There is no book in the whole Bible which is so highly commended for our special consideration as the book of Revelation. "Blessed is he that readeth" and "Blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book." (Rev. 1:3; 22:6-203Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. (Revelation 1:3)
6And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. 7Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. 8And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which showed me these things. 9Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. 10And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. 11He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. 12And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 13I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. 14Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 15For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. 16I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. 17And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. 18For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. 20He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:6‑20)) it is the only New Testament book of prophecy and judgment. It is the most comprehensive book of all the sixty-six. Should we then neglect it, be unconcerned?
Slighting it is the too common tendency of our day. Lack of heart, lukewarmness is the sure result of settling down in the very world on which God's judgments are just about to fall. "It is high time to awake out of sleep." "How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?"
"Prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place." Vain excuses are made to justify this negligence while not neglecting our own selfish interests; "for all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ." Such is Laodicea. Objections are made to the many strange symbols, and the disconnected arrangement of the book; also that these future events are concerning others. The fact is it is addressed to the church, "to the seven churches" (Rev. 1:44John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; (Revelation 1:4)), "to the seven churches" (Rev. 1:11The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: (Revelation 1:1)1), and far more of it concerns the church than most realize. The Revelation is God's gift to Christ (Rev. 1:11The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: (Revelation 1:1)), to skew to us, the church, not to hide it from us. "Shall I hide from Abraham the thing that I do?" It is also true that in the perfect wisdom of God "It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; but the honor of kings is to search out a matter." The diligent searcher will discover rich treasures, get insight as to just what lies ahead according to God's certainties and be weaned from the world. So this book is of great importance to the Christian. In the first three chapters the church is on earth; in the next two and until Rev. 19:1111And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. (Revelation 19:11) in heaven. The false church is seen and judged in Rev. chapters 17 and 18, followed by the marriage of the true, and then she is displayed with Christ in heavenly glory in chapter 21. Besides all this the world's most terrible judgments will be poured out upon Christendom and the Jews and the nations in the brief space of seven years, prior to our Lord's reign with the church for one thousand years, chapter 20. So, to dismiss this book as though it is not for us, displays a sad state of soul.
To See Clearly the Order of Events Is an Immense Help to Understand This Book
In the last half of chapter one is presented "the Son of man" in an entirely new character as a judge with affections restrained by a golden girdle, engaging Himself with the seven churches and their responsible representatives (the angel cannot mean a clergyman).
The Seven Churches
In chapters two and three He appraises, warns and counsels these seven churches, which are also typical of the succeeding seven stages of the professing church in its entire course throughout this church age. "Judgment must begin at the house of God." He tells them at Ephesus how He misses their former love and zeal such as was seen in Acts 4:32, 3332And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 33And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. (Acts 4:32‑33). The church had fallen. Next, to the Smyrnans, Christ gives strong encouragement in view of the terrible persecutions and death many would soon have to endure. He then stoutly rebukes Pergamos for being seduced into alliance with the world where Satan reigns. Like Balsam's snare of old, Constantine lured the church into settling down in ease with the pagan world! This is followed by Thyatira suffering that lewd woman Jezebel to teach and corrupt by idolatry and illicit intercourse with the world! Here it is not difficult to recognize this monstrous religious system which has grown out of "the depths of Satan." Next, Protestant Sardis appears with its vast but dead profession and receives His solemn warning that He will come upon it as a thief, the same as He will come in judgment upon the world! Unpretentious Philadelphia receives only the Lord's commendation because He was their sole delight and blessed hope. His name, His Word and His love were precious, filling them with brotherly love. All they possessed was devoted to Him and making Him known. Nevertheless they were warned to "hold fast" to all this their precious portion. Have the most highly privileged with Philadelphian truth done so.
At the last Christ is outside the door of heartless Laodicea. They had become full of themselves, yet blind to their poverty and end. This is the last state of the professing church on earth after the Philadelphian grace and truth had been so richly enjoyed. Laodicea is Christendom become wholely leavened and about to be rejected. At this point it is important to see what Laodicea becomes! Papal Rome's domineering overtures to gullible lifeless Protestantism are already finding increasing response to join the great ecumenical union which will become "Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots" (Rev. 17:55And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. (Revelation 17:5)). "Come out of her, My people" (Rev. 18:44And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. (Revelation 18:4)). Self-pleasing, worldliness, prosperity and ecumenical appeals are the great snares of our day.
