UPDATED - REVELATION CONDENSED - CHAPTER 13

Revelation 13 – Introducing the Antichrist and the False Prophet

John is now shown a different event.  He is positioned at the seashore and sees a beast come up out of the sea that has 7 heads and 10 horns; each horn has a crown, and each head is named a blasphemous name.  John describes the beast as looking like a leopard, having the feet of a bear and the mouth of a lion.  Point is made that the beast gets his power and authority from the dragon, already identified as Satan.  Without going into specifics, the beast seems to be connected to the beasts seen by Daniel in his vision (chapter 7).  This beast is a composite of the beast/dragon described in Daniel 7, Revelation 12 and the opening verses of this chapter. 

Another interesting verse that makes connection here is found in Isaiah.

Isaiah 27:1 In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.

In Revelation 13:1 it is the beast that rises from the sea, and in the verse in Isaiah it is the dragon that is in the sea.  I think they are so intertwined with one another, that it is hard to distinguish them.  The beast, the Antichrist, is dependent upon the dragon, Satan (cf 12:9), for his power and authority.  When Satan is thrown out of heaven in the middle of the tribulation, I believe he indwells the Antichrist.  They are two independent beings and will meet their own judgment at different times, but they operate in the tribulation as an inseparable unit.  The Antichrist has completely sold his soul to the devil.

Next John sees that one of the heads of the beast seems to have suffered a fatal wound, but the wound is healed to the amazement of all on earth.  Verse 12 indicates that the wound was inflicted upon the Antichrist, the ruler of this ten-horned kingdom, the final form of the fourth kingdom foretold in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Daniel 2 and the last of the seven kingdoms represented by the heads of the beast as identified in Revelation 17:9-10  This causes people to worship the beast and Satan, whom they seem to recognize as the one empowering the beast.  They are convinced that the beast has no equal among men.  They also seem to be convinced that he is invincible.  John hears the beast speak with great blasphemy against God, His temple and those that dwell in heaven.  Point is made that his power would be limited to a 42-month period of time.  

It is revealed to John that this beast, the Antichrist, would be allowed to make war with and conquer the saints, those who have placed their faith in the Son of God.  It is then revealed that all who live on planet earth whose names are not written in the “book of life of the Lamb” will worship the beast.  Verse 8 very clearly states that the sacrifice of Jesus was part of God’s plan since the foundation of the world; it was not an event that God had to plan in response to the success of Satan in tempting man to sin and reject God’s authority.  God knew what would happen before creating a thing and already had a plan in place for man’s redemption.

Next John sees another beast appear, this time coming out of the earth; this beast has two horns like a lamb and speaks like a dragon.  The two horns are indicative of limited power and authority.  I think the language is significant here.  Jesus has consistently been referred to as “the Lamb” in this book, and Satan has been identified as the dragon.  This beast, often called the false prophet, looks like a lamb and speaks like a dragon.  In other words, he gives the appearance of a spiritual leader, but speaks blasphemy.  This beast is also empowered by Satan to perform wonders; he publicly calls down fire from heaven in imitation of the prophet of Elijah.  It is actually the decision of this beast to make every person on earth worship the first beast, the Antichrist.  This indicates that this beast is the second in command to the first one.  Verse 12 indicates that the wounded head of the first beast represented the Antichrist, which seems to indicate that he will mimic the death and resurrection of Jesus.   The people on earth are deceived because of the miracles he does.  However, his ability to perform miracles seems to require the presence of the first beast.

This is very thought-provoking to me; it brings to mind the words of the Lord Jesus.

John 5:43 I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

Jesus was rejected in spite of His miracles, yet the Antichrist will be believed because of the lying wonders performed by this beast.  

This 2^nd beast will have an image/idol built of the Antichrist that will seem to have a life of its own; it will be able to speak.  Those that refuse to worship it will be put to death. 

Every person on earth, no matter their station in life, will be required to receive a mark in their right hand or forehead to be able to buy or sell anything.  Again, considering today’s verichip technology, this no longer sounds impossible, but quite feasible.  This mark is to be either the name or number of the name of the beast.  Since the New Testament was written in Greek, I wouldn’t be surprised if this number corresponds to the name of the beast in Greek.  John then tells us that the number of the beast is the same as the number for man—666.  Although many have tried to identify the Antichrist by assigning number values to names of prominent political leaders, I personally don’t believe that is possible.  Scripture states that the Antichrist won’t be revealed until the restrainer [whom I believe to be the Holy Spirit] is removed [I believe through the rapture of the church].  I believe this information is given for the benefit of the people who are living during that time.

