Understanding Revelation Commentary 21

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

² With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

³ So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

⁴ And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:

⁵ And upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery, Babylon The Great, The Mother Of Harlots And Abominations Of The Earth.

⁶ And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.

Mystery, Babylon. Babylon is symbolic of the man made religious, economic system of the world. Responsible for the blood of the saints, martyrs of Jesus.

Mystery of the Woman and the Beast revealed

⁷ And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.

⁸ The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

The beast that was; received a head wound via Christ's work at the cross. Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. The beast is not; because of Christ's work at the cross. Luke 10:18 Jesus said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. His headship being crushed with Christ’s work at the cross. The beast that yet is; Rev 13:3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. And again in Rev. 13:14-18 an image of the beast that had the wound by a sword and did live.

This image of the beast has the number of a man, 666. Rev 13:18. The image of the beast is a creation of man. AI is the perfect match for the image of the beast. All of man’s knowledge and work turned over to Satan and darkness. Brought forth, restored headship, in a physical entity; the beast, an AI man, with complete power over mankind! See Understanding Revelation Commentary 16.

Seven Mountains

⁹ And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.

Rome is noted as the city built on seven hills. The seven mountain reference connotates complete world power and authority.

¹⁰ And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.

Seven kings. Five have past. One is, during John's experience, but has been spiritually defeated by Christ's work at the cross. Head wounded. One is yet to come, Antichrist, the seventh. And the beast that was, and is not, and yet is, being the eighth. His wounded head will be supernaturally healed with the appearance of Antichrist 2 Thess. 2:8. The beast, the eighth, being mans creation, 666, the image of the beast. Rev 13:14.

¹¹ And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.

The beast and all those that have his mark, will go into perdition.

The 10 Kings

¹² And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.

The beast will be in league with these 10 earthly leaders for a short period of time.

¹³ These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.

¹⁴ These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

The beast and the armies of the world, the ten kings, will make war with the Lamb. The Lamb will defeat them!

The Waters

¹⁵ And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

The waters, people, give power to the beast and the whore. The waters referring to the sea of humanity. Rev. 13:1. Isaiah 17:12-13

¹⁶ And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.

The ten horns are not happy with the world religious, economic system being in charge. They think that she should not be sitting on the beast but visa versa.

¹⁷ For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.

¹⁸ And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.

Understanding Revelation Commentary 20

 Rev. 16:1 And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.

² And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.

³ And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.

⁴ And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.

⁵ And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus.

The blood of saints and prophets

⁶ For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.

⁷ And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.

The blood of the saints and prophets now being avenged.

⁸ And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.

⁹ And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.

¹⁰ And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,

Scorched with great heat and now darkness.

¹¹ And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.

People understand the source of these plagues but don't repent which would give Him glory.

The way of the kings of the east

¹² And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.

¹³ And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.

¹⁴ For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

Demonic spirits like frogs from the mouths of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet. Assembling the kings of the earth to battle against God Almighty.

¹⁵ Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

Encouragement here to the reader. Watch and overcome because Jesus will come for His bride as a thief before this great Day of the Lord begins. Daniel's 70th week of years. The church will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air just before this great and terrible tribulation time that will come upon the earth.

¹⁶ And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

This is where the blood will be about 6' deep for six hundred furlongs. Rev. 14:20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs. 75 miles.

¹⁷ And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.

¹⁸ And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.

¹⁹ And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.

The great city of commerce and religious influence. This could reference a city, country, or the manmade world religious/economic system.

²⁰ And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.

²¹ And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.

A talent is about 75 pounds.

Understanding Revelation Commentary 19

 Rev. 15:1 I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues—last, because with them God’s wrath is completed. ² And I saw what looked like a sea of glass glowing with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and its image and over the number of its name. They held harps given them by God  and sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb:

Old and New Testament works of deliverance. The song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb. Now as the entire earth is delivered into the Millennium Kingdom.

