Revelation

REVELATION
Revelation
Revelation 1:1-3 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto
his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his
angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of
Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that read, and they that hear the
words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at
hand.
The Greek word for Revelation is apokalupsis which means to unveil or uncover. It implies
the lifting up of a curtain so that all can see alike what is uncovered. When used of
writing, it means to reveal or make clear (Eph. 3:3; Gal. 1:12); when used of a person, it
denotes visible presence (Rev. 1:1; 2Thess. 1:7; 1Pet. 1:7, 13). Here it refers to both the
book and the person of Christ.
The book is admittedly both literal and figurative. It is therefore to be taken as literal
wherever possible. In other words, when a statement is made, it should be taken to mean
just what is written unless such interpretation should be highly improbable and against all
the dictates of rhetoric and spiritually enlightened reason, or contrary to Scriptures
elsewhere on the same subject. In view of this test, if the passage does not admit a literal
interpretation, then, of course, we must look elsewhere for an explanation. This method of
interpretation is the only sound one, as is clear from the fact that the book is a revelation in
itself. To treat it as a mystery or to spiritualize it is to deny what it professes to be. Every
scene and every truth is clearly explained in the book itself. The reader should first find
out what it says concerning its own truths and revelations before going to other parts of the
Bible for additional light upon the subject in question. Pre-Revelation prophecy will throw
much light upon many passages in Revelation and help in a more detailed study of almost
every truth in the book. This Revelation is in perfect harmony with all preceding
prophecies and is the logical and harmonious completion of them.
‘Of Jesus Christ’ not a revelation altogether concerning Christ, but one from Him. Christ is
not the main subject of the book, the second coming of Christ is the chief theme of
Revelation (1:7; 14:14-20; 19:11-21). ‘Gave unto him’ God the Father gave this
Revelation to Christ, emphasizing His limitations during His incarnation (Isa. 50:4; Matt.
28:18; Mark 13:32; Luke 1:40, 52). ‘To show’ - the purpose was to show, not hide from
His servants, events from John’s day into all eternity (Rev. 21-22).
‘Things’ - these "things (i.e. events) which must shortly come to pass" - the idea is that this
series of events must begin quickly - is the subject matter of the book:
1. Events of the whole church age (Rev. 1-3) [correct translation of churches will be
congregations which is not based on the business-like churches of today with their own
doctrines that contradict God’s Word and who preaches fables (2 Tim. 4:3-4)].
2. Events in heaven (Rev. 4-5).
3. Events of the future tribulation of Daniel’s 70th week (Rev. 6-19).
4. Events of the Millennium (Rev. 20:1-15).
solaScripturaBibleCoolege: Revelation 1|P a g e

5. Events of the eternal new heavens and the new earth (Rev. 21-22).
‘Signified’ is the Greek word semaino meaning to show or point out; announce; to make a
note of. That it does not mean that all things are in symbols is clear from its use elsewhere
(Rev. 1:1; John 12:33; 18:32; 21:19; Acts 11:28; 25:27). It simply means to make a clear
record.
‘Unto his servant John’ - the book was transmitted from God the Father to Jesus Christ, to
the angel, to John, to the churches, to us (Rev. 1:1, 11).
‘Blessed is he that read, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those
things which are written therein’ Three classes blessed here: Those who read the
Revelation; those who hear it [listen by heeding to it]; and those who keep [believe and
prepare accordingly] the things written therein.
There are 7 rules regarding prophecy: Understand it as history written beforehand; give
the same meaning to words of prophecy as you do the words of history; do not seek for
hidden meanings; do not think prophecy must be fulfilled before it can be understood; do
not interpret God’s own interpretation of anything in prophecy; take all prophecy literally
unless it is clear that it cannot have a literal meaning and then get the literal truth conveyed
by the figurative language.
Let the Bible be its own interpreter.
Jesus Christ
Revelation 1:4-8 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and
peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven
Spirits which are before his throne; And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and
the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved
us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And have made us kings and priests
unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Behold,
he come with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and
all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. I am Alpha and
Omega, the beginning and the ending, said the Lord, which is, and which was, and which
is to come, the Almighty.
The seven churches were literal congregations in John’s time, located in Asia Minor (Rev.
1:11).
‘From him which is, and which was, and which is to come’ this statement refers to Jesus
as existing always and forever. ‘Which was’ refers to Christ’s pre-existence as God (Mic.
5:1-2; John 1:1-5); ‘which is’ refers to His first coming during which time He became
flesh and God’s Son and the world got to know Him as Jesus Christ; and the ‘which is to
come’ refers to His second coming for the battle of Armageddon (Rev. 19:11-21; Isa.
63:1-7; Joe. 3; Zech. 14).
‘Seven Spirits which are before his throne’ this is not seven titles of the Holy Spirit, for
there are more titles than this that are applied to the Spirit. This is a symbolic reference of
the one Holy Spirit and can only denote His fullness and power upon the Lamb and

before the throne as used again in Chapter 5:6 (John 3:34; Isa. 11:2; 42:1-7; 61:1-2; Acts
10:38).
Ten facts are given here in Revelation on Jesus Christ: He was both a witness and a
martyr (3:4; 1Pet. 2:24; Heb. 3:2); He is the first begotten of the dead (1:5; 1Cor. 15:20-
23); He is the prince of the kings of the earth (1:5); He loved us (1:5; John 3:16); He
washed us from our sins in His own blood (1:5; Matt. 26:28; 1Jn. 1:7); He made us kings
and priests unto God and His Father (1:6; 5:10; 20:4-6); To Him be glory and dominion
for ever (1:6; 11:15; 22:4-5; Luke 1:32-33; Isa. 9:6-7; Dan. 7:13-14); He will come with
clouds at the second coming - visibly and physically, as He went away (1:7; 19:1-21; Dan.
7:13-14; Matt. 24:29-31; Acts 1:11); They pierced Him (1:7; John 19:34); He is God
(1:8; Heb. 1:8; Isa. 9:6-7; John 1:1-2; Acts 20:28).
‘And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father ...’ this is the first New
Testament prophecy in Revelation and is still unfulfilled; it will be fulfilled at the beginning
of the Millennium also called the 1000 year Reign of Christ (20:1-10).
‘Every eye shall see him’ Everybody will know when Jesus comes in the sky to land on
Mount Olive (Zech. 14:1-5). ‘They also which pierced him’ the descendants of those who
pierced Him - the Jews (Zech. 12:10) ‘and all kindreds of the earth’ the armies of the
nations that will be surrounding Jerusalem when Christ comes (Zech. 14:1-5; Matt.
24:29-31).
‘Alpha and Omega’ the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet that is used four times in
Revelation (1:8, 11; 21:6; 22:13) of Jesus Christ and refers to Him as the beginning and
end of the New Testament that were written in Greek.
The Apostle John

Revelation 1:9-11 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in
the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the
word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day,
and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the
first and the last: and, What thou see, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches
which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto
Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
John the beloved disciple (John 13:23; 19:26; 20:2; 21:7,20,24). An apostle and brother
of James (Matt. 4:21). He was present with James and Peter on several occasions (Mk.
5:37; 9:2; 14:33). He was a pillar in the church (Gal. 2:9). He wrote the gospel of John,
1John, 2John, 3John, and Revelation. He is believed to have died a natural death at the
age of 100.
‘Your brother’ the term brother and brethren are widely use to illustrate Christians’
relationship status towards one another in the New Testament. We were called to
represent the body of Christ which is male and are therefore called ‘brothers’ or ‘brethren’
as clearly stated in Hebrew 2:11: “he is not ashamed to call them brethren,” and in 1Peter
2:17: “Love the brotherhood.” (Rom. 12:5; 1Cor. 12:12, 27; Eph. 2:15; 4:13; 1Pet. 5:8-
9) In the Old Testament the nation of Israel was called the ‘wife’ of God thus referred to

by feminine pronouns (Isa. 54:1-6; Jer. 3:1-25; Hos. 1:1-11; 2:1-23; Mal. 2:14-16) and
after the Millennium we will again return to the female pronoun as the bride of Christ
which will include Old and New Testament saints who will be living in the heavenly city,
the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:2, 9-10).
‘Companion in tribulation’ which means a partaker of persecution from the Greek words
sungkoinonos and thlipsis. ‘Kingdom’ – the kingdom of or from heaven that Christ will
establish on earth at the second coming (1:6, 9; 5:10; 11:15; 12:10; 20:4-6; 22:5).
‘Patience’ the Greek word hupomone for patience or endurance; used seven times in
Revelation of the endurance of Christians in sufferings (1:9; 2:2-3, 19; 3:10; 13:10;
14:12).
Patmos was a volcanic, treeless, rocky island about 9, 6 x 16 kilometres, 48 kilometres
southwest of Samos. It was made a place of exile by the Romans for the lowest of
criminals.
‘For the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ’ the two reasons for John’s
exile (1:2, 1:9): Preaching the Word of God and testifying of Jesus Christ. The right
reasons for which all Christians should and will be suffering persecution for (6:9; 12:17;
20:4).
‘In the Spirit’ a term used of being wholly in union with the Holy Spirit and yielded to Him
in mind and will.
‘The Lord’s day’ a term used by early Christians of the first day of the week, the day of the
Lord’s resurrection. Romans set aside certain days for emperor worship and called them
"the Augustean day," etc., so the first Christians set aside Sunday as the day to worship
God and Christ, calling it the Lord’s day. This is however not a commandment from God
but a human preference (Rom. 14:5). All observances of days, months, times, seasons,
years, etc. tend to make men feel religious and justified because they are doing religion and
not necessarily living godly. Such is a substitute for the gospel and in vain (Gal. 4:10-11).
‘As of a trumpet’ the loudness and clarity of God’s voice as well as other heavenly beings
are that of a trumpet, thunder or of many waters (1:15; 4:1; 6:1; 14:2; 19:6).
‘What thou see, write in a book and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia’
here John was told to write in a book what he was about to see and send it to the seven
congregations of Asia Minor. All prophets and apostles (authors of the Old and New
Testament books) got a command directly from God the Father or Jesus Christ to write
what was said or showed to them. They never wrote of their own accord what they
wanted or fancied to, but what was inspired by God. Inspiration’s Greek word is
theopneustos which means God-breathed (2 Tim. 3:16).
The Vision of Jesus Christ

Revelation 1:12-18 And I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And being turned, I
saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the
Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a
golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes
were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and

his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of
his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shine in his
strength. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon
me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that live, and was dead;
and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
In verses 12-18 we have the vision of the glorified Christ, which constitutes the first
division of Revelation as John was commanded in verse 19 to write the things which He
has seen. ‘Seven golden candlesticks’ these symbolize the seven churches as clearly stated
in verse 20.
‘Like unto the Son of man’ Jesus Christ is here as Mediator (1 Tim. 2:5) and as ‘Son of
Man represents man to God and as Son of God He represents God to man. (Dan. 7:13-
14; 10:5-10; Rev.10:1-11).
Here is an eight-fold literal description of Christ: His body was clothed with a garment
down to the feet and girded with golden girdle (1:13; cp. Dan. 10:6); His hair was white
like wool and snow (1:14; Dan. 7:9); His eyes were as a flame of fire (1:14; 19:12; Dan.
10:6; cp. Heb. 4:12); His feet were like fine brass (1:14; 10:1; Dan. 10:6); His voice like
many waters (1:14; 8:5; 10:2-4; 11:15; 14:2; 16:17-18; 19:6; Psa. 29:1-11; Heb. 12:26;
Dan. 10:6); His right hand held seven stars, which were the leaders of the seven churches
(1:20); His mouth had a two-edged sword coming out of it (1:16; 2:12, 16; 19:15, 21; cp.
Eph. 6:17; Heb. 4:12); His countenance shone like the sun (1:16; 10:1; Dan. 10:6).
‘I fell as his feet as dead’ the effect of the vision upon John although he recovered
immediately. ‘Fear not’ found 80 times in Scripture, generally of God quieting the fear of
man because of His presence.
‘I am he that live, and was dead’ this identifies the person to be Christ (Acts 2:25-36;
1Cor. 15:1-23; Col. 2:14-17; Eph. 2:14-15; John 21:14). ‘Keys of hell and of death’ Keys
signify power and authority (3:7; Matt. 16:19; 18:18; Isa. 22:22).
Write the Things

Revelation 1:19-20 Write the things which thou had seen, and the things which are, and
the things which shall be hereafter; The mystery of the seven stars which thou had seen in
my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the
seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou had seen are the seven churches.
‘Write the things which thou had seen’ John is now commanded to write. In verse 11 he
was told to write what he was about to see that is, Christ in the midst of the seven
candlesticks (Rev. 1:12-18, 20), now he is told to write what he has already seen - the
vision of verses 16-18. ‘Which are’ that is, the things concerning the congregations then
existent and those which should exist throughout the Congregation-age to the Rapture.
This division takes in only Revelation 2-3.
‘Hereafter’ after the things which are, that is, the things which shall come to pass after the
Rapture of the body of Christ. This division includes all of the events of Revelation 4-22.
One has only to believe this threefold natural division as given by Christ to understand the
book fully, especially as to the time of the fulfilment of the things of each division. The

moment these divisions are forgotten and the reader begins to disarrange them and insert
certain things into the one or the other that are not part of the division, he will become
confused as to the divine order of these “things” which are so clearly given in consecutive
order, and he will miss the true intent of the “things” written therein. The events are
consecutive in order with parenthetical passages inserted between the main events, which
explain certain things that are to happen along with the main events but are not the same
as these events.
‘Mystery’ the Greek word musterion, used four times in Revelation (1:20; 10:7; 17:5, 7).
Mystery is something that was previously hidden, but now fully revealed. In the New
Testament it always means any doctrine that has not, in former times, been made fully
known to people.
‘Candlesticks’ Greek: luchnia meaning lampstand or portable lamps. Used seven times in
Revelation 1:12, 13, 20; 2:1, 5; 11:4. Believers become lights of divinity in the world
(Matt. 5:14). ‘Angels’ the Greek word angelos which means messenger. Here it refers to
the leaders of the seven congregations. It is used of people in Revelation 1:1, 20; 2:1, 8,
12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14; 15:1, 6, 8; 16:1-17; 17:1; 21:9, 17; 22:8-10 and Jude 1:13.
‘Seven churches’ the messages to the congregations are given immediately after the vision
of Christ described in verses 1-20. Revelation 2 - 3 makes the second division of
Revelation, containing only “the things which are,” that is, the things concerning the body
of Christ on earth until its rapture (1Cor. 15:23, 51-58; 1Thes. 4:13-17; 2Thes. 2:7).
The letters have a threefold application:
A local application to the congregations in John’s day. The letters portray actual conditions
in seven local congregations in Asia Minor, the western coast of modern Turkey. This is
clear from the messages themselves, as well as from 1:4, 11, 20.
A prophetic application to the body of Christ and the congregations representing His
doctrine throughout this dispensation to the rapture, revealing spiritual conditions in local
groups/assemblies and in individuals in these groups.
An individual application, so that the individual in any generation may be warned and
profit by the failures of the seven congregations (1:3; 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21).
There are ten points of similarity in the letters: In nearly all of the letters, there is a
reference to one or more of the details of the description of Christ in 1:12-16; Each is
addressed to the leader of the congregation; each congregation is commended for its works
except the last one and each one is rebuked except the second and the sixth. Each
congregation is commanded to repent except the second, fourth, and sixth. The fourth has
sin of which to repent but is not commanded to do so. Warnings of judgment are given to
all the congregations except the second and sixth. Each congregation was more corrupt
than a preceding one except the first, second, and sixth. The first one was commended for
ten things; the last one condemned for ten things. Promises to over-comers are in each.
Each has the same admonition to hear. John is told to write in each case. When he
finishes one letter, he is directed whom to write and what to write, until the last is
completed. Then he is told to write "the things which shall be hereafter" this period of the
body of Christ (1:19; 4:1).

Ephesus
Revelation 2:1-7 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things said he that
holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden
candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou cannot
bear them which are evil: and thou have tried them which say they are apostles, and are
not, and have found them liars: And has borne, and has patience, and for my name's sake
has laboured, and has not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because
thou have left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou are fallen, and repent,
and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy
candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. But this thou have, that thou hated the
deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He that has an ear, let him hear what the
Spirit said unto the churches; To him that overcome will I give to eat of the tree of life,
which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
Ephesus was a great commercial centre of Asia Minor, at the mouth of the Cayster River
and on the shore of the Aegean Sea, about 80, 5 kilometres south of Smyrna. These are
the Ephesians Paul wrote to in his epistle.
‘These things said he that holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks in the midst of
the seven golden candlesticks’ This portrays the rightful place of Christ as head of the body
of Christ and His ministry to the congregations.
The facts about the Ephesians are summarized as follows: Ten points of commendation
are given: their works, labour, patience, that they didn’t tolerate them which are evil: and
have tried [tested by their fruit] them which say they were apostles, and were not, and
have found them, liars. They have endured and had patience, and for Christ’s name’s sake
have laboured, and have not fainted. One point of condemnation: They had left their first
love. They were commanded to repent and do their first works to be restored to God and
their first love (2:2-3, 6). If they would not do so they were to be removed – the whole
congregation would be destroyed if terms were not met (2:5). This would also be true of
individuals (1 Cor. 5:2, 13). Only the over-comer was promised heaven.
‘I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place,’ the 2nd
New Testament prophecy in Revelation that was fulfilled for Ephesus was destroyed by
an earthquake. The Greek word kineo means to be removed. Removing a congregation
because of sin indicates judgment and destruction, for this is the only penalty for sin (Rom.
6:23; 8:12-13).
‘Nicolaitans’ were followers of Nicolaus, a heretic. They are thought to have been a sect
of Gnostics who practiced and taught impure and immoral doctrines, such as the
community of wives, that committing adultery and fornication was not sinful, and that
eating meats offered to idols was lawful. This was similar to the doctrines of Balaam and
Jezebel of Thyatira (2:6, 14-15, 20).
‘Eat of the tree of life’ this is the 3rd New Testament prophecy in Revelation that is
unfulfilled. Saints will eat even when their bodies are glorified after the rapture (2:7, 17;
Luke 22:16, 18, 30).

‘Paradise of God’ - before the resurrection of Christ, all righteous souls went to paradise
where they were held captive by the devil against their wills (Heb. 2:14-15). When Christ
died His body went to the grave, but He went to paradise and liberated those righteous
captives taking them to heaven with Him when He ascended on high (Matt. 12:40; Eph.
4:8-10). Now when a Christian dies he is no longer held captive by the devil in the lower
parts of the earth, but he goes immediately to heaven awaiting the resurrection of the body
(2Cor. 5:8; Php. 1:21-24; Heb. 12:22-24; Rev. 6:9-11). Christ now has the keys of hades
(hell) and of death (Rev. 1:18). Paradise under the earth is now empty, but the torment
department of hades is being filled more every day. It will hold all the wicked dead until
the end of the Millennium when hades will deliver up the souls in it, and the graves will
give up all the bodies in them. Then the bodies, souls, and spirits of the wicked will be cast
into the lake of fire or eternal hell (Rev. 20:11-15).
Smyrna
Revelation 2:8-11 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things said the
first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulation, and
poverty, (but thou are rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews,
and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shall
suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried; and you
shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of
life. He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit said unto the churches; He that
overcome shall not be hurt of the second death.
Smyrna was a rich city in Turkey now called Ismir, about 80, 5 kilometres northwest of
Ephesus on the Aegean Sea.
There are three things commended of Smyrna: Their works, tribulation and poverty of
earthly goods, but rich in the Lord.
‘Them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of satan’ a sect in
Smyrna which professed Judaism, but blasphemed God and served satan. Anything that is
upheld today from Judaism is to serve satan. Christ has fulfilled and abolished the law on
the cross and those who choose to uphold the law rejects Christ and His grace (Gal. 2:21;
3:10-14; 5:4). He has abolished Israel as a nation in 70 A.D. when Jerusalem was
destroyed by the Romans (Dan. 9:26; Luke 21:20-24) and the nation Israel as God’s nation
will only be restored at the second coming of Christ (Isa. 66:8). God will not be
worshipped in temples but is now represented by His body of believers (1 Cor. 12:12-27;
1 Tim. 3:15; 1 Pet. 2:21-23) who are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 3:16-17; 6:19-
20; Eph. 2:19-21) through which God must be glorified in all things (Matt. 5:16; John
14:13; 15:8: 16:14; 1 Cor. 10:31).
‘Behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison ...’ this is the 4th New Testament
prophecy in Revelation that was fulfilled as the believers were thrown in jail and after ten
days they were killed. They were promised the crown of life (Jam. 1:12). The crowns are
laid up for all who prove true but possessed of none until time of reward which will be at
the judgment seat of Christ (Rom. 14:10; 1 Cor. 3:11-15; 9:24-27; 2 Cor. 5:10).

‘He that overcome shall not be hurt of the second death’ this is the second part of the 4th
New Testament prophecy and it is unfulfilled. Again the promise of eternal life is only for
those who overcome the world (2:11).
Pergamos
Revelation 2:12-17 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things said
he which has the sharp sword with two edges; I know thy works, and where thou dwell,
even where Satan's seat is: and thou hold fast my name, and have not denied my faith,
even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you,
where Satan dwell. But I have a few things against thee, because thou have there them
that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling block before the
children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So have
thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent; or else
I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. He
that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit said unto the churches; To him that overcome
will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a
new name written, which no man know saving he that receive it.
Pergamos was a town in Mysia on the river Caicus about 80, 5 kilometres north of
Smyrna.
There are three things commended of Pergamos: their works, them holding fast to Christ’s
name and not denying the faith.
‘Satan’s seat’ the literal place from where satan rules on earth (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11;
Eph. 2:2).
‘Not denied’ it is possible for Christians to deny the faith, but individuals of this
congregation held fast to the faith.
‘Antipas was my faithful martyr’ an unknown Christian who became known by his
martyrdom for Christ. There is a book called The Acts of Antipas, which makes him the
bishop of Pergamos and states that he was put to death by being enclosed in a burning
brass bull.
‘Few things against thee’ four things condemned in Pergamos: Holding the doctrine of
Balaam; eating things sacrificed to idols; committing fornication and holding the doctrine of
the Nicolaitans.
‘Doctrine of Balaam’ this was to teach Balak that if he would give his most beautiful
women to the Israelite men and cause them to commit idolatry that God Himself would
curse Israel (Num. 21:8, 16; 25:1-9).
‘Nicolaitans’ were followers of Nicolaus, a heretic. They are thought to have been a sect
of Gnostics who practised and taught impure and immoral doctrines, such as the
community of wives, that committing adultery and fornication was not sinful, and that
eating meats offered to idols was lawful.
‘Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword
of my mouth’ this is the 5th prophecy in Revelation that was fulfilled. Repentance is
required of all backsliders (2:5, 16, 21, 22; 3:3, 19). That there is a possibility of

backsliders not repenting is clear from the fact that if they did not repent, they would be
judged.
‘To him that overcome will I give to eat of the hidden manna’ only those who overcome
are promised heaven (2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21). The second part of the 5th prophecy
but still unfulfilled.
‘Hidden manna’ the Greek word krupto translated as hide; kept secret and secretly. John
6:33 explains: “For the bread of God is he which comes down from heaven, and gives life
unto the world.” Manna was a typology of the bread [Christ = Word] to come. 1
Corinthians 13:12 teaches that we now see through a glass, darkly; thus not clearly; but in
future, we will see face to face: that we now know in part; but then shall know even as
we are also known. Whatever has not been revealed to us of Christ, we will know in full.
‘White stone’ these were known to the ancients as victory stones. Also in ancient times,
they meant pardon and the evidence of it. Judges had white and black stones. If a black
one was given the criminal he was condemned; if a white stone he would be pardoned.
Conquerors in the public games were also given white stones with their names in them,
which entitled them to be supported the rest of their lives at public expense. Perhaps all
three things are meant by the white stone to the one that overcomes.
‘New name’ we will receive new names just as Israel’s name will be changed to
Hephzibah, meaning delight; and their land will be called Beulah, meaning married (Isa.
62:2, 4; 65:15). Even Jesus Christ will have a new name (3:12).
Thyatira
Revelation 2:18-29 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things said
the Son of God, who has his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; I
know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and
the last to be more than the first. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee,
because thou suffer that woman Jezebel, which call herself a prophetess, to teach and to
seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I
gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her
into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they
repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall
know that I am he which search the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you
according to your works. But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have
not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put
upon you none other burden. But that which you have already hold fast till I come. And he
that overcome, and keep my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to
shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He that has
an ear, let him hear what the Spirit said unto the churches.
Thyatira was a city in western Turkey between Pergamos and Sardis.
Six things to commend Thyatira: their works, charity, service, faith, patience and increased
works. Their works had increased until they were more than the first works.
solaScripturaBibleCoolege: Revelation 10 | P a g e
There are four things against Thyatira: they permitted Jezebel, who called herself a
prophetess, to teach; they allowed her to seduce Christ’s servants (Christians) to commit
fornication; as well as to seduce Christians to eat things sacrificed to idols, and they
tolerated her in spite of impenitence.
‘Jezebel’ this local woman had been given time to repent, but she did not. The 6th New
Testament prophecy in Revelation was fulfilled as a threefold judgment: she was cast into
a bed of sickness and tribulation was brought upon all that commit adultery with her and
her children [followers] was killed.
‘Search the reins’ the Greek word nephros meaning the kidneys, or in figurative language,
the innermost mind. In Jeremiah 17:9 we learn two facts about the natural heart: that it is
deceitful above all things and it is desperately wicked. God explains in verse 10 that He
searches the heart – also by trying the reins (kidneys) for the purpose of distributing
rewards according to the ways and doings of each man.
‘The depths of Satan’ Gnostics called their doctrine “the depths of God,” but here Christ
called it “the depths of Satan” the same as most religions, doctrines and beliefs today are
classified by God that man value to redeem them.
Verse 25 name three things all Christians must do: to hold fast till Jesus comes; to
overcome and to keep His works unto the end (1 Pet. 2:21-23).
Four things are promised for them who overcome: Power over the nations (2:26); ruling
nations with a rod of iron (2:27); crushing all resistance of nations (2:27); and the morning
star [Jesus Christ] (2:28).
All saints will be kings or priests under Christ and will rule the earth forever (2:26-27; 1:6;
5:10; 20:4-6; 22:4-5). This is the 7th New Testament prophecy in Revelation unfulfilled
and will be fulfilled during the Millennium.
Sardis
Revelation 3:1-6 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things said he
that has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou have a
name that thou live, and are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain,
that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember
therefore how thou have received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou
shall not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shall not know what hour I will
come upon thee. Thou have a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their
garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcome,
the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book
of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. He that has an
ear, let him hear what the Spirit said unto the churches.
Sardis was a city about 64 kilometres east of Smyrna, the ancient capital of Lydia.
‘Seven Spirits of God” Not seven titles of the Holy Spirit, for there are more titles than this
that are applied to the Spirit. Since the Lamb has the seven horns and seven eyes, since we
know there is but one Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:4-6), and since the Lamb is a symbol of Christ,
the seven lamps of fire (Rev. 4:5), the seven horns, and seven eyes are all symbolic of the
one Holy Spirit and can only denote His fullness and power upon the Lamb and before
the throne (John 3:34; Isa. 11:2; 42:1-7; 61:1-2; Acts 10:38).
‘Seven stars’ as in Revelations 1:20 it refers to the leaders of the seven congregations.
Four things about Sardis were commended: their works (3:1); having a name or reputation
of being a congregation that is alive, but “are dead” (3:1); their works were not perfect
before God (3:2) and they only had a few godly members (3:4).
Five commands were given to Sardis: to be watchful (3:2) and to strengthen the things that
remain; to remember their teaching (3:3); to hold fast (3:3) and to repent (3:3, 19; cp. 2:5,
16, 21, 2:22).
The 8th New Testament prophecy in Revelation was fulfilled and refers to the judgement
that came upon Sardis because they didn’t repent. ‘As a thief’ is the sudden judgment that
came upon Sardis.
Four promises to the overcomer: that they would walk with Christ in white (3:4); that they
would be clothed in white raiment (3:5; cp. 3:18; 4:4; 6:11; 7:9, 13; 15:6; 19:8, 14);
their names would not be blotted out of the book of life (3:5; cp. 22:18-19; Ex. 32:32-33;
Psa. 69:28); Jesus will confess his name before His Father and the angels (3:5).
‘White raiment’ Literal, but also symbolizes the righteousness of saints (19:8). ‘And I will
not blot out his name out of the book of life’ Here Christ promises not to blot the name out
of the book of life of any man who will obey the commands of Revelation 3:2-3. If some
refused to obey these commands, would their names not be blotted out? If we say such is
impossible we accuse God of using vain threats on His people. He definitely promised
Moses, "Whosoever hath sinned against Me, him will I blot out of my book" (Ex. 32:32-
33). The psalmist by the Holy Spirit prayed that God would blot out the names of Judas
and all like him (Psa. 69:25-28 with Acts 1:20). In Revelation 22:18-19 Christ again
threatens to take the names of people out of the Book of Life if they take anything away
from the words of the book of this prophecy.
Philadelphia
Revelation 3:7-13 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things said
he that is holy, he that is true, he that has the key of David, he that open, and no man shut;
and shut, and no man open; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open
door, and no man can shut it: for thou have a little strength, and have kept my word, and
have not denied my name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say
they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship
before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Because thou have kept the word of
my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all
the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast
which thou have, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcome will I make a pillar in
the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of
my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which come down
out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. He that has an ear,
let him hear what the Spirit said unto the churches.
Philadelphia was a city about 48 kilometres southeast of Sardis.
‘The key of David’ Keys signify power and authority (1:18; Matt. 16:19; 18:18; Isa.
22:22).
Four things commended about Philadelphia: their works; that they had little strength; they
kept His Word and has not denied Jesus’ name.
‘Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are
not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know
that I have loved thee ...’ this is the 9th New Testament prophecy in Revelation - Ten
predictions: four fulfilled: all liars will be exposed; they will be humbled; Christ’s love for
the true believers will be made known to the liars and they will be kept from persecution.
Six will be in the future: Christ is coming quickly (1:7; 3:11; 19:11); we will be made
pillars in the temple of God (3:12; cp. Gal. 2:9); we will never go out, but will always
have a safe dwelling place (3:12); God’s name will be written on us as well as the name of
the New Jerusalem (3:12; 21:2, 21:9-10) and Christ’s new name. This will no doubt be
literal.
‘Synagogue of Satan’ those gathering under the Mosaic Law rulings abiding in sabbaths
and rituals are called an assembly of satan as well as those who make themselves out to be
Jews/Israelites and are not (2:9).
‘The word of my patience’ is the doctrine that has caused the Philadelphians so much
persecution. ‘The hour of temptation’ was a specific time in John’s day when trial or
tribulation came upon the congregations. The future tribulation is what believers of today
will be spared from because we have not been appointed to wrath (1Thess. 5:9).
‘I come quickly’ a reference to the rapture, for this is the coming of Christ the church will
experience before the second coming (1Thess. 4:13-17; 2Thess. 2:7). ‘Hold that fast
which thou have, that no man take thy crown’ nothing in this life is worth losing your
crown or eternal life.
‘Pillar’ used figuratively here of stability and authority, as in Galatians 2:9 and 1Timothy
3:15. ‘Temple of my God’ this refers to the eternal household of the redeemed (Eph.
2:19-22). ‘He shall go no more out’ he [us] will be among the redeemed forever.
Laodicea Part 1
Revelation 3:14-18 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These
things said the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I
know thy works, that thou are neither cold nor hot: I would thou were cold or hot. So then
because thou are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.
Because thou says, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and
know not that thou are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I
counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou may be rich; and white raiment,
that thou may be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint
thine eyes with eye salve, that thou may see.
Laodicea was located in Phrygia, a few kilometres west of Colossae.
‘Amen’ the Hebrew word am-ane that means properly firm, that is (figuratively)
trustworthy; (adverbially) surely [often as an interjection so be it]: amen, verily (2Cor.
1:20). Used here it means Christ the trustworthy or Truth. ‘True witness’ quoted from
Revelation 1:5 that refers to Christ Jesus as both a witness and a martyr that is
trustworthy.
‘Beginning of the creation of God’ that is, the One who began creating all things in the very
beginning (John 1:3; Eph. 3:9; Col. 1:15-18; Heb. 1:2; 11:3). It could not mean that He
was the first to be created by God, for He is an uncreated and eternal being (Isa. 9:6-7;
Mic. 5:2; John 1:1-2; Heb. 1:8).
Five things about the Laodiceans that were known: their works (3:15) that were neither
cold nor hot. They were lukewarm and nauseating (3:16), proud and self-satisfied (3:17)
and ignorant of their true state (3:17).
‘Cold nor hot’ they were neither completely dead nor full of zeal, but indifferent and
careless and in a backslidden state. Most people are arrogant at this phase and do not heed
any admonishment.
‘I will spew thee out of my mouth’ this is the 10th New Testament prophecy in Revelation
that was fulfilled. The Greek word emeo is used and it means ‘to vomit’ and is used only
here.
The Laodicean had a threefold estimate of themselves: that they were rich; increased with
goods and have no need of anything.
Christ’s sevenfold estimate of the Laodiceans was that they were neither cold nor hot but
were lukewarm and sickening. They were wretched [Greek word talaiporos] meaning
they endured toil and suffered hardship as the most abject slave. They were miserable
[Greek word eleeinos] meaning pitiable. They were poor [Greek word ptochos] meaning
one who crouches, cringes; a beggar. Blind [Greek word tuphlos] blind in ears, mind, and
eyes; used of spiritual darkness. They were naked [Greek word gumnos] unclad; stripped
of arms; defenceless.
Fivefold counsel was given to the Laodiceans: that they had to buy from Christ gold tried
in the fire (3:18); and white raiment (3:18). That they should have anointed their eyes
with eye salve and be zealous to save their souls (3:19). They had to repent.
‘Gold tried in the fire’ this represents true faith (1Pet. 1:7); ‘White raiment’ this represents
righteousness (19:8); ‘Anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou may see’ this represents
enlightenment by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God (Psa. 19:8; Eph. 1:18; Heb. 6:4;
1Jn. 2:27).
‘Buy of me’ God’s redemption terms are stated here: the Greek word agorazo means to be
in the marketplace; to do business there. The word is used here in the sense of doing
business with God on His terms. Man sold himself a slave to sin and satan. Jesus paid the
price of His redemption. Man is now obligated to meet God’s terms of faith, repentance,
and service if He wants to be redeemed. The word is not used here of man actually
paying a price in money or goods - exchanging material things for the gold, raiment, and
ointment of 3:18 - but rather of his paying the price of renouncing satan, repenting of sins,
and consecrating to God in face of suffering persecution such as Christians must suffer for
Christ (3:19; 2Tim. 3:12).
Laodicea Part 2
Revelation 3:19-22 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and
repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the
door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcome
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. He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit said unto the
churches.
‘As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten’ God never uses drastic means except as a last
resort, when all other methods of getting men to obey have been exhausted. Leviticus 26
and Deuteronomy 28 are clear chapters on this point. In Job 33:14-29 we have the cause
of sickness in many cases. If a child of God wants to claim he is being chastened by God,
then let him acknowledge also that he has repeatedly refused to listen to God or obey Him
(Job 33). Let him acknowledge his sins, for God does not send plagues upon obedient
children. Only those who sow will reap and only those who rebel will be cursed
(Galatians 6:7-8; Job 33:14-29). On the other hand, Christians are subject as much as
sinners to contagious diseases or certain physical maladies, through sin, improper nutrition,
exercise, and improper care of the body. They are also subject to satanic attacks, and if
they do not learn to claim the promises and resist satan they may become physically
afflicted like other men (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:7-9; Ephes. 4:27; 6:10-18). One thing is
certain, God is not to blame for sicknesses upon His obedient children and to claim such is
to co-operate with satan and not God (John 10:10; Luke 13:16; Acts 10:38). If people use
Job as an excuse for unbelief, let them realize that Job did not know the gospel. He had
no written revelation, covenant, or promise, and yet he was healed by God. Let people
likewise fight as Job did until they get an answer and healing (Job 42:10; James 5:10-11).
The 11th New Testament prophecy in Revelation is being fulfilled daily in the threefold
invitation of Christ to man where Christ is standing at the door, and knocking: and for
those who hear His voice, and open the door, He will come in to him and sup with him.
Verse 21 is unfulfilled where we will be granted by Christ after the rapture, to sit with
Him in His throne.
Eighteen blessings are noted in Revelation to overcomers: to eat from the tree of life (2:7);
they will receive the crown of life (2:10; 3:11) and will escape the second death or lake of
fire (2:11; 20:14); they will be given the hidden manna (2:17) and will receive a white
stone and a new name (2:17); they will be partakers in the rapture (2:25; 3:11; 1Thes.
4:16; Php. 3:21; Col. 3:4; 1Cor. 15:23, 51-58) and will have power over the nations
(2:26-27); they will have the complete defeat of rebels (2:27); they will be given the
Morning Star (2:28) and to walk with Christ in white (3:4-5) and to have their names
eternally in the book of life (3:5; 22:18-19); and their names will be confessed before God
(3:5). They will be pillars in God’s temple (3:12); and will have eternal abiding with God
(3:12). Have God’s name, the New Jerusalem and Christ’s new name written upon them
(3:12) and receive an eternal throne and kingdom (3:21; 1:6; 5:10; 11:15; 22:4-5).
The Rapture
Revelation 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first
voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up
hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter.
‘After this’ the Greek words meta and tauta mean after these things. This Greek phrase is
used at the beginning and at the end of this verse thus: "After these things (after writing the
things concerning the congregations of Revelation 2-3), I looked ... a door was opened in
heaven: and the first voice ... said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which
must be after these things," that is, after the period of congregations. This confirms and
settles the question as to the time of the fulfilment of all the events of Revelation 4:1 -
11:22.
‘Door was opened in heaven’ this was a real literal opening in heaven. The Greek word
thura, a portal or entrance; door; gate as is plainly evident here and in Revelation 11:19;
14:15-18; 15:5-8; 16:1, 17. ‘First voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking
with me’ The voice of Revelation 1:10-12, 17-20. ‘Come up hither, and I will show thee
things which must be hereafter’ The 12th New Testament prophecy in Revelation that is
unfulfilled and will be at the time of the rapture.
There are 10 Biblical proofs that the Rapture takes place in Revelation 4:1
1. Christ said the things of Revelation 4 - 22 “must be hereafter,” that is, after these things
of the congregations, or after the rapture of the members of the body of Christ. Christians
are no longer on earth when the events of Revelation 4 - 22 take place.
2. The word ‘church’ is found 19 times in Revelation 1 - 3 but not once in the third
division of the book which contains “the things which must be” after the period of
congregations (Rev. 4:1-22:5). [Please note the correct translation of churches must be
congregations which are not based on the business-like churches of today with their own
doctrines that contradict God’s Word and who preach fables (2 Tim. 4:3-4)]
3. The enthroned elders are representative of the raptured saints and they are always seen
in heaven after Revelation 4:1.
4. The 70th week of Daniel will be the last seven years of this age, during which time all
of Revelation 4-19; Matthew 24-25 will be fulfilled. This week concerns Israel, not the
body of Christ. Therefore, they must be raptured before this week.
5. There is no place for the rapture of Christians and the Old Testament saints other than
in Revelation 4:1. The man-child (144,000) and the great tribulation saints are the only
ones to be saved and raptured during Daniel’s 70th week, and these are distinct groups
from the body of believers and the Old Testament saints.
6. In Luke 21:34-36 we have the promise of Jesus that the saved will be accounted
worthy to escape all these things, and to stand before the Son of Man. The things they will
escape are those of Matthew 24:4-26; Luke 21:4-19 and Revelation 6-19.
7. In 1Thessalonians 5:1-11 we have another definite promise assuring us that saints will
escape the wrath of God (of Revelation 6-19). God has not appointed us to this wrath, but
to obtain deliverance through Jesus Christ so we can live with Christ (1Thess. 5:9-11).
How could saints comfort one another (as stated in this scripture and in 1Thessalonians
4:16-17 and Titus 2:13) if the only hope they had was the coming wrath of God in the
future tribulation?
8. In 2Thessalonians 2:6-8 it is definitely shown that the rapture takes place before the
revelation of the Antichrist and before the 70th week of Daniel. The events of Revelation
4 - 19 will take place during this week, so the rapture must take place in Revelation 4:1.
9. There is a marked change in God’s attitude toward humanity in general, from that of
mercy (Rev. 1-3) to that of judgment (Rev. 4-19). The seals, trumpets, and vials all picture
judgment throughout Daniel’s 70th week.
10. An individual or a body of individuals can be identified by peculiarities and
characteristics. If Christians are to be on earth and is the subject of Revelation 4 - 19, then
its earmarks should be seen. But such are not to be found. On the other hand, earmarks of
Israel are seen throughout the book after Revelation 4:1. The earmarks of the
congregations are seen up to this point only. This proves that two different institutions are
dealt with in different parts of the book: first, the members of the body of Christ until its
rapture in Revelation 4:1; second, Israel after the rapture to the second coming of Christ
(Rev. 4-19).
‘Up hither’ Details on the rapture event can be studied in John 14:1-3; 1 Thessalonians
4:13 - 5:11 and 1 Corinthians 15:20-23, 35-58. Examples of men translated: Enoch (in
the natural body, Gen. 5:24; Heb. 11:5; Zech. 4:14; Rev. 11:1-19); Elijah (in the natural
body, 2Kin. 2:11; Zech. 4:14; Mal. 4:5-6; Rev. 11:1-19); Jesus (in a resurrected body,
Mark 16:19; Luke 24:39, 51; Acts 1:11); Paul (2Cor. 12:1-8); Apostle John (Rev. 4:1-
5:14); Many bodies of Old Testament saints (Matt. 27:52-53; Eph. 4:8-10); All saved
souls and spirits not yet given resurrected bodies (Eph. 4:8-10; 2Cor. 5:8; Php. 1:21-24;
Heb. 12:23).
Timeline: 7-year tribulation begins
The Throne of God

