Tag Archives: Religion

July 30, 2023 · 10:00

A New Creation

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. (Revelation 21:1)

With the Great White Throne Judgment[1] out of the way, sin has been purged from the earth. However, the creation was cursed with Adam’s sin, and even with the near Edenic conditions of the Millennial reign of Christ, the planet retains remnants of the curse. God told Adam, “… cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field” (Genesis 3:17-18). The purging of the curse will come by fire. The Apostle Peter writes, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10, emphasis mine). Earth, i.e., the planet, will not cease to exist, for God promised that it would exist forever. The psalmist states, “[God] Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever” (Psalm 104:5, emphasis mine).

God, speaking through the Prophet Isaiah, says, “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind” (Isaiah 65:17, emphasis mine). The Hebrew word translated as “create” is bârâ’, and it is only used when referring to God’s creative power. “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1) ex nihilo, out of nothing, with only His spoken word. John witnesses fulfilled prophecy when he reports, “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea” (Revelation 21:1).

However, this time God does not need to create out of nothing. All the raw materials already exist, they only need to be purified by fire and reconstituted. Indeed, John does not see the creation of a new heaven and new earth, but rather a heaven and earth that have been made new, i.e., renovated. What is conspicuous in this New Heaven and New Earth is the absence of a sea. Often in Revelation, the “sea” is used in reference to the masses of people,[2] and sometimes they are those that are “the lost.” Since the lost were sentenced to an eternity in the “lake of fire,” it is possible that “no more sea” refers to these. We see that reaffirmed a few verses down. “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8). However, “the sea” more often refers literally to Earth’s large bodies of water.[3] Here too, the word can be taken literally. That raises the question, how can the earth function without water? I believe Dr. Henry M. Morris, Jr. provided the best explanation.

There will, in fact, be no need for a sea on the new earth. The present sea is needed, as was the original antediluvian sea, as a basic reservoir for the maintenance of the hydrologic cycle and the water-based ecology and physiology of animal and human inhabitants of the earth. In the new earth, however, there will be no animals at all, and presumably all the men and women who live there will have glorified bodies with no more need of water. Their resurrected bodies will be composed, like that of the Lord Jesus, of flesh and bone (Luke 24.39; Philippians 3:21) but apparently with no need of blood (1 Corinthians 15:50) to serve as a cleanser and restorer of the body’s flesh as at present. This, in turn, eliminates the major need for water on the earth (blood is about 90 percent water, and present-day human flesh is about 65 percent water).[4]

For those who might lament the absence of oceans and all the aquatic activities that go along with that, the New Heaven and New Earth will more than make up for the lack of seas. As we consider the features of the New Heaven and New Earth, we need to keep in mind that John was literally at a loss for words to describe what he witnessed. The place is too wonderful to be expressed in human language, so John could only use the words available to him in his time.

The Apostle Paul experienced what he called the “third heaven.” The experience so overwhelmed him that he could not tell whether the experience was actual or a vision. Speaking of himself in the third person, he said, “And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter” (2 Corinthians 12:3-4, emphasis mine).

“And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Revelation 21:2). Before going to the cross, Jesus promised, “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:2-3). This is the place of which Jesus spoke. It comes down from heaven to the newly re-created earth, and it is unimaginably beautiful like “a bride adorned for her husband.”

“And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God” (Revelation 21:3). A “tabernacle” is literally a tent designed for portability. However, the deeper meaning is that of a “habitation” or a “dwelling place.” I have always maintained that “Zion” is a name referring to the dwelling place of God. In the Old Testament (OT), Jerusalem is often referred to as Zion, as is the mountain upon which the Temple stood. Hence, when people speak of Zion, they are thinking of either Jerusalem or the Temple. However, the name comes from the fact that God chose that place as His earthly dwelling. “So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more” (Joel 3:17, emphasis mine). Now, “the New Jerusalem,” the new Zion, descends from heaven where God will dwell among His children.

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Revelation 21:4). All the things that cause pain, sorrow, and tears no longer exist. How many of us can recall even one day without experiencing any of these things? I dare say that even if such days come on occasion, they are rare indeed. In the New Jerusalem, such days will be the norm, and all things that cause tears, sorrow, and pain will not even come to mind.

“And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Revelation 21:5-8, emphasis mine).

“He that sat upon the throne” is Jesus. I do not like “red letter” Bibles that supposedly print the words of Jesus in red letters, because that often tends to be subjective based on the editor’s understanding of the text. These verses are a perfect example. I recently bought a new KJV Bible. I bought the Bible online, so I was not able to examine it closely before buying it, and when it arrived, I discovered that it is a red-letter edition. In my new Bible, the words of the person speaking are not in red print indicating that the person speaking is God the Father, not Jesus. However, in my e-Sword ™[5] electronic Bible, the words of the speaker in this passage are in red print, suggesting that it is Jesus speaking. My old KJV Bible is all black lettering. It leaves it to the Holy Spirit working in the reader to make that determination. Anyhow, I long ago determined that the speaker is indeed Jesus. The first indication is that John sees Him sitting upon the throne. Jesus said that “God (the Father) is a Spirit” (John 4:24). The Father does not have a physical form that He can be seen occupying a single place. After that, the speaker says, “Behold, I make all things new.” Jesus is the Creator,[6] and He is the One that promised to prepare a place for us.[7] Then, the speaker identifies Himself as, “the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end,” the same title with which Jesus first introduced Himself to John[8] in the Book of Revelation.

