REVELATION STUDY
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I am aware that this is a commonly held belief. The problem is that scripture NEVER refers to the Beast, the Man of Sin, the Son of Perdition, or the little horn as the antichrist. We have associated the title of antichrist to these without any biblical authority whatsoever. There is simply no justification for this.
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May I ask, are you listing [in the bold ^ ] four different persons [aside from "the antichrist"]; or do you believe those four listed ones speak of the same person/entity? I wasn't quite sure, from how you worded this post... and I'm too tired to go back through and read all your posts in order to ascertain the answer. = ) Thanks.
The Beast seems to refer to the nation of Rome. The other three titles may indeed refer to one individual, but nowhere does scripture use any of these titles in connection with the antichrist. Since scripture does not provide us with the specific identity of the the Man of Sin, or the Son of Perdition, whom John confirms was present in his time, we can only speculate as to whom this may have been.
It appears you are silent on the (Two Witnesses) seen in Revelation Chapter 11 below Why?
Revelation 11:3-6KJV
3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
5 And 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.
6 These 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.
Revelation 11:3-6KJV
3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
5 And 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.
6 These 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.
I Agree, the future evil human man is seen under many names in scripture
1.) Daniel's (Little Horn) Daniel 7:8-11
2.) Paul's (Man Of Sin) (Son Of Perdition) 2 Thessalonians 2:3
3.) John's (The Beast) Revelation 13:1-5
The teaching Hermit promotes is (Historicism) that is (Preterism)
One Example: It teaches Antiochus Epiphanies 167BC fulfilled Daniel's Abomination Of Desolation Below, (False)
No the Abomination of desolation didnt take place in 167BC with Antiochus Epiphanies, it's a future event unfulfilled, that will see the (Little Horn/Antichrist) present on earth until the (Consummation) The End!
Merrian-Webster
Definition of consummation
1: the act of consummating the consummation of a contract by mutual signaturespecifically : the consummating of a marriage
2: the ultimate end : FINISH
Daniel 9:27KJV
27 And 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.
1.) Daniel's (Little Horn) Daniel 7:8-11
2.) Paul's (Man Of Sin) (Son Of Perdition) 2 Thessalonians 2:3
3.) John's (The Beast) Revelation 13:1-5
The teaching Hermit promotes is (Historicism) that is (Preterism)
One Example: It teaches Antiochus Epiphanies 167BC fulfilled Daniel's Abomination Of Desolation Below, (False)
No the Abomination of desolation didnt take place in 167BC with Antiochus Epiphanies, it's a future event unfulfilled, that will see the (Little Horn/Antichrist) present on earth until the (Consummation) The End!
Merrian-Webster
Definition of consummation
1: the act of consummating the consummation of a contract by mutual signaturespecifically : the consummating of a marriage
2: the ultimate end : FINISH
Daniel 9:27KJV
27 And 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.
Gods words clearly state "Time No Longer" this shows the (End Of This World) when the mystery of God is finished, and this didnt take place in 70AD Jerusalems destruction by Roman soldiers
This is a (Future) event that takes place at the Second Coming.
Revelation 10:6KJV
6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:
7 But 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.
(Eternity) He Shall Reign For Ever And Ever after the 7th Trump
Revelation 11:15KJV
15 And 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.
The Mystery Of God Is The Glorified Body At The Second Coming And Last Day Resurrection, When Death Is Swallowed Up In Victory
1 Corinthians 15:51-54KJV
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
This is a (Future) event that takes place at the Second Coming.
Revelation 10:6KJV
6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:
7 But 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.
(Eternity) He Shall Reign For Ever And Ever after the 7th Trump
Revelation 11:15KJV
15 And 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.
The Mystery Of God Is The Glorified Body At The Second Coming And Last Day Resurrection, When Death Is Swallowed Up In Victory
1 Corinthians 15:51-54KJV
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
Your symbolic representation above of the (Two Witnesses) is in error
Gods word cleaarly teaches that these prophets will have literal tangible bodies that will be seen by the world, bodies that will be killed, lay dead in a physical street, a literal world celebrating their death, and they will be raised standing on literal feet, as the world watches in fear.
These "Future" two prophets will bring literal plagues, upon a literal world, a complete remake of Moses/Aaron against Pharaoh of Egypt.
Revelation 11:3-15KJV
3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
5 And 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.
6 These 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.
7 And 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.
8 And 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.
9 And 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.
10 And 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.
11 And 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.
12 And 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.
13 And 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.
14 The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.
15 And 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.
Gods word cleaarly teaches that these prophets will have literal tangible bodies that will be seen by the world, bodies that will be killed, lay dead in a physical street, a literal world celebrating their death, and they will be raised standing on literal feet, as the world watches in fear.
These "Future" two prophets will bring literal plagues, upon a literal world, a complete remake of Moses/Aaron against Pharaoh of Egypt.
Revelation 11:3-15KJV
3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
5 And 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.
6 These 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.
7 And 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.
8 And 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.
9 And 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.
10 And 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.
11 And 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.
12 And 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.
13 And 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.
14 The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.
15 And 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.
Chapter Fourteen
I. The Lamb and the 144,000, 1-5
A. “Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads.”
1. The lamb of course is Jesus. This is how John introduced him to the world in John 1:29 and 36. Also, Peter confirms that Jesus’ blood was the blood of the Lamb by which we were redeemed, 1 Peter 1:18 and 19.
2. Mount Zion is a symbol used to represent the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, the Church, Hebrews 12:22.
3. The 144,000 is a representational number that refers to the redeemed remnant of the nation of Israel.
4. These bear the seal of God.
B. The song of redemption
“And I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder, and the voice which I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps. And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one could learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been purchased from the earth.”
1. As a matter of point, this verse is sometimes used to defend the use of instrumental accompaniment in worship. Those who defend this practice appeal to this verse as authorization for the use of the instrument. Their argument is that since harps are used in heaven in worshiping God in song, it is therefore, reasonable to assume that God approves of such practice in the Church.
The simple point they miss is that this verse does not say that those in verse two are using harps. What the text says is that their combined voices where LIKE the sound of harpists playing on their harps. Even if this did say that they actually used harps in worshiping before the throne in heaven, this has absolutely nothing to do with how we are commanded to worship in the Church. That still would not overturn how we are command to worship in Ephesians 5:19.
2. This is a celebratory scene. These have overcome and now have the right to sing the song of victory and redemption. This is the same song of Moses and the Lamb we will see them singing in 15:3.
C. Description of the 144,000.
1. “These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste.”
These have not prostituted themselves to the world. They have not worshiped false gods. These have kept their fidelity to the Lamb.
2. “These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes,” even to their death.
3. “These have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb.”
Israel is the first fruits, they were the first to believe, Acts 2, Ephesians 1:12. This was by design.
4. “And no lie was found in their mouth; they are blameless.”
All of this stresses that these faithful ones are presented as blameless in their behavior and their speech. Not only was their conduct chaste, but their speech is without reproach. They are blameless before the Lord.
