God is 'challenging' the universe? Remember that satan had challenged God, presuming to "be like the Most High". (Is14:14) So God produces this symbol of authority and power. Mormonism would suggest that Jesus and satan were "brothers"; as such, being of 'equal' footing, power and authority.

So, here are the Seals of Authority... WHO IS QUALIFIED to take them, and open them, and in doing so, not be guilty and deserving of death? Any takers? Any challengers? All of you who were making boasts, now is the time. Here's your chance. Either put up or shut up!

Notice that "NO ONE" in all of creation was able. (5:3) And notice also, "or to -LOOK- upon it".

Imagine a scenario with a mob of rabble-rousers who have been struggling and fighting, and along comes the -real- 'tough-guy', the 'hero' of the show, who has come jumping in and beat up the chief rebels, and all these injured are stumbling around nursing their wounds; so he then starts challenging everybody, cowering around him in a circle, giving them a verbal whip-lashing; goes up to one "so you think you're a big shot??" and the fellow barely dares to speak but tentatively shakes his head indicating "No"; and everybody standing around has their heads lowered, with stares fixed to the ground, daring not to look at the strong one for fear of being singled out as an 'example' to the rest (What'choo lookin' at?? You lookin' at me?!? You wanna piece of me??) Everybody has been humbled and are standing around, heads lowered; looking down at the ground. Nobody is challenging for leadership or power.

Now, in such an earthly scenario, if somebody were to come along to challenge the 'tough-guy', about the only way Hollywood would depict such a thing would be with that big super-robot with its hi-tech weapons, to take out the tough-guy.

But in this Heavenly scene, what do we see? Here is the great throne in Heaven, and the One sitting on it, with ultimate authority, offering these seals of power. Who can take on such a challenge?

"..a Lamb as having been slain.." (5:6)

"For He grows up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of the dry ground. He has no form nor splendor that we should regard Him, nor anything spectacular that we should desire Him. He is despised and rejected by men; a Man of pain, and knowing infirmity; a hiding of faces; being despised, we have esteemed Him not. Truly He has borne our sicknesses, and carried our pain; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.... He has been oppressed, and He was afflicted; yet He opens not His mouth. He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter; and as a sheep before its shearers is mute, so He opens not His mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment; and who shall declare His generation? For He was cut off out of the land of the living; for the transgression of My people He was stricken." (Is53:2-8)

But notice His title: the "Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David" (5:5) This expression of the 'lion' began with Jacob's blessing of his sons: "Judah is a lion's whelp...he crouches like a lion; and as a lioness, who shall rouse him? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a Lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes; and to Him shall be the cleansing of the peoples. Binding His donkey to the vine, and His donkey’s colt to the choice vine, He has washed His garments in wine, and His clothes in the blood of grapes..." (Gen49:9-11) In a few short sentences, the symbolism of everything dealing with Jesus: His "Palm Sunday" triumphal entry, crucifixion, His vengeance and wrath, and His rule.

Thus, notice his symbols of authority (remember, this is a vision): the "seven horns and seven eyes". (5:6) Horns being a symbol of power, and the passage explains the seven eyes: we see again the expression, the "Seven Spirits of God".

So... this 'Lamb', compared to all those standing around wishing to be grandiose, appears to be seemingly helpless. But He is His Father's Son.

Like in the aforementioned 'tough-guy' scenario; his little boy comes running out to meet him, in the midst of the aftermath of the big fight, "Papa, papa!" and Mr. Tough-guy scoops him up, hoists him up to his shoulders and proudly displays, My son! My son! The "Lamb" has humbled Himself to the point of "death on the cross"; so now God "has highly exalted Him and given Him a name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in Heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Php2:8-11)

As we observed one of the introductory 'rules' for this book, this scene is not something to happen sometime in the future. Remember, John is writing about Past, Present and Future. Paul writes in the past tense, "God -HAS- highly EXALTED Him". This -Lamb- "slain from the foundation of the world" (13:8) Just as we already had the Heavenly creatures proclaiming "Holy, holy, holy" in the O.T., we know its mention in 4:8 is not some 'new' event for the future; this that we see of the Lamb being given these seals of authority is not some 'new' event for some future time. He rose from the dead, and has already gone to Heaven with the Father; He -now- presently has this authority. Again, we are being given a glimpse at the 'command-and-control' center for the events portrayed in this book. Chapter 4 is the Heavenly scene. And now in chapter 5 we are given to understand just 'who' is in charge; who has the power and authority. Some of these things have already taken place. Acknowledging God's 'holiness' and praise is continually ongoing. And as we enter Heaven, either through death and resurrection, or at the Rapture, we join in that praise and homage that is already in progress by those who have preceeded us into God's presence. Past-Present-Future.

What is the basis for the Lamb's authority? The elders (representatives of the saints of both Israel and the Church?) proclaim: "..for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation." (5:9)

The seven seals represent an outpouring of the "wrath" of the One sitting on the throne, and of the Lamb (6:16-17) upon unholiness and ungodliness. (Rom1:18) In recent years there's been an awful lot of "rebuking" satan going on, by those claiming to be little 'gods', but who themselves are bound up in sin in their unholy fleshly lusts. But even Michael the archangel, possessed of more power than men, did not have such authority, but said, "The Lord rebuke you" (Ju1:9) because only the Lord has such authority. Michael did not die for the sin of the world. Todays mini-gods of charismania were not crucified for us! Only the Lord Jesus Christ paid that price; and can open those seals! Amen!

And so, all of creation erupts into praise. Many people think the "Hallelujah Chorus" is the greatest part of Handel's "Messiah", but I must say my personal favorite is at the end of the oratorio, this that we see right here:

"Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!" (5:12)

Jesus Christ - Revealed!

Amen!

"Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals..." (vs1)

Is this yet future? Is it past tense? If the Lamb has 'already' been exalted and is sitting at the Father's right hand, perhaps some has already taken place, but others are yet future? If things are as I speculated to the subscribers not long ago (not posted at the website), that Heaven surrounds the earth even 'now', perhaps we are already in the middle of this 'process' of the Lamb opening the seals? Let's look at the first six seals and see a progression, and then make some observations.

Also, as we start into this next section of the book; these are the things that most people look at. What we come to now, is what most people think the book is 'about'. The sevens. Seals, Trumpets and Bowls. Doom and catastrophe. As we delve further, we will see how the Trumpets and Bowls are duplication of each other, of the same things. Remember how God duplicated the dreams about cows and grain to Pharaoh for -emphasis-. "...the dream was repeated unto Pharaoh twice because the thing is determined by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass." (Gen41:32) Just as Jesus says, "Behold, I am coming quickly..." (Rev3:11, 11:14, 22:12,20) with rewards and consequences. And furthermore, we will see how the seventh seal seems to be the 'setup' for the sets of seven Trumpets and Bowls.

And along these lines, as we see things duplicated, you will see us jumping around between the various chapters. It will quickly become obvious, something we have said from time-to-time in the past, that Revelation is not a "time-line" that one can begin with chapter 1, and progress chronologically to chapter 22, and map everything out that way, and proclaim that the events in the chapters progress in-order one after the other, according to the chapter numbers. As we jump back and forth, I think it will become obvious what we are doing, and why; and why the chapters do not all appear in-order in the "topic" list at the top of this series.

So, let us continue...


SEAL #1 (6:1)
One on the white horse with a bow and crown, conquering.

