Bible study Revelation All are welcome

[Benadam]

The covenant attached to the People of God through the bloodline of Adam to Mary and Joseph is honored
Chapter 7
1

****After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth so that no wind could blow on land or sea or against any tree. ****
**2 **
**Then I saw another angel come up from the East, holding the seal of the living God. He cried out in a loud voice to the four angels who were given power to damage the land and the sea, **
**3 **
**“Do not damage the land or the sea or the trees until we put the seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.” **
**4 **
**I heard the number of those who had been marked with the seal, one hundred and forty-four thousand marked from every tribe of the Israelites: **

**5 **
144,000 represents the all of those of the covenant passed through bloodline who are saved. God protects them from the coming of His terrible Day. It is also a symbol of a perfect square that points to the corporeal foundation of the covenant, the submission of the Holy People to the earth that structures the New Jerusalem and is a shadow of the True Temple. They have preserved a Holy place amongst people for a body to be prepared for God.

****twelve thousand were marked from the tribe of Judah, twelve thousand from the tribe of Reuben, twelve thousand from the tribe of Gad, ****
**6 **
**twelve thousand from the tribe of Asher, twelve thousand from the tribe of Naphtali, twelve thousand from the tribe of Manasseh, **
**7 **
**twelve thousand from the tribe of Simeon, twelve thousand from the tribe of Levi, twelve thousand from the tribe of Issachar, **
**8 **
**twelve thousand from the tribe of Zebulun, twelve thousand from the tribe of Joseph, and twelve thousand were marked from the tribe of Benjamin. **

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The covenant is fulfilled and Christ establishes it as a universal reality no longer tied to bloodline but a Covenant established in Truth and Spirit. The Church Triumphant and the age of grace.

****9 ****
**After this I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. **
**10 **
**They cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation comes from our God, who is seated on the throne, and from the Lamb.” **
**11 **
**All the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They prostrated themselves before the throne, worshiped God, **
**12 **
**and exclaimed: “Amen. Blessing and glory, wisdom and thanksgiving, honor, power, and might be to our God forever and ever. Amen.” **
**13 **
**Then one of the elders spoke up and said to me, “Who are these wearing white robes, and where did they come from?” **
**14 **
**I said to him, “My lord, you are the one who knows.” He said to me, "These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. **
**15 **
**"For this reason they stand before God’s throne and worship him day and night in his temple. The one who sits on the throne will shelter them. **
**16 **
**They will not hunger or thirst anymore, nor will the sun or any heat strike them. **

****17 ****
**For the Lamb who is in the center of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." **

The Eucharist

 

[Odell]

**Chapter 8
1
When he broke open the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
2
And I saw that the seven angels who stood before God were given seven trumpets.
3
Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a gold censer. He was given a great quantity of incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the holy ones, on the gold altar that was before the throne.
4
The smoke of the incense along with the prayers of the holy ones went up before God from the hand of the angel.
5
Then the angel took the censer, filled it with burning coals from the altar, and hurled it down to the earth. There were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.
6
The seven angels who were holding the seven trumpets prepared to blow them.
7
When the first one blew his trumpet, there came hail and fire mixed with blood, which was hurled down to the earth. A third of the land was burned up, along with a third of the trees and all green grass.
8
When the second angel blew his trumpet, something like a large burning mountain was hurled into the sea. A third of the sea turned to blood,
9
a third of the creatures living in the sea died, and a third of the ships were wrecked.
10
When the third angel blew his trumpet, a large star burning like a torch fell from the sky. It fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water.
11
The star was called “Wormwood,” and a third of all the water turned to wormwood. Many people died from this water, because it was made bitter.
12
When the fourth angel blew his trumpet, a third of the sun, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars were struck, so that a third of them became dark. The day lost its light for a third of the time, as did the night.
13
Then I looked again and heard an eagle flying high overhead cry out in a loud voice, “Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth from the rest of the trumpet blasts that the three angels are about to blow!” **

 

[D_M]

