END TIME REVELATION

What can we expect as the end of time draws closer? What Bible prophecies have yet to be fulfilled?

We are living in the days of revelation; a time of the fulfilling of the prophecies concerning the last days. This is the day when the book of Revelation is being revealed; and not only revealed, but lived. And this generation shall not pass away until all things are fulfilled.

We have heard for many years the teaching that the coming of the Lord will take place before the time of great tribulation upon the earth. Yet the Word of God tells us that the revelation of the end time was sealed up (secured, confined, or cannot be revealed) until the day and time that is spoken of approaches.

And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days. Dan. 8:26

And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned. Isa. 29:11-12

We, as God's people, should seek to understand the book of Revelation in these last days, and to be aware of the things that are coming upon the earth; for we are not the children of darkness, but we are children of the light. God doesn't want His people to be in darkness concerning the events that are going to take place in the last days; that's why He has given us the revelation of the end time in the Word of God.

The children of God have a way of escape prepared for them when it comes time for the "Wrath of God" to be poured out: but during the time of "Tribulation" God sets a seal upon his people that will keep them from the destruction that will be taking place during the sounding of the seven trumpets.

A book similar in content, to this book with the seven seals, was given unto Ezekiel (Eze. 2:9-10), that he might read it to Israel; and it contained prophecy and warning from God to a rebellious, impudent, and hardhearted people. If the rebellious house of Israel was found worthy of God's judgment and His recompense, how much more is an unfaithful world today worthy of His judgment.

Of how much sorer punishment suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? Heb. 10:29

For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. Luke 21:22

End Time Revelation

The Signs Of His Coming

There are several events recorded in the Bible that must take place before the day of Christ, and our meeting with Him in the air. Comprehension of the Scriptures will enable God's people to put the catching away of the saints in the right perspective, and to be prepared for what lies ahead. Jesus, himself, tells us in the 24th chapter of St. Matthew that his coming is preceded by the days of tribulation.

These unusual and possibly catastrophic events are revealed in the book of Revelation when the sixth seal is opened from the book that is sealed with the seven seals. Again, this book is the written revelation of God's judgment upon the earth in the end time. The earth does not actually experience these phenomenon until the sounding of the fourth trumpet in Rev. 8:12. Then shall the third part of the sun, the moon, and the stars be smitten; and a third part of the day and the night will be darkened.

Paul reveals a mystery to us concerning the catching away of the saints that most people are inclined to misconstrue, or just ignore. But, the fact remains that he tells us when the dead shall be raised, and when we shall be changed, and our corruptible bodies put on incorruption. This all happens at the sounding of the last trump; and the last trump is the seventh trumpet.

Behold, I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 1Cor. 15:51-53

This time of the dead that Paul foretells of to take place at the sounding of the last trumpet is revealed in the eleventh chapter of Revelation. I know that most of the teaching of today is that the Church, the Bride of Christ, will already be gone when the seventh trumpet sounds; but how can that be when we are told here in these Scriptures that the time of the raising of the dead takes place at the sounding of the seventh trumpet.

Paul gives us another account of the Lord's coming, and of our being gathered unto him in 2Thess. 2:1-4. Paul explains to us that the Lord shall not come until the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition; who will exalt himself above God, and even presume to take the place of God. This "Wicked One" shall cause the world to follow after him with his deceit and lying wonders. And in 2Thess. 2:9-12 the Bible tells us of the strong delusion that is sent from God, which will cause all who follow after him to be damned, because they chose to believe a lie, and live in unrighteousness, rather than the truth and the ways of God.

Another notable sign of the Lord's coming is the mystery of God being finished, and the firstfruits of the harvest (Israel) being made ready. In Rev. 10:7 the Bible tells us that when the time comes for the seventh angel to sound his trumpet, then the mystery of God shall be finished (brought to an end, completed, terminated). In the Scripture references below we find that the mystery of God is, God in Christ, and Christ in man. This means that the plan of salvation shall be brought to a close through the bringing in of the nation of Israel, the Jews, God's chosen among the nations, and God's chosen people.

Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began. But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith. Rom. 16:25-26

Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Col. 1:26-27

There are many Scriptures that reveal to us that Israel must first enter into the kingdom of God, and become a part of the Body of Christ before Jesus returns for his Bride.

Another representation of the coming of Christ to gather together His elect is symbolized by a great harvest which takes place in the end time. God symbolizes the gathering of His people according to the natural harvest procedure upon the earth; and in the course of an actual harvest season of any particular crop the primary, or first, fruits to be gathered are called the firstfruits. And Israel is the first-fruits of God, and of the Lamb of God.

This is the time of the event that the Church realm calls the "Rapture;" this is the time of the harvest of the earth: those who are righteous are gathered together to meet the Lord in the air, but the unrighteous are gathered together for the time of the pouring out of God's wrath upon a rebellious and wicked world that refused to adhere to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Israel, the firstfruits of God, are the hundred and forty and four thousand that are the first to be numbered and sealed in the seventh chapter of Revelation. They are numbered because they are a remnant; and only a remnant, or that small portion that remains, shall be saved in Israel. But the Gentiles are the great multitude which no man can number.

Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved. Rom. 9:27

The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God. Isa. 10:21

Israel was holiness unto the Lord, and the firstfruits of his increase: all that devour him shall offend; evil shall come upon them, saith the Lord. Jer. 2:3

Not only is the nation of Israel the firstfruits of God, and of the Lamb of God, but they will also be the first to receive their reward at the last day; for they are the first that shall be last, and the last that shall be first.

Who will render to every man according to his deeds: to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life: but unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also the Gentile; but glory, honor, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile. Rom. 2:6-10

So when even was come, the Lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received a penny.

But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.

But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?

So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. Matt. 20:8-16

The Jewish people are the few in number that are called the chosen of God (a remnant); and the Gentiles are the many that are the called of God (the number that no man can number).

Christ's coming is very near, but let us look for the signs that prolaim the very season of his coming. For although we will not know the day, nor the hour, if Christ's coming, we can know the season.

And these signs will make known unto us the season for which we wait. The days of tribulation that will take place during the sounding of the first six trumpets; and then the time of the sounding of the seventh trumpet will be the season of the Lord's coming. And again, the changes that are recorded to take place in the sun, the moon, and the stars. And the Anti-Christ, the son of perdition, leading the world astray with his deceit and damnable lie. And Israel, the firstfruits, receiving the covenant of grace through the blood of Christ, the sacrificial Lamb of God.

End Time Revelation

The Beginning Of Sorrows

We are given a thorough description and account of the beginning of sorrows in the opening of the seven seals in the book of Revelation, chapter 6:1 through chapter 8:5. The book sealed with the seven seals represents the written judgment of God for the last days. The opening of these seven seals prepare the way for the time of tribulation, and God's judgment and recompense. The opening of the seals upon the book is the unveiling of those things which were sealed in the days of Daniel, those things which were closed up, and hidden until the day that was spoken of approaches.

First, let's establish that the horses that go forth when the first four seals are opened symbolize spirits that go forth to manifest themselves in the earth. If you will read the sixth chapter of Zechariah you will find that four chariots of similar horses were sent forth upon the earth; and the angel of the Lord declared that they were spirits.

The white horse that goes forth when the first seal is opened symbolizes the Spirit of Christ and his righteousness, and not the Anti-christ. How could we recognize and speak of all the spirits that are in the earth in these last days, and not recognize that the Spirit of Jesus Christ is in the earth today to conquer and to defeat the works of Satan. Christ's gospel is today being manifested in a greater magnitude than ever before on the face of the earth. Every continent, and every nation has the gospel being demonstrated in some ministerial form. And although the fullness of Christ's gospel is not always brought forth, still Jesus is made known to the world.

Some people interpret the bow that the rider of the horse holds in his hand to be a rainbow: but I do not; I believe it to represent a weapon, a spiritual weapon, used in a spiritual warfare against Satan and his realm. Jesus, himself, was a spiritual bow, or weapon, ordained and used by God to destroy the power of Satan, and to bring man's deliverance. His words were, and still are, arrows that pierce the hearts of men.

Elisha used an arrow to symbolize the Lord's deliverance in 2Kings 13:17. And in Psalm 7:12-13 the Scripture tells us of God's bow that is made ready to be used against the wicked; and He ordained arrows to be used against the persecutors. Below are three more Scriptures that also reveal to us that the bow in the hand of the rider on the white horse represents a spiritual weapon.

Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O Most Mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty. And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things. Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee. Psalm 45:3-5

But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded. Psalm 64:7

And the Lord shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord God shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south. Zech. 9:14

The rider on the white horse, holding the bow, is also given a crown. This means that glory, honour, and authority are given unto him. Surely Jesus, and none other, holds this position. And he that has the bow and the crown goes forth conquering, and to conquer. No greater conqueror has the world ever known, than Jesus Christ. For He certainly did overcome, and subdue, and surmount every obstacle for us. And had he not conquered sin, Satan, and death, where would we be today? The Word of God tells us that we, too, are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.

The Scripture says, "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." This red horse, or spirit, is also given power to take peace from the earth; therefore it represents a spirit of war and iniquity. It is through this spirit that God will judge the nations in the end time; and this spirit even now encompasses the whole earth.

Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come forth out of it. For the indignation of the Lord is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter.

And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Matt. 24:6-8

* Rev. 6:5-6 *

And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.

The black horse symbolizes the spirit of deceit and unjust measures, or a false balance. Wickedness upon the earth has always far outweighed righteousness: but never more than it shall in the latter days. The heaviness of sin and abominations in the earth shall cause the balances to fall in the direction of God's judgment and wrath.