Jesus is the Word of God;[9] therefore, the words He speaks “are true and faithful.” God’s Word never fails. To those who “thirst” for life, i.e., eternal life, He will give “of the fountain of the water of life freely.” This could be an actual fountain of water, but it is more likely symbolic of eternal life continually springing forth without end. Jesus made the same claim to the Samaritan woman at the well. “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14, emphasis mine). Those that enter the New Jerusalem are the “overcomers.” They will inherit “all things,” and He will be their God, and they will be His children. The Apostle Paul explains it in legal terms. “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Romans 8:17, emphasis mine). “All things” belong to Him, and as His children, we jointly inherit “all things” with Him. “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8, emphasis mine). No extra commentary is needed here.[10]

Revelation 21:9-21 describes the appearance of the New Jerusalem. I will leave the text of the passage to the reader. The description was clearly beyond John’s language to describe. Its beauty is obviously beyond words. It is not some ethereal, misty, dreamlike apparition. It is a real, physical, three-dimensional place, exceeding the most beautiful city on Earth built by man. The dimensions are given as 12,000 furlongs square or 1500 miles per side. (21:16). Because the width, length, and height are all equal, some have suggested that it is a cube. However, others have suggested a four-sided pyramid with the throne of God, from which the river of living water flows, is at the apex (22:1). Whether cubical or pyramidical, its height (1500 miles) extends to what we now recognize as outer space. If superimposed on the United States, its footprint (2.25 million square miles) would extend from Maine to Florida, and from the Atlantic coast to 600 miles west of the Mississippi River.[11] Clearly, there is sufficient space for every believer that has ever lived. I would be amiss to venture at a number, but surely it must be in the billions.

“And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof” (Revelation 21:22-23, emphasis mine). In the previous chapters, we saw that “heaven” was arranged in a manner for which the earthly Temple was patterned.[12] In the New Jerusalem, the Temple is no longer needed. The earthly Temple had the Holy of Holies where the presence of God dwelt, and no man could enter there, except for the high priest and that only once a year on the Day of Atonement. In the New Jerusalem, God dwells with and among His people without restrictions. The sun and moon are not seen in the New Jerusalem, because the glory of God and the Lamb overwhelm the light they produce. That does not mean the sun and moon cease to exist. Remember that the New Jerusalem comes out of heaven down to Earth. It does not occupy the entire surface of the earth (which has no sea), so outside its gates, there will still be a need for the sun and moon.

“And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it” (Revelation 21:24-26, emphasis mine). Apparently, the New Earth will have people living in it outside the gates of the New Jerusalem, none of whom were sentenced to the “lake of fire.” Those are all excluded as Jesus said, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8). The “fearful” are those who were timid to identify with Christ. Of them, Jesus said, “Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels” (Mark 8:38). The “unbelieving” are simply those who rejected the Gospel and Jesus’ free gift of salvation. There is only one way to obtain eternal life and that is through faith in Christ. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6, emphasis mine). In the Law of Moses, several practices were considered unclean and an abomination to the Lord. However, two extend beyond the Mosaic Law and are a perpetual abomination to the Lord; they are homosexuality[13] (actually, any sexual perversion) and idolatry.[14] The “abominable” are also prone to the other sins listed: murderers, whoremongers, sorcerers (i.e., drug abusers), etc. All of these reside in the eternal lake of fire and have no place in the New Earth and New Jerusalem.

The word “nations” here is the Greek word ethnos from which we get our English word “ethnic” referring to “people groups.” The New Earth and New Jerusalem will be populated by people from every ethnic group on this present earth. The children’s chorus “Jesus Loves the Little Children” that says “red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight” will be perfectly demonstrated in the New Earth and New Jerusalem. Evidently, there will be “kings” over the various groups and they will “bring their glory and honor into it.” I do not believe this is a tribute or sacrifice of any sort, but just their presence as the representatives of “the redeemed” will give glory and honor to the Lord and to the city. Mankind contributes nothing toward his salvation.[15] It is all by the grace of God, and all the glory goes to Him. The inhabitants of the New Earth have constant access, in and out, to the New Jerusalem. The gates of pearl are never shut (21:21).

“And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Revelation 21:27, emphasis mine). Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, those to have their glorified bodies, bodies free from sin, sickness, and death, bodies that are ageless, will reside in the New Earth and New Jerusalem.

“And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations” (Revelation 22:1-2, emphasis mine). Since there is no sickness or death in the New Earth and New Jerusalem, the need for “water of life” and a “tree of life” is perplexing. Dr. Morris[16] gave a good explanation for not having the need for a “sea,” so, why the need for water at all? Dr. Morris suggests …

Although the text does not say so, we are probably justified in inferring that this river (like the river in Eden which was its typological forerunner) parts “into four heads” (Genesis 2:10), which in turn descends from level to level, providing abundant water for every need (aesthetic as well as physiological) of the residents of the city. [What physiological needs we will have, I do not understand since earlier he said our glorified bodies would have no need for water.]

Eventually, it’s four distributaries will, presumably, reach ground level and then flow out through the four walls of the city, north, south, east, and west whence it, like the eyes of the Lord, will “run to and fro throughout the whole earth” (2 Chronicles 16:9). Since there is “no more sea” (Revelation 21:1) the inexhaustible waters of this mighty river will supply whatever hydrologic needs the new earth may have. There surely will be an abundance of luxurious grasses and herbs and trees everywhere, as in the original “very good” created world (Genesis 1:11, 31), and the whole earth will be a well-watered paradise of abundant resources and fulfilling ministries for the servants of God.[17]

The text says that the leaves of the Tree of Life are for “the healing of the nations.” The Greek word translated as “healing” is therapeia and it means “service rendered by one to another” or “household service.” There is no sickness in the New Earth and New Jerusalem from which to be healed; therefore, a better understanding is that “the leaves of the tree were for the service of the nations.”[18]

“And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever” (Revelation 22:3-5, emphasis mine). The curse[19] has been purged by fire.[20] In our natural, physical state, we cannot see God and live.[21] However, that is not so with our glorified bodies; we “shall see His face” in all of His resplendent glory. “There shall be no night there,” i.e., in the New Jerusalem because the glory of the Father and of the Son will illuminate the entire place. However, as I stated before, the sun and moon will still light the New Earth, outside the city walls. The earth will still continue its annual orbit around the sun, and its rotation will continue to give day and night to the remade planet. However, within the New Jerusalem, the light of God and the Lamb will outshine the sun. And we “shall reign forever and ever” with Him.