Like we've said already, we are not going to conclude to proclaim any sort of 'totality' of understanding; but will make 'observations'.

What is the significance of a horse? Many different things. The one riding a horse was one of elevated status, power and authority. In Zechariah ch6 the horses and chariots represented the "four spirits of Heaven" (vs5) that go throughout the earth, and stand before God. Messengers that take God's Word and implement it wherever God sends them. So you see, what happens on earth is at God's will. "..the authorities that exist are ordained by God" (Rom13:1) Thus, what we read is all part of God's will and design. After all, it is in the official document, the scroll; sealed with official seals. And as we are seeing -who- Jesus is, as He is "revealed" to us, He is the one opening the seals and fulfilling the contents of the scroll; 'executing' the document. It is by God's design and will, and -implemented- by Jesus Christ. After all, Jesus said, "I always do those things that please Him (the Father)" (Jn8:29)

Notice the rider has a bow, but no arrows; and yet is conquering. Of what good is a bow, if no arrows are shot? Does this suggest domination by peaceful political means? Whilst having a military, not necessarily always using it. Perhaps, domination by intrigue? Something resembling something from Daniel: "And also through his cunning he will cause deceit to prosper in his hand. And he will magnify himself in his heart, and through prosperity shall destroy many. He shall also stand up against the Ruler of rulers, but he shall be broken in pieces without hands." (Dan8:25)

During the "cold war" there was nuclear proliferation, but no nuclear war. Even to this day, US armed forces are stationed in many places all over the world. For the most part, those troops have not engaged in combat. And America's economic superiority has been something which, combine the various elements, and today there are those speaking of American "imperialism". It has been strong militarily (bow), but been for the most part peaceful. (no arrows) Just observing.

Not being an archer, but knowing just a tad about it: Is the bow a status of strength? As I understand it there are different bows of different tensions. e.g. 30lb bow, 40lb bow, etc. David psalmed, "..so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze." (2Sa22:35) Preparation for battle is mentioned as "handle (tread) and bend the bow" (Jer46:9, 50:14, 51:3) In today's world the "bow" would be the accumulation of aircraft carriers, tanks, airplanes, missiles, and technology.

A bit later we will observe one of the "beasts", in which, among other things, we will observe world empires, and the world will "marvel" and say, "Who is able to make war with him?" (13:4b) Again: just observing.


SEAL #2 (6:3)
Peace taken from the world, and people killing one another.

Is that not a precise picture of today? They keep talking "peace, peace", but so-called palestinians kill Israelis; the African continent has been plagued by years of politically-motivated starvation of the masses along with and various insurgencies of so-called 'ethnic cleansings'; the Balkans has been a zone of turmoil; for years there was violence in N.Ireland; plus all the continual murders and violence done in all localized areas. Spokane (where I live) is not all that large a place, and yet there are times where it seems like the evening news, each evening, reports some new incident of a stabbing, shooting or other murder. Some days, there might be 2 or 3. We already see this today. Is the time yet ahead to be worse?


SEAL #3 (6:5)
Scales.

Economy. The denarius, a day's wage, all going just for food. How does oil and wine fit in? While the price of oil keeps going up, there seems to be a never-ending supply of it. What is it that the entire world is being forced to support financially through oil's inflated prices? Why not hurt the wine? One thing I've noticed...no matter how poor a person is, or down-n-out, if they are a smoker, they 'always' seem to have access to tobacco. And if they are a drinker, they 'always' seem to be able to get their hands on liquor. How many on pensions often make choices between enough food to eat, or medications? How many poor barely have enough to eat, but cannot pay any of the rest of their bills? The economy is a factor of -today's- world. There, too, will that be getting even worse in the times ahead? Will the beast's "mark" be part of the global financial bail-out program, after the bottom falls out?


SEAL #4 (6:7)
Death and Hades

Authority to kill a fourth of the earth's population. Well, this hasn't happened yet, so this would seem to obviously be for the future. But notice the means of this global death: sword, hunger, beasts of the earth. Sword is people killing one another; but more specifically, a sword would suggest warfare. I've read some things that suggest that the so-called "Gulf War Syndrome" is the US' use of depleted uranium in much of its weaponry (speaking of WMD!!). What returning combat soldiers suffer, has become a permanent fixture of the Iraqi landscape, such that, with time, people and plant life will suffer the effects. Do we see such a thing in prophecy? "Because of the wrath of Jehovah it shall not be inhabited, but it shall be wholly a waste. Everyone who goes by Babylon shall be horrified and hiss at all her plagues." (Jer50:13)

We already see famine and starvation in many parts of the world. India used to have a terrible problem with this. N.Korea is afflicted. Much of the African continent. Some is due to drought. But much is also due to regional politics, of repressive regimes. While the earth has seen this throughout history, would it be safe to understand that the future will see it even worse?

Beasts of the earth... we tend to typically think of a "beast" as something -large-, like lions, tigers... predatory animals that 'eat' people. But beasts can also be virus-carrying birds or mosquitos, or the other things that afflict people who don't cook their meat, but like to eat "with the blood" (rare/raw). (Gen9:4) We already see these things. But for a "fourth" of the population to be killed, what we see now is obviously only pre-cursory.


SEAL #5 (6:9)
Avenging the Souls of the martyrs

Jesus promised that in the world the Church would have "affliction" (Jn16:33) and also promised that many would be martyred (Jn16:2) That has been an intrinsic characteristic of the Church age. [Remember: the Rapture has happened (4:1), but the book, throughout, is about past-present-future (1:19)] Jesus said about the Church that the "gates of Hades" would "not prevail" against it. (Mt16:18) Something that is said about the beast in the context of the "42 months" (last half of the 70th week) is that he makes war with the saints to "overcome them" (13:7) because anybody through the 70th week who makes it to 20:4 to reign with Christ, will have been martyred (13:15)

Just as there is a certain "number" of Gentiles to come into the Kingdom (Rom11:25), so there also appears to be for martyrs. (vs11) But those martyred each receive a white robe of Christ's righteousness. But then, the context also suggests that their query ("how long" until our deaths are avenged?) -will- be answered; as we know that "it is righteous judgment with God to repay with affliction those" who have been the cause of persecution. (2Th1:6)


SEAL #6 (6:12)
Earthquake, sun, moon, stars, heavens separated as a scroll: the world understands the "wrath of the Lamb"

[Hopefully you are reading the passage from your Bibles..? These studies become lengthy enough (for mailing), without also having to quote entire passages.]

This is the stuff we read about in Joel ch2 which Peter quoted in Acts ch2, and the stuff from Zech ch14, and Is ch13, etc. Asteroids, comet fragments, meteorites, earthquakes, tectonic upheavals, leveling of mountains, islands disappearing into the oceans. These are the calamities, the (sole) reason for which many people read this book. And many others get to this point, and see how it is approaching approximately the mid-point in the book, pronouncing it as being "mid-way through the tribulation" and proclaim their doctrine called "pre-wrath". That, somehow, this is the 'point' at which God's wrath begins. However, please read the passage; we'll move along, and then come back to it in an over-all observation.


SEAL #7 (8:1)
"And when He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in Heaven for about half an hour"

And if you read along, you will see the preparation of the "seven trumpets" which we will come back and address in following lessons. When we get to the trumpets and bowls, we might keep in mind at that time that they are really the fullness of the seventh seal. The seventh seal consists of those seven; those two sevens are enclosed in this seventh seal.