**Chapter 8
1
When he broke open the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
2
And I saw that the seven angels who stood before God were given seven trumpets.
3
Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a gold censer. He was given a great quantity of incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the holy ones, on the gold altar that was before the throne.
4
The smoke of the incense along with the prayers of the holy ones went up before God from the hand of the angel.
5
Then the angel took the censer, filled it with burning coals from the altar, and hurled it down to the earth. There were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.
6
The seven angels who were holding the seven trumpets prepared to blow them.
7
When the first one blew his trumpet, there came hail and fire mixed with blood, which was hurled down to the earth. A third of the land was burned up, along with a third of the trees and all green grass.
8
When the second angel blew his trumpet, something like a large burning mountain was hurled into the sea. A third of the sea turned to blood,
9
a third of the creatures living in the sea died, and a third of the ships were wrecked.
10
When the third angel blew his trumpet, a large star burning like a torch fell from the sky. It fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water.
11
The star was called “Wormwood,” and a third of all the water turned to wormwood. Many people died from this water, because it was made bitter.
12
When the fourth angel blew his trumpet, a third of the sun, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars were struck, so that a third of them became dark. The day lost its light for a third of the time, as did the night.
13
Then I looked again and heard an eagle flying high overhead cry out in a loud voice, “Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth from the rest of the trumpet blasts that the three angels are about to blow!” **

The thing that always strike out at me about this passage and subsequent chapters afterwards is the emphasis on a ‘third’ of everything being destroyed… what’s the significance of a ‘third’?

In all of history though, one can see this sort of trend almost as though it were a Providential sign: The black death wipes out a third of the population of Europe, Martin Luther splits the church and takes a third of western christendom with him, the jesuits lose a third of their membership in the 20th century, a third of christians are not under the Pope today

maybe I’m just seeing things?

But in the parable of the talents or the pounds, does anyone else notice that in each parable there are three persons given grace, and one of the three fails?

There seems to be something about this proportion of a ‘third’ which is perhaps beyond our knowledge, although that should not stop us from seeking its truth…

Some have thought that the part of Rev 12 that says the dragon took a third of the stars indicates that a third of the angels fell from heaven with him… by contrast Zechariah (quoted earlier) says that a third of Israel will be saved… sometimes I wonder if this is could be a proportion… that the number of saints who ascend to heaven will equal the number of demons that fell from it?

Potential verses of interest:

Prayers of the saints:

Psalms 141:2 Let my prayer be counted as incense before thee, and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice!

Throwing of fire from the altar:

Ezekiel 10:2 And he said to the man clothed in linen, “Go in among the whirling wheels underneath the cherubim; fill your hands with burning coals from between the cherubim, and scatter them over the city.” And he went in before my eyes.

Hail mixed with fire:

Exodus 9:22-25 And the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch forth your hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, upon man and beast and every plant of the field, throughout the land of Egypt.” Then Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven; and the Lord sent thunder and hail, and fire ran down to the earth. And the Lord rained hail upon the land of Egypt; there was hail, and fire flashing continually in the midst of the hail, very heavy hail, such as had never been in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation. The hail struck down everything that was in the field throughout all the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and the hail struck down every plant of the field, and shattered every tree of the field.

Mountain thrown down:

Jeremiah 51:25 "Behold, I am against you, O destroying mountain, says the Lord, which destroys the whole earth; I will stretch out my hand against you, and roll you down from the crags, and make you a burnt mountain.

Star fallen from heaven:

Isaiagh 24:12 "How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low!

 

[spauline]

The thing that always strike out at me about this passage and subsequent chapters afterwards is the emphasis on a ‘third’ of everything being destroyed… what’s the significance of a ‘third’?

In all of history though, one can see this sort of trend almost as though it were a Providential sign: The black death wipes out a third of the population of Europe, Martin Luther splits the church and takes a third of western christendom with him, the jesuits lose a third of their membership in the 20th century, a third of christians are not under the Pope today

maybe I’m just seeing things?