Please, come quickly, Lord Jesus!

Reader, what do you think? Do the New Heaven, New Earth, and New Jerusalem sound like a good place to spend eternity? You will spend eternity somewhere, either in God’s new creation or in the lake of fire. There are no other options. If you want eternity in the New Earth with access to the New Jerusalem, then your name must be recorded in the Book of Life, and there is only one way to ensure that your name is written in that book. If you do not know the Savior, do not wait any longer. The time is short. Please read my page on “Securing Eternal Life.”

 Notes:

[1]  Revelation 20:11-15

[2]  Revelation 4:6; 13:1; 15:2

[3]  Revelation 5:13; 7:1-3; 8:8-9; 10:2, 5, 6, 8; 14:7; 16:3; 18:17, 19, 21

[4]  Henry M. Morris, Ph.D., The Revelation Record, (Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Ill, 1982), p. 437.

[5]  e-Sword: Free Bible Study for the PC

[6]  John 1:3; Colossians 1:15-17

[7]  John 14:2-3

[8]  Revelation 1:8

[9]  John 1:1

[10]  Heaven | Ernie’s Musings (erniecarrasco.com)

[11]  Clarence Larkin, The Book of Revelation Illustrated, (Rev. Clarence Larkin Estate, Philadelphia, 1919), p. 205.

[12]  The Seventh Seal | Ernie’s Musings (erniecarrasco.com)

[13]  Leviticus 18:22; 20:13

[14]  Deuteronomy 7:25

[15]  Ephesians 2:8-10

[16]  Morris, p. 437.

[17]  Ibid, p. 464.

[18]  Ibid, p. 466.

[19]  Genesis 3:17-18

[20]  2 Peter 3:10

[21]  Exodus 33:20

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June 25, 2023 · 10:00

The Collapse of Babylon

And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. (Revelation 18:1-2)

I must confess a bit of confusion as I consider this next chapter in the Book of Revelation. In the previous chapter, we saw Mystery Babylon, the controlling religious system of the Tribulation period, destroyed by the Antichrist and the world leaders that used her to gain power and control over the people of the earth. “And the ten horns [i.e., the world leaders] which thou sawest upon the beast [the Antichrist], 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, emphasis mine).

However, we hear “another angel” – possibly the same Gospel angel of Revelation 14:8 – repeating similar words. “And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies” (Revelation 18:2-3, emphasis mine). As we read further, on the surface, it appears as if the descriptions of “Babylon the Great” apply to Mystery Babylon, but she is also called “that great city Babylon, that mighty city!” (18:10). Because of the several references to merchants and commerce, most scholars see this Babylon as the commercial center of the Antichrist’s (the Beast) government. Then there is all the talk about the rulers of the world having “committed fornication with her” (18:3, 9). That is similar language applied to Mystery Babylon in the previous chapter. If this Babylon is just a commercial and political center, then why does the angel urgently call, “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues” (18:4)?

Perhaps my confusion finds resolution in amalgamating the two – a religious and commercial/political center. Clarence Larkin says, “If ‘Mystery Babylon’ was destroyed in the previous chapter then she cannot appear in this chapter, and the ‘City’ here described must be a literal city called Babylon…”[1] Most end-times prophecy teachers would agree with that. I can accept that; however, I suggest that the seat of both the “One-World” religious system and the “One-World” ruling system exist together in the same place. The demise of the religious system at the hands of the ruling system would leave a “residue” of the former so that the remaining ruling system (that of the Beast) would retain many of the same attributes; hence, the similar language used in condemnation of the city. Also, the “kings of the earth” and the “merchants” that lament the demise of “that great city” are probably not part of the “ten horns” over which the Beast rules; the cabal of the Beast are the ones that made “her desolate and naked … and burn[ed] her with fire” (Revelation 17:16). So, for the sake of simplicity, let us agree with those who say this Babylon is the commercial and political center of the Beast’s power after Mystery Babylon is removed.

The next question that comes up concerns the city, Babylon. Is the text to be taken literally or symbolically? Does the text refer to the literal Babylon in Iraq, or is it a “code name” for a different city and system? Those who suggest that Babylon is symbolic say that the term was used by the early church as a code name for Rome and the Roman Empire. They will cite Peter’s epistle where he says, “The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son” (1 Peter 5:13, emphasis mine). “This epistle was written from Babylon, but scholars are divided as to whether this refers literally to Babylon in Mesopotamia or symbolically to Rome. There is no tradition that Peter went to Babylon, and in his day, it had few inhabitants. On the other hand, tradition consistently indicates that Peter spent the last years of his life in Rome. As a center of idolatry, the term ‘Babylon’ was an appropriate figurative designation for Rome.”[2]

However, that carries with it a certain degree of speculation based on “tradition,” which may or may not be valid. On the other hand, we are looking beyond the time of John, the human author of Revelation, into the end-times. Regardless of whether Peter was referring to actual Babylon or to Rome does not necessarily mean that John was referring to Rome in his account. When we read the text as we should – “if the plain sense makes sense, then look for no other sense or else you will end up in nonsense” – there is no indication that it should be taken in any other way than literally.

Still, some will claim that the original Babylon was destroyed fulfilling OT prophecy. Against Babylon, Isaiah prophesied, “It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there” (Isaiah 13:20, emphasis mine). Similarly, Jeremiah prophesied, “And they shall not take of thee a stone for a corner, nor a stone for foundations; but thou shalt be desolate for ever, saith the LORD … And Babylon shall become heaps, a dwelling place for dragons, an astonishment, and an hissing, without an inhabitant … Her cities are a desolation, a dry land, and a wilderness, a land wherein no man dwelleth, neither doth any son of man pass thereby.” (Jeremiah 51:26, 37, 43, emphasis mine). The question we must ask is, have these prophecies been fulfilled literally? Frankly, the answer is a resounding NO! So, if they have not been fulfilled, and because the Word of the Lord is true and trustworthy, then they must be yet future.