In Rev. 4 we see in heaven God's judicial throne, His attributes, agents and rights as Creator about to judge. Around the throne are seated the church with Old Testament saints, where they continue until chapter Rev. 19:1111And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. (Revelation 19:11).
In Rev. 5 none save One is found worthy to open the seven-sealed book of judgment. John 5:2222For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: (John 5:22) and 27 with 1:29 refer to this future work of Christ. The elders sing praises to the Lamb that had been slain, who bought a suffering praying remnant which was about to be slain and afterward share in His reign. The more faithful translation by Mr. Darby makes this clear. Rev. 13 looks beyond the intervening judgments to Christ's glorious reign.
The First Half of the Week Six Seals
In Rev. 6 we have the opening of the six seals during the first three and one half years, called "the beginning of sorrows" in Matt. 24:88All these are the beginning of sorrows. (Matthew 24:8).
First seal. It now appears that Papal Rome, with all her surpassing diplomatic proficiency, will politically subjugate, unite, "sit" (17:3) and control the ten powers for the first half of the week, (chap. 17:3,7,18). "White" suits her pretentions to Christ-like motives for peace. A "bow" gives power to her aim. The "crown" is her reward (Greek stephanos and not 'diadem' for kingly royalty.) The absence of "I saw" in the next seal and the term "another" indicate that the first two seals are connected. This is further shown by peace being taken from the earth. The crown being not a royal diadem eliminates the thought of describing the Roman Beast or the Antichrist.
Third seal, Famine follows.
Fourth seal, Sword, hunger, death and beasts ravage.
Fifth seal, Martyrs that have been slain by Babylon the Great (Rev. 17:6; 18:24; 19:26And 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 17:6)
24And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth. (Revelation 18:24)
2For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. (Revelation 19:2)), during these first three and one half years, must wait until others are slain, for not worshipping the beast in the last three and one half years, (Rev. 13:1515And 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), agreeing with Rev. 20:44And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (Revelation 20:4) N.T.)
The Middle of the Week
In Rev. 7 we have come to the middle of the week when many great changes take place. In the first place "the living God" in mercy selects out of all Israel His special servants whom He will preserve alive to be His testimony through the awful ensuing three and one half years of "the great tribulation," and then enter safely into the kingdom which they have been heralding. (Then there in the kingdom they will find the fruit of their preaching, a host of Gentiles celebrating their deliverance in the new temple on the earth.)
It is in the middle of the week that Satan will be cast out of heaven onto the earth (Rev. 12:99And 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 12:9)). Realizing that his time is short he will give full energy to his two chief instruments. The antichrist will be unmasked (2 Thess. 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)), and then employ those who were formerly of Christendom to make an image of the Roman Beast and cause all who will not worship the image and the beast and Satan to be killed (Rev. 13:11And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. (Revelation 13:1)4, 15 and verse 4.) The other, The Roman beast, immediately throws off and destroys the religious woman that had been controlling it during the first three and one half years (Rev. 17, and especially verse 16). She had become an intolerable encumbrance. Now, with the ten horns for the first time crowned (Rev. 13:11And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. (Revelation 13:1)), the beast, the world's invincible wonder, and Satan, become the objects of worship throughout the last three and one half years, "forty and two months" (Rev. 13:4, 54And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? 5And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. (Revelation 13:4‑5)). It is unmistakably evident therefore that the woman can no longer be riding the beast during this black period, the great apostasy of universal blasphemy against God, (Rev. 13:66And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. (Revelation 13:6), also 16:9, 11, 21.)
At this very time Judaism is abolished by the Roman beast breaking his covenant with the Jews and putting an end to their sacrifice. Antichrist cooperates by enforcing the worship of the image, "the abomination of desolation" set up in the temple in Jerusalem (Dan. 9:27; 12:1127And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (Daniel 9:27)
11And 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); Matt. 24:1515When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) (Matthew 24:15).) Here in Matthew 24:2121For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. (Matthew 24:21) it shows that "the great tribulation" (lasting three and one half years) follows.
In this middle of the week we get heaven's three rejoicings: First, that Satan is cast out, (Rev. 12:1212Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. (Revelation 12:12)); Second, that the harlot has been judged, (Rev. 18:2020Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her. (Revelation 18:20)); Third, that the marriage supper of the Lamb commences, (Rev. 19:77Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. (Revelation 19:7)).
