THE BOOK OF REVELATION The book of Revelation is often considered to be one of the most difficult books of the Bible to understand. Its strange images, peculiar visions and complicated language make it difficult to understand for laymen and scholars alike. And yet the book is intended to be a revelation, not an obscuring. It was given by Jesus Christ to John so that the Church could understand the events that were to take place between their time (1st century) and the return of Christ to the earth to establish the kingdom of God. The prophecies of the book of Revelation are revealed at last. The heretofore closed and sealed prophecies are open. In it are vividly pictured the terrifying world catastrophes, bringing death and destruction to this world, that will soon bring the end of this age. It is also the story of a living God, who will soon intervene to save humanity from itself. Finally it reveals a future wonderful world of peace, of plenty, of happiness and joy. Purpose of the Book Revelation portrays and contrasts two opposite views of life. This present world with its man created government and its corrupt false religious systems, is far from what God intended for man. Ever since Adam and Eve, man has followed his own ways and the evil ways of Satan. Satan dominates this present world. When one looks at the book of Revelation as a whole, it is clear that an all-powerful but loving God has always been in charge of events on earth. He has allowed evil to occur for the purpose of teaching man that such ways only lead to strife, war, unhappiness, pain, and suffering. God has been methodically working out his purpose, which in the end will triumph over evil and Satan the devil. The book of Revelation portrays the last days of God's plan. The final outcome is one in which the perfect government of God is established over man, and man lives in peace, joy and happiness. Symbols a Key to Understanding The book of Revelation has fascinated the world more than any part of the Bible. You will probably recognize many familiar expressions from Revelation: The Four Horsemen, the bottomless pit, the mark of the beast, the lake of fire, the Millennium, Babylon the Great. The book of Revelation is full of symbols and many have found it hard to understand what it means. Take a look at any map and you will see a key or legend printed on the map that explains what the symbols on the map mean. Obviously, you can't decide for yourself what these symbols mean or the map becomes useless. Yet, unfortunately that's the way some people interpret prophecy. It's not surprising then that they come up with some bizarre ideas, and end up hopelessly confused. Like the road map, you have to let the Bible interpret its own symbols. Once you do, you'll have a reliable guide to understand where we are now, and where we are going. We will introduce you to those symbols and point out their meaning as we explain the prophecies in the book. Revelation Of Jesus Christ Before we look at the book of Revelation let us understand an important point. Some older versions of the Bible title this book the "Revelation of St. John." It isn't and this has been corrected in most modern translations. It is the revelation of Jesus Christ . And God, gave this prophecy to Christ. The first three verses form the introduction. Let us read them: "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him , to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John : who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all thing that he saw. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy , and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand " (Rev. 1:1-3). This book of prophecy came from God and Christ is the REVEALER. It is Christ who does the explaining and revealing to John. John simply recorded what he saw and heard. Most of the actual prophecy of the book is contained in the things that John saw in vision, or, as it is worded, in spirit, and most of these things are symbols. In the third verse a blessing is pronounced on you for reading these words, provided you are submissive and obedient to keep those things which are written therein. Finally notice that "the time is at hand" for these things to happen. Terrible events are soon to occur on this earth. Revelation admonishes the reader to heed the book's insistent warning, and to place their trust in God for protection. Keys to Understanding The actual framwork or superstructure of all the prophecies found in Bible is found in the books of Daniel and Revelation. And in the book of Revelation, alone, do we find events ot the various other prophecies correlated in order of TIME SEQUENCE. While the book of Revelation, itself, is a vital KEY to a large portion of the other prophecies, there are centain KEYS which open up the book to understanding. One important KEY in the book of Revelation is a STORY FLOW, relating one future event to another in time order, with occasional insets injected into the continuous story-thread. (CHART) ________________________________________________________ CHAPTER OUTLINE OF REVELATION 1 John's introduction. Christ glorified as head of his Church 2-3 Messages to the seven churches. 4 The throne room of heaven. 5 Jesus as the revelator 6 The first six seals. 7 God's people protected from his wrath. 8 The first four trumpet plagues of the seventh seal. 9 The fifth and sixth trumpet plagues. 10 Prelude to God's wrath. 11 The work of the two witnesses and seventh trumpet proclaimed. 12 History of God's persecuted Chruch. 13 The two beasts. 14 Preliminary messages announcing God's wrath. 15-16 The seven last plagues. 17 The woman and the beast she rides. 18 The fall of the world's political-economic system, Babylon the Great. 19 The second coming of Christ 20 The Millennium and beyond. 21-22 The new heavens and new earth, new Jerusalem and conclusion to Revelation. _______________________________________________________ (chart) ________________________________________________________ THE STORY FLOW OF REVELATION THE SEVEN SEALS (Chapter 6) 1st - False Prophets 2nd - War 3rd - Famine 4th - Pestilence 5th - Tribulation 6th - Heavenly Signs DAY OF THE LORD BEGINS { 1st { (Chap. 8) { 2nd { Injure the earth, { 3rd { seas, tree, and { 4th { rivers. { 7th - The 7 Trumpets { 5th First Woe (Chap. 9) (Chap. 8-11, { 6th Second Woe (Chap. 9:13) and 14-16) { { { Third Woe or The { 7th { Seven Last Plagues { { (Chap. 15-16) (ARMAGEDDON) SECOND COMING OF CHRIST (Chapter 19) THE MILLENNIUM (Chapter 20) THE NEW HEAVEN AND THE NEW EARTH (Chapter 21-22) ________________________________________________________ The Theme of the Book The dominate keynote of the book, its subject, its theme, is found in the 10th or middle verse of the first chapter. This is the THEME of the whole Revelation! It is here that most people begin to stumble, and to misunderstand. The theme is "The Day of the Lord." Let us read it: "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as a trumpet" (Rev. 1:10). John is not referring to some day of the week, such as Sunday. This is referring to that prophetic period referred to in more than 30 prophecies as "The great and terrible DAY of the Lord." The "Day of the Lord" is described by the prophet Joel as a time when God will send DESTRUCTION upon the unrighteous and sinning nations of the world. It is described by Zephaniah as the day of GOD'S WRATH. It is described all through Revelation as the time when God will soon, now, step in and supernaturally INTERVENE in this hellish strife and friction and destruction among men, and send PLAGUES upon the sinners of the earth. It is the time which FOLLOWS the GREAT TRIBULATION, and leads up to and climaxes in the glorious SECOND COMING OF CHRIST. The book of Isaiah tells us "The day of the Lord comes, cruel, with both wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate; and He will destroy its sinners from it" (Isaiah 13:9). It is a time of frightening atmospheric and celestial distrubances. "For the stars of heaven and their constellations will not give their light; the sun will be darkened in its going forth, and the moon will not cause its light to shine" (Isaiah 13:10). The Lord's day is the time when God intervenes in the affairs of mankind. Christ's dramatic arrival on earth is the central event of this period. In Spirit, in VISION, John was carried forward some 1900 years, projected into the day of the Lord, a time just ahead of us, to occur in this present generation. These events are already now beginning to take place on earth, and you shall live to actually see them! This book will show you the coming world-shaking events of the Day of the Lord, the time of God's judgements at this age-end leading up to and climaxing in the second coming of Christ, and the happy peaceful world tomorrow. A Vision of Christ The first chapter contains a vision