Divers weights and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the Lord. Prov. 20:10

Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail, saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? And the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah (measure) small, and the shekel (cost) great, and falsifying the balances by deceit? That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes; yea, and sell the refuse of the wheat? Amos 8:4-6

The oil and the wine in verse six represents joy and gladness that man has perverted, and misassociated abominably; especially in the latter days. In early bible days the time of harvesting, and of treading the fruit for making oil and wine were days of joy and of celebration; it was a time of being thankful to God for his bounty, and his blessings.

But in the latter days wickedness shall run rampant, and the inhabitants of the earth will not heed the commandments of God: neither will they be thankful unto Him. So in the last days God shall cause joy and gladness to cease in the earth.

Are there yet the treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked, and the scant measure that is abominable?

The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men. Joel 1:12

* Rev. 6:7-8 *

And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.

This pale horse symbolizes the spirit of death and destruction, working through war, famine, and the beasts of the earth; and one fourth of the population of the earth shall be destroyed. There are already thousands being killed every year through war and violence; and unrest of some kind can be found in almost every nation upon the earth. Millions have died in the past few decades: and millions more are predicted to die from hunger in Africa, Ethiopia, India, and other nations around the world. So we can see that these four spirits, symbolized by the four horses, are being manifested today, and their work has already begun.

There will be a spirit of persecution at work during the end time that will come against the Church and the righteous. Most Christians do not want to believe this, that there will be a time of trial, even for them, in the latter days; but how are we to be overcomers if there are no obstacles to overcome?

Jesus told us in the seven letters to the seven churches (Revelation chapters two through three) that the Church must be an overcomer. In these letters to the seven churches we find three things revealed. First, we see a complete revelation of Jesus; second, the fullness of Christ's Church; and third, the fullness of God's judgment. The last thing that Jesus has to say to each of the seven churches is, "To he that overcometh------." And in each instance He gives a promise to the overcomer. To be an overcomer means to defeat, or to conquer the oppressor,

or adversary. Christ was an overcomer: and he has given us power to overcome.

1. To he that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life in the midst of the paradise of God.

2. He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

3. To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and a new name.

4. He that overcometh, to him will I give power over the nations.

5. He that overcometh shall be clothed in white raiment, and I will confess his name before my Father.

6. To him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God: I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, New Jerusalem.

7. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Remember the word that I said unto you, the servant is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they kept my saying, they will keep yours also. John 15:20

The events described in the opening of the sixth seal is the written revelation of God's judgment upon the earth at it's utmost extent. Here we see a sign of the intensity of His retribution for the disobedience and sin of man, and the flagrant disregard of his commandments.

God shakes not only the earth, and the nations therein, but also the heavens. This great shaking begins to come to pass during the sounding of the fourth trumpet (Rev. 8:12); but the crucial, and final outpouring of this dispensation of God's judgment is fulfilled during the pouring out of the seventh vial of wrath (Rev. 16:17), after the Church has been caught away by Christ. These signs that take place in the sun, the moon, and the stars are recorded in many of the Scriptures in relationship to the coming of Jesus.

Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.

Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger. Isa. 13:9-10 & 13

The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining:

And the Lord shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it? Joel 2:10-11

Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Matt. 24:29-31 & Mark 13:24-27

End Time Revelation

The Days Of Tribulation

The sounding of the seven trumpets, which represents the days of "Great Tribulation" that the Church will also go through, and the pouring out of the seven vials of the "Wrath of God," which is destined only for the wicked and the unbelieving that are left after the Church is taken away, are comparable in relationship to the events that take place. But the extremity of the plagues and events that happen during the sounding of the seven trumpets have only one third the severity as does the events that take place during the pouring out of the seven vials of wrath.

The sounding of the trumpet in the Old Testament served a two-fold purpose; it was blown as a sound of warning in time of danger, and in time of battle. The trumpet was also blown to announce the time of assembly.

Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps.

And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the Lord your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies. Num. 10:2 & 9

Again the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, when I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman:

If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people;

Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.

He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul. Eze. 33:1-5

I believe that the sounding of the seven trumpets in the book of Revelation also have a dual purpose. When each trumpet sounds they are sending forth a warning of approaching danger, and of inevitable battle; and they also sound a call for the righteous to assemble them- selves together, and make ready for their redemption. And, as in the Old Testament days, those who hear the sound of the trumpet, and take warning, shall deliver his own soul; but those who will not heed the warning, shall suffer the wrath of God, and eternal destruction.

The Bible speaks of the seven trumpets "sounding," but we will not hear the literal sound of a trumpet; but we shall perceive their sounding, and we shall observe the inevitable result of their sounding.

In Jeremiah 9:13-15 the Bible tells us that the waters being made bitter with wormwood is a punishment from God upon a people who have forsaken his law, and have walked after the imagination of their own heart. This is surely a picture of the people upon the earth today.

Again, this is a notable sign that Jesus told us we would see before His coming in Matt. 24:29-31 and in Mark 13:24-26. And in the Old Testament the prophets, Isaiah and Joel, both prophesied of these events to take place in the last days.

All these Scriptures were covered in the third chapter entitled "The Beginning Of Sorrows."

* Rev. 9:1-2 *

And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.

And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.

Satan is the star that fell from heaven unto the earth, and he is given the key to the bottomless pit, which is hell. The opening of the bottomless pit, and the smoke rising up out of it symbolizes the rising up of wickedness that will darken the earth in the latter days.

During the sounding of the fifth trumpet there will be a spirit of persecution at work, which was revealed, and loosed during the opening of the fifth seal in chapter six, verse nine, of the book of Revelation.

As all manner of evil is loosed from the pit, and rises up as smoke to darken the land, so shall the judgment of God cover the land: and He, too, shall bring darkness upon the wicked and the unbelieving.

* Rev. 9:3-11 *

And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.

And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.

And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.

And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.

And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men.

And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions.

And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle.

And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.

And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.

In Nahum 3:17 the crowned of the earth, which are the leaders and ones in authority, are compared to locusts; and as locusts in flight, and in great number, cause the light of the sun to be darkened, so shall these men in their association with Satan cause the earth to be in darkness.

These men having the power to torment as a scorpion would torment when it strikes means that they will inflict pain and poison. And this pain and poison will be inflicted by way of their baneful, destructive, influence, and their tyrannical leadership.

During this time one nation, or one controlling power of more than one nation, will rise up and cause great pain and sorrow upon the earth. It will be a great nation whose strength is compared to that of a lion; and it's power to ravage and to tear apart compared to that of the teeth of a lion.

The appearance of the locusts resembling that of horses prepared for battle means that they will be engaged in warfare: and they shall wage war around the globe.

For a nation is come up upon my land, strong, and without number, whose teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he hath the cheek teeth of a great lion. Joel 1:6

Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand;

A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.

A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.

The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run.

Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.

Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness.

They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks:

Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk everyone in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded.

They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief.

The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining: and the Lord shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it? Joel 2:1-11

Symbolically speaking the hair of the locusts being as the hair of women, in verse eight, denotes their being under subjection to another head, or authority, other than their own. Paul relates this to us in the 11th chapter of the book of 1 Corinthians. These scriptures tell us that the head of the woman is the man; and the outward sign of this subjection of the woman to the man is her head being covered, or her hair being longer than the man's.

The locusts are under subjection to Satan; and this is verified in the 11th verse when we read that the king over them is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, which means "destruction," and in the Greek tongue his name is Apollyon, which means "the destroyer."

The breastplates of iron that the locusts have symbolize their indestructability. They will have the power to do what ever they set their mind to do; and nothing shall be able to stop them, nor stand in their way. And their tails being like the tails of scorpions designates their power to inflict poison: and this poison will more than likely be administered through those who stand in a spiritual place of leadership.

I believe this to be true because we just read in Isaiah 9:15 that the ancient and honourable is the head, and the false prophet that teaches lies is the tail. Jesus told us in His Word that the rising up of false prophets would be a sign of the latter days that would come to pass before His return to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

* Rev. 9:13-21 *

And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,

Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great River Euphrates.

And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.

And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.

And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone.

By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.

For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt.

And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk.

Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.

An angel is a spiritual being that not only carries messages, but also executes the commands and the judgment of God. When the four angels that are bound in the Euphrates River are loosed, they shall execute the judgment of God in the territory that the Euphrates River bounds, or encloses.

God has always used the Euphrates River as a northern boundary to mark the extent of the land promised by Him to Israel, to be possessed by Israel.

In the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the River Euphrates. Gen. 15:18

Deut. 1:7

Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.

From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast. Joshua 1:3-4

A land of promise and blessing was what God intended for Israel: but they always missed God's blessing because of sin and unbelief. So now, in the latter days, the River Euphrates symbolizes the boundary of God's recompense, and his chastisement upon a people who would not receive His promise and blessing. There are four nations that are bound (bordered or enclosed) by the Euphrates River; and they are Turkey (biblical Lydia), Syria, Iraq (biblical Babylon), and also Arabia.

According to the scriptures that we just read in Revelation 9:15 these nations will play a big part in the end time warfare that will claim the lives of one third of the earth's population.

For this is the day of the Lord God of hosts, a day of vengeance, that he may avenge him of his adversaries: and the sword shall devour, and it shall be satiate and made drunk with their blood: for the Lord God of hosts hath a sacrifice in the north country by the River Euphrates. Jer. 46:10

These four nations along with several other Arab nations, and possibly nations that are today located in the same area once occupied by the ancient Roman Empire, will play their roll in the last world empire that will dominate the earth in the last days. They will make up the kingdoms of the north and the south, spoken of by Daniel, that will join themselves together in the latter days. But in time the king of the north will subdue the king of the south, and will then rule the empire alone.