But in the parable of the talents or the pounds, does anyone else notice that in each parable there are three persons given grace, and one of the three fails?

There seems to be something about this proportion of a ‘third’ which is perhaps beyond our knowledge, although that should not stop us from seeking its truth…

Some have thought that the part of Rev 12 that says the dragon took a third of the stars indicates that a third of the angels fell from heaven with him… by contrast Zechariah (quoted earlier) says that a third of Israel will be saved… sometimes I wonder if this is could be a proportion… that the number of saints who ascend to heaven will equal the number of demons that fell from it?

Potential verses of interest:

Prayers of the saints:

Psalms 141:2 Let my prayer be counted as incense before thee, and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice!

Throwing of fire from the altar:

Ezekiel 10:2 And he said to the man clothed in linen, “Go in among the whirling wheels underneath the cherubim; fill your hands with burning coals from between the cherubim, and scatter them over the city.” And he went in before my eyes.

Hail mixed with fire:

Exodus 9:22-25 And the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch forth your hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, upon man and beast and every plant of the field, throughout the land of Egypt.” Then Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven; and the Lord sent thunder and hail, and fire ran down to the earth. And the Lord rained hail upon the land of Egypt; there was hail, and fire flashing continually in the midst of the hail, very heavy hail, such as had never been in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation. The hail struck down everything that was in the field throughout all the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and the hail struck down every plant of the field, and shattered every tree of the field.

Mountain thrown down:

Jeremiah 51:25 "Behold, I am against you, O destroying mountain, says the Lord, which destroys the whole earth; I will stretch out my hand against you, and roll you down from the crags, and make you a burnt mountain.

Star fallen from heaven:

Isaiagh 24:12 "How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low!

Interesting thoughts, D M.

 

[BibleProphecy]

The Sixth SEAL appearance of the Lord with power and majesty (Re.6:12-17) is a singular day occurrence which takes place PRIOR TO the seven TRUMPETS being GIVEN.

The 144,000 have been sealed PRIOR TO the seven TRUMPETS being GIVEN, and the saints are in prayer at the opening of Seventh, and final, SEAL, their prayers ascending up to heaven. (Re.8:3-4).

At the opening of this Seventh SEAL the seven TRUMPETS are GIVEN and the angels prepare themselves to sound (Re.8:1-6). The trumpets cannot begin to sound until they are GIVEN.

The first four TRUMPET angels are instructed (prior to the sealing of the 144,000) that they are not to hurt the earth, the sea, nor the trees until the 144,000 are sealed (Re.7:1-4), but once the sealing of the 144,000 has been accomplished they are prepared to sound.

At the Fourth SEAL (Re.6:7-8) one-fourth part of the earth is destroyed. After the Sixth SEAL appearance of the Lord with power and majesty (Re.6:12-17), and AFTER the sealing of the 144,000 (Re.7:1-4), and AFTER the opening of the Seventh, and final, SEAL the sounding of the first four TRUMPETS will destroy an additional one-third of the earth, leaving the earth one-third darker (Re.8:7-12 below).

These four TRUMPET events are witnessed upon the earth as a result of the great earthquake that occurs just prior to the Sixth SEAL. This earthquake will move every mountain (continent – Ps.104:6) and island out of their places (Re.6:12-14).

The first four TRUMPETS will sound within a thirty-day time period after the TRUMPETS are given.

Re.8:7 The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the THIRD PART of the trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.

Re.8:8 And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the THIRD PART of the sea became blood;

Re.8:9 And the THIRD PART of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.

Re.8:10 And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the THIRD PART of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;

Re.8:11 And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the THIRD PART of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

Re.8:12 And the fourth angel sounded, and the THIRD PART of the sun was smitten, and the THIRD PART of the moon, and the THIRD PART of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.

