Tag Archives: Second Coming of Christ

April 23, 2023 · 10:00

The Two Witnesses

And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. (Revelation 11:3)

In the previous chapter (Revelation 10), John introduced us to a “mighty angel” carrying a Little Book who instructed John to eat it. There is a debate as to the identity of this “mighty angel.” I am in the camp that believes this “mighty angel” is none other than Jesus Christ, and the chapter that follows supports this claim, I think.

As you may know, John did not write his Apocalypse with chapter breaks, paragraphs, verses, or sentences separated by periods. Scholars added modern formatting schemes centuries later for ease of reading and locating book, chapter, and verse. John’s was one continuous writing. Therefore, Chapter 10 flows right into Chapter 11.

“And he [the “mighty angel”] said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings. And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the [mighty] angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein” (Revelation 10:11; 11:1). Angels do not command men to “prophesy” without the qualifier “thus saith the Lord.” That this angel gives such a direct command argues in favor of this being Christ. Immediately, John receives a measuring rod with which he is to measure the Temple. “What temple?” one might ask. Since the destruction of Herod’s Temple in AD 70, no physical temple building (of God) has existed on earth nor in Jerusalem in particular. This is not the “temple” in heaven, as we will see in the verses that follow.

Presently, there is no temple for John to measure, nor did one exist at the time of John’s writing, so this must still be future. However, it is not too far in the future. Devout Jews in Israel, known as the “Temple Mount Faithful,” are labeled as “an extremist Orthodox Jewish movement, based in Jerusalem, whose goal is to rebuild the Third Jewish Temple on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem and re-institute the practice of ritual sacrifice.”[1] That description takes a very antisemitic point of view; however, the goal is real. As far as I know, everything is ready for the third Temple[2] to be built. “Today, of course, radical Islam holds sway over the Moslem [SIC] world, and until this phenomenon is defeated, the likelihood of a peaceful preparation for the rebuilding of the Holy Temple remains nil.”[3]

John is given instructions to measure this future temple, but he is told not to measure the outer court “for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.” Forty-two months is three and one-half years representing the remaining three and one-half years of the seven-year Tribulation and which is known as “Great Tribulation.”[4] Chronologically, this starts at about the time that the first trumpet sounds.[5] This is also when Antichrist defiles the Temple setting himself up to be worshiped as God.[6] Right now, however, we are in a “parenthesis” as John provides some “behind-the-scenes” details.

The “mighty angel” continues, “And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth” (Revelation 11:3-4, emphasis mine). Another reason for concluding that the “mighty angel” is Jesus is because He “will give power” to His “two witnesses.” No normal angel would make such a claim. He identifies these two witnesses as “two olive trees” and “two candlesticks.” The prophet Zechariah saw these two olive trees, and he asked the messenger, “So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord? … Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.” (Zechariah 4:4,14). That they are anointed signifies that they are set apart for a special purpose and they “stand by the Lord of the whole earth” awaiting their assignments. Now comes the time for the “mighty angel” to give them their assignments.

These two will prophecy (i.e., preach) for 1260 days or three and one-half years (based on a 360-day year). Earlier we saw that the three and one-half years referred to the last half of the Tribulation. Remember, we are in a parenthesis at this time and this three-and-one-half-year period refers to the first half of the Tribulation; the time when the six seals are opened.[7] During this time, the 144,000 sealed servants of God are preaching all over the world protected by God.[8] Meanwhile, in Jerusalem, these two witnesses are preaching proving again that “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, emphasis mine).

They are given supernatural power for their mission. “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. 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 11:5-6). The identity of these two prophets has been a topic of debate over the years. Some suggest that they are Enoch and Elijah because the Bible records that neither of these men died.[9] “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27); therefore, these two are good candidates for the role since neither experienced death; however, we see later that they do indeed die.

Still, there are others that suggest that the two witnesses are Moses and Elijah. They conclude this from the miracles they are said to perform – fire to devour their enemies (Elijah), shut up the rain (Elijah), turn water into blood (Moses), and smite the earth with plagues (Moses). Another point they argue is that these two are the two that met with Jesus at the Transfiguration[10], and together they represent the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah), which are the Word of God. Of the two views, I think the latter offers greater substance; however, I am not ready to make a dogmatic stance either way. For all we know, from John’s description (who, by the way, was present at the Transfiguration), it could be two totally different characters.