Syria, Iraq, and Arabia are only three of the Arab nations that may very well play a part in the end time warfare. Some of the other Arab nations that may be involved, either by alliance or repression, are Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Algeria, Morocco, Kuwait, Qatar, Sudan, Tunisia, Bahrein, Yemen, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Somalia, Palestine, Mauritania, and Djibouti.

In verse eighteen we are told that out of the mouths of this army shall come forth fire, and smoke, and brimstone; and that by these three the third part of men will be killed. The fire that comes forth out of their mouths represents their judgment, and their ungodly decisions. The smoke represents the wickedness that shall come forth from these men. And the brimstone represents the destruction that will ultimately come forth because of their unrighteous judgment, and because of their wickedness.

In verse nineteen the Scripture tells us that their power is in their mouth, and in their tails. Again, this represents the power of the leaders and the false prophets: for the mouth of a nation is it's king or leader; and the tail of a nation is it's prophet, or spiritual leader, who leads contrary to the Word of God.

And as grievous as the days will be at that time, even to the annihilation of a third of the population of the earth, men will still not turn to God, but will continue on in their unrighteous ways.

*Rev. 10:1-11*

And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:

And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth,

And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.

And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.

And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,

And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:

But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.

And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth.

And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.

And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.

And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.

In verse one the angel coming down from heaven being clothed with a cloud represents a time when God's influence and guidance will again be sent forth into the earth. The rainbow upon his head represents God's covenant and promise being in foremost position. His face shining as the sun symbolizes God's glory. His feet appearing as pillars of fire represent his going forth with the power and authority of the gospel. God at one time led the children of Israel by a cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night. His presence and his guidance were made known by these two manifestations.

In the angel's hand he holds a little book that is open; this means that he has something to reveal, and to declare. His having one foot upon the sea, and one foot upon the earth means that he has come to conquer.

When the angel is told to seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and told to write them not, it is made known that a mystery exists.

The angel proclaims, in verse six, that there should be time no longer. This means that some things are going to be brought to an end. It is time for three dispensations to be brought to a close.

1. The dispensation of the gospel of Christ to the Gentiles to be completed.

2. Time for the fall and the blindness of Israel to be brought to an end.

3. Time for God's mercy and grace to come to an end, and time for his wrath and judgment to begin.

Rom. 11:12 & 25-27 ( Scripture reference for # 1 and 2 )

Zeph. 1:14-18 ( Scripture reference for # 3 )

The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the Lord: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.

In verse seven it is revealed that when the seventh angel begins to sound the mystery of God shall be finished. This mystery was made known among the Gentiles because it was rejected by the Jews.

From the birth and death of Jesus until this day the nation of Israel has not accepted Christ as their Saviour. But when the seventh trumpet begins to sound, the mystery of God shall be made known among the Jews.

The promise and the covenant that the angel bears upon his head, or in foremost position, in verse one, shall be presented once again to Israel. And the Spirit and the presence of God shall lead man unto salvation, and to victory over Satan, once again.

The seventh verse of this chapter tells us that when the seventh angel begins to sound his trumpet the mystery of God shall be finished. We have just read in the Scriptures that the mystery of God is the plan of salvation ordained by God, and wrought by his Son, Jesus; God in Christ, and Christ in man.

When the mystery of God is finished it is brought to an end, it is terminated, it is completed. This will close the dispensation of grace, and usher in the beginning of the time of God's wrath.

John is told in verse nine to take the little book which is open from the hand of the angel; he is then told to eat the book which will be in his mouth sweet as honey: but it shall make his belly bitter. When the book is eaten this symbolizes knowledge being given for the purpose of prophecy. Then shall the gospel of Christ be carried forth in one final dispensation before the end shall come.

During the days of the sounding of the seventh trumpet there will be several significant prophecies come to pass. One is the salvation of the remnant of Israel, for their time of blindness will be over. Another prophecy to be fulfilled during this time period is the rise and reign of the Anti-Christ, as revealed in the 13th chapter of Revelation, and in the book of Daniel, chapters seven, eight, and eleven. And last of all at the close of the time of the sounding of the seventh trumpet Christ shall send his angels to gather together his elect from the four corners of the earth, for it will be the day of their deliverance. Then shall only the wicked be left, who are destined for the wrath of God.

Remember that the seventh angel, or trumpet, has not yet sounded: the angel is merely revealing to John some of the events that will take place when the seventh trumpet does begin to sound. The days of the sounding of the seven trumpets will be the days of the Great Tribulation; and they will be days of perplexity and distress, and days of great darkness. But those who put their faith and trust in God, and who are covered by the blood of the Lamb, shall have no fear, for Christ is their haven of rest when God begins to shake the earth.

So far we have covered the sounding of six of the seven trumpets. There remains the seventh, and final, trumpet yet to sound. During it's sounding the aforementioned prophecies will be brought to pass, and the days of the pouring out of God's wrath will draw nigh.

End Time Revelation

The Two Great Witnesses

The eleventh chapter of Revelation is a very complex and controversial chapter of Scripture. It relates to the two witnesses that will prophecy in the latter days. I have heard many theories on who the two witnesses will be; but that's just what they are, theories (a theory is a proposed but unverified explanation ).

The question is not, "Who will the two witnesses be?" But the question is, "Who are the two witnesses?" For the two great witnesses are not forth-coming, but they are already here: and they have been here for two thousand years. A witness is someone who can testify, or give evidence, because he sees or knows by personal presence.

No living man has ever seen God face to face, and no man knows God except by the Spirit of God, and through Jesus, the Son of God. Therefore man cannot be a witness for God because he has never stood in the personal presence of God, and the carnal man knows nothing of God. Only when the Spirit of God is manifested through us can we be an effective witness for God.

With these thoughts in mind let us read the eleventh chapter of Revelation and let the Word of God give explanation for the Word of God. The answer to every question we have concerning the Scriptures will be found in the Scriptures themselves.

* Rev. 11:1-19 *

And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.

But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.

These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with plagues, as often as they will.

And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.

And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.

And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.

And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

And the same hour there was a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.

And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.

And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and to them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

In the first verse John is given a reed and told to measure the temple of God. The temple that is measured is not a natural building, but a spiritual one: it is Christ's Church; for since Jesus came into the world the temple of God has been in man. In Christians as individuals, and as a whole, we are the temple of God. The reference made here to the Old Testament temple is merely symbolism, using the natural to interpret the spiritual.

In the Old Testament both Ezekiel (Eze. 40:2-4) and Zechariah (Zech. 2:1-5) saw the temple of God being measured. It was measured because prophecy was being sent forth unto man, telling him to repent, and make ready the temple for God's presence. When the temple is measured it is time for God to know the extent and the fullness of his Church. He will know the length, and the breadth, and all that is within it: for it's time for his temple to be made complete.

In the second verse the outer court of the temple is left out and not measured for it is given unto the Gentiles. At this time God will already know the measure of the outer court, for the Gentile dispensation will be over. But it's time for the inner court of the temple to be measured: and it is given unto the Jews.

The early temple had an outer court and an inner court. The outer court was much larger than the inner court; but the inner court (given unto Israel) is where the Lord will place his throne, and will dwell for ever. Israel is the inner court that has not yet been measured. But when the remnant of the Jews have entered into the tabernacle not made with hands, then shall the inner court be measured, and the temple made complete.

The last part of the second verse in the eleventh chapter of Revelation tells us that the holy city shall be trodden under foot forty and two months. Most people believe that the holy city mentioned in this passage of Scripture is referring to Jerusalem. But I believe that the Bible conveys to us that the holy city spoken of here is New Jerusalem, which is the Church.

The holy city being trodden under foot for three and ahalf years is the revelation of a time of repression and persecution that the Church will endure just before Christ's return. It was also revealed to Daniel (Dan. 7:21-26) that the saints would be overcome by a horn, or a governmental power, that will "prevail against them" for a short time. The horn will "wear out the saints of the most High," and they shall be "given into his hand" until a time and times and the dividing of time (3 1/2 years). And no where in the visions of John or Daniel do we see Jesus returning for the saints before the time of tribulation and persecution.

In the third verse of the eleventh chapter the two witnesses are given power, and they prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. Their being clothed in sackcloth is a sign of mourning for those who need deliverance. And again, this is revealing the time of Israel's deliverance drawing nigh.

In verse four we have the revelation of who the two witnesses really are. They are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. As I said before a witness is someone who sees or knows by personal presence. Jesus and the Holy Ghost are the only true witnesses of God. Man is a witness for God only by the manifestation of one of these working through him. Jesus and the Holy Ghost receive the Spirit and power from God, and then they impart that Spirit and power unto man.

In verse five the Scripture says that if any man will hurt them, fire shall come forth out of their mouth and devour their enemy. If we understand the meaning of the words that are being used in this passage of Scripture we can comprehend the spiritual revelation that is being given. The word "hurt" here in verse five does not mean bodily injury, but it means "to grieve," or "to distress." And this is surely what the world is doing to the Spirit of God today; and it will wax worse as the end time draws closer.

The fire that proceeds out of the mouth of the two witnesses is the judgment that they shall speak against the wicked, and the unbelieving. Not only does this judgment bring spiritual death, but also everlasting damnation in the life hereafter.

One of the reasons that Christians do not readily acknowledge that these two witnesses are Christ and the Holy Ghost is because in verse seven it is written that the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. Again, we have to understand the spiritual interpretation of what is being said to get the real meaning.

"To make war against" means to cause strife and conflict. And Satan has been wageing war against God and his saints since the beginning of time. But the end time battle will be an over-whelming manifestation of evil perpetrated by Satan.

When the two witnesses are "overcome" it means that they are successfully resisted and opposed. When they are "killed" it means that they, or in this instance their testimony and influence, are destroyed, or nullified.