Patricia (©) Bible Prophecy on the Web
Author of the self-study aid, The Book of Revelation Explained © 1982
groups.yahoo.com/group/BibleProphecy

 

[susanj19]

Why in Rev.1:1 does Jesus receive the revelation from the Father after he is already resurrected? 1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him, to show his servants what must happen soon. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

Also, why does Jesus say he has a God in Rev. 3:3 “in the sight of my God.” and in vs. 12 “city of my God”?

 

[Odell]

Why in Rev.1:1 does Jesus receive the revelation from the Father after he is already resurrected? 1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him, to show his servants what must happen soon. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

Also, why does Jesus say he has a God in Rev. 3:3 “in the sight of my God.” and in vs. 12 “city of my God”?

I dont know

I hope someone can answer this. Good stuff

 

[Odell]

**Chapter 9
1
Then the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. It was given the key for the passage to the abyss.
2
It opened the passage to the abyss, and smoke came up out of the passage like smoke from a huge furnace. The sun and the air were darkened by the smoke from the passage.
3
Locusts came out of the smoke onto the land, and they were given the same power as scorpions of the earth.
4
They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or any tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads.
5
They were not allowed to kill them but only to torment them for five months; the torment they inflicted was like that of a scorpion when it stings a person.
6
During that time these people will seek death but will not find it, and they will long to die but death will escape them.
7
The appearance of the locusts was like that of horses ready for battle. On their heads they wore what looked like crowns of gold; their faces were like human faces,
8
and they had hair like women’s hair. Their teeth were like lions’ teeth,
9
and they had chests like iron breastplates. The sound of their wings was like the sound of many horse-drawn chariots racing into battle.
10
They had tails like scorpions, with stingers; with their tails they had power to harm people for five months.
11
They had as their king the angel of the abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon and in Greek Apollyon.
12
The first woe has passed, but there are two more to come.
13
Then the sixth angel blew his trumpet, and I heard a voice coming from the [four] 8 horns of the gold altar before God,
14
telling the sixth angel who held the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the banks of the great river Euphrates.”
15
So the four angels were released, who were prepared for this hour, day, month, and year to kill a third of the human race.
16
The number of cavalry troops was two hundred million; I heard their number.
17
Now in my vision this is how I saw the horses and their riders. They wore red, blue, and yellow breastplates, and the horses’ heads were like heads of lions, and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and sulfur.
18
By these three plagues of fire, smoke, and sulfur that came out of their mouths a third of the human race was killed.
19
For the power of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails are like snakes, with heads that inflict harm.
20
The rest of the human race, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, to give up the worship of demons and idols made from gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk.
21
Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic potions, their unchastity, or their robberies. **

 

[spauline]

Chapter 9
**1 **
**Then the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. It was given the key for the passage to the abyss. **
**2 **
**It opened the passage to the abyss, and smoke came up out of the passage like smoke from a huge furnace. The sun and the air were darkened by the smoke from the passage. **
**3 **
**Locusts came out of the smoke onto the land, and they were given the same power as scorpions of the earth. **
**4 **
**They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or any tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. **
**5 **
**They were not allowed to kill them but only to torment them for five months; the torment they inflicted was like that of a scorpion when it stings a person. **
**6 **
**During that time these people will seek death but will not find it, and they will long to die but death will escape them. **
**7 **
**The appearance of the locusts was like that of horses ready for battle. On their heads they wore what looked like crowns of gold; their faces were like human faces, **
**8 **
**and they had hair like women’s hair. Their teeth were like lions’ teeth, **
**9 **
**and they had chests like iron breastplates. The sound of their wings was like the sound of many horse-drawn chariots racing into battle. **
**10 **
**They had tails like scorpions, with stingers; with their tails they had power to harm people for five months. **
**11 **
**They had as their king the angel of the abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon and in Greek Apollyon. **
**12 **
**The first woe has passed, but there are two more to come. **
**13 **
**Then the sixth angel blew his trumpet, and I heard a voice coming from the [four] 8 horns of the gold altar before God, **
**14 **
**telling the sixth angel who held the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the banks of the great river Euphrates.” **
**15 **
**So the four angels were released, who were prepared for this hour, day, month, and year to kill a third of the human race. **
**16 **
**The number of cavalry troops was two hundred million; I heard their number. **
**17 **
**Now in my vision this is how I saw the horses and their riders. They wore red, blue, and yellow breastplates, and the horses’ heads were like heads of lions, and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and sulfur. **
**18 **
**By these three plagues of fire, smoke, and sulfur that came out of their mouths a third of the human race was killed. **
**19 **
**For the power of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails are like snakes, with heads that inflict harm. **
**20 **
**The rest of the human race, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, to give up the worship of demons and idols made from gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk. **
**21 **
**Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic potions, their unchastity, or their robberies. **

