Esta sección del libro comienza en realidad en el capítulo 11:19. En estos capítulos, el Espíritu de Dios hace que volvamos a recorrer el mismo período de tiempo cubierto en los capítulos 6–11, pero desde una perspectiva diferente. En realidad, esta profecía tiene su comienzo mucho antes de la semana 70 de Daniel, llevando al lector a través de un bosquejo profético continuo desde el nacimiento de Cristo hasta que Él aparece y pisa el lagar del juicio (capítulo 14:14-20).
Después de presentarnos cosas desde el punto de vista de las naciones cristianizadas de Occidente en los capítulos previos, el Espíritu de Dios nos da ahora detalles desde la perspectiva de los tratos de Dios con Israel. Esto puede verse en el hecho de que los símbolos y el lenguaje utilizados en estos capítulos son distintivamente judaico. Esto es evidente por la mención del “arca de Su testamento”, que es el signo de la fidelidad de Dios con Su pueblo terrenal, Israel. La mención de “señal” (versículos 1 y 3) también indica que hay un orden judaico ante nosotros (Mateo 16:11The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would show them a sign from heaven. (Matthew 16:1); 1 Corintios 1:2222For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: (1 Corinthians 1:22)). La identificación de los “días” y los “tiempos” también indica esto (versículos 6,14; Gálatas 4:1010Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. (Galatians 4:10)). Con la presentación de estas cosas, vemos que los pensamientos y los caminos de Dios se dirigen a Israel, y por lo tanto habrá un resurgimiento de Su trato con ellos a nivel nacional.
La apertura del “templo” en el cielo y los juicios que proceden de él indican que lo que está a punto de revelarse en esta profecía es una perspectiva diferente en los tratos de Dios con la tierra. En los capítulos 6–11, hemos visto que los juicios proceden del “trono” de Dios (capítulo 4:5), pero ahora en los capítulos 12–14, los juicios proceden del “templo” de Dios. Esto indica que el tema de estos capítulos ha cambiado y una nueva profecía ha comenzado.
Esta sección del libro comienza llevándonos de vuelta al nacimiento de Cristo, porque muchos de los tratos de Dios con esa nación en el futuro se centran en su rechazo a Él en el pasado. Por lo tanto, Dios reanudará Su trato con Israel donde lo dejó hace dos mil años (Miqueas 5:33Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel. (Micah 5:3)).
El remanente de judíos creyentes bajo la persecución de Satanás
Capítulo 12:1-17.— El capítulo comienza con Israel (“una mujer”) en el lugar en el que las promesas de Dios y las Escrituras proféticas del Antiguo Testamento la sitúan según el propósito de Dios (Génesis 37:9-119And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me. 10And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth? 11And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying. (Genesis 37:9‑11); Deuteronomio 28:1313And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them: (Deuteronomy 28:13)). Estar “vestida del sol” y tener “la luna debajo de sus pies” significa que Dios tiene la intención de que Israel tenga un lugar de autoridad suprema entre las naciones de la tierra. Las “doce estrellas” con las que está coronada se refieren a la dignidad que tendrán las doce tribus de Israel en el día del reinado de su Mesías en la tierra. La mujer que está “de parto” hace referencia a la lucha en la que se encontraba la nación en el tiempo de la primera venida de Cristo, cuando sufría bajo el dominio romano.
Versículos 3-5.— Satanás (“un grande dragón bermejo”) es visto como controlando el Imperio romano. Esto está indicado por el hecho de que el dragón tiene “siete diademas” en sus “siete cabezas”. Las siete cabezas se refieren a las siete formas de gobierno por las que el Imperio romano ha pasado, o pasará, en orden consecutivo a través del tiempo. Ha tenido reyes, dictadores, tribunos militares, cónsules, decenviros, un gobierno imperial (que estaba gobernando en el momento en que fue escrito el libro de Apocalipsis), y también tendrá una forma de gobierno bajo la ramera (la iglesia católica) que aún está por venir (Apocalipsis 17:33So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. (Revelation 17:3)). (Esta séptima forma de gobierno se tornará en una “octava”, que será un gobierno satánico bajo la Bestia a nivel de individuo, cuando la “herida de su llaga”, la de la séptima cabeza, haya sido “curada”: Apocalipsis 13:3; 17:10-113And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. (Revelation 13:3)
10And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. 11And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. (Revelation 17:10‑11)). Las “coronas” en las siete cabezas del dragón representan la autoridad gobernante de Satanás. Los líderes en el gobierno del imperio (“las estrellas”) son vistos como siendo manipulados por el dragón (arrastrados por su “cola”) y utilizados en el plan del dragón para destruir a Cristo (“el Hijo varón”) cuando nació en este mundo (Mateo 2). El rey Herodes sería una de esas estrellas que el dragón controlaba. Entonces la profecía pasa por encima de treinta y tres años y medio, desde el nacimiento de Cristo hasta Su ascensión al cielo, afirmando que “su Hijo fué arrebatado para Dios y á Su trono” (versículo 5).