Revelation 4:2-3, 5-6a And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set
in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a
sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an
emerald..... And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and
there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of
God. And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal…
‘I was in the spirit’ a term used for being wholly in union with the Holy Spirit and yielded
to Him in mind and will.
‘A throne was set in heaven’ The throne is the centre of the activities of the book. It is
mentioned 40 times in Revelation and always means a literal seat (1:4; 3:21; 4:2-6, 9-10;
5:1, 6-7, 11, 13; 6:16; 7:9-11, 15, 17; 8:3; 12:5; 14:3, 5; 16:17; 19:4-5; 20:4, 11; 21:5;
22:1, 3). This is the one seen throughout the book on which God the Father sits. The
throne is white (Rev. 20:11-15). It is a real throne for God as a real person sits on it (Dan.
7:9-14; Isa. 6; Heb. 8:1–12:1-2).
‘And one sat on the throne’ God as a person can sit on a literal throne, for He has a spirit
body [heavenly body] as all spirits. The Bible declares that there are heavenly and earthly
bodies and that there is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body (1 Cor. 15:35-58).
‘Jasper’ according to Plinytis the colour was semi-transparent. According to others, it is
green transparent, perhaps the green chalcedony. ‘Sardine stone’ Greek: sardius - is red in
colour (4:3; 21:20). ‘Emerald’ is green and is mentioned in Revelation 4:3; 21:19; Exodus
28:17-18; 39:11; Ezekiel 27:16; 28:13.
‘Seven Spirits of God’ not seven titles of the Holy Spirit, for there are more titles than this
that are applied to the Spirit. They are all symbolic of the one Holy Spirit and can only
denote His fullness and power upon the Lamb and before the throne (John 3:34; Isa.
11:2; 42:1-7; 61:1-2; Acts 10:38).
‘Sea of glass like unto crystal’ this is the actual floor of the throne room (4:6; 15:2-4). This
is another part of the heavenly tabernacle or capital building of God. It is located before
the throne of God and on it are gathered the redeemed and other heavenly creatures to
worship on certain occasions (Rev. 7:9-17; 15:2-4).
The Elders
Revelation 4:4, 10-11 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon
the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on
their heads crowns of gold. The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on
the throne, and worship him that live for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the
throne, saying, Thou are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for
thou have created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
‘Seats’ same word translated “throne” in Revelation 4:2; etc. Around God’s throne are 24
other literal thrones of the 24 elders.
Why Twenty-four Elders? The answer is not stated, but two facts are clear:
1. The whole priesthood of old was represented by 24 elders (1Chron. 24:1-9).
2. The names of the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles are written on the holy city,
New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:10-14).
The 12 Tribes represent Old Testament saints and the 12 Apostles represent the New
Testament saints.
Proof that the “elders” represent the raptured saints:
1. Greek word presbuteros means elder and it is never used of angels.
2. They are distinguished from angels in Revelation 5:11-14.
3. They have crowns and sit on thrones, which are promised redeemed people (2:10;
3:21; 20:4; Matt. 19:28; 1Cor. 9:25-27; 2Tit. 4:8). Angels are never seen in Revelation
on thrones or wearing crowns. Angels are mentioned with thrones only in Isaiah 14:12-14
and Colossians 1:16.
4. They wear white raiment, which is used only in Revelation of Christ and saints (3:5,
18; 6:11; 7:9, 13; 15:6; 19:8, 14).
5. It is clear from Revelation 1:1; 5:5-7; 7:13-15; 19:10 and 22:8-9 that one of the elders
is the person showing John the Revelation, and that he is a redeemed man. If one of them
is a man, then all 24 are men. Since they are redeemed men and in heaven on thrones all
through the time of the fulfilment of Revelation 4-22, they must have been raptured before
that.
Four companies of redeemed people are mentioned in Scriptures:
1. Old Testament saints (Acts 7:38; Heb. 11:1-40; 12:1).
2. New Testament saints part of the body of Christ (Matt. 16:18; 1Cor. 12:27-28; Eph.
1:20-23; 2:14-22; 4:12-16; 5:21-32; Col. 1:18, 24). Christ started this company, His
representatives in die form of His body, and will present it to Himself at the rapture (Eph.
5:27; 1 Thess. 3:13; 4:16).
3. The 144,000 Jews, a distinct company by themselves, as proved from Revelation 7:1-8
and 14:1-5.
4. The great multitude of tribulation saints, a separate company from the New and Old
Testament saints, for they are saved after the rapture, as proved in Revelation 7:9-17;
14:13; 15:2-4; 20:4. The 24 elders must be representative of the first two companies, for
the last two are not redeemed until after the elders are in heaven, or during the fulfilment
of Revelation 4-22.
‘Sitting’ Seven acts of the twenty-four elders: They sit on thrones (4:4; 19:7-8); they
worship God (4:9-11; 5:8-10); they cast crowns before God (4:10); they fall prostrate
before God (4:10; 5:8, 14; 11:16; 19:4); they sing and play harps (5:8-10); they act as
priests (5:8); and they give John the Revelation (5:5; 7:13-14).
‘On their heads crowns of gold’ at the judgement seat of Christ (1 Cor. 9:24-27; 2 Cor.
5:10; 2 Tim. 4:7-8; Heb. 12:1; 1 Pet. 5:2-4), the righteous will be crowned with the
following crowns:
1. The crown of righteousness or the rapture’s crown (2 Tim. 4:8);
2. The crown of rejoicing or the soul winner's crown (1 Thess. 2:19);
3. The crown of life or martyr’s crown (Jas. 1:12; Rev. 2:10);
4. The crown of glory or the shepherd’s crown (1 Pet. 5:4);
5. The incorruptible crown or conqueror’s crown (1 Cor. 9:25).
‘Cast their crowns before the throne’ they acknowledge the supremacy of God, and that
they were redeemed and have their crowns by His blessings. ‘For thou have created all
things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created’ the purpose of creation is that it
was all done for His pleasure. God created the material universe to be inhabited with
intelligent free moral agents to whom He could reveal Himself and who could enjoy all
the rich blessings of life and the goodness of the Creator forever.
The Living Beasts
Revelation 4:6b-9 …and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and
behind. And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third
beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. And the four beasts
had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not
day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to
come. And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the
throne, who live for ever and ever
‘Beasts’ the Greek word zoa meaning living ones, or creatures; not the Greek word
therion, translated “beast” as in Revelation 13:1-18; 14:9-11; 15:2; 16:10; 17:1-18;
19:19-20. They are literal angelic beings as described here; and are distinguished from the
redeemed elders (Rev. 4:9-11), ordinary angels (Rev. 5:1-12), seraphim (Isa. 6:1-8), and
cherubim (Ezek. 1:4-28; 10:1-22).
These are beings similar to the cherubims, except that they have only one head each and
are full of eyes before and behind. They are like the seraphims in that they have six wings.
One has a face like a lion, one like a calf, one like a man, and one like a flying eagle.
There are 7 acts of the Zoa noted in Revelation: They call attention to God’s holiness
(4:4-8); they fall prostrate in worship (5:8-10); they sing and play harps (5:8-10); they
offer the prayers of the saints to God (5:8-10); they call forth the horsemen of Revelation
6:1-8; they give the 7 vials to the 7 angels in Revelation 15:7; they listen to the worship of
others (14:3).
‘Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come’ First of 70
heavenly utterances in the book (4:8, 11; 5:2, 5, 9, 12-14; 6:1, 3, 5-7, 10; 7:3, 10, 12-14;
8:5, 13; 9:14; 10:3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11; 11:1, 12, 15, 17, 19; 12:10; 14:2, 7-9, 14:13, 15, 18;
15:3; 16:1, 5, 7, 17, 16:18; 17:1, 17:7, 17:15; 18:2, 4, 21; 19:1, 3-6, 9, 10, 17; 21:3,:5,
6, 9; 22:6, 9, 10, 22:20).
Jesus Prevailed
Revelation 5:1-6 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written
within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming
with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to lose the seals thereof? And no
man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to
look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read
the book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders said unto me, Weep not: behold,
the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the book, and to
lose the seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the
four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven
horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
‘In the right hand of him that sat on the throne’ this is the Father sitting on the throne with
the book in His right hand. Right hand = hand of justice. ‘Written within and on the
backside, sealed with seven seals’ the book was written within and sealed with seven seals
which must be broken before the contents within can be revealed. This book contains the
events of the Revelation as recorded in the book by John. It is not a book of redemption or
of title deeds of the Earth, as taught by some. There is no reference to such books in all
Scripture. The seals that bind the book are clearly stated as containing certain events (Rev.
6:1- 8:1). The things “written within” are also revelations that John wrote in his book, as
is clear in Revelation 10:1-11 where the angel gives the book to John to reveal its contents
to us. The things in the book are “concerning many peoples and nations and tongues and
kings” which John wrote about after the breaking of the seals.
‘Strong angel’ - there are 26 unidentified angels in Revelation, besides the 15 angels
identified as men. Christ (8:2-6; 10:1-11:3), Lucifer (12:1-9), and Michael (12:7-10) are
also mentioned besides innumerable angels (3:5; 5:11; 7:11).
‘Who is worthy to open the book and to lose the seals thereof?’ A question asked to see if
a qualified individual was to be found to open up the judgment of God that must come
upon the earth.
‘And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth’ there will be men in heaven
at this point in time, for at present time there are no humans in heaven, but rather in
paradise (Luke 16:19-31; 23:43; 2 Cor. 12:4) after the rapture all the redeemed saints
will be in heaven. Those under the earth are the wicked who will go to hell underneath
the earth at the time of physical death and are fully conscious (20:11-15; Luke 16:19-31;
Isa. 14:9; Deut. 32:22; Psa. 9:17; 18:5; 116:3; Pro. 15:24).
‘And I wept much’ John was upset that no one qualified to be worthy to open and to read
the book, neither to look thereon.
‘Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David’ Christ is called two things here: the Lion of
the tribe of Judah and the Root of David (Isa. 11:1).
‘Prevailed’ the Greek word nikao translated “prevail” (4:5); “conquer” (6:2); “get the
victory” (15:2); and “overcome” (2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21; 11:7; 12:11; 13:7; 17:14;
21:7). Christ conquered at Calvary (Col. 2:14-17).
‘Stood a Lamb as it had been slain’ a symbol of Christ, who is the root of David, used
thirty-two times in Scripture (Isa. 53:7; John 1:29, 36; Acts 8:32; 1Pet. 1:19; Rev. 5:6-13;
6:1, 16; 7:9-17; 12:11; 13:8; 14:1-10; 15:3; 17:14; 19:7-9; 21:9-27; 22:1-3).
‘Seven horns and seven eyes’ not seven titles of the Holy Spirit, for there are more titles
than this that are applied to the Spirit. Since the Lamb has the seven horns and seven eyes,
since we know there is but one Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:4-6), and since the Lamb is a symbol of
Christ, the seven lamps of fire (4:5), the seven horns, and seven eyes are all symbolic of
the one Holy Spirit and can only denote His fullness and power upon the Lamb and
before the throne (John 3:34; Isa. 11:2; 42:1-7; 61:1-2; Acts 10:38).
‘Sent forth into all the earth’ the Holy Spirit’s power came to us on Pentecost (Acts 2:1-3)
and endued us with power from on High as the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth that will
testify of Christ and teach us all that He has spoken while on earth and the Spirit will
reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment (John 14:16-17, 26;
15:26; 16:8).
Christ’s Worthiness
Revelation 5:7-10 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat
upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty
elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of
odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou are
worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou was slain, and has
redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and
nation; And has made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
‘He came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne’ Jesus
came and took the book out of the right hand of the Father that sat on the throne.
‘Fell down before the Lamb’ into a position of worship and not ‘slain in the spirit’ as some
claim to experience today where they lose all sense of their faculties and/or surroundings.
These individuals continued playing the harps and singing to praise God.
‘Harps’ seen many times in heaven: here there are 28 harps and harpists; in Revelation
14:2, 144,000 harps and in Revelation 15:2, innumerable harps.
‘Golden vials full of odours’ golden bowls full of incense, which represent the prayers of
saints (Psa. 141:2; Rev. 8:4).
‘For thou was slain, and has redeemed us to God by thy blood’ the reasons of Christ’s
worthiness are noted here – He was slain for our sins and has thereby redeemed us to
God.
‘Us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation’ -
numerous saints have been redeemed out of all nations on the earth. Some hold that the
four zoa or living creatures are redeemed because they say, “Thou hast redeemed us to
God.” But, from the description in Revelation 4:6-8, we know they are angelic beings who
call attention to God’s holiness. The pronoun “us” should be “them,” referring to the saints
of Revelation 5:8 whose prayers are being offered up before God. All of them offer up
prayers of the saints who are to reign on the earth, but all are not redeemed.
‘On the earth’ Christ and the resurrected saints will reign on the earth during the
Millennium, that follows the 7 year tribulation and thereafter on the New Earth forever
(2:26-27; 11:15; 20:4-10; 22:5; Dan. 7:18).
Blessing and Honour

Revelation 5:11-14 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the
throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten
thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that
was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory,
and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the
earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and
honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sit upon the throne, and unto the Lamb
for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell
down and worshipped him that live for ever and ever.
‘Angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders’ three distinct classes are
mentioned here: angels as in angelical beings (Heb. 1:4-14; 12:22); the zoa or living
creatures (4:6-8); and the elders.
‘Ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands’ a Hebraism of countless
numbers (Heb. 12:22; Dan. 7:10). The angels are mentioned first who amounts to ten
thousand times ten thousand (Lk. 2:13; Heb. 12:22); the zoa or living creatures are only 4
as mentioned in Revelation 5:6 and 24 Elders are mentioned around the throne as
representing the Old and New Testament saints, but that number is a representation and
doesn’t conclude the total amount of saints who will be part of the rapture and thus we
can refer to the thousands of thousands here.
‘To receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and
blessing’ verse 12 gives a seven-fold ascription to the Lamb [Jesus]: power – omnipotence;
riches - possessions (John 17:5); wisdom – omniscience; strength - ability (Heb. 7:25);
honour - reputation (Heb. 1:4); glory - praise (Php. 2:9-11); blessing - worship (7:12).
‘Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power’ verse 13 gives a fourfold ascription to God
and Christ: blessing - worship (7:10); honour - reputation (1Cor. 10:13); glory - praise
(Heb. 13:15); power - omnipotence (19:6).
‘Be unto him that sit upon the throne’ worthiness to God and the Lamb is the theme of
many passages in Revelation (1:5-6; 4:9-11; 5:8-14; 7:9-17; 11:15-18; 14:1-5; 15:2-4;
19:1-7). ‘And unto the Lamb’ note the thirty direct references to two and three persons in
the Deity in Revelation (1:1, 2, 4-6, 9; 2:7, 17, 26-29; 3:5-6, 12-13, 20-22; 4:2, 5; 5:1, 6-
7, 13; 6:16; 7:10; 10:5-6; 11:15; 12:10, 17; 14:1, 4; 10, 12-13; 20:6; 21:22-23; 22:1, 3).
The Antichrist
Revelation 6:1-2 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it
were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. And I saw, and
behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him:
and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
‘And I saw ...’ the 62 events of Revelation 6:1-20:3 will be fulfilled during Daniel’s 70th
week. ‘The Lamb opened one of the seals’ the Lamb, Christ, takes the book out of the
right hand of God the Father who sits on the throne, and breaks the seven seals one at a
time, revealing the contents of each seal (5:7; 6:1-17; 8:1). Then He gives the opened
book to John to eat, revealing the contents written within (10:1-11).
‘Come and see’ the word “come” in Revelation 6:1, 3, 5, 7 is addressed to the five
horsemen, not to John. The words “and see” in these verses are omitted in many texts, for
John is already present looking at every scene.
‘A white horse: and he that sat on him’ the Antichrist is the white horse rider and is not to
be confused with the white horse rider of Revelation 19:11-21. This one is symbolic; the
other literal. This one represents the Antichrist whose horse runs throughout the 7 years of
tribulation with the other horses; the other one is Christ in person. This one begins a series
of terrible events on earth; the one in Revelation 19:11-21 ends these events.
Furthermore, this white horse rider is not a symbol of a great revival of the Word of God,
as some teach from Habakkuk 3:8-9, which is in the past tense and refers to God leading
Israel out of Egypt. This rider is future and will be the first of 62 post-rapture events of
Daniel’s 70th week.
There are 7 proofs that this rider is the antichrist: an individual is referred to; he comes on
a white horse, imitating Christ and claiming to be Him (Matt. 24:4-5; John 5:43; Dan.
9:27; 11:37). A bow in symbolic language in connection with man pictures evil designs
and conquests (Psa. 7:12; 11:2; 37:14; 46:9; 58:7; Jer. 49:35) whereas Christ is always
symbolized as having a sword, not a bow (1:16; 19:15, 21). Scripture makes it clear that
satan is the one who gives the Antichrist a crown (Dan. 8:24; 11:38-39; 2Thess. 2:8-12;
Rev. 13:2, 4). The Antichrist is the only person predicted in Scripture as going forth
“conquering and to conquer” at this particular time, beginning Daniel’s 70th week (Dan.
7:7-8, 20-21, 23-24; 8:23-25; 9:27; 11:36-45; 6:1). He starts off by conquering Egypt
(Dan. 11:40) and then it takes him the first 3 1/2 years of the 70th week, or the last 7 years
of this age, to get power over the future 10 kingdoms inside the Old Roman Empire
territory [part of what is today known as the European Union]. He first overthrows 3 of
them (Dan. 7:23-24). Then by the middle of the week the 10 kings submit to him without
further war because they will have one mind [same religious beliefs], and shall give their
power and strength unto the beast (17:13). He then reigns over the 10 kingdoms for 3 1/2
years during which time he is pulled away from Jerusalem fighting the Gog and Magog
wars as predicted in Ezekiel 38 – 39 and then fights Christ at Armageddon (13:1-5; 17:8-
17; 19:11-21). This rider will cause the wars, famines, pestilences, death, and hell of the
following 3 seals (6:3-8). If this is not Antichrist, then we do not have him mentioned in
Revelation before the middle of the week (13:1-18). Were that the case, we should have
two men going forth to conquer at the beginning of the week - one clearly pictured in
Daniel 7:23-24; 8:23-25; 9:27; 11:36-45, and one here. Without these passages in Daniel
the sphere of conquest, the number of nations conquered, the identity of the conqueror,
his rise to power, and other facts could not be defined. But putting these passages with
Revelation 6:1-2; 13:1-18; 14:9-11; 16:13-16; 17:1-17; 19:19-20 we have the complete
revelation of the one man. If we do not take the one in Daniel and the one here as being
identical, then we can know nothing regarding the identity of the white horse rider.
Timeline: beginning of 7-year tribulation events on earth
War, Famine, Death and Hell

Revelation 6:3-8 And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say,
Come and see. And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to
him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another:
and there was given unto him a great sword. 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. And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard
the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. And I looked, and behold a pale horse:
and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was
given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and
with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
‘Another horse that was red’ this is a clear symbol of war - red horse; peace is taken from
the earth; killing one another; a great sword. It is the natural result of the white horse rider
of Revelation 6:2 going forth to conquer. This will be the second tri-continent war.
Antichrist comes out of the ten kingdoms that will be formed in the first future tri-continent
war of prophecy (Dan. 7:7-8, 23-24).
‘A black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand’ this is a symbol of
famine which is the result of the conquest and wars of the first two seals (Matt. 24:7). ‘A
measure of wheat’ bread by measure and weight signifies scarcity of food (Ezek. 4:10-17).
‘Penny’ the Greek word denarion which is about 65 cents, the daily wage (Matt. 20:1-16).
‘Measures of barley’ a measure was about 1 quart, a slave’s daily ration, an amount usually
purchased for about 8 cents. One could usually buy 8 measures of wheat or 24 measures
of barley for a penny, but during this future famine, only 1 measure of wheat or 3
measures of barley can be purchased for a penny. This will make food 8 times higher than
in normal times.
‘See thou hurt not the oil and the wine’ the olive and grape need no cultivation; hence
their ruthless destruction is forbidden.
‘A pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him’ here
death and hell are personified. These two riders are named because they are not
recognized as easily as the first three riders of the three seals. Death here no doubt refers
to a great pestilence following the wars and famines of the first three seals (Matt. 24:6-7).
‘The fourth part of the earth’ the tribulation events will not be worldwide, except for the
earthquakes, sun, moon and stars that will have an effect on the whole earth: the first 4
seals apply only to a 4th part of the earth (6:8). The martyrdom of the saints in Revelation
6:9-11 is primarily inside the Roman Empire territory where the great whore of Revelation
17:1-18 dominates the 10 kings. The 144,000 Jews of Revelation 7:1-8 are sealed from
the nation of Israel in Palestine, for the woman (national Israel) brings forth the man-child
(12:1-17). Since the nation is not made up of all the Jews still scattered, then the whole
prophecy centres around Palestine. The great tribulation saints of Revelation 7:9-17 are
martyred only in that part of the earth where the tribulation will be - the old Roman
Empire territory, as proved in Revelation 13:1-18 dealing with the extent of Antichrist’s
reign. The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th trumpets are over only a third part of the earth (8:7-12).
The 6th trumpet causes only a third part of mankind to be killed (9:18). Jerusalem and
Israel are the ones affected in the troubles of Revelation 11:1-13 and 12:1-17. The
Antichrist rule will be only over the 10 kingdoms of the old Roman Empire territory (13:1-
18). The events of Revelation 14:8-20 concern Babylon, beast worshipers, martyrs, and
Armageddon in Palestine. The vial judgments are also limited to the kingdom of Antichrist
(16:2, 10, 12; 18:1-24). Even the second coming is local (Zech. 14:1-5; Rev. 19:11-21).
Christ will be reigning in Jerusalem before many people in the isolated parts of the earth
will know He is on earth (Isa. 2:2-4; 52:7; 66:19-21; Zech. 8:23).
‘To kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death’ this refers to the wars of the first
two seals, the famine of the third seal, and to death and hell of the fourth seal (6:2-8).
‘The beasts of the earth’ where the dead bodies are fallen in the wars, famines, and
plagues of the first four seals, there the beasts will be gathered to eat them (Matt. 24:28;
Luke 17: 37; Rev. 17:17; Ezek. 39:17-21).
Timeline: beginning of 7-year tribulation events on earth (The horses run at the same
time)
The Tribulation Saints

Revelation 6:9-11 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls
of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And
they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge
and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto
every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season,
until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should
be fulfilled.
‘Altar’ this same altar is mentioned in Revelation 8:3-5; 9:13; 14:18; 16:7 and in Isaiah
6:6. The one by which Moses patterned his altar for the tabernacle (Heb. 9:23).
‘Souls of them that were slain’ these people will be saved after the resurrection of the dead
in Christ - those from Abel to the rapture in Revelation 4:1. They will be martyred
between the rapture and the 5th seal in the first 3 1/2 years of Daniel’s 70th week, a
period which takes in all the events of the seals and first 6 trumpets. They will be martyred
by the great whore of Revelation 17:1-7 while she rules the 10 kings of the old Roman
Empire territory and while the Antichrist is coming to power over them (17:8-18).
‘For the word of God, and for the testimony which they held’ they are to be killed for the
same two reasons John was exiled on Patmos (1:9-10): Preaching the Word of God and
testifying of Jesus Christ.
‘Cried with a loud voice’ this proves immortality of the soul and full consciousness
between death and resurrection. Plain statements in Scripture prove the immortality of the
soul (2 Cor. 4:16-18; 5:6-9; Php. 1: 21-23; 1 Thess. 5:10; 1 Pet. 3:4; 4:6).
‘And white robes were given unto every one of them’ the soul and spirit, or the inner man,
has a form and shape exactly like the outer man and fits into the body even to the outer
skin. This is based upon the fact that the soul is that part which feels and the spirit is that
which knows. The inner man can wear clothing, rest, eat, drink, and do other things (Rev.
6:11; Matt. 17:5; Luke 16:19-31; Heb. 12:23).
‘Until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were,
should be fulfilled’ until the rest of the tribulation saints are martyred. Then all will be
resurrected together and judgment sent upon their murderers (7:9-17; 15:2-4; 20:4-6).
Timeline: They die during the first 3½-years of the 7-year tribulation
The Wrath of the Lamb
Revelation 6:12-17 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a
great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as
blood; And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casted her untimely
figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is
rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the
kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the
mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in
the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us
from the face of him that sit on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great
day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
‘Great earthquake’ four earthquakes in Daniel’s seventieth week: Under the 6th seal in the
first 3 1/2 years of the 70th week (6:12); between the 7th seal and the first trumpet in the
first 3 1/2 years (8:5); under the 7th trumpet in the middle of the week (11:19); and under
the 7th vial at the end of the week (11:13; 16:19; Zech. 14:4-8).
Jesus predicted many earthquakes for the last days as a sign of His second coming (Matt.
24:7; Mark 13:8; Luke 21:11). Several are mentioned in Biblical history (Amos 1:1; Zech.
14:5; Matt. 8:24; 27:51; 28:2; Acts 16:25). The greatest earthquake of all will take place
at the end of the Millennium (Hag. 2:6-7, 21-22; Heb. 12:25-29; 2Pet. 3:10-13; Rev.
20:11). This will result in the renovation of the heavens and earth, making the third
perfect earth, and the end of the earth’s second sinful career (Rev. 21-22; Isa. 66:22-24).
‘Sun became black as sackcloth of hair’ five times the sun darkened in 70th week [7-year
tribulation]: During the 6th seal in the early part of the week (6:12); during the 4th trumpet
(8:12); during the 5th trumpet (9:2); during the 5th vial at the end of the week (16:10);
immediately after the future tribulation at the second coming (Matt. 24:29; Isa. 13:10;
Ezek. 32:7-8; Joel 2:31; 3:15; Acts 2:16-21).
‘Moon became as blood’ five times the moon will become affected, corresponding with the
sun darkening above.
‘Stars of heaven fell unto the earth’ five times the stars will become affected,
corresponding with the sun above, but only twice are they spoken of as falling to the earth:
first, during the 6th seal (6:13); second, at the coming of Christ immediately after the
tribulation (Matt. 24:29-31). There will be several years between the two events.
‘Heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together’ our heaven (Gen. 1:7-8) will make
way so that those on earth mentioned here will see the throne of God for they ask to be
hidden from the face of Him that sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb
(6:16).
‘Every mountain and island were moved out of their places’ this earthquake, as well as the
others that will come, will be so severe as the landmasses will be moved and most
infrastructure will be either severely damaged or destroyed. The earth, however, abides
forever (Eccl. 1:4; Psa. 1:4-5).
‘And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains,
and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid in the dens and in the
rocks of the mountains’ in this verse we have seven classes of men who realize that God’s
wrath has begun as they are hiding in man-made fortresses that have been in preparation
for many years already for those coming days.
‘The great day of his wrath is come’ this wrath is not the same as that in Romans 2:5, 14-
15 and Revelation 20:11-15 which refers to the final judgment when all rebels will receive
full retribution for their sins at the Great White Throne Judgment (20:11-15; Acts 17:31).
This wrath mentioned here, happens because of the persecution of Christ’s people on
Earth and begins with the events of the 6th seal in the first 3 1/2 years of the week and
continues with the trumpet and vial judgments to the end of the week (6:17; 11:18; 15:1,
7; 16:1, 19; etc.). Because physical signs accompany the 6th seal and the second coming is
no proof that the two events are the same. Between them all the events of Revelation 7:1-
19:10 take place.
Timeline: Middle of the first 3½-years of the 7-year tribulation
The 144 000

