Revelation Timeline (v3.1)
|
Assembly
|
Ephesus
|
Smyrna
|
Pergamos
|
Thyatira
|
Sardis
|
Philadelphia
|
(not used)
|
Laodecia
|
|
Seals
Seals take time to play out.
|
1 Seal
White horse (Papacy,
UN/URI) NWO
|
2 Seal
Red horse
(Marxism
Socialism)
|
3 Seal
Black Horse
(Capitalism
Bilderberg, Fed)
|
4 Seal
Green/Grey Dappled Horse
(Islamic terror)
|
5 Seal More have to die before the blood of the martyrs will be avenged.
|
6 Seal Quake, stars fall, sun blackened, moon like blood, heaven departs like scroll
|
Sealing of 144,000 protected against trumpets
|
7 Seal
Silence in heaven ½ hour Introduces trumpets
|
|
Trumpets
Trumpets take time to play out. Destruction by 1/3. (Begin 3.5 years?) (Tribulation?)
|
1 Trump
Hail, fire and blood.
1/3 trees all green grass burned up
|
2 Trump
Mountain cast into sea
1/3 sea becomes blood, 1/3 ships, living
|
3 Trump
Wormwood
Great star falls from heaven, 1/3 of the waters become wormwood. Many men die
|
4 Trump
1/3 sun struck,
1/3 moon,
1/3 day not shine
|
5 Trump
Figurative star (Satan?) falls to earth, opens pit, plague all but the sealed 5 months.
WOE 1
|
6 Trump
200 million man army kills 1/3 men.
(Seven thunders take place, are sealed up) WOE 2
|
Chapter 11:
Outer Court trodden underfoot 42 months. Two Witnesses end 3.5 year testimony, are resurrected.
|
7 Trump “Last trump”? Earth quake. Heaven departs like scroll (nuke?) Reign of YHWH begins. WOE 3
|
|
Insets
(adds information)
Describes Israel, two beasts, Lamb, 144,000, Babylon.
|
Chapter 12 (inset)Woman (Israel) flees 3.5 years
|
Chapter 13 (inset)
Describes the beasts from sea (same as four/five beasts of Daniel)
|
Chapter 13 (inset) describes the beast from the land (UN/URI)
|
Chapter 14 (inset) Lamb and 144,000 on Mount Tzion, and also before the throne
|
14.7 (inset)
Hour of Judgment
|
14.8 (inset)Bavel fallen (in heaven? Plays out in 18)
|
14.13
(inset) Blessed are those who die in YHWH from now on.
|
14.14
(inset) Son of Man on cloud, with sickle. Earth reaped (at the end of the age)
|
|
Cups/Bowl
Happen all at once. Destruction nearly total. (wrath?)
“Day of Yahweh?”
|
1 Cup
Sores on men who worship the beast
|
2 Cup Sea becomes blood. All sea creatures die
|
3 Cup
Rivers and fountains of water become blood.
|
4 Cup
Men burned with great heat from sun.
|
5 Cup poured on the beast’s throne.
|
6 Cup
Euphrates dried up. 3 unclean spirits like frogs are seen.
|
16.16 Men gather for Armageddon
|
7 Cup
Earthquake
Jerusalem divided. Islands flee, mountains not found.
|
|
(Ch. 17, 18 inset)
Wedding Feast, Satan bound, Millennium
|
Chapter 17 (inset) Describes Babylon (RCC and her daughters)
|
Chapter 18 (inset)
Babylon is fallen in one hour
|
19.11 Yeshua’s return. Armageddon (= Wedding Feast?) Same time frame as Seventh Trumpet?
|
19.17
Armageddon
= Gog 1
= Wedding Feast. Ephraim is married
Hosea 2:20
|
19.20 Beast (UN/Pope) and False Prophet (Mohammed) into Lake of Fire (false religions)
|
20.1 Satan Bound 1,000 years. Millennium begins.
|
20.4-6 First Resurrection. (Spiritual resurrection.)
|
Millennium Tanach prophecies play out. (Second Exodus?)
|
|
Millennium (1,000 years). Tanach prophecies play out. Second Exodus, Ingathering, Twelve Tribe Kingdom established?
|
|
End of Millennium and the New Earth
|
20.7 Satan Released. Gog 2. Devil cast into Lake of Fire
|
20.11 White Throne Judgment
|
21 New Earth
Renewed Jerusalem as a bride
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note: Non-shaded areas are chronological. Shaded areas are “inset” into the timeline.
Shalom, Nazarenes.
In this study we will attempt to establish the timeline found in the Book of Revelation, and plug other prophecies into it. The hope is that if we all understand how the prophecies play out in the near term, we will all suffer less fear in the tribulation period (which seems to be approaching rapidly).
Revelation begins by identifying seven assemblies, the members of which each have various strengths and weaknesses in their walks. The members of these assemblies must resolve their issues and improve their walks, in order to belong to “those who overcome” (i.e., true Israel).
When interpreting Revelation, we need to remember that it is a vision, and the events depicted are highly symbolic. When we read about a “Lamb” with seven eyes that will stand on Mount Tzion, we cannot assume that this will be fulfilled by a literal lamb with seven eyes standing on a literal mountain in the Middle East. Rather, we know that the lamb is symbolic of Yeshua, and that the Mount Tzion may be either on earth, or in heaven.
Symbolism abounds in the Book of the Revelation. Horns represent kingdoms, waters represent tribes and tongues and peoples, beasts represent either Satan or a manifestation of Satan’s Babylonian Empire system, stars can represent either literal stars, or demonic beings. A whore represents Mystery Babylon, which represents the Church system, as well as a false empire system with commercial and false religious aspects (where the word is sold for profit). We also need to remember that what we are watching may be symbolic of events that take place first in heaven, and then later on earth. (We will give examples as we go along.)
The seals, trumpets, woes, and cups (i.e., bowls) appear in chronological sequence. These form the basis of the timeline. Other information is given as “chapter insets” to the timeline (additional information). These chapter insets usually describe spiritual entities and events which take place over time, and we are left to figure out most of the starting and ending points.
In our study we also learned that there are many passages of Tanach (the “Old” Testament) that are commonly assumed to pertain to the millennium (the last 1,000 years of earth’s history) which may actually pertain to the new earth.
Finally, we also learned that it is critical to remain aware of the definitions of terms. Sometimes Scripture says “the whole world,” and in context it makes sense that Scripture is speaking of the whole world. At other times, however, it is a reference to the land of Israel (since Scripture has a Middle-Eastern focus). The ambiguity generated by these definitional challenges may be what has kept Revelation “sealed up” for so long.
There is much more we could say, but we will make further comments in line with the text.
Hitgalut (Revelation) 1-22 (all)
1:1 The Revelation of Yeshua Messiah, which Elohim gave Him to show His servants — things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John,
2 who bore witness to the word of Elohim, and to the testimony of Yeshua Messiah, to all things that he saw.
3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.
4 Yochanan (John), to the seven assemblies which are in Asia:
Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,
5 and from Yeshua Messiah, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.
To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,
6 and has made us kings and priests to His Elohim and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amein.
7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amein.
Note: The “tribes of the earth” may refer to the tribes of Israel which are dispersed (although it may refer to the “gentiles” of all nations, who are not of Israel).