from the standpoint of spiritual historicism, as far as I know, the most profound meaning is Protestantism and the Enlightenment

 

[Odell]

Chapter 9
3
Locusts came out of the smoke onto the land, and they were given the same power as scorpions of the earth.

Helicopters

5
They were not allowed to kill them but only to torment them for five months; the torment they inflicted was like that of a scorpion when it stings a person.
6
During that time these people will seek death but will not find it, and they will long to die but death will escape them.

 

[spauline]

Helicopters

this all happens before Christ second coming, shouldnt we then know when the hour is near but the bible also says we dont know the hour.

ask yourself this: who is being protected and in what manner?

Which is better, to be protected from the literal weather, and end up in hell, or to be protected from being harmed spiritually in the “forehead” [hint, hint, intellect, but not succumbing to doctrinal error] so that you might stand on the rock that is peter, so that when the weather of sin and persecution and lies assault you, you shall weather the storm by having the foundation of truth and grace to keep you on the path to salvation, which is the most important gift you are seeking?

 

[BibleProphecy]

The Fifth TRUMPET angel is given the key of the bottomless pit (Re.9:1 below). The Fifth TRUMPET angel is the same angel who has the key at Revelation 20:1, below.

Satan was cast INTO the earth (Re.12:9 below), and is the angel/king of the bottomless pit (Re.9:11 below).

The bottomless pit is Hell (Isa.38:18, Ps.28:1 below).

The spiritual opening of the bottomless pit is in the Dead Sea.

Re.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.

Re.20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, HAVING the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

Re.12:9 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 (Re.9:1-2, Re.9:11 below), and his angels were cast out with him.

Re.9:11 And they had a KING over them, WHICH IS THE ANGEL OF THE BOTTOMLESS PIT, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is A-bad-don, but in the Greek tongue hath his name A-polly-on.

Isa.38:18 For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth.

Ps.28:1 Unto thee will I cry, O Lord my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.

The 144,000 are sealed DIRECTLY AFTER the Sixth SEAL/the Day of the Lord (1 Thess.5:2, Re.6:12-17).

Are the 144,000 the only people spared the five-month torment that occurs at the Fifth TRUMPET, First Woe? On the surface it would appear so.

What about the rest of the body of Christ who are still upon the earth at that time? Are they not protected?

At the Third SEAL instruction was given -

Re.6:5 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.

Re.6:6 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 OIL is spiritually symbolic of the two witnesses - the Jews in Christ through faith and the Gentiles in Christ through faith. The WINE is spiritually symbolic of the 144,000.

From the Third SEAL those who have been chosen to stand through the events to the “finish” (Re.10:7) have been protected to stand, and are protected from the torments which will befall Gentiles (1 Cor.10:32, 1Thess.4:5, Eph.2:12) at the Fifth TRUMPET, First Woe.

When the 144,000 were SPECIFICALLY sealed after the Sixth SEAL, they are sealed that they would be those who are alive and remain at the Seventh TRUMPET (1 Thess.4:17); they will not see death.

The Sixth and Seventh Trumpets are the Second and Third Woes.