Regardless, they minister for the first 3½ years of the Tribulation. “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. 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” (Revelation 11:7-8, emphasis mine). We are introduced to “the beast” in Chapter 13; however, he has already been on the scene since the opening of the first seal.[11] Prior to this, no one could touch the two witnesses, but this is their appointed time to go, which is the only reason “the beast” has the power to kill them. Their bodies are left to rot in the street of the “great city, which is spiritually called Sodom and Egypt.” We conclude that the city is Jerusalem because we are told that it is the city where “our Lord was crucified.” Why Sodom and Egypt? Currently, Israel boasts a large homosexual population. Tel Aviv is listed as one of the top gay-friendly cities in the world.[12] Aside from a minority of practicing and orthodox Jews in Israel, the majority of the population is mostly secular of which many are atheists having come out of Communists countries. One might say they are in “spiritual bondage.” So, Sodom and Egypt are apt descriptions for Jerusalem.

“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. 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. 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. 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.” (Revelation 11:9-12, emphasis mine).

The whole world witnesses this amazing event. Many years ago, even within my lifetime, eschatology students wondered how it would be possible for the whole world to witness this event. Today, there is no question. We see events take place in real time from around the world. So, the world will see and hear the preaching of these two prophets. They will witness fire proceed from their mouths when they are attacked. The world will know who is stopping the rain and who is bringing the plagues. And when they are killed, the world will celebrate. For three and a half days they will see their dead bodies in the streets of Jerusalem. Then suddenly, all the world sees life return to their lifeless bodies, and they will rise. Then the microphones that are aimed at the revived figures will pick up the thunderous voice commanding, “Come up here!” The two will slowly lift off of the ground and slowly ascend until they disappear into the clouds. We have been here before! More than three and a half years before millions all over the earth heard the same command and instantly vanished from the face of the earth. John heard the same command and was transported into heaven to record these events.[13] “And their enemies beheld them” (11:12). This time, the Rapture is no secret.

“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” (Revelation 11:13). I suspect that “the remnant” are Jews that recognize the significance of what they have witnessed. They heard the message of the two prophets along with the message of their brothers, the 144,000, and they believe, “and gave glory to the God of heaven.” Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6) and that applies to both Jews and Gentiles. In the end, Israel will be saved, but it will be a remnant, and it will be through faith in Christ alone, Who is the Only Way.

“The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly” (Revelation 11:14). Close parenthesis.

The time is drawing near. The pieces of the end-times puzzle are falling into place and Christ’s return is closer now than at any time in history. Reader, are you prepared to meet Him? If not, check out my page on “Securing Eternal Life.”

Notes:

[1]  “Temple Mount Faithful” – Temple Mount Faithful – Wikipedia

[2]  The first Temple was Solomon’s Temple. The second Temple was Zerubbabel’s Temple built after the return from Babylonian captivity and later expanded by Herod the Great. The third Temple is the Tribulation Temple that will be defiled by Antichrist (Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:4).

[3]  frequently-asked-questions – Temple Institute

[4]  Matthews 24:21; Revelation 7:14

[5]  “The First Four Trumpets” – The First Four Trumpets | Ernie’s Musings (erniecarrasco.com)

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

[7]  Revelation 6

[8]  Revelation 7

[9]  Genesis 5:24; 2 Kings 2:11

[10]  Matthew 17:1-3; Mark 9:2-4; Luke 9:28-30

[11]  Revelation 6:2

[12]  Top 20 World Gayest Cities You Must Visit – Gay Friendly

[13]  Revelation 4:1-2

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April 16, 2023 · 10:00

The Little Book

And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter. (Revelation 10:10)

The sixth angel has sounded his trumpet releasing a horde of demons upon the earth. One trumpet remains to sound, but at this point, John shifts our focus to events in heaven.

“And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire” (Revelation 10:1).

John has observed angels performing mighty tasks to this point. In Revelation 5:12 John describes a “strong angel” announcing the worthiness of the One who can open the six-seal book. In Revelation 7:2, John introduces us to an angel with the authority to seal the 144,000 servants of God. In Revelation 8:3-5 we have an angel with a golden censer filled with incense taken from the altar before God’s throne, and he casts it upon the earth in preparation for the sounding of the seven trumpets. Then, from Revelation 8:6-9:21, there follow seven angels sounding seven trumpets of judgments.