Larkin gives a detailed history of Babylon beginning with its origins at the Tower of Babel.[3] Nebuchadnezzar made Babylon one of the wonders of the world. It retained its splendor after the conquering by the Persians and later the Greeks. After that, the city degraded but continued to be inhabited even during the time of the early church. Larkin, citing ancient historians, says that “the Jews left from the Captivity still resided there in large numbers, and in A.D. 60 we find the Apostle Peter working among them, for it was from Babylon that Peter wrote his Epistle (1 Pet. 5:13).”[4] The city, albeit no longer “great,” continued to be inhabited.

Larkin continues, “In A.D. 917 Ibu Hankel mentions Babylon as an insignificant village, but still in existence. About A.D. 1100 it seems to have again grown into a town of some importance, for it was then known as the ‘Two Mosques.’ Shortly afterward it was enlarged and fortified and received the name of Hillah, or ‘Rest.’ In A.D. 1898 Hillah contained about 10,000 inhabitants, and was surrounded by fertile lands and abundant date groves stretched along the banks of the Euphrates.”[5] Obviously, the prophecies of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Revelation concerning the demise of Babylon are yet future, so the modern Babylon (Hillah) is certainly a contender for the one described in this chapter of Revelation.

However, some end-times prophecy students protest that this modern Babylon is too underdeveloped and too insignificant to qualify as the “great city” described in these verses. Currently, the population of Hillah (i.e., Babylon) is around 455,700;[6] that is about the size of Omaha, NE, USA, which is almost twice the size of the state capital, Lincoln. Just how “great” does it need to be for it to be of significant? With the technology we currently have in the world, the Beast could set up his headquarters anywhere and operate without any problems. If he needs a castle, he could have one built in less than a year. There is no reason, logistically or biblically for the Babylon of Revelation not being located in the original site of ancient Babel/Babylon.

“And 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. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double” (Revelation 18:4-6, emphasis mine). As I noted earlier, I believe Revelation 18 is an amalgamation of Mystery Babylon and political Babylon, the seat of the Beast’s power. As Larkin pointed out, Babylon had a large population of Jews in Peter’s day. In a way, Peter was calling them out at that time to come out of her. During the Tribulation, the false religion of the Beast will be headquartered in the same place as the Beast, in Babylon. The call to “come out of her” is not only a call to leave the false religion, but to flee the city itself because of the coming judgment, but more so to leave the false religion and not be “partakers of her sins.” The sins of the false religion as well as the sins of the city “have reached unto heaven.” The charge seems to carry a double application, which is why I think this chapter applies to both Mystery Babylon and Babylon “the great city.”

“How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. (Revelation 18:7, emphasis mine). Her self-aggrandizement reminds me of the Church of Laodicea.  “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” (Revelation 3:17, emphasis mine). Although this aptly applies to Mystery Babylon, we need to keep in mind that the “religion” of the Beast and the Beast are tightly linked.

“Therefore 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. And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more” (Revelation 18:8-11, emphasis). While there still remains some hints of Mystery Babylon in these verses, the application is clearly to “that great city Babylon.” Here we see the prophecies of Isaiah and Jeremiah concerning the demise of Babylon fulfilled in full.

Revelation 18:12-14 describe the lost trade for which the merchants of the world mourn. “The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate” (Revelation 18:15-19, emphasis mine). We saw Mystery Babylon destroyed by the Beast and his ten horns in the previous chapter, and now her city and her center of influence is laid waste.

“Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her” (Revelation 18:20). From this time and forevermore, false religion has been removed from the earth. All the false religions spawned from Babylon, that persecuted the saints of God, are crushed into dust. This is cause for great rejoicing in heaven. The only One worthy of worship will now reign on Earth.

“And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all” (Revelation 18:21). As a millstone cast into the sea suddenly disappears from view leaving only ripples which soon subside, so will be the sudden destruction of Babylon the Great and all she represents without leaving a single ripple.

Next, the true Christ, the Lord of lords and King of kings comes to set up His kingdom on Earth for 1000 years. We will see that in the next chapter.

How about you, reader? Are you prepared to meet the coming King of kings and Lord of lords? If you do not know the Savior, do not wait any longer. The time is short. Please read my page on “Securing Eternal Life.”

Notes:

[1]  Clarence Larkin, The Book of Revelation, Illustrated, (Rev. Clarence Larkin Estate, Philadelphia, 1919), p. 155.

[2]  New American Standard Bible, The Open Bible Expanded Edition, (Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, 1985), p. 1258.

[3]  Genesis 11:1-9

[4]  Larkin, p.157.

[5]  Ibid.

[6]  Hillah – Wikipedia

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June 18, 2023 · 10:00

Beast-Riding Harlot

And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: (Revelation 17:1)

We come to another parenthesis in John’s record. The seven-bowl judgments have been poured out, and the end of the Tribulation has come. While we focused on the terrors of the seven bowl judgments, other things were happening on Earth that John explains in the next two chapters. These details help us to understand the purpose behind all these judgments. They also help us to see what is taking place around us right now which will prepare us for what is coming.

One of the angels which had one of the seven vials (we are not told which one) takes John aside to show him “the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters.” To me, a “whore” is a promiscuous woman (to put it nicely) who engages in indiscriminate sex with whoever comes along. However, the word translated as “whore” here is the Greek word “pornē” from which we get our English words “pornography” and “pornographic.” As used here, the word refers to a prostitute; a woman who sells herself for sexual favors. That she “sitteth upon many waters” refers to people. Often, when we see “the sea” mentioned in Revelation, it refers to the Mediterranean Sea where most of these events take place, and the people that dwell in those areas. So, when we read, “I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea” (Revelation 13:1, emphasis mine), it refers to the area around the Mediterranean Sea and the people from that area. Thus, we conclude that the Antichrist, the Beast, will rise up out of the people around the Mediterranean Sea, i.e., the revived Roman Empire. This also agrees with the Prophet Daniel’s account that “the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary” (Daniel 9:26, emphasis mine).  The “people” that destroyed “the city and the sanctuary,” were the Romans in AD 70, and “the prince that shall come” from those people is the Antichrist. However, this “harlot” sits on “many waters,” so her influence spans all the people of all the world.