Patricia © Bible Prophecy on the Web
Author of the self-study aid, The Book of Revelation Explained © 1982
groups.yahoo.com/group/BibleProphecy

 

[Benadam]

Chapter 9

****7 ****

 

[D_M]

**Chapter 9
1
Then the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. It was given the key for the passage to the abyss.
2
It opened the passage to the abyss, and smoke came up out of the passage like smoke from a huge furnace. The sun and the air were darkened by the smoke from the passage.
3
Locusts came out of the smoke onto the land, and they were given the same power as scorpions of the earth.
4
They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or any tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads.
5
They were not allowed to kill them but only to torment them for five months; the torment they inflicted was like that of a scorpion when it stings a person.
6
During that time these people will seek death but will not find it, and they will long to die but death will escape them.
7
The appearance of the locusts was like that of horses ready for battle. On their heads they wore what looked like crowns of gold; their faces were like human faces,
8
and they had hair like women’s hair. Their teeth were like lions’ teeth,
9
and they had chests like iron breastplates. The sound of their wings was like the sound of many horse-drawn chariots racing into battle.
10
They had tails like scorpions, with stingers; with their tails they had power to harm people for five months.
11
They had as their king the angel of the abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon and in Greek Apollyon.
12
The first woe has passed, but there are two more to come.
13
Then the sixth angel blew his trumpet, and I heard a voice coming from the [four] 8 horns of the gold altar before God,
14
telling the sixth angel who held the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the banks of the great river Euphrates.”
15
So the four angels were released, who were prepared for this hour, day, month, and year to kill a third of the human race.
16
The number of cavalry troops was two hundred million; I heard their number.
17
Now in my vision this is how I saw the horses and their riders. They wore red, blue, and yellow breastplates, and the horses’ heads were like heads of lions, and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and sulfur.
18
By these three plagues of fire, smoke, and sulfur that came out of their mouths a third of the human race was killed.
19
For the power of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails are like snakes, with heads that inflict harm.
20
The rest of the human race, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, to give up the worship of demons and idols made from gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk.
21
Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic potions, their unchastity, or their robberies. **

…definitely bigger than 9/11…

that part about death fleeing from people who want to die is perhaps one one the cruellest aspects of this torture… I think St Augustine said something to the effect that he believed the second death was an immortality in such torments

Interesting points may be that they are instructed not to harm the earth, but only people… maybe creation will remain intact on the last day? (and the earth being dissolved in fire (as Peter wrote) was more of a metaphor?)

It could also be good to note that this is following the same order as the plagues in the book of Exodus that came on Egypt (ie. the locusts came after the hail)

‘Apollyon’ means ‘the destroyer’ in Greek (Abaddon is the place of destruction in Hebrew). Απολλυων (Apolluon or ‘Apollyon’), from the verb απολλυειν (Apolluein)-> to destroy

I think that the ‘locusts’ could be a metaphor for some vast destructive force (like an army or a disease), I take my references from the prophet Joel who uses these same words in describing what appears to be an armed force (see below). In Christian history things like the Huns, the Magyars, Genghis Khan, Tamerlane, the Ottoman Turks, Hitler, could be applicable maybe… the black death fits very nicely with the part about not harming any of the trees but only people, and killing a third of humanity (which is essentially what it did if you discount the Americas)

You’ve got to love the imagery in parts of this book… it reminds me of American hollywood disaster movies… the locusts like scorpions that are stinging people who want to die but can’t… pretty horrible stuff,

Verses of potential interest

Sun darkening:

Joel 2:10 The earth quakes before them, the heavens tremble. The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining.

Locusts:

Exodus 10:12-15 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Strech out your hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come upon the land of Egypt, and eat every plant in the land, all that the hail has left.” So Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, an dthe Lord brought an east wind upon the land all that day and all that night; and when it was morning the east wind had brought the locusts. And the locusts came up over all the land of Egypt, and settled on the whole country of Egypt, such a dense swarm of locusts as had never been before, nor ever shall be again. For they covered the face of the whole land, so that the land was darkened, and they ate all the plants in the land and all the fruit of the trees which t hail had left; not a green thing remained, neither tree nor plant of the field, through all the land of Egypt.

