THE APOSTACY
Revelation 11. Preservation of Jewish worshippers. Two prophets, or witnesses, testifying to God’s right to the earth, during the last half-week, and slain at the close by the beast.
Seventh trumpet, or third woe. Announcement of the establishment of Christ’s kingdom introduced by His personal judgment of the quick, and closing with the judgment of the dead. The day of the Lord (Rev. 11:15-18). Revelation 11:19 commences fresh details.
Revelation 12. Vision of the birth of a man child, Christ, who is caught up to God. War in heaven. Satan, seen as the dragon, cast out from his present sphere into the earth, having great wrath, and makes war with the faithful remnant of Jews during the last half-week.
Revelation 13. Rise of the two beasts.
The first, the Roman empire, revived, and receiving power from the dragon for the last half-week.
The second, the antichristian beast, or the antichrist. Direct mimicry of Christ. Exercises all the power of the first one, working deceptive miracles.
Revelation 14. Seven visions.
First. The Jewish remnant associated with the Lamb, first-fruits for millennial blessing. Distinct from 144,000 of Revelation 7. There it is out of all the twelve tribes; here only the two (Revelation 14:1-5).
Second. Announcement of the everlasting gospel; that is the message that had been declared from the first. Call to men to fear God and look for the establishment of Christ’s kingdom, and to cease from idolatry and antichrist (Rev. 14:6-7).
Third. Announcement of the fall of Babylon, that is, the spiritual Babylon, religious corruption (Rev. 14:8).
Fourth. Threat of eternal judgment and torment on any who should worship the beast and his image, or receive his mark openly or secretly (Rev. 14:9-12).
Fifth. Blessing on those who die in the Lord from henceforth (Rev. 14:13).
Sixth. The Son of Man harvesting the earth, dividing the nations (Rev. 14:14-16).
Seventh. Gathering of the vine of the earth, and treading of the winepress of the wrath of God. Judgment on Israel in open apostasy under antichrist (Rev. 14:17-20).
Revelation 15. Vision of seven angels with the seven last plagues, in which is filled up the wrath of God (Rev. 15:1).
Vision of martyred remnant, who have been in great tribulation, victorious and triumphant (Rev. 15:2-4).
Preparation of the seven angels to execute the judgment.
Revelation 16. Pouring out of the seven vials or bowls full of the wrath of God. Compare the plagues in Egypt (Ex. 7-12).
The first four fall upon the same objects as the first four trumpets, but not limited, like then, to the third part. Notice the repeated mention of “MEN.”
The fifth. Terrible judgment on the Roman empire.
The sixth. Drying up of the river Euphrates, and gathering of the kings of the whole habitable world by Satanic agency to Armageddon, preparatory to the battle of the great day of God Almighty.
The seventh. On the air. Terrible convulsions of European civilization. Babylon brought to remembrance. Great hailstorm; fearful downpour of God’s wrath.
These awful judgments lead to blasphemy against God on the part of men (Rev. 16:9, 11, 21).
Revelation 17. Vision of a woman, gorgeously arrayed, sitting upon a scarlet-colored beast, and upon her forehead a name written, “Mystery, Babylon the great, the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth.” Figure of ecclesiastical corruption. Rome the center, supported by the civil power, the beast (or head of the revived Roman empire) and ten horns (ten kings) until the hour of her judgment, and then destroyed by them. It is the false union of church and State.
Revelation 18. Destruction of Babylon, here viewed under the figure of a mighty city, enriched by illicit commerce with the kings and merchants of the earth, receiving judgment from God.
Revelation 19. Five visions.
First. Much people in heaven praising God for His judgment on the false and wicked religious system of the world.
Second. The marriage of the Lamb. The Bride, the Lamb’s wife, the church of God. The friends called to the marriage supper, probably the Old Testament saints.
Third. Heaven opened, and the vision of Christ prepared to execute warrior-judgment upon the beast, and kings of the earth arrayed at the head of the military power of western Europe against Him. The armies following in His train, the heavenly saints (Rev. 17:14).
Fourth. The fowls called to the great supper of God.
Fifth. Summary judgment upon the beast and the false prophet (or antichrist). The armies slain.
(Continued and to be Continued).