ALPHA OMEGA ALPHA And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. (Revelation 5: 1) nkj THE MESSAGE FROM THE THRONE OF GOD ! ALPHA OMEGA ALPHA Don English Alpha, Omega, Alpha Copyright © 2010 by Don English. Scripture quotations marked (niv) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version ®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (kjv) are taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version, Cambridge, 1769. Used by permission. All rights reserved. “The Lord gave the word and great was the company of those who published it.” Psalm 68:11. Published in the United States of America ISBN: 978-1-61566-909-7 Acknowledgments All acknowledgment, credit, and honor are given to our God and Creator Although there have been many who guided, taught, and supported, the guidance, teaching, and support of God and the Holy Spirit is of such a nature and necessity to this writing that all acknowledgement is given to Him The Holy Spirit guided me to the conviction to study Revelation He taught me, verse by verse, step-by-step, and by thoughts and ideas that were not my own, nor did I read them from other books For twenty-seven years, God’s Holy Spirit supported me spiritually, physically, and emotionally when, often, all hope and resources were gone I could not have done it on my own or through education, nor with all the resources in this world Although our Lord has guided in this manner, I am not infallible and every line is subject to correction and/or a better way to explain —Don English Table of Contents Introduction 9 Preface 13 Revelation 1 15 Revelation 2 and 3 25 Revelation 4 and 5 33 Revelation 6 and 7 37 Revelation 8 73 Revelation 10 89 Revelation 11 93 Revelation 12 127 Revelation 13 133 Revelation 14 151 Revelation 15 161 Revelation 16 163 Revelation 17 173 Revelation 18 187 Revelation 19 191 Revelation 20 197 Revelation 21 217 9 Introduction Throughout history, there has been a fascination with and a desire to know the future We want to know what will happen tomorrow Will it rain? Will I get a job? Will I meet someone important? Will I marry? On and on, our human minds search for the unknown No person can attend a funeral or experience the death of a family member or friend or even an acquaintance without coming face-to-face with the reality that they will also die some day and be placed in a casket and buried That reality gives us a great incentive to know the future; as a consequence, mankind has studied long and devised many methods in an effort to learn what the future holds There are three major areas through which mankind seeks to learn the future: 1) his own intelligence, 2) the spirit realm through satanic knowledge, and 3) the spirit realm through God’s knowledge Through mankind’s own intelligence, he searches the stars and planet movements, plays the cards, rolls the dice, deciphers emotional feelings, instinct, intuition, etc , to develop methods to determine future happenings Every race, color, and tribe of people on earth has its own variations and particular methods of searching for knowledge of the future through its own intelligence Mankind also searches for knowledge of the future through satanic knowledge satan, being a spiritual being, knows the future– –in a limited way––and is able to manipulate events and minds to his advantage He is able, from the spirit realm, to insert thoughts into the minds of physical mankind and to manipulate the outcome so that mankind believes he has discovered a method of forecasting the future Some persons knowingly believe satan is God and accept and teach satanic knowledge as prophetic satan imparts his knowledge to mankind through mediums, spiritualists, religious leaders, cults, the occult, and unsuspecting individuals He is able to 10 Alpha, Omega, Alpha do this by mind manipulation and control of the minds of those who allow him to do so. satan has knowledge of the future (limited to the knowledge and power of angelic beings) and uses it to manipulate and deceive mankind. Mankind can also know the future through God’s knowledge. God has the knowledge of the future, for he is the author of the future. He has imparted to us a limited knowledge of the future through the Bible. God also reveals the future to individuals as touching their destiny and, at times, reveals events and circumstances that will happen in people’s lives. Therefore, it is my opinion and knowledge that God has, does, and will reveal the future to those whom God chooses. To those who have a sincere spirit and desire to know the future, God will reveal all knowledge according to his will and the capacity of the individual to discern spiritual truths––always and only within God’s will. With utmost humility before God, I encourage everyone to read this book and study further the prophecy of Revelation. You will be blessed and will come to a fuller knowledge of future events and, most of all, your own destiny, when that time comes when you will meet death and enter the unknown that lies beyond this physical life. Suggested Method of Study 1. Pray before reading and after reading. The holy Scriptures are spiritually discerned. No person can fully understand the Bible outside the intervention and teaching of the Holy Spirit. This is especially true in the understanding of prophecy. Please pray. 2. Read the book of Revelation from chapter 1 to chapter 22 without stopping before reading Alpha, Omega, Alpha. If you have the Bible on tape, listen to Revelation several times before reading this book. Read with a Bible close at hand for reference. 11 Message From the Throne 3. Study with an open mind to the Holy Spirit, and draw your own conclusions to the interpretation of Revelation. Please note: You will notice as you read this book that the name satan and other references to him and his work are not capitalized. This is not a misprint or mistake, nor is it an effort to be sarcastic. I just simply do not wish to give satan the honor of capitalizing his name, even if it is the beginning of a sentence. 13 Preface For many years, I studied and read what had been written about Revelation I was continually plagued with not being able to fully understand how all Scriptures on prophecy fi t into what I was reading One that particularly bothered me was the fourth “Seal,” whose rider is death It did not seem reasonable to equate death with a plague when all of mankind dies The Scripture says that it was appointed once for man to die and then the judgment As I sought the Lord for understanding, the fi rst thing that became evident was that the end will come as an act of God, not as a result of war or atomic fallout or anything that man will do As a result of that, I became convinced that a book should be written entitled Alpha, Omega, Alpha; that is, God is the beginning (Alpha); God is the end (Omega); God will be a new beginning (Alpha) In this way, the Lord began a long process that brought me to write Alpha, Omega, Alpha For several years, I thought the Lord would have me to meet a writer whom I could help understand some things the Lord was teaching me so that he could write the book However, I never met this writer Finally, after completing a mission project that took two years of my life, I began to seek my Lord for his direction He gave me an overwhelming challenge to put into words the thoughts he had given me about understanding prophecy For approximately six months, my every thought and all my energy was concentrated on the twenty-two chapters of Revelation Then two things happened that gave me the courage and motivation to begin to write First, I had some ideas of interpretation that needed to be compared to Old Testament prophecy I turned to Daniel and began reading I was amazed at how clearly they fi t together, but when I 14 Alpha, Omega, Alpha came to Daniel 12:7–9, the Holy Spirit took hold of me in a powerful way. Verse 7 says, “When the power of the holy people has finally been broken.” This clearly fit my thoughts on Revelation. Also, verse nine says, “Go your way, Daniel, because the words are closed and sealed until the time of the end.” It pierced my heart that God’s prophecy was to be sealed until the end time and then understanding would come; that is, the Scriptures would be understood through the Holy Spirit. This was awesome, for I believe the Holy Spirit had helped me understand things I could not find written by others. The second event occurred one night as I was driving down an interstate in a rainstorm. By this time, I had Revelation virtually memorized. I was thinking through the Scriptures and praying for the Holy Spirit to help me. I was talking aloud to the Lord and reasoning about the millennium. I said, in regard to what I was thinking, if this is right, how do the other Scriptures fit? Suddenly Scriptures and thoughts began to fill my mind, and there came a flood of the most wonderful feeling of the presence of God. Immediately, as I was looking down the road, there came into my vision a horrid sight. It was suspended in midair at the edge of the lights and to the left of the road. It was a head with a very grimacing look and snarl. It was looking directly at me, and I felt it wanted to kill me. What I saw was so vivid that I could draw it if I were an artist. I knew it was satan. Though very afraid, I still felt the Holy Spirit’s power in such a way that I knew although satan was out there, he could not reach me. Soon I came to understand that my Lord was showing me the opposition. As the Lord opened the eyes of Elisha’s servant (2 Kings 6:17) to see a spiritual scene, he opened my eyes for a glimpse of the opposition I was going to face. These two things have been a driving force that have caused me to press on for these many years when I often wanted to give up. God knew what it would take to accomplish the task. Praise God! Hallelujah! —D. L. English 15 Revelation 1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants - things that must shortly take place And he sent and signifi ed it by his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw Revelation 1:1–2 The book of Revelation begins by giving us the purpose of the book, authorship, and manner of delivery Purpose The purpose of the book is stated in the fi rst phrase of verse 1: the Revelation of Jesus Christ The book is Revelation Webster’s dictionary defi nes revelation as the act of making known something that has been secret The book of Revelation, then, reveals the secrets of the end times The revealing of these secrets explains the end of all creation, the fi nal pages of the history of mankind, and the eternal destiny of every nation, tribe, and people (each person) that have lived on earth The secrets have been only partially understood throughout history, but will, in the last times, be revealed by the power and leadership of the Holy Spirit to the family of God as God determines The Bible substantiates this statement, I (Daniel) heard, but I did not understand So I asked, “My Lord, what will the outcome of all this be?” He replied, “Go your way, Daniel, because the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end Many will be purifi ed, made spotless and refi ned, but 16 Alpha, Omega, Alpha the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand. Daniel 12:8–10, niv Again, in Revelation 22:10, John is told, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, because the time is near.” The Bible also says in Joel 2:28, and is repeated in Acts 2:17, “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.” Now let us put these three scriptures together. There was a time in which the prophecies of the end times were sealed (not understood), as stated in Daniel; however, it has been possible from the time of the writing of Revelation to the present time (do not seal up the words, Revelation 22:10) for God to choose to pour out his Holy Spirit upon his people as stated in Acts 2:17–21 so that they could understand. Although Acts 2:18 can be interpreted to refer only to the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, verses 19–20 clearly speak of the end times as referred to in Revelation. Therefore, I believe that in the end times (probably the last generation of Christians on earth) there will be a fuller or more complete understanding of prophecy as God reveals it through his Holy Spirit to those he chooses. Thus, the purpose of the book of Revelation is to reveal to the entire family of God, and especially to the last generation of the family of God, the long-hidden secrets as to when and how the end will come. Revelation also gives a severe warning to mankind, who rejects God’s plan for his creation, and enumerates judgments that will be brought against those who follow the rebellion of satan and the other fallen disobedient angels. Authorship The identity of the author is established in the second phrase of verse 1, “which God gave him” ( Jesus). 17 Message From the Throne Webster’s Dictionary defines author as an originator, especially the writer of a book. Within this definition is a two-phase process. First, an originator is the thought process through which an idea is formulated in the mind. Second, the writer is the process of transferring the concept from the mind to the written word. This can easily be illustrated as an author conceives an idea and content for a book in his mind and then works for months transferring those thoughts into the form of a book. With this definition of author in mind, realize that God is the author-originator and John is the author-writer of Revelation. In the same way, God was the author-originator of the prophecies that came to Daniel, Joel, Zechariah, etc. in the Old Testament. Thus, the symbolism and messages spanned many generations and numerous authors-writers, and yet contain the same message. God is the author. The fact that God is the author gives this message of Revelation great power and importance. Whereas all Scripture is inspired of God and is indeed the Word of God, this message of Revelation is direct from the hand of God as he sits on the throne. John is shown this fact as explained in the two scenes of chapter 5. In the first scene, Revelation 5:1–5, John saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll. A scroll, as biblically used, symbolizes the Word of God, and it is in God’s right hand ready to be delivered. In the second scene in Revelation 5:6–7, John “saw a Lamb looking as if it had been slain.” He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. The statements of Revelation 1:1–2 and the two scenes of chapter 5 give a strong proclamation that God is the author of Revelation and that he gave the message to Jesus, who gave it to his angels to give to John, to send to the seven churches of Asia, which, in turn, have handed it down to all generations who hold to the testimony of Jesus Christ. This book of Revelation is from the throne of God. God is the author-originator John is the author-writer. 18 Alpha, Omega, Alpha John is the servant who receives and writes the message. He is commanded in Revelation 1:19, “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.” Although John introduces himself to the seven churches in verse four, the greeting is from God, the seven spirits, and Jesus Christ as explained in verses 4–5. So John, then, was not the originator, nor did he formulate the message of Revelation from his knowledge of Old Testament prophecies, but he wrote only that which he was told and shown. John was instructed by Jesus in verse 11, “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches; to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.” In verse 18, Jesus continues to tell John what to write to each of the seven churches as seen in chapters 2 and 3. Then beginning in Revelation 4:1, John wrote, “After this I looked”; in 5:1, “Then I saw”; in verse 6:1, “I watched”; and 7:1, “After this I saw”; in 8:2, “And I saw”; in 11:1, “I was given”; and in 16:1, “ Then I heard,” etc. Thus, John was the author-writer who wrote only what he was instructed, what he saw, and what he heard. God, the author-originator from the spirit realm, delivered to John, the author-writer, a message of revelation to the physical family of God. It is of great importance that we grasp the power in the fact that this is the Word of God direct from his throne into the hands of physical mankind. Manner of Delivery Revelation 1:1 states clearly that God gave the Revelation to Jesus, who “made it known by sending his angel to his servant John.” Thus, the message is passed from God to Jesus, to his angel, to John, to the seven churches, to all generations. God formulated the message and delivered it to Jesus. Jesus revealed himself to John on the island of Patmos, dictated to him seven messages to the seven churches, received the scroll from the right hand of 1 2 19 Message From the Throne God, and opened the seals, which delivered the message to the angels. The angels blew the trumpets, delivered to John a scroll (Revelation 10: 8) and a reed, (Revelation 11: 1), poured out the bowls, and gave various explanations. John wrote what he was instructed, what he saw, and what he heard and had it delivered to the seven churches. The churches copied the message and handed it down to each generation. Each generation has the responsibility of passing the message down to the next generation. The visionary message of Revelation has been delivered to us that we might understand the awesomeness of the events of the end times, for: Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. Revelation 1:3 This third verse states, “Blessed is the one who reads … hears … and takes to heart … this prophecy.” So with great diligence and care, everyone should enter into the study of Revelation. Use diligence because of the warning of Revelation 22:18–19, which says, For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. Before you start to read, while you are reading, and after you have read, pray that the Holy Spirit of our Lord will help open your 3 4 5 6 20 Alpha, Omega, Alpha understanding to the message of Revelation and that the words God is telling us will sink into your heart. You will be blessed. I suggest that you read from chapter 1 through chapter 22 without stopping, as this method was invaluable to me in visualizing and understanding the whole message. At the time of the writing of Revelation, verse 3 states, “the time is near,” yet 1,900 years later the world is still continuing as always. That phrase, “the time is near,” means that any given day or moment in history may be the time that God has set for the end. Yet, for each of us that time comes with the coming of death. For at death, our judgment and destiny has been determined. Thus, the end time is as near as our next heartbeat. However, the phrase, “the time is near,” has greater meaning to us in the last decades of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Possibly, we can see some signs of the times. Until the 1980s, there was no knowledge of the viral infection AIDS; however, by 1987, it was frontline news, with warnings and daily accounts of numbers of people infected and killed by AIDS. This virus, since it is a living organism, was created by God, just like rattlesnakes and tigers. And just like rattlesnakes and tigers, it can be harmful to your health. It is unique that one of the symptoms of AIDS is that body sores do not heal and that, as the angel pours out the first bowl in Revelation 16:2, ugly and painful sores broke out on the people. I do not suggest that we are in the great tribulation of chapter 16, but that this may be a sign of the times, a sample of what is to come. In 1986, along the Texas Gulf Coast, there was what was commonly called the red tide. The effect of the red tide was the death of millions of fish. Also, people reported experiencing nausea and a burning sensation to the eyes when exposed to the red tide. Again, I do not suggest a parallel to Revelation 16:3, but possibly a sign of which we should take note because “the time is near.” We need to be careful not to try to impose natural physical events upon end-time prophecy. The events of Revelation are acts of God that pertain only to the end time tribulation period. Even so, 21 Message From the Throne the phrase “the time is near” is a definite, perhaps severe, warning to mankind. The end of earth and time as we know it may be near, or it may not be near, but the end of your life can definitely be near, so be warned; be prepared. In Revelation 1:4, John addresses the seven churches with his own name so that those to whom it was sent would know that it was from John the apostle, whom they knew. Then they would receive without question the message-vision as the Word of God. John was instructed to write personal messages, which are recorded in chapters 2 and 3, to the churches, which are named in verse 11. The fact that they are written to “seven churches” is significant in light of the way the number seven is used in Scriptures. Seven, being a complete number and here referring to seven churches, means that the message is intended for all the churches and, thus, to the whole family of God of all generations until the end. If you are a Christian, part of the family of God, this message is directly from the right hand of God, written to you. As John continues in verses 4–7, it becomes more evident that the greeting is from the throne and from Jesus Christ to the seven churches. Verse 8 is a statement from the Lord God stating his scope, authority, and power. In verse 9, John again verifies himself and then gives the setting of the vision. In verse 10, he states the day of the week and that he is worshiping in the spirit as the vision begins in verse 11. At the beginning of the vision, John saw someone “like a Son of Man” (verse 13). The same phrase, “like a Son of Man,” is used in Daniel 7:13–14 in the same visionary manner. In both Daniel and Revelation, the visions are of a spiritual being that is described to have appeared “like a Son of Man.” Jesus, while physically on earth, referred to himself as the “Son of Man,” although he was not a son of man as far as having an earthly father is concerned. Jesus, being the Son of God and having come from heaven to earth to be born of a virgin, was a spiritual being in a body of flesh. When he referred to himself as a Son of Man, Jesus was speaking from a spiritual standpoint and was saying that he was like a Son of Man as he was living 22 Alpha, Omega, Alpha in a fleshly body. In each of these three references (in Daniel, in Revelation, and here in verse 13), Jesus is referring to himself and speaks of a spiritual being that has the appearance of a man. So the phrase, “like a son of man,” is speaking of Jesus in his glorified spiritual body as he spoke to John, his beloved apostle. John describes a magnificent Jesus. His dress was elegant. His appearance was with such authority and power that John fell at his feet, as though “dead.” This John is the same John who had followed Jesus day after day for three years. John, with his brother James, had been so closely associated with Jesus as to desire to sit one on the left and one on the right of Jesus when he came into his kingdom. He was the one who, at the Last Supper, had leaned upon Jesus’s breast. This is the same John who was given the responsibility of Jesus’s mother as he stood by at the crucifixion. This same John ran to the empty tomb and saw Jesus numerous times in his resurrected body. This same John had been a preacher of the gospel for many years. Yet here in Revelation 1:7, John falls as though “dead” at the feet of his dear friend, Jesus. The whole world, as well as we who are Christians, desperately need to learn a lesson from Revelation 1:17. We need to realize the awesome magnificence and majesty of our God, that it will be a fearful thing to come into his presence, and that we will all be judged in his presence. We Christians of this generation are so often proud and arrogant, making boastful claims about God’s love for us––which are true––but we will be as dead men before the throne of Almighty God. We will be awestruck in the presence of our God. Although John had great fear at the sight of the resurrected Jesus, with a touch of the Master’s hand, he was told he need have no fear. We can realize the truth of the Scriptures from these events. The Scriptures say the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. The fear of the Lord is truly the beginning of knowledge, for when we realize the fear and awesomeness of falling into the hands of the Almighty God and cry out, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner,” then we realize the true knowledge of “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son” ( John 3: 16). Consequently, fear is 23 Message From the Throne replaced by the overwhelming love of God. So it was with John; that great fear was overcome by the touch of the hand of Jesus. John, having recovered at the touch of Jesus, was instructed in verse 19 to write what he had seen, what is now, and what will take place later. It is clear from the instruction here and from examining the book of Revelation that John wrote only what he saw. When Jesus said, “what you have seen,” he was not only referring to what John saw with his eyes as pertaining to the vision, but also what he saw with his ears and mind as pertaining to understanding. What John saw and understood pertained to “now”––at the time of the writing––and “later”––what was to come. When John saw Jesus in verse 12, he was standing among seven golden lamp stands and he had in his right hand seven stars (verse16). In verse 20, the stars are explained as representative of the angels of the seven churches; the lamps, as representative of the churches. Thus, the messages to the churches are addressed to the angel of the church, which gives the message a spiritual connotation and a need for spiritual understanding. The lamp stands are representative of the churches in that they are a lamp, or light, in a world of spiritual darkness. With Jesus’s appearance to John, the explanations, and the command to write Revelation 1:9–20, John is ready to receive the messages to the seven churches as recorded in chapters 2 and 3. 25 Revelation 2 and 3 The seven messages to the seven churches are uniquely from the mouth of Jesus, whereas the majority of the vision is given to John through visionary scenes and angelic explanation Chapters 2 and 3 present a personal message from Jesus to each of the seven churches– –all of the true church or family of God If you are a Christian, there are one or more messages in these two chapters that will directly apply to your life and where you are today You would do well to apply a “spiritual ear ” Just as we apply every word of the Bible to our own lives and times, so our Lord intended these messages to be applied to every Christian of every generation, to every fellowship of Christians, the local church and to the universal church, to all whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life The application seen in this statement is to every church: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 2:7) This verse may be paraphrased: Anyone who has spiritual understanding must listen to what Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, is saying to you individually and to your church collectively These personal messages contained elements of commendation, rebuke, warning, promise, and prophecy as the Holy Spirit leads us to apply them to our own circumstances Commendation Our Lord commends those who have persevered and have endured hardships for his name and have not grown weary (Revelation 2:3) Have you persevered, continued in your witness, when friends have invited you to do things that would compromise your faith? If so, you are commended Have you endured when there was much hard26 Alpha, Omega, Alpha ship in performing the task our Lord has given you? If so, you are commended. Have you endured when every Christian you know has turned back to the things and the ways of the world? If so, you are commended. Apply the spiritual ear. Rebuke Our Lord will rebuke you if you have forsaken your first love (verse 4). Do you love our Lord so that you continue in his Word and meditate on it day and night? If not, you are rebuked. Do you love your Lord so that you worship him daily in spirit and in truth? If not, you are rebuked. Do you love your Lord so that you continue to search your life, thoughts, and relationships, striving daily to be the best you can be for him? If not, you are rebuked. Apply the spiritual ear. Warning If you have any of the shortcomings that all Christians possess, our Lord issues a warning to you in Revelation 2:5, which says, “If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lamp stand from its place.” Although as born-again Christians we are forgiven our sins– –past, present, and future––as pertaining to salvation, as we continue to live, we will have sins and shortcomings. Jesus warns us—as he warned the Ephesian Christians who had forsaken their first love—to repent, or he will remove our lamp stand. Have you forsaken your first love? Is the love of Jesus priority to you? Is that priority in your church? If not, you are in danger of having your lamp stand, witness, removed by Jesus. In the same manner, apply the spiritual ear to the other warnings contained in chapters 2 and 3. Promise Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ also gives us this promise: “To him who overcomes I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God” (verse 7). When you have completed your Christian life and have overcome, Jesus promises that you will have the right to live in the paradise of God. This is not 27 Message From the Throne to say that to “overcome” would infer that one must attain a certain spiritual level for salvation, for the Bible says, “For whosoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” I believe that this is a challenge to press on in one’s spiritual life and overcome the trials and temptations of this world. Prophecy The Lord Jesus also gives words of prophecy to those to whom it applies, as to Smyrna in Revelation 2:10: Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Jesus is prophesying the fact that there will be some faithful Christians in every generation who will be persecuted by satan and his followers, until the last two witnesses of Revelation 11 are killed. Our Lord prophesies that the persecution will be for a given time (ten days). It is very likely that some Christians in Smyrna were persecuted for literally ten days and then either released or put to death (Revelation 2:10). As we make application of the prophecy to the rest of the history of Christendom, I suggest that the “ten days” are a limitation of the persecutions from satan, rather than a specific time period. For example, in Acts 12, Herod killed James with the sword and, seeing that it pleased the Jews, arrested Peter and put him in jail. At that point, the Lord intervened by bringing Peter out of jail and later disposing of Herod. This example illustrates that Herod, having set about to persecute the Christians, was allowed to go only so far, and then God intervened. So Jesus is telling us that some will be thrown into prison and some will be killed, but God is still in control and will not allow satan a free hand in persecuting his people. Chapters 2 and 3 contain numerous messages, as illustrated in these five examples, direct from the mouth of Jesus that apply to Christians of all generations. You are encouraged to listen with 28 Alpha, Omega, Alpha “spiritual ears” to what the Holy Spirit says through the messages to the seven churches. The messages to the seven churches are prophetic as we apply them to today’s churches. We find in today’s churches the same problems that were addressed in the first century churches, and the same answers are the answers for today’s churches. In the same way, those answers are for each individual as he or she applies “spiritual ears” to the messages of the seven churches. Introduction to the Vision In chapters 1 through 3, we have been instructed about the visionary message that is to follow. Jesus has manifested himself in a visual form to John and has dictated to John seven messages to the seven churches. Now in chapter 4, the prophetic vision begins to unfold. The vision––one vision, many scenes––continues nonstop from chapter 4 through chapter 22, with many scenes and explanations along the way. Before we enter the vision, let us examine some interpreting principles and the major participants of the vision. Interpreting Principles 1. The book of Revelation uses several numbers that have caused problems with interpretation. The use of numbers in the Bible needs to be understood as having two possible interpretations: literal or symbolic. One should make every effort to interpret numbers literally. A number should be interpreted symbolically only when a literal interpretation is not in harmony with other biblical references. Literally, the number means its actual value. Example: “seven” equals seven. Second, symbolically, the number has meaning other than its actual value. Example: “seven” equals complete, all, or perfect. Most theologians agree that the number seven is used biblically to mean complete or perfect. This is easily seen in the messages to the seven churches in 29 Message From the Throne chapters 2 and 3. It would have probably been impossible for John to have handwritten these messages to all the churches at that time. So, in writing the message to seven churches, it was understood that the message was for all churches and was passed on, or copied, as needed to get the message to all churches and all Christians. Seven can also be seen as literal and symbolic. This is exemplified in the seven bowls of God’s wrath. The seven bowls represent seven events and circumstances affected by God’s wrath as described after the pouring out of each bowl. Also, the seven bowls represent God’s complete wrath poured out. (“It is done,” Revelation 16: 17.) The number six, as used in Revelation, is symbolic and used in relation to the complete number seven. Six is one less than seven, thus incomplete. In the same manner, eight is one more than complete. This can be understood only in the context of Revelation 17 and is discussed there. There are two numbers that we interpret as limiting numbers. A limiting number is a number that seems to have something other than a literal meaning when understood in its context and in relationship to other biblical references. The context and spiritual conscience have led me to believe that the number limits the subject referred to. Example: 144,000 equals limited––many but not all; two equals limited––very few out of many. Series of three are given to express emphasis. Example: “holy, holy, holy” means most holy. “Woe, woe, woe” means the greatest sorrow or greatest danger. 30 Alpha, Omega, Alpha 2. The book of Revelation is one vision, but has many scenes. The scenes are separated by statements from John such as, “I saw,” “I looked,” “I heard,” etc. The scenes are not still life pictures, but moving scenes as though one were watching a movie at a theater. Some scenes seem to be a unit within themselves, such as chapter 4, which shows the participants around the throne moving and speaking. Other scenes seem to be in a series. Although each scene gives a complete picture, a series gives a larger, more complete picture as to subject and time span. Example: The first scene of Revelation 7: 1–8 gives a picture of those of the nation of Israel who have the “seal” of God. The second scene, 7:9–17, gives a picture of the rest of mankind who are of the family of God and what happens to them at the end. Thus, these two scenes portray 1) The subject matter––all the family of God, and 2) The time span––all of history (Revelation 7: 17; 21: 4). 3. A visionary object picture is the best possible picture that spiritual God can show to physical mankind to explain a spiritual circumstance or dilemma. In the vision of Revelation, there are pictures of objects–– bowls, crowns, etc.––and animal-type characters that are representative of a spiritual message that God has put into a physical picture. Examples: crowns represent authority and horses represent beasts of burden delivering cargo (a message). 4. God’s time: God sees all of time and history in one view or scene. To God, one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day. Also, the Scripture says that Jesus was the Lamb that was slain before the foundation of the world. The scenes of Revelation may pass through history at a very rapid pace. For 31 Message From the Throne example, in chapters 12 and 13, a few verses describe the entire history of satan’s rebellion against God. God’s time does not stop or pause at physical death. As humans, we think of death as an end, but God sees death as simply passing from physical into spiritual. There is no stop in time when we die. Thus, in Scripture, God speaks of his people and the family of satan in the physical and spiritual with no break or division between the two. 5. God’s line is the division of mankind into two groups: the family of God and the family of satan. God’s line dissects and crosses all national, all language, all color, and all social barriers. There are persons from every nationality, language, color, and social position on each side. Spiritually speaking, there are no other divisions among mankind. You are either on God’s side, or satan’s side. Everyone is born on satan’s side of God’s line, and each person must decide of their own free will whether or not to cross over to God’s side. 6. God’s boundaries: certain boundaries that rule all of creation. There are two worlds that exist side by side: the spiritual realm and the physical world. The spirit realm has limited access to the physical world. Jesus is the only one who has crossed over from the spiritual world into the physical world ( John 1). satan can manifest himself for brief intervals to the physical world but does so in a distorted or deceptive manner and remains in the spiritual realm. God reveals from the spiritual realm satan’s true nature to the family of God as needed to protect or teach. 1 2 3 32 Alpha, Omega, Alpha Angels can manifest themselves to the physical world but remain in the spiritual realm. Demons can manifest themselves, but are limited and remain in the spiritual realm. The physical world has limited access to the spiritual realm: Physical mankind can learn about the spirit realm, but remain in the physical world until the death of the body. Physical mankind of the family of God can, from God, experience the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, leadership of the Holy Spirit, prophecy, knowledge, miracles, tongues, sightings of spiritual beings, and being in the spirit, etc. Physical mankind of the family of satan can, from satan, experience the indwelling of the spirit of satan, the leadership of satanic spirit, limited prophecy, limited knowledge, limited miracles, demonic tongues, sightings of spiritual beings, soul travel, astral projection, etc., through the demonic powers within the physical world. There are two boundaries within the spiritual realm: 1) the boundary between heaven and hell, which no one can cross over. 2) the abyss which closes access to heaven, hell, and the physical world; no one can escape this boundary except as God permits. 4 5 6 a b c 33 Revelation 4 and 5 Participants of the Vision In chapter 4, John is introduced to “the throne in heaven with someone sitting on it,” the twenty-four elders, and the four living creatures; then, in chapter 5, the Lamb and the angels Each of these is a signifi cant part of the vision and interact in their different roles as prophecy unfolds someone sitting on the throne is central to the whole vision about the throne are gathered all the participants of the vision from the throne, the scroll (message) is given to Jesus (Revelation 5: 1) from the throne comes the decision that fi nalizes the tribulation (Revelation 21: 5–8) before the throne are gathered all who ever lived (Revelation 21: 11–12) from the throne comes the explanation of the results of judgment (Revelation 21: 5–8) The twenty-four elders: are seated on thrones, which signifi es authority through the Lamb (Revelation 20: 4); are dressed in white robes, which signifi es righteousness through the Lamb (Revelation 6: 11; 7: 14); have golden crowns, which signify reward, awarded by God (Revelation 3: 11; 12: 1, 3; 13: 1; 19: 12; 14: 14); bow, worship, and 1 2 3 4 5 6 34 Alpha, Omega, Alpha sing a new song before God (Revelation 5: 8–14; 7: 11–12; 19: 4); give exclamations to John (Revelation 7: 13–17). The four living creatures: have places of prominence “in the center, around the throne” (Revelation 4: 6); have eyes “in front and in back” (Revelation 4: 6); have an appearance that is exemplary of God’s creation (Revelation 4: 7); sing and glorify God continually (Revelation 4: 8; 7: 11, 12; 19: 4); are the voices that present the four horsemen (Revelation 6: 1–8). The Lamb ( Jesus) receives honor and glory from God and all of creation, is the Lion of Judah and has triumphed (Revelation 5: 5); has been slain (Revelation 5: 6); stood in the midst of the throne (Revelation 5: 6); is the only one who can receive the scroll from God (Revelation 5:7); opened the seven seals (Revelation 6: 8); has seven horns––all power, and seven eyes––all knowledge (Revelation 5: 6); speaks directly to John (Revelation 2, 3). The angels: number in the thousands upon thousands, and 10,000 times 10,000 (Revelation 5: 11). encircle the throne, the living creatures, and the elders (Revelation 5: 11). sing and praise the Lamb. (Revelation 5: 12). are assigned to each of the seven churches (Revelation 6: 8). are in charge of holding nature within its boundaries (Revelation 7: 1–3). signify, at God’s command, the beginning and the progression of the great tribulation through the blowing of trumpets and pouring out of the bowls of God’s wrath (Revelation 8, 9, and 16). instruct, explain, and deliver messages to John (Revelation 10; 14: 15, 17; 22: 1–7) proclaim the Gospel (Revelation 14: 6). pronounce judgment (Revelation 14: 8). 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 35 Message From the Throne pronounce warnings (Revelation 14: 9–12). explain visionary Babylon (Revelation 17–18). chain and imprison satan (Revelation 20: 1–3). We see from the above descriptions that all of heaven participates in giving to mankind a vision that informs us of the end times and eternity in heaven. The Vision Begins After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, ‘come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.’ At once I was in the spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. Revelation 4:1–2 As in Isaiah 6: 1–3, John, in describing what he saw, does not describe the features of the one sitting on the throne but describes the glory, the majesty, the power, the fixtures, and the four living creatures around the throne of God. Still in the flesh, John could not look on the face of God, but was allowed to see the things and the glory surrounding his throne. Doubtless, the one on the throne is God, as the four living creatures never stop saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,” and the twenty -four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They lay down their crowns before the throne and say, “You are worthy, our Lord and God.” Chapter 4 sets the stage for the rest of the book. God is on his throne, with all majesty, honor, glory, and power surrounding him. The four living creatures and the twenty-four elders are there, each playing their various parts throughout the rest of the vision. Chapter 5 opens with a scroll in the hand of God. The scroll represents a message––instructions from God on the throne to his 10 11 12 36 Alpha, Omega, Alpha creation. God, who is the Creator, the ruler, the sustainer, the judge, hands down his message on a visionary scroll. There is only one (verses 5–8) in all of creation (verse 3) who can receive the scroll message from the hand of God. The Lamb, Jesus, is the only one worthy to take the scroll because he was slain, and with his blood he purchased men for God (verse 9). The reality of God handing the scroll message to Jesus is substantiated in Revelation 1: 1, which states, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave him … ” The scene which sets the stage for the prophetic vision is completed in verses 11–13 as John “looked” and heard ten thousand times ten thousand angels encircling the throne and singing, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.” The stage is set. God is on the throne, the four living creatures, the twenty-four elders, the angels, Jesus with the scroll, and all of creation singing to God and his Son, Jesus Christ (verse 13). 