Revelation 7:1-8 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of
the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth,
nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having
the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it
was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the
trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the
number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four
thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve
thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were
sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Aserwere sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of
Nepthalimwere sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasseswere sealed twelve
thousand. Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were
sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe
of Zabulonwere sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve
thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.
Revelation 7 is the first parenthetical passage of the book. The events of this chapter are
not the contents of the seals and are inserted between the sixth and seventh seals to
explain other events that will happen along with the main order of events after the sixth
seal. The revelation of two companies of the redeemed breaks the order of the events of
the seals and reveals the fact that both Jews and Gentiles will be saved during the
Tribulation.
‘And after these things’ after the things that will happen under the first 6 seals. Revelation
7:1-17 is the first parenthetical passage. It is inserted between the sixth and seventh seals
and contains explanatory matter about that which will transpire from the sixth seal through
the rest of the week.
‘Four angels’ these are the first 4 trumpet judgment angels who are commanded not to
blow their trumpets bringing the judgments until the 144,000 Jews are sealed or marked
for protection to go through these judgments (7:1-3). The 144,000 are sealed then, before
the 7 trumpet judgments. ‘Four corners of the earth holding the four winds of the earth’
the literal four corners where the winds originate from, these are the jet streams that
influence our weather.
‘Having the seal of the living God’ this is simply having the name of God stamped or
written in the forehead (14:1) for their protection against the trumpet judgments. ‘Hurt not
the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees’ these plagues will commence on earth with the
blowing of the first 3 trumpets (8:7-11).
‘Servants of our God’ the 144,000 Jews are not servants when the rapture take place in
Revelation 4:1, for all in Christ at that time will be translated to heaven at the rapture
(1Thess. 4:16; 1Cor. 15:23). They will be saved after the rapture in the revival predicted
in Acts 2:16-21. They are to be saved and become servants of God by the time they are
sealed. This is why they have God’s name written on them (7:3; 14:1).
The mark is literal as it is plainly stated in Revelation 7:3 and 14:1. It is visible, for
direction is given to the first 4 trumpet judgment angels not to execute their judgments until
they are sealed in the foreheads (7:3; 8:7-12). Special direction is given to the 5th and 6th
judgment angels not to hurt the 144,000 (9:4). The mark of the beast is literal (13:16-18;
14:9; 20:4), so this must be as well (14:1). It is the name of God in the forehead (7:3;
14:1). Literal names will be branded on the overcomers (3:12; 22:4), and this indicates
that the name of God on the 144,000 will also be literal (14:1).
‘An hundred and forty and four thousand’ just as God reserved 7,000 men to Himself in
Elijah’s day, so He is going to reserve 144,000 Jews to Himself in the first 3 1/2 years of
Daniel’s 70th week (7:1-8). ‘All the tribes of the children of Israel’ the 144,000 are from
12 of the 13 tribes of Israel, not Gentiles. They are not a part of the congregations from
Revelation 2 -3 for they will be raptured before this time (4:1). Nor could they be Jews
before the rapture or in any other period outside of the first half of the last 7 years of this
age.
The names of Dan and Ephraim are not mentioned here; Levi and Joseph take their
places. The reason for none of Dan being sealed here is that none are servants of God at
that time. Dan will be restored with the other tribes in the Millennium (Ezek. 48:30-35;
Rev. 21:12).
‘Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand’ the fact that 12,000 out of 12 of
the 13 tribes of Israel are mentioned as being saved and as being servants of God during
these first 3 1/2 years of Daniel’s 70th week proves they are all Jews and not Gentiles.
The time of the fulfilment is equally proof that they are all alive at the same time, being
saved in a short while after the rapture of the church in Revelation 4:1 (7:1-8; 14:1-5).
They are protected through the trumpet judgments (7:2-3; 9:4) and will be translated as
the man-child of Revelation 12:5, after which they are seen in heaven - in Revelation 14:1-
5, which shows that the 144,000 have been translated and reveals what they are doing in
heaven.
Timeline: 144 000 are saved in the period after the Rapture and the sixth seal and marked
here in the middle of the first 3½-years of the 7-year tribulation.
Tribulation Saints
Revelation 7:9-17 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could
number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne,
and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with
a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts,
and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing,
and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our
God for ever and ever. Amen. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are
these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir,
thou know. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and
have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are
they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sits
on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more;
neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the
throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall
wipe away all tears from their eyes.
‘After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude’ Revelation 7:9-17 portray the last company
of redeemed in the book. They are all the martyrs of the 7-year tribulation period while
the 144,000 are all living people translated without dying (12:5). These are martyred after
the rapture of the congregations in Revelation 4:1. They include the saints under the altar
in Revelation 6:9-11 and the rest of their brethren that should be killed during the
tribulation (14:13; 15:2-4; 20:4-6).
‘No man could number’ not that they could not be numbered, but that no man seeing them
together in a multitude could tell the exact number. ‘All nations, and kindreds, and people,
and tongues’ they are Gentiles or mostly so.
‘Before the throne, and before the Lamb’ they are to be translated or they could not be
before the throne of God in heaven. They cannot be resurrected and translated until they
are all killed, implying their rapture to heaven toward the end of the 70th week of Daniel
in time to be at the marriage of the Lamb (19:1-10). That they complete the first
resurrection is clear in Revelation 20:4-6.
‘Clothed with white robes’ this represents righteousness as clearly stated in Revelation
19:8 (6:9-11). ‘Palms’ the Greek word phoinix which is a symbol of victory and is used
only here and in John 12:13.
‘Salvation to our God’ God alone is the author of salvation and the Lamb is the one who
purchased it (5:8-10; Col. 1:20-22; 2:14-17; 1Cor. 6:19-20; 1Pet. 1:18-23).
‘Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be
unto our God’ a seven-fold ascription to God: Blessing - worship (5:12); glory - praise
(5:12); wisdom - omniscience (5:12); thanksgiving (Heb. 13:15-16); honour - reputation
(5:12); power -omnipotence (19:6); might - strength (5:12).
‘These are they which came out of great tribulation’ they come out of the great tribulation;
hence we call them the tribulation saints. ‘Great tribulation’ literally in Greek “the
tribulation, the great,” referring to the last 3 1/2 years of Daniel’s 70th week (Matt. 24:15-
22; Dan. 12:1; Jer. 30:6-9). All the events of Revelation 11:15 - 19:21 take place during
this time.
‘And have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb’ the door of
mercy will never be closed to Jews or Gentiles, for whosoever, call on the name of the
Lord shall be saved (Acts 2:16-21; Rom. 1:16; 10:9-17; 1Cor. 6:11; 1Jn. 1:7; Rev. 1:5;
12:17; 22:17).
‘Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple’
ten blessings of the redeemed are mentioned here: to stand before God’s throne; serve
God day and night; to have God in their midst; to hunger no more; to thirst no more; to
have no oppressive sunlight anymore; to have no uncomfortable heat anymore; to be fed
by the Lamb forever; to have plenty of refreshing water; to have no more sorrow (21:3-7).
‘Living fountains of waters’ everlasting fountains of life.
Timeline: This vision is seen in heaven in the middle of the first 3½-years and contains all
the tribulation saints of the 7-year tribulation. All of them die as martyrs.
Silence in Heaven
Revelation 8:1- 5 And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven
about the space of half an hour. And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and
to them were given seven trumpets. And another angel came and stood at the altar, having
a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with
the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke
of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of
the angel's hand. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast
it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an
earthquake.
‘Seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour’ this is as literal
as stated - silence in heaven about half an hour. The reason for the silence is not stated.
‘And I saw the seven angels which stood before God ...’ Revelation 8:2-6 are the 2nd
parenthetical passage and explain events in heaven between the 7th seal and the first
trumpet. They are preparatory to the blowing of the 7 trumpets which complete the first 3
1/2 years of Daniel’s 70th week.
‘And to them were given seven trumpets’ by whom the trumpets were given is not stated,
but perhaps it was one of the elders as was the case of the vials in Revelation 15:7. The 7
trumpets are to be blown successively between the seals and vials. The first will be blown
after the 7th seal and the last in the middle of the week (11:15).
‘And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer’ this angel may be
Christ in His high-priestly work (Heb. 4:14-16; 6:20-7:28; 13:15). The censer is always
mentioned in connection with the high priest (Lev. 16:12; Heb. 9:4).
Timeline: happens in heaven in the middle of the first 3½-years
The First Four Trumpets
Revelation 8:6-13 And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared
themselves to sound. The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled
with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up,
and all green grass was burnt up. And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great
mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became
blood; And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and
the third part of the ships were destroyed. And the third angel sounded, and there fell a
great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the
rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; And the name of the star is called Wormwood:
and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters,
because they were made bitter. And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the
sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the
third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night
likewise. And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with
a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices
of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!
‘Prepared themselves to sound’ after the ministry of the angel at the golden altar (8:3-5),
the 7 trumpet angels prepare themselves to sound. They take their turn at blowing their
trumpets, proving successive events, as with the 7 seals and 7 vials. There is no ground for
believing that they are contained in the 7th seal and that the 7 vials are contained in the
7th trumpet. On the contrary, the 7 seals are finished before John sees the 7 trumpets and
they, in turn, are all completed before he sees the 7 vials. The same will be true in their
fulfilment. These facts also exclude the theory that some of the events continue in
fulfilment while others are being fulfilled.
As to the literalness of the events of the 7 trumpets, they are to be just as literal as the
revelation gives them. Don’t make things symbolic which are plainly literal. The plagues in
Egypt were literal, just as these will be. ‘Followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and
they were cast upon the earth’ just like it happened in Egypt (Ex. 9:22-26).
‘A great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea
became blood’ probably a falling star that will fall into the sea and turn a third of it to
blood, killing a third of the fish and destroying a third of the ships (8:8-9).
‘A great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the
rivers, and upon the fountains of waters’ a falling star that poison the drinking waters of
mankind so that many people will die (8:10-11).
‘Sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the
third part of them was darkened’ literal darkness will affect the sunlight and moonlight on
earth. The first 4 trumpet judgments of Revelation 8:7-10 have to do with literal plagues
affecting vegetation, seas, rivers, and stars, as indicated by the angel in his message to the
first 4 trumpet judgment angels in Revelation 7:1-3. The next 3 trumpets will deal with the
moral creation, not the material one, as in the first 4 trumpets.
‘Flying through the midst of heaven’ angels can fly through the heavens even though they
do not have wings (8:13; 14:6-20). ‘Woe, woe, woe’ this is the 3rd parenthetical passage.
It announces 3 woes upon man at the last 3 trumpets: the demonic plague out of the abyss
to torment people for 5 months (9:1-12); the demonic plague out of the abyss to slay a
third of mankind on earth (9:13-21) and casting out of satan to the earth to destroy people
for 3 1/2 years (11:14 - 13:18).
Timeline: the trumpets will be sounded - in succession - in heaven as the literal plaques
will take place on earth during the second part of the first 3½-years.
The First Woe

Revelation 9:1-12 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. 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 strikes 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. One woe is past; and, behold, there
come two woes more hereafter.
‘Star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit’
this is an intelligent person, not an actual shooting star. Personal pronouns and personal
acts are ascribed to him (9:1-2). Only an intelligent being could be given a key to a material
place and a command to obey, as here. Even satan’s angels are referred to as stars (12:3-
9). There is no indication that this is a fallen angel. He will descend from heaven to open
the abyss, liberating the creatures that will fulfil this vision in Revelation 9:1-21. He must
be a holy and trusted angel to have the key to the pit. If a fallen one, he could liberate all
the fallen creatures that are now there. He is not the angel of the bottomless pit (9:11), for
no king of fallen creatures could be trusted with such a key.
‘A smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace’ this indicates that the abyss is a
place of fire, though not the same place as Sheol/Hades, Tartarus, Gehenna, or the Lake
of Fire.
‘Locusts’ these are not ordinary locusts: They will eat no grass, vegetables, or trees, as
ordinary locusts do (9:4). Compare the 8th Egyptian plague of ordinary locusts that
destroyed every green thing (Ex. 10:3-20). They have a king (9:11). Ordinary locusts do
not (Pro. 30:27). They are not stifled by the smoke, or burned by the fire of the abyss, as
ordinary locusts would be (9:2-11). These creatures are now confined to the infernal
regions being there because of their sins (9:1-11; Luke 8:28-31). No creature is confined
to prison unless he has sinned. Ordinary locusts are not in the abyss. They are spirit beings
and therefore indestructible by mortal man. Otherwise, people would not fear them, as
they do here (9:5-6, 11). People can destroy ordinary locusts regardless of their number.
They are intelligent beings, capable of commands and following leadership (9:4-6, 11).
They have power to torment people like scorpions (9:3-10). Ordinary locusts do not have
this power.
Their description proves them to be intelligent spirit beings, not ordinary locusts of the
earth. They have bodies like horses; heads like human beings; crowns of gold; hair like
women; teeth like lions; breastplates of iron; wings, tails and scorpion stings. These are
literal beings, for every statement about them proves them to be real and capable of
physical contact with man. They are objects of sight because people see them and flee.
They make a thunderous noise as they fly. They could not possibly be symbolic, for all
symbols in Scripture are explained and made clear as to their meaning.
‘Their foreheads’ this is the 144,000 Jews (7:1-8; 14:1-5). Special direction is given here
to the 5th and 6th trumpet judgment angels not to hurt them, the first judgment angels
having been commanded not to blow their trumpets until they were sealed (7:1-3). Thus,
they are being protected from all these plagues. This proves they are all alive at the time of
these judgments or all of them could not be protected.
‘King over them’ A king rules and commands the locusts: not to hurt the grass; not to hurt
any green thing; not to hurt the trees; not to hurt the 144,000 Jews; to hurt all other
people but not to kill them, to torment people for 5 months.
‘Angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the
Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon’ this angel is a fallen one who is now bound in the
abyss with these fallen creatures. The Greek reads, “angel out of the abyss.” His name
means destruction or destroyer. When these creatures were created and what their
original responsibility and sin were is not known. One thing is certain: all creatures were
created sinless, but capable of moral failure.
Timeline: happens on earth after the 4th trumpet at the end of the first 3½-years.
The Second Woe

Revelation 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 of 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.
‘Voice from the four horns’ this is an unidentified voice just like many others in Revelation
(5:2; 6:6; 7:2; 8:13; 10:4, 8; 11:12; 12:10; 14:7, 8, 9, 13, 15; 16:1, 17; 18:2, 4, 17;
19:5; 21:3). Other voices are identified, as that of Christ (1:10-15; 3:20; 4:1; 5:11, 12;
6:7, 10; 7:10; 10:3; 11:3; 14:2-5; 19:1-6). ‘Golden altar which is before God’ the one
from which Moses made his golden alter for the tabernacle (Heb. 8:5; 9:23; Ex. 30:1-18;
37:25-28).
‘Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates’ the 4 angels bound in
the Euphrates are fallen ones. Good angels are never bound. They are the leaders of 200
million horsemen who are now bound in the abyss and who will be loosed under the 6th
trumpet to cause the 2nd woe announced by the angel in Revelation 8:13 (cp. 9:12;
11:14; 12:12). Each of these angels will command 50 million infernal cavalries. They will
go in the 4 directions to slay the third part of mankind.
‘Prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of
men’ this refers to a fixed point of time, not a period or length of time. The fallen cavalry
will slay one-third of mankind at a definite hour, just as the firstborn in Egypt were killed at
midnight. If the Roman Empire territory alone is to be affected by this woe, approximately
98 million people will be killed. The fact that the horsemen start from the vicinity of the
Euphrates indicates they may be limited to the countries surrounding that river.
‘Number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand’ there are
200 million fallen horsemen.
‘I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire’ there
are twelve proofs they are literal creatures: They have angelic leaders, proving them to be
real as angels; their exact number and description prove them to be many individuals; they
kill one-third of mankind, proving physical contact with them. They are intelligent
creatures or they could not follow commands and leadership; they have riders on them,
proving that they are real creatures. They cannot be killed by fire and the smoke of the
abyss, proving they are spirit beings. They are now bound in the abyss, proving them to be
fallen and sinful; if not sinful they would not be bound. They are indestructible by human
beings. They have breastplates of fire, jacinth, and brimstone, proving that they have
bodies capable of wearing breastplates. They have bodies like horses and heads like lions.
Real fire, and smoke, and brimstone issue from their mouths, proving they have real
mouths. They have tails like serpent heads that are capable of hurting people.
‘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’ three ways are mentioned by which they kill a
third of mankind: The fire out of their mouths; the smoke out of their mouths and the
brimstone (sulphur) out of their mouths.
‘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’ the people not killed by these
plagues only harden themselves against God and continue in demon and idol worship
(9:20-21).
Timeline: happens on earth after the 2nd Woe at the end of the first 3½-years.
The Mighty Angel

Revelation 10:1-4 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
roared: 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.
Revelation 10:1-11:14 is the 4th parenthetical passage in the book. It explains certain
events which are not the contents of the seals, trumpets, or vials, but which happen along
with the main events of this period. It breaks the main vision of the trumpets and is inserted
between the 6th and 7th trumpets, as the first parenthetical passage is inserted between
the 6th and 7th seals (7:1-17). It is made up of 4 parts: 10:1-11, the reception of the
revelation of the things written within the 7 sealed book (5:5-7; 6:1-8:1); 11:1-2, the
vision of the capture of Jerusalem by Antichrist (Dan. 11:40-45; 2Thess. 2:3-4); 11:3-12,
the ministry of the two witnesses who will oppose Antichrist the last 3 1/2 years of
Daniel’s 70th week; 11:13-14, the great earthquake which takes place at the ascension of
the two witnesses - the same as the great earthquake under the 7th vial at the end of
Daniel’s 70th week at the Second Coming of Christ (16:17-21).
All the parenthetical passages are inserted in their proper place of fulfilment unless it is
clear otherwise that they are not to be fulfilled in the place where they are revealed. All
facts of fulfilment are always clear in the passages themselves so that no confusion need
arise.
‘Another mighty angel’ all angels are mighty in power, but some are more powerful than
others in authority if not in physical strength (18:1; 2Thess. 1:7; Jude 1:9). This angel is
Christ: The description of Him in Revelation 10:1 proves He is Christ (cp. 1:12-16; Dan.
10:5-6). The book open in His hand proves it. In Revelation 5:5-7 Christ takes the sealed
book out of the right hand of God. In 6:1-8:1 He breaks the seals that bind it. Here the
same little book is open so that the contents of the things written within might be revealed
(10:2, 8-11). Christ is the one giving John the Revelation (1:1; 10:4, 8-11). His voice as a
lion roaring (10:3) identifies Him with the lion of Judah (5:5; cp. Isa. 31:4-5; Jer. 25:29-
36; Hos. 11:10-11; Joel 3:16; Amos 3:8). In these passages, the Lord is spoken of as a
lion roaring in the day of the Lord. The swearing of the angel (10:6) proves Him to be a
divine person, for not one time in Scripture does an ordinary angel make an oath to God or
man. In 50 scriptures it is stated that God swore or made oaths. In 31 other passages man
swears to God and man (cp. Dan. 12:7). Christ directs John concerning what to write and
not to write (cp. 1:11, 19; 2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 12, 14; 10:4; 14:13-14; 19:9; 21:5). In
Revelation 11:3 we have definite proof that the angel is Christ, for He says, I will give
power unto My two witnesses. This proves Him to be a divine person.
‘Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered’ what the 7 thunders uttered is a
mystery for it is not revealed (cp. Deut. 29:29).
Timeline: happens in heaven and on earth after the 2 nd Woe in the middle of the 7-year
tribulation
The Little Book

Revelation 10:5-11 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth
lifted up his hand to heaven, And swore by him that lives 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 spoke unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is
open in the hand of the angel which stand 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.
‘Time no longer’ the idea is that delay in the time of fulfilment of the mystery of God will
be no longer. It could not mean that time as we know it will come to an end, for time
made up of seconds, hours, days, weeks, months, and years will go on forever (Gen. 1:14,
18; 8:22; Psa. 72:5, 17; 89:36-37; Jer. 31:35-36). Time is eternal and we are in eternal
time now. In this sense, we are now in eternity, for we shall continue to exist forever
either in heaven, earth, or hell. That time does not end here is clear from the next verse,
which speaks of days continuing after this (10:7). The rest of the revelation mentions many
days, years, and times after this delay (11:1-3; 12:6, 14; 13:5; 20:4-7; etc.).
‘The mystery of God should be finished’ this refers to the casting out of satan: It is to be
finished during the days of the 7th trumpet. It has long been delayed, but it will be no
longer delayed. The casting out of satan has been predicted since Adam’s day (10:7; 12:7-
12; Gen. 3:15; Isa. 24:21; 25:7; 27:1). It is one of the 3 woes announced by the angel in
Revelation 8:13 (12:12). The casting out of satan is the only event of the 7th trumpet that
is necessary before the kingdoms of this world can become those of God and Christ, as
announced in Revelation 11:15. It is the only event that fulfils the details above.
The “Little Book” of Revelation 5:1-14 and 10:1-11: The language in 5:1-14 and 10:1-11
proves it to be the same book. The announcement that Christ has prevailed to open the
book (5:5), proves that it was to be opened and its contents revealed. The seals that
bound the little book were broken by Christ in 6:1-8:1. The book is now open so that the
things written within can be revealed (10:8-11). If the little book of 10:1-11 is not the
same as the one in 5:1-14, then the revelation is not complete, for the things written within
have never otherwise been revealed. If the little book of 5:1-14 was so all-important that
no one but Christ could open it or look upon it, surely He would not have revealed the
contents of the seals only, leaving the things written within unrevealed. Revelation 10:11 is
the key to the contents of the book and proves it to be a revelation concerning judgments
upon many nations, thus confirming the fact that the things written within are the same in
nature as the seals binding the book. Hence, the book in 5:1-14 and 10:1-11 must be the
same. The effect of eating the book is sufficient proof that the things written in it pertain to
terrible events (10:9-10), similar to those of the 7 seals binding the book in 5:1-14. The
effect upon John was the same as that upon Ezekiel and Jeremiah further proving it was
one of the judgments (Ezek. 2:3-3:14; Jer. 15:16; 20:7-9). The book is not one of
redemption or of title deeds to the earth, for no such books are revealed in Scripture. This
would contradict the purpose of Revelation which reveals judgments in all of 6:1 - 17:19.
‘Angel which stand upon the sea and upon the earth’ this coming of Christ to stand upon
the earth and sea does not prove His formal possession of the earth at this time. This will
not take place until 3 1/2 years later (19:11-21; Dan. 7:13-14; Zech. 14:1-21).
‘And it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter’
this is a Hebraism for receiving knowledge. Truth is always sweet when it is received by
revelation from God, but it becomes bitter when the contents are noted to be woes upon
the people of the prophet. Such is the case in connection with Israel under the 7th trumpet
and through the last 3 1/2 years of Daniel’s 70th week when the great tribulation or
Jacob’s trouble begins (12:1-17; Matt. 24:15-21; Jer. 30:4-7).
‘Before’ the Greek word epi meaning against, of, or concerning. The verse literally reads.
“Thou must prophecy again (yet, further) as to (concerning) many peoples, nations,
tongues, and kings.” This is what John did in the rest of the Revelation, beginning with the
7th trumpet to the second coming (11:15 - 19:21).
Timeline: happens in heaven in the middle of the 7-year tribulation
The Temple Measured

Revelation 11:1-2 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.
‘Reed like unto a rod’ a measuring reed was about 3, 8-metre-long (cp. 21:15-16). It was
like a rod or sceptre as in Revelation 2:27; 12:5; 19:15. ‘Rise, and measure the temple of
God, and the altar, and them that worship therein’ this is measuring for chastening, not
building, as in 2 Samuel 7:14; Psalm 2:9; 89:32; Isaiah 11:4; Ezekiel 20:37.
Five temples are mentioned in history and prophecy: Solomon’s temple (1 Kings 5-8);
Zerubbabel’s temple (Hag. 1-2; Ezra 3:4-13; 6:1-22); Herod’s temple (John 2:19-20;
Matt. 24:1-51); the future Jewish temple in the days of Antichrist (Dan. 9:27; 11:45;
12:7; Matt. 24:15; 2Thess. 2:3-4; Rev. 11:1-2); the millennial temple (Ezek. 40-48; Zech.
6:12-13).
‘And measure it not’ the court here refers to the court of the Gentiles. It is not to be
measured and given over to them, for it is already their part. The rest of the temple and
Jerusalem, will be taken over by Antichrist for 42 months (11:2; 13:1-18; 2Thess. 2:2-4;
Dan. 11:40-45; 12:7; Matt. 24:15).
‘For it is given unto the Gentiles’ Five things proved by this prophecy: The times of the
Gentiles have not ended yet and cannot end until the end of the 42 months of Revelation
11:2-3; 12:6, 14; 13:5 (19:11-21; Luke 21:24; Zech. 14:1-21; Rom. 11:25-29). The
Jews must become victorious over the Arabs again in order to get control of Jerusalem so
that it can be given back into the hands of the Gentiles for the 42 months (11:1-2). The
Jews will have to be defeated by the Antichrist before he can take over the city for the 42
months (11:1-2; Dan. 11:40-45; 2Thess. 2:2-4). The Jews will become victorious over
the Antichrist and the Gentiles at the end of the 42 months and will then have control of
Jerusalem forever (11:1-2; Zech. 14:1-21; 19:11-21).
Timeline: the temple is measured on earth in the middle of the 7-year tribulation
The Two Witnesses

Revelation 11:3-6 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 proceed out of their mouth, and devour 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 all plagues, as often as they will.
‘Two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days,
clothed in sackcloth’ there are eighteen facts identifying the two witnesses: They are two
men, not covenants, dispensations, etc. (11:3, 7-12); they are Christ’s witnesses (11:3).
They will be given power in the future when they come to earth (11:3). This does not
require them to be men who have already exercised this power. They will be prophets
(11:3, 10). They will prophesy the last 42 months, 1260 days, 3 1/2 years of this age
(11:2-3; 12:6, 14; 13:5; Dan. 7:25; 12:7). They will be clothed in sackcloth (11:3). They
are symbolized by two olive trees and two candlesticks which stand before God (11:4;
Zech. 4:11-14). They were already in heaven when Zechariah prophesied, about 500
years before Christ (Zech. 4:11-14). John saw them in heaven about 96 A.D., so they are
two men translated to reside in heaven at least 500 years before Christ (11:4; Zech. 4:11-
14; Mal. 4:5-6). This will exclude John the Baptist, John the Apostle, and every other
man living after 500 B.C. They will be invincible for the 3 1/2 years of their ministry
(11:5-7). They will have power to destroy their enemies the same way their enemies seek
to destroy them (11:5). They will be able to cause fire to come out of their mouths to
devour their enemies (11:5). They will have power to stop rain all the days of their
prophecy (11:6). They will have power to turn the water into blood and smite the earth
with plagues as often as they will (11:6). When the 1260-day ministry is finished the
supernatural angelic spirit out of the abyss will use the human Antichrist to kill them (11:7).
Since it is appointed unto man once to die (Heb. 9:27), it is certain that they are two men
who have never died so that they can die at the hands of the Antichrist in the future. This
excludes Moses or any other man who has already died as one of the witnesses. They will
remain dead for 3 1/2 days and then be resurrected (11:8-11). This further proves that
they are two men who have never died and that they will not be resurrected, immortal
men when they come from heaven to begin their ministry. There would seem to be only
two men in the Bible who could fulfil these facts about the two witnesses. They are
Enoch and Elijah. That Elijah will be one of them is clearly predicted in Malachi 4:5-6.
John the Baptist was never Elijah, fulfilling this prophecy. He said that he was not Elijah
(John 1:21). He only came in the same spirit and power of Elijah to prepare the hearts of
people for the Messiah’s first coming in the way that Elijah will prepare their hearts for the
second coming of the Messiah (Luke 1:17). Enoch is the only other man transported so
that he would not experience death in his lifetime on earth (Gen. 5:21-24; Heb. 11:5;
2Kin. 2:1-25). Both were prophets of judgment (Jude 1:14-15; 1 Kin. 17-18). Both must
come back and die their own appointed death on earth, as all men must who live before
the rapture (Heb. 9:27; 1Cor. 15:51-58). If either Enoch or Elijah had been transported in
immortal, glorified bodies, they would have been the first fruits of the resurrection instead
of Christ (1Cor. 15:20-23). This proves they are in heaven in their natural bodies. They
will continue there until their return to fulfil Revelation 11:1-19. The lives of Enoch and
Elijah are parallel in every sense, so their cases rise or fall together as to be the two
witnesses.
Timeline: happens on earth in the middle of the 7-year tribulation, their ministry will be for
3½ years until they are killed.
Enoch and Elijah

Revelation 11:7-14 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that
ascend 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 was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell,
and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted,
and gave glory to the God of heaven. The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe
come quickly.
‘When they shall have finished their testimony’ after Enoch and Elijah’s 1260-day ministry
is finished they will be killed since it is appointed unto man to die once (Heb. 9:27).
‘The beast that ascend out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall
overcome them, and kill them’ the beast out of the Abyss represents a mighty supernatural
satanic prince and not a human spirit. This beast ruled one of the first kingdoms, which
had fallen before John's day and which is represented by the first five heads on the beast;
that when his kingdom fell, he was cast into the Abyss and confined there during the sixth
kingdom (the Roman Empire), which was the one that existed in John's day (17:10-11);
that he will still be confined in the Abyss until the formation of the ten kingdoms (17:12),
or the seventh kingdom; that he will be loosed out of the Abyss during the existence of the
seventh, causing the rise of Antichrist out of the ten kingdoms, and revive the kingdom of
Greece he ruled before the sixth and seventh kingdoms; and that this kingdom will become
the eighth and last kingdom headed by Antichrist, who will fight with Christ at
Armageddon (19:19).
‘Their dead bodies shall lie in the street....and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put
in graves’ they will not receive a burial because of a lack of respect and care of those who
were tormented by their wonders.
‘Spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified’ Jerusalem is so-
called because of becoming the headquarters of sodomites (homosexuals, Isa. 1:9-10;
Ezek. 16:46, 53) and whoredoms (sex and religious perversions, Ezek. 23:3, 8, 19, 27)
during the last 3 1/2 years the Gentiles control the city (11:1-2). This indicates that sexual
and religious perversions will be predominant sins ending this age (Matt. 24:37-39; Luke
17:26-30).
‘Entered into them, and they stood upon their feet’ the spirit of life in one makes the body
live, but when the spirit leaves the body it dies (Jas. 2:26). ‘Come up hither’ the same
words spoken to John (4:1). The translation of the two witnesses completes the first
resurrection - the resurrection of all the righteous dead before the Millennium. It is the 5th
translation or rapture in Scripture.
‘Same hour’ the same hour the two witnesses are translated at the end of Daniel’s 70th
week (cp. 16:17-21). ‘Great earthquake’ this is the same great earthquake of the 7th vial
(16:17-21). ‘Seven thousand’ the same number reserved to God in Elijah’s former days on
earth are killed the hour Elijah and Enoch are translated.
‘The second woe is past: and, behold, the third woe come quickly’ this refers to the woe
of Revelation 9:12-21 and is mentioned here to introduce the 3rd and last great woe upon
man, announced by the angel in 8:13. The 3rd woe is not the earthquake of 11:13, but
the casting out of satan under the 7th trumpet (12:12).
Timeline: happens on earth in the middle of the 7-year tribulation, their ministry will be for
3½ years until they are killed.
The Seventh Trumpet
Revelation 11:15-19 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 are, and was, and are to come; because thou
has taken to thee thy great power, and has 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 should
give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name,
small and great; and should 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.
‘Seventh angel sounded’ the 7th trumpet covers a period of time (10:7) and includes all the
12 great events of Revelation 11:15 - 13:18: The announcement (11:15); the 6 statements
of the elders (11:16-18); and the opening of the heavenly temple (11:19); the travail of
sun-clothed woman (12:1-2); the dragon’s attack on man-child [144 000] (12:3-4); rapture
of the man-child (12:5); the flight of the woman [Israel] (12:6, 14); war in heaven - satan
cast out (12:7-12); the dragon’s attack on the woman (12:13-16); the dragon’s attack on
the remnant (12:17); rise of the beast [Antichrist] out of the sea (13:1-10); rise of the
beast [False Prophet] out of the earth (13:11-18).
The seventh trumpet is not the same as “the last trump” which sounds at the time of the
Rapture. This trumpet blows in the middle of the Week at least 3 ½ years after the
Rapture. The 7th trumpet blows in the middle of Daniel’s 70th week, for there is a period
of 42 months (11:2; 13:5), 1260 days (11:3; 12:6), or 3 1/2 years from this trumpet to the
second coming (12:14; Dan. 7:25; 9:27; 12:7). If the 7th trumpet sounds at this point,
then the first 6 trumpets blow before this and the 7 seals are fulfilled before the trumpet.
Therefore, the 7 seals and first 6 trumpets will be fulfilled in the first 3 1/2 years of
Daniel’s 70th week (6:1 - 9:21).
‘The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and
he shall reign for ever and ever’ this announcement is made here, but the actual fulfilment
will not come until 3 1/2 years later (19:11-21). The casting out of satan from heaven
under the 7th trumpet makes it possible for God to take over the governments of this world
at the time He has planned to do so - at the second coming (Rev. 19:11-21).
‘Lord, and of his Christ’ another clear reference to two distinct persons in the Godhead.
‘And he shall reign for ever and ever’ Christ will reign forever over the kingdoms of this
world after He comes (11:15; 22:4-5; Isa. 9:6-7; Dan. 2:44-45; 7:13-14, 18, 27; Luke
1:32-33; 2Sam. 7:1-29).
‘We give thee thanks O Lord God Almighty, which are, and was, and are to come ...’ six
statements of the elders are noted (11:17-18): Thanks to God for using His power; the
nations are angry; the time of God’s wrath is come (6:17); the time to judge the dead (the
saints, 1Cor. 3:11-15). The time to give rewards to saints (Matt. 16:27; 1Cor. 3:11-15),
and the time to destroy the earth’s destroyers (Matt. 25:31-46; 2Thess. 1:7-10).
‘The ark of his testament’ the ark after which Moses patterned his ark of the covenant
(Heb. 8:5; 9:23).
Timeline: in the middle of the 7-year tribulation
The Sun-clothed Woman

Revelation 12:1-2, 6 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed
with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars :
And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.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.
‘Wonder’ the Greek word semeion for sign. ‘In heaven’ the symbol is seen in heaven, but
the thing symbolized is on earth (12:6, 13, 15-16).
‘A woman clothed with the sun’ the sun-clothed woman is explained in Scripture as
follows: Israel is often spoken of as a woman married to God under the terms of the old
covenant (Isa. 54:1-6; Jer. 3:1-14; Hos. 2:14-23). The congregations of believers are
more often referred to in masculine language, as the body of Christ. Furthermore, are we
[saints] already raptured at this point (4:1). Therefore, the body of Christ could not be the
sun-clothed woman of Revelation 12:1-17. The false church is spoken of as a woman, a
great whore or mother of harlots (17:1-18), but this could not be the sun-clothed woman.
The Bible mentions only 3 classes of people today: the body of Christ [New Testament
believers or congregations of believers], the Jews, and the Gentiles (1Cor. 10:32). At the
middle of Daniel’s 70th week when the woman travails and brings forth the man-child, the
congregations of believers have been gone from the earth for at least 3 1/2 years. This
leaves only 2 classes after the rapture: Jews and Gentiles. The woman could not
symbolize the Gentiles, because they are the ones persecuting her. Therefore, the woman
must symbolize national Israel. By the term “Israel” we mean what is now known as
national Israel, or Israel as a nation. Israel is the one primarily dealt with in Revelation 4-
19. The sun, moon, and 12 stars symbolize Israel, as proved in Genesis 37:9-11. The
Jews are the only people in Scripture spoken of as going through travail in the last days
(12:2-5; Matt. 24:8; Mark 13:8; Isa. 66:7-8; Jer. 30:6-9; Mic. 5:3; Zech. 12:10-13:1).
Israel is identified as the woman by the wars against her and her seed. The same
predictions of this woman are found in connection with Israel in the Old Testament so
they must be the same (Dan. 7:21; 8:9-14, 24-25; 9:27; 11:40-45; 12:1, 7; Joel 3:1-21;
Zech. 12:1-9; 13:8-9; 14:1-21). The whole 70th week of Daniel 9:27 concerns Israel and
Jerusalem as did the first 69 weeks (Dan. 9:24-27). The congregations are not once
mentioned in connection with these last day events.
The persecution, flight, and protection of the woman in the wilderness prove her to be
Israel (12:6, 13-16). (1) Isaiah (16:1-5) predicts the flight of Israel into Moab and Edom,
and mentions Sela (Bozrah = Petra), the ancient capital of Edom as their headquarters
during the tribulation. (2) Isaiah (26:20-21) also predicts the protection of Israel until the
indignation (tribulation) be passed. (3) Again, Isaiah (63:1-5) pictures Christ in His second
coming as descending from the direction of Edom where the Israelites are to be protected
(cp. Matt. 24:27). (4) Lastly, Isaiah (42:11-13) speaks of the Lord coming to earth to
prevail over His enemies and predicts that the Jews in the wilderness and the rock
(Bozrah = Petra) will sing of Him. (5) Psalms (60:6-12; 108:8-13) predict that God will
reserve Edom from the Antichrist and refer to the leading of Israel into the strong city. (6)
Ezekiel (20:33-44) speaks of Israel being gathered back from the nations in the last days
and of her going into the wilderness where God will plead with her as He did when she
came out of Egypt. The two witnesses of Revelation 11:1-19 will be the "Moses and
Aaron" of those days [Enoch and Elijah]. (7) Daniel (11:36) reveals the conquest of many
countries, including Palestine, but predicts that Edom, Moab, and Ammon will escape him
(the Antichrist). This place [Petra] is reserved by God for Israel to be protected in the
wilderness 3 1/2 years (Rev. 12:6, 14). (8) Hosea (2:14-23) speaks of the wilderness
where Israel will flee from the Antichrist. (9) Matthew (24:15-22) predicts the Antichrist
breaking his 7-year covenant with Israel (Dan. 9:27), the setting up of the abomination of
desolation in the temple at Jerusalem, and the flight of Israel from Judea into the
mountains or wilderness during the great tribulation. (10) Revelation (12:6, 13-16) makes
the final prediction of Israel going into the wilderness to be protected 3 1/2 years from the
Antichrist.
‘Travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered’ just like a woman knows she must travail if
she is with child but knows not the day or the hour, so it is with the sudden destruction.
Timeline: middle of the 7-year tribulation
The Great Red Dragon