Jesus, in explaining the "end of the age" (Mt24:3) lists many different things: antichrists (vs5), wars and rumors of wars (vs6), famines, pestilences and earthquakes (vs7), persecution and martyrdom. (vs9) But He also says: "but the end is not yet" (vs6) and "these are the -beginning- of travail" (vs8), etc.

As we remember that this book is about past-present-future, and we look at these seals -OVERALL-, do we not see a kind of 'progression'? While we might see the first few seals fitting the 70th week, do we not see them as being 'characteristic' of the times we presently live in, and the recent past centuries? But is not the 6th seal very specifically like the other passages which speak of the very end of Wrath. While we see earthquakes and other such things, there has not been the sort of thing that levels mountains and makes islands disappear into the oceans. But their frequency has been dramatically increasing in recent years.

Jesus said that these things are the "beginning of travail". (Mt24:8) Paul speaks of the world proclaiming "peace and safety" and then "destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman" (1Th5:3) I've never been intimately near a human birth, but understand that the labor pains begin with certain time intervals, and progressively those intervals become closer and closer together, until finally, there is the final last "push" of labor and pain, to give birth. Is that not what we see, progressing through the seven seals? There is trouble of various kinds, and as each seal is opened, each gets progressively worse and worse, until the seventh seal erupts into the final seven outpourings of wrath and judgment, until the seventh of those culminates in the "finish" (16:17) of God's plan, and Christ takes over to rule. (ch19)

The Seven Seals embody the totality of Christ's authority and judgment upon satan, sin and sinful mankind. Those who only view "God is love" (1Jn4:8) have quite a surprise to find out God's justice. When Jesus came to "seek and save" the lost (Lk19:10) He manifested His love. But for those who reject His love and salvation, He will also 'reveal' His wrath.

"For the great day of His wrath has come, AND WHO IS ABLE TO STAND?" (6:17)

"Who shall go up into the hill of Jehovah? Or who shall stand in His holy place? HE WHO HAS CLEAN HANDS AND A PURE HEART..." (Ps24:3-4)

"After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree." (vs1)

Notice the grammatical division: "After these things". In 4:1 we concluded it was a delineation of 'time', because the -actual- Seven Churches had been under discussion. But in this case, where the Seven Seals may likely speak of an entire time frame of history, this could merely be like a paragraph marker, or a heading for a new topic. i.e. We've been talking about the "seals" of the scroll, now let's talk about something else. In John's dream he has been given view of one scene; now his view has been changed. Anybody who has dreamed knows how the scenes and events in a dream often switch from one thing to another, with not necessarily always a direct connection. Since this comes between the 6th and 7th seals, perhaps it is intended to be 'parenthetical'? Something not directly related to the current topical 'flow', but is explanatory of certain pertinent information. Perhaps, as the 7th seal leads to the final closing judgments, where by the time all is said and done, over half the earth's population will have been killed, and prophecy speaks in terms of those "who is left from all the nations" (Zec14:16), those who are Believers in Christ might be left to wonder: What happens to God's people throughout all this? If God is judging the sinners, what happens to the saints? As a person understands that Israel goes through this time also known as "Jacob's Trouble" (Jer30:7), how is Israel preserved through this time? We will see more specifically in ch12; but right here we understand God's heart and purpose.

So now... the winds are withheld from blowing. (vs1) This could represent several different things. There are likely both literal and figurative components. If all the winds of the earth were caused to stop, what would happen? I was reading another person's speculation of this from a scientific perspective not long ago. When the winds blow, it moderates the temperatures more evenly across the earth...cool winds from the oceans moderate the heat build-up on the land. The oceans are a great temperature stabilizer. If the winds don't do their function, when the sun rises for the day over land, the land bakes. Perhaps this is part of the explanation of men being "scorched with great heat" (16:9) at the 4th bowl?

The world is about to suffer such cataclysms as it has never before known. When storms come along, often there is the "calm before the storm", before the storm's ferocity hits. While this is not always the case, the few times I've seen tornadoes off at a safe distance, I've also noticed that where I was the air was eerily still, although the tornado was churning things up. The racers nervously jump around, flexing their limbs to be limbered up, for the race which is just about to begin, at which time all competitors are giving 120% of what they have. But just before the race starts, they get their feet in the starting blocks, hands down at the starting line...and for that brief moment, there is calm and silence, waiting for the starting gun. Is that what this is?

In terms of Israel, wind was a symbol of their judgment and dispersion into exile for their idolatry. When they were exiled, they were scattered "as the stubble that passes away by the wind" (Jer13:24) When Jesus speaks of collecting Israel back from exile He says He will "gather together His elect from the four winds" (Mt24:31) And so here, those four winds of judgment are 'calm' for a period of time. For what purpose?

Before the final judgment begins....

"Do not harm [anything] till we seal the servants of our God on their foreheads" (vs3) And notice that this is specifically "Israel". How do we know? Twelve thousand from each of the twelve tribes is specified. Just like somebody might go to a store and pick out (choose/select) 'so-many' of this, and 'so-many' of that; God's "election" (Rom9:11, 11:5,26-28) says, "Of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand..." (vs5), etc, etc, and twelve thousand from each of the twelve tribes of the "children of Israel" are sealed. This is not the Church. The Church is never counted, tribe-by-tribe, and called "children of Israel".

What is the purpose of the sealing? Protection against God's judgment. In Ezk9:4 we see a marking of the foreheads of selected ones in Israel, to be spared judgment by the angel. (vs6)

What is their characteristic? It is not said of them like in Ezekiel that they "sighed and cried" over the "abominations" that were done. It does not describe them as they are later, as being "ones who were not defiled with women" who "follow the Lamb wherever He leads" and being "without deceit" (14:4-5)

Remember, the time is called "Jacob's Trouble" (Jer30:7) and Paul says "And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; for this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins." (Rom11:26-27) As we see even today, Israel does not acknowledge Messiah. They yet need to be "purified" (Mal3:3) and given new hearts. (Ezk36:26)

But here, at this point, in that 'lull' between seals 6 & 7, God specifically selects 144,000 of Israel for preservation for salvation; whom He preserves through the coming time of judgment. Just like antichrist has his "mark" on the hand or forehead of his followers, here we see God's mark on Israel for preservation.

Two lessons ago the question is asked.... "For the great day of His wrath has come, AND WHO IS ABLE TO STAND?" (6:17) And we observed the answer: "Who shall go up into the hill of Jehovah? Or who shall stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart..." (Ps24:3-4)

Vs9 has the words again, "And after these things I looked, and..." At this point Israel is still in unbelief, but sealed for preservation. (vs1-8) Here we have a glimpse at another group. (Please read the passage)

This group, "which no one was able to number" (vs9), is praising "God who sits on the throne" and "the Lamb". What are they doing? Worshiping with eyes dreamily fluttering upwards, arms and hands held limply upwards...'worshiping', going into meditative trance-like states, emptying their minds into numbed nothingness?

They are standing with palm branches and shouting out about "Salvation". In the O.T. the primary worship theme was, "Oh, give thanks unto Jehovah, for He is good; for His mercy is eternal." (1Ch16:34)

Worship of God has really nothing to do with "how I feel". It is not about sitting piously while mood music is playing in the background. It is praise and thanksgiving for His salvation. And the white robes they are wearing? "I will greatly rejoice in Jehovah, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garment of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness like a bridegroom adorns himself with ornaments, and like a bride adorns herself with her jewels." (Is61:10)

Who is this group? And where do they come from? The elder answers: "These are the ones coming out of great affliction, and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (vs14) The cleansing God promises, "Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Is1:18b)

But what period of time do they come from? They come out of great "affliction". Well, the Church is promised "affliction". (Jn16:33) And is not the Church's salvation based on being washed in Jesus' blood (1:5) in the "washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit" (Tit3:5)? Is this the Church? As we know that the book is about past-present-future, where the first part of the chapter speaks of Israel, is this last section the Church?