Versículos 6-17.— La profecía vuelve a mirar unos 2000 años hacia adelante, hasta la mitad de la semana 70 de Daniel. Esto se indica por la huida de la mujer al “desierto”, donde es protegida providencialmente durante “mil doscientos y sesenta días” (1260 días). Todos estos períodos de tiempo en la profecía se miden desde la mitad de la semana profética —cuando la abominación de la desolación se establece— hasta el final de la semana (Daniel 12:1111And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. (Daniel 12:11)). En la mitad de la semana, Dios limpiará los cielos (Job 15:1515Behold, he putteth no trust in his saints; yea, the heavens are not clean in his sight. (Job 15:15)) arrojando a Satanás y sus ángeles del cielo a la tierra (versículos 8-9). La Gran Tribulación (la última mitad de la semana) comenzará entonces con Satanás organizando un intento de destruir a “la mujer” y “el remanente de su simiente” (traducción J. N. Darby): los judíos fieles que se negarán a adorar a la bestia.
Un doble ataque al remanente de creyentes judíos
• Un ataque espiritual.— Un “río” de apostasía será utilizado por Satanás en su carácter de “serpiente” en un intento de engañar al remanente elegido de judíos para que crean la mentira del Anticristo (versículos 15-16; Mateo 24:22-2622And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. 23Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 24For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 25Behold, I have told you before. 26Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. (Matthew 24:22‑26); 2 Tesalonicenses 2:1111And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: (2 Thessalonians 2:11)).
• Un ataque físico.— Una “guerra” de persecución será desatada por Satanás en su carácter de “dragón” en un intento de matar al remanente elegido de judíos (versículo 17; Salmos 10:1-11; 12:11Why standest thou afar off, O Lord? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble? 2The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined. 3For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth. 4The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. 5His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them. 6He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity. 7His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity. 8He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor. 9He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net. 10He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones. 11He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it. (Psalm 10:1‑11)
1<<To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David.>> Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. (Psalm 12:1); Isaías 57:1-21The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. 2He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness. (Isaiah 57:1‑2)).
La “tierra ayudó á la mujer” (versículo 16). Esto significa que el cuidado providencial de Dios obrará para preservar una porción del remanente judío, y ellos sobrevivirán a la Gran Tribulación y entrarán en el Milenio.
La trinidad del mal en la crisis venidera
• El “grande dragón bermejo”: Satanás (capítulo 12).
• La “bestia” del mar: el líder político de las naciones de Occidente (capítulo 13:1-8).
• La “bestia” de la tierra: el Anticristo (capítulo 13:11-18).
Los dos agentes principales de Satanás
Capítulo 13:1-18.— Al estar limitado a la tierra, Satanás necesitará instrumentos humanos para lograr su fin de destruir a la mujer y a su simiente (el remanente judío). El capítulo 13 muestra que tendrá dos hombres a los que personalmente dotará de energía para este propósito.
Los capítulos 12–14 indican que una serie de acontecimientos significativos ocurrirán a mediados (o justo después de la mitad) de la semana profética. El primero es Satanás siendo arrojado a la tierra (Apocalipsis 12:7-97And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. (Revelation 12:7‑9)). El segundo es una persecución total lanzada contra el remanente judío (Apocalipsis 12:13-1713And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. 14And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. 15And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. 16And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. 17And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 12:13‑17)).
La primera bestia
Versículos 1-10.— La tercera cosa que ocurrirá hacia la mitad de la semana profética es que el gobierno en Occidente (la recién formada federación de diez naciones llamada “una bestia”; capítulo 17:3) tomará una forma nueva y diferente a través de un hombre maligno que tendrá el poder satánico tras de sí. Este hombre ascenderá al poder en el imperio a través de una convulsión política (el “gran terremoto”: capítulo 6:12) que Satanás causará en el gobierno que existirá bajo “la ramera”, la iglesia católica (Apocalipsis 17:1-61And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: 2With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. 3So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 4And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: 5And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. 6And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. (Revelation 17:1‑6)). Este líder político es conocido por el mismo nombre que el imperio: la “bestia” (versículos 4-8; 19:20; 20:10). También se le conoce como “el cuerno pequeño” (Daniel 7:88I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things. (Daniel 7:8)), “el rey de Babilonia” (Isaías 14:44That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased! (Isaiah 14:4)); “el príncipe” (Daniel 9:26,26And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. (Daniel 9:26) y el segundo personaje mencionado en 9:27: el que hará cesar el sacrificio).