The gospel of Christ will be set at naught even as it was in the days of the crucifixion; Jesus could not have been crucified if He had not first been brought to naught (reduced to nothing) in the eyes of the world. And in the days that are to come the great false prophet, known as the Anti-Christ, could not set up his kingdom, and cause the unsuspecting world to accept a lie, except the "Truth" be cast down and brought to naught.

Apostle Paul revealed unto us that this falling away from the truth would come to pass before Christ's return. A "falling away" means to terminate, or to diminish, or decline.

Paul also wrote that there is something which withholds that Wicked One from being revealed until his time has come. He cannot take his position in the temple of God, showing himself to be God, until he who now letteth will let, (he who now hindereth will hinder) until he be taken out of the way. Then, and only then, can the great lie and delusion be manifested.

This same revelation is opened up to us also in the book of Daniel in several chapters when the "daily sacrifice is taken away." We will not go into these Scriptures at this time, but will go into them in depth in chapter eight entitled "The Daily Sacrifice Is Taken Away."

In verse eight the dead bodies of the two witnesses lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. Now we know that these two witnesses are not going to be killed, but their testimony will be set at naught and made of none effect. Remember, this is true only as far as the world and the false religions are concerned; for the true Church will be purged, made white, and blameless, and will be looking for the coming of the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

We also know that the dead bodies of the two witnesses will not literally lie in the street; there will not even be literal bodies that will die. The "dead bodies lying in the street" is a metaphorical phrase, and we have to understand what is being implied by it. In the Old Testament when a dead body was left in the street, unburied, it was a sign of shame and reproach being brought against that person.

When the Scripture says that their dead bodies shall lie in the street, it's referring to the time when a reproach is brought against the Church and the "Truth," and a censorship is brought against the gospel of Jesus Christ.

In verse eight we read that the street where the bodies of the two witnesses lie is in actuality a spiritual street, and it's called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. Now we know that Jesus was crucified outside the city walls of Jerusalem at a place called Golgotha. But spiritually it was indeed Sodom, a place of iniquity and rebellion; and it was also spiritually Egypt, a place of bondage and unbelief.

The world today is headed at full speed toward this spiritual Sodom and Egypt, and the truth of Christ's gospel is failing in the world as righteous judgment is turned away backward. The world does not want to hear the name of Jesus, for his name offends many; and although Jesus is the only way, the only door, to salvation and eternal life, multiple thousands are thinking to enter in by another name and another way.

In chapter eleven of the book of Revelation, verse eleven, the Spirit of life from God enters into the two witnesses, and they stand upon their feet once again. This is a time of prophecy being fulfilled, and a sign of life being given unto the dead. This event was foretold of by Ezekiel in his vision of the valley of dry bones ( Eze. 37:1-14 ). Life will be revived not only in the two witnesses, but through their testimony the nation of Israel shall at last be raised from death unto life when they receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

When they ascend up to heaven in a cloud this symbolizes a time of promise being fulfilled, and a time for the covenant and the Spirit of God to be delivered unto man. The covenant of the New Testament and the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ will be sent once again to the nation of Israel.

When Moses ascended upward unto Mt. Sinai the covenant of God was delivered unto the children of Israel. Moses brought down with him the ten commandments, which were given as a testimony and a covenant between God and man.

There was another ascent upward in the Old Testament which symbolized a time of promise being fulfilled and the Spirit of God being sent down unto man. This was when Elijah ascended up to heaven in a cloud in the presence of Elisha; and a double portion of the spirit of Elijah was received by Elisha.

Many Gentiles refuse to believe that the nation of Israel will actually receive salvation through the blood of Jesus, and the New Testament; but the Bible tells us to let God be true, and every man a liar. There are too many Scriptures pertaining to the salvation of Israel to list them all, but I have listed a few of them.

As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. Rom. 11:25-28

We resume again in the eleventh chapter of Revelation, in verse fifteen. The time has finally come for the sounding of the last trump, for the seventh angel sounds his trumpet. This is the day that the saints of God of many ages have long waaited. At the sounding of the last trumpet it will be time for the righteous dead, and all the saints to receive their reward ( verse 18 ). And it's also written here that it is time for the wrath of God to be poured out upon the wicked and the unbelieving who have destroyed the earth.

In verse nineteen the temple of God is opened in heaven, and in his temple is revealed the ark of his testament. This Scripture is further confirmation that it's time for the salvation of Israel; for the temple of God is the Church, and the ark of his testament, or covenant, is Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

The temple being opened means that it becomes more visible, and more accessible, with all obstructions removed, permitting passage for all those who would enter in. For the time has come for Jesus to be revealed, at last, to the chosen people of God, the nation of Israel. And his covenant of the New Testament is made known among the Jews, who are the firstfruits of all his increase.

End Time Revelation

{God's promise to Israel fulfilled.}

The restoration of Israel unto God, and the establishing of them in the kingdom of God

is an occurance which the Bible records in many books of the Old and the New Testaments. An event of such significant proportion must surely have a place of unveiling in the book of Revelation; and I believe that the twelfth chapter is a disclosure of this long awaited event.

The restoring of Israel to her first estate as God's chosen people is the rebuilding of the tabernacle of David. Israel will once again have that place of communion and fellowship with God that she once knew in the beginning. And Israel will worship God in Spirit and in truth, through Jesus Christ, the Son of God, whom they will accept as their "Messiah."

There are two women spoken of in the book of Revelation that are of spiritual origin. One is the Bride of Christ, or the Church; the other one is the "Great Whore" described in chapter 17 of Revelation. They are referred to as women because they bring forth seed in their likeness; and those who are brought up under their influence become as they are: for they sustain and nurture their own seed.

Those who are born again by the Spirit of God are the seed of the free woman, which is the Church; and they take on the likeness and the nature of Jesus Christ, by manifesting the fruit of the Spirit. All others upon the face of the earth are the seed of the bond woman, which is the great Whore; and they manifest the nature and the fruit of the earth, following after the ways of the world.

The woman seen here in verse one, clothed with the sun, is the Church clothed with the righteousness of Jesus. And the moon under her feet means that she has put the ruler of darkness, which is Satan, in a defeated position (under her feet). The crown of twelve stars upon her head symbolizes the nation of Israel being in foremost position.

When Israel accepts Jesus as Messiah and Lord, the Church is made complete, and total victory is won. Satan will lose his long-time hold on Israel as she receives deliverance through the blood of the Lamb, Christ Jesus, by which Satan was defeated, and cannot come near.

* Rev. 12:2 *

And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.

Again, this is the new birth of Israel being revealed. When Jesus was born of Mary two thousand years ago, Israel rejected that birth of the Saviour. But in the latter days His birth will finally be accepted as that of the Messiah and Saviour of Israel.

* Rev. 12:3 *

Satan is referred to here as the great red dragon because he will come against Israel through war (red), and with malicious power (dragon). He is seen with seven heads because he will have complete and absolute authority in the seventh, and final, world power that will have rule over the earth during this time. And this world power will be composed of ten nations that are represented by the ten horns. We will get into this seventh world empire in more detail in the next chapter entitled "The Great Beast."

* Rev. 12:4 *

The dragon's tail casting a third part of the stars of heaven to the earth is a sign unto us of the time period in which Israel will be converted. It will be a time of darkness upon the earth; and a time of the great falling away from the truth which is symbolized here by the stars, or ministers of light, being swayed by Satan, and cast down to his level.

God at one time in the days of Ezekiel, when evil and perversion were prevalent in the midst of Jerusalem, gave a command to set a mark upon the foreheads of all the righteous. Then the command was given to slay all those who did not have the mark upon their forehead. And God also said, "Begin at my sanctuary." God will once again judge his sanctuary; and all those who are not rooted in Him will be shaken loose, and fall to the earth.

Satan set out to destroy Israel's chances for deliverance twice in the past. When Moses was born Pharaoh had given the command to kill all the male babies that were born to the Jewish people, for he feared Israel's deliverance. But God had ordained that Moses would be His people's deliverer, and so He made a way of escape for him.

Again, when Jesus was born, all male babies were being killed, by the order of Herod, that he might destroy the man child which prophecy declared would reign as king of the Jews. But once again Satan's plans were thwarted, and the Christ child lived; and because He lives Israel receives deliverance once again, and forever more.

* Rev. 12:5 *

And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.

It is recorded in the Bible several times that Christ and his saints shall rule the nations with a rod of iron during the days of the thousand year millennial reign. Three places in the Scriptures that you will find this written are in Psa. 2:9, Rev. 2:27, and in Rev. 19:15. Again, as we have already learned in the chapter entitled "The Two Great Witnesses," the ascention upward into heaven by the man child symbolizes a time for the promise of God to be sent down and fulfilled: as it was in the days when Elijah ascended up into heaven in the whirlwind, and Elisha received the promise of a double portion of the annointing of Elijah; and again in the days when Jesus ascended up into heaven in a cloud, and the promise of the Holy Ghost was sent down to man. In the last days the promise of salvation and redemption will be sent down to Israel.

* Rev. 12:6 *

And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

If you will go back to the eleventh chapter of the book of Revelation, and the third verse, you will find that the time given there unto the two witnesses to prophesy, and the time that the woman here in chapter twelve is fed in the wilderness, are the same. This is because both Scriptures are describing the same event occuring during the same time period. When the two witnesses prophesy unto Israel they are feeding her the Word of God. And it's at this time that the nation of Israel will receive the gospel of Jesus Christ.

* Rev. 12: 7-9 *

And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Satan will surely fight with all his might and with all the evil power at his command to keep such a blessed event from taking place; but he shall fail: and it shall be a notable defeat.