Because of the understanding of past-present-future, could it be the saints throughout history? The O.T. saints were resurrected when Jesus was (Mt27:52-53); the Church is resurrected/raptured (1Th4:16-17, 1Co15); and the believers from the 70th week are resurrected just prior to the Millennium to reign with Christ 1000 years. (20:4-5) According to Hebrews ch11 we know the O.T. saints received persecution; the Church does; and those from the 70th week are beheaded for not bowing to the image of the beast. (13:15) Believers of all ages, beginning with Abel, have come through affliction. And even though there were 4000 years before Jesus actually died on the cross, the O.T. animal sacrifice was prophetic, in faith of God's promise of salvation through the woman's "Seed". (Gen3:15) It could be.

However, also notice the little special emphasis: "They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not fall on them, nor any burning heat" (vs16)

What happens when those who had not known Christ prior to the Rapture, who were not of the pretenders to whom God gives "strong delusion that they should believe the lie" (2th2:11); when they hear the "eternal gospel" (14:6-7), and refuse antichrist's mark (14:9), such that they are no longer able to "buy or sell" (13:17); what will they eat? Until they are found and beheaded, are they not going to get mighty hungry! Those who survive awhile during the time that men are being "scorched with great heat" (16:9), will they not experience the "burning heat" of the sun!

Since the context of Israel's 144,000 being sealed is the upcoming time of wrath, it seems fair to assume this group is, also.

Thus, the question that some people ask... this passage answers. The question is asked: if the Church is raptured 'prior' to this time, and the Holy Spirit has come "out of the midst" (2th2:7b), "how are people saved" during this time? They look at the O.T. with its animal sacrifices. Then they look at the Church with "grace through faith". (Eph2:8) And so they query... if the O.T. was "works", and N.T. is "grace", "how" are they saved during the 70th week?

The SAME WAY they were in the O.T.; the SAME WAY we are in the Church. It is God's salvation, through the "blood of the Lamb", Jesus Christ. Hebrews ch11 explains how "faith" is timeless to salvation. We already looked (above) at how Jesus' crucifixion is also timeless.

During the 70th week, it could well-be that any copies of Scripture that are found will be destroyed by the antichrist, thus, people will not be able to read to learn complex theology. There likely won't be Believers openly available from whom to be taught, as Jesus said, "..the night is coming when no one is able to work" (Jn9:4) However, the "angel" proclaims the "eternal gospel" to the whole world (14:6), and Joel proclaims how simple it will be during this time, which Paul quotes...

"For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich toward all who call upon Him. For everyone, whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Joel2:32, Rom10:12-13)

It appears there's going to be a lot of "eleventh hour" conversions!

"And when He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in Heaven for about half an hour" (vs1)

After the 6th seal, in ch7 we noticed the winds being withheld from blowing. Here now, the 7th seal is opened, and there is silence. For what reason? At the 6th seal mankind is acknowledging that it is God's "wrath" that is upon them. (6:17) Now, with the 7th seal, God is about to "finish" His wrath. (15:1) Again, is this like the setting of the feet on the starting blocks just prior to the starting gun? Since we speak 'athletically', this applies to athletics; also to things like music concert performances, serious participants typically spend some quiet time to collect their thoughts and 'focus' themselves in terms of what they are about to do. Or, if we think of some sort of judgment like an execution, the criminal is strapped to the table or chair, etc. If it is by electrocution, the person at the switch stands poised, the one officiating is there, it is a serious moment as each churns around whatever thoughts are going through their minds; the 'moment' comes, the official gives the nod, the technician throws the switch, and the deed is done. Even with something like an animal that needs to be put down, I never found it something I could simply waltz up to the animal, stick the gun to its head, and pull the trigger. That little calf, deformed at birth, that couldn't suck properly; having become somewhat tame from bottle-feeding, it is all friendly, sniffing at the gun barrel; so you "get set". It is a somber moment, knowing the calf (that has become like a 'pet') is going to be dead in just a second. Is that what's going on in Heaven? Everybody taking their places, waiting for the 'nod' to begin the final events? I don't know. The passage doesn't say. But this is a speculation.

We then see the angel with "much incense" (please read the passage for all the details), offered with the prayers of the saints. The prayers ascend before God, and then what happens? The angel throws some of that incense fire from the altar "to the earth" with resulting thunders, earthquake, etc. This is pre-cursor to the final seven judgments. Thus, can we receive understanding as to the 'purpose' of the final judgments?

What were the prayers of the saints? "How long...until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" (6:10) In terms of the Church we understand part of God's judgment is against those who persecuted the Church: it is "righteous judgment with God to repay with affliction those who trouble you" (2Th1:6)

Thus, in a very real sense, the final judgments of wrath are also co-shared as coming from Believers. Satan and his followers wreaked havoc upon God's children, so now, as God's children have been hurt and have cried out to God ("abba Father" - 'Daddy, they're hurting me!' Rom8:15, Ga4:6), God is now (to use a human expression) "hopping mad" that anybody should have been hurting His precious ones; 'how -dare- they!!' "Precious in the sight of Jehovah is the death of His saints." (Ps116:15)

As we continue in ch15, notice those who have "victory" over the beast, his image, and the mark. Also notice in vs3 the "song of Moses" and the "song of the Lamb". What we might observe from this looks an awful lot like the O.T. with Israel and the 'Law', and the N.T. with the Church. Israel always spoke of observing the "Law of Moses" and believers were called "Jews" (Rom2:28-29) or "Israel" (Rom9:6); and the Church is called "CHRIST-ian" (Ac11:26) But this talk of the "beast" and the "mark"...is this a proof-text that the Church "goes-through" the 70th week? Well, a whole host of other Scripture says it does NOT. So, is there something else we need to see here?

Remember, John is writing about past-present-future. (1:19)

This "mark" of the beast... 'where' is it worn? We haven't come to that yet, but notice that it is received "on their right hand or on their foreheads" (13:16)

Do we have anything in the world today where people worship images, and receive marks on their foreheads? One of the most notable organizations, which we will observe in more detail later in this series, the Roman catholic church. What is one of its primary icons? Mary. Well...their "Mary" is not really a person who exists, but comes from millenia of pagan mythology from Egypt's Isis and Babylon's Ishtar. These goddesses never actually existed, either, but they were dreamed up and worshiped, and images erected in their honor, to be bowed to and kissed. A true catholic, when walking by an image of (what they falsely call) "mary", I've noticed that they never fail to at least genuflect. There are many forms of bowing and kissing. And the Wednesday which preceeds 40 days prior to their worship of Ishtar (they call it "easter"), they receive a "mark" on their foreheads. Yes? Remember: past-present-future

The church of Laodicea's charismania is also not Christian, but is pagan. Their mantras and meditations by which they become "spirit-filled" actually come from the religions of the east (Is2:6), from Yoga and TM, things from Hindu origins. 'Anybody ever stopped to take note what the Hindus do in worship? They also receive a mark on their foreheads. And in charismania the leader often 'pushes' the person on their forehead, as they are 'imparting' the spirit to them. Again: past-present-future

There is -a- "mark" that is -going- to be instituted by the antichrist for engaging in commerce. (13:17) But just as we will see in upcoming studies how much Babylon has both 'religious' and 'government/commerce' components; as we understand that 'the' antichrist is coming, but now there are already many antichrists (1Jn2:18); as we understand that there will be much catastrophe, but now we see little bits of it (Mt24:6,8); so, too, there is 'the' mark that is to come, but there are also these other marks.