8 "I am the Aleph and the Tav, the Beginning and the End," says Yahweh, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."
9 I, Yochanan, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Yeshua Messiah, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of Elohim and for the testimony of Yeshua Messiah.
10 I was in the Spirit on Yahweh's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet,
11 saying, "I am the Aleph and the Tav, the First and the Last," and, "What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven assemblies which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea."
[Most of these physical locations are in modern-day Turkey, where the Turkish Ottoman Empire is expected to be re-established. For more details, please see Revelation and the End Times.]
12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands,
13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.
14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire;
15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters;
16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.
17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.
18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amein. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.
19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.
20 The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven assemblies, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven assemblies.
Ephesus tests all things. They are patient, and they labor. They have not become weary. They hate evil, and they hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans (“victory over the laity”), which Yahweh also hates. Yet they have left their first love (Yahweh/Yeshua).
2:1 "To the angel of the assembly of Ephesus write, 'These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:
2 "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;
3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary.
4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place — unless you repent.
6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of Elohim."'
Smyrna works, and has poverty and tribulation, but in fact has great spiritual riches. Some of them will die in tribulation. Yeshua tells them to be faithful unto the death, and He will give them the crown of life.
8 "And to the angel of the assembly in Smyrna write,
'These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life:
9 "I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
11 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death."'
Those in Pergamos do well, holding fast to His name, and not denying the faith even in the face of death. However, they hold to the doctrine of Balaam (who altered the message for money), they commit sexual immorality, and they eat things sacrificed to idols. Some also hold to the doctrine of the Nicolaitans (“victory over the laity”).
12 "And to the angel of the assembly in Pergamos write,
'These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword:
13 "I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.
15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.
17 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it."'
Those in Thyatira have works, love, service, faith, and patience. Their works get better over time. Nonetheless, they allow Jezebel (who calls herself a prophetess) to teach His people to commit sexual immorality (including wrongful divorce), and to eat things sacrificed to idols.
18 "And to the angel of the assembly in Thyatira write,
'These things says the Son of Elohim, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass:
19 "I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.
20 Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.
21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.
22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.
23 I will kill her children with death, and all the assemblies shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.
24 "Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. 25 But hold fast what you have till I come.
In Psalms 2, Yahweh says He will give Yeshua a rod of iron, so He can rule over the nations.
Tehillim (Psalms) 2:7-9
7 "I will declare the decree:
The Lord has said to Me,
'You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
8 Ask of Me, and I will give You
The nations for Your inheritance,
And the ends of the earth for Your possession.
9 You shall break them with a rod of iron;
You shall dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel.'"
However, in verses 26-27 (below), Yeshua says He will give this rod of iron to those who overcome (i.e., Israel), such that His body will do the ruling and reigning for Him.
26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations —
27 'He shall rule them with a rod of iron;
They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter's vessels' —
as I also have received from My Father;
28 and I will give him the morning star.
29 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies."'
In this study we will see how Yeshua will appear at the start of the Millennium. However, in “Revelation and the End Times” we show numerous prophecies which are incompatible with the idea of Yeshua remaining physically present here on earth during the Millennium. This is why Yeshua says it is Israel (i.e., “He who overcomes”) who will rule and reign for Him during the thousand years.
Those in Sardis say they are alive, but they are dead. They are not filled with His Spirit. Nonetheless there are even a few in Sardis who will walk with Him in white, because they are worthy.
3:1 "And to the angel of the assembly in Sardis write,
'These things says He who has the seven Spirits of Elohim and the seven stars: "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.
2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before Elohim.
3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.
4 You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.
5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
6 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies."'
Those in Philadelphia are told that they have works, and have kept His word, and have not denied His name. Because they have kept His commandment to persevere (which is a trial in and of itself), He promises to keep them from the hour of trial that shall come upon the whole earth.
7 "And to the angel of the assembly in Philadelphia write,
'These things says He who is qodesh, He who is true, "He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens":
8 "I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.
9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie — indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.
10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
Verse 10 seems to imply that those of the assembly of Philadelphia will be kept from the hour of trial that will come upon the rest of the earth. This, however, begs several questions. Will those of the assembly of Philadelphia have to take the mark of the beast? Will they undergo the Great Tribulation? Or are they exempt from that?
11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.
12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My Elohim, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My Elohim and the name of the city of My Elohim, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My Elohim. And I will write on him My new name.
13 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies."'
The name Laodicea means, “The people rule.” Some scholars believe this applies to many “congregational” assemblies, where true servant-leadership is rejected. They are also lukewarm, not really having any zeal for Yahweh or His word.
14 "And to the angel of the assembly of the Laodiceans write, 'These things says the Amein, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of Elohim:
15 "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.
16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
17 Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing' — and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked —
18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
22 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies."'"
In Revelation 4:1 we are told that there is a “door standing open in heaven.” This is another clue that we are looking at a vision. In 4:2 we are told that Yochanan is “in the Spirit.” We should not expect that the fulfillment of these visions on earth will look exactly like the depiction in the vision.
4:1 After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, "Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this."
2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne.
3 And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.
4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads.
5 And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of Elohim.
6 Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back.
7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.
These creatures parallel those in Ezekiel 10:14.
8 The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying:
"Qodesh, Qodesh, Qodesh, Yahweh Elohim Almighty,
Who was and is and is to come!"
9 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever,
10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:
11 "You are worthy, O Yahweh, To receive glory and honor and power;
For You created all things,
And by Your will they exist and were created."
The scroll is now opened, which begins the timeline. We know the events here are highly symbolic, because the Lion of the tribe of Judah (verse 5) is also depicted as a Lamb with seven horns and seven eyes (verse 6), whereas in reality this is Yeshua.
5:1 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.
2 Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?"
3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it.
4 So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it.
5 But one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals."
6 And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of Elohim sent out into all the earth.
7 Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.
8 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
9 And they sang a new song, saying:
"You are worthy to take the scroll,
And to open its seals;
For You were slain,
And have redeemed us to Elohim by Your blood
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
10 And have made us kings and priests to our Elohim;
And we shall reign on the earth."
Verse 10 specifies that we shall reign on the earth (rather than in heaven). There will be those redeemed out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation (verse 9). There are several schools of thought here, but the present author compares this passage to the Second Exodus of Jeremiah 16, and also to Deuteronomy 30:1-6, which tells us that the believers will be called back to the land of Israel from the farthest corners of the earth.
Devarim (Deuteronomy) 30:1-6
30:1 "Now it shall come to pass, when all these things come upon you, the blessing and the curse which I have set before you, and you call them to mind among all the nations where Yahweh your Elohim drives you,
2 and you return to Yahweh your Elohim and obey His voice, according to all that I command you today, you and your children, with all your heart and with all your soul,
3 that Yahweh your Elohim will bring you back from captivity, and have compassion on you, and gather you again from all the nations where Yahweh your Elohim has scattered you.
4 If any of you are driven out to the farthest parts under heaven, from there Yahweh your Elohim will gather you, and from there He will bring you.
5 Then Yahweh your Elohim will bring you to the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it. He will prosper you and multiply you more than your fathers.
6 And Yahweh your Elohim will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love Yahweh your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.
11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands,
12 saying with a loud voice:
"Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
To receive power and riches and wisdom,
And strength and honor and glory and blessing!"