Como ya hemos mencionado, la “bestia” que sube del mar, con “siete cabezas y diez cuernos”, es la federación europea de diez naciones de Occidente: el Imperio romano revivido (Daniel 2:40-4540And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise. 41And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. 42And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. 43And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay. 44And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. 45Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure. (Daniel 2:40‑45); Apocalipsis 17:3,9-113So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. (Revelation 17:3)
9And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. 10And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. 11And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. (Revelation 17:9‑11)). “Subir del mar” no hace referencia al renacimiento del imperio, lo cual ocurrirá justo antes de que comience la semana profética por obra de la iglesia católica romana (Apocalipsis 6:1-21And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. 2And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. (Revelation 6:1‑2)). Esta subida del mar hace referencia a su surgimiento satánico a partir del caos político que existirá entre los gobiernos en Occidente en Europa a mediados de la semana. Como mencionamos anteriormente, este caos será el resultado del arrojamiento de Satanás en tierra y su provocación de problemas en el gobierno a través de este hombre maligno, el anticristo. La convulsión en el gobierno de Occidente es descrita como “un gran terremoto” (capítulo 6:12). El “mar” representa el estado de inestabilidad que existirá entre las naciones de Occidente en ese momento. Las “diademas” que estaban en las cabezas del dragón en el capítulo 12:3 se ven ahora en los diez cuernos de la bestia. Esto representa el otorgamiento del poder de Satanás al imperio a través del hombre maligno que ocupará el puesto del “príncipe” romano.
A continuación, se nos dice cómo sucederá esto. Una de las cabezas de la bestia (la séptima) será “herida” y luego “curada” milagrosamente (versículo 3). Esto hace referencia a la pérdida del control gubernamental que la iglesia católica tendrá sobre el imperio y al surgimiento de un nuevo gobierno bajo la Bestia (el individuo) que la reemplazará. Este cambio se menciona en el capítulo 17:10-11 que dice que la séptima cabeza (o séptima forma de gobierno) bajo la iglesia católica (la ramera) continuará sólo por “breve tiempo” (los primeros tres años y medio de la semana profética), y luego será derrocada a la mitad de la semana (capítulo 17:16-17). La curación de la cabeza dará lugar a la “octava” forma de gobierno bajo la Bestia (el individuo), el cuerno pequeño de Daniel 7:88I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things. (Daniel 7:8). Será una forma satánica de gobierno que continuará su “obrar” durante “cuarenta y dos meses” (los últimos tres años y medio de la semana), hasta la Aparición de Cristo, cuando será juzgada. Hasta entonces, “toda la tierra” se maravillará del monstruo en que se habrán convertido las naciones occidentales confederadas en aquellos días. Ninguna nación o potencia se atreverá a desafiar a esta superpotencia militar.
Habiendo tomado el control del imperio, la Bestia (el individuo) aceptará la adoración de sus súbditos y blasfemará a Dios (versículos 4-6). A la vez, se dedicará a perseguir a aquellos (“los santos”) que se nieguen a adorarle (versículos 7-10).
La segunda bestia
Versículos 11-18.— La cuarta cosa que ocurrirá hacia la mitad de la semana es la revelación del “anticristo” (1 Juan 2:1818Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. (1 John 2:18)). También se le llama el “hombre de pecado” (2 Tesalonicenses 2:3-43Let 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; 4Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. (2 Thessalonians 2:3‑4)) y el “rey” (Isaías 8:21; 30:33; 57:921And they shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry: and it shall come to pass, that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and curse their king and their God, and look upward. (Isaiah 8:21)
33For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the Lord, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it. (Isaiah 30:33)
9And thou wentest to the king with ointment, and didst increase thy perfumes, and didst send thy messengers far off, and didst debase thyself even unto hell. (Isaiah 57:9); Daniel 11:3636And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done. (Daniel 11:36)), y el “falso profeta” (Apocalipsis 16:13; 19:20; 20:1013And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. (Revelation 16:13)
20And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. (Revelation 19:20)
10And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Revelation 20:10)). Este hombre se elevará a la prominencia cuando la primera bestia llegue al poder y, por lo tanto, su mandato es también durante la segunda mitad de la semana profética.
Esta bestia tiene “dos cuernos” que denotan el doble carácter del Anticristo como el falso “profeta” y el “rey” voluntarioso de los judíos. Es una imitación de Cristo, el verdadero Profeta (Deuteronomio 18:15-1915The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken; 16According to all that thou desiredst of the Lord thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the Lord my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not. 17And the Lord said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken. 18I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. 19And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him. (Deuteronomy 18:15‑19); Mateo 21:1111And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee. (Matthew 21:11); Lucas 7:1616And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people. (Luke 7:16); Juan 6:1414Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. (John 6:14)) y el verdadero Rey (Mateo 2:1-61Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. (Matthew 2:1‑6); Apocalipsis 19:1616And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. (Revelation 19:16)). También se dice que es “semejante á ... un cordero” porque es un impostor de Cristo, el verdadero “Cordero de Dios” (Juan 1:29,3529The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29)
35Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; (John 1:35)). Será un judío apóstata (Daniel 11:3737Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all. (Daniel 11:37)) que se levantará “de la tierra” (la escena ordenada de la vida judía en Israel), y será recibido por la muchedumbre de judíos como su falso mesías (Juan 5:4343I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. (John 5:43)).