This matter of the beast's "mark" is not -only- for the coming 7-year period of the 70th week. People are often in a panic and paranoid about technology that is being developed and experimented for implantable chips, but are completely blind to the aspect of the 'mark' that already exists, and has existed for centuries! How many people calling themselves "Christian" also fellowship with the catholic church, calling them "brothers"? How many people calling themselves "Christian" even engage the catholic church even 'indirectly'? And I ask this last question, knowing my own shame in the matter from my past, in my ignorance at the time. I taught music in a catholic school, played organ and sang for catholic masses, and performed professional concerts in catholic cathedrals...the temples of Babylon. In a letter-of-recommendation, the nun (school principal) even specifically noted that during my tenure, teaching, I "evinced respect" for them.

I am SO THANKFUL for how Paul says it: "I received mercy because I did it ignorantly..." (1Ti1:13) "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent.." (Ac17:30)

If you are a True Christian, but have associations with catholicism or charismania...GET OUT NOW! BEFORE IT's TOO LATE!! (18:4) You may have been in ignorance before; but now you are not. Do not receive their "mark" on your forehead! Be holy unto God. Many people who claim to be Christians don't think it's that important to be separated from others like catholics or charismatics, but notice how the angel proclaims, "If anyone does homage to the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God..." (14:9-10)

Notice the scene in Heaven as the final plagues are about to be poured out. Notice from 'where' the angels carrying the last plagues come. The "temple of the tabernacle of the testimony..." (15:5-6)

What?? Are they not inviting 'everybody' to "come in" and fellowship? (That's what Laodicea does!) !!! NO !!! They are coming out of the temple, from God's presence, to pour out God's wrath. And notice that while the last plagues are being completed, the temple is filled with the "glory of God" such that "no one was able to enter the temple". (vs8)

Wrath comes from God. Among other things, it is retribution on behalf of God's children (past-present-future) who have been holy, and not partaken in the mark.

There is 'the' antichrist, but now there are many antichrists. In similar fashion there is 'the' mark, but now there are also antichrist's marks. If the "torment" for -the- mark is "forever and ever" (14:11), what is the judgment to those who partake of -these- marks? Israel got dispersed to the nations in exile for refusing to stop worshiping the Queen of Heaven, as "with most of them God was not well pleased" (1co10:5) Laodicea is being "vomited out" because it is not 'repenting'. (Rev3:16,19)

"He who has ears to hear, let him hear" (Mt11:15, Rev3:22)

For those who have been holy, not having partaken of the 'mark', what is their heart regarding God's impending outpouring of wrath?

"Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints." (15:3b)

Trumpet/Bowl #1 (8:7,16:2)

Hail and fire mingled with blood, burning up a -third- of the trees and grass. Exactly 'what' is this? We are not told. There are many forms of events that could be worded this way, including asteroid/meteorite bombardments, lighting, volcanic activity, nuclear exchanges, etc. The possibilities are endless. Whatever the case, a 'third' of plant life is destroyed.

And whatever causes plant life to die also brings sores upon mankind.

However, remember how the 144,000 of Israel were sealed for protection? (ch7) They are not hurt. Nor are any others who don't take the mark or bow to the image. (16:2) This is just like when God was bringing Israel out of Egypt. Through the first half of the 10 plagues Israel also experienced the plagues. But when they got to the flies (Ex8:22) God made a distinction between Goshen and the rest of Egypt. In a similar way, we observed how the Seals might be a historic progression. We wondered, but what some of the first seals may have already been opened, since we see many of those things even today. But we came to the 6th seal, and then there was a break in the narrative, to let us know God's sealing protection for Israel, again. Now we are in the "finishing" stages of God's wrath, and just as Egypt's plagues got worse and worse and God made a distinction for Israel; so, too, will it be in the coming Day. Those who don't bow to the image will be martyred by antichrist; but they do -not- suffer -God's- wrath.


Trumpet/Bowl #2 (8:8-9, 16:3)

"Something like a great mountain" thown into the sea. A -third- of the ships and life in the seas dies. 16:3 says that "everything" in the sea dies.

This is not -a- mountain. But something "like" a mountain. Remember, this is imagery of a dream. From our recently past series on study methods we observed that Scripture pretty much usually tells us when something, for sure, is allegory. As we look at the makeup of the earth, when I read this passage, my mind's eye sees a big bull's eye on the Pacific Ocean. The Pacific makes up a 'third' of the earth's water mass. Something "like" a mountain...sure would seem to suggest an asteroid or comet, or something like that. Something the size of a mountain would certainly wipe out all ships in the Pacific region. And since it speaks of "blood", perhaps this object is also of a toxic nature, that poisons all life in the waters?


Trumpet/Bowl #3 (8:10-11, 16:4-7)

A great star falls on a -third- of the rivers and springs. The water is made bitter, like blood. And "many men died from the water..." (8:11)

Is this an actual celestial 'star' that falls? If so, how does it affect spring[s] and river[s] (plural)? Or is "star" figurative for "angel"? In 12:4 we see the "dragon" casting a "third" of the stars to earth. God speaks to Job about the angels as "morning stars" (Job38:7) When a "third" of the rivers and springs are polluted, is this figurative of those third of the angels who rebeled along with satan, and were cast out of Heaven? Thus, is it these fallen angels who are sent by God to pollute the waters? Remember: this series does not claim to have all the answers, but we make a lot of 'observations'. And some of these observations are put to the reader in the form of questions. Things we may not have the answers to, but about which we can think and muse; waiting till the day of its fulfillment to have full understanding.

Another question I have always had is: Is it -real- "blood"? Or is the term "blood" figurative for something else? Whatever the pollution, we might assume it to appear "red"..? And whatever it is, it is toxic to drink; and people and water life die.

Now, the angel who pours out this bowl... what does he say? "Take -that-, you sinners!"? As though he, the angel, is pouring out judgment? Even Michael did not do such, but said to satan, "the Lord rebuke you" (Ju1:9)

What does he say? "You are righteous, O Lord, the One who is and who was and who is to be, because You have judged these things, for they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink, for they are deserving." And another says, "Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments" (16:6-7)

For you followers of mother-earth ("gaia") and you tree huggers, and you other militants of ecology... notice what God is doing to your precious little earth. Many eco-nuts are of a mentality that thinks man is sooo great, that he can totally change earth's ecology; almost with an attitude like, if enough activists should gather together in one spot and take a deep breath and -BLOOOOOW- real hard, they might be able to blow a clear spot in the atmosphere. Well, in these final judgments, God is taking earth and scrambling it, like eggs in a frying pan. Do you think you can gather together enough of your ilk and stop God? He created it in the first place, and if He is of a mind to mess it up while He judges you along with the rest of the world, who is going to stop Him?! (Is43:13, Mal3:2) He's messing it up; but then He'll fix it again. (Is66:22, 65:17)


Trumpet/Bowl #4 (8:12, 16:8-9)

A -third- of the sun, moon and stars struck. A third of the day disappears, and also a third of the night. Along with this a great scorching of men with heat and fire.