The song of God's servant Moses and of the Lamb

“Great and marvelous are your deeds,
    Lord God Almighty.
Just and true are your ways,
    King of the nations.
⁴ Who will not fear you, Lord,
    and bring glory to your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
    and worship before you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

Seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God

⁵ After this I looked, and I saw in heaven the temple—that is, the tabernacle of the covenant law—and it was opened. ⁶ Out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues. They were dressed in clean, shining linen and wore golden sashes around their chests. ⁷ Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever. ⁸ And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.

Verse 1, With them God’s wrath is completed. Daniel 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. These bowl judgements will bring about the completion of Daniel's final week of years, tribulation period, Jacob's trouble, Day of the Lord!

Understanding Revelation Commentary 18

 Rev. 14:1 Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. ² And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. ³ And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. ⁴ These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. ⁵ No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.

These are the 144,000 who were sealed back in Rev. 7:3. Having finished their testimony on earth, are now standing with the Lamb on Mount Zion and before the throne.

The Three Angels

⁶ Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people. ⁷ He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.”

The eternal gospel. Fear, respect God. May His Name be high and lifted up in our heart, mind and soul. High and above any other name, glorified, worshipped. The beast, antichrist will demand the same type of worship. This final preaching of the Gospel to every nation, tribe, language and people could be what Jesus was referring to in Matt. 24:14. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

The Second Angel

⁸ A second angel followed and said, “‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great, which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries.”

Babylon, the great world system as we know it will be destroyed.

⁹ A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on their forehead or on their hand, ¹⁰ they, too, will drink the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. ¹¹ And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.” ¹² This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus.

Many believers will die at the hand of the beast, antichrist, and false prophet.

¹³ Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”

“Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.”

Harvesting the Earth and Trampling the Winepress

¹⁴ I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one like a son of man with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. ¹⁵ Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, “Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” ¹⁶ So he who was seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested.

The verse 14-16 harvest could be those who die in the Lord from now on of verse 13. While the verse 17 harvest is the winepress of God's wrath which is for the godless darkened followers of the beast.

The Winepress of God's Wrath

¹⁷ Another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. ¹⁸ Still another angel, who had charge of the fire, came from the altar and called in a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, “Take your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the earth’s vine, because its grapes are ripe.” ¹⁹ The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered its grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God’s wrath. ²⁰ They were trampled in the winepress outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses’ bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia.

Jesus is in charge of this winepress. Rev. 19:15 Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.

Understanding Revelation Commentary 17

 Rev. 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

Here's the beast rising up out of the sea. The sea referring to the sea of humanity. Rev. 17:15. Isaiah 17:12-13. The sea of humanity makes sense because the number of the beast is the number of a man, 666. Rev 13:18.

² And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

³ And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.

The Bible Story Rev. 12:1-6

The bible story condensed into six verses. The woman, Israel, pained to be delivered. The birth of this child is the one referred to in Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. The head bruising is initiated with Christ’s death at the cross. Satan’s headship and authority was crushed! That headship will be miraculously restored. Rev 13:3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. And again in Rev. 13:14-18 an image of the beast that had the wound by a sword and did live.

⁴ And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

⁵ And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. Three and one half years.

⁶ And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

⁷ And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

⁸ And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

⁹ If any man have an ear, let him hear.

¹⁰ He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

The patience and the faith of the saints not to follow the beast or take his mark.

The False Prophet

¹¹ And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. This is the false prophet. Rev. 19:20. 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 his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

¹² And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.

¹³ And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,

¹⁴ And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

¹⁵ And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

Image of the Beast

This image of the beast has the number of a man, 666. Rev 13:18. The image of the beast is a creation of man. AI is the perfect match for the image of the beast. All of man’s knowledge and work turned over to Satan and darkness. Brought forth, restored headship, in a physical entity; the image of the beast, an AI man, with complete power over mankind!

¹⁶ And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

¹⁷ And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

¹⁸ Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

Understanding Revelation Commentary 16

 Rev. 12:1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:

² And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.

³ And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.

⁴ And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

⁵ And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.