37 Revelation 6 and 7 Introduction to the Seals There are some similarities in the fi rst four seals They each have in common horses, riders, living creatures, and a spoken message The four horses of this scene, Revelation 6:1–11, symbolize the carrier, or method of delivery, of the spiritual message to mankind God does not need horses to deliver his message or to carry out his will on earth but uses the horse, a beast of burden, as the visual symbol of his message being delivered to a physical world Horses are symbolized in the same manner in Old Testament prophecy In Zechariah, horses with riders are the ones the Lord has sent to go throughout the earth In Zechariah 1: 5–10, horses are used to give the best possible picture that God, who is spirit, can give to mankind, who is physical, to explain the delivery of the visionary message Jesus said, “I have spoken to you of earthly things and you did not believe: how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?” ( John 3:12) Thus, it is necessary for God to give to physical mankind a picture that we can understand The riders of the four horses are humanlike; otherwise, there would be further description The riders being humanlike implies that the message is to mankind All of creation (refer to the four living creatures) is affected by the message, but the riders deliver the prophetic message to mankind as a result of mankind’s sin Mankind sinned, and all of creation has suffered as a result Thus, we believe that the four horsemen being humanlike simply means that the message is to mankind, although the message affects all of creation The four horsemen also symbolize the carrying out of God’s message, will, or plan in the hearts and minds of physical mankind 38 Alpha, Omega, Alpha This carrying out of God’s will is exemplified in Revelation 6:4, which states, “Its rider was given power … to make men slay each other.” Also, Revelation 17:17 says, “For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to give the beast their power to rule, until God’s Words are fulfilled.” God does not need a rider on a horse as an implement to carry out in the hearts of mankind his will or plan on earth. But, the riders symbolize––give a picture––that physical man can understand the spirit of God carrying out his will on earth. For example, it is by the will of God that rulers, whether good or bad, reign and are given power to bring about the Lord’s purpose. This concept can be seen in Romans 13:2, which states, “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.” The authorities that exist have been established by God. Bad rulers through burdens imposed, such as corruption, chaos, death, and war, should make mankind realize the depravity of mankind, the sovereignty of God, and the need of mankind for repentance. God’s Spirit intervenes in the mind and affairs of mankind to carry out his will on earth. This is clearly seen in God’s direction to Babylon to make war against and destroy Jerusalem because of the sins of Israel, as seen in Jeremiah 24. So the riders and horses symbolize the delivering of the message as God’s Spirit carries out his will and conclusion to mankind and his creation as a whole. The four living creatures that were introduced in chapter 4 as being in the center and around the throne are part of the first four seals as each one said to John one word: come. By the word come, John was instructed to look and see the unfolding message. The fact that the four living creatures are described as different parts of God’s creation––“like a lion, like an ox, face of a man, like a flying eagle,” Revelation 4:7––indicates that the message pertains to all of creation. This is best exemplified in the fourth “seal” which states its rider was named death, in that every physical living being will die as ordained by God (Revelation 6: 8). All of creation is affected by the scroll message from the hand of God. 39 Message From the Throne A spoken message is given with each “seal” to explain the mood or result of the message the horses and riders deliver. The first three riders each have an object to carry. These objects help to explain the fuller picture of the spiritual message. The First Seal When the Lamb opened the first seal, a rider on a white horse came out of heaven. He held a bow, was given a crown, and had the appearance of a conqueror bent on conquest. The “bow” represents to physical mankind three things: 1. An instrument to aid in putting meat on the table. 2. Protection from both wild animals and mankind (defensive). 3. An instrument used for war (offensive). Therefore, as we combine horse, rider, and bow, there is the fact from God, created by God, that gives to mankind the ability and desire to build tools (instruments out of the things in God’s creation), from bows to nuclear power, to help fulfill mankind’s needs––make our lives easier––to protect themselves, and to make war. As the rider of the first seal came out, “a crown was given to him.” God crowned him! Mankind was crowned by God, the Creator! In a dictionary under the word crown, it says, 1) power or authority of a monarch, 2) Distinction for achievement or victory; honor; reward, and, 3) to endow with honor or dignity. The crown represents God-given authority. In Genesis 1:28–30, God gave to mankind authority over every living thing. Certainly, God has given to mankind the desire for achievement, to have honor, reward, and dignity. God has given to me a “crown” like a king, and that means I have a choice. I can do what I want to do! Mankind is given by God a spiritual crown, authority. This crown represents freedom of choice. Physically, the crown gives 40 Alpha, Omega, Alpha mankind the rule over God’s creation to accomplish all his ability and opportunity permits. Spiritually, the crown guarantees to mankind the choice to obey or disobey their Creator. Mankind was created by God and given the crown of choice. He has the right to believe in his Creator, or to believe that his Creator does not exist. God gave the crown, and guarantees that no one can take your crown. Mankind was created so that no person or government or army or anything else can prevent any person from calling out in his mind to God. Anyone who believes and asks for forgiveness and salvation will be saved and spend eternity in heaven with the Creator. Thus, God has given to mankind the ability to make/build from His creation (the bow) and the authority to choose (the crown) how he will use his God-given abilities and his eternal destiny. The rider has an appearance that gives John the impression of a conqueror bent and determined on conquest. This spirit of conquest is what motivates mankind to conquer whatever is before him. The first seal is interpreted as God giving to mankind a spirit of conquest with the power (bow) to conquer and the authority (crown) to choose who and what he conquers and how he goes about it. That spirit of conquest has been evident from the very creation of mankind. It is contained in God’s command to Adam to subdue the earth and rule over it. Man has the ability to conquer physical creation––to improve it or destroy it––and the choice to conquer according to God’s plan or according to his own desire. Subduing the earth for good can be illustrated by a man who takes a barren hill and builds on it a beautiful home with landscaped grounds––trees, flower beds, rose gardens, vegetable gardens, and lawns. As he trims, tills, and fertilizes the rose gardens, prunes the trees, weeds and replants the flowerbeds, tills and reaps the vegetable gardens, and mows the lawns, man subdues, or brings under control, rule over the hill. He has taken God’s creation and molded it into a beautiful place to live. It seems as though God, in giving to mankind the authority to subdue the earth, entered into a partnership or land owner/tenant 41 Message From the Throne relationship with mankind. In reality, he has done so, as shown in the parable of Jesus in Luke 20:9–19. It tells of a man who planted a vineyard, rented it to farmers, and went far away. A parallel can be seen in God creating the earth with all its plants and animals, giving it to mankind to control and then returning to his home in heaven. How real the parallel becomes as the owner sent his servants and his own Son, only to have them be killed. The world indeed killed his Son, Jesus. But God will continue to send his servants until there are no more who will listen to this message (Revelation 19). Mankind has responsibility in that he will give account to God. He is commanded to subdue, not destroy. To illustrate, a tiger in his natural state is not subservient to mankind. On the contrary, if confronted, he will attack man, and has even killed humans for food. To subdue the tiger would not mean to destroy him, but to control him, to rule over him, in a way in which both man and tiger are protected. Then God’s creation is preserved and enhanced for mankind’s enjoyment and to the glory of God. The God-given spirit of conquest in man must be molded to bring about the betterment of creation rather than the destruction of creation. Mankind was given the crown; mankind has the choice. Another illustration of the spirit of conquest comes from the account of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. In regard to the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, satan told Eve, “When you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3: 5). Then in verse 6, “Eve saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye and also desirable for gaining wisdom. Then she took some and ate it.” The first two statements––good for food and pleasing to the eye––pertain to the physical features of the fruit. It was good for food, but surely Eve was not hungry in the Garden of Eden. It was pleasing to the eye, but there were many beautiful fruits in God’s creation. The third statement, “desirable for gaining wisdom,” is different in that it comes from the desire for self-improvement. Only the act of partaking of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil had the benefit of gaining knowledge to be like God. So Eve ate its 42 Alpha, Omega, Alpha fruit, even though she knew God’s command not to eat of it and the severity of the punishment for disobedience (Genesis 3:3). She was deceived by satan’s manipulative words but still had the choice. The desire for gaining wisdom overcame the knowledge of the command and the consequence of punishment from God. How powerful is the desire for gain, which is the God-given “spirit of conquest.” The desire for gain is very powerful in all of us. Every human being has the ability (bow) and the freedom (crown) to choose how he or she will use this powerful God-given “spirit of conquest.” We can choose to use it for good, as God directs, or for evil, as satan directs. When the spirit of conquest is abused and used for selfish purposes, there is evil. When the misuse of the spirit of conquest causes mankind to disobey God, sin is the result, as seen in the disobedience of Adam and Eve. There is a spirit of conquest given by, ordained by, and within the will of God that causes men to press on, to achieve, to accomplish, to do his best to conquer whatever is before him. Jesus said in Luke 9:23, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” The spirit of that command is to press on to be your best in order to conquer, daily, the task of following Jesus. It incites within you a “spirit of conquest” that would subdue self and overcome this physical world of sin. The church also has a spirit of conquest. As our Lord was speaking to Peter in Matthew 16:18, he said, “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” In another version, it says, “I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Whether one interprets this as satan on the offensive or the church on the offensive, the gates of hell are conquered by all who confess to Jesus, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” and obey his commandment to go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). Any Christian who has the understanding of the reality of hell has the desire that all come to know Jesus. The church truly needs the kind of “spirit of conquest” demonstrated by Paul when he said, “My heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israel43 Message From the Throne ites is that they may be saved” (Romans 10:1). What a church there would be if Christians had that kind of spirit of conquest! The spirit of conquest truly comes from God, as shown in Revelation 6:1–2. God initiates, motivates, and directs the “spirit of conquest” to bring about his will and plan for mankind. A beautiful example is found in Zechariah 1 and 2 where God prepared his people to return to Jerusalem. They had been slaves in Babylon for seventy years (Zechariah 1:12). They were so suppressed that no one could raise his head (Zechariah 1:21). In his vision, Zechariah saw a man riding a red horse with three other horses behind him. He asked the angel, “What are these, my lord?” The man answered, “They are the ones the Lord has sent to go throughout the earth.” Afterwards, they reported, “We have gone throughout the earth and found the whole world at rest and in peace.” The report seems to be a good one. It would be tremendous if we could find the whole world at rest and in peace today. Most likely, the people who lived in the time of Darius, king of Babylon, were enjoying the peace and rest. But God’s people were in exile and had been for seventy years, as Jeremiah had prophesied seventy years of exile in Jeremiah 25: 11. So the angel said, Lord Almighty, how long will you withhold mercy from Jerusalem and from the towns of Judah which you have been angry with these seventy years? Zechariah 1:12 God’s people were suppressed until they could not even raise their heads. God was the only one who could initiate the “spirit of conquest” that would give the Jews the courage to raise their heads and go back to Jerusalem and rebuild. God did this by proclaiming to the people through Zechariah, “I am very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion, but I am very angry with the nations that feel secure. I will return to Jerusalem with mercy, and there my house will be rebuilt.” With the proclamation, the people took courage, raised their heads, and returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the city, the walls, and 44 Alpha, Omega, Alpha the temple in spite of troubled times. The revealing of God’s will initiated a “spirit of conquest” that caused the people to rise up and overcome all obstacles. As soon as the rebuilding began, opposition from the peoples around Jerusalem arose to stop or conquer the work. Because it was God’s will that they rebuild, satan immediately began to manipulate that same “spirit of conquest” in Sanballat, Tobiah, and others to oppose the rebuilding, as seen in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. satan can manipulate, but God is in control. God uses the “spirit of conquest” to direct his people through tribulation and bring about his will and fulfill his prophecy. It is the spirit of conquest that has driven mankind to move outside of his environment and discover the unknown. Abraham left his native country to seek the land God promised him. Christopher Columbus and those who followed him risked lives and fortunes to conquer unknown lands. It has motivated mankind to drive the fastest cars, to fly the fastest airplanes, climb the highest mountains, walk on the moon, and split the atom. Furthermore, mankind will press on until there are no more horizons to conquer. The spirit of conquest, with its crown of choice, not only gives mankind the choice, but demands that we choose. Natural man is disobedient to God and is on a natural course of confrontation with God. It is as natural for a child to say “no” to its parents as it is for the sun to rise in the east. God created both the child and the sun that way; yet, Ephesians 6:1 states “Children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right.” Upon reaching the age of accountability, the child has two options, and must choose one or the other: to obey or to disobey. Please note, the age of accountability is a point in the life of every individual when one understands the difference between right and wrong. It is the time when wrong becomes disobedience to God, which constitutes conviction of sin and separation from God. A person is in the age of accountability from the time of understanding and for as long as he or she has understanding. 45 Message From the Throne A child is disobedient long before the age of accountability, so the mold is set. However, the child will not be judged or held responsible by God until after that point of understanding of sin. The mold then, set by nature in disobedience, demands that one choose obedience to God through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” ( John 14: 6). If a person refuses, or neglects for whatever reason, to turn to Jesus, he or she will by nature be controlled by the spirit of conquest, or self, whereby he or she will be a variance of the following: disobedient as a child through the age of accountability; continues rejecting of God’s plan; self-centered, desirous of self-gain, proud, motivated by lust rather than conscience; and, in the end, angry, embittered, and without hope. If, on the other hand, a person during the age of accountability chooses to follow God’s plan for salvation, the Holy Spirit of God comes into his or her life and begins to teach and remold that “spirit of conquest.” As a result, the one who was disobedient becomes obedient, the one who was controlled by self becomes controlled by the Holy Spirit, and the one who was bitter and without hope becomes joyous with the promise of eternal life in heaven after death. Thus, the rider that is described as a “conqueror bent on conquest” exemplifies the inherent––from God, built in––spirit of mankind that motivates and drives mankind to the purpose and conclusion of God’s plan for his creation. We, mankind, have attributes and abilities that are created into us by God. Although we are limited, physically and spiritually, we have that which our Creator determined we should have. God created us with our abilities and with our limitations so that we can and have the ability to be what he, our Creator, determined we should be. We are not more than God created us to be and will not become more than intended to be according to God’s plan. satan best exemplifies the corruption or misuse of the “spirit of conquest.” Out of his selfish desire to take the throne, satan, having been created as an angel with the same “spirit of conquest,” rebelled 46 Alpha, Omega, Alpha against God and was thrown out of heaven. He continued to rebel against God by warring against God’s creation throughout physical history. satan will rule (given crowns and authority) the earth after all of the family of God are in heaven, but then God will destroy physical earth, and satan will be chained and imprisoned for one thousand years. Later, satan will be released and will continue his rebellion until he is finally destroyed forever in the lake of fire. Jesus best exemplifies one who is obedient to God’s plan. It is evident throughout the New Testament that Jesus Christ followed the designed plan that was initiated, beginning with Genesis 1. He was obedient to the heavenly Father throughout his life, submissive even to death on the cross, as was the plan of God for his creation. Power, glory, and honor––many crowns––are given to him by God. Thus, in satan is the ultimate of rebellion through an uncontrolled spirit of conquest, and in Jesus Christ the essence of a “spirit of conquest” obedient to the will of our heavenly Father and Creator. The Second Seal As Jesus opened the second seal, the message of the scroll from God’s right hand took form as a vision before the eyes of John. John saw a “fiery red horse” on which sat a rider; he “was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword” (Revelation 6: 4). Just as God created into mankind a spirit of conquest, he created into mankind the capacity to physically kill other human beings. Killing has been a major part of recorded history since the very beginning. Cain killed Abel; Lemech killed two men; David killed Goliath; Jerusalem was destroyed; Jesus was killed on the cross, etc. Many wars have been waged throughout history: Roman wars, Greek wars, the Crusades, the Hundred Years’ war, Napoleon’s wars, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, etc. Many famous men in history have been men of war: David, Alexander the Great, the Roman emperors, Ghengis Khan, Napoleon, Hitler. Some United States presidents have also been military men: Washington, Grant, and Eisenhower. Many great stories and mov47 Message From the Throne ies have been about war and its effects on mankind. Whether fiction or nonfiction, books and television are centered on killing, and humans that are killed make headline news daily around the world. Throughout history, man has had the capacity to kill and has glorified both war and the warrior. Most certainly, mankind has the ability to kill each other, and that was “given” by God. Mankind most certainly has practiced that ability of killing each other. But God has also created into our being, our conscience, the knowledge that to kill another person is not right. God has also given to us the Ten Commandments, which tell us, “Thou shall not kill.” The “granted … to kill” in the second seal builds upon and overlaps the spirit of conquest in the first seal, as in practice, many are killed as a result of the abuse of the spirit of conquest. This is evident when one who has built up sins strikes out in anger and kills another, who stands in the way of his conquest. Although a misuse of the spirit of conquest can cause a conqueror bent on conquest to kill to accomplish his goal, there is a marked difference here in the second seal. Mankind does not have the authority to choose to kill. He has the power or ability but not the authority, or “crown” of choice. The choice remains with God. When mankind takes a life (murder) by his own choice, he is outside the will of God and in direct opposition to God’s commandment, “Thou shall not kill.” God has, in certain circumstances, commanded or allowed that lives be taken. He prescribes capital punishment in Exodus 21:12–23. God commanded the Israelites to destroy the Canaanites––men, women, and children––as a result of their utter sinfulness and God’s judgment having been passed upon them. God allowed Job’s children and servants to be killed by removing his protective hedge, thus allowing satan to take their lives. Still, God reserves the right of choice, or judgment, in regard to who is killed. Mankind is given the power to slay men but will be held accountable before God if he chooses to do so against God’s will. 48 Alpha, Omega, Alpha I had the privilege of knowing a United States Marine who, during World War II, fought in the islands of the South Pacific. He shared this story: The battle was over, and all the enemies had been either killed or captured. This particular marine, along with another, was given the task of carrying a wounded enemy soldier down a mountain pass to the hospital on the beach. As they were carrying the man along the steep path, one marine said to the other, “He sure is heavy, and it sure is hot.” The other marine replied, “He sure is.” Afterward, they threw the wounded enemy soldier over the cliff and reported that the prisoner had died en route to the hospital. After telling the story, the marine made these observations: “For years after the war, I could not sleep in the same room with anyone, even my wife, because I would have dreams and come up fighting. If there had been anyone there, I would have killed them before I realized what I was doing. It’s funny; of all the men I killed in that war––I don’t know how many––I always see in the dreams the face of that one we threw over the cliff.” Although many were killed, the one thrown over the cliff did not have to be killed. He was murdered; that makes him different. The guilty conscience of the marine gives evidence that man does not have the authority to choose to kill, and when he does, he must give account before God. The spirit from God that is symbolized by the red horse and rider that makes men kill each other is best exemplified in a biblical account in Exodus. In Exodus 7–11, God, through Moses and Aaron, performed miracles, sending the ten plagues upon Egypt. In the concluding statements of each miracle (plague), there is a statement about the heart of Pharaoh. At the transformation of the staff into a snake and the occurrence of the first plague, it is said, “Pharaoh’s heart became hard” (Exodus 7:13, 22). In the second and fourth plagues, “Pharaoh hardened his heart” (Exodus 8:15; 9:32). In the sixth, eight, ninth, and tenth plagues, it is said, “The Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart” (Exodus 9:12; 10:20; 27:11–10). Here, a progression of sin (disobedience) is clearly shown. Pharaoh rejected God repeatedly. God took over to determine to what degree Pharaoh would be 49 Message From the Throne rebellious. Pharaoh was rebellious to the extent that he commanded his armies to kill the Israelites, which resulted in the destruction of his entire army in the Red Sea. One may say that God does not tempt anyone, for James 1:13 says, “For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when by his own evil desire he is dragged away and enticed.” However, the same effect was accomplished when Pharaoh’s evil desire prevailed. God removed his protective hand and allowed satan to take full control. The Bible says, “He gave them over to a depraved mind to do what ought not to be done.” So whether one uses the phrase, “God hardened his heart,” or the phrase, “God gave them over to a depraved mind,” God still sees to it that a rebellious man has the opportunity to commit the ultimate sin: to kill. The description of the beast in Revelation 13:5–7 is exemplary of God in complete control. It says, The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months. He opened his mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. He was given power to make war against the Saints and to conquer them. He was given a mouth, authority, and power. Because all power and authority comes from God, then God was in control, directing events and time; for forty-two months, the beast was “given” (allowed) to blaspheme. God controls killing, and he is patient and long-suffering toward those who have both the capacity and the desire to kill. For example, satan has, as a result of his rebellion against God, warred against God’s people throughout history, desiring to destroy them (Revelation 12: 17). Despite the mortification of God’s people, God is still in control, as satan has not yet been allowed to destroy them completely. Nevertheless, one day God will allow satan to have his desire (Revelation 11:7; 13:7). Through his control of the beast, satan will “attack them, and overpower and kill them.” In this, God is long50 Alpha, Omega, Alpha suffering toward the saints in that they will have opportunity to witness–– in obedience to God’s call––toward unrepentant sinners, in that they still have opportunity to repent, and toward satan in that, when he succeeds in his desire, his destruction will be at hand. Mankind needs to understand that it was necessary for God to create into mankind the capacity to kill. It was also necessary for God to create into mankind the ability to commit adultery, to steal, lie, and covet. That necessity comes from the inherent sinfulness of mankind. We are born in sin, with a sinful nature. Therefore, it is natural for us to sin. A baby does not have to be taught to covet a toy or another baby’s possessions. A child does not have to learn to lie to its mother. A boy does not need a teacher to learn how to steal. A man does not need someone else to show him how to commit adultery or to kill. However, we do need a teacher to teach us not to do those things. The five sins mentioned––to kill, to commit adultery, to steal, to lie, and to covet––are found in the Ten Commandments as given in Exodus 20. Each of these five relate to mankind’s relationship to mankind––mankind’s sin against mankind. Therefore, I conclude that the second seal relates to each of them equally. God chooses to use the ultimate sin of mankind against mankind (to kill) to illustrate the reality from God that mankind is born a sinner and those sins must be revealed. The revealing, or manifestation, of sin is necessary for all mankind, both of the family of satan and the family of God. Inherent sin must be brought forth to provide mankind the opportunity to confess those sins and be saved. God sent a visionary rider on a horse, exemplifying sin, helping us to realize our sin nature and our need for a Savior, Jesus Christ. The inherent sin of the family of satan must be brought forth so that they will be without excuse when the books are open (Revelation 20:12). This may seem hard, but not so. They rejected the law that God wrote on their hearts and rebelled, as did satan. By their own free will, they chose to ignore sin, which is common to all, and did not repent and be saved through free salvation provided by Jesus Christ. 51 Message From the Throne When a person acknowledges his sin––inherent and personal– –he is saved, or born-again, and enters the family of God. Personal sins of the family of God must be revealed so that they might be molded into the image of their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As a person’s inherent sin is revealed, this process should follow: 1. The person recognizes their need for God and salvation. 2. The person confesses sin and is saved. 3. The person recognizes need for daily prayer. 4. The person recognizes need for daily Bible study. 5. The person recognizes need for regular church attendance. As personal sins are revealed the person should confess sin and resolve to sin no more. Yet we must recognize/understand that inherent and personal sins come through conviction of the heart, and thus must be dealt with between the individual and Jesus Christ/God/the Holy Spirit. In this continuous process an individual grows/matures spiritually, being molded into the image of Christ. Jesus said, You have heard that it was said to people long ago, do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment. But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Matthew 5:21 Therefore, it is not enough for a Christian to say he obeyed the law because he did not kill anyone. We must, as convicted, put away hate, anger, and malice in a process that brings us into a Christ-like life. Therefore, the Christian is molded into the image of Christ. God has complete authority concerning the taking of life. He decides who will be killed, not mankind. Yet, his Spirit controls, commands, and even manipulates the minds and desires of mankind to cause them to make a decision whether or not they will kill one another. 52 Alpha, Omega, Alpha Jesus is our example. He was falsely arrested, falsely accused, falsely condemned, despised, cursed, ridiculed, beaten, and killed. He had all power, yet spoke not a word in his defense. His accusers already had the potential to sin. God used that potentiality to bring forth sin in order to establish his will. The purpose was twofold: 1) that they might realize their sinfulness, repent, and turn to God through Jesus Christ, and 2) that the ultimate sacrifice would be made through Jesus Christ for the redemption of mankind. How does this relate to Revelation? The Lord God is sending a message to his people telling them that the persecution and killing, which they do not understand, is controlled by him. He wants them to know that he is still in control and will be even when the killing becomes worse as the world progresses to the end of time. At the blowing of the sixth trumpet, Revelation 9:13–19, God removes the barriers that allow the killing of one-third of mankind. In Revelation 11:17, the two witnesses will be attacked and killed. With the pouring out of the sixth bowl, the whole world will be gathered for the battle of the great day of God Almighty when, the Bible says, “The rest of them were killed” (Revelation 19:21). God is preparing the world for the horrors that are to come. He wants us to know that he is in charge, not satan and not mankind. Why does God allow people to be killed? Why does he allow the killing of the innocent and the massacres of multitudes of people? We can justify the death of an evil man, but what about the good? God created mankind with the freedom of choice and a spirit of conquest through which mankind can, against the will and commandment of God, kill each other. Also, God has created us in such a way and given us this message from heaven to explain that mankind must choose whether or not he will kill. Pharaoh could have chosen to obey God, but he chose to disobey. That disobedience propelled him, by the reality of the second seal, to give his army the command to kill the Israelites. Thus, God is uniquely involved in those who kill and who are killed, in that God created mankind as sinners and the natural progression of sin will come to murder. 53 Message From the Throne Thus, the message of the second seal uses an illustration of the greatest sin that a person can commit against his neighbor (to kill him) to illustrate the fact that all mankind are sinners. The primary message of the second seal is that “we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Mankind was created by God in such a manner that you and I are sinners; we will be judged. That judgment is spelled out in Revelation 17 and 18 as the judgments against the woman sitting on the scarlet beast. From Adam and Eve to the last person on earth, we are sinners; we are so created according to the message of the second seal. Remember, Jesus Christ came and died upon the cross to save sinners from their sins. This being the plan of God, for the defining of and determining who, by their own choice, chooses Jesus Christ and thus becomes part of the family of God. The family of God equals repentant sinners. Remember, death to the family of God is not a tragedy to God, but simply brings his children home to heaven. The Third Seal As the third seal was released by the Lamb, John saw a black horse delivering the message. Its rider was simply holding a pair of scales in his hand (Revelation 6:5b). The message of the third seal is that God has created a plan by which mankind can provide for his needs and physical provision. Scales, or balances, are the tools of the businessman. Balances as used in the Bible primarily refer to business, with the exception of being used to pronounce God’s judgment upon King Belshazzar of Babylon, who was weighed on the scales and found wanting (Daniel 5:27). The pair of scales used in Revelation 6:5 clearly refers to business, not judgment, as the audible message from the fourth living creature is “a quart of wheat for a day’s wages, and three quarts of barley for a day’s wages” (Verse 6), implying work/business to provide daily food. 54 Alpha, Omega, Alpha In interpreting these references to the price of grain, we usually speak of the high cost––a day’s wages––and how that high cost indicates famine and starvation. However, in all of history, the great majority of mankind has worked each day for his daily provision of food. It has always been that while one man works in the fields to put food on his table for that day, another man sells in the marketplace to put food on the table for that day. That is business. I believe that the horse and rider with the scales says that God has created into mankind a system of business that causes man to work to provide his daily needs. In Genesis 3:19, God pronounces judgment upon Adam and, thus, mankind. God said, “By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food.” The laborer works for the farmer, who sells the grain to the miller, who sells to the baker, who sells to the grocer, who sells to the laborer’s wife. Thus, a business chain is developed in which all are working for their food, their daily provisions. Mankind has a unique ability to corrupt that system of business through the sins of greed and disobedience to God’s intended purpose for the created system of business. The corruption of God’s plan can be seen in the account of Jacob and Esau (Genesis 25:29–34). Esau came in from a hunt very hungry and asked his brother Jacob for a bowl of stew. Jacob demanded a high price for a bowl of stew. Esau, in his disregard for his birthright, paid a high price––his God-given birthright––for a bowl of stew. Corrupted business led to broken relationships within the family. A broken chain of business can be seen in the world situation in the twentieth century when thousands of people starve to death in Ethiopia, Laos, Cambodia, etc. They did not starve because they could not feed themselves from the land that was available to them in their own countries, nor was it because the world could not produce enough food for them. Many countries had enormous grain surpluses. It was not because the business world could not get the food to them, for the modes of transportation and the funds needed for support were available. 55 Message From the Throne There was a breakdown in God’s plan for business. Political turmoil and war in those countries kept them from using the resources available to them. The consequential financial disaster left them nothing with which to barter for food. The world, for the most part, failed to share its surpluses with those countries, and, in spite of thousands of starving people, their own governments often blocked much of the humanitarian aid that was sent. In God’s plan, he created a world with great potential, with many good things to eat, such as vegetables, fruit, meat, nuts, etc. God intended that mankind would work by the sweat of his brow to earn the food for his family. In God’s plan, the rider is carrying a “pair of scales.” The scales would imply that business should be carried out in an honest, fair, and correct manner. Also, in God’s plan, we are commanded to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. If God’s plan as exemplified in the third seal was fully implemented among mankind, there would be plenty and enough for all to eat and have the provisions that they need. Mankind has continually failed in implementing the guidelines that God created into his plan. The voice among the four living creatures also said, “ … and do not damage the oil and the wine!” (Revelation 6:6). Oil and wine are luxuries, not essentials. The Lord has provided luxuries––a great variety of foods and resources for his creation–– and protects those luxuries until the time comes when he chooses to take them away. The command to not damage the oil and the wine is given in the same sense as the command given to the four angels in Revelation 7:3, which says, “Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until … ” The command is given to the angels, who had been given power to harm the land and the sea, so that nature would continue on its normal course until God says, “It is done!” (Revelation 16:17). Likewise, the oil and the wine, the provisions God has made for us, are protected, and the chain of business continues. However, the time will come when God will give the command to destroy the oil and wine (the vast provisions of earth). This destruction of God’s 56 Alpha, Omega, Alpha provision is seen in the blowing of the first four trumpets and the pouring of the second, third, and fourth bowls, through which the natural resources of earth are destroyed. How does this God-given plan of business relate to the vision of Revelation? The use of the plan of business is a major portion of the accusations against Babylon the great. Revelation 18:3 speaks of her excessive luxuries, and verses 12 and 13 say, Cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble; cargoes are cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and bodies and souls of men. Mankind’s desire for material gain and luxuries become so consuming that he does not acknowledge God, nor does he give God any place in his daily life. The drive for business and wealth does not allow a day (Exodus 20:8) to worship the creator, nor does it allow anyone to love his neighbor as himself. The nations, kings, and merchants of the earth are warned that their business and luxuries are spiritual adultery––exultation of self––as they take control of their lives to the exclusion of God. How should the Christian of today relate to this plan of business? The teachings of Jesus are contrary to the corrupted business that prevails in the world today. Jesus taught, If anyone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. Matthew 5:40–42 The church has been so permeated by these corrupted business practices that it has turned more to the way of the world than to the teachings of our Lord. For example, there were two churches 57 Message From the Throne in the same small town. One was old, large, established, and very secure financially. The other church was new, small, struggling, and greatly in debt. It happened during the same time span that the large church was remodeling their auditorium and replacing all the pews. The small church was desperately trying to build an auditorium that would seat their growing congregation. The small church made arrangements to purchase from the large church ten pews at $100 each. After attempting to raise the $1000 and finding it impossible, the small church informed the large church that they could not purchase the pews. The answer was that the pews were for sale. If the big church could not sell them, they would put them in storage. The pews were their property. Therefore, they had the right to do as they choose. Correct? In 1 John 3:17, it states, “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need, but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” Will the church of today follow the teachings of our Lord, or will it take on the attributes and mannerisms of the world in which it lives? In the midst of the description of the excessive luxuries of Babylon the great, a voice from heaven said, Come out of her my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues, for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes. Revelation 18:4–5 The challenge to God’s people is to be different from the world, to refuse to take on the characteristics of the world that conflict with our Lord’s teachings. The message delivered by the black horse and its riders is that God has set in the hearts and minds of people a system of business through which his daily needs are provided. The parable of the talents rebukes those who are lazy. The man with the five talents and the man with the two talents gained more for their master. Therefore, their master commended them for their 58 Alpha, Omega, Alpha faithfulness and put them in charge of many things. However, the man with the one talent was afraid and hid it in the ground. His master replied, “You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I do not sow and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. For everyone who has will be given more and he will have abundance. Whoever does not have even what he has will be taken from him. And throw that worthless servant outside into the darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 25:14–30 To the church today: You too must work and do business, but take warning that you do not pattern your business attitudes after the world. God says, “Come out of her, my people” (Revelation 18:4). To the world outside of Christ: God gave you, through creation, a system of business, but you will be judged as to how you use it. Your wealth is of no value in the end. The Bible says, “In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin! (Revelation 18:17). The Fourth Seal As the Lamb opened the fourth seal, the fourth living creature said, “Come!” John wrote, “I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named death, and Hades was following close behind him” (Revelation 6:8a) The message is death. Like the others, the horse and rider came from heaven. Death was a sentence passed upon all mankind in the Garden of Eden as God said to Adam, “Until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you return” (Genesis 3:19). In the book of Job, satan told God that Job would curse him to 59 Message From the Throne his face if he stretched out his hand and struck everything that Job had. God said to satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger” ( Job 1:12). God gave satan permission to kill Job’s sons, daughters, and servants, but not Job himself. He also will give satan permission to kill the two witnesses, but only when they have finished their testimony. Revelation 11:7 says, “Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them.” Also, Revelation 13:7 says, “He [the beast] was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them.” Thus, God is in charge of death, both physically and spiritually. The remainder of the message is, “They [death and Hades] were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beast of the earth” (verse 8b). Throughout history, mankind has died as a result of men killing men, by sword, starvation, famine, disease, plague, and wild animals. Murder, capital punishment, war, abortion, human sacrifice, etc., are included in the sword. Starvation and disease caused by improper diets, etc., are included in famine. All diseases that bring an immature death and natural disasters of flood, storm, earthquake, etc., are included in plague. Killings by tigers, bear, snakes, etc., are included in wild beast of the earth. At the end of time, when the final tally is in, we believe that a fourth of mankind will have met a premature death from the four causes mentioned in Revelation 6:8. Since a fourth of the earth is killed by the sword, famine, plague, and wild beast, there remains three-fourths of the earth to die of other causes. In Genesis 6:3, God says of mankind, “He is mortal; his days will be 120 years.” Thus, God created mankind in such a manner that his body will last no longer than 120 years. As a result of modern medicine, we know that even though the body is free from disease, the organs just simply wear out. There is no reversing the aging process. When kidneys wear out, they cease to function. When a heart weakens with age to the point that it can no longer pump blood, it stops and the body dies. God created mankind so 60 Alpha, Omega, Alpha that we die. The Bible says, “Man is destined to die once and after that the judgment” (Hebrews 9: 27). The message of the third seal named death is: To the Christian: The one who created you, died for you, loves you, sent his Holy Spirit to live in you, and has prepared a place in heaven for you. He is in charge of your death, the time of your death, and he knows if you will die from the sword, famine, plague, wild animals, or old age. Death for you should be easily accepted because the one who loves you and died for you is in charge of your death. To the rest of mankind (those who do not know Jesus Christ as their Savior): You will die either by sword, famine, plague, wild animals, or old age. You cannot elude nor prevent death, and hell is close behind. Many writers and interpreters believe that this fourth seal equates to a plague brought about by war and famine, but as seen here, death has been a part of physical life since the Garden of Eden. Death that is common to all mankind is not a plague of the end times. “Flesh and blood cannot enter the kingdom of heaven” (1 Corinthians 15:50) The Fifth Seal When the Lamb opened the fifth seal, John saw, under the altar, the souls of those who had been slain because of the Word of God and the testimony they had maintained. This scene of the seals is present tense––at the time of the writing of Revelation––for not all who are to be killed had been killed. Revelation 6:11 says, “Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed.” All who have been killed because of their testimony are under the altar waiting for those who are yet to be killed, from Abel in Genesis to the two witnesses in Revelation 11:7. 