of the risen and glorified Christ. He is pictured as dwelling among seven candlesticks. These represent the seven churches to whom the the chapter is addressed. Christ also holds seven stars, representing the angles of the seven churches, in his right hand. Christ also walks among the candlesticks. This is to show that Christ is present in the midst of the Church and is aware of its activities. Message to the Seven Churches The first real message of the Book is contained in the second and third chapters, the message to the Seven Churches. These messages come directly from Christ. They contain the direct testimony of Jesus Christ. Here Jesus takes the actual spiritual condition and functioning of these seven churches, then existing in Asia Minor, as a prophecy of the spiritual condition and the works of the TRUE CHURCH of God during the seven successive time periods up until the end of this age and the second coming of Christ. These are not messages to the great, visible PROFESSING churches in all their various divisions and denominations. They are messages from Christ to his own TRUE Church in its successive eras of time from about 100 A.D. until a period yet in the future. Christ is the living head of that Church. The message of Revelation is primarily directed to God's people who have "ears to hear." The letters written to each of the seven churches of God discuss their major spiritual characteristics. (See chart that follows.) A promise is made to each of the churches. If its members can overcome their spiritual problems they will have a part in the coming Kingdom of God. The promise is eternal life and rulership with Jesus over the nations. The warnings applies to all of God's peoples in whichever era they might be in. The book implores God's people to watch their spiritual condition. By being spiritually strong they will be prepared for what is to come. (chart) ________________________________________________________ THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF REVELATION THEIR MAJOR SPIRITUAL CHARACTERISTICS The Church of God Begins - Pentecost 31 A.D. EPHESUS - Losing fervent sjpritiual love but not following false apostles. SMYRNA - Physically poor and persucuted but rich in spiritual works. PERGAMOS - Keeping the faith in persecution but becoming morally weak. THYATIRA - Improving in spiritual works but listening to immoral teaching. SARDIS - Spiritually dead except for a few faithful individuals. PHILADELPHIA - Keeping God's word and not denying the faith of Jesus. LAODICEA - Lukewarm in performing works of faith and spiritually proud. The Second Coming of Christ ________________________________________________________ Vision of God's Throne The fourth and fifth chapters are a prelude to the book and set the stage for the main prophecies of the book. John actually was on the Isle of Patmos, in the Mediterranean, but in his vision in chapter four he appeared to be taken up to heaven, to the very throne of God. The scene of John's vision is the throne room of heaven. In the vision he saw God the Father sitting on His throne. Before the throne were the four living creatures and the 24 elders sitting around it. The 24 elders we can relate to I Chronicles 24, which describes the Aaronic priesthood's 24 divisions, each serving the temple during a set time. The apostle Paul wrote that the temple and its service were an earthly copy of the heavenly reality (Hebrews 8:5). What John sees in vision, then is nothing short of the seat of government of the entire universe. It significes God's absolute authority over creation. Who is Worthy to Open the Scroll? Now we come to the vital fifth chapter of the book of Revelation. Notice: "And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a scroll written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose it seals?" (Rev. 5:1-2). Here is the real book or scroll of prophecy. It is significant that this scroll was sealed with seven seals. Seven is God's number denoting completeness. This scroll of prophecy was then completely sealed or closed up so it could not be seen or read, much less understood. Now notice verse 3: "And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it." Notice that! This prophecy is sealed! No man is worthy or able to open up this prophecy, to read its real and true meaning. But notice, here comes the key to unlock the doors of understanding. "And one of the elders said to me, Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals (verse 5). There is the key. The Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David, is Jesus Christ. The Revelation also identifies this someone as "a Lamb as though it had been slain" in verse 6. In John's vision, the Lamb takes "the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne" (Rev. 5:7). Jesus Christ alone, here standing before the throne of God the Father, is able to open these seals and reveal to us the meaning. This is not the revelation of any man, some modern church leader, or any religious organization, sect, or denomination. No man can reveal the meaning. This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ. He alone can open up the the meaning of this greatest of all prophecies. John then hears many voices praising and glorifying Jesus: "And they sang a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redemned us to God by your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth " (Rev. 5:9-10). Jesus is worthy because of what he did, giving his life for sinning humans. The risen Jesus has the central role in God's plan in bringing God's perfect government to earth. Further notice, that even though the vision appears in heaven, it portrays events to happen here on earth. They sang a glorious song, saying that those whom Christ has redeemed are to RULE, they are to REIGN with Him as kings and priests. Where? Up in Heaven? No! Observe this carefully, "THEY SHALL REIGN ON THE EARTH!" Yes, Jesus is coming again to rule all the earth as the King of kings, and the Lord of lords! And those who have obeyed and followed God will be ruling with Christ as kings and priests. And now we come to the sixth chapter of Revelation, the Revelation proper. As we shall see the information on the scroll sealed by seven seals makes up the major portion of Revelation. John then sees the Lamb (Jesus) unrolling the scroll and breaking each of its seven seals. THE SEVEN SEALS One by one, Jesus opens these seals. Six of the entire seven seals are opened in this sixth chapter alone. Only one chapter is devoted to the first six seals. The remaining 16 chapters cover the events of the seventh seal alone. As Jesus is opening each seal, John is invited to see its contents pictured in a vision. John writes at the beginning of chapter six: "I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals [the first] and I heard on of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, Come and see." (Rev. 6:1). The Four Horsemen of Revelation Now here is what John saw: "And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, Come and see. Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and ther was given to him a great sword. When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, Come and see. So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, A quart of wheat for a denarious and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine. When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, "Come and see. So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth" Rev. 6:2-8). And these are the well known Four Horsemen Of The Apocalypse. The Greek word "apocalypse" simply means "revelation" or "revealing." Notice, each of the four horsemen are riding a different colored horse. They are a white horse, a red horse, a black horse, and a pale horse. The horse colors take on special symbolic meanings. However, symbols are susceptible of many different interpretations. For generations men have been putting their own human interpretations on these symbols. But waht are these mystic four horsemen? What do these symbols represent? Who has the right interpretation? The answer is that no man, or religious organization of men has any power or ability to reveal this meaning. Only Jesus Christ was found worthy and is able to make this meaning known. Notice that Christ does not at this time and place open up the meaning. He has merely revealed the writing in symbolic form, but did not give the meaning here. Understand that God uses symbols to hide the meaning from men, until that meaning is revealed by Jesus Christ Himself. The Key To Understanding Revelation Since Jesus did not reveal the meaning in this particular passage of scripture, we must look elsewhere to find when and where Jesus does explain the meaning of these symbols. This is the paramount key to the Book of Revelation! That ought to explain why this world's religious