Now, John sees “another mighty angel” whose description excels those who preceded him. John does not identify this angel, but the description he gives reminds us of Jesus Christ. Could this angel be Jesus? The late and respected end-times prophecy teacher, Tim LaHaye thinks not.

The Lord Jesus Christ does not appear in the book of Revelation as an angel. In fact, we will look in vain for a presentation of him as an angel after the incarnation. Ever since Jesus took on flesh, died for the sins of men, was crucified, was resurrected, and ascended into heaven, He has always appeared as the Son of God in His essential deity. Although this angel possesses some Godlike characteristics, he is not God. Part of the problem could well be a failure to understand the nature of angels. Although far beneath the character of God, they are created beings of unusually high order.[1]

I am not prepared to take a dogmatic stance on this view, but from my perception of John’s description, this could be none other than Christ. In the first place and with deference to Brother LaHaye, Jesus often appears to Israel in the Old Testament as “the Angel of the Lord,” and we recognize Him because He takes credit for what “the Lord” is going to do. No angel of God would dare do that. Note too that I said He appeared to “Israel.” The prophet Jeremiah calls the Tribulation “the time of Jacob’s trouble.”[2] “Jacob” is another name for “Israel.” The time of Tribulation has a twofold purpose: (1) to bring judgment on a God-rejecting world, and (2) to cause the redemption of Israel and fulfill God’s covenant with Abraham.

Tim LaHaye could be right. However, let us examine carefully John’s description of this “mighty angel.” He comes down from heaven “clothed with a cloud.” After His resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven and was taken up in a cloud. The angels that stood by on that day told His disciples that He would descend to earth in like manner.[3] When Jesus returns for His Church at the Rapture, Paul says that we will be “caught up” (raptured) together with the resurrected saints “in the clouds” to meet the Lord in the air.[4] So this image of the angel “clothed with a cloud” certainly fits Christ.

There is a rainbow upon his head which reminds us of the rainbow surrounding the throne of God.[5] His face shone like the sun harkening back to John’s first encounter with the risen Christ.[6] Also, “his feet as pillars of fire” reminiscent of John’s first encounter where he records, “And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace…” (Revelation 1:15). The angel carries a “little book” or scroll not unlike the seven-seal scroll whose seals the Lamb opened.[7]

Furthermore, this “mighty angel” places “his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth” (10:2) showing his authority over the earth. This, after all, reveals the content of the seven-seal scroll. It is the title deed to the earth and this “mighty angel” claims possession by placing His feet on His property.

I certainly could be wrong. I am far from infallible; however, I am not alone in this view. Clarence Larkin, from whom Tim LaHaye patterns much of his thinking on Revelation, takes the position that this “mighty angel” is Christ.

Who this “MIGHTY ANGEL” is we do not know unless he be Christ Himself. In the Old Testament the Son of God was called the “ANGEL OF THE LORD” (Ex. 3:2-18), and as we are now in that part of the Book of Revelation that deals mainly with Israel it is nothing less than what we should expect to hear, Christ spoken of as a “MIGHTY ANGEL.” Then the description of this “MIGHTY ANGEL” seems to point to the same Person that John saw standing amid the “Lampstands” in chapter 1:12-16, or Christ Himself. The “ANGEL” was clothed in a CLOUD, there was a RAINBOW upon His head, His face was as it were the SUN, and His feet as PILLARS OF FIRE. No mere angel was ever before or since described in the Scriptures as appearing like that. Then He is described as crying with a loud voice, as a lion roareth, and Christ is spoken of in this Book (Rev. 5:5) as “THE LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH”; and in the chapter that follows the same “MIGHTY ANGEL” speaks of the “Two Witnesses,” as “MY WITNESSES,” which is further indisputable evidence that this “MIGHTY ANGEL” is no other than Christ Himself. This interpretation makes clear what follows. For when this “MIGHTY ANGEL” places His right foot upon the sea, and His left foot on the earth, and swears that there shall be “TIME NO LONGER,” or “NO LONGER DELAY” (margin), it is Christ taking formal possession of the Earth and Sea, and declaring that there shall be no longer delay in dispossessing the false claimant Satan.[8]

I have another advocate in Henry M. Morris Jr., Ph.D. and contemporary of Tim LaHaye. Dr. Morris also sees this “Mighty Angel” as the Lord Jesus Christ.