Details are not provided here. But in these days science and astronomy has given us a wide range of understanding of the dynamics of the universe. We know from Is13:13 (for the superstitious, talk about a -double- 'unlucky' number!) that the earth is going to "move out of its place, in the wrath of Jehovah of Hosts, and in the day of His fierce anger." (That's this period of time we are studying in Revelation) Job speaks of how God "shakes the earth out of its place" (Job9:6) Zec14:4-7 speaks of a huge earthquake, the lights "shrinking" and the matter of day and night 'time' becoming disoriented.

What sorts of things would cause a great rise in heat, and the discombobulation of time? The sun, and the relationship of the earth to it. Astronomy tells us that suns/stars go through cycles, where they suddenly greatly expand and/or shrink in size. What would happen if the sun suddenly got bigger, thus putting its surface closer to earth? Would that not cause a sudden dramatic increase in temperature? Would it not also cause "sores"? (16:2)(Although, for that verse, nuclear fallout could also cause sores) What sorts of things would cause daylight and night 'time' to change? The rotation of the earth. If the earth were induced to change its rotational speed for some reason, what else would happen? Humongous earthquakes, the kinds spoken of in this book. What other sorts of things might cause the lights to appear to "shrink"? If, as Isaiah says, the earth is moved out of its place...where is earth's "place"? It's present orbit around the sun at aprox 93 million miles. If we've had "something like a mountain" hitting earth, what else is also going on? What other major celestial bodies have also come around, tugging on earth gravitationally? Get the right combination of things going on, and earth could easily be flung into a different orbital trajectory around the sun. MOST ANYTHING is possible.

This is the stuff of Hollywood's blockbuster movies like Armageddon and Deep Impact. Only, those movies don't even suggest the half of what is really going to be happening. In those movies estranged children and parents reconcile at the last minute and die together, and all sorts of other touching emotional 'family' love is depicted, and man boasts of man's "goodness".

But the truth of the matter is: When these things come along for real (not just the theater), it says that mankind will "blasheme" God, and will -NOT- repent, nor will they acknowledge and glorify Him. It will be exactly like America has been since 9/11. A measure of judgment came, but man was exhorted by its (allegedly) "christian" president to -continue- living life, "just as you have been doing". Specifically, "Don't change a thing!" During a time when God's Ten Commandments were carted away from public view to a closet, and so-called "gay rights" is endorsed and praised and promoted, America -REFUSES- to repent!

But then, why should they? The (alleged) 'church' proclaims that repentance is "not necessary", that God accepts us "just as we are". So, if those calling themselves by God's name don't even repent, why should the world!

Thus, yes: True and righteous are Your judgments. (16:7)

Woe, Woe, Woe! (8:13) A "third" of things have been struck... now there are three judgments remaining. And if what has already happened weren't enough, the final three will dwarf them, by comparison. I mean...at this point, at least 'half' the world's population has been killed: a 4th at the 4th seal (6:8), and more recently over a third (8:7-11). If a 4th was killed, and then a 3rd of what remains...that's 'half'.


Trumpet/Bowl #5 (9:1-11, 16:10-11)

"Then the fifth angel sounded: And I saw a star falling from heaven towards the earth. To him was given the key to the bottomless pit" (9:1) "And the fifth angel poured out his bowl onto the throne of the beast..." (16:10)

Up until now the judgements have been (if we may say so) "generic". They have been generally aimed and focused on the earth, the world, and mankind. Now, we get to the root core.

What is the "bottomless pit"? It is the place where the dragon will be bound with a chain, and thrown into for a thousand years. (20:1-2) It is the place where, apparently, those who have the gift/authority from God are often said to send demons whom they cast out of demon-possessed people. Remember that when the demon-possessed recognized Jesus, they implored Him not to torment them "before the time". (Mt8:29) From a source I trusted years ago, a person who had been a Christian college roommate, came back to visit me one time after he had been lured away for a time into the 70s commune/Jesus movement, but had returned to the Lord, and in connection with explaining his own path returning to the Lord, told about a casting out of a demon he had been informed of by a pastor who was instrumental in his return to the Lord from the commune theology; the demon was told to exit the person and "go into the pit". The demon was recorded (this person heard it) saying, "No! Not the pit! Not the pit!" As though the "pit" is a -real- place the demons know about...and don't want to go there.

So... whatever the nature of this "pit", the angel is "falling". Satan? a demon? Anyway, the pit is unlocked, and out of it come smoke and locusts. In other words, God is loosing the powers of darkness upon mankind. As you read all the descriptive words, I think it is obvious that these locusts are allegorical. Not your standard run-of-the-mill 'locusts' like earth knows now.

The angel of this bottomless pit has a couple names. (9:11) (If you are using a KJV you won't find this name "Abaddon" in the O.T. where it rightfully appears in Job26:6, 28:22, Ps88:11, Pr15:11, etc) Abaddon: the place of destruction and ruin; is paired with "Sheol": the place of the dead, grave, etc (which KJV renders as "hell") Apollyon (Grk) is essentially the same: "Destroyer"

This destroyer (from the place of the dead) is sent out, but is not allowed to kill...but to torture. Strikes, bites, stings. Whatever the nature of it, it will be sooo horrific, that people will wish to die because of the nature of it. This summer (as this is being written) these little tiny bees (I think they are) were making a 'home' out of my garden corn. If I went out early in the morning, they were all congregated around the tassles, hovering...buzzing. In the still of the morning, what an ominous sound as one could hear this buzzing throughout the entire corn patch. Today as I was in the back yard, painting wheel rims in preparation for a new set of tires for the truck, this one blackish colored bee (or wasp, hornet ? It was darting around so erratically, I couldn't get a decent look at it) came buzzing around me, meandering around incessantly, almost as though 'possessed'. On a couple occasions I had to completely remove myself from the area until he got a whiff of somewhere else to be. (It was from that distance that I could see him darting around widely, wildly, erratically, viciously; as I say, as-though 'possessed') A neighbor got stung the other day, and his entire hand was swollen up; and it was not a very pleasant experience for him. Just one sting. I've been bit by a wasp before. VERY painful. 'Even been stung on the tongue by a bee many years ago (where the bee had gone inside my soda can, outside where I had set it down, and I picked it up for a drink, and the bee ended up in my mouth, and managed to sting my tongue before I could get him spat out)...even much -MORE- painful, let-me-tell-you!!! I'm sure many of you have either experienced similar things, or been around others who did. You 'understand' the misery.

Now, try to imagine 5 months of this! They're always after you, and you cannot get away, they are stinging, and you are going into shock, bloating up from the infection, and they are stinging on top of the stings. There is no sleep, due to the misery of the infections. There is no sleep due to 'hearing' them buzzing, as you dread the next attack, which you come to know will be inevitable.

There are some people who speculate from the figurative descriptions in vs7-9 that this is actually variations of warfare, and certain kinds of weapons systems. But vs5 seems pretty clear that it is a 'sting' of some sort of 'bug' or 'creature'. Perhaps vs7-9 are indicative of the powers involved? Whatever the case, it is allegory. Perhaps some specially-created creature -just- for the occasion? Hollywood likes to make these horror flicks with demonic-like creatures that torment people. Perhaps this will be the real thing?