II. Proclamations of the Angels, 6-8
“And I saw another angel flying in mid-heaven, having an eternal gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people; and he said with a loud voice, “Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters.” “And another angel, a second one, followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who has made all the nations drink of the wine of the passion of her immorality.”
A. The first angel is represented here as the messenger of the gospel. This angel/messenger is fulfilling the task of Matthew 24:14 and 31. The target of this gospel is “those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people.”
24:14, “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.”
24:31, “And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.”
The eternal gospel of this angel is the same as the gospel foretold by Christ in Matthew 24:14. The result of the preaching of that gospel was the purchasing of men from “every nation and tribe and tongue and people.” These were those of Revelation 5:6-9 who were purchased with the blood of the Lamb. These were those against whom the sea beast (Rome) waged war in 13:7. These are those who had embraced the gospel and worshiped the Lamb. In verses 1-5, we see the assembly of the faithful remnant of Israel, and in verses 6-8, we have the redeemed from the other nations. These make up the whole assembly of the people of God. Jesus promised in Matthew 24:14 that when the Gospel had accomplished its desired effect, “then the end shall come.” The end of course is qualified by the context of Matthew 24 – the destruction of the temple, and this is precisely what the second angel proclaims.
B. The second messenger is the messenger of doom as he heralds the fall of Jerusalem. “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who has made all the nations drink of the wine of the passion of her immorality.”
This is the “great city” mentioned in 11:8 where the Lord was crucified. We will look at this in much greater detail when we get to chapter eighteen. Jerusalem has been referred to as Sodom, Egypt, and now Babylon. This is the Woman we will see later who sits on the scarlet beast in chapter seventeen. This is the city God repeatedly charged with adultery against him. “As for your adulteries and your lustful neighings, the lewdness of your prostitution on the hills in the field, I have seen your abominations. Woe to you, O Jerusalem! How long will you remain unclean?” Jeremiah 13:17. Read the book of Hosea to get a sense of the depths of Israel's immorality against God. In Ezekiel 16:14-59, God paints a vivid picture of Israel's history of unfaithfulness and harlotry with the nations. Jerusalem is the great city who commits adultery with all the nations around her and now, she has fallen.
I. The Lamb and the 144,000, 1-5
A. “Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads.”
1. The lamb of course is Jesus. This is how John introduced him to the world in John 1:29 and 36. Also, Peter confirms that Jesus’ blood was the blood of the Lamb by which we were redeemed, 1 Peter 1:18 and 19.
2. Mount Zion is a symbol used to represent the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, the Church, Hebrews 12:22.
3. The 144,000 is a representational number that refers to the redeemed remnant of the nation of Israel.
4. These bear the seal of God.
B. The song of redemption
“And I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder, and the voice which I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps. And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one could learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been purchased from the earth.”
1. As a matter of point, this verse is sometimes used to defend the use of instrumental accompaniment in worship. Those who defend this practice appeal to this verse as authorization for the use of the instrument. Their argument is that since harps are used in heaven in worshiping God in song, it is therefore, reasonable to assume that God approves of such practice in the Church.
The simple point they miss is that this verse does not say that those in verse two are using harps. What the text says is that their combined voices where LIKE the sound of harpists playing on their harps. Even if this did say that they actually used harps in worshiping before the throne in heaven, this has absolutely nothing to do with how we are commanded to worship in the Church. That still would not overturn how we are command to worship in Ephesians 5:19.
2. This is a celebratory scene. These have overcome and now have the right to sing the song of victory and redemption. This is the same song of Moses and the Lamb we will see them singing in 15:3.
C. Description of the 144,000.
1. “These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste.”
These have not prostituted themselves to the world. They have not worshiped false gods. These have kept their fidelity to the Lamb.
2. “These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes,” even to their death.
3. “These have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb.”
Israel is the first fruits, they were the first to believe, Acts 2, Ephesians 1:12. This was by design.
4. “And no lie was found in their mouth; they are blameless.”
All of this stresses that these faithful ones are presented as blameless in their behavior and their speech. Not only was their conduct chaste, but their speech is without reproach. They are blameless before the Lord.
II. Proclamations of the Angels, 6-8
“And I saw another angel flying in mid-heaven, having an eternal gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people; and he said with a loud voice, “Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters.” “And another angel, a second one, followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who has made all the nations drink of the wine of the passion of her immorality.”
A. The first angel is represented here as the messenger of the gospel. This angel/messenger is fulfilling the task of Matthew 24:14 and 31. The target of this gospel is “those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people.”
24:14, “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.”
24:31, “And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.”
The eternal gospel of this angel is the same as the gospel foretold by Christ in Matthew 24:14. The result of the preaching of that gospel was the purchasing of men from “every nation and tribe and tongue and people.” These were those of Revelation 5:6-9 who were purchased with the blood of the Lamb. These were those against whom the sea beast (Rome) waged war in 13:7. These are those who had embraced the gospel and worshiped the Lamb. In verses 1-5, we see the assembly of the faithful remnant of Israel, and in verses 6-8, we have the redeemed from the other nations. These make up the whole assembly of the people of God. Jesus promised in Matthew 24:14 that when the Gospel had accomplished its desired effect, “then the end shall come.” The end of course is qualified by the context of Matthew 24 – the destruction of the temple, and this is precisely what the second angel proclaims.
B. The second messenger is the messenger of doom as he heralds the fall of Jerusalem. “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who has made all the nations drink of the wine of the passion of her immorality.”
This is the “great city” mentioned in 11:8 where the Lord was crucified. We will look at this in much greater detail when we get to chapter eighteen. Jerusalem has been referred to as Sodom, Egypt, and now Babylon. This is the Woman we will see later who sits on the scarlet beast in chapter seventeen. This is the city God repeatedly charged with adultery against him. “As for your adulteries and your lustful neighings, the lewdness of your prostitution on the hills in the field, I have seen your abominations. Woe to you, O Jerusalem! How long will you remain unclean?” Jeremiah 13:17. Read the book of Hosea to get a sense of the depths of Israel's immorality against God. In Ezekiel 16:14-59, God paints a vivid picture of Israel's history of unfaithfulness and harlotry with the nations. Jerusalem is the great city who commits adultery with all the nations around her and now, she has fallen.
III. Doom for the Worshipers of the Beast, 9-13.
A. “Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand,”
This is more about denying the Lord than simply bowing to Rome. If you do not worship the Lamb, you worship the beast. Those who never believed the gospel were already servants of the beast. Those who forsook the gospel under the pressures of persecution have chosen to reject Christ and bow to Rome in order to save themselves the pain of the present. In 21:8, Jesus will call these the cowardly. Regardless of which group one belonged, the fate was the same; “He also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger;” God's vengeance is undiluted, unrestrained and not watered down. This represents temporal consequences.
B. “And he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”
Without a doubt, this angel describes the eternal destination for the condemned. This is the end result of the covenant of cursing. This represents eternal consequences.