leaders have not been able to explain the true meaning of these four horsemen. Consider this. Haven't you supposed that Jesus spoke in parables in order to make His meaning clearer, as a sort of illustration, so that people would better understand His meaning. Well, you have supposed wrong. On the contrary, Jesus spoke in parables to cover up or hide the true meaning from the crowds that constantly followed Him. Notice the parable of the sower and the seed: "And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: that seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them" (Mark 4:10-12). And then Jesus did explain in plain language the true meaning to His disciples. And in the same manner, we find in this sixth chapter of Revelation a prophecy cloaked mysteriously in symbols which have hidden the true meaning from men. So if we want to really understand, we must go to Jesus, who alone is the true revelator, and look to see where in His written Word, this same Jesus explains to us, in plain language the identical events which are represented by these symbols. Jesus' Olivet Prophecy Jesus did explain these same events of this world crisis at the close of this age in Jesus' Olivet Prophecy, recorded in Matthew 24, Mark13, and Luke 21. The disciples of Jesus had asked Him "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" (Matt. 24:3). Jesus then outlined the events to occur before and lead up to the return of Christ. As does Revelation, the Olivet prophecy contains a story flow relating one event to another in general time order. Jesus outlined exactly seven things to occur. Here Jesus reveals the true meaning of the seven seals of the prophecy of Revelation. And now, from Matthew's account, let us read the first four stages of events Jesus foretold: "And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying I am the Christ ; and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars : see that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. and there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in varous places. All these are the beginning of sorrows " (Matt. 24:3-8). What Do the Seals Mean? Notice that Jesus said there would be 1st, false teaching, 2nd, wars, 3rd, famine, and 4th, pestilence. Notice this principle: Once a condition which Jesus predicts sets in, it remains continuous up until His very second coming. The very first condition Jesus foretells is that of false preachers, misleading and deceiving, not the few, but the many! This condition set in almost immediately. The Apostle Paul wrote of it, and said this spirit of iniquity was already working. (See II Cor. 11:13-15). And it has never ceased, but has increased in intensity, until the whole world has become deceived and misled as to these Bible truths of God, as distintly prophesied. The first horse mentioned was a white horse. Many have confused this white horse with the one in Revelation 19, where we find the description of the glorious return of Christ pictured as coming on a white horse. And they have made the great error of deciding that this first seal, then, since it is a white horse, pictures the second coming of Christ. But Christ's own revealing of the meaning is that this white horse of the first seal pictures exacly the opposite, those preaching a false Christ. And thus the first horseman on the white horse with the bow and crown correspond to the counterfeit Christs and religious deceptions. These imposters seek to conquer and destroy those who disagree with them. And so the next thing Jesus said would occur was wars and rumors of wars. So the second seal pictures a red horse, the color of blood, and this horseman is a symbol of war. And in his wake, people kill one another. Two world wars have occurred. Rumors of wars continue. World War III looms on the horizon. Now we face the question of whether human life can survive the next atomic and hydrogen bomb war! The third thing Jesus said would occur is famine. The black horse has a rider with a pair of scales in his hand. We can see that this rider represents hunger and famine. He carries a scale to measure and carefully dole out food. Anciently, wheat and barley, wine and oil were basic food commodities. The denarius was a Roman silver coin and was equal in value to the daily wage of a working man. So there is a scarcity of food and it takes a days wage just to buy the basic foods to eat. The fourth thing Jesus said would occur was disease epidemics which follow in the wake of great famines and wars. The fourth horesman is a pale horse. The pale horse represents the sickly look of death due to disease. The rider is called death and hades [the grave] follows with him. One might recall that the Black Death killed nearly one third of the people in Europe in the 14th century. The worldwide influenza epidemic of 1918 killed nearly 20 million people. These are nothing compared to what we can expect in the end times just prior to Jesus' second coming. The Four Horsemen bring immense suffering to the human race. John tells us in Rev. 6:8 that over a fourth of the earth will die from these horsemen. And this is just the beginning of the colossal world events prophesied for our times. The first two world wars have occurred. Next to strike the earth are World War III, famine, and disease epidemics, all of such a magnitude as this world has never seen! There is Christ's own explanation of the four horsemen. This brings us to the fearful present. This is only the beginning of the prophecy. Now let us come to the very next prophesied event that will rock this world to its foundations. The Fifth and Sixth Seals Now we come to the fifth and sixth seals of the book of Revelation. These are also in the sixth chapter. John writes, "When He opened the fifth seal , I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth? Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed" (Rev. 6:9-11). The Great Tribulation The fifth seal is speaking of the coming Great Tribulation. Literally dozens of prophecies in both the Old and New Testaments describe this colossal world event. We have already discussed the great tribulation in connection with the events to befall the United States and Britain, as well as in connection with the rapture. Remember, we are now at the intermission of world war. There continues to be an increasing number of small wars all over the world. Famines and disease epidemics have increased in magnitude in recent years, but the final great worldwide famine and disease epidemic has not struck. We are already into these events, but we haven't reached the final fury of them. So notice, now, what is said of these things: "All these are the beginning of sorrows" (Matt. 24:8). Yes, these things are only the beginning of sorrows, or more properly translated, of travail, or tribulation. When we come to the full fury of the famine and disease epidemics, and what undoubtly will be the continuance of world war, that will be the very beginning of the much- prophesied Great Tribulation. And that is the next event that God Almighty warns this world is coming. Jesus also referred to this same event in the Olivet prophecy. He mentioned it immediately after detailing the events of "the beginning of sorrows." Jesus told his disciples: "They will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you , and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake...For then there will be great tribulation , such as has not been since the beginning of tthe world until this time, no, nor ever shall be" (Matt 24:9, 21). Remember, in the New Testament the pronoun "you", unless otherwise clearly defined refers either to truly converted Christians if speaking spiritually, or to flesh born Israelites as nations if speaking nationally. In this particular case, comparison with Mark 13 and Luke 21 makes it very evident that Jesus used this pronoun in the dual sense, including both spirit begotten Christians and flesh born Israelites as nations. Duality in Prophecy Right here we have to explain another key to nearly all prophecies. There is a duality in nearly everything in God's plan in working out His purpose here below. There was the first Adam and Christ the second Adam. There was the Old Covenant and there is the new. There is usually a former, typical, and then a final fulfillment of many prophecies. This tribulation did actually occur, in the former typical sense, to the nation Judah, in 70 A.D. But that was merely the early type, and forerunner of the great national invasion and captivity yet to occur. This is described more plainly in Luke 21:23-24: "...For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled." That is speaking of war, of national invasion and captivity of modern Israel, the United States and Britain. Jerusalem will be taken over by Gentiles. The climatic major event of this prophecy is yet to