13 And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying:
"Blessing and honor and glory and power
Be to Him who sits on the throne,
And to the Lamb, forever and ever!"
14 Then the four living creatures said, "Amein!" And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.
THE SEVEN SEALS:
The colored horses are explained in more detail in the Torah Government study, and also in Revelation and the End Times. Briefly, in Zechariah there are chariots that are led by horses of four different colors. These have gone out from their legitimate stations (before Yahweh Elohim). When these horses remain at their legitimate stations they can be productive of good. However, when they leave their stations they are productive of great evil.
In this passage, the horses have gone forth to do their own thing, and for this reason they bring about great destruction. This seems to take place over time.
First Seal: White Horse: Yeshua also rides a white horse (in Revelation 19:11), but the rider on this horse is clearly not Yeshua, nor is this a literal horse. Rather, this “white horse” is symbolic of a spiritual “vehicle” of some kind. The legitimate “white horse” might be a legitimate (Nazarene) Israelite government, with a Torah-obedient Yeshua as its spiritual head. However, the “illegitimate horse” may be the Papacy, coupled with its bid to bring the United Nations (UN) to full power, such that it can establish the United Religions Initiative (URI).
6:1 Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, "Come and see."
2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.
Second Seal: Red Horse: What seemed to make sense to us was that the red horse was symbolic of Marxism/socialism, and the destruction that these kinds of populist revolutions cause. (Red is a symbol for Marxism and socialism everywhere.)
The legitimate “Red Horse” may be how the true Levitical priesthood is supposed to work together, and share the first tithes fairly among themselves. This can also be seen in how the apostles held all things in common (Acts 2, Acts 4). The “illegitimate” red horse may be the kinds of “Yahweh-less socialism” that is seen everywhere on earth.
3 When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, "Come and see."
4 Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword.
Third Seal: Black Horse: The black horse may be symbolic of capitalism. Capitalism has a legitimate place, as the rest of the twelve tribes (apart from the Levites) are to make their living in a free market economy, and then pay their tithes and their single 10% tax. (Yahweh’s system of three tithes and a single 10% tax equals much less taxation than any system man has).
The illegitimate “black horse,” however, is “Yahweh-less capitalism” of the Bilderberger/Rothschild/World Bank/IMF/Fed kind, in which the amassing of wealth is vaunted over the service to Yahweh. The people who practice these things are often described as having “hearts as black as coal.”
5 When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come and see." So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand.
6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, "A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine."
Fourth Seal: Green/Gray/Pale/Dappled Horses: Again this is not a literal horse, but a “vehicle” for bringing about violence and terror. This is most likely a reference to Islam, as green is used as a symbol for Islam (and most Islamic countries have green in their flags).
In its purest sense, the word “Islam” means “Submission” (to the Supreme). Muslims read the wrong book, and have the wrong idea about who Elohim is, but one thing the Muslims get right is that their service and devotion to (their idea of) “Elohim” is more important to them than their own lives. This level of devotion may explain why the Tanach prophecies say that many Muslims will be converted to the worship of Yahweh, either during or after the tribulation period (e.g., Isaiah 19:23).
In 2011 CE, we are likely in the opening of the first four seals (or perhaps in the fifth seal). These four illegitimate forces have been unleashed on the earth, and we are seeing the buildup to a one-world government, which is prophesied at later points in Revelation.
7 When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, "Come and see."
8 So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth.
Fifth Seal: At the fifth seal, the martyrs cry out for justice. They are told to wait, as more believers must be killed (as they have been), before their blood can be avenged. Notice that a distinction is made between the fellow servants of the martyrs, and their brothers, indicating that these are two separate groups.
At the time of this writing (10/2011) we may be at or near the fifth seal, but we are certainly not past it.
9 When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of Elohim and for the testimony which they held.
10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Yahweh, Qodesh and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"
11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.
Sixth Seal: Great Tribulation. (Note: the Greek texts do not say “The Great Tribulation,” but simply, “great tribulation.”
Scholars disagree as to how to interpret the events at the sixth seal. However, there does seem to be a strong parallel between the description of the events at the sixth seal, and the events of Matthew 24, Luke 21 and Joel. All of these describe a great earthquake, the sun turning black, the moon becoming like blood, stars falling (perhaps missiles?), and the sky receding like a scroll (perhaps a reference to a nuclear blast or blasts?). In Revelation, the kings and the great men hide under rocks and in mountains, because the day of the wrath is come. While this does not necessarily indicate a thermonuclear exchange, all of these things are consistent with a thermonuclear exchange.
The reference to islands and mountains in verse 14 may be a reference to kingdoms and nations. These would be “moved out of their places” if the UN sets up a one world government. Also, the reference to an “earthquake” may well be a reference to societal change.
12 I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood.
13 And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind.
14 Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place.
15 And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains,
16 and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!
17 For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"
There are two main schools of thought with how to interpret this passage. Scholars who favor a rapture tend to view this rapture coming either at the sixth seal (i.e., here), and/or at the seventh trumpet (below), and/or at Yeshua’s coming in Revelation 19.11 (below). Those who favor a rapture point out that Luke 21 tells us that when these events begin to happen, we should look up, because our redemption draws near.
Luqa (Luke) 21:27-28
27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."
The parallel account is given in Matthew 24:29-31.
Mattityahu (Matthew) 24:29-31
29 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Other passages that pro-harpazo scholars believe tend to support the concept of a physical rapture include 1 Thessalonians 4:17, 1 Corinthians 15:51-53, 1 John 3:2-3, Philippians 3:20-21, John 14-2-3, Luke 20:34-37, and Romans 8:19-23. Based on these verses, they suggest that when verse 31 says the elect will be gathered from one end of heaven to another, this refers to a literal “catching away” (harpazo).
Other scholars draw different conclusions from the same passages. These point out that Matthew 24 says it will be Yeshua’s “sign” that will appear in the clouds at the sixth seal, and they suggest that Yeshua Himself does not appear in the clouds until later (perhaps at the seventh trumpet, and/or at Revelation 19:11). They interpret the “gathering together” mentioned in Matthew 24:31 as a reference to the Ingathering, which they suggest will take place during the Millennium (reference Deuteronomy 30:1-6, mentioned above, and also the Second Exodus of Jeremiah Chapters 3 and 16, below).
Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) 3:18
18 "In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given as an inheritance to your fathers.”
Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) 16:14-15
14 "Therefore behold, the days are coming," says Yahweh, "that it shall no more be said, 'Yahweh lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of Egypt,'
15 but, 'Yahweh lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north and from all the lands where He had driven them.' For I will bring them back into their land which I gave to their fathers.”
There are many different scenarios proposed, and we encourage the reader to study these matters out for himself. However, in forming one’s conclusions it is important to remember that while many of the Tanach prophesies refer to the millennium timeframe, others refer to the new earth.
The 144,000
Chapter 7 deals with the sealing of the 144,000 servants of Elohim (12,000 from each tribe). (Note: the accounting in Ezekiel chapter 9 is a past fulfillment.)
One big question is whether the sealing of the 144,000 is a sealing of salvation at the 6th seal, or a sealing of protection from Yahweh’s judgment/wrath.
