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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