occur, just shortly before the coming of Christ. Religious Persecution The fifth seal pictures a time of great tribulation, including a martyrdom for religious beliefs. The cry of the martyrs represent God' people who have been "slain for the word of God" throughout the ages (Rev. 6:9). Notice they were slain in a former and a typical tribulation and they are asking how long God, till you avenge our blood on the powers that martyred us. They knew that God said "Vengence is mine." They knew that in the terrible DAY OF THE LORD, God is going to take vengence by sending His plagues on the persecuting powers! Notice these martyrs are asking how long before the second coming of Christ and the end of this age. And here is the answer. It shall not occur until another Great Tribulation, another martyrdom of saints, until their fellow servants and brethren are killed as they were. And that is speaking of the Great Tribulation. Notice this Tribulation must occur and be completed before God pours out the vials of His Wrath, His Plagues, at the second coming of Christ. Matthew 24 speaks of many false prophets deceiving many people. "And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold" (verse 12). "For false christs, and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect" (verse 24). Only those "who endure to the end shall be saved" (verse 13). This is also speaking individually of truly spirit begotten Christians who have become so lukewarm, (the Laodicea Church) so out of prayerful contact with God, that they will not be accounted worthy to escape all these things. Yes, the fifth seal pictures a martyrdom of saints, of truly, begotten children of God. The saints won't be taken away in a secret rapture. The church will be on earth during the Great Tribulation. The Sixth Seal - Astronomical Signs Immediately after the great tribulation come cosmic disturbances. John writes: "I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell to the earth" (Rev. 6:12-13). Compare this description of the sixth seal with what Jesus said will follow the great tribulation in the Olivet prophecy. "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken" (Matt. 24:9). Both in Revelation and in Matthew 24, these heavenly signs follow the great tribulation. In the 6th chapter of Revelation, as these six seals are opened, we have 1st, false preachers; 2nd wars climaxing in world wars; 3rd, famines; 4th, disease epidemics; 5th, Great Tribulation, martyrdom of saints; 6th, the heavenly signs, in the sun, moom, and stars. So far, these events parallel those Jesus cited in the Olivet prophecy. The first five seals represented the calamitous events breaking out in the world at large. They showed humanity facing the consequences of its own sinful actions. The sixth seal marks the impending judgement of God. After Heavenly Signs - God's Wrath What follows the heavenly signs according to the book of Revelation? The last verse of chapter six tells us, "The great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?" The great day of God's Wrath is the great Day of the Lord. Notice Joel 2:31: "The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come." There did you catch it, the Day of God's Wrath is the Day of the Lord! Also notice here in Joel that the heavenly signs in the sun and moon must occur before the great and terrible Day of the Lord! So the heavenly signs occur immediately after the great tribulation and before the Day of the Lord. Tribulation is Not the Day of the Lord You have probably heard a great deal about the Great Tribulation, but you have probably heard very little about the Day of the Lord. Yet the Day of the Lord is described in more than 30 different prophecies scattered through both the Old and New Testaments. Yet the Great Tribulation is spoken of by this term "the Great Tribulation, only in Matthew 24:21,29! Why? Religious leaders have supposed that all these prophecies about the Day of the Lord, the time of God's Wrath, are identical with the Great Tribulation. They have supposed that the Great Tribulation is God's Wrath, God's plagues upon the sinners of the world. This just isn't so. The Great Tribulation is not the wrath of God but just the opposite. The Bible reveals that the tribulation is the wrath of Satan , the wicked spirit ruler of this present age. The devil knows he has but a short time. When God intervenes, when God's plaques fall, and when Christ returns to rule this earth, Satan knows full well that he will be through. We read that in Revelation 12. Notice, the devil is angry. He is responsible for the persecution of the Christians who are not accounted worthy to escape. Satan hates God's way and so does this world. He knows he has little time left before Christ comes to establish the Kingdom of God on this earth. So there is a great persecution and martydom of Christians. The Day of the Lord is the time of God's wrath. This is the time of God's plagues sent upon the sinners of the world. God says he will bring this distress upon defiant and sinful men who hate truth and peace, and love evil. This day does not come until after the heavenly signs in the sun and moon following the Great Tribulation. The "Day of the Lord" is the time God steps into world affairs directly. It is the time of God's wrath against the nations! The "day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night," wrote Paul in I Thessalonians 5:2. God's intervention followed by Christ's return will surprise the world as does a thief in the night. The Day of the Lord The coming of the Day of the Lord is described in Revelation 6:14-17: "Then the shy receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains. And said to the mountains and rocks, `Fall upon us, and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. For the great day of His wrath is come; and who is able to stand?'" This is the Day of the Lord, bringing us, at last, the RETURN OF CHRIST to earth in all power and glory, to rule the peoples of the earth and to bring us peace. You need not live in fear or worry over these things. In the same prophecy of Jesus as reported by Luke, regarding the world disturbances now ahead, regarding the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord, Jesus ended His Olivet prophecy with these assuring words: "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man. May God help you to be one of those accounted worthy to escape all these things and to stand before Christ at His Second Coming. Why These Plagues? God revealed His Law and His Way of life that would lead to everything good and desirable to our first parents, Adam and Eve. But they rejected God's way and for 6000 years man has been going his own way. God has sent all his prophets and even his own Son, with His message revealing to mankind the way to peace and happiness but man has refused to listen. God has warned the world where its own ways and devices will finally lead and that is to the total annihilation of human life from off this planet. Now God is about to step in and speak to this rebellious and hell-bent world in the only language the world will heed. God will now punish this world for its evil. As any loving parent punishes his child who will not listen to kind and loving admonition, so now God is going to punish this world with just judgments, with plagues so terrible that the world will at last be forced to turn from its wicked ways and to seek God and His ways that lead to peace and everything good. God will prevent the suicide of humanity. He will save this evil world from itself. And that is the period coming that is described as the Day of the Lord, which shall lead directly into the second coming of Christ, to bring us world peace at last. God's Wrath Temporarily Restrained The sixth chapter of Revelation takes us right up to the time when God will intervene in the affairs of mankind during the last days. God will do this by sending plagues and destruction of increasing severity to our planet. However, God cannot send the full fury of his wrath on the earth before he provides protection for his people. The scene temporarily switches in chapter 7 of Revelation to show us what us happening to God's people. As the seventh chapter of Revelation begins, we find that the wrath of God, the Day of the Lord, is temporarily held up. John sees "four angels atanding at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree" (Rev. 7:1). Then John hears another angel say, "Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads (Rev. 7:3). This seal leaves "His Father's name written on their foreheads" (Rev. 14:1). Jesus' last prayer for His Church was that they would be kept in the Father's name. Today we find the churches of this world under every possible name, many named after men. But 12 times in the New Testament, God's own Church is called the Church of God. The prophet