61 Message From the Throne At the very beginning, God prophesied the constant battle between satan and God’s people. After satan deceived the woman, God judged satan and said, “Because you have done this … I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” The message from God, released with the fifth seal, is very powerful and reassuring to Christians facing persecution and death as a result of their faith and testimony. They are given white robes and a special place in heaven. All of creation can be assured that, even though God allows his servants to be killed as a testimony to the unbeliever, it will be worth it all. Death is not to be feared, for the Bible says, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints” (Psalms 116:15). Conclusion to Seals One through Five Thus, the first five seals are interpreted to be conditions that are created into mankind and that have prevailed under the direction of God Almighty. These conditions have been, are, and will be the order of creation until the Lord says, “It is done” (Revelation 16: 17). Mankind has always had 1) Freedom of choice (a crown) and a spirit of conquest, 2) An ability to kill, sin, 3) A system of business, provision, 4) Man has always had to die, and 5) God’s people have always been killed, martyred, because of the Word of God and their testimonies. With each message of the five seals comes judgment and plagues––as prescribed in the vision of Revelation––for those who abuse those God-given conditions. These judgments are spelled out in the description of the great prostitute in Revelation 17 and 18. It is unique that the great prostitute has five accusations against her and that they correspond in nature with the spirit of the five seals as interpreted here. They are as follows: Seal Number 1: You, who with your freedom and spirit of conquest elevate self to the throne, are a part of Babylon the great and will suffer her fate. Revelation 17: 2 says, “With her the kings of the earth committed adultery and the inhabitants of the earth 62 Alpha, Omega, Alpha were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.” Spiritual adultery equals self on the throne and self as God rather than choosing Jesus Christ as Lord. They were given a “crown” of choice and made the wrong choice! Seal Number 2: You, who kill in thought or deed and are unrepentant of your sins, are part of Babylon the great and will suffer her fate. Revelation 18:24 says, “In her was found the blood of the prophets and all the saints, and of all who have been killed on the earth. They committed the ultimate sin—to kill—and did not repent. Seal Number 3: You, who the system of business controlled your life to the exclusion of God, are part of Babylon the great and will suffer her fate. Revelation 18:7, “Give her as much torture and grief as the glory and luxury she gave herself.” Her business and possessions became gods, without salvation in Jesus Christ. Seal Number 4: You, who disregard the fact that you will die and stand before the judgment throne of God, are a part of Babylon the great and will suffer her fate. Revelation 18:7–8 says, “In her heart she boasts, I sit as Queen; I am not a widow and I will never mourn. Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her; death, mourning, and famine. She will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.” They did not prepare for God’s judgment before death––judged guilty, condemned. Seal Number 5: You, who slander, persecute, and kill God’s people, are part of Babylon the great and will suffer her fate. Revelation 18:24 says, “In her was found the blood of the prophets and the saints. Commit murder, unrepentant equals eternity separated from God. This interpretation of the seals is very different from that of other writers. However, I believe that the fact that the great prostitute is accused of five things that correspond in nature with the five seals give strong evidence for this interpretation. 63 Message From the Throne Thus, the abuse/misuse or disregard for the message of the first five seals are the five judgments declared against the great prostitute in Revelation 17 and 18. The Sixth Seal The sixth seal begins with the phrase, “I watched … ” (Revelation 6:12). This is significant as it indicates a change of scene. Revelation 6:1 also begins with the phrase, “I watched … ,” and, thereafter, come the conditions that exist: the first five seals. This beginning indicates a change of scene or a different era or situation. Thus, we conclude that seals six and seven are different in nature as compared to seals one through five, seals one through five being conditions created by God and seal six giving an outline, or preview, of what happens to the last generation as the result to those seal messages. Then seal seven explains the tribulation that falls upon those who abused or disobeyed the message of the first five seals. Thus, the sixth seal is a new scene and, therefore, different from the first five seals. John watched as the Lamb, Jesus, opened the sixth seal. Revelation 6:12–14 says, There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat’s hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to the earth, as late figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was moved from its place. This is a description of the time when, under God’s direction, creation will be dismantled, or taken apart. In Genesis 1, we have the description of God creating the heavens and the earth. With the opening of the sixth seal, we have the description of God dismantling the heavens and the earth. Thus, creation is not destroyed by man’s atomic bombs or star wars, but by an act of God when he says, “It is finished” (Revelation 16:17). The two scenes of the sixth seal are a preview or outline of God’s conclusion. 64 Alpha, Omega, Alpha The first scene in verses 12–14 is an outline of the destruction in Revelation 16. This outline of destruction is part of the sixth seal because, from the beginning of creation, God knew and had the plan for the end of creation. The second scene of the sixth seal enumerates and explains that the family of God will be “standing before the throne of God” as the family of satan is being destroyed at the end. The messages of the seven seals were part of God’s plan from the beginning. Seals one through five are God’s created conditions that correspond with the outline of judgment in Revelation 17 and 18 against mankind without Jesus Christ. Seal six is a preview of conditions––place and circumstance––of the family of satan and the family of God at the end of physical creation as we know it. Seal seven is a description and explanation of the seven-year tribulation, final judgment, and the eternal destiny of the family of God and the family of satan. This preview, in seal six, of God’s conclusion reveals the destiny of satan’s people and the destiny of God’s people. The destiny of those––who through the rejection of God’s Word and plan, misuse and abuse the order of creation set forth in the five seals––is judgment and death. From the highest—“kings of the earth” (Revelation 6:15)—to the lowest––“every slave”––they will experience God’s judgment. The Bible says, “For the great day of his wrath has come, and who can stand?” (Revelation 6:17). The first scene of the sixth seal opens with “a great earthquake” (verse 12). An earthquake is referred to in four other scriptures: Revelation 8:5; 11:13; 11:19; and 16:18. Each one seems to mark an important event. The clearest reference is Revelation 11:13, which says, “At that very hour there was a severe earthquake.” It occurs immediately after the two witnesses––a part of the last Christians on earth––are taken up to heaven, thus clearing the way for God and the Lamb to pour out their wrath on the rest of mankind who have rejected God’s Word and God’s plan for salvation. The occurrence, “every mountain and island was removed from its place,” corresponds clearly with Revela65 Message From the Throne tion 16:20 (the seventh bowl), which states, “Every island fled away and the mountains could not be found.” Thus, we understand the earthquakes to mark the beginning, or end, of major events. This can be seen in several places during the tribulation period. The first earthquake marks the beginning of tribulation in Revelation 8:5 as the angels prepare to blow the trumpets. The second marks the beginning of the great tribulation immediately after the raising of the two witnesses (Revelation 11:13). The third is a severe earthquake, Revelation 16:18, like no other that has ever occurred. It marks the beginning of the battle of Armageddon and is also the end of the earth as we know it. The other, Revelation 11:19, is only a possibility in that it may be the same earthquake referred to in verse 13. If it is a different earthquake, then it would mark the end of the rapture, as verse 19 says, “God’s temple in heaven was opened.” Thus, the first scene of the sixth seal has two purposes. The first purpose is to give a preliminary outline, verses 12–14, of the great tribulation from the first earthquake, verse 12, which initiates tribulation, Revelation 8:5, to the final destruction of physical earth as we know it (Revelation 6:14 and 16:18). The second purpose is to warn all mankind, from kings to slaves (verse 15) that they will come under judgment, condemnation, fear, and physical death (verse 17). Whereas the first scene, Revelation 6:12–17, of the sixth seal gives severe warning to satan’s family, who have rejected God’s plan for salvation, the second (Revelation 7:1–8) and the third (Revelation 7:9–17) scenes give confidence, assurance, and promise to God’s people “who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 7:14). Again, a change of phrase indicates a change of scene, situation, or era. The first scene of the sixth seal begins with “I watched” (Revelation 6: 12); the second scene with “After this I saw” (Revelation 7:1); and the third scene with “After this I looked” (Revelation 7: 9). In the second scene, John saw, 66 Alpha, Omega, Alpha Four Angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree. Revelation 7:1 These angels are in charge of holding creation in order. They are holding back the wind; that is, preventing any wind of destruction from blowing on creation. When the angel came up from the east, having the seal of God, He cried out in a loud voice to the four Angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea; do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God. Revelation 7:2–3 Since the first scene of the sixth seal describes the destruction of creation, here God’s people are promised that the destruction will be held back until a seal is put on the forehead of God’s people. Many years ago, the Lord allowed me to see the reality that God is in control of nature and will keep it in its proper order. The occasion was on the morning of the day when one of my best friends was to be buried. We had been the closest of friends for about two years. We had worked together, dated together, and gone to church together. Through fun times and in serious times, we had been friends and confidants. One day my friend and a friend of his stopped at my house, had lunch, visited a while, and then drove away. About five miles down the road, they had an accident and my friend was killed. Two days later as I was up at dawn to milk the cows––I was a dairy farmer at the time––I opened a barn door that faced the east and there was one of the most beautiful sunrises I had ever seen. As I stood there looking at the sun peeking up over the horizon, I asked myself, How can there be such a beautiful sunrise on the day when my best friend is to be buried? 67 Message From the Throne The answer came to my mind immediately: because God made it so. No matter what tragedy or circumstance befalls mankind, the earth will continue to rotate around the sun. The sun will rise in the east and set in the west until God brings it to a halt. This fact should give Christians great confidence and assurance that we will be able to carry on our lives in God’s beautiful creation until all of the family of God has been sealed and saved. There are two groups that are sealed. They are the 144,000 from all of the tribes of Israel (verse 4), and a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language (verse 9). God’s servants are divided into two groups. They are descendents of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob––Old Testament era––and all Christians, Jews, and Gentiles alike––New Testament era. We must either interpret the 144,000 as literal or symbolic. It is not the nature of Scripture to make statements such as these about the 144,000 unless they have important meaning. If we interpret the 144,000 as literal, there would be exactly, not one more or one less, than twelve thousand from each of the twelve tribes of Israel. If this were true, it would not be true to the nature of salvation as explained in the Scripture, or true to the nature of the forgiveness of God. The nature of God has always been forgiving to any who “call upon the name of the Lord.” Thus, it would be contrary to Scripture and God’s nature to say only 144,000 of the sons of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob would be in heaven. After much prayer and study, we interpret the 144,000 as being symbolic, and as symbolic, a limiting number. There are two references in the Bible that would uphold this interpretation. 1. In the biblical account of the census in Numbers 1, it is obvious that there are far more than 144,000 descendents of Abraham living in that one generation. We can assume that in every generation since then there has been more than 144,000 descendents of Abraham. The Germans killed approximately 6 million during World War II. 68 Alpha, Omega, Alpha 2. There are also several references in the New Testament that give clearly a message that all the Jews, though children of Abraham by blood lineage, are not children of God spiritually. Reference Luke 3:8–9, John 8, and Matthew 23. These references establish two facts about the tribes of Israel. The number of them is far more than 144,000, and they are not all spiritual sons of Abraham. Thus, we conclude that the 144,000 gives a strong message to the Jewish people that although they are sons by blood lineage, they will not all be in heaven as part of the family of God. 144,000 equals many, but not all. Throughout history, Jews and Gentiles have been divided on the basis that Jews are God’s people and Gentiles are not. This distinction brought controversy in the book of Acts as Gentiles were being saved. When the apostles and elders met to discuss the matter, Peter stood up and said, Brothers you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the Gospel and believe. God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He made no distinction between us and them for he purified their hearts by faith. Acts 15:7–9 The distinction, though erased by God and Acts 15, is carried through to Revelation 7 in order to show the Jews that the family of God is those who are washed in the blood of the Lamb. Clarification is made in the third scene through the conversation between one of the elders and John. After John had seen the great multitude before the throne wearing white robes, one of the elders asked, “These in white robes, who are they, and where did they come from?” (verse 13). John answered, “Sir, you know” (verse 14). And the elder said, “These are they who have come out of great tribulation; who have 69 Message From the Throne washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, they are before the throne of God” (verses 14–15). Therefore, it is clear that God’s people are not solely the Jews because of ancestry, as they believe, but those who have come through the saving blood of Jesus. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” ( John 14:6). As the elder said, “They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (verse 14). They, collectively, the great multitude, have washed their individual robes. The implication is that they were not saved collectively, nor standing before the throne because they were members of a particular church or religious group, nor because of ancestry, nor because they were born in America, or any other country, but because they had washed in Jesus’s blood and made their robes white. In today’s world, we draw all kinds of lines: free world, communist world; East, West; Israeli, Arab; black, white; North, South; Democratic, Republican; conservative, liberal; Jewish, Christian, Protestant, Catholic, Muslim, Hindu. The connotation in which these lines are drawn is that one is bad, and the other is good; one is right, and the other is wrong; we are God’s people, and they are not; God is on one side and not on the other. The message and point here in the sixth seal is that there is only one line: God’s line. On both sides of that line, there are people from every nation, tribe, people, and language (Revelation 7:9; 13:7–8). On one side are those who rejected God’s plan for salvation through Jesus Christ, resulting in a life lived for self and abusing the Godgiven privileges of the first five seals. Thus, they brought upon themselves the wrath of God and the Lamb. On the other side of the line are those who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Inherent in the phrase, “washed their robes and made them white,” is the necessity of action on the part of every individual who would be saved through the blood of the Lamb (verse 14). There is nothing anyone could do that would make them deserving of heaven, for the Bible says, 70 Alpha, Omega, Alpha For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8–9 This washing is an act of the heart through which one determines, makes a decision, to follow God’s plan for salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Thus, through determined decision and action during the age of accountability, one believes, confesses sin, and asks for forgiveness and salvation through prayer to our heavenly Father in Jesus’ name. By that determined decision and obedience to the commands of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, one crosses over God’s line and is born again. For by nature, all mankind is on the side described in the first scene of the sixth seal (Revelation 6:12–17). As we cross over God’s line, we receive a seal as mentioned in Revelation 7:3: “Until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God”; and John 1:13 says, “Children born not of natural dissent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” Thus, the action of turning from one’s natural self to salvation in Jesus Christ is initiated by God, yet it is necessary for the individual person to respond in belief and repentance through Jesus Christ. Through the Holy Spirit (Spirit of God), God reaches out to touch, to make known his existence, to make known his presence. He initiates contact with each individual in such a way that the person has the opportunity to make a decision whether or not to believe in God and to exercise his right to accept or reject Jesus Christ as Lord and savior. If a person by their own free will determines to believe and invite Jesus Christ to come into their hearts, God, by his saving power, seals them with the gift of his Holy Spirit. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your salvation; having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:13 71 Message From the Throne As pastor of a church, as I was extending the invitation, a young lady came forward and gave this explanation. “The other night in my bed as I was listening to the radio, a preacher was preaching. He said at the close of his message, ‘If there is anyone listening who wants to be saved, repeat this prayer with me.’” She explained that, in the prayer, she confessed Jesus as Lord, confessed that she was a sinner, and asked Jesus to save her. She said that as she prayed something happened. “Something came into me, and whoever it was told me to come down here.” Though she did not understand all that had happened to her, her testimony illustrates so beautifully the washing of her robe as she made the decision and prayed. Then God sealed her with his Holy Spirit, who instructed her to come for public commitment and baptism. Persons who have not believed in and received Jesus Christ are unwashed, and thus they are all mankind who have rejected God’s plan for salvation. All people of all time, all the world, are by nature sinners. For example, there has never been a normal child who never said “no” to its mother or father. So the scripture is true that says, “All have sinned” (Romans 3:23). In Ephesians 6:1–2, God gives the commandment, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’––which is the first commandment with promise.” All mankind has broken God’s law; thus guilty, a sinner, unwashed. If they refuse or neglect to wash their robes in the blood of Jesus Christ, they are outside God’s plan of salvation and will suffer under the wrath of God and the Lamb. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities––his eternal power and divine nature––have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made so that men are without excuse.” Romans 1:20 The sixth seal has two distinct parts. They are divided by God (God’s line). These two parts divide all mankind regardless of race, color, or creed into either the family of satan or the family of God. Those who do not wash their robes in the blood of Jesus Christ are 72 Alpha, Omega, Alpha by nature in the family of satan. A person must choose to be in the family of God. As the Lord seals those who wash their robes, they cross over the line and are, thereafter, part of the family of God. In the divisions of the sixth seal, the first message pertains to the family of satan; the second, to the family of God. This sets a precedent for the remainder of the vision of Revelation. The divisions are as follows: 1. Revelation 6:12–17 identifies the family of satan and foretells what will happen to them in the end. Revelation 7:1–17 identifies the family of God and foretells where they will be at the end. 2. Revelation 8 and 9 record in more detail what will happen to the family of satan through the first half of tribulation. Revelation 10 and 11 record in more detail what will happen to the family of God in their struggle in life and the first half of tribulation. 3. Revelation 12 and 13 describe spiritual warfare in regard to the family of satan. Revelation 14:1–6 describes the spiritual work of the family of God. 4. Revelation 14:8–18:24 gives the account of the physical disruption and defeat of the family of satan and why they are to be destroyed. Revelation 19 gives the account of the victory of the family of God. 5. Revelation 20 pronounces the final judgment of the family of satan. Revelation 21:1–22:5 pronounces the final reward of the family of God. A key to understanding the book of Revelation is in understanding the sequence of events that happen. The message of Revelation is about two groups of people: the family of God and the family of satan. Thus, the message is two stories meshed together in a sequence of events. It is necessary to explain what happens to one group during a time era and then switch to the other group during that same time era. So, the book of Revelation bounces back and forth between the two groups, explaining in visionary form what happens to them. 73 Revelation 8 The Lamb opened the seventh seal, and “There was silence in heaven for about half an hour” (Revelation 8:1) This period of silence represents a time of waiting, a time in which creation works its way through history until all are sealed (Revelation 7:3) “And the earth’s grapes are ripe” (Revelation 14:18) After the half hour of silence, seven particular angels, who stand before God, are given seven trumpets (verse 2) These angels waited until another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar He was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the Golden altar before the throne The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of all the saints, went up before God from the angel’s hand There was silence in heaven for about half an hour Revelation 11:3–6 It is implied that the seven angels who were given the seven trumpets waited until the prayers of the saints had gone up before God before they could pronounce God’s judgment as follows in chapter 8, and forward The fi rst six verses indicate that the beginning of tribulation, the beginning of the end, corresponds with the arrival of the prayers of all the saints before the throne of God This would say that at some time in history, all of mankind will have made their decision to accept or reject God’s plan of salvation At that time, there would be no more people to be saved; all who will be saved are saved Scripture substantiates this in Revelation 7:3, which says, “Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the 74 Alpha, Omega, Alpha servants of our God.” Although all the family of God is sealed, the last generation of them will still be physically alive. Also, Revelation 11:7 says, “Now when they have finished their testimony the beast that comes up from the abyss will attack them and overpower and kill them.” Therefore, at any time, set only in God’s infinite knowledge when all of God’s servants are sealed and washed, God “will give power to the beast” (Revelation 13:7), “to kill the last two witnesses on earth” (Revelation 11:7). So, there will be no more witness and satan will be in total control of the earth. No more people will be saved, and final destruction will begin. An earthquake will precede that tribulation, as recorded in Revelation 8:5, which says, “Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peels of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.” This is the beginning earthquake, which God will initiate. It is not a natural phenomenon that will happen by chance. It will happen in a place and time which will indicate the point when, through the prayers of the last of God’s people, all of the family of God will have been sealed. After the thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and earthquake, the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepare to sound them (verse six). The First Four Trumpets The first four trumpets, when blown, will have the effect of destroying nature, creation. Again, in Genesis 1, there is the description of God creating the heavens and the earth; here in Revelation 8:7–12 is the description of God taking apart, or dismantling, his creation. The first four trumpets are the first phase; the first four bowls, chapter 16, are the next phase of the destruction of God’s physical part of creation. With the sounding of the first trumpet, hail and fire mixed with blood was hurled down upon the earth (verse 7). A third of the earth, trees, and grass were burned up. With the sounding of the second trumpet, “something like a huge mountain, all ablaze was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea 75 Message From the Throne turned into blood, a third of the living creatures in the sea died and a third of the ships were destroyed” (verse 8). With the sounding of the third trumpet, “a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water … A third of the waters turned bitter and many people died from the waters that had become bitter” (verses 10–11). With the sounding of the fourth trumpet, “a third of the sun, moon and stars were struck. A third of the day was without light and also a third of the night” (verse 12b). Thus, these four trumpets will signal the destruction of onethird of creation. This partial destruction will serve as a warning to satan’s family, who will be trusting in their wealth and in the things of this world. These things will all be destroyed. In verse 13, a new scene opens and introduces the fifth, sixth, and seventh trumpets. As John watched, an eagle called out a message, which gives special emphasis to the last three trumpets. He cried, “Woe! Woe! Woe! To the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blast about to be sounded by the other three Angels!” The fact that the word woe is repeated three times emphasizes the terrible destruction and devastation to come. The first four trumpets represent physical destruction; the last three trumpets, spiritual destruction. Spiritual destruction is much worse than physical destruction, which accounts for the three “Woes.” So the Lord God gives special emphasis to the fifth, sixth, and seventh trumpets as they progress to the worst of tribulation. The Fifth Trumpet: First Woe When the fifth angel sounded his trumpet, the key to the shaft of the abyss was given to “a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth” (Revelation 9:1). When he opened the abyss, out of it came smoke, which darkened the sun and the sky. Out of the smoke came locusts that were given power to torment the family of satan (verse 4). The star was either satan himself or one of the angels that were cast out of heaven with him. Revelation 12:4 says, “His tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth.” In 76 Alpha, Omega, Alpha either case, the fallen star opens the abyss. The locusts have a king. His name is “abaddon” in Hebrew and “apollyon” in Greek; both mean destroyer. It is clear that this was an act of God because he was in control of the fifth angel, who sounded the trumpet, and in control of the time it was to be sounded (Revelation 8:2–6). The names abaddon and apollyon (destroyer) are characteristic and exemplary of the nature of this fallen angel, the king of the locusts. He is a spiritual being who is leader of the destruction done by the visionary locusts that have power compared to scorpions on the earth (verse 3). The locusts are visionary symbols through which God gives the best illustration that exemplifies the message from the spiritual realm to the physical world. This message is described as follows: At a time in history when God gives the command (trumpet) there will be unleashed––opened by a key––on earth an evil spirit from the abyss that will torture the family of satan, “only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads” (verse 4). This evil spirit, or spirits, will not harm the earth, trees, or grass as at the sounding of the first four trumpets, but will torture people. Their suffering, “like that of the sting of a scorpion” (verse five), will be so severe that men will “seek death, but will not find it. They will long to die. But death will elude them” (verse six). Whereas, the first four trumpets described the destruction directed at creation, the fifth trumpet describes the destruction (tribulation) directed at the family of satan (mankind) spiritually. The locusts looked like horses prepared for battle. On their heads they wore something like crowns of gold and their faces resembled human faces. Their hair was like women’s hair and their teeth were like lion’s teeth. They had breastplates like breastplates of iron and the sound of their wings was like the thundering of many horses and chariots rushing into battle. They had tails and stings like scorpions and in their tails they had power to torment people for five months. Revelation 9:7–10 77 Message From the Throne The physical features of the visionary “locusts,” as in other visionary beings, indicate or exemplify the message being given to mankind. The described features of the locusts represent real-life situations in mankind. These visionary beings are as “locusts.” Real, physical locusts are feared by mankind because they eat grass, tree leaves, crops, etc., thus destroying man’s food. The visionary locusts are different but exemplify the same eating destruction: “Lions’ teeth.” Verse 4 says, “They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree,” but only those people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. Also, they looked like they were prepared for battle (verse 7). Thus, the visionary locusts are an evil spirit that will cause the family of satan to devour each other and torture each other (verse 5). These locusts, with large teeth prepared for battle, give a physical picture of spiritual beings (demons) manipulating and partnering with mankind in spiritually devouring (destroying physical mankind) only the family of satan. The locusts wore “something like gold crowns” (verse 7). The crown represents God-given authority, choice. The phrase, “Something like crowns of gold,” indicates corrupted or misused “crowns” (Revelation 6:1–2). In the first seal, all mankind was given a crown (authority, choice), and the family of satan certainly had made the wrong choice in the fifth trumpet by rejecting God’s plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. Thus, God permits to be unleashed on them a spirit that causes them to torture each other through their misused “crown.” The fifth trumpet, then, is a manifestation of the misuse of the God-given crown of choice by the family of satan. The fact that the locusts’ faces resembled human faces and their hair was like women’s hair adds credibility to this comparison of the first seal and the fifth trumpet. The first seal was interpreted as being a “crown of choice” that was created by God into all mankind with a spirit of conquest. An element of that spirit of conquest is the boy/girl conquest through which, by nature, the male searches for, chooses, pursues, and gains the affection of his mate. Then, by common consent they are married and the two become one; thus is 78 Alpha, Omega, Alpha the home and the family developed. The Scriptures and the natural development of Christian society has taught this process down through history. First Corinthians 11:14–15 says, “Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, but if a woman has long hair it is her glory?” This scripture says two things that refer to this comparison. First, the very nature of things refers to the fact that, by nature, things are done in a particular way. In the creation account, Adam was created first, then Eve was created as his helpmate. Man is the head of the home, and the woman is subject to him. I am not at all chauvinistic or a liberationist, but the fact remains that both Scripture and nature establishes man as the dominant person in mankind. Second, the long hair of the woman being her glory refers to the beauty of womanhood. By nature, a woman’s hair is often referred to as beautiful and sets her apart from man. At certain times in history, a woman’s hair would be cut as punishment for prostitution and short hair was considered a mark of a prostitute. A woman’s hair, as seen in Scripture and in nature, has been a symbol of beauty and morality. With this, we conclude that the woman’s hair of the locusts represents the natural beauty God gave his creation. As we apply this to the locusts released from the abyss, the woman’s hair represents God-given beauty that is misused. The locust faces “resemble human faces” (Revelation 9:7). No distinction was made as to whether the faces were male or female. They were simply human faces. This fact indicates that the characteristics of the locusts are true for both men and women. Today, people have abused every aspect of God’s plan for mankind and will do so even more as time progresses. Adam said, “This is now bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh, she shall be called woman, for she was taken out of man” (Genesis 2: 23). Verse 24 continues, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife and they will become one flesh.” However, mankind has abandoned God’s way and has used the spirit of conquest to pursue the affections of many. The same is true for both sexes. 79 Message From the Throne The home and the family are being destroyed because mankind is no longer satisfied with one mate, as was God’s plan, but enters into ungodly relationships with others. In the beginning, God established the natural order of relationships. In Genesis 3:16, God said to the woman Eve as a result of her sin, “Your desire will be for your husband and he will rule over you.” In many cases, women have bypassed God’s judgment and have ruled over their husbands. By the misuse of the spirit of conquest, woman has sought to be set free from God’s judgment to be ruled by her husband. Here in verse 8, women’s hair symbolizes God-given beauty or attributes. Mankind, in his conquest for self-gain, uses the beauty, or attributes, God has given as barter to get what he or she wants. In the business world today, both men and women use their bodies to acquire sexual favors and power, an advantage in business, etc. It is evident that the use of God-given physical beauty to fulfill desires and gain advantage for self is extremely destructive both physically and spiritually. Physically, health and life are destroyed by sexually transmitted diseases, homes are broken, and children are left hurt and homeless. Spiritually, mankind is separated from God as they disobey his plan and break his moral code to gain for themselves at the expense of others. Revelation 22:15 says, “Outside [the gates of heaven] are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.” This emphasizes the destructiveness of sexual immorality. The visionary locusts’ teeth were like lions’ teeth. This symbolizes ripping, tearing, destruction, devouring, etc. They self-destruct and destroy each other. Also, they had breastplates like breastplates of iron, which symbolize self-protection and hardness of heart, without conscience and without heartfelt concern for others. Christians, born-again family of God, have a breastplate of righteousness as spoken of in the Ephesians 6:14. I have a breastplate of righteousness, but it is not my breastplate. I am a sinner. I received 80 Alpha, Omega, Alpha my breastplate of righteousness when I confessed my sins and was born again into the family of God. My breastplate was given to me by Jesus Christ, as he is the only one who is righteous. In contrast, these who have the breastplates of iron have not received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and, thus, they are protected from, shielded from, the natural affections, love, and conscience that God created into mankind. The biblical description says that “the sound of their wings was like the thundering of many horses and chariots running into battle” (Revelation 9:9). This represents a fast, impatient, driving, reckless, headlong thrust. Thus, the visionary locusts are prepared for battle. They have authority (crowns); they possess the beauty God created into mankind (human faces and women’s hair); they are ferocious and destructive (lions’ teeth); they are without conscience (breastplates of iron); they have mobility to rush into battle (wings); and their stings torment people for five months. This is a description of modern, affluent mankind, both male and female, who strive to get ahead, pursue and accomplish their goals, and gain for themselves their desires in this world’s system. Recently on television, I saw a documentary about a group of children, eighth grade and under, who were involved in a special school project. The commentator explained that these children had given up their summer vacation from school to enter an intense study of business, the stock market, and high finance. He emphasized the fact that they had given up their games and vacation to prepare at an early age to compete in the business world. As the commentator was talking, we were shown on television the classroom with stock market graphs and other teaching aids used by the instructor. As the children were interviewed, they made statements like these: “I want to make a lot of money fast”; “I want to get rich”; “I want to become a millionaire as fast as I can.” Then the commentator closed the news segment with comments on how today’s young people are preparing to face the business world of tomorrow. 81 Message From the Throne The ideology that is promoted and that motivates these children, their parents, and the news media is creating a segment of our society that is similar to the description of the locusts. They are highly educated and trained to compete, prepared for battle (verse 7). They have the freedom to choose their lifestyle and business endeavors (crowns; verse 7). They possess the God-given beauty and created abilities necessary to pursue their endeavors (human faces and women’s hair; verse 8). They are ferocious (lions’ teeth; verse 8) as they pursue their desires. They protect themselves against all threats and have no conscience of fair play (breastplates of iron; verse 9). They have the mobility of modern technology to propel themselves headlong into their conquest (wings; verse 9). Thus, at the sounding of the fifth trumpet, there will be unleashed on the family of satan (verse 4) a spiritual force such as that which hardened the heart of Pharaoh that will drive them to use every resource at their disposal to gain their desires and fulfill their lusts. They will, during the time of Revelation, devour each other as a locust devours green plants. Not only will they devour each other to gain desires and fulfill lust for this world’s goods, but they will also devour each other in social relationships. Just as they used their beauty and other God-given traits for business, so they will use them to manipulate each other socially to fulfill their own desires. God created man with a natural desire to marry a woman who is a virgin and who will remain faithful to him all her life. Once I was teaching a sex-relationship seminar to high school senior boys. Each young man was asked about his practices and intentions in dating girls. They stated that their practice and intention was to get as many sexual favors as possible. Yet each one stated emphatically that he desired that the girl he married, who would be the mother of his children, be a virgin. Then one stated, “But there are not any virgins left.” In his voice was detected the tragedy of a natural human desire that had no hope of being fulfilled. God created woman with a nesting instinct, a desire to have a home and family. Once while doing pastoral visiting at a local hos82 Alpha, Omega, Alpha pital, I met in the hallway three tenth grade girls, who, though they did not attend my church, recognized me as a local pastor. They began to giggle and, with much embarrassment, asked me the location of the nursery. They said, “We just want to see the babies.” I directed them toward the nursery and thought as I continued down the hallway, One of these three has just acquired a serious boyfriend. Sure enough, a few days later my thoughts proved correct. One of them had become very close to a particular boy and in her was awakened the desires to have a home and family. It is evident in these two illustrations that God has created into mankind a social and moral system that is evident in all mankind. Yet, mankind has the choice to reject and manipulate those Godgiven traits, which in turn brings guilt. Guilt that is not dealt with brings, like an inner gnawing, a devouring and a hardening of the heart. So, through mankind’s rejection of God’s moral laws, the family of satan is driven by an evil spirit, which is symbolized by the visionary locust, to devour each other. Whereas the first woe and the fifth trumpet illustrate, through the visionary locusts, mankind devouring themselves from within socially and spiritually, the second woe and the sixth trumpet illustrate mankind destroying mankind through war. The Sixth Trumpet: Second Woe As the sixth trumpet sounded, a voice commanded, “Release the four Angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates” (Revelation 9:14). These angels are not bound by ropes nor chains, but by command. In this sense, they can be compared to the four angels. After this I saw four Angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree. Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four Angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea; 83 Message From the Throne do no harm to the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the forehead of the servants of our God. Revelation 7:1–3 The angels referred to in chapter 7 are in charge of holding nature in order. God sent word for the angels not to harm the land, the sea, or the trees so as to prevent any destructive wind from destroying the earth before the family of God are sealed. The four angels in verse 1 are the same four angels as in verse 2. They are given power to restrain or release the destructive potential in nature. As the earth rotates, its surface travels through space at approximately 1100 miles per hour; thus, there is great potential for destructive wind. These four angels in chapter 7 were commanded to hold back the destructive wind. However, they will be released to exercise their God-given power to harm the land, the sea, and the trees when all of the family of God is sealed. They are bound by command until released by another command of God. The sixth angel sounded his trumpet and a voice said, “Release the four Angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” The four angels were released, and the second woe began. The angels were given power, as recorded in chapter 7, but were commanded not to use that power until the designated time. Thus, with this comparison, the four angels of the Euphrates were bound by command, not by chains or ropes. God gave a command, and they were released to kill a third of mankind. And the four Angels who had been kept ready for this very hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind. Revelation 9:15 As Revelation 9:14 says, “Release the four Angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” There seems to be some significance to the fact that they were bound “at” the great river Euphrates. Then in verses 15 and 16, the scripture continues, 84 Alpha, Omega, Alpha And the four Angels who had been kept ready for this very hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind. The number of the mounted troops was 200 million. I heard their number. Revelation 9:15–16 Since the angels released at the Euphrates River unleash a 200- million-man army that kills a third of mankind worldwide, then we can assume that the Euphrates River represents a barrier. It is not reasonable to think that the Euphrates River itself, or any other physical barrier, would be a major deterrent for a modern 200-million- man army. Therefore, there must be an explanation other than the explanation that the Euphrates River is a physical barrier. I believe that the great river Euphrates represents a spiritual barrier set in place by God. There has been one great event in the spiritual history of all mankind that took place “at” the river Euphrates. That great event is the covenant between God and Abraham. God said to Abraham, I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you. Genesis 12:2–3 In his covenant, God said, “I will,” four times. As God made these promises to Abram at Ur and Haran, both located “at” or near the great river Euphrates, it was necessary for God to set in place a barrier that would have the effect of bringing about the fulfillment of his covenant. Abram would need God’s protection, as seen in the events of Abram’s life. Refer to Genesis 12, 14, 16, and 20. This need of protection is spoken of by God in Genesis 15:1b, which says, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” With these scriptures as evidence, it is determined that God bound four angels whose assignment was to maintain a barrier that would prevent mankind from killing each other––specifically to prevent the family of satan from killing the family of God. Also, these 85 Message From the Throne angels would remain bound until the sounding of the sixth trumpet in Revelation 9. The binding of these angels that prevents men from killing each other (Revelation 9:15–16) shows the protective hand of God as he protects his people from their adversary, satan. satan would have destroyed God’s plan for the salvation of mankind through the lineage of Abram had God not put in place a barrier that held back the onslaught of satan. This is clearly seen from the history of the family of God beginning with Abram. Abram had a very great fear for his own life as seen when he twice denied his beautiful wife because he was afraid he would be killed (Genesis 12:20). Either Abram was a very great coward or he had real reason to fear for his life. It can be concluded that Abraham had reason to fear for his life. Of all the people in the world, he was the one man God chose to father the lineage, the family or people, through which Jesus would be born into the physical world. As a spiritual being, satan would have heard this covenant the same as Abram did and would have most certainly made every attempt to destroy Abram and his descendents. So, to protect his people, God placed a barrier “at” the great river Euphrates, the place of the covenant. However, this barrier did not provide complete protection for God’s people. They have been persecuted and martyred throughout history. If there had been complete protection, it most likely would have been symbolized by seven angels rather than four. This assumption is made from the fact that the releasing of the four angels in the sixth trumpet kills a third of mankind––partial. Also, the Bible says, The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the King’s of the east. Then I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. They are spirits of demons performing miraculous signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty. Revelation 16:12–14 86 Alpha, Omega, Alpha The drying up of the Euphrates River gathers the kings of the whole world, which results in the death of all of mankind. Therefore God placed at the great river a barrier that protected his people from extinction, but not from persecution and death. The barrier is partially removed by the sixth trumpet and completely removed by the sixth bowl. Thus, with the consummation of the covenant between God and Abram, there was engaged a battle royale: satan and his family versus God and his family. As this partial barrier is released by the sixth trumpet and the 200-million-man army kills one-third of mankind, the second spiritual “woe” is unleashed on mankind. This is the time and place in history where the family of satan takes control of mankind, as explained in Revelation 13. As they take control, all opposition will have been destroyed (Revelation 13:15.) All over the world there will be non- Christians who will fight rather than worship the image of the beast. That will result in a very great world war. This physical warfare will be the family of satan fighting against the family of satan, thus fulfilling prophecy given by Ezekiel “‘I will summon my sword against Gog on all my mountains,’ declares the sovereign Lord. Every man’s sword will be against his brother” (Ezekiel 38:21). The two witnesses of chapter 11 will be part of the one-third of mankind to be killed. They will be killed separately and under different circumstances than the family of satan. The family of satan will be killed in physical warfare. The two witnesses will not fight, but will be murdered after their witness or testimony is finished. Their battle will be spiritual warfare, not physical warfare. But the beast gains control through physical warfare. He will then give the order for the last remaining opposition, the two witnesses, to be killed. Thus, the sixth trumpet brings the destruction of one-third of mankind, leaving satan and his beast in control of all the earth. The horses and riders I saw and my vision looked like this: their breastplates were fiery red, dark blue, and yellow as sulfur. The heads of the horses resembled the heads of lions, and out of their mouths came fire, smoke and sulfur. A third of mankind was killed by the three plagues of fire, smoke and sulfur that 87 Message From the Throne came out of their mouths. The power of the horses was in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails were like snakes, having heads with which they inflict injury. Revelation 9:17–19 These 200 million mounted troops will be dressed in red, blue, and yellow––possibly three armies. They will kill by fire, smoke (explosives and sulfur), chemicals, and will have horses’––war machines that kill from in front and from behind––mouths and tails. This greatest of all physical armies through the greatest of all physical wars will kill one-third of mankind, and the rest of mankind will be subdued, their hearts hardened against God their Creator. The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood - idols that cannot see or hear or walk. They did not repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts. Revelation 9:20–21 These verses give evidence that only the family of satan will be involved in this physical war. Therefore, the first scene of the sixth trumpet, which is the second woe, describes the family of satan as a mad dog. They will turn on themselves as a rabid dog bites himself. This entire event will be directed by God––time and circumstance––although the family of satan will not even believe in God and will have given their allegiance to satan. 89 Revelation 10 Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow about his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fi ery pillars He was holding a little scroll, which lay open in his hand He planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, and he gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion When he shouted, the voice of the seven thunders spoke And when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven say, ‘seal up the things the seven thunders have said and do not write it down Revelation 10:1–4 The little scroll, which lay open in the angel’s hand, represents a message from God The message shouted by the angel and spoken by the voice of the seven thunders is the Word from God written on the little scroll John heard and understood the audible message and was about to write, but a voice from heaven commanded him not to write The message from God, as it is spoken by the seven thunders, may have been the fi nal or completed message to the family of God This thought could be substantiated by the fact that chapter 11 describes a scenario that shows the plight of the last Christians to live on earth It would be a blessing, considering the circumstances of the last days of the family of God as described in chapter 11, if God has sealed up the message in order to protect the family of God from the mental agony of knowing all that the future holds Other Scripture also upholds the possibility that the message of the “seven thunders” relates to the last days of the family of God 90 Alpha, Omega, Alpha Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven. And he swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, there will be no more delay! But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the ministry of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets. Revelation 10:5–7 In the phrase, “I was about to write,” the word about means just prior to the sounding of the seventh trumpet. The proclamation, “There will be no more delay!” would refer to the fact that, after the two witnesses are raised from the dead, there would immediately come, that same hour, a great earthquake. That would mean that this unknown event would take place after the time the Bible says, “The second woe has passed; the third woe is coming soon” (Revelation 11:14), and before the time the Bible says, “The seventh angel sounded his trumpet” (Revelation 11:15a). The mighty angel delivered the scroll message to John, voiced by the seven thunders, and then sealed it to the last Christians to live on earth. The message of the seven thunders is probably critical to end-time events because it comes between the second woe and the sixth trumpet, and the third woe and the seventh trumpet. At the end of the second woe and sixth trumpet, the two witnesses have been killed. Thus, “When the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished” (Daniel 12:7). And then, the last believers must hide out when they see the abomination that causes desolation, which is the third woe and seventh trumpet. “Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains” (Matthew 24:16). So, we believe the message of the seven thunders to be critical to the end-time message and events. But we, as the family of God, are spared the probable gruesome events of the message of the seven thunders. 91 Message From the Throne A glimpse of the nature of the message is seen in the following verses: Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me once more; “Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land. So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey. I took the little scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour. Revelation 10:8–11 John was told to eat the scroll, which means to consume, to devour, to take in himself the message of the scroll as one would read intently each word in order to derive the meaning thereof. In his mouth, the message was sweet as honey. In effect, John reads and understands the message on the little scroll, and it is great, beautiful, and as sweet as honey. The Word of God is great, beautiful, and as sweet as honey when we hear his message of salvation that is a free gift to all who believe in Jesus’s name and accept his plan for salvation to live forever in heaven with him; the greatest message ever told. After John had eaten the scroll, his stomach, not the message, turned sour. God used a physical action to explain a spiritual process. When a person realizes the consequences suffered by those who reject God’s plan for salvation and the persecution endured by some Christians, the message takes on a different taste. The Word of God is as sweet as honey when first received, but with full understanding, the stomach turned sour. A fuller explanation of why the stomach turned sour will be covered in chapters 11, 12, and 13 as the warfare of satan against the family of God is explained. In Revelation 10:11, John was told, “You must prophesy again about many people, nations, languages and kings.” John was told to prophesy again in the midst of the prophetic message. This signifies to John that, although he has seen and heard some awesome things, the sweet Word of God will become bitter as there will be many more horrifying events to come. 93 Revelation 11 Revelation 9:13–21 is a description of the events of the second “woe” that occurs in regard to the last generation of the family of satan Chapters 10 and 11 are a continuation of the sixth trumpet, which is the second “woe ” Chapter 10 sets the stage for the events of chapter 11 Both pertain to events that affect the last generation of the family of God This twofold message of the sixth trumpet is also seen in the sixth seal Both have a message to the family of satan and the family of God (Revelation 6:12–7:17) Having received the Word of God from the angel’s hand (Revelation 10:10) and having understood its sourness in the stomach, John was ready for the message of chapter 11 I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the worshipers there But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles They will trample on the Holy City for forty-two months And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1260 days, clothed in sackcloth Revelation 11:1–3 John, with a measuring rod in hand, was told to measure the temple and altar However, there is not a record of the dimensions In the Old Testament, Israel was given the specifi c dimensions, which are known and recorded for the tabernacle in the wilderness and also for the temple in Jerusalem However, these physical dimensions did not seem applicable in the context of chapter 11 There is another measurable dimension that has two references within the message of this chapter It is the element or dimension of time First of all, time is referred to clearly in verses 2 and 3, which say, 94 Alpha, Omega, Alpha They will trample the Holy City for forty-two months. And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1260 days, clothed in sackcloth. Revelation 11:2b-3 The Gentiles will trample the Holy City for forty-two months, and the two witnesses will prophesy for 1260 days. There are two specific time periods. 1) Forty-two months, during which the family of satan will persecute the family of God, and, 2) 1260 days, during which the two witnesses will prophesy. They are the same length of time (30 days equals one month, times forty-two months equals 1260 days). This period of time has a marked beginning and ending set by God. The beginning is the time when all of the family of God has been sealed (Revelation 7:3) and the ending is when the beast is given power to make war against and conquer the family of God (Revelation 13:7). Revelation 11:7 says, “Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them.” The second reference to “time” is in verse 18 and 19, which reads, The time has come for judging the dead and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great––and for destroying those who destroy the earth. Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the Ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a great hailstorm. Revelation 11:18b-19 These verses refer to a specific, designated time that marks the beginning of the end, when the temple in heaven will be opened to receive the family of God and judgment will be poured out on the family of satan. Therefore, it is concluded that John’s measurement of the temple pertains to time rather than physical size of the temple. John was instructed to measure three areas of the temple: 1) The temple, 2) The altar, and 3) The outer court. These three have par95 Message From the Throne ticular meaning and refer to different parts of the family of God and certain time periods thereof. First, the temple has reference to the children of Israel in that the temple in Jerusalem was a Jewish temple. Gentiles were permitted in the outer court only. The temple itself was given to the Jews. Thus, the temple pertains to the 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel (Revelation 7:4–8). Second, the altar pertains to those who will be in the altar area as described in the fifth seal. John was told to count the worshipers and measure the altar (time). The parallel is that there will be a specific number of Christians that will be slain for their testimony and a designated time when they will no longer be slain. Third, the outer court pertains to the Gentiles, since it was given to them. The Gentiles of the family of God are referred to in Revelation 7:9 as “a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language.” Proselytes, or Gentiles, that were converted to Judaism were permitted only in the outer court. However, with the advance of the Christian era, “whosoever believes” ( John 3:16) is permitted into the family of God through the heavenly high priest, Jesus Christ, and his atoning blood shed for the sins of the whole world. Also, historically, there was the time, AD 70, when the temple was destroyed and, at approximately the same time, the gospel, having been rejected by the Jews, was preached to the Gentiles. Refer to Acts 15 and Romans 9–11. Moreover, the outer court pertains to the Gentile era during which the gospel has been and is being preached to the whole world so that the kingdom of heaven will be filled. Refer to Jesus’ parable about the wedding banquet found in Matthew 22:1–14, which illustrates this fact. The fact that John was told to measure the temple, the altar, and the outer court demonstrates that there will be a specific time era in which mankind will enter the kingdom of heaven. He was told to count the worshipers at the temple, which means that there are a specific number, who have entered in through the era of the Jewish temple, and at the altar which will be a specific number who will be slain for their testimonies. 96 Alpha, Omega, Alpha John was told to not measure the outer court. The outer court has dimensions, only God the Father knows the measurements or time. That “time” is not given to mankind. This era of time began at the preaching of the gospel to the Gentiles and the destruction of the temple and will end when they have finished their testimony (Revelation 11:7). Thus, the outer court is the New Testament era to the end times––from Jesus’s ascension to the closing of the doors of heaven––and has been given to the Gentiles that “whosoever believeth” may enter into the family of God. Time in Prophecy As we interpret the measurement of the temple and the altar to pertain to a measurement of time, let us look at other prophetic references to time. In Daniel 9:20–27, there are precise references to time spans. While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sins of my people Israel and making my request to the LORD my God for his Holy Hill––while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. He instructed me and said to me, “Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding. As soon as you began to pray, answer was given, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed. Therefore, consider the message and understand the vision: “Seventy ‘sevens’ are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy. “Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the anointed one, the ruler, comes, there will be seven ‘sevens,’ and sixty two ‘sevens.’ It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble. After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One will be cut off and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed. He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven,’ but in the 97 Message From the Throne middle of the seven he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And one who causes desolation will place abominations on a wing of the temple until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.” Daniel 9:20–27 Seventy “sevens” are decreed to put an end, or bring to a conclusion, God’s work of redemption and revelation. Read verse 24 again. These seventy “sevens” are divided into three time spans: seven “sevens,” sixty-two “sevens,” and one “seven” (verses 25–27). I understand these three time spans to correspond with the answer given by the angel when he was asked, “How long will it be before these astonishing things are fulfilled?” (Daniel 12:6). His answer was, “It will be for a time, times and half a time (verse 7). Here is a list of the time spans and corresponding explanations. 1. Seven “sevens” (rebuilding of temple) equals 49 years. 2. Sixty-two “sevens” (coming of Christ) equals 434 years 3. One “seven” (end of time) equals 7 years Seven sevens equals forty-nine years and was approximately the span of time to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem from the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem (verse 25). Thus, the point of beginning was the decree to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem; fortynine years was decreed to rebuild it. History says that it took fifty years to rebuild the temple. Sixty-two “sevens,” the time span from the rebuilt temple to the anointed one ( Jesus), is “cut off.” Sixty-two times “sevens” equals 434 years. I understand this time span of 434 years to be from the rebuilt temple to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Verse 26a says, “And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for himself.” History says that there was approximately four hundred years between the Old Testament and the New Testament. History also says that Jesus was crucified at about thirty-two to thirty-four years of age. Although history does not give us an exact account of the years during this time era, it is my opinion that the biblical calculation of 98 Alpha, Omega, Alpha “time” is more accurate than known recorded history. Even so, the biblical “time” and the historical record are so very close: 434 years. One “seven”––seven years in which God will confirm a covenant. However, in the middle of these seven years (three and a half years), there will be an end of sacrifice and offering (verse 27). This one “seven” fits into history only at the end of time as described in Revelation 11. The two witnesses will be protected by a special covenant by God until their witness is complete, even though satan and his family will be trying to kill them. Three and a half years equals 1260 days. These time spans in Daniel relate to the measurement of the temple in Revelation 11:1 in this way: The seven “sevens” and the sixty-two “sevens” are the era of the temple measurement. The time from the decree to rebuild the temple to the resurrection and ascension of Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s plan through his chosen people, Israel. Thus, the resurrection of Christ and the beginning of the Christian era also brings the end of the temple era. The one “ seven” is the era of the last generation of Christians to live on earth, the last generation of the Gentile era, and the era of the seven-year tribulation, which ends with God’s judgment, the destruction of all physical mankind and physical creation as we know it. In Daniel therefore, there are three “decreed” time eras, but not a “decreed” amount of time from Jesus’s resurrection and ascension to the death of the two witnesses. I interpret this to mean that there is a fourth time era. The fourth time era is spoken in Daniel 9:26, which says, “After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One will be cut off and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood, war will continue until the end and desolation’s have been decreed.” Thus, Daniel 9: 26 and Revelation 11 both attest to the fact that the “Outer court” (Gentile era or church age) does not have a “decreed” time. It was not made known to mankind. Jesus said that he did not know that time, only the Father. The Old Testament “outer court,” 99 Message From the Throne however, had dimensions. Likewise, there is a measured time for the “outer court” of Revelation 11, but only God the Father knows it. Just as the seven thunders of chapter 10 were sealed up that we would not receive that knowledge, we are also not permitted to know the measurement of the time from the resurrection and ascension of Jesus to the beginning of the seven-year tribulation. At the time of the death of the two witnesses, we can understand that 1260 days prior to that day the seven-year tribulation will begin. There are two other very interesting references to “time” in Daniel 12:11–12. From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1290 days. Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1335 days. As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance. These verses clearly speak of the end times, and particularly of the last generation of Christians as referred to in Daniel 12:7. I interpret Daniel 9:27, Daniel 12:11–12, and Revelation 11:1–3 to be the same time and circumstance. There seems to be a contradiction in the number of days and their sequence, but after months of prayer and study, I give the following explanation. One difficulty comes in reference to the time of the “end of sacrifice and offering,” and also in regard to the number of days. Daniel 9:27 says, “In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering.” This verse states plainly that sacrifice and offering will end after three and a half years––also 1260 days (middle of one “seven”). Daniel 12:7 says, “From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1290 days.” This verse speaks of the accomplishment of two events during a span of 1290 days. The abolishment of sacrifice will occur first, three and a half to 1260 days, with the establishment of the abomination following thirty days later. Also, Revelation 11:3 says, “And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will 100 Alpha, Omega, Alpha prophesy for 1260 days.” This verse tells us that God will provide protection for his two witnesses, who will prophesy for 1260 days or three and a half years, the middle of the one “seven”. It is a fact that the final time span described as one “seven” is seven years, for it is referred to as the end of sacrifice and offerings coming in the “middle” (Daniel 9:27) as “half a time” (Daniel 12:7) and as “forty-two months” and “1260 days” in Revelation 11:2–3. I also understand that the seven-year period is the time of tribulation divided between the trumpets during the first three and a half years and the bowls during the last three and a half years. Then there is the fact that Daniel 12:11 speaks of 1290 days, but Revelation 11:3 speaks of 1260 days. Notice that the 1290 days is listed in relation to both the abolishment of sacrifice and the establishment of the abomination that causes desolation, whereas the 1260 days speaks only in relation to the time span during which the two witnesses will prophesy. I suggest that both are correct. The two witnesses will prophesy for 1260 days and will be killed––sacrificed, abolished. Then thirty days later, at 1290 days, the beast will, with the absence of the witnesses, be able to set up the abomination that causes desolation. Please note: Old Testament sacrifice equals New Testament worship. When the two witnesses are killed, satan’s beast takes total control. Although there will probably still be church, there are no more true worshipers of the true church because the two witnesses (leadership) have been killed and the rest of the true church have run for the mountains (in hiding). Daniel 12:12 gives another number, which causes us to question. It says, “Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1335 days.” These 1335 days as recorded is the 1290 days plus fortyfive days more. Therefore, it is saying that “blessed” are the family of God who survive seventy-five days after the killing of the two witnesses, which is forty-five days after the setting up of the abomination that causes desolation. There are two Scripture passages that allow this to be so: Rev101 Message From the Throne elation 11 and Matthew 24. In Revelation 11:7, the two witnesses are killed, then, in verses 11–12, they are resurrected and ascend to heaven. Then, in verse 13, a severe earthquake occurs, followed by the sounding of the seventh trumpet in verse 15. With that, God takes great power and begins to reign as described in verses 17–18, “Then God’s temple in heaven was opened” (verse 19). This description of events in chapter 11 allows the possibility that the rapture (when the last Christians shall meet Jesus in the air) will occur when God’s temple is open in verse 19. Possible Timetable: One “seven” equals seven years, or 2520 days Middle of one “seven” equals three and a half years, or 1260 days 1260 days equals two witnesses killed and the sacrifice ended 1263 1/2 days equals two witnesses resurrected 1263 1/2 days, plus one hour, equals severe earthquake “Soon” after (verse 14) 1263 1/2 days plus one hour equals the seventh trumpet blown and God begins to reign. 1290 days equals the establishment of abomination by the beast (Revelation 13:14). 1335 days equals the rapture of remaining Christians (Revelation 11:19). 2300 days equals “both the sanctuary and the host to be trampled underfoot … The sanctuary shall be cleansed” (Daniel 8:13b, 14b). 2520 days equals the end of the one “seven.” satan is bound and the millennial reign of Christ begins (Revelation 20:1–4). Also refer to Matthew 24:22: “Those days were shortened.” • • • • • • • • • • 102 Alpha, Omega, Alpha Jesus said that no man knows the day, not even the angels or Jesus Christ, only the Father (Matthew 24:36). But, we are given a pretty good timetable for the seven-year tribulation period. The time that we do not know is the beginning date and time of the tribulation, which begins as recorded in Revelation 8:1 and following. Revelation 11 says, “They will trample the holy city for fortytwo months.” The pronoun “they” refers to the Gentiles mentioned in the previous sentence, to whom was given the outer court. Here there is a play on the use of the meaning of the word Gentile. Historically, the word Gentile had a compound meaning. First, it referred to all of mankind who were not of the blood lineage of Israel, anyone who was not a descendent from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel). It is inferred that, whereas the Jews are God’s people, the Gentiles are not God’s people, thus, outside the family of God. However, the New Testament teaches plainly that the natural branches (descendents of Abraham) were cut off. Therefore, the Gentiles, who have come to salvation through Jesus Christ, are those of the outer court and part of the family of God. The Gentiles, who reject salvation through Jesus, are those who trample the holy city for forty-two months. Therefore, the pronoun “they” refers to the family of satan. Note: The difference between “Gentiles” and “they” is that the outer court is given to those referred to as “Gentiles” (family of God) and those referred to as “they” trample the holy city (family of satan). The Gentiles who have rejected Christ––”they” equals the family of satan––will trample the holy city for forty-two months, and God says, “I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1260 days clothed in sackcloth” (Revelation 11:3). Here is presented the two physical entities that are engaged in the greatest battle ever, the battle for the souls of mankind. It involves physical mankind, but the battle is spiritual. Those referred to as “they” are of the family of satan and the “two witnesses” are of the family of God. Thus, the stage is set for the final spiritual conflict. 103 Message From the Throne The Two Witnesses? And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1260 days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. Revelation 11:3–4 Lampstands are explained in Revelation 1:20 as being representative of the seven churches. We believe the same reference applies here in chapter 11. The two lampstands represent two churches. The two olive trees are explained in Zechariah 4:1–8. Therein is a peculiar discussion of the two olive trees, which seemed to be of particular importance because of the nature of the discussion. It is described as follows: I (Zechariah) see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl at the top and seven lights on it, with seven channels to the lights. Also, there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on the left. I asked the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?” He answered, “Do you not know what these are?” “No, my lord,” I replied. So, he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit’, says the Lord Almighty.” Zechariah 4:2 The angel seemed to avoid the question by entering into a dialogue about Zerubbabel. Two more times, verses 11 and 12, Zechariah asked about the two olive trees. The angel again replied, “Do you not know what these are?” “No my lord,” said Zechariah. After the third time, the angel said, “These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth.” (Zechariah 4:13–14). The fact that there is much discussion over the olive trees gives importance to them. Zechariah’s three questions have a progressive nature that narrows the question to the olive trees. Verse 4 is a general question: “What are these, my lord?” Verse 11 is more direct: “What are 104 Alpha, Omega, Alpha these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?” Verse 12 is more descriptive: “What are these two olive branches beside the two golden pipes that pour out golden oil?” Though there are other elements in the vision––lamp stand, bowl, seven lights, golden oil–– the two olive trees have prominence in the eyes of Zechariah, for he questions three times to get their meaning. The two olive trees are finally explained as “The two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth” (verse 14). They are anointed. Therefore, they are set aside, instructed, and directed by God. They are to serve. Therefore, they are to carry out the instruction as directed by “the Lord of all the earth” (verse 14). God’s will is carried out in all the earth. The statement that the two olive trees are anointed to serve and set aside to carry out orders is illustrated within this text at least four times. First, Zechariah 4:7 says, “What are you, O mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become as level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone with shouts of, ‘God bless it! God bless it!’” Zerubbabel had been given the task of rebuilding the walls and temple in Jerusalem. He had a mountain of a job to perform with a small group of Jewish refugees from Babylon. However, because it was God’s will that the walls and temple be rebuilt, that mountain would become as level ground. The Spirit of God would carry out God’s will on earth through Zerubbabel, as he was representative of the two olive trees in the vision. The two olive trees, then, represent the one who is anointed to carry out God’s will on earth through and by the Spirit of God. Another illustration of God’s will being carried out on earth is found in Zechariah. It says, I looked again, and there before me was a flying scroll! He asked me, “What do you see?” I answered, “I see a flying scroll, thirty feet long and fifteen feet wide.” And he said to me, “This is the curse that is going out over the whole land; for according to what it says on one side, every thief will be banished, and according to what it says on the other side, everyone who swears falsely will be banished. The Lord Almighty declares, ‘I will send it out, 105 Message From the Throne and it will enter the house of the thief and the house of you who swear falsely by my name. It will remain in his house and destroy it, both its timbers and its stones.’” Zechariah 5:1–4 God’s Word (the flying scroll) condemns sin––theft, swearing falsely––and the sinner’s house. As a result, the sinner’s house will be destroyed with its timbers and its stones. God’s Word as directed by his Holy Spirit will accomplish these things through prophets and ministers, who are anointed by God, to carry out the task that is representative of the two olive trees as they proclaim God’s Word. Also, the Word of the Lord came to Zechariah, who wrote, Take silver and gold from the exiles, Heldai, Tobijah and Jedaiah who have arrived from Babylon. Go the same day to the house of Josiah son of Zephaniah. Take the silver and gold and make a crown and set it on the head of the high priest, Joshua son of Jehozadak. Tell him this is what the Lord Almighty says; “Here is the man whose name is the Branch, and he will branch out from his place and build the temple of the Lord. It is he who will build the temple of the Lord and he will be clothed with majesty and will sit and rule on his throne. And he will be a priest on his throne. And there will be harmony between the two.” The crown will be given to Heldai, Tobijah, Jedaiah and Hen the son of Zephaniah as a memorial in the temple of the Lord. Those who are far away will come and help to build the temple of the Lord, and you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you. This will happen if you diligently obey the Lord your God. Zechariah 6:9–15 Zechariah was told about “a man whose name is the Branch.” (verse 12). The “Branch” refers to Jesus. It is said of this branch, “And he will branch out from his place and build the temple of the Lord. It is he who will build the temple of the Lord … ” The context in which this statement is made is the vision and directive from God to the Jewish exiles in Babylon to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the walls and temple. (Zechariah 1–2). Within the directive to rebuild 106 Alpha, Omega, Alpha the physical temple, it is revealed that the branch, Jesus, will build the spiritual temple. Conclusion to the Olive Trees 1 Therefore, Zerubbabel, as he was moved, anointed, by the Spirit of God to carry out, serve, the rebuilding of the temple, was representative of the two olive trees. 2 The “flying scroll” (Word of God) represents the carrying out of God’s will in all of history. As prophets, preachers, evangelists, and witnesses proclaim the Word of God, sin is condemned and the houses of sinners are torn down, spiritually. Therefore, those who are anointed or called to proclaim the Word of God are the “two olive trees” that stand before the Lord of the whole earth. 3 The “Branch,” which is interpreted as Jesus, is the one anointed to provide salvation to the whole world. Thus, in carrying out God’s will, Jesus fulfilled the spirit and purpose of the “two olive trees,” just as the physical Jesus was obedient to the direction and will of God in his life on earth. Therefore the two witnesses, as the two olive trees, are physical mankind who are anointed by God to carry out a particular task that accomplishes God’s will on earth. Thus, these two witnesses are a part of the last generation of the physical family of God, who were given the task of proclaiming God’s Word and of suffering martyrdom in the end. They bring to a conclusion the witness of the family of God according to God’s plan. As we apply the principle of the limiting number, the two witnesses, the two lampstands, and the two olive trees are a limited number (very few out of many) of the churches and Christians who are anointed to serve God in the last generation to live on earth. 107 Message From the Throne The above discussion about those who are anointed of God is important because it needs to be understood, in light of the two witnesses in Revelation 11. This is important because many have supposed and written that the two witnesses are Moses and Elijah, who have returned to earth in the last generation to perform miracles as they did in the Old Testament. The “two witnesses” are not two individuals, but a very small number of God’s anointed witnesses out of two churches, meaning a very small number of the existing churches, who are anointed of God in the last generation of Christians to live on earth. The “two witnesses” carry out a most important task, as anointed by God. They proclaim to the family of satan the final witness with undeniable miracles and power. So that, when mankind, who has rejected Jesus Christ, stands before the throne of God, they will have no excuse. God’s judgment will be just and justified. The Time of the Battle The time of the battle will be 1260 days, or forty-two months. In Revelation, 1260 days is used twice. In each of the two places, the people involved are God’s family, who are protected by God. Revelation 12:6 says, “The woman fled into the desert to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1260 days.” Of the two witnesses, Revelation 11:5 states, “If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die.” The fire from their mouths is interpreted as the Word of God, not a flame. Thus, they are protected by the Word of God. Therefore, the 1260 days refers to the family of God, who are protected by him in the midst of persecution for 1260 days. The forty-two months is mentioned twice in Revelation. The Scripture says, “They will trample on the Holy City for forty-two months” (Revelation 11:2). This verse tells of a time when the family of satan will trample (persecute) the Holy City, the family of God. The Scripture also says, “The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two 108 Alpha, Omega, Alpha months” (Revelation 13:5). The “beast,” the family of satan, will be given by God a mouth to blaspheme God and exercise authority. Therefore, the forty-two months refer to the family of satan, who are given particular power to fight against God and his people. I believed for a long while that not only were the 1260 days and forty-two months the same span of time, but that they occurred simultaneously in history. But, I now believe that the best interpretation is that the 1260 days are the first three and a half years of tribulation and the forty-two months are the last three and a half years, or great tribulation. During the seven year tribulation: For 1260 days: the last generation of the family of God are still on earth. After the 1260 days, for forty-two months: satan, the beast, and the false prophet are in complete control of earth. The beast––gentiles, as pertaining to those who are of the family of satan––will make war against the woman (Revelation 12:6) and the two witnesses. Of the two witnesses, Revelation 11:7 says, “Now when they have finished their testimony.” The two witnesses will be part of the last generation of Christians to live on earth. Their testimony will not be finished as a result of a successful witness to all mankind, for mankind will reject the testimony of Jesus Christ. However, it will be finished in that no one will receive their testimony and be saved. At that point in time, when all of every nation, tribe, people, and language who are going to be saved have been saved, then their testimony will be finished. Only God knows that point in time. I believe that this final witness is of utmost importance. When the witnesses have finished, they are killed by the beast. And then comes the final destruction of the bowls, and at Armageddon all those who were witnessed to are killed by God. Thus, this is God’s final witness to mankind. So, with the illustration in Zechariah, we are given an overview of God’s determined witness to mankind. The gospel of Jesus Christ will be preached to the ends of the earth, to all mankind, and then the end. 109 Message From the Throne Testimony The testimony of the “two witnesses” is, in some ways, the same as that of John’s testimony. Revelation 1:2 says, “He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw, that is, the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.” That testimony of Jesus Christ is given to us from his own mouth as recorded in Revelation 1:17–18, which says, “I am the first and the last. I am the living one; I was dead, and behold I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” Though there are many doctrines and many religions, the testimony of the two witnesses is that Jesus is “the way and the truth and the life” ( John 14:6), and there is no other way to salvation and life after death with God. This is the everlasting gospel spoken of through the three angels of Revelation 14:6–9. Now, when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. Revelation 11:17 Who Is the Beast? 1. The beast has a spiritual nature. “The beast comes up from the abyss” (Revelation 11:7). In reading the references on abyss (Revelation 9:1–11; 16:13–14; and 20:1–3, 7), it becomes clear that the abyss is a prison, not of this physical world, but of the spiritual realm. Therefore, the beast, who comes from the abyss, will be of a spiritual nature. 2. The beast has a physical nature. “The beast … will attack them, and overpower and kill them” (Revelation 11:7). 110 Alpha, Omega, Alpha “One of the heads of the beast seems to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed” (Revelation 13:3). “The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur” (Revelation 19:20). Another aspect of the beast, then, is that physical mankind is part of it. The beast is an entity that is both spiritual and physical. It receives its authority and power from satan (Revelation 13:4–8), and has control of the family of satan. It may be easier to see how the family of satan and the beast are a spiritual as well as a physical entity by comparing them to the family of God and the church. Please note: This comparison is used only with the following explanation. When one is born into the kingdom of heaven, he crosses over God’s line into the kingdom of heaven. Although he is still in the world and he is still physically alive, he has become a part of the spiritual realm as born again. Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is made up of both the spiritual kingdom of God in heaven and the physical kingdom on earth, the true church. In a similar manner, satan’s realm, described as the beast, is comprised of both the spirit realm and the physical world. Revelation 19:20–21 says, But the beast was captured and with him the false prophet who had performed miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs, he deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worship his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, and the rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorge themselves on their flesh. These verses speak of the beast and the false prophet being captured and thrown alive into the lake of burning sulfur and the rest of the 111 Message From the Throne family of satan being killed by the sword of Jesus. There are divisions between the beast, the false prophet, and the rest in that the beast and the false prophet had deluded, (verse 20) those who had received the mark. So, they, the beast and false prophet, received swifter punishment. The combined forces of satan’s demons and those of mankind who give themselves to satan (satanic church) led, entrapped, and coerced others into following satan’s deceptions. Therefore, the family of satan has leadership. Just as in many organizations, including the true church, there are a few leaders, but the majority is followers. Thus, the satanic church, false prophet, etc., are the physical portion of the beast and will be thrown immediately into the lake of fire. Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. Revelation 11:7 The beast will indeed attack, overpower, and kill a part of the last generation of Christians who are called “the two witnesses.” In Revelation 11:2b-7 is a very subtle description of the greatest battle in all of earth’s history: the spiritual battle between the family of God and the family of satan in the last generation of mankind. The Battle This battle will not be a military battle. It will not be fought along national boundaries. It will not be fought according to racial boundaries. It will not be fought according to ecclesiastical, denominational, or church boundaries. It will not necessarily be fought by those in high positions in God’s churches, nor in satan’s. • • • • • 112 Alpha, Omega, Alpha This battle will be fought by physical mankind. It will be directed from the spirit realm. It will be fought by Christians who are led by the Holy Spirit. It will be fought by satanists who are dominated by satan. It will be fought for all mankind and will affect all mankind. This battle is not for property, prestige, or any other physical thing. This battle will be and is for the souls of mankind. The Nature of the Battle The nature of the battle, as fought by the family of God, will be for the purpose of proclaiming a witness of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the family of satan. The two witnesses will neither purposefully offend nor be angry with the enemy, nor will they fight physically with him. Their battle will be somewhat like the one Jesus fought. As Jesus was being arrested in the garden of Gethsemane, the disciples asked, “Lord, shall we strike with swords?” And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him” (Luke 22:49–51). The Bible says, The chief priest accused him of many things. So again Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.” But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed. Mark 15:3–5 Although Jesus could have called more than twelve legions of angels (Matthew 26:53) to his defense, he allowed them to accuse, condemn, and crucify him on the cross in order to bear witness and provide salvation for a lost world. Jesus said, “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself ” ( John 12:32). • • • • • 113 Message From the Throne Like Jesus, the two witnesses will not fight back but will, as result of their witness, be accused, condemned, and killed by the beast. The nature of the battle proves that God will go to the last mile to provide a witness to all mankind; even to those who reject him and fight against him and his people. The nature of the battle in regard to the family of satan is one of deception, control, manipulation, prison, and death. This battle has been in progress since the Garden of Eden; however, the full extent of it will not be seen until the events described in chapters 11 and 13 have begun. satan is the great deceiver and the father of lies. As a spiritual being and prince of the air, he has sufficient knowledge and experience gained from the time of the Garden of Eden until now to manipulate and sometimes deceive even the strongest of the family of God. It has been my observation that satan has been particularly effective in deceiving Christians in the use of God’s physical resources (offerings in particular), in desires (materialism), and in relationships, whether in the family or in the church. It seems all too often that those whom satan can manipulate are found in positions of authority in churches and church organizations. satan is very deceptive, particularly in the United States of America, through the school systems, movies, television, magazines, business advertising, and recording industry. With these vehicles of information, satan has manipulated and led mankind to virtually discard family, discipline, and morality. He is using television programs and cartoons, toys, and games to introduce our children to satanic practices and worship. In many respects, the Christian world has been asleep and has allowed satan to deceive and destroy even our own children. Please refer to Matthew 13:24–30. satan’s ultimate deception is prophesied in Revelation, as it says, Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast, who, was wounded 114 Alpha, Omega, Alpha by the sword and yet was healed. He was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name. Revelation 13:14–17 The day will come when people who have not chosen Jesus Christ will be forced to worship satan. Though they shudder at the thought, when satan’s deception is complete, they will either worship him or die. Thus, the nature of satan’s battle is deceptive so as to control mankind. When satan’s deception is complete, no one else will be saved. He will be given power––ordained of God, given by Jesus (Matthew 28:18)––to blaspheme God, to make war against the saints, and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation (Revelation 13:6). Thus, satan will be in control of physical mankind. He who has an ear, let him hear. If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he will be killed. This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints. Revelation 13:9–10 The nature of satan’s battle will also be to imprison and to kill. Through his family, satan has throughout the ages imprisoned and killed God’s family. satan himself claims that he killed Jesus, that Jesus is dead, and that Jesus was his ultimate sacrifice. All the apostles were apparently killed and martyred. John was exiled on the island of Patmos at the time of this vision (Revelation 1:19). Through his manipulation of mankind, satan has continued to kill God’s people throughout history (Revelation 18:24) and will continue to do so until the time he is allowed to kill the two witnesses (Revelation 11:7–8). This is also referred to in Daniel 12:7b, that says, “When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will 115 Message From the Throne be completed.” God has never prevented the killing or martyrdom of his people; although, he has not allowed them to be completely destroyed. Why the Battle? This battle of all battles will be for the souls of mankind. Those who win the physical battle will lose the war, for the family of satan––the beast, the false prophet, and those who have rejected Jesus Christ–– will be destroyed very quickly after having killed the two witnesses. Those who lose the battle shall indeed win the war, as seen as life returns to the two witnesses and a voice from heaven instructs them to “come up here” (Revelation 11:12). This battle will be fought in the physical world but directed from the spiritual realm. The two witnesses, who “are the two olive trees and the two lamp stands that stand before the Lord of the earth” (Revelation 11:4), will be in such communication with God as to know his will. Their prophesying will bring on earth every kind of plague, as they have power from God through Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19). These two witnesses will not be novice Christians, but those who have committed themselves totally to the lordship of Jesus Christ. They are a few out of the last generation of Christians who have prepared for war and have power to make war against satan, his beast, the false prophet, and those who follow them. The two witnesses enter the battle that mankind might not be deceived by satan and that they may be saved by faith in Jesus Christ. The two witnesses gain nothing for themselves by entering the battle, but do so only for the love of the family of satan and their desire that they might be saved. The beast that kills the two witnesses is made up of those of mankind who are directed by satan from the spirit realm (see description of the beast, chapter 13). These persons will have committed themselves to satan just as the two witnesses have committed themselves to Jesus Christ. This commitment to satan is explained in Revelation 13:4, which states, “Men worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worship the beast and ask, 116 Alpha, Omega, Alpha ‘Who is like the beast? Who can make war against him?’” Also, Revelation 17:13 says, “They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast.” Thus, satan, from the spirit realm, will direct his people to attack, overpower, and kill the two witnesses. The family of satan enters the battle for their own desire for power. They have rejected God their creator and chosen the destroyer as their king (Revelation 9: 11). To the family of satan, having rejected God, self is god and they desire power over others as did satan in his rebellion in heaven. It is commonly known that those who come out of satanism find it very hard to give up the powers they possess as satan worshipers. Thus, the reasons for the battle are very different. Although both sides fight for the souls of mankind, the beast fights for his own desires for power, but the two witnesses fight only for the salvation of others. The Location of the Battle Their bodies will lie in the street of the great city, which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified. For three and a half days men from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse burial. Revelation 11:8–9 The place where their bodies will lie is commonly interpreted to be Jerusalem. The Living Bible (paraphrased) even names it Jerusalem. Yet, interpreting the place as Jerusalem satisfies only one of the descriptive phrases, “where also their Lord was crucified” (verse 8b). This leaves no explanation for the references to Sodom and Egypt. As I prayed and searched for further understanding, my mind centered on the words figuratively (niv) and spiritually (kjv). It would have to be a place that would figuratively and spiritually be compared to Sodom and to Egypt and to where our Lord was crucified. A place like Sodom, spiritually speaking, would be a place that is utterly engrossed in physical sin. There were none in Sodom who were righteous, except Lot and his family (Genesis 19). 117 Message From the Throne A place like Egypt, spiritually speaking, would be a place that is completely given to the worship of satan. Egypt in Bible times was known for its idol worship. There was an idol god for everything. When the Lord sent Moses to Egypt to free his people, he, through Moses and Aaron, performed a miracle before Pharaoh. When Aaron threw down the staff in front of Pharaoh and his officials, it became a snake. Exodus 7:11–12 says, “Pharaoh summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts: each one threw down his staff, and it became a snake. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs.” No idol of stone, wood, or any other earthly material could have turned staffs into snakes. As a spiritual being, satan is the only one, other than God, who could have done such a thing. Therefore, Egypt, figuratively and spiritually, represents a place given to satan worship. Pharaoh and his sorcerers were not dummies; they knew spiritual powers. The third descriptive phrase of the great city is “where also their Lord was crucified” (Revelation 11:8). Figuratively and spiritually speaking, Jerusalem, where our Lord was crucified, was the place of the temple and the organized religious structure. The high priest, Sadducees, scribes, etc., were those who supposedly worshiped God, yet they falsely accused, condemned, and crucified Jesus. Thus, a place that would represent where our Lord was crucified would be a place of high religious fervor but no worship of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a place where people ritually worship, thinking they worship God but they have the wrong message. They reject the true God and Creator and Jesus Christ our Lord. So, the great city is a place totally engrossed in 1) sin, 2) satan worship, and 3) false religion. This city with these three descriptions is not contained within the city limits of any one city, but is indeed the whole world. This concept was born out of Revelation 11:9, “Men from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies.” Also, Revelation 18:2–3 says, Babylon has fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! For all the nations have drunk of the wine of 118 Alpha, Omega, Alpha the wrath of her fornication and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her. Thus, the two witnesses being a limited number of the last generation of Christians will be living all over the world, “every people, tribe, language and nation” (Revelation 11:9). Their identity and the fact that they are the cause of the plagues that will come upon the earth will be known to the beast, the family of satan. When the beast is allowed by God to take control of all the nations, he––satan, the beast, and false prophet––will give the orders for the two witnesses to be drug out into the streets and killed. The Bible says, For three and a half days men from every people, tribe, language, and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth. Revelation 11:9–10 They will think that their troubles are over when the witnesses are dead because they will have cleansed the earth of the old system. But after three and a half days, a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. Revelation 11:11 God will bring them back to life, and they will ascend to heaven in full view of the family of satan. The world will have already rejected God’s plan for salvation, but this worldwide resurrection will prove to the whole world that God is God. In Ezekiel 38:23, God said, “And so I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord.” The family of satan will know that God is God and not satan, whom they worship. 119 Message From the Throne At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. Revelation 11:13 The fact that they will give glory to God does not mean that they will be saved after the rapture or at any other time. However, they will recognize that God did this great miracle in spite of their god, satan. This brings to light the parables of Jesus concerning the time when it will be too late to enter the kingdom of heaven. The parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1–13 speaks about this time. Five virgins waiting to meet the bridegroom with lamps had no oil; the other five virgins had their lamps and oil. All ten were waiting for the Lord’s return. All ten went to sleep. While waiting for the bridegroom to come, the five foolish virgins were forced to go to buy oil. Meanwhile, the bridegroom came and went into the wedding feast with the five wise virgins. When the others came back, the door was shut. They called for the door to be opened only to hear the bridegroom say, “I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.” Then Jesus said, “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” The Results of the Battle The result of this great worldwide spiritual battle will be the physical destruction of the family of God by the family of satan, and the beginning of the end of all physical life on earth. It is difficult for us in our modern theology of love, forgiveness, success, and happiness to understand how our loving Savior could allow such an end to come to his people, but the evidence is overwhelming. Revelation 11:7–10; 13:5–10; 13:15, and Daniel 12:7 each speak clearly of the destruction of God’s people. Our Lord Jesus also spoke of this in Matthew 24:9–35 as he told his disciples of the end times. He said that 1) his followers would be persecuted and put to death (verse 9) beginning with the apostles and continuing throughout history; 2) his followers would be hated by all nations (verse 9) and that the 120 Alpha, Omega, Alpha gospel would be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations (verse 14). These statements substantiate the interpretation that the battle will be worldwide and will bring to a conclusion the eternal destiny of all mankind; 3) there would be an increase of wickedness (verse 12). This statement says and substantiates the fact that satan will be given more power, power used through the beast (Revelation 13:5); 4) the love of Christians would grow cold as a result of the pressure from satan’s increased power. This would result in the limited number (two) of witnesses; 5) the abomination that causes desolation would be seen standing in the holy place (verse 15a). This statement reveals the fact that satan, with increased power, will take complete control of the organized church, the false prophet, thus, corrupting the church to the point that it is no longer an open door to salvation; and, 6) those who will be in Judea will flee to the mountains when the abomination of desolation is seen in the holy place (verses 15b-24). This description is the same as the occurrence of the two witnesses being hunted, arrested, and killed, and then the other Christians, who are not part of the two witnesses, escaping their enemies and surviving in hiding until they meet the Lord in the air. “Immediately after the distress of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky and the heavenly bodies will be shaken” (verse 29). This prophecy parallels the prophecy given in Revelation 11, which says, At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. Revelation 11:13 Please note, the seven thousand people killed in the earthquake are probably not a literal seven thousand, but the complete “thousands” who are killed by the quake. Then a limited number of the last generation of Christians will be martyred because of their testimony for Jesus Christ, and the voice from heaven will call them to “come up here” (Revela121 Message From the Throne tion 11:12). Sometime afterwards, those who have escaped the death penalty, who are silent “believers,” will also meet the Lord in the air. Two will be working, one will be taken, and the other will be left behind. (Matthew 24:40–41). So the family of God will be raptured and will be in heaven with our Lord. Then comes the earthquake of Revelation 11:19, which will mark the beginning of the great tribulation. The Three Woes The second woe has passed; the third woe is coming soon. Revelation 11:14 The second “woe” passing and the third coming soon leads us to enter the discussion and interpretation of the three “woes.” By its very definition, woe means warning, trouble, danger, or disaster. Therefore, three woes, or the word woe stated three times, is interpreted to mean the greatest “woe” or greatest disaster. Since the death of the physical body is simply entrance into the spirit realm, then I believe the greatest woe or disaster refers to a spiritual “woe,” not a physical “woe.” The three “woes” obviously correspond to the last three trumpets as stated in Revelation 8:13, “Woe! Woe! Woe! to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blast about to be sounded by the other three Angels!” Therefore, we are left to interpret the meaning of the three “woes” from what happens and from what is said in the three trumpets. The first “woe” is quite easy to pinpoint since 1) the woes are introduced in the last verse of chapter 8; 2) Revelation 9:1–11 tells of locusts from the abyss; and, 3) verse 12 states that the first woe is passed. Therefore, the first woe is the spiritual destruction caused by the visionary locusts as the scene depicts mankind destroying mankind through social and personal relationships. The second “woe” is not so easily pinpointed in that it begins with Revelation 9:13 and continues through Revelation 11:14, which states, “The second woe has passed; the third woe is coming soon.” 122 Alpha, Omega, Alpha Therefore, it must be determined from this block of Scripture what constitutes the greatest spiritual destruction. Within this Scripture passage, two major things happen to the family of satan: 1) through war, they kill one-third of mankind (Revelation 9: 3–19), and 2) they kill the two witnesses (Revelation 11:7). The message is that the second woe comes as a result of the family of satan killing one-third of mankind and the two witnesses. War, killing, and death should bring mankind to the reality of their need for God, but that is not the result of the second woe. Their rejection of God is stated in Revelation 9:20: The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood idols that cannot see or hear nor walk. Thus, the second woe comes as mankind’s heart is hardened against God (spiritual hardening) as a result of their refusing to repent. The third woe gives the greatest difficulty in interpretation. Revelation 11:14 states, “ … the third woe is coming soon.” However, there is no point in the following verses or chapters that signify that the third woe has passed. So the contextual evidence must be examined in order to interpret the third woe. For a time, I thought the third woe was contained in the statements, “because you (God) have taken your great power and begun to reign” (Revelation 11:17), and, “And the time has come … for destroying those who destroy the earth” (Revelation 11:18). This was derived from the standpoint that God’s judgment and the destruction would be the greatest woe. I could not be satisfied with this interpretation, for it was different in nature from the other two woes in that it pertained to what God did rather than what mankind did. So I continued to pray and study. Then it dawned on me that, in chapter 13, the second beast’s taking control of all mankind and causing the whole earth and its inhabitants to worship the first beast, “the abomination that causes desolation” (Daniel and Matthew), is the greatest woe. All of physical mankind, then, will be worshiping satan; there will be 123 Message From the Throne nothing left to do but to destroy the “natural brute beast, made to be taken and destroyed” (2 Peter 2:12). The ultimate spiritual destruction is worshiping, as God, something that is not God. Therefore, the three woes pertain to the spiritual destruction of physical mankind. As mankind disregards or refuses God’s plan of salvation through Jesus Christ, his natural course of life carries him to spiritual destruction. The first phase of destruction is the destruction of self, individually, through social relationships; the second, collective destruction through war, killing, and refusing to repent; and the third and final destruction of having chosen to and being forced to worship satan as God. The three woes illustrate three different but overlapping ways in which mankind condemns himself before God. As he rejects or is blinded to God, he creates other gods (self, a system), another spiritual God. 1. Self-god As mankind is born into this world, self is God. A child’s desire and motivation is only for its wants. If one continues through life in this mode, rejecting or refusing to choose God’s plan for salvation, self truly becomes God. The self-god is particularly manifested in the first woe and in the woman who is the great prostitute of chapter 17 and 18. 2. A system as a god Mankind makes a system God as they give the control of their lives and eternal destiny to an earthly system. Around the world, mankind has bound himself, collectively, in national units, religious organizations, civic organizations, ideologies, etc. As mankind holds onto an earthly system to the exclusion of the eternal spiritual God, their system becomes their god. This is exemplified in the second woe (the wars of the sixth trumpet and in the false prophet), a 124 Alpha, Omega, Alpha person who thinks they are worshiping God but who has the wrong message. 3) Another spiritual god When mankind becomes aware of the existence and reality of the spiritual realm, they must choose whom they will serve. Mankind is allowed to choose God or satan to be their God. As one chooses satan, another spiritual god, he becomes part of the third or greatest “woe,” which corresponds with the seventh trumpet as described in the vision of the beast in chapter 13. The Seventh Trumpet When the seventh trumpet sounded (Revelation 11:15), John was shown a heavenly scene that is the immediate result of the killing and resurrection of the two witnesses. Throughout history, satan has enjoyed certain God-given powers, which will be increased at the time of the two witnesses (Revelation 11:7; 13:5; 13:7–8; and 13:11–17). However, with the sounding of the seventh trumpet, John heard proclaimed that God had “begun to reign” (Revelation 11:17). This scene in heaven (Revelation 11:15–18) signifies the time when God will close the door to heaven “and have begun to reign” (verse 17). God has been reigning throughout history, but created mankind with a choice in his own destiny. Mankind has had the privilege of eternal life in heaven by simply crying out, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” However, when God has taken complete control, no one else may choose or make a decision. Eternal destiny will have been set for all of creation. After the sounding of the seventh trumpet, God’s family, who will be in heaven, will be rewarded, and satan’s family, who will be on earth, will be destroyed. Jesus’ parables about the ten virgins and the wedding feast explained clearly this time that corresponds with Revelation 11:15–18. 125 Message From the Throne Then, God’s temple in heaven was opened, and there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a great hailstorm. Revelation 11:19 God’s temple in heaven will be opened to receive the family of God, who will have escaped the sword of the beast and who will be raptured to meet the Lord in the air. The occurrence of lightning, thunder, earthquake, and hailstorm signifies the beginning of destruction and shows the violence with which that destruction will be accomplished. Chapters 12 and 13 are part of the seventh trumpet and that part which comprises the third woe. They explain the work of satan throughout history, and especially that which brought about the killing of the two witnesses. Since the beginning, mankind has been manipulated, tricked, and led astray by satan. They had rebelled against God and given their allegiance to satan; therefore, woe unto them, for they will receive the judgment and wrath of almighty God. 127 Revelation 12 A great and wondrous sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a garland of twelve stars on her head Then, being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth Revelation 12:1–2 Chapter 12 gives a very short overview of the history of satan’s combative work against God’s plan for the salvation of mankind from the covenant between God and Abraham to the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, with reference to that continued warfare to the midpoint (three and a half years of the seven-year tribulation) “Then the woman fl ed into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God that they should feed her there for 1260 days” (Revelation 12:6) The visionary woman is interpreted to be God’s chosen people God’s chosen people are people who have individually chosen to believe in God and have chosen and accepted Jesus Christ as Lord They are God’s chosen because God knew beforehand who would believe and accept him as Lord But, because God knew before I was born does not mean that I knew I did not know, thus I must make a decision, a choice I must choose to use my guaranteed freedom of choice (“crown” of the fi rst seal) I believe that the “woman” of Revelation 12 represents all of mankind who believe in God, have chosen Jesus Christ as Lord, and are true believers, born again into the kingdom of God She represents true believers from all of history The woman is “clothed with the sun, with the moon under her 128 Alpha, Omega, Alpha feet.” I believe this means that the woman is the central point of creation, thus, central to God’s purpose for his creation. I believe that God’s purpose for his creation is to create a family who has chosen, been obedient, and has become the true family of God. The woman had “on her head a garland of 12 stars.” I believe this characterizes the twelve sons of Jacob (Israel) as the foundation of the nation of Israel, through whom came the Word of God and through whom Jesus Christ was born into this physical world. The woman is characterized as “being with child, she cried out in labor, and in pain to give birth.” I believe that this illustrates the difficulty, pain, and hardship that the people of God went through in order that Jesus Christ be born in the “fullness of time.” The woman also “bore a male child.” The male child is Jesus Christ, who will “rule all nations, and was caught up to God and his throne.” The woman “fled into the wilderness … was provided for and protected for 1260 days.” God provides for and protects his people–– limited (they are persecuted, some martyred, but never destroyed)–– until the 1260 days, which is the midpoint of the seven-year tribulation when their witness is finally complete. Also, the fact that this visionary woman is seen and described in this way eliminates interpreting her as a physical woman, such as Mary, the mother of Jesus. I hold to a spiritual interpretation in which the woman is not a physical female, but is symbolically God’s people Israel, who were chosen to be the lineage through which Jesus Christ was born into the world and then continuing through the New Testament era of born-again Christians. The second sign is in the following scene. “Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven diadems on his heads” (Revelation 12:3). The red dragon is satan (Revelation 12:9). He is envisioned (pictured physically) as enormous, which symbolizes power; and red, which symbolizes sinfulness and rebelliousness. He has seven heads, ten horns, and seven diadems. The seven heads are the complete number of entities––dynasties, kingdoms, nations––that are manipulated 129 Message From the Throne by satan and that carry out satan’s desires on earth. The ten horns represent ten last entities (powers) that are the ones who will kill the two witnesses and who will rule during the tribulation. Revelation 17:12–14 says, The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who, for one hour will receive the authority as kings along with the beast. They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them, because he is Lord of lords and King of king’s and with him will be his called, chosen, and faithful followers. The first phase of satan’s rebellion against God is recorded in a short overview here in chapter 12. 1. Verses 4; 7–9: satan rebelled in heaven with one-third of the angels of heaven following him. 2. Verse 2: satan fought against God’s people from the time that God introduced his plan through Abraham. 3. Verse 4b: satan attempted to destroy Jesus at birth (Matthew 2). 4. Verse 5: satan attempted to destroy Jesus’ testimony (Luke 11:53–54; 22:1–6; 22:47; 23:43). 5. Verses 13, 15, and 17: satan pursued the followers of Jesus (Acts 4, 5, 6, etc.). Therefore, chapter 12 explains the direct opposition of satan against God’s plan for the salvation of mankind through the chosen people of Israel and those who hold to the testimony of Jesus. The description of satan’s activities in chapter 12 and those of the beast in chapter 13 have a marked difference, but all describe satan’s “war against … those who obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus” (verse 17). Chapter 12 is different from chapter 13 in that it depicts satan as the great red dragon. The 130 Alpha, Omega, Alpha great red dragon is the best physical picture that God could give to physical mankind of a spiritual being in rebellion against God and at war against God’s people. The dragon of chapter 12 is satan himself (verse 9) and is described as being personally involved in fighting against God’s angels (verse 7) and “those who obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus” (verse 17). Chapter 13 describes two beasts––first beast, verses 1–10; second beast, verses 11–18––which are God’s best description (all we need to know ) of satan’s work in a different era than that of chapter 12. The beasts are a manifestation of satan and his work on earth (Revelation 17:7–8, 11). satan BC Chapter 12 points out satan’s rebellion on earth at these times: 1. Before the birth of Jesus. satan’s rebellion before the birth of Jesus is related in verses 1–2. The woman, interpreted as God’s chosen people, as pertaining to the family of God, is persecuted by satan from the time of God’s covenant with Abraham until the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, in Bethlehem’s stable. 2. During the time of the birth and life of Jesus, satan did his best to destroy Jesus at the time of his birth and during his life on earth as related in verses 4–5. In Bethlehem, Herod had killed all the boy babies who were two years old and under (Matthew 2:16). satan himself tempted Jesus in an attempt to destroy his purpose on earth, but failed (Matthew 4:1–11). satan and his people condemned and crucified Jesus but found that it played into the hand and plan of God. 3. Immediately following the death and resurrection of Jesus, satan continued his battle against God’s creation as he influenced rulers, Pharisees, authorities, etc., in their own rejection of Jesus Christ. The Jews and satan 131 Message From the Throne became partners in crime as they tried to stamp out the followers of Jesus Christ. This partnership progressed to become the beast of Revelation 13. Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Revelation 12:10–11 This scripture points to a specific time in history. This particular time was when satan was defeated at the cross and Jesus was glorified in the resurrection, providing salvation and deliverance from satan for mankind. Therefore, rejoice you heavens, and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and to the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short. When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the desert, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent’s reach. Then from his mouth, the serpent spewed water like a river, to overtake the woman and sweep her away with the torrent. But the earth helped the woman by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring––those who obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And the dragon stood on the shore of the sea. Revelation 12:12–17 This is a description of satan’s war against Jesus’s followers. Seeing he was defeated and condemned to death, he lashed out in fury at all the family of God from the time of the resurrection to Pentecost and on to the dispersion of the Christians from Jerusalem, which was a 132 Alpha, Omega, Alpha result of persecution. Because of the power and the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the disciples and believers, satan began to duplicate that indwelling spirit through his people to combat the believers. As a created angelic being, satan had all the knowledge (seven heads) and all the authority (seven crowns) necessary to insert his thoughts and spirit into physical mankind. However, this can only be done as mankind allows it, for God created into mankind the authority to choose. 133 Revelation 13 In chapter 13, satan’s character and purpose is explained as he works through the beasts In verse 1, John said, “and I saw a beast coming out of the sea ” In verse 11, the beast comes out of the earth, and thereafter, a false prophet They are the manifestations of satan’s work Notice that the dragon is not mentioned again until chapter 20 after the beast and the false prophet are cast into the “fi ery lake of burning sulfur” (Revelation 19:20) Therefore, there seems to be a different era of satanic activity described in chapter 13 The dragon, who is satan, is described in chapter 12; the two beasts, in chapter 13; which continues through the woman on the beast in chapters 17 and 18; and then chapter 20 returns to the dragon The Era of the Beast: satan AD The era of the beast began sometime soon after Pentecost and continues until the family of God, the two witnesses, are defeated and destroyed (Revelation 11:7; 13:5–10) and until the beast has conquered the rest of mankind (Revelation 13:14–17) and the King of kings and the Lord of lords cast him into the lake of burning sulfur (Revelation 19:20) The era of the beast is comparable to the kingdom of God in that the beast works through the same time era as the Holy Spirit of God works through his true believers from Pentecost to the time of the two witnesses in Revelation 11 During the Old Testament period, God related to mankind through the spoken word, dreams, and visions, etc However, on the forty-ninth day after the resurrection of Jesus, the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles and a new era began It was and is an era in which the Holy Spirit indwells, teaches, and guides the family of God It is an era in which the church, the bride 134 Alpha, Omega, Alpha of Christ, is instituted and also directed through the remainder of history to carry out God’s plan for mankind. In a similar way, the beast is a spiritual entity of the family of satan during the era after the resurrection of Jesus Christ until it is destroyed, as recorded in chapter 19. Meanwhile, it carries out satan’s work on earth. The beast is satan’s attempt to duplicate the true church. The beast is similar to the church in that: 1. It is an entity, not a person (Revelation 17:12–13). 2. Its leadership is not of this physical world (Revelation 19:20). 3. It is directed by its master from the spirit realm (Revelation 13:2). 4. It is in part the bridge or communication channel between the spirit realm and the physical world (Revelation 13:2–4; 17:13). 5. It has authority. 6. It is evangelistic. 7. It is worldwide. 8. It has human leadership (Revelation 13:3; 17:12–13). Therefore, the beast is the satanic church in all its aspects and is led by its head and spiritual leader, satan. Verse 1 poses somewhat of a question as some Bible translations say, “And I stood upon the sand of the sea,” and others say, “and the dragon stood on the shore.” Either translation is all right, for neither change the message. If the correct wording is “and I,” then it fits quite well into the context. The vision of the dragon is past, and the next vision is forthcoming. The statement, “And I stood upon the sand of the sea,” would be an interlude, which separates the two visions. If the correct wording is “and the dragon,” then that wording fits quite well also. In the text, the dragon lashed out in fury, pursued the woman, and spewed water like a river to overtake her, but the earth helped her. Because of this, the dragon was enraged and went off to 135 Message From the Throne war against the family of God. After experiencing this scenario of frustration, it is easy to imagine the dragon standing on the shore, foaming at the mouth in great anger and frustration, wondering what to do next. In either case, this statement is an interlude that indicates the change of scene or a different era forthcoming. satan was indeed frustrated in his attempt to destroy the apostles and believers. The apostles were thrown into jail, but an angel took them out (Acts 5:17–20). Stephen was stoned (Acts 7:54–8:1) with Saul standing nearby in approval. Then God intervened on the road to Damascus and made Saul, one of satan’s main men, a missionary for the gospel of Jesus Christ (Acts 9). Herod killed James with the sword (Acts 12:2) and threw Peter into jail. Again, an angel took him out, the guards were executed, and satan’s man, Herod, died, “eaten by worms” at the hand of God. Indeed, the dragon was frustrated! He made an assessment of his method of war against the family of God and a new era began, which is symbolized here in the beast––a very vivid picture that God gives us of spiritual warfare being waged against mankind in the physical world. John wrote, And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. He had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on his horns and on each head a blasphemous name. Revelation 13:1 The explanation of this beast is in Revelation 17:7–14. The Seven Heads The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits. Revelation 17:9b. Traditionally, this has been interpreted as Rome. History tells us that Rome was built on seven hills. There has been great effort to impose the seven kings upon seven Roman rulers. They hardly fit, 136 Alpha, Omega, Alpha for this would involve only a small area of earth and a small era of time in history. I interpret the seven hills as being all––interpreting principle number one––the hills on earth. There is much evidence to substantiate that interpretation. The beast is a manifestation of satan’s work on earth (Revelation 13, 17, 19), and it is worldwide. Revelation 13:3b says, “The whole world was astonished and followed the beast.” Revelation 13:7b-8 says, And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation. All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast, all whose names have not been written in the Book of Life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world. Revelation 17: 8 says, The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the Book of Life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because he once was, now is not, and yet will come. Revelation 19:19 says, “Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army.” Therefore, with these many references to the worldwide work of satan and the beast as evidence, the seven hills are interpreted to be the entire earth. The Seven Kings They are also seven kings. Revelation 17:9c. As we continue to interpret the number seven as a complete number or a number meaning all, then the seven kings would be all the kings 137 Message From the Throne of all the world who have been led by satan and who have furthered the work of satan. Throughout history, there have been kings, men in places of authority, who were used and manipulated by satan. There have been others who knowingly committed themselves to satan in order to gain power and control. I interpret the seven kings to be those who committed themselves to satan during the era of the beast. They could be religious leaders, as well as political and social leaders, who are spiritually destructive to mankind and oppose the family of God and God’s work on earth. The Ten Horns The ten horns you saw are ten kings, who have not yet received a kingdom, but for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. Revelation 17:12 These ten kings are ten rulers that rule the world at the end time or during the time of the last generation to live on earth. They will rule for a specified length of time. One hour does not mean sixty minutes, but a very limited span of time. (Refer to interpreting principle number one.) These ten kings will have gained control of all the earth when the testimony of the two witnesses has been finished (Revelation 11:7–9). They will reign through the second half of the great tribulation, which is recorded in Revelation 16:14, which says, “and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle of the great day of God Almighty.” They are the kings of Revelation 19:19, which says, “Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army.” Therefore, the ten horns are the last ten kings––presidents, prime ministers, etc.––to rule physical mankind on physical earth. 138 Alpha, Omega, Alpha The Ten Crowns on His Ten Horns He had ten horns and seven heads with ten crowns on his horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. Revelation 13:1b. Crowns represent authority, and the ten horns (kings) have authority. satan is given authority (Revelation 12:3), and he passes that authority to the beast and to the ten kings as the physical kings of the family of satan. Revelation 17:12–13 says, The ten horns you saw are ten kings, who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings, along with the beast. They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. All power and authority comes from God. It was given to Jesus as recorded in Matthew 28:18, which says, “Then Jesus came to them and said, all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.” satan, then, is given certain limited authority. The beast also is given certain limited authority, and the ten kings are given certain limited authority. Thus, there is established a chain of command of power and authority, which is given to satan, his beast, and these ten kings. As John further described the beast, he said, “The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion” (Revelation 13:2a). The beast, as resembling a leopard, is a ferocious, stealthy, in the darkness and wild being lashing out to destroy everything. This is also shown in Revelation 17:16, “The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire.” The beast also had feet like a bear. The feet of a bear are very large as compared to a leopard. The large feet exemplify the fact that the beast will stamp out the Christians and all opposition. This is spoken of in Revelation 11:2b which states, “They will trample on the holy city for forty-two months.” 