STUDIES IN REVELATION

VOLUME THREE

Chapters 13-22

(Including Bibliography and Examination questions)

STUDIES IN REVELATION

THE TWO BEASTS

Revelation 13:1-18

As we approach this thirteenth chapter of Revelation. Let us keep in mind that John is now showing us some of the more minute details of his vision. We are in the last half of the tribulation, but many of the things that are taking place were set before this time. The Antichrist does not just suddenly appear on the scene out of nowhere. He is there in the first half of the tribulation in a more subtle form, particularly in his relationship to the nation Israel.

In chapter twelve we dealt with five of the great personages of this period. There are seven in total, and now we deal with the last two. We now come to the two beasts, one out of the sea, and the other out of the earth.

Some consider the first beast to be a person, while others think of him as symbolic of the last form of the Roman Empire. Some treat the second beast as the man of sin, while others think of him as the false prophet of religion. However, it is difficult to separate a king from his kingdom. For this reason I believe that the first beast is the Antichrist, the ruler over the restored Roman Empire. The throne of the wild beast (16:10) makes it certain that the first beast is a man.

After identifying the first beast, it is easier to identify the second as the false prophet, the religious leader who leads in the worship of the first beast.

There is another view held in some circles today, that the Antichrist is a denial of the personage of Christ rather than a real person. (See Pentecost-Things to Come –page 337.)

However, the Biblical usage of the preposition “anti” shows two meanings both of which are correct. We then must determine its usage within the context we are reading. It means firstly, “over against” and secondly, “instead of.” See 1 John 2:18,22; 1 John 4:3;

2 John 7 and apply this principle.

John is the only one who uses the term “Antichrist” in his first two epistles. There it has the meaning of opposition to Christ. The first beast represents this characteristic.

The second beast shows the second characteristic, a false Christ as portrayed by Jesus Himself in Matthew 24:24.

“For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”

The entire system of the two beasts shows us Antichrist in its final form. Those of us who have a grasp of Scripture have been able to see this on the horizon of time as year after year we see the world heading towards this fulfillment of Bible prophecy. One does not have to believe in Bible prophecy for it to be fulfilled.

1. THE WILD BEAST OUT OF THE SEA: Vs 1-10

This is a political power headed up by a person.

A. Description of the Beast: Vs 1-2

“And I stood upon the sand of the sea; and I 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.”

1. The dragon (Satan) stands on the sand of the sea, and it is he who brings the wild beast out of the sea and dominates it. This is Satan’s masterpiece, a person who heads up the old Roman Empire. God in His sovereign will steps aside just temporarily and allows this to happen.

2. The sea is representative of the Gentile nations.

3. This wild beast is similar is description to the nondescript beast of Daniel Chapter 7. There it represents the prophetic history of the Roman Empire down to the little horn and his destruction.

4. By this time, as John is writing, much of Daniels prophecy had already been fulfilled. John lived in the time of the Roman Empire. The Emperor Domitian was responsible for John’s exile on the island of Patmos. John was now a spectator, viewing that which was future.

5. Emphasis here is upon the little horn that is set before us as the wild beast who in John’s prophecy is ruling the Roman Empire. The little horn and the wild beast are here one and the same. The wild beast is the man of sin, and Antichrist, the final world dictator. See Vs 18

“Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast; for it is the number of a man.”

6. The ten horns with ten crowns (diadems) speak of the ten-fold division of the Roman Empire in the time of the Great Tribulation. The horns are the ten kings who rule over this ten-fold division. This is confirmed by reading –

Revelation 17:12

“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.”

Note: It is not just a coincidence that the Treaty of Rome became effective January 1^st 1958. That in our time the nations of Europe have formed a union or Common Market, now called a Community. That they now have their own currency known as the “Euro-dollar.” That this economic federation, this United States of Europe, is made up of nations originally part of the Roman Empire. In addition, this agreement was first signed under the nose of the Vatican, the Roman Catholic Church. The original six nations, which constituted this arrangement, are France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. Since that time Great Britain has joined this union including Ireland.