This mighty angel can be none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. Both in the Old Testament and in the Book of Revelation, in His preincarnate state and in His postresurrection [SIC] state, respectively, Christ is presented a number of times as a glorious angel (or “messenger”) of the Lord.

That this angel is not one of the created angels (not even one of the seven powerful angels that stand in God’s presence) is evident from the context in general and from His appearance in particular. John saw Him coming down from heaven, and this to reach the earth itself. He is Creator, Redeemer, and Heir of the earth and now is symbolically coming down to lay claim to His possession. Whether or not He is ready yet to take possession, He must at least let those in heaven and on earth know His claim.

That He is the same glorified Son of man seen by John at the beginning of the Apocalypse is clear from three striking marks of identification. As He descended from Heaven, He was arrayed in a glory cloud, His face was like the sun (it was not the sun, but “as it were” the sun), and His feet were “as pillars of fire.” Those are precisely the characteristics noted by John in the first chapter of Revelation.[9]

“And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not” (Revelation 10:3-4). Regardless of one’s view of this “Mighty Angel,” one cannot deny that he wields great authority. Since I can be just as wrong about this as the next man, I will go with my understanding that this “Mighty Angel” is the Lord Jesus Christ for consistency. When He speaks, His voice resounds like the roar of a lion. He is, after all, “the Lion of Judah.” Then when He roars, seven thunders echo His voice. John begins to write as instructed in the beginning,[10] but he is stopped from recording what he heard. I wonder what it was that he heard. It reminds me of what Daniel experienced. He records, “And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end” (Daniel 12:8-9). John may have heard something reserved for the Millennium or beyond that would be too awesome for us to comprehend at this time.

“And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, 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: 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” (Revelation 10:5-7, emphasis mine). Some may see verse 6 as evidence in opposition to this angel being Christ because he swears “by him that liveth forever and ever” showing deference to God. However, we can find many examples in the Gospels of Jesus giving deference to God the Father for all His actions, so this should not seem strange to us. The “Mighty Angel” declares “that there should be time no longer.” This does not mean that time will end, but rather that it should “delay no longer” as Larkin suggested above. Albert Barnes, who preceded Larkin, concurs.

This is a very important expression, as it is the substance of what the angel affirmed in so solemn a manner; and as the interpretation of the whole passage depends on it. It seems now to be generally agreed among critics that our translation does not give the true sense, inasmuch:

(a) As that was not the close of human affairs, and

(b) As he proceeds to state what would occur after that.

Accordingly, different versions of the passage have been proposed. Prof. Stuart renders it, “that delay shall be no longer.” Mr. Elliott, “that the time shall not yet be; but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, whensoever he may be about to sound, then the mystery of God shall be finished.” Mr. Lord, “that the time shall not be yet, but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel,” etc. Andrew Fuller (Works, vol. vi. p. 113), “there should be no delay.” So Dr. Gill. Mr. Daubuz, “the time shall not be yet.” Vitringa (p. 432), tempus non fore amplius, “time shall be no more.” He explains it (p. 433) as meaning, “not that this is to be taken absolutely, as if at the sounding of the seventh trumpet all things were then to terminate, and the glorious epiphany – ἐπίφανεια epiphaneia (or manifestation of Jesus Christ) – was then to occur, who would put an end to all the afflictions of his church; but in a limited sense – restricte – as meaning that there would be no delay between the sounding of the seventh trumpet and the fulfillment of the prophecies.”[11] (emphasis mine)

That “mystery of God” that “should be finished” must have been what the thunders voiced and that John was prohibited from writing down. It must be too wonderful for words!

“And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth. And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey. And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter. And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings” (Revelation 10:8-11, emphasis mine).

John experienced what the Old Testament prophet, Ezekiel experienced almost 600 years before.[12] The “little book” is the Word of God that to the believer is sweet and nourishing, but sharing it with an unbelieving world can cause heartburn. It is not easy to confront a sinner with his sin and declare to him what awaits him unless he repents. Eternal life in hell is a message no sinner wants to hear and they will often attack the messenger because of the message. Jesus said, “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you” (John 15:18-19).

The time is drawing near. The pieces of the end-times puzzle are falling into place and Christ’s return is closer now than at any time in history. Reader, are you prepared to meet Him? If not, check out my page on “Securing Eternal Life.”