The Last Half of the Week
During this period of "the great tribulation" there are a number of parenthetic chapters as well as trumpet and vial chapters that will be fulfilled.
The parenthetic chapters are Rev. 7, 10 to 11:14 and 11:19 to 14:13. Rev. 7 has been spoken of above.
Rev. 10 (coming between the sixth and seventh trumpets) gives warning that the end is very near, that there should be "no longer delay" (N.T.) Seven thunders threaten. The Creator as judge stands at the door declaring His universal rights to reign according to the little book of known prophecy (see Ezek. 21:26, 2726Thus saith the Lord God; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high. 27I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him. (Ezekiel 21:26‑27)). His coming is sweet to faith, however bitter the awful judgments.
Rev. 11:1-141And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. 2But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. 3And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. 4These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. 5And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. 6These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. 7And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. 8And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. 9And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. 10And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. 11And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. 12And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. 13And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. 14The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly. (Revelation 11:1‑14). Here at the commencement God declares His ultimate purpose to have worshippers in Jerusalem where our Lord was crucified. For three and one half years, "a thousand two hundred and threescore days," He will maintain His two special witnesses in the midst of Jerusalem in the very face of the antichrist, Satan and the wicked Jews; after which they will be killed by the Roman beast, raised and taken up to heaven in the sight of their terrified enemies. (Will speak of the balance of the chapter later.)
Rev. 12. Once again, according to God's purpose, Israel's future glory is anticipated and stated at the outset. Then her future travail is declared as coming (lsa. 66:6, 7), after Satan's opposition which occurred when Christ was born; then is noted His ascension. Satan is cast out of heaven onto the earth and immediately persecutes Israel. God defeats these efforts, but permits Satan to war against His witnessing remnant of the Psalms.
Rev. 13. It is of utmost importance to see that this chapter actually takes place after Rev. 17 and 18. The more this statement is weighed the more certain it becomes evident. The "forty and two months" of Rev. 13:55And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. (Revelation 13:5) proves that Satan's program of enforced worship of himself and the Roman beast, backed by the antichrist, will brook no rival. He had already made short work of Christendom's harlot and Judaism in the middle of the week.
Rev. 14 contains seven religious subjects. The first gives prominence to God's purpose concerning the remnant of Judah, by showing them as blessed with the Lamb in the coming day in His kingdom on earth. There they sing in accord with the raised martyred remnant then in heaven. The second proclaims judgment as imminent, that God alone is the one to be worshipped. The third shows that the destruction of religious Babylon precedes the three and one half years of beast worship. The fourth shows the eternal punishment of these beast worshippers. The fifth declares the blessedness of the spirits of those whose bodies have been killed as the result of not worshipping the beast. The sixth and seventh are connected with the Lord's coming in judgment and will be considered later in connection with His coming in wrath.
Six Trumpets
In Rev. 8 and 9 we have six trumpets.
(Rev. 8:3-53And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. 5And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. (Revelation 8:3‑5) records the Lord's first consideration, the care of His suffering godly remnant of the Psalms in their darkest hour.) The "third part" (mentioned 12 times) is the sphere of the Roman earth.
The First trumpet describes devastation on great and small, which suggests "fall-out" ruinous effects.
The Second trumpet describes a great power consuming masses of mankind.
The Third trumpet shows us extreme despair as the result of a great authority depriving the people of their usual sources of livelihood. Suicide may be intimated.
In the Fourth trumpet we see all authorities smitten with Satanic darkness. Three woe-trumpets follow.
The Fifth trumpet differs from the preceding four as it is limited to the unsealed apostate Jews (in contrast to the godly ones who are sealed in Rev. 7) who will be tormented five months by demons and Satanic delusions from the infernal pit.
The Sixth trumpet. From still further east the Assyrians invade, molest and torment the Roman civilized earth. Here we see the end of modern progress, "Christianized Gentiles" as washed sows rolling in the mire. Nothing will remain to live for but lusts, witchcraft, murder and worship of demons! In our day we see masses of lifeless church members blind to these Scriptures which so graphically describe their future vile end on earth.
Will mention the seventh trumpet later.