7. The little horn comes to power by first putting down three. (Read again Daniel Chapter 7.

8. The seven heads are not so easily identified but are interpreted in Revelation 17:9-10 as “seven kings.”

9. It seems that they do not reign contemporaneously as the ten horns do. They appear in a chronological order. Some would interpret them to be certain Roman Emperors such as Domitian. Others interpret them as the different forms of government through which the Roman Empire passed. A third view is that the seven heads represent seven great nations of antiquity, which blasphemed God. Rome, Greece, Media-Persia, Chaldea, Egypt and Assyria. The kingdom of the beast would be the seventh which is yet to come. Still another view is that the seven heads correspond to the seven heads of the dragon, which denote exceptional wisdom.

10. Satan energizes the Man of Sin, the last dictator.

11. In my opinion verse three is the key to interpreting the meaning of the three horns.

12. All seven heads are guilty of blasphemy which manifests itself basically in two ways –

a) By making oneself equal with God.

b) By slandering and taking God’s name in vain.

13. The emperors of Rome were guilty of the first form, while the Pharisees were guilty of the second. (See Mark 3:29.) The Beast is guilty of both forms -(see Vs 5.)

14. Vs 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 of a lion; and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.”

John is still a spectator of this composite beast. He combines all of the characteristics of the other beasts, which Daniel saw in his vision – Daniel 7.

a) The outward appearance was like unto a leopard (panther) that had upon its back four wings of a fowl. The beast also had four heads and dominion was given to it. (Daniel 7:6.)

This was Greece, noted for its brilliance and advancement in the arts and sciences. The kingdom of the Beast will have all of the outward culture, which was the glory of Greece.

Daniel 7:6

“After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.”

b) The Feet of a bear -This reminds us of the second beast of Daniel.

Daniel 7:5

“And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.”

This was Media-Persia, noted for its Pagan splendor as it walked over the other kingdoms of her time as a bear in a china shop.

c) The mouth of a lion reminds us of the first beast of Daniel 7, the lion.

Daniel 7:4

“The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it.”

This was Babylon with its autocratic authority. Nebuchadnezzar ordered death for his wise men and a fiery furnace for the three Hebrew children, no man dared to question his authority. He was the head of gold.

The man of sin will be one of the toes, composed of part clay, he will rule with the autocracy and dictatorial power of Nebuchadnezzar. This final world dictator comes to his zenith under the domination of the Beast.

The source of the power of the Beast will be Satan, who raises him up, empowers and energizes him for his job as world dictator. He is the closest to an incarnation of Satan as appears in Scripture.

Some men ask, “Can Satan do this?” To this I reply, “he certainly can make it look like it, especially to gullible sinful men who will swallow religion and deny the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. As well, when we look at the advancement of science today. They can clone a sheep, why not a Hitler? If Satan can enter into Judas Iscariot, he can enter into any man, who would then be said to be “demon possessed.”

2 Thessalonians 2:9

“Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,”

Death Dealing Stroke: Vs 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.”

1. This verse, along with Revelation 17:8, has led many to believe that Satan actually raises the Beast from the dead.

Revelation 17:8

“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 is interpreted here as a man.

a) The early church according to early writings believed that this beast is a man.

b) They did however fail to agree as to the actual identity of this beast. Some thought it to be Judas Iscariot; others thought it was Nero, while still others thought it was a reference to the whole Roman Empire. Back during events leading to the second-world war, there were those who advocated Hitler and Mussolini as the two beasts.

c) Then there are those who hold the view that the Beast here refers to the Roman Empire over which the Beast rules. This view teaches that the Roman Empire did not really die but lives on or is to be revived in the nations of Europe that were a part of Imperial Rome. This revival will come about largely by some man who will be the Beast, who will come on the scene and put the fragments of the empire back together again.

I think personally that the most truth is found in this last view. Satan cannot raise the dead, but he does have vast powers and subtlety capable of raising a nation in defiance of God and Christ.

d) The Beast then is a man who will exhibit a counterfeit and imitation resurrection. This will, be the great delusion, the great lie of the Tribulation period.

2. “His stroke of death was healed” -

This is nothing short of a blasphemous imitation of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. World conditions today are definitely paving the way for Anti-Christ. There is a cry today for world government and world religion. The rise of the European Common Market and its rapid growth, now including its own currency, and some form of army, is a strong indication of the coming of this world dictator. Not to forget the work of this economic union on the battlefield in an increasing number of countries in Eastern Europe including Bosnian and Serbian conflicts. Let no man be fooled and say this could not ever happen. After world War One, men said just that, and in no time, we faced the guns of Hitler, Mussolini, and the bombs of Japan at Pearl Harbor.