God brings to remembrance the first time that Satan suffered defeat, when he and his angelic cohorts were cast out of heaven. And he again suffered a great defeat when Jesus rose from the dead; and this was an even greater defeat because man was give power over Satan through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

And now for the third time Satan's efforts are thwarted, and God is given the glory as Israel becomes victorious, at last, through their "Deliverer," Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

* Rev. 12:10-11 *

And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before God day and night.

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Many Old Testament prophecies are fulfilled as Israel enters into the kingdom of God through the blood of Jesus, and the power of his gospel. The testimony of Israel had always been the Law, and the works of the Law; but this will be the day of atonement and redemption for Israel through the blood of the Lamb, and the New Testament. No longer will their covenant with God, and their right standing with him be through their works, the Old Covenant Law, but it will be through the Word of their covenant, Christ Jesus, and His gospel.

The phrase "they loved not their lives unto the death" fulfills the words of Jesus when He spoke of all those who would deny themselves, and follow after him. The remnant of the Jews in Israel will give their lives over to the gospel of their Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. Mark 8:35

He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. John 12:25

* Rev. 12:12-14 *

And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and a half a time, from the face of the serpent.

Although there will be rejoicing in heaven over the salvation of Israel, there will be great turmoil upon the earth, for Satan knows that his days are numbered. Through many nations, and the Anti-Christ, Satan will inflict great pain and persecution upon the inhabitants of planet earth. But Israel and the Church, which have now been made one, will be nourished and sustained by God until the day of deliverance.

The woman being given eagle's wings that she might fly into the wilderness symbolizes God bearing the Church up to an exalted place in Him. And although the wilderness is a barren waste land, it was often times in the Old Testament a place of refuge, and a place of preparation for things to come for God's people; where God proved himself to them by feeding them and leading them, and making the wilderness a place where his people could flourish.

Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagle's wings, and brought you unto myself.

Ex. 19:4

As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings:

So the Lord alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him. Deut. 32:11-12

But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.

And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.

Psa. 78:52-53

* Rev. 12:15-17 *

And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

In the last few verses of the twelfth chapter Satan is referred to as a dragon, and as a serpent; as the dragon he will persecute and seek to devour; as the serpent he will deceive. So the flood that he casts forth out of his mouth will be an overwhelming attempt to destroy God's Church through persecution and deceit. But the Church will be complete with the entering in of Israel, and her strength and faith will be greater than ever before.

As I said before, the twelfth chapter of the book of Revelation is the disclosing of the restoration of the tabernacle of David. Some people believe that the tabernacle of David will be a literal building that will be constructed in Jerusalem. Israel may indeed build another temple, but it would not be the tabernacle of David. For although David desired to build a temple for God, he was not allowed to, for he was a man of war, and he had blood on his hands; so God told David that it would be his son, Solomon, that would build the temple for God.

In 2nd Samuel, chapter seven, God promises to build a house for David, not David building a house for God. And the tabernacle that God builds in Israel will be the tabernacle not made with hands; and the chief Corner Stone will be his Son, Jesus. And this tabernacle will be in the midst of Israel for ever; and shall return Israel to her former position as God's chosen, and his firstborn among the nations.

Israel is also the firstfruits of God, and of the lamb; so when the firstfruits of the harvest are ready for reaping, then the day of harvest and the day of redemption draweth nigh.

End Time Revelation

The Great Beast

The vision that John is given here in the 13th chapter of the book of Revelation is similar to the visions given unto Daniel in the 7th and 8th chapters of the book of Daniel. To understand the vision of John we must go back and find the revelation disclosed in Daniel's visions. So we will be researching the Scriptures in the book of Daniel as well as in the book of Revelation.

* Rev. 13:1 *

And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

The beast rising up out of the sea means that it will be a nation, or world empire. It's having seven heads and ten horns means that it will be the seventh world empire to rise up and control the earth; and it will have ten nations lending to it their power and influence.

There have been six former heads, or world empires, that have already risen and fallen; and they are the Babylonian, the Medio-Persian, the Grecian, the Syrian, the Parthian, and the Roman Empires. The last world empire to rise up in the latter days will be the seventh head.

The name of blasphemy upon the beast's seven heads means that the final world empire will manifest the same spirit of blasphemy, and speaking irreverently and evil of God that the empires before it did; and especially manifesting the same blasphemous spirit that the Roman Empire did.

* Rev. 13:2 *

And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

Now let's go to the seventh chapter of the book of Daniel, and compare the beast that John sees to the four great beasts that Daniel saw in his vision.

* Dan. 7: 2-8 *

Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.

The four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.

The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it.

And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it: and they said unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.

After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.

After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.

I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things.

The four beasts rising up from the sea symbolizes the rising up of four world empires. The first beast to rise up was like a lion, and it had eagle's wings. This beast symbolizes the Babylonian Empire, ruled by Nebuchadnezzar; and the eagle's wings represent the exalted state of that kingdom.

It was told Nebuchadnezzar, by Daniel in Dan. 2:39, that the kingdom to rise after his would be an inferior kingdom. This inferiority is symbolized by the plucking of the eagle's wings from the lion.

The kingdom that conquered the Babylonian Empire was the Medio-Persian Empire, ruled by the two kings of Media and Persia.

Now these two kings, Darius the Mede, and Cyrus the Persian, were most humane: and granted the Jews the right to return to their homeland, and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. All that Nebuchadnezzar had taken away into Babylon these two kings restored to the people of Israel; and Daniel and and the nation of Israel prospered during the reign of the Medio-Persian Empire. This humane treatment, and the restoration of Israel by King Cyrus and King Darius is represented by the beast being made to stand upon it's feet like a man, and then a man's heart being given unto it.

For Bible references concerning this time in the lives of Daniel and the Jews read from the book of Ezra chapters 1:1-11, and Ezra 9:9; also read from the book of Daniel in Dan. 6:25-28.

The second beast that Daniel saw rise up out of the sea was like a bear, and it raised itself up on one side, and it had three ribs in it's mouth. This second beast symbolizes the Grecian Empire which was the third world kingdom to rise up and rule. It took in all the same territory that the Babylonian and the Medio-Persian Empires had ruled on all sides except to the west. It raised itself up on one side by taking in Greece to the west.

The three ribs in the mouth of the bear stand for the three countries of Babylon, Media, and Persia; which being defeated by Alexander the Great, king of Greece, became the controlled territory of the Grecian Empire (devour much flesh).

Therefore, contrary to popular belief, the Roman Empire was the third beast to rise up in Daniel's vision, and not the fourth. It is symbolized by the leopard with the four wings of a fowl upon it's back, and having four heads. The four wings of a fowl upon the leopard's back represent it's ability to conquer territories that could only be reached by traveling over water. The Roman Empire controlled all the territory surrounding the Mediterranean Sea.

The leopard having four heads means that it was the fourth world empire to rule the earth. Two kingdoms did rise and fall before the Roman Empire began to reign; and they were the Syrian and the Parthian Empires. But these two empires were so short-lived, and their influence and governing power did not warrant them being compared to beasts, so they are referred to only as kings (Rev. 17:10). The leopard was also the beast given dominion; this means that it was given authority, and power to stand, undefeated. The Roman Empire was never conquered by another nation or kingdom, but there was an end to it's reign. It was the only world empire that was never conquered, the only one of which it could be said that it was given dominion. The Roman Empire merely dispersed to the north, south, east, and west: and it ceased to reign and rule (fell).

Continuing with the visions of Daniel from the seventh chapter of the book of Daniel; and the vision of John from the thirteenth chapter of the book of Revelation. The fourth beast that Daniel saw rise up out of the sea will be the final world empire, that is today being formed by nations that are members of the United Nations. This beast will be dreadful and terrible, and shall manifest an Anti-christ spirit more powerful and unrestrained than any of the empires before it.

The fourth beast in Daniel's vision is also the same beast that John saw in his vision. And John saw the beast to look like unto a leopard; which means that it will have the appearance and the characteristics of the Roman Empire, which was the leopard, the third beast, in Daniel's vision. The most notable characteristics of the ancient Roman empire were it's spirit of Anti-christ, and it's tyrannical and absolute authority over all in it's domain.

The resemblance of the beast to the Roman Empire may also mean that some of the nations that were once a part of the ancient Roman Empire will also be among those that are numbered in the seventh and final world empire.

The beast in John's vision in Rev. 13:2 also had feet as the feet of a bear: this means that it will have the strength of the Grecian Empire, which was the bear in Daniel's vision. And the same power to stamp upon it's adversary, that was so characteristic of the Grecian Empire, will also be present in the last great beast to rise up in the latter days. This power of the Grecian Empire to stamp upon it's adversary was prophesied of by Daniel in Dan. 8:5-7.

And John saw the beast to have a mouth as the mouth of a lion. The mouth of a lion symbolizes the great roaring and ravaging, and power to tear apart and carry away captive, that was so characteristic of the Babylonian Empire of Nebuchadnezzar, which was the lion in Daniel's vision. For King Nebuchadnezzar carried away every thing from the land of Israel that had any value. And he took captive all the people who had any wealth, status, talent or skill, and carried them away also into the land of Babylon.

And so the great kingdom to rule the earth in the last days will do so with all the tyranny, and Anti-christ persuasion that the Babylonion, the Grecian, and the Roman Empires did.

Even Solomon with his descriptive words of wisdom spoke of such an unmerciful rule in Proverbs 28:15, when he said, "As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people."

This verse gives us further confirmation that the beast will resemble the Roman Empire. Again, the Roman Empire was the sixth head, or kingdom, to rule the earth; and it was never conquered, nor destroyed, but just merely dispersed, and ceased to rule. So it is the head that was wounded to death: but when it's deadly wound is healed the Roman Empire will be revived, and come back to life after apparent death.

* Rev. 13:4-7 *

And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

Again, this vision that John had is very much similar to the vision that Daniel had. In Daniel's vision of the fourth beast there's a little horn that rises up among the first ten horns, and it too, has a mouth speaking great things, and blasphemy against God. And it will also come against the saints of God, and will be allowed to continue a reign of oppression for a time and times and the dividing of time, which is forty two months.

* Rev. 13:8-10 *

And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

If any man have an ear,

let him hear.

He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

In the eighth verse we see that this will be a time of decision for those upon the earth; for every one at this time must choose whom they will worship, whether it will be God or the Beast. During this time there will be no fences to ride, no luke warm Christians, and no median for the procrastinator. It will be a day of the ultimate and final decision; it will be an irrevocable choice for those who choose to take the mark of the beast.

It will also be a day of retribution, a time of punishment for all the past evils perpetrated by man. The nations shall receive recompense for the centuries of evil done in them; for this is the day of God's vengeance.

The patience and the faith of the saints speaks of a time of trial and persecution for them; and their ability to overcome provocation and persecution without losing their faith and confidence in God: but standing steadfast, they'll trust in their Lord and Saviour to bring deliverance.

Jesus forewarned us of these days of trial and persecution, and this time of endurance for the saints in Luke 21:19. He said, "In your patience possess ye your souls."

In other words, those who are patient and fully trusting in God will obtain power to endure to the end, to the saving of their souls.

* Rev. 13:11-14 *

And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.

And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.

And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,

And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

This second beast coming up out of the earth instead of rising up out of the sea means that it will be a man, not a nation.

His having two horns like a lamb means that he will have the appearance and the place of authority of someone humble and submissive; but he will also hold a place of authority and influence in the Beast, or world power. He will speak words of blasphemy against God, but it will be in such a way that most people will not realize that he is speaking lies and deceit. He will be as a wolf in sheep's clothing, in that he will look to be one thing, but will be something else entirely. He will be a deceiver.

This will be the man called the Anti-Christ, the great false prophet: and the man of sin, the son of perdition, spoken of by Paul in the book of 2 Thessalonians. He will govern through deceit, and will cause the world to admire him, and to marvel at his abilities, and his deceitful acts.

* Rev. 13:15-18 *

And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is six hundred threescore and six.

The image of the beast is it's resemblance to the ancient Roman Empire, and the anti-christ spirit that it manifested. In the days of the Roman Empire Paul and John both wrote that the spirit of iniquity was already at work, and that the spirit of anti-christ was already in the world. The spirit of anti-christ has been manifesting and engulfing the world for over two thousand years.

And so the second beast that John sees coming up out of the earth, the Anti-Christ, the great false prophet, will give life, or existence, to the first beast; and the Roman Empire that appeared to be dead will live again. And this beast will exercise power over the inhabitants of the earth as no man has ever done before him. All those who take his mark will have their eternal destiny set, and their fate sealed with an irrevocable seal for ever more.

End Time Revelation

The Daily Sacrifice Is Taken Away

The prophet, Daniel, foretells of a time in the latter days when the "daily sacrifice is taken away." It is believed by most Bible scholars and theologians that when this happens a literal blood sacrifice of animals will cease. But I believe that according to the Bible the daily sacrifice being taken away is just further confirmation of Christ, and His gospel, being set at naught.

First of all let's establish through the Scriptures just what the "daily sacrifice" is. We find the answer to this in Exodus 29: 37-46, and in the book of Ezekiel 46: 13-15. In these Scriptures God gives the command for there to be a daily sacrifice of two lambs offered upon the altar. One lamb is to be offered in the morning, and the other lamb offered in the evening. And God said that it was to be a continual daily sacrifice, offered throughout all generations at the door of the tabernacle.

Although when Jesus came into the world He freed us from the law, he did not do away with the "daily sacrifice;" but instead Jesus became the "Daily Sacrifice," which continues to be a perpetual sacrifice at the door of the tabernacle. Jesus is the Lamb of God which was sacrificed for the sins of man: He is also the Door through which everyone must pass who enters into the tabernacle of God. The perpetual, never ending, sacrifice of two lambs (Jesus and the Holy Ghost), sacrificed at the door, (the way of entrance) of the tabernacle, (the Church), is still being observed today through the plan of salvation.

I believe the second lamb which is offered in the evening symbolizes the Holy Ghost, for He manifests the power of the Son of God in man. And as we just read in Hebrews 9: 8 the Holy Ghost is the way into the Holiest of all. He is also the Spirit of truth which testifies of Jesus.

And so it is these two, Jesus and the Holy Ghost, that are the "daily sacrifice" in the world today. And when the daily sacrifice is taken away the earth will enter into it's darkest hour. This will be the day when the truth is cast down and stamped upon. Man will choose to believe a lie rather than the truth, and will seek to enter into the kingdom of God without going through the sacrificial Lamb, Christ Jesus, and being redeemed by His blood.

In that day the daily sacrifice will be taken away and replaced by a falsehood, which will be an abomination in the sight of God. And this will be the abomination (detestable act or condition) that will bring desolation (destruction) from Almighty God.

Now we will read some of the Scriptures from the book of Daniel concerning the "daily sacrifice." I have inserted in parentheses the definition to some of the words and phrases. I have also underlined the portion of scripture referring to the daily sacrifice being taken away.

Dan. 8: 10-12

In the book of Daniel we do not see God's people being taken out of any of the tribulation experienced by the world until after the abomination that brings desolation is set up. This is the sign that Jesus told us to look for, that which would take place before His return in Matt. 24:15.

When the great false prophet has set himself up as God, and blasphemes the name of God, and replaces the truth of the gospel with a lie, leading the world astray, then it will be accomplished that the "daily sacrifice is taken away."

In the twelfth chapter of the book of Daniel we see that God's people are delivered after all these things have come to pass.

The daily sacrifice is not mentioned in 2 Thessalonians, the second chapter, but we see a record of the same abominable act being perpetrated in this portion of Scripture. I believe that both scriptures are speaking of the very same time period, and the same oppressive, and defiant acts against the Church, and the name and Sonship of Jesus.

We can see the shadows of darkness approaching in the world today. Those who use the gospel as a cloak to cover their sins are being uncovered, and the shame of their nakedness is bringing disgrace upon the Christian realm. It leaves Christian and sinner alike standing aghast, and feeling a deep sense of disgust.

The fall of these stars (ministers) from their heavenly post plunges the world into greater darkness, and draws closer that hour in time when the "daily sacrifice is taken away." A time when Jesus is set at naught (reduced to nothing in the eyes of the world) and man thinks to reach God by another way (a false religion or doctrine); and by this establishes the damnable lie that will allow the Anti-Christ, the great false prophet, to exalt himself to stand in the place of mediator between God and man: and even to stand in the place of God.

And we find more and more today that true holiness and the miracle working power of God are being rejected. Those who believe in living a Christ-like life make themselves a prey, and become the victims of scorn and ridicule.

The world today is bewildered by the maze of doctrines spread out before it; and this bewilderment prepares the way for an uncomplicated conclusion to be reached. But this simplicity of doctrine will be a distortion of truth and facts concerning the gospel of Christ, perpetrated by Satan to deceive the unsuspecting world.

Beware of any doctrine that attempts to replace Jesus as the Christ, as the Messiah, as Lord, as the Son of God, or as the mediator between God and man.

End Time Revelation

This is the day that has long been awaited by Christians of all ages. It is the day of the "Bridegroom's" coming for his "Bride." In the realm of the Church it is called the day of the "Rapture." In 1 Thess. 4: 17 the Bible tells us that we shall be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air; and from this Scripture comes the phrase, "the catching away of the saints." In the fourteenth chapter of the book of Revelation it is described as "the harvest of the earth."

* Rev. 14: 1-5 *

And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.

We have already established in prior chapters that the hundred and forty and four thousand are the remnant of Israel that shall receive salvation through the blood of Jesus, and the New Testament. When they are referred to as virgins it is further confirmation that they have received salvation; for a virgin is undefiled by man, or the world. And their carnal love is superseded by a spiritual and a godly love for the Son of God, who has finally become their Messiah, Lord, and Saviour.

The remnant of Israel that receives Christ in the latter days shall be the firstfruits of the great harvest: for always remember that the firstfruits of any harvest are gathered first. And again, the remnant of Israel are the first that shall be last, and the last that shall be first. We already established this in chapter two entitled "The Signs Of His Coming."

In verse five their being found with no guile in their mouth, and being without fault before the throne of God, is still confirming their salvation through the death and the blood of Jesus, and his resurrection.

* Rev. 14: 6-11 *

And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,

The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

The angel with the gospel to preach to all that dwell upon the earth is a sign unto us of the day and the hour in which these events will be taking place; for in Matt. 24:14 Jesus tells us that when the gospel of the kingdom is preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, then shall the end come, and usher in the day of God's judgment.

Babylon, referred to in verse eight, has from the very beginning of nations upon the earth represented an enemy of God's people, always standing in opposition to God, and to righteousness.

Babylon in the latter day judgment of God will not be one city or nation, but it represents the entirety of man kind that have not submitted themselves unto God; but rather have chosen to submit themselves unto the Anti-Christ realm that will be ruling the world during this time. Everyone will have to make the choice, to be of the seed of Heavenly Jerusalem, the Church, or the seed of Babylon, the Great Whore.

The fall of Babylon is the decline or descending position of the earth's status under the weight of God's anger, and his judgment. Impending desolation and destruction are promised because of sin, and rejection of God and his Son. The evil that befalls will catch the world unaware. But the righteous will be watching and praying, for they know that they have a way of escape prepared for them.