As we will see later on, the woman represents a world religion. She is portrayed as a woman because the Bible views “religion” as feminine. For example, in the Old Testament (OT), God looked at Israel as His unfaithful wife.[1] The entire prophecy of Hosea is an allegory of an unfaithful wife that prostitutes herself, yet her faithful husband (Hosea) goes and buys her back out of prostitution. The allegory is of Israel, the unfaithful wife who goes into idolatry (i.e., prostituting herself), and God, the faithful husband, who redeems her out of that idolatry. In the New Testament (NT), the Church is called “the Bride of Christ.”[2] Likewise, this prostitute represents a worldwide, idolatrous, false religion that is supported (she “sits upon”) by all the people of the world.

“And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: With 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 17:1-2, emphasis mine). The world leaders have “used” this religion in order to subdue and control the masses of the earth.

“So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns” (Revelation 17:3). The beast upon which the prostitute rides is the Antichrist. That he is scarlet (red) in color represents sin,[3] wealth,[4] and power.[5] He is “full of the names of blasphemy.”[6] This description of the Beast concurs with that given in Revelation 13:1-10 which I addressed in a previous article.[7]

“And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH” (Revelation 17:4-5). Through the years, many scholars of end-times prophecy attributed the moniker to the Roman Catholic Church (RCC); however, I think there is more to it than that. From the time of the Reformation (16th Century) until relatively recent history, the RCC was the only religion that fit that description. Without question, the RCC with its headquarters in the Vatican possesses more wealth than most countries on earth. I recall visiting a Catholic Church in San Juan de las Colchas, Michoacán, Mexico. The small village, at that time, was immersed in poverty. There was not even one paved street in the tiny town, but the church edifice was beautiful beyond the apparent means of the people. The interior was even more incredible. It was elaborately trimmed in solid gold. Many of the images were of solid gold. I could not help but think of how all that wealth could be used to benefit the poverty-stricken people of the town. (I know, I’m kind of sounding like Judas.)[8] The point I want to make is that the RCC is incredibly rich. In keeping with that theme, the Pope, in his priestly regalia, dresses in “purple and scarlet” and priceless jewels like a king.

This harlot is called “MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH”. Beginning with the rebellion at the Tower of Babel, Babylon originated all the pagan religions of the earth. Many of them follow a similar theme that mimics the virgin birth of Christ and His death and resurrection. The “Queen of Heaven”[9] went by many names beginning with Astarte or Ashtoreth[10] and later Aphrodite (Greek) and Venus (Roman). “The ‘Queen of Heaven’ is mentioned in the Bible and has been associated with a number of different goddesses by different scholars, including: Anat, Astarte or Ishtar, Ashtoreth, or as a composite figure. The worship of a ‘Queen of Heaven’ (Hebrew: מלכת השמים, Malkath haShamayim) is recorded in the Book of Jeremiah, in the context of the Prophet condemning such religious worship and it being the cause of God declaring that He would remove His people from the land.”[11] Here is another reason why early end-times students associated the RCC with “Mystery Babylon.” They took the pagan title “Queen of Heaven” and applied it Mary the mother of Jesus and attributed divine attributes to her.

Mystery Babylon is the “mother of harlots.” In other words, she gave birth to a whole host of false religions and the RCC fits perfectly in that mold. However, there is more to Mystery Babylon because it also includes “Gaia” (or earth) worship.[12] Up until maybe 40 or 50 years ago, the worship of the planet was unheard of. However, the whole world wants to “save the planet” (save the trees, save the whales, save the polar bears, save the sharks, save the air, etc.) as if there is anything man can do to alter the course of God’s creation. Of course, the proponents of this movement (the UN, WEF, et al) would not call it a religion, but they certainly promote it religiously. One of the major supporters of the “climate change” agenda is the RCC with the Pope leading the way. The RCC also puts forth great efforts to unite all the religions of the world behind the cause. The Pope is also willing to bring our “space brothers” into the “fold” by baptizing aliens![13] This is “MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT.” Add to this transhumanism and all that goes along with that, and it is not difficult to see that we are approaching the day of Christ’s return. There is also another control system creeping in called Environmental, Social, and Business Governance (ESG).[14] It is a system of social control based on a “credit scoring” system that grades the individual on how he measures up to environmental rules/laws; how he stacks up on social issues (human rights issues, pro-choice, acceptance of the LGBTQ+ agenda, etc.), and how he complies with matters of “equity, diversity, and inclusion.” We see this creeping into our society by how businesses are pushing the “gay agenda,” regardless of loss in profits. Their end goal is to increase their ESG score, which will keep them viable when the full force of the system impacts everyone.

“And 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). Beginning with the RCC, false religions (Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc.) have spilt the blood of many of Jesus’ saints since the Church began. The new world religion will spill much more. Globalists want to reduce Earth’s population to five-hundred million, according to the Georgia Guidestones.[15] (Of course, they would be excluded from the culling.) Christians who believe in the sanctity of life and God’s ownership of the planet will be in their crosshairs.

“And 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. The 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 17:7-8). John is just as baffled as we are at the sight. The angel tells John that the Beast “was, and is not.” We learned in Revelation 13:3 that he receives a deadly wound; therefore, he “was and is not.” However, he appears to come back to life to mimic the resurrection of Christ. Here we are told how that happens. He “shall ascend out of the bottomless pit,” which tells me that his body gets possessed by Satan (the Dragon) himself. However, he will “go into perdition,” i.e., Hell.[16] Those who bear the “mark of the beast,” whose names are “not written in the book of life,” will be amazed at the end of the Beast and his False Prophet. “They that see thee [the Dragon/the Beast] shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?” (Isaiah 14:16-17). In the end, he is pretty unimpressive.