Satanás utilizará a este hombre para guiar a la muchedumbre no sellada de judíos en la tierra de Israel (Apocalipsis 9:44And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. (Revelation 9:4)) y a la muchedumbre de cristianos apóstatas que profesan en las naciones occidentales (2 Tesalonicenses 2:33Let 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; (2 Thessalonians 2:3)) para que adoren una “imagen” de la primera Bestia que él erigirá (Apocalipsis 13:14-1514And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. 15And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. (Revelation 13:14‑15)). Su misión será llevar la gran “apostasía” en Occidente (2 Tesalonicenses 2:33Let 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; (2 Thessalonians 2:3)) —que ha comenzado en la actualidad mientras la Iglesia está en la tierra (1 Timoteo 4:1: “apostatarán”)— a su culminación. Engañará a las masas para que crean su “mentira” (2 Tesalonicenses 2:9-129Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thessalonians 2:9‑12); Apocalipsis 9:1-111And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. 2And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. 3And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 4And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. 5And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man. 6And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them. 7And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men. 8And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions. 9And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle. 10And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months. 11And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon. (Revelation 9:1‑11)) y para que reciban la marca de la Bestia y adoren la imagen, una nueva forma de idolatría. Trabajará en conjunto con la primera Bestia para organizar y desatar una feroz persecución contra el remanente judío y cualquier gentil creyente en Occidente que no adore la imagen de la Bestia (versículo 15; Salmo 10:8-108He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor. 9He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net. 10He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones. (Psalm 10:8‑10)). Como resultado, muchos santos serán martirizados en la Gran Tribulación (Apocalipsis 13:7,15; 14:2-7And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. (Revelation 13:7)
15And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. (Revelation 13:15)3a; 15:2-3; Salmo 12:11<<To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David.>> Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. (Psalm 12:1); Isaías 57:1-21The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. 2He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness. (Isaiah 57:1‑2)).
Un remanente de judíos preservado
Capítulo 14:1-5.— La quinta cosa que se pondrá de manifiesto en este momento crucial es que dos grupos de personas se distinguirán en el imperio de la Bestia (las naciones occidentales, incluyendo la tierra de Israel):
• Los seguidores de la Bestia con su marca en la frente: la multitud apóstata (capítulo 13:16-18).
• Los seguidores del Cordero con su marca en la frente: el remanente (capítulo 14:1).
A pesar de los esfuerzos de Satanás (capítulo 12) y sus dos hombres malignos (capítulo 13), Dios asegurará un remanente de judíos creyentes durante ese tiempo, como se muestra en el capítulo 14:1-5. Los que reciban la marca de la Bestia sellarán su condena, pero el remanente de judíos temerosos de Dios y los que crean entre los gentiles la rechazarán.
Este pasaje muestra que no todo el remanente creyente será preservado a través de la Gran Tribulación para entrar en el reino milenario de Cristo en la tierra. Muchos de ellos serán martirizados. Ellos serán resucitados más adelante y tendrán una mejor porción en el cielo cuando Cristo reine en un día venidero. Por lo tanto, entre los seguidores del “Cordero” hay dos partes: una porción preservada (versículos 1, 3b-5) y una porción martirizada (versículos 2-3a).
Durante la Gran Tribulación, Cristo se identificará en espíritu “con” el remanente de judíos que sufre en la tierra bajo la figura representativa de los 144.000 (versículos 1,4-5). Esto no es lo mismo que los 144.000 del capítulo 7, que son un remanente de todo Israel; aquí se trata de los judíos solamente. El Señor sentirá profundamente sus sufrimientos cuando pasen por esa hora de prueba (Isaías 43:2; 63:92When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. (Isaiah 43:2)
9In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old. (Isaiah 63:9)). Muchos de los Salmos enfatizan esto. Esta parte preservada será guardada por la providencia divina (Salmo 91) y finalmente reinará con Cristo en la tierra cuando establezca Su reino milenario (versículos 4-5). La porción martirizada es vista en el cielo en el estado separado o intermedio (capítulo 6:9-11) alabando a Dios con los 24 ancianos, hasta que sean resucitados al final de la Gran Tribulación (versículos 2-3a). Entonces reinarán con Cristo en los cielos en un estado glorificado sobre la tierra milenaria (capítulo 20:4-6). La parte preservada del remanente en la tierra entenderá y se identificará con el cántico de alabanza de la porción martirizada en el cielo porque ambos habrán pasado por la misma terrible persecución de la Bestia y el Anticristo (versículo 3).