See 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12.

C. Deity Assumed: Vs 4-5

“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.”

1. Satan has directed all of his energy towards this goal. He is the founder and promoter of religion. He will fit into any religion that does not lift of the Bible as the Word of God, and Jesus Christ as the sovereign Lord and Savior. How sad it is to see religious folk get so turned on by a man. They will worship him as God and honor him as Christ. They bow to him, kiss his ring, his toe, and all of their emotions are directed towards him. Yet they claim to be Christian and followers of the Sovereign Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Read what Jesus said in John 3:3; John 14:6;

Mark 7:7

“Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”

The whole world will be a helpless slave of the Beast. He will totally usurp the authority and worship of God. Worship of the Beast is the deadly blasphemy of the last half of the Tribulation period.

2. The words “and was given unto him” occurs twice in this one verse. The sovereign God will permit him to work his lies and exercise his power. Evil will have its day, and run its course. Then it will end in the Judgment of Almighty God.

3. The period of forty and two months is the last half of the tribulation period, the 1,260 days or three and a half years.

D. Defying God: Vs 6-8

“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.”

1. This is the dreadful limit to which the Beast goes in blasphemy against Christ and His Church in heaven.

2. The Beast blasphemed Christ and His Church in heaven but of course he could not touch them. However there were some saints still on earth with whom he will make war. This Beast is a world dictator worshipped by the whole world, except for those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Those in the hands of Christ are certainly able to endure unto the end-

Matthew 24 13

“But he that shall endure unto the end shall be saved.”

This is no doubt about the darkest hour in all of the history of the world.

Matthew 24:21

“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.”

3. “The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” – Christ was certainly slain in accordance with God’s decree from eternity past. Calvary did not just happen but was a vital part of God’s plan and purpose. In fact it is the central or pivotal point of God’s plan. However, the Greek here seems to say as Dr. McGee translates it –

“And it was given unto him to make war with the saints and to overcome them: and there was given to him authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation. And all that dwell on earth shall worship him, everyone whose name hath not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb that hath been slain.”

True believers in Jesus Christ are chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world- Ephesians 1:4ff

“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:”

This reference is to election and predestination in accordance with God’s decreed plan and purpose in Jesus Christ, from eternity past.

E. Defiance Denied to Anyone: Vs 9-10

“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.”

1. “If any man” – This is an invitation that is actually repeated at least three times here in this verse.

It is to anyone who is able to hear (in his heart) the Word of God, at any time, in any age. Dead, totally depraved sinners can only hear the world of God effectually in their hearts when quickened (made alive) by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 10:17

“Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”

Regeneration comes solely by the quickening work of the Holy Spirit, but at that moment the message of the gospel clicks in to produce conversion. I do not believe in “Gospel regeneration” but I do definitely believe in Gospel conversion. Why else should we preach the gospel to every creature?

2. Here also is a warning to anyone who would dare to fight against the Beast with physical force. This is the Dragon’s day and the hour of the Beast. God is also warning His own people not to resist Him either.

3. Patience and faith is the need of the hour when these things take place. McGee says, “it is earth’s travail and hell’s holiday!”

2. THE WILD BEAST OUT OF THE EARTH: Vs 11-18

This is a portrait of a religious world leader.

A. The Description: Vs 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.”

1. This wild beast is much easier to identify than was the first. The first came up out of the sea, which is symbolic of the nations and people of the world.

See Daniel 7:2-3; Matthew 13:47.

2. This second Beast comes up from the earth, which is symbolic of Palestine. It is naturally thought that the second Beast comes from Israel.

3. “And he had two horns like a lamb” This suggests an imitation of Christ who is the Lamb of God.

4. The difference with this lamb is that he adds and multiplies sin rather than to subtract it. He does not come to do his own will but the will of the Beast. He is a counterfeit Christ who will talk much about loving everyone but he is a dangerous beast.

5. “And he was speaking as a dragon” – This reveals his true character as an instrument of Satan. He is the false prophet as seen in – Revelation 16:13; 19:20; 20:10.

Jesus taught – Matthew 7:15

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”

Matthew 24:24

“For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”

6. The idea of putting an actual name on this false prophet is an exercise in foolishness. Most preachers have their pet beliefs, which are best kept to themselves.