Ezekiel experienced a similar vision. He saw human figures in Jerusalem, standing as a symbol of Israel, and they were disturbed over the sins being committed there (Ezek. 8). And those who were God's people and appalled at the abominations being committed received "a mark on the forehead" (Ezek. (9:4). The rest of the people were slain. What does it mean to receive such a "mark" on the forehead or be "sealed"? The be "sealed" is a symbolic way of saying that these people are identified as belonging to God. They are "marked" for protection from the afflictions to come. This mark is contrasted with the "mark of the beast" seen later in Revelation 14:11; 16:2; and 19:20. Those with the mark of the beast are labeled as enemies of God. Who Are The 144,000 The 144,000 is the first group to be sealed and protected. Continuing with Revelation 7, verse 4: "And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed." This prophecy is plain, and means just what it says, 144,000 are sealed of the 12 tribes of Israel with 12,000 of each tribe being sealed. (We explain where the 10 lost tribes of Israel are today in another portion of this book.) Revelation 14:4 says "These were redeemed from among men, being first fruits to God and to the Lamb." In this context the 144,000 are those who are true to God and to his way. That means they obey God. They would be the people of God, and members of His Church. The 144,000 comprise the faithful believers who will be supernaturally protected from the trials and tribulations of God's wrath to came at the end times (Rev. 9:4). The Great Multitude Next John sees a much larger group of people, "a great multitude which no one could number." They come from "all nations, tribes, peoples and tongues" and they are all "clothed with white robes" (Rev. 7:9). This innumerable multitude is made up of individuals "who have come out of the Great Tribulation" (Rev. 7:14). If they come "out of" the Great Tribulation, they must have come through the Great Tribulation. While some of God's people must suffer through the Great Tribulation, God protects those who have been sealed from his earth- shattering wrath. Understand that God will not send His frightful plagues to punish the world until he has first sent a great supernatural warning. God has warned the world through all his prophets and through his Son Jesus Christ. He is warning the world right now through this book. He will warn the world once again by supernatual signs, in the sun, the moon, and the stars. God will leave men no excuse. And after the Great Tribulation, when men are seized with stark terror at these supernatural heavenly signs, multiplied thousands will at last recognize that it is really God warning them! Yet, those who now hear this warning from God will not heed it now. They are deceived. They still believe and follow their various human leaders. Their minds are not open to recognize this as God's last warning to this world! But when they see these things actually occur, when they have seen how the world was deceived and mislead about the Great Tribulation, and they have gone through it, when they see these terrifying sign in the heavens, then, at last, hundreds of thousands of them will at last recognize the truth, and at last turn to God in repentance and complete submission. The Seventh Seal Opened God's Wrath Begins We now come to the eighth chapter of Revelation and the opening of the seventh and final seal. Remember, as each seal was opened, John recorded what he saw in vision. In every case, the things he saw were symbols, but these symbols represent actual world events occurring in a definite time order. So notice what John saw when this seventh seal was opened. "When He opened the seventh sea, there was a silence in heaven for about half an hour. And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets" (Rev. 8:1-2). John sees the seven trumpets . Here is a third vital key to the book of Revelation. The seven trumpets are symbols, representing real world events to come. These "trumpets" are not, as so many believed, contemporanious with the seven seals. Neither do they follow the closing of the seventh seal. They are and they constitute the seventh seal. Understand that this seventh seal occurs in seven successive stages . Each of these seven stages or parts, of the seventh seal is called a trumpet . These trumpets are plagues which God will send in physical punishment of the forces of evil in this world. They are plainly called plagues in Revelation 9:20. What do the Trumpets Symbolize? Trumpets played a prominent part in events recorded in the Bible. They were used to call people together, to move the tribes and to celebrate the festivals. Trumpets were also used to sound the alarm in time of war. The trumpets were always blown as a warning of war, or approaching armies. It signifies war and destruction. These seven trumpets follow immediately after the sixth seal. At the time of the sixth seal it was announced that "the Great Day of God's Wrath" was come. These symbolic trumpets then portray the Day of the Lord, the day of God's Wrath! The day God intervenes in world affairs to punish this world for its evil, the day God pleads with all flesh in the physical language it can understand. Yes, God is going to step in and punish all nations for their evil, which is destroying them and bringing such suffering and unhappiness on all their peoples. The earlier seal depicted the inevitable consequences of human sinfulness. God now directs the trumpet plagues against a world unyielding in its hostility toward him. These punishments are intended to lead the human race to repentance. Tragically, most of humanity refuses to heed (Rev. 9:20) The plagues God sent on Egypt in the days of Moses were a direct type of these plagues that shall now be poured out on the whole world (modern Babylon). The movie The Ten Commandments dramitized these events well. Pharoah would not release the ancient Israelites from captivity until God's plagues devastated Egypt. These horrifying events will result in the release of God's people form the oppressive "beast" which dominates the world. And just as God protected the children of Israel when He poured out the plagues on ancient Israel, so He will protect all His children who rely on Him from these plagues now about to come on modern Babylon. We have already mentioned the sealing of the 144,000 and the great innumerable multitude that came out of the Great Tribulation before these plagues are to strike. Those saved from these plagues will be taken by Christ into the Kingdom of God, to be set up on earth with headquarters in Jerusalem. The Day of God's Wrath will be a time of great distress and confusion and horrible destruction. As Zephaniah says: "The great day of the Lord is near, it comes with speed...That day is a day of wrath, a day of anguish and affliction, a day of destruction and devastation...A day of the trumpet and alarm againt the fenced [fortified] cities, and against the lofty battlements [that is military fortifications]" (Zeph. 1:14-16). First Four Trumpet Plagues The first four trumpet plagues strike the earth itself, creating an ecological catastrophe of global proportions. The visions represent stylized scenes in which one-third of whatever is struck is destroyed. As the first four angels sounds their trumpet one after another we find the following events occurring: 1st trumpet - hail and fire destroy one third of the trees and all the green grass (verse 7). 2nd trumpet - "something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea" and one third of all ocean life dies and a third of all ships are destoyed (vs. 8-9). 3rd trumpet - "a great star", perhaps a meteor, falls from heaven and poisons one third of the world's water supply (vs. 10-11). 