La proclamación del evangelio eterno
Capítulo 14:6-7.— La sexta cosa que estará en vigor en ese momento es la proclamación del “evangelio eterno”. Mientras que el Anticristo hará una proclamación al mundo para que adoren la imagen de la Bestia (capítulo 13:12-15), también habrá una proclamación hecha por Dios (a través del evangelio eterno) para que teman al Creador y le den gloria. Este evangelio no es el evangelio de la gracia y la gloria de Dios que es predicado hoy en día por los cristianos (Hechos 20:2424But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:24); 1 Timoteo 1:1111According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. (1 Timothy 1:11)). No anuncia la buena nueva de la redención por medio de la sangre de Cristo; ningún ángel jamás ha sido llamado para llevar ese mensaje. El evangelio eterno sí es llevado por un “ángel” y está relacionado con el mensaje que la propia creación anuncia, lo cual es una revelación limitada de Dios y de la responsabilidad del hombre hacia Él. Todos los que tengan una fe sencilla en el Creador y le den gloria serán considerados justos y “aceptados con Él” (Hechos 10:35,35But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. (Acts 10:35) traducción King James). Este evangelio se ha difundido desde el principio de los tiempos, pero como las cosas estarán sumamente turbias (espiritualmente) durante la Gran Tribulación en Occidente, y la Palabra de Dios será escasa y difícil de encontrar (Amós 8:11-1211Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: 12And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it. (Amos 8:11‑12)), Dios utilizará este otro testimonio de Sí mismo de una manera más poderosa que nunca.
La Babilonia religiosa cae
Capítulo 14:8.— La séptima cosa que ocurre a la mitad de la semana es la caída de “Babilonia”. Esta es la primera mención de Babilonia en el libro del Apocalipsis. Se utiliza como figura en la profecía para describir las potencias occidentales (la federación de diez naciones, el Imperio romano revivido) que se formarán después del Arrebatamiento, pero antes de que comience la semana 70 de Daniel (capítulo 6:1-2). Como se mencionó anteriormente, en su forma inicial en los primeros tres años y medio de la semana profética, el imperio tendrá a la iglesia católica al mando. Se le denomina la “mujer” (la ramera) montada sobre “una bestia bermeja” (capítulo 17:1-6).
El anuncio aquí en Apocalipsis 14:88And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. (Revelation 14:8) es: “Ha caído Babilonia”. Esto se refiere a que el gobierno del imperio bajo la iglesia católica será derrocado y dejado de lado. Así, utilizando el lenguaje simbólico del libro de Apocalipsis, la ramera será arrojada de la bestia y quemada con fuego por las naciones que ella ha controlado en Occidente (capítulo 17:16-17). Esto ocurrirá a mediados de la semana profética para dar paso a una nueva administración bajo el hombre diabólico al que ya se nos ha presentado en el capítulo 13:1-8, el que es la “Bestia” (el individuo).
La caída de Babilonia se refiere a que su aspecto religioso bajo la mujer (el catolicismo) se extingue, pero el imperio en sí seguirá existiendo como poder civil, político y militar. La caída de Babilonia, por lo tanto, no significa el fin de Babilonia. Cuando la mujer sea quitada, el imperio tomará una forma nueva y diferente (satánica) bajo su nuevo líder, la Bestia (el individuo). Por lo tanto, la caída de Babilonia a mediados de la semana (capítulo 14:8; 17:16-17) debe distinguirse de la destrucción de Babilonia, que sucederá al final de la semana cuando el Señor aparezca para juzgar a la Bestia (el individuo) y a sus ejércitos, y para poner fin a aquel imperio maligno (capítulo 16:15-21; 19:11-21; Isaías 13:1-22; 14:3-231The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see. 2Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles. 3I have commanded my sanctified ones, I have also called my mighty ones for mine anger, even them that rejoice in my highness. 4The noise of a multitude in the mountains, like as of a great people; a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together: the Lord of hosts mustereth the host of the battle. 5They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, even the Lord, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land. 6Howl ye; for the day of the Lord is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty. 7Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt: 8And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames. 9Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it. 10For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine. 11And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible. 12I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir. 13Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger. 14And it shall be as the chased roe, and as a sheep that no man taketh up: they shall every man turn to his own people, and flee every one into his own land. 15Every one that is found shall be thrust through; and every one that is joined unto them shall fall by the sword. 16Their children also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be spoiled, and their wives ravished. 17Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, which shall not regard silver; and as for gold, they shall not delight in it. 18Their bows also shall dash the young men to pieces; and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their eye shall not spare children. 19And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. 20It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there. 21But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there. 22And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in their pleasant palaces: and her time is near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged. (Isaiah 13:1‑22)
3And it shall come to pass in the day that the Lord shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve, 4That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased! 5The Lord hath broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers. 6He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hindereth. 7The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing. 8Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, Since thou art laid down, no feller is come up against us. 9Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations. 10All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us? 11Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee. 12How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. 15Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. 16They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; 17That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners? 18All the kings of the nations, even all of them, lie in glory, every one in his own house. 19But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, and as the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcase trodden under feet. 20Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, because thou hast destroyed thy land, and slain thy people: the seed of evildoers shall never be renowned. 21Prepare slaughter for his children for the iniquity of their fathers; that they do not rise, nor possess the land, nor fill the face of the world with cities. 22For I will rise up against them, saith the Lord of hosts, and cut off from Babylon the name, and remnant, and son, and nephew, saith the Lord. 23I will also make it a possession for the bittern, and pools of water: and I will sweep it with the besom of destruction, saith the Lord of hosts. (Isaiah 14:3‑23)). Es importante distinguir esto.