⁶ And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

The Whole Bible Story

This is the whole bible story condensed into six verses. The woman, Israel, pained to be delivered. The birth of this child is the one referred to in Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. The head bruising is initiated with Christ's death at the cross. Satan's headship and authority was crushed! That headship will be miraculously restored. Rev 13:3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. And again in Rev. 13:14-18 an image of the beast that had the wound by a sword and did live.

This image of the beast has the number of a man, 666. Rev 13:18. The image of the beast is a creation of man. AI is the perfect match for the image of the beast. All of man's knowledge and work turned over to Satan and darkness. Brought forth, restored headship, in a physical entity; the beast, an AI man, with complete power over mankind!

War in Heaven

⁷ And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

⁸ And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

⁹ And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

No longer having access to the heavenly realm, Satan's great wrath now executed upon the inhabiters of the earth. Rev. 13:5. He comes into full power here in the middle of the tribulation period. He will continue forty and two months. Three and a half years.

¹⁰ And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

God's Final Judgement and Work

¹¹ And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Speaking once again of the tribulation saints.

¹² Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

Luke 10:18 Jesus said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. His headship being crushed with Christ's work at the cross. And now the completion of the job. Miraculously revived only to be destroyed with Christ's coming at the end of the final week of Daniel. The second half of the tribulation period. Daniel 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

¹³ And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.

¹⁴ And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. Three and one half years.

The woman, Israel, being supernaturally protected from the dragon and the beast, antichrist. That serpent of old. Genesis 3:14, 15.

¹⁵ And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.

¹⁶ And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.

¹⁷ And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Tribulation Saints.

Understanding Revelation Commentary 15

 Rev. 11:1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.

² But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

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

⁴ These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

Three and a half Years

We're in Jerusalem. The two witnesses have power for three and one half years. (A thousand two hundred and threescore days.) The temple of God, the alter and them that worship therein are active. The antichrist, the beast, will terminate this activity in the midst of the week. The middle of the tribulation period. Dan. 9:27. Antichrist will also kill the two witnesses. The outer court and the holy city are tread under foot during this same time. Forty and two months. (Three and a half years.)

⁵ And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.

⁶ These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.

Testimony of the two Witnesses completed

⁷ And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

⁸ And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

The great city, Jerusalem, spiritually dead until the Lord restores it to it's proper place.

⁹ And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.

¹⁰ And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.

¹¹ And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.

¹² And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

¹³ And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. The affrighted remnant could be the remnant Israel that will flee into the wilderness and receive protection for three and a half years. Those that will reject the beast and his mark. Rev. 12:6, 14.

The Third Woe

¹⁴ The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.

¹⁵ And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Just as the beast comes into full power, the third woe and final judgement work of the Lord begins!

¹⁶ And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,

¹⁷ Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.

¹⁸ And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

¹⁹ And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

Understanding Revelation Commentary 14

 Rev. 10:1 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:

² And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth,

³ And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.

⁴ 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.

⁵ And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,

⁶ And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:

⁷ But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.

The Seven Thunders

Verse 4, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. It wasn't time for these things yet. John had much more work to do first. This is stated in verse 11. But, verse 7, 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. It is clear that we are living in the end times. History and God's word have merged and made this truth crystal clear!

⁸ 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.

⁹ 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.

The Honey Book

God's word is sweet to the believer. When shared with the world, however, it opens the believer up to ridicule and attack. John 15:18-25 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. ¹⁹ 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. ²⁰ Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

²¹ But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. ²² If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin. ²³ He that hateth me hateth my Father also. ²⁴ If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. ²⁵ But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.

¹⁰ 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.

¹¹ And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.

Understanding Revelation Commentary 13

 The sounding of the sixth trumpet is completed. We know that in the days when the seventh trumpet begins to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. Rev. 10:7. Rev. chapters 10-15 provide important timeline information. After which, the last of the bowl judgements will begin. The final three and a half years of the tribulation period.