C. “Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, ‘Write, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on! Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them.’” This is the final reward of the covenant of blessing.
IV. The Reaping of the Harvest and the Gathering for Wrath, 14-20
“Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and sitting on the cloud was one like a son of man, having a golden crown on His head and a sharp sickle in His hand. And another angel came out of the temple, crying out with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, “Put in your sickle and reap, for the hour to reap has come, because the harvest of the earth is ripe.” Then He who sat on the cloud swung His sickle over the earth, and the earth was reaped.”
What this is NOT talking about is the second coming of Jesus and the final judgment of humanity. John is relating here the exact scene of which Jesus spoke in Matthew 24:30-31 in connection with the destruction of Jerusalem.
A. Harvesting of the blessed, 13-16;
The rendering of the article varies depending on one's translation. Some English translations read “a son of man” while others render it as “the Son of Man.” Grammatically, ὅμοιον υἱὸν ἀνθρώπου seems to me to be more qualitative and should probably be rendered with the indefinite article. The One “sitting on the cloud” was one who bore the characteristics of a son of man. The fact that this Son of Man is presented as sitting on a cloud suggests that this is speaking of Jesus, not merely some ambiguous figure that resembled man. This is a judgment figure which demonstrates that Jesus was coming in judgment upon this nation.
1. The harvest is ripe. This is the completion of the words of Jesus in chapter six to those martyred saints who asked, “how long o Lord....” Jesus responds, “rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been, would be completed also.”
In this scene, the “number” is the completion of the expectation set forth by Jesus, the harvest is ripe, the sickle is put into the harvest, the full number of the redeemed of Israel is being given their rest, and vengeance is being poured out upon their persecutors.
2. Those who were being harvested were those saints who had been martyred. These are the children of the woman of chapter twelve against whom the dragon and his angels made war.
a. They are “the dead who died in the Lord.”
b. These now rest from their labors.
c. Their works follow them. Our works follow us and testify of our faithfulness and fidelity to the Son.
3. The Son of Man sitting on a white cloud
John is seeing the judgment figure of Jesus in Matthew 24:30, “coming in the clouds of heaven.”
a. He is crowned and seated. The posture is endemic of the King sitting for the purpose of rendering judgment.
b. In HIS hand was a sharp sickle. This is for the purpose of separating and gathering out. In verse 15, these are being gathered for preservation, rest, and blessing. The imagery of this vision is no different in its meaning than the imagery of chapter seven where God sealed the redeemed to guard them against the impending judgment. It is the same as the imagery in chapter eleven where we saw God measuring the temple, the altar, and the worshipers for the purpose of separating the holy from the profane. This is the same vision simply cast in different symbols.
4. The Son of Man himself is doing the reaping.
“Then He who sat on the cloud swung His sickle over the earth, and the earth was reaped. And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, and he also had a sharp sickle.”
B. The gathering of the rest for wrath 17-20.
“Then another angel, the one who has power over fire, came out from the altar; and he called with a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, “Put in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, because her grapes are ripe.” So, the angel swung his sickle to the earth and gathered the clusters from the vine of the earth, and threw them into the great wine press of the wrath of God. And the wine press was trodden outside the city, and blood came out from the wine press, up to the horses’ bridles, for a distance of two hundred miles.”
1. The reaper here is not Jesus but an un-named angel.
2. Power over fire – Is this the power/authority to execute judgment??? Possibly.
3. What are the clusters of the vine? What is the vine?
The vine is the nation of Israel and the coulters are the wicked fruit of her offspring.
4. HER (the vine) grapes “are fully ripe.” This is comparable to the “cup of their iniquity” being filled up.
5. This gathering is limited to the “vine” and her fate was the wine press of the wrath of God.
6. Trampling of the wine press outside the city.
This limits the scene to the Jerusalem context. This is the city that is being destroyed. It is her inhabitants whose blood is being spilled in the streets.
7. Exaggerated imagery of destruction
“…and blood came out from the wine press, up to the horses’ bridles, for a distance of two hundred miles.”
This is larger than the area of ancient Palestine which was between 140 and 160 miles in length so, if this is meant to suggest the absolute nature of the destruction of Palestine, it is expressed in exaggerated numbers as well as the exaggerated quantity of blood spilled.
A. “Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand,”
This is more about denying the Lord than simply bowing to Rome. If you do not worship the Lamb, you worship the beast. Those who never believed the gospel were already servants of the beast. Those who forsook the gospel under the pressures of persecution have chosen to reject Christ and bow to Rome in order to save themselves the pain of the present. In 21:8, Jesus will call these the cowardly. Regardless of which group one belonged, the fate was the same; “He also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger;” God's vengeance is undiluted, unrestrained and not watered down. This represents temporal consequences.
B. “And he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”
Without a doubt, this angel describes the eternal destination for the condemned. This is the end result of the covenant of cursing. This represents eternal consequences.
C. “Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, ‘Write, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on! Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them.’” This is the final reward of the covenant of blessing.
IV. The Reaping of the Harvest and the Gathering for Wrath, 14-20
“Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and sitting on the cloud was one like a son of man, having a golden crown on His head and a sharp sickle in His hand. And another angel came out of the temple, crying out with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, “Put in your sickle and reap, for the hour to reap has come, because the harvest of the earth is ripe.” Then He who sat on the cloud swung His sickle over the earth, and the earth was reaped.”
What this is NOT talking about is the second coming of Jesus and the final judgment of humanity. John is relating here the exact scene of which Jesus spoke in Matthew 24:30-31 in connection with the destruction of Jerusalem.
A. Harvesting of the blessed, 13-16;
The rendering of the article varies depending on one's translation. Some English translations read “a son of man” while others render it as “the Son of Man.” Grammatically, ὅμοιον υἱὸν ἀνθρώπου seems to me to be more qualitative and should probably be rendered with the indefinite article. The One “sitting on the cloud” was one who bore the characteristics of a son of man. The fact that this Son of Man is presented as sitting on a cloud suggests that this is speaking of Jesus, not merely some ambiguous figure that resembled man. This is a judgment figure which demonstrates that Jesus was coming in judgment upon this nation.
1. The harvest is ripe. This is the completion of the words of Jesus in chapter six to those martyred saints who asked, “how long o Lord....” Jesus responds, “rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been, would be completed also.”
In this scene, the “number” is the completion of the expectation set forth by Jesus, the harvest is ripe, the sickle is put into the harvest, the full number of the redeemed of Israel is being given their rest, and vengeance is being poured out upon their persecutors.
2. Those who were being harvested were those saints who had been martyred. These are the children of the woman of chapter twelve against whom the dragon and his angels made war.
a. They are “the dead who died in the Lord.”
b. These now rest from their labors.
c. Their works follow them. Our works follow us and testify of our faithfulness and fidelity to the Son.