Those who believe in a literal harpazo at the 6th seal tend to believe that the sealing of the 144,000 is a sealing of salvation, as rapture theory tells us that all who are saved are taken up at the 6th seal (such that there are exactly 144,000 “truly saved” persons, and that all of them are taken in the harpazo). If one follows this line of reasoning (and believes that all of those who are “truly saved” will be taken up and out at the 6th seal), then that would mean that the 144,000 who are sealed must be taken from those who are “left behind” after the rapture.
Those who see problems with the idea of a harpazo at the sixth seal point out that Yeshua cannot return before the man of sin is revealed. Further, before the man of sin can be revealed, he must be holding himself out to be Elohim, and be serving in a kind of a temple.
Thessaloniqim Bet (2 Thessalonians) 2:3-4
3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,
4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called Elohim or that is worshiped, so that he sits as Elohim in the temple of Elohim, showing himself that he is Elohim.
1 John 3:4 tells us that sin is lawlessness, and therefore lawlessness is sin. This is why many people believe that the man of sin is the pope (or rather, the office of the papacy). In the Nazarene Israel study we show how the office of the papacy already fulfills all of these qualifications, but it is also believed that in context of the Revelation, the papacy will attempt to set up an “anti-Messiah’s temple” in Jerusalem, on the Temple Mount (for more details, please see the study, Revelation and the End Times, and/or The Roman-Islamic Beast). This anti-Messiah’s temple will show up in Revelation Chapter 11 (below), and it is believed that the papacy will be serving in this anti-Messiah’s temple when the papacy will be destroyed by the brightness of Yeshua’s coming.
Thessaloniqim Bet (2 Thessalonians) 2:8-9
8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Master will consume with the breath of His mouth, and destroy with the brightness of His coming.
Specifically the problem is that Revelation 11 requires the Two Witnesses to prophesy around an anti-Messiah’s temple, which is built on the Temple Mount. The Two Witnesses are obviously believers, and they have a 3.5 year ministry that ends just prior to the end of the second woe (reference Revelation 11:12, 14), which is the sixth trumpet. In other words, this 3.5 year period must be completed prior to the seventh trumpet.
If the space of time between the sixth seal and the seventh trumpet is more than 3.5 years, then there is time for a harpazo at the sixth seal, and then a sealing of 144,000 believers (which include the Two Witnesses), and then for a 3.5 year ministry by the Two Witnesses. However, if the amount of time in between the sixth seal and the seventh trumpet is less than 3.5 years, this time sequence cannot work (barring some kind of supernatural return of the Two Witnesses).
Also of note in the narrative of the 144,000 is that the narrative lists Manasseh and Joseph (which includes both Ephraim and Manasseh), while Dan is absent, and Ephraim is not specifically listed (which is odd, considering Ephraim’s role in the Renewed Covenant).
In our studies, we hypothesized that the narrative may be giving parallel accounts of what is going on in heaven, and on earth (at the same time). This might help to explain certain curious phenomena in the narrative. For example, the sealing of the 144,000 (verses 1-8) seem to indicate that the 144,000 who are sealed will remain here on earth during the tribulation period (because they are protected from the locusts in the 5th trumpet judgment, below). Yet in Chapter 14 there is a mixed reference, such that in 14:1 the 144,000 appear to be on earth (Mount Tzion), while two verses later (in 14:3) they appear to be in the throne room in heaven.
Notice also that verses 9-10 mention a great multitude dressed in white, who are in the throne room in heaven. This shows us that the narrative can shift seamlessly between the earth, heaven (the throne room), and possibly also the new earth.
7:1 After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree.
2 Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living Elohim. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea,
3 saying, "Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our Elohim on their foreheads."
4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed:
5 of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed;
6 of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed;
7 of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed;
8 of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed.
9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands,
10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation belongs to our Elohim who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"
11 All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped Elohim,
12 saying: "Amein! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our Elohim forever and ever. Amein."
13 Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, "Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?"
14 And I said to him, "Sir, you know."
So he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
15 Therefore they are before the throne of Elohim, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them.
16 They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat;
17 for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And Elohim will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
Some scholars believe that the great multitude represents those who have been physically raptured out. Others believe that the great multitude represents those who have been killed in the tribulation, because we are told at the fifth seal that many more would have to die before the martyrs’ blood would be avenged (Revelation 6:9, above).
Seventh Seal: The seventh seal opens the trumpet judgments, in which there is destruction by 1/3rds. Since Scripture often focuses on the land of Israel and the Middle East, one question to bear in mind is if the destruction takes place over the whole face of the earth, or merely over the land of Israel (and the Middle East).
Another question is if the destruction that is depicted is literal (taking place here on earth) or is symbolic (i.e., happens in heaven). This is because sometimes the narrative describes things which are symbolic of something else. For example, at the fifth seal, a star has a key to the bottomless pit. This is obviously not a star, but a demon/messenger.
8:1 When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before Elohim, and to them were given seven trumpets.
3 Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before Elohim from the angel's hand.
5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake.
6 So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.
First Trumpet: One third of the trees are struck, and all green grass is burned up. This could be literal, or it could be symbolic.
7 The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.
The Aramaic Peshitta has hail and fire mingled with water (which could hypothetically be a reference to a comet).
Second Trumpet: One third of the seas are struck. Again this could be literal seas, or figurative ones. Many commentators speculate that the “great mountain burning with fire” could be a volcano, a meteorite, or a comet falling into the ocean (if we can take this passage at its literal face value).
8 Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood.
9 And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
Third Trumpet: A great star named Wormwood falls from heaven, and strikes one third of the rivers and springs of water. This could be literal, or symbolic. Wormwood is a bitter herb that is associated with grief or sorrow.
Some commentators have suggested that Wormwood could be a physical comet or a meteorite. However, other commentators note that the narrative does not describe an impact. In Luke 10:18, Yeshua likened Satan unto a falling star. Thus it might be that a demon falls to earth here, and many men die from bitterness, sorrow, and/or grief (perhaps due to some other factors).
10 Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water.
11 The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter.
Fourth Trumpet: One third of the sun, moon, and stars are struck. 1/3 of day does not shine (likewise the night). Literal interpretations include nuclear winter (while there are many spiritual interpretations).
12 Then the fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night.
13 And I looked, and I heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, "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!"
Fifth Trumpet: First Woe: Note that the preceding four trumpets, while bad, do not qualify as “woes.” The remaining three trumpet judgments are much worse.
At the fifth trumpet, a falling star represents a demon. This demon is given a key to open the bottomless pit (the abyss), so that “locusts” can torture those men who do not have the seal of Yahweh on their foreheads (verse 4).
Some favor a literal interpretation of these scorpions as helicopters, but helicopters do not come from the bottomless pit. Others suggest a genetically-modified organism, while still others suggest that these are demons.
9:1 Then the fifth angel sounded: And I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. To him was given the key to the bottomless pit.
2 And he opened the bottomless pit, and smoke arose out of the pit like the smoke of a great furnace. So the sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke of the pit.
3 Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. And to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
4 They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of Elohim on their foreheads.
5 And they were not given authority to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man.
6 In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will desire to die, and death will flee from them.
7 The shape of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle. On their heads were crowns of something like gold, and their faces were like the faces of men.