Important timeline information is highlighted with three statements

1. The beast comes into full power for 42 months. Three and a half years. Rev. 13:5
2. The two witnesses will prophesy for 1,260 days. Three and a half years. Rev. 11:3
3. The woman, Israel, is protected by God in the wilderness for 1,260 days. Three and a half years. Rev 12:9.

We know that the beast comes to full power right in the middle of the tribulation period. How do we know? Because at the end of the tribulation period he, the beast, gathers the armies of the earth to do battle against the Lord who comes on the white horse. He, the beast, is in full power. rev 19:19. Also Daniel 9:27 says that in the middle of the week or just as the second half of the tribulation period begins he shall bring an end to the sacrifice and offering. This is the same time that he kills the 2 witnesses and establishes himself as God. 2 Thess. 2:3,4.

The two witnesses

He can't touch the two witnesses for three and a half years. The first 3 and a half years of the tribulation. He, the beast, hasn't come into his full power yet. They, the two witnesses, will have God's power and will prophesy for three and one half years. If anyone wants to harm them, fire comes from their mouth and devours their enemies. Rev. 11:5. When they finish their testimony, the beast will kill them. This is when the beast comes into full power. The middle of the tribulation period. At the end of the testimony of the two witnesses.

This is the same time that Jesus instructs the woman, Israel, to flee into the mountains. Matt. 24:15. When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) ¹⁶ Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: The beast, the abomination of desolation, will declare that he is God when he stands in the holy place, the Jewish temple, which is the Daniel 9:27 middle of the week.

Israel will be supernaturally protected by the Lord for three and a half years, 1,260 days, until the end of the tribulation period.

Understanding Revelation Commentary 12

 Revelation 9:1 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.

The first four trumpets are pretty much self explanatory but now comes something different. The fourth trumpet darkened one third of the day and one third of the night. Now the fifth trumpet which is the first woe. Smoke from the bottomless pit with more darkness.

² 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.

The Locusts

³ 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.

⁴ 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.

⁵ 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.

⁶ And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.

Shapes of the locusts

⁷ And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle. On their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men.

⁸ And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions.

⁹ And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron. The sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle.

¹⁰ And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.

Five months is about the life span of a locust.

¹¹ 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.

This is a demonic plague from the bottomless pit. The locusts have a king. Their king is Abaddon which means destroyer. The angel of the bottomless pit who is under the control of the Lord. God is in control of all of these things!

¹² One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter.

The Second Woe

¹³ And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,

¹⁴ Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.

¹⁵ 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.

¹⁶ And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.

Two hundred thousand thousand can be understood as two hundred million.

¹⁷ And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone. The heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone.

¹⁸ 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.

¹⁹ 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.

Repent and Trust in Jesus

There's no reason to imagine that these woes are anything more or less than what the text says they are. They could be this. They could be that. It doesn't matter. What matters is that we repent and trust in Jesus so that we can escape all these things. Rev. 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

²⁰ 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:

²¹ Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.

Understanding Revelation Commentary 11

 Revelation 8:1When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. ² Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. ³ And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, ⁴ and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. ⁵ Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth, and there were peals of thunder, rumblings,^[a] flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.

The prayers of the saints. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. This prayer is about to be realized.

The Seven Trumpets

⁶ Now the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to blow them.

The first four trumpets are pretty much self explanatory. The fifth trumpet, however, is something quite different.

⁷ The first angel blew his trumpet, and there followed hail and fire, mixed with blood, and these were thrown upon the earth. And a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.

⁸ The second angel blew his trumpet, and something like a great mountain, burning with fire, was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. ⁹ A third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.

¹⁰ The third angel blew his trumpet, and a great star fell from heaven, blazing like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. ¹¹ The name of the star is Wormwood.^[b] A third of the waters became wormwood, and many people died from the water, because it had been made bitter.

1/3 of light is Darkened

¹² The fourth angel blew his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of their light might be darkened, and a third of the day might be kept from shining, and likewise a third of the night.