Notes:

[1]  Tim LaHaye, Revelation Illustrated and Made Plain, (Zondervan, Grand Rapids, 1981) p. 144.

[2]  Jeremiah 30:7

[3]  Acts 1:9-11

[4]  1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

[5]  Revelation 4:3

[6]  Revelation 1:16

[7]  Revelation 5:5-7

[8]  Clarence Larkin, The Book of Revelation Illustrated, (Rev. Clarence Larkin Estate, Philadelphia, 1919), p. 81.

[9] Henry M. Morris, The Revelation Record, (Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois, 1983) p. 176.

[10]  Revelation 1:19

[11]  Albert Barnes, Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, (Published in 1847-85; public domain)

[12]  Ezekiel 2:8-10; 3:1-4

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April 9, 2023 · 10:00

The Sixth Trumpet

One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter. (Revelation 9:12)

The fifth trumpet, the first of “three woes,”[1] brought a swarm of demonic locusts to torment people not protected by the “seal of God in their foreheads,”[2] suggesting that these were none of God’s elect. Their sting inflicted such excruciating pain that people wished they could die, but death eluded them for a period of five months. Things are about to get worse.

“And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates” (Revelation 9:13-14). John does not identify the “voice” that he heard, but considering that it comes from “the golden altar which is before God,” we can presume that it is the voice of God. We saw this altar in Chapter 8 upon which incense burned and whose smoke represented the prayers of the saints rising before God. The voice instructs the sixth angel to “release” the four angels bound in the “great river Euphrates.” That the four angels are “bound” tells us that these are demonic angels. Since the Tower of Babel and its offshoot Babylon, the Euphrates has been the source of demonic, pagan worship, and these “angels” are the “principalities”[3] that rule over these demonic powers.

“And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men” (Revelation 9:15). What we see here clearly reveals that it all falls within God’s plan. It is no accident, nor is it a capricious reaction of a wrathful God. Note the precision with which this judgment is carried out. They “were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year.” Their purpose is “to slay the third part of men,” which at this point (without going into a detailed explanation) is about 2-Billion people. Since the beginning of the Tribulation, Earth’s population has been reduced by almost half at this point.

“And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them” (Revelation 9:16). There are some students of Revelation and end-times prophecies that suggest that these are human armies from east of the Euphrates River. They probably arrive at this conclusion from a reference in Revelation 16:12 where the Euphrates River is dried up to make way for “the kings of the east.” Because China already boasts a standing army of over 200-Million soldiers, it makes sense that this might refer to that. In addition, India and Pakistan also have large standing armies. However, John’s description of the horsemen in the following verses precludes the possibility of this being a human army.

“And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone. By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths. For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt.” (Revelation 9:17-19). Of this horde of 200-Million, Clarence Larkin said, “This army of 200,000,000 horsemen is a supernatural army. It is not composed of ordinary men and horses. The fact that these ‘Four Angels’ were bound at the Euphrates, where Satan’s seat was in ancient times, and where it is to be again the City of Babylon restored, and from whence he sallied forth to do his diabolical work, makes it clear that this army is a part of Satan’s forces.”[4] Their appearance resembles nothing the human eye has ever seen. These cannot be human, and John’s language gives no indication that these are symbolic of something else. These are real, ugly, and destructive. Even so, I am gobsmacked at the reaction of those that survive the assault.

“And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts” (Revelation 9:20-21, emphasis mine). Later in the book, we learn that these “men” (the term includes women) recognize that these “plagues” are judgments from God and rather than repent, they become even more rebellious. It is interesting that they “worship devils.” There is an ever-increasing interest in the occult and Satan worship these days. Abortion, sexual perversions (LGBTQ+), drug abuse (“sorceries”), murders and fornication all have demonic origins, and all of these things, including “thefts,” are all increasing exponentially these days. Yet, rather than repent of these sins, our society lashes out against Christianity, the only source of salvation. As evil as things are getting today, they will be a thousand times worse when all restraint (i.e., the Rapture) is removed from the earth, and the men of earth will curse God rather than repent.

One “woe” remains, but before the last trumpet sounds, John will give us a parenthetical look behind the scenes. I will cover that in my next article.

Reader, are you prepared for what is coming to the world? You do not need to go through the Tribulation, God’s wrath, that is coming upon the world. Read my page on “Securing Eternal Life,” and ask Jesus to save you from the wrath to come.