4th trumpet - great distrubances block out one- third of the light of the sun, moon, and stars (v. 12). The Three Woes - The Last Three Trumpets Remember there are seven trumpets, three remain to be sounded. The final three angelic trumpet soundings have become known as the "three woes", because of the terrible woe that will befall the forces of evil on earth. John looks and hears "an angel flying through the midst of heaven." He cries out, "Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound" (Rev. 8:13). First Woe - Fifth Trumpet The "first woe," or the fifth trumpet, is described in Revelation 9:1-11. The power that causes the destruction, this time to men, comes out of the symbolic "bottomless pit." We see this later interpreted in Revelation 17:8-14. There we learn that the power that emerges out of the "bottomless pit" is a rebirth of the ancient Roman Empire. This force takes political and military control of a large part of the world. It is described in prophecy as a power to the north of the Holy Land, because prophecies always speak from the focal point of the Holy Land, to the north, and west. The fifth trumpet portrays a vast military-political power exacting punishment on other nations in war. This army torments those who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads for five months (Rev. 9:4-5). And their torment was so bad that "men will seek death" (verse 6) and not be able to die. This superpower's military forces are led by "the angel of the bottomless pit" (Rev. 9:11). This is a reference to Satan, the devil, the unseen ruler of this world. Second Woe - Sixth Trumpet The second woe, announced in Revelation 9:13, with its symbols of horses and horsemen, is interpreted by Ezekiel 38:4, 15, and is also referred to as an event in the Day of the Lord in Joel 2:4. The 200 million strong army of horsemen portrayed here in Revelation depicts a major invasion from the north, due north. One third of the humans alive are killed (vs. 15, 18). Apparently what John witnessed is the second stage of a total world war in proportions not known even to the present. Think of it, an army of 200 million! World events are now moving rapidly to make the creation of such a Communist Eurasian army of that unbelievable manpower. Yes, its time to wake up to what's taking place today and where it is leading! Even with every thing that's happened through these first six trumpets, mankind still refuses to repent. Look at the ending verses of chapter nine: "But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts" (Rev. 9:20-21). Yes, even after the heavenly signs, even after a third of the world is destroyed by the first four trumpet plagues, even after being tormented for five months so bad that they wanted to die, and even after a third of the world is killed by this army of 200 million, the rest of mankind would not repent. Their sins are listed as worshiping demons, worshiping idols, murder, sorcery, theft, and sexual immorality. The Two Witnesses Before the third woe, the last trumpet, we find the two witnesses described. These two witnesses give out God's last warning to the evil people and nations of the world. Notice the time element. They end their mission at the time of the end of the second woe (Rev. 11:14). They are given power to "prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days" (Rev. 11:3). If we allow a prophetic year to have 12 months of 30 days then their mission lasts only 3 1/2 years. During their witness the city of Jerusalem is under the sway of foreign armies for 42 months (Rev. 11:2 see also 13:5). This also is 3 1/2 years. The supernatural power of God accompanies the preaching of the two witnesses: "These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as oft The two witnesses are to be killed by the "beast" (verse 7). This beast is the symbol of power described in Revelation 13 and 17, and identified in Daniel 2 and 7 as the resurrection of the ancient Roman Empire. The bodies of the two witnesses that are killed lie for 3 1/2 days in the streets of Jerusalem, and the nations rejoice over their death. The two witnesses are then resurrected by God, an event heralding the resurrection of the righteous dead. (Rev. 11:10-12). Now comes the third woe, the seventh and last trumpet. The Seventh and Last Trumpet The preaching of the gospel by the two witnesses ends just 3 1/2 days before the seventh trumpet sounds. It announces the pouring out of the final plagues on mankind and the coming of the Messiah. Jesus referred to this event also: "This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come" (Matt. 24:14). Chapter 11 of Revelation ends with the coming of Christ: "Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ` The kindoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ , and He shall reign forever and ever!'" (Rev. 11:15). This is the time when the existing age of man's government comes crashing down. In many other prophecies it is recorded that the second coming of Jesus Christ to this earth shall occur at the time of the last trump. It is a time of Christ's literal bodily return to this earth. And His coming shall occur at the last trump. You will find that in I Corinthians 15:52; I Thessalonians 4:16; and Matthew 24:31. We know from these prophecies that this last trumpet is the time for the actual appearing of Christ as world ruler. The world rule of Jesus Christ over all nations has arrived. But men have never wanted God's rule, even though it is the only way to peace, happiness and joy, and so the rulers of human governments over mankind are found angry. They shall have been deceived by the false teaching about a secret rapture theory into believing that this is the Anti-Christ. They will fight against Christ and His rule over the earth. Notice Revelation 11:18, "The nations were angry and Your wrath has come, and the time of the dead , that they should be judged, and that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, and those who fear Your name, small and great, and should destroy those who destroy the earth." Yes, when the seventh trumpet is sounded the nations are going to be angry. The Messiah takes over political and religious power. The resurrection of the righteous dead occurs. The servants of Christ will be given their rewards to reign and rule with Christ. Once again it is proclaimed, "Your wrath has come." The only thing described under the opening of this seventh trumpet that could possibly be the third woe is the Wrath of God! But all the trumpets have been plagues, pouring out the Wrath of God, His punishments to bring this hell-bent world to its senses and to a happy peace! The seventh trumpet consumates, fill up, and completes the Wrath of God. So the seventh trumpet, like the seventh seal, is divided into seven parts, the seven last plagues. The seven last plagues constitute the seventh trump, just as the seven trumpets constitute the seventh seal. The seven seal cover the whole prophecy. This sequence and sevenfold arrangement of events is the one great key to the long-closed book of Revelation. The Seven Last Plagues We have now come to the seven last plagues which make up the seventh trumpet. John writes: "Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete " (Rev. 15:1). One of the four living creatures gives them seven bowls. These contain the seven last plagues. A voice commands the angels, "Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth" (Rev. 16:1). The entire 16th chapter describes a horrendous series of events from the hand of God, constituting these seven last plagues. The end time plagues fall on those who refuse to acknowledge the rulership of God. These seven last plagues are listed below: First Plague - Horrible sores strikes those who have the beast's mark (Rev. 16:2). Second Plague - The sea truns into blood and every living creature in it dies (Rev. 16:3). Third Plague - The rivers and springs of water become blood. God's judgments, though fearsome, are said to be "true and righteous." (Rev. 16:4-7). Fourth Plague - Increased solar radiation horribly scorches humans (Rev. 16:8-9). Fifth Plague - Total darkness covers the headquarters of the world ruling beast power. (Rev. 16:10-11). Sixth Plague - The water of the Euphrates River dry up so "that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared." Demons gather the armies of the world to Armageddon for the battle of that great day of God Almighty. (Rev. 16:12-16). Seventh Plague- An immense earthquake shakes the planet. Islands disappear beneath the sea, mountains are leveled. An exceedingly great hail falls from heaven upon men, with each hailstone weighing a talent or about 66 pounds. Trumpet and Seven Last Plagues Compared You may have noticed some similarity between the seven last plagues and the first six trumpet plagues of Revelation chapters 8 and 9. Some assume that Revelation 16 is just a restatement of what happened earlier. This just isn't so. In both series the first four destructions are visited upon the earth, sea, inland waters and heavenly bodies respectively. However there are distinct differences. For example, in the trumpet plagues series, only one third of the affected part of the earth is destroyed. While the events of the seven last plagues affect the whole earth. For example, the destruction of the sea is complete as a result of the second plague. The fifth trumpet plague is the vision of the locust armies emerging from the bottomless pit (Rev. 9:1-11). However the fifth of the seven last plagues shows darkness and painful affliction thrown upon the seat of the beast power (Rev. 16:10-11). The first six trumpet plagues are entirely different than the last seven plagues of Revelation 16. Apparently the trumpet plagues of Revelation 8 are meant as a warning. They are a warning or sample of the destruction yet to fall on those who refuse to repent of their evil deeds. This final destruction is pictured by