8 They had hair like women's hair, and their teeth were like lions' teeth.
9 And they had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots with many horses running into battle.
10 They had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails. Their power was to hurt men five months.
11 And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon.
12 One woe is past. Behold, still two more woes are coming after these things.
Sixth Trumpet: Second Woe: Four angels are released from the great river Euphrates, and they kill 1/3 of mankind, in addition to those who are killed by other famines, diseases, wars, water pollution, and etcetera.
If this is to be interpreted figuratively, then it may be a reference to demons. If this is to be interpreted literally, many commentators suggest that the 200 million horsemen may be a reference to China, which is certainly gearing up for war.
13 Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before Elohim,
14 saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates."
15 So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind.
16 Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them.
17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision: those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone.
18 By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed — by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came out of their mouths.
19 For their power is in their mouth and in their tails; for their tails are like serpents, having heads; and with them they do harm.
20 But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk.
21 And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.
A mighty angel comes down from heaven with a little open book. Yochanan eats it, and it is sweet in his mouth, but bitter in his stomach. Some commentators see this as symbolic of how revelation is sweet, but the aftermath of living with knowledge in a fallen world can be bitter. (There are other interpretations.)
10:1 I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire.
2 He had a little book open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land,
3 and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. When he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices.
4 Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them."
5 The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised up his hand to heaven
6 and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there should be delay no longer,
7 but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of Elohim would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets.
8 Then the voice which I heard from heaven spoke to me again and said, "Go, take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the earth."
9 So I went to the angel and said to him, "Give me the little book."
And he said to me, "Take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth."
10 Then I took the little book out of the angel's hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter.
11 And he said to me, "You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings."
The Two Witnesses: According to the narrative, Yochanan (John) is given a reed, to measure the temple of Elohim. This indicates that a temple will be built, and many assume that this will be the “anti-Messiah’s temple” (i.e., the pope’s temple). We are also told that the outer court is to be trod underfoot by the gentiles for 42 months (3-1/2 years). During this time there are “two witnesses” who are given all sorts of power to withhold rain, and smite whoever they please with plagues. At the end of the 42 months the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit (i.e., Satan) kills them. After 3-1/2 days the two witnesses are resurrected, and are called up to heaven.
Several clues in the narrative tend to indicate that the two witnesses are two individuals, rather than the two houses. For example, the two witnesses are killed, and their dead bodies lie in the streets of Jerusalem for two days. The two houses represents tens of millions of people, and they would not all fit into Jerusalem. Further, for the two houses to lie dead in the streets of Jerusalem would require the Ingathering to take place prior to the sixth seal (which seems highly unlikely). Beyond this, Revelation 11:12 tells us that the two witnesses will die, be resurrected, and then taken up to heaven. This cannot be a reference to the two houses, because there are several references to Israelites (and specifically, Ephraimites) after that point (see below). If the two houses are taken up to heaven after the sixth seal, then there are many other passages which can never be fulfilled (which we know cannot be).
At the time of this writing (2011), it is clear that Satan is attempting to establish a one-world government, with a one-world religion. Could it be that following some nuclear exchange (perhaps at the sixth seal) they will succeed in making Israel into an “international” city, and establish an anti-Messiah’s temple on the Temple Mount? It would seem to fit with what we know of the world.
11:1 Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, "Rise and measure the temple of Elohim, the altar, and those who worship there.
2 But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the Qodesh city underfoot for forty-two months.
3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth."
4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the Elohim of the earth.
5 And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner.
6 These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.
7 When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them.
8 And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Adon was crucified.
9 Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves.
10 And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.
11 Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from Elohim entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them.
12 And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them.
13 In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the Elohim of heaven.
14 The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly.
In verse 1 (above) we are told that the outer court will be given to the gentiles. In what seems like a parallel accounting, Luke 21:24 tells us that Jerusalem will be trampled by the gentiles until the “times of the Gentiles” are fulfilled. Verse 27 indicates that Yeshua only comes after these things have taken place.
Luqa (Luke) 21:20-28
20 "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.
21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her.
22 For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
23 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people.
24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
25 "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;
26 men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."
Those who believe in a harpazo (rapture) tend to believe that when Yeshua says “Look up and lift your heads, because your redemption draws near,” that this means they will be caught up to be with Yeshua supernaturally. Those who do not favor a harpazo point out that Revelation 5:10 says that those who are chosen will reign here on earth.
Seventh Trumpet: Third Woe: The third woe is that the kingdom of Yahweh is proclaimed (in chapter 11). The narrative then “takes a bird walk” for a few chapters, bringing in other necessary information in chapters 12, 13 and 14. It will later return to the cup (bowl) judgments in Chapter 15, which come seemingly “all at once.” That the cup (bowl) judgments may come right after (or “at”) the seventh trumpet may be why the seventh trumpet introduces the third woe.
15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of Yahweh and of His Messiah, and He shall reign forever and ever!"
16 And the twenty-four elders who sat before Elohim on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped Elohim,
17 saying: "We give You thanks, O Yahweh Elohim Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come, Because You have taken Your great power and reigned.
18 The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead, that they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth."
19 Then the temple of Elohim was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.
Many scholars believe that Luke 21 and Matthew 24 are parallel accountings that belong to the time of the seventh trumpet (and the opening of the seven cups). If so, then it may be noteworthy that Yeshua seems to say either He or His “sign” will appear in the heavens at this point. However, the narratives record slightly different things. For example, Luke 21 indicates that Yeshua will appear in the clouds at this point.
Luqa (Luke) 21:25-28
25 "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;
26 men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."
In contrast, at Matthew 24:29-31, Yeshua says that the “sign” of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and that the tribes of the earth will mourn, and that they will then see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven. However, we should note that we are not told that Yeshua will “touch down on earth” at this point (but only that He will be seen).
Mattityahu (Matthew) 24:29-31
29 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
This may also be the reference at 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3, in that once the UN and the New World Order has killed the two witnesses, they will say, “Peace and safety!” and then sudden destruction will come upon them (as the seventh trumpet introduces the cup/bowl judgments).
1 Thessalonians 5:1-3
5 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.
At this point (Revelation 11:15), the kingdoms of heaven have become the kingdoms of Yahweh and of His Messiah. This may be parallel to Daniel Chapter Two, where the stone that is cut out of the mountain without hands smites the image on the feet, and then grows to fill the whole world. This may also link to Revelation 12:10 (below), where Satan is cast down, and can no longer come before Yahweh as the accuser of the brethren.
Revelation 12, 13 and 14 will now bring in other information, and then we will return to the cup (bowl) judgments in chapter 15.
Revelation 12: The woman is Israel, the child is Yeshua, and the Dragon is Satan. The 1/3 of the stars are perhaps 1/3rd of the messengers who fell with Satan.
There are various interpretations of this section, and we should always remember that there may be more than one correct interpretation. Some suggest that this chapter informs us of a literal 3-1/2 year period of persecution, in which the elect are transported to a “place of safety.” However, other scholars find several issues with this concept. For one thing, 3.5 years of transportation to a “place of safety” beginning about the time of the seventh trumpet does not seem to fit the timeline (as the cup judgments seem to come all at once, and then Armageddon/the Wedding Feast comes soon after that).