Además, cuando se habla de Babilonia utilizando la figura de la “mujer” (la ramera), se está refiriendo al aspecto religioso corrupto del imperio bajo el catolicismo. Pero cuando se habla de Babilonia como una “ciudad”, se refiere a su aspecto civil, político y militar. (Lo que puede ser confuso aquí es que, en la traducción Reina-Valera, Apocalipsis 14:88And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. (Revelation 14:8) dice “aquella grande ciudad”. Sin embargo, esta frase no debería estar en el texto. El versículo se refiere al lado religioso bajo la mujer, no al lado civil y político). Se dirá más sobre Babilonia en el paréntesis de los capítulos 17–19:6, explicando su ascenso al poder y su destrucción final.
La condena de los adoradores de la bestia
Capítulo 14:9-12.— Tras la caída de Babilonia habrá una adoración generalizada de la Bestia y su imagen en todo el imperio occidental en la última mitad de la semana profética. Esto será fomentado, o más bien impuesto, por el Anticristo (capítulo 13:15). Pero no será sin advertencia, lo cual se indica en el anuncio de estos versículos. Este anuncio probablemente se hará a través de la voz del remanente judío que clamará contra esta maldad. El anuncio anticipa el espantoso final de aquellos que recibirán la marca de la bestia y adorarán su imagen. Los “santos” (los que no recibirán la marca) son aconsejados a aguantar con “paciencia [resistencia]” hasta el final, porque la hora de la venida del Señor (Su Aparición) y la liberación de ellos no está lejos (versículo 12; Mateo 24:1313But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. (Matthew 24:13); Lucas 21:25-2825And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. (Luke 21:25‑28)).
El término de la primera resurrección
Capítulo 14:13.— Conforme se acerca el final de la semana profética, y Cristo está a punto de aparecer, ocurrirá la tercera y última fase de “la primera resurrección” (Apocalipsis 20:55But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. (Revelation 20:5)). Esta resurrección también se llama “la resurrección de vida” y “la resurrección de los justos” (Juan 5:2828Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, (John 5:28); Lucas 14:1414And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. (Luke 14:14); Hechos 24:1515And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. (Acts 24:15)). Es una resurrección de personas justas. Los santos que serán martirizados durante la semana profética serán resucitados para unirse a la compañía celestial como parte de los 24 ancianos. “De aquí adelante”, indica el fin de su condición en el estado separado y la introducción a una nueva condición “bienaventurada” de ser glorificados. Estos son los últimos invitados que serán traídos para asistir a las bodas del Cordero en el cielo (Levítico 23:2222And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest: thou shalt leave them unto the poor, and to the stranger: I am the Lord your God. (Leviticus 23:22); Mateo 13:3030Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. (Matthew 13:30)). Estos estarán entre los amigos del Esposo en el cielo (Juan 3:2929He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. (John 3:29)). Estarán con Cristo cuando reine sobre la tierra en el Milenio (capítulo 20:4-6).
Tres fases de la primera resurrección
• Los santos martirizados durante la Tribulación serán resucitados justo antes de la Aparición de Cristo (capítulo 6:9-11; 14:2-3; 15:2-4).