the seven last plagues of the 16th chapter. The Remaining Chapters of Revelation Chapter 12 is an inset chapter, injected into the main story thread. Often a writer will stop his narrative at a certain point to go back and sketch a different scene involving different characters and events, and then bring them up to, and connect them with, his story thread at the juncture. So here John pictures the true Church as "a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars" (Rev. 12:1). Joseph dreamed a similar scene. He told his brothers: "I have dreamed another dream. And this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me" (Gensis 37:9). The context explains these figures. They are Joseph's father Israel (the sun), his mother Rachel (moon), and his eleven brothers (the stars). Joseph would be the 12th brother or star. Thus we have a reference to the physical family of Israel. Israel grew into a nation and became God's own special people. Revelation 12 pictures God's TRUE CHURCH, from the time prior to Christ's birth (verse 4), through His birth, resurrection and ascension (verse 5), and the 1260 years of persecution (verse 6) when the true Church was forced to flee the Roman government persecution. The true Church has always existed down to this day. Satan Attacks the True Church John now carries us to the "end times." Satan wages cast down to the earth (verses 9-10). Revelation 12 brings the story of the true Church to the present, when the devil, knowing he has just a short time persecutes the true Church, pictured as a remnant or small in number, and keeping the Commandments of God (verse 17). Satan now begins his final offensive. The devil turns his full attention toward gaining control of the entire human race. Satans goal is a complete martyrdowm of God's people. Satan is responsible for creating the final time of Great Tribulation. John hears a loud voice saying: "Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time" (Rev. 12:12). God rescues those of his people who show faith, love and obedience to him. The symbol of the woman stand's for God's Church. John says, The woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place...from the presence of the serpent" (Rev. 12:14). This is a symbolic act of Godly protection, portraying devine deliverance. Satan attempts to kill God's people before they can escape and sends a "flood" after the Church (verse 15). The flood is a metaphor for overwhelming evil or armies (Daniel 11:22). Satan's attempt fails. God prevents harm from coming to those he is protecting (verse 16). Not all are protected, however. Some of the faithful are persecuted and martyred as a testimony to their tormentors. The Beasts of Revelation 13 The 13th chapter is another inset, picturing the symbolic "beast" and the second two-horned "beast." John sees a repulsive monster in his next vision. " I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horn, and on his horns ten crowns" (Rev. 13:1). This symbol of Satan's earthly power, the beast, is a political power shaped in Satan's image given in Revelation 12:3 as a "fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads." This beast is given authority "over every tribe, tongue and nation. And all who dwell on the earth will worship him" (Rev. 13:7-8). This is the earthly foe of the Church, the political military agent through which Satan carries out his war against believers. The power and authority of the beast comes directly from Satan the devil. The second beast has two horns like a lamb and speaks like a dragon. This beast represents a false religious power and is associated with the first beast. It is discussed in more detail elsewhere. The Last Six Chapters Chapters 17 and 18 picture the revived Roman Empire and the great false church with her daughter churches deceiving all nations. Modern Israel (the American and British peoples) is today in Babylon, deceived into believing that the professing christian churches are the true Chruch of God. We are God's people, Israel, in Babylon today, as Israel was in Egypt when God's plagues were in Egypt! And God is calling us out of this modern Babylon (Rev. 18:4) and tells us to keep His Commandments! The 19th chapter shows the second coming of Christ, and the 20th, the 1000 year reign on earth and the Great White Throne Judgement. The 21st and 22nd chapters show the new heaven and new earth through eternity. Now that we have finished the main story flow of Revelation let's look at a few misunderstood topics of Revelation and give you the plain truth direct from your Bible. The Antichrist The "Antichrist" is one of the most misunderstood topics of all. The "Antichrist is supposed to be a single political or religious leader to arise in the last days before the coming of Christ. Here is an eye- opening explanation of the real meaning of "Antichrist." In their days, Nero, Mohammed, Stalin, Mussolini, Pope John Paul XXII, Martin Luther, and Hitler, were all branded with the odious title, fear-inspiring title of ANTICHRIST! Many others have equally shared this dubious distinction. They cannot all be the Antichrist. Or can they? Who, or what is the Antichrist? Why do so many ministers warn of Antichrist, yet misunderstand who or what this personage is? What does the Bible say about this mysterious figure? You may be surprised to lear what the Bible really says about the Antichrist. To begin with, the Bible never once speaks of the Antichrist. However, the word "antichrist" does appear in Scripture. The greek word for "antichrist" means "against the Messiah." It is used exclusively in John's epistles. What the Bible Reveals Let's notice the four scriptures where the word is found: I John 2:18 "...as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now there are many antichrists..." I John 2:22 "Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son." I John 4:3 "And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already it is in the world ." II John 7 "For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist." These scriptures were written near the end of the first century A.D. Even at that time, John writes there were "many antichrists." Some 1900 years ago, he could say that the spirit of antichrist " even now already is in the world." In Biblical usage, therefore, the term "antichrist" does not refer exculsively to a single political or religious leader yet to arise in our day. The four scriptures cited above clearly show that an antichrist is a deceiver and one who in some way denies that Jesus is the Christ. How does one deny Christ? By evil works! Jesus prophesied "For many will come in My name, saying, `I am the Christ,' and will deceive many (Matt. 24:5). These, as Paul wrote to Titus, "profess that they know God; but in works they deny him..." (Titus 1:16). They outwardly claim to be Christians, but they refuse to obey Him. The works of their lives are evil! This is antichrist! Further, John notes, an antichrist denies that Jesus Christ, through His Spirit, comes into the flesh of His people, living His life in them and enabling them to obey the law of God (I John 3:24; Gal. 2:20). This is the spirit of antichrist, a spirit of lawlessness, standing in opposition to God's law and way of life. The Beast and False Prophet Many use the term Antichrist to designate an end- time personality who will embody the spirit of opposition to Christ. This unbiblical usuage is unfortunate. The Bible nowhere speaks of an end-time Antichrist. But the spirit of antichrist will blanket the earth, holding nations and kingdoms in its grip in this generation. Various individuals will personify that spirit in a powerful way. In national distress, men will turn to other men who appear to offer solutions. The Bible specifically mentions two such individuals who will come to be virtually deified by mankind. One is called the "Beast" and the other the "False Prophet." The term antichrist is often applied to one or the other of these prophesied personalities. Often preachers confuse the two and impute to one some of the attributes of the other. Some even blend the two into one. Let's briefly take at look at these two satanic personalities, and discover what the Bible really says about them. The Beast The Beast is a great dictator of the book of Revelation who is to rule over 10 nations or groups of nations just before Christ's return (Rev. 17:12-13). In the Bible, a beast is the symbol for a political system or its leader. In the Bible the Beast is symbolic of the political system we call the Roman Empire. Throughout the centuries since the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 A.D. [the deadly wound of Rev. 13:3], numerous revivals of the beast, the Roman poliical system, arose in Europe. In Revelation 17, the revivals are represented symbolically by the seven heads of a beast. Six have already occurred from Justinian to Mussolini. One last restortation is yet to arise. The end-time Beast will rule over this final restoration of the Roman Empire. In the book of Daniel, where he is called the "king of the north," we learn that the Beast will untimately conquer portions of the Middle East (Dan. 11:40-41). The Beast will achieve great power and authority. The ten leader of the 10 nations will "give their power and strenght unto the beast" (Rev. 17:13). He will be a sly manipulator, cunning in the art of political maneuvering (Dan. 8:23). In the end the Beast will confront Jesus Christ at His Second Coming. The False Prophet It will not be political craftiness alone that will propel the Beast to the top. His rise to power will be supported and encouraged by the False Prophet (Rev. 16:13; 19:20). The False Prophet is a great miracle- working religious figure. Working hand in hand with the Beast, the False Prophet will command the obedience of millions with lying wonders and false miracles (Rev. 13:13-14). The apostle Paul wrote of the False Prophet in II Thessalonians 2:3, calling him the "man of sin," and the "son of perdition." This miracle working great religious figure will declare himself to be God (II Thess. 