“And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth” (Revelation 17:9). Those that identify the RCC as Mystery Babylon point to the “seven mountains on which the woman” sits as Rome, the “City of Seven Hills,” the seat from which the Pope rules. There are other candidates for the headquarters of Mystery Babylon. Jerusalem supposedly sits on seven hills, and the False Prophet will set up the image of the Beast in the Temple there and demand that the world worship the image and the Beast.[17] Babylon in Iraq, although there are no hills around it, is also a candidate. Upon closer inspection, the “seven mountains” are “the seven heads” which are rulers, so this may not refer to a specific place at all, but rather the seat of government, or the foundation of past governments (see the next paragraph). I will look deeper into that in the next chapter.

“And 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” (Revelation 17:10). The “seven kings” are world empires. “Five are fallen”: Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece. “One is”: Rome; Rome is the empire that “was” during John’s time. “The other is not yet come:” this is the revived Roman Empire, the kingdom of the Beast. Daniel saw this kingdom as the feet of iron mixed with clay in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.[18] In the dream, Nebuchadnezzar saw a stone cut out of a mountain that struck the feet of iron and clay and collapsed the entire statue.[19] The dream means that at the end of time, Christ (the stone) would destroy all the kingdoms of the world and He, Himself, will reign forever.

“And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. And 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. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast” (Revelation 17:11-13). There is much speculation on exactly how this will shape up. There is talk that the UN has plans on how to divide the world into 10 regions under a one-world government. Maps are available with a Google search. However, these maps include China and other Asian nations that I do not believe will play along with that scheme. Russia is also included in these maps, and I do not believe that Russia will want to play along either. As I see it (and I can be wrong about this), the Antichrist’s control will be mostly over the Western nations, i.e., nations that were part of the old Roman Empire. Neither China nor Russia (or any of the Asian nations for that matter) were part of the Roman Empire. So, exactly how this will play out is anyone’s guess. In all probability, it will include the nations of the European Union (EU) and possibly the nations of Northern Africa (that were part of the old Roman Empire). However, this works out, there will be ten rulers, three of who will cede their power over to the Antichrist. The others will “have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.”

“These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful” (Revelation 17:14, emphasis mine). We read in Revelation 16:16, when the seventh angel pours out the contents of the seventh bowl, that God draws all the kings, i.e., leaders, to Armageddon for the final battle. Note that the “Lord of lords, and King of kings” does not come alone (albeit, He is the only one that does any fighting); He comes with His saints that are “called, and chosen, and faithful.”[20] This is the Church that was raptured before the Tribulation and the Tribulation saints that were martyred throughout the Tribulation. It will make for a spectacular aerial phenomenon!

“And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. And 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. For 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. And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth” (Revelation 17:15-18, emphasis mine).

In the end, just like any whore, Mystery Babylon, the religion of the Beast, will be used for his satisfaction and then cast aside when she is no longer useful to him. And, although the Beast and his henchmen think they are in control, it is really God that is running the show.[21]

We see the one-world religion that the Antichrist will use and abuse to get what he wants rising even now. We see it in the form of ecumenism. We see it in the efforts of “religious” leaders to unite all the religions of the world. We see it in the form of Earth worship. We see it in the form of humanism that places the will of man above that of God. All of that is taking place right now, and if you do not see it, you are not paying attention. Things are falling into place in preparation for the Beast to step in and take over.

How about you, reader? Are you paying attention? If you do not know the Savior, do not wait any longer. The time is short. Please read my page on “Securing Eternal Life.”

Notes:

[1]  Isaiah 54:5-6; 62:5; Jeremiah 3:20; Ezekiel 16:30-33

[2]  John 3:39; Ephesians 5:25-27; Revelation 21:9

[3]  Isaiah 1:18

[4]  Lamentations 4:5

[5]  Daniel 5: 7, 16, 29

[6]  2 Thessalonians 2:3-4

[7]  The Beast and His Mouth | Ernie’s Musings (erniecarrasco.com)

[8]  John 12:3-5

[9]  Jeremiah 7:18; 44:17-19, 25

[10]  1 Kings 11:5, 33; 2 Kings 23:13

[11]  Queen of Heaven (antiquity) – Wikipedia

[12]  GAIA WORSHIP – THE NEW PAGAN RELIGION (environment-ecology.com)

[13]  Pope Francis Says He Would Definitely Baptize Aliens If They Asked Him To – The Atlantic

[14]  HOME – Advance ESG

[15]  What Did The Georgia Guidestones Say? Mysterious Words On Blown Up Monument (newsweek.com)

[16]  Revelation 19:20

[17]  Revelation 13:14-15

[18]  Daniel 2:41-44

[19]  Daniel 2:45

[20]  Revelation 19:14

[21]  Psalm 2

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May 28, 2023 · 10:00

Harvest Time

And 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. (Revelation 14:15)

At this point in the Revelation account, we have come to the last half of the Tribulation. We have seen that in the midst of the terrible judgments coming upon the earth, God in His mercy continues to reach out to a lost and rebellious world by way of the 144,000 witnesses[1], the two Old Testament prophets[2] brought back to earth to testify by way of wonders and miracles so that no one on earth will have an excuse for rejecting God. At the midpoint of the Tribulation, the Antichrist will desecrate the Temple in Jerusalem by claiming to be God and demanding that he be worshiped as God.[3] At this time, the Antichrist is fully possessed by Satan, and God allows him to kill the two prophets, and the 144,000 who, up until this point have been protected by God. In the previous verses, we see the 144,000 in the heavenly Mount Zion with Jesus.[4] However, God continues to show His mercy by sending His angels to proclaim the Gospel[5] all around the earth so that all on earth (who have not yet accepted the “mark of the beast”) will have the opportunity to turn to Christ. Of that time Jesus said, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” (Matthew 24:14, emphasis mine).

Now we arrive at the final one year and nine months that remain in the Tribulation (as I understand the chronology). John gives us a quick summary previewing what is to come; the details will be revealed in the chapters that follow.