3. The Son of Man sitting on a white cloud
John is seeing the judgment figure of Jesus in Matthew 24:30, “coming in the clouds of heaven.”
a. He is crowned and seated. The posture is endemic of the King sitting for the purpose of rendering judgment.
b. In HIS hand was a sharp sickle. This is for the purpose of separating and gathering out. In verse 15, these are being gathered for preservation, rest, and blessing. The imagery of this vision is no different in its meaning than the imagery of chapter seven where God sealed the redeemed to guard them against the impending judgment. It is the same as the imagery in chapter eleven where we saw God measuring the temple, the altar, and the worshipers for the purpose of separating the holy from the profane. This is the same vision simply cast in different symbols.
4. The Son of Man himself is doing the reaping.
“Then He who sat on the cloud swung His sickle over the earth, and the earth was reaped. And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, and he also had a sharp sickle.”
B. The gathering of the rest for wrath 17-20.
“Then another angel, the one who has power over fire, came out from the altar; and he called with a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, “Put in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, because her grapes are ripe.” So, the angel swung his sickle to the earth and gathered the clusters from the vine of the earth, and threw them into the great wine press of the wrath of God. And the wine press was trodden outside the city, and blood came out from the wine press, up to the horses’ bridles, for a distance of two hundred miles.”
1. The reaper here is not Jesus but an un-named angel.
2. Power over fire – Is this the power/authority to execute judgment??? Possibly.
3. What are the clusters of the vine? What is the vine?
The vine is the nation of Israel and the coulters are the wicked fruit of her offspring.
4. HER (the vine) grapes “are fully ripe.” This is comparable to the “cup of their iniquity” being filled up.
5. This gathering is limited to the “vine” and her fate was the wine press of the wrath of God.
6. Trampling of the wine press outside the city.
This limits the scene to the Jerusalem context. This is the city that is being destroyed. It is her inhabitants whose blood is being spilled in the streets.
7. Exaggerated imagery of destruction
“…and blood came out from the wine press, up to the horses’ bridles, for a distance of two hundred miles.”
This is larger than the area of ancient Palestine which was between 140 and 160 miles in length so, if this is meant to suggest the absolute nature of the destruction of Palestine, it is expressed in exaggerated numbers as well as the exaggerated quantity of blood spilled.
Chapter Fifteen
I. Seven Angels with the Seven Bowls of Wrath, 1
It must be pointed out that chapter fifteen is preparatory to the events of chapter sixteen, and the two chapters should be seen as one continuous scene ignoring the chapter break.
“Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels who had seven plagues, which are the last, because in them the wrath of God is finished.”
This vision conveys yet another revelation of the finality of the wrath of God that was poured out on Jerusalem. This is merely a rehearsing of the same judgment on Jerusalem we have seen in previous chapters. In the first series of judgments, we saw the opening of the seven seals. In the second series of judgment, we saw the sounding of the seven trumpets. Remember, in the sounding of the seven trumpets, there is the element of warning and pleading for repentance, for in the sounding of the sixth trumpet the two witnesses were sent to prophesy. The gospel was being proclaimed and the people are warned to “save yourselves from this perverse generation...,” Acts 2:40. Now, we have the pouring out of the seven bowls of wrath.
The pleading and the warnings have now stopped. All that remains is destruction. All three of these series of judgment represent the wrath of God being executed on the nation of Israel with each judgment focusing on different aspects and severities of that judgment. The word πληγὰς translated as plagues, means a stroke or a wound and is used figuratively in Revelation to speak of great calamity. The severity of the plagues or wounds is illustrated in the finality of their effect. Verse one proclaims the pouring out of these vials to be the fulfillment of judgment on Jerusalem for “in them the wrath of God is finished.” This marks a fulfilment of time related to the ultimate destruction of the city. Thus, this is God's death knell to the once great city. These plagues are the last of the three woes. We saw the completion of the third woe in chapter fourteen for there, it was decreed, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great....” Chapter fifteen is simply a recount of that fall.
II. The Sea of Glass, 2-7
A. “And I saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, holding harps of God.”
1. If you will recall, the first time we encounter this sea was in chapter four verse six. The sea represents society and its condition.
a. The turbulent sea is a troubled society
b. The placid sea will represent a peaceful society. The first beast (Rome) rose up out of the sea (the sea of humanity), 13:1. Now, we are shown this same sea again, but this time, it is a sea mixed with fire. Social conditions are turbulent, chaotic, dangerous, even life threatening.
2. Those standing on the sea of glass are those who had endured the turbulent social conditions that claimed their lives.
The prevailing social conditions were such that refusal to acknowledge Caesar as god could find one burned at the stake of killed by wild beasts in the gladiatorial games. If you called Jesus Lord, death could be imposed upon you in a variety of imaginative ways. Yet, these victorious ones stand on the sea of glass mingled with fire. Death was their victory for refusing to bow the knee to Caesar as lord.
3. The harps of God – obviously, in connection to their singing the song of Moses and the Lamb.
B. “And they sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, ‘Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty; righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations! Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy; for all the nations will come and worship before you (those out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation.), for your righteous acts have been revealed.’"
1. Their song is the song of victory and redemption.
2. Notice how the Lamb is addressed in this chorus. These are all acknowledgements of deity. This is what was seen by John in 5:9-13. As Wallace points out, all of these are expressions of praise that are found repeatedly throughout the Psalms and were reserved for God alone.
a. “Lord God, the Almighty”
This echoes the divine claim of Jesus about himself in 1:18, “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
b. “King of the nations”
Some translations read “King of the saints” translated from βασιλεὺς τῶν ἁγίων which, as far as I know, is found only in some of the Textus Receptus manuscripts. The Westcott and Hort Greek text reads βασιλεὺς τῶν αἰώνων – “King of the ages.” Simply from the standpoint of textual evidence, the majority of evidence seems to be in favor of “King of the nations.” From a hermeneutical standpoint, all three of these renderings represent a biblical truth. Jesus is King of the saints, he is King of the ages, and he is King of the nations. Each of the concepts are supported in other texts of scripture. Jesus is King over all creation by divine right. So, it really matters not which text or translation one uses; no non-biblical concepts can be charged against either rendering.
c. “Fear...and glorify Your name” – As opposed to the name of the beast.
d. “You alone are holy”
This is to be understood in a comparative sense. One should not think that this comparison is meant to include the other members of the Triadic Unity; nor does it suggest that the Father or the Holy Spirit are not holy; nor should it be assumed on the basis of this acknowledgement that the reference is to the Father rather than the Son suggesting that only the Father is holy.
In chapter five, the question was asked in verse two, “Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?” This too is a comparative question. The comparison is of course “Who among men...” Only the Lamb was worthy from all of those among men. In the chorus of chapter fifteen, among all those who sing the song of the Lamb, none are intrinsically holy. The Lamb alone is holy.
e. “All the nations will come and worship before you.”
This is not talking about the forced contrition of the ungodly nations being brought before him at the end of time. This is talking about those who have been redeemed out of all the nations. It is the redeemed of the nations who come to worship before him. This was foreseen by the prophet Isaiah, “And many peoples will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that He may teach us concerning His ways and that we may walk in His paths.’ For the law will go forth from Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” Isaiah 2:3. In Psalms 67:4, the Psalmist writes, “Let the nations be glad and sing for joy; For You will judge the peoples with uprightness and guide the nations on the earth.”