2:4). Many will believe him to be Christ in the flesh! The False Prophet presides over a great, centuries old religious system called "Babylon the Great" in revelation 17:5. This religious power is also personified as a fallen woman and a scarlet woman (Rev. 17:1,3). In Bible symbolism, a woman is representative of a church. A fallen woman thus represents an apostate church. In Revelation 17:3, we read that this scarlet woman sits "upon a scarlet coloured beast...having seven heads and ten horns." In other words, this religious power has historically presided over the restorations of the Roman political system, symbolized by the heads, as is yet to be associated with the final restroration, made up of 10 powers, represented by the 10 horns. The Beast will be supported in his rise to power by the False Prophet. And in turn, the Beast will use his political might to enforce religious uniformity. The Battle of Armageddon? What will be the ultimate fate of this satanic- religious-political union? The Bible provides a graphic description. Almost every one has heard of Armageddon, yet few know what Armageddon really is. Now the commonly accepted idea is that Armageddon is the last battle between the Western democracies and Communism. It supposedly will be a battle between atheistic Communism on one side, attacking Jerusalem, with the British and American armies on the other side defending it. But is this really what biblical prophecy fortells. You may be surprised at who will be fighting whom at Christ's coming and where. Make no mistake. World War III is on the way. This time will be so hellish, only the Second Coming of Christ will be able to save manking from extinction. Did you know that nowhere in the Bible is there any mention of a future "Battle of Armageddon"? The word Armageddon is found only once in the Bible, here in Revelation 16:16. "And they [the demons] gathered them [the kings and their armies] together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon." Armageddon refers to the "hill of Megiddo." Megiddo lies about 55 miles north of Jerusalem, and about 15 miles inland from the Mediterranean Sea. Megiddo itself is a huge mound with a commanding view of the long fertile valley of Jezreel. Earlier the beast will have conquered portions of the Middle East and established a foothold there (Dan. 11:40-43). Daniel refers to the beast as the "king of the north." Daniel continues, "But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him [the beast]..." (Dan. 11:44). The beast will be challenged by the might of the communist East. The beast and his allies will move to confront the oncoming armies of the "kings of the east." The Bible reveals that demons will stir up the nations of the world to go to war (Rev. 16:14). The God of heaven will allow these seducing demons to marshall the armies of the kings of the east and the whole world at Armageddon (Rev. 16:16). The Beast and the False Prophet will together muster armies to fight the kings of the east. (Dan. 11:44). But the battle will not be fought at Armadeddon! The stage is set for the battle to determine who will rule the world. The world will stand at the brink of global annihilation. But instead of fighting each other in a battle that would end in the nuclear extinction of all life (Matt. 24:22), they will, ironically unite their forces and march southward toward Jerusalem in an attempt to destroy their common enemy, Jesus Christ (Rev. 16:13-16; Rev. 17:13-14). They will undoubtly have convinced much of the world that Christ is really the Antichrist. Because of this deception, many will refuse to repent and submit to Christ at His return (Rev. 16:9). The Battle of the Great Day of God Almighty From the mustering area of Armageddon the world's armies will move to confront Jesus Christ himself. Where will this battle be fought? The prophet Joel provides the aswer. Read it is Joel 3:1-2 and 9-14. The battle involving all nations will take place in the valley of Jehoshaphat! This deep valley borders Jerusalem on the east between the city and the Mount of Olives. Today it is known as the Kidron Valley. Jehoshaphat means "judgment of the Eternal." The rebellious and unrepentant nations of this world will be judged there by God for their disobedience. This final climactic battle is incorrectly referred to as Armageddon, and is referred to in the Bible as "the battle of that great day of God Almighty" (Rev. 16:14). It is not the "battle of Armageddon" simply because it will not take place at Armageddon. Zechariah 14:12-13 graphically describes this supernatural confrontation at Jerusalem with the world's armies. They will turn against each other in mistrust and fear as their flesh decomposes and their eyes cease to see. "And this shall be the plague with which the Lord will strike all the people who fought against Jerusalem: their flesh shall dissolve while they stand on their feet, their eyes shall dissolve in their sockets, and their tongues shall dissolve in their mouths." Jesus Christ will decisively overthrow the Beast and the False Prophet. Finally in Revelation 19:20 we see what happens to the Beast and the False Prophet. "And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped the beast, and them that worshiped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone." There they were simply burned up and destroyed. Read Revelation 19:11-21 for a further description of the climactic events to occur on that day. The rebellious armies of the world will be utterly vanquished. Satan's rule over the nations is now forever ended. Then, Good News Jesus Christ has now returned in power and glory as King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev. 19:16). Having now put down this rebellion, Jesus Christ will establish his Kingdom on this earth, a millenial kingdom of peace and prosperity for all peoples! (chart) MAJOR EVENTS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION CORRELATED TO OTHER PROPHECIES Using the book of Revelation as an outline of the events to happen in the "last days", we can see how scriptures in other parts of the Bible fill in details concerning the many events yet to take place. A few such scriptures are given for each event listed below. EVENTS OF THE LAST DAYS TO CHRIST'S RETURN The Suffering of the Heavenly Signs and Seventh Trumpet and `Great Tribulation' Cosmic Disturbances the Return of Christ Revelation 6:9-11 Revelation 6:12-17 Revelation 11:15-17 Jeremiah 30:5-7 Joel 2:30-31 Isaiah 27:13 Ezekiel 5:1-17 Matthew 24:29-39 Daniel 7:13-14 Daniel 7:21; 12:1 Zechariah 14:3-4 Matthew 24:21-22 II Thessalonians 2:8 Seventh Trumpet and The Messiah and Man's Civilization the Resurrection of Armies of the Nations `Babylon the Great' the Saints Gather to Fight Destroyed Revelation 11:18 Revelation 16:12-16 Revelation 16:17-21 I Corinthians 15:50-51 Jeremiah 25:30-33 24:1-23; 28:16-22 I Thessalonians 4:15-17 Zechariah 12:9; 14:1-3 47:1-15 Jude 14 Jeremiah 51:1-58 Daniel 2:44 THE MILLENNIUM AND BEYOND Messiah's Saints of God Satan Incites 1000-Year Reign Rule World Rebellion, Cast Satan Chained With Christ Into Lake of Fire Revelation 20:1-5 Revelation 20:6 Revelation 20:7-10 Psalms 93, 97, 98, 99 Psalm 149:4-9 Jude 13 Isaiah 2:1-4; 11:6-9; Daniel 7:22, 27 II Peter 2:4 35:1-10 Matthew 19:28 Micah 4:1-5 Luke 19:12-19 The Judgment of Unrepentant Dead Glorious `New the `Great White Rise in Ressurrection Heavens and Throne' of Condemnation New Earth' Revelation 20:11-13 Revelation 20:13-14 Revelation 21:1-5 Ezekiel 37:1-14; Daniel 12:2 Isaiah 65:17-18 16:2, 53-55 Luke 16:23 II Peter 3:13 Matthew 11:20-24 John 5:29 12:41-42 II Peter 3:7-12 Luke 10:12-14