“And 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” (Revelation 14:14). Undoubtedly, “the Son of man” refers to Jesus, and He wears a golden “stephanos” – a victor’s crown, not a “diadēma” a royal crown. Although the final battle between the forces of Satan and Christ is yet future, the victory is sure, and Jesus is the Victor. He carries a sharp sickle in His hand prepared for the harvest. Larkin points out that “This is not the ‘Harvest of the Church.’ … This is the ‘Harvest’ of the Gentile Nations … The ‘Harvest and Vintage’ are JUDICIAL. That is, they are for the purpose of Judgment. The account here is anticipative.”[6] We can look forward to the details of that judgment when the seven bowls are poured out in Chapter 16.

“And 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” (Revelation 14:15). Again, this looks forward in anticipation of the end when the final battle takes place at the battle of Armageddon.[7]

“And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. (Revelation 14:16). At that time, He returns to the earth on a white horse followed by His saints on white horses.[8] His sickle will be the “sword,” which is His Word, that proceeds out of His mouth. The battle, if one can call it that, will be no battle at all, for the victory will be decisive and instantaneous.[9]

“And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God” (Revelation 14:17-19). There is great excitement in heaven. The end is here and Jesus will soon take His rightful place as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. However, for those with the mark of the beast and those who have rejected God despite all of His efforts and offer of salvation, this is very bad news. On the other hand, for those saints who have managed to survive the seven-year Tribulation, their “blessed hope”[10] is about to be realized.

“And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs” (Revelation 14:20). The “winepress” is “without the city,” i.e., outside of Jerusalem. It is the Jezreel Valley, a.k.a. the Valley of Megiddo, a.k.a. Armageddon. This valley in northern Israel extends from the Mediterranean Sea to the Joran River south of Lake Tiberias (Sea of Galilee). It covers an area of roughly 380 square kilometers or 146.7 square miles. The blood of Jesus’ enemies will fill this “winepress” as high as a horse’s bridle. It is “the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God” (Revelation 19:15).

In a Messianic passage, the Prophet Isaiah sees the coming Lord like this. “Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come” (Isaiah 63:1-4, emphasis mine). John records it this way. “And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God” (Revelation 19:13, emphasis mine).

For those who reject Christ, the end will not be nice. That is putting it mildly. Reader, if you do not know the Savior, do not wait any longer. The time is short. Please read my page on “Securing Eternal Life.”

Notes:

[1]  The 144K; Tribulation Witnesses

[2]  The Two Witnesses

[3]  Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4

[4]  Revelation 14:1-5

[5]  Revelation 14:6-13

[6]  Clarence Larkin, The Book of Revelation, Illustrated, (Rev. Clarence Larkin Estate, Philadelphia, 1919), p. 137.

[7]  Revelation 16:16

[8]  Revelation 19:14

[9]  Revelation 19:11-21

[10]  Titus 2:13

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May 21, 2023 · 10:00

Tribulation Witnesses

And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. (Revelation 14:1)

Jesus warned, “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place,[1] (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened” (Matthew 24:15-22, emphasis mine).

Jesus’ Olivet Discourse[2] is often misinterpreted and misapplied to include all followers of Christ. However, one must consider the audience Jesus addressed. It was His disciples who asked, “Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” (Matthew 24:3). The question was prompted by Jesus’ remark concerning the Temple they were admiring. “And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down” (Matthew 24:2). The disciples were Jewish, and their concern was from a Jewish perspective. They were not yet “Christian.” They believed that Jesus was the promised Messiah. They knew He was destined to reign in Jerusalem and that His reign would culminate at the “end of the age.” Their twofold question requested two specific answers: when will He come to set up His kingdom, and when will “the end of the world” (Gk: aiōn – age) be?

Jesus’ reply addressed Jews, and the events outlined in His discourse were directed to Jews. “The abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet” was intended for Daniel and his people and his holy city, i.e., the Jews and Jerusalem.[3] Jesus warned that they should pray that their escape from Jerusalem would not be on a Sabbath Day. Such a warning can only apply to Jews; Christians observe the Lord’s Day (Sunday), not the Sabbath (Saturday). Jesus’ discourse on the last days described the events of the seven-year Tribulation prophesied by Daniel. Its primary purpose is “to finish the transgression [of Israel], and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy” (Daniel 9:24). The prophets all speak of the scattering and regathering of Israel into their own land in the “latter days” with the promise that God will restore the nation forever (sealing up “the vision and prophecy”). Hence, the Tribulation is for that purpose and to bring God’s judgment to bear on a rebellious and sinful world.

In my previous article, I focused on Revelation 13 which deals with “the beast” (i.e., “the abomination of desolation, a.k.a. the Antichrist) and his false prophet,[4] who shows his true colors at the midpoint of the Tribulation initiating the final 3½ years, or what Jesus called the “Great Tribulation.” Of that time Jesus said, “And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened” (Matthew 24:22).

It is at this point that John once again changes the scene. “And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads” (Revelation 14:1). The Lamb he sees is Jesus standing on Mount Zion.[5] Zion sometimes refers to Jerusalem and at other times it refers to the Temple Mount or “the mountain of God.” However, it almost always refers to the dwelling place of God. God established Jerusalem as His city forever[6] and the Temple as His dwelling place forever.[7] Even so, Solomon rightly concluded, “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?” (1 Kings 8:27). Obviously, God cannot be confined to a single place; therefore, Zion goes beyond an earthly temple or city. Zion is the habitation of God in heaven.

Now we see Jesus, the Lamb, in Zion, His heavenly home, and there with Him are the 144 thousand “having his Father’s name written in their foreheads.”[8] We have seen them before in Chapter 7 of Revelation and as a result of their evangelistic efforts, millions on earth are saved.[9] Now, here they are in heaven. What happened? Either they were Raptured about the same time as the two witnesses,[10] or they paid with their lives for their evangelistic zeal.