An alternate explanation is that the 1260 days (of the time, times, and half a time) are the 1260 years in between the time Emperor Constantine declared all forms of Hebraic worship to be “anathema,” and the Protestant victory over the Spanish Armanda in 1588. (For more details, please see the Nazarene Israel study). If this latter interpretation is the case, then the water that the dragon spews forth out of his mouth might be symbolic of the faulty replacement theology doctrines of the church, which were intended to deceive Yahweh’s people. (For more details, please see Nazarene Israel).
12:1 Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars.
2 Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth.
3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads.
4 His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born.
5 She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to Elohim and His throne.
6 Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by Elohim, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.
7 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought,
8 but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer.
9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our Elohim, and the power of His Messiah have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our Elohim day and night, has been cast down.
11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.
12 Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time."
13 Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child.
14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent.
15 So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood.
16 But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth.
17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of Elohim and have the testimony of Yeshua Messiah.
Revelation 13: The Beasts, The Mark of the Beast, and the Number of the Beast.
This chapter describes the beasts that come up out of the sea and the land. As explained in Revelation and the End Times, a “beast” is an empire. While the scarlet beast is Satan himself, all of the other beasts are ultimately led by Satan. We should bear in mind that there are different manifestations of the same Babylonian beast, which has sought to oppose and overcome Israel throughout the ages. Thus, while there is a distinction made between these beasts, they are essentially all one in the same Satanic/Babylonian beast.
The beast from the sea is the same as the beast of Daniel 2, which was fulfilled by a series of empires (Babylon, Media-Persia, Greece, and then Rome), with the Roman empire being extended into the spiritual realm by means of Christianity and Islam. (For more details, see Revelation and the End Times).
The beast from the land may be “Babylonian” secular government, with two horns (the UN and the United Religions Initiative/URI). These look like a lamb (meaning they look like Yeshua) because they make false promises of peace (that is no peace), and yet they speak like a dragon, because “peace that is no peace” is not of Yahweh, but of Satan.
The image of the beast may be the URI (led by the papacy). Others hypothesize Islam. It may be that following a nuclear exchange (or even the threat of a nuclear exchange) that the majority will want the UN to establish the URI as a substitute for Christianity, Judaism, and/or Islam. If a nuclear exchange takes place, this might convince a majority of people to outlaw “fundamentalist” religions such as Christianity, Judaism and Islam, since they believe that these religions ultimately lead only to war, fighting, and terror. If so, then it may be that the UN will force all of the people of earth to bow down to their false religious system (just as Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were tested in the book of Daniel).
As we explain in Revelation and the End Times, the mark of Yahweh is loyalty to Yahweh (as demonstrated by outward obedience). Yet there are also several “signs” of our obedience to Yahweh, which include physical circumcision, the Sabbath, and the Passover. One needs to keep these outward signs of loyalty to Yahweh, in order to have the mark of Yahweh (loyal obedience).
In contrast, the mark of Satan is likely loyalty to Satan (i.e., lack of obedience and love towards Yahweh). Satan also has several “signs” of his dominion (e.g., the Satanic imagery on the back of the dollar bill, the 6-6-6 in barcodes, etcetera). Some of these we can do nothing about (and should not really fear). Yeshua and the apostles were forced to use Roman currency, and it did not mean that they were not saved. However, we should avoid all allegiance to the Babylonian empire. For example, if the URI establishes crosses or the Bismillah as the “mark of the beast” then we need to reject it, just as we reject Sunday, Christmas, Ramadan, Easter, etcetera.
If we are called to take the mark of the beast, we must refuse. If/when this happens, do not be afraid, but go with serenity, dignity and faith, as this is one of the ultimate tests of who trusts Yahweh. These will be rewarded with everlasting life.
First we see the beast that comes up from the sea. This is the same as the succession of four/five empires that is given in Daniel.
13:1 Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name.
2 Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.
3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast.
4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?"
5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months.
6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against Elohim, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven.
7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.
8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear.
10 He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
Next we see the beast that comes up from the land. As per Revelation and the End Times, this may be the UN and the URI. It is essentially just a different manifestation of the same Babylonian beast.
The reference to the beast whose deadly wound was healed is likely a reference to the Turkish (Ottoman) Empire, which is expected to be restored. For more details, please see Revelation and the End Times.
11 Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb (UN and URI?) and spoke like a dragon.
12 And he exercises all the authority of the first (Roman-Islamic) beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed (reference to the Ottoman Empire).
13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.
14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived.
15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.
16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads,
17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.
For more information about how both Christianity and Islam fulfill the mark and the number of the beast, please see Revelation and the End Times.
The Lamb and 144,000: Earlier, in Revelation 7, the 144,000 were sealed. Then, in Revelation 11:14, the kingdom was proclaimed. Now, in chapter 14, the Lamb shows up on Mount Tzion with the 144,000. As noted earlier, in verse 1 we are told that they are standing on Mount Tzion, while two verses later (in 14:3) they are before the throne. One possible solution is that Revelation speaks about events that take place in heaven, as well as events that take place here on earth.
Some believe that these 144,000 are physical virgins, and that they will be physically carried away to heaven (where there is no oxygen). They also believe that they will be physically transported back to earth with a physical lamb (which, as we saw earlier, has seven eyes and seven horns). Others see this as a spiritual event that will not necessarily be able to be seen with physical eyes.
Historically the kingdom of Israel has been subject to the Babylonian beast empire, but now that the kingdom has been declared, that will have changed. Now that Yeshua has spiritually returned to earth (to be “with” His people, whether in flesh or in spirit), Israel will once again be able to overcome its enemies here on earth, as it has not been able to do since the days of kings David and Solomon.
14:1 Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father's name written on their foreheads.
2 And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps.
3 They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth.
4 These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to Elohim and to the Lamb.
5 And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of Elohim.
There are some questions about the chronology. In 14:8 we are told that Babylon is fallen. However, chapter 14 may be an inset (i.e., it does not belong to the chronology, but provides additional information). In 16:17 the seventh bowl is poured out, and great Bavel was remembered before Elohim (although perhaps the destruction does not take place at that time). Then in 18:2 we are told that Babylon is fallen, which makes sense in that chapter 18 seems to belong to the chronology (after the cup judgments).
14:6 Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth — to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people
— 7 saying with a loud voice, "Fear Elohim and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water."
8 And another angel followed, saying, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication."
9 Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand,
10 he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of Elohim, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the Qodesh angels and in the presence of the Lamb.
11 And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name."
12 Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of Elohim and the faith of Yeshua.
13 Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Write: 'Blessed are the dead who die in Yahweh from now on.'"
"Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them."
Earth reaped. The harvest is those who did not love their lives unto the death, but who decided it was better to die than to bow down and worship the beast. There is discussion as to whether those who are killed will be physically resurrected, or spiritually resurrected (for more details, please see Revelation and the End Times).
When Yeshua says that the harvest takes place at the end of the age, this is likely the harvest (Matthew 13:39).
14 Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle.
15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, "Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe."
16 So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped.
17 Then another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.
18 And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire, and he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, "Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe."
19 So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of Elohim.
20 And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses' bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs.
Since 14 may be an inset, there is a question as to when the reaping and the trampling take place.
(As an aside, some have commented that since the wine is pressed right before the pouring out of the cups, that it may be the blood from the winepress that fills the cups.)