139 Message From the Throne The beast is also described as having “a mouth like that of the lion.” Anyone who has seen American movies in the past generation has seen a movie or cartoon open with a big, ferocious roar of a lion on the screen. As I think of that movie picture of the lion’s head, I see a big, loud mouth that defies everything; satan and his beast defy and ridicule all that is sacred and good. This image seems to fit the description of the beast in Revelation 13:5–6. The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies … He opened his mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. Revelation 13:5–6 Twofold Image of the Beast Just as the first beast came into being in a new era after Pentecost, so the second beast comes on the scene in a new era. The second beast is the same satan, the same satanic cult, and the same war, which continues to be carried out as satan promotes the destruction of mankind and all of God’s creation. (God permits and does not stop the destroying as a result of mankind’s sin and rejection of his plan for salvation through Jesus Christ.) satan had desired to rule, but he “saw that he had been hurled to the earth,” and, “he knows that his time is short” (Revelation 12:12–13). So the beast is committed to the destruction of creation. His desire is to take as many as possible with him to destruction. He cannot defeat God, or even fight against him, so he makes war against mankind, whom God created and loves. After the end of the 1260 days, the second beast will come on the scene. Until that time, the first beast will have put many in prison and killed many with the sword as seen down through history. The testimony of the two witnesses will be completed, and the beast from the abyss will attack them. (The first beast was given authority during the 1260 days to make war and conquer, as seen in Revelation 13:5–10.) Thus, the era of the second beast will begin at the end of 140 Alpha, Omega, Alpha the 1260 days and will conclude after forty-two months, when he is thrown into the lake of fire in Revelation 19:20. It is a new era, in that satan and his family are in complete control of the earth. Then I saw another beast, coming out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon. Revelation 13:11 The first beast is seen by John as “coming out of the sea” (Revelation 13:1b). The context of the coming of the first beast is that of Revelation 12:17, in which satan is enraged and is “off to war against … those who obey God’s commandments,” whereas, the first beast comes out of the sea to conquer and does so (Revelation 13:5–8); the second beast is the recipient of that conquest (Revelation 13:12) and is in control of the whole earth. Thus, the Bible says, “out of the earth.” This phrase “out of the earth” denotes a twofold image that is a very great deception on the part of satan. In the second beast is satan’s greatest and final effort to deceive and destroy mankind; that is “everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave,” and he does so as his beast takes on the traits of the false prophet. Throughout the Bible, a believer and follower of God is characterized as a sheep. Jesus is characterized as “the Lamb” throughout Scripture (Revelation 14, etc.). Thus, the first part of the phrase, “two horns like a lamb,” is a visionary description of a false church or satan’s attempt to lead the world astray through a religious system that duplicates and imitates the true Christian church. (Refer to the false prophet.) The two horns denote two systems or organizations. There are two distinct groups of that sort in the world today. The Christian churches and organizations have today, and have had throughout history, members and leaders who worshiped the organization but have no understanding of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through which they might be saved (Romans 10:9–10). Thus, after the true family of God is gone (Revelation 11), the church organizations will still be functioning. There will still be churches in progress, and there will still be “church.” They will probably be filled to capacity the Sunday after the two witnesses are 141 Message From the Throne taken up to heaven. These churches and church organizations are one of the two horns. The other horn represents the religious organizations of the world that believe in a creator God but deny that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. These organizations say that Jesus was a good man, a great teacher, or a prophet, but do not know that he alone is “the way and the truth and the life” ( John 14: 6) and that no one can come to the Father except through Jesus Christ. Thus, the “two horns like a lamb” represent the religious organizations of all the world that mankind chooses to follow. Through this part of the false prophet, satan has deceived and will deceive a great portion of mankind. The Work of the Second Beast The second beast has an appearance of good––“two horns like a lamb”––but is still that ferocious, destructive beast––“spoke like a dragon.” He has the power, throne, and authority of satan and is led by satan himself to his destruction in the lake of fire. The second beast will “exercise all the authority of the first beast on his behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed” (Revelation 13:12). This second beast is the heir apparent of the first. The first beast is in power now; the second beast will be in power after the two witnesses are killed. He will then carry on all of the first beast’s work. There seems to be an end to the first beast, which brings in the second beast. Revelation 13:3 says, “One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed.” When we couple the head of the beast in this verse with the explanation of the seven heads of the beast in Revelation 17:9–10, this head that had a fatal wound is one of the seven kings. Thus, there will be a king whom satan will set up as a person who will seem to be the Messiah. 142 Alpha, Omega, Alpha The Wounded King The king may or may not be a king or ruler or a great man of importance, because satan is the one who wants to be great and worshiped. The use of the word seemed in describing the fatal wound indicates deception. Also, an image of this king will be set up as an object to be worshiped. The second beast will be given power to give breath to the image so that it will be able to speak, thus deceiving the inhabitants of the earth (Revelation 13:13–15). This king will be a deception, a fake, and an effort by satan to duplicate the coming of Jesus; his life on earth; and his death, burial, and resurrection. If the king is to be this satanic version of the Messiah, he will seem to fulfill the messianic prophecy of the Old Testament. He will seem to recover from the fatal wound, and his image will seem to breathe and talk, deceiving the whole world so that everyone will worship the image as this false messiah. Therefore, the purpose of the second beast is to exalt the king that is wounded, thereby putting into place a false messiah and causing everyone to worship the image of that false messiah. The beast will also force everyone to receive a mark. Revelation 13:16–18 says of the second beast, He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he has the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name. This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast for it is a man’s number. His number is 666. Please note, in the above verse, the phrase, “a man’s number” is singular. But this does not demand that this means only one man. We can say a man has two arms; that does not mean that only one man has two arms but that the condition of mankind is that a man has two arms. In the same way, “666” is not about one man, but the condition of mankind at the time of Revelation 13. Taken literally 666 as an actual number has no significant meaning. The context does not speak of a number of persons, but only as 143 Message From the Throne 666 being the seal, or a mark, of satan. It will be necessary to put a seal on the family of satan, for there is a seal on the family of God. So there needs to be an interpretation of 666. In the interpretation of 666, we applied two rules of numbers in biblical interpretation. (These are rules only in the sense in which we understand their use in the Bible.) The first rule has application to the number six. It is one less than the complete number seven. Being one less than complete, we call six an incomplete number. The second rule has to do with the series of three. A series of three in the Bible is used to give exclamation to the Word. “Holy, Holy, Holy,” means the most holy; “Woe! Woe! Woe!” means the greatest woe. As we put the two number rules together, 666 becomes the most incomplete. Most incomplete is indeed the reality of mankind as a part of the family of satan during the era of the second beast. Reality at that time will be that the two witnesses will have been killed and resurrected and the remainder of the family of God will have been taken to heaven with the family of satan left on the earth. Consequently, they will be controlled by satan, totally without God and totally without choice. They may no longer cry out, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner,” and be saved. The gates of heaven will have been closed. Thus, 666 means mankind without God. It is the number of satan, his name since he was cast out of heaven, and it will be man’s number after God closes the gates of heaven. 666 equals most incomplete, without God, without hope. With this marking of mankind, the beast will have complete control. The Bible says, “His number is 666” (Revelation 13:18c). The mark is satan’s way of exercising authority over his people at the time when he has complete control. The marking will be ordered by the beast and carried out by the ten kings of Revelation 17:12–13. The mark of the beast is satan’s duplication of the seal of God (Revelation 7:3–4). satan’s falsification of the Messiah is described in the following statements. 144 Alpha, Omega, Alpha The Messiah, Jesus Christ: 1. Has all authority (Matthew 28:18). 2. Died on the cross. 3. Was resurrected from the dead. 4. Performs great miracles (Revelation 11:12). 5. Rules with power (Revelation 1:15). The false messiah: 1. Has limited spiritual authority (Revelation 13:2). 2. Seemingly died (Revelation 13:3). 3. Was seemingly resurrected (Revelation 3:3). 4. Performs deceptive miracles (Revelation 13:13). 5. Rules by force (Revelation 13:16). With these similarities, satan builds a case to deceive the whole world and make them believe that Jesus was a false messiah and that his beast is the real messiah. He deceives the whole world, who would “rather believe a lie than the truth.” Thus, this first beast that comes out of the sea is a beast of conquest. He makes war against the family of God until he is permitted by God to conquer them. When he has conquered the family of God and has brought the rest of the world under his control, his task will be complete and a new era will begin. Then I saw another beast coming out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon. He exercised all the authority of the first beast on his behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men. Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast, who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. He was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak and 145 Message From the Throne cause all who refuse to worship the image to be killed. He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name. This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man’s number. His number is 666. Revelation 13:11–18 The calculation of 666 is best understood from the context in which it is written. 666 is the last word of Revelation 13 and also the last word in the description of the seven trumpets of tribulation. Thus we conclude that the calculation is derived in the explanation of the seven trumpets. “Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound.” Revelation 8: 13b “Woe woe woe” is synonymous with trumpet numbers five, six, and seven. The conclusion of the trumpets is 666. Therefore, three Woes equals three trumpets, which equals three 6s. The conclusion of the first woe and the fifth trumpet is seen in Revelation 9: 11. The inhabitants of the earth have as their king the destroyer— not Jesus Christ. Thus, they are incomplete—a 6. The conclusion of the second woe and the sixth trumpet is seen in Revelation 9: 20–21. The inhabitants of the earth will not repent of their sins. Thus, they are incomplete—two 6s. The conclusion of the third woe and seventh trumpet are seen in Revelation 13: 14–17. The inhabitants of the earth will be forced to worship the image of the beast. 146 Alpha, Omega, Alpha Thus, they are incomplete—three 6s. Conclusion and calculation of 666: Please note; every person is born incomplete—a 6. When a person believes, repents and receives Jesus Christ as Lord they become complete—a 7. The beast (satan and his followers) and mankind who have the destroyer as king, have not repented and are forced to worship the image of the beast are 666 incomplete—never to be complete. They will be judged guilty—the doors of heaven will be closed and they—outside. satan and all who follow his rebellious ways are incomplete and at the end of chapter 13, waiting to be cast into the lake of fire—forever without God, forever incomplete—666. The Three Children of the Family of satan The peoples of the earth are so diverse, as created by God, that it was necessary to divide the family of satan into different entities. So, to best describe the multiplicity of ways that mankind has rejected God’s plan for salvation, John was shown through visions and by word this “Revelation.” He was told to describe three entities, which I call the three children of the family of satan. They are the beast, the great prostitute, and the false prophet. The Beast The physical beast is made up of individuals or organizations that are committed to satan or participate in satanic worship and/or satanic practices. The spiritual beast has as its head satan (Revelation 17:8). It is also comprised of the dead in satan and the living who have committed themselves to satan. In the beast is satan’s attempt to duplicate the true church or the bride of Christ. The true church has as its head Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:23–24), and it is also comprised of “the dead in Christ” and the living who have committed/ given themselves to Jesus Christ. Whereas, Jesus loved the church and gave himself for it, satan hates the beast and his other children and rather than give himself for them, he destroys them (Revelation 147 Message From the Throne 17:16–17). satan worshipers often speak of the bride of satan, but this not a love relationship. Because of satan’s rebellion against God, he attempts to destroy everyone. The Great Prostitute The great prostitute, the woman riding on the beast, is a visionary woman who exemplifies that segment of mankind that has rejected God’s plan for salvation through Jesus Christ. They have chosen to fulfill their own desires and lusts with the physical things of earth to the exclusion of God. These men and women fulfill their lusts by their own abilities, thus making themselves gods. The woman, as a child of satan, differs from the beast in that she is not committed to satan, does not worship satan, and, for the most part, does not even believe satan exists. Within the woman are those who are deceived by satan and caused to reject what they do not understand so that they believe that there is no God. Through deception, satan blinds a large portion of mankind and causes them to reject God’s plan for salvation because they do not understand. Many hear the gospel but reject it for lack of spiritual depth or understanding as shown in Matthew 13:18–19. Many are deceived because they reject God’s plan as a result of seeing the lifestyles of Christians and others who claim to be, or are perceived to be, Christians. Many are deceived and reject God’s plan simply by neglecting to hear and accept the truth. satan also deceived many by helping them to choose to believe that there is no God or devil, just physical mankind (atheist) The woman is blinded to spiritual realities, rejects God’s plan for salvation, and places all hopes of a future in the things of this world. She fulfills her desires and lusts (Revelation 17 and 18) without considering the consequences of eternity and the destiny of eternal souls. 148 Alpha, Omega, Alpha The False Prophet The false prophet is a child of satan. They, mankind, who make up the false prophet are those who believe that there is a God and believe they are worshiping God, but they have the wrong message ( Jeremiah 23:9–40; Matthew 24:24; 1 John 4:1–6; and 2 Peter 2:1–3). Thus, satan, through the false prophet, deceives, confuses, and misleads those of mankind who reject God’s plan for salvation through Jesus Christ. The false prophet is made up of religious systems that believe that there is a God but deny Jesus Christ as the Christ, the Son of the living God. The false prophet is particularly destructive, for it deceives man’s natural yearning for God and leads mankind to his own destruction. He was given authority to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast––all those whose names have not been written in the Book of Life, belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world. Revelation 13:7–8 This ferocious beast (physical mankind), who is committed to and controlled by satan, receives his power and his throne and great authority from satan, who is its head (Revelation 13:2). The result of the spiritual power astonishes the whole world and men worship satan because they are at a loss of what else to do. They do not know God or the power of God for they have rejected him, so they exclaim, “Who is like the beast? Who can make war against him?” (Revelation 13:4). All of mankind, except those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, are ruled by and, do in fact, worship the beast (Revelation 13:7–8; 15). These three entities are stereotypes in which fit all of mankind as characterized by their individual method of rejecting God’s plan for salvation, thus making up the entirety of the family of satan. The beast, the great prostitute, and the false prophet are stereotypes in that an individual person will not fit all aspects of their stereotype 149 Message From the Throne but do fall into that category as they reject God by making one of the three their god. Stereotypes: I. The beast A. satanic worshipers. warlocks witches High priest of the occult B. Practicing occultist Idol worshipers Worshipers of creation––the sun, the moon, and stars, etc. Certain religious organizations that reject God’s plan through Jesus Christ II. The great prostitute A. Those that make the things of this world their gods. Materialists: possessions are god Those who are completely self-sufficient: self is god Nationalist: nation or ideology is god Those who have no time for God: the thing that takes their time is their god Those who are blinded by sin: self is god Those who are blinded by the desires of the world: self is god Those who are blinded by satan: satan is their god Those who are blinded by hypocritical “Christians”: ignorance of God B. atheists: those who believe there is no God 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 150 Alpha, Omega, Alpha III. The false prophet. A. Those who think they worship the creator God, but reject Jesus Christ as Messiah. B. Those who are church members but have not made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ, resulting in salvation (not born again). 151 Revelation 14 Chapter 14 is a series of three visions that give an overview of history from a heavenly viewpoint They show what God did as opposed to the description of the work of satan in chapters 12 and 13 It is important to understand the sequence of the visionary scenes as given in chapters 11–14 Chapter 11 is a series of scenes that show the conclusion of what happens to the last generation of the family of God It concludes with God taking control of the situation by his great power We believe that the last of the family of God is raptured to heaven in 11:19 At the end of chapter 11, God is in control and the doors of heaven are closed Interesting situation: satan, his beast, and the false prophet are in total control of earth At the same time, God takes control! Explanation: Throughout history God has given to mankind freedom of choice (crown) When God takes control, there is no more choice Chapters 12 and 13 explain from the viewpoint of satan and his family how mankind came to experience the events of chapter 11 and how satan brought about the killing of the two witnesses Chapter 14 explains from the viewpoint of the family of God what God is doing during that same time span of history Then I looked and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads Revelation 14:1 The lamb is the resurrected Jesus Revelation 13:8 says, “the Lamb slain from the creation of the world ” Jesus always has been and 152 Alpha, Omega, Alpha always will be the Lamb, who takes away the sins of the world. In this respect, Jesus Christ is standing on Mount Zion. Jesus, as standing here on Mount Zion, is the resurrected and victorious Jesus. He has proclaimed salvation complete. Salvation for mankind is completed through Jesus’ sinless life, vicarious death (life given for others), and the resurrection from the grave. He stands victorious on Mount Zion, having accomplished God’s plan for the salvation of mankind and to receive mankind, who comes to him for forgiveness of sin and salvation. In Bible times, Mount Zion was the place where God’s presence was recognized, where God was worshiped, and where mankind went to meet God. Therefore, the Lamb, the resurrected Jesus, stands victoriously on Mount Zion and ready to receive all of mankind, who will come to him for salvation. There is a place in the city of Jerusalem that is called Mount Zion. It is where the temple of Solomon stood. However, this particular spot was not always called Mount Zion. The chain reference Bible states, “Mount Zion originally meant the city of David, which was the lower eastern hill of Jerusalem known as ‘Ophel’” (2 Chronicles 27:3; 33:14). Later, when Mount Moriah became temple hill and the ark of the covenant was brought up out of the city of David to the temple, the name was transferred here (1 Kings 8:1; 2 Chronicles 5:2), and this became “Zion,” the most significant of all sacred places to the prophets and others of those centuries. In addition, biblical references speak of Mount Zion as being the place of God’s presence and the place where mankind goes to meet or to worship God. So using chain reference and scriptures Isaiah 4:5, Jeremiah 31:6, and Zechariah 8:2–3 as evidence, I conclude that Mount Zion has a spiritual meaning that is of greater importance than its physical location in Jerusalem. Thus, I interpret that Mount Zion, as used in Revelation 14, refers to a spiritual place rather than a physical place. Therefore, in this vision, Mount Zion is the place where mankind meets their Savior standing victorious over sin, death, and hell. Since it is a spiritual place other than Jerusalem, mankind may be saved anywhere, anytime they “call upon the name of the Lord.” We 153 Message From the Throne do not have to face Jerusalem to pray, but we know that our spiritual Savior hears our prayers wherever we are when we address our voice to him. The 144,000 as enumerated in Revelation 14:1 is not the same 144,000 spoken of in chapter 7. The 144,000 in chapter 7 are clearly described as the descendents of the twelve sons of Jacob, which gives a strong message that many, but not all, of the descendents of Jacob are sealed into the family of God. I understand that, just as in chapter 7, the 144,000 of chapter 14 comply with the interpreting principle of limiting numbers. Therefore, the 144,000 standing with Jesus are many, but not all, of the family of God. They sing a new “song,” have been “redeemed from the earth,” have sanctified themselves (verse 3), “have kept themselves pure,” and are “firstfruits to God and to the Lamb” (verse 4b). The 144,000 sing a “new song” that no one else could learn. They are a unique group who have dedicated themselves to the work of their Lord and, as such, are given a new song. They have been redeemed, saved from sin by the redemptive blood of Jesus. These 144,000 are “redeemed” from sin, cleansed, and keep “themselves pure.” In verses 3 and 4, in two places they are called “redeemed”: “from the earth” and “from among men.” I understand this to mean that they were no different from any other person as born by nature to be sinners, but were saved, washed their robes, were redeemed, and their sins forgiven. Thereafter, they live their lives in dedication to God’s anointing upon their lives. They did not go back to the sins of the world as many do, but kept themselves pure (verse 4a). They keep themselves pure from two areas of sin, as related in verses in 4 and 5: “these are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they kept themselves pure … No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.” This is not a complete list of sins but two areas of common sins that illustrate that the 144,000 lived committed lives pleasing to their Lord. I need to include the fact that “defile themselves with women” 154 Alpha, Omega, Alpha does not demand that they be celibate, but that they were not defiled by women. The plural form of woman is used. Therefore, these did not have more than one intimate partner. God is the one who instituted marriage, so an intimate relationship within the bonds of marriage is not sin. Hebrews 13:4 says, “Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled.” Therefore, these 144,000 were not celibate, but undefiled by sexual sin. In the same sense, there was no lie found in their mouths. It was not that these had never told any lie in their physical lives––for all children have lied to their parents––but that, after the age of accountability, they confessed their sins, accepted Jesus Christ, and lied no more. They served the living God and were blameless. The Bible says, “They follow the Lamb, wherever he goes” (verse 4b). As the 144,000 commit their lives to the Lamb, they are filled with the Holy Spirit, are led by the Holy Spirit, and follow wherever he leads. The Bible also says, “They were purchased from among men and offered as first fruits to God and the Lamb” (verse 4c). Therefore, I believe that the 144,000 are particularly strong and moral witnesses who stand with the Lamb on Mount Zion. As such, they are preachers, evangelists, teachers, and witnesses who present the gospel and offer the opportunity for mankind to come to salvation through the Lamb. Any person who takes the Word of God and presents the Word of God to a person they meet, sharing with them the way to salvation, and if that person determines to believe in God and to receive Jesus Christ as Lord, confessing their sins and receiving salvation, they are experiencing this event standing on Mount Zion. On Mount Zion are three persons: the one giving the witness, the one receiving the witness, and the Lamb, Jesus Christ. Mount Zion can be any place, a place where mankind meets God. Throughout history, there has been 144,000––many, but not all, out of a much larger group––who have followed Jesus Christ in witnessing the Word of God to mankind to the ends of the earth. They sing a new song. They have been redeemed and keep themselves pure in order to be the best witnesses they can be. 155 Message From the Throne I quickly add that this would not necessarily include all who call themselves preachers, evangelists, teachers, and Christians. The Scriptures speak of false prophets and false teachers who are prophets and teachers for the purpose of filling their own bellies for money. This world is not out of false prophets and false teachers; indeed, it seems there are more of them with every passing day. The vision of the Lamb standing on Mount Zion shows the completed work through which salvation was accomplished. It also shows those with the Lamb, who throughout history have kept themselves pure and who presented the Word of God to mankind. Whereas chapter 12 describes the dragon warring against God’s plan for salvation through God’s chosen people, beginning with Abraham and continuing through Pentecost and the New Testament era, chapter 14 describes the Lamb standing on Mount Zion receiving the individuals who come to receive him and entering into the family of God. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came and a new era began. In this era, the gospel is to be proclaimed to the whole world as seen in verse 6. Thus, Jesus Christ stands with his messengers on Mount Zion receiving the family of God––any place on earth. The Three Angels Revelation 14:6–13 gives a vision of three angels who are given three messages to be proclaimed to the whole world during the time of the first beast. That time era is outlined in Revelation 13:2–10. It begins at Pentecost in Acts chapter 2 and continues through the killing of the two witnesses in Revelation 11:7. The message of the first angel is to be proclaimed “to every nation, tribe, language and people” (Revelation 14:6). It seems to me that the angel has a responsibility of promoting the spread of the gospel as the Holy Spirit leads God’s messengers. The gospel message began to be preached at Pentecost by Peter and the other apostles as the Holy Spirit came upon them. Thus began the new era, which will be consummated only when the gospel has reached all peoples and all who will accept the gospel of Jesus Christ have done so. 156 Alpha, Omega, Alpha The second angel followed with the message that Babylon the great had fallen, mankind in spiritual adultery (Revelation 17 and 18). The message literally means that mankind, who has rejected the gospel in favor of the desires and lusts of the flesh, is destroyed. This has been a part of the gospel message even from Pentecost until the present time. Acts 2:40 says of Peter, “With many other words, he warned them; and he pleaded with them, save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Thus, the second angel gives a severe warning to all mankind that the world system of desire and lust—”maddening wine”—will be destroyed. Judgment is already pronounced, yet it will not be carried out until all are sealed either with the seal of God (Revelation 7:4) or the mark of the beast (Revelation 13:16). The third angel follows with a similar message of judgment and destruction upon all who worship the beast. They will be tormented forever “in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb” (Revelation 14:10b). The messages of the three angels are to be proclaimed to physical mankind throughout the era of Pentecost to the harvest of the earth when God determines that all who are going to be saved are saved. Indeed, the messages of the three angels are the same message proclaimed by Isaiah and Jeremiah to the whole known world of their day, as seen in Isaiah, that says, They have rejected the law of the Lord Almighty and spurned the word of the Holy One of Israel. Therefore the Lord’s anger burns against his people; his hand is raised, and he strikes them down. Isaiah 5:24–25 Thus, the message of the gospel has always been to “fear God” and repent, for those who do not fear him and repent are “fallen” and will suffer the wrath of almighty God. This is the “eternal gospel” of Jesus Christ. 157 Message From the Throne The Harvest of the Earth In Revelation 14:14–20, there are two scenes depicting the final conclusion of physical mankind on earth. Each scene speaks of the reaping of the earth, and that grapes of the earth are ripe. In each scene, an angel comes from the temple and commands that the earth be reaped with a sharp sickle. In Revelation 14:14–16, the first of the visionary scenes depicts the rapture or the final gathering of the family of God. The one sitting up on the cloud with a golden crown we understand to be Jesus Christ. He “reaps” the final members of the family of God who are in hiding from the beast. This illustrates to physical mankind that God is in charge of the time and circumstance in which physical mankind will come to their end––as an act of God, not a war between armies of physical mankind. Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, “Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe” (Revelation 14:15). The above verse, Revelation 14:15, is similar in nature to 1 Thessalonians 4:17, which says, “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” God designated the time to reap when the angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice. The message comes from the temple, the place where God dwells; thus, the angel came from God with the message that “the time to reap has come.” Not only was it the right time for the end of time, but also the circumstances were also right as related here in verse 15, which says, “because its grapes are ripe.” The earth will be ripe because the family of God will have been defeated (Revelation 13). There will be no more witnesses (Revelation 11). No one else will be saved. The family of God is complete, thus the final members of the family of God are taken (raptured) and will not see death, as is common to all mankind, but meet the Lord in the air. 158 Alpha, Omega, Alpha With the family of God complete, God’s plan for his creation is complete and there is no further purpose for physical creation as we know it. God, then, determines both the time and circumstance in which the physical comes to an end. The second scene coincides in time and circumstance with Revelation 19:11–21, which explains the return of the victorious Jesus to destroy those who have destroyed the earth. Those who will be reaped through this second scene, or second reaping, will be all mankind who are not the family of God, but who have rejected God and God’s plan for his creation. They will be tread upon in the wine press of the wrath of God, just as the Bible says in verse 21, “The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of his mouth.” This passage also coincides in time and circumstance with the pouring of the seventh bowl in Revelation 16: 17. After the time and circumstance has been determined by God–– Jesus said that he did not know the time, but only the Father knew– –then the angel will swing his sickle on the earth and physical mankind will be no more. The number of those killed by God at the time of the end can be somewhat determined by verse 20, which says, They were trampled in the winepress outside the city, and the blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horse’s bridle for a distance of 1,600 stadia. Revelation 14:20 Thus, the first reaping is the reaping of the family of God. In time sequence, I believe that this happens at the point in time of 1335 days after the tribulation era begins. This is spoken about in Daniel 12:11– 12. It is also after the time that the two witnesses have been killed, that the image that brings desolation has been set up, and the final remaining family of God is forced to go into hiding as explained in Matthew 24. They are reaped from the earth, changed in the twinkling of an eye, to live with the Lord forever in heaven. The second reaping is the reaping of the family of satan—those who have rejected and fought against God. They will be killed by the sword that comes from the mouth of Jesus Christ as he returns 159 Message From the Throne on the white horse. Their souls will leave their dead bodies to that place which God has prepared for them, and that the Bible calls hell. They have chosen to reject God as their God; thus, they received their choice: eternity separated from God. Outside the City The city is Babylon the great, whose populace is the family of satan. Babylon the great is the whole world as seen in its description in chapter 18. Chapter 18:3 refers to “all the nations,” “the kings of the earth,” and “the merchants of the earth.” Refer to the discussion on Revelation 17 and 18. Therefore, if Babylon the great comprises all the peoples of the world, then the city is the earth and outside the city would be outside the physical earth. A typology of the crucifixion of Jesus is seen in this passage of Scripture. Jesus was taken by the family of satan outside of the holy city Jerusalem––the city of God, Mount Zion, the city he loved, where God made his dwelling place, etc.––to Golgotha hill, and they crucified him. In the same manner, the family of satan will be taken out of their beloved Babylon (earth) and will be slaughtered in the winepress of God Almighty. This is not a physical war between two physical armies. It is an act of God as clearly described in three places: “the angel swung his sickle on the earth” (Revelation 14:19), the description of the earth’s destruction (Revelation 16:16–21), and “the rest of them were killed with the sword … of the rider on the horse” (Revelation 19:21). Revelation 14:20 says, “Blood flowed out of the press rising as high as a horse’s bridle for a distance of 1600 stadia.” This picture is shown to John to illustrate how many people there will be that will have rejected God’s plan for salvation. Please note that we are given only two dimensions: height and length. To determine volume requires three dimensions: height, length, and width. If we had the width, we would be trying to figure out by volume how many people would be in the winepress. The message of the flowing blood is that there will be many millions 160 Alpha, Omega, Alpha who will experience the wrath and destruction of God. We need to be busy proclaiming the gospel of salvation. Many have interpreted this blood flow to be the result of a physical war with guns and bombs in a valley named Armageddon. There is a battle of Armageddon. It is not a physical war. There will be physical wars, fightings, and killings until the very end, but Armageddon is more than a physical war. It is a spiritual war fought between the physical family of satan and Jesus with the armies of heaven. (Refer to the sixth bowl, Revelation 16:16; 19:11–21). 161 Revelation 15 John is shown two scenes in chapter 15 Both scenes are in heaven, and both illustrate that God is in complete control, as was stated in Revelation 11:15–18 Chapter 15 contains continuing thoughts and visions that follow a time sequence immediately after chapter 11 Chapters 12–13 are explanatory chapters that relate how the earth came to be in the conditions stated in chapter 11 As chapters 12 and 13 explain the work of satan and those with him, chapter 14 explains the work of Jesus, the Lamb, and his followers In chapter 15, we take up again the sequence of events ending in chapter 11 As John saw the “seven angels with the seven last plagues” (Revelation 15:1), the angels were prepared and were waiting for the command to pour out upon the earth “bowls” of God’s wrath, as seen in verse 7, which says, “Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls fi lled with the wrath of God ” The fact that the bowls are fi lled with the wrath of God symbolizes that God has been angry and has been storing up that anger for many centuries against “those who destroy the earth” (Revelation 11:18b) God is indeed angry and is justifi ed in his anger For satan, his demons and the human family of satan have destroyed God’s beautiful creation from the Garden of Eden and all through history until God himself puts a stop to it as foretold in chapter 20 The Lord allowed me to see, illustrated in real life, this destruction of God’s creation Many years ago, my wife and I were shopping in a Mexican border town where prostitution was an accepted profession and big business As my wife was continuing to shop, I stepped out of the store and was standing on a street corner I was immediately approached by a man who began to show me nude pictures of a young woman He was soliciting business for this young prostitute, who was very beautiful As I was turning down his offer, 162 Alpha, Omega, Alpha my wife came out of the store, and we proceeded down the street. Sometime later, we were back in our car making our way back to the international bridge where we passed an old woman sitting and exposing herself in an effort to promote her profession of prostitution. We were greatly repulsed by the filth, ugliness, and pitifulness of this old, worn-out prostitute still trying to exercise her trade. Having seen this, the Lord pierced my heart with the awful destructiveness of sin to his creation. On the street corner, I had seen pictures of a beautiful young woman, God’s beautiful creation, and a couple of city blocks away, the awful ugliness and the result of a life of sin that had destroyed God’s creation. In this manner and in every other way that the mind of satan and mankind can devise, mankind has destroyed God’s creation. Thus, God has good reason to be angry as he looks down from heaven and sees what destruction satan, his demons, and mankind have done. This anger is stored up in seven bowls full of God’s wrath to be poured out on those, and only those, who have destroyed the earth. These bowls of wrath will be poured out only on the family of satan, for all of the family of God will be in heaven. This is evident in Revelation 15:2, where John wrote, “And I saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire and standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and over the number of his name.” It is very clear in this verse that the last generation of Christians is in heaven, so only the family of satan will experience the wrath of God as poured out of the seven bowls, which are recorded in chapter 16. 163 Revelation 16 Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go, pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath on the earth ” Revelation 16:1 The command to pour out the seven bowls on the earth came from the temple, the dwelling place of God, so it is evident that only God knows the time for judgment and only God can give the command Then God’s wrath will be complete, as recorded by John, who said, I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues, last because with them God’s wrath is completed Revelation 15:1 The completion of these last plagues brings the end of physical mankind and the end of the earth as we know it The fi rst angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly and painful sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped his image Revelation 16:2 These sores that affect the family of satan are interpreted to be an act of God, not a result of a natural phenomenon or nuclear radiation, although both of these may have a dramatic ecological effect on earth and cause physical problems for the family of satan during the same time era These sores of the fi rst bowl will be an act of God, without physical explanation and probably without cure 164 Alpha, Omega, Alpha The AIDS virus can be an illustration of this type of plague. The AIDS epidemic was brought about through sexual transmission–– sexual sin––primarily begun in homosexuals, but homosexuality is not a new phenomenon; note Sodom and Gomorrah. A similar parallel can be seen as AIDS was not known to mankind until the latter part of the twentieth century when suddenly it became a very deadly disease. I believe that in a similar, but more deadly way, the sores that result from this act of God will suddenly come upon mankind all over the world and there will be no known medical treatment. In the same respect, there may be physical problems resulting from an ever-decreasing ozone layer, from solar storms (note: the first and fourth trumpets), and from nuclear radiation as a result of the wars described in the sixth trumpet. Nevertheless, I believe these sores of the first bowl will be an act of God at a time when he commands the angel to pour out the first bowl on the earth. The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it turned into blood like that of a dead man, and every living thing in the sea died. The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and streams of water, and they became blood. Revelation 16:3–4 The second and third bowls are similar in that they, when poured out, turn the waters into blood. Physical life––plant, animal, or human––cannot exist without water, as exemplified in the phrase, “and every living thing in the sea died” (Revelation 16:3). Because of this fact, the end will be very near for all the living on earth. This causes us to think that the bowls of judgment will be poured out very quickly and that the family of satan, in the flesh, will be destroyed very rapidly. This is evident in the description of the destruction of Babylon the great: “Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry; ‘Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come!’” (Revelation 18:10) God is just in his decisions as described in this passage: 165 Message From the Throne You are righteous in these judgments, the One who is and who was and who is to be, because You have judged these things; for they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink as they deserve. Revelation 16:5–6 So as a result of the second and third bowls, the family of satan will have only blood to drink. When we hear today the reports of satanists drinking the blood of their victims in their rituals, how true and just are the judgments of God as portrayed here? The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was given power to scorch people with fire. Revelation 16:8 The destruction that occurs from the pouring out of the fourth bowl seems to be a fueling for the sun’s fires that brings intense heat on the earth. I believe this to be an act of God at God’s determined time, not a natural phenomenon in which the sun suddenly explodes into a great fireball that burns the earth. Nor do I believe it to be anything that mankind can create, such as nuclear fallout. God has the resources to sustain the sun indefinitely. He declares the time of the end. Revelation 7:1–3 substantiates the fact that it will be an act of God. In these verses, the four angels are instructed to hold creation in order until such time as the family of God is sealed. So prior to the pouring of the bowls, all of the family of God will be sealed and safe in heaven, and then, God will take creation apart; the sun, the earth, the moon, the stars, etc., that have been held in place since the beginning of creation will fly apart. God could hold creation in its place indefinitely through his sustaining power. However, when the time comes that no one else will be saved or enter the family of God, there will be no reason for creation to continue. With the family of satan as the only occupants of earth, it will be fit only for destruction. 