“And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth” (Revelation 14:2-3). Clarence Larkin sums this up better than I can, so I will include his commentary as follows:

What the “voice” said is not told us, but it was followed with the voice or singing of the “Harpers” accompanied by their harps. These “Harpers” sung a “NEW SONG” before the Throne, and the “Four Living Creatures,” and the “Elders.” As the “Elders” represent the Church, these “Harpers” are not the Church, for they sing before the “Elders.” Who these “Harpers” are we are told in chapter 15:2-4. They are those who stand on the “Sea of Glass” before the Throne, Rev.4:6. The “New Song” they sing is a “double song,” the “SONG OF MOSES” and the “SONG OF THE LAMB,” and we are told that no man could learn the Song but the 144,000 who were redeemed from the earth. This is further evidence that the 144,000 “Sealed Ones” are in Heaven, either having been translated or died a Martyr’s death and from Rev. 14:4 we learn that they are the “FIRST-FRUITS” of the restored nation of Israel, not the “First-Fruits” of the Church, for that is represented by the “Elders,” and was gathered out long before.[11]

“These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God” (Revelation 14:4-5). Larkin suggests that the idea that they were “not defiled with women” may mean that they were celibate like the Apostle Paul who did not marry. However, since “the word translated ‘virgins’ means persons of either sex, they are ‘virgins’ in the sense that they kept themselves clean of the crowning sin of that day—FORNICATION, for the crowning sin of the Tribulation Period will be fornication (Rev. 9:21; 14:8), or looseness and laxity of the marriage tie of which ‘free-love,’ and the doctrine of “affinities,” and multiplied divorce in these days are but the opening wedge to the looseness of morals of those Anti-Christian times.”[12] This allows for the possibility that this number includes women and not just men. The defining characteristic is chastity or sexual purity, faithfulness in the bond of marriage, and fidelity to the Lord’s leading “whithersoever he goeth.”

What is remarkable to me, but not surprising, is the mercy God extends to a fallen world even at this time of judgment. He sends the 144,000 Jewish converts to spread the Gospel around the world, and they are so effective that millions of people on earth reject the Antichrist and turn to Jesus Christ for salvation even at the cost of their very lives. “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb” (Revelation 7:9-10). Along with that, He sends two witnesses,[13] who could be Moses and Elijah. As a result, many millions are saved during the first 3½ years of the Tribulation.

Chronologically, in the Revelation account, we are at about the midpoint of the Tribulation. The two witnesses have been killed. They are allowed to lay in the streets of Jerusalem for three days in full view of the entire world. Then God resurrects their dead bodies and calls them up to heaven to the shock and dismay of the watching world. It is possible that around this same time the 144,000 are taken out of the world, either by martyrdom or rapture, but they seem to be in heaven now according to the text. However, God still continues His outreach efforts. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). “Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?” (Ezekiel 33:11)

God’s outreach options are not exhausted. “And 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, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters” (Revelation 14:6-7). Just because the 144,000 and the two witnesses are gone from the scene does not mean that the message of the Gospel has ended. Surely, there are many Tribulation saints that have survived to this point and many will survive to the very end when Christ returns. They will continue to spread the Gospel by whatever means they have available. In the meantime, God sends angelic help by way of what I call the “Gospel Angel.”

John sees another angel flying in the “midst of the heaven.” This “heaven” is the atmospheric “heaven” of the earth. The Gospel historically has been the responsibility of humans. Now, with severe persecution and limited resources, God sends an unstoppable angel to preach “the everlasting gospel” to all people of every language. No one will be able to say they never heard the message of redemption. No one will have an excuse for rejecting the Gospel. It will be preached everywhere, in every language, non-stop. And Antichrist will have no power over this angel to stop him. However, it is not just one angel. Two more follow.

“And 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). This message is not of an actual event. It is a promise of an event that is coming, and it is such a sure thing, that it is proclaimed in the present tense.

“And 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, The 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: And 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). For any rational person, this warning should serve to scare the hell right out of them. Receiving the mark of the beast[14] is the unpardonable death sentence. No one on earth will be forced to take the mark of the beast. They will take it willingly as a sign of fidelity to the Antichrist, the beast, and they will be eternally doomed for that choice.

No one will be able to plead ignorance. Three angels are sent by God to warn the earth dwellers of the judgments that are coming and provide them with the message of salvation. To take the mark of the beast may spare one’s life for a brief time, but in the end, the eternal fires of hell await. To reject the mark of the beast and choose Christ may mean physical death, but in the same instant that they close their eyes in death they will awaken in the presence of God, the Lamb, and all of the hosts of heaven.

“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them” (Revelation 14:12-13).

There exist scoffers today that reject this message thinking that they will be able to survive the Tribulation. They think “if” that time ever comes, they will reject the mark and accept Christ. That sounds very self-assured, confident, and arrogant. However, if one will not accept Jesus now when it is relatively easy to do so, what makes one think that one will have enough courage in the midst of the worst economic, climatic, and environmental disasters the world has ever seen to stand up for Jesus when doing so means certain death? Reader, if you do not know the Savior, do not wait any longer. The time is short. Please read my page on “Securing Eternal Life.”

Notes:

[1]  Daniel 9:27

[2]  Matthew 24; Mark 13; Luke 21:5-36

[3]  Daniel 9:24

[4]  The Beast and His Mouth

[5]  Sion vs Zion is due to the Greek of the New Testament. The Greek does not have a “Z” in its alphabet. The nearest thing to it is the Greek letter sigma (Σ) that equates to our English letter “S.”

[6]  2 Chronicles 6:6

[7]  1 Kings 9:3

[8]  The 144K

[9]  Revelation 7:9-17

[10]  Revelation 11:1-14

[11]  Clarence Larkin, The Book of Revelation, Illustrated, (Rev. Clarence Larkin Estate, Philadelphia, 1919), p. 131.

[12]  Ibid.

[13]  The Two Witnesses

[14]  Revelation 13:16-18

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