Notice that 16:10 speaks of the 5th bowl being poured on the "throne of the beast". The powers of darkness are unleashed upon the world powers. This judgment is aimed, specifically, not only at mankind, but at the rulers and authorities. (Eph6:12) Satan, his demons, and the human rulers who have sold their souls to satan. And thus, in keeping with the nature of their rule of "darkness of this age", they are given darkness.

What is the source of the "pain" about which they are 'gnawing' their tongues? (16:10) Is it the 'darkness'? Depending on what translation you are reading, if you notice the punctuation, you will typically see that the first two phrases are linked together, and the last is more separated from the first two. (Comparing the use of commas, semicolons, and periods) The 'darkness' is one statement, and the 'pain' is another statement. If they're being stung (9:5), would you not expect that to be a source of 'pain' over which to grit the teeth and "gnaw the tongue".

And for all the pain of the torment, their hearts are soooo hardened, it says: "And they blasphemed the God of Heaven because of their pains and their sores, and DID NOT REPENT of their deeds." (16:11)

The church of Laodicea taunts regarding the rapture: they claim it to be "pre-trib" (they think), but "JUST IN CASE IT ISN'T", they make preparations (they presume) to go through their alleged "tribulation", with the thought that, if they were wrong, and had got it wrong on this side; they can "always believe" (properly) later. But remember how Paul warned that those who "didn't" believe -now-, -then- they will be given delusion to believe the lie. (2th2:10-12) And they who claimed they would 'then' believe...? Well, this passage tells us they WON'T! Even though they see God's judgment, just as they do now, they will do then: They will REFUSE to REPENT.

"And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon" (16:16)


Trumpet/Bowl #6 (9:13-21, 16:12-16)

"Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates" (9:14) And notice that their commission is to "kill a third of mankind" (vs15) And notice that their commission is for the specific "hour and day and month and year". This that comes next is a very specific moment in history, that has been on the drawing board for a long time, and 'now' it is time.

The "army of the horsemen was two hundred million" (vs16) While it appears to be the case that the "army" is a real army, the description is allegorical. However, are not the descriptions of "fire and the smoke and the brimstone" (vs18) very much like what a person 2000 years ago might have viewed the devastative power of today's weaponry? Viewing rapid-fire machine guns, flame throwing technology, massive bunker-buster bombs, and such-like?

The Euphrates river is "dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared" (16:12) And the "number" which John heard was "two hundred million". What entity from the east has the ability to muster a military that large? For some years, now, China has boasted having a military -just- 'exactly' that size. And in recent years China has been flexing its regional muscles regarding situations like Taiwan, expansionism against the US...a former administration even treasonously gave them much of our military technology secrets. Yes, Iran and N.Korea may be flexing their nuclear muscles and have been called an "axis" of evil, but China is more directly, specifically, in this prophecy. And in recent years they have been expanding their economic base at a level that would certainly support such a move westward into the middle east. And their loathing of US involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as the situation with Israel, is no global secret.

Notice also that "a third of mankind was killed" (9:18) by their march. Eastern and southern Asia, of course, contains the highest concentration of the world's population; an 'easy' area to kill lots of people with comparatively less effort! With a 'half' killed up to this point, this now leaves the earth's over-all population count about a third what it started out. In other words, by now two-thirds of mankind have been killed. If you're not quite following the simple math as we progress, notice about Israel it is even said, "And it shall come to pass in all the land, says Jehovah, that two parts in it shall be cut off and perish, but the third shall be left in it. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and I will refine them as silver is refined. And I will try them as gold is tried. They shall call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, It is My people, and they shall say, Jehovah is my God." (Zec13:8)

But this will not be 'just' China. Satan, antichrist and the false prophet will be mobilizing the -entire- world to gather them to battle. (16:13-14) There will be a massive political/spiritual movement to collect -all- the world in battle before God. And this will happen against Israel, God's elect.

"For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem. And the city shall be captured, and the houses plundered, and the women ravished. And half the city shall go into captivity and the rest of the people shall not be cut off from the city. And Jehovah shall go forth and fight against those nations, like the day He fought in the day of battle." (Zec14:2-3)

What? Even Israel's (alleged) "friend", the US? It says "-ALL- the nations". Why do you suppose, even today, that the US sells such highly sophisticated weaponry to Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and others of Israel's sworn enemies?

Folks, "Armageddon" is not an asteroid on collision-course with earth (although, God may also have some of those up-His-sleeve for that final battle) as Hollywood has depicted; but it is all of the world's nations gathered together against Israel. Megiddo is a specific location in Israel, which many of the world's past military leaders have viewed as an 'ideal' battlefield. This is Gog-Magog (Ezk38-39) This is the "Valley of Jehoshaphat (Joel ch3) the "Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of Jehovah is near in the valley of decision." (Joel3:14)(Please go and read those entire passages for the complete picture) This is the battle for which the world is even now gearing up, as they are beating their "plowshares into swords, and pruning hooks into spears" as they are thumping their chests "Let the weak say, I am strong" (Joel3:10) This is that "great winepress of the wrath of God" where the "blood came forth out of the winepress, up to the horses' bridles, by a distance of 1600 furlongs" (14:19-20) (That's a radius of about 180 miles...an area completely encompassing Israel, Jordan, most of the Sinai, Lebanon and much of Syria.)

This is the "harvest" of the earth (14:15) This is the great invitation "to all the birds that fly in the midst of the heavens, Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, that you may eat the flesh of kings...the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great" (19:17-18)

And notice whom the world is fighting. We'll look at it again when we get there, but it fits -here- where we are. "..the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army" (19:19)

They are coming against Israel and Jerusalem, at Megiddo. But their gathering is -really- against God Almighty.

How does this battle turn out? That's Trumpet/Bowl #7

But notice the exhortation. Even up-to-the-end God is exhorting. Up until this point there is yet "time" to repent. In the next lesson we will see that that option is imminently to be extinquished. But this is the occasion about which Paul says, "For when they say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall by no means escape" (1Th5:2-3) where Christ comes "as a thief in the night". They will come gathered against Israel, and their judgment will come in a moment; in an instant.

But until that moment, God exhorts, "Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, that he not walk naked and they see his shame" (16:15)

But again, and this it not 'negativity', but this is how Scripture repeats it after each of these judgments. While they still have 'time' yet to repent, and even though instant annihilation is imminent, as there has been this massive military build-up, and the third of the world that is left knows what is about to happen, it says: "But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not do homage to demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which are not able to see nor hear nor walk. And they did not repent of their murders nor their sorceries nor their sexual perversions nor their thefts. (9:20-21)

They are still doing their spirit-filling, yoga, TM, occult, satan-worship. They are still murdering and being sexually perverse. Hmmm...has George Bush remained as president, telling the world to "continue doing as you are doing...don't change a thing...keep living your lives as you have been doing" because we are all the greatest people on earth! ??? If not Bush, it will be somebody like him. Because that's how the world will be at that moment in time. All these tragedies will have decimated the world's population down to a mere fraction of what it is today....but for all that, they will -still- NOT REPENT.

Here we have a little parenthetical passage. There are many self-proclaimed experts who will scholarly pontificate as to what (they think) this passage is about, and what it means. I am not such an one. I readily admit that I do not possess such wisdom. So, rather than try to pontificate something I don't know, let us merely make passing observation. After all, even Daniel was told to "shut up the words and seal the book, to the time of the end." and also, that what he was hearing, he "did not understand". (Dan12:4,8) If Daniel could say, "I don't know" ...who is PB to claim greater wisdom than Daniel.