166 Alpha, Omega, Alpha They were seared by the intense heat, and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him. Revelation 16:9 The family of satan will know who has control over the plagues as seen in verse 9. The rulers and the leaders of the family of satan today know that they are fighting God and that they are engaged in a spiritual war, not a physical war fought with guns and bombs as in the past. This war will be fought with spiritual powers, as seen in the fifth and sixth bowls, the kind of spiritual power that witches, etc., (the beast) have been using and perfecting since time began. Even though the family of satan will know that God is in control of the plagues, they will refuse to repent and acknowledge him. It has been the same continuously over the ages. They harden their hearts, even more than the Pharaoh did at the time of the Exodus. The family of satan will know who is in control, and they will reject him. God will close the door, and they will be outside. They will have no choice. They must prepare to fight against God. The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was plunged into darkness. Revelation 16:10 The “throne of the beast” is representative of the seat of power and authority, leadership, kings, rulers, etc. As used in the biblical context, “darkness” is representative of a lack of or void of knowledge and understanding. Therefore, the leadership––the ten kings and subordinates (Revelation 17:12–13) of the family of satan and kingdom of the beast will be plunged (forced by God) into a state of spiritual and physical ignorance. Mankind will be paralyzed by their inability to make decisions and will be totally at the mercy of satan to manipulate their minds. Thus, satan will be in complete control of his family. The family of satan will be in agony and curse God, whom they blame for plunging them into this calamity of darkness and ignorance. 167 Message From the Throne This blaming of God for troubles has been characteristic of all mankind from the beginning of time. A person who does not accept the reality of sin in their own life and repent of it is forever hampered in the decision-making process by never having learned the proper process of one’s relationship to God and mankind. This can be illustrated in the learning process of mathematics. If one does not learn simple addition, he will have problems with multiplication and division. It is necessary to learn addition first, then subtraction, then multiplication, and then division. Life follows the same type of process. God has put in process a system through which mankind sins, acknowledges their sins, and repents of their sins. Only then can a person move into a proper relationship with God and mankind. If mankind refuses to acknowledge and repent of their personal sins and rejects God, he is out of order and will continue to be so until he gets that first step right. Thus, near the end of time, the family of satan will know about God (Revelation 16:9) and will refuse to repent of what they have done (Revelation 16:11). Those unrepentant hearts will bring on the sixth bowl. The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water dried up to prepare the way for the kings of the East. Then I saw three evil spirits that look like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. They are spirits of demons performing miraculous signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle of the great day of God Almighty. Revelation 16:12–14 As discussed earlier, the great river Euphrates is a barrier. It is clearly a spiritual barrier as used here, and it releases spiritual demons when it is dried up, not a physical army. There is a definite relationship between the sixth trumpet and the sixth bowl in the usage of “the great river Euphrates.” The second time a barrier is released through the great river Euphrates, the result is worse than the first time, although it is similar. 168 Alpha, Omega, Alpha At the blowing of the sixth trumpet, four angels are released from the river, but at the pouring of the sixth bowl, the river is dried up. The result of the sixth trumpet gathers a 200-million-man army that kills one-third of the inhabitants of earth. On the other hand, the result of the sixth bowl gathers all the kings of the earth for the battle of Armageddon that kills “all the rest” of the inhabitants of earth (Revelation 19:21). The great river Euphrates is a spiritual barrier, which God removes in a two-step process. This removal brings to a conclusion the family of satan by giving them strong warnings in which God proves to them that they are fighting against God as seen in the fourth and fifth bowls. After having proved this and still they continue to resist, unrepentant, God orders the river to be completely dried up; thus, no more barrier. This prepares the way “for the kings of the East.” By the time of the pouring of the sixth bowl, the situation on earth will be much worse, which necessitates and also prepares the way for the kings of the East. This worsened condition on earth brought about by the first five bowls will make it necessary for the family of satan to unite for protection––so they will think. The scenario is as follows: The trumpet plagues, as directed by God, bring mankind into a worsening relationship with each other, which is culminated by a great war in which one-third of mankind is killed (sixth trumpet). This proves to mankind that, in spite of the fact that they have cleansed the earth of the old system, by killing the two witnesses, they cannot attain that world peace or Utopia (new-age doctrine) that they desire. As the bowls are poured out, conditions continue to deteriorate until the family of satan comes to realize that they are engaged in a spiritual war between God and satan. Yet they still do not repent, having concluded, by the miraculous feats of the beast, that they can indeed engage in spiritual warfare against God. This is the greatest deception. However, they do deem it necessary to unite into a worldwide front against such an adversary as God. 169 Message From the Throne Through the barrier of the great river Euphrates, God has prevented the family of satan from having the ability to rule the world and to rise up in courage against God Almighty until such a time as he deems the earth is “ripe” (Revelation 14:8). When the barrier is “dried up,” all ten kings will be allowed to unite and to be gathered together for the “great day of God Almighty” (Revelation 16:14) at “Armageddon” (Revelation 16:16). John was shown through this vision the process that will gather the “kings of the whole world” (Revelation 16:14). In the vision, John saw three evil “frog like” spirits that came from the mouths of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet. The fact that they appear like frogs points to their ugliness and repulsiveness. A person would be repulsed at their sight. In the vision, John saw the ugliness and true nature of the demons that will deceive and gather the kings of the earth by the miraculous signs that they will be able to perform. The power to perform these miraculous signs will be given (permitted) by God and released through the sixth bowl. Because of the great signs, “even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men” (Revelation 13:13), the ten kings of the whole earth, followed by the whole world, will be led to believe that they can do spiritual warfare against God. Therefore, they prepare and are gathered for the battle of Armageddon on the great and terrible day of God Almighty. Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed. Revelation 16:15 Verse 15 is an interlude of warning to the family of God. This does not mean that the family of God or any portion of it will be present at that time in history when the bowls are being poured out. Nevertheless, it is the family of God (the seven churches) to whom the message is given. We, the family of God, should take warning that 170 Alpha, Omega, Alpha such events will occur in the end and remove ourselves from the sins of this world. In the midst of the most dreadful part of the message, the family of God is warned to keep their clothes with them. In chapter 7, clothing is referred to in regard to the family of God. Those who are standing before the throne and the Lamb are clothed in white robes. In verse 14, the robes are “washed” and made white in the blood of the Lamb. A person does not wash anything in blood, which is red, and make it white. Therefore, the interpretation is spiritual, and the elements, symbolic. White is symbolic of purity. Robes are symbolic of having “put on Christ,” or salvation. Washing is symbolic of cleansing from sin, or forgiveness. The blood is the blood that Jesus shed at his death. The clothing referred to, in Revelation 16:15, is spiritual clothing, which the family of God has” put on” through the act of salvation through Jesus Christ. This is not to be confused with works. The work of Jesus is that which washed the robes, yet each person must choose to believe and repent, and, thus, the robes are washed. The warning of the family of God as they read this terrible account of what will happen to the family of satan is to be careful that they do not fall back into sin and the things of this world after they have been cleansed and given white robes. This is referred to very clearly in the message to the church at Sardis, “Yet you have a few people in Sardis, who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with Me, dressed in white, for they are worthy” (Revelation 3:4). Then they gathered the kings together in the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon. Revelation 16:16 The last ten kings (Revelation 17:12) will be gathered at Armageddon. Although there is a place that is commonly understood to be the valley called Megiddo, I do not believe that Armageddon is a particular spot on earth where all the kings of the earth will be gathered for battle on the great day of God Almighty. I believe it is clear 171 Message From the Throne that the family of satan at that time will be in control of all the earth, that they will live on all the earth, and that the battlefront will be worldwide. Here in the United States of America, we use a common phrase, “He met his Waterloo.” Most people readily understand this phrase to mean he met his defeat. It comes from the famed battle of Waterloo, where Napoleon met defeat. The phrase, “He met his Waterloo,” does not mean that one met at the place called Waterloo, but that one met defeat. In a similar way, Armageddon is interpreted to refer to be a time and circumstance in which the family of satan meets defeat at the hand of God. This is substantiated by the fact that many great spiritually decisive battles of Bible times were fought in the Valley of Megiddo, Jezreel. Megiddo is the root word of Armageddon. “ The kings were gathered together” does not demand that they were gathered at a particular place, but gathered together in purpose, direction, and allegiance to satan. The Bible says, “They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast” (Revelation 17:13). The Battle of Armageddon The battle of Armageddon will be a unique battle. There has been no other battle like it in the history of mankind. It is a battle in which physical mankind will think he can wage war in the spiritual realm. Since the deception of the Garden of Eden, satan has deceived mankind into thinking they can be like God. In order to do this, he has used and will use black and white magic, Ouija boards, the Dungeons & Dragons game, and other games that use or insinuate use of spiritual powers (witches, warlocks), calling fire down from heaven, an image that will both breathe and speak, a man who will seem to be fatally wounded and healed, etc. By the end of the miracles performed by the three frog-like demons, satan will have convinced his family that they can, through these miraculous powers, actually fight against God in spiritual warfare. This will be the ultimate deception, the ultimate rebellion, the ultimate egotism, and the ultimate battle––Armageddon. 172 Alpha, Omega, Alpha The battle of Armageddon is set! satan, the demons, the beast, and the false prophet, and all of the physical family of satan are in battle array against the Lamb and the armies of heaven. The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne saying, “It is done!” Revelation 16:17 The explanation, “it is done!” clearly means that “God’s wrath is completed” (Revelation 15:1). The history of mankind will be completed, the history of the earth as we know it will come to an end, and mankind’s rebellion against their Creator will be ended, finished, “done.” The Bible says, “It is done!” and God will have done it, not mankind’s wars or bombs or nuclear fallout! A great earthquake like no other will rip the earth apart. So the scripture will be true that says, “Every island fled away and the mountains could not be found.” Thus, the end of the earth as we know it. “And they cursed God” (Revelation 16:21b). God spoke, creation was created. Alpha! God will speak, and creation will be destroyed. Omega! 173 Revelation 17 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters ” Revelation 17:1 The fact that this verse specifi es that one of the angels came and spoke to John is important to help us understand that chapters 17 and 18 are not just thrown in, but are a continuing thought and explanation of the entire vision John, having just seen the awful destruction of chapter 16, was given the explanation of chapters 17 and 18 to show how mankind and earth came to receive the great wrath of God God has judged and executed judgment and is correct in his judgment He poured out his wrath, but not without explanation God would be totally just even if he did not explain his judgments Nevertheless, because of his grace and his long-suffering, our Lord has told mankind and given warning many centuries before so that mankind is without excuse in their rejection of and rebellion against their Creator Thank you, Lord, for thoroughly explaining the reason for destroying your creation! Amen Who Is the Great Prostitute? The reason for the awful destruction of the bowls is contained within the visionary description of “the great prostitute” (Revelation 17:1) John was given a vision that is the best possible picture to show to physical mankind a spiritual dilemma It is a spiritual dilemma in that it is the description of “the punishment of the great prostitute” (Revelation 17:1) 174 Alpha, Omega, Alpha The great prostitute is a picture of an anonymous entity that is both spiritual and physical. It is spiritual in that its leader is satan and physical in that she is comprised of physical mankind. The great prostitute has some parallels to the true church, the bride of Christ. 1. Both have a spiritual leader: The great prostitute has satan. The true church has Jesus Christ. 2. Both, though spiritual entities, are comprised of physical mankind. The great prostitute, the family of satan, who has rejected Jesus Christ as Lord. The true church, the family of God, who repent and receive Jesus Christ as Lord. 3. Both are described as feminine. The great prostitute is a woman on the scarlet beast. The true church is the bride of Christ. 4. Both are loose-knit entities of numerous persons and organizations with the same purpose, direction, and continuity coming from their respective spiritual leaders. The great prostitute: persons who, through organizations, businesses, and governments worldwide, teach, promote, sell, and export things that satan uses to destroy God’s creation. Example: alcoholic beverages, desire for physical things, the use of beauty with sexual emphasis, etc. The true church: persons who, through churches, businesses, and denominations worldwide, teach, promote, sell, and export things that God uses to save mankind from destruction. 5. Both are evangelistic. The great prostitute is evangelistic through manipulation and deception. The true church is evangelistic through free choice in Jesus Christ. 175 Message From the Throne 6. Both have knowledgeable leadership. The great prostitute: beast and false prophet The true church: born-again Christian leaders 7. Both contain borderline persons. The great prostitute has persons who respect Christians and Christian values, but are not Christians. The true church has carnal Christians who live more in the world than in Christ. Thus, the great prostitute is an anonymous, worldwide entity that is comprised of the family of satan, directed by satan, and is somewhat comparative to the true church. There are seven descriptive phrases of the prostitute that help us to understand her as that entity which is physical, spiritual, worldwide, and led by satan. 1. “Sits on many waters” (Revelation 17:1). This phrase is clearly explained in verse 15, which states, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages.” Also, Revelation 18:24 says, “In her was found the blood of the prophets and of the saints, and all who have been killed on the earth.” If we couple verse 15 with Revelation 18:24, then the prostitute is the one who “sits” on all mankind, and she is responsible for “all who have been killed,” and then “many waters” represents all of mankind. So she “sits on” all of mankind and is also comprised of mankind. I suggest that the prostitute sitting on many waters, or all mankind, has the effect of suppressing, or pressuring, mankind. This can be illustrated through the effects of peer pressure. Many young people are pressured into alcohol, drugs, sex, etc., because, as they say, everyone does it. 176 Alpha, Omega, Alpha Another illustration of peer pressure can be seen as teachers and professors, who teach evolution, pressure students to reject the reality of creation by God and to believe a theory that satan has injected into society. Thus, the great prostitute “sits on many waters” and suppresses all of mankind, both physically and spiritually. In this way, she molds society into the same entity: the great prostitute. 2. “A woman” (Revelation 17:3). The great prostitute is feminine “woman,” which is comparative to the true church, the bride of Christ, but opposite to and opposed to the bride of Christ. Thus, she is somewhat the bride of satan, whom he hates (verse 16). 3. “Sitting on a scarlet beast” (Revelation 17:3). The beast she is sitting on and also rides is clearly described as satan in verse eight, which says, “The beast which you saw, once was, now is not, and will come up out of the abyss and go to his destruction.” No other being fits this description––only satan, who is the head of the beast. One would normally think of a rider directing the animal he is riding, but here the opposite is true. The beast directs or takes the woman where he, satan, wants her to go. 4. “Dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls” (Revelation 17:4). This indicates that she is rich and lavishes on herself her worldly wealth. Her riches and the accusations brought against her are thoroughly explained in chapter 18. 5. “This title was written on her forehead: Mystery; Babylon the great; the mother of prostitutes; and of the abominations of the earth” (Revelation 17:5). 177 Message From the Throne This title that was given reveals her identity, “Babylon the great,” and the accusations that warrant her death penalty. As Babylon the great, she is comprised of the whole family of satan. As the mother of prostitutes and of abominations, she is that which gave birth to, taught, and promoted sin and rejection of God that brought the destruction of chapter 16. 6. “The woman was drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus” (Revelation 17:6). This phrase speaks of the multitude of the family of God whom she had killed worldwide throughout history. 7. “The great city that rules over the kings of the earth” (Revelation 17:18). This phrase speaks of the influence and power that is inherent in the woman as she is influenced and guided by the spiritual mind of satan. The actual vision that John saw is described in verses 3- 6. The remainder of chapter 17 and chapter 18 are various descriptions and explanations pertaining to the woman. The Vision John saw “a woman sitting on a scarlet beast” (verse 3). She was “dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand” (verse 4). This portion of the description causes us to see that the woman was very wealthy with the things of this world. This portrait, which depicts the family of satan, shows that two of their major characteristics are their desire for the things of this physical world and their concern for their outward appearance. The family of satan, as seen here, has such a desire for material things that those things control their lives and value systems to 178 Alpha, Omega, Alpha the exclusion of God and spiritual things. This does not mean that they are all wealthy or that all who are wealthy are included in this group. However, regardless of their financial status, their thoughts and desires dwell totally on the material things of this world. The woman’s material things are explained in this text as being a serious problem that results in her condemnation. In Revelation 18:7, judgment is pronounced. It says, “Give her as much torture and grief as the glory and luxury she gave herself.” Thus, the sin is the desire for things to lavish on oneself to the exclusion of God from their lives. The results of this desire are given in the book of James: What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. James 4:1–3 Therefore, the woman on the beast is portrayed as wealthy and as one who lavishes that wealth on outward appearance (self ). The woman’s desires were expended in pride of self. She had gained wealth, which she used to dress and decorate herself in beautifully colored clothes and expensive jewelry. As we make application in real life, we realize that not all people are consumed with the desire for clothes and jewelry. Some desire a luxurious car, a beautiful home, valuable land, savings, a quality education, prestige, public office, authority over others, etc. One of the messages of the woman on the beast is that when mankind’s personal desires take prominence to the exclusion of God, it becomes spiritual adultery. When one puts self before God, self is God. This spiritual adultery pertains to physical mankind from every walk of life, as explained in verse 2, which says, “With her the kings of the earth committed adultery and the inhabitants of 179 Message From the Throne the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.” This is interpreted to mean all kings, leaders, presidents, dictators, etc., who are of the family of satan and all inhabitants who are of the family of satan. The great prostitute portrayed here is the family of satan, as their personal desires control their lives and as they put self on the throne of their lives. This wealthy woman is also seen “sitting on a scarlet beast” (Revelation 17:3). Again, this scarlet beast is satan, as can be seen in verse 8: “The beast, which you saw once was, now is not, and will come out of the abyss and go to his destruction.” There are two other references to the abyss in the book of Revelation. One is in chapter 9, the other in chapter 20. Each refers to the same abyss. It is a spiritual prison that God has set aside for satan and his demons. John describes the beast as “scarlet.” This indicates that the beast is satan in that scarlet, as red, coincides with the “red dragon” in chapter 12. The beast is “covered with blasphemous names” (verse 3). The scarlet beast, being satan, is the spiritual leader of the false prophet and the great prostitute (the three children of the family of satan). Being their spiritual leader, satan is indeed covered with blasphemous names, filled with the “abominations of the earth” (verse 5), “drunk with the blood of the saints” (verse 6) having killed all “who refused to worship the image” (Revelation 13:15). The scarlet beast had “seven heads” (17:3). The “seven heads” are described in verses 9 -11 as being “seven hills on which the woman sits.” If the interpreting principle for numbers is applied, the “seven hills” are all the hills on which the woman sits. The fact that the woman is interpreted as sitting on all mankind (verses 2, 15, 18; Revelation 18:24) and on all the hills strengthens the interpretation of the great prostitute, Babylon the great, as being a worldwide entity. The “seven heads” (Revelation 17:3) are also “seven kings” (verse 10). The seven kings are also interpreted as complete, thus, all the kings of the family of satan. Since the heads of the scarlet beast are also kings, then satan is the head of the kings. Of these seven kings, 180 Alpha, Omega, Alpha John wrote, “five have fallen”; at the time of the writing of Revelation, “one is” the other is “not yet come” (verse 10). The following explanations about these seven kings are simple reasoning, not proven facts: If seven kings represent all the kings of the family of satan––five before the first century, one at the first century, and one to come––and 1900 years later, that one to come has not yet come, then the seven kings would not be consecutive kings in historical sequence. Moreover, when God’s time is applied––interpreting principle number four––the five kings could have existed anytime from Adam to Jesus. It may be possible that these seven kings (all kings equal five plus one, plus one to come) could represent seven eras or times when satan exercises a particular power or success over the family of God. If this theory is correct, then a possible interpretation for the seven kings could be: Period number one: king at the time of Noah and the flood Period number two: king at the time of the Tower of Babel Period number three: king at the time of Egypt and the exodus Period number four: king at the time of Elijah and the prophets of Baal Period number five: king at the time of the exile in Babylon; story of Esther. These could be the five who have fallen. At each of these times, God intervened to change the course of history and save his people from destruction. The one “who is” could represent the first beast, which comes from the sea and is in power from the first century until the two witnesses are killed in Revelation 11. The one “to come” could represent the beast that comes from the earth and leads the family of satan in the battle of Armageddon. At these times in history, God’s people, the family of God, were in particular jeopardy before the onslaught of satan and his family. The seven kings are all the kings of the family of satan, but these are seven times in biblical history in which satan exercised particular control over the majority of mankind. These times brought the fam181 Message From the Throne ily of God into critical circumstances that required the intervention of God to save his people. Please note that the above explanation of the seven kings is simply a possibility that makes sense to this author, but it is only speculation. Without a doubt, there have been many kings throughout history whose lives and action have been controlled by satan. And there have been some eras in which God’s people have been in great jeopardy as a result of the work of satan and his beast. satan himself is “the eighth king” (verse 11a). According to interpreting principle number one, since seven is a complete number, then eight is one more. satan is one more because he is spiritual, not physical; and because he is, in fact, the head of the other seven, he is one more than complete. Revelation 17:11b says, “He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction.” satan, being the eighth king, would refer to two circumstances. First, as head of the ten kings after the abomination of desolation is set up and after being released from the abyss following the millennial reign of Christ as he gathers his family from the four winds to make war against the family of God in the final battle (Revelation 20:7–10). The scarlet beast also had “ten horns.” As the angel continued to interpret the vision for John, he said, The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings, along with the beast. They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. They will make war against the Lamb. Revelation 18:12–14 These kings will reign for one hour and do so along with the beast. This means that they will reign concurrently in history and at a time when satan has control “as kings along with the beast” (verse 12). They also will reign at a time when they will “make war against the Lamb” (verse 14). These ten kings are the kings of Revelation 16:14, which says, “Go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the 182 Alpha, Omega, Alpha battle on the great day of God Almighty.” Also, Revelation 16:16 says, “Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.” They are also the same as the kings described in chapter 19, which says, Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army. Revelation 19:19 Throughout history, satan has been in a continuous state of rebellion against God. In that rebellion, he has tried continuously to destroy God’s witnesses, the family of God. There have been certain time periods in history when satan cornered God’s people and was about to strike the final blow to achieve his purpose and God intervened and rescued them. This is clearly explained in the account of the Babylonian exile. God’s people were slaves in Babylon and lived continually under the possibility of being destroyed. (Refer to the book of Esther). However, in due time, God’s intervention saved his people from certain death. At particular points in history, satan has brought God’s people to the brink of destruction through his great prostitute and certain kings who were under his control, but God intervened. At the time of the seventh king, however, God will not intervene; but the two witnesses will be killed, leaving no further witness on earth. God will intervene by resurrecting the two witnesses and removing his family from the earth. 1. The five kings are the possibilities previously presented. 2. The sixth king will reign at the time of the first beast. (Revelation 13:1–8). He will progressively gain authority over all mankind (Revelation 13:7b-8). With the conquering and removal of the saints, God’s Spirit will no longer be at work on the earth. satan will have a free hand since he will be king of 183 Message From the Throne the earth. satan, the eighth king, is spiritual––seven kings and one more. The seven kings are the complete number of kings who have fought and will fight to destroy God’s people. 3. The seventh king will be synonymous with the ten kings and will rule simultaneously in a kingdom without God. 666 means mankind without God. (666, interpreting principle number one.) The ten kings will be satan’s vassal kings (Revelation 17:12–13), who will be gathered to make spiritual war against the Lamb (Revelation 16:14, 16; 17:14; 19:17–21). 4. The eighth king will be satan, the spiritual king of the earth, who will reign as sole authority after the midpoint, or three and a half years, of tribulation after the two witnesses have been killed and the family of God is all in heaven. “The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute” (Revelation 17:16a). The prostitute is a visionary, spiritual entity that is comprised of 1) All of the physical family of satan, and, 2) The spiritual leader, satan. In spite of the fact that she is the family of satan, satan and his kings “will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire” (Revelation 17:16b). The family of satan will be like a rabid dog, biting and destroying itself. This is pictured in the scenes of the fifth and sixth trumpets, which correspond in time with the events that bring the ten kings to power. These terrible events are the will of God and bring about his purpose. This is seen in Revelation 17:17, which says, “For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to give the beast, their power to rule, until God’s words are fulfilled.” 184 Alpha, Omega, Alpha In 1 Samuel 8, the Israelites desired a king. God said that they had rejected his leadership and desired an earthly king like other nations. The last generation of mankind will have truly received their king, but also will have realized the awesome consequences that God pronounced in 1 Samuel. Not only will they compromise their freedom to get their kings, but those kings will also compromise their power as kings, for they will agree to give their power to satan so they can rule. (They could not be kings except under satan.) Their rejection of God––and God’s judgment being carried out as God’s purpose for those who have rejected him as their Creator––will seal their destiny as the family of satan. By their own choice, they destroy themselves as God brings an end to his creation. The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth. Revelation 17:18 The woman, or the great prostitute––people over all the earth––rule over the kings. The people rule over the kings. This is a peculiar statement in view of the fact that the kings are under the control of satan, which is the purpose of God as explained in verse 17. It is possible that this peculiar statement can be explained by taking a look at the current situation in United States politics. A king could be the equivalent to a president or a prime minister. There are two things that have primary influence over the statements a US President makes in public: 1) his perception of what the people want to hear, and 2) what the news media manipulates him to say. Therefore, through modern democracy and the mass media, we can see how the people––that great city––will rule over the kings in a way not possible before modern technology and communication systems. The kings themselves will also desire the wealth and power that is exemplified by the visionary woman and will say or do anything to get votes to rule. Thus, the people actually rule over the kings of the earth through democratic form of government. Please note that a democratic form of government is not evil. Democracy is the best form of government ever devised by man185 Message From the Throne kind. Democracy is great. It beats a dictator every day. What this is saying is that at the time of the end the kings will be elected officials, thus ruled over by the people. 187 Revelation 18 After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven He had great authority and the earth was illuminated by his splendor With a mighty voice he shouted: “Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a home for demons and a home for every evil spirit, a haunt for every unclean and detestable bird ” Revelation 18:1–2 This chapter is a description of the accusations brought against “Babylon the great” (verse 2), which is synonymous with “the great harlot” (17:1) The great harlot, or prostitute, is representative of and descriptive of the people, and Babylon the great is their worldwide city I believe that here in this scripture God gives us an illustration of “Babylon the great” as an example of mankind’s rebellion against the way and plan of God The root of the name “Babylon” comes from the story of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11:1–9 At the Tower of Babel, mankind attempted to build a tower, a way to heaven, different from God’s plan for his creation Mankind’s attempt to reach heaven without being obedient to the plan of God is somewhat the same as the statement by the great harlot in Revelation 18:7, which says, “I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow ” In this statement, she defi es death and judgment, which is common to all and so defi es God’s plan for his creation Thus, God uses “Babylon the great” as the name of the city of the rebellious; rebellious, thus the remainder of her name “mother of harlots and of the abominations of the earth ” In time sequence, creation will be destroyed and will fall only after God’s two witnesses have been killed and resurrected by God After that, no one will have the opportunity to be saved, for there will be no more witnesses Therefore, there will be no reason for earth to continue Creation will be destroyed 188 Alpha, Omega, Alpha It is quite evident today, through movies, television, newspapers, etc., that satanism is spreading like wildfire. The time is nearing when the earth will truly be a “home for demons.” Verse 3 says, “For all of the earth committed adultery with her.” Clearly, all of mankind at the time of the ten kings will have committed spiritual adultery; satan will be their god. Through their freedom of choice, they made the wrong choice, the misuse of the spirit of conquest; the first seal will have borne its fruit. The remainder of verse 3 says, “ … and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.” The business community will have reached its height in greed, accomplishment, and wealth, but they will have rejected God, all the while believing that their wealth is all they need. The abuse of the spirit of business (the third seal) will also have borne its fruit. Then I heard another voice from heaven say; “Come out of her my people, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes. Revelation 18:4–5 This plea to the family of God to come out of Babylon the great is in the midst of her accusations. Why does God warn the family of God when they will not be there at that time in history? Remember, The woman sits on all mankind. The message was written to the family of God more than 1900 years, at least, before these events. There has always been a family of satan. The family of God and the family of satan has always lived side by side and even together. The warning is not to be caught up in, nor participate in, the things that satan promotes and deceives his family to accept. After the warning to the family of God (verses 4–5) judgment is proclaimed. 1 2 3 4 189 Message From the Throne Give back to her as she has given; pay her back double for what she has done. Mix her a double portion from her own cup. Give her as much torture and grief as the glory and luxury she gave herself. Revelation 18:5–7 Thus, judgment is passed on the great prostitute. She receives a death sentence, not only because of the two preceding accusations, but also because “In her heart she boasts, I sit as Queen; I am not a widow, and I will never mourn (Revelation 18:7b). In effect, she thinks she can escape death. God ordained that all would die physically, but she has rejected God and refuses to accept the fact that she must die and face the judgment. Thus, the message of the fourth seal (death) is rejected, but she does not escape. Therefore, in one day her plagues will overtake her: death, morning and famine. She will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her. Revelation 18:8 In this verse is the final sentence. Also, verses 9–23 elaborate on the whole account of the end of physical earth. It is summed up best in the following verse, “With such violence, the great city of Babylon will be thrown down, never to be found again” (Revelation 18:21). In the following verse is the final accusation. It is also the judgment of the second seal (the rider with the great sword) because they have sinned. “In her was found the blood of the prophets and of the saints, and of all who have been killed on the earth” (Revelation 18:24). With these explanations and judgments, the great prostitute, Babylon the great, is condemned. Her sentence will be carried out as seen in chapter 19, as the people are “all killed” with no one to bury them. The great buildings, museums, statues, homes, estates, factories, shopping centers, airports, etc., will utterly fall and burn. 191 Revelation 19 The fi rst eight verses of chapter 19 are a record of three songs of praise that are sung by the great multitude of the family of God, the elders, the four living creatures, and a voice from the throne They all praise God for his justice in pronouncing judgment upon the great prostitute All are in agreement and shout “Alleluia! For the wedding of the Lamb has come” (Revelation 19:1–7b) After the choruses of praise, the angel instructed John to write a message that contains the “true Words of God ” (verse 9b) He wrote, “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” Those who are invited will be given “fi ne linen,” which stands for the righteous acts of the saints (verse8b) This explanation corresponds with Revelation 7:14, which states, “They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb ” The blood of the Lamb was shed for all, but each person must choose to wash their garments in that blood in order to be invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb At the awesomeness of the events he witnessed, John fell at the feet of the angel “to worship him” (verse 10a) At that, the angel gave him a severe warning, a lesson desperately needed among the family of God The angel said, “Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (verse 10b) We need always to be careful to give all credit, glory, and honor to God and do not glorify each other for the great deeds done here on earth For of a truth, we could do nothing without our God, not even exist for one heartbeat 192 Alpha, Omega, Alpha The Battle on the Great Day of God Almighty: Armageddon The last great battle of physical mankind is recorded in Revelation 19:11–21. This battle has been given its name, the place of its occurrence, and the description of the preparations in Revelation 16:12–16. The pouring of the sixth bowl will prepare the family of satan for the battle, in that they will be gathered to the place, spiritually, where they will meet their defeat. The preparation of the family of God is described in Revelation 19:11–16. The rider on the white horse is Jesus. He is prepared for battle with “many crowns”(verse 12) and a “robe dipped in blood” (verse 13). He has two names: “the Word of God” and “King of kings and Lord of lords.” He has “a sharp sword” coming out of his mouth. Following him are the “armies of heaven” who are “riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen.” All of the armies of heaven are spiritual beings, not physical beings. Fine linen does not mean army fatigues. All of God’s armies come from heaven. Revelation 19:17- 21 tells of the destruction of satan’s family who are involved in this ultimate battle. The angel calls on the birds to come and eat the flesh of “all people, free and slave, small and great” (verse 18). These verses speak of the completeness of the destruction of mankind, who are the family of satan. They will all be dead, and there will be no one to bury the dead. Their bodies will lie exposed for the scavengers to feast upon. No one will escape. A king’s authority will not save him. A general’s army will not be able to protect him. The great and wealthy will not be able to buy their way out. The poor or slave will not be able to beg their way out. All physical mankind will be destroyed. Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army. Revelation 19:19 193 Message From the Throne The armies of satan will be prepared and gathered together in array against God’s armies. The armies of heaven will be set against the kings of the earth and their armies––heavenly armies versus earthly armies; spiritual armies versus physical armies. The mismatch of the ages! Armageddon! How could the physical earthly kings, generals, and mighty men think they could fight the spiritual Jesus and the spiritual armies of heaven? They will be deceived! The Great Deception Physical mankind of the family of satan will be deceived. They will have listened to the beast and the false prophet, as stated in Revelation 19:20. The false prophet had performed the miraculous signs on his, the beast’s, behalf. “With these signs he had deluded them, who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image.” The physical armies of the family of satan will have seen “miraculous signs” and will have been “deluded” and deceived so as to think they can fight God’s heavenly armies. These miracles, which are recorded in chapter 13, are as follows: One of the “heads of the beast” (a king, president, prime minister, etc.) “seemed” (a deception) to have had a fatal wound, which was “healed” (verse 3). The first beast defeated his enemies, the physical family of God (11:7 and chapter 12). The second beast caused fire to come down from heaven in full view of mankind (12:13). The second beast also caused the image (statue, idle) of the first beast to both breathe and speak. He seemingly brought the dead back to life (13:15). When mankind sees these great signs and wonders, they will think they can fight God! 1 2 3 4 194 Alpha, Omega, Alpha At the present time, late twentieth and twenty-first centuries, there are seemingly unexplainable phenomena taking place before our eyes. It includes raising tables at séances, speaking to spirits, soul travel, fortune telling, games––Ouija board, Dungeons & Dragons, etc.