So, just for easy calculation. A third of a 12 hour day would be 4 hours. A third of a 12 hour night would be 4 hours. Darkness for 8 hours. No light. This could be compared to the darkness in a cave deep inside the earth. Turn off the lights and you can't even see your hand in front of you! Or possibly the intensity of the light of a day could be reduced and the light of a night reduced by a third because of cosmic disturbances, anomalies, or debris in the air, etc.

¹³ Then I looked, and I heard an eagle crying with a loud voice as it flew directly overhead, “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, at the blasts of the other trumpets that the three angels are about to blow!”

The seals, the trumpets, the bowls or vials. Three sets of judgements. There are also three woes starting with the 5th then the 6th trumpet. In the days when the seventh angel is about to sound, the bowls or vials will be revealed and complete the mystery of God that he declared to his servants the prophets. Rev. 10:7  but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he begins to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets..

Understanding Revelation Commentary 10

 Rev. 7:1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.

This is happening on the earth.

² And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,

³ Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

144,000 Sealed

⁴ And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

These are children of Israel. Not any other religious group. These are Jews living on the earth! We see this group again in Rev. 14:1-5. And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. ² And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:

³ And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders. No man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.

⁴ These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

⁵ And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

Firstfruits

Sealed until their ministry is fulfilled, now before the throne of God. Notice also that they are the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. Meaning that many more of their Jewish brothers and sisters will come to the Lamb. Those that are being supernaturally protected by the Lord Himself. Rev. 12:13-17 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman, Israel, which brought forth the man child. ¹⁴ And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. 3 1/2 years.

¹⁵ And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.

¹⁶ And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.

¹⁷ And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed. Which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Tribulation Saints.

The Sealing

Rev 7:5 Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.

⁶ Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.

⁷ Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.

⁸ Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.

Tribulation Saints

Now we're back in heaven.

⁹ After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number. Of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

¹⁰ And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

¹¹ And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,

¹² Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

¹³ And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?

¹⁴ And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of the great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

A great multitude of all nations, kindreds, and people and tongues which no man could number. These will reject the beast, his mark, and his lordship. They will repent and trust in Jesus! They will be killed just as their fellow servants were killed.

Fellow Servants

Rev. 7:14 are the fellow servants to whom the Lord was referring to in Rev. 6:11. Rev 6:11 were souls under the alter. And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. In Rev. 7:14, they join the fellow servants of Rev. 6:11. These are the tribulation saints before the throne and before the Lamb.

¹⁵ Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

¹⁶ They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.

¹⁷ For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

Understanding Revelation Commentary 9

Revelation 6:1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.

² And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

This is Antichrist. Counterfeit to the one on the white horse who will come with power and great glory at the end of this seven year tribulation period. Rev. 19:11-21.

The Red Horse

³ And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.

⁴ And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword. Ezekiel 38:21 And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord God: every man's sword shall be against his brother.

Much death and destruction as the red horse goes out. Starting with the invasion of Gog of Magog. Gog will attack Israel at a time when the church age is over. Ezekiel 39:7 & 8 So will I make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel; and I will not let them pollute my holy name any more: and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, the Holy One in Israel. ⁸ Behold, it is come, and it is done, saith the Lord God; this is the day whereof I have spoken. What day? The Day of the Lord. The last seven year week of Daniel.

70th Week of Years

God will return His attention to Israel and bring them back to Himself. He will once again place them in their God ordained position as a light to the nations of the earth. Ezekiel 39:7 He will not let them pollute His holy name any more. This work will be accomplished during the final week of years of the prophecy of Daniel. Matt. 23:39  For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Christ comes with power and great glory at the end of the tribulation period. Then the Jewish remnant nation will recognize Him in deep repentance. They will say Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord!

These verses are referring to the 70th week of Daniel. Remember the rapture of the church will mark the beginning of this last week of years, seven year tribulation period. To finish the transgression, make an end of sins, bring in everlasting righteousness, to anoint the most Holy. This all happens during the tribulation period. Daniel 9:24. 

The Black Horse

⁵ And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.