Now we pick the chronology back up from the end of chapter 11, where the seventh trumpet introduced the cup (bowl) judgments.
15:1 Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of Elohim is complete.
2 And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of Elohim.
3 They sing the song of Moses, the servant of Elohim, and the song of the Lamb, saying:
"Great and marvelous are Your works, Yahweh Elohim Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!
4 Who shall not fear You, O Yahweh, and glorify Your name? For You alone are Qodesh. For all nations shall come and worship before You, For Your judgments have been manifested."
5 After these things I looked, and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened.
6 And out of the temple came the seven angels having the seven plagues, clothed in pure bright linen, and having their chests girded with golden bands.
7 Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of Elohim who lives forever and ever.
8 The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of Elohim and from His power, and no one was able to enter the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.
SEVEN CUPS (BOWLS)
The seals and the trumpet judgments take time to play out, in that first one is released, and then another, and then another. In contrast, after the seventh trumpet (at the end of chapter 11), the seven messengers are told just to go and pour out the cups (bowls). While it may or may not happen all at the same time, in comparison with the seals and the trumpet judgments, the cup judgments come seemingly “all at once.” For this reason, some scholars believe that this may be “The Day of Yahweh.”
Many scholars favor a physical catching away at this time. Others (including the present author) believe it is a spiritual catching away, when our spirits will be with Yeshua (or rather, that Yeshua will be “with” us in spirit). For more information, please see Revelation and the End Times.
While the destruction in the trumpet judgments was by thirds, here the destruction is total (or near total). One question we have to ask ourselves, however, is if the destruction pertains to the whole face of the earth, or if it pertains only to the Middle East.
16 Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, "Go and pour out the cups of the wrath of Elohim on the earth."
First Cup: Loathsome Sores on those with the mark of the beast. The language seems to indicate that some will not have taken/received the mark (which is good news).
2 So the first went and poured out his cup upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.
Second Cup: The Sea Turns to Blood. Every living creature dies.
3 Then the second angel poured out his cup on the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died.
Third Cup: The Waters Turn to Blood. Waters become blood. (Literal? Symbolic?)
4 Then the third angel poured out his cup on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood.
5 And I heard the angel of the waters saying:
"You are righteous, O Yahweh, The One who is and who was and who is to be, Because You have judged these things.
6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, And You have given them blood to drink. For it is their just due."
7 And I heard another from the altar saying, "Even so, Yahweh Elohim Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments."
Fourth Cup: Men Are Scorched
8 Then the fourth angel poured out his cup on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire.
9 And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of Elohim who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory.
Fifth Cup: Darkness and Pain
10 Then the fifth angel poured out his cup on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues because of the pain.
11 They blasphemed the Elohim of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their deeds.
Sixth Cup: Euphrates is dried up. Three unclean spirits like frogs come from the mouths of the dragon (Satan), the beast (Babylon) and the false prophet (Mohammed). Men begin gathering for Armageddon (which is the wedding feast)
12 Then the sixth angel poured out his cup on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared.
13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of Elohim Almighty.
15 "Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame."
16 And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.
Seventh Cup: There is an earthquake greater than any that has ever occurred. There is a question as to whether this is a literal earthquake, or whether it represents a shake-up in the societal order (i.e., revolution and social change).
Every island flees away, and the mountains are not found. Scholars differ as to whether this is a reference to literal islands and mountains, or whether it is a reference to kingdoms. If there is a general destruction of Babylon, then it would make sense that national boundaries would disintegrate.
17 Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, "It is done!"
18 And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth.
19 Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before Elohim, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath.
20 Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.
21 And great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent. Men blasphemed Elohim because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great.
Chapters 17 and 18 are insets. They provide additional information.
For more information, please see the study, Revelation and the End Times.
The scarlet beast is Satan and his Babylonian empire system, in which men do things for power and money (rather than for service to Yahweh).
The whore represents the church. Whores provide intimacy in exchange for money, rather than love. This may be symbolic of those who sell the word for profit, rather than serving Elohim and His people for the love of Elohim and His people.
17 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, "Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters,
2 with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication."
3 So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
4 The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication.
5 And on her forehead a name was written:
MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
6 I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Yeshua. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.
7 But the angel said to me, "Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns. 8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
9 "Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits.
10 There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time.
11 The beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition.
12 "The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast.
13 These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast.
14 These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Master of masters and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful."
15 Then he said to me, "The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues.
16 And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire.
17 For Elohim has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of Elohim are fulfilled.
18 And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth."
Chapter 18. Inset.
18 After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory.
2 And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird!
3 For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury."
4 And I heard another voice from heaven saying, "Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.
5 For her sins have reached to heaven, and Elohim has remembered her iniquities.
6 Render to her just as she rendered to you, and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her.
7 In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, 'I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.'
8 Therefore her plagues will come in one day — death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is Yahweh Elohim who judges her.
9 "The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning,
10 standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, 'Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come.'
11 "And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise anymore:
12 merchandise of gold and silver, precious stones and pearls, fine linen and purple, silk and scarlet, every kind of citron wood, every kind of object of ivory, every kind of object of most precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble;
13 and cinnamon and incense, fragrant oil and frankincense, wine and oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and bodies and souls of men.
14 The fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you, and all the things which are rich and splendid have gone from you, and you shall find them no more at all.
15 The merchants of these things, who became rich by her, will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,
16 and saying, 'Alas, alas, that great city that was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls!
17 For in one hour such great riches came to nothing.' Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance
18 and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, 'What is like this great city?'
19 "They threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and wailing, and saying, 'Alas, alas, that great city, in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! For in one hour she is made desolate.'
20 "Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you Qodesh apostles and prophets, for Elohim has avenged you on her!"
21 Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, "Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down, and shall not be found anymore.
22 The sound of harpists, musicians, flutists, and trumpeters shall not be heard in you anymore. No craftsman of any craft shall be found in you anymore, and the sound of a millstone shall not be heard in you anymore.
23 The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived.
24 And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth."
The chronology picks up again in chapter 19. The marriage supper is Armageddon, which is also the death of the Babylonian kings and their armies. This is also the wedding feast (see below).
19:1 After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, "Halleluyah! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to Yahweh our Elohim!
2 For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her."
3 Again they said, "Halleluyah! Her smoke rises up forever and ever!"
4 And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped Elohim who sat on the throne, saying, "Amein! Halleluyah!"
5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying, "Praise our Elohim, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!"
6 And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, "Halleluyah! For Yahweh Elohim Omnipotent reigns!
7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready."
8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
9 Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!'" And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of Elohim."
10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Yeshua. Worship Elohim! For the testimony of Yeshua is the spirit of prophecy."
Messiah comes on a white horse, to destroy the enemies of Israel at the first war of Gog and Magog.
11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.
12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.
13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of Elohim.
14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.
15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty Elohim.
16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:
KING OF KINGS AND MASTER OF MASTERS.
17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, "Come and gather together for the supper of the great Elohim,
18 that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great."
19 And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army.
20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.
21 And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.
Compare the language of Armageddon to the parallel description of the first war of Gog and Magog in Ezekiel 39. It is believed that this is the wedding feast, since Yahweh says Israel will know him from that day forward.