El juicio de la Siega
Capítulo 14:14-16.— Cristo vendrá finalmente (la Aparición) en cumplimiento de las profecías del Antiguo Testamento que lo describen como el “Hijo del Hombre” que viene del cielo para juzgar a las naciones (Daniel 7:1313I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. (Daniel 7:13); Juan 5:2727And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. (John 5:27); Apocalipsis 1:13-1613And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. 14His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 16And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. (Revelation 1:13‑16)). Ejecutará un juicio discriminatorio similar al de un agricultor que separa el trigo de la paja en tiempo de cosecha. De ahí que se le llame juicio de la “Siega”. En ese momento, el Señor enviará a Sus ángeles que recorrerán la tierra profética (las naciones occidentales y la tierra de Israel) y sacarán a los inicuos de la tierra y los arrojarán vivos al lago de fuego (Mateo 13:38-4338The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; 39The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. 40As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. 41The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Matthew 13:38‑43); Isaías 24:1,61Behold, the Lord maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof. (Isaiah 24:1)
6Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left. (Isaiah 24:6)). Esto es lo que significan las palabras del Señor: “Uno será tomado, y el otro será dejado” (Mateo 24:36-4136But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 37But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 40Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. (Matthew 24:36‑41)). Con ello se inicia el juicio de “los vivos” (2 Timoteo 4:11I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; (2 Timothy 4:1); 1 Pedro 4:55Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. (1 Peter 4:5)). Habrán relativamente pocos que restan en la tierra occidental después de la ejecución de este juicio (Isaías 24:66Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left. (Isaiah 24:6)).
Al mismo tiempo, el Señor destruirá los ejércitos de Occidente y sus dos líderes (la bestia y el anticristo: Apocalipsis 19:20-2120And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh. (Revelation 19:20‑21)) con “el resplandor de Su venida” (2 Tesalonicenses 2:88And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: (2 Thessalonians 2:8)). Además, en cuestión de pocos días después de la aparición del Señor, el Rey del Norte, que habrá conducido sus ejércitos a través de la tierra de Israel y hasta Egipto, saldrá de esa tierra y “se levantará” contra el Señor, pero el Señor destruirá también a esos ejércitos (Daniel 8:25; 11:42-4525And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. (Daniel 8:25)
42He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 43But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps. 44But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many. 45And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him. (Daniel 11:42‑45); Isaías 30:27-3327Behold, the name of the Lord cometh from far, burning with his anger, and the burden thereof is heavy: his lips are full of indignation, and his tongue as a devouring fire: 28And his breath, as an overflowing stream, shall reach to the midst of the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of vanity: and there shall be a bridle in the jaws of the people, causing them to err. 29Ye shall have a song, as in the night when a holy solemnity is kept; and gladness of heart, as when one goeth with a pipe to come into the mountain of the Lord, to the mighty One of Israel. 30And the Lord shall cause his glorious voice to be heard, and shall show the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of his anger, and with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering, and tempest, and hailstones. 31For through the voice of the Lord shall the Assyrian be beaten down, which smote with a rod. 32And in every place where the grounded staff shall pass, which the Lord shall lay upon him, it shall be with tabrets and harps: and in battles of shaking will he fight with it. 33For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the Lord, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it. (Isaiah 30:27‑33)). (Esto no se menciona aquí en Apocalipsis 14 porque el tema es el juicio de Israel; sin embargo, son cosas que acompañan la Aparición de Cristo). Como resultado del juicio de la Siega, la tierra profética será limpiada de todos los que causan “escándalos” y “hacen iniquidad” en preparación para el reinado de Cristo (Mateo 13:4141The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; (Matthew 13:41)).
(La Aparición de Cristo se describe con mayor detalle cuando se retoma el hilo de los acontecimientos en el capítulo 19:11).
El juicio de la Vendimia
Capítulo 14:17-20.— Después del juicio de la Siega, el Señor efectuará una restauración de la nación de Israel y comenzará Su reinado en justicia sobre la tierra (Salmo 72:1-31<<A Psalm for Solomon.>> Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son. 2He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment. 3The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness. (Psalm 72:1‑3); Isaías 32:1; 61:111Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment. (Isaiah 32:1)
11For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations. (Isaiah 61:11)). Esto tampoco se menciona en Apocalipsis 14, pero hay una gran cantidad de pasajes del Antiguo Testamento que indican que ocurrirá después de la aparición de Cristo (Isaías 13:99Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it. (Isaiah 13:9)–14:3; Isaías 30:2727Behold, the name of the Lord cometh from far, burning with his anger, and the burden thereof is heavy: his lips are full of indignation, and his tongue as a devouring fire: (Isaiah 30:27)–32:20; Miqueas 5:1-71Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us: they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek. 2But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. 3Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel. 4And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth. 5And this man shall be the peace, when the Assyrian shall come into our land: and when he shall tread in our palaces, then shall we raise against him seven shepherds, and eight principal men. 6And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof: thus shall he deliver us from the Assyrian, when he cometh into our land, and when he treadeth within our borders. 7And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the Lord, as the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men. (Micah 5:1‑7); Malaquías 4:1-2,1For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. 