3. Revelation of his righteous acts – What are these righteous acts?
a. Redemption of the faithful
b. Judgment of the ungodly
These are the acts of the Lamb that are being unfolded in this book.
III. The Smoke-filled Temple, 8
A. “After these things I looked, and the temple of the tabernacle of testimony in heaven was opened.”
The expression “temple of the tabernacle” refers to the most holy place. This is the new theatre from which the judgments of God are revealed and are represented by the seven bowls of wrath. The curtain is drawn back exposing the holy of holies and the activities within to human observation. What is about to be revealed must then be of supreme importance.
B. “And the seven angels who had the seven plagues came out of the temple, clothed in linen, clean and bright, and girded around their chests with golden sashes. Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever.”
1. These seven angels come from the immediate presence of God who occupies the holy of holies. These are bearing seven plagues.
2. The appearance of the angels is quite reminiscent of the priest who served the temple of Moses with their linen tunics and the golden sash.
3. “Four living creatures” is probably suggestive of the archangels. Remember, these were seen earlier in chapters four, five, six, and seven, and will be seen again in chapter nineteen.
4. Seven bowls of wrath, fierceness, indignation – These contain the anger of God against a rebellious people.
C. “And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power; and no one was able to enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished.”
The corresponding vision was that which Isaiah saw in Isaiah 6:9-10. This was Isaiah's vision of God on the throne of heaven.The train of his robe filled the temple, and the house was filled with smoke. Like John's vision in Revelation fifteen, Isaiah's vision was one of judgment upon Judah. Forbidden access into the temple reinforces the fact that there had been the time of warning and pleading, but that time has now passed. There was no more room for repentance or for prayers or intercession to be offered on her behalf to avert this impending destruction. The people are being cut off and access into the temple has been cut off until the judgment was passed.
I. Seven Angels with the Seven Bowls of Wrath, 1
It must be pointed out that chapter fifteen is preparatory to the events of chapter sixteen, and the two chapters should be seen as one continuous scene ignoring the chapter break.
“Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels who had seven plagues, which are the last, because in them the wrath of God is finished.”
This vision conveys yet another revelation of the finality of the wrath of God that was poured out on Jerusalem. This is merely a rehearsing of the same judgment on Jerusalem we have seen in previous chapters. In the first series of judgments, we saw the opening of the seven seals. In the second series of judgment, we saw the sounding of the seven trumpets. Remember, in the sounding of the seven trumpets, there is the element of warning and pleading for repentance, for in the sounding of the sixth trumpet the two witnesses were sent to prophesy. The gospel was being proclaimed and the people are warned to “save yourselves from this perverse generation...,” Acts 2:40. Now, we have the pouring out of the seven bowls of wrath.
The pleading and the warnings have now stopped. All that remains is destruction. All three of these series of judgment represent the wrath of God being executed on the nation of Israel with each judgment focusing on different aspects and severities of that judgment. The word πληγὰς translated as plagues, means a stroke or a wound and is used figuratively in Revelation to speak of great calamity. The severity of the plagues or wounds is illustrated in the finality of their effect. Verse one proclaims the pouring out of these vials to be the fulfillment of judgment on Jerusalem for “in them the wrath of God is finished.” This marks a fulfilment of time related to the ultimate destruction of the city. Thus, this is God's death knell to the once great city. These plagues are the last of the three woes. We saw the completion of the third woe in chapter fourteen for there, it was decreed, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great....” Chapter fifteen is simply a recount of that fall.
II. The Sea of Glass, 2-7
A. “And I saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, holding harps of God.”
1. If you will recall, the first time we encounter this sea was in chapter four verse six. The sea represents society and its condition.
a. The turbulent sea is a troubled society
b. The placid sea will represent a peaceful society. The first beast (Rome) rose up out of the sea (the sea of humanity), 13:1. Now, we are shown this same sea again, but this time, it is a sea mixed with fire. Social conditions are turbulent, chaotic, dangerous, even life threatening.
2. Those standing on the sea of glass are those who had endured the turbulent social conditions that claimed their lives.
The prevailing social conditions were such that refusal to acknowledge Caesar as god could find one burned at the stake of killed by wild beasts in the gladiatorial games. If you called Jesus Lord, death could be imposed upon you in a variety of imaginative ways. Yet, these victorious ones stand on the sea of glass mingled with fire. Death was their victory for refusing to bow the knee to Caesar as lord.
3. The harps of God – obviously, in connection to their singing the song of Moses and the Lamb.
B. “And they sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, ‘Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty; righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations! Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy; for all the nations will come and worship before you (those out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation.), for your righteous acts have been revealed.’"
1. Their song is the song of victory and redemption.
2. Notice how the Lamb is addressed in this chorus. These are all acknowledgements of deity. This is what was seen by John in 5:9-13. As Wallace points out, all of these are expressions of praise that are found repeatedly throughout the Psalms and were reserved for God alone.
a. “Lord God, the Almighty”
This echoes the divine claim of Jesus about himself in 1:18, “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
b. “King of the nations”
Some translations read “King of the saints” translated from βασιλεὺς τῶν ἁγίων which, as far as I know, is found only in some of the Textus Receptus manuscripts. The Westcott and Hort Greek text reads βασιλεὺς τῶν αἰώνων – “King of the ages.” Simply from the standpoint of textual evidence, the majority of evidence seems to be in favor of “King of the nations.” From a hermeneutical standpoint, all three of these renderings represent a biblical truth. Jesus is King of the saints, he is King of the ages, and he is King of the nations. Each of the concepts are supported in other texts of scripture. Jesus is King over all creation by divine right. So, it really matters not which text or translation one uses; no non-biblical concepts can be charged against either rendering.
c. “Fear...and glorify Your name” – As opposed to the name of the beast.
d. “You alone are holy”
This is to be understood in a comparative sense. One should not think that this comparison is meant to include the other members of the Triadic Unity; nor does it suggest that the Father or the Holy Spirit are not holy; nor should it be assumed on the basis of this acknowledgement that the reference is to the Father rather than the Son suggesting that only the Father is holy.
In chapter five, the question was asked in verse two, “Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?” This too is a comparative question. The comparison is of course “Who among men...” Only the Lamb was worthy from all of those among men. In the chorus of chapter fifteen, among all those who sing the song of the Lamb, none are intrinsically holy. The Lamb alone is holy.
e. “All the nations will come and worship before you.”
This is not talking about the forced contrition of the ungodly nations being brought before him at the end of time. This is talking about those who have been redeemed out of all the nations. It is the redeemed of the nations who come to worship before him. This was foreseen by the prophet Isaiah, “And many peoples will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that He may teach us concerning His ways and that we may walk in His paths.’ For the law will go forth from Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” Isaiah 2:3. In Psalms 67:4, the Psalmist writes, “Let the nations be glad and sing for joy; For You will judge the peoples with uprightness and guide the nations on the earth.”