What is the significance of the "little book"? John is told to eat it. Initially it tasted sweet in his mouth; but once digested, it was bitter. And then he is told to prophesy some more. (vs11) Whether this is the significance or not, I do know this: That, to the child of God, God's Word is sweet to the taste. "Your Words were found, and I ate them; and Your Word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by Your name, O Jehovah the God of Hosts." (Jer15:16) But when God's Word is proclaimed, and rejected by the hearers, there can become a bitterness, as Jeremiah also tried to hold it in, "Then I said, I will not make mention of Him, nor speak in His name any more. But His Word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with holding it in, and I could not." (Jer20:9)

Seven thunders "uttered their voices" (vs4) and John is told to not write down what they said. Why? The passage doesn't say. Again, some will wax eloquent, explaining how "thunder" is the voice of dissent, that these would have been the utterings of demons complaining against God. But then, what do they do with the other various passages that speak of God's voice as being like thunder? (2Sa22:14, Job37:5, Ps29:3, etc) These are obviously some 'mysteries' that we are not yet to know, otherwise they would have been written down for our benefit.

But then we get to the part we -can- understand. There are two things: the matter of "no more time", and the matter of the "mystery of God" being "finished".

What does this mean: no more time? (vs6) Is this part of the workings of the antichrist, whom Daniel says will "intend to change times and law" (Dan7:25)?

Let us keep in mind that Trumpet/Bowl #6 has begun Armageddon, and #7 is imminently upon the world. #7 "finishes" it. (16:17) We have come to what I often call the "line". "..the time is at hand. He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still. Behold, I am coming quickly..." (22:10-12) The progression of human history marches on, with sinners being born, making their choices whether to follow God or satan, dying, being resurrected to praise or wrath. Eventually that 'moment' comes where that process is at an end. History has run its course, it has come to its conclusion. It's like that huge overhead door has been rolling down to shut the entry. Until it reaches the floor, people can come and go to either side of the door. As the door nears the floor, some may even be able to scurry and 'slide' under it. But ultimately the door reaches the floor, and it is "shut". Whoever is on the inside stays there, and whoever is on the outside stays there. That is the kind of scenario where some will find themselves on the outside knocking, "Lord, Lord, open to us.." (Lk13:25)

There is "no more time". The door has been shut, and is not opening again. (3:7) That's it. Period. Now, those final events that conclude history are in motion...no holding back. Those who slid under at the last moment can mop their brows with a sighed "Phew!" as they just barely 'made it' ("yet so as through fire" 1co3:15) For the rest, this is it: Judgment!

What is this "mystery of God"? (vs7) Again, some scholars will pontificate. Thing is, in Scripture there are quite a few mysteries. Which 'one' might it be referring to? Or could it be speaking of several inter-related mysteries? Rather than try to pick one or two, and say "this is -it-" and wax eloquent where this passage does not specify, let me suggest to the reader to go read the "Seven Mysteries" series in the Library.

I suspect this statement includes a bit of 'all' of them.

"Surely the Lord Jehovah will do nothing unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets." (Am3:7)

Here we have another parenthetical section. As we traverse through the seven Trumpets and Bowls, we might be tempted to only look at the catastrophes and judgments as most of earth's humanity is being killed. Right 'now' at this point at the end of #6, at the most, only a third of earth's population is left alive. Depending on how the calculations are meant to be understood, if it is the case that those prior fractions were not compounded upon prior remnants, but are each fractions of earth's original population, there are even less people remaining...just a 'sliver' (less than 10%) of today's makeup of humanity.

As the judgments are taking place, is that -all- that's happening? Are the various things merely happening, with humanity having no clue as to 'why' they are happening? As a child, with the kind of father I had, it was often that I wasn't sure 'why' I was being punished; I was just supposed to "know". But that is not how God works.

Before the flood there was Enoch, preaching that God was coming to judge unrighteousness, and was then raptured 700 years prior to the flood. (Ju1:14-15) Noah was a "preacher of righteousness" against the pre-diluvian race. (2Pt2:5) Before Israel was taken captive to Assyria there were both Elijah and Elisha prophesying and doing signs and wonders. Before Jesus was introduced on the scene, there was John, preaching in the "spirit of Elijah". (Lk1:17) And most notably, a period of time not at all unlike what we are studying, only scaled down to the local region of Egypt with the ten plagues, it was Moses and Aaron; proclaiming to Pharaoh: God says, "Let My people go"; and pharaoh hardened his heart, just as the world will do in the coming 70th week that we are studying. In the O.T. it says that God continually pled with His people Israel to repent, by the hand of His prophets... it says, "rising early and sending" them (2Ch36:15, Jer11:7, 25:3, etc); but they refused to heed.

Well, during the Day of the Lord, God will also have His prophets...the "two witnesses". "And I will give to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth" (11:3) Anybody care to guess what their message will be? R-----!!!

First of all notice that John is told to "measure" the temple, altar and those worshiping God. But also notice that no dimensions are given, like are given for the wilderness tabernacle, Solomon's temple, and the millennial temple. (Ezk40-44) Is that because there won't actually be a completed temple, but merely a 'spot' allocated for the morning and evening sacrifices? (Dan9:27) Details we don't know yet.

But notice that the "court" outside the temple (the temple mount as is the case right now?) is overrun by the Gentiles for 42 months. Notice that the two witnesses prophesy for 1260 days. According to the Jewish 30-day calendar, 42 months and 1260 days are the same... 3 1/2 years. Keeping in mind that the 70th week is a 7-year period of time, at the 'middle' of which the antichrist desecrates the holy place and proclaims himself to be deity. (Dan9:27, 2th2:4) Daniel speaks of "time and times and one half time" (Dan7:25, 12:7,14); that's 3 1/2 years. If the antichrist confirms the covenant for seven years, it seems reasonable that the first 3 1/2 years are relatively calm and peaceful, as they are proclaiming "peace and safety" (1Th5:3) (and perhaps Israel has sole access to the temple mount the first half?), and that these 3 1/2 years where all the trouble happens is the -last- half, leading up to those final 2 1/2 months; figured by Daniel's mentions of 1290 and 1335 days. (Dan12:11-12) Are those months the outpouring of Trumpet/Bowl #7, as God "finishes" wrath, and then Jesus comes, and by the conclusion of the 2 1/2 months, He has set up His kingdom? It is not spelled out as to exacly 'what' those months are, but he speaks of "blessing" to those who survive to that point.

So... notice that these prophets preach. And as humanity seeks to kill them, they protect themselves by calling fire upon their enemies to destroy them. Sounds about like Elijah, doesn't it: "if I am a prophet of God, then let fire come down from the heavens and consume you..." (2Ki1:10,12) They have authority to call for drought; again, sounds like Elijah. To turn water into blood; sounds like Moses in Egypt.

Many speculate as to "who" these witnesses are. Prophecy says, "Behold, I am sending you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of Jehovah." (Mal4:5) At the mount of transfiguration, it was Moses and Elijah who appeared with Jesus. (Mt17:3) Consider that Elijah did not die, but was carried up to Heaven in a whirlwind. (2ki2:1) and when Moses died, nobody knew where God buried him. (De34:6) Seeing the kind of plagues they bring, remembering their original ministries, and the fact that their first departures from this earth were unusual...it makes one speculate and go, "hmmmm"

When their ministry is finished, just as John was beheaded...these two are killed. They are not buried, but there will be (likely?) a li