⁶ And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.

The black horse represents a lack of resources. Worldwide inflation. Basic necessities will turn into precious commodities.

The Pale Horse

⁷ And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.

⁸ And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

The pale horse is death. Many will die as a result of the white, red and black horses going out.

Martyred Saints

⁹ And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

These are probably martyred saints of the ages under the alter. The tribulation saints are seen standing before the throne. Rev 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; The beast will be given power to make war with the tribulation saints and to overcome them. Those who refuse his mark, his word, and his ways. He will be given this power for 3 1/2 years. Rev. 13:5-7.

¹⁰ And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

¹¹ And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

The Lord comforts them and tells them to rest, be at peace. More of your brethren and fellow servants are going to be killed. This will all be over in short order.

A Great Earthquake

¹² And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;

This earthquake resembles the seventh vial earthquake Rev. 16:18-20. Here the islands and mountains are moved out of their places. Where as they are gone in the Rev. 16:18-20 earthquake. Increase of severity of judgement is the theme from the seals to the trumpets to the vials or bowls.

¹³ And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.

¹⁴ And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

¹⁵ And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;

¹⁶ And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

Ezekiel 39:7 The heathen shall know that I am the Lord, the Holy One in Israel. Ezekiel 38:23 Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the Lord. These scriptures from Ezekiel are fulfilled here during the 70th week of Daniel which is the Day of the Lord!

¹⁷ For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

Understanding Revelation Commentary 8

 Rev. 5:1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

Title deed to the Earth

For about six thousand years, Satan has held the title deed to the earth. Man forfeited it's benefits when he disobeyed the Lord. He put the title deed into Satan's hands. But this legal instrument is what is called a redemptive deed. Jesus is the deed holder. Under Jewish law one could redeem the title of land sold. You could buy back the property within a certain time period if the requirements of the deed were fulfilled. Redemption time for the earth has now arrived.

² And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

The redemptive deed was sealed in Jewish culture. When it was time, the seals were opened by the one who held the deed. If the requirements of the deed were able to be fulfilled by the one who held the deed the land would return to the deedholder.

³ And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

That's because no man in earth or under the earth held the deed but Jesus only!

⁴ And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

The Lion of the tribe of Judah

⁵ And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

⁶ And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

This is the Lord Jesus Himself. Full of the Holy Spirit and the full power of God represented by the seven eyes and the seven horns. Standing before the throne of the Father Himself! The full triune Glory of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!

⁷ And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

⁸ And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb. Every one of them having harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

The prayers of the saints. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth just as it is in heaven. These prayers are about to be fulfilled.

A New Song

⁹ And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

This is the song of the redeemed out of every kindred, tongue, people, and nation. The raptured church now in the presence of the Lamb and the Father in the heavenly throne room.

¹⁰ And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

¹¹ And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Now the angels, beasts and elders join in.

¹² Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

¹³ And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying. Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

Every creature in heaven, on the earth, under the earth and in the sea join in. What a glorious sound! All of heaven and earth prepare for the redemptive work of the Lamb! The earth is now in the process of being returned to it's rightful owner!

¹⁴ And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

Back on Earth

During this blessed time of reunion, praise and worship, and thanksgiving in heaven, back on earth, things have gotten chaotic. The church has disappeared. Multitudes of people gone! Gog of the land of Magog is getting ready to invade Israel or has already started the incursion. Ezekiel 38 & 39. The missing 70th week of Daniel's 70 weeks of years prophesy now begins.

Understanding Revelation Commentary 7

 Rev. 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

The Trumpet

This would be the 1Thess. 4:16 and 1 Cor. 15:52 trumpet. I will show you things which must be hereafter means after chapters 2 and 3. After the church is gone. Remember the key back in Revelation chapter 1? This is not the Jewish feast of trumpets, Yom Teruah (Rosh Hashanah) trumpet. The feast of trumpets will be realized at the end of the tribulation period. Just before Jesus returns in the clouds with power and great glory. This is not the seventh trumpet of Revelation 11:15. That trumpet sounds in the middle of death and destruction upon the earth.