Seven Vials
In Rev. 15:1, 5-81And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. (Revelation 15:1)
5And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened: 6And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles. 7And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever. 8And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled. (Revelation 15:5‑8) is declared that God's holiness must be vindicated by pouring out the seven vials of His wrath. The area affected is not confined to the Roman earth as it is with the trumpets (except in the case of the fifth.) This is a noticeable difference between the trumpets and vials which in the main run parallel and are somewhat similar.
In Rev. 16 the first vial shows extended subjugation to the Roman beast and the sore anguish of his worshippers.
The Second vial extends apostasy over the foreign masses of mankind.
The Third vial. All the former sources of satisfaction become God's retribution upon those who had shed the blood of His saints.
The Fourth vial. Extreme despotic oppression scorches unrepentant men who in turn blaspheme God.
The Fifth vial. Here it is the Roman beast's kingdom so darkened that unrepentant men gnaw their tongues that blaspheme God, as a foretaste of the blackness of darkness forever!
The Sixth vial. Here, preparing for the end, we see Satanic hosts gathering together the Assyrians and kings of the world with their armies for the war against God at Armageddon (Rev. 19:11-2111And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. 17And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; 18That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. 19And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 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. 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 19:11‑21)).
Rev. 16:1515Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. (Revelation 16:15), "I come as a thief," is warning in view of the seventh and last vial—the finality of this series of judgments. "It is done," (Rev. 16:1717And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. (Revelation 16:17)) (Rev. 10:77But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. (Revelation 10:7)); (see Rev. 11:1515And 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. (Revelation 11:15)) "in them the wrath of God is completed" (Rev. 15:11And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. (Revelation 15:1)) and "the seven plagues...completed" (Rev. 15:88And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled. (Revelation 15:8) N.T)
Note THESE DISTINCTIONS: the seventh trumpet includes both the displacement of kingdoms and wrath on the rebellious nations. The seventh vial is the demolition of all civil and imperial governments, whereas Armageddon was open warfare.
Wrath at Christ's Coming
The Seventh trumpet. Going back to 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), the seventh trumpet presents the last woe as God's great wrath against His enemies, not only at Christ's coming (Rev. 19:15,1915And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. (Revelation 19:15)
19And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. (Revelation 19:19)), but also at the close of the thousand years (Rev. 20:7-107And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. 9And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. 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 20:7‑10)), and then finally in the great-white-throne judgment of the wicked dead on whom His wrath will abide eternally (Rev. 20:11-1511And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11‑15) and John 3:3636He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36)).
The Seventh vial. Brings us to the end of Daniel's seventieth week, the end of the times of the Gentiles, the end of Gentile world dominion, the end of man's day. This last seventh vial has to do with the civil world empire. Rev. 16:1919And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. (Revelation 16:19) requires special consideration.
The Most Perplexing Problem of the Book
At this point it is our sincere desire to help our beloved brethren on the most difficult problem in the book of Revelation, and that is the term "Babylon" in Rev. 16:1919And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. (Revelation 16:19). To do so we must give God's Word its supreme place above the teachings of the best of men. The best are never wiser than Scripture.
May the Lord grant each of our souls to ever welcome faithful correction by the right use of His Word and to look to Him for help, guidance and understanding. It is good to ever remember that the understanding of "no prophecy of Scripture is had from its own" isolated statement, but must comport with all else of God's Word.
REV 16:1919And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. (Revelation 16:19)The traditional view found in virtually all of our finest expositions of the book of Revelation takes it for granted that "Babylon" in
Rev. 16:1919And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. (Revelation 16:19) refers to religious "Babylon" of Rev. 17, as it seems inconceivable that the Holy Spirit would use the same identical term to apply to two entirely different objects. Therefore they see no difficulty to face or to solve. Nor is it easy for any who have long held this view, and who rightly fear being mislead, to listen to anything else. Others, however, have found that this view which delays religious Babylon's destruction until the end of the week, definitely conflicts with some of the clearest truths of this book.
All agree that Satan is to be cast out onto the earth in the middle of the week (Rev. 12).
All our best expositions on the Revelation agree that the beast of ten horns will throw off its rider and destroy her (Rev. 17:1616And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. (Revelation 17:16), ending this great religious system and its profession of Christianity.) This must be to make way for the universal worship of the beast (Rev. 13:77And 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)b supplanting Rev. 17:1515And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. (Revelation 17:15),) during the last "forty-two months" (Rev. 13:55And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. (Revelation 13:5)).
C.S. says, "False Christendom will be destroyed to make way for the still worse thing, the worship of the beast."
