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. 11:15-1815And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. 16And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, 17Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. 18And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. (Revelation 11:15‑18)). Revelation 11:1919And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail. (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 14:1-51And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. 2And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: 3And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. 4These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. 5And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. (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. 14:6-76And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. (Revelation 14:6‑7)).
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. 14:9-129And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, 10The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: 11And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. 12Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. (Revelation 14:9‑12)).
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. 14:17-2017And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. 18And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. 19And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs. (Revelation 14:17‑20)).
Vision of martyred remnant, who have been in great tribulation, victorious and triumphant (Rev. 15:2-42And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. 3And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. 4Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest. (Revelation 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.
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. 17:1414These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. (Revelation 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).