This is the rapture trumpet. Come up here! The church is no longer present on the earth after chapter 4. We don't see the church again until Rev 19:7-19:14. They are riding white horses with the armies of heaven. Following Him who is clothed with a vesture dipped in blood. His name is called The Word of God! (This is Jesus).

² And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

³ And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.

And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone:

and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.

The 24 Elders

⁴ And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

These elders are probably representative of the church. It could be Israel and the church. Or it could be angelic beings. We do know that the saints are clothed in white raiment. Rev. 19:8  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. Angels are also clothed in white. Matt. 28:3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow. Representatives of the church makes sense though. The church has been removed from the earth and is now with Jesus in the heavenly realm. Notes

⁵ And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thundering and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

Seven being the complete spirit of God.

The Four Beasts

⁶ And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.

⁷ And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.

⁸ And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

These creatures are angelic beings engaged in worship. We get a picture of these creatures also in Ezekiel 1:4-7, 10.

⁹ And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,

¹⁰ The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

¹¹ Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

All things are created for God's pleasure. We should be seeking to please God, not ourselves. When we live to please God, however, we find pleasure in ourselves. That's what Jesus was saying in Matt 10:39. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

Understanding Revelation Commentary 6

 

Prophetic aspect of Revelation chapters 2-3

Understanding Revelation is critical to understanding where we’re at on the prophetic timeline! The Church age which is described in Revelation 2-3 is understood to be specific to the time when it was written. It is also understood to be universal to any given church throughout the ages. Including today. There is a prophetic understanding also. The seven churches describe different time periods of existence. Ephesus to Laodicea correspond with historical periods of time. The end of the Laodicean church corresponding with the church of today. This information is critical to the believer. We need to understand that the hour is late and that the coming of our Lord is at hand!

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Understanding Revelation Commentary 5

 

Sardis the dead church Watch this video by Amir Tsarfati

Revelation chapter 3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of  God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. The seven spirits are the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Revelation helps us in understanding Revelation!

3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Mark 13:37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. 4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. 5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. 6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

The church of Philadelphia

7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. 9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. 

Philadelphia and Smyrna are the only churches where correction is not necessary. An open door of effective ministry is provided by the Lord. This church has a wonderful promise. To be kept from experiencing the tribulation period. They will be kept from that hour, that time which shall come upon all the world. It doesn’t say I will keep you through the tribulation. It says I will keep you from the tribulation. Delivered from the tribulation via the rapture of the Church. 1Cor. 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. Watch this video by Amir Tsarfati.

I will keep you from the hour of temptation (Tribulation)

10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 12  Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. 13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

These verses speak of permanency. Secured and established. Overcoming the world (with His help) enables us to reap these wonderful benefits.

The church of Laodicea

14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

A lukewarm condition. People indifferent to what is happening in the church. Church leadership is probably more interested in numbers growth than personal growth and relationship with Jesus. A church in bondage is not a very effective tool of the Savior. Lukewarm!

Trusting in riches

The Laodiceans are probably trusting in riches and missing the mark. This brings to mind the story of Jesus and the rich ruler. Luke 18:18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. 20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor thy father and thy mother.

21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. 22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. 23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. 24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through  a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Dining with Jesus

19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Eating with someone signified becoming one with that person. Jesus was always wanting to eat supper with people. He wants to become one with us. Relationship is the currency of the kingdom. Gold and silver will not hold their value in the kingdom. As a matter of fact, they will be used as pavement which will be seen later on in the book. But right standing; relationship with the Lord holds much value. Drawing closer and closer to Him will translate into riches in the kingdom to come. It will also enable peace and blessed recreation in our lives in this world. Open the door, let Him in! Repent and trust in Him and His finished work at the cross.

Revelation Chapter 3 completes the documentation of the things that are of this current age. The Church age. The things which shall be hereafter starts with chapter 4 and are yet future after the rapture of the Church.