Revelation 12:3-4, 7-9 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great
red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his
tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the
dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child
as soon as it was born. 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 deceive the whole world: he was cast out into the
earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
‘Dragon’ used 13 times in Revelation as a symbol of satan (12:3-17; 13:2-4, 11; Job 41:1-
34). ‘Having seven heads’ the symbols of the 7 world empires that precede the kingdom of
the Antichrist which is the 8th kingdom (17:9-12). ‘Ten horns, and seven crowns upon his
heads’ his 10 horns are not crowned, while those on the beast are (13:1), symbolizing his
power over the 10 kingdoms will be given to the beast. His 7 heads are crowned (12:3),
symbolizing his rule over the 7 kingdoms preceding the Antichrist kingdom. The 7 heads
on the beast are not crowned (13:1), meaning that the Antichrist has not ruled the 7
kingdoms preceding his, the 8th kingdom (17:8-11). The ten horns of Revelations are the
same as the ten toes of Daniel 2:41 that represent the final division of the Roman Empire
into ten kingdoms, ruled by ten kings from ten separate capitals [part of the European
Union].
‘Third part of the stars of heaven’ symbolic of the third of God’s angels that rebelled with
Lucifer (Isa. 14:12-14; Ezek. 28) and showing how many will be with him in the future
war in heaven under the 7th trumpet (12:4, 7-12).
‘Stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon
as it was born’ this is the dragon’s first purpose - to destroy the man-child as soon as it is
born. He fails in this because God takes the man-child to heaven (12:5; 14:1).
‘War in heaven’ this war in heaven will be the last actual struggle between Satan and God
over the possession of the heavenlies where satan reigns (Eph. 2:2; 6:12). Satan still has
access to God’s heaven to accuse the brethren, but from the time of this casting out he will
never again enter heaven (Job 1:6; 2:1; Rev. 12:7-12; Zech. 3:1).
There are five facts about the war in heaven: There will be a war (12:7); the time: in the
middle of Daniel’s 70th week or the 7 year tribulation (12:6-14; 13:1-5); the place: in the
heavenlies (12:7; Eph. 2:2; 6:12); the combatants: Michael and his angels fought against
the dragon and his angels; (12:7); the result: satan and his angels will be cast down (12:8-
12).
The war predicted here could not be the same as the one in heaven (Isa. 14:12-14; Luke
10:18). That was in the dateless past before the six days’ work of Genesis 1:3-2:25. This
war is yet future, for all events of Revelation 4:1 - 22:5 must be after the congregations-
period. The only truth we find here in connection with the original war in heaven is that
revealing how many angels originally fell with Lucifer (12:4).
The Man-child
Revelation 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.
There is plenty of proof that the 144,000 are the man-child: It has been proved that the
sun-clothed woman is national Israel. The man-child then could not be either the Gentiles
or the congregation of believers which is made up mainly of Gentiles (Acts 15:13-18). The
woman would have to produce her own kind, according to the law of reproduction given
by God (Gen. 1:21-28). Therefore, if the woman is Jewish the man-child must also be
Jewish. The woman represents a company of people. The man-child must also represent
a company of people. There is no other company in the events of Revelation 4-19 that
could possibly be symbolized by the man-child other than the 144,000 Jews of Revelation
7:1-17 and 14:1-20.
The man-child represents a company of all living people who will be translated without
seeing death. The dragon could not kill one already dead at birth (12:4). The child is
caught up to God alive as soon as it is born (12:4-5). The 144,000 are the only ones in all
of the events of Revelation 4 - 22 (which must be after the congregations) that could
possibly be the man-child whose life the dragon tries to take (7:1-8; 14:1-5). Since the Old
and New Testament saints are all resurrected to immortality by this time, it would be
impossible for the dragon to kill them.
Revelation 7:1-8; 9:4; 12:5 and 14:1-5 gives a complete revelation of the 144,000 - their
number, salvation, sealing in the forehead, protection through the first 6 trumpets, rapture
under the 7th trumpet as the man-child, and their destiny and position in heaven after their
rapture. If one of these passages is taken away the revelation about them is incomplete.
We have them on earth all through the first 6 trumpets (7:1-3; 9:4), and in heaven
immediately after the catching up of the man-child in the 7th trumpet, so if they are not the
man-child, who is he and how did the 144,000 get into heaven? In Revelation 14:1-5 it is
stated that the 144,000 are before God’s throne in heaven, having been redeemed from
the earth and from among men. They are a heavenly people the last 3 1/2 years of the
tribulation. How and when were they translated if not as the man-child of Revelation
12:5? The place where the 144,000 are, in 14:1-5 proves they will be in heaven during
the last 3 1/2 years of the tribulation, so they must be raptured before then. The Mt. Sion
is the heavenly one (Heb. 12:22-24; Rev. 14:1).
The 144,000 are firstfruits to God from Israel after the rapture of every saved Jew and
Gentile of the congregations in Revelation 4:1. They are not saved when the believers are
raptured or they would go up also (1Thess. 4:16; 1Cor. 15:23). Since they are saved after
that - in the first 3 1/2 years of the tribulation, and since they are in heaven the last 3 1/2
years of the tribulation, their translation must be the same as that of the man-child in
Revelation 12:5, which is in the middle of the tribulation. If the man-child, which
represents a company of Jews from Israel, were to be saved and raptured before the
144,000, then the man-child would be the firstfruits to God from Israel and not the
144,000. But since the 144,000 are to be the firstfruits, then it is clear that they are the
first Jews saved and raptured from Israel during the tribulation of 7 years between the
rapture of the believers and the second coming.
The 144,000 are specifically sealed for protection to go through the trumpet judgments
only (7:1-3; 9:4). Immediately after the 7th trumpet, which includes all of 11:15 - 13:18,
we see the 144,000 in heaven (14:1-5). The way God protects them from the wrath of
satan under the 7th trumpet is by catching them up to God and His throne (12:4-5), and
by casting satan out of heaven to the earth (12:7-12). The dragon is full of wrath because
they have been protected from the first 6 trumpets. He seeks to destroy them under the
7th trumpet, but God translates them (12:4-5). Then the dragon turns on the woman
(12:13-16). He fails to destroy her and is then exceedingly angry, turning on the remnant
of the woman (12:17). These are protected from him by the two witnesses (11:3-12) and
by the new wars declared against the Antichrist from the north and east of the 10
kingdoms (Dan. 11:44; Ezek. 38 - 39).
Isaiah (66:7-8) predicts Israel as bringing forth the man-child before she is delivered or
saved at the end of the tribulation (Zech. 12:10-13:1; Rom. 11:25-29). Daniel (12:1) also
predicts the deliverance by the transporting of every saved Jew at the time the great
tribulation begins for Israel (Matt. 24:15-22; Rev. 11:1-3; 12:5-6, 13-17; 13:1-8; Jer.
30:6-9). Daniel says that every one that shall be found written in the Book of Life among
His people will be delivered from this great tribulation (Dan. 12:1). The number of them
written in the book of life is revealed in Revelation 7:1-8 and 14:1-5.
The man-child cannot be Christ because everything from Revelation 4:1 on must be after
the congregation-age of Revelation 2:1 - 3:22. How could John see the historical
ascension of Christ as happening among the things to be in the middle of Daniels 70th
week or 3 1/2 years before the second coming of Christ? Nowhere in Scripture is it stated
that Christ will again live as a human on earth as He did at His first coming (John 1:14,
18; 3:16-18).
‘To rule all nations with a rod of iron’ the man-child or the 144,000 are to rule the nations
with a rod of iron, as will Christ (Psa. 2:1-12; Rev. 19:15), the Old Testament saints (Jer.
30:9; Ezek. 34:24; 37:24-25; Dan. 7:18, 27; Hos. 3:5; Matt. 8:11-12), the congregation
of believers (Matt. 19:28; Rom. 8:17; 1Cor. 4:8; 6:2; 2Tim. 2:12; Rev. 1:5-6; 2:26-27;
5:10; 22:4-5), and the tribulation saints (20:4-6). "This honour have all His saints" (Psa.
149:6-9).
‘Caught up unto God, and to his throne’ the man-child, or 144,000, will be caught up
(12:5; 14:1-5), as will all the dead and living in Christ (4:1; 1Thess. 4:16), the future
tribulation saints (6:9-11; 7:9-17; 15:2-4; 20:4-6), and the two witnesses (11:12).
The Announcement
Revelation 12:10-12And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation,
and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of
our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 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. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and you that dwell in
them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto
you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has but a short time.
‘Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his
Christ’ this is a fourfold announcement: To all concerned - now is come: Salvation,
strength, the kingdom of God and the power of Christ. That is, God and Christ have
demonstrated their power over satan and all rebels, as they predicted they would in the
plan of God. The great mystery of why God has allowed the devil to continue operating
against Him so long without definite action to stop him is finally answered. Delay in
fulfilling this mystery is no longer.
To saints: the accuser is cast down and all courts of heaven are closed to satan. The
prosecutor of saints is cast out of heaven once and forever and saints will no longer be
accused by him. To the inhabitants of heaven: rejoice, for satan has access to heaven no
longer. To the inhabitants of the earth: woe, for the devil, is come down among you,
having great wrath, because he knows that he has but 1,260 days or 3 1/2 more years to
be loose before being confined to the abyss (20:1-3).
This is the 3rd of the 3 woes announced by the angel of Revelation 8:13 (cp. 9:12;
11:14). This 3rd woe is so much more terrible than the torment of people for 5 months
(9:1-12), and the slaying of one-third of man (9:13-21), that a special announcement is
made of it here (12:12).
‘Wrath’ ten things constituting the 3rd woe: the great tribulation such as never was or will
be again (Matt. 24:15-22; Dan. 12:1; Rev. 7:9-17; 11:15-19:21); war on Israel (12:13-15;
Dan. 8:24; 11:40-45; 12:1; Matt. 24:15-22); war on the remnant (12:17); forced worship
of satan and the Antichrist (13:4-18; 14:9-11; 15:2-4; 20:4-6); war on tribulation saints
(7:9-17; 13:7-10; 14:13; 15:2-4; 20:4-6); deception by miracles (13:13-17; 16:13-16;
19:20; 2Thess. 2:8-12; Matt. 24:24); physical brands on people enforced by law and the
death penalty (13:16-18; 14:9-11); forced denial of God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit
(13:1-5; 14:9-11); world wars (Dan. 11:40-45); mobilization of all nations to Armageddon
where they will be killed by the millions (14:17-20; 16:13-16; 19:19-21; Ezek. 39:2; Joel
3:1-21; Zech. 14:1-21).
The Remnant
Revelation 12:13-17 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he
persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. And to the woman were given
two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where
she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. And
the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause
her to be carried away of the flood. And the earth helped the woman, and the earth
opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
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.
‘Saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the
man child’ when satan sees that he has failed to destroy the 144,000 or the man-child, he
will turn on the woman or Israel who has produced the man-child.
‘Two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place’ Israel
will flee via aircraft to her place which is modern-day Petra [Sela = Bozrah]. ‘Where she
is nourished’ this refers to 12:6 where “they should feed her there” the Arabs of modern
Jordan and Arabia will provide for Israel.
‘For a time, and times, and half a time’ Hebraism language is used – a time: 1 year; times:
2 years; half a time: half a year which add up to 31/2 years or a thousand two hundred
and threescore days (12:6). ‘From the face of the serpent’ away from satan and the
Antichrist’s reach.
‘Flood after the woman’ symbolizes the armies of the Antichrist pursuing defeated Israel
(Dan. 9:26-27; 11:21-26; Jer. 46:7-8). ‘Swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out
of his mouth,’ the earth will open its mouth and swallow the armies of the Antichrist, as it
did to Korah and his company (Num. 16:29-35).
‘Remnant of her seed’ the remnant of Israel who does not flee from Judea into the dessert
as the main body of the nation does. The word remnant is never used of the congregation
of believers or Gentiles (Isa. 1:9).
‘Which keep the commandments of God’ they are not saved when the 144,000 are
translated as the man-child before this war on Israel (12:5; 14:1-5). Everyone whose
name is in the book of life in Israel will go at that time (7:1-3; 14:1-5; Dan. 12:1). These
will have turned to God and believed on Jesus Christ after seeing the 144,000 Jewish
Christians instantly missing from the earth.
‘Testimony of Jesus Christ’ this means the spirit of prophecy, proving that the remnant
who turn to God and believe on Jesus Christ receive the Holy Spirit (19:10). The Holy
Spirit will not be taken from the world at any time (John 14:16; Acts 2:16-21; Zech.
12:10-13:1; etc.).
The First Beast

Revelation 13:1-3 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. 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. And I saw one of his heads as it were
wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after
the beast.
‘Sea’ this refers to the Mediterranean sea because the nations under the Antichrist
surround it on 3 sides. Sea represents peoples in symbolic passages (13:1; 17:1, 15; Dan.
7:2-3, 17). ‘Beast rise up out of the sea’ here twenty facts are given about the first beast
[the Antichrist] of Revelation 13:1-18: He will be a man (13:18); and he will rise out of
the sea of humanity (13:1; Dan. 7:24; 9:27; 11:36-45). He will become ruler of the
territory of the 7 kingdoms symbolized by the 7 heads (13:1; 17:8-17). He will become
ruler of the 10 kingdoms that are yet to be formed inside the old Roman Empire territory
[parts of the European Union] (13:1; 17:8-17; Dan. 7:23-24). He will revive the old
Grecian Empire - the beast is like a leopard, which, in the book of Daniel, symbolizes the
Grecian Empire (Dan. 7:6; 8:20-23, Rev. 17:8-17), and he also has characteristics of
Medo-Persia (the bear, Rev. 13:3; Dan. 7:5) and Babylon (the lion, Rev. 13:3; Dan. 7:4).
He will be given power over all nations inside the 10 kingdoms of the old Roman Empire
territory (13:7; Dan. 7:23-24; 8:23-25; 11:36-45). He will receive his power, throne, and
great authority from satan (13:2; 16:13-16; 2Thess. 2:8-12; Dan. 8:24-25; 11:38-39).
The Antichrist will not be assassinated and resurrected from the dead, as taught by some.
It is one of the heads on the beast that is wounded to death and is healed, not the beast
itself (13:3). Therefore, all the theories of Antichrist being a resurrected man, a
reincarnation of some historic man, an incarnation of the devil, etc., are false. The spirit
out of the Abyss is a supernatural spirit and fallen angel (11:7), none other than the former
prince of Grecia who fell in the days of Alexander the Great and his 4 generals (Dan. 7 -
8) and he will revive Grecia in the last days through the medium of the Antichrist, who will
be an earthly man, and who will carry out all the will of this satanic prince (Dan. 10 - 12).
The Antichrist will have all the world wondering after him (13:2-4, 8-18); and he will be
an object of worship (13:4, 14-18; 14:9-11; 15:2; 16:2; 20:4-6). He will be a
supernaturally gifted orator (13:5-6; Dan. 7:8, 11, 20, 25; 8:23; 11:36). He will be given
power and success for 42 months (13:4; 11:1-3; 12:6, 12:14; Dan. 7:25; 12:7). He will
defy God and claim to be God himself (13:6; 2Thess. 2:3-4; Dan. 7:25; 8:25; 11:36-39)
and he will be a blasphemer (13:1, 5; 17:3). He will be worshipped as God (13:8, 14-18;
14:9-11; 20:4-6). He will make war on the Jews and tribulation saints and multitudes will
be killed by him (13:7, 15; 7:9-17; 14:13; 15:2-4; 20:4-6; Dan. 7:21; 8:23-25).
He will have a religious leader in the false prophet of Revelation 13:11-17; 16:13-16;
19:20 and 20:10. He will permit image worship of himself (13:14-17; 14:9; 15:2; 20:4-
6). He will cause the mark or emblem of his kingdom, or his name, or the number of his
name to be branded upon the right hand and on the forehead of his followers (13:16-18;
14:9-11; 15:2; 16:2; 20:4-6).
The Antichrist
Revelation 13:4-10 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. 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 lead into captivity shall go into captivity: he that kill with the
sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
‘And they worshipped the dragon’ the followers of the Antichrist will have the devil as
their father (John 8:44) in whose lies they will believe and they will worship him.
‘Power’ the Antichrist’s power will be given to him by satan to: Blaspheme God (13:5-6;
Dan. 7:8-25; 11:36); overcome tribulation saints (13:7; 7:9-17; 20:4); overcome the Jews
(12:13-17; Dan. 7:21). To conquer many nations (13:7; Dan. 7:8, 23-24; 11:40-45; Ezek.
38-39) and to destroy mystical Babylon [world religion system] (17:12-17). He will control
religion in his realm (13:1-18; 14:9-11; 15:2; 16:2; 20:4-6; Dan. 11:36). He will change
times and laws (Dan. 7:25) and understand mysteries (Dan. 8:23). He will do as he will
for a period (13:1-18; Dan. 11:36; 2Thess. 2:3-4). He will perform miracles (13:1-18;
19:20; Dan. 8:24; 2Thess. 2:8-12) and cause craft to prosper (Dan. 8:25) He will control
money and commerce throughout his empire [most of European Union] (13:17; 18:1-24;
Dan. 11:38-43). He will cause great deceptions (13:13-18; 2Thess. 2:8-12; John 5:43;
Dan. 8:25) and control all lives and kings in his realm (13:7, 15; 17:12-17). He will make
all nations fear him during his reign of 42 months (13:4, 5). He will at the end of the 7-
year tribulation mobilize all nations to Armageddon (16:13-16; 19:19-21; Ezek. 38-39)
where he will fight Christ and be defeated and then he and the false prophet will be
thrown in the lake of fire (17:14; 19:11-21; Dan. 8:25; Zech. 14:1-5).
‘And them that dwell in heaven’ after the rapture the body of believers, as well as the Old
Testament saints, will inhabit heaven (13:6; 5:13; 12:12; Col. 1:15-18; Heb. 12:22-23).
Every born-again individual who has died ‘in Christ’ (1Thess. 4:14-16) currently dwell in
paradise (Luke 16:22-26; 23:43; 2Cor. 12:4). God the Father, the Son [Jesus Christ] and
the Holy Spirit, as well as the thousands of thousands of angels, are now the inhabitants of
Heaven (Matt. 5:16, 45, 48; 22:44; Acts 5:31; Rev. 5:11).
‘All kindreds, and tongues, and nations’ on the surface it might seem that these statements
prove the Antichrist will be a world ruler. But, the contrary is true because “all” in these
passages is simply a figure of speech – synecdoche - in which a whole is put for a part, as
we would say, “Everyone in town,” or “the whole country.” The Antichrist makes war
throughout the 7-year tribulation period. If he rules all the nations, who will he be fighting
against? In Daniel 11:44-45, it is stated that the countries north and east of the 10
kingdoms under Antichrist will make war on him during the first 31/2 years. These
countries are not ruled by him at this stage. In Revelation 13:4 we have proof that there
are nations whom the Antichrist has not conquered and here we are in the middle of the 7
years. The war of Gog and Magog of Ezekiel 38 and 39 takes place during the last 31/2
years wherein countries such as Russia, Iran, China, etc. will war against the Antichrist.
He conquers these in the last three and a half years and then brings them into Palestine to
destroy Israel (Zech. 14:1-7; 12-15; Matt. 24:29-31; 25:31-46; 2Thess. 1:7-10; Jude
1:14-15; Rev. 19:11-21) as he intended to do in the middle of the week when he broke his
covenant with them and planted his tabernacle in the glorious holy mountain (13:1-18;
Dan. 9:27; 11:35-45; 12:7; Matt. 24:15; 2Thess. 2:4). In Revelation 16:13-16 we have 3
unclean spirits like frogs going forth working miracles through ambassadors thus seeking the
cooperation of many nations at the end of the 7 years to help the Antichrist against Jesus
Christ at Armageddon. These nations will not have been conquered by him or be under
him at this time, or they would not have to be persuaded to help him at Armageddon. If he
ruled them and they loved him enough to worship him and take his mark, such demonic
ministries would be unnecessary.
The word “all” is used in a limited sense hundreds of times in Scriptures (Gen. 6:17; Jos.
6:21-25; 2Sam. 6:5, 15; 1Kin. 11:16-17; Matt. 3:5-6; Luke 2:1-3; Rom. 1:8; 10:18; Col.
1:23; etc.). Such terms as in Revelation 13:1-18 have been used of other rulers and
kingdoms who did not literally rule the whole world. It was said of Nebuchadnezzar -
where so ever the children of men dwell ... has made thee ruler over them ALL (Dan.
2:38). Of Greece - Which shall bear rule over ALL the earth (Dan. 2:39). Of Rome - Shall
devour the WHOLE earth (Dan. 7:23-24). None of these kingdoms ruled the whole
world.
‘The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world’ this statement proves that it was
planned from this time [foundation of the world] that the Lamb will be slain (17:8).
‘Foundation’ the Greek word katabole meaning the overthrown or disruption of the pre-
Adamite world.
‘He that lead into captivity shall go into captivity: he that kill with the sword must be killed
with the sword’ The law of sowing and reaping (Gal. 6:7-8) can explain this passage of
those who capture will be captured and those who kill with the sword will be killed by the
sword (Matt. 26:52).Timeline: middle of the 7-year tribulation
The Second Beast
Revelation 13:11-13 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had
two horns like a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon. And he exercise all the power of the first
beast before him, and cause the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first
beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he does great wonders, so that he make fire
come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men
‘Another beast coming up out of the earth’ there are sixteen facts about the second beast:
This will be the false prophet and he will also be a man. The Greek word allos means
another of the same kind. The first beast is a man (13:18), so the second one must also be
a man (13:11; 16:13; 19:20; 20:10). He will come after the first beast and will be his
prophet (13:13; 19:20; 20:10). Personal pronouns are used of them, indicating they are
persons. He will come out of the earth, which is the same as coming out of the sea (cp.
Dan. 7:3 with 7:17). There is no intimation that he will be from the underworld of
departed spirits, or that he will be a man resurrected from the dead. Both beasts symbolize
two natural men who will be born in these last days and who will fulfil prophecy and die
at Armageddon (19:20; Dan. 7:11; Isa. 11:4; 2Thess. 2:8).
The false prophet will come with a lamb-like appearance to deceive, but will speak like the
dragon (13:11). He will exercise all the power of the first beast or Antichrist before him
(13:2, 12; 19:20; 2Thess. 2:8-12). He will cause people on earth to worship the first
beast (13:12; 17:8-11). He will do great miracles, even to calling fire from heaven before
people, counterfeiting God and His works (13:13; 19:20; cp. Num. 11:1-3; 26:10). He
will deceive people by the miracles he will do in the sight of the first beast (13:14; 19:20).
He will cause people to make an image of the first beast to be worshipped (13:14; 14:9-
11; 15:2; 16:2; 20:4-6). He will have power to give life to the image causing it to speak
and do personal acts (13:15; cp. Ex. 7:10-12). He will demand the death penalty for all
who will not worship the Antichrist (13:15; 7:9-17; 15:2; 20:4-6). He will cause people
in the kingdom of Antichrist to take a mark, or the name of the Antichrist, or the number of
his name in the right hand and on the forehead (13:16; 14:9-11; 15:2; 16:2; 20:4-6). He
will make a law that no man might buy or sell if he does not take one of these three brands
(13:17). He will be equal to the first beast in sending demon spirits, working through
ambassadors, to gather the nations to Armageddon (16:13-16; 19:19-21). He will be taken
with the Antichrist at Armageddon and be cast alive into the lake of fire (19:20). He will
still be in the lake of fire in conscious torment one thousand years later (20:10).
The Image of the Beast

Revelation 13:14-18 And deceive 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. 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 cause 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.
‘And deceive them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had
the power to do in the sight of the beast’ the false prophet will deceive people by the
miracles he will do in the sight of the first beast – the Antichrist (19:20).
‘That they should make an image to the beast’ he will cause people to make an image of
the first beast to be worshipped (14:9-11; 15:2; 16:2; 20:4-6).
‘To the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live’ this is the spirit out of the
Abyss who is a supernatural spirit and fallen angel (11:7), none other than the former
prince of Grecia who fell in the days of Alexander the Great and his 4 generals (Dan. 7 -
8) and he will revive Grecia in the last days through the medium of the Antichrist, who will
be an earthly man, and who will carry out all the will of this satanic prince (Dan. 10 - 12).
‘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.’ The false prophet will have the power to give life to the image causing it
to speak and do personal acts and he will demand the death penalty for all who will not
worship the Antichrist (7:9-17; 15:2; 20:4-6).
‘All, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond’ “all” in these passages is simply a
figure of speech – synecdoche - in which a whole is put for a part, as we would say,
“Everyone in town,” or “the whole country.” The Antichrist cannot continue to make war
when he rules over ALL and Scripture is clear that he makes war throughout the 7-year
tribulation period. In Daniel 11:44-45, it is stated that the countries north and east of the
10 kingdoms under the Antichrist will make war on him, this happens during the first 31/2
year of the tribulation. These countries are not ruled by him otherwise war would be
counteractive. In Revelation 13:4 we have proof that there are nations whom the
Antichrist has not conquered yet and this part of Revelation happens in the middle of the 7
years. The war of Gog and Magog of Ezekiel 38 and 39 takes place during the last 31/2
years wherein countries such as Russia, Iran, China, etc. will war against the Antichrist.
He conquers these in the last three and a half years and then brings them into Palestine to
destroy Israel (Zech. 14:1-7; 12-15; Matt. 24:29-31; 25:31-46; 2Thess. 1:7-10; Jude
1:14-15; Rev. 19:11-21) as he intended to do in the middle of the week when he broke his
covenant with them and planted his tabernacle in the glorious holy mountain (13:1-18;
Dan. 9:27; 11:35-45; 12:7; Matt. 24:15; 2Thess. 2:4). In Revelation 16:13-16 we have 3
unclean spirits like frogs going forth working miracles through ambassadors thus seeking the
cooperation of many nations at the end of the 7 years to help the Antichrist against Jesus
Christ at the battle of Armageddon. These nations will not have been conquered by him or
be under him at this time, or they would not have to be persuaded to help him at
Armageddon. If he ruled them and they loved him enough to worship him and take his
mark, such demonic ministries would be unnecessary.
‘The mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name’ there are three brands of
the Antichrist: a mark, the name of the beast and the number of his name, 666. The mark
(14:9-11; 15:2; 16:2; 20:4-6) is different from either the name or the number of his name
as seen clearly from these scriptures. What kind of mark it will be is not stated. It may be
the emblem of his kingdom. It will be a literal brand upon the right hand and forehead
(13:16; 14:9).
The second brand is the name of the beast (14:11) which we get from Daniel. The
purpose of the visions of the metals of the image of Daniel 2 and the 2 of the 4 beasts of
Daniel 7 - the Medo-Persian and Grecian empires - is to narrow down geographically the
coming of the little horn or future Antichrist, from 10 to 4 of the 10 kingdoms, and to
reveal that his kingdom will be the Revived Grecian Empire instead of the Revised Roman
Empire from which he will come. This was to be “in the latter time of their kingdom” and
so it must yet be in the future, for these kingdoms still exist (Daniel 8:23). These four
divisions are known today as Greece, Turkey, Syria, and Egypt. Daniel 11 gives a
breakdown of the last 2 existing kingdoms. War between Syria (north) and Egypt (south)
will take place at the end time: The Antichrist (Syria, north) is victorious over Egypt
(south) and many countries up to the middle of Daniel's seventieth week when the “eighth”
or Revived Grecian Empire is formed (Dan. 7:24; 8:23-25; 11:40-43; Rev. 11:7; 13:1-18;
16:10; 17:3, 8-14, 16-17; 19:19-21). His character is described in Daniel 11:36-39.
The number of his name, 666 (15:2) is the number of a man (not satan’s number) and is
the only one of the 3 brands that are given here (13:18). The letters in the name of the
future Antichrist will have a numerical value of 666. Since he will not come until after the
rapture and until after the formation of 10 kingdoms inside the old Roman Empire (Dan.
7:24; 2Thess. 2:7), and until the beginning of Daniel’s 70th week (Dan. 9:27), we can
also know that no man will be able to take his mark, his name, or the number of his name
before the last 3 1/2 years of this age (11:1-3; 12:6, 14; 13:5).
The Lamb and the 144,000

Revelation 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.
And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great
thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And they sung as it
were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no
man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were
redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they
are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goes. These were
redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their
mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.
‘And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood’ Revelation 14:1-20 is the 5th parenthetical passage
of the book and contains 7 parenthetical statements: The 144,000 (or the man-child) in
heaven (14:1-5); the 1st messenger angel: the everlasting gospel preached to all nations
(14:6-7); the 2nd messenger angel: the announcement of the fall of the city Babylon
(14:8); the 3rd messenger angel: the announcement of the doom of beast worshipers
(14:9-11); the blessed dead (14:13); the harvest of the earth: Armageddon (14:14-20) and
the vintage: Armageddon (14:17-20).
‘Mount Sion’ this Mt. Sion is the heavenly one as we can see from the facts of Scripture
were the scene here is heavenly (14:1-5) and that there is a heavenly Mt. Sion is clear
from Romans 11:26 and Hebrews 12:22-23. Earthly Mt. Zion is not mentioned in
Revelation and the Lamb [Jesus Christ] is never pictured on earth in Revelation. Christ
will come out of Sion to earth at His second coming (Rom. 11:26). All raptured people go
to the heavenly Mt. Sion (Heb. 11:10, 13-16; John 14:1-3; Rev. 21-22) and the man-child
or the 144,000 will have been taken to heaven (12:5).
‘An hundred forty and four thousand’ the same company sealed in Revelation 7:1-8,
protected through the trumpet judgments (7:1-3; 9:4), and caught up as the man-child
(12:5). Here they are in heaven singing and playing the harps before the throne, before
the 4 living creatures, and before the 24 elders, having been redeemed from the earth and
from among people, being the firstfruits from Israel to God after the rapture of the church
(14:1-5). ‘Father’s name written in their foreheads’ this is the seal of the living God of
Revelation 7:1-3.
‘A voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder’
this is the sound of the 144,000 singing their song, being accompanied by 144,000 harps
which they play. The sound is compared to many waters and great thunder, like the voice
of the redeemed at the marriage of the lamb (19:6). ‘Harpers harping with their harps’ all
redeemed will play harps and sing (5:8; 14:2; 15:2).
‘A new song’ the Greek word kainos which means renewed; fresh; newly introduced. The
song will be new to them (cp. 5:9; 3). It is one no man can learn but the 144,000,
implying they have an experience that no other man of any other company has ever had.
Songs in Scripture pertain to some special experience. This is true of these in Revelation
5:9 and 15:2-4. This was true of the singing of Moses, Miriam, and Israel (Ex. 15:1, 20-
21); Deborah and Barak (Jdg. 5:1-31); and of many who composed the Psalms of Israel
(see titles of the Psalms). This will be true of the songs of Israel in the future tribulation
(Isa. 14:4-17); of the tribulation saints (15:2-4); and of the saints in Revelation 5:8-10. All
will be songs of deliverance. The reason Israel hung their harps upon the willow trees was
that they had no deliverance (Psa. 137:1-9; cp. Rev. 18:22).
There are ten distinctions given of the 144,000: their number is unique (7:4; 14:1); they
are the only company sealed by an angel (7:1-8) and the only company having the Father’s
name written visibly on their foreheads while on earth (7:1-3; 14:1). They alone are
protected from the trumpet judgments (7:1-3; 9:4; 12:5) while they will experience seeing
the terrible judgments of the trumpets upon others awhile they themselves be protected
(7:1-3; 9:4; 12:5; 14:1-5). They are also the only company of people protected from
martyrdom by the great whore [the church system 17:5] during the first 3 1/2 years of
Daniel’s 70th week (6:9-11; 17:6). They are the first Jews saved after the rapture of the
church in Revelation 4:1 (7:3; 14:3-4) and the only company of redeemed composed
entirely of Israelites (7:1-8; 14:1-5). They are the only company composed entirely of
living believers who are saved and translated in one generation (7:1-8; 12:5; 14:1-5) and
that will be suddenly delivered by translation from the great tribulation which will come
upon Israel in the last 3 1/2 years of this age (7:1-3; 12:5; 14:1-5).
‘Were redeemed from the earth’ by this time they were redeemed from the earth, being
no longer on earth. This refers to their rapture, for nowhere there is mention of them
dying.
‘Were not defiled with women; for they are virgins’ if this statement were taken literally, it
would prove that they are all men. But if the next statement were taken literally, it would
prove that they are all women - virgins. Obviously, the idea is to picture their purity of
character. They are saved men and women who have not polluted themselves with the
idolatrous and immoral religious system of the great whore of Revelation 17:1-18. The
144 000 will consist of both male and female as we can see from prophecy in Joel 2:28
and Acts 2:17 where God says that it shall come to pass in the last days: “I will pour out of
my Spirit upon all flesh: and your [Israel] sons and your daughters ...”
‘Which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goes’ they are resurrected and glorified like
Christ and can go where He can. ‘Firstfruits’ the first Jews saved after the rapture of the
saved Jews and Gentiles and the first time ever a part of the nation Israel choose God as
their God (Rom. 11).
‘In their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God’
they have no guile in them at this stage, but they are not servants when the rapture takes
place in Revelation 4:1, for all in Christ at that time, will be translated (1Thess. 4:16;
1Cor. 15:23). They will only be saved after the rapture in the revival predicted in Acts
2:16-21. They are to be saved and become servants of God by the time they are sealed.
Then they will be faultless before God forever, proving that they have been transported as
the man-child (12:5).
Three Messenger Angels

Revelation 14:6-13 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 ascended up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who
worship the beast and his image, and whosoever received the mark of his name. 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, said the Spirit, that they may rest from their
labours; and their works do follow them.
‘Angel fly in the midst of heaven’ three messenger angels are flying in heaven giving the
following warnings: The first flies around in the heavens close enough to the earth to be
seen and heard by human beings. He preaches the everlasting gospel to all people on earth
during the last 3 1/2 years of this age. This gospel is the same as what we now preach
with but one exception: he will be able to announce that the hour of God’s judgment has
come; we can only announce that it is coming (Rev. 6-7). All theories that this gospel is a
special one given to certain denominations to preach are false. The angel will be a literal
one doing what is here stated. The second angel will fly in the heavens announcing the fall
of literal Babylon, which will is the city that will be destroyed under the 7th vial (14:8;
16:17-21; 18:1-24). Literal Babylon is the site of the first great rebellion against God after
the flood of Noah (Gen. 11) and it will be the site of the last great rebellion (14:8; 16:17-
21; 18:1-24). According to Revelation 18 Babylon will be restored as a commercial hub
during the tribulation period. The word “Babylon” is used 283 times in Scripture and only
once in a symbolic sense (Rev. 17:5). The third angel will fly in the heavens warning all
people in the kingdom of Antichrist that if they do take the mark, the name, or the number
of the name of the beast and worship him they will seal their own doom and be punished
in eternal hell (14:9-11).
‘The cup of His indignation’ is it any wonder that God will be so indignant when men will
reject His written word, refuse to repent when judgments from heaven are sent upon
them (9:20-21; 16:9, 11), reject the preaching of real angels flying in the midst of heaven
(14:6-11), and ignore the preaching and miracles done by the two witnesses and
multitudes of Christians who will receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the
endowment of power to do miracles?
‘And he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone’ one of many passages teaching eternal
torment of the wicked (14:10-11; 20:10-15; 21:8; 22:15; Isa. 66:22-24; Matt. 8:12;
13:39-50; 25:41, 46; Mark 9:43-49; Luke 12:5; 16:19-31).
‘Presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb’ people in the new earth
will be able to “look upon the men that have transgressed” and are suffering punishment
with the devil and his angels, as an everlasting monument of God’s wrath on sin (14:10;
Isa. 13:19-22; 34:8-15; 66:22-24).
‘Here is the patience of the saints’ these verses are an encouragement to saints who will
be killed in the future tribulation (6:9-11; 7:9-17; 14:12-13; 15:2-4; 20:4-6). ‘Saints’ three
characteristics of saints are mentioned: their patience in sufferings; keeping the
commandments and the faith of Jesus Christ.
‘Write’ this word is used 16 times in the book, proving John was directed to write as he
received the Revelation (1:11, 19; 2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 12, 14; 10:4; 4:13; 19:9; 21:5);
cp. Revelation 1:3 and 22:18-19.
‘From henceforth’ from the time people begin to die because they will not take the mark of
the beast. It refers to a special blessing to martyrs of the tribulation (6:9-11; 7:9-17; 14:13;
15:2-4; 20:4-6). Following the messages of the three flying angels “a great voice from
heaven” told John to write a special blessing for the dead that die “henceforth”; that is,
during the Great Tribulation of the last 3 ½ years. These dead referred to are those who
will be martyred because they will refuse to worship the beast and his image or receive his
mark. They are the same as those referred to in Revelation 7:9-17; 13:5-7, 15; 15:2-4;
20:4-6.
‘Said the Spirit’ the Holy Spirit speaks 12 times in Revelation (1:10; 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6,
13, 22; 4:2; 17:3; 21:10; 22:17). ‘Follow them’ Three promises in view of faithfulness:
Blessed are the martyrs for Christ; they rest from their labours and their rewards follow
them.Timeline: middle of the 7-year tribulation
The Harvest of the Earth