Ezekiel 39:17-29
17 "And as for you, son of man, thus says Yahweh Elohim, 'Speak to every sort of bird and to every beast of the field:
"Assemble yourselves and come;
Gather together from all sides to My sacrificial meal
Which I am sacrificing for you,
A great sacrificial meal on the mountains of Israel,
That you may eat flesh and drink blood.
18 You shall eat the flesh of the mighty,
Drink the blood of the princes of the earth,
Of rams and lambs,
Of goats and bulls,
All of them fatlings of Bashan.
19 You shall eat fat till you are full,
And drink blood till you are drunk,
At My sacrificial meal
Which I am sacrificing for you.
20 You shall be filled at My table
With horses and riders,
With mighty men
And with all the men of war," says Yahweh Elohim.
21 "I will set My glory among the nations; all the nations shall see My judgment which I have executed, and My hand which I have laid on them.
22 So the house of Israel shall know that I am Yahweh their Elohim from that day forward.
23 The Gentiles shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity; because they were unfaithful to Me, therefore I hid My face from them. I gave them into the hand of their enemies, and they all fell by the sword.
24 According to their uncleanness and according to their transgressions I have dealt with them, and hidden My face from them."'
25 "Therefore thus says Yahweh Elohim: 'Now I will bring back the captives of Jacob, and have mercy on the whole house of Israel; and I will be jealous for My holy name —
26 after they have borne their shame, and all their unfaithfulness in which they were unfaithful to Me, when they dwelt safely in their own land and no one made them afraid.
27 When I have brought them back from the peoples and gathered them out of their enemies' lands, and I am hallowed in them in the sight of many nations,
28 then they shall know that I am Yahweh their Elohim, who sent them into captivity among the nations, but also brought them back to their land, and left none of them captive any longer.
29 And I will not hide My face from them anymore; for I shall have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel,' says Yahweh Elohim."
Compare also to the wedding in Hoshea chapter 2.
Hosea 2:18-23
18 In that day I will make a covenant for them
With the beasts of the field,
With the birds of the air,
And with the creeping things of the ground.
Bow and sword of battle I will shatter from the earth,
To make them lie down safely.
19 "I will betroth you to Me forever;
Yes, I will betroth you to Me
In righteousness and justice,
In lovingkindness and mercy;
20 I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness,
And you shall know Yahweh.
21 "It shall come to pass in that day
That I will answer," says Yahweh;
"I will answer the heavens,
And they shall answer the earth.
22 The earth shall answer
With grain,
With new wine,
And with oil;
They shall answer Jezreel.
23 Then I will sow her for Myself in the earth,
And I will have mercy on her who had not obtained mercy;
Then I will say to those who were not My people, 'You are My people!'
And they shall say, 'You are my Elohim!'"
At this point, the earth is basically a mess. However, now that the kingdom has been given to Yahweh and His Messiah, things can begin to be set right again.
In Chapter 20, Satan is bound for 1,000 Years. Then comes the first resurrection.
20:1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
2 He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years;
3 and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Yeshua and for the word of Elohim, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Messiah for a thousand years.
5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
6 Blessed and Qodesh is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of Elohim and of Messiah, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
As we will explain in Revelation and the End Times, the first resurrection is spiritual, as Shaul also says.
Qorintim Aleph (1 Corinthians) 15:42-44
42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption.
43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.
44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
It is likely at this point that many of the Tanach (“Old” Testament) prophecies play out, perhaps including the Ingathering, and the establishment of Ezekiel’s Temple. Although the Messiah will appear in the clouds prior to the end of the 1,000 year period (and may physically or spiritual “touch down on the Mount of Olives”, we know that Yeshua cannot be physically present here on earth during the 1,000 years, because it would require many other prophesies to remain forever unfulfilled.
For example, we know that the Nasi (“prince”) of Ezekiel’s temple cannot be Yeshua, because the Nasi (prince) has sons.
Yehezqel (Ezekiel) 46:16-18
16 'Thus says Yahweh Elohim: "If the prince gives a gift of some of his inheritance to any of his sons, it shall belong to his sons; it is their possession by inheritance.
17 But if he gives a gift of some of his inheritance to one of his servants, it shall be his until the year of liberty, after which it shall return to the prince. But his inheritance shall belong to his sons; it shall become theirs.
18 Moreover the prince shall not take any of the people's inheritance by evicting them from their property; he shall provide an inheritance for his sons from his own property, so that none of My people may be scattered from his property."’”
For more details, please see Revelation and the End Times.
Next, after the 1,000 years are finished, Satan is released from his prison, and he goes forth to marshal the armies of the world to the second war of Gog and Magog (in Ezekiel 38). His rebellion is crushed, and he then goes to the lake of fire and brimstone (where the beast and the false prophet already are).
7 Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison
8 and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea.
9 They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from Elohim out of heaven and devoured them.
10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
It may be that Yeshua is physically on earth during this time, as there is a striking similarity to how Yahweh on earth (i.e., Yeshua) called down fire from Yahweh in heaven at the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
B’reisheet (Genesis) 19:24
24 Then Yahweh rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from Yahweh out of the heavens.
Now comes the White Throne Judgment at the end of earth’s history. During our studies we learned that many of the prophecies near the end of Isaiah actually pertain to the new earth, rather than the millennial period.
11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before Elohim, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.
13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works.
14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
NEW EARTH
21 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.
2 Then I, John, saw the Qodesh city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from Elohim, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of Elohim is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. Elohim Himself will be with them and be their Elohim.
4 And Elohim will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."
Compare at Isaiah 65:20
5 Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."
6 And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Aleph and the Tav, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.
7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his Elohim and he shall be My son.
8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
9 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, "Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife."
10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the Qodesh Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from Elohim,
11 having the glory of Elohim. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.
12 Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:
13 three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west.
14 Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
15 And he who talked with me had a gold reed to measure the city, its gates, and its wall.
16 The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal.
17 Then he measured its wall: one hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel.
18 The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass.
19 The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald,
20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.
21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.
22 But I saw no temple in it, for Yahweh Elohim Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.
23 The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of Elohim illuminated it. The Lamb is its light.
Compare at Isaiah 60:19-20
24 And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it.
Compare at Isaiah 60:3
25 Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there).
Compare at Isaiah 60:11
26 And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it.
Compare at Isaiah 66:23, 60:3
27 But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.
There were some unanswered questions in Revelation 22. For example in Revelation 22:2 we are told that the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations; but how can that be, if there is no more sickness in the new earth?
22 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of Elohim and of the Lamb.
2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
3 And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of Elohim and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him.
4 They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.
5 There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for Yahweh Elohim gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.
6 Then he said to me, "These words are faithful and true." And Yahweh Elohim of the Qodesh prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place.
7 "Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."
8 Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.
9 Then he said to me, "See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship Elohim."
10 And he said to me, "Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.
11 He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is Qodesh, let him be Qodesh still."
12 "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.
13 I am the Aleph and the Tav, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last."
14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.
15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.
16 "I, Yeshua, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the assemblies. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star."
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
18 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, Elohim will add to him the plagues that are written in this book;
19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, Elohim shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the Qodesh city, and from the things which are written in this book.
20 He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming quickly."
Amein. Even so, come, Adon Yeshua!
21 The grace of our Adon Yeshua Messiah
For more details, please see Revelation and the End Times.