3. Revelation of his righteous acts – What are these righteous acts?
a. Redemption of the faithful
b. Judgment of the ungodly
These are the acts of the Lamb that are being unfolded in this book.
III. The Smoke-filled Temple, 8
A. “After these things I looked, and the temple of the tabernacle of testimony in heaven was opened.”
The expression “temple of the tabernacle” refers to the most holy place. This is the new theatre from which the judgments of God are revealed and are represented by the seven bowls of wrath. The curtain is drawn back exposing the holy of holies and the activities within to human observation. What is about to be revealed must then be of supreme importance.
B. “And the seven angels who had the seven plagues came out of the temple, clothed in linen, clean and bright, and girded around their chests with golden sashes. Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever.”
1. These seven angels come from the immediate presence of God who occupies the holy of holies. These are bearing seven plagues.
2. The appearance of the angels is quite reminiscent of the priest who served the temple of Moses with their linen tunics and the golden sash.
3. “Four living creatures” is probably suggestive of the archangels. Remember, these were seen earlier in chapters four, five, six, and seven, and will be seen again in chapter nineteen.
4. Seven bowls of wrath, fierceness, indignation – These contain the anger of God against a rebellious people.
C. “And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power; and no one was able to enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished.”
The corresponding vision was that which Isaiah saw in Isaiah 6:9-10. This was Isaiah's vision of God on the throne of heaven.The train of his robe filled the temple, and the house was filled with smoke. Like John's vision in Revelation fifteen, Isaiah's vision was one of judgment upon Judah. Forbidden access into the temple reinforces the fact that there had been the time of warning and pleading, but that time has now passed. There was no more room for repentance or for prayers or intercession to be offered on her behalf to avert this impending destruction. The people are being cut off and access into the temple has been cut off until the judgment was passed.
Chapter Sixteen
Pouring out of the Bowls of Wrath
The contents of the seven bowls of wrath and the sounding of the seven trumpets are the same. They appear in the same order with the exception of the sounding of the first trumpet and the pouring out of the first bowl.
Chapter Eight verse 3 – First trumpet – Fire, hail, and blood.
Chapter Sixteen verse 2 – First bowl – malignant sores
8:8 – Second trumpet – The sea became blood
16:3 – Second bowl – Sea became blood
8:10 – Third trumpet – Rivers and streams became blood.
16:4 – Third bowl – Rivers and streams became bitter.
8:12 – Fourth trumpet – Sun and moon and stars darkened
16:8 – Fourth bowl – Sun given to it to scorch men with fire
9:1 – Fifth trumpet – Sun and air darkened
16:10 – Fifth bowl – Throne of the beast is darkened – Political treason against God
9:14 – Sixth trumpet – The Euphrates is breeched “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.”
16:12 – Sixth bowl – The Euphrates is breeched “The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river, the Euphrates; and its water was dried up, so that the way would be prepared for the kings from the east.”
11:19 – Seventh trumpet – Lightning, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake, a great earthquake and a massive hailstorm.
16:18-20 – Seventh bowl – Lightening, peals of thunder, a great earthquake, and huge hailstones.
These bowls of wrath represent the “cup of his indignation” in 14:10. In the issuing of these plagues, it must be noted that these plagues were visited upon Jerusalem for the same reason God sent the plagues on Egypt – so that Egypt would know that “I am God,” – and now, so that Israel will know that Jesus is God!
I. The First Plague is poured out upon the earth – the inhabitants of Jerusalem, 1-2.
“Then I heard a loud voice from the temple, saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God.” “So, the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth; and it became a loathsome and malignant sore (Exodus 9:9-10) on the people who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his image.”
The victim of the bowls of wrath is Jerusalem as is suggested by the reoccurring phrase “on the earth.” Jerusalem was the “great mountain” of chapter eight that was “thrown into the sea” as well as the beast that rose up out of the earth. The result of the first wrath is that of plague (“loathsome and malignant sores”) which resulted from the extended siege. Those who had the mark of the beast were all those of Israel who did not worship Jesus as Lord.
II. The Second Plague is poured out upon the sea, 3.
8:8-9 “And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea; and a third of the sea became blood, and a third of the creatures which were in the sea and had life, died; and a third of the ships were destroyed.”
16:3 “The second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it became blood like that of a dead man; and every living thing in the sea died.”
The difference is that now, as opposed to chapter 8, the devastation is complete. All is destroyed as opposed to one third. This is the consuming or the devouring of Palestine by the armies of Rome. Rome is covered in the blood of slaughter. This is a deterioration of the social climate of the times and the picture is one of total death and destruction.
III. The Third Plague
This plague is poured out upon the inland waters – the powers of the rulers are being dried up at the source, 4-7.
8:10-11, “The third angel sounded, and a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of waters. The name of the star is called Wormwood; and a third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the waters, because they were made bitter.”
16:4-7, “Then the third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of waters; and they became blood. And I heard the angel of the waters saying, ‘Righteous are You, who are and who were, O Holy One, because You judged these things; for they poured out the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink. They deserve it.’ And I heard the altar saying, ‘Yes, O Lord God, the Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments.’”
Retribution is being given now to Israel because they deceived the people and slew both the saints and the prophets which included the two witnesses. Because they had shed the blood of God's witnesses, they are made to drink the bitterness of the wrath of God. God will now shed their blood, and this is righteous.
IV. The Fourth Plague
This plague is poured out upon the sun – the ruling powers, 8-9.
8:12, “The fourth angel sounded, and a third of the sun and a third of the moon and a third of the stars were struck, so that a third of them would be darkened and the day would not shine for a third of it, and the night in the same way.”
16:8-9, “The fourth angel poured out his bowl upon the sun, and it was given to it to scorch men with fire. Men were scorched with fierce heat; and they blasphemed the name of God who has the power over these plagues, and they did not repent so as to give Him glory.”
Rather than repent, they add evil to themselves by blaspheming God from whom these plagues have come.
V. The Fifth Plague
This plague is poured out upon the throne of the beast. In other words, the ruler of Jerusalem, 10-11.
9:1-2 “Then the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from heaven which had fallen to the earth; and the key of the bottomless pit was given to him. He opened the bottomless pit, and smoke went up out of the pit, like the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by the smoke of the pit.” Sun = ruler, Air = political influence, darkness = spiritual blindness.
16:10-11, “Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne (the king) of the beast (Jerusalem), and his kingdom became darkened (Plunged into spiritual darkness); and they gnawed their tongues because of pain. (This is a common phenomenon associated with extreme starvation), and they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores; and they did not repent of their deeds.”
Not even the king of Palestine was able to escape the wrath of God. He too suffered the ravages of the siege. One needs to read 2 Thessalonians 2:3-13. This is exactly what Paul was reminding the Christians at Thessalonica. God is not just passively sitting and watching Israel sink into evil. God is actively insuring their deception.