Revelation 14:14-20 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. 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 sharp 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.
‘Son of man’ 88 times of Christ in the New Testament and once in Daniel 7:13. It always
has the definite article when used of Christ, but not when used of ordinary men. He is
God’s Man to redeem man. He is God’s answer to satan to guarantee his defeat and
restore man’s original dominion.
‘The Son of man ... in his hand a sharp sickle’ He is to reap, that is, He is the one who
will execute the judgment upon the people represented by the harvest. The “sharp sickle”
is the same as that mentioned in Joel 3:9-14 in picturing the destruction of the hosts of
Armageddon. Therefore, the scene must be of Armageddon as pictured in Revelation
19:11-21 (Isa. 11:4; Jer. 51:33; Hos. 6:11, Matt. 13:30, 39; 2 Thess. 2:8).
The vision of “the vine of the earth” is the same in theme as “the harvest of the earth”
above. The “harvest” and the “vintage” are both judgments from God and refer to the
future Battle of Armageddon. In this vision “another angel” is the one to reap, thus
showing that the angels will have a part in the Battle of Armageddon (2 Thess. 1:7-10).
“The vine of the Earth” will be cast into the “great winepress of the wrath of God.” The
winepress will be trodden “without the city,” referring to the place just outside of
Jerusalem where Armageddon will be fought. Blood will flow out of the winepress even
up to the horses' bridles as far as 1,600 furlongs, or nearly 322 kilometres. This is definite
proof that the gathering of the vintage refers to the gathering of the nations to Armageddon
by the ministry of the three unclean spirits (Rev. 16:13-16) to fight against Christ at His
coming. The winepress with the blood flowing out of it refers to the destruction of these
nations when blood will flow as pictured here. The blood will be able to flow because it
will be mixed with the water from the hailstones that will fall at the battle of Armageddon
as described in Revelation 16:21 under the seventh vial. This same scene is spoken of in
Revelation 19:11-21; Isaiah 34:1-8; 63:1-5; Joel 3:1-21 and Zechariah 14:1-21.
Timeline: both visions are seen in heaven in the middle of the 7-years of events that will
take place at the end during the Second Coming of Christ at the battle of Armageddon.
The Seven Angels

Revelation 15:1-8 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels
having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. And I saw as it
were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast,
and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea
of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and
the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just
and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy
name? for thou only are holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy
judgments are made manifest. 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 lived 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.
These seven angels will not be ordinary ones, but seven redeemed men who will be
already in Heaven with glorified bodies at the time of the fulfilment of this part of the
book. According to Revelation 17:1, one of these angels showed John the judgment of the
Great Whore and “the beast that carried her.” Then in Revelation 21:9, one of them,
perhaps the same one, came to show John the Holy City. After showing him the
Revelation, John fell down at his feet to worship him but was told “See thou do it not: for
I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren the prophets and of them which keep the
sayings of this book: worship God” (Rev. 19:9-10; 22:8-9). This proves that one of them is
a redeemed man, for he is expressly called “a man” in Revelation 21:17; and if one of
them is a man, the other six must be also.
‘And I saw as it were a sea of glass’ this is the 6th parenthetical passage in the book and is
the same as that seen by John when he was first caught up to Heaven (Rev. 4:1-6). It
explains the destiny of the martyrs of Jesus during the tribulation (15:2-4). It was
unoccupied in Revelation 4, while in Revelation 15 it is occupied by the Tribulation
martyrs. The idea here seems to be that of the floor of the great throne room of the
heavenly temple being made of transparent glass with the appearance of fire or prismatic
colours produced by the glory of God. It is a literal pavement before the throne. Out of the
throne proceed lightnings which would make prismatic colours flash upon the sea of glass
like the aurora borealis (northern lights). The glory of God emanating from the light in
which He dwells will light the whole city and cause the glittering on the sea of glass
(21:23; 1Tim. 6:16).
All the redeemed will have harps and sing (5:8; 14:2; 15:2) as the sing the song of Moses
which was one of triumph over Pharaoh and his armies (Ex. 15:1-9; cp. Deut. 32:1-52).
‘Song of the Lamb’ the song of the Lamb is also one of triumph - victory over satan and all
enemies of God and man (15:3-4).
‘All nations shall come and worship before thee’ this looks forward to the Millennium (Isa.
2:2-4; Zech. 14:16-21) and the New Earth (Isa. 66:22-24; Rev. 21:24-27; 22:2-5).
‘The temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened’ this is the second
time the temple in heaven is opened (15:5; 11:19). In this passage, the vision of the seven
angels and the heavenly tabernacle is resumed, after being interrupted by the vision of the
Tribulation saints upon the sea of glass. The temple in Heaven is mentioned twelve times
in Revelation and each reference indicate a literal temple in which God sits on a throne.
The Greek word Naos means “a dwelling,” “a shrine,” or “a temple.” This is the word
used of the temple of God in Heaven in Revelation 3:12; 7:15; 11:19; 14:15-17; 15:5-8
and 16:1-17. Thus, we have conclusive proof that there is a material temple in Heaven.
‘Clothed in pure and white linen’ Literal clothing of heavenly saints (3:4-5, 18; 4:4; 6:11;
7:9, 13; 15:6; 19:14), but also symbolizes the righteousness of saints (19:8).
‘Till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled’ this indicates that people have
access to the temple except on this occasion.
Timeline: the beginning of the last 3½ years of the 7-year tribulation
First Five Vial Judgements

Revelation 16:1-11 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. 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 are righteous, O Lord, which are, and was, and shall be, because
thou hast judged thus. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou have
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. 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 blasphemed the name of God, which has
power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory. 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.
‘Vials of the wrath of God upon the earth’ the vials contain the rest of the wrath of God
which began in the 6th seal (6:12-17) continuing in the 7 trumpets of the first 3 1/2 years
of Daniel’s 70th week. These vial judgments happen in the last 3 1/2 years of the week
and are completed at the time of the second coming.
The seven vials and their contents are just as literal as the seals and trumpets and their
contents. These vials will be poured out only upon the kingdom of the beast during the last
half of the Week and will complete the wrath of God upon men for their persecution of
Israel. They are not to be confused with any historical event or with the seals and
trumpets in any respect. The pouring of these vials cannot begin until after the seals and
trumpets are finished. They will be the last events of the “things shortly to come to pass”
before the Second Coming of Christ at the battle of Armageddon. The infliction of just
such plagues as these vials will bring upon Israel's enemies that which is promised for the
last days (Deut. 30:1-10; Isa. 51:23). Four of these plagues in a lesser degree have already
been poured out upon Egypt. The very language describing them proves that they will be
literal and fulfilled in the order in which they are given. This procedure forms the only true
basis of understanding.
This first vial repeats the plague of boils that was inflicted upon the Egyptians (Ex. 9:8-12).
It is clear that this plague falls only upon those people who have the mark of the beast and
who worship him. If this is true of this one plague, it is also true of all the others, for they
are all for the same purpose. At the blowing of the second trumpet, one-third of the sea
will become blood (Rev. 8:8-9), but under the second vial, all the sea will become blood.
The sea here perhaps refers to the Mediterranean around which is located the kingdom of
Antichrist. The third vial will be a repetition of the first plague upon Egypt (Ex. 7:19-24).
When the waters of Egypt and the sea in the second trumpet are partially turned to blood,
the fish will die.
Under the fourth trumpet, one-third of the sun, moon, and stars will be stricken with
darkness so that one-third of them will be darkened (Rev. 8:12). However, under the
fourth vial, the heat of the sun will be increased to such an extent that men will actually be
scorched by it, until, in misery and torment, they will blaspheme God whom they will
recognize as the cause of the heat.
The fifth vial is a repetition of the ninth Egyptian plague (Ex. 10:21-22). All these plagues
that are similar to those which have been poured out before, will be much more intense
than those of Egypt. After the sun in that part of the Earth has been shooting its rays of
intense heat in torrents of torment upon the followers of Antichrist it will undergo a
sudden change. The change will be from one extreme to another - from fiery, piercing
blinding brightness and heat to impenetrable darkness. The beast and his followers will be
overwhelmed with fresh horror to such an extent that they will gnaw their tongues in pain.
People will go into convulsions because of the pain and sores.
Timeline: from the beginning of the last 3½ years up to the end of the 7-year tribulation
The Sixth Vial
Revelation 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 watched, and kept his garments, lest he
walked naked, and they see his shame. And he gathered them together into a place called
in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
The sixth vial will be the Euphrates dried up and this plague is just as literal as any one of
the other vials. The drying up of the Jordan and the Red Sea were literal so that men
walked over dry ground. The Euphrates will dry up at the very last part of the Great
Tribulation just before Armageddon, and after the Antichrist has been successful in
conquering the countries of the north and east. Then he will gather together these newly
conquered nations and those which he will have conquered in the first 3 ½ years, and
with others which will co-operate with him, he will fight against Christ at Armageddon.
The drying up of the Euphrates will prepare the way for those who will come from the
east.
‘And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs’ this is the 7th parenthetical passage and it is
inserted between the 6th and 7th vials and the events will be fulfilled in the order given. It
explains how the kings of the earth, who are not under the Antichrist’s control at this time,
will be persuaded to cooperate with him at Armageddon. These three unclean spirits will
have shapes like frogs and will come out of the mouths of the dragon, beast, and false
prophet. They will be demon spirits who will go forth working miracles, inspiring the
nations, and mobilizing them into vast armies which will march from all directions and
from all countries for the purpose of preventing the establishment of the kingdom of Christ
upon Earth. They will inspire the nations to fight against Christ, fulfilling Psalm 2:1-12.
Just as Ahab was allured to battle and destruction by demons in 2 Chronicles 18:18-22, so
the nations will be led to Armageddon by demons in the vain hope of defeating Christ
(16:13-16; 19:11-21).
‘I come as a thief’ Christ again announces His second coming, which He here associates
with Armageddon (19:11-21; 2Thess. 1:7-10).
‘Armageddon’ Mount of Megiddo on the south side of the valley of Megiddo or Esdraelon
southwest of Mount Carmen (2Chr. 35:22; Zech. 12:11). Megiddo was the capital of a
portion of Canaan that was given to Joshua (Jos. 12:21; 17:11; Jdg. 1:27). It is at the
entrance to a pass across the Carmel mountain range, on the main highway between Asia
and Africa, and is the key position between Euphrates and the Nile. It has been the
battlefield of many peoples throughout the ages. Thothmes III, the founder of the old
Egyptian Empire, said, “Megiddo is worth a thousand cities”.
Timeline: at the end of the 7-year tribulation just before the 7 th vial, the Second Coming of
Christ at the Battle of Armageddon
The Seventh Vial
Revelation 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.
This passage is by no means all that is pictured under the seventh vial, for what happens
under it is continued in Revelation 18:1-24 and 19:11-21 after the parenthetical section
(Rev. 17) about “Mystical Babylon.” Under the seventh vial, the wrath of God will be
completed, and for this reason, the coming of Christ to Earth must be included. Christ's
coming will be fulfilled at that time, thus ending the Seventieth Week of Daniel and
beginning “the day of the Lord.” When the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air,
the first thing John heard was a “great voice out of the temple of heaven from the throne,
saying, It is done.” This has reference to the completion of God's wrath during the seventh
vial (Rev. 15:1; 16:1).
The result of this earthquake will be that “the great city” (Jerusalem, Rev. 11:8) will be
divided into three parts. Many of the large cities of the nations will be destroyed, as well as
“great Babylon” (Rev. 18:8, 10). But in addition to the total and partial destruction of many
cities, the moving of mountains and islands and other great changes in the surface of the
Earth in certain places, there will be “great hail” out of Heaven upon men. Each hailstone
will weigh from 25 to 52 kilogram, according to the weight of the different talents in the
New Testament. This last plague will be so terrible that men will again blaspheme God
because of its intensity. The hail will perhaps be the same as that mentioned in Ezekiel
38:21-23 in connection with Armageddon. This is a repetition of the seventh Egyptian
plague of hail but on a much larger scale. Compare this with the plague of Exodus 9:13-35
and Joshua 10:11. God will thus complete in this manner His wrath begun under the sixth
seal in the first part of the Week (Rev. 6:12-17).
‘It is done’ twenty things are done under the 7th Vial: The earthly events between the
rapture and second coming end (4:1-19:21) thus ending the 70 th week of Daniel (Dan.
9:27). The great tribulations end (11:15-19:21; Matt. 24:15-22; Dan.12:1-7); the
judgments of the seals, trumpets, and vials end (6:1-19:21). The wrath of God started in
the 6th seal ends (6:12-17; 16:17-19:21). The two witnesses, Enoch and Elijah, end their
earthly career (11:3-14; 16:17-19:21). Israel is liberated from the Gentile nations under
the Antichrist (12:1-19:21; Zech. 14:1-21). Jerusalem delivered from these Gentile
nations (Luke 21:24; Rev. 11:1-19:21; Zech. 14:1-21) and the times of the Gentiles end
(Luke 21:24; Rom. 11:25-29; Rev. 19:11-21) as all Gentile world powers are defeated at
Armageddon (19:11-21; Zech. 14:1-21). The martyrdom of the tribulation saints ends
(6:9-11; 7:9-17; 15:2-4; 20:4-6) and the beast worship ends (13:1-18; 19:20). Babylon
the city is destroyed (16:17-21; 18:8, 10) and many cities of the nations fall by this last
earthquake (11:13; 16:17-21) that causes great physical changes on earth (11:13; 16:17-
21; Zech. 14:4). The first resurrection is completed (7:9-17; 11:12; 15:2-4; 20:4-6). As
the Antichrist’s and satan’s reign ends (19:11 - 20:3; Isa. 24:21-22) the day of the Lord
begins (20:1-10) and the eternal reign of Christ begins (19:11-21; 20:1-10).
Timeline: at the end of the 7-year tribulation
The Great Whore

Revelation 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 sits upon many waters: With whom the kings of the earth have
committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the
wine of her fornication. 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.
‘Come hither’ The speaker (angel of Rev. 1:1) was clearly a redeemed man, for when he
had ended showing the Revelation, John fell down before him to worship and was told
that he was a prophet and a fellow brother (cp. 17:1, 7; 19:10; 21:9; 22:8-9).
Revelation 17 is the 8th parenthetical passage and is an account in some detail of
Ecclesiastical Babylon, her identification, character, power, wickedness, judgment and
destruction by the Antichrist and the ten kings, as well as an explanation of the beast and
its seven heads and ten horns. It is clear that this passage is parenthetical because this
religion is destroyed by the Antichrist and the ten kings in the middle of the Week so that
the Antichrist worship may be established (Rev. 17:16-17). The parenthetical portion is
inserted between these two passages to show the contrast between mystical and literal
Babylons. It is an alien passage in subject matter and must be recognized as parenthetical
in that it explains the mystery of the great whore and the beast that carries her. Since the
beast worship is during the last 3 ½ years of the Week, Mystery Babylon must be
destroyed at that time (Rev. 13:1-18). Man destroys Mystical Babylon (Rev. 17:16-17),
and God destroys Literal Babylon (Rev. 18:5-8, 20). God will put the idea into the hearts
of the ten kings to give their kingdoms to the beast for the purpose of destroying Mystical
Babylon (17:14-17), while this is not true in the case of Literal Babylon. The beast and the
ten kings will rejoice over the destruction of Mystical Babylon (Rev. 17:16-17) and they
will mourn over the destruction of Literal Babylon (Rev. 18:9-19). Thus, it is clear that
there are two Babylons in Rev 16:17–18:24.
According to many Bible scholars and historians the Great Whore is identified as a great
religious system, the Roman Catholic Church, which they claim will fulfil Revelation 17
and dominate the Antichrist for a short time during his rise over the ten kings and until the
middle of the Week. Then the beast and the ten kings will destroy her (Rev. 17:9-17).
Even Catholic divines admit Revelation 17 is a description of their church. (See the
writings of Cardinal Ballarmine and the French Prelate, Boussuet.) She has a name on her
forehead, “MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT” (Rev. 17:5). The Roman Church has
taken this as her emblem. In 1825 a medal was struck bearing the image of Pope Leo XII
on one side and on the other side Rome, symbolized by a woman with a cross in her left
hand and a cup in her right hand and a legend around her “Sedet Super Universum”; that
is, “The whole world is her seat.”
The cities of Rome and Babylon were related seems to have been well-known in the
earlier days. It is simple to trace in the archives of history the relation of Babylon to Rome
and to the Roman Church. Ancient Babylon was built by Nimrod, the mighty hunter (Gen.
10:8-10). It was the seat of the first great apostasy against God after the flood. Here the
Babylonian cult was invented by Nimrod and his queen, Semiramis. It was a system
claiming the highest wisdom and ability to reveal the most divine secrets. This cult was
characterized by the word “MYSTERY” because of its system of mysteries. Besides
confessing to the priests at admission, one was compelled to drink of “mysterious
beverages,” which, says Salverte (Des Sciences Occultes, Page 259) “was indispensable on
the part of those who sought initiation into these mysteries.” The “mysterious beverages”
were composed of wine, honey, water, and flour. They were always of an intoxicating
nature, and until the aspirants had come under the influence of it and had their
understanding dimmed, they were not prepared for what they were to see and hear. The
method was to introduce privately, little by little, information under seal of secrecy and
sanction of oath that would be impossible to reveal otherwise. This has been the policy of
the Roman Church and the secret of the power of the priests over the lives of men whom
they could expose to the world for their sins that have been confessed to them. Once
admitted, men were no longer Babylonians, Assyrians, or Egyptians, but were members of
a mystical brotherhood, over whom was placed a Supreme Pontiff or High Priest whose
word was final in all things in the lives of the brotherhood, regardless of the country in
which they lived.
The ostensible objects of worship were the Supreme Father, the Incarnate Female, or
Queen of Heaven, and her Son. The last two were really the only objects of worship, as
the Supreme Father was said not to interfere with mortal affairs ( Nimrod III, Page 239).
This system is believed to have come from fallen angels and demons. The object of the
cult was to rule the world by these dogmas. To Be Continued
Timeline: introduction of the Great Whore after the 7th vial although this religious
system’s destruction takes place in the middle of the 7-years
The Babylonian Cult
Revelation 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON
THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE
EARTH.
In the days of Nimrod, this cult secured a deep hold on the whole human race, for it was
of one language and all were one people. Nimrod gained the title “mighty Hunter”
because of his success in building cities with walls to free men from the ravages of wild
beasts which were multiplying against men. He was called “the Apostate” because he
sought to free men from the idea of God and His wrath. As a great deliverer and protector
of the people and as the head of the godless civilization at that time he would naturally
have great influence upon the people. He led them astray to such an extent that they
gloried in the fact that they were free from the faith of their fathers.
All tradition from the earliest time bears witness of this great apostasy, which finally
reached such proportions that the people defied God to send another flood to destroy
them and they built a tower to escape it. The result was that God confused their language
and scattered them throughout the Earth. This Babylonian system was the one which the
devil had planned to counteract the truth of God. From Babylon, it spread to the ends of
the Earth and we have record that Abraham was chosen of God from all these idolatrous
nations to represent the true God. Through him, God planned to bring man back to
Himself. This explains how the different nations of the world have traditions and religions
somewhat similar, with changes suitable to the individual nation.
After the nations were scattered abroad, Babylon continued to be the “seat of satan” until
it was taken by Xerxes in 487 B.C. The Babylonian priesthood was then forced to leave
Babylon, so it moved to Pergamos, which was the headquarters for some time. When
Attalus, the pontiff and king of Pergamos, died in 133 B.C. he bequeathed the headship of
the Babylonian priesthood to Rome. When the Etruscans came to Italy from Lydia (the
region of Pergamos) they brought with them the Babylonian religion and rites. They set up
a pontiff who was the head of the priesthood and he had the power of life and death over
them. Later, the Romans accepted this pontiff as their civil ruler. Julius Caesar was made
the Supreme Pontiff of the Etruscan Order in 74 B.C. In 63 B.C. he was made Supreme
Pontiff of the Babylonian Order, thereby becoming heir to the rights and titles of Attalus,
who had made Rome his heir by will.
Thus, the first Roman emperor became the head of the Babylonian priesthood and Rome
became the successor of Babylon with Pergamos as the seat of this cult. Henceforth,
Rome's religion has been that of Babylon. In the year 218 A.D. the Roman Army in Syria,
having rebelled against Macrinus, elected Elagabalus emperor. This man was High Priest
of the Egyptian branch of Babylonianism. He was shortly afterwards chosen Supreme
Pontiff by the Romans, and thus the two western branches of the Babylonian apostasy
centred in the Roman emperors who continued to hold this office until 376 A.D.
Damasus, Bishop of the Christian Church at Rome, was then elected to the office of
Supreme Pontiff. He had been bishop for twelve years, having been made such in 366
A.D. through the influence of the monks of Mount Carmel, a college of the Babylonian
religion originally founded by the priests of Jezebel and continued to this day in connection
with Rome. So, in 378 A.D., the Babylonian system of religion became part of
Christendom, for the bishop of Rome, who later became the supreme head of the
organized church, was already Supreme Pontiff of the Babylonian Order. All the teachings
of pagan Babylon and Rome were gradually interspersed into the Christian religious
organization. Soon after Damasus was made Supreme Pontiff, the rites of Babylon began to
come to the front. The worship of the Roman Church became Babylonish, and under him,
the heathen temples were restored and beautified and the rituals established. Thus, the
corrupt religious system under the figure of a woman with a golden cup in her hand,
making all nations drunk with her fornication, is called by God “Mystery, Babylon The
Great.”
The changes that transpired in the doctrines and practices of the Roman Church by this
union did not come all at once. The Roman Church of today is purely a human institution,
and her doctrines, which militate against God's Word, were never taught by Christ or the
apostles. Various doctrines crept into the church centuries afterwards. Because of the
union, the Babylonian rites were easily introduced into and made a part of the Roman
Church and the greatest influence in it became the Supreme Pontiff of the Babylonian
Order. The adherents of each religion would not compromise, so a union of the two was
the outcome.
Following are some points that will show some of the pagan elements that entered into the
church, many of which were taken from the Babylonian religion: firstly was the worship of
the saints and mainly the virgin Mary and her son which is actually the “Queen of Heaven
[Semiramis]and her Son [Nimrod]” as they worship Mary as the Mother of God and her
Son. She was worshipped as Rhea (Chronicon Paschale, Vol. 1, Page 65), the great
“Mother of the Gods” with such atrocious rites as identified her with Venus, the mother of
all impurity as she consecrated prostitution (Hesiod, Theogonia, Vol. 36, Page 453).
From this original practice, practically all nations have copied similar worship, but in each
land, the same figure is carried out under different names. In Egypt, the mother and child
are known as Isis and Osiris; in India, Isi and Iswara; in eastern Asia, Cybele and Deoius;
in pagan Rome, Fortuna and Jupiter-puer; in Greece, Ceres or as Irene with Plutus in
arms, etc. In Tibet, China, and Japan the Jesuits were surprised to find the counterpart of
the madonna (the Italian name for virgin) and her child as devoutly worshipped as in Rome
itself. Shing Moo, the mother of China, is there represented with a child in her arms and
glory around her exactly as if a Catholic artist had painted her.
The next allusion is to the supremacy of the pope over all moral and religious affairs of the
church, and unlimited and immediate authority over the lives of all. The worship and
veneration of images were begun early. Private confessions to priests. The Sign of the
Cross that had its origin in the mystic “Tau” of the Babylonian Cult. It came from the
letter, the initial letter of Tammuz (Ezek. 8:14), but better known in the classical writings
as Bacchus, The Lamented One, who was Nimrod, the son of Cush. The Rosary and the
Orders of Monks and Nuns were all borrowed from the Babylonian Cult. The outstanding
festivals of Romanism, such as Christmas, Easter, St. John's Day, Lady Day, Lent, etc., are
Babylonian and have no relation to Christ and the Bible.
The Beast Out of the Abyss

Revelation 17:6-8 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with
the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.
And the angel said unto me, Wherefore did thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the
woman, and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and ten horns. The
beast that thou saw was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into
perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written
in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was,
and is not, and yet is.
‘The woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of
Jesus’ Her drunkenness - being drunken with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus proves
beyond doubt that she is a religious institution. Only religion has killed the martyrs of Jesus
in all ages. Governments have carried out the dictates of leaders in religion, doing the
actual killing of saints because of religion. Although this prophecy speaks of the future
drunkenness of Mystical Babylon after the Rapture of the body of Christ, who among us
does not know of the martyrdom of 200 million people in the past because they would not
conform to organized religion?
There are five classes that have martyred saints: the Jews (Acts 7:51-60; 8:1; 9:1). Their
religious prejudice caused many to be put to death. The pagans of the old Roman Empire.
History records the martyrdom of many Christians by pagan emperors because of religious
differences. The Mohammedans slew Christians in all their conquests. The Greek
Catholics have also persecuted and martyred Christians and the Roman Catholics have
been guilty of martyrdom in many centuries and many lands.
Martyrdom of saints will again be revived in the old Roman Empire territory between the
Rapture and the Second Coming. In the first 3 ½ years of Daniel's Seventieth Week, the
Great Whore [World Council of Churches] will murder the saints of Jesus (Rev. 17:6). In
the middle of the Week when Antichrist comes to power over the ten kingdoms the Great
Whore will be destroyed and martyrdom of Christians will be carried on by the beast and
the ten kings until the Second Coming (Rev. 13:1-18; 14:9-11; 17:9-17; 19:11–20:6).
‘I wondered with great admiration... Wherefore did thou marvel?’ John didn’t admire in
adoration but rather in wonder of the greatness of this pagan religious system and what it
beholds.
‘Beast that carries her’ the beast carries her, so she must be something separate from the
beast itself. One is political; the other religious.
‘Has the seven heads and ten horns’ the beast has the 7 heads and 10 horns. He is not any
one of the heads or horns. He symbolizes something (17:11), and the heads and horns
symbolize something else (17:12-17). To have a true understanding of the beast one must
think of him as being different from both the heads and horns.
‘Beast that thou saw was, and is not’ the beast out of the abyss is a satanic angel and not
the human spirit of some dead man. He does not incarnate himself in the human Antichrist
or beast out of the sea but merely uses him as a tool to revive the 5th or Grecian kingdom
as the 8th and last kingdom in the times of the Gentiles. This spirit ruled the old Grecian
Empire, the 5th of the 5 kingdoms that had fallen before John’s day (17:10). When his
kingdom fell he was confined to the abyss where he remained during the 6th kingdom (the
Roman Empire, which was the one in existence in John’s day) and where he has been
ever since. He will be confined to the abyss until the 10 kingdoms are formed inside the
Roman Empire to make the 7th kingdom of Revelation 17:10. He will then be loosed and
use the Antichrist to revive the old Grecian Empire as the 8th kingdom of Revelation
17:11. This is what the angel meant when he said the beast was (had existed on earth
before John’s day), and is not (on the earth in John’s day), and shall ascend out of the
abyss and go to perdition (17:8).
Kingdoms of this world have always been controlled by godly or satanic angels and wars
on earth are lost or won as a result of battles in the heavenlies between the good and bad
angels. God plans the rise and fall of certain kingdoms and satan seeks to keep the
prophetic Word from coming to pass (Isa. 24:21-23; 25:7; Dan. 10:13-21; 11:1; 12:1;
Eph. 6:12; Rev. 12:7-12; 16:13-16). In Daniel 10:12-21 and 12:1, we have the satanic
prince of Persia, the prince of Grecia, Michael, Israel’s prince, and other angelic rulers
mentioned.
He is the prince of Greece as we can see from the last visions of Daniel concern the
Grecian Empire, its 4 divisions, and the rise of the Antichrist out of one of them (Rev.
8:9,20-25; 11:1-45). The Antichrist, the earthly head of the 8th kingdom (which is a
revival of the 5th kingdom that had fallen before John’s day; 17:10), will come from the
Syrian division of the old Grecian Empire (Dan. 8:9, 20-25; 11:36-45). If he comes from
the old Grecian Empire and revives it, then it is definite that the spirit out of the abyss is
the prince of Grecia of Daniel 10:20. In Daniel 7:23-24 the Antichrist uses one of the 10
kingdoms, the Syrian kingdom, to overthrow 3 others, that is, the other 3 divisions of the
old Grecian Empire of Daniel 8:9, 20-25. The body of the beast of Revelation is like a
leopard (13:2), which, in Daniel 7:6, symbolizes the old Grecian Empire, proving that the
kingdom of the Antichrist will be mainly Grecian in character and policy, as the Syrian
division in Daniel 8:9-14, 20-25; 11:21-45. In Joel 3:6 with Zechariah 9:13, we have
prophecies of the Grecian Empire in the last days under the Antichrist, proving beyond
doubt that the prince of Grecia is the spirit of the abyss. This revival of Greece will be the
head healed that was wounded to death (13:3, 12-14). The 8th kingdom will be the
Revived Grecian Empire, not the Revised Roman Empire, which is the 7th head on the
beast.
The Eight Mountain Kingdoms

Revelation 17:9-11 And here is the mind which has wisdom. The seven heads are seven
mountains, on which the woman sits. And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is,
and the other is not yet come; and when he comes, he must continue a short space. And
the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goes into
perdition.
‘The seven heads are seven mountains’ the 7 heads are 7 mountains, and the 7 mountains
are 7 kings or kingdoms co-existent with Israel from her beginning to the 8th kingdom
(17:9-11), making the 8 kingdoms that will have persecuted Israel in the times of the
Gentiles (Luke 21:24; Rom. 11:25). Here 5 of the 7 kingdoms “are fallen (Egypt, Assyria,
Babylon, Medo-Persia and Greece), and one is (the 6th, the old Roman Empire), and the
other is not yet come (the 7th, made up of the 10 kingdoms that are yet to be formed inside
the Roman Empire, Dan. 7:23-24), and when he (the 7th, or the Revised Roman Empire)
comes, he must continue a short space” (3 1/2 years, Rev. 12:12, 14). The beast “that was
(had existed on earth before John’s day), and is not (on earth in John’s day), even he is the
8th (8th kingdom, succeeding the 7 preceding kingdoms), and is of the 7 (of one of the 7,
the 5th or Greece, that had fallen before John’s day and becomes the 8th after the 6th and
7th kingdoms), and goes into perdition” (17:9-11).
Egypt was the first kingdom to oppress Israel in the times of the Gentiles, that period of
Israel’s history from her beginning as a nation in Egypt to the second coming of Christ
(Luke 21:24; Rom. 11:25; Rev. 11:1-2). The words Egypt and Egyptian are used 731
times in Scripture and in nearly every case with Israel. Even until the Roman Empire days,
Egypt was Israel’s bitter enemy, with the exception of a few periods of friendship. Egypt
was the place where Israel became a nation and where they were oppressed over 400
years before Moses led them out of bondage (Gen. 15:13-14; Genesis 37 through Exodus
15). She is mentioned many times after this as the oppressor of Israel (1Kin. 14; 2Kin. 17;
18:21-19:18; 23:28-37; 25:25-26; 2Chron. 14:9-12; 16:7-9; Isa. 30-31; Ezek. 29:1 -
21:32). After having oppressed Israel off and on for over 3,750 years, Egypt will be
subject to the Antichrist in oppressing them again under the 8th kingdom (Dan. 8:21-25;
11:40-45). She will never be a great world power again (Eze. 29:15) but will serve the
Lord along with Israel in the eternal kingdom (Isa. 11:11-16; 19:23-25; 27:12-13; Zech.
10:10-11; 14:16-21).
Assyria was the second great empire to oppress Israel in the times of the Gentiles.
Founded by Nimrod (Gen. 10:8-12) it was a kingdom inferior to Egypt for 1,300 years.
Then God allowed her to chasten Israel (2 Kings 15-16; 17-19; 23-24). The words
Assyria and Assyrian are used 175 times and nearly always in connection with Israel. She
oppressed Israel off and on for about 175 years. The Antichrist will be the last Assyrian to
oppress Israel in the times of the Gentiles (Isa. 10:20-27; 14:25; 31:4-9; Mic. 5:5, 6).
Assyria will be blessed in the eternal kingdom along with Israel (Isa. 11:16; 19:23-25).
Babylon was the third empire to oppress Israel in the times of the Gentiles. It is the first
one mentioned in Daniel, and for this reason, many Bible scholars start the time of the
Gentiles with Babylon. Daniel naturally could not predict the oppression of Israel by Egypt
and Assyria for they were in the past by the time he lived. Babylon as an inferior kingdom
helped Assyria against Israel (2Kin. 17:24-30; 2Chron. 33:11). She was chosen by God to
take Judah captive for 70 years (2Kin. 20:1-21; 1Chron. 29:1-30; Jer. 24:1-10). Babylon
is mentioned in Daniel under the head of gold (Dan. 2:37-38) and a lion (Rev. 7:4). The
word Babylon is used 284 times in Scripture nearly always in connection with Israel. She
will have a latter-day part in oppressing Israel (Isaiah 13-14; Jeremiah 50-51).
Medo-Persia was the 4th empire to oppress Israel in the times of the Gentiles. It is the 2nd
one in Daniel as the breast and arms of silver (Dan. 2:32, 39), the bear (Dan. 7:5), and the
ram (Dan. 8:20). It is referred to only 58 times in Scripture, but in an important role (2Kin.
17:6; 18:11; Isa. 13:17; Dan. 5:1-31; 10:13-21; 11:1-2; Ezr. 1:1-8; 4:1 - 9:9; Neh. 1-13).
It will fulfil prophecy in the last days under the Antichrist (Ezekiel 38-39). Medo-Persia
persecuted Israel off and on for over 100 years.
Greece was the 5th empire to oppress Israel in the times of the Gentiles and the 3rd one in
Daniel. It is symbolized in Daniel by the belly and thighs of brass (Dan. 2:32, 39), as the
leopard (Dan. 7:6), and as the he-goat (Dan. 8:5-9, 20-25). It is only mentioned by name 9
times in Scripture, due to the fact it existed between the Old and New Testament times.
She is mentioned many times in the books of Maccabees in the Apocrypha. Practically all
of Daniel 8:1-27; 11:1-45 and 12:1-13; Revelation 6:1-8; 13:1-18; 17:9-17; 19:19-21
must be understood in connection with Greece which will be revived again as the 8th
kingdom. Greece and the Syrian and Egyptian parts of the empire persecuted Israel off and
on for over 250 years. The Grecian Empire is the 5th head on the beast of Revelation
17:9-11, which was (before John), is not (in John’s day), and becomes revived as the 8th
and last kingdom to oppress Israel. She is the head that was wounded to death and made
alive again (13:3, 12).
Rome was the 6th empire to oppress Israel in the times of the Gentiles and the 4th in
Daniel. It is symbolized in Daniel as the legs of iron (Dan. 2:33, 40), the non-descript beast
(Dan. 7:7-8, 23-24), and the 6th head on the beast (Rev. 17:9-17). Rome oppressed Israel
over 200 years and dispersed the Jews in A.D. 70 (Dan. 9:26-27; Matt. 24:1-3; Luke
21:20-24). It is from this territory that the next two kingdoms will arise.
Revised Rome will be the next empire mentioned in Scripture as oppressing Israel in the
times of the Gentiles. This kingdom will be made up of 10 kingdoms inside the Roman
Empire territory in the last days. For this reason, we call it the Revised Roman Empire, not
the Revived. If the Roman Empire was to be revived it would be one kingdom ruled by one
man from Rome, but instead 10 separate kingdoms ruled by 10 kings and with 10 separate
capitals will be formed inside the Roman Empire territory. This is symbolized in Daniel by
the 10 toes (Dan. 2:40-45) and 10 horns (Dan. 7:7-8, 19-24), and by 10 horns in
Revelation 12:3; 13:1; 17:9-17.
The Ten Horns