Notes:

[1]  Revelation 8:13

[2]  Revelation 9:4

[3]  Romans 8:38; Ephesians 6:12; Colossians 1:16; 2:15

[4]  Clarence Larkin, The Book of Revelation Illustrated, (Rev. Clarence Larkin Estate, Philadelphia, 1919), p. 78,

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April 2, 2023 · 10:00

The Fifth Trumpet

And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound! (Revelation 8:13)

Four trumpets have sounded, and if Chicken Little were around, she would be running around saying, “The sky is falling.” Indeed, the first four trumpets make it seem as if the sky is falling – burning hail mixed with blood, asteroids striking the sea, and the land destroying a third of ocean life and ships and a third of fresh water, springs, and rivers. The unnatural disasters darken the sun, moon, and stars by one-third. In addition, the effects of the first six seals continue unabated. By now, Antichrist is in full control of the New World Order, but not all the world is going along. Many nations rebel, and war rages all over the world. The global economy is in shambles with runaway inflation. People are dying everywhere from starvation, plagues, and war, and human and animal corpses litter the landscape because they cannot be buried fast enough. At this point, the Tribulation nears the midpoint, and the worst is yet to come. Three trumpets remain to sound, and the angel announces, “Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!” (Revelation 8:13).

“And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit” (Revelation 9:1). Another star falls, but, even though John refers to it as an “astēr,” this is not another space rock. Notice that star has a gender (him and he), and “to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.” So, what is this “star” to whom responsibility is given?

Without going into great detail, this is an angelic creature.[1] We can know this from what we read in Job where God answers Job. “Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding … When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” (Job 38:4, 7, emphasis mine). The Book of Job is written in the Hebrew poetic style of parallelism; therefore, “the morning stars” and “the sons of God” are the same. The “sons of God” is the English translation for the Hebrew “bêne ‘ĕlôhı̂ym.” We see this term used at the beginning of the Book of Job when the “sons of God” presented themselves before God and Satan was among them.[2] These are all the council of God which includes all of God’s angels, good and bad. There we see that Satan is among them. Genesis, which most Bible scholars agree came much later than Job, makes a reference to the “sons of God” which came into the “daughters of men” and produced the Nephilim.[3]

We conclude, therefore, that this “star” which falls from the sky with keys to the bottomless pit is an angelic being, but whether he is one of God’s or one of Satan’s is up for debate. Some believe this is one of God’s angels because, they argue, why would God give a demonic angel the key to the bottomless pit where the worst of the demons are held in prison? It would be like putting a rat in charge of guarding the cheese. I hold the opposite view. The text gives no indication that this angel is the prison guard in charge of keeping the devils locked up. Instead, he is “given” the keys to the bottomless pit at this precise time, and he does exactly what one would expect him to do. He breaks out his demon buddies from prison!

“And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power” (Revelation 9:2-3). There is no indication to make us think that this is anything other than literal smoke. Considering where these demons are kept, it makes perfect sense that smoke would rise from the pit when the door is open. The simile comes when it is likened to smoke that comes from a furnace. The thickness of the smoke darkens the air and the sun.

Out of smoke come locusts; however, these locusts are unlike anything John has ever seen, as we will see in the verses that follow. They have “power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.” Note the simile. It is not clear from this initial description whether these locusts have stingers, but later on, we learn that they indeed do have tails like scorpions (9:10). I have never experienced a scorpion sting, but I have heard that it is extremely painful. The Indian Red Scorpion is “considered the world’s most lethal scorpion species. The Indian Red Scorpion lives in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Eastern Nepal, and India … The sting from an Indian Red Scorpion is characteristic of excruciating pain, heart problems, vomiting, nausea, and sweating. In more dire situations, it could result in the collapse of the respiratory system and ultimately death.”[4] These locusts possess the capability to inflict agonizing pain.

“And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads” (Revelation 9:4). Unlike normal locust swarms that devastate every green plant in their paths, these are “commanded” not to hurt plants “but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads” Reminiscent of the eighth plague sent to Egypt[5] where the locust devastated the Egyptian crops but left the crops of the Israelites in the land of Goshen untouched, these locusts make a distinction between people with the “seal of God” and those without the seal.