VI. The Sixth Plague is Poured Out Upon the Euphrates – the protective boarder of Palestine 12-16.
9:14, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” And the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released, so that they would kill a third of mankind.”
16:12-16, “The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river, the Euphrates; and its water was dried up, so that the way would be prepared for the kings from the east. (God is sending the Roman armies across the Euphrates against Palestine.) And I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon (Satan) and out of the mouth of the beast (Rome) and out of the mouth of the false prophet (Israel), three unclean spirits like frogs; for they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them together for the war of the great day of God, the Almighty. (The nations are assembling for war against Jerusalem.) “Behold, I am coming like a thief.” Why was Jesus coming? To render judgment and destruction on the city.
“But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into,” Luke 12:29.
“But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into,” Matthew 24:43.
“For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night,” 1 Thessalonians. 5:2.
Jesus’ admonition is in connection to his “I am coming like a thief” warning. Because he is coming like a thief, the righteous are charged to stay vigilant. He did not want them to become part of those upon whom these woes were to descend. “Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked, and men will not see his shame.” To be unclothed is to be unrighteous and one's sin is his shame.
“And they gathered them together to the place which in Hebrew is called Har-Magedon.”
Those who were assembled were the “kings of the world.”
The purpose of their assembly was for war on the “great day of God.” The expression “The day of the Lord,” is repeatedly used in scripture to symbolize the impending judgment of God.
Zechariah 1:14, “Near is the great day of the Lord, Near and coming very quickly; Listen, the day of the Lord! In it the warrior cries out bitterly.”
Zechariah 2:2 “Before the decree takes effect-- The day passes like the chaff-- Before the burning anger of the Lord comes upon you, Before the day of the Lord’s anger comes upon you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:2 “For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.” In our text Jesus says, “I am coming like a thief” and he would meet his enemy on the battlefield of “Har-Magedon.” We will see how this battle is laid out in chapter nineteen.
The place of the assembly was called “Har-Magedon” which is located in the valley of Magiddo, was the valley in Judges 5 where Deborah and Barack defeated Sisera and their Midianite oppressors. This valley, also called the “valley of Jehoshaphat,” was the location of a great many decisive battles of the ancient world. John uses this figuratively as a means of creating an image of great victory for the people of God. God was about to do battle against the oppressors of the saints, and this was going to be a Magiddo victory for the people of God.
VII. The Seventh Plague is Poured Out Upon the Air – the sphere of life and political, idolatrous influence, 17-21.
11:19, “And the temple of God which is in heaven was opened; and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple, and there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder and an earthquake and a great hailstorm.”
16:17-20, “Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl upon the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple from the throne, saying, ‘It is done.’ And there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder; and there was a great earthquake, such as there had not been since man came to be upon the earth, so great an earthquake was it, and so mighty. The great city (Jerusalem) was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. (The shaking of heaven and earth???). Babylon the great (Jerusalem) was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of His fierce wrath. And every island fled away (Remember, this bowl of wrath is not poured out on the sea and generally think relates to islands of the seas. This bowl was poured out upon the AIR which represents the sphere of political influence.), and the mountains were not found (Mountains represent nations. Israel had been abandoned by the nations. These are the same mountains in 6:15 that Jerusalem had pleaded to) ‘Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb.’ (No aid could be obtained from the nations to alleviate them from the devastation of Rome), and huge hailstones, about one hundred pounds each, came down from heaven upon men; (Hail stones weighing 100 pounds are beyond the natural processes of meteorology. The exaggerated imagery of the hail is meant to impress the upon our minds the fact that what is taking place is beyond the scope of naturalistic explanation. This is a supernaturally orchestrated event.) and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, because its plague was extremely severe.”
The severity of the plague was in direct proportion to the severity of their sins against God. God had sent them John and they killed him. He sent them his Son, and they nailed him on a cross. He pleaded with Israel to repent. He has sent messengers to warn them of the coming wrath of God. He placed the city under three and a half years of siege that brought with it starvation, plague, disease, and death, and STILL she refused to repent. Now, he has over-run the city with Roman soldiers who killed everyone in their path. He gave over the plunder of the city to the beast she worshiped and now, she is no more. That once Great city whom God had clothed in splendor has now been reduced to rubble and the people killed or sold into slavery. In spite of all of the efforts of God to turn the heart of Israel back to their God, she simply would not repent. This has to be the saddest book in the entire New Testament.
9:14, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” And the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released, so that they would kill a third of mankind.”
16:12-16, “The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river, the Euphrates; and its water was dried up, so that the way would be prepared for the kings from the east. (God is sending the Roman armies across the Euphrates against Palestine.) And I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon (Satan) and out of the mouth of the beast (Rome) and out of the mouth of the false prophet (Israel), three unclean spirits like frogs; for they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them together for the war of the great day of God, the Almighty. (The nations are assembling for war against Jerusalem.) “Behold, I am coming like a thief.” Why was Jesus coming? To render judgment and destruction on the city.
“But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into,” Luke 12:29.
“But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into,” Matthew 24:43.
“For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night,” 1 Thessalonians. 5:2.
Jesus’ admonition is in connection to his “I am coming like a thief” warning. Because he is coming like a thief, the righteous are charged to stay vigilant. He did not want them to become part of those upon whom these woes were to descend. “Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked, and men will not see his shame.” To be unclothed is to be unrighteous and one's sin is his shame.
“And they gathered them together to the place which in Hebrew is called Har-Magedon.”
Those who were assembled were the “kings of the world.”
The purpose of their assembly was for war on the “great day of God.” The expression “The day of the Lord,” is repeatedly used in scripture to symbolize the impending judgment of God.
Zechariah 1:14, “Near is the great day of the Lord, Near and coming very quickly; Listen, the day of the Lord! In it the warrior cries out bitterly.”
Zechariah 2:2 “Before the decree takes effect-- The day passes like the chaff-- Before the burning anger of the Lord comes upon you, Before the day of the Lord’s anger comes upon you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:2 “For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.” In our text Jesus says, “I am coming like a thief” and he would meet his enemy on the battlefield of “Har-Magedon.” We will see how this battle is laid out in chapter nineteen.
The place of the assembly was called “Har-Magedon” which is located in the valley of Magiddo, was the valley in Judges 5 where Deborah and Barack defeated Sisera and their Midianite oppressors. This valley, also called the “valley of Jehoshaphat,” was the location of a great many decisive battles of the ancient world. John uses this figuratively as a means of creating an image of great victory for the people of God. God was about to do battle against the oppressors of the saints, and this was going to be a Magiddo victory for the people of God.
VII. The Seventh Plague is Poured Out Upon the Air – the sphere of life and political, idolatrous influence, 17-21.
11:19, “And the temple of God which is in heaven was opened; and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple, and there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder and an earthquake and a great hailstorm.”