Revelation 17:12-17 And the ten horns which thou saw 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 said unto
me, The waters which thou saw, where the whore sits, are peoples, and multitudes, and
nations, and tongues. And the ten horns which thou saw 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 has put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their
kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.
There are ten proofs that the toes (Daniel) and the horns are the same: The number is the
same (12:3; 13:1; 17:12; Dan. 2:40-45; 7:7-27). They all exist together and fight Christ at
Armageddon (17:14; 19:11-21; Dan. 2:34-35, 44-45; 7:8-14, 21-27). They all exist after
Rome and are a revision of it (17:12-17; Dan. 2:44-45; 7:7-8, 23-24). They will all be
connected with the same beast at the same time (17:12-17; 19:19-21; Dan. 7:8, 11, 21-
27). The little horn of Daniel 7:7-8, 19-24, and the beast of Revelation 17:9-17 are the
same and will arise after the 10 kings and from among them (17:12-17; Dan. 7:7-8, 23-
24). They will become subject to the same man at the same time (13:1-8; 17:12-17; Dan.
7:23-24). The kingdom of God and Christ will be set up in the days of their existence
(17:14; 19:11-21; Dan. 2:44-45; 7:7-27). They will give their power to the same man for
the same length of time (13:5; 17:8-17; Dan. 7:23-25; 12:7). The 10 horns are the same
as the 7th kingdom of Revelation 17:8-17. They succeed the 6th kingdom or Rome and
precede the 8th or the Antichrist kingdom. The 10 toes and 10 horns of Daniel 2:40-45;
7:7-8, 23-24 also come out of Rome, succeed Rome and precede the kingdom of the little
horn or the Antichrist kingdom. The 10 horns in both books reign both before and after the
beast or little horn. Their reign before him is different from that after him. Before he
comes they are independent, but after he comes to power they are subject to him. They
control the 7th; he controls the 8th kingdom. The Revived Greece will be the 2nd of the
future empires to oppress Israel in the times of the Gentiles and the last world power to do
so. Antichrist will come out of the 10 kingdoms and overthrow 3 of them. The others will
submit to him thus forming the 8th kingdom (Dan. 7:23-24; Rev. 17:8-17). It will be
defeated by Christ at His second coming. This will end the times of the Gentiles.
‘No kingdom as yet’ - no kingdom in John’s day, but will receive kingdoms when the 10
are formed inside the Roman Empire territory in the last days. The kings will rule for 3 1/2
years independent of the Antichrist and then give their power to him the last 3 1/2 years of
this age (13:5). Because they have one mind [one religion] they shall give their power and
strength unto the beast.
‘These shall make war with the Lamb’ this proves the 10 kings have not yet come. They
are not here now but will yet come and fight Christ at Armageddon (17:14; 19:19-21 Dan.
2:44-45; 7:23-27; 8:20-25; 11:45; 12:7).
‘Ten horns which thou saw 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’ Here we have the
destruction of the great whore, the apostate religious system which dominates the 10
kingdoms while the Antichrist is coming to power over them (17:16-17). This happens in
the middle of Daniel’s 70th week, for this is when the 10 kings give their power to the
Antichrist (13:5). The hatred and destruction of the Great Whore by ten kings inside the
Roman Empire territory prove her to be a religious system dominating them until they tire
of her and give their power to the Antichrist. They then turn on the Great Whore and
destroy her so that the Antichrist might establish the beast worship the last 3 ½ years.
‘God has put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the
beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.’ The ten horns/toes will give their kingdom
to the Antichrist because they are all nations who have turned away from God for many
ages and are living according to satan’s plan. When a nation or individual would not hear
or obey God or have anything to do with Him whatsoever He gives them up (Ps. 81:11);
to the lusts of their hearts (Ps. 81:12); to walk in their own counsels (Ps. 81:12); to
desolation (2Chron. 30:7); to their own desire (Ps. 78:29); to pestilence (Ps. 78:50); to
the sword (Ps. 78:62); to the heathen (Ps. 106:41); to uncleanness to (Rom. 1:24); to vile
affections (Rom. 1:26); and to a reprobate mind (Rom. 1:28).
That Great City

Revelation 17:18 And the woman which thou saw is that great city, which reigns over the
kings of the earth.
‘And the woman which thou saw is that great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth’
there are thirteen proofs the Woman (whore) is a religious system: Playing the whore in
symbolic language always refers to religious fornication and idolatry (Rev. 17:1-4; Isa.
17:1-14; 23:1-18; 57:3-7; Jer. 3:2-9; Ezek. 16:1-63; 20:30-32; 23:7-49; Hos. 4:12-19;
Nah. 3:4; literal fornication must also be understood in some of these). Her causing the
many nations to commit fornication with her proves that idolatrous religious practices are
being referred to (17:2, 4). She is not a political power for she is not classed as one with
“the kings of the earth.” She only causes the kings and inhabitants of the earth to be drunk
with the wine of her fornication. Since fornication here refers to religious harlotry then her
influence over the nations is through religion.
‘That great city’ the Babylonian Cult originated from Babylon and that is why literal
Babylon [the city] is mentioned so many times with mystery Babylon [the religious system].
The focus in Revelation, however, is to point out the city’s role during the last days.
The beast which the woman rides is the 8th kingdom, made up of the many waters or
peoples inside the old Roman Empire territory (17:1, 3, 11, 15). Since the beast itself is the
kingdom, the woman must be religion dominating the kingdom until she is destroyed by it
(17:12-17). The attire of the great whore identifies her as a religious system or as a whore
committing spiritual fornication, duping political powers by her whoredoms and idolatries
(17:4). The purple, scarlet, precious stones, pearls, and golden vessels indicate the wealth
of the system (cp. Eze. 23:40-41). The golden cup in her hand, full of her uncleanness,
spiritual fornication and abominations by which she dupes political powers, proves her to
be a religious power (cp. Eze. 23:29-31).
Her name, “MYSTERY BABYLON,” indicates that she is not literal Babylon. The word
“mystery” identifies her with the religious rites and mysteries of ancient Babylon. According
to Hislop’s “The Two Babylons” (which quotes 260 sources), the ancient Babylonian cult,
started by Nimrod and his queen, Semiramis, spread among all nations. The objects of
worship were the Supreme Father, the Incarnate Female, or Queen of Heaven, and her
Son. The cult claimed the highest wisdom and the most divine secrets. Besides confession
to priests, there were many mysterious rites. Julius Caesar became head of the Roman
branch of the Babylonian Cult in 63 B.C. Other emperors held the office until 376 A.D.
when the emperor Gratian, for Christian reasons, refused it because he saw that
Babylonianism was idolatrous. Demasus, bishop of the Christian church at Rome, was
elected to the headship in 378 A.D. and from here on Babylonianism and organized
Christianity became one. The rites of Babylon were soon introduced into the Christian
church. Heathen temples were restored, beautified, and their rituals encouraged. Worship
and veneration of images, saints, relics, private confessions, penances, scourgings,
pilgrimages, the sign of the cross, Christmas, Lady Day, Easter, Lent, and other pagan rites
and festivals, little by little, became a part of Christian worship.
“MOTHER OF HARLOTS,” identifies the whore as a religious system (17:5). The
harlots refer to many branches which have sprung from her and have become as apostate
as the great whore herself. She is a symbol of apostate religions being linked together after
the rapture of the body of Christ to dominate the 10 kings of the Revised Roman Empire
until the Antichrist comes to full power over the 10 kingdoms by the middle of Daniel’s
70th week (17:1, 3, 9-17).
The name, “MOTHER OF ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH,” identifies her to be a
religious system fostering and tolerating all the abominations that go with idolatry and
spiritual fornication. The word abominations are used many times of idolatry and
whoredoms associated with pagan worship (Deut. 18:9-12; 29:17-18; 32:16-17; 1Kin.
14:24; 2Kin. 16:3-4; 21:2-11; Ezek. 16:22-58; etc.). The great whore of the future
tribulation will be the mother of abominations in God’s sight because she will exceed all
others in wickedness.
Her drunkenness - being drunk with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus - proves beyond
doubt that she is a religious institution. Only religion has killed the martyrs of Jesus in all
ages. Governments have carried out the dictates of leaders in religion, doing the actual
killing of saints because of religion. Although this prophecy speaks of the future
drunkenness of mystical Babylon after the rapture of the body of Christ, we know of the
martyrdom of 200 million people in the past because they would not conform to organized
religion.
The hatred and destruction of the great whore by 10 kings inside the Roman Empire
territory prove her to be a religious system dominating them until they tire of her and give
their power to the Antichrist. They turn on the great whore and destroy her so that the
Antichrist might establish beast worship the last 3 1/2 years (17:12-17). The woman sits
on the beast itself, not on the heads and horns in succession (17:1, 3, 7, 15). The 7 heads
and 10 horns on the beast are a part of him and this is the only sense in which she rides
the heads (17:9). Since the beast is the 8th world empire (17:11), it is clear that she is
something separate from the empire, and only rides or dominates the peoples of that
empire. The angelic explanation of the great whore proves her to be a religious system
reigning over kings spiritually. The Greek reads, “And the woman whom thou saw is the
city the great, which has a kingdom over the kings of the earth” (17:18). She is to be a
religious system inside the old Roman Empire territory; one that has headquarters in a great
city; and one that has a religious kingdom or reign over the kings of the earth.
We must recognize in the symbol two things: a great religious system and a great city
where she has headquarters. The great whore will hold power over her loyal subjects, not
through superior military forces, but by the deceptions of her spiritual harlotry and
abominations.
Babylon
Revelation 18:1-3 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven,
having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with
a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of
devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For
all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the
earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich
through the abundance of her delicacies.
‘After these things’ the phrase “after these things” proves that the events of Revelation
18:1-24 happen after those of Revelation 17:1-18, which passage is parenthetical and
fulfilled 3 1/2 years before the 7th vial and the destruction of literal Babylon.
‘Babylon the great’ there are fifteen contrasts between the two Babylons: Mystery Babylon
of Revelation 17:1-18 is symbolic; literal Babylon of Revelation 16:17-21 and 18:1-24 is
not. One is a mystery (17:7); the other is not (16:19; 18:1-24). John wondered at one
(17:6), but not at the other (18:1-24). One rides the beast (17:3-7); the other does not
(18:1-24). One angel promises to tell John all about mystery Babylon (17:7); several speak
of literal Babylon (18:1-20). One is called “the woman,” the “great whore,” etc.; the other
is not. Names are written on one (17:5); this is not true of the other. Mystery Babylon was
something new to John (17:1-7); literal Babylon was not. One is not mentioned by the
prophets; the other, literal Babylon is mentioned many times. One makes herself rich by
duping people (17:4); literal Babylon makes others rich (18:3, 9-19). One is destroyed by
man (17:12-17); the other by God (18:5-20). People rejoice over the destruction of one
(17:16-17); they lament the destruction of the other - literal Babylon (18:9-19). God puts it
into the hearts of people to destroy one (17:15-17); not the other. People could not
destroy mystery Babylon in one hour, as is true of literal Babylon (18:8, 10, 17). Thirty
articles of commerce are mentioned in literal Babylon (18:11-14); none are mentioned in
mystery Babylon.
There are 6 similarities of the two Babylons: Both commit fornication with kings and
nations (17:2; 18:3-14) and both shed blood of saints (17:6; 18:24). Both have cups of sin
(17:4; 18:6). Both are a city (17:18; 18:10-21), it is important to remember that the
beginning of the false religions started as the Babylonian Cult from the city Babylon. Both
are made desolate (17:16; 18:19). Both are called Babylon the great (17:5 cp. with 14:8;
16:19; 18:2).
Not one of the above passages has yet been literally fulfilled, so they must refer to future
prosperity and destruction of Babylon. That a literal city is referred to are proved by its
predicted destruction along with the cities of the nations (16:19).
In New Testament times “Babylon” was still a city with a Christian congregation (1Pet.
5:13). 500 years later, the Babylonian Talmud was written there. Since then it has not
been destroyed as required in the above references. Even today there is a city called Hillah
of nearly 300,000 population built just south of the old site of ancient Babylon. The soil is
exceedingly fertile and engineers estimate that the Euphrates and Tigris rivers could
irrigate 7,000,000 acres in winter and 3,000,000 in summer to grow varied crops. The
whole of the East is rich in oil and other minerals. A commercial city called Babylon could
be made here in a few short years.
This city will be the capital of Antichrist before he enters Palestine to make the Jewish
temple his capital the last 3 1/2 years of this age (11:1-2; 13:1-18; Dan. 11:40-45; 2Thess.
2:3-4). Even if we ignored all the Old Testament prophecies above, we should be forced
to believe in a literal city for the fulfilment of Revelation 14:8; 16:17-21 and 18:1-24.
‘Become the habitation of devils’ Babylon will become the chief centre of demonic
operations after the rapture. This is the chief cause of her fall (18:2). ‘Hateful bird’ demon
powers (Matt. 13:4, 19).
‘For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the
earth have committed fornication with her’ that literal Babylon can cause people to commit
spiritual fornication is clear from Jeremiah 51:7.
‘Delicacies’ this indicates a commercial centre. Note the 30 articles of commerce (18:11-
15).
Babylon’s Plagues
Revelation 18:4-11 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my
people, that you be not partakers of her sins, and that you receive not of her plagues. For
her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. Reward her
even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup
which she hath filled fill to her double. How much she hath glorified herself, and lived
deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she said in her heart, I sit a queen,
and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. 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 judges her. And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication
and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see
the smoke of her burning, 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. And the
merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buy their merchandise
any more
‘Come out of her, my people’ - this call to “Come out of her (Babylon) my people,”
indicates the voice as that of Christ (18:1, 18:4; cp. 1:12-16; 10:1-11; Dan. 7:13-14;
10:5-10). This command is the same as in Jeremiah 50:4-9 and 51:5-8, 45.
‘That you be not partakers of her sins, and that you receive not of her plagues’ the purpose
of God’s people coming out of Babylon is to be free from partaking of her sins, so that they
may not receive of her plagues. This again proves that God’s people can sin and partake of
the punishments of the wicked.
‘Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her
works’ Backsliders who sin are to be punished like ordinary sinners or God would be
unjust and untrue to His Word (18:6; Gal. 5:19-21; 6:7-8; Rom. 6:23; 8:12-13).
‘For she said in her heart, I sit a queen’ - here Babylon is personified as a queen and chief
of all cities (18:7; Isa. 47:5, 7).
‘Plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly
burned with fire’ there are four plagues that will come upon Babylon: Death; mourning;
famine; and to be utterly burned with fire.
Babylon is to be destroyed by an earthquake (16:17-21) and by supernatural destruction
(16:17-21; 18:8, 10, 17, 19, 21; Isa. 13:6-13; Jer. 50:20, 40; 51:8). Suddenly in one hour
(18:8-19; Isa. 13:19; Jer. 50:40; 51:8), by fire from heaven (18:8-18; Isa. 13:19; Jer.
50:40), and with violence (18:21), by the earth swallowing her (18:21; Jer. 51:62-64). By
God (18:8, 20), as He destroyed Sodom (Isa. 13:19; Jer. 50:40).
‘Judges her’ - the suddenness and completeness of the destruction of Babylon are
emphasized by this prophecy, proving that the judgment is yet future (18:8, 10, 17, 19-21;
Isa. 13:20; Jer. 50:13, 39-40; 51:29-43).
‘Lament for her’ if there was no other proof of two Babylons, this would be sufficient. The
kings of the earth will freely destroy mystery Babylon (17:12-17); here they lament the
destruction of literal Babylon (18:9-10). They would not destroy something whose
destruction they would lament. ‘Kings of the earth’ current world leaders.
The Weeping and Wailing

Revelation 18:12-19 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of
pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all
manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and
iron, and marble, And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine,
and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and
slaves, and souls of men. And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee,
and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shall find
them no more at all. The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall
stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, And saying, Alas, alas, that
great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold,
and precious stones, and pearls! For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And
every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea,
stood afar off, And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like
unto this great city! And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing,
saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by
reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.
‘Merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones ...’ there are thirty articles of
commerce mentioned, proving this Babylon to be a great commercial canter.
‘All the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea’ - indicating travellers of
all kinds and world merchants (Dan. 12:4). Merchants do not get rich through religious
systems. Such systems get rich through merchants and offerings of the poor. This proves
Babylon to be a literal commercial centre, not a religious system as is Mystery Babylon of
Revelation 17:1-18. The Antichrist will have control of great riches of the East in the last
days (Dan. 8:25; 11:38-43; Rev. 13:17; 19:11-19).
‘That great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet’ the great city
Babylon from whence the Babylonian cult originated.
‘Wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea’ - three worlds are enriched by
Babylon: The governmental world (18:9-10); the commercial world (18:11-16); and the
maritime world (18:17-19).
The rebuilding of Babylon is a surety as we see what Scripture says: Babylon as a literal
city is mentioned in the fulfilment of many things which must be after the rapture (14:8;
16:19; 18:1-24). Zechariah predicted the rebuilding of Babylon (Zech 5:5-11). Babylon
must again be a great commercial centre (18:3-10). Babylon must again be a great religious
centre (18:2-10, 23-24). Her sorceries will deceive all nations after the rapture (18:23;
2Thess. 2:10). Orders for the martyrdom of saints will go out from Babylon (18:24).
Babylon will be destroyed at the end of this age (16:19; 18:1-24; Isa. 13:19; Jer. 50:40).
The time of the destruction of Babylon will be in the day of Israel’s final restoration
(16:17-20:6; Isa. 13:6-13; 14:1-7; Jer. 50:4-35)and in the day of the Lord (16:19; 18:1-
24; Isa. 13:6-13). It will be at the end of the great tribulation (16:17-21; 18:1-24), under
the 7th vial (16:17-21) when the earth is greatly affected (16:17-21; Matt. 24:29-31; Isa.
13:10-11). It will be at the time when the world is punished for its sins (18:1-24; Isa.
13:11). When Israel is given rule over her oppressors (Isa. 14:1-4) and when Israel sings
her triumph song (Isa. 14:3-17). This all happens at the second coming (16:17-21) at the
beginning of the Millennium (16:17-21; 18:1-20:10).
God Has Avenged

Revelation 18:20-24 Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets;
for God has avenged you on her. And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone,
and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown
down, and shall be found no more at all. And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of
pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of
whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall
be heard no more at all in thee; And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee;
and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for
thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations
deceived. And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were
slain upon the earth.
‘Thou heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets’ the angels are to share with the
apostles and prophets in rejoicing because God has taken vengeance on His enemies. The
prophets [spokesmen for God during Old Testament times] and the apostles [spokesmen
for Christ during the New Testament times] where people who suffered greatly for being
in service to God: “in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints...”
‘Took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea’ - we see here the literal
casting into the sea of those who cause offense to others: to make them stumble to be lost.
(Matt. 18:6; Mark 9:42; Luke 17:2). This city with all of its abominations will be a
stumbling stone for many.
‘Violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all’
- here we have the violence and suddenness of destruction of literal Babylon pictured. She
is to be cast down and not found any more. This has never been fulfilled for ruins of
Babylon still remain and can be found any day. In fact, many remains of Babylon have
been used to build Hillah. This is contrary to Jeremiah 51:26 if there is to be no future
destruction of a literal city. After the final destruction not one stone of Babylon will be
used to rebuild any city or house. Babylon has been restored several times since Nimrod
and each time on a different site but in the same vicinity.
‘And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no
more at all in thee ...’ Revelation 18:22-23 emphasize the utter doom of literal Babylon and
again confirms the fact of a future and total destruction of a literal place, not a religious
system. People still visit the ruins of Babylon, which gradually went into decay and finally
became a deserted city. It was never destroyed suddenly by an earthquake in one hour,
hence the future fulfilment of Revelation 16:17-21 and 18:1-24.
‘By thy sorceries were all nations deceived’ – there are eight causes of the doom of
Babylon: Pride (18:7-8; Isa. 13:19; 14:4; Jer. 50:29-34); the oppression of Israel (18:24;
Isa. 13:1; 14:2-22; Jer. 51:24-25); pleasures, sins, and luxuries (18:3-19; Isa. 47:8-11);
idol worship (9:20-21; 13:14; 14:9-11; 16:2; Jer. 50:2; 51:47); fornication (14:8; 18:3-
9); spiritism (18:2); sorceries the Greek word pharmakeia meaning medication
(‘pharmacy’), which is sorcery and witchcraft (18:23; Isa. 47:12-13); and the martyrdom
of saints (18:6, 24).
‘All that were slain upon the earth’ - this seems to teach that Babylon has been responsible
for all murders on earth, as well as the martyrdom of all saints that have ever been slain,
but this could not possibly be, for Abel and many other antediluvians were destroyed
before Babylon ever existed. Multitudes have been slain outside of Babylon in all
generations since her existence. The true meaning is that Babylon will be the final
concentration of martyrdoms and reigns of terror, making her responsible in the same sense
that all the blood from Abel to Zacharias the prophet was to be required of the Pharisees
living at the time of Jesus (Matt. 23:35-36). The idea is that of cumulative sins and
judgment. God will punish Babylon with destruction and wrath equal to what she would
receive if she were responsible for all that were ever slain upon earth. Her destruction will
culminate the wrath of God started under the 6th seal in the first 3 1/2 years of Daniel’s
70th week (6:12-17).
The extent of Babylon’s destruction is that it will never be inhabited again (Isa. 13:20; Jer.
50:39-40; 51:29, 37, 43) because the destruction will be totally (18:21; Isa. 13:9-22; Jer.
50:3-40; 51:26-43). Arabs and shepherds will never dwell there afterward (Isa. 13:20).
The city will never be found again (18:21). Her site will be one of the openings of hell
(19:3; Isa. 14:9-17; 66:22-24). Desert creatures will dwell on the edges of this hell-hole
(Isa. 13:21-22). People will be astonished at such destruction (Jer. 50:13).
Rejoicing in Heaven
Revelation 19:1-5 And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven,
saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: For
true and righteous are his judgments: for he has judged the great whore, which did corrupt
the earth with her fornication, and has avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. And
again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever. And the four and
twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne,
saying, Amen; Alleluia. And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all you
his servants, and you that fear him, both small and great.
‘And after these things ...’ this passage (19:1-10) is the 9th and last parenthetical passage in
the book. It is inserted between the revelation of the 7th vial (16:17-21; 18:1-24) and the
second coming (19:11-21). It reveals events in heaven just before the second coming.
After receiving the revelation of the destruction of mystery and literal Babylons in
Revelation 17-18, John sees the marriage of the Lamb in heaven just before the second
coming of Christ to the earth (19:11-21).
‘In heaven’ the fact that “much people” are in heaven here proves they have been caught
up in time for the marriage of the Lamb. This contradicts the theory of no rapture of saints
to heaven, as well as the theory that the marriage supper of the Lamb will be held in the
air after Christ raptures the saints (1Thess. 4:16-17). At the rapture the saints will go
immediately to heaven where they will remain during the last 7 years of this age and
during the tribulation (Eph. 5:27; Col. 3:4; 1Thess. 3:13).
There are eight events between the Rapture and Revelation 19:11: Presentation before
God (Eph. 5:27; Col. 3:4; 1Thess. 3:13); saints declared blameless (1Thess. 3:13; 5:23);
settlement in mansions (John 14:1-3; Heb. 11:10-16; 13:14; Rev. 3:12). The judgment of
saints (Rom. 14:10; 2Cor. 3:11-15; 5:10-11). Regular worship (19:1-9; Luke 22:16);
routine of living (Luke 22; John 14:1-3; 2Cor. 2:9; Rev. 1:6); the marriage of the Lamb
(19:1-9); the preparation for the second coming, the battle of Armageddon, and the
establishment of an eternal government on earth (19:11-21; 20:1-10; Zech. 14:1-21).
‘Forever and Ever’ is used thirteen times in Revelation of: Worship of God and the Lamb
(1:6; 5:13; 7:12); God living forever and ever (4:9-10; 5:14; 10:6; 15:7); God and Christ
reigning forever and ever (11:15); smoke of eternal torment ascending up forever and ever
(14:9-11; 19:3); torment of the wicked forever and ever (20:10); and the saints reigning
forever and ever (22:5).
‘The four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat
on the throne’ Heavenly worship recorded in Revelation 19:1-7: Worship of angels and
redeemed (19:1-3); worship of the 4 beasts and 24 elders (19:4); the command for angels
and redeemed to worship (19:5); and again the worship of angels and redeemed (19:6-7).
The Marriage Supper
Revelation 19:6-10 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice
of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God
omnipotent reigns. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of
the Lamb is come, and his wife has 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 said unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage
supper of the Lamb. And he said unto me, These are the true sayings of God. And I fell at
his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant,
and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of
Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
This passage is generally taken to be parenthetical, and such is the case, for it is given after
the vial judgments, but will be fulfilled in heaven when all the tribulation saints and the
two witnesses are raptured at the end of the Week. The return of Christ will take place at
the seventh vial or soon after, and the marriage supper will be before He comes, so the
passage must be parenthetical, explaining what takes place in heaven just before Christ
comes back to earth with the saints (Rev. 16:17-21; 19:11-21).
It is clear that these multitudes in heaven will be giving glory to God because He has
already judged the “great whore” and the smoke of the destruction of Literal Babylon is at
that time ascending up.
This whore could not be the same as the whore in Revelation 17 for she will have been
destroyed three and one-half years before this event and her smoke would not be
ascending at this time. Then, too, this judgment will be from God Himself who will have
avenged the blood of His servants at her hand. Hence, this rejoicing is to be in obedience
to the command of Revelation 18:20, calling all of “heaven, and you saints, and you
apostles, and you prophets” to rejoice over her judgment. Her smoke is to ascend to God
“for ever and ever” which term is used fourteen times in this book. This corresponds to the
eternal desolations of Literal Babylon in Isaiah 13:19-22 and Jeremiah 50:13, 23, 39-40;
51:26, 37, 62. This may be the one place where the eternal lake of fire will be visible to
the earth dwellers in the New Earth after the Millennium (Isa. 66:22-24; Rev. 14:9-11).
Next, we have mention of the elders and living creatures worshipping God. This is the last
time they are seen in Revelation. Then a voice from the throne says, “Praise our God, all
you his servants, and you that fear him, both small and great.” After this, is heard the voice
of a great multitude with a voice as of many waters and powerful thunderings saying,
“Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigns.” Then, the angel shows John the marriage
of the Lamb, while in Revelation 21:9 he shows him “the bride, the Lamb's wife.”
‘His wife’ it is stated in Revelation 21:2, 9-10 in the clearest way possible that the Holy
City, the New Jerusalem, is the bride, the Lamb's wife. ‘His wife has made herself ready,’
shows that there are certain preparations to make in order to be ready. This seems clear
from her white robe which is the righteous works of the saints. ‘For the fine linen is the
righteousness of saints’ this explains that His wife is made up of the saints of all ages from
Abel to the last one in the first resurrection - those who will go to live in the New
Jerusalem (21:2, 9-10; Heb. 11:10-16; 12:22-23; 13:14).
The Greek word for “marriage” means “marriage feast” and proves that the supper will be
literal and real. It is impossible to describe the wedding supper as we have no description
given us of it. The marriage feast of the Lamb is mentioned only in Revelation 19:7, 9. All
we know about it is revealed here.
‘Write ... These are the true sayings of God.’ All apostles (New Testament) and prophets
(Old Testament) who wrote the word of God were commanded to do so. They wrote the
TRUE SAYINGS OF GOD.
When John saw these things, he fell down to worship the angel as he would worship
God but was immediately restrained from doing so, and was told that he (the angel) also
was a redeemed person and was a fellow servant, and of the brethren and of those who
have the testimony of Jesus, which is the spirit of prophecy. The words “testimony” and
“prophecy” are the same as in Revelation 1:2-3.
The Rider on a White Horse

Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat
upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he does judge and make
war.
The following facts are mentioned of the Second Coming of Christ: He is coming from
Heaven (19:11, 14. cp. Matt. 24:29-31; 2 Thess. 1:7 and Dan. 7:13-14). He is coming
on a white horse (Rev. 19:11). His appearance will be somewhat similar to that in the first
vision (Rev. 1:12-18). He has many crowns on His head (19:12) and His eyes are as
flames of fire (19:12) and His body is clothed with a vesture dipped in blood (19:13). His
titles and names are “Faithful,” “True,” “The Word of God,” and “KING OF KINGS
AND LORD OF LORDS,” besides a name that no man knows, but He Himself (Rev.
19:11-16). He is coming with authority and for the purpose of making war in
righteousness upon the nations and judging them in righteousness (19:11; Isa. 11:4; 49:2),
of treading them in the fierceness of the winepress of the wrath of Almighty God (14:14-
20; 19:15, 21; Isa. 63:3; Joel 3:13), and of ruling (shepherding) them with a rod of iron
(19:15; Psa. 2:1-12; cp. Rev. 2:26-27; 12:5; Ps. 149:7-9). He will command the armies of
Heaven as commander-in-chief (19:14, 19-21; cp. Jude 1:14; Zech. 14:5), who will
follow Him on white horses, clothed in linen, white and clean, which is the righteousness
of the saints (Rev. 9:8, 14). Out of His mouth goes a sharp sword to smite the nations
(19:15, 21; cp. 1:12-16; 10:1-2; 14:14-20). He will conquer the Antichrist at
Armageddon (19:19-21; 2Thess. 2:8-9; Zech. 14:1-21; Joel 3:1-21).
These points sum up the glorious coming of Christ with His saints and angels to defeat the
dragon, the beast, and the false prophet with their armies, and to deliver Israel and
establish a reign of righteousness on the Earth. Never will there be a more glorious event,
or a more beautiful sight than this spectacle of the armies of Heaven, clothed in spotless
white and in perfect order and rank, following Christ on white horses, and accompanied
by heavenly angels, anxious for the fray, to take vengeance on the enemies of God.
The fact of the Second Coming of Christ is also vividly pictured in many other Scriptures,
the testimony of the Second Coming is given by Old Testament prophets as follows:
Enoch (Gen. 5:21-24; Jude 14-15); Jacob (Gen. 49:10); Balaam (Num. 24:7, 17-19);
Isaiah (59:20); Jeremiah (23:5-6; 25:30-33); Ezekiel (34:23-29; 37:17-28; 43:7); Daniel
(2:44, 45; 7:13-14); Hosea (2:18-23; 3:4-5); Joel (2:28-3:21); Amos (5:15-21); Micah
(1:3-4; 2:12-13; 4:1–5:7); Nahum (1:5-6); Habakkuk (2:13-14); Zephaniah (1:14-18;
3:8-9); Haggai (2:6-7, 21-23; Heb. 12:25-29); Zechariah (2:10-13; 3:8; 6:12-13; 8:3-23;
12:4-14; 13:1-9; 14:1-21); and Malachi (3:1 - 4:6). In the Old Testament there are as
many, if not more, references to the Second Coming of Christ as there are to His first
coming (333 prophecies).
Then we have the testimony of the New Testament prophets: Jesus (Matt. 16:27; 24:1-
25:46; Luke 17:22-37; 21:1-33); Peter (Acts 3:21; 2 Pet. 1:16; 3:3-9); Paul (Rom. 11:26,
27; 2 Thess. 1:7-10; 2:1-8; Heb. 9:28); John (Rev. 1:7; 19:11-21); and Jude (1:14-15).
The Lord’s Supper declares the Second Coming (Luke 22:19; 1 Cor. 11:26) and angels
declare it (Acts 1:10-11 cp Luke 1:26-35; 2:8-18). In the 260 chapters of the New
Testament the subject is referred to about 300 times. Nearly every book in both
Testaments directly or indirectly predicts His Second Coming to the Earth.
Trodden the Winepress

Revelation 19:11-16 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 does 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 goes a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them
with a rod of iron: and he treads 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.
‘Heaven opened’ this is proof that the raptured saints go to heaven after meeting Christ in
the air and that the marriage supper is held in heaven and not in the air.
‘He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood’ In His descent to the earth at the second
coming Christ will appear over Edom, Bozrah [Petra] where Israel is being protected from
the Antichrist (12:6, 14). In Matthew 24:27 we see the direction from which He comes to
the Mount Olivet in His descent to the Earth “as the lightning comes out of the east, and
shines even unto the west” from the direction of Bozrah to Armageddon (Isa. 63:1-5;
Zech. 14:1-5). The dyed garments are explained in Isaiah 63:2-3 as being coloured from
the blood of some of the armies of the Antichrist that Christ trodden, when they try to
attack the Israelites who has fled there in Revelation 12:6, 14 (Matt. 24:16-20). Isaiah
63:1-6 summarizes the events minutes before the battle of Armageddon as follows: “Who
is this that comes from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? … glorious in his apparel,
travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.
Wherefore are thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treaded in the
winefat? 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
[Armageddon]is in mine heart, and the year [Millennium] of my redeemed is come. And I
looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold:
therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me. And I will
tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring
down their strength to the earth.”
No man of the people whom He is coming to save will be with Him as He descends from
heaven; only the resurrected saints and the angels will come with Him (19:11-21; Zech.
14:5; Matt. 25:31; 2Thess. 1:7-10; Jude 1:14-15). ‘Armies which were in heaven’ these
armies include all the redeemed and resurrected saints of all ages and all the angels of
heaven (19:14; Matt. 24:29-31; 2Thess. 1:7-10; 2:7-10; Jude 1:14-15; Zech. 14:5; Joel
2:1-11).
The Israelites will see Him in His descent to Jerusalem and will cry, Blessed is He that
comes in the name of the Lord (Matt. 23:35-39). They will then pray the prayer of Isaiah
63:15-64:12 by the Holy Spirit upon them (Zech. 12:10-13:1) and will all be converted
on that day (Isa. 66:7-8; Rom. 11:25-29).
He is coming “as the lightning comes out of the east, and shines even unto the west.” This
has reference to the direction from which He is to come to Mount Olivet in His descent to
the Earth and it also has reference to the coming of Christ to one particular place in the
world from which place He departed (Acts 1:11) thus is He coming visibly in the same
way that He went away (Acts 1:11; Rev. 1:7). He is coming as a great destruction to the
ungodly, as did the flood (Matt. 24:38-51; 25:31-46; 1Thess. 5:2; 2Thess. 1:7-10; 2:8;
Jude 14-15; Zech. 14). He is coming in mighty brightness and fire (2 Thess. 1:7-10; 2:8;
Ezek. 38:17-21; Mal. 4:1-6). He is coming in vengeance and wrath to punish His enemies
(14:14-20; 19:11-21; Jude 14; 2 Thess. 1:7-10). He is coming with power and great
glory (Matt. 24:27-31). He is coming with clouds (Rev. 1:7; 19:11-21; Dan. 7:13-14;
Matt. 24:27-30). He is coming as Judge and King (19:11-21; Isa. 11; Zech. 14; Matt.
25:31-46).
The Battle of Armageddon