Those who do not have the sign of God on their forehead:

Ezekiel 9:4-5 And the Lord said to him, “Go through the city, through Jerusalem, and put a mark upon the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations that are committed in it.” And to the others he said in my hearing, "Pass through the city after him, and smite; your eye shall not spare, and you shall show no pity;

Longing for death but it does not come:

Job 3:21 who long for death, but it come snto, and dig for it more than for hid treasures;

Appearance like horses:

Joel 2:4 Their appearance is like the appearance of horses, and like war horses they run.

Teeth like lion’s teeth

Joel 1:6 For a nation has come up against my land, powerful and without number; its teeth are lions’ teeth, and it has the fangs of a lioness.

Like the noise of many chariots:

Joel 2:5 As with the rumbling of chariots, they leap on the tops of the mountains, like the crackling of a flame of fire devouring the stubble, like a powerful army drawn up for battle.

Horns around the altar:

Exodus 30:1-3 "You shall make an altar to burn incense upon; of acacia wood shall you make it. A cubit shall be its length, and a cubit its breadth; it shall be square, and two cubits shall be its height; its horns shall be of one piece with it. And you shall overlay it with pure gold, its top and its sides round about and its horns; and you shall make for it a moulding of gold round about.

the altars made by man:

Isaiah 17:8 they will not have regard for the altars, the work of their hands, and they will not look to what their own fingers have made, either the Ashe’rim or the altars of incense.

 

[Odell]

**Chapter 10
1
Then I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven wrapped in a cloud, with a halo around his head; his face was like the sun and his feet were like pillars of fire.
2
In his hand he held a small scroll that had been opened. He placed his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land,
3
and then he cried out in a loud voice as a lion roars. When he cried out, the seven thunders raised their voices, too.
4
When the seven thunders had spoken, I was about to write it down; but I heard a voice from heaven say, “Seal up what the seven thunders have spoken, but do not write it down.”
5
Then the angel I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven
6
and swore by the one who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and earth and sea and all that is in them, “There shall be no more delay.
7
At the time when you hear the seventh angel blow his trumpet, the mysterious plan of God shall be fulfilled, as he promised to his servants the prophets.”
8
Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me again and said, “Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.”
9
So I went up to the angel and told him to give me the small scroll. He said to me, “Take and swallow it. It will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will taste as sweet as honey.”
10
I took the small scroll from the angel’s hand and swallowed it. In my mouth it was like sweet honey, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour.
11
Then someone said to me, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.” **

 

[Benadam]

Chapter 10

****1 ****

 

[RobPollack]

Who is the woman and man child in chapter 12? I think i may know but i want to know what the church thinks to be sure.

 

[BibleProphecy]

At the Seventh, and final, SEAL seven TRUMPETS are GIVEN to sound (Re.8:1-2, 6).

The start of the Trumpet events begins a seven-year time frame BETWEEN the Sixth Seal (Re.6:12-17) and the Seventh Trumpet (1 Thess.4:16-17). It is during that seven years that the world will face the Tribulation.

During the FIRST three and a half years of the seven years the two witnesses will have God-given power to prophesy (Re.11:3 below).

Re.11:3 And I WILL GIVE POWER (Dan.8:24, Dan.12:7) unto my TWO WITNESSES, and they shall prophesy (Re.10:11) a thousand two hundred and threescore days (1260 days/3 ½ years), clothed in sackcloth.

During the LAST three and a half years of the seven years the church (1 Cor.10:32) will face the tribulation (Re.11:7 below).

Re.11:7 And when they (the two witnesses) shall have FINISHED their testimony (AFTER the 1260 days/3 1/2 years - Re.11:3 above), the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit (Re.13:11-17, Re.17:8, Ps.28:1) shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

The first four TRUMPETS of the seven trumpets will sound within 30 days from the GIVING of the Trumpets at the Seventh, and final, Seal (Re.8:7-12).

The Fifth Trumpet (Re.9:1-12) is the First Woe (Re.8:13).