E.D. says, "With the advent of the antichrist, the 'beast' is elevated into the supreme object of worship and the ‘woman'...will no longer be tolerated."
H.H.S. says, "This confederacy will...eat her up, to advance the kingdom of the beast."
W.K. says, "The overthrow of the ecclesiastical power is necessary to leave a field unimpeded for the imperial power to develop itself in its final form of apostasy, blasphemy and rebellion against the Lord."
T.B B. says, "The fall of Babylon... is first announced and then the awful doom of those who... worship the beast and his image...to continue forty-two months... also a new religion has sprung up, the worship of a man and all trace of Christianity must be obliterated." (pp. 199 and 228) must be destroyed before the beast's supremacy can be asserted. The great tribulation will then follow for all who will not worship the beast."
J.H. McNairn says, "The beast casts off the woman...before the...forty and two months." (p. 193)
In Rev. 17:3,7,12,163So 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)
7And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns. (Revelation 17:7)
12And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. (Revelation 17:12)
16And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. (Revelation 17:16) the "ten horns" are not yet crowned, but in Rev. 13:11And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. (Revelation 13:1) the ten horns are "crowned."
In Rev. 17:1515And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. (Revelation 17:15) the woman has complete control, but in Rev. 13:7,87And 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. 8And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Revelation 13:7‑8) the beast has taken over complete control.
In Rev. 17 there is not yet the worship of the beast nor yet his image made.
In Rev. 13 there is no woman riding the beast as there had been in Rev. 17:7,187And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns. (Revelation 17:7)
18And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth. (Revelation 17:18), for the beast destroyed her in Rev. 17:1616And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. (Revelation 17:16).
In keeping with all this, heaven's three rejoicings, as stated before, occur in the middle of the week, (Rev. 12:12; 18:20; 19:712Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. (Revelation 12:12)
20Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her. (Revelation 18:20)
7Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. (Revelation 19:7).)
The beast martyrs the saints during the last three and a half years (Rev. 13:7, 157And 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)), whereas the woman martyrs the saints during the first three and a half years (Rev. 17:6; 18:24; 20:46And 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 17:6)
24And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth. (Revelation 18:24)
4And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (Revelation 20:4) N.T.)
Rev. 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) precedes Rev. 14:9-119And 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. (Revelation 14:9‑11), the worship of the beast during the last forty and two months (Rev. 13:55And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. (Revelation 13:5)).
"Chapter 17, we are told, is earlier than chapter 13” shows that this was seen as early as 1844, (Coll. Writ., Vol. 8, p. 28 and p. 193 footnote.)
The only question left is, How about "Babylon" in Rev. 16:1919And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. (Revelation 16:19) which is to be destroyed at the end of the week in connection with the 7th vial? If religious "Babylon" was destroyed in the middle of the week by the ten-horned beast, she would not exist at the end of the week. This therefore demands our most careful consideration.
In 1839 J J.N.D. endeavored to solve but part of this problem in Vol. 2 of the Collected Writings. He says, "Satan cast down...This is clearly before the last three and a half years" (p. 296).
"The abomination of desolation is set up in the midst of the last week" (p. 296).
"The fall of Babylon...getting its place in the course of events is of great moment, which is given here...for the warning is next given, if any man worship him" (i.e. the beast) (p. 349).
"The interpretation of this chapter is clearly of the greatest possible importance" (p. 363).
"These ten horns or kings hated her and destroyed all its fullness and power (p. 376).
"the beast supplanting the woman. The kings lay her waste" (p .371).
"power was given him over all kindreds, tongues and nations... the dominant power on the earth" p. 336.
With all of this we are agreed, but not with the next three statements.
"involving her moral degradation, not destruction" (???) (p. 372).
"We have the fall of Babylon distinguished, I think, from the destruction of Babylon" (???) (p. 377).
TWENTY-NINE YEARS LATER (1868) he owns his previous mistakes. (Coll. Writ., Vol.8, p. 193, footnote. Morrish ed.)
"I have supposed that there were two destructions of Babylon in the Revelation. But the examination of the question... has convinced me that it cannot be sustained.... The destruction of Babylon is her destruction. She is utterly burned, Rev. 17:1616And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. (Revelation 17:16) and Rev. 18:88Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. (Revelation 18:8). The judgment is identical" (Coll. Writ., Vol. 8, p. 410).