We may ask, what is that “seal of God”? The “sphragis” is a “stamp” or “impression” confirming the authenticity of something, in this case, those who belong to God. Consider this: “Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts” (2 Corinthians 1:21-22, emphasis mine). “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:13, emphasis mine). “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30). So, “the seal of God” is the Holy Spirit that dwells within believers. These are Tribulation saints (believers) which include the 144K[6] and those who have come to faith in Christ through their message. These are spared the wrath of God. Their “seal” is not a visible mark, but the demonic locusts recognize it and stay away.

“And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man. And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them” (Revelation 9:5-6). The tormentors are limited to only five months to torment the God rejectors. Like the sting of the Indian Red Scorpion, the agony makes the victims wish for death, but death eludes them.

These things are nothing like anything John has ever seen, and he employs a lot of similes in an attempt to describe their appearance. Note the use of “like” and “as.” “And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men. And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions. And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle. And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months” (Revelation 9:7-10, emphasis mine). Because of John’s description, some have speculated that what John saw were helicopters. It makes sense that a first-century man would be at a loss to explain 21st-century military weapons. However, helicopters do not have stings on their tails and they do not originate from “the bottomless pit.” These are demonic creatures, not manmade military aircraft.

Finally, we learn the identity of the angel who released the swarm of locusts. “And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon” (Revelation 9:11, emphasis mine). Without a doubt, we learn that this “angel” is one of Satan’s. His name, “Abaddon” and “Apollyon” means “destruction, ruin.” Apollyon means “destroyer.”

“One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter” (Revelation 9:12). Worse things are yet to come.

Reader, are you prepared for what is coming to the world? You do not need to go through the Tribulation, God’s wrath, that is coming upon the world. Read my page on “Securing Eternal Life,” and ask Jesus to save you from the wrath to come.

Notes:

[1]  See The First Four Trumpets | Ernie’s Musings (erniecarrasco.com) for an explanation on the distinction between that which is symbolic and that which is literal and how we can know the difference.

[2]  Job 1:6; 2:1

[3]  Genesis 6:2, 4

[4]  The 35 Different Types Of Scorpions: Sting, Size & More – Outforia

[5]  Exodus 10:1-20

[6]  The 144K | Ernie’s Musings (erniecarrasco.com)

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March 26, 2023 · 10:00

The First Four Trumpets

And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. (Revelation 8:6)

When the seventh seal is open, John sees seven angels to whom seven trumpets are given. The prospect of the judgments yet to come causes silence in heaven for the space of about a half hour, according to John.[1] The preceding six seals brought the initial judgments of the wrath of God and the Lamb, but they are mild compared to what comes next.

“The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up” (Revelation 8:7, emphasis mine). Many students of the Book of Revelation see symbolism throughout the book. While the book does present many objects in the form of symbols, those symbols are usually explained for the understanding of the reader. For example, in the first chapter, John sees Jesus standing in the midst of seven candlesticks (1:13) and holding seven stars in His right hand (1:16). Jesus reveals that “mystery” in verse 20; the candlesticks represent the seven churches to whom the book is addressed, and the seven stars represent the “angels” or “messengers,” i.e., pastors, of the seven churches. The combined symbolism shows Christ abiding in the midst of His churches.

Some symbolism is not explained directly but can be inferred from what we read in other places in Scripture. For example, John describes Jesus clothed with a “garment” down to His feet, and a golden girdle about His chest (1:13). We know from Leviticus that this is priestly apparel. His white hair symbolizes wisdom.[2] Also, when something is to be taken as symbolic, it is almost always preceded with “like” or “as” indicating simile. For example, “his eyes were as a flame of fire” (1:14) does not mean that Jesus had fire coming out of His eyes, rather, the symbolism indicates discernment and omniscience. His feet were “like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace” (1:15) is symbolic of judgment.[3] Clarence Larkin said, “In that day those feet that trod the Via Dolorosa of suffering will be like unto INCANDESCENT BRASS, that shall tread and crush Antichrist and Satan when He comes to ‘Tread the WINE-PRESS of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.’ Rev. 19:15.”[4]