B. Delegated Authority: Vs 12-14

“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.”

1. The authority of this false prophet is actually delegated to him by the first Beast. He is therefore subservient to the first Beast.

2. He leads a movement to exterminate the harlot of Revelation 17 and the last vestige of an apostate church with its humanism and mystic symbolism.

See – Revelation 17:16-17.

3. The false prophet will then offer the world something new to worship – the first Beast, the willful king, the Man of Sin, the last world dictator –

See – Daniel 11:36-39;Matthew 24:24; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-10.

4. Dr. McGee suggests that both beasts had a “deadly wound that was healed”.

I am not sure that is correct, as the reference in this verse seems to point back to the first Beast. The symbolism would also imply only one wounded lamb.

5. Vs 13-14 – “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.”

The false prophet is a worker of signs and miracles of which Jesus warned us

(Matthew 24:24.) He appears to copy Elijah in bringing fire down from heaven. He is a combination of Jannes and Jambres:

Exodus 7:11-12

“Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.

12 For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods.”

The false prophet will show his true colors when he causes an image of the first beast, the Man of Sin to be made. This will come to a head when it is placed in the temple and men are ordered to worship the image as God.

Read again -Matthew 24:15 concerning the abomination of desolation.

Paul no doubt refers to this dark hour in 2 Thessalonians 2:4.

C. Delusion Perpetrated on the World: Vs 15-17

“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.

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.”

1. Most commentators refer to the giving of life to the image as a clever deception. However, these commentators wrote before the age of cloning. I would suggest that this life that is given to the image of Antichrist may be more real than any could well imagine. Whatever actual form is used here, the whole world will be deceived, and brought to the worship of Antichrist.

2. He will fulfill the role of present day religionists. One religion for the whole world, under the one government of Antichrist.

Chief Rabbi Marcus Melchoir of Denmark, said, “Whether Messiah is a person or an assembly is of minor importance, I believe that Messianic times would come if the United Nations were made Messiah.”

If this man would be willing to accept the United Nations as Messiah, do you not think he would quickly accept a man who could do what the United Nations has not been able to do? To put Europe back together, in fact to bring about world peace?

3. Antichrist follows the philosophy of the world, “men must eat to live.” No one will be able to buy or sell who does not have the “mark of the Beast.”

4. What is the “mark of the Beast?” – In John’s day soldiers were branded by the commanders, slaves by their masters, and those attached to certain pagan temples were branded by the mark of a god or goddess. Ptolemy Philopator had all the Jews in Alexandria marked with the ivy leaf, symbol of Dionysus.

Many today deplore the fact that we have to carry so many cards. Even in our time, the trend is to simplify things and the call for a single number of identification. Here in Canada we have a “Social Insurance Number,(SIN) which is used for government identification. There is talk afloat today about a infra-red chip implanted in our wrist with a simple identification number. In an age where folk put earrings in their nose, eyebrows and chin, this chip should be no problem. The call for this has increased in light of the recent run of international terrorism.

5. We are not told exactly what the “mark” is, but can most certainly see the trend towards it as increasing in our society today. Whole books have been written on this but for the most part we should keep our speculation to ourselves.

D. Designation: Vs 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.”

The meaning here is that the problem of numbers is extremely difficult. This does not really clear up the maze of speculation afloat in a multitude of books on this subject.

There are some things that we can be rather sure about concerning this number of the Beast –

1. It is the number of man. Six is the number of man, three sixes is the number of a superman, and Scripture allots this number to the Antichrist.

2. Six is just short of seven, which is the number of God Himself.

3. In the Greek there is a very beautiful arrangement of this number. “Hexakosioi – 600; hexekonta – 60; hex –6.”

A numerical value is attached to each letter. It is best to let it stand there for we do not really need to know the name of the Beast. We need to know our Lord Jesus Christ, and He will worry about the Beast and take care of him. This was certainly Paul’s philosophy in Philippians 3:10-14.

4. All we really need to know today is that Antichrist is a person, a man, and that we should have our faith and trust in the Lord.

Jeremiah 17:5-8

“Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.

6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.

7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.

8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.”

Let us then keep our eye single towards the sky, looking for the appearing of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Only if you do not have a personal saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, do you have anything to worry about. Have you trust in Jesus Christ as your own personal Lord and Savior? If not, what is hindering you from doing it now?

STUDIES IN REVELATION

THE LAMB ON MOUNT ZION

Revelation 14:1-20

The theme of Chapter fourteen is “The Lamb on Mount Zion, the everlasting gospel is preached in the world, Babylon will fall, judgment and blessing is announced along with the coming of Armageddon.

This chapter constitutes a hiatus in the series of seven performers. John of course could not fit this interlude in between the sixth and seventh performers, who are the two Beasts. They needed to be considered together like Siamese twins. This interlude follows the seventh performer in a logical sequence of the vision of this book.

As we found out in chapter 13, this is the darkest moment of world history. We may well ask the question, “How do God’s people survive such an onslaught of satanic pressure? Can they persevere to the end with such overwhelming odds against them? The Shepherd who began with 144,000 sheep is now seen as the Lamb still with the same 144,000. This Shepherd does not lose even one sheep but as the Lamb, He has redeemed them with His blood. This underscores our belief in the absolute sovereignty of God in His electing grace. Whom He calls, He justifies; whom He justifies He glorifies…etc. God will have the final say and Babylon will indeed fall. All of the followers of the Beast will be judged. The Lamb is returning to earth, the morning is coming and all darkness will fade away. The sun of righteousness will arise with healing in His wings.

1. THE PICTURE OF THE LAMB: Vs 1-5

This is a great panoramic view of the Lamb with 144,000 Tribulation saints.

A. The Lamb on Mount Zion: Vs 1

“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.”

1. John is still looking; he is but a spectator of this great vision of the future.

2. The Lamb is the Lord Jesus Christ portrayed to us in so much of Scripture.

See – See Revelation 5:6,8,12-13; 6:1,16; 7:9,10,14, 17; 12:11; 13:8.

3. Mount Zion is at Jerusalem and this verse shows the scene, which we begin, the millennium.

Mount Zion is spoken of in Psalm 2:6

“Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.”

The original Zion was a Jebusite fortress, which David captured and made it as enlarged into the city of David. It was here that David received the promise of an eternal house and throne (2 Samuel 7.)

B. The Lamb and His Sheep: Vs 2-3

“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: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.”

1. “I heard a voice from heaven” – This is the sound of a heavenly choir singing the praise of the Lamb who had redeemed them.” This heavenly choir will be singing to help usher in the Millennium. The harpers provide the musical instrumental backup to this great choir, which may just include the Church in heaven, or it may also include the Jewish remnant. However, I am personally inclined to believe that this choir is the remnant of Jewish believers that will sing a “new song.” The 144,00 are with the Lamb on Mount Zion. This present scene takes place after His return to earth, as Christ will return first to the Mount of Olives, from whence He first ascended into heaven. See Acts 1:11 and Zechariah 14.

2. The “new song” is new to the Israelites. Their old song was that of Moses leading them out of Egypt. Now they will sing of their Messiah, Jesus Christ who is bringing them back from the wilderness into the new kingdom, the millennium. This is a song that only the 144,000 knew or could sing.

3. Up to this time earth has been out of tune with heaven, but now the two are brought together in this new anthem of praise and thanksgiving.

4. These 144,000 are redeemed from among the earth. They are the remnant purchased by Jewish Christ, who paid the price of redemption in shedding His blood on Calvary’s cross. It took so long to carry out this plan and we should be patient with the Jew and the unsaved for we know not whether they are sheep or goats. It took centuries from the cross to the time of their salvation. I think the actual redemption took place potentially in eternity, then actually in time at Calvary, and efficiently when they responded to the call of God.

5. In chapter 13, the earth is in rebellion under the beast. Now in chapter 14, we see heaven and earth in tranquility under the Lamb, Jesus Christ.

C. Description of the 144,000 Redeemed: Vs 4-5

“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 first fruits 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.”

1. “Not defiled with women…for these were virgins” – This can be taken both literally and spiritually. The Tribulation time is one of unparalleled

suffering and turmoil on the earth. These abnormal times demanded an abnormal state. In the time of Jeremiah, he was forbidden to marry because of the abnormality of his time.

Jeremiah 16:1-4.

2. Jesus pronounced “woe to them that are with child” during the tribulation.

See – Matthew 24:19.

3. During the church age, “marriage is honorable and the bed undefiled” However, God’s command to Noah, “be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth” is hardly fitting in a world faced with a population explosion, and a time when believers can see the approaching Tribulation period.

4. These were not guilty of spiritual fornication, which is idolatry. They had not bowed down to worship the image of the Beast. (See Ezekiel 16.)

5. “First-fruits unto God and the Lamb” –

Romans 11:15-16

“For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?

16 For if the first-fruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.”

6. This remnant will no doubt occupy a unique place in the Millennial Kingdom. They will likely form a part of the great army that will come with our Lord Jesus Christ when He returns to set up His kingdom (Revelation 19:14.)

7. In their mouth was found no lie, or they had not participated in “the big lie of the Beast” or followed his “lying wonders.” They are without blemish because being redeemed they are clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. No other righteousness will suffice in our day or then.

2. THE PROCLAMATION OF THE EVERLASTING GOSPEL: Vs 6-7

“And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.”

1. We see here a change in protocol as “another angel” comes on the scene. God works in a “team ministry.” There are six angels referred to as “another angel.”

2. Angels minister today, more behind the scenes, but in the Old Testament their ministry was more prominent. This will again be the case as things become very intense, especially during the last half of the Tribulation. Personal conflict with Satan will require the work of angels who are indestructible.

3. Flying in mid-heaven should not be a problem with us space-age folk. The angels will have a gospel space station of some sort.

4. The terminology used regarding “the everlasting gospel” is different than that used in the Gospel or Church age. It is not judgment, but brings men back to the message of God, where “fear God” is the basic requirement.

Proverbs 9:10

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”

It is recognition of God as THE CREATOR. The atheism of today will come to an end in the Tribulation. This is the final call back to that which is basic.

Noah’s call to repentance was a final call in his age. No one listened to him and only the family of Noah was saved. Jonah preached a final call to Nineveh and a whole city turned to God!

3. PRONOUNCEMENT OF JUDGMENT ON BABYLON: Vs 8

“And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”

If you have never read the book “The Two Babylon’s,” by Alexander Hyslop, I would recommend that you do. Here we see that Babylon has been Satan’s earthly headquarters from the beginning.

1. This second angel runs ahead and announces what is about to happen as if it has already taken place. (Fell, fell is Babylon – is in the Greek found in the prophetic aorist tense. God’s word is so sure that he speaks as if it has already taken place.

2. Babylon will eventually be rebuilt during the Great Tribulation. (Cf Isaiah Chapter 13 with Revelation 18.)

3. Many today have overlooked this possibility and have failed to recognize a political movement in our own time. Look in your Bible atlas and see where the land of Babylon was located, between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Some think that the old city of Babylon as completely destroyed, but there yet remains a small town on that very site by the same name. It is located only about 40-50 miles south of the modern city of Baghdad, home of the present dictator and tyrant, Saddam Hussein. Babylon is known today as Iraq. The descendants of Cush and the followers of that rebellious panther, Nimrod, originally founded Babylon.

4. Babylon’s idolatry is spoken of throughout Scripture and will fascinate the entire world of the Tribulation period. The word Babylon actual means “confusion.” The spirit of Babylon is seen in the confusion of religions and denominations that will make up the world Church. This spirit is very much abounding in our day.

5. Of Babylon we read –

Jeremiah 51:7

“Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD'S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.”

Isaiah 13:11

“And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.”

Jeremiah 25:15-26

“For thus saith the LORD God of Israel unto me; Take the wine cup of this fury at my hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send thee, to drink it.

16 And they shall drink, and be moved, and be mad, because of the sword that I will send among them.

17 Then took I the cup at the LORD'S hand, and made all the nations to drink, unto whom the LORD had sent me:

18 To wit, Jerusalem, and the cities of Judah, and the kings thereof, and the princes thereof, to make them a desolation, an astonishment, an hissing, and a curse; as it is this day;

19 Pharaoh king of Egypt, and his servants, and his princes, and all his people;

20 And all the mingled people, and all the kings of the land of Uz, and all the kings of the land of the Philistines, and Ashkelon, and Azzah, and Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod,

21 Edom, and Moab, and the children of Ammon,

22 And all the kings of Tyrus, and all the kings of Zidon, and the kings of the isles which are beyond the sea,

23 Dedan, and Tema, and Buz, and all that are in the utmost corners,

24 And all the kings of Arabia, and all the kings of the mingled people that dwell in the desert,

25 And all the kings of Zimri, and all the kings of Elam, and all the kings of the Medes,

26 And all the kings of the north, far and near, one with another, and all the kingdoms of the world, which are upon the face of the earth: and the king of Sheshach shall drink after them.