––magic shows, spiritual warfare among witches, etc. Most magic shows consist of sleight-of-hand tricks; however, many more than would be imagined consist of feats performed by demonic powers. These magic arts, in their many variations, are forerunners to the miraculous signs that are spoken of in chapter 13. By the time of this final battle in Revelation 19:20–21, these witches, warlocks, satanic high priests, etc., will have become so seemingly proficient with their spiritual powers that they will believe they can fight God and win. They are spirits of demons performing miraculous signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty … then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon. Revelation 16:14–16 All of mankind, all creation, from all of history who rebelled against God have waited and prepared for this final showdown. And finally, the battle is set in array––the great day of God Almighty at Armageddon. Instantly It Will All Be Over The beast and the false prophet will be “thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur” (Revelation 19:20c). The interpretation is that the beast and the false prophet will be the physical leaders of the spiritual entities that are the beast––who is the ten kings of 13:12–13, plus certain persons who lead rebellion against God––and the false prophet who is the satanic church, plus certain persons who lead spiritual rebellion against God. They will be instantly destroyed, both physically and spiritually. The lake of fire is spiritual death (Revelation 20:10; 14–15). They will not have their day 195 Message From the Throne in court, being judged before the great white throne judgment of God, but will be thrown immediately into the lake of fire; thus, the eternal death. The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorge themselves on their flesh. Revelation 19:21 “The rest of the them” will be all the physical armies of the family of satan after their leaders have been thrown into the lake of fire. The sword with which they will be killed is the “Word of God.” Jesus is named the “Word of God” in verse 13. Throughout the Bible, the sword of God is the Word of God. It is not a physical sword. It is the Word of God as proclaimed from the mouth of Jesus. They all die; their hearts stop beating. There is no battle; they just die. This description of the battle in chapter 19 corresponds in history with the pouring out of the seventh bowl and the reaping of the earth as referred to in Revelation 14:14–20. The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air and out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne, saying, “It is done!” Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since man was on the earth, so tremendous was the quake. The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. God remembered Babylon the great and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of his wrath. Every island fled away and the mountains could not be found. From the sky, huge hailstones of about one hundred pounds each fell upon men. And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible. Revelation 16:17–21 Thus, physical mankind and physical earth as we know it today will be destroyed. There will be no more physical people on physical earth after the battle of Armageddon. 196 Alpha, Omega, Alpha In Genesis 1:1–2a, “God created the heavens and the earth, and the earth was without form and void.” Then God began to form the earth. He made the Garden of Eden, but sin came into the garden and brought the destruction of creation. In the end, God will create a new heaven. 197 Revelation 20 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the abyss and holding in his hand a great chain He seized the dragon that ancient serpent––who is the devil, or satan, and bound him for one thousand years He threw him into the abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended After that, he must be set free for a short time Revelation 20:1–3 This scene, as with the others, is a vision of physical things that depict spiritual reality It is doubtful that the angel has a key that fi ts a lock or a chain large enough to bind a spiritual being such as satan However, this scene includes a lock and chain that depict satan’s confi nement to a spiritual prison This is the same type of imprisonment as seen in Luke 16:26, which states, “a great chasm has been fi xed ” This is understood to be a barrier “fi xed” by God, and no one can cross over The abyss, however, is signifi cantly different in that it will be sealed over satan It is more like solitary confi nement in nature than an open prison like in Luke satan will be confi ned to the abyss and will not be able to communicate with those on the outside satan is imprisoned and sealed by command of God No one disobeys such a command I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the Word of God They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand 198 Alpha, Omega, Alpha years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priest of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years. Revelation 20:4–6 In this scene, John is shown the events surrounding the millennial reign of Jesus. The family of God will be bodily resurrected and judged. Then they will reign with Christ for a thousand years. I believe that the whole family of God will be included in this first resurrection. Here it states that those who gave their lives “because of their testimony for Jesus” are priests and will reign with him (Revelation 20:4). It could seem as though those who will be priests of God and of Christ and who will reign with him for a thousand years are set apart from the rest as more holy because verse 6 says, “Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priest of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.” However, I believe that the emphasis refers more to the fact of the fifth seal, which gives those who are martyred a special place in heaven under the altar. All of the family of God will take part in the first resurrection, for there are only two resurrections, as explained in Revelation 14:14–20. The first includes the family of God; the second includes the family of satan. In these verses, we are given an illustration of the most rewarded, of the family of God, but that does not mean that the rest of the family God will not be there. Indeed, all who have “called upon the name of the Lord” have not received the mark of the beast and will participate in the first resurrection as the part of the family of God. I believe that the millennial reign of Christ is a spiritual reign, not a physical reign. I hold to this interpretation, believing that the whole church, the family of God, will either have died and gone to heaven or have been taken to heaven, raptured before the great tribulation, the seven bowls of God’s wrath (chapter 16). I also believe that, after the great tribulation, physical mankind will be no more 199 Message From the Throne because Revelation 19:21 states, “the rest of them were killed.” All of the family of God is physically gone at the end of chapter 11; all of the family of satan is dead at the end of chapter 19. As a result, there is no mention of physical mankind in chapter 20. Therefore, the one thousand-year reign with Christ is spiritual, not physical. This interpretation is in harmony with the prophecies of Daniel 9 and Matthew 24, etc. I saw thrones on which there were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the Word of God. Revelation 20:4 Here the family of God is judged from within. The judges will be members of the family of God as described in Revelation 14:1–5. There is nothing written in Revelation as to the nature of this judgment; however, there are verses throughout the rest of the Bible that do explain. Ecclesiastes 3:17 says, “God will bring to judgment both the righteous and the wicked.” Jesus said to his disciples in Luke 22:30, you “will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Romans 14:10 says, “You, then, why do you judge your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.” The first five verses of 1 Corinthians 4 states, So, then, men aught to regard us as servants of Christ, and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. I care very little, if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light, what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time, each will receive his praise from God. 200 Alpha, Omega, Alpha These scriptures and many more speak to the fact that the family of God will be judged. In 1 Corinthians 4, Paul gives some insights as to the nature of the judgment of the family of God as referred to in Revelation 20:4. First, this judgment is not judgment as pertaining to salvation. All who are with Christ during the millennial reign are saved. They are the family of God, or they would not be there with him. Second, each Christian has been given gifts and abilities and will be judged according to how each used those gifts and abilities. The Bible says, “ … those who have been given a trust must prove faithful (1 Corinthians 4:2). We need also to apply the teaching of Jesus from the parable of the talents (Matthew 25), the parable of the sower (Matthew 13), etc., and realize that we will be held accountable for what our Lord, through the Holy Spirit, has led us to do in service to him. During the one-thousand-year reign, we will be judged to determine whether we were faithful––not to condemn, but for our learning. Third, we will be judged to “bring to light, what is hidden in darkness” (1 Corinthians 4:5b). We understand the phrase “hidden in darkness” to be a reference to unconfessed sin. That which is in the “light” is known or confessed. Thus, that which has not been confessed is secret, or hidden in the dark. All of our unconfessed sins will be brought to light that we may confess them and be cleansed, then “God will wipe away all tears.” Fourth, the motives of the heart will be judged. I believe that there is an illustration of this in 1 Corinthians. Paul had apparently been judged or accused by some of his contemporaries (1 Corinthians 4:3). Paul and those who judged him had an unresolved problem between them. Paul said that his conscience was clear, so God had not convicted him of sin, yet he was accused. If then Paul was falsely accused, there may have been a misunderstanding of the motives of men’s hearts. I know of a circumstance in which two people that were neighbors, friends, and leaders in their local church had a misunderstanding. They became angry, accused each other, and refused to speak to 201 Message From the Throne each other for years, though each continued to be in leadership positions in the church. At the judgment of the family of God during the one-thousand-year reign, these two will have to settle their misunderstanding. As they stand in judgment, we may imagine that one would say to the judge, “She laughed at me and said that my dress was inappropriate.” The other one would reply, “Well, I didn’t know what was wrong with you. You just started acting strange toward me. Besides, I didn’ t mean to insult you. I was just having a good time.” The judge might say to the first one, “The true intention of her heart was not to insult you in any way. However, since you were hurt by the statement, you should have shared your feelings with your friend so that she could have known and apologized.” Then the judge might say to the second woman, “You also had the opportunity to ask your neighbor whether there was some problem or if you had hurt her in some way.” These two friends would then have opportunity to forgive each other, ask forgiveness from God for the problems that division had caused in the church, and then enter into eternity with true joy and regained friendship. Thus, as the motives of mankind’s hearts are defined by the judge from the knowledge of God, the family of God will become true brothers and sisters with love and understanding and heaven will be heaven. In these ways, and doubtless in many others, the family of God will be judged, and we will “know as we are known.” Heaven will be a wonderful place. It will be without misunderstanding, division, prejudice, disagreement, or any such thing that would quench the joy of being with our heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus Christ in heaven. When the thousand years are over, satan will be released from his prison and go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth––Gog and Magog––to gather them for battle.” Revelation 20:7–8a Satan will be released from his spiritual prison and, being a spiritual being, “will go out to deceive the nations” (verse 8a). There is 202 Alpha, Omega, Alpha a marked difference between the description in chapter 20 and the description described in chapters 13, 16, and 19. In these chapters, the beast and the false prophet, who are comprised of physical mankind with their spiritual leader satan, deceive physical mankind. Here in chapter 20, there is no beast, false prophet, or physical mankind. Mankind was either physically taken away (raptured) or physically killed, as recorded in chapters 14 and 19. (Mankind, at the conclusion of chapter 19, no longer exists as physical.) Therefore, the participants–– satan, Gog, and Magog––are spiritual beings. We know satan well, but who are Gog and Magog? In order to understand who they are as mentioned in Revelation 20, we need to understand the interpretation of Ezekiel 36–39. First, read these four chapters in Ezekiel and then proceed. Chapter 36 of the Ezekiel says the following: Israel’s enemies have taken possession of Israel’s mountains (verse 2). Israel has “suffered the scorn of the nations” (verse 6). Israel’s enemies “with glee and with malice in their hearts” have taken possession to plunder (verse 5) Israel will be restored for the sake of God’s holy name (verse 22). Israel should be ashamed and disgraced for her conduct. Chapter 37 says the following through a visionary illustration: There is a valley of very dry bones (verse two). These dry bones, through an act of God, will become alive and breathe. These “bones are the whole house of Israel” (verse 11). At that time, the divided kingdom will become one under one king or one shepherd forever (verses 22–25). God’s “dwelling place will be with them” (verse 27). • • • • • • • • • • 203 Message From the Throne Chapter 38 says the following: God will bring Gog and his army of many nations and prepare them for war (verse 3–7). At any given time, Gog “will be called to arms” (verse 8). In future years, Gog will invade a land that has recovered from war, whose people were gathered from many nations to Israel (verse 8). Gog “will be like a cloud covering the land” (verse nine). Gog will attack a peaceful and unprotected people (verse 10). Chapter 39 says the following: Gog and his armies will be destroyed by God. God’s people will plunder and bury Gog and his armies. God will gather his people, will not leave any behind, and will no longer hide his face from them. There are two questions that need to be answered to correctly interpret this block of Scripture: 1) who the prophecy is about, and, 2) to what time era does it refer? Who the Prophecy Is About? Ezekiel 38:1 says that Gog is the prince of Magog. In a confederation, alliance with the prince of Gog and the armies of Magog are “many nations.” And all their “troops” are prepared for war (verses 5–6). Gog and Magog then are a vast confederated army with Gog as its leader. They are those who are against God’s people, for they will attack the land of Israel (verse 18). Thus, Gog and Magog are those who fight against the family of God. Gog and Magog are the family of satan. • • • • • • • • 204 Alpha, Omega, Alpha Gog does not plan and execute the attack of his own doing, for God said, “I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws and bring you out with your whole army” (verse 4). Thus, God directs Gog and Magog in order to bring creation to a conclusion according to God’s plan and power. Thus, Gog and Magog are the leaders, and their armies are the family of satan. Therefore, we see in Ezekiel 36–39 a message that reveals the plight of Israel at the time of its Babylonian exile: why they were destroyed, who destroyed them, and who was in charge. It also reveals a prophecy that proclaims the restoration of Israel and the final outcome of all mankind. This final outcome of mankind parallels the prophecies of Revelation. The fact that life in God’s eyes does not end at death needs to be included here. Not only does life not end at death, but there is not even a break in it. At death, we simply step from physical life into spiritual life, leaving the body behind. Thus God sees and speaks of his people’s sins, his judgment for those sins, the destruction of his people because of their sins, and the forgiveness and the restoration of his people as a continuing sequence of events. They are a continuing sequence of events, but some of those events are of the physical world with the final event in the spiritual realm. The need to understand this comes from the fact that most people who write about Revelation prophecy speak about the millennial reign of Christ as being physical mankind on a physical earth. Many of the references come from the Ezekiel chapters 36 through 39, and indeed these chapters give the best explanation to understand the sequence of events as described in the previous paragraph. In Ezekiel 36:16–21, God gives the accusations of sin that are brought against the house of Israel that resulted with their exile to Babylon and that resulted with the destruction of the temple in AD 70. In Ezekiel 36:22–38, God gives an explanation of how the house of Israel will be restored to their land and to him as their God. That brought about the return from the Babylonian exile. That brought the establishment of Israel in 1948. 205 Message From the Throne In Ezekiel 37:1–14, God gives a visionary illustration of the resurrection of the family of God in the valley of dry bones. This corresponds with the first resurrection (Revelation 20:4–6). In Ezekiel 37:15–24, God gives an explanation of the family of God being brought together as a resurrected family with one leader, David. This corresponds with the judgment of the family of God during the millennial reign (Revelation 20:4–6). In Ezekiel 37:25–28, God explains how the children of Israel will be returned to the land and they will live in peace with an everlasting covenant and God’s sanctuary will be in their midst forevermore, eternally. God’s time must also be applied to Gog and Magog in the same way that it is applied to Israel, the family of God. In God’s time, Gog and Magog have set themselves in array against God’s people: 1) at the time of the Babylonian exile, 2) at the time of the beast and the two witnesses (Revelation 11 and 13), and 3) at the time immediately following the millennial reign of Christ in Revelation 20. Also, in this context, Gog and Magog are destroyed 1) when Babylon was destroyed in the Old Testament, 2) when the beast will be destroyed at the physical end (Revelation 19:17–21), and 3) when they, Gog and Magog, will be destroyed spiritually (Revelation 20:9). Thus, Gog and Magog represent the eternal enemies of the family of God. Some interesting observations: As discussed in Ezekiel 38–39, Gog of the land of Magog is the “chief prince” of “Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal” (Ezekiel 38: 3; 39: 1). He has with him in battle array “Persia, Kush, Put, Gomer, Beth Togarmah and many nations” Also, three other names that are mentioned in Ezekiel 38:13 are Sheba, the Dedan, and Tarshish. It is significant that all of these names, except their leader, Gog, are listed among the sons of Japfeth and Ham, who are two of the three sons of Noah (Genesis 10). (Persia is not listed in Genesis 10; however, Nimrod, who is mentioned in verses 8–10, is described as the builder of cities that are known to be in the area, later, called Persia.) It is also significant that Abraham came from the lineage of Shem. Thus, God’s chosen people, through which Jesus was born, 206 Alpha, Omega, Alpha came from the linage of Shem. Noah said of Shem, “Blessed, be the Lord, the God of Shem” (Genesis 9:26). Therefore, Shem was recognized by his father, Noah, as having the Lord as his God. Please note: All of the forefathers of Joseph and Mary in Matthew and Luke are listed in the lineage of Shem. From Shem, Noah’s eldest son, came God’s chosen people, Israel. From the other two sons descended the enemies of God’s people. This does not mean that all of the descendents of Shem are all the family of God or that all of the descendents of Japheth and Ham are of the family of satan. (Not all of the sons of Ham and Japheth were named here, thus allowing that not all of them were of the family of satan.) I believe these references are made with the same meaning as when we say that the United States is a Christian nation. The US is called a Christian nation, but that by no means implies that everyone who is a citizen of the US is a Christian. Therefore, the sons of Japheth and Ham are referred to as the enemies of the descendents of Shem. In general terms in Old Testament times, the Israelites, who were descendants of Shem, were God’s people; the rest of the world, as descendents of Japheth and Ham, were not God’s people. In a real sense, there has been a spiritual lineage that began with the sons of Japheth and Ham, who did not worship God. This lineage has continued unbroken throughout history as the family of satan. Gog and Magog represent the whole family of satan, as referred to in Revelation 20. There is also a spiritual lineage that began with the descendents of Shem who worshiped God, and that has continued unbroken throughout history as the family of God. In Old Testament times, this distinction was seemingly perpetuated by blood lineage. (If one was an Israelite, that one would be of God’s people. If one was not an Israelite, then that one would be a Gentile and not one of God’s people.) Since the New Testament era, we understand that the family of God is entered into by relationship with Jesus Christ as born again spiritually, not through blood lineage as born physically. Israel is the whole family of God (Ezekiel 37:11). “Whole” in the 207 Message From the Throne Ezekiel context is at the time of the resurrection, at the end of time. (Valley of dry bones is the resurrection; “God’s dwelling place is with them” is only after the resurrection.) So if the whole house of Israel in Ezekiel refers to the time of the resurrection, then it is the same time era as Revelation 20. Therefore, “the whole house of Israel” refers to all of the family of God from Adam and Eve through the two witnesses and those raptured. As the leader of these named peoples and many nations mentioned above, Gog is forced into obedience to God. God said to Gog, “I will turn you around and drag you along” (Ezekiel 39:2a). God is in control of Gog and his armies; God is in control of the family of satan. Therefore, when God speaks of Gog, Magog, Meshech, Tubal, Persia, Cush, Put, Beth Togarmah, and the many nations with them, he speaks of the family of satan, those who have not repented and accepted Jesus Christ. Ezekiel 38:7 says, “Get ready; be prepared, you and all the hordes gathered about you, and take command of them.” This is a command from God to Gog and his troops. I suggest that the fulfillment of this command is explained in Revelation 13:5–10. The statement, “take command of them,” may be exemplified in the statement, “He was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation” (Ezekiel 38:7; Revelation 13:7b). He took “command” as instructed by God and exercised “his authority for forty-two months.” (Revelation 13:5). Ezekiel 38:8a says, “After many days you will be called to arms.” The phrase “after many days” may be seen as a parallel to 1260 days or forty-two months (same time period; 42 x 30 = 1260). The beast will be given authority for forty-two months; the family of God is protected for 1260 days. Thus, he will take command and consolidate his power but must wait the 1260 days until he is “called” by God “to arms” before he can kill the two witnesses. Ezekiel 38:8b says, “In future years you will invade a land that has recovered from war, whose people were gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate.” 208 Alpha, Omega, Alpha The phrase “in future years” is different from the phrase “after many days” (verse 8a); thus, it is a different era. The people who live in the “land that has recovered from war” have been brought out from the nations, live in safety and peace, and do not have walls, gates, or bars. Since, after many days, Gog and his armies will be called to arms and given power to kill the two witnesses, after which all physical life on earth comes to an end––after Armageddon. Then the verse which says, “in future years you will invade a land that has recovered from war,” must describe satan’s invasion of the land of Israel, family of God, on earth at the end of the millennial reign of Christ as recorded in Revelation 20:1–6. The phrase “in future years” parallels the one-thousand-year reign on earth when satan is imprisoned in the abyss. Then after the one thousand years, satan will be released to attack the family of God again for the last time. Here in Ezekiel 36–39, the family of God is given an explanation and prophecy in regard to the fact that they, the family of God, have been disobedient, rebellious sinners. These, who are the believers in God, have, as a result of their sins, been judged guilty and experienced the discipline of God. The discipline of God has resulted in the enemies of God––those who do not believe nor follow God–– bringing defeat and destruction to the family of God. Those who are not God’s people have in fact been part of the disciplinary action of God. As God removed his protection from his people because of their disobedience, rebellion, sin, this allowed those who are of the family of satan to persecute and destroy God’s people physically. This message also tells the family of God that they will be restored, physically, spiritually, and eternally. Also, the messages of these four chapters tell the family of God that this is an ongoing process. They, the family of God, at a time prior to Babylon had sinned, and they were disciplined by godless Babylon; and that, this process of disobedience—sin resulting in discipline–– from their God and Creator, was discipline, in many ways carried out by those who are of the family of satan. This will be a continuing process until the end of time and end of God’s creation. Also, we are told in these chapters that those who were not of 209 Message From the Throne the family of God, who have been the rod of discipline against the family of God, will be judged by God. Their unbelief and rebellion against God will be defeated by God. In the end, the family of satan, those who follow the rebellious nature of satan, will be judged and judgment carried out by God in the lake of fire. satan, with the one-third of the angels of heaven who rebelled against God, along with mankind who followed in that same rebellious state against God their Creator, will in the final analysis be judged, condemned, and the death sentence carried out by God in the lake of fire. Therefore, the time era of Ezekiel’s prophecy begins with the Babylonian exile and continues until satan and the souls from hell come to attack the family of God at the end of the millennium. We must remember that God sees no break in life at the point of physical death. He speaks of his family when in a spiritual state, after physical death, just the same as when they were in a physical state. The invasion that takes place in Ezekiel 38:1–17 is in the spirit realm. Ezekiel 38:1–17 coincides in time with Revelation 20:7–10. We must also remember that in Revelation God ceases to speak of Israel as the descendents of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and begins to speak of Israel as those who have repented and believed in the name of Jesus, the Son of God (Revelation 7:13–15). Then, the invasion above is of the land of those who inherit eternal life in heaven, being the 144,000 and the great multitude that could not be numbered from every nation, language, and tribe in Revelation 7 not of the physical nation of Israel. And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time. Revelation 20:1–3 210 Alpha, Omega, Alpha Understand satan deceiving the nations, as stated above, refers to Gog and his armies, or the family of satan. satan will be bound in the abyss to keep him from deceiving the family of satan (many nations), not the family of God. It is important to understand that Israel, or the family of God, are those who are gathered from “all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues” (Revelation 7:9). So, the family of God and the family of satan both come from every people on earth, every nation. When the thousand years are over, satan will be released for a short time, during which he will again deceive the nations. This is evidenced in Ezekiel when the Lord said, On that day thoughts will come into your mind and you will devise an evil scheme. You will say, “I will invade a land of unwalled villages; I will attack a peaceful and unsuspecting people––all of them living without walls and without gates and bars. I will plunder and loot and turn my hand against the livestock and goods, living at the center of the land.” Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish and all her villages will say to you, “Have you come to plunder? Have you gathered your hordes to loot, to carry off silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods and to seize much plunder?” Ezekiel 38:10–13 On the day of the invasion, satan will again be free to deceive the many nations by injecting evil thoughts, full of lies, into their minds. They will be tricked into thinking that he can again attack and loot the family of God. This deception is especially evident in the inquiries of Sheba, Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, who are descended from Ham and Japheth and, therefore, of the family of satan. Their inquiry would be asking satan, “Why are we invading?” For they are spiritual beings and have no need of the plunder mentioned, although, in their physical lives, they desired these riches. Here they are confused, misled, and deceived by satan. Again, this does not mean that all descendents of Ham and Japheth are of the family of satan or that all descendents of Shem are of the family of God. God 211 Message From the Throne uses these names to refer to the family of satan in the same way that he uses the name Israel to refer to the family of God. In Ezekiel, the Lord says, Call out to every kind of bird and all the wild animals: “Assemble and come together from all around to the sacrifice I am preparing for you, the great sacrifice on the mountains of Israel. There you will eat flesh and drink blood. You will eat the flesh of mighty men and drink the blood of the princes of the earth as if they were rams and lambs, goats and bulls—all of them fatted animals from Bashan. At the sacrifice I am preparing for you, you will eat fat till you are glutted and drank blood till you are drunk. At my table, you will have your fill of horses and riders; mighty men and soldiers of every kind,” declares the sovereign LORD. Ezekiel 39:17–20 These verses foretell the same event as Revelation 19:17, 18, and 21, which is a call to all birds to eat the flesh of all the people of the family of satan. There will be no one to bury them. All physical mankind will be dead. This is not speaking about hungry birds, but an illustration of the fact that there will be no one to bury the dead. Please note that these chapters in Ezekiel give us difficulty in regard to time sequence of events. Chapter 37 gives a visionary picture of the first resurrection, and then chapter 38 explains of the attack of Gog and Magog after the one thousand years. Chapter 39 explains the events of the battle of Armageddon. My explanation: Chapter 37 equals the final events of the family of God. Chapter 38 equals corresponding final events of the family of satan. Chapter 39 goes back in time to give fuller explanation. The above explanation has precedent in Revelation. Chapter 16 is a conclusion, and then we have the explanations of chapters 17 and 18. Nevertheless, as we mesh together these books of prophecy, we have an excellent timetable of the end time. Always remember our Lord has the final word; we are trying to learn. Therefore, the prophecies of Ezekiel reveal that Gog and Magog are the eternal enemies of the family of God. They are not only the 212 Alpha, Omega, Alpha enemy in this physical world, but they will continue to be the enemy in the spiritual realm. Please note that it is necessary that the enemies of God be defeated in every realm. In the descriptions above from Ezekiel and the overall explanations in Revelation, it is clearly declared that satan, every rebellious angel, and every rebellious human being will be utterly defeated. satan and one-third of the angels of heaven rebelled against God and were defeated, thrown out, and confined to the realm of earth. satan and the demons, along with the rebellious of mankind, rebelled and fought against God until they defeated God’s people and took control of earth. Then, God killed the physical, cast them out, and destroyed the earth as we know it. satan, the demons, and the spirits of rebellious mankind rebelled again after the one-thousand-year reign of Christ against God and his faithful. satan was cast into the lake of fire and the spirits of the rebellious received their resurrected bodies to stand in judgment and be cast into the lake of fire. Satan was defeated in the heavenly realm and condemned! satan will be defeated in the earthly realm and bound! Satan will be defeated in the eternal realm and the death sentence carried out! It is necessary for every rebellion to be utterly defeated! God is God, and there is no other beside him! I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the Word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand • • • 213 Message From the Throne years were ended). This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with him for a thousand years. Revelation 20:4–6 The family of God will be resurrected with spiritual bodies, which will be like Jesus’ body after his resurrection from the dead. This is called the first resurrection, as stated in verses 5b-6. I believe these verses to mean that the armies of heaven that accompany Jesus on his return on the white horse are the souls (in the spirit) of the family of God. Their bodies (physical remains) are still on earth, in the grave, in the sea, in the dust of the earth, etc. Their souls had departed at death and had gone to be with their Lord. After the battle of Armageddon, their bodies will be resurrected and united with their souls and spirits. This explanation was given by God to Ezekiel in the valley of dry bones (Ezekiel 37). The family of God will reign with resurrected spiritual bodies for a thousand years. Then Gog and Magog, the souls of the family of satan, will return to make war against them. This will be somewhat as the return of Jesus and the armies of heaven. It will be satan’s last attempt to duplicate what God has done. Satan will be leading the souls, in the spirit, of his family––those whose bodies are still in the grave, in the sea, or the dust of the earth, etc. After satan is destroyed in the lake of burning sulfur (verse 10), the souls of the family of satan will be judged before the great white throne and will be thrown, resurrected body and soul, into the “lake of fire, which is the second death” (verse 14). This is spiritual death and separation from God for eternity. Thus, all of creation will be placed “under the feet” and under the authority of Jesus. Satan rebelled and attempted to rule heaven, the garden of Eden, and all of earth; he will attempt to rule hell. He was not permitted to rule in heaven but was thrown out. After satan takes control of earth, God will immediately destroy it. He will also attempt to rule in eternity, but God will not permit that, and satan will be cast into the lake of fire. All will know that God is God and that there is none 214 Alpha, Omega, Alpha other besides him. “Every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” (Philippians 2:10–11). When the thousand years are over, satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth––Gog and Magog––to gather them for battle (Revelation 20:7–8a). The Four Corners of the Earth The “four corners” refer to points in the spiritual realm, not the physical world. This is substantiated by comparing these statements in Revelation 7:1, Ezekiel 37:9–19, and Matthew 24:31. The latter is the clearest, as it states, “And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.” This is obviously a spiritual gathering of the family of God. The “four corners of the earth” refer to satan’s family in hell, who are of this world, in the same way that “the four winds … of the heavens” refer to God’s family, who are not of this world. To more easily understand the concept of the four corners of the earth, let us review what we know about the spiritual realm. Even though we are physical beings, we can understand that there is a spiritual realm all around us. We cannot see this spiritual realm unless God chooses to open our eyes to it or unless satan reveals himself to us. (Refer to 2 Kings 6:17.) We know that the Holy Spirit of God is with us and that there are angels. We know that satan and his demons are present, though we cannot see them. So, we conclude that the Holy Spirit and the angels exist side by side with satan and his demons. We also know that God has fixed “a great chasm” between the spiritual family of God and the spiritual family of satan, as seen in Luke 16:26. So we can reason that the Holy Spirit and the angels and satan and the demons exist side by side. They are present all around us; however, they are separated by a spiritual “chasm” or division that neither side can cross over. We can determine, then, that the abyss and 215 Message From the Throne hell are not necessarily far away in some distant galaxy but around the earth itself. The Bible calls satan “the prince of the air.” This will also be true during the millennial reign. When Jesus and the saints are ruling earth, satan will be released and will gather his spirit family from the four corners of the earth. As God removes the spiritual barrier, they will come to attack the family of God once more, those who are living on earth in resurrected spiritual bodies. satan will be destroyed, his family will be given their spiritual resurrected bodies, and the great white throne judgment will be pronounced. The family of God will be on the right; the family of satan on the left. The family of God will live in the new heaven and the new earth; the family of satan will be thrown into the lake of fire. The Scripture says, If anyone’s name was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Then I saw a new heaven and new earth, for the first heaven in the first earth had passed away. Revelation 20:15–21:1 They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God’s people, the city he loves. Revelation 20:9a The family of satan as spiritual beings, as numerous as the sand of the seashore, will cover the whole earth. Ezekiel helps us to see this, “You will advance against my people Israel, like a cloud that covers the land” (Ezekiel 38:16a). Thus, the family of satan will be gathered from the four corners of the earth, hell, and will cover the earth like a cloud ready to annihilate the family of God, though they are at peace and seemingly unprotected while ruling with Jesus during the millennium. “But fire came down from heaven and devoured them” (Revelation 20:9). The “fire” that came down from heaven is the Word of God. Thus, it is finished! It is completely over; satan cannot rule. satan is “thrown into the lake of burning sulfur,” and the family of satan is prepared to stand before the judgment of the great white throne. 216 Alpha, Omega, Alpha John immediately saw a new scene. He wrote, “Then I saw a great white throne and him, who was seated on it” (Revelation 20:11a). God is seated to judge all mankind. They will be divided like sheep from the goats. Indeed, they will be already divided, for the family of God is with Jesus and the family of satan surrounds them (verse 9). The books were opened (verse 12) and “each person was judged according to what he had done” (Revelation 20:13). Thus, God will have a record of every person and every deed each person did in his physical life. From these records, judgment will be made as to the eternal destiny of each person. Revelation 20:15 says, “If anyone’s name is not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” 217 Revelation 21 Then John saw another scene that showed the fi nal destination of the family of God It was a beautiful scene It seems to be the clearest and best described scene of all of Revelation, and rightly so, for God was showing his people who were suffering persecution, and who would continue to suffer, that beautiful home that he had prepared for them I do not want to interfere with this beautiful scene described in chapter 21 and 22, so I suggest that you read these without further discussion at this point “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and End” (Revelation 22:13) God is God God was in the beginning, the Creator God will be in the end King of kings and Lord of lords God will be the new beginning for eternity Alpha, Omega, Alpha Is your name written in the Book of Life? The spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whosoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life Revelation 22:17 Do you need to come to Jesus Christ for the salvation of your soul and enter into the family of God? If so, please pray, “Dear heavenly Father, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins Dear Lord Jesus, I am a sinner I am lost without you Please, Lord Jesus, forgive my sins and save me I open my heart 218 Alpha, Omega, Alpha and life to you. Please come into my heart. Please, teach me through your Holy Spirit. Thank you for hearing my prayer and for your promise of eternal life. I ask you, Lord Jesus, to be Lord of my life. I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.” The Holy Spirit of God invites, draws, and urges each person to know and accept Jesus Christ as Lord. He is the Son of God, the Savior of the world, and reigns as King of kings and Lord of lords. We search for the meaning of life, death, and even our own existence. Why? Because we yearn for understanding of God, of Jesus Christ, of the Holy Spirit. Those who have found the answer and understand realize how wonderful life is in Jesus Christ and how important it is to know him as Lord and to have the presence of his Holy Spirit. We realize how dangerous it is to turn to self, satan, or the things of this world in a cheap exchange for the salvation in Christ Jesus. That is why the Spirit says, “Come!” That’s why the bride, those who have already accepted Jesus Christ, says, “Come!” Some people come in deep need and searching desperately for meaning in life. “Whosoever is thirsty, let him come.” Some just want to come to Christ simply, unquestioning, trusting as a child. “Whosoever wishes let him come, let him take the free gift of the water of life,” said Jesus Christ. The price has already been paid for your gift. It was Christ’s death on the cross, which paid the price for your sins so that you may have eternal life with God and the Son, Jesus Christ, in heaven forever. The gift of life through Jesus Christ is a gift obtained just by accepting what Jesus Christ gladly has done for you through his death upon the cross for your sins. All mankind, as created by God, is guaranteed freedom of choice. Many have chosen not to receive Jesus and will spend eternity in hell, separated from God (Revelation 20:15), but to all who choose to receive and believe in Jesus Christ, he gives the right to become children of God. A person must first “believe in order to receive” ( John 3:18). Believe that God is the creator of all things physical. Believe that Jesus Christ is the only Son of God, that Jesus 219 Message From the Throne Christ is the only one who came from heaven (the spiritual realm) into the physical world through the miraculous virgin birth, that Jesus Christ is “Emanuel, God with us.” Believe that Jesus, as the Son of God, is God’s plan for the redemption of sinful mankind ( John 14:6). Believe that Jesus physically died on the cross, was buried, and was resurrected from the dead by the power of God. Believe that Jesus Christ is Lord. A person must “understand” in order to receive. Understand that I have personally sinned. Understand that I am condemned by God because of sin. Understand that I must confess my personal sin to Jesus Christ. Understand that I must choose Jesus Christ, turning from my sins and the things of this world. A person must make a determined decision and act upon that decision through prayer. Suggested Prayer This must be your decision and your prayer. Dear heavenly Father, I believe that you are God, my Creator. I believe that Jesus is the only Son of God, that Jesus died for my sins, arose from the grave, and is alive in heaven. I confess that I am a sinner, and I ask you, Lord Jesus, to please forgive my sins and save me. Dear Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and be Lord of my life. Thank you, Lord, for dying for my sins, hearing my prayer, and giving me eternal life in heaven. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen. I ______________________________on this day ________ _______________ prayed, confessed my sins, and asked Jesus Christ to come into my heart. |
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