Sometimes simile is not indicated, but the symbolism can be discerned from the context and from other references in Scripture. For example, John sees Jesus with a sharp two-edged sword coming from His mouth (1:16). This seems rather strange; however, we see this image again in Revelation 19:15. What can this mean? Well, what normally comes out of a mouth? The most obvious answer is “words.” In his Gospel, John called Jesus, “the Word.” “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14, emphasis mine). John says that the Word (Jesus) created everything. “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3). In Genesis, we learn that all of creation (except for that of man) was accomplished through the spoken Word. God said, “Let there be…” and there was. We also know that God has also given us His written Word, the Bible. The entire Psalm 119 speaks about God’s Word. There we find these words: “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11). The writer of the Book of Hebrews gives us this perception: “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). So, by looking at other Scriptures, we can discern that the sword proceeding out of Jesus’ mouth is nothing less than His Word, which when spoken will cut down all of His enemies because it is by His Word that we will all be judged.

So, why have I gone down this long rabbit trail without explaining the judgment of the first trumpet? I did so to show that what is described is NOT symbolic. We must take this verse (and those that follow) literally. The first trumpet sounds and “hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth” (8:7). There is no symbolism indicated here – no simile. This is a supernatural phenomenon; however, it is not unprecedented. God sent hail mixed with fire on Egypt as the seventh of ten plagues to convince Pharaoh to set the Israelites free.[5] However, this judgment comes with a twist. Blood, not rain like blood, comes mixed with the hail and fire. The fire burns one-third of the earth’s trees and grass. This will be an ecological disaster.

“And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood” (Revelation 8:8, emphasis mine). John sees an enormous object fall out of the sky and into the sea. Notice that John employs simile here – “as it were a great mountain” Surely John had seen meteors before, but this was unlike anything he had ever seen. It looked like a mountain to him, and it was burning. We know that when meteorites enter our atmosphere, the atmospheric friction causes them to ignite. Often, they burn up completely before striking the earth. When they do not incinerate completely, they impact the earth with explosive force (depending on their size). There is a meteor crater in Winslow, AZ that is a mile in diameter, which was created by a relatively small meteor.[6] That is just a pebble compared to what John sees. This is a large asteroid that enters the earth and crashes into the sea. Such an impact will cause huge tsunamis and kill much aquatic life. Anything near the impact site will be wiped out. John says, “And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed” (Revelation 8:9).

“And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter” (Revelation 8:10-11, emphasis mine). Without a doubt, this assuredly is an asteroid. The Greek word translated as “star” is astēr, and it refers to any luminous celestial object. The idea of an asteroid strike is not a farfetched idea. These free-floating objects in space concern NASA to the point that they actively attempt to identify and track “near-earth objects” (NEOs) whose trajectory intercept Earth’s orbit.[7] Because of their concerns about possible collisions, NASA actively works on “defense” strategies to intercept and redirect asteroids with the potential to strike the earth. Wormwood will escape NASA’s defenses and score a direct hit on the planet. Unlike the “mountain” that hit the sea at the second trumpet, Wormwood hits land, and the fallout poisons one-third of the drinking water on the earth and many die from drinking the water.

“And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise” (Revelation 8:12, emphasis mine). Again, this is not symbolic. What could cause the dimming by one-third of the light from the sun, moon, and stars? Many possibilities exist. God controls all of the elements, and it is certainly possible that He simply turns down the dimmer switch. However, it makes sense to me that the third trumpet brings the effects of the fourth trumpet. In other words, when that giant asteroid, Wormwood, strikes the earth, the impact will send debris high into the atmosphere, and the wind currents will spread it all over the earth effectively covering the entire planet in a blanket of dust. We know what volcanos do when they erupt. The ash they spew into the air darkens the sun and makes the moon appear blood red, and these are small compared to Wormwood.

John sees another angel. “And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!” (Revelation 8:13, emphasis mine). Things are going to get worse. I am thankful that I will not be around to experience what is coming.

Reader, are you prepared for what is coming to the world? You do not need to go through the Tribulation, God’s wrath, that is coming upon the world. Read my page on “Securing Eternal Life,” and ask Jesus to save you from the wrath to come.

Notes:

[1]  Revelation 8:1-2

[2]  Leviticus 19:32; Proverbs 16:31 – “hoary head” means “white” hair

[3]  J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible, Vol. 5 (Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, 1983), p. 895.

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

[5]  Exodus 9:13-35

[6]  Meteor Crater | Barringer Space Museum | Winslow, AZ

[7]  NASA Office to Coordinate Asteroid Detection, Hazard Mitigation | NASA

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