Isaiah 13:19

“And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.”

The armies of the Media-Persian Empire destroyed the old Babylon of Nebuchadnezzar, in 539 BC. However, the vast desolation spoken of by the prophets has not yet come to pass.

6. This verse is an announcement of soon coming events, the final destruction of Babylon. We will see and hear more about Babylon in our studies of Revelation 17-18.

4. PRONOUNCEMENT OF JUDGMENT UPON THOSE WHO RECEIVED THE MARK OF THE BEAST: Vs 9-12

“And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,

10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever: and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”

1. During World War 1 & 2, there were some nations that remained neutral, they did not join or take sides. This will not be the case in the Great Tribulation period. Neutrality will not be permitted or even be possible.

2. Today some so-called Christian businessmen compromise Biblical principle on the altar of financial gain. That will not be the case in the Tribulation. In chapter 13 we saw the alternative to receiving the mark of the Beast as starvation.

3. The choice is between starvation and the wrath of God –

“He shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God”

This is an Old Testament figure of speech used here-

Psalm 75:8

“For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and he poureth out of the same: but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them.

4. God’s wrath has been filled to the brim on a number of occasions –

a) With the antediluvian age in the time of Noah, resulting in the flood.

b) With Israel when they went into Babylonian captivity.

c) With Israel in 70 A.D. resulting in the destruction of Jerusalem.

5. “Tormented with fire and brimstone” – If this is not literal, it will certainly not be anything less in effect. The brimstone of Sodom was literal. I have seen the damage and after effects of the lava that poured from Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines. I would not want to be anywhere near it.

6. The judgment of those who receive the “mark of the Beast” is eternal. It is forever visible to Christ and His angels. It does not say whether it is visible to the church or not.

7. All God’s people can do during this period is to be patient and wait.

Luke 21:19

“In your patience possess ye your souls.”

5. PRAISE FOR THOSE WHO DIE IN THE LORD: Vs 13

“And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.”

1. This is not a statement for believers in this present age. It is not natural for believers to want to die, no matter how spiritual they might be. Many times I have said, “everybody wants to go to heaven; but no one wants to go today!”

(CF Philippians 1:23-26.)

2. Things will be so hard during the Great Tribulation that men will want to die. Verse 13, is one of comfort and assurance.

3. “That they might rest from their labors,” shows the awful intensity of pressure of the times.

4. “For their works shall follow them” is literally, “shall follow with them.”

God does not save anyone for his works, but he does reward everyone for their works. No man can go to heaven on the basis of good works. That is the message of false doctrine and religion. Men in every age are saved solely by the sovereign grace of God.

5. Believers in Christ will have their works follow them to the Bema of Christ –

2 Corinthians 5:10

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

6. PREVIEW OF ARMAGEDDON: Vs 14-20

“And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.”

A. Harvest Time: Vs 14-16

By the words, “I saw and behold” we see that John is still a spectator to these

events of the future.

1. “A white cloud and on the cloud one sitting (literally) like unto a son of man. The article here is “a son” not “the son” but the identification is certainly that of our Lord Jesus Christ. The use of the term “a son” is in reference to man’s representative. Jesus is “God in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself.” Cf Revelation 1:13.

The cloud is a mark of identification.

Matthew 24:30

“And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”

Revelation 1:7

“Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.”

2. “On His head a golden crown” – Who else would wear such a crown but our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? Here he is seen, not as prophet or priest, but as KING!

3. The “sharp sickle” establishes this and speaks of the judgment of the wicked. The word “sickle” occurs only 12 times in Scripture, seven of which are in this section. The word “sharp” occurs 7 times in Revelation, four of which are here.

Vs 15-16 “And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.

16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.”

4. To “send forth thy sickle and reap” refers to the judgment of men on earth.

Matthew 13:39-42

“The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.

40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.

41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;

42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

The harvest to which we are to pray for laborers is during the time of judgment. Here is the promised word of the Father to the Son as seen in –

Psalm 2:7-9

“I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.”

Jesus gave instructions to pray for laborers to enter the field at the end of the age of law.

Matthew 9:38

“Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.”