 

UPDATED - REVELATION CONDENSED - CHAPTERS 11-12

Revelation 11 – Two Powerful Witnesses

This is a continuation of John’s experience in the previous chapter.  John is given a measuring rod to measure the temple of God, the altar, and those that worship there.  He is specifically instructed to leave out the court of the Gentiles.  He is then told that Jerusalem will be under the authority of the Gentiles for 42 months. This is another indication to me that the LORD’s focus during this 70^th week is on the Jewish people and the city of Jerusalem (again as was foretold to Daniel).

Point is made that the LORD will send two witnesses clothed in sackcloth to testify of His truth for 1,260 days.  They will be supernaturally protected from the attempts of men to kill them.  Anyone who tries to hurt them will be destroyed when they breathe fire (the Greek specifies literally or figuratively) out of their mouths.  They will also have the ability to prevent it from raining, to turn water into blood, and to send plagues among the nations during the days of their ministry as they so choose.  Because of the prophecy of Malachi (chapter 4), most identify one of the witnesses as Elijah.  Some speculate that the second will be Enoch since he never experienced physical death, which is unique to him and Elijah.  Others speculate that the other witness could be Zerubbabel based on the prophecy of Haggai.  I tend to agree with those that believe that the other witness will be Moses because the powers demonstrated by these two men are very similar to those that Moses and Elijah demonstrated during their time as prophets and because of their appearance together at the transfiguration.  The truth is that the identities of the messengers are not what is important; it is their ministry and service to God and the declaration of His message that are important.

Only when the ministry of the two witnesses has been completed will the beast that ascended from the bottomless pit be able to kill them.  Their deaths will be celebrated as their bodies are left lying in the streets of Jerusalem.  The nations will be so happy that people will send presents to one another in celebration of the deaths of the prophets.  After lying in the streets for 3.5 days, God raises them back to life, causing great fear among men.  They then ascend to heaven in the sight of their enemies.  As referenced earlier, this resurrection is accompanied by another earthquake that destroys a tenth of Jerusalem and results in the death of 7,000 men.  This scares the believing remnant of Jews, and they respond by giving glory to God.  

At this point the 2d woe, or 6^th trumpet is declared past.  This clarifies to me that the witnesses were serving during the first half of the 7-year tribulation period since their death comes at the midpoint.  It also fits in with the events John will be shown in the next chapter regarding Satan being cast out of heaven and given 3.5 years to wreak havoc.

Finally, the seventh angel blows his trumpet and John hears great voices in heaven declaring that Jesus will soon establish His kingdom.  John then sees the 24 elders again fall on their faces in worship of God and recognition that it is time for the dead to be judged, the saints rewarded and those who are destroying the earth to be destroyed (Satan and his followers).  It’s interesting to note that the elders are talking about the prophets, saints and those that fear God’s name in reference to a category of beings different from themselves.  This is just another verse that makes me think these elders could be the angels/watchers referred to in Daniel.

Next, John sees the temple in heaven open, revealing the ark of the covenant to be inside.  I personally think this is “the ark of the covenant,” though many would argue that it is just the original from which the earthly ark was fashioned.  My understanding is that the ark represented the throne of God and was distinct in that regard from other items associated with the earthly temple.  God’s throne in heaven is very different.  Only the future will tell.

Again, as with the 7^th seal, those on planet earth hear voices and thunder, see lightning, and experience an earthquake—this time accompanied by great hail.

Revelation 12 – A Historical Perspective with Future Significance

Again, John’s attention is directed away from the judgments to observe another vision.  He sees a great wonder in heaven—a pregnant woman clothed with the sun and wearing a crown of 12 stars who is about to give birth.  This chapter is full of imagery, but scripture usually explains scripture.  I believe this is a picture of the nation of Israel as descended from Jacob through his 12 sons, similar to what Joseph saw represented in a dream (Genesis 37).  

Another wonder appears in the heaven—a great red dragon that has 7 heads with crowns and 10 horns.  This dragon uses his tail to throw 1/3 of the stars of heaven to the earth.  I think this is a picture of the rebellion of Lucifer and the angels that chose to follow him in rebellion.  The dragon is then pictured ready to devour the child to whom the woman gives birth.  