Revelation 19:17-21 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 you 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.
‘The supper of the great God’ is described as follows: the invited guests – the fowls
(19:17; Matt. 24:28; Luke 17:34-37; Ezek. 39:17-21). The supper was foretold (19:18;
Matt. 24:28; Luke 17:37; Isa. 34:3; Ezek. 39:17); the supper was gathered (14:14-20;
16:13-16; 17:14; 19:19; Ezek. 38-39; Zech. 14:2); the supper slain and prepared (14:14-
20; 19:20-21; Isa. 34:1-17; 63:1-7; Ezek. 38-39; Joel 3:1-21; Zech. 14:1-21); the supper
eaten (Matt. 24:28; Luke 17:37; Ezek. 39:17-21) as stated in verse 21: “and all the fowls
were filled with their flesh.”
‘Gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army’ the
battle of Armageddon (16:13-16; Joel 3:1-21; Zech. 14:1-15; Ezek. 38-39) will take place
at “Armageddon” a word which is derived from two Hebrew words, har, meaning a
mountain or range of hills, hill country, and Megiddo, meaning rendezvous. The two
words put together (Har-Megiddo) refer to the Hill of Megiddo on the south side of the
valley of Megiddo or Esdraelon southeast of Mount Carmel (2 Chron. 35:22; Zech.
12:11). “Megiddo” was the capital of a portion of Canaan that fell to Joshua (12:21;
17:11; Judg. 1:27). It is at the entrance to a pass across the Carmel mountain range, on
the main highway between Asia and Africa, and is the key position between the Euphrates
and the Nile.
The time of this pre-millennial event: When the Antichrist conquers Russia, Germany, and
other countries north and east of the 10 kingdoms (already conquered by him during the
first 3½ years) and has mobilized the nations at Armageddon against Jerusalem (19:19-21;
Dan. 11:44; Ezek. 38-39; Zech. 14:1-5). After the marriage supper of the Lamb (19:1-21),
at the second coming to deliver the Jews from the Antichrist (19:11-21; Joel 3:1-21;
Zech. 14:1-5; Isa. 63:1-7; Jude 1:14; 2Thess. 1:7) which takes place immediately after
the great tribulation (19:11-21; Matt. 24:29-31; 25:31-46) when Jerusalem is surrounded
by the armies of all nations under the Antichrist (19:19-21; Zech. 14:1-15) at the
beginning of the day of the Lord (Rev. 19:11-20:7; 1Thess. 5:3; 2Thess. 2:1-17). In the
days when conditions will be as in the days of Noah and Lot (19:11-21; Matt. 24:37-39;
Luke 17:22-37; 1Tim. 4:1-16; 2Tim. 3:1-13; 4:1-4; 2Pet. 2:1-22). Just before the
Millennium (19:11-21; 20:1-10) at the end of this age of grace (19:11-21; Matt. 13:40-50;
24:29-31; 25:31-46; Acts 15:13-18).
Then the first resurrection will be completed (19:19 - 20:6) at the end of Daniel’s 70th
week (11:1-3; 12:6, 14; 13:5; Dan. 9:27) after the Antichrist has reigned for 42 months
(13:5; 19:19-21; 2Thess. 2:9) and Israel has been in the wilderness for 3½ years (11:1-3;
12:6, 14; 13:5). The tares and wheat are separated (Matt. 13:40-50; 25:31-46) at the
time when Israel is to be finally gathered from all nations (Matt. 24:29-31; Isa. 11:10-12;
Ezek. 37:1-28); at the time satan is bound (19:11-20:7; Isa. 24:22-23; 25:7).
Armageddon will not be an ordinary battle or series of battles between two sets of earthly
nations. It will be one between Christ and His heavenly armies (19:11-14; 2Thess. 1:7-
10; Zech. 14:5; Jude 1:14) and earthly Israel (Zech. 14:14) on one side, and satan and his
angels (12:7-12; 20:1-3), under the Antichrist, on the other side (Dan. 2:44-45; 7:19-27;
Ezek. 38-39; Zech. 14:1-5; 16:13-16; 19:19-21).
Satan’s purpose will be to stop Christ from taking possession of the earth, thus averting his
own impending doom (12:12; 19:19-21; 20:1-10; Zech. 14:1-5).
God’s purpose however is to deliver Israel and end the times of the Gentiles (11:1-2; Isa.
63:1-7; Zech. 14:1-5; Luke 21:24) and to punish the nations for their persecution of Israel
(Matt. 25:31-46). To set up a divine government over the nations of earth (11:15; Dan.
2:44-45; 7:13-27; Zech. 14:1-21) and to re-establish the kingdom of David as promised
(2Sam. 7:1-29; Isa. 9:6-7; Luke 1:32-33; Acts 15:13-18). Rid the earth of all rebellion
(20:7-10; 1Cor. 15:24-28) and to gather together-in-one all things in Christ, in heaven and
on earth (Eph. 1:10). Give man one more dispensational test before destroying all rebels
and restoring man’s dominion as before the curse (20:1-10; 21:1-22:5; Isa. 66:22-24;
2Pet. 3:10-13.
The length of the battle will be one day only (Zech. 14:1-7).
The results of the battle will be the total defeat of satanic forces under satan and the
Antichrist (19:11-20:3; Isa. 63:1-19; Ezek. 38-39; Zech. 14:1-21; Joel 3:1-21). All
earthly armies destroyed except one-sixth part (Ezek. 39:2); and the destroyed armies
become the carcasses for the fowls and beasts to eat for 7 months (19:17-21; Ezek. 39:4-
24; Matt. 24:28; Luke 17:34-37; Job 39:27-30). The beast and false prophet consigned
to the lake of fire forever (19:20; 20:10; 2Thess. 2:8-9; Dan. 7:11; 8:25; 11:45). Satan,
his angels and demons consigned to the abyss for 1,000 years (20:1-7; Isa. 24:22-23;
25:7). Blood flowing up to the horse’s bridles for 296 kilometres (14:14-20; Ezek. 39:17-
24; Isa. 63:1-7). Israel will be delivered and vindicated and God’s eternal kingdom set up
(11:15; 19:11 - 20:10; 22:4-5; Matt. 25:31-46; Dan. 2:44-45; 7:13-27; Isa. 9:6-7; Luke
1:32-33).
‘Alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone’ the Antichrist and false prophet will be
two mortal men killed at Armageddon (19:20; Dan. 7:11; Isa. 11:4; 2Thess. 2:8-9). Their
bodies will be resurrected and cast into eternal hell (19:20; 20:10; Dan. 7:11). They and
the goat nations (Matt. 25:41, 46) will be in the second resurrection which, like the first
resurrection, has several parts and covers a period of time. This will make the first part of
the second resurrection before the Millennium. The rest of the dead will complete the
second resurrection after the Millennium (20:1-15).
‘Slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse’ there are ten ways the Antichrist’s
armies are destroyed: By the saints (19:14; Jude 1:14; Zech. 14:5), and Christ’s sword
(19:15, 21; Isa. 11:4); by angels (2Thess. 1:7-10); by the brightness of Christ’s coming
(2Thess. 2:8-9); with great hailstones (16:21; Ezek. 38:22); through a cloudburst (Ezek.
38:22); with fire and brimstone (Ezek. 38:22); with pestilence and blood (Ezek. 38:22);
by the plague that shall consume their flesh (Zech. 14:12); by self-destruction (Zech.
14:13); and the Jewish army (Zech. 14:14).
Judgment of the Nations
Matthew 25:31-34, 40-41, 46 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the
holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be
gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides
his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the
left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, you blessed of my Father,
inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: And the King shall
answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as you have done it unto one
of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto
them on the left hand, Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the
devil and his angels: And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the
righteous into life eternal.
The judgment of the nations ends the Age of Grace and begins the Millennium. This
description of judgment at the end of this age was the last part of the answer to the third
question of the disciples “and of the end of the age?” This description of judgment tells us
what Christ will do when He comes to Earth to set up His kingdom.
‘When the Son of man shall come in his glory’ When - immediately after the tribulation at
the Second Coming and Armageddon at the revelation of Christ before the Millennium.
(Matt. 24:29-31; Rev. 19:11-21). It will take place on earth in Palestine (Zech. 14; Matt.
25:31; Rev. 19:11-21).
‘Then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory’ Then - at the second coming (Matt. 24:29)
after the battle of Armageddon.
‘All nations’ this will include everyone still left on earth that survived the plagues, famine,
trumpet and vial judgments of God and the battle of Armageddon. It will be an individual
judgment of all involved with Israel when Christ comes to set up His kingdom, not a
judgment of the wicked dead, therefore it will be according to works (good or bad) and
not salvation. In Luke 18:8 we read: “… Nevertheless when the Son of man comes, shall
he find faith on the earth?” All who are saints before the tribulation will have been
raptured, and those who get saved during the tribulation will be killed by the multitudes.
The 144 000 have been raptured at the middle of the 7-year tribulation and Enoch and
Elijah will at this time be part of the glorified saints. Men that are left on earth at this time
will be at the height of apostasy.
‘You blessed of my Father’ the blessed here refers to the blessed conditions on earth with
most favourable conditions that will befall those individuals judged as sheep. During the
Millennium they will still be tested to see if they will shun rebellion and sin and serve God
willingly. Those who choose God and His plan will continue as the eternal generations of
humans on earth. But, those who are still rebellious will be deceived by satan at the end of
the 1000 years to follow him into battle for his final opportunity of human destruction
(Rev. 20:3, 7-10).
‘Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world’ - the purpose of
this judgment is to determine who shall enter the kingdom; this refers to the kingdom of
Heaven [Millennium or 1000-year Reign] that is a literal kingdom during which Christ will
reign on earth and not the kingdom of God that is eternal.
‘Foundation of the world’ - the Greek word for foundation is katabole which means to cast
or throw down. Katabole should have been translated “overthrow” or “casting down of
the world.” Katabole is used with kosmos (world) which is the social world, and refers to
the overthrow of the pre-Adamite world by the flood of Genesis 1:2; 2Peter 3:5-7; Psalm
104:5-9 and Jeremiah 4:23-26 and the defeat of Lucifer and his earthly kingdom before
Adam (Isa. 14:12-14; Ezek. 28:11-17; Luke 10:18). In context with verse 34 we can
clearly see that the Millennium was part of God’s plan from the overthrow or casting
down of the world.
‘Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it
unto me’ this is the reason and basis of the judgment of the nations. God will curse or bless
according to how men have dealt with Israel. He will forever respect and fulfil the
Abrahamic covenant (Gen. 12:1-3).
‘My brethren’ the brethren of Jesus according to the flesh – thus the Jews (Matt. 10:6;
John 1:11; Rom. 9:5).
‘Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire’ some [goats] will be sent to the lake of
fire and eternal punishment (Matt. 13:39-50; 24:51; 25:41, 46; Rev. 14:9-11; 19:20;
20:10). These will make the firstfruits of the second resurrection, which is that of all the
wicked dead (Rev. 20:4-6, 11-15). Due to their judgment and entrance into eternal hell
here, they will not be resurrected and judged again in Revelation 20:11-15 at the White
Throne Judgment.
‘Prepared for the devil and his angels’ Hell was prepared for satan and his angels and no
man needs to go there (John 3:16-20). If he persists in serving satan then he will have to
spend eternity with him (Matt. 25:41, 46).
This judgment will end man’s sixth probationary period and will end man’s sinful rule on
the Earth. Jesus Christ in person, along with the resurrected saints of all ages, will reign on
earth for a thousand years to put all enemies under His feet and re-establish the universal
kingdom of God. When the kingdom of God is fully established Christ will reign forever.
Satan Bound
Revelation 20:1-3 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.
This passage is the continuation of the Scripture on the Battle of Armageddon of
Revelation 19:11-21 and shows the confinement of the dragon in the Abyss. After
Armageddon an angel will come down from Heaven having the key to the Abyss. How an
angel or a spirit can be bound by a literal chain and be cast into a material place is only
understandable when we see that angels have bodies and can be localized and confined to
material places as we can see from the demons that are now bound in this Abyss to be
loosed under the fifth and sixth trumpets.
This angel mentioned in Revelation 20:1-3 will lay hold on Satan, overpower him by
actual combat, bind him with a great chain, cast him into the Abyss where he will be for a
thousand years and “set a seal upon him,” or literally, seal the Abyss over him to keep him
there so that he cannot deceive the nations until the Millennium is over. Thus, we see that
satan is a literal person, his doom is literal, he is to be bound by a literal angel, with a literal
chain, cast into a literal Abyss, and sealed with a literal seal for the period of the
Millennium.
In Revelation 12 we have seen that the dragon and his angels will be cast out of Heaven
to the Earth in the middle of the Week, where they will remain until the Battle of
Armageddon when they will fight against Christ and His angels and saints. It is not stated
whether satan's angels will be cast into the Abyss with him or not. In Isaiah 24:21-22; 25:7
it is clear that they will be cast into the pit with satan and will be loosed with him “after
many days” to help him deceive the nations again (Rev. 20:1-10).
Them That Were Beheaded

Revelation 20:4-5 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given
unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and
for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither
had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned
with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand
years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
This passage shows that the tribulation martyrs will also have a part in the reign of Christ
in the Millennium and forever. If there were no other passage in the Bible to teach the
doctrine of the Millennium this one would be sufficient, for the word “millennium” simply
means “one thousand years,” which term is repeated six times in the first seven verses of
Revelation 20.
‘And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them’ the
thrones here are those that saints will have, proving that all saints will rule with Christ in
some capacity as kings and priests (1:6; 2:26-27; 3:21; 5:10; 12:5; 20:4-6; 22:4-5; Luke
22:30; Rom. 8:17; 1Cor. 6:2-4; 2Tim. 2:12; Heb. 12:28).
‘Beheaded for the witness of Jesus’ six reasons are given in Revelation for their beheading:
For the witness (testimony) of Jesus; for the Word of God; for not worshiping the beast;
for not worshiping his image; for not taking his mark upon their foreheads; for not taking
his mark in their hands.
They (the tribulation saints) lived (were resurrected) and reigned with Christ 1,000 years.
There will be two classes of eternal people; eternal conditions on earth will be simple to
comprehend. Natural people will live from the future tribulation period through the
Millennium and then on into the New Earth forever - if they do not commit sin or rebel
with satan at the end of the Millennium (20:7-10; Matt. 13:39-50; 25:46). Resurrected
people who have part in the first resurrection will be the eternal rulers of the eternal
generations of natural people. The resurrected people will not marry or give in marriage
(Matt. 22:30); but the natural people who are alive at the second coming and who are
permitted to be subjects of the eternal kingdom will marry, have children, and carry out the
natural program as God intended when He created Adam. They will live forever by virtue
of the tree of life (22:1-2), not by virtue of a resurrection and a change from mortality to
immortality as with glorified saints (1Cor. 15:51-58; Php. 3:21).
We see from Revelation 20 that satan must be bound before the Millennium can begin
(Rev. 20:1-10). This certainly implies the fulfilment of all the events of Revelation 4-19.
Therefore, the thousand years cannot come until these things are fulfilled. Satan will be
bound during the Millennium (Rev. 20:3). After the binding of satan, John saw “thrones”
and their occupants (Rev. 20:4). The occupants of the thrones will be the tribulation
martyrs. They will reign as kings and priests with Christ, as will all other redeemed
heavenly peoples. In Revelation 20:5 John shows that the tribulation martyrs have a part in
the first resurrection, which is before the Millennium and includes all the different
companies of redeemed, saved, and resurrected from Adam to the binding of satan. This
verse also implies that the tribulation saints will be the last redeemed company resurrected
and translated. This first resurrection ends with the rapture of this company and of the
two witnesses. All other passages on the resurrections in Scripture, except a few on the
Rapture, speak of the first and second resurrections as being one, and as occurring at the
same time. However, Revelation 20:5 and 1 Corinthians 15:20-23, 51-58; 2 Corinthians
5:1-6; Ephesians 5:26-27; Philippians 3:10-14; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; 2 Thessalonians
2:1, 6-8; Hebrews 11:35; 1 John 3:1-3 speak of a resurrection from out of the dead, or
the dead and living saints up to the Rapture, and only those who get saved and die in the
Tribulation. In Revelation 20:11-15 the wicked dead, who have no part in the first
resurrection and who will be resurrected after the thousand years, are pictured as standing
before the great white throne to be judged. This will be the second resurrection. It
includes all the wicked dead from Adam to the end of the Millennium.
The Millennium
Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection: on such the
second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign
with him a thousand years.
A blessing is pronounced upon all who have part in the first resurrection, for “on such the
second death [the Lake of Fire, Rev. 2:11; 19:20; 20:10-15; 21:8] has no power, but they
shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign one thousand years”.
Millennium: the Latin definition: mille, a thousand, and annus, year. The phrase “thousand
years” is used 6 times in Revelation 20:1-7. It is the last dispensation for man before the
final removal of the curse (22:3). In Scripture it is called: The thousand years reign of
Christ (20:2, 4, 5, 6, 7); the dispensation of the fullness of times (Eph. 1:10); the day of
the Lord, called that day many times in the prophets (Isa. 2:11; 4:1; 19:21; 24:21; 26:1;
Ezek. 39:22; 48:35; etc.); the world (age) to come (Matt. 12:32; Mark 10:30; Eph. 1:21;
2:7; 3:21); the kingdom of Christ and of God (11:15; Eph. 5:5; 2Tim. 4:1); the kingdom
of God (Mark 14:25; Luke 19:11; 22:14-18); the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 3:2; 4:17;
7:21; 8:11; 10:7; 18:1-4); the regeneration (Matt. 19:28); the times of the restitution
(restoration) of all things (Acts 3:20-21); the consolation of Israel (Luke 2:25); the
redemption of Jerusalem (Luke 2:38); the kingdom of His dear Son (Col. 1:13; 2Pet.
1:11).
It will be between the second coming and the New Heaven and New Earth (19:19). The
kingdom will be literal and earthly (5:10; 11:15; 20:1-10; 22:4-5; Isa. 9:6-7; Dan. 2:44-
45; 7:13-27; Zech. 14:1-21; Luke 1:32-33). It will be a theocratic government (11:15;
20:1-10; Isa. 2:2-4; 52:7; Ezek. 43:7; Dan. 2:44-45; 7:13-14; Zech. 14:1-21; Matt.
25:31-46; Luke 1:32-33). Christ will rule under God (Isa. 9:6-7; Dan. 7:13-14; Luke
1:32-33). David will rule over all Israel under Christ (Jer. 30:9; Ezek. 34:24; 37:24-28;
Hos. 3:4-5). The apostles will rule over one tribe each (Matt. 19:28; Luke 22:30). All
saints will have part in ruling as kings and priests (20:4). The world capital will be
Jerusalem (Isa. 2:2-4; Ezek. 48:1-35; Zech. 14:1-21). The kingdom will be worldwide
(11:15; Dan. 2:44-45; 7:13-27; Zech. 14:1-21). Certain classes will not inherit the
kingdom (1Cor. 6:9; Gal. 5:19-21). Certain classes will be excluded from entrance into
the kingdom (14:9-11; Matt. 5:20; 13:39-50; 24:45-51; 25:31-46). The judgment of the
living nations at the second coming will determine who is worthy of entrance into the
kingdom (Matt. 25:31-46). All nations will be required to send representatives to
Jerusalem once a year to acknowledge Christ (Zech. 14:16-21; Isa. 2:1-4; 35:8-9).
The wicked dead will not be resurrected to live again in the Millennium or be given a
second chance (20:4-6, 11-15; Heb. 9:27). The earth will not be desolate during the
Millennium (20:1-10; Isa. 2:2-4; Zech. 14:16-21; 1Cor. 15:24-28). There will be civil
and religious laws for all nations (Isa. 2:2-4; 9:6-7; 11:3-5; 65:20; Zech. 14:16-21; 1Cor.
15:24-28). The Gentile nations will be located in the part of the earth God gave to each
nation and race (Deut. 32:8; Acts 17:26). Israel will be given all the original Promised
Land (Gen. 15:14-18; 17:6-19; Isa. 60:20; Ezek. 47:13-48:35).
The world-capital building will be the future Jewish temple at Jerusalem (Ezek. 43:7;
Zech. 6:12-13). A river will flow out from under the temple southward and part into two
branches - one going into the Mediterranean and one into the Dead Sea, the waters of
which will be healed and have many fish (Ezek. 47:1-23; Zech. 14:8). There will be
earthly priests and Levites serving in the future temple (Isa. 66:19-24; Ezek. 43:19-27;
44:9-31). All the former sacrifices, feasts, and rituals of the temple worship will be
continued as an eternal memorial of what they were types of before Christ fulfilled them
(Ezek. 43:19-27; 44:5, 30; 45:17-25; 46:1-24; Zech. 14:16-21; Isa. 66:19-24).
The Holy Spirit will be poured out upon all flesh (Isa. 32:5; Ezek. 36:25-27; Joel 2:28-
32). Universal knowledge of the Lord will be manifest (Isa. 11:9; Zech. 8:22-23). There
will be one universal religion (Mal. 1:11; Zech. 14:16-21; Isa. 2:2-4; Joel 2:28-31; Jer.
31:31-36). The glory of God will be continually manifested (Isa. 4:4-6; Ezek. 43:1-5).
Salvation in its fullness will be for all (Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:16-21; Isa. 2:2-4; 11:9; 52:7;
Heb. 8-10). Divine healing for the body will be experienced by all natural people (Isa.
32:1-5; 33:24; 35:3-6; 53:5; Matt. 8:17; 1Pet. 2:24).
There will be universal peace (Isa. 2:4; 9:6-7; Mic. 4:3-4; Mal. 1:11). Universal
prosperity will be a reality (Isa. 2:2-4; 65:20-25; Mic. 4:4-5). The financial system will be
as in Israel (Gen. 14:20; 28:22 with Heb. 6:20; 7:1-10; Matt. 23:23; Rom. 2:22; 1Cor.
9:7-18; 16:1-3; Mal. 3:10-12). Full justice will be meted out to all alike (Isa. 9:6-7; 11:3-
5; 65:20-25; 66:1-2; Matt. 5:1-7:29). Human life will be prolonged indefinitely (Isa.
65:20-25; Zech. 8:4).
The Jews will be the head of all nations under the Messiah (Deut. 28:1-14). The test for
man will be to obey Christ, the resurrected saints, and the laws (2:26-27; 5:10; 11:15;
12:5; 20:1-10; Psa. 2:1-12). Love and righteousness will prevail (Isa. 9:6-7; 11:5; 32:1-5;
65:17-25).
Fruitful seasons will be enjoyed without interruption (Isa. 30:23-25; 33:20-21; 35:6-7;
41:17-18; 49:10; Ezek. 34:26; 47:1-12; Zech. 14:8). Material blessings will fill the earth
(Isa. 29:17; 30:23-24; 32:15; 35:1-7; 41:19; 49:9-10; 51:3; 55:13; 60:5-17; 62:8-9; Jer.
31:27-28).
Light from the stars will be increased seven-fold (Isa. 30:26; 60:18-22). Animals’ natures
will be changed as before the fall (Isa. 11:6-8; 65:17-25; Rom. 8:18-23). Deserts will
blossom again as a rose (Isa. 35:1-10; 55:12-13; Ezek. 36:8-12; Joel 2:18-27; 3:17-21;
Amos 9:13-15).
The Millennium will end after one more short period of rebellion. Then the final
destruction of all rebels will take place, leaving the saints, natural and resurrected, in
charge of the eternal perfect earth (20:7-10; 21:1-22:5; 2Pet. 3:10-13; Isa. 66:22-24).
The Defeat of satan

Revelation 20:7-10 And when the thousand years are expired, satan shall be loosed out of
his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the
earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the
sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp
of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and
devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and
brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and
night for ever and ever.
Satan’s post-millennial career and doom: When the 1,000 years are up it will be time for
the separation and destruction of all rebels, including satan and the renovation of the
heavens and the earth by fire, which will result in the New Heaven and New Earth
(20:7-10; 21:1-22:5; 2Pet. 3:10-13). Satan, his angels and demons will be loosed from the
abyss (20:7; Isa. 24:22) and will go throughout the earth to deceive the nations who have
not wanted the reign of Christ and who, in their hearts, have longed for an opportunity to
get rid of such strict laws and rigid suppression of their lusts (20:8; Eph. 2:1-3). The rebels
will mobilize in the land of Gog and Magog, north of Palestine in Asia and ascend upon
Jerusalem from the north (20:8; cp. Ezekiel 38-39 which refers to the same part of the
earth, but to an event before the Millennium). The rebels from all parts of the earth will
surround the camp of the saints and the capital, Jerusalem (20:9). Fire will come down
from God out of heaven and devour every rebel (20:9; 2Pet. 3:10-13). The devil will be
taken and cast into the lake of fire forever (20:10).
God will permit satan to deceive and unite all those who are desirous of overthrowing the
government of God for the following reasons: Because of man’s continued failures under
every conceivable test and because the faithful have realized that God’s form of
government is the best. They know that God really loves them and that He does nothing
but good for them. All accusations brought against God by satan and all other rebels
suggesting that God was a tyrant and unjust have been amply demonstrated to be false.
The faithful have yielded their wills unreservedly to God. The time will then come in the
plan of God to put down all rebellion and completely rid the universe of all rebels.
The judgment upon man for his stubborn rebellion in the face of all God has done, or
could do for him, will be his complete destruction from the Earth by fire coming from
Heaven upon the rebels. Their bodies will be resurrected from the dead, along with all
other rebels of the human race since Adam, and will be brought up before the Great
White Throne Judgment along with all rebel demons and angels. All will be judged and
sentenced to the Lake of Fire and will be tormented according to their evil works. Satan
himself will be taken and cast into the Lake of Fire, where the beast and false prophet will
have been for l,000 years and will be forever and ever in the torments of the damned (Isa.
66:22-24; Mt. 25:41, 46; Rev. 14:9-12; 9:20; 20:10).
Thus, God brings an end to the rebellion in the universe. He has been long-suffering with
rebels for ages for the sole reason of demonstrating to all free moral agents in all past and
future ages that He is loving, merciful, just, and long-suffering to all, even to those who
rebel against Him. He gives them every possible means of reconciliation, so that His
blessings to them might be again realized as though they had never rebelled. God will then
be free to judge the ones who persist in rebellion, and bless the ones who lay down their
rebellion and become reconciled to Him. This He does by confining rebels away from
society and permitting the faithful to enter into eternal blessing in the restored Earth.
The Great White Throne

Revelation 20:11-15 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose
face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I
saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and
another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of
those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave
up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in
them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were
cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written
in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
This passage will be fulfilled after the Millennium and the revolt of satan, for immediately
after these events (Rev. 20:1-10) John saw a great white throne occupied by God, from
whose face the Earth and Heaven fled away. This is no doubt the same throne seen
throughout the book of Revelation. However, here is the only place that a description of
the throne is given. God, the occupant of the throne, is described previously, but the
throne itself is not (Rev. 4:2-3, 9-11; 5:1-14; 6:16; 7:7-9; 14:1-5; 19:4; 21:5; 22:1-5).
The Greek for “face” is prosopon, meaning “the countenance, aspect, appearance,
surface, front view, outward appearance, face, and person.” It is used nine times in
Revelation and is the only word translated as “face,” in the singular and plural. It shows
that God has a real body and an outward appearance, as is proven in the passages in
which it is used (4:7; 6:16; 7:11; 9:7; 10:1; 11:16; 12:14; 22:4). This fact is further
proven by its usage in the rest of the New Testament where it appears forty-eight times,
and always refers to bodily presence, actual faces, or external appearance.
The fact that Christ and His throne are not mentioned here does not necessarily imply that
they will be absent. Both Christ and the Father will be present and have a part in the final
judgment.
In its varied aspects, this judgment may be understood from the following facts in
Scripture: The judges will be (1) God the Father who is spoken of as the judge of all men
(6:10; Acts 17:30-31; Rom. 2:12-16; Heb. 12:23-24; 13:4); and (2) God the Son is also
spoken of as the judge of the world (19:11; John 5:19-27; Acts 10:42; 17:30-31; 2 Tim.
4:8); thus both the Father and the Son will be judges: God the Father will judge by His
Son (Acts 17:31; Rom. 2:16); God the Father will decree; and the Son will execute (John
5:22-27; Rom.1:32; 2:5). Lastly (3) the saints will have part in this judgment (3:21; 1 Cor.
6:2-3).
The subjects judged be first the wicked men of the whole human race except the beast,
false prophet, the goat nations and tares that have been judged already at this point (Acts
17:31; Rom. 3:6; Rev. 20:11-15). That those judged at the judgment of the nations will
not be judged at the final judgment seems clear from Matthew 13:30, 39-43, 49-50;
24:51; 25:30, 41, 46 and Revelation 14:9-11; 19:20-21; 20:10. These already would
have had sentences pronounced upon them a thousand years before the final judgment, so
it would not be necessary to judge them again. The ones judged at this judgment will be
the wicked dead of all ages, whereas those judged at the judgment of the nations will be
the living nations on Earth at the return of Christ to set up His eternal Kingdom. Second
the angels “that sinned” and “are now bound” in Tartarus will also be loosed from their
long confinement in chains and be judged at this judgment (2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 1:6-7). The
sea gave up the dead in it. This could only refer to bodies, for souls and spirits of the
wicked dead do not remain in the sea at physical death. They go to hell (Hades) and await
the resurrection of their bodies (20:13; Luke 16:19-31; Isa. 14:9). Death gave up the dead
that are in it. This could only refer to bodies, for the body only dies at physical death (Jas.
2:26). Souls are dead in trespasses and in sins while yet in the body (Matt. 8:22; Eph. 2:1-
9; 1Tim. 5:6). Physical death only, therefore, could be the reference. Hades delivered up
the souls that are in it (20:13). Souls and not the bodies of the wicked go to Hades (Luke
16:19-31).
The time of this judgment will be after the Millennium and after the doom of satan in the
Lake of Fire is realized (Rev. 20:7-15). It is called “the day of judgment” and so there must
be a definite time set for it (Matt. 10:15; 11:24; 12:36; Acts 17:31; 2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 1:6,
7).
The judgment is to be before the great white throne of God, which will still be in Heaven,
for it is not to come down to the Earth until after the renovation of the Earth by fire and
after the New Heaven and the New Earth are completed (Rev. 21:1-5). This seems to be
proven further by 2Peter 3:7 where it states that the renovation of the Earth takes place
during the final judgment. It seems to be pictured also in Revelation 20:11 at the same time
of the final judgment.
The purpose of this judgment is to give every man a fair trial before his condemnation and
punishment (Acts 17:31) and to judge the “secrets of men” (Rom. 2:16); to judge all idle
words (Matt. 12:36); to judge all the works, thoughts, actions and sins of man (20:12-13;
22:12; Rom. 2:5-6; 1Tim. 5:24; 1Pet. 1:17). To be continued.
The Last Judgment

Revelation 20:11-15 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose
face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I
saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and
another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of
those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave
up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in
them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were
cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written
in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
The basis of judgment will be the law of conscience (Rom. 2:12-16; Heb. 10:27); the law
of memory (Luke 16:25); the Law of Moses (20:11-15; Rom. 2:12-16); the law of
character (Eph. 4:19; Heb. 3:8-10, 15); the Gospel (20:11-15; John 12:47-48; Rom.
2:12-16); on all acts and words (Matt. 12:36; Luke 12:2-9; John 3:18); and the Book of
Life (20:11-15). A man who passes through this judgment will have no excuse or criticism
of the sentence passed regardless of what the decision will be, for in a sense he will be his
own judge. The actual manifestation of his failure to live up to his conscience, the law, or
the Gospel, the fact that his sins and misdeeds are like mountains before him, in his
conscience and in his character, and the absence of his name in the Book of Life, will
automatically condemn him.
The “books” mentioned in Revelation 20:12 do not refer to the records of men written in
books and kept by a recording angel, for we have no knowledge of such in Scripture, but
they contain the Word of God which is to judge man on the Day of Judgment, as seen
above. The Book of Life is mentioned in Exodus 32:32-33; Psalm 69:25-29; Daniel 12:1;
Luke 10:20; Philippians 4:3 and Revelation 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27; 22:19, and
has reference to the book in which the name of every man who is to enter into eternal life
is recorded. This book alone will be sufficient to condemn a man. It will show such
hypocrites as mentioned in Matthew 7:21-23 that their names are not written therein.
It is not clear from Revelation 20:11-15 what will be the basis of judgment for the angels in
Tartarus, but they probably know upon what basis their judgment is to be as well as does
man. It seems clear that only “the dead are judged out of those things which are written in
the books,” and that they are judged “according to their works.” It is also clear that it will
be an individual judgment, for it is recorded that “every man” will be judged according to
his works.
The dead who are dealt with here could not include the angels, for the former are the
occupants of “death and hell.” This proves that Hades, the present and temporary Hell, is
different from the Lake of Fire or eternal Hell. The sinner is placed in Hades to await his
committal to the Lake of Fire, even as the criminal is placed in a jail before he is tried and
sentenced to the penitentiary. The sinner is guilty while in Hades, although he is not
formally condemned before the final judgment. Therefore, he suffers fire in Hades, as
well as in the Lake of Fire (Luke 16:19-31), just like a man suffers confinement in jail
before he goes to the penitentiary.
The judgment’s nature will be one of justice and righteousness to every man (Ps. 9:8;
Matt.7:2; 2Tim. 1:5; 1Pet. 2:23). It will not be a spiritual, invisible, endless process of
meting out to men as they sow, but it will be an outward and visible trial and judgment
occurring at a particular time and place (20:11-15; Heb. 9:27; 2Pet. 2:4-9; 3:7-10).
If a person's name is not written in the Book of Life, he will be cast into the Lake of Fire.
Hades is the present abiding place for the souls of the wicked dead. It never means the
grave where the body of man goes. It is a place of consciousness, where men are in
torment until the resurrection. All human beings in Hades and in death, the angels in
Tartarus, the demons in the Abyss, and every rebel against God will be cast into the Lake
of Fire to be punished forever and forever (2:11; 14:9-11; 20:10-15; 21:8; Matt. 18:9;
24:51; 25:41, 46; Mark 9:42-48; Isa. 66:22-24). The degrees of punishment will be the
result of this judgment, as degrees of reward will be the result of the judgment of the saints
at the Judgment Seat of Christ (Matt. 7:2; 10:15; 11:22-24; 12:41-45; 23:12-14; Mark
6:11; Luke 10:14; 11:31-32; Rev. 20:11-15). Hell, as far as the torment of fire is
concerned, will be alike for all the lost, as much as Heaven, as far as bliss and comfort are
concerned, will be alike for all the redeemed. The degrees of punishment will come
through the torment of the conscience and the inward self over the deeds committed,
which will eat more deeply into the innermost being as the ages come and go into the
eternal future. This is just the opposite of the rewards for the saints, which will be ever
increasing in glory and splendour as the ages come and go into all eternity.
The judgment passed upon each individual will be eternal. The same terms that are used
in describing the eternity of God are used in describing the eternity of Hell, so if one is
eternal, the other one must be (14:9-11; 19:20; 20:10-15; 21:8; Isa. 66:22-24; Matt.
5:22, 29-30; 10:28; 13:42, 50; 18:9; 23:15, 33; 24:51; 25:30, 41-46; Mark 9:42-48;
Luke 12:5; Heb. 6:2; 10:26-31).
The Renovation of the Earth
2Peter 3:10-13 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the
heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat,
the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these
things shall be dissolved… Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God,
wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with
fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new
earth, wherein dwell righteousness.
The time of the renovation of the Earth and the elements will be after the Millennium, the
Battle of Gog and Magog, and the casting of satan into the Lake of Fire, and during the
Great White Throne Judgment at the end of the Millennium (2 Pet. 3:7). The statement
in this passage further indicates that the final judgment will take place in Heaven where
God’s throne is, but not until after the renovation. Then the throne of God and His capital
city, the New Jerusalem, will come to the New Earth to be forever with men.
The time of the renovation of the Earth is made clear from the following facts: 2 Peter
3:1-13 is the main passage on the renovation of the heavens and the Earth. This passage
teaches the time of the renovation to be “against the day of judgment and perdition of
ungodly men.” This day of judgment is at the end of the Millennium (Rev. 20:11-15).
Isaiah 66:22-24 mentions the wicked in Hell during the New Earth. The wicked are not
resurrected and judged until after the Millennium (Rev. 20:5, 7-15), much less cast into
the Lake of Fire.
The present Heaven and Earth will not pass out of existence. The fire can merely change
something from one condition to another or renovate and cleanse, as the case may be.
Peter shows that there will be a renovation of the Earth by fire and that the future
renovation will not blot out the Earth any more than did the destruction of the world by
water in the beginning. It does not state that the present kosmos, or social order, is
reserved unto renovation, but the Earth and the elements only.
Thus the expression, “new heaven and new earth,” in 2 Peter 3:3 and Revelation 21:1,
has reference to the present heavens and the Earth being made new in character,
renewed, and loosed from the old curse. The Old Testament word khawdawsh, used in
Isaiah 65:17; 66:22, of the same New Heaven and New Earth, means the same as the
Greek kainos.
Scriptures reveal the extent of this renovation and show that many things will not be
burned by fire, only those things that are not made new at the beginning of the Millennium
will be renovated by fire at the end of that time. There is not one passage in the Bible that
shows the extinction of any species of living creatures that God has created. On the other
hand, there are scores of passages teaching that creatures created by God will replenish
the Earth eternally. This is required in order to have an everlasting covenant with all flesh,
as in Genesis 9:12. In Hebrews 1:10-12, we have another statement to the effect that all
that is to happen to the Earth and heavens is a “change,” not the annihilation of them.
The millennial kingdom, with its every phase of activity, except the curse and its effects,
will go on forever and not be burned up by this fire of renovation. In Hebrews 12:26-28,
we have a definite Scripture stating that some things are to be destroyed and removed,
while others are to “remain.” It further states that we shall receive a “kingdom which
cannot be moved.” These verses do not only refer to things after the renovation of the
Earth as being immovable, but also to things before the renovation, for we shall receive the
kingdom at the beginning of the thousand years, and reign throughout eternity.
That the renovation will simply change and remove certain things and leave other things to
remain (Eccl. 1:4; Ps. 104:5; Rom. 8:21; Heb. 1:10-12; 12:25-29).
New Heaven and New Earth

Revelation 21:1-2 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the
first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city,
new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for
her husband.
‘New heaven and a new earth’ this will be the result of the renovation of the heavens and
the earth by fire (2Pet. 3:10-13). The New Heavens and New Earth are mentioned in
Revelation 21:1; 2Peter 3:13 and Isaiah 65:17; 66:22-24.
‘Were passed away’ the Greek word parerchomai, pass from one condition to another.
‘No more sea’ the large oceans covering about three-fourths of the earth will be no more,
but there will be an abundance of rivers, lakes, and small seas on earth forever (Psa. 72:8-
17; 97:1-6; 146:6; Isa. 42:10; 60:5; 66:19; Ezek. 47:1-23; Zech. 14:8; Jer. 5:22; 31:35;
33:22; etc.).
‘Holy city, new Jerusalem’ seven names of the city of God is given in Scripture: (1) The
Holy City (21:2; 22:19), it is called holy because there shall never enter into it anything
that defile, that work abomination, or make a lie (21:27). (2) New Jerusalem (3:12; 21:2),
it is called new because of its eternal freshness and newness, not because it is new in
existence. It is as old as heaven and was promised to the earliest saints on earth (Heb.
11:10-16; Psa. 93:2; 103:19). (3) The Tabernacle of God (13:6; 15:5; 21:3), it is called
the Tabernacle of God because it is the dwelling place of God. (4) The Bride, the Lamb’s
Wife (21:2, 9), it is called the Bride, the Lamb’s Wife because it will be the eternal home
of the redeemed of all ages (21:9; Heb. 11:10-16; 13:14; John 14:1-3). (5) The Holy
Jerusalem (21:10). (6) The Heavenly Jerusalem (Heb. 12:22), it is called the Heavenly
Jerusalem because it is the Jerusalem in heaven and not the one on earth. (7) The
Father’s House (John 14:2), it is called the Father’s House because it is the abode of God
and His heavenly family (John 14:1-3).
‘Coming down from God out of heaven’ it will come down from heaven to be the capital
of God on the New Earth (21:2-3, 9-22:5). ‘As a bride adorned for her husband’ the city
will be adorned with jewels like a bride for her husband (21:19).
God Shall
Revelation 21:3-5 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle
of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God
himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their
eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be
any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne
said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true
and faithful.
‘With men’ God and His capital city will be among people forever (21:3-7, 24-27). ‘He
will dwell with them’ this is the final realization of the eternal plan of God for man and the
earth (Zech. 2:10-11; 8:3; Isa. 52:7; Ezek. 43:7).
These are some of the blessings for man in the New Earth: God will be dwelling among
them (21:3, 7) and He will be their God (21:3, 7). He shall wipe away all tears (7:17;
21:4; Isa. 25:8). There will be no more death (21:4; 1Cor. 15:24-29) and no more
sorrow (21:4; 22:3) or pain (21:4; Gen. 3:14-19). All things will be made new (21:5).
Plenty of water of life (21:6; 22:17). We shall inherit all things (21:7; Rom. 8:17) and
have eternal sonship (21:7; 1Jn. 3:1-2). There will be no more curse (22:3) and we will
have freedom from ungodly neighbours and people (21:8; 22:15).
‘No more death’ - death will be destroyed at the end of the Millennium (1Cor. 15:24-28).
‘Former things are passed away’ these refer to earth creations under the curse (22:3; Gen.
3:1-19).
There are seven “new” things in Revelation: A new name for overcomers (2:17; 3:12); a
new name for Christ (3:12); the New Jerusalem (3:12; 21:2); there will be new songs
(5:9; 14:3); we will have a new Heaven (21:1; 2Pet. 3:13) and a new Earth (21:1; Isa.
65:17; 66:22). All things new, referring to the renewal of the heavens and earth and all
things previously cursed (21:1 - 22:5)
‘Write: for these words are true and faithful’ the true commission to John to write and
reveal to all Christian what God intended for us to know about His Revelation of what
was, what is and what is still to come. If anyone adds to the written Word of God: “God
shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book” (22:18) just the same when
they “take away from the words” … “God shall take away his part out of the book of life,
and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book” (22:19).
It Is Done
Revelation 21:6-8, 27 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the
beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life
freely. He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my
son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and
whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake
which burnes with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. And there shall in no
wise enter into it any thing that defile, neither whatsoever work abomination, or make a
lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
‘It is done’ the twelvefold plan of God will be completed at this stage. The sinful career of
the immediate heavens and earth ended (21:3-7; 22:3). The heaven and earth will have
been renovated (2Pet. 3:5-13; Heb. 1:10-12; 12:25-28) and “all things” will be made new
(21:5). All rebels will be put down (1Cor. 15:24-28) and man will be purged of all
possibility of rebellion (21:3-8; Eph. 1:10; 2:7; 3:11). The curse will be removed (21:3-8;
22:3; 1Cor. 15:24-28) and the earth will be turned back to God (Acts 3:21-22; 1Cor.
15:24-28; Eph. 1:10; Isa. 66:22-24). Rebels judged and confined to hell (20:11-15; Matt.
25:41, 46; Isa. 66:22-24). God will be recognized again as Supreme Ruler of the universe
as before rebellion (21:3-8; 1Cor. 15:24-28; Eph. 1:10; 3:11). God’s original plans for
free will and the universe will be realized (Eph. 3:9-11). God’s form of government and
His own being will be vindicated before all free will in the universe (Eph. 3:9-11; 2Pet.
3:9) and His throne and headquarters will be moved from the third heaven and
established on earth (21:3-22:5).
‘But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers,
and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars’ here ten classes are mentioned that will be in the
eternal hell: (1) the fearful [Greek: deilos, cowardly; craven; vile; worthless; miserable;
wretched; and unhappy]; (2) the unbelieving [Greek: apistos, infidel, faithless]; (3) the
abominable [Greek: bdelusso, to cause to stink; make loathsome; feel disgust; detest; have
horror of; to be abominated - it refers to those polluted with unnatural lust]; (4) murderers;
(5) whoremongers [Greek: pornois, fornicators]; (6) sorcerers [Greek: pharmakeusin,
persons who by use of drugs, medicine, enchanted potions, charms, and enchantments
seek to produce supernatural effects in the lives of others]; (7) idolaters [those who
practice idolatry and abominable immoral acts in worship of idols, as in point 3]; (8) dogs
[false prophets and homosexuals are called dogs in Scripture (Deut. 23:18; Isa. 56:10-11;
Php. 3:2; Rev. 22:15)]; (9) liars and (10) lovers of lies (21:8; 22:15).
‘The lake’ same as Gehenna of fire.the place of future and eternal torment. Found 12
times and always rendered “hell.” It is the same as “the lake of fire” found 5 times (19:20;
20:10-15; 21:8).
‘Which is the second death’ the second death is the lake of fire, or the second separation
from God in hell (2:11; 20:14; 21:8).
The Lamb’s Wife

Revelation 21:9-10 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven
vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show
thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high
mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven
from God,
‘Seven angels’ these angels are redeemed people, for one of them tells John that he is a
prophet [will be an Old Testament saint if called a prophet, see Luke 16:16 and Hebrews
1:1] (1:1; 19:10; 22:8-9). He is a man (21:17).
‘Come hither, I will show thee the bride’ the Bride of Christ is not: Israel of Old
Testament times and it is not a part of the New Testament body of believers. It is not the
whole New Testament body of believers. It is not the 144,000 Jews and it is not the
tribulation saints. It is not any single individual or any one special group of individuals out
of the redeemed. It is not any one congregation.