2But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. (Malachi 4:1‑2) etc.). En aquel tiempo, otro grupo de ángeles será enviado por todo el mundo para reunir a los “escogidos” de las diez tribus de Israel de regreso en su tierra (Mateo 24:3131And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (Matthew 24:31)). Estos se juntarán con sus hermanos, el remanente de las dos tribus (los judíos), en su patria (Isaías 49:8-238Thus saith the Lord, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages; 9That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Show yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places. 10They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them. 11And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted. 12Behold, these shall come from far: and, lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim. 13Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted. 14But Zion said, The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. 15Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. 16Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me. 17Thy children shall make haste; thy destroyers and they that made thee waste shall go forth of thee. 18Lift up thine eyes round about, and behold: all these gather themselves together, and come to thee. As I live, saith the Lord, thou shalt surely clothe thee with them all, as with an ornament, and bind them on thee, as a bride doeth. 19For thy waste and thy desolate places, and the land of thy destruction, shall even now be too narrow by reason of the inhabitants, and they that swallowed thee up shall be far away. 20The children which thou shalt have, after thou hast lost the other, shall say again in thine ears, The place is too strait for me: give place to me that I may dwell. 21Then shalt thou say in thine heart, Who hath begotten me these, seeing I have lost my children, and am desolate, a captive, and removing to and fro? and who hath brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; these, where had they been? 22Thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders. 23And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me. (Isaiah 49:8‑23)). Un gran número de israelitas que no tienen vida divina ni fe vendrán junto con los escogidos de las diez tribus, y serán separados en las fronteras de la tierra por el Señor. Los “rebeldes” no serán permitidos entrar en la tierra y serán dejados allí en “el término [la frontera]” (traducción J. N. Darby) (Ezequiel 11:9-11; 20:33-389And I will bring you out of the midst thereof, and deliver you into the hands of strangers, and will execute judgments among you. 10Ye shall fall by the sword; I will judge you in the border of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord. 11This city shall not be your caldron, neither shall ye be the flesh in the midst thereof; but I will judge you in the border of Israel: (Ezekiel 11:9‑11)
33As I live, saith the Lord God, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule over you: 34And I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out. 35And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face. 36Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord God. 37And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant: 38And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am the Lord. (Ezekiel 20:33‑38); Amós 9:9-109For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth. 10All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword, which say, The evil shall not overtake nor prevent us. (Amos 9:9‑10)).
Mientras tanto, otra vasta confederación de ejércitos se reunirá y atacará a la recién restaurada nación de Israel. Estas son las hordas rusas con sus confederados bajo Gog (Ezequiel 38–39; Joel 3:1-21For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, 2I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land. (Joel 3:1‑2)). Sin embargo, así como el juicio de la Siega no menciona a los ejércitos occidentales, estos ejércitos bajo Gog tampoco son mencionados. Llegarán desde el este (la tierra de Edom, donde se congregarán; Isaías 34:1-21Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come forth of it. 2For the indignation of the Lord is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter. (Isaiah 34:1‑2)) con un gran séquito. En ese momento, el Señor saldrá de Jerusalén para defender a Israel (es decir, un remanente de las doce tribus) y destruirá a los ejércitos atacantes. Al pisar “el grande lagar de la ira de Dios”, el Señor saldrá de Jerusalén y recorrerá todo el camino hasta la tierra de Edom (Isaías 26:21; 34:3-10; 63:1-621For, behold, the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain. (Isaiah 26:21)
3Their slain also shall be cast out, and their stink shall come up out of their carcases, and the mountains shall be melted with their blood. 4And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree. 5For my sword shall be bathed in heaven: behold, it shall come down upon Idumea, and upon the people of my curse, to judgment. 6The sword of the Lord is filled with blood, it is made fat with fatness, and with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams: for the Lord hath a sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Idumea. 7And the unicorns shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness. 8For it is the day of the Lord's vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion. 9And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch. 10It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever. (Isaiah 34:3‑10)
1Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. 2Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? 3I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. 4For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. 5And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me. 6And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth. (Isaiah 63:1‑6); Abdías 15-1615For the day of the Lord is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head. 16For as ye have drunk upon my holy mountain, so shall all the heathen drink continually, yea, they shall drink, and they shall swallow down, and they shall be as though they had not been. (Obadiah 15‑16)). ¡Esto será como 320 kilómetros (1600 “estadios”) de pura carnicería humana! La muchedumbre de israelitas apóstatas que quede en las fronteras de la tierra será destruida con estos ejércitos. Así, “la viña de la tierra” (una figura que se usa a menudo para describir a Israel) será echada “en el gran lagar” (versículo 19).
El juicio de la Vendimia (Lagar) ocurre un poco después del final de la semana 70 de Daniel: 1335 días desde la mitad de la semana (Daniel 12:11-1211And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. 12Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. (Daniel 12:11‑12)). Harán cerca de dos meses que Cristo habrá regresado a la tierra cuando ejecute este juicio. No será un juicio discriminatorio, como lo fue el juicio de la Siega. Por tanto, los involucrados en este juicio serán destruidos sin miramientos. Este juicio del Lagar será un paso más en el juicio de “los vivos”.