Point is made that the woman births a man child that is destined to rule the nations with complete power and authority, and He is safely caught up to God and His throne.  This is obviously a picture of the birth of Jesus and His ascension to the throne of the Father after dying as our sacrifice for sin and conquering death through His resurrection. 

John then sees the woman [Israel] flee into the wilderness to a place that God has prepared to protect and nourish her for 1,260 days, or 3.5 years.  Many speculate from clues in scripture that this place of protection is Petra, Jordan.

The next thing John sees is a war in heaven between Michael and his angels and the dragon and his angels.  The dragon and his angels are defeated and thrown out of heaven to earth.  The identity of the dragon is specific—“that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world.”  

At this point John hears a voice in heaven declaring that salvation and deliverance is about to come through Jesus and the establishment of His kingdom. Satan, the accuser of the saints, has been banished forever from heaven, and only has a short while remaining to wreak his destruction.  Point is made that the saints have overcome him by the “blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony”—even though many died because of that testimony.  He declares that this is a time for those who dwell in the heavens to rejoice.  For those who live on planet earth, however, the opposite is true.  Satan has been banished to earth and is very angry; he is very aware that his time is short.

The first thing he does is to begin persecuting the nation of Israel.  Many of the people of Israel are taken to the place in the wilderness in which God will protect and provide for them during the 3.5 years that Satan is in control.  Again, I am reminded that Satan has supernatural powers.  John sees him send a flood to destroy the people as they flee, but God causes the earth to open up and swallow the flood.  Whether this is a real flood or not, I don’t know.  The point is that Satan will unsuccessfully try to destroy the remnant that God is protecting.

Further angered at this defeat, Satan goes to make war with the rest of the Jewish people on earth that have chosen to follow God in obedience through faith in Jesus.

 

UPDATED - REVELATION CONDENSED - CHAPTERS 9-10

Revelation 9 – Demon Locusts and Demonic Princes

The trumpet judgments continue.

1. At the blowing of the fifth trumpet a being falls from heaven to earth, and he is given a key to the bottomless pit.  This seems to indicate that this pit is in the center of the earth.  When he opens the pit, the air is filled with smoke; and demon locusts (my label) are released that are only allowed to torment humans.  This torment is inflicted with a sting that is compared to that of a scorpion.  Those who experience this sting will wish they were dead, but God will not allow them to die.  John then attempts to describe the appearance of these locusts.  He compares them to horses prepared for battle wearing crowns like gold with human faces; they have long hair like a woman and teeth comparable to those of a lion.  They appear to be wearing breastplates of iron, and the noise of their wings sounds like many horses running to battle.  The tails with which they inflict their stings are like a scorpion’s, and their attack is allowed to extend over a period of five months.  You see why I call them demon locusts.  These locusts have a king that in Hebrew is called Abaddon, and in Greek is called Appolyon—either Satan or one of his chief lieutenants.  
2. When the sixth angel blows his trumpet, John hears a voice from the golden altar positioned before God in His temple telling the angel with the 6^th trumpet to release the four angels that are bound in the great river Euphrates.  No further information is given to identify these four angels, but they have obviously been confined to this particular area until this moment in time.  I personally believe they are the four demonic princes in control of the nations connected with that river, i.e., probably Iraq, Syria, Turkey and Iran.  We know that there are spiritual forces associated with different nations on planet earth because of the message recorded by the prophet Daniel.

Dan. 10:11-13, 20 And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia….Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.

These angels have one purpose—to kill 1/3 of mankind.  They have an army of 200,000,000 to assist them; I personally believe this army to be controlled by Satan.  John’s description does indicate that he is struggling to explain this army in terms the reader can understand.  Some teachers make comparisons to use of today’s technology, and I don’t discount that this could be a valid conclusion.  

I think the wording of verse 20 is quite interesting, “the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not….”  I think this is a clear indication that God’s desire is for these judgments to cause men to repent of their evil deeds and be saved, but they choose not to.

Revelation 10 – A Sweet Taste with a Sickening Aftertaste

Before being shown the 7^th trumpet judgment, John is shown a mighty angel descending from heaven with a cloud; a rainbow is on His head, his face shines like the sun, and his feet are like pillars of fire.  I personally believe that as you continue to follow the narrative, this angel or messenger is identified as Jesus because He refers to the two Hebrew witnesses as “my two witnesses.”  This would not be the first time in scripture that Jesus is referred to as an angel (Genesis 16:10, 22:15-16, Exodus 3:2).  The LORD is holding a book in His hand and is standing with His right foot on the sea and His left foot on the earth.  I think this represents His authority over both.  He then says something that is responded to by the voice of seven thunders (probably God the Father).  For some reason John is instructed not to record what he heard.  

The LORD then lifts His hand to heaven and swears by God that it is time to bring an end to the kingdom of Satan.  The blowing of the 7^th trumpet will represent the beginning of the end.  Point is made that these events will fulfill all that was foretold by His prophets.  John is then instructed (by the voice of God the Father I believe) to take the little book from the Lord Jesus.  When John asks for the book, the Lord instructs him to eat it, but warns him that although it will taste good, it will make him sick to his stomach.  This is obviously a very descriptive way of telling John to read and absorb the contents of the book.  As he does, he will joy in the fact that the kingdom of the enemy will be destroyed, but he will be sickened by the events that will accompany that destruction.

 

UPDATED - REVELATION CONDENSED - CHAPTERS 7-8

Revelation 7 – God’s Jewish Witnesses for the 70^th Week and the Raptured Church in Heaven

The next thing John sees are four angels positioned at the four corners of the earth in control of the four winds (I assume that to reference north, south, east and west).  Verse 2 tells us that their purpose is to “hurt the earth and the sea.”  Another angel ascends from the east and instructs them not to do anything until the servants of God have been sealed in their forehead.  The Greek indicates that this seal is for protection.  In Revelation 14:1 we are told that this seal is the Father’s name.

John now tells us the exact number of persons sealed—144,000—12,000 each from the 12 tribes of Israel.  This emphasizes to me that this is at the beginning of the 70^th week of Daniel, the 7-year period widely known as the tribulation.  This time is described in the book of Daniel as “determined upon thy people [Israel] and upon thy holy city [Jerusalem]…to bring in everlasting righteousness….” (9:24) These would be Jewish witnesses who will preach the gospel, and whom God will use to separate out for Himself a believing remnant of Jews to enter the millennium, the 1000-year earthly kingdom of the Messiah, and through whom He will fulfill His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

I think it is important to note that the “day of God’s wrath” and the 70^th week of Daniel run basically concurrent to one another, but are directed toward different groups of people for different purposes.

God’s wrath is directed in vengeance against the wicked, God’s enemies.  The 70^th week is directed to Israel to refine and produce a believing remnant and usher in God’s kingdom.

The next thing John sees is a great multitude of people from every nation, ethnic background and language dressed in white robes, holding palm branches and standing before the throne and “the Lamb” and praising Him.  It is quite clear to me that John is seeing the body of Christ gathered before the throne after the rapture.  I don’t know how John could take it all in, but he then sees all the angels, elders, and living creatures on their faces worshipping God before the throne.

Because of the wording of verse 14, many assume that this is an assembly of believers who are martyrs from the tribulation period.  I think that is a general reference to the church age, which has been full of tribulation and trouble of different types and to varying degrees for all believers.  

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Acts 14:22 “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”

Point is made that they are presented in robes of white through acceptance of Jesus’ sacrifice for their sin.  We will be privileged to serve God night and day in His temple, and we will dwell with Him.  This fulfills the very promise the LORD made to His disciples.

John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

God will supply our every need, spiritual and physical, and wipe away all tears from our eyes.  

Revelation 8 – The Trumpet Judgments Begin

When the 7^th seal is opened, there is silence in heaven for about a half hour.  I think this is in consideration of the horrendous judgments yet to be poured out on the inhabitants of planet earth.

John then describes seeing 7 angels standing before God and being given 7 trumpets with which they will announce the commencement of 7 more judgments.  Another angel appears carrying a golden censer, which is said to contain the prayers of all the saints; and he is given incense to mix with those prayers, which indicate that they are a sweet smelling aroma before God—in other words, He is pleased with those prayers.  The angel then takes fire from the altar to add to the censer and throws it to the earth.  Why?  Once the prayers have ascended, the fire from the altar is added to the censer and cast to the earth in judgment.  Those on planet earth hear voices and thunder, see lightning, and experience an earthquake.

The seven angels then prepare to announce the upcoming judgments.  

1. When the first angel blows his trumpet, hail and fire mingled with blood falls on the earth and burns up 1/3 of the trees and all the green grass.  
2. When the second angel blows his trumpet, a big fiery mountain is cast into the sea, and 1/3 of it turns to blood; this, in turn, results in the destruction of 1/3 of the sea creatures and 1/3 of the ships.  In my mind this probably references a specific third of the world’s oceans, or it could apply to a specific area.
3. When the third angel blows his trumpet, a big burning star called Wormwood falls from heaven and poisons 1/3 of the rivers and fresh water springs.  I would assume this would be the result of its breaking up into fragments that are spread over a specific third of the earth.
4. The fourth angel blows and 1/3 each of the sun, moon and stars are darkened.  This results in total darkness for 1/3 of the day and night respectively.

At this point there is an interruption to the announcement of the final three trumpet judgments.  An angel appears in the heavens warning the people on planet earth that the coming three judgments are the worst yet.

 

UPDATED - REVELATION CONDENSED - CHAPTER 6

Revelation 6 – The Beginning of the End

This chapter begins the narrative of the opening of the seals.  Again, I was blinded for a long time by previous well-intentioned teaching.  The assumption is that since the seals are being opened, the tribulation is starting.  At this point, I don’t agree with that assumption.

The first five seals seem to mirror the sorrows or “birth pains” Jesus declared would precede His coming.  (Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21)   “Birth pains” is a descriptive phrase to signify increased frequency and intensity of a series of specific events that will culminate in the visible return of Jesus Christ to establish His kingdom.  

I am reminded that God’s reckoning of time and our reckoning of time are very different.

Psalms 90:4 For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.

2Pet. 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 

Just a couple of days have gone by since Jesus returned victorious to heaven according to His perspective.  I think it is important to note that Jesus is the one in authority releasing the first four riders to act on their evil intentions as He opens the seals.  

Seal 1 – The rider on the white horse is Satan going forth to exert his power and influence on the world, eventually gaining his greatest influence through the being we call Antichrist.  He will deceive the world by appearing to be a champion of peace before eventually revealing his true colors.  Personally, I believe the Antichrist is alive and is already, in fact, being positioned to assume leadership.

Seal 2 – The rider on the red horse is released to destroy peace and provoke war among men.

Seal 3 – The rider on the black horse is going out to cause famine and wreak havoc on the world’s economy.

Seal 4 – The rider on the pale horse goes out specifically to cause death among men, and “hell” rides with him—eager to feed his voracious appetite.  

I think it is clear that these riders are all Satanic forces hoping to thwart God’s will.  Just as when Satan was given permission to persecute Job, these riders are now given permission to act within prescribed boundaries.  Note that the riders loosed by the 4th seal will cause the death of ¼ of humanity.  

When the 5^th seal is opened, John sees under the altar all the souls that have died because of their faith in the LORD.  I believe these are all martyrs of the faith since the inception of the church.  Again, the deaths of these martyrs are a result of the acts of those who have chosen to follow Satan, the god of this world, in rejection of the Almighty Eternal Living God.  It stands out to me that these souls are calling for God to avenge their deaths, and God responds by telling them to be patient until their number is fulfilled.  In other words, their desire is justified and will be satisfied.  Also, God knows the exact number of martyrs who will die for their faith in Jesus.  I personally think that number will be reached right before the rapture of the church. 

The opening of the 6^th seal is very significant, and in verse 17 it is described as the beginning of God’s wrath.  Many things occur with the opening of this seal—

• A great earthquake.
• The sun turns black.
• The moon looks like blood.
• The stars of heaven fall toward earth.
• The heaven appears to roll up like a scroll.
• Every mountain and island moves out of position; this indicates that the impact of this earthquake is worldwide.
• Men seek to hide themselves in fear.

Because the scripture is clear in stating that true believers will not experience God’s wrath, I believe the rapture occurs before the opening of this seal. 

2Thessalonians 2:3 stipulates that the man of sin (the Antichrist) be revealed before the beginning of the day of the LORD.

2 Thessalonians 2:3 “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition….”

2Thessalonians 2:6-9 stipulates that the Holy Spirit is “holding down” the revelation of the Antichrist until He is taken out of the way.  Since the Holy Spirit indwells believers, they must be taken out of the way (raptured) before the revelation of the Antichrist.

Though we aren’t given the specifics, we know that the 70th week of Daniel begins at some point after the rapture of the church.  It’s possible that the chaos that will be caused by the opening of the sixth seal will provide a scenario conducive to the emergence of the false Messiah to inspire hope and peace.