To this we say Amen.
In the Synopsis J.N.D. says:
"The ten horns...with the beast...burn her with fire...destroy her...the actual execution of judgment according to Rev. 17: 16. The horns or kingdoms connected with the beast have destroyed her."
"The horns and beast... destroy the woman, or Babylon. This leaves the beast unchecked.... He must reign without rival... all must bow down and worship the beast...and his image." "The human rise of the beast must be carefully distinguished from its satanic revival in the midst of the seventieth prophetic week at the epoch of Satan's expulsion from heaven." W.S. This is a very profitable observation which has been rarely seen.
The term "Great Babylon" (used 7 times) is first found in Dan. 4:3030The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty? (Daniel 4:30), referring to the world empire in connection with its king Belshazzar vaunting himself in the next chapter. J.N.D. in Coll. Writ., Vol. 5 p. 207, says: "It will be the same with the king of Babylon at the end — open blasphemy." Also in the Synopsis, "This narrative gives us the last character or the iniquity of the sovereign power of the Gentiles." E.D. quotes these very words in his "Daniel," p. 76, and then adds, "The moral feature which marked Belshazzar's sovereignty will appear in the future Babylon...the ruler whose throne was derived from Satan...he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God."
In William Kelly's Lectures on Isaiah, chapter 14, pp. 190-197,357, he says: "The past Babylon is simply a type of the fall of the greater power, its final heir...The king of Babylon sets forth no other than the last head of the beast... a type of him who will wield imperial power against the glory of God in the last days... the strong language that is used in verses 9-14 (Rev. 14) will be fully verified in the last days and not before...Babylon will be smitten in the last holder of the beast's power. Babylon, being the beginning of the great image of Daniel, becomes also the type of the last representative of imperial power... Babylon is awaiting its reorganization before it is dissolved forever."
Mr. Kelly also clearly shows that this refers to imperial Babylon when he says, "the judgment of Babylon sets forth the judgment of the world-power in its last shape.... It is under the seventh vial that Babylon is finally judged." (Lectures on Ezra, p. 8)
So this is not new teaching, and we believe it is the only Biblical solution to the problem.
H.E. Hayhoe also taught the same that "Religious Babylon will be destroyed in the middle of the week." He writes, "the first prophetic event that will follow the rapture of the saints, is the woman riding the beast. Rev. 17:1-181And 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. 7And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns. 8The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. 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. 12And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. 13These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. 14These 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. 15And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. 16And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. 17For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. 18And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth. (Revelation 17:1‑18)...the martyrs of Rev. 6:9 -119And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: 10And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 11And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. (Revelation 6:9‑11) are those martyred under the reign of the false church. The next outstanding prophetic event will be the 'beast'-the civil, power of Rome rising up and destroying this religious power, Rev. 17:1616And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. (Revelation 17:16). The beast then continues 42 months, Rev. 13:55And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. (Revelation 13:5).... The judgment of this apostate power will be when the Lord comes as given in Rev. 19."
P.W. has held and taught the same for many years-that religious Babylon will be destroyed in the middle of the week and imperial Babylon will later be destroyed at the end of the week, ending the "times of the Gentiles" ( Dan. 2:44, 4544And 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 2:44‑45)).
"Two 'Babylon’s' are to be distinguished in the Revelation: ecclesiastical Babylon, which is apostate Christendom, headed up under the Papacy; and political Babylon, which is the beast's confederated empire, the last form of Gentile world-dominion. Ecclesiastical Babylon is 'the great whore' and is destroyed by political Babylon ( Rev. 17:15-1815And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. 16And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. 17For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. 18And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth. (Revelation 17:15‑18)), that the beast may be the alone object of worship ( Rev. 13:1515And 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)). The power of political Babylon is destroyed by the return of the Lord in glory." (Scofield Bible).
We fully Amen this true statement.
For years it has been observed that those who are most at home in the Book of Revelation and who have given the closest attention to solving this difficult problem of interpretation, have arrived at this same conclusion.
The Harvest and the Vintage of Rev. 14
In Rev. 14:14-1614And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. 15And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. 16And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. (Revelation 14:14‑16) this same "sharp sickle" is seen to be in the hand of "the Son of Man" to reap "the harvest of the earth." The language as to both the harvest and the vine-reaping of the sickle is unmistakably that of Joel 3:1313Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great. (Joel 3:13), "Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe; come get you down for the press is full."