* Rev. 14: 12-13 *

Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

In Luke 21: 19 Jesus foretold of the days of persecution that would come upon the righteous during the end time. And He said, "In your patience possess ye your souls." He was letting us know that in the latter days the time would come when the patience and the faith of the saints would be tried. That time will be fulfilled under the tyranny of the beast disclosed in the thirteenth chapter of Revelation.

Under the reign of the Anti-christ the world will be divided into two distinct groups. One group will have their names written in the book of life of the Lamb; the other group will receive the mark of the beast. In Rev. 13:10 where the rising up of this beast is revealed it is written there also, "Here is the patience and the faith of the saints." But when we read of the patience and the faith of the saints in Rev. 14:12, and of their loyalty to God and his commandments, it is time for the saints to receive their reward for their faith and patience.

And those who die in the Lord during this time of trial will rest from their labor until the time of the harvest. Then they shall be the ones to rise first to meet the Lord in the air, and then the earth will be harvested.

* Rev. 14:14-16 *

And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.

And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.

And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.

The day of redemption of all saints has come at this time, and the harvest of the earth takes place as was promised. It is a day of darkness and judgment for the world; but the start of a bright new, and glorious day for the saints of God.

Notice in verse sixteen that the tool of the harvest, the sickle, is thrust on the earth to gather the saints; but when the wicked and the unbelieving are gathered for the great winepress of the wrath of God, the sickle is thrust into the earth. This lets us know that the saints of God have no roots in the earth, but their roots are in Christ Jesus. The world has no permanent hold on the righteous of God, for they know that they are merely on a pilgrimage through this land, awaiting their deliverance. But the unrighteous have their roots and their being within the earth, and the earth has it's hold on them.

* Rev. 14:17-20 *

And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.

And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.

And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.

And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.

Those who are left upon the earth after the righteous are taken away are the clusters of the vine of the earth; and they are the ones who will be trodden in the great winepress of the wrath of God. It is upon them that the seven vials of wrath will be poured out. And in the seven last plagues is filled up the wrath of God.

And if ye will not for all this hearken unto me, but walk contrary unto me;

Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins.

Lev. 26:27-28

I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.

For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. Isa. 63:3-4

* Rev. 15:1-4 *

The sea of glass that the saints are seen standing upon, in the midst of heaven, symbolizes the cleansing that they were made partakers of. All the righteous saints of God were cleansed and purified by the blood of the Lamb, before entering into the holy temple of God. Even in the early temple there was a molten sea, which gave the appearance of glass, that was used for the cleansing of the priests before they could enter into the holy place to commune with God.

This sea of glass that John sees the saints of God stand upon is symbolic of the molten sea, which stood before the holiest of holies in the early temple. Jesus is our molten sea today, and through him we are cleansed and made ready for the temple of God. And also through Jesus man is baptized with the Holy Ghost and with fire: which purges man, and gives him the power to overcome every obstacle; and to stand in the time of trial.

Through this cleansing, and this fire the saints of God shall have the victory. And the song of Moses which they sing is a song of deliverance; for even as God delivered the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt, so shall He deliver his people out of a sinful land in the day that He will pour out his wrath upon a rebellious and a wicked and unbelieving world.

Jesus said in Matthew, chapter 24, and in Luke, chapter 17, that as it was in the days of Noah, so would it be in the day of the coming of the Son of man. In the days before the flood they were eating and drinking, and marrying and giving in marriage, until the very day that Noah entered into the ark, and then the flood came and destroyed them all.

Likewise, also as it was in the days of Lot, so shall it be in the day of the coming of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; but the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.

Jesus also tells us that in the day of His coming there shall be two standing together; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. And as it was in the days of Noah, and of Lot, the righteous shall be taken out, and the wicked shall be left. And those that are left behind will suffer the wrath of God.

* Rev. 15:5-8 *

And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:

And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.

And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.

And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

The temple of the tabernacle in heaven is opened as it was in Rev. 11:19; but in the previous Scripture it was opened, or made accessible to, for the entering in of the remnant of Israel. Here in Rev. 15:5 the temple is opened to reveal that at this time the temple has been filled. And those who are left upon the earth at this time will be the ones who refused to enter in, but rather chose to profane and desecrate the holy place, which is the place of covenant between God and man. And because of this desecration, out of the temple will come forth the seven plagues of God's wrath.

And the temple of God will be filled with the smoke from His glory; and no man can enter into the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels are fulfilled. In the early temple, when it was filled with smoke from the glory of God, no man could enter in, and the priests could not minister unto the people, until the glory of God was lifted up from the temple.

This is the day when the Bridegroom has come, and the door is shut (Matt. 25:10). And this is the day when the master of the house has risen up, and hath shut the door (Luke 13:25-27); and all those who stand without, and knock at the door shall be turned away. This is the day when the Lord shall say, "I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity."

Woe unto the people who are left upon the earth during the pouring out of the wrath of God, for the days of mercy and grace are past, and the day of His judgment and wrath are come.

End Time Revelation

The Wrath Of God Poured Out

This is the day of vengeance and retribution: a world that refused to be reconciled unto God will suffer the recompence of their wicked ways. This is the day that was prophesied of by Jeremiah, the prophet; the time in the latter days when a grievous whirlwind from the Lord will go forth in fury: and it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked.

The righteous have finished their course, they have passed the test: and they have been redeemed by their Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. The Bridegroom has come for the Bride: and those that are left have no wedding garments on; and so the chastisement for their nakedness will be upon them.

* Rev. 16:1-2 *

And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.

And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.

The sixth plague that God poured out upon the Egyptians, in the days of Moses, was a plague of grievous boils. The plague of that day, and the plague of sores to come, were both destined for a rebellious people who had hardened their hearts against God.

The people in the days of the latter plague will have the mark of the beast upon them; and this mark will be a distinguishing symbol denoting their being owned and influenced by Satan. Because of this the weight of God's wrath will fall heavily upon them.

* Rev. 16:3-7 *

And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.

And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.

And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shall be, because thou hast judged thus.

For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.

And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.

As I have mentioned before the events, or plagues, that take place during the pouring out of the seven vials of wrath are similiar to the events that take place during the sounding of the seven trumpets. But each occurence that takes place during the pouring out of the seven vials of wrath will be three times as severe as was the events that took place during the sounding of the seven trumpets.

The second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as blood: and everything that had life in the sea died. When the second trumpet sounded in Rev. 8:8, the third part of the sea became as blood; and one third of all life in the sea died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.

The third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood. Because the nations have shed the blood of the saints and prophets, God will give them blood to drink. God also turned the rivers and waters in Egypt to blood during the days of Moses; and because of the hardness of his heart, Pharaoh, and all the Egyptians were given blood to drink.

During the sounding of the third trumpet in Rev. 8:10, the rivers and fountains of waters were made bitter, and God gave them water of gall to drink. That which made the water bitter is called "Wormwood." In Jeremiah 9:15 God gave the people wormwood to drink as a punishment for not obeying the voice of God; for instead of obeying God they walked after the imagination of their own heart. So bitter water, and waters being turned to blood is God's recompence upon man for not being obedient, and for not keeping His commandments.

* Rev. 16:8-9 *

And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.

And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.

During the sounding of the fourth trumpet, in Rev. 8:12, the sun, the moon, and the stars were all smitten, and the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise. But during the pouring out of the fourth vial of wrath the sun will scorch men with fire.

* Rev. 16:10-11 *

And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,

And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.

During the sounding of the fifth trumpet, in Rev. 9:1, a nation will rise up under the influence of a satanic and tyrannical leader: and this nation will cause great pain and suffering upon the earth during that time. And now, during the time of the pouring out of the fifth vial of wrath, the righteous God of judgment will cause great pain and torment to be experienced by the beast, and all those who took his mark.

* Rev. 16:12-16 *

And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great River Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.

And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.

For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

During the sounding of the sixth trumpet in Rev. 9:14, the nations of destiny begin to rise to power, and their inevitable place in the unfolding of the great day of battle that is forthcoming. These nations as the Scripture tells us, are bound, or enclosed by, the Euphrates River. And these nations, along with other nations (possibly the same nations that were a part of the ancient Roman Empire) will gather themselves together, and prepare the world for the great battle of Armageddon.

God brings to remembrance, in verse 15, the warning He gave to the world to watch, and to keep their garments, lest they walk naked, and their shame be seen. The righteousness of Christ is our covering, our garment; and those who walk without Christ, walk uncovered before God. The world chose not to heed God's warning and walk in righteousness; and so they must bear in their flesh the chastisement of God upon them, for their nakedness and their shame.

* Rev. 16:17-21 *

And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.

And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.

And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.

And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.

And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.

Each plague or vial has, up to this time, been poured out upon a particular area of the earth or heavens: but the seventh vial of wrath is poured out into the air, or the atmosphere that envelops the entire earth. And the angel says, "It is done." This is the time of utter desolation and destruction, coming from an avengeful God, on a world found guilty of evil, and all manner of ungodly abominations. This is the day of devastation that was foretold of by Ezekiel, the prophet.

The pouring out of the seventh vial of wrath upon the earth will be a time of termination and completion. So was the day of the sounding of the seventh trumpet a time of termination and completion. If you will recall we established in the fourth chapter entitled "The Days Of Tribulation" that three dispensations will be brought to a close during that time.

Again, they are, (1) the dispensation of the gospel of Christ will be completed, (2) the fall and blindness of Israel will be ended, and (3) the day of mercy and grace are brought to a close, that the day of God's wrath may be ushered in.

When the seventh vial of wrath is poured out God brings to a final end the authority and the rule of mankind upon the earth. Man's method of government is terminated, and the day of the millenium, the time of Christ's supreme reign, and peaceable kingdom draws nigh.