The Bride of Christ is: “that great city, the holy Jerusalem” (21:2, 9-10). This is what the
angel pointed out to John when he promised to show him the bride, the Lamb’s wife - the
Holy City, the heavenly Jerusalem. What a simple revelation! It is unscriptural to speak of
any one company of redeemed as being the exclusive bride of Christ. If the city, the New
Jerusalem, is the bride, then all who go to live in the Holy City make up the bride and not
just a part of them. All redeemed will live in the city: The Old Testament saints were
promised the New Jerusalem (Heb. 11:10-16). The early congregations were promised
the city (John 14:1-3; Heb. 13:14). Every Christian is promised the city (3:12; John 14:1-
3; Heb. 12:23). The 144,000 Jews will be there (7:1-8; 12:5; 14:1-5). The tribulation
saints will go there (6:9-11; 7:9-17; 15:2-4; 20:4-6).
Therefore, since all saints in the first resurrection (from Abel to the last one saved in the
future tribulation) will go to live in the New Jerusalem, all such saints will be members of
the bride. No one person, group of persons, congregation, mansion, temple or any other
building can be called the city, the Lamb’s wife. It takes all to be the city - the bride. It
would be scriptural, however to say concerning the redeemed, that they are now engaged
to be married to Christ [qualifying thus to represent Him according to 1 Peter 2:21-23 as
He went to prepare a place for us, see John 14:2-3] under the terms of the New
Covenant [obeying in faith not just acknowledging His greatness], that they are citizens of
heaven, that they have a hope of going to live in the New Jerusalem, and that because of
this they expect to be a part of the bride of Christ or a part of the heavenly city. But no one
is actually a part of the bride until he begins to live in the city, which is the bride, the
Lamb’s wife (21:9-10).
The wife or bride here is the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, and is the same as the wife
in Revelation 19:7, which is the redeemed of all ages who will have part in the first
resurrection and who will live in the New Jerusalem forever. Jesus called Himself the
bridegroom of Christians (Matt. 9:15; Mark 2:19-20; Luke 5:34-35); John called Christ
the bridegroom (John 3:29). The Greek word for “bridegroom” in all these passages is
numphios, a newly married man. Christians are married to God and Christ under the terms
of the New Testament as Israel was married to God under the terms of the O.T (Matt.
26:28; Luke 22:20; 2Cor. 3:1-18; Heb. 12:24). Paul taught that Christians are married to
Christ by the new covenant (Rom. 7:1-6) and that Old Testament saints will not be
perfected apart from New Testament saints (Heb. 11:40). This means that all will be
perfected together as those who make the inhabitants of the New Jerusalem, the Lamb’s
wife.
It is also clear from Revelation 19:1-10 that they are to have final marriage festivities. The
seeming difference may be explained by Hebrew custom. The betrothed parties were
legally in the position of a married couple and unfaithfulness in this period was adultery
(Deut. 22:23; Matt. 1:19). The concluding festivities took place at the actual time of
coming together as man and wife at which time a marriage supper was given. The
marriage was consummated by entrance into the wedding chamber. The marriage supper
of the Lamb in Revelation 19:1-21 is simply the concluding ceremony, not the marriage
contract entered into at conversion.

The New Jerusalem
Revelation 21:11-20 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most
precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; And had a wall great and high, and had
twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the
names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: On the east … the north … the south
… the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the
names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. And he that talked with me had a golden reed
to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. And the city lies
foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the
reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.
And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the
measure of a man, that is, of the angel. And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and
the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. And the foundations of the wall of the city
were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the
second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; The fifth, sardonyx; the
sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a
chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.
The New Jerusalem will have an eternal location (3:12; 21:2, 9-10, 24-26; 22:1-5).
These passages state that the Holy City will be transplanted from Heaven to the Earth
after the Millennium to be among men forever. The eternal location will be on the Earth.
The Holy City is described as being adorned as a bride for her husband; as having the
glory of God, as being like a precious stone, clear as crystal; as having a jasper wall around
the city about 91 metre high; as having twelve large pearl gates on which are written the
names of the twelve tribes of Israel; as having twelve angels at each of the great gates,
which are not closed day or night; as being foursquare with three gates on each side, as
having twelve foundations and on them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb; as
being 3,885 square kilometre and 2,414 kilometre high; as having the foundations
garnished with all manner of precious stones; as having streets of gold like transparent
glass, and as having rivers, trees, fountains of waters, and the glory of God for the light of
it. The city itself is pure gold, like unto clear glass.
Thus, from Scripture we can conclude that the city is not a cube, for a wall would be of
no value around a cube, which itself would have four sides 2,414 kilometre high. From all
the statements in Scripture it is clear that the city is a series of mountain peaks, beginning
inside the walls as low foothills and increasing in height until the highest peak is 2,414
kilometre high. On the highest part is built the heavenly tabernacle or capital building
where God sits as the Supreme Moral Governor of the Universe. It was after the patterns
of this tabernacle that Moses made his earthly tabernacle (Heb. 8:5; 9:23). On the
mountains and in the valleys are built the many mansions of John 14:1-3. There are living
fountains of waters springing up through the city and rivers of water, clear as crystal.
The floor of the throne room itself is like a sea of glass, clear as crystal, and of unknown
dimensions, but it is very large or it could not contain upon it at one time the innumerable
company of the tribulation saints, as pictured in Revelation 7:9-17 and 15:2-4.

‘Sapphire’ a blue stone, next to a diamond in hardness; ‘Chalcedony’ a transparent stone -
four kinds known: a bluish white (most common kind), a dull milky-veined, brownish-black
and a yellow-red (most beautiful and valuable of all). ‘Emerald’ a green stone; ‘Sardonyx’
an agate stone, bluish-white and red; ‘Sardius’ a blood-red stone; ‘Chrysolite’ a gold like
stone; a dusky green with yellow cast - a type of topaz; ‘Beryl’ a transparent gem of bluish-
green; ‘Topaz’ a pale green gem with a mixture of yellow; ‘Chrysoprasus’ a yellowish
green stone with a bluish hue of the chrysolite kind; ‘Jacinth’ a stone of red colour with a
mixture of yellow - a cinnamon stone; ‘Amethyst’ a stone of purple or violet colour,
composed of strong blue and deep red; cp. these stones with those in the breastplate of
the high priest (Exo. 28:17-21).
The City of Pure Gold

Revelation 21:21-27 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of
one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. And I saw
no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the
city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did
lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. And the nations of them which are saved shall
walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. And
the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. And they
shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. And there shall in no wise enter into
it any thing that defile, neither whatsoever work abomination, or make a lie: but they
which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
‘Twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl’ no natural pearls could be this big,
but God can make pearls as large as He wants. Therefore, we do not have to doubt the
literalness of these materials simply because we cannot explain them in a natural sense.
‘Street of the city’ the singular word here does not mean there is only one street in the city
any more than it does in Revelation 11:8. There are 12 great broadways going out of the
12 gates of the city. One is described in Revelation 22:1-2. ‘As it were transparent glass’
not glass, but gold of a kind unknown to us on earth.
‘No temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it’ there
will be a literal temple in the New Jerusalem (3:12; 7:15; 11:19; 14:15, 17; 15:1-8; 16:1,
17). The meaning is simply that people will no longer go to some building as the only place
to meet with God, as in the earthly temple at Jerusalem, for God and the Lamb will be
visibly present among human beings to meet with them in all places (21:3-7, 22; 22:3-5).
‘The city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God
did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof’ only the city is referred to here. There will
be light from the sun and stars on the earth outside the city (Gen. 8:22; Psa. 89:2-3, 29,
35-37; Jer. 31:35-36; Isa. 30:26).
‘Nations’ the natural earthly nations who have lived from the tribulation period through the
Millennium will multiply and replenish the earth and carry out the original program of God
on earth as Adam and others would have done if man had not sinned (Gen. 1:26-28;
8:22; 9:12, 16; 17:1-9, 19). They are the sheep nations of Matthew 25:31-46 who do not

rebel with satan against God at the end of the Millennium and will be permitted to enter
the New Earth to plant, harvest, build, multiply and replenish the Earth.
The inhabitants of the New Jerusalem (3:12; 12:12; 13:5; 21:2-5, 9; 22:3-4; John 14:1-
3; Heb. 11:10-16; 12:22; 13:14) will be God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, angels, the
redeemed glorified saints, seraphim, cherubim, and other heavenly folk who will inhabit
the city. Earthly and natural people will not live in the city. They will merely traffic in the
city, as we shall see below. The city is called “the bride, the Lamb's wife,” for it is
“prepared” for the glorified saints and the faithful angels as an eternal home.
‘Saved shall walk in the light of it’ all people in the New Earth will be saved from sin and
be righteous eternally. The rebels will be destroyed, but the camp of the saints will remain
(20:7-10).
‘Bring their glory and honour into it’ all nations will traffic in and bring their gifts into the
city forever (21:24-26).The light of the city will surpass the light of the sun, moon, and
stars. We have seen that the light of the sun and moon will be increased during the
Millennium (Isa. 30:26), so if the glory of God outshines this new light of the sun and
moon it will be wonderful beyond words. These passages do not teach that the sun and
moon will not shine, but that in this particular city there will be no need for them, for there
will be a greater light - the glory of God.
‘No night there’ this refers to no night in the city, but outside the city there will be day and
night eternally (Gen. 1:14-18; 8:22; Psa. 89:2-3, 29-37; Jer. 31:35-36).
‘But they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life’ prove that all the nations of the
New Earth will have their names written in the book of life and be saved (21:24-27).
The River of Life

Revelation 22:1-2 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal,
proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and
on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits,
and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the
nations.
‘River of water of life’ besides the 12 great rivers flowing down the midst of the 12 great
broadways going through the 12 gates into all parts of the earth, there will be innumerable
fountains of water of life throughout the city and many lakes and rivers in the earth (7:17;
14:7; 21:1; 22:1-2). There will be an abundance of water in the city. Twelve great rivers
running from the great throne of God 2,414 kilometres high down to the base of the city
and in the middle of the twelve great broadways into the different parts of the Earth.
Besides these rivers there will be an abundance of living fountains of waters and smaller
streams throughout the city. Every mansion no doubt will have its own water system
springing up perpetually. Imagine the beauty of the glory of God shining on the living
fountains and rivers, as pictured in Revelation 7:17; 14:7 and 22:1. From the midst of the
fountains there will be gorgeous colours in the glory of God like rainbows on Earth.
This is no doubt the river that will flow out from the sanctuary, the temple, the capital
building of Christ when He comes to reign. It will flow southward from the temple

through Jerusalem and then be parted into two streams. Half of the river will flow into the
Mediterranean Sea and half into the Dead Sea. The waters of the Dead sea will then be
healed and fish will come out from the Mediterranean into the Dead sea, exceedingly
many (Ezek. 47:1-12; Zech. 14:8). This could also refer to the river flowing out from the
capital building of God in the New Jerusalem when it is moved to the Earth (21:2).
We read in Psalm 46:4-5 of this river: “There is a river, the streams whereof shall make
glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst
of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.” There are 8
reasons for future fulfilment for ‘this river that makes glad:’ there is no such river in
Jerusalem now to fulfil Psalm 46:4. There will be one when the Messiah comes (Ezek.
47:1-12; Zech. 14:8). God is not in the midst of Israel to fulfil Psalm 46:5, 10-11 literally.
Psalm 46:6 is not a description of any past history of Israel. It fits the prophecy of
Armageddon when the Lord will utter His voice before His armies and defeat the raging
nations surrounding Jerusalem (19:11-21; Isa. 63:1-6; Joel 2:1-11; 3:1-21; Zech. 14).
The desolations in the earth of Psalm 46:8 will be caused by the seals, trumpets, and vials
of Revelation 6:12-9:21; 11:15-19; 16:1-21. No desolations have been made in the earth
during Israel’s history in Palestine as there will be during these judgments of the future
tribulation. Making wars to cease unto the end of the earth has not come to pass yet. This
will happen at the second coming of Christ and the Millennium (19:11-21; 20:1-10; Ps.
46:9; Isa. 2:2-4; Zech. 14). The destruction of weapons of war will not take place until
the Millennium (Ps. 46:9; Isa. 2:2-4; Micah 4:1-8). Israel will not know God until the
Messiah comes (Ps. 46:10; Zech. 12:10-13:1; Matt. 23:37-39; Acts 15:13-18; Rom.
11:25-29). God will not be exalted in the earth and among the heathen until the
Millennium (11:15; 19:11-20:10; Ps. 46:10; Isa. 2:2-4, 11-21; 11:3-16; Ezek. 37:16-28;
38:16-23; Dan. 2:44-45; 7:13-14; Matt. 25:31-46; 2 Thess. 1:7-10).
‘In the midst of the street’ this is a description of only one of the great broadways going
through one of the 12 great gates (21:21; 22:1-2).
‘On either side of the river’ on both sides of all the 12 great rivers flowing for 2,414
kilometres through the 12 great broadways there will be rows of trees of life, each row
being 2,414 kilometres long, as described in Revelation 22:2. The trees of life bear twelve
kinds of fruit and the leaves of the trees will be for the preservation of natural life for the
peoples of the natural nations throughout all the eternal generations to come. Besides this,
there will be an abundance of fruit from the different fruit trees throughout the Earth
(Ezek. 47:1-12).
‘Healing of the nations’ preservation of life for the natural, earthly nations, as well as for
the resurrected saints (2:7; 22:2). There will be no sickness, so no healing from disease,
but eternal health and life will come from the leaves of the trees (21:4; 22:2-23; cp. Gen.
3:22-24).

No More Curse
Revelation 22:3-5 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the
Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his
name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no
candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God gives them light: and they shall reign for
ever and ever.
‘No more curse’ there will be no more of the curse that came as a result of Lucifer and
Adam’s rebellion. Conditions as before will prevail eternally and things will continue as if
the curse had never been. All rebels will be confined to the lake of fire as an eternal
monument of God’s wrath on sin and as a warning to coming generations in all eternity
that sin does not pay. The New Heaven and New Earth and the new peoples will be the
same ones we have today only in a new state. All things will be made new, not new things
will be made to take the place of the old (21:5; 22:3). The curse is defined as follows:
The serpent was cursed because he was the first to yield to satan to cause the fall of man.
The devil was too wise to begin with the very head of creation. He began instead with the
highest of animal creation, whom Josephus says lived with Adam and Eve before the fall.
Whether this is true or not, it is clear that he was capable of such subtle work. He made a
league with Lucifer and started opposition to God's Word, which has been satan’s sphere
of activity ever since. The serpent was cursed above all creatures and was to go upon his
belly and eat dust all his days (Isa. 65:25). He was deprived of walking upright and of his
speech and became a poisonous, loathsome creature, despised by man whom he had
betrayed and deceived (2 Cor. 11:3; 1 Tim. 2:14). The serpent was not the personal
devil, but merely a tool of the devil and a creature of the field which God had made as
clearly stated from Genesis 3:1.
The woman was the second of the Earth-creatures to be cursed because she was the
second to yield to sin and the devil. After getting the serpent to yield to him the devil was
determined to get the woman to sin and through her to get the man to rebel against God.
Eve listened to the serpent and began to doubt God’s Word, and this doubt led to open
transgression of the law. The curse upon the woman was, “I will greatly multiply thy
sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow, thou shall bring forth children, and thy desire shall
be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.” Before the fall she was equal with the man
in marriage, and childbirth was to be a pleasure without pain, but now she must be ruled
by the man and have multiplied sorrow and conception. Now man is the recognized head
of the woman in a marriage and should be her provider as well as for the whole household
(1 Cor. 11:1-16; 14:34; Eph. 5:21-33; Col. 3:18; 1 Tim. 2:11-15; 1 Pet. 3:1-6).
The man was the third of the Earth-creatures to be cursed because he was the third to
yield to sin and the devil. Both the serpent and the woman were factors in causing the
head of creation to sin. God began His conversation with the rightful ruler of the Earth
and worked down, tracing the guilt, while the devil began with the beast of the field and
worked up in causing rebellion. Adam implied blame on the Creator, as well as his wife,
when he said, “The woman whom thou gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and
I did eat” (Gen. 3:12), and, we may add, man has been placing the blame on women ever

since. In other words, he says, “God, if you had not given me the woman, I would not
have sinned.” The woman laid the blame upon the serpent (Gen. 3:13), but the serpent
did not lay the blame upon anybody. In this respect, beasts have higher principles than
fallen man, who is always placing the blame of any wrongdoing upon someone else.
When it comes to taking credit for some good deed, man generally wants the credit. Very
few will be meek enough to give credit to the other fellow when he is due the praise.
The curse upon the man was: “Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife,
and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shall not eat of it:
cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shall thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
thorns and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shall eat the herb of the field; In the
sweat of thy face shall thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it was
thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shall thou return” (Gen. 3:17-19). Man was
driven out of paradise and kept from the Tree of Life. He was doomed to die and to pay
the full penalty for the broken law.
The curse upon the ground was the final curse pronounced. It was to produce thorns,
thistles, weeds, briars, and be more or less a wilderness, making it hard for man to make a
living. It was to receive again the bodies of the new rebels which were to go back to dust
again (Gen. 3:19; Eccl. 3:19-20; 12:7) until the resurrection and the judgment (1 Cor.
15:21-23; Rev. 20:4-15; Dan. 12:2; John 5:28-29). Thus the Earth enters its second curse
and its second sinful career. It will remain cursed until the Millennium, when the desert
shall again blossom like a rose (Isa.35). At the end of the Millennium, the Earth will be
purified by fire and made new, wherein dwell righteousness (2 Pet. 3:10-13; Rev. 21-22).
Thus the whole creation is cursed and is under bondage until the final restitution of all
things and until the Earth is rid of all sin and rebels (1 Cor. 15:24-28; Rom. 8:19-23; Heb.
12:25-28; Rev. 19:11 - 20:15; 21:1 - 22:5). The whole curse affected all Earth creations
and even angels. The curse on satan affected the fallen angels and evil spirits; the curse on
the serpent, the animal kingdom; the curse on man and woman, the whole of their
posterity; and the curse on the Earth, the material creation.
‘His servants shall serve him’ the servants will be the faithful angels, redeemed people, and
all other creatures that have not rebelled or that have been redeemed from all possibility of
rebellion in all eternity (Eph. 1:10; 1Cor. 15:24-28).
‘They shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads’ all creatures of the
eternal state will actually look upon God’s face and His name shall be in their foreheads,
as in Revelation 3:12; 7:1-8; 9:4 and 14:1. They shall reign and help God administer the
affairs of the universe forever (1:6; 5:10; 22:5; Dan. 7:18, 27; Zech. 14:5; 1Cor. 6:1-2;
2Tim. 2:12; etc.).
Faithful and True

Revelation 22:6-13 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord
God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must
shortly be done. Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keep the sayings of the prophecy
of this book. And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and

seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which showed me these things.
Then said he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren
the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. And he said
unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. He that
is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is
righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I
come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
‘These sayings are faithful and true’ John was directedtowrite 16 times as
hereceivedtheRevelation; it is clearly stated from this Scripture that all that was said is
faithful and true (19:9) as is God who is giving this prophecy.
‘I come quickly’ Christ declares His return to earth again many times (1:7; 22:7, 12, 20;
Matt. 24:29-31; 25:31-46; Luke 17:1-37).
‘Keep the sayings of the prophecy of this book’ the book ends with such a blessing upon
people who hear, read, and keep the truth of this prophecy (1:1-3; 22:7).
‘For I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the
sayings of this book’ this is proof that the angel of Revelation 1:1; 19:9-10 and 22:6-10 is a
redeemed man and from the Old Testament prophets as clearly stated by the individual.
‘Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book’ these truths were to be understood and
kept by all, hence they are not hidden truths. They are simple and clear to all who will
believe them but hidden from those who refuse to believe (2Cor. 4:4).
‘For the time is at hand’ here again emphasis is put on the fact of the immediate fulfilment
of these events which were to happen in consecutive order from John’s day into eternity.
First, the things of the congregation age up to the rapture (Rev. 1-3). Second, events
between the rapture and the second coming (Rev. 4-19). Third, events of the Millennium
and the New Earth forever (Rev. 20-22).
‘He that is unjust, let him be unjust still ...’ the 13th New Testament prophecy in
Revelation unfulfilled, this verse states the fact that as a man dies he will be forever, so
there will be no second chance to improve the life and character of any lost one in all
eternity (Heb. 9:27).
‘I come quickly’ Christ declares His return to earth again many times (1:7; 22:7, 12, 20;
Matt. 24:29-31; 25:31-46; Luke 17:1-37).
‘And my reward is with me’ from 1Corinthians 3:11-15 we see that works are compared
to gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay and stubble - some become purer in the fire and
others are completely burned up by fire. Fire will try every man’s works. If his are gold,
silver, and precious stones they will abide the fire and he will receive a reward for his
works. If they are wood, hay, and stubble his works will be burned up, yet he himself will
be saved from loss of his soul.
‘I am Alpha and Omega’ the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet that is used four
times in Revelation (1:8, 11; 21:6; 22:13) of Jesus Christ and refers to Him as the
beginning and end of the New Testament that was written in Greek.

Blessed
Revelation 22:14-16 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right
to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs,
and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever love and
make a lie. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I
am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
‘Blessed are they that do his commandments ...’ this is the 14th New Testament prophecy
in Revelation (22:14-15) that is unfulfilled. Only people who obey God and keep His
commandments are promised eternal life, not those who profess and do not obey.
There are 1,050 commands in the New Testament for Christians to obey. Due to
repetitions, they can be classified under about 800 headings. They cover every phase of
man’s life in his relationship to God and his fellowmen, now and hereafter. If obeyed, they
will bring rich rewards here and forever; if disobeyed, they will bring condemnation and
eternal punishment. They are not to be confused with the 10 commandments which were
abolished with the Law of Moses (Acts 15:24; Gal. 2:16, 21; 3:11).
‘That they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the
city’ two eternal rights of the redeemed: the right to the tree of life and the right to enter
the New Jerusalem.
‘For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters,
and whosoever love and make a lie’ seven of the ten classes mentioned in Revelation 21:8
are mentioned again that will be in eternal hell: murderers; whoremongers [Greek:
pornois, fornicators]; sorcerers [Greek: pharmakeusin, persons who by use of drugs,
medicine, enchanted potions, charms, and enchantments seek to produce supernatural
effects in the lives of others]; idolaters [those who practice idolatry and abominable
immoral acts in worship of idols, as in point 3]; dogs [false prophets and homosexuals are
called dogs in Scripture (Deut. 23:18; Isa. 56:10-11; Php. 3:2; Rev. 22:15)]; lovers of lies
and liars (21:8; 22:15).
‘I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches’ from
Revelation 1:1, 11 we see that the book was transmitted from God the Father to Jesus
Christ, to the angel, to John, to the congregations and then through the written Word to
us.‘I am the root and the offspring of David’ a rodcomesforthout of the stem of Jesse –
referring to Christ as He descended from the tribe of Judah (5:5; Isa. 11:1).
‘Bright and morning star’ Christshallrise as a Star out of Jacob (Num. 24:17). The star has
been a symbol of regal power amongallnations, beingoftenusedtoheraldtherise of,
andfutureglory of, a monarch.
Come
Revelation 22:17-21 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that hears say,
Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life
freely.
‘The Spirit and the bride say, Come’ two that call to repentance: The Holy Spirit (John
16:7-11) and the bride - those who are married to Jesus Christ in every generation and

who will go to live in the New Jerusalem, which is the bride, the Lamb’s wife (21:2, 9-
10).
‘And let him that hears say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will,
let him take the water of life freely’ three classes are invited to come here; those who hear,
those who are thirsty and those who will come. All people are thus invited to come and
partake of the water of life freely.
If man were not a free moral agent, God would be entirely responsible for all sin, the
effect of sin, rebellion, sickness, and the damnation of people, demons, and angels. Man
has no choice about coming into the world, but after he is here and old enough to be
responsible, he is held accountable for his salvation or damnation (Mark 16:15-16; Luke
13:3, 5). Man has his own will to exercise in this matter (John 3:16; 6:37; 7:17). It is
God’s will that all people who will to be, shall be saved (John 3:16; 1Tim. 2:4; 2Pet. 3:9).
People are commanded to choose God (Jos. 24:15; Luke 13:3, 5). People are to be cursed
if they do not choose God (Pro. 1:29-33; Isa. 66:3; Mark 16:16). It is impossible to serve
God and satan at the same time (Matt. 6:24; John 8:32-36; Rom. 6:16-23; 8:12-13).
Promises are given to people upon the basis of their choice (Matt. 16:24-25; Mark 3:35;
16:16; John 3:16; 5:40; 7:17; 9:31; 12:26). In over 4,000 scriptures where “choose,”
“will,” and other words expressing volition are used, not one suggests that God forces any
man to accept Him and do His will. Man’s relationship with God is entirely on a voluntary
basis (22:17; Mark 16:16; John 3:16; 7:17; 1Pet. 5:2) No man recognizing that endless
decisions are necessary to daily life can deny the fact of free acts and conduct, for he
knows he has freedom of action - moral action - concerning right and wrong, and that he is
responsible to God for his every act. If one can deny these facts, he can deny his very
existence and prove it on the same basis he tries to prove that he is not a free moral agent.
That he is and that he is free to choose his own destiny and daily moral actions are facts
known to sane beings.
Plagues
Revelation 22:18- 21 For I testify unto every man that hears the words of the prophecy of
this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that
are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this
prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and
from the things which are written in this book. He which testifies these things said, Surely I
come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be
with you all. Amen.
‘If any man shall add unto these things ...’ the 15th and last prophecy in Revelation
unfulfilled. A solemn warning that applies not only to the book of Revelation but to the
entire Bible (Deut. 12:32). One cannot change God’s eternal Word and escape His
judgment. One cannot add to it or take from it without having what is stated in Revelation
22:18-19 literally fulfilled in his case.
‘Plagues’ the plagues are those of eternal hell as well as many other kinds as referred to in
Revelation 9:20; 15:1, 6, 8; 16:21; 21:9. In the Bible, nine Hebrew and Greek words are

translated “plague,” meaning in general any calamity, sickness, disease, wound, scourge,
stroke, or suffering. Famines, barrenness, boils, sicknesses, terror, failure in crops or
business, oppression, destruction, poverty, wars, strives, and many other human sufferings
are considered plagues. There are over 60 kinds of plagues listed in Leviticus 26:1-46 and
Deuteronomy 28:1-68 alone.
Varies causes of plagues are listed in Scripture: Not listening to God (Ex. 15:26; Lev.
26:14; Deut. 28:15); failing to do the right (Ex. 15:26); breaking the commandments (Ex.
15:26; Lev. 26:14-15; Deut. 28:15); despising God’s statutes (Lev. 26:15); abhorring
God’s judgments (Lev. 26:15); breaking God’s covenants (Lev. 26:15); walking contrary to
God (Lev. 26:21-27); sinning against God (Deut. 28:20); forsaking God (Deut. 28:20);
rebellion against God (Deut. 28:47); refusing to be thankful for all God’s blessings (Deut.
28:47); refusing to observe all God’s laws (Deut. 28:58-62); adding to God’s Word (Rev.
22:18); taking away from God’s Word (Rev. 22:19; Deut. 4:2; 12:32; Pro. 30:6). Please
remember that the Law of Moses was abolished not the books wherein they were written,
thus can we still see that what was sin in the Old Testament, is still sin in the New
Testament. There are 126 plagues mentioned outside Revelation.
We see many plagues in Revelation: Removal of an entire congregation (2:5); being cast
into prison (2:10); being fought by Christ (2:16); being cast into tribulation (2:22); being
killed (2:23); having your name blotted out of the Book of Life (3:5; cp. Ex. 32:32-33);
wars (6:3-4); famine (6:5-6); the loosing of death and hell (6:7-8); great earthquakes (8:5;
16:17-21; 18:1-24); hail, fire, and blood (8:8-9); one-third of the sea to changed into
blood (8:8-9); drinking waters poisoned (8:10-11); the sun, moon and stars darkened
(8:12); demonic locusts to torment people (9:1-12); demonic horsemen to slay people
(9:13-21); many plagues by the two witnesses (11:3-12); great sores (16:2); the whole sea
and rivers changed to blood (16:4); scorching heat from the sun (16:8-9); darkness (16:10-
11).
There are many examples of plagues sent upon people for rebellion. God has made the
law of sowing and reaping and regardless of fallacies teaching that God will not judge
Christians who backslide, these examples demonstrate that saved people will also reap
what they sow (Gal. 6:7-8).
‘Prophecy’ there is 1,423 prophetic verses in the 7,957 verses of the New Testament; 194
verses of Old Testament prophecy quoted or fulfilled in the New Testament; 1,229
verses of New Testament prophecy. Of these about 950 verses are given as unfulfilled
prophecy; 162 verses as being fulfilled; and 324 verses as already fulfilled. This is 207
verses more than the total prophetic verses in the New Testament due to the fact that
some prophecies require a double listing - under fulfilled and being fulfilled.
‘Surely I come quickly’ the last promise in Scripture and concerns the second coming of
Jesus Christ to the earth. Being one of the most important doctrines of the Bible, this is
referred to many hundreds of times in both testaments. There are 750 promises in the
New Testament, but only 250 separate benefits due to the fact that many of the promises
are repeated in different books. Some are not in the form of a promise, but the truths they
contain make the basis of our claims for gospel benefits.

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REVELATION

solaScripturaBibleCoolege: Revelation 1|P a g e

solaScripturaBibleCoolege: Revelation 2|P a g e

The Apostle John

solaScripturaBibleCoolege: Revelation 3|P a g e

The Vision of Jesus Christ

solaScripturaBibleCoolege: Revelation 4|P a g e

Write the Things

solaScripturaBibleCoolege: Revelation 5|P a g e

solaScripturaBibleCoolege: Revelation 6|P a g e

solaScripturaBibleCoolege: Revelation 7|P a g e

solaScripturaBibleCoolege: Revelation 8|P a g e

solaScripturaBibleCoolege: Revelation 9|P a g e

The Throne of God

Blessing and Honour

War, Famine, Death and Hell

The Tribulation Saints

The 144 000

The First Woe

The Second Woe

The Mighty Angel

The Little Book

The Temple Measured

The Two Witnesses

Enoch and Elijah

The Sun-clothed Woman

The Great Red Dragon

The First Beast

The Image of the Beast

The Lamb and the 144,000

Three Messenger Angels

The Harvest of the Earth

The Seven Angels

First Five Vial Judgements

The Great Whore

The Beast Out of the Abyss

The Eight Mountain Kingdoms

The Ten Horns

That Great City

The Weeping and Wailing

God Has Avenged

The Rider on a White Horse

Trodden the Winepress

The Battle of Armageddon

Them That Were Beheaded

The Defeat of satan

The Great White Throne

The Last Judgment

New Heaven and New Earth

The Lamb’s Wife

solaScripturaBibleCoolege: Revelation 100 | P a g e

solaScripturaBibleCoolege: Revelation 101 | P a g e

solaScripturaBibleCoolege: Revelation 102 | P a g e

The City of Pure Gold

solaScripturaBibleCoolege: Revelation 103 | P a g e

The River of Life

solaScripturaBibleCoolege: Revelation 104 | P a g e

solaScripturaBibleCoolege: Revelation 105 | P a g e

solaScripturaBibleCoolege: Revelation 106 | P a g e