This "harvest of the earth" has nothing to do with the heavenly harvest of "the first resurrection," "Gather the wheat into My barn" (Matt. 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)) which takes place at the rapture (1 Thess. 4:1717Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:17)), and later the martyred saints of the seventieth week will join this heavenly company (Lev. 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); Rev. 20:44And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (Revelation 20:4)). Three parties are found in this very important verse (see N.T.)
In Matt. 13 "the Son of Man" is the Sower, but in our chapter under consideration He is the Reaper with the golden crown, which speaks of His reigning and judging in righteousness. "The harvest of the earth is dried" (Matt. 13:1515For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. (Matthew 13:15) N.T.), "Dried up" (Matt. 13:66And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. (Matthew 13:6) N.T.), "Dried up" (Mark 11:2020And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. (Mark 11:20)), "Dried up" (Luke 8:66And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. (Luke 8:6) N.T.), "The dry" (Luke 23:3131For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry? (Luke 23:31)), "Dried up" (John 15:66If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. (John 15:6) N.T.) The heavenly wheat had previously been taken; the tares were left to be burned. In principle "all things that offend" must be removed, "shall be taken" in judgment. "Sever the wicked from among the just." "The wicked shall be cut off from the land" (Prov. 2:2222But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it. (Proverbs 2:22) N.T.) in order that "His throne be established in righteousness" (Prov. 25:55Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness. (Proverbs 25:5)). This is true both of the wicked Jews of the vintage as well as these leftovers of Christendom in the dried harvest. Instead of having had a heart for Christ as their heavenly portion (2 Thess. 2:10-1210And 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 2:10‑12)), they minded earthly things (Phil. 2:21; 3:18, 1921For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. (Philippians 2:21)
18(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) (Philippians 3:18‑19)), "dwell on the earth" (Rev. 3:10; 6:10; 8:13; 11:10; 13:8, 12, 14; 14:6; 17:2, 810Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. (Revelation 3:10)
10And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? (Revelation 6:10)
13And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound! (Revelation 8:13)
10And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. (Revelation 11:10)
8And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Revelation 13:8)
12And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. (Revelation 13:12)
14And 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. (Revelation 13:14)
6And 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, (Revelation 14:6)
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. (Revelation 17:2)
8The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. (Revelation 17:8)). Here they are overtaken in judgment. Instead of being with "them that dwell in heaven" (Rev. 13:66And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. (Revelation 13:6)) they "shall dwell with everlasting burnings" (Isa. 33:1414The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? (Isaiah 33:14)). Oh! what a solemn truth!
Remarkable Sequence From Rev. 17 to 21:8
REV 17-21:8There is a continual sequence from Rev. 17 to 21:8 which has been seldom noticed, The harlot rides the beast during the first three and a half years and then is destroyed in the middle of the week. Heaven rejoices (
Rev. 18:2020Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her. (Revelation 18:20)) and then again rejoices that the way is clear for the marriage of the Lamb (
Rev. 19:77Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. (Revelation 19:7)). The Lord then, at the very end, comes out of heaven with His company on white horses and deals with the antichrist and the beast with his armies. He casts Satan into the pit for one thousand years, after which the martyrs are raised (
Rev. 20:3,43And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. 4And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (Revelation 20:3‑4)) to reign with the heavenly saints. After the thousand years Satan is loosed and rallies his hosts. They are consumed and he is cast into the lake of fire. The wicked dead are raised to be judged at the great white throne and cast into the lake of fire. The eternal scene of the new heaven and the new earth is briefly described, and this ends the consecutive order of these four-and-a-third chapters, 17 to 21:8.
Rev. 21:99And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. (Revelation 21:9) to 22:5 is a parenthetical enlargement describing the bride the Lamb's wife as the heavenly city having the glory of God. It is her administrative reign with Christ for one thousand years. Twelve is the perfect number of administration and is used here twelve times.
"Come, Lord Jesus."
Lamb of God! Thy faithful promise
Says, "Behold; I quickly come;"
And our hearts, to Thine responsive,
Cry, "Come, Lord, and take us home."
Oh! the rapture that awaits us
When we meet Thee in the air,
And with Thee ascend in triumph,
All Thy deepest joys to share.
— J. G. D.
May the Lord be pleased to use this as a help for clarification and blessing to His own.
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