End Time Revelation

Babylon, The Great Whore

*Rev. 17:1-5 *

And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:

With whom the kings of the earth have commited fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:

And upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery, Babylon The Great, The Mother Of Harlots And Abominations Of The Earth.

Babylon, the great whore, is the second woman of mystery and spiritual origin that is mentioned in the book of Revelation. The first woman, in the twelfth chapter of the book of Revelation, symbolizes the Church. The origin of the Church came through Jesus, and His death and resurrection. And through the works wrought by Jesus at Calvary the mystery of God was made known unto man; and that mystery was God in Christ, and Christ in man.

Even as the mystery of God is manifested throughout His kingdom, so will the mystery of Satan and iniquity be manifested in the Anti-christ realm that will be upon the earth in the latter days. The mystery of iniquity is Satan's possession of, and influence over, the Anti-christ nation of the latter days, and it's power to control the rest of the inhabitants of the earth.

The scarlet colored beast that carries the woman, bears her up, and gives her support. The beast has seven heads and ten horns, and is full of names of blasphemy. The scarlet color of the beast represents it's great sins; the names of blasphemy symbolizes it's reputation for being irreverent, disrespectful, and speaking evil of God. The beast will have an open and public manifestation of disrespect for the deity, high rank and worthiness of God.

The seven heads and ten horns of the beast make known unto us that it will be the seventh world empire, with absolute controlling power; and it will have ten nations giving to it their support and power.

Babylon is called the "Great Whore" because from her beginning in the days of Nebu- chadnezzar, she has lured and enticed other nations to partake of her riches, her sins, and her abominations. Again, Babylon does not represent one city or nation in the latter days, but the entirety of mankind that have been drawn away from God by the lusts of the flesh; for every man is either the seed of the righteous woman, the Church: or they are the seed of the whore, Babylon. But the beast that bears her up does represent a nation, or several nations, that make up the last world empire.

Babylon is called "The Mother Of Harlots" because she is the mother of all the unrighteous; and she brought forth seed in her likeness; and then they, too, enticed, lured, and spread sin and evil.

In Galations 4:22-31 we are given an allegory of these two spiritual women. Paul writes concerning Abraham and his two sons, the one born of a bondwoman, and the other born of a freewoman. The first-born son, Ishmael, that was born of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but the second-born son, Isaac, born of the free-woman, was by promise. Paul goes on to say that heavenly Jerusalem is the mother of the righteous, and that her children will be less in number than those of the bondwoman. And the bondwoman is Babylon, the mother of all the unrighteous.

Babylon's origin, or beginning, is recorded in the fifth chapter of the book of Zechariah. An angel reveals unto Zechariah a curse that will go forth over the face of the whole earth. He is shown an ephah (that's a measure which determines the extent, volume, or quantity of something) that goes forth, and he is told that it is the resemblance of those that are throughout all the earth.

Zechariah then sees a talent of lead, lifted up and dropped into the midst of the ephah. The angel reveals to him that the talent of lead represents a woman that sits in the midst of the ephah, and she is wickedness.

In Zech. 5:10-11 the angel tells Zechariah that the ephah and the weight of wickedness in the midst of it will be established in the land of Shinar, which was Babylon. This means that wickedness, in reference to a nation and it's power to influence other nations to partake of it's evil, was first founded, and set up on a firm basis in Babylon.

* Rev. 17:6-11 *

In verse seven we are told, again, that the beast with the seven heads and the ten horns carries the woman (he bears her up, and supports the weight of her burden and influence). And the beast, or controlling world power, will bring to life the spirit of anti-christ in the woman, and uphold her in it.

In verse eight the beast was and is not, and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition; and the beast was, and is not, and yet is. This is another unveiling of the same revelation that was disclosed in the thirteenth chapter of Revelation when John sees a beast rise up out of the sea, having the resemblance of a leopard, the feet of a bear, and the mouth of a lion. When John saw the beast come up out of the sea it means that it will be a nation; it will also have the political confederation of ten other nations, and will be the reincarnate Roman Empire. The ancient Roman Empire at one time "was," but today it "is not," and yet in time it will be, "yet is."

The bottomless pit that the beast ascends from is hell; and the beast going into perdition foretells of it's final and utter ruin, and eternal damnation. And all those that dwell upon the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life, when they behold the beast. I have underlined the words "were not" because I want you to notice the difference in the way this phrase is written here, after the Church is gone from the earth: and the way it is written in Rev. 13:8, before the saints are taken out. Before the harvest of the earth the Scripture reads, " And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship the beast, whose names are not written in the book of life."

The Scripture tells us in verses ten and eleven that there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come. And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. The five kings that are fallen are the five kingdoms that rose and fell before the Roman Empire; and they are the Babylonian, the Medio-Persian, the Grecian, the Syrian or Selecid, and the Parthian Empires.

The phrase "and one is" is referring to the ancient Roman Empire that was in power at the time of John on the isle of Patmos. The king that is to come is the seventh, and the final world empire, that today is in existence, and has controlling power through the United Nations. The ten nations (horns) are now gathered together, and the little horn will soon be made known, and come to the forefront. The stage is set, just waiting for the curtain to rise on the final scene of things to take place on planet earth in the latter days.

The eighth king, which is also the beast that was, and is not, will be the great Anti-christ, the false prophet, that will have unlimited authority in the seventh world empire. He will be the second beast to rise up out of the earth in John's vision in the thirteenth chapter of Revelation. Again, the beast rising up out of the earth means that it will be a man, and not a nation. He is also given the title of being "the beast that was, and is not" because he will have the same anti-christ spirit, and the same blasphemeous nature as did the rulers over the ancient Roman Empire.

And so two beasts shall come forth in the latter days, one a nation, and one a man, that will rule over the earth with absolute and irrevocable power; for no man, nor nation, will have the power to over-throw Satan's ultimate, evil work. Only the coming of Jesus as "King of Kings, and Lord of Lords" to reign upon the earth will destroy the power and the reign of the Anti-Christ and his kingdom.

*Rev. 17:12-18 *

And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.

These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.

These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of Lords, and King of Kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.

For God hath put in their hearts to fulfill his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.

And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.

These last seven verses of chapter seventeen, and all of chapter eighteen are very descriptive Scriptures of earth's final hours in a state of estrangement, and alienation from God. A world that chose to follow after man rather than God, and chose to adhere to the words of man rather than the Word of God, will suffer agonizing loss and bewilderment as God lays waste the whole sum of earth's glory in his final retribution upon mankind.

Below I have listed some of the Scriptures from the eighteenth chapter of Revelation, foretelling of Babylon's desolation and destruction because of her sins. Babylon, that great city, which is the dwelling place of the sum of earth's inhabitants in the very last days.

* Rev. 18:8-10 *

Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.

And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornica- tion and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,

Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.

Isa. 24:18-20

Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come forth of it.

For the indignation of the Lord is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter.

Their slain also shall be cast out, and their stink shall come up out of their carcases, and the mountains shall be melted with their blood. Isa. 34:1-4

End Time Revelation

Christ's Triumphant Return

In the very beginning of man's history, Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of the Lord's coming; and of ten thousands of His saints coming with Him to execute judgment upon all the sinners and the unbelieving upon the earth (Jude 14-15).

* Rev. 19:7-9 *

Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

Here in the nineteenth chapter of the book of Revelation we see the triumphant return of Jesus to the earth as the "King of Kings, and Lord of Lords." He will come in victory: and all His saints shall come with Him, to subdue the beast and the false prophet, and all the wicked that are left upon the earth.

The time has come for the marriage supper of the Lamb, and the Bride returns to earth with the Bridegroom for the great celebration that will take place. It will be the commencement of an everlasting, indissoluble, marriage: Christ and His saints united throughout all eternity.

* Rev. 19:11-21 *

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called faithful and true, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called the Word of God.

And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God.

That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.

And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.

And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

Jesus came to earth the first time as a babe, and in the spirit of meekness and humility; but the second time He comes it will be in great power, and majesty, and in fury. He will come with the armies of heaven to make war against the beast and his followers.

When Jesus first came to earth as "The Word of God," He came to dispense mercy and grace for the salvation of souls. But His second coming to the earth as "The Word of God" will be to dispense judgment and wrath; and He will make war against His enemies.

Only one side will suffer loss in that final battle, for all the casualties will be numbered among those who chose to stand against "The Faithful and True." And the slain in that day shall be very great: so that the fowls of the air will be called upon to cleanse the land of all the dead.

* Rev. 20:1-5 *

And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years.

And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

And I saw thrones, and they that sat upon them, and judg- ment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the Word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

The time of Satan's deceiving, oppressing, and tormenting earth's inhabitants has finally come to an end, at least for a thousand years. And during the thousand years the earth will be at rest from Satan's evil; and Christ's peaceable kingdom shall engulf the earth; and it will be ruled over by Christ and His saints. And the promise that was given to the ones to overcome, in Rev. 2:26, will be fulfilled as they are given power over the nations, to rule them with a rod of iron.

In verse five the Scripture reads, "This is the first resurrection." This phrase being recorded here confuses a lot of people. They ask, "Why is the resurrection spoken of here if the saints have already been resurrected?" The answer is really very simple; there are three steps to each resurrection, both the resurrection of the righteous, and of the unrighteous. And neither resurrection, or restoration of life, will be complete until all three steps have been fulfilled.

The first step in each resurrection is the raising of the dead, and life being restored unto them. The second step in each resurrection is judgment; the works of man will be weighed and judged by Christ. The third step in each resurrection is the receiving of their rewards.

The righteous are promised throughout the Bible a reward for their faithfulness to God. And their resurrection from the dead would not be complete without that sure reward promised to them from the beginning of time.