16:17-20, “Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl upon the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple from the throne, saying, ‘It is done.’ And there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder; and there was a great earthquake, such as there had not been since man came to be upon the earth, so great an earthquake was it, and so mighty. The great city (Jerusalem) was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. (The shaking of heaven and earth???). Babylon the great (Jerusalem) was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of His fierce wrath. And every island fled away (Remember, this bowl of wrath is not poured out on the sea and generally think relates to islands of the seas. This bowl was poured out upon the AIR which represents the sphere of political influence.), and the mountains were not found (Mountains represent nations. Israel had been abandoned by the nations. These are the same mountains in 6:15 that Jerusalem had pleaded to) ‘Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb.’ (No aid could be obtained from the nations to alleviate them from the devastation of Rome), and huge hailstones, about one hundred pounds each, came down from heaven upon men; (Hail stones weighing 100 pounds are beyond the natural processes of meteorology. The exaggerated imagery of the hail is meant to impress the upon our minds the fact that what is taking place is beyond the scope of naturalistic explanation. This is a supernaturally orchestrated event.) and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, because its plague was extremely severe.”
The severity of the plague was in direct proportion to the severity of their sins against God. God had sent them John and they killed him. He sent them his Son, and they nailed him on a cross. He pleaded with Israel to repent. He has sent messengers to warn them of the coming wrath of God. He placed the city under three and a half years of siege that brought with it starvation, plague, disease, and death, and STILL she refused to repent. Now, he has over-run the city with Roman soldiers who killed everyone in their path. He gave over the plunder of the city to the beast she worshiped and now, she is no more. That once Great city whom God had clothed in splendor has now been reduced to rubble and the people killed or sold into slavery. In spite of all of the efforts of God to turn the heart of Israel back to their God, she simply would not repent. This has to be the saddest book in the entire New Testament.
Chapter Seventeen
I. The Judgment of Babylon the Great and the Beast, 1-14
A. Identifying Babylon, the Great
It is argued by many that Babylon the Great can only be Rome. Others attempt to connect Babylon the Great to the Roman Catholic Church. This notion is so far-fetched that I am not even going to spend any time dealing with it. Since there are only two figures in this scene, I think it much more expedient to simply explain who they are rather than who they are not.
As we have already pointed out from previous chapters, Babylon is identified as Jerusalem, and Rome is the sea beast. To answer the first assumption that Babylon is Jerusalem, let us note some reasons from scripture that confirm this connection. Foy Wallace Jr, in his work on Revelation offers four observations from scripture which connect Jerusalem to Babylon that I feel are worthy of consideration.
1. His first argument is from verse sixteen which tells us that the beast hated the harlot so, these are clearly opposing entities. Rome cannot be the Harlot lest we have Rome hating itself, nor can Rome be both the beast and the harlot. The hatred of the beast for the harlot certainly agrees with the animosity that existed between Rome and Judea.
2. “There is no basis for a symbol or an analogy in which Rome could have been depicted as having become a harlot, for Rome never stood in the spiritual relation to God as a faithful city, turned to harlotry. The harlot was a once faithful city to God (This could never be said of Rome). Only Jerusalem can fill this symbolic description.” (Foy Wallace Jr.)
3. The theme of the book of Revelation is not concerned with Rome or the Roman Empire as its central character. Rome was only an incidental instrument of God by which Jerusalem's judgment would be executed.
4. “All of this was in direct fulfillment of the things Jesus foretold in Matthew 23 and 24 and in Luke 21 concerning the apostasies and abominations which would bring doom to the city of Jerusalem.” (Foy Wallace Jr.).
B. Chapter seventeen is another scene of Jerusalem's judgment, but in chapter seventeen, we find something that is not given in the other chapters depicting this same event. In this chapter, the angel provides us with clearer definitions of the symbols.
“Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and spoke with me saying, ‘Come here, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed acts of immorality, and those who dwell on the earth were made drunk with the wine of her immorality.’”
1. The subject of the scene is judgment.
2.The object of the judgment is the “great harlot.”
This is not the first time God uses the word harlot to describe Jerusalem, but he only seems to use this term to describe a once faithful nation. God said of Nineveh, “All because of the many harlotries of the harlot, the charming one, the mistress of sorceries, who sells nations by her harlotries and families by her sorceries. ‘Behold, I am against you,’ declares the Lord of hosts...” Nahum 3:4-5. Like Nineveh, Jerusalem became a harlot when she began to prefer other nations to Jehovah.
3. She sits upon many waters.
This imagery is taken directly from Jeremiah 51:13 where God pronounced his judgment upon the actual ancient city of Babylon. It is fitting that John uses this imagery in speaking of Jerusalem as Babylon the great. The “sitting upon many waters” is used by Jeremiah as a symbol depicting the wealth that Babylon had amassed as a result of trade and alliances with the other nations. Jerusalem is accused of doing the same thing with the allied nations of Rome.
4. She is guilty of immorality with the nations.
Jerusalem’s desire was not in the Lord. Her desire it was to be like the nations around her. This desire seems to be amplified in the fact that “the kings of the earth committed acts of immorality” with her “and those who dwell on the earth were made drunk with the wine of her immorality.”
C. The woman sitting on the scarlet beast, 3-6
1. The woman is the harlot, Babylon, Jerusalem.
2. The beast is Rome represented in scarlet. This may be a representation of the sinful character of the beast. God has used this imagery in the past to describe the sinful conditions of Judah and Jerusalem in Isaiah 1:18. It may also be used to depict royalty.
3. The beast was full of blasphemous names. In other words, Rome was full of irreverence and reproach against God and his people.
4. The beast had seven heads and ten horns. We will look more closely at this when we get to verses 9-14.
5. The woman was beautifully adorned in royal apparel. See Ezekiel 16:10-14.
“I also clothed you with embroidered cloth and put sandals of porpoise skin on your feet; and I wrapped you with fine linen and covered you with silk. I adorned you with ornaments, put bracelets on your hands and a necklace around your neck. I also put a ring in your nostril, earrings in your ears and a beautiful crown on your head. Thus, you were adorned with gold and silver, and your dress was of fine linen, silk, and embroidered cloth. You ate fine flour, honey, and oil; so, you were exceedingly beautiful and advanced to royalty. Then your fame went forth among the nations on account of your beauty, for it was perfect because of My splendor which I bestowed on you, declares the Lord God.”
6. Her cup was full of abominations of unclean things and immorality, Read Ezekiel 16:15-43 and see how God described the harlotry of ancient Israel. There was no difference between the behavior of ancient Israel and Israel of the first century, and the fate of both were the same.
7. Her name is “Babylon the great, the mother of harlots and of the abominations of the earth.” She is the source of every type of unclean behavior.
8. She is a murderous woman. She is a destroyer of the saints. More than that, she had acquired an unrelenting appetite for destroying those whom God had sent to her. Killing the saints and the prophets had become an intoxicating addiction. “I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus.”
“Therefore, behold, I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes; some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city, so that upon you may fall the guilt of all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. Truly I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.”
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. Behold, your house is being left to you desolate!” Matthew 23:34-38.
Peter, speaking of the Church in Jerusalem in 1 Peter 5:13 says, “She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, and so does my son, Mark.”