ONE MONTH into the FIRST three and a half years of the seven years, at three years and five months (3 yrs. 5 mo.) prior to the last three and a half years of tribulation the bottomless pit will be opened.

The transgressors (Dan.8:23 below) will ascend from the bottomless pit. The transgressors are the four beasts of Daniel chapter 7 who come up from the sea (Dan.7:3) arising out of the earth (Dan.7:17). These four beasts are kings (Dan.7:17). It is the fourth beast of these four beasts that is seen as the beast of Revelation 13:1.

Once the transgressors come to the full (Dan.8:23, Dan.7:17), the little horn/false prophet, who is seen in the book of Revelation as the beast of Re.13:11, will come upon the scene. He, too, ascends from the bottomless pit.

Dan.8:23 And IN THE LATTER TIME OF THEIR (plural) KINGDOM (singular), WHEN THE TRANSGRESSORS (the four beasts/kings - Dan.7:3, Dan.7:17) ARE COME TO THE FULL, A KING (the little horn - Dan.7:8 - false prophet, Dan.11:36-37, 2 Thess.2:4) of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up (Re.13:11).

The day that the saints of the most High (Dan.7:25) those who are blessed to come to the thirteen hundred and thirty-five days (1335 days - Dan.12:12) prior to the Seventh TRUMPET ascension (1 Thess.4:16-17) will be the day that the false prophet will ascend out of the bottomless pit.

Forty-five days (45 days) from the false prophet’s appearance upon the world scene, the abomination of desolation will be SET UP, twelve hundred and ninety-days (1290 days - Dan.12:11) prior to the Seventh TRUMPET ascension. Thirty days (30 days) later the abomination of desolation will be ENFORCED.

From that point, there are three and a half years of tribulation under the beasts of Revelation chapter 13.

Patricia (ndbpsa ©) Bible Prophecy on the Web
groups.yahoo.com/group/BibleProphecy
Author of the self-study aid, The Book of Revelation Explained © 1982

 

[BibleProphecy]

Revelation 10:9-11 – The Little Book

John must prophesy AGAIN before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings (Re.10:9-11 below).

John’s prophecy contained in the Book of Revelation is the prophecy the two witnesses will prophesy for a thousand two hundred and threescore days (1260 days – Re.11:3 below) prior to the tribulation under the beasts of Revelation chapter 13.

Then it can be said that the gospel of the kingdom will have been preached in all the world, and then shall the end come (Matt.24:14 below).

Matt.24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Re.10:9 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.

Re.10:10 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.

Re.10:11 And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.

Re.11:3 And I will give [power] unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred [and] threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. (1260 days/three and a half years)

Patricia © Bible Prophecy on the Web
Author of the self-study aid, The Book of Revelation Explained © 1982

 

[D_M]

Who is the woman and man child in chapter 12? I think i may know but i want to know what the church thinks to be sure.

What I’ve seen written by theologians interprets the woman to be Israel and the child to be the messiah, although Mary is also used in place of the woman.

I think that the scroll may represent salvation, it comes down from heaven, and while its promises taste sweet, then can only be digested with the bitterness of incredible persecutions and hardships for the church.

This would fit with what is said about the fullfilment of what was promised to the prophets.

I find it interesting that John is instructed not to write down what the seven thunders have spoken, but that it is sealed up. What does this mean?

Maybe it is to signify haste? I’m not sure

Verses of Potential Interest:

Swearing to Heaven:

Daniel 12:7 The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven; and I heard him swear by him who lives for ever that it would be for a time, two times, and half a time; and that when the shattering of the power of the holy people comes to an end all these things would be accomplished

Eating the scroll:

Ezekiel 3:1-3 And he said to me, “Son of man, eat what is offered to you; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.” So I opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to eat. And he said to me, “Son of man, eat this scroll that I give you and fill your stomach with it.” Then I ate it; and it was in my mouth as sweet as honey.

Sending the prophet to nations and kingdoms:

Jeremiah 1:10 See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant."