The second chapter of 2 Thessalonians has always been riddled with difficulty for Bible students. When reading the passage it seems clear that Paul is reminding the Thessalonians about things he had previously talked about, information not recorded for us. We see this point made by Paul in verse 5, “Don’t you remember that when I was still with you I told you about this” This is a problem for us because we do not know what Paul said to the Thessalonians while he was still with them. The knowledge that the Thessalonians had concerning what Paul was talking we simply do not have. Notice what Paul says in verse 6, “And you know what currently restrains him….” Another reason why this is important to notice is that it should be clear to us that the events Paul is referring to must have been coming in the lifetimes of the Thessalonians. If not, why would Paul bother talking about these things while he was with them?

But though we do not have the information from the previous discussion Paul had with the Thessalonians, I think we can understand what Paul is talking about by relying upon the descriptions found in this text and the parallels to other known biblical passages. As with any study concerning difficult passages, let us set aside any preconceived notions about what we may think the passage is teaching and simply attempt to understand Paul’s words about the apostasy and the man of lawlessness. It is also important to state that the writing of this letter is considered to have been at approximately 54 AD.

If you have not already done so, please read the previous article “The Apostasy” before continuing with this article.

The Man of Lawlessness - understanding the word

Paul goes on to tell the Thessalonians that the man of lawlessness must also be revealed. Some of the versions translated this person as “the man of sin.” This is one and the same since “sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4). Paul then spends some time describing who the man of lawlessness is.

Son of destruction (vs. 3). The very next description given to the man of lawlessness is found in verse 3, “the son of destruction.” This phrase was also used as a Hebrew idiom, which can be seen in Jesus calling Judas “the son of destruction” in John 17:12. This is the only other occurrence of this phrase in the scriptures. This could be used a general description for an evil person or may speak specifically to a destructive person.

Opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship (vs. 4). The man of lawlessness is clearly described as a powerful person that elevates himself above all other so-called gods. The man of lawlessness will even call himself god and sit in God’s temple. Verse 6 tells us that there is something restraining the man of lawlessness at that time, but in due time the man of lawlessness will be revealed. Paul further says that these things are already at work (vs. 7). Once the man of lawlessness is revealed, the Lord Jesus will destroy him with the breath of His mouth and bring him to nothing.

Signs and wonders (vs. 9-11). Signs and wonders also accompany the man of lawlessness. He will use unrighteous deception and people will believe the false things he says and does. Based upon these descriptions concerning the apostasy and the man of lawlessness, we will now attempt to interpret these images. We must ask ourselves an important question to interpret these images: what two significant events would take place in the lifetimes of the Thessalonians that would fit these images and also fit the prophecy of the scriptures? I think the scriptures will reveal the answer for us.

The Man of Lawlessness - explanation

Most commentators state that the man of lawlessness is the Antichrist who causes desolation before or during the Tribulation. But is this the picture that Paul is giving? Would the man of lawlessness, being interpreted as the Antichrist that would supposedly come over 2000 years later, be relevant to the first century Thessalonians? Of course not. Nor is such an interpretation logical from the description Paul gives in 2 Thessalonians 2. Let us take the descriptions given to us and see who fits the bill.

Son of destruction. We will notice that the Romans are repeatedly called the destroyer in the scriptures. From the prophecy we quoted about the rebellion, the one performs this work is called “the desolator” (Daniel 9:27). In Revelation 17:11 we read, “The beast that was and is not, is himself the eighth, yet is of the seven and goes to destruction.�? The Greek word for “destruction” in 2 Thessalonians 2:4 is the same word used in Revelation 17:10. Both the beast and the man of lawlessness are described as destroyers.

Opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship. 2 Thessalonians 2:4 definitely sounds like the actions and attitudes of the Roman emperors. Further, this description is very easy to see repeated throughout the scriptures concerning the Roman Empire. Daniel 11:36-38, which speaks about the Romans, says: 36 “Then the king will do whatever he wants. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god, and he will say outrageous things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, because what has been decreed will be accomplished. 37 He will not show regard for the gods of his fathers, the god longed for by women, or for any other god, because he will magnify himself above all. 38 Instead, he will honor a god of fortresses—a god his fathers did not know—with gold, silver, precious stones, and riches.”

The same description is given to the beast in Revelation 13. “A mouth was given to him to speak boasts and blasphemies. He was also given authority to act for 42 months. He began to speak blasphemies against God: to blaspheme His name and His dwelling—those who dwell in heaven” (Revelation 13:5-7).

The Bible Background Commentary points out “when Titus destroyed the temple, his soldiers desecrated the temple by paying divine honors to the insignia of Emperor Vespasian on the site of the temple” (pg. 601). This shows that the Roman emperors accepted and demanded that they be honored as gods. Again, the description of the beast in Daniel 7 and Revelation 13 is very similar to the description of the man of lawlessness.

Performs signs and wonders. Notice the description of the Romans again: 13 “He also performs great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth before people. 14 He deceives those who live on the earth because of the signs that he is permitted to perform on behalf of the beast, telling those who live on the earth to make an image of the beast who had the sword wound yet lived. 15 He was permitted to give a spirit to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast could both speak and cause whoever would not worship the image of the beast to be killed” (Revelation 13:13-15).

Daniel prophesied in Daniel 7:25, “He will speak words against the Most High and oppress the holy ones of the Most High. He will intend to change religious festivals and laws, and the holy ones will be handed over to him for a time, times, and half a time.”

I believe it is important to see how all of these prophecies fit together and point to the same entities. The apostasy or rebellion speaks to the revolt of the Jewish people against Rome. The Romans would come in and destroy Jerusalem, destroy the temple, and offer sacrifices to emperor Vespasian. Further, the Roman emperors fulfilled the words of Paul as the man of lawlessness. Is Paul speaking of one emperor specifically? He may be or he may be speaking about the whole lot of them that were to come. Just as Revelation 17:10 speaks of the one who goes to destruction seems to point to Domitian, it is possible that Paul is calling Domitian “the man of lawlessness.” However, I tend to agree with B.B. Warfield who believes the lawless one refers to whole line of wicked emperors that raised themselves against God. Paul wrote this letter under Emperor Claudius. But the next emperor that would arise after Claudius was Nero. Nero was the beginning of the outlandish activities of the emperors and the enforcement of worship as deities.

I would encourage the reader to study my material on Daniel and Revelation to see how those prophecies also point to the rise of the Roman Empire and its persecution of the saints for not worshipping the emperors.

The second chapter of 2 Thessalonians has always been riddled with difficulty for Bible students. When reading the passage it seems clear that Paul is reminding the Thessalonians about things he had previously talked about, information not recorded for us. We see this point made by Paul in verse 5, “Don’t you remember that when I was still with you I told you about this” This is a problem for us because we do not know what Paul said to the Thessalonians while he was still with them. The knowledge that the Thessalonians had concerning what Paul was talking we simply do not have. Notice what Paul says in verse 6, “And you know what currently restrains him….” Another reason why this is important to notice is that it should be clear to us that the events Paul is referring to must have been coming in the lifetimes of the Thessalonians. If not, why would Paul bother talking about these things while he was with them?

But though we do not have the information from the previous discussion Paul had with the Thessalonians, I think we can understand what Paul is talking about by relying upon the descriptions found in this text and the parallels to other known biblical passages. As with any study concerning difficult passages, let us set aside any preconceived notions about what we may think the passage is teaching and simply attempt to understand Paul’s words about the apostasy and the man of lawlessness. It is also important to state that the writing of this letter is considered to have been at approximately 54 AD.

A Problem for the Thessalonican People

It is important for us to gather as much of the context as possible to attempt to place ourselves in the minds of the Thessalonians as they would receive this letter. In chapter 1 of 2 Thessalonians we read Paul commending the Thessalonians for their faith in the midst of the persecutions and afflictions they are enduring. Paul points out that those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of Jesus Christ will pay the penalty of everlasting destruction (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9). It seems that Paul is continuing his remarks about what will take place at the end, just as he did in his previous letter to the Thessalonians in chapter 4.

In the first verse of chapter 2, Paul talks about “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to Him.” The word “coming” is the same word used by Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4:15 where Paul was describing the second coming of the Lord. In the first letter Paul encouraged the Thessalonians to be ready for the coming day of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 5:2). However, it seems since the writing of the first letter, some have claimed to have a message from the apostles that the day of the Lord had come. In light of receiving this message, it seems that some of the Thessalonians had stopped working and had become busybodies in the affairs of other people (2 Thessalonians 3:6-15). Thus, Paul is explaining to the Thessalonians when the day of the Lord would come and how they should not be deceived by those claiming to have a message from the apostles (2 Thessalonians 2:2).

Two events must first come

In verse 3 Paul tells the Thessalonians that he does not want them to be so easily deceived. Thus, he tells them that there are two events that must take place before the day of the Lord can come. First, the apostasy must come. Second, the man of lawlessness must be revealed.

Unfortunately, it seems that Paul spends most of his time talking about the “man of lawlessness” being revealed and does not going into any detail about “the apostasy.” Before we spend our time trying to understand these two phrases, let us be sure to understand that Paul seems to be setting some time markers for the people to be watching for to know that the return of the Lord could come at any time. Just as Jesus established some signs that would come before the destruction would take place (Luke 21:5-19; Matthew 24:1-14), Paul is giving events that must happen before the second coming of Christ can occur. In other words, these must be visible or knowable events so that the Thessalonians could know that these two events have happened and be ready for the coming day of the Lord.

Apostasy-understanding the word

The various Bible versions have translated this word a couple of different ways. The New American Standard and Holman Christian Standard translate this word “apostasy.” The New Revised Standard, New International Version, and English Standard Version translate this word “rebellion.” Finally, the King James, the New King James, and the American Standard translate this word “falling away.” The Greek word is apostasia and Thayer says the word means “a falling away, defection, apostasy.” Vine’s defines apostasia similarly as “a defection, revolt, apostasy.”

There are a couple of reasons why understanding the exact nature of this word in this context is difficult. The Greek word apostasia only occurs in one other place in the New Testament, that is, Acts 21:21. What is interesting to me is that when Jesus spoke in Matthew 24:10 about the many that would fall away in the times leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem, Jesus used the Greek word skandalizo and not apostasia. What this tells me is that Paul is not referring to a general falling away or a general lawlessness that will come over the world as time would pass away. In fact, the definite article exists in the manuscripts, thus reading the passage “the apostasy” or “the falling away” or “the rebellion.”

Consider what A.T. Robertson says concerning this word apostasia: “Apostasia is the late form of apostasis and is our word apostasy. Plutarch uses it of political revolt and it occurs in 1 Macc. 2:15 about Antiochus Epiphanes who was enforcing the apostasy from Judaism to Hellenism. In Josh. 22:22 it occurs for rebellion against the Lord. It seems clear that the word here means a religious revolt and the use of the definite article (heÅ“) seems to mean that Paul had spoken to the Thessalonians about it.”

John MacArthur agrees, “The language indicates a specific event, not general apostasy which exists now and always will. Rather, Paul has in mind the apostasy. This is an event which is clearly and specifically identifiable and unique, the consummate act of rebellion, an event of final magnitude” (The MacArthur Bible Commentary; pg. 1767). These explanations seem to be agreeable to the word usage. If Paul had mean just a general falling away, it seems likely that Paul would have used the Greek word skandalizo. The Greek word apostasia does not seem to indicate a spiritual rebellion or spiritual falling away as the Greek word skandalizo does.

The Revolt

Many have read this passage to speak about a spiritual apostasy that would take place. But I believe there are difficulties with this interpretation. First, what apostasy would that be? People have turned their hearts away from the Lord for the last 2000 years. Second, Robertson does well to point out that this word refers to religious and political revolts, not to spiritual rebellion to God. We studied that distinction ourselves earlier in this lesson.

There is only one political or religious rebellion that has any significance in the scriptures, particularly in prophecy: the Jewish revolt against the Romans. In about 66 AD the Jews led a revolt against the Roman occupation of Jerusalem and the Judean region. This revolt caused the Romans to come up against the Jews in Judea, killing over 1 million Jews.

This was the prophecy that Jesus was giving in Matthew 24 and Luke 21. Jesus warned that “not one stone would be left upon another” (Matthew 24:2). This prophecy still had to come to pass before the Lord would be able to return in judgment. All of God’s word had yet to be fulfilled and therefore Paul tells the Thessalonians that this rebellion had to happen first before the day of the Lord could come.

Daniel also prophesied of this revolt in the vision of the 70 weeks in Daniel 9:24-27. Verse 24 begins, “Seventy weeks are decreed for your people and your holy city.” This beginning verse shows us that the prophecy is about the Jewish people and the city of Jerusalem. The prophecy continues, “The people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end will come with a flood, and to the end there will be war; desolations are decreed” (vs. 26). The New Living Translation gives an accurate picture of this prophecy, “and a ruler will arise whose armies will destroy the city and the Temple. The end will come with a flood, and war and its miseries are decreed from that time to the very end” (vs. 26).

Paul says “the rebellion” or “the apostasy” must come first. But how do we know that Paul is speaking about the Jewish rebellion against the Romans and not another nation’s rebellion, like the barbarians against the Romans? Verse 4 validates are view that the man of lawlessness will sit in the temple of God. Paul is picturing the destruction of the Jewish people in depicting the man of lawlessness sitting in the temple.

Please continue this study by reading the next article “the man of lawlessness” in this section.

In Revelation 21 we noticed the description of new Jerusalem, the holy city, coming down out of heaven. Revelation 21:11-14 showed John the splendor and glory of this city. In Revelation 21:15-18 we able to see the strength and power of the city. In Revelation 21:19-21 we are shown the beauty of the city. Revelation 21:22-27 revealed the inside of the city, where there is no temple for the Lord God and the Lamb because the servants of God are forever with the Lord in all their glory and honor. Revelation 22 continues the description of new Jerusalem.

Living Water and Tree of Life (22:1-5)

John is shown the river of living water, pure as crystal, flowing down the middle of the street of the city. This conjures in our minds the free flowing waters of life available to all who reside in the city. We also see that the river of living water is flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb. God and the Lamb are the givers of life. To convey this image further we see on both sides of the river of living water is the tree of life. This tree of life along with the river remind us of the scene presented to Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. Notice Genesis 2:9-10, “And out of the ground the LORD God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Now a river went out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it parted and became four riverheads.” These images are similar to what John is seeing in Revelation. But there is one noticable difference. The tree of knowledge of good and evil is missing in the Paradise of God in Revelation. This is because the city of God has no evil nor temptations, but only what is righteous and holy.

Because of Adam and Eve’s sin, Adam and Eve were separated from the garden and the tree of life. Notice Genesis 3:22-24, “Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever” — therefore the LORD God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.” Now the tree of life is offered to all who are the servants of God. In Revelation 2:7 we read the promise made by Jesus, “To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” Now the promise is realized in Revelation 22, as those in this city, new Jerusalem, can now eat from the tree of life.

Further, we see that the healing of this tree is offered to all peoples in verse 2. This was not offered only to the Jews, but to all the nations that whoever overcomes with the Lamb, they will eat from this tree of life and be healed. Mankind is no longer under curse for violation of God’s law.

Serving the Lord

Verse 4 reveals to us one of the most fantastic images that the servants of God will enjoy. God’s people will see the face of the Lord and His name will be on their foreheads. We will see the Lord face to face. This is something that is not possible for man to do in the flesh. Remember in Exodus 33:17-23 that Moses asked to see the glory of the Lord. But the Lord responded in verse 20, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.” It is not possible for human flesh to see the Lord face to face. In all the other accounts in the scriptures, man was only able to see the likeness of the glory of the Lord or witness His partial glory in vision. But now God’s servants will see Him as He is, face to face, in all his glory. What a hope and joy that God’s people have awaiting them!

Further, verse 4 tells us that His servants will have the Lord’s name on their foreheads. We have seen this imagery before when the servants of the beast had the name of the beast on their hands and foreheads. This was a symbol that they served and were preserved by the beast, the Roman Empire. Now we see that God’s servants will have the Lord’s name on their foreheads. This shows that we are servants of God, but more importantly, that His servants are protected, preserved, and kept by the Lord. No permanent harm can befall them for they are with the Lord. Though enduring great tribulations, they now will forever be with the Lord and have overcome. This picture is further described for us in verse 5 that the Lord is the light for His servants and they will reign forever and ever. Victory is determined and given to God’s servants.

This now ends the apocalyptic visions that John is going to see. Now the Lord is going to give John directions as to what to do with the visions and symbols that he has witnessed.

The Directions of the Lord to John

Must Quickly Take Place (22:6-11)

We read that these words are faithful and true. All that has been revealed to John in this great revelation must certainly take place. There will be no deterring the purpose and mission of God. Then, the reminder of Revelation 1:1 is given again: the things the angel has revealed must quickly take place. These things that we have read about were going to begin to occur right away. It would not be decades, hundreds, or thousands of years for these things to begin. They would start then. It would be quick. Jesus himself validates this by saying, “See I am coming quickly.” Jesus made this promise earlier to the readers of this letter in Revelation 2:16 and Revelation 3:11.

Is this statement of Jesus returning quickly speaking about His second coming and final judgment? We must remember that this letter is primarily written to the Christians in the seven churches of Asia in the first century. Would the second coming of Christ and final judgment come quickly to those Christians in the first century? No, it has been more than 1900 years since these words and Jesus has not returned in final judgment. Obviously, Jesus is referring to his judgments that will come against Jerusalem and Rome. His judgments were coming quickly. When we read about the coming of the Son of Man, we must always think of judgment. But the context must tell us if we are talking about the final judgment or a more immediate national judgment. The book of Revelation is clearly describing national judgments against the Jewish nation and the Roman Empire. The things contained in Revelation were going to begin quickly. Those Christians in the first century needed to continue to hold fast to God’s word and they would be blessed by Jesus when these judgments came.

In verses 8-9 we see John, in awe and reverence of what he has seen and heard, fall down and give honor and praise for what he has seen. But John is warned again to not fall at the feet of the angel and to only worship God. For other notes on this, see Revelation 19:10.

In verse 10 we see that John is instructed to not seal the prophetic words of this book, because of the time is near. This is in contrast to Daniel 12:4 and Daniel 12:9 where Daniel is told to seal the book until the time of the end for it would be hundreds of years before the things prophesied in Daniel would occur. John, on the other hand, is told not to seal up the book because the things in Revelation would quickly take place. Since sealing the book means it would be hundreds of years before the events prophesied must take place, we know even further that since this book is not sealed that the prophecies would happen immediately. This parallel between Daniel and Revelation also shows us that the book of Revelation is the unveiling of the mysterious prophecies of Daniel. The prophecies of Daniel contain the prediction of Jerusalem’s fall, the beast’s fall, and the shattering of the holy people. Revelation has now explained why Jerusalem would fall, that the beast is the Roman Empire who is persecuting the saints, and how the people of God would be victorious in the end.

Verse 11 has led many to be confused. Is the Lord telling the wicked to continue to perform wicked deeds? To help understand this passage, we need to see its parallel passage in Daniel 12:10. Daniel 12:10 reads, “Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.” Here we read that the righteous will be purified and refined by what would take place. On the other hand, the wicked would continue to perform their evil deeds. This is exactly what the angel is saying in Revelation 22:11. The evildoers will not change but will perform what we have read about in Revelation and will be judged for these deeds.

The Words of Christ (22:12-16)

Jesus again makes the promise and the reminder that he is coming quickly in judgment. The things in Revelation will quickly begin to take place. Any interpretation of Revelation that does not have an immediate impact and meaning to the first century Christian must be rejected. Further, Jesus is coming bringing a reward for those who have been his servants through the persecutions and tribulation. Those who have been wicked will receive condemnation according to their deeds as well.

In verses 14-15 we read the future state of those who obey and those who disobey. Those who have their robes washed will have a right to the tree of life and may enter the city. We have seen in Revelation 7:14 those who have their robes washed in the blood of the Lamb. This is an image of full obedience to the point of death to Christ. Those who will be left out will be the dogs, sorcerers, sexually immoral, murderers, idolaters, and liars. The dogs do not referring to the physical animal but is a symbol of evildoers. Paul used this same image in Philippians 3:2, “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation!” This was a warning against those who would deceive and pervert the law of Christ. They are identified here as being left on the outside of the city and separated from God. Jesus reminds the readers that these things are true and will surely take place in verse 16. These things have been testified by the angel that Jesus sent.

The Lord’s Warning (22:17-21)

In verse 17 we read of the call being given to all people. As always, the Lord gives opportunity for all people to repent. Those who are thirsty for the Lord should come and receive the living water that he offers as a gift from him. The offer was made then and the offer is still made today for all people to come and receive the gift of God. This is similar to the call made in Revelation 21:6-7, “And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.”

Then a warning is given in verses 18-19 against those who would distort and twist this book. Whoever adds to the book, God will add the plagues written in the book. If anyone takes away from the book, God will take away his share of the tree of life and the holy city. While true that we are not to add to or subtract from any of God’s word, this warning is specifically about the book of Revelation, which leads to some interesting thoughts. Premillennialists take the plagues and symbols in this book literally. If this is the case, then those who add or take away from the book must expect these plagues to literally come upon them. But we do not see these figures literally occurring ever in history. Further, the book of Revelation told us to understand the book symbolically. Therefore, the plagues were a symbol for the eradication of any people who would stand against God. God now says that we will be condemned if we twist Revelation by adding to it or taking away anything from it. Further, those who twist the book of Revelation to mean what they want it to say and use the book for sordid gain are also condemned. Those who treat the word of God in such a way will not have their share of the tree of life and the holy city.

Finally, we are reminded one more time, as if the Lord knew that there would be many who come along and say that these events will happen many, many years later, that Jesus is coming quickly in judgment. The things that we have seen in Revelation will take place quickly. The people reading this book in the first century were to be ready for there would be great distress experienced by Christians.

New Heaven and Earth (21:1)

John sees a new heaven and new earth for the first heaven and earth have passed away. This is the only time we see this phrase in Revelation. Further, this is the only description we receive about a new heaven and new earth. In verse 2 John sees new Jerusalem and spends the rest of his time in description of this. So it would be foolish to make grand theories about the new heaven and earth that John sees, since we are given no further information.

But there are three other passages, one in the New Testament, two in the Old Testament, where we read about a new heaven and new earth. Let us begin in the Old Testament to see if we can get an understanding of what it means to see a new heaven and new earth. Isaiah 65:16-17 says, “So that he who blesses himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he who swears in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hidden from My eyes. For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.” Notice also verse 25 of this passage, “The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain,” says the LORD.”

Keeping these pictures in mind, Isaiah speaks again of a new heaven and new earth in Isaiah 66:18-23. “For as the new heavens and the new earth which I will make shall remain before Me,” says the LORD, “so shall your descendants and your name remain.” We are reading a prophecy of a new order. The way of the old and the troubles of the old will be forgotten. Instead, a new order will come, symbolized by the wolf and the lamb feeding together. This new order was fulfilled at the coming of the new spiritual order, the new covenant in which brought forward the kingdom of God, the church. Isaiah spoke of the passing of the old Jewish order and the inauguration of the new order under Christ.

What new order is John seeing then when he sees the new heaven and new earth? I believe Peter will help us. In 2 Peter 3:11-13 we read, “Since all these things are going to be destroyed in this way, it is clear what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness as you wait for and earnestly desire the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be on fire and be dissolved, and the elements will melt with the heat. But based on His promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” Peter says these words after also speaking about the passing away of the heavens and the earth with fervent heat. Both Peter and John are speaking of a new order, but not the new order under Christ, or that has already come. We are seeing the passing of the old order, this earth and physical living, and the inauguration of a new spiritual order where now all the saints of God will dwell with the Lord. Now we will see this new order tied to the new Jerusalem.

New Jerusalem (21:2-4)

John sees the holy city, new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven. This image only has impact when we understand the images of chapters 6-11, seeing the wrath of God upon the physical Jerusalem and seeing its destruction. Now we see the true Jerusalem, in heaven where it has always been, coming down prepared like a bride. This alone would be a great symbol of hope, after being told of Jerusalem’s destruction, seeing that Jerusalem still stands. It does not stand physically anymore, but the dwelling of God is in heaven. More importantly, verse 3 tells us that the people of God are living with the Lord. Most people understand that this imagery of new Jerusalem refers to the people of God, for we see it prepared like a bride. Remember we saw that back in Revelation 19:7-9 where the bride is the saints and their righteous acts. The question that is usually debated is whether we are speaking about God’s people now in its current state, or are we speaking about the people of God in their future state.

I believe that the text and the context of this passage force us to understand the new Jerusalem to be referring to the kingdom of God, the church in its future, perfected state. First, let us notice the context. Everything that we have mentioned thus far at the end of chapter 20 has spoken about the final judgment at the end. We have seen the final result of the Satan and those who were not written in the book of life. We are now seeing the final end result of those who are written in the book of life. Even further, notice Revelation 21:4 which tells us that death no longer exists. Even though we are children of God there is still death today. Is there still grief for the children of God? Yes. Is there still crying for the people of God? Yes. Is there still pain that the saints go through? Yes. This cannot be referring to the church presently because these things still exist. Therefore we are seeing the Lord’s kingdom in the very end, in its future and final state. At that time we will live forever with the Lord (Rev. 21:3), just as 1 Thessalonians 4:17 says, “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” Hebrews 12:22-24 proves that when we read of new Jerusalem we need to think of the whole kingdom of God. “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel” (Hebrews 12:22-24).

Living Water (21:5-8)

John sees the One sitting on the throne. There should be no doubt for the people of God that these things will happen. The words are faithful and true and it has already been accomplished. All we must do is wait for the Lord’s return. To those who overcome, they will drink from the spring of living water, for this is the gift of God. Remember that Jesus spoke of this water in John 4:13-14, “Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” Verse 7 tells us that the victor will inherit these things. This also points to the future. We are not victors until we have been steadfast to the very end. Once we have overcome, we will have been tested and proven to be his children. But all that is evil, including liars and cowardly toward the Lord, will be cast into the lake of fire with the devil and his angels.

New Jerusalem Described (21:9-21)

John sees one of the angels who had poured out the bowls of wrath in chapter 16. The angel declares he will show John the bride and reveals the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming out of heaven, as we saw in 21:2. This image verifies that our understanding of the heavenly Jerusalem is correct. Heavenly Jerusalem is the people of God in their perfected state.

In verses 11-14 we see the great splendor and glory of the city, which is the kingdom of God. These images are similar to Ezekiel 48:30-35 where we see the future glory of God’s people. All of these images are symbols to show the gloriousness of the kingdom in the end. Specifically, the symbols show how glorious the people of God appear as a bride prepared for Christ, the groom. In this description we see the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel on the gates and the twelve apostles names on the foundations. This shows the oneness of the people of God in Christ. It is the saved of the old and new covenants.

In verses 15-18 we see the great strength and power of the city. In Revelation 11:1 we saw old, physical Jerusalem measured in a vision for judgment to be trampled by the Gentiles. The physical city was measured with a reed like a rod. The heavenly Jerusalem is measured with a reed of gold.

This measurement is not for destruction but to show the greatness of the city. The margins in your Bibles may give you estimates of the size of the measurements. The city is 1400 miles cubed, yet the walls to the city are just a few feet high or thick. Notice that these are human measurements (vs. 17) and are not to be converted into other numbers. This gives premillennialists many problems, since many want the city to be where Jesus rules on the earth during their future 1000 year reign. If you have taken images literally in this book thus far, one must be consistent and take this image literally. Of course this is impossible, for a city cannot be 1400 miles in length, width, and height. These numbers are to show the greatness and power of the kingdom of God.

In verses 19-21 we see the beauty of the city. Many precious stones are named as well as the pearls on the gates. We also see the street of the city that is paved with gold. We see the great beauty and value of this kingdom in its final state as well.

Inside The City (21:22-27)

There is no sanctuary in the city because there is no need for separation between God and man. God is dwelling with his people. The glory of the Lord illuminates all of the city. All that goes on in the city is the people bringing their praises, glory, and honor to the Lord. The gates never close for the enemies have been destroyed. There is no need to be afraid and no need for protection for God has overcome all the enemies and put them under his feet. Nothing false or evil can enter so the gates remain open. No one should be deceived. No one is in the city except those who are written in the book of life. Thus, we have seen images that would convey great hope to those alive and enduring the persecution that if they remain steadfast, they too will dwell with the Lord in glory forever.

Satan Is Bound (20:1-3)

Now the question to the Christians must be: what about the dragon that we read about in Revelation 12? Will it continue to rule? Will it raise up another beast against us? What is to become of the dragon? Chapter 20 will give us the answer. We see the dragon seized, who is the Devil, and he is bound for 1000 years. Verse 3 tells us what it means for the devil to be bound. He is restrained so that he is no longer able to deceive the nations until the thousand years are completed.

Premillennialism wants to make these 1000 years literal, taking place at the end of time. People like Tim LaHaye and Hal Lindsey teach Jesus will return to establish his throne on the earth in Jerusalem, establish the Old Testament sacrifice system, and set the Jews higher than the Gentiles in power in the kingdom. Does this text say anything about that? Does verses 1-10 say anything about this? Yet these are the verses used to prove this false theory. If one were to take the 1000 years literally, then one must go back and take the 144,000 literally. If one takes these 1000 years literally, then one must take the dragon and the beasts as literally rising up to destroy the earth and not representations of the devil and the Roman Empire. We must remember that the angel put Revelation in symbols and we cannot take these images literally unless the text demands such an interpretation. This text makes no demands to be understood literally. The 1000 years then symbolize a long period of time in contrast to the short time mentioned in verse 3. The number 1000 is a power of 10, which is a symbol of fullness and power. Thus Satan is restrained for a full period of time.

This passage does not say that Satan’s work has stopped. Satan is restrained in deceiving the nations. This seems to be making the point that Satan is not going operate in a world empire like he did in the Roman Empire. When we look back in history we see that this is the case. Name the world empire that controlled the whole world after the Roman Empire? There was not one, nor has there been an empire that had control over the whole known world. While powerful nations have had great influence and might, no empire has arisen that controlled the world to evil like the Roman Empire. Satan has been limited in his power. He has not been able to deceive as he did in the Roman Empire. Under the Roman empire, the emperors were considered to be gods who should be worship. That deception is now restrained. As Daniel saw in Daniel 2:44, the world empires have been crushed by the kingdom of God.

Saints Reign With Christ (20:4-6)

Now we see the souls of those who had not worshipped the beast but had been killed for the sake of the testimony of Jesus and God’s word. These come to life and reign with the Messiah for 1000 years. But the rest of the dead, those who had worshipped the beast, did not come to life until the end of the one thousand years. This is called the first resurrection. This is a simple image of triumph for the people who have gone through this ordeal. Those who have died for the cause of Christ are not left out or left behind, but are reigning with Christ. We are not reading about all people who die. We are looking at those who have died by the hands of the Roman empire because they would not worship pagan idols nor the emperor.

This is called the first resurrection. This causes many people trouble, but it should not. The difficulty arises because we do not know Old Testament prophecy. In Isaiah 26:19 as well as Ezekiel 37:1-14 we see references to resurrections. In particular notice Ezekiel 37:12-14, “Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. “Then you shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. “I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken it and performed it,” says the LORD.’”

Ezekiel describes the resurrection of God’s people. Is it speaking of the those who had died in the destruction of Jerusalem literally coming alive again? No, that is not the picture at all. It is an Old Testament picture of the saints triumphing over the world nations. They are the victorious saints who have overcame. Yes, they died, but they are alive and are not lost. They share in the victory and are not permanently dead. Because of this, they will not experience the second death, which is referred to in Revelation 20:14-15, a spiritual death.

Now before we can go on, we need to determine when the 1000 year reign takes place. It is obviously not a future event because those who were killed by the Roman empire were reigning with Christ in the first century. This forces us to understand the one thousand year reign to have been going on in the first century for these who have died to reign with Christ. Other New Testament scripture confirms this teaching. Read 1 Corinthians 15:20-28 to see this truth. Verse 25 tells us the Christ “must reign until He puts all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.” Here we see that Christ began to reign when he raised from the dead. He will continue to reign until the end (1 Corinthians 15:24). Ephesians 1:20-23 also teaches that Christ began his reign at his resurrection and continues to reign now.

Ephesians 1:20-23 says, “which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” We have already stated that the 1000 years is not a literal time frame but signifies the fullness and power of the time. Thus, Christ will reign for a full amount of time, and the Christians who died for the Lord during this persecution are not gone, but reign with Christ. Christ began his reign when he raised from the dead and will continue his to reign until all enemies are under his feet. Since death still exists, Christ is still ruling on the throne, subjecting all things to himself.

Satan Loosed and Defeated (20:7-10)

When the thousand years are complete, Satan will be released from his prison. Back in 20:3, we saw that the time of his being released is only a short time. How short? We are not told. During this time, Satan will go out and do the very thing that he was restrained from doing for the 1000 years: deceive the nations at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog.

Now much has been made about Gog and Magog. Premillennialists suggest that Gog is the country of Russia that Satan will use for a final war. But instead of making up fanciful theories and stories, let us allow the scriptures to interpret for us. The scene of Gog and Magog is found only in Ezekiel 38-39. Notice closely Ezekiel 38:17, “‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Are you he of whom I have spoken in former days by My servants the prophets of Israel, who prophesied for years in those days that I would bring you against them?”

Gog and Magog have been prophesied of in former days by God’s servants the prophets. Yet we only read of Gog and Magog in Ezekiel 38 and Revelation 20. Therefore Gog and Magog represent the heathen enemies against God’s people. These are the nations of the world that fight against God’s people. This is exactly how Revelation defines Gog and Magog. Notice Revelation 20:8 says that the nations at the four corners of the earth are Gog and Magog. The devil is going to exert his power over the nations of the world again to gather for battle. The devil will have the power to deceive the nations again, and just as he deceived those of the Roman Empire. The power to persecute through world nations may be what is indicated. Remember in Revelation 12:17 we see the dragon waging war with the saints of God. This power that the devil used through the empire is restrained. But just as the devil is about to do his work again, God destroys the work that Satan is about to do and casts him into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet were cast. Matthew 25:41 says, “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.”

Once again, Christ is victorious. The dragon will also meet the same destruction. Satan will not overcome and cannot be victorious. His doom is sealed. This completes the imagery. None of the evil forces that were at work against the people of God in the first century will stand. The power of Rome is destroyed. The power of the Roman empire is destroyed. The power of the false religions are destroyed. Finally, the power of Satan himself will be destroyed in the very end. Victory is given to the saints of God. Do not yield to the dragon.

Great White Throne (20:11-15)

In verse 10 we read that Satan is cast into the lake of fire. Therefore, we must be looking at final judgment, for we know that right now Satan is roaming the earth like a lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). John sees heaven and earth flee from His presence because there is no place for them and there is no need for them. We have come to the final judgment. There is no place for these things in the end. In this passage, heaven is not referring to the dwelling place of God, but the sky, atmosphere, and universe. These things have served their purpose and are no longer needed. These images coincide with the rest of the scriptures. Hebrews 1:10-12 says, “And: “You, LORD, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain; and they will all grow old like a garment; Like a cloak You will fold them up, and they will be changed. But You are the same, and Your years will not fail.” Also 2 Peter 3:10 says, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.” Thus we see that the heavens and the earth will not last forever, but will pass away.

The Book of Life

We see all the dead, both small and great, standing before the throne and the books were opened. This seems to tie back to Revelation 20:5 where the rest of the dead of the past who were not killed for the word of God did not come back to life until the end of the thousand years. Here they are alive and are brought before judgment. It is also interesting to notice that we have multiple books being opened. Then John sees one other book opened, and this is the important book, the book of life. The dead were judged according to their works by what was written in the books.

The symbol is fairly clear. We will be judged by all of our works and, as we will see, we want our works written in the book of life and not in the other books. The book of life has been seen a couple of times previously in the scriptures. Revelation 3:5 says, “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” Also Revelation 13:8 says, “All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Paul said in Philippians 4:3, “And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.” Clearly we want to have our names and our works written in the book of life.

The rest of mankind is judged. The sea gives up its dead, death and Hades gave up its dead and all were judged according to their works. Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is where we have previously seen the harlot, beast, false prophet, and Satan cast. Now death and Hades are cast into the lake of fire. So we are most certainly at the end of time, where there is no more death, no more grave, and no more Hades which the resting place of the dead. But notice who else is cast into the lake of fire: anyone not found written in the book of life. Who would want to be with all of these evil things that have been already cast into the lake of fire? The text tells us that the lake of fire represents the second death. The first death is physical death. But the second death is the one to be feared, which is the separation from the Lord and torment day and night forever and ever (20:10).

In chapters 17 and 18 we have seen the demise of Babylon the Great, which has been identified for us in Revelation 17:18 as “the great city that has an empire over the kings of the earth.” Now many consider these next chapters the most difficult of Revelation. I do not believe this to be the case. Once we have determined who Babylon the Great, the beast, and the dragon represent accurately, then chapters 19-20 fit together nicely. But if we have misinterpreted one of the symbols, then the difficulties arise. One reason for the many difficulties is that John now begins to see the things that will take place after the destruction of Babylon the Great and the beast.

Hallelujah For The Judgments Have Come (19:1-5)

Great praise is given to the Lord because His judgments are true and righteous against the great harlot. Who have we seen to be the great harlot? In our study of Revelation 17 we saw that the great harlot was a city that had great power over the peoples, languages, and nations (17:15). We see that the great harlot causes the kings of the earth to commit sexual immorality (17:2). Further, we saw this city had great wealth over the whole earth (18:11-20). Finally, the city is the great city that has an empire over the kings of the earth (17:18). This great harlot is none other than the city of Rome in the first century. No other first century city fits the descriptions given. Judgment has come upon this city in chapters 15-18, and now that judgment is complete, there is great rejoicing. The blood of the saints has been avenged by the Lord. In verse 3 we again read that the smoke of the city ascends forever and ever, picturing the city’s complete destruction and inability to rise again to power (18:21). We also see in verse 4 that worship before God is taking place again. Remember back in Revelation 15:8 that no one could enter the sanctuary until the judgments were complete. We now see the city’s judgment completed (16:17) and the worship before the throne continues.

Marriage of the Lamb (19:6-10)

There is more rejoicing because the marriage of the Lamb has come and a bride has been prepared (vs. 7). The bride is arrayed in fine linen, bright and pure (vs. 8), representing the righteous acts of the saints (vs. 9). We are reading about the marriage feast of the Lamb and his bride, the church. Verse 9 tells us that the bride is the saints for “blessed are those invited to the marriage feast of the Lamb.” This is not the first time that the marriage feast of the Lamb to his bride is pictured. Jesus himself spoke of the marriage feast in the gospels. In three parables, Jesus refers to a marriage feast or wedding banquet (Matthew 22:1-14; Matthew 25:1-13; Luke 14:15-24). After reading about the great destruction of chapters 15-18, we now read about the victory of those who had been invited to the marriage feast. Those Christians who had remained with the Lord during the persecutions and tribulations that Rome had brought are now seen partaking in the marriage feast. All who overcome tribulations through obedience to the Lamb are part of the wedding banquet and married to the Lamb.

The Bridegroom-Jesus Christ (19:11-16)

Now we are given more images concerning the bridegroom. This images have been applied to Jesus earlier in the book of Revelation:

Faithful and True (19:11; 3:14)
Eyes a fiery flame (19:12; 1:14; 2:18)
From mouth, a sharp sword (19:15; 1:16)
Rule with a rod of iron (19:15; 12:5; Psalm 2:9)
King of kings, Lord of lords (19:16; 17:14)

There is no doubt that we are seeing Jesus Christ. He is wearing white which shows his purity and holiness. Verse 13 says that his robe has been dipped in blood. Why is it dipped in blood? At the end of this chapter we will see the blood is from the enemies Jesus has conquered.

Isaiah 63:1-6 also uses this imagery. “Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah, with his garments stained crimson? Who is this, robed in splendor, striding forward in the greatness of his strength? “It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save.â€? Why are your garments red, like those of one treading the winepress? “I have trodden the winepress alone; from the nations no one was with me. I trampled them in my anger and trod them down in my wrath; their blood spattered my garments, and I stained all my clothing. For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and the year of my redemption has come. I looked, but there was no one to help, I was appalled that no one gave support; so my own arm worked salvation for me, and my own wrath sustained me. I trampled the nations in my anger; in my wrath I made them drunk and poured their blood on the ground.â€?

In Isaiah’s prophecy we see the Lord’s garments are red because he has trampled his enemies in judgment. This is what we are reading in Revelation 19 as well. Revelation 19:15, “he will also trample the winepress of the fierce anger of the God the Almighty.” So we have seen the marriage of the saints of God to Jesus Christ and destruction of the enemies of Christ. Romans 7:4 says, “Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another–to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God.”

Defeat of the Beasts (19:17-21)

Now we see the importance of the message about to be proclaimed for the angel is standing on the sun. The message spoke is one of a graphic nature. The great supper is called so that the flesh of God’s enemies can be eaten. While this picture seems unusual, it has been seen before in the Old Testament.

Ezekiel 39:17-20, “And as for you, son of man, thus says the Lord GOD, ‘Speak to every sort of bird and to every beast of the field: “Assemble yourselves and come; gather together from all sides to My sacrificial meal which I am sacrificing for you, a great sacrificial meal on the mountains of Israel, that you may eat flesh and drink blood. You shall eat the flesh of the mighty, drink the blood of the princes of the earth, of rams and lambs, of goats and bulls, all of them fatlings of Bashan. You shall eat fat till you are full, and drink blood till you are drunk, at My sacrificial meal which I am sacrificing for you. You shall be filled at My table with horses and riders, with mighty men and with all the men of war,” says the Lord GOD.”

This will not literally occur. We must remember that we are reading symbols in this book (Revelation 1:1). This is symbolic of the great judgment that we are about to read about at the end of this chapter. Now we see the beast, the kings of the earth, and its armies gathered to make war. This seems to make reference back to the scene at Armageddon where the kings of the earth were gathering to prepare for war (Revelation 16:13-16). But before war can be waged, the beast and the false prophet are taken prisoner and thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone. There is no war between God and Satan still to take place on the earth, as many teach. God wipes out the enemies decisively before there is a battle. These are the two beasts that we read about in Revelation 13, the beast of the earth and the beast of the sea. These beasts are now destroyed.

Who were these? When we go back to Revelation 13 we remember that the first beast was the Roman Empire and the second beast, which is the false prophet, was the subordinate authorities that enforced the pagan worship and emperor worship (see notes on Revelation 13). Thus, all that consisted of the Roman empire, its political power, its military reach through the world, and its religious power are seen as being destroyed. No longer does the Roman Empire exist and neither does it have political, military, or religious power whatsoever. This imagery fits Daniel’s prophecy in Daniel 7:11, “I watched then because of the sound of the pompous words which the horn was speaking; I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame.” Thus, the prophecy of Daniel has now been completely fulfilled in the book of Revelation.

It Has Fallen! (18:1-8)

Chapter 18 is fairly self-explanatory so we will quickly move through this chapter. The cry goes out that Babylon the Great has fallen. Though Rome had not yet fallen, its fall is spoken of as if it already happened because of the surety of the event (see notes on Revelation 14:8). All that is unholy and wicked will be part of the fall and desolation of Babylon the Great.

In verse 4 the people of God are called out to be separate from the people and the sins of the nation or they will face the same judgment. This call was made to the people of God in Isaiah 52:11 and Jeremiah 51:45, and is still God’s call to us today. 2 Corinthians 6:17, “Therefore Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” God will no longer tolerate the sins committed by the power of the Roman Empire (vs. 5). God has remembered its sins and it will now be repaid for its deeds (vs. 6). In the next set of verses we will see the economic destruction of Rome. The luxury and wealth of Rome would be removed as well. Not only would it be a political downfall, but the people would lose the wealth they had.

Woe, Woe, the Great City (18:9-20)

Most of chapter 18 is devoted to the description of the great wealth of Babylon the Great. No other city and no other nation could compare to the greatness and majesty of Rome and its empire in the first century. No other city or nation could fit this description in the first century than Rome. Notice that the people of the earth are not mourning the end of the empire in particular. They are wailing for the loss of the wealth and riches. No one thought that Rome could fall (Revelation 13:4; 17:8) and so its sudden demise surprises the whole world (18:19). With its fall, all of God’s people could rejoice for God had brought judgment upon the nation that was killing God’s people, persecuting them in such a way that is nearly unthinkable to us today. For more on the persecution of Rome, I would ask you to read Fox’s Book of Martyrs to see what they did to Christians. I would also encourage you to read the history of the Roman emperors to learn about how antagonist they were against Christianity. Emperor Diocletian was considered one of the worst persecutors against the saints. Judgment has now come against Rome.

Sunk Never To Rise Again (18:21-24)

Then we see a mighty angel throw a large millstone into the sea and says, “In this way, Babylon the great city will be thrown down violently never to be found again.” What does this mean? Jeremiah 51:51-54 has the same events depicted of Babylon. Notice verse 64, “Thus shall Babylon sink, to rise no more….” The power is gone from the empire and shall never return. There will not be a resurrected Roman Empire. God has put it down never to return again. All that is in Rome is now silenced (Revelation 18:22). Its demise has been clearly seen. Many premillennialists suggest that the Roman Empire must rise again and make war with Christians during the Tribulation. However, Revelation 18:21-24 is clear that the power of the Roman Empire is destroyed and will never rise again.

What we have seen in chapters 17 and 18 is the detailed imagery of the fall of Babylon the Great, which is the great harlot, the city of Rome. We have also seen that the empire will fall (the beast) as well as its rulers in the provinces and territories (the ten horns). The Christians were not to think that they would have to endure the emperors indefinitely. Rome may appear to be powerful, but it will fall because of its iniquities. Rome’s power and wealth will be stripped away and it will never rise again.

The seven bowls of God’s wrath have been poured out upon Babylon the Great, which is the beast from the sea which we saw in Revelation 13. Revelation 14:8-9 shows that the beast and Babylon the Great linked together. Revelation 17 will also link Babylon the Great and the beast together. The bowls which have been poured out have shown us God’s judgments upon the Roman empire. These judgments have indicated the end of its followers (16:2,9), the end of the throne of Rome (16:10-11), the end of its commercial power (16:3), and the total end of Rome as a world power (16:4-7, 17-21). Now in chapters 17 and 18, the details of the fall of the Roman empire will be described. All of these events are according to the prophecies of Daniel, as we have noted previously. Daniel 7:15-28 in particular describes the end of the fourth beast that was great and terrifying. Its description is the same as John’s found in Revelation 13. If you have had doubts about who the seven bowls have been poured out on, these next two chapters should clearly reveal the object of God’s wrath.

The Notorious Harlot

In verse 1 we read one of the seven angels who poured out a bowl of wrath is going to show John the judgment of the notorious harlot. It is important that we note that many cities were called harlots in the Old Testament. Ninevah is called a harlot in Nahum 3:4, “All because of the many harlotries of the harlot, The charming one, the mistress of sorceries, Who sells nations by her harlotries And families by her sorceries.” Tyre is called a “forgotten harlot” and is said to “play the harlot with all the kingdoms of the world” in Isaiah 23:15-17. Babylon is called the harlot in Isaiah 47:5-15. Jerusalem is also called a harlot in Isaiah 1:21. The point we want to make from this is that in every instances we are talking about a city. Therefore, in Revelation 17:1, we must look for a city that fits the description of the great harlot.

Notice the descriptions given to this notorious harlot of Revelation 17:

The notorious woman sits on many waters (17:1). The waters are later identified as “peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages” (17:15). Therefore this city has great power over all the world and rules the people of the world.

Next, the notorious harlot has on her forehead “Mystery-Babylon the Great- The Mother of Harlots and of the Vile Things of the Earthâ€? (17:5). She is also described as “the woman was drunk on the blood of the saints and on the blood of the witnesses to Jesusâ€? (17:6). The city is full of evil deeds, including the persecution and murder of God’s saints.

Finally, the notorious harlot is described in Revelation 17:18. I have included a couple different version to help you see what city is being identified. “And the woman you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth� (17:18; NKJV). “And the woman that you saw is the great city that has dominion over the kings of the earth� (17:18; ESV). “And the woman you saw is the great city that has an empire over the kings of the earth� (17:18; HCSB).

What city would the people in the first century reading this message identified as the great city that reigns over the kings of the earth, has dominion over the kings of the earth, or has an empire over the kings of the earth? The answer is clearly Rome. Rome is Babylon the Great. Rome is the worst of all the evil cities and its judgment has been described.

The Beast

The beast in Revelation 17 is described as the same beast in Revelation 13:

Revelation 13
Out of the sea (13:1)
7 heads, 10 horns (13:1)
Blasphemous names on head (13:1)
Warred with saints (13:7)
Head fatally wounded, yet healed (13:3)
All the world wondered (13:3)

Revelation 17
Out of the abyss (17:8)
7 heads 10 horns (17:3)
Blasphemous names (17:3)
Makes war with the Lamb (17:14)
Was, is not, yet is (17:8)
Earth shall wonder (17:8)

Therefore, the beast refers to the empire itself and the notorious harlot refers to the city of Rome. All of Rome will be cast into judgment.

The mystery revealed (17:7-8)

The angel sees that John is astounded by what he has seen and the angel is now going to explain the mystery of the woman and beast. As we have noted, verse 8 describes the beast in such a way to show John and the reader that this beast is the same as the one we have been reading about since chapter 13:1-8. In verse 8 we read that this beast was, is not, and is about to come up is similar to what we read in Revelation 13:3 about the head that appeared fatally wounded but healed. Again, we are seeing a picture of the great power of this beast. Many times it seems that the Roman Empire is falling apart, yet then revives and continues its havoc upon the saints of God.

Explanation of the vision (17:9-18)

Now we will take what we are reading a verse at a time to try to understand the symbols and interpretation that the angel is presenting. The angel says, “here is the mind with wisdom.” The angel says that the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated. Classical literature refers to Rome repeatedly as the city on seven hills. In fact, a Roman coin depicted the goddess Roma sitting on seven mountains. So the symbol would certainly bring Rome and the empire into the mind of John’s readers.

The seven heads are also seven kings. “Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he comes, he must remain for a little while. The beast that was and is not, is himself the eighth, yet is of the seven and goes to destruction.” I think that this is one of the most difficult texts and most difficult images that has yet been presented in Revelation. Nearly every book that you can pick up will have a different explanation for what this symbol means. I do not have the space to go through all of the different ideas about this text. What I will do is present two views that I think are the most likely.

View 1: The number seven is found throughout this book as a symbol for completeness or perfection, and the number ten stands for the fullness of power. Thus, if seven stands for all the rulers of Rome, then many have already fallen, one still reigns now, and there will be more to come, but will only reign for a short time. The beast and the emperor are considered as one in verse 11, and yet both of these will go to destruction. The Roman empire seems to be folding and then will strengthen itself again, but its downfall will come. The benefit of this view that it continues along the lines that we have maintained throughout the book to not place literal details into the symbols, for when one does, the answers are numerous and confusing.

View 2: Standing against the first view is the act that these symbols are very detailed and seem to be trying to indicate something particular. I believe it does not make sense for the angel to try to explain the imagery of the first eight verses by given more symbols. The angel is giving an explanation. Because of the details given, we must take these words literally as the text is demanding us to do so. If the angel had simply said the seven hills are seven kings, we could have understood this section as a broad symbol, as the first view above does. However, the details force us to look for a more detailed answer.

We can count the kings as literal kings. If we count the first five kings, we then have Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero. There are a couple of reasons not to begin with Julius in the counting. First, Julius was a self-appointed dictator that died 17 years before the Republic became an empire under Augustus. Second, Suetonius and other Roman historians say that the first emperor was Augustus. Augustus was the one that began the empire and continued a line of emperors upon his death.

“One is.” This then is referring to Vespasian. Vespasian began his reign in 68/69 A.D. Why do we skip Galba, Otho, and Vitellius? Because three are uprooted by Daniel. In Daniel 7:24 we see that of the ten kings, another would arise and put down three kings. The view then says that these are the three that should not be considered. These three emperors are chosen because they were quickly removed by civil war within a period of 18 months.

“The other has not yet come.” This would then refer to the emperor after Vespasian, who was his son Titus. Interesting that Titus ruled for only two years. Notice Revelation says that “he must remain for a little while.” In verse 11 we see that there is an eighth, who is of the seven yet goes to destruction. The eighth ruler of Rome, using this count, is Domitian. He is said to be of the seven because he reignited the persecution against the Christians like the other emperors before him. This view then gives more understanding to verses 8 and 11 about the description of the beast “who was, is not, and is coming up from the abyss.” This would mean that this is referring to the persecution of the saints. The persecution was occurring under many of the emperors, in particular Nero, but is not now, but will come up again with the eighth, Domitian.

Here is a summary:
1. Augustus (27 B.C.-14 A.D.) (5 have fallen)
2. Tiberius (14-37 A.D.)
3. Caligula (37-41 A.D.)
4. Claudius (41-54 A.D.)
5. Nero (54-68 A.D. -persecutor
1. Galba (68 A.D.- 6 months) (the three uprooted in Daniel
2. Otho (69 A.D.- 4 months) and therefore not counted
3. Vitellius (69 A.D.- 8 months) by John)
6. Vespasian (69-79 A.D.) (one is)
7. Titus (79-81 A.D.) (one is yet to come)
8. Domitian (81-96 A.D.)- persecutor (the eighth like the seven and goes to destruction)

Verses 12-14 would then refer to the sub-kingdoms and provinces that ruled within the Roman empire. Rome had given power to various regents and procurators, like the Herods, to rule over the regions and provinces. Yet their power was only from the Roman empire itself and was not their own. These rulers gave their allegiance to the Roman empire (the beast) and would make war against God and his people.

So now notice the interesting image presented in verses 16-17. We see that the ten horns and the beast will hate the great harlot. They will make her desolate and naked, devour her flesh, and burn her up with fire. As we have noted previously, the beast is the extent of the Roman empire and the ten horns are the sub-kingdom and governors of the empire. The text says that they will turn upon the woman and destroy her. This is exactly how history records the fall of Rome. The inner decadence and inner strife are two of the reasons why Rome fell. Is this not exactly what Daniel had prophesied? Turn back to Daniel 2:40-44. We read of the fourth kingdom (the Roman empire) made of iron and clay so that is was partly strong and partly brittle. Notice verse 43, “As you saw the iron mixed with clay, so will they mix with one another in marriage, but they will not hold together, just as iron does not mix with clay.” The kingdom would not hold together but fall apart because of the way it was built. One of the greatest strengths of Rome was that it incorporated all the languages and nations of the world under it. But this also was its weakness, leading to perpetual internal problems until it finally fell.

This was all according to God’s plan as we see in Revelation 17:17. This was God’s purpose to allow this kingdom to exist until the fullness of time would come and God could carry out his plans. But now God has brought it down, never to rise again. Some say that the city is still there so this prophecy cannot be speaking about the fall of Rome. Many of the cities that were judged were eventually rebuilt, but they never had the glory or power that they previously had over the world. They are simply powerless cities. The same is true of Rome. Though a city stands, it has no power or influence like it did in the first couple centuries. In chapter 18 we will see that this is exactly what God was speaking about.

The First Bowl (16:1-2)

The command is given to pour out these seven bowls of God’s wrath, which contain the seven last plagues on the earth. I think it is important to make a couple of points before we look at these plagues. The seven bowls have many parallels to the events that have already occurred in Revelation as well as events found in the Old Testament. As we look at each bowl it is not wise to assign a particular, specific event unless it is clearly revealed by the scripture. The description given to each bowl is short, seeming to signify general pictures of judgment. The bowls are not intending to give great detail. The details concerning these plagues will be described in chapter 17. These bowls are general images of judgment against Babylon the Great just as the seven seals indicated general pictures of judgment against Jerusalem. There is also a strong relationship, I believe, between the plagues in Revelation and the plagues in Egypt. The plagues in Egypt had many purposes that we must keep in mind. Not only were the plagues judgment upon the nation of Egypt, but they were a sign to the children of Israel and people of Egypt that God is the true one and there is no other. The ten plagues of Egypt were direct attacks upon many of the gods that Egyptians revered and worshipped. I believe that the seven bowls symbolize the same effect. While the main purpose will be to bring judgment upon Babylon the Great, it will also show that God is the true one and the Roman gods are nothing. Remember as we read these bowls that these are signs and symbols of God’s wrath (15:1).

The first bowl is poured on the earth and severe painful sores broke out upon the people who worshipped the image of the beast. This is a parallel to Exodus 9:10, “Then they took ashes from the furnace and stood before Pharaoh, and Moses scattered them toward heaven. And they caused boils that break out in sores on man and beast.” People who participate in the paganism and emperor worship will be judged. They will not escape God’s wrath. We immediately see judgment pronounced upon the evil people of the nation. It is also interesting to note that the Romans believed that Salus was the God of health, yet the God Almighty would shatter them with severely painful sores.

The Second Bowl (16:3)

The second bowl is poured out into the sea and the waters are turned to blood. Water is considered the life blood of any nation, thus life is endangered when it is polluted. Death is coming upon those associated with the empire. There is a parallel to Exodus 7:20-21- “He raised his staff in the presence of Pharaoh and his officials and struck the water of the Nile, and all the water was changed to blood. The fish in the Nile died, and the river smelled so bad that the Egyptians could not drink its water. Blood was everywhere in Egypt.� Neptune was the Roman god of the sea and would offer the people no protection. This is a picture of all-encompassing judgment and God is showing who is the true Almighty God.

The Third Bowl (16:4-7)

The third bowl is poured into the rivers and the springs of water and they become blood. To pollute the rivers and the waterways was an image of harm to the commerce of the nation (Revelation 18). Both the second and third bowls of wrath relate to the plague in Egypt where Moses turned the water to blood in Exodus 7:19. The Romans also had a God of commerce, Mercury. Thus God sends his judgment against the Romans in such a way as to ruin the Roman gods. In this wrath that is found in the third bowl, the reasoning for the wrath is given. Notice verse 6, “they deserve it!” Why did they deserve it? Because they poured out the blood of the saints and the prophets. So who are the “they” in the phrases “they deserve it” and “they poured out the blood of the saints and the prophets?” We must look back to Revelation 16:2: “those who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his image.” We were informed in Revelation 13:15 where we read about the saints who did not worship the image of the beast would be killed. The people who are worshipping the beast, participating in emperor worship, and compelling others to worship or die are responsible for the blood of the saints. This was prophesied by Daniel in Daniel 7:21-25. We read in Daniel about the fourth kingdom, the Roman empire, making war with the saints of the Most High and wearing out the saints of the Most High. It has come to pass and God’s wrath has come because the saints are being persecuted and killed by the empire.

The Fourth Bowl (16:8-9)

The fourth bowl is poured out on the sun. With the judgment on the sun, we are beginning to see the “lights out” symbol for the nation and the people. The people are burned with fire, showing the full judgment God would bring upon the people. This same imagery is found in the Old Testament. Psalm 97:3, “A fire goes before Him, And burns up His enemies round about.” Also, in his prophecy against the world power Babylon, Isaiah said in Isaiah 47:14-15, “Behold, they shall be as stubble, The fire shall burn them; They shall not deliver themselves From the power of the flame; It shall not be a coal to be warmed by, Nor a fire to sit before! Thus shall they be to you With whom you have labored, Your merchants from your youth; They shall wander each one to his quarter. No one shall save you.” Similarly, Isaiah 24:6 says, “Therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men are left.â€?

This is recompense for the evil ways of the people. Remember the deception that the beast is practicing in Revelation 13:13, “He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.” So now God will judge them by fire. Instead of recognizing their sins and repenting, they compound their sins by blaspheming God. This blasphemy is the nature of the beast (Revelation 13:1,6). It is also important to note that the Roman god of the sun is Apollo and the god of fire is Vulcan. In these symbols God is showing He is the true God.

The Fifth Bowl (16:10-11)

The fifth bowl is poured on the throne of the beast and his kingdom was plunged into darkness. This image further validates that we have moved away from talking about Jerusalem and are talking about the Roman empire. Remember that Revelation 13 has clearly described the Roman empire (see chapter 13 notes), and now judgment is poured out on the throne of the empire. Judgment will not escape the kings and emperors of Rome.

Furthermore, the kingdom is plunged into darkness. This continues the symbol of lights out for the nation. This is a similar occurrence as what happened to Egypt in Exodus 10:20 where darkness was used as judgment. Yet, despite these judgments and the suffering of the people, they still will not repent of their actions.

These signs are also used in the Old Testament to symbolize of judgment. Zechariah 14:12 says, “This shall be the plague with which the LORD will strike all the peoples that wage war against Jerusalem: their flesh shall rot while they are still on their feet; their eyes shall rot in their sockets, and their tongues shall rot in their mouths.� Also Isaiah 47:5 says, “Sit in silence, go into darkness, Daughter of the Babylonians; no more will you be called queen (mistress) of kingdoms.�

It is also interest to notice that the Romans had gods of protection. Juno was considered the god who protected Rome and Mars was the god of war. Both of these gods are pictured as failing in this bowl of wrath.

The Sixth Bowl (16:12-16)

The sixth bowl is poured out upon the great river Euphrates and its water is dried up to prepare the way for the kings of the east. Let us first understand the symbol of drying up the river Euphrates.

Let us notice some Old Testament passages. Isaiah 11:15-16, “The LORD will utterly destroy the tongue of the Sea of Egypt; With His mighty wind He will shake His fist over the River, And strike it in the seven streams, And make men cross over dry-shod. There will be a highway for the remnant of His people Who will be left from Assyria, As it was for Israel In the day that he came up from the land of Egypt.” Jeremiah 50:38, “A drought is against her waters, and they will be dried up. For it is the land of carved images, And they are insane with their idols.” Also Jeremiah 51:36, “Therefore thus says the LORD: “Behold, I will plead your case and take vengeance for you. I will dry up her sea and make her springs dry.”

The sixth bowl is using historical symbolism. The literal city of Babylon fell to the Persians in 538 BC by “drying upâ€? the Euphrates river and conquering it in one night. Babylon was built on the Euphrates River. To get past the impregnable city, the Persians rerouted the Euphrates River till the water was low enough for the armies to enter the city under the walls. Therefore, to use the symbol of drying up the river is to prepare the way for invasion. The city’s protection is lost and it is “goodbye Babylon!â€? Babylon is being used as a symbol for the fall of Rome, which we will more clearly see in Revelation 17.

Armageddon

Along with this, we see that there is a great assembling for battle. The devil, the Roman empire, and the false religions are gathering the kings of the whole world to assemble for battle. The use of the frogs shows the unclean nature of the events that are taking place. Satan is making preparations on the earth because he is not done with his efforts against the Christians and the Lord. In the meantime, the Lord says that he is coming like a thief. The judgment that will strike the Roman empire will be unexpected, which is the way the empire fell. Its destruction and upheaval was unexpected (Revelation 13:4). So another word of encouragement was given to the Christians to be alert and not follow the beast.

Armageddon literally means “mount of Megiddo. There were many decisive battles took place at the “mount of Megiddoâ€? in the scriptures:

Deborah against Sisera (Judges 4 & 5)
Gideon’s defeat of the Midianites with 300 men (Judges 7)
Saul & Jonathan slain at eastern part of the plan (1 Samuel 31)
Ahaziah, king of Judah died in battle there (2 Kings 9)
King Josiah fought and died there (2 Kings 23)

To have a gathering at Armageddon looks for a battle with a decisive victory to be determined. Please notice that there is nothing else said in this text. There is no mention of a war with nuclear arms or with the nation of Russia. The image simply communicates that there will be a showdown between God the Almighty and Satan. What will be the outcome? The next bowl and chapters 17-20 give the answer.

The Seventh Bowl (16:17-21)

The seventh bowl is poured into the air, thus encompassing every person and everything of the earth. From the sanctuary a loud voice is heard, “It is done!” The seven bowls have brought God’s wrath upon the Roman empire.

The imagery found in this bowl can also be found in the Old Testament prophecies. Isaiah 29:6 says, “The Lord Almighty will come with thunder and earthquake and great noise, with windstorm and tempest and flames of a devouring fire.�
Ezekiel 5:2 says, “You shall burn with fire one-third in the midst of the city, when the days of the siege are finished; then you shall take one-third and strike around it with the sword, and one-third you shall scatter in the wind: I will draw out a sword after them.â€? Further, Ezekiel 26:18 records, “Now the coastlands tremble on the day of your fall; the islands in the sea are terrified at your collapse.â€?

In verse 18 we see the judgments coming from the Lord in the symbols of lightnings, thunders, rumblings, and earthquakes. We have seen these images previously in Revelation depicting the judgments of God (Revelation 4:5; 8:5; 11:19). This imagery also corresponds to Daniel 12:1, “At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book.” Great destruction comes upon the fourth kingdom, the Roman empire.

The great city is described as splitting into three parts. This same image is found in Ezekiel 5:2, “You shall burn with fire one-third in the midst of the city, when the days of the siege are finished; then you shall take one-third and strike around it with the sword, and one-third you shall scatter in the wind: I will draw out a sword after them.” This is a symbol of the complete and total destruction of Rome and the other cities of the empire. The fall of the empire will be a complete and total fall. We then see the fall of the great world power in the images that follow with the statements that Babylon the Great is given the “cup filled with the wine of His fierce anger.” Nothing can stand against the anger and wrath of the Lord. We also see enormous hailstones falling and yet the people still blaspheme God. This reminds us of Exodus 9:18-26 where Egypt was judged by hail. Now hail is used in judgment against the peoples of the earth.

A complete destruction has been described against Babylon the Great. It is “lights out” for the empire as God’s wrath is poured out. If we have been unsure about who Babylon the Great is up to this point, chapter 17 will reveal the symbol clearly.

Those Who Conquered the Beast (15:1-4)

John witnesses another great and awesome sign in heaven where he sees seven angels with the seven last plagues. Seven has been a dominant number in Revelation, symbolizing completeness and fullness. With these last seven plagues God’s wrath will be completed. This is a similar statement to what we saw in Revelation 10:7 that when the seventh trumpet blew God’s plan was completed. The judgment in Revelation 10 was against Jerusalem, but this judgment is against Rome. These are events that Daniel had prophesied about in Daniel 7:21-27.

In verse 2 we see something like a sea of glass mixed with fire and those who had won the victory standing of the sea of glass. We saw this sea of glass back in Revelation 4:6. The sea of glass is mixed with fire which seems to indicate that these saints had been refined by fire because of the terrible trials through which they had passed. The sea of glass mixed with fire may also be pointing to the fury that is about to come from the Lord. The ones standing on the sea of glass are also holding harps, which is a picture of victory. They are also singing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb. Recall that the song of Moses was sung after the children of Israel had crossed the Red Sea (Exodus 15) while the Egyptians had been destroyed. The saints are singing a song of deliverance.

The Sanctuary Opened (15:5-8)

John looks and see the heavenly sanctuary, the tabernacle of testimony. It is interesting that John does not look and see the temple that Solomon or Herod had built. Instead John sees the tabernacle. It is not the wilderness tabernacle that the children of Israel had constructed (Numbers 1:50; 9:15; 10:11; 17:7; 18:2). John is seeing the real, heavenly sanctuary, the Most Holy Place where God dwells (Hebrews 9:23-24). In Revelation 11:9 we saw the ark of the covenant in the sanctuary in heaven. John now sees the Most Holy Place opened. This is yet another display to show where God is. He is not on the earth, or dwelling in a temple, but is in heaven ready to bring forth his judgments. Thus we see the judgments, in the form of seven angels with seven plagues, coming from the presence of the Lord. The angels that come from the heavenly sanctuary are dressed in clean bright linens with golden sashes. These images show that the angels have the authority and holiness of God and are entrusted with this task of delivering judgment.

Further, John sees the smoke of God filling the sanctuary. To understand this image, we must look for this occurrence in the Old Testament.

“Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.� (Exodus 40:34-35)

“And it came to pass, when the priests came out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD.� (1 Kgs 8:10-11)

For the sanctuary of God to fill with smoke was a sign of God’s glory in action (see also Isaiah 6:4). God is about to act and no one will be able to come before him to ask for mercy or make intercession. Judgment must come and God’s wrath must be poured out.

Regarding this chapter and the upcoming seven bowls of wrath, popular end times writer Tim LaHaye says, “Wild and fanciful ideas have been offered through the years as a means of symbolizing or spiritualizing these judgments. There is no scriptural basis for such symbolism. In fact, four of these seven judgments occurred literally in Egypt among the ten plagues and have never been accepted by credible Bible teachers as anything but literal� (Revelation Unveiled). What Mr. LaHaye failed to read was the first verse of Revelation 15: “Then I saw another great and awe-inspiring sign in heaven: seven angels with the seven last plagues, for with them, God’s wrath will be completed� (Revelation 15:1). The seven bowls containing the seven last plagues by the seven angels are a great sign and must not be taken literally. If something is a sign or a vision, then it represents something as not intending to be understood literally. I am amazed at the number of writers and commentators who overlook the clear reading of Revelation. The apocalypse was written in signs and in chapter 15 the readers are again reminded that what we are reading are symbols.

The Lamb on Mount Zion (14:1-3)

Chapter 14 contrasts chapters 12 and 13. John looks and he sees the Lamb standing on Mt. Zion. This is a contrast to chapter 12:1 where we saw the dragon take his stand on the seashore. With the Lamb are the 144,000. The 144,000 are the ones who had been sealed back in chapter 7. The 144,000 are the redeemed of the earth (14:3) and the servants of God (7:3). This is an image of security, comfort, and victory to the children of God despite the horror that has been witnessed in chapters 12-13. Though the dragon would invoke the beast to kill those who would not worship it, victory is shown because these saints are standing with the Lamb on Mt. Zion.

This is the first time that we have read about Mount Zion in Revelation. In fact you may be surprised to know that Mount Zion only occurs twice in the New Testament: here and Hebrews 12:22-24. So, for us to get an understanding of what Mount Zion should mean to us, we must read Hebrews 12:22: “Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God (the heavenly Jerusalem), to myriads of angels in festive gathering, to the assembly of the firstborn whose names have been written in heaven, to God who is the judge of all, to the spirits of righteous people made perfect, to Jesus (mediator of a new covenant), and to the sprinkled blood, which says better things than the blood of Abel.”

Mount Zion mean represents the city of the living God and the heavenly Jerusalem. Our focus has been removed from physical Jerusalem on the earth, for it has been destroyed, as we have seen in chapters 10-11. Now we have come to spiritual Jerusalem, with God the Father and Jesus. John then hears a sound from heaven like the sound of cascading waters, the rumbling of loud thunder, and the sound of harpists. Meanwhile, the 144,000 are singing a new song in heaven before the four living creatures and the elders. We have seen this imagery before in chapter 4 where all the hosts of heaven are before the throne of God, praising him day and night.

Description of the 144,000 (14:4-5)

The 144,000 has been the subject of much speculation, especially by some religious groups. Some want to take this literally, meaning that there are only 144,000 saved people that will be in heaven with the Lamb. However, we must remember the description of the 144,000 in chapter 7. The 144,000 are described as Jews and 12,000 are from each tribe. Further, let us notice the rest of the description of the 144,000 in chapter 14. The 144,000 are “not defiled by women,” are “virgins,” and are therefore only men. So this really limits who is in heaven if we are to take this passage literally. If we take this passage literally then no women can be in heaven and only Jewish men who were virgins are in heaven. Do you know who this would leave out? The apostle Peter, for he was a married man (Mark 1:30; Luke 4:38).

Again, the book has told us that we are reading symbols (Rev. 1:1), so we must understand the figure that we are reading. This is a description of the redeemed of the earth. For help in the figure, let us read 2 Corinthians 11:2, “For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” Paul applies the same symbols to describe the children of God in 2 Corinthians as John does in Revelation. The redeemed of God are spiritually undefiled. They are not sexually immoral, as was common in that day as people worship pagan gods through sexual immorality. The redeemed are those who follow Christ wherever he goes (vs. 4). The 144,000 are all those who have been purchased by the blood of the Lamb (vs. 4). We also see their purity of life (vs. 5) for they are found blameless. These are all descriptions of what God has called us to be in our lives as servants and as living sacrifices. These are also the ones who did not bow to the image of the beast in Revelation 13, the saints of God.

The First Angel (14:6-7)

Now we see an angel with the eternal gospel ready to make an announcement. The recipients of this message are all the inhabitants of the earth. This proclamation is a time marker for judgment. Once the eternal gospel had been proclaimed throughout all the earth, then this judgment could come.
Paul said in Colossian 1:23, “This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.� These words were written about 61 A.D. Therefore, fear, glory, and worship God and not the beast for judgment has come! The warning is given that judgment is coming and it is time to repent before it is too late.

The Second Angel (14:8)

Another angel appears saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the Great, who made all the nation drink the wine of her sexual immorality which brings wrath.” To understand this declaration we need to know Old Testament prophecy. Isaiah 21:9, “And look, here comes a chariot of men with a pair of horsemen!” Then he answered and said, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen! And all the carved images of her gods He has broken to the ground.” Notice also Jeremiah 51:7-8, “Babylon was a golden cup in the LORD’S hand, That made all the earth drunk. The nations drank her wine; Therefore the nations are deranged. Babylon has suddenly fallen and been destroyed. Wail for her! Take balm for her pain; Perhaps she may be healed.”

This is a reference to the great world power Babylon and the destruction it would receive for its wickedness and for its captivity of God’s people. What is important to notice is that at the time of this prophecy, Babylon had not fallen yet. Babylon is declared to be fallen to show that the world power would certainly fall. The same is true for the current world power that is being addressed in Revelation 14. Babylon is currently in power as John writes this words in the first century, but its future fall is clearly seen and will happen.

The detailed description of Babylon in Revelation 14 tells us who Babylon is. The description is it is the “one who makes all nations drink the wine of her sexual immorality.” The world power that was steeped in sexual immorality was the Roman Empire. Babylon the Great cannot be describing Jerusalem. Jerusalem did not force the other nations to be sexually immoral. Jerusalem was spiritual immoral and participate in sexual immorality, one of the causes of their downfall (Rev. 9:21), but did not cause others to sexual immorality. This also is the exact description of what we read the beast in Revelation 13 causing the people to do: to worship in the pagan temples and the emperor. In later chapters we will see further evidence that Babylon is Rome.

The Third Angel (14:9-11)

The third declaration by the third angel proves our previous point. This angel declares that those who worship the beast and his image will drink the wine of God’s wrath. Babylon the Great is the same as the beast of Revelation 13. Notice Jeremiah 25:15-16: “For thus says the LORD God of Israel to me: ‘Take this wine cup of fury from My hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send you, to drink it. And they will drink and stagger and go mad because of the sword that I will send among them.’” Also consider Jeremiah 25:27-29, “Therefore you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: “Drink, be drunk, and vomit! Fall and rise no more, because of the sword which I will send among you.”‘ “And it shall be, if they refuse to take the cup from your hand to drink, then you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “You shall certainly drink! “For behold, I begin to bring calamity on the city which is called by My name, and should you be utterly unpunished? You shall not be unpunished, for I will call for a sword on all the inhabitants of the earth,” says the LORD of hosts.’”

God is saying that his wrath will not be diluted. The recipient of God’s wrath, Rome, will drink full strength of the power of God for the sword is coming. We also read about the smoke of their torment, which is also language used by the Old Testament prophets. Notice Isaiah 34:9-10, “Its streams shall be turned into pitch, and its dust into brimstone; its land shall become burning pitch. It shall not be quenched night or day; its smoke shall ascend forever. From generation to generation it shall lie waste; no one shall pass through it forever and ever.” God used fire and brimstone in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. God now uses this image as historical symbolism of the coming destruction upon the nation. This imagery was used against Assyria, Edom, and Babylon. Now the image is used against Rome.

Endurance of the Saints (14:12-13)

The Roman empire will persecute the saints of God. Those who do not worship and participate in its evil practices and are faithful to the Lord will be victorious and are with the Lamb. Through these severe trials, the saints are called to endure, keep the faith, and keep the commandments of God. “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” There is nothing to fear from the sword of Rome for those who refuse to worship the beast are the Lord’s.

The First Reaping (14:14-16)

Now we see One like the Son of Man seated on the white cloud. This is a common image of judgment upon a nation (Isaiah 19:1; Jeremiah 4:13; Matthew 24:30; 26:64). We often only think about the second coming of Christ when reading this type of language, but this is a more common image of the judgment that the Son of Man brings upon the disobedient. In this passage we see the Son of Man with a gold crown on his head and a sharp sickle swinging his sickle over the earth and the earth is harvested. The sickle is a reference to judgment as well. Notice Joel 3:13, “Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, go down; for the winepress is full, the vats overflow–For their wickedness is great.”

Now some want to say that this is the final judgment, but this would not make sense since we are going to read about more events concerning judgment in this chapter and in later chapters. Even further, we must remember that the contents of Revelation “must quickly take place” and the final judgment has not quickly taken place. The first reaping of the Lord seems to depict the righteous being protected in the midst of the treading of the winepress that is revealed in the second reaping in verses 17-20.

The Second Reaping (14:17-20)

Another angel swings his sickle toward the earth for the grapes were ripe for harvesting. This matches the imagery in Isaiah 63:2-6: “Why is Your apparel red, and Your garments like one who treads in the winepress? I have trodden the winepress alone, and from the peoples no one was with Me. For I have trodden them in My anger, and trampled them in My fury; their blood is sprinkled upon My garments, and I have stained all My robes. For the day of vengeance is in My heart, and the year of My redeemed has come…I have trodden down the peoples in My anger, made them drunk in My fury, and brought down their strength to the earth.â€?

To be put into the winepress is to go through severe judgment because of wickedness. Just as we saw the partial judgments begin upon Jerusalem before its final destruction was announced and accomplished, so also we begin to see the judgments upon the earth to try to get the people to repent for their wicked ways. We will see this more fully described in the next three chapters. Verse 20 has lead to much speculation. If you have taken other numbers and figures literally, then one is forced to also take this image literally. But it is impossible for this to be literal. Blood four to five feet high for 180-200 miles is not possible. Again, it is an image of the severe destruction and bloodshed that would occur in this judgment. The destruction will be so severe that the blood will be flowing in every direction. Rome will fall if the people do not repent.

Taking the overall image from declarations of the six angels, we see these five key points: (1) a warning is given to the earth for judgment is coming; (2) Babylon will fall; (3) All the worshippers of Babylon (the beast) will receive the cup of God’s wrath full strength; (4) Blessed are the dead in the Lord for they are harvested from the earth and given rest in the Lord.; (5) The wrath of God is coming to the rest of the earth who are not in the Lord. They are trampled, tormented, and lack rest.

The First Beast (13:1-10)

The dragon takes his stand on the seashore and coming out of the sea, John sees a beast. Remember John is still seeing a vision, these are not descriptions that are literally occurring on the earth. The beast is described as having ten horns, seven heads, and ten diadems. This description is very similar to that of the dragon in chapter 12. Remember the dragon had ten horns, seven heads, and seven diadems. The only difference in the description between the beast and the dragon is that they have a different number of diadems. Just as we saw with the dragon, the same symbols occur here. This beast, by having these number of heads, horns, and diadems, exerts great power and authority. The beast’s similar description to the dragon seems to indicate to us that this beast has the same characteristics of evil.

We also see that the beast was like a leopard, his feet were like a bear, and his mouth was like a lion’s mouth. The dragon, who we know to be Satan from Revelation 12:9, has given the beast his power, his throne, and great authority. Satan has given the beast this authority and is the reason for the similar description of horns and heads. We see that one of this beast’s heads have been fatally wounded, but the fatal wound was healed. Verse 5 tells us that the beast spoke boastfully and spoke blasphemies.

Who is the beast?

The question that immediately comes up that we must answer is who is the beast? What does the beast represent? Most commentators and scholars in nearly every commentary you could pick up would tell you that the beast is the Antichrist. They say that this is the Antichrist that will come with great power and raise a rebellion against God in the end times, either during the tribulation or before the tribulation. They also go to the end of the chapter and say the Antichrist is the one who has the 666. But what do the scriptures teach?

1 John 2:18 says, “Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.” John says that at that time in the first century was the last hour and many antichrists had already come. The Antichrist is not one individual, but a group of people. Who are they? Read 2 John 7, “Many deceivers have gone out into the world; they do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.” Those who went into the world teaching that Jesus did not come in the flesh were the Antichrist. The Antichrist is not an individual who would take over the world, but people then and even now who would deny that Jesus did not come in the flesh. Notice that John says “they do not confess,” showing that the Antichrist is not a particular individual, but people who deny the Lord. The scriptures never refer to the Antichrist as one powerful person, but as any person who rejects that Jesus came in the flesh. Revelation does not tell us that the beast is the Antichrist. Instead of assuming that the beast is the Antichrist, we must read the scriptures to know who is the beast. Revelation is made easier when we know our Old Testament prophets. Daniel 7 is the first time we read about this beast.

Daniel 7 tells us who the beast is

Daniel 7 gives us clarity as to what we are looking at in Revelation 13 and will identify the beast. In the first eight verses of Daniel 7 we read about four beasts. Daniel 2:31-45 has identified these four beasts as four world empires. Babylon is the first beast, Medo-Persia is the second beast, Greece is the third beast, and Rome is the fourth beast. Read the material on this site in Daniel 2 for a further explanation of these four beasts representing these four empires. Daniel 7:17 repeats that these beasts are “the four kingdoms that rise from the earth.”

In Daniel 7, the first beast is like a lion, the second beast like a bear, and the third beast like a leopard. These are the same animals in Revelation 13 that we see in this great and terrifying beast. The beast in Revelation 13 is the culmination of these three kingdoms. In Daniel 7:7, Daniel sees the fourth and terrifying beast. Notice that this fourth beast is described with ten horns, just like the beast in Revelation 13. Both the beast in Revelation and in Daniel speak boastfully (Daniel 7:8; Revelation 13:5).

Both beasts are given authority for time, times, and half a time or 42 months (Daniel 7:25; Revelation 13:5). In Daniel 7:25 we see that they shall be given into his power for a time, times, and half a time. In Revelation 13:5 we see that the beast is given authority for 42 months, the same time frame as the time, times, and half a time. Please note again, if you have taken the numbers literally thus far, you must take this number literally as well. If you like a literal 42 months before, then you must take this one as well. But this is a symbolic reference to draw to the readers mind the words of Daniel. We know the saints were persecuted for more than 42 months. The Roman empire was empower for hundreds of years. The things that we read are symbols and not to be taken literally.

Both beasts are permitted to wage war against the saints (Daniel 7:20-21; Revelation 13:7). But there are more similarities. In Daniel 7:11-12 we see the horn speaks arrogantly but the body of the beast is destroyed. As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion is taken away but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. Revelation 13:3 speaks the same way about the beast whose head is fatally wounded but yet continues to live and blaspheme and speak boastfully.

Therefore, there seems to be no doubt that this beast in Revelation 13 is the Roman Empire. The similarities between the beasts of Daniel’s vision and John’s vision are so strong that they must refer to the same thing. Thus we are reading about the great power of the Roman empire and its characteristics. The Roman Empire was given power by Satan and therefore is sent out to make war against the saints, as we see Satan doing in Revelation 12:17. The Roman Empire is Satan’s instrument for waging war against God’s people. The Roman empire would be an empire that would stand against God and speak against God, as certainly seen by the emperors’ attempts to deify themselves.

The Fatally Wounded Head (13:3)

Much speculation has arisen about trying to understand the meaning of the fatally wounded head that was healed. Many have tried to identify this head to a particular emperor. Some say that this is a reference to Nero because upon his death, there was chaos in the empire. There were three usurpers to the emperor’s throne until Vespasian dispatched of them and became emperor. Some say that this is a reference to Julius, who was killed by the Senate in an effort to prevent dictatorship. However, emperors arose from the empire after Julius’ death.

Either of these explanations are possible. But there may be a greater point than pointing out one man like Julius or Nero Caesar. Even though the Roman empire was taking fatal wounds, it would still live and exercise its great power. The Roman empire was an unstoppable force according to man. No one believed the empire could fall even with all of the attacks made against it in later years. Nothing would be able to stop the empire except God himself. We are seeing the images of the unbelievable power of the Roman empire politically and militarily.

The Second Beast (13:11-18)

Now we see another beast, but this beast comes out of the earth. The beast of the earth has two horns like a lamb, but he sounds like a dragon. We see that this beast is a deceiver because it looks like a lamb, but it is not. It speaks like the dragon. This beast also has the evil characteristics of Satan. The second beast is powerful for it exercises all the authority of the first beast on its behalf. The second beast compels the earth and those who live on it to worship the first beast (13:12). This second beast also performs great signs and deceives those who live on the earth because of the signs this beasts performs (13:13-14). Those who would not worship the image of the beast would be killed (13:15) and a mark was given to those who were of the beast so only they could buy and sell (13:16-17).

Who is the second beast?

We read about the great power of this second beast and its authority comes from the Roman empire, the first beast. The important question that we must ask is: who is this second beast? Let us again allow the scriptures tell us. Later in this book we are given further information about this second beast. Notice Revelation 16:13, “And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.” In Revelation 16:13 the dragon, the first beast, and the second beast are described. The dragon we know is Satan. The beast we know is the Roman empire.Tthe second beast is called the false prophet. Notice also Revelation 19:20, “Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.” The false prophet is described further and has the same characteristics of this second beast that we are reading about in Revelation 13. So we know that this second beast is also called the false prophet. Can we determine more?

2 Thessalonians 2:7-12 gives us more information. Verse 9 says the lawless one is based upon Satan’s workings, with all kinds of false miracles, signs, and wonders, and with every unrighteous deception among those who are perishing. This sounds like the power of the false prophet who performs great signs and deceives the people (Revelation 13:13-14). What we are reading about is the great religious paganism that was occurring throughout the empire. Emperor worship and idol worship was enforced in the empire. The first beast described for us the political and military power of Rome. The second beast is the religious power Rome had to compel those on the earth to worship Caesar and the pagan gods or die.

This worship would be enforced by the pagan priesthood as well as the localities and provinces throughout the empire. Remember the Roman empire gave power to governors and prefects to rule over certain provinces. Recall that Pilate was given power on behalf of the Roman empire to settle disputes and rule to the Judean region. Pilate had the power to put to death or release Jesus. But these governors were accountable to Caesar. The second beast are the localities within the empire that would enforce and kill those who did not worship the emperor.

Consequences for not worshipping

Revelation 13:15-17 describes the consequences against those who would keep their faith in God and not bow to the image of the beast: they would not be able to buy and sell and many would be killed. We must understand the set up of the Roman empire. If a person wanted to go the market and buy food, the person first would have to bow to the pagan image before making purchases. If a person needed to banking, the person would have to offer worship to the Roman god before making transactions. Of course, the Christian would not do this. If a person would not worship the emperor as god, that person would be killed. Therefore, we see the persecuting arm of the Roman empire that occurred under many of the emperors like Nero, Domitian, and Diocletian.

The saints of God would be refused food for not having the mark of the beast. Many have speculated whether there was a literal mark that occurred in those days or not. But this marking seems to be similar to the marking of the saints that we read about in Revelation 7 and will see in Revelation 14. The saints were marked and sealed by God in Revelation 7 to be protected from the Roman empire against Jerusalem. This was not a literal marking on their heads, but a symbol that they were owned and protected by God. In the same way, the people on the earth who would bow to the image of the beast and participate in the emperor worship were owned and protected by Rome. Therefore they are the beast’s and not the Lord’s.

666 (13:18)

In verse 18 we read about the number of the beast, which is the number of man, which is 666. Many speculations have occurred to identify the meaning of this number. Some say when you convert the numbers to letters you get Nero Caesar. But the problem is that this requires a conversion to Hebrew to spell this out. This conversion to Hebrew also requires adding a letter and misspelling Caesar. Any answer that requires the misspelling of a name and conversion to another language is not a reasonable explanation. Greek was the language of the day and the language of the common man. Many others have tried to make this spell various name. Some say it is Martin Luther, John Calvin, the Roman Catholic church, Hitler, Napolean, Saddam, and many others. You can convert these numbers into about anything you want. None of these answers fit with the context.

The translation of this passage makes us believe that we are looking for a particular individual. Most versions say, “it is the number of a man.” But the definite article “the” is not in the original. So a correct translation would be “it is man’s number.” And this is exactly how the NIV translates this verse. So we have no reason to be trying to identify a particular individual. Further, the text does not say that the number translates into the name of a man. It says that it is a man’s number. Reread verse 17 so that we do not lose the context of what we are talking about. No one can buy or sell unless they have the mark of the beast’s name or the number of his name. The beast is the Roman empire and the worship of the emperor. We are talking about the emperors of Rome who demanded worshipping them as God.

The point seems to be that these emperors who claim to be so great are only men and thus have the man’s number. They are not marked by God and are not numbered by God. So why the number 666? Remember that 7 is the number of perfection. We have seen seven churches, seven trumpets, seven seals, seven thunders, and we will see seven bowls. The number six is a number that is a reference to falling short. We need to put ourselves in the situation of those who lived during the power of the empire. What would you think as Christians were being killed for their belief in God? There would be great doubt as to what to do. The people would wonder if the emperors are deity and needed to bow and worship the pagan images. The rest of the world treated the emperors as gods and worshipped them. This vision reminds all the readers that the emperors are not gods and they are not to be worshipped as gods. The emperors fall short. Only God is the true and living God. This explanation fits with what John sees next in chapter 14.

We have come to a noticeable break in the book of Revelation. Up through chapter 11 we have seen the destruction of Jerusalem pictured. We noted in chapter 11 that the holy city is to be trampled upon by the nations, just as Jesus had spoken in Matthew 24 and Luke 21. We are now given a set of new images that will develop in the book. Some say that this section of the book is a simple rerun of the events we have just seen in chapters 4-11. This does not carry much logic. I think it good to mindful about the nature of Old Testament prophecy. In those books, the destruction of the nation of Israel is pictured, but then the destruction of the nations that caused the persecution and destruction of the nation of Israel is also depicted. This pattern can be seen in many of the Old Testament prophecies, and I think this is helpful to keep in mind. But instead of making speculations, let us continue our method of study that we have had thus far: let the scriptures speak for themselves and look to prophecy to answer the symbols and images that we are reading.

A Great Sign in Heaven (12:1-2)

In chapter 12 we have a new appearance of signs beginning to unfold to John and his readers. This helps us remember that what we are reading are signs and should be interpreted symbolically. The sign John sees is a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head. What does the symbol mean? The woman has been given an exalted position and we are seeing the greatness and importance of this woman. We have seen throughout Old Testament prophecy and in Revelation that the falling of the sun, moon, and stars symbolizes judgment. So when we see the opposite, that this woman being clothed with these elements, this should symbolize power and life.

Then we must ask the next question: who is the woman? The Roman Catholic church says that this is Mary, the mother of Jesus. But this understanding leads to some impossible interpretations when trying to understand what it would mean that the woman was persecuted by the dragon (vs. 13). So we must look for a more reasonable answer.

When we look to Old Testament prophecy it becomes easier for us to understand who is the woman. First, read Micah 4:10,

“Writhe and groan, O daughter Zion, like a woman in labor; for now you shall go forth from the city and camp in the open country; you shall go to Babylon. There you shall be rescued, there the LORD will redeem you from the hands of your enemies.”

Also read Micah 5:2-3,

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands in Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be ruler in Israel, whose going forth have been from of old, from everlasting. Therefore He shall give them up, until the time that she who is in labor has given birth; then the remnant of His brethren shall return to the children of Israel.”

We see in these two passages the same image of a woman in labor pains. Who is the woman in these passages? Verses 7-8 tell us that she is the remnant of Jacob. It is the remnant of the nation of Israel that is being referred to. Again we see this same language in Isaiah 66:5-24. Notably in verses 7-9 where we read about the the woman in labor and travail. Who is the woman in these verses? Same answer that we have seen in Micah. Isaiah 66:20 describes the her as the remnant of Israel.

Now some commentators want to narrow down this description even more. Some say that the woman refers strictly the physical Jewish nation. But this cannot be for when we read Revelation 12:17 we see that the woman and her offspring are those “who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus.” The physical nation of Israel was certainly not that, because it was destroyed by God for its wickedness, as we have seen in the previous chapters of Revelation. Other commentators say that the woman is referring to the church. But this is also problematic because we must as the question how the church gave birth to Christ? Christ gave birth to the church, not the other way around. So we cannot narrow down the picture anymore than what the Old Testament prophets have told us. The woman is an image of the spiritual remnant, God’s spiritual Israel. It was through God’s true people, His true Israel that Christ came, and it is His true followers today that are the spiritual remnant which is the church. The woman represent the spiritual remnant of God under the Old and New Covenants.

Great, Fiery, Red Dragon (12:3-4)

Next we are given a picture of something terrifying: a great, fiery, red dragon. This dragon has seven heads, ten horns, and seven diadems. If you have taking the book literally up to this point then one must be consistent and take this image literally as well. However, the scriptures tell us that these things are written in symbols (Revelation 1:1), therefore we must understand that this dragon is a symbol of something else. It is of interest to note that the word “diadems” can only be found in Revelation and in no other book in the New Testament. It is a different than the word “crowns” which we read the woman having in verse 1. The general assumption that is made as to why there is a distinction between the word “crown” and “diadem” is that the crown represents a permanent victory, where as diadem represent a ruling authority and power. Therefore we see that this dragon has great authority and great power because of the number of heads, horns, and diadems. We also see this great power in verse 4 where the dragon sweeps away a third of the stars. This dragon has power over authorities, kings, and nations. But the dragon does not have complete power because the dragon is only able to sweep a third of the stars away. The dragon has great power but not a complete, unstoppable power.

So what does the dragon represent? Verse 9 tells us clearly who the dragon represents. The dragon is the ancient serpent, the Devil, Satan, the one who deceives the world. This great and terrifying image represents Satan and thus we see the great power Satan has. Satan has power in this world and is called “prince of the power of the air” in Ephesians 2:2. The dragon is pictured as waiting to devour the child. He is waiting for the woman to give birth so he can devour the child. We will expand upon this in a moment. Before we do, we must see who the child represents.

The Child (12:5-6)

We are given a very clear description of this child. The child is a male who will rule all the nations with an iron rod. So we need to determine some things using rational logic. If the woman is the spiritual remnant, as we have noted, then who is the Son which rules all the nations with an iron rod that would be brought forth by God’s spiritual remnant? The purpose of God’s people and his remnant was to bring about the Messiah, Jesus. Thus, the child in this picture is Jesus Christ. Let us notice some scriptures to prove our assertion.

Psalm 2:7-9, “I will tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to me, “You are my son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron, and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”

Revelation 2:26-28 tells us that Christ is the one as well. “To everyone who conquers and continues to do my works to the end, I will give authority over the nations; to rule them with an iron rod, as when clay pots are shattered–even as I also received authority from my Father. To the one who conquers I will also give the morning star.”

Christ is the one who rules with a rod of iron and is the one who rules the nations. So what is happening in the image? The dragon, who is the devil, is waiting for the child to come, Christ, so that the dragon can devour the child. We see in the scriptures the many attempts of Satan to destroy Christ. When Jesus was born, Herod tried to kill Jesus, causing Joseph and Mary to flee with Jesus to Egypt. Satan tried to destroy Jesus in the wilderness with temptations so that Jesus could not fulfill his work. We know Satan tried to destroy Christ by crucifying him. Satan is repeatedly trying to destroy Christ. These events fulfill the prophecy in Genesis 3:15, “And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.” Satan would bruise the heel of Christ in these attempts to destroy Christ.

But notice what happens. The child was caught up to God and to his throne. Satan kills Christ, but Christ is not destroyed. Three days later Christ raises from the dead and days later ascends into heaven to receive the kingdom. So we are seeing a picture of Christ’s resurrection and ascension. This event was prophesied by Daniel in Daniel 7:13-14, “As I watched in the night visions, I saw one like a human being coming with the clouds of heaven. And he came to the Ancient One and was presented before him. To him was given dominion and glory and kingship, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away, and his kingship is one that shall never be destroyed.” In this prophecy we see the ascension of Christ where He receives the kingdom and power. Ephesians 1:20-23 tells us the same thing. “God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.” The devil is foiled in his attempt to destroy Christ.

Meanwhile the woman flees into the wilderness. Fleeing to the wilderness is symbolic of receiving protection and refuge by God. We understand this from the Old Testament where Moses fled Pharaoh into the wilderness and Elijah fled Ahab and Jezebel by dwelling in the wilderness. God’s people, the spiritual remnant of God, goes to refuge. We will see the reason why later in the book.

War in Heaven (12:7-10)

Michael and the angels of God fight the dragon, who is Satan. But the dragon does not prevail and he is thrown out of heaven and thrown to the earth. Now, when did this casting out of Satan take place? Premillennialism says that this event has not taken place yet and they are looking forward to this war. Others say that this happened at the beginning of the world, where Satan fell from heaven for his rebellion.

What do the scriptures teach? But notice verse 10. John hears a loud voice in heaven saying, “Now.” The very first word is now. Now is the time of these things. “Now” for John was in the first century. Continue reading in verse 10: “Now salvation, and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Messiah have now come, because the accuser of our brethren has been thrown out; the one who accuses them before out God day and night.”

The war will take place when salvation, power, the kingdom of God, and the authority of Christ came. We read salvation coming in Acts 2:21, as the fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel 2: “And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” When did the power come? Notice Mark 9:1, “And He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.” Now read Acts 1:8, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Power would come when the Holy Spirit came. In Acts 2:4 we read that the Holy Spirit came, “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” The power came in Acts 2, the same time the kingdom of God came. Mark 9:1 says that the kingdom of God would come with power. When the people saw the power of God, they would know that the kingdom of God came. These things occurred in Acts 2:1-4.

When did the authority of Christ come? Ephesians 1:20-23 tells us that he received authority when he ascended to heaven and sat down at the right hand of God, far above all rulers, powers, and authorities. The authority of Christ came in Acts 1:9 when Christ ascended back to heaven.

Peter summarizes these very points in 1 Peter 3:21-22. Here Peter speaks about the salvation, power, kingdom, and authority of Christ has present realities. These things were not in the future nor were they things that were before the foundations of the world. All of these things occurred in the first century in Acts 1 and 2. Jesus also put these two events together when talking to the crowds. John 12:29-33 says, “Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, ‘An angel has spoken to Him.’ Jesus answered and said, ‘This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake.’ Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. ‘And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.’ This He said, signifying by what death He would die.” The ruler of this world, Satan, would be cast out when Christ was crucified and resurrected.

The point of all of these things is to show that Christ has conquered. Satan tried to win the battles but has lost. Satan tried to devour Christ and failed. Satan tried to win the war, but lost and is cast out of heaven. Christ has conquered and we are conquerors through the blood of the Lamb, by the word of their testimony, and by not loving their lives to the death (Revelation 12:11). The saints of God are victorious. Now Satan knows that his time is short for he has lost.

Dragon and the Woman (12:13-17)

Now the dragon is persecuting the woman. Satan is persecuting God’s chosen people. This is the reason why the woman is taking refuge in the wilderness, protected by God during the times of tribulation. In verses 14-16 the dragon is also pictured as the serpent, as we see Satan in this form in Genesis 3. Satan sends his tribulations and troubles against God’s people, but they are protected. In verse 14 we see that this tribulation would take place for a time, times, and half a time. This reminds us of Revelation 11:2-3 and Daniel 12:7 where a time, times, and half a time refers to the shattering of the holy people. Thus, Satan attempts to destroy the true spiritual Israel of God by destroying the holy city, but fails again. God’s true people are protected from the attacks of Satan.

Satan is now enraged due to his repeated failures and begins to wage war with the rest of the offspring of the woman, all those who keeps the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus. Satan tried to destroy Christ and failed. Satan waged war in heaven and failed. Satan tried to destroy God’s people through tribulations and troubles and through the destruction of Jerusalem that occurred for a time, times, and half a time. But Satan failed in all this attempts. Christ and his people are victorious, but Satan is not done. We will see in the next chapters what else Satan is going to do to thwart the plan of God.

Measure the Temple (11:1-2)

John is told to measure the temple, the altar, and the people who worship there. But John is to exclude the courtyard outside the temple from measurement. Now before we go into the details of this figure, let us make a point. Many who try to prove that this book is written about the destruction of Jerusalem, which thus far we have noted to be the case, say that this image of measuring the temple proves that the temple was in existence and the book was therefore written before 70 A.D. But this argument is not true for a couple of reasons. First, John is not literally able to measure the temple because the book is written in symbols. John is in vision and is exiled on the isle of Patmos. He cannot literally measure the temple of God. Second, the temple does not have to be in existence to measure it. Ezekiel was told to measure the temple in his vision, yet the temple had already been destroyed earlier in the book of Ezekiel. Therefore this is not a reasonable argument for an early dating of the book. We must take the simplest interpretation.

The temple of God, the altar, and its worshippers are to be measured. However, everything else is not to be measured for it is given to the Gentiles. In fact, the word “given” literally means to “cast out.” So the area outside of the temple is cast out to the Gentiles. But not those who are the true worshippers of God. Spiritual Israel is to be protected from the upcoming events. They are sealed and are protected by God, as seen in previous images in this book (Revelation 7). The words spoken in Revelation 11:2 are the same as Jesus’ words concerning the holy city of Jerusalem in Luke 21:24. Notice the parallel:

“But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months” (Revelation 11:2)

“And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled” (Luke 21:24) .

It is evident that Jesus and John were both referring to the fall of Jerusalem in each instance. In Revelation we read that the words Jesus spoke against Jerusalem would now come to pass. The holy city will be trampled for 42 months. Now do we take this number literally? Many point out the that the city was attack by the Romans for 42 months. The problem with taking the 42 months literally is then, in the very next verse, one must take the 1260 days literally. 1260 days is the same as 42 months. And no one wants to do that, because there is no fitting explanation for a literal 1260 days of prophecy. Further, the city of Jerusalem was not attacked for 42 months, because there was a year long pause in the siege against Jerusalem. This occurred because Vespasian went back to Rome to claim the throne of the empire and later sent his son Titus to finish the war against Jerusalem. I believe the reason for this number appear is to relate the reader back to the prophecies of Daniel. In Daniel we read of time, times, and half a time. A “time” is one year. Therefore, a “time, times, and half a time” is the equivalent of three and a half years, the same as 42 months, the same as 1260 days.

Perhaps more importantly, the phrase “time, times, and half a time” is applied to the time of the shattering of the holy people in Daniel’s prophecy (Daniel 12:7). When we read about a “time, times, and half a time,” “forty-two months,” or “1260 days, we should see the time symbolizing the shattering of the holy people. In Revelation 11, we are reading about the fulfillment of the shattering of the holy people prophesied by Daniel.

The Two Witnesses (11:3-6)

In verse 3 we read about the two witnesses who are empowered to prophesy for 1260 days. Verse 4 is the inspired interpretation, “These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth.” So now we know that the two witnesses are the two olive trees and the two lampstands. But what do the two olive trees and two lampstands represent? Zechariah 4:1-6, 11-14 tells us what the two olive trees and the two lampstands represent. Zechariah 4:6 says, “not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit.” What we are told is that these events are by the power of God. The Roman empire did not just get a whim one day to go destroy Jerusalem, but it is the will of God. Nothing was going to stop God’s will from being accomplished. The time had come. The angel said that there will not longer be delay, these events must take place.

Now we are given more detail about these witnesses. They have the power to close the sky so it does not rain. Who does that sound like? Elijah. They have the power to turn the water to blood and strike the earth with plagues. Who does that sound like? Moses. So why are Moses and Elijah called to mind? They represented the law and the prophets. Elijah and Moses appeared at the transfiguration of Jesus in Matthew 17. The transfiguration was a sign that Christ is from God and the law and the prophets testified of this very person, Jesus. The sign in Revelation means the same to its readers: the events that were to take place were from the power of God and by his will, and were testified to by the law and the prophets. The law and prophets testified against Israel and their wickedness. Further, the law and prophets declared that such a destruction would come upon Israel if they turned away from the Lord (Deuteronomy 28:15-68)

Satan Releases Beast From Abyss (11:7-14)

The law and the prophets tried to tell the people to repent and turn their lives. The people did not listen to the law and the prophets. So out of the abyss comes the beast to make war with them, conquer them and kill them. The book of Revelation later more clearly defines, as well as the book of Daniel, that the beast is the Roman empire. If you are in doubt about this, you can read Revelation 13 and 17 as well as Daniel 7 and 8.

Verse 8 is another verse that we can hang our hat on to know who is the object of God’s wrath. We noted previously the phrase “great tribulation” is used by Jesus in Matthew 24 about the destruction of Jerusalem, which only reoccurs in Revelation. Now we have seen in Revelation 11:2 the trampling of the holy city, excluding the temple, which could only refer to Jerusalem. Now the proof is more evident concerning Jerusalem as the object of God’s wrath. We read in verses 7-8 that the beast will conquer and kill and the dead bodies will lie in the public square of the great city. What is the great city? The verse tells us that it is called “prophetically Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.” Jerusalem has been referred to as Sodom in Deuteronomy 32:32; Ezekiel 16:46; Jeremiah 23:14; 3:9; Isaiah 1:10; 29:23. Jerusalem had also been referred to Egypt in Ezekiel 23. This symbolized the great immorality and stubbornness of the people of Israel. But if this is not enough, read the rest of the verse: “…where also our Lord was crucified.” Our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified outside the city gates of Jerusalem. The destruction of Jerusalem was a great joy to the world over the total disaster and destruction that would take place. The world thought they had destroyed the power of God, never to rise again. The horrors of the siege that occurred are recorded in history. Jesus spoke woes to those who would be in the city when the Roman armies attacked.

The witnesses are resurrected showing that God still reigns and all things are still by his power on the earth. Great fear fell upon the people who saw this event take place. As the events of the destruction began to unfold, people then began to cry out to God, but it would be too late. The third woe is now coming quickly.

The Seventh Trumpet (11:15-19)

Now the seventh angel blows his trumpet. We need to remember what was to occur when we heard the seventh angel blows his trumpet. Revelation 10:6-7 tells us when this trumpet blows, then God’s hidden plan will be completed, that God’s mystery would be revealed. Notice that this is the revealing of the things foretold by God’s servants, the prophets. What is the wrath of God that we are seeing? The images revealed in the seven seals. These were the things that the four angels were told to hold back. But the four angels are unleashed and judgment now occurs. The loud voices in heaven cry out about the great power of the Lord and the Messiah who reigns forever and ever. God has used the kingdoms of the earth to fulfill the things spoken of by prophets. Daniel prophesied of these events taking place, about how Christ’s kingdom will demolish all other earthly kingdoms that set themselves up against God. The final image of the chapter is of the ark of the covenant, the symbolic relationship between God and the Israelites, which is no longer on the earth. The ark of the covenant is now in heaven. The final symbol that the physical nation of Israel is no longer the Lord’s. The holy city and the temple are destroyed and the ark of the covenant is pictured in heaven and not with the Jews.

The Mighty Angel (10:1-4)

Chapter 10 presents a fascinating scene with a mighty angel coming down from heaven, and John sees this angel in great heavenly splendor. He is surrounded by a cloud, a rainbow over his head, his face is like the sun, and his legs are like fiery pillars. These images simply show the power of this angel. The angel is truly a mighty angel. We see the great power and authority this angel has by him putting one foot on the sea and one foot on the land. In this mighty angel’s hand is a little scroll. The angel cries out with a loud voice like a roaring lion, demanding the attention of all. When the angel cries out, the seven thunders spoke with their voices. John is about to write down the words of the thunders, but a voice from heaven tells John not to write these things, but to seal them up. Therefore, the words of the seven thunders are not revealed to us. But John records these events to let us know that God has more in store. There is more to come in the judgments of God, but we are not allowed to know what these things are. This event makes us mindful of what Moses said in Deuteronomy 29:29, “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” There are many things that God has chosen not to reveal to man.

There Will No Longer Be Delay (10:5-7)

Now the angel swears by an oath that there will no longer be delay with the things that have been revealed. The saints of the fifth seal were told to wait previously, but now they will no longer have to wait. The angels have been unleashed, as we have seen, and there will not be any thing that will hold them back from the judgment they have. Judgment is inevitable. When will the judgment come? We are told in verse 7 that judgment will be in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he blows his trumpet. That is when the judgment will come in full force.Therefore, this is the marker we are looking for in the book of Revelation. When we read the seventh trumpet sounding, we will know that God’s hidden plan of judgment will be revealed and unleashed. This matches what Jesus said in Luke 21:20-22 concerning the destruction of Jerusalem by the surrounding Roman armies, “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.” The things that the prophets wrote will now be fulfilled at that time.

Notice that this angel with the little scroll in Revelation 10 is the same angel in Daniel 12:7-9. “And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream; he raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven and swore by him who lives forever that it would be for a time, 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 finished. I heard, but I did not understand. Then I said, “O my lord, what shall be the outcome of these things?â€? He said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end.” We see the angel in Daniel 12 raising his hands toward heaven and declaring that it would be a time, times, and half a time before the shattering of the holy people came to an end. In Revelation 10, we are reading the fulfillment of that judgment contained in the little scroll. No longer will there be delay. Now the power of the holy people, Jerusalem and Jews, will be shattered.

Take and Eat The Scroll (10:8-11)

John is told to take the scroll and eat it. When he eats the scroll he finds that the scroll is sweet to the mouth, but bitter to the stomach. This is not an unusual occurrence, for Ezekiel was told to do the same thing. When you read Ezekiel 2:8-3:14, you will find Ezekiel ate the scroll and it was like honey in his mouth in sweetness (Ezekiel 3:3). But later, after receiving the words from God about what he must do, Ezekiel goes in bitterness from the message he received (Ezekiel 3:14). The honey and bitterness are symbolic of the contents of the message of the scroll and the prophesy that John must preach. How sweet the words of God are to man. Psalm 19:10, “More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.” Psalm 119:103, “How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” But God’s judgments are not always pleasant. Ezekiel found the words of God good to the taste, but the bitterness came from the message depicted judgment against the Jews and Jerusalem. In the same way, John also delights in the taste of the words of God, but the message is bitter: judgment against the Jews and Jerusalem.

John is also told that he must prophesy “about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.” Though the prophecy thus far has been against Israel, there are more judgments against other nations and peoples that are still to come.

The Fallen Star (vs. 1, 11)

The fifth angel blows his trumpet and John sees a star. Notice the star had already fallen, describing the action in the past tense. A fallen star symbolizes authority falling from power. Notice Isaiah 14:12, “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations!” Many believe Lucifer is a reference to Satan, but that is not what the scriptures say. Notice Isaiah 14:4, “that you will take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say….” These words were against the king of Babylon to show him that he and his nation were to fall. Jesus used the same imagery in Luke 10:17-18, “Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.” Satan had lost his power on the earth and thus the seventy were even able to cast out demons. In Revelation 9:1 we are reading about the fall of a power. Notice verse 2 that this star has the key to the abyss.

Many believe this star is a reference to Satan. I admit to you that I used to think so as well. However, it would not make any sense for God to be giving a key to Satan to go out and destroy. We cannot accept an interpretation where we describe God and Satan working together to a common goal. Rather, we ought to see this as a reference to the Roman Empire which would be the tool used to bring judgment against the Jews and Jerusalem in 70 A.D. under Emperor Vespasian and a few decades later under Emperor Hadrian. The Roman Empire was going to be given a limited time of power to bring judgment.

The Image of Locusts (9:2-10)

The abyss is opened and smoke comes up from the abyss. Out of the smoke comes locusts, which come to the earth and are given power that scorpions have. The locusts were told not to harm the grass of the earth or vegetation, but only to harm the people that do not have the seal of God. Therefore, only those who are not servants of God would be harmed. These locusts are not given the power to kill, but they will torment for a short, definite time. The description of these locusts is certainly terrifying, which is the point of the image, to strike fear into the hearts of those who read these words and are not sealed. The locusts have the appearance of horses equipped for battle, with something like gold crowns on their heads. They have faces like a man, hair like a woman, and teeth like a lion. They have iron breastplates and have sound of many chariots. All of these images are used a symbols of terrifying judgment. The premillennialist has tremendous difficulty interpreting these images literally, since such an animal does not exist.

However, the use of locusts in judgment is not foreign to the scriptures. In fact, God used locusts in Joel’s day to try to get the people of Judah to repent. Notice the description of the locusts in Joel and see how similar their description is to the description given in Revelation. They have teeth like a lion (Joel 1:6). They are a mighty army, great and strong (Joel 2:2). They have the appearance of horses (Joel 2:4). The locusts make the noise of chariots (Joel 2:5). The locusts were mighty men, like warriors (Joel 2:7). These images were pictures of an army that was going to rise up against Judah if the people did not repent. This is the same imagery of judgment that God is trying to convey to Jerusalem. A mighty nation is being raised up to attack you, but it is for the purpose of repentance just like in the book of Joel. This will be more clearly seen at the end of the chapter. The Romans will rise up against Jerusalem but their power is only short-lived. But this is not all. Verse 12 tells us that this woe has passed. There are still two more woes to come.

The Jews had been in battle with the Roman Empire from the early days of the rise of the empire. The Jews hated the empire. The Messiah they were looking for was someone who would overthrow the empire. Because of this view, the Jews rejected Jesus for that was not his mission. Many of the Jews were zealots trying to gather armies to fight against Rome. In Luke 13:1 we read about Pilate, the governor from Rome, slaughtering some Galileans. Historically we know that Emperor Caligula was going to set up a statue in worship of himself in the temple of Jerusalem. Only because of Caligula sudden death was this command not carried out. What I want you to see is the clashing that existed between Rome and Jerusalem. A cursory reading of history reveals that the Jews had troubles with many of the kings, rulers, and authorities. These conflicts continued to escalate until the Romans invade. This conflict is more clearly seen in the next trumpet which sounds.

The Sixth Trumpet (Revelation 9:13-21)

The four angel unleashed (9:13-16)

The sixth angel blows his trumpet and a voice from the four horns of the gold altar that is before God says, “Release the four angels bound at the great river Euphrates.” Here the voice says to not withhold the judgment any longer. The angels that were pictured back in Revelation 7 restraining their judgment until everyone is sealed are now allowed to release judgment. God’s people had been sealed and it was time to allow God’s wrath to unfold. We see that this judgment had been prepared for a specific time designated by God (9:15). But notice again that the partial judgments continue as only a third of the human race is killed. What we have seen is a progression of judgment and the patience of God looking for repentance. We just saw judgment upon the people to only be tortured, not killed. But that did not cause repentance. We have seen in the first four trumpets a partial judgment of the land, sea, and waters, but that does not bring about repentance. The people are not heeding the warnings of God. Therefore punishment must increase. The full force of an army is coming (vs. 16). This is not a literal number, just as the other numbers like the 144,000 are not literal. The large number is to represent great strength, power, and completeness in the work they are to accomplish.

Description of Great Power (9:17-19)

The horsemen come in with colored breastplates with heads that were like lions. Here we see the great power that this army is given. We saw them as powerful locusts, but there were restraints put upon those locusts. But now the army has the power to kill humans, and the picture is ferocious. The lion has been a symbol of divine judgment in the Old Testament (Amos 3:1-8; Hosea 11:9-10). Out of their mouths come fire, smoke and brimstone. These again are symbols of divine judgment, most notably remembered through the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Jesus used the same words to describe his coming judgment in Luke 17:26-31 where Jesus refers to the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah being similar to the judgment that would be revealed by the Son of Man. All of this depicts the coming wrath of God. This power would be seen from all fronts as Jerusalem would be surrounded and destroyed (Revelation 9:19).

Lack of Repentance (9:20-21)

The reason for God’s judgment is revealed. The people were worshipping things other than God. They were full of murders, sorceries, sexual immorality, and thefts. They were wicked people. But the people who were not killed did not repent, and would continue with their evil acts. In the siege against Jerusalem, it is interesting to note that about one third of the Jews perished in the attack. About 1 million of the 3 million Jews that were in Jerusalem died when Rome came against Jerusalem. This may be the exact event that is being referred to. The Roman Empire did not want to destroy the Jews, but the Jews gave Rome no choice. The Jews were leading revolts against Rome and Rome came in put down the revolts. Because the people would not repent, the wrath of God will come in full measure.

The Seventh Seal (vs. 1-6)

The seventh seal is opened and instead of hearing a voice like the other seals or seeing creatures, judgment, or horsemen, there is complete silence in heaven for about half an hour. It is the calm before the storm and is a pause before judgment is unleashed. Then the scene changes and seven trumpets are given to the seven angels who stand in the presence of God. Another angel is seen with the prayers of the saints being offered up before the presence of God. What a comfort for the saints to know that their prayers, as well as our prayers go before the throne of God! The prayers go before God and we see an answer to these prayers, as thunders, rumblings, lightnings, and an earthquake occur. God’s response to cries of the saints is now being issued upon the earth. And the seven angels prepare to blow their trumpets.

The First Trumpet (8:7)

The first trumpet is blown and we see hail and fire, mixed with blood, being hurled to the earth. And a third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up and all the green grass was burned up. We note that it is only a third, thus not a total consummation of judgment yet. We will see a full judgment is coming shortly while. Again, the number one-third is not a literal number, just like 144,000 is not a literal number. The message of the first trumpet is simple: partial judgment is coming in an effort to cause the people to repent before the full judgment comes (9:20-21). Further, we cannot take the fire and hail falling to the earth literally, just like the images found in the first six seals. To do so violates the premise of Revelation 1:1 that these things are signs and symbols. Just like the previous images, so also these images are used in the Old Testament as symbols of coming judgment. Isaiah 28:2 says, “Behold, the Lord has a mighty and strong one, like a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, like a flood of mighty waters overflowing, who will bring them down to the earth with His hand.”

The Second Trumpet (8:8-9)

The second trumpet blows and a great mountain ablaze with fire is hurled into the sea. A third of the sea became blood, a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed. Not only is the earth affected by this judgment, but all the seas are affected as well. Again, this is only a partial judgment with only a third of the sea, living creatures, and ships being affected.

The Third Trumpet (8:10-11)

The third trumpet blows and a great star, blazing like a torch falls from heaven. It falls on a third of the rivers and springs of water. There is a name given to the star, Wormwood, and a third of the waters become wormwood and many people die. To understand what this symbol is referring to, we need to understand how God used wormwood in the Old Testament. Deuteronomy 29:18, “so that there may not be among you man or woman or family or tribe, whose heart turns away today from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations, and that there may not be among you a root bearing bitterness or wormwood;” Here is a reference to people who turn their heart away from God. Proverbs 5:3-4, “For the lips of an immoral woman drip honey, And her mouth is smoother than oil; But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a two-edged sword.” Here is a reference to people whose heart turn to immorality. Jeremiah says, referring to false prophets, in Jeremiah 23:15, “Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets: ‘Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall; For from the prophets of Jerusalem profaneness has gone out into all the land.” This was a condemnation to a rebellious Israel. Notice also Jeremiah 9:15, “Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: “Behold, I will feed them, this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink.” This was an image of judgment upon God’s people who did practiced immorality and turned their heart from God. All of these images of wormwood depict judgment due to immorality and wickedness. This is exactly the purpose of these judgments against Jerusalem. Again, this third trumpet describes a partial judgment because only a third is affected.

The Fourth Trumpet and an Eagle (8:12-13)

The fourth trumpet sounds and a third of the sun is struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars are darkened. As we have seen many times thus far, the darkening of these elements is symbolic of judgment. Yet again, only a third of these elements are affected symbolizing a partial judgment. These partial judgments are to be a warning to cause people to repent. Thus, the image of using trumpets, which were used to sound the alarm and to give a warning for people to prepare. There are many times we read in the scriptures where God would send a partial judgment upon the nation in effort for them to repent. If they did not repent, then full judgment was coming where it would be lights out for the nation. The warnings are being sent out for Jerusalem to return to the Lord, but they will not repent. Then a eagle flies through heaven proclaiming in a loud voice a woe to those who live on the earth because of the remaining trumpet blasts. These first four trumpets are terrible pictures of judgment. But the rest of the trumpets are going to issue a complete judgment, where the angels unleash the winds and the full wrath of Gog upon Jerusalem.

The Four Angels (vs. 1-3)

In chapter 7 we read about four angels holding back the four winds at the four corners of the earth, so that no wind could blow on the earth, sea, or tree. Wind is a common symbol used by God to depict judgment. Notice Jeremiah 49:36, “Against Elam I will bring the four winds From the four quarters of heaven, And scatter them toward all those winds; There shall be no nations where the outcasts of Elam will not go.” Also Jeremiah 51:1-2, “Thus says the LORD: “Behold, I will raise up against Babylon, Against those who dwell in Leb Kamai, A destroying wind. And I will send winnowers to Babylon, Who shall winnow her and empty her land. For in the day of doom They shall be against her all around.”

Therefore, the angels are holding back the judgments that we have just read about in the first six seals. The judgment is to be restrained until the servants of God are sealed. Premillenialists want to take this passage literally that people will have literal marks on their foreheads. Again, the problem is that this book is written in symbols according Revelation 1:1. We also know that the events that we are reading would happen quickly to the readers of this book in the first century and is not referring to something that has not happened yet (Revelation 1:1,3). A seal conveys the meaning of protection and ownership. The sealing before the depicted national judgment is a token of assurance for God’s people that they are protected and still owned by God.

This sealing is not unusual in the scriptures. Ezekiel 9 reveals a very similar picture as judgment was going to come upon the nation of Israel. Judgment is at the door against Israel for their wickedness (Ezekiel 9:9), so six men are given charge to bring judgment (Ezekiel 9:1-2). But before that judgment takes place, God’s servants were to be sealed on their foreheads (Ezekiel 9:4-6) and therefore would not be destroyed. Ezekiel 9:4 says, “‘Pass throughout the city of Jerusalem,’” the Lord said to him, “‘and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sign and groan over all the abominations committed in it.’” A similar image is given by Jesus in Matthew 24:31 where Jesus is describing the destruction of Jerusalem. In verse 31 He says, “And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” This is very similar to the words we have read in Revelation 7. The angels are to gather God’s servants to be protected from the coming judgment that Jesus described. Further, notice it is the same sequence of events in Matthew 24 and Revelation 6-7. In Matthew 24:29-30 the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light and the stars will fall from heaven. The picture of judgment is given as the Son of Man comes in power and glory. Revelation 6:12-15 shows the same image of judgment, with the sun, moon, and stars and the great judgment and wrath that is about to come. But before it will come, Revelation 7:1-3 tells us that the saints will be sealed. It is the same sequence of events. The Christians are given assurance they are God’s and God will not bring wrath upon them.

The 144,000 (vs. 4-8)

John hears the number who are sealed. We see that 12,000 are from each of the 12 tribes of Israel. Notice, however, that the twelve tribes are not according to the twelve sons. Usually Levi is left out because they did not have land and Dan is included. But Dan and Ephraim are left out of this listing. We cannot give a clear reason why, but a possibility is these two are left out because Ephraim led Israel into idolatry (1 Kings 12) and Dan practiced idolatry as well (Judges 18). Therefore these two cannot represent God’s loyal, covenant people. But we should not make too much of this for the order is given differently in many of the listings of the tribes. Further, we know all of the tribes of Israel fell into idolatry and evil.

Premillennialists teach the 144,000 to be a literal group of Jews who will preach to the world during the supposed end times tribulation. However, Revelation 7:3 clearly told us who the 144,000 are: “the servants of our God.” To make the 144,000 refer to only Jews or any other group simply ignores the text.

The Jehovah’s Witnesses also take this number literally and teach there will only be 144,000 in heaven. If this is true, then only Jews from these tribes then will be saved. But notice where the 144,000 are? They are on the earth and not in heaven. These are the ones that are going to go through this judgment but are to be sealed first before the judgment comes.

Clearly then this is not a literal number but representative to God’s covenant people. The numbers are power numbers. Twelve is a number that is a religious number, like 12 apostles and 12 tribes. The large number than, being multiplied by 1000 shows us that no one would be left out of the sealing. If you were a Christian, you would be sealed. Thus we see the spiritual Israel of God, as called by Paul in Romans 2:28-29 and Galatians 6:16. Revelation 7:1-8 is describing the sealing of all the Christians on the earth at that time before God’s wrath is revealed. The message is simple: all the saints of God will be protected during this time of great tribulation to affect the earth in their lifetimes (Matthew 24:34).

The Great Multitude (vs. 9-17)

John then sees a great, innumerable amount of people standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They have the robes of white and cry out in a loud voice that salvation belongs to our God and the Lamb. Meanwhile the angels, the elders, and the four living creatures are continuing to worship God before the throne. One of the elders asks John if we knows who these people are who are in white (vs. 13). This is not a question to John as if the elder does not know, but he wants to make sure that John knows. John, by saying, “you know” is asking the elder to tell him. The great multitude represents the ones coming out of the great tribulation (7:14). John sees the end result of these who would go through the tribulation that was coming. These had been sealed on the earth and went through the great tribulation. John sees that the sealed were not lost to Satan and his operation, but are now victorious, in white robes before the throne of God. Verses 4-8 shows the servants of God on the earth sealed before the tribulation. Verses 9-17 show these very servants of God after the tribulation having overcome and are victorious.

We now begin to see who is the object of the judgment pronounced in the seven seals. Revelation 7:14 tells us that these are the ones who came through the great tribulation. If we can determine who was the object of God’s wrath during the great tribulation, we can know who the seven seals are judgments against. The phrase “great tribulation” only occurs in three places in the New Testament: here, Revelation 2:22 and Matthew 24:21. Read Matthew 24:21: “For at that time there will be great tribulation, the kind that hasn’t taken place from the beginning of the world until now and never will again!” Remember Jesus was pronouncing judgment upon Jerusalem in Matthew 24. A reading Matthew 23:37-24:2 will remind us that Jesus is talking about the wickedness of Jerusalem and its impending destruction. The end of the Jewish temple and Jewish power was being described by Jesus. Before pronouncing this judgment, notice what Jesus says in Matthew 23:34-36 says that they as a nation had persecuted and killed the righteous people of God from Abel all the way to Zechariah. Then Jesus says for these things Jerusalem will be destroyed. We have seen in Revelation 6, in the fifth seal, the saints that had been killed for the word of God crying out for judgment and vengeance by God. God’s response to the saints was the vengeance was coming and to wait a little longer.

After all the doom and gloom of the first six seals, the Christians are given a message of hope in this chapter that God was with them and they would overcome. And we see that relief is given to these who came through the tribulation. Verses 15-17 show that they are not experiencing the horrors that were taking place on the earth. They no longer hunger and thirst. Comfort is given to them and they are taken care of by the Lamb and by God. The saints of God would listen to the words of Jesus and “flee to the mountains” to avoid the judgment against the Jews in Jerusalem and Judea (Matthew 24:16).

There has been immense popularity in a new series of books called “Left Behind.” These books tell the story of things that the authors believe will happen at the second coming of Christ. Because of the popularity of these books, we need to determine if there is any truth to what the books speak about. Are the books a factual representations of what will happen at the second coming of Christ? These books are based on the end of time theory called is dispensational premillenialism. Let us examine what the theory teaches and see if it stands up against what the Bible teaches.

Dispensational Premillenialism

There is simply no way to be able to describe all the intricacies found in this theory. It is the most complex and most complicated theory about the end of time events available. There are other theories about the end of time called postmillennialism, historical premillenialism, and amillennialism, but we will not have the time to cover these theories in this article.

Dispensational premillenialism generally goes like this. From the very beginning God had a desire for an earthly kingdom. The theory states that Genesis 1:26-28 refers to Adam and God’s desire for Adam to establish a government that all would be under. But humanity rejected God and did not recognize his power, so God abandoned the attempt of an earthly kingdom and destroyed the world in the flood. Next, God attempted to accomplish his will through the patriarchs. God established his terrestrial kingdom beginning with Abraham. And so with Abraham there would be mediators or kings that would exercise absolute authority. These people included Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, the judges, Samuel, Saul, David, and Solomon. These were the rulers of his terrestrial kingdom. But spiritual deterioration began after the judges, thus the need for the prophets to try to get the leaders to follow the law. But as the kingdom deteriorated more and more, the prophets began to foretell of a future, ideal kingdom. God, therefore, suspends his attempts to establish an earthly kingdom. The prophets then looked forward to someone who would set up the kingdom at a later time.

Later Christ is sent to establish God’s terrestrial kingdom. But the people rejected Jesus and his attempt to establish an earthly kingdom fails. Jesus, realizing that the rejection of his kingdom was coming, alters his plans and turns in a new direction. Jesus, instead of establishing the kingdom as he desired, establishes the church. Jesus is then rejected and crucified by the people and the kingdom is again in a state of suspension. The theory states that the kingdom is still in suspension and will remain this way until the time of Christ’s return when he will finally establish his kingdom that God has desired.

The organization of this kingdom is rather interesting. Jesus will reign as Lord on a literal, physical throne in Jerusalem. The Jewish system will be revived, being a continuation of the Davidic kingdom. This means that there will be a rebuilding of the temple and a restoration of the entire Old Testament laws and sacrifices.

Responsibilities of this government will be delegated to three groups:
(1) the resurrected saints of the first century church
(2) the resurrected Old Testament saints and
(3) the martyrs of the tribulation.

Beneath these are the redeemed living nation of Israel, who will be head over all nations of the earth, “exalted above the Gentile nations.” “On the lowest level there are the saved, living, Gentile nations.”

The theory further states that Christ will return and there will be a rapture of the saints, the raising of Christians and taking the church to heaven while there is a great tribulation upon the earth. This great tribulation will last seven years and there will be wars, chaos, fighting, plague, devastation, and more. The tribulation is to expel the usurpers of the earth and the evil in the world. Then Christ will return to the earth with the church after the seven year tribulation. The Old Testament saints will be raised from the dead. Christ will then reign on his physical throne in Jerusalem with the Jews who are all converted and are exalted over the Gentiles. All of the enemies of Christ will be either converted or destroyed. After the 1000 year reign of Christ, the resurrection of all the wicked will occur and judgment is going to take place. This is when the books will be opened and all will be judged according to their deeds. Once Satan and his followers are cast into the lake of fire, then the kingdom on earth and the kingdom in heaven will merge into an eternal kingdom.

The Consequences of Dispensational Premillenialism

Here are the problems that we encounter when we accept the theory of dispensational premillenialism:

1. Dethrones Christ

Premillenialism teaches that because the Jews rejected the kingdom, the kingdom is in suspension until a future time. Therefore, at Jesus resurrection, he returned to heaven and took a seat at the right hand of God. The theory states that he is not on his throne but one his Father’s throne. Until he takes his own throne he is not reigning. 1 Corinthians 15:24-26 teaches otherwise. “But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.” This passage clearly states that Christ will deliver the kingdom to God the Father. Christ must reign until all enemies have been put under his feet and the last enemy is death. Therefore, Christ is reigning on the throne now and will continue to reign until death is destroyed. Premillenialism takes Christ off the throne and makes him a prince in heaven who is waiting to establish his authority on earth at a later time.

2. Makes God powerless

Premillenialism strips power away from God. The theory states that God has desired an earthly, or terrestrial kingdom since the days of creation. But God has been unable to establish his kingdom. He tried to establish it with Adam but failed and the flood came. He tried to establish the kingdom with Abraham and the patriarchs but failed and had to send the nation of Israel into captivity. God tried to establish his kingdom with Christ, but they crucified Christ, rejected the kingdom and God failed again. This theory makes God unable to accomplish his will. He cannot set up a kingdom he desires and is constantly foiled by his own creation. It makes God powerless and unable to establish any of his will. How can God who spoke the world into existence be unable to establish a kingdom on his creation? It does not work. Further, if God has been foiled all of these times and the kingdom continues to be put into suspension, then why should we believe that God will be successful in establishing his kingdom when he returns? Christ supposedly already came once to establish his kingdom but failed. Now he is going to return in the future to try again. Why should we have any confidence that it will happen now after so many failures? No, we do not accept this. Christ did come to establish his kingdom and he did establish it while on the earth,

3. Makes Christ a liar, John the baptist and the apostles false

John preached the kingdom of heaven was at hand. Christ confirmed that his kingdom was near and he was going to establish it. Premillenialism teaches that Jesus thought that he was going to establish his kingdom, but when he saw the rejection of his kingdom imminent, he discarded his plans. The problem is that Jesus is then a liar because he said the kingdom was at hand and so did John the baptist. They are now liars, and Jesus is now a sinner and not the son of God because not only did he lie, but he could not be God for he would have known not to preach something that would not happen. Further, Christ said to Peter in Matthew 16 that he gave him the keys of the kingdom. Since Christ did not establish his kingdom he must have lied to Peter or taken the keys back from him so that Christ could establish the kingdom later. Jesus is also a liar on the cross when he says “it is finished.” In fact the opposite was true, nothing was finished, but everything was postponed, according to this theory. Jesus is a liar in speaking to God the Father in John 17:4, “I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.” Again, Jesus did not finish the work, he was rejected. Or was he deluded also while on the earth? He failed in his mission and came to the earth for no reason. It is a total waste of time. Jesus goes through his suffering for no reason. Jesus did not really come to save people but to establish his kingdom. This consequence is also unacceptable and cannot be for we know that Christ is not a liar and that he did finish the work that he came to do.

4. Makes the church an accident and nullifies the wisdom of God

In keeping with this, then the church is an accident. Christ came to establish his kingdom, but since he could not, he established the church instead. The church then is an afterthought, a plan B substitution for what God really wanted. Yet Paul said in Ephesians 1:22-23 that the church is the fullness of Christ. How can the church be the fullness of Christ, if the church is not what Jesus really wanted anyway? Therefore the apostles are all deluded and we cannot trust what they say. Do we see the problems that occur when we accept the tenets of premillenialism?

5. Mutilates the gospel

Premillenialism states that the Jews will be exalted above the Gentiles in the kingdom when Christ returns. The Jewish system is going to be restored, with the sacrifices, and the temple will be rebuilt. This mutilates and nullifies the gospel. Where is the good news in the separation of Jews and Gentiles? Jews and Gentiles are not one in Christ, as Paul said, they are separated in the reign of Christ and thus God does show partiality. God does show favoritism. Where is the good news if the Jewish system is restored? Paul tells us in Galatians and in Romans that we are dead under that system, that it is a system of slavery. Why did Christ die on the cross, if we are going to offer animal sacrifices again? Where is the all sufficiency of Christ? The whole letter of Hebrews is nullified and made worthless because we are going to return to the inferior system. There is no good news, for the condition we are in is only temporary if when Christ returns we will do the things contained in the old covenant. Premillenialism ignores the new priesthood that we are under in Christ, returning back to the Levitical priesthood under Moses. This theory clearly destroys the good news

6. Nullifies salvation to the Gentiles

Premillenialism unwittingly removes the availability of salvation to the Gentiles, thus meaning we are all lost. How? Because premillenialism states that it is not until the 1000 year reign that Christ will establish his authority and the tabernacle of David will not be rebuilt until then. Look at Acts 15:13-17, “And after they had become silent, James answered, saying, “Men and brethren, listen to me: “Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name. “And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written: ‘After this I will return And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, And I will set it up; So that the rest of mankind may seek the LORD, Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, Says the LORD who does all these things.’” Notice that it is after the rebuilding of the tabernacle of David that the rest of mankind (the Gentiles) can seek the Lord. The rebuilding of the tabernacle is reference to the kingdom of God. If the kingdom is still in the future, then salvation is not yet available to the Gentiles and will not be available until the 1000 year reign. We reject this.

7. Breaks plain scripture

Verse 1 sets the tone of the letter of Revelation. “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants–things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John,”

First, everything that is read in Revelation must shortly take place. This is not a letter about things to happen over 2000 years later. This is a revealing about things that will shortly take place. Verse 1 also tells us that the letter was put into signs, signified by his angel. What is read is not to be taken literally but the things that are found are to be taken in signs, figuratively. The imagery read about cannot refer to the second coming of Christ because that was not something that would shortly take place.

Second, notice that in Revelation 20:1-6 there is nothing referring to and no mention of the second coming of Christ, a bodily resurrection, a reign on the earth, a literal throne, Jerusalem of Palestine, us, or Christ on the earth. All of that is read into the text to support this theory. This theory makes Revelation of no value to its readers in A.D. 90. If everything that is written in it would not happen for another 2000 years, then this letter did not have any hope for the people who read it and gives no comfort to those who were enduring the persecution at that time.

Conclusion:

We cannot accept the consequences of premillenialism. If the theory is true and the things in the Left Behind books are true, then all of these consequences are true and that causes many problems. We see that scripture solidly defeats this theory and we have no reason to accept it or believe it. Look for the next article about what the Bible does say about the end of time.

This text has been the subject of all sorts of speculation and wild theories about the end of time and the events that will happen at the return of Christ. Many believe in among the brethren that this text is talking about the second coming of Christ. Many believe it refers to other events. But let us put out of our minds what we have been taught about this passage or what scholars have said, and let the text speak. The first thing that we must understand is that each particular gospel had a particular audience that the words were for, especially when considering the synoptic gospels. For example the gospel of Matthew was written primarily to the Jews as an audience, and that is why Matthew quotes the Old Testament prophecies so many times in his book. Mark was written with the Roman audience in mind and that is why it is to the point, powerful, and practical. Luke was written to the Gentile audience. This is important to note because people have run to Matthew 24 and try to begin to explain the events that are taking place. But there is a failure to understand that the things written were written to a Jewish audience and so the signs and symbols would have a meaning to that audience. In short, for us to understand Matthew 24 we need to think like a Jew and understand the Jewish background and mindset.

Setting the scene (24:1-3)

First let us notice what Jesus has been talking about coming into Matthew 24. Jesus has been speaking to the Pharisees and scribes and have pronounced woes upon them and called them hypocrites. But notice also 23:37-39. Here Jesus is pronouncing a woe upon the city itself for the evil that it has committed by killing the prophets and stoning God’s messengers. Now as Jesus and his disciples are leaving the temple, the disciples are remarking about the temple buildings. Now the disciples are not pointing these things out like a tourist. They have been to the temple many times with Jesus. This is not a guided tour. What are they doing? Jesus has just condemned the city of Jerusalem and the disciples are pointed out in essence, “how can you condemn such a noble structure?” Luke 21:5 clarifies for us what is taking place– “When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said,…” The disciples are pointing out how the city has beautiful stones dedicated to God. Look at all the gifts dedicated to God. Look at the magnificence of this temple and these buildings are all for the glory of God. Jesus elaborates further in verse 2, “And Jesus said to them, ‘Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.’” Jesus says that not one stone will be left here on another that will not be thrown down. To what is he referring to? The buildings of the world? No, the temple buildings. They are going to be destroyed.

The disciples’ question

Now verse 3 is important to understanding the rest of the text, for if we miss what the disciples are asking, then we are going to misinterpret what Jesus’ answer is. Matthew 24:3, “Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?’” By the initial reading it sounds like the disciples are asking about the second coming of Christ and what will be the signs about the end of time. Let me show you why that cannot be the case.

First, the disciples did not believe that Jesus was leaving and did not understand that Jesus would be crucified. The disciples did not understand the second coming because they did not understand Christ must be killed in the first place. Luke 18:31-34 verifies that they did not understand the things Jesus spoke about his death. It was not until the resurrection that the disciples began to understand these things. That is one reason why they are not talking about the second coming.

Second, we need to see the other gospel accounts to see what is being asked. Look at Luke 21:7. “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?” Look at the account in Mark 13:4 “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are going to be fulfilled?” Do we see the question they are asking? It is not about the second coming, but when are these stones going be not left upon each other. They understood Jesus’ woe on Jerusalem and understood he was speaking of its destruction. The questions are “When will these things take place and what is the sign to know that it is about to take place?” If we read Matthew we must think like a Jew. The coming of the Messiah was a label for judgment. What is the sign that this judgment is going to take place? And the end of the age does not automatically mean the end of time. It simply refers to a definite period of time or era. The destruction of the temple would certain be the end of an era, the end of the Jewish era. Therefore what they ask is the sign of the end of this period of time. And so these are the questions asked by the disciples: When will these things take place? What is the sign that these things will be fulfilled? Jesus is going to answer these questions in reverse order. First, he starts with the signs to indicate that these stone will not be left upon each other.

Jesus’ response:Watch for false signs (24:4-14)

Jesus now warns that many are going to rise up claiming to be the Messiah who will rescue the people of Israel. Many are going to claim to be the ones who can overthrow Rome. Many will claim to be the power of God. Jesus says do not follow them. They will lead you astray. Jesus says that wars and insurrections will be heard, but do not be afraid because that is not going to be the destruction of these temple buildings. Nation will be against nation and there are going to be problems but all of this must occur before the destruction of the temple buildings.

Tacitus tells us some of the history of the time between AD 30-70. He says “the history on which I am entering is that of a period rich in disasters, terrible with battles, torn by civil struggles, horrible even in peace. Four emperors fell by the swords; there were three civil wars, more foreign wars, and often both at the same time.” Josephus and other historians of the time describe the a very disturbed state of Judea during this time. Massacres of the Jews were perpetuated at Caesarea, at Alexandria, in Babylonia and in Syria. In addition to the trouble in Palestine, the Pax Romana was momentarily destabilized in 68-69 A.D. Natural calamities were happening during this time also. Famine ravaged Judea during the rule of Claudius which we read about in Acts 11:28. More than 30,000 died of pestilence in ancient Babylon, parts of Judea and in Rome before AD 70. There is an earthquake recorded in Acts 16:26. All of this was going on, but Jesus says when these signs are happening, it is not the end of Jerusalem yet. We also see that persecutions would also begin before the coming destruction of Jerusalem.

Signs of the Destruction of the Temple

Gospel proclaimed in all the world (24:14)

Notice what Jesus says here in verse 14. “This good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed in all the world as a testimony to all nations. And then the end will come.” This statement proves to us that this must be referring to the destruction of Jerusalem. In Colossians 1:23, Paul says “if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.” Now Colossians was written about 61 A.D. And so Paul says that the gospel has been heard by everyone under heaven by 61 A.D. So we have one of two choices. Either the world came an end at about 70 A.D. Then what are we doing alive? Or Jesus must be referring to the end of the Jewish nation, then end of the temple buildings. Jesus said once the good news was proclaimed to the whole world, the end would come. The end of the Jewish nation must be referred to because by 61 A.D., Paul claimed that the gospel had been proclaimed throughout the whole world.

When you see the abomination of desolation (24:15-31)

In verses 15-16, Jesus says, “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation’, spoken of through the prophet Daniel–let the reader understand– then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.” Now is this referring to the great tribulation that will happen at the end of time? No, we are talking about signs about the destruction of Jerusalem. So what is the abomination of desolation? Turn to Luke 21:20 to see the answer. Here Luke writes, “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near.” Here is the answer. The abomination is the Roman Empire and the holy place must refer then to the holy city of Jerusalem and Jesus says that they are going to cause it to be desolate. When you see the city surrounded by Roman armies, then you will know that the end is here. What were the people to do? Leave immediately. Do not pack, do not go back to your house to get things, because the disaster is going to be the worst the world has seen.

Let us hear from the historians about this great tribulation. Outside the city hundreds of Jews were crucified. Inside, civil war broke out as several factions spent more time fighting each other than the Romans. The temple courts were awash with blood. The blockade had reduced the city to a state of famine so severe that mothers ate their own children. Pestilence, starvation, slaughter and monstrous atrocities were commonplace. By August of A.D. 70, 1.1 million Jews had fallen by the edge of the sword and 100,000 had been led away captive into all nations. A high percentage of the cities population was exterminated and enslaved during the fall of Jerusalem. In verse 29 Jesus is describing the “lights out” for the nation of Israel. These symbols and pictures are used by many Old Testament prophets to described the end of a nation. Here Jesus uses the pictures to refer to the nation of Israel. No longer were they God’s chosen people, now salvation will be offered to everyone on the earth (vs. 31).

When Will These Things Happen?

Learn from the fig tree (vs. 32-35)

Just as plants spout leaves and begin to be fruitful tells us that summer is near, so also these signs will note that the destruction of Jerusalem is near. Notice verse 34, “I assure you: This generation will not pass away until these things take place.” Premillennialists take this passage as the second coming and the coming tribulation that will occur after the rapture. If that is true, then that generation must still be alive somewhere. Somewhere there are nearly 2000 year old people. Ridiculous. What Jesus was saying here is that within that generation’s lifespan, these things would happen. It would not be something for a really long time, not far into the future, but shortly these things would happen. Everything else may pass away, but his words about this event would surely occur. There was no doubt.

The day/hour no one knows (vs. 36)

Verse 36 is interesting for not even Jesus knew the exact day that these things would occur. Jesus has listed the signs that would occur when the destruction was coming. The disciples have also asked when these things would be. Give us the year, month, and day. Jesus has narrowed it down that it would be with in their lifetime that these things would take place. But concerning the day and hour, the angels do not know, nor does the Son of God. Only the Father knew when his judgment would take place.

Therefore be alert (vs. 44)

Since the day or the hour was not told to the disciples, they had to be ready at any time for these things to take place, for it will be like the days of Noah. Things in the world will be going on just like they always have, but then the judgment will come. The same is true for the judgment of Jerusalem. Things will seem like the ordinary everyday things, but suddenly the destruction will happen. So pay attention to the signs so you do not get caught in the city.

Rapture or Rome?

Verses 40-41 are used by many to show that this passage is talking about the rapture. I hope by now we have seen that there is no way that this passage could be talking about the second coming of Christ or the end of time. So what does this passage mean? This is talking about what it will be like when the Roman armies come in. Some are going to suddenly be taken by Rome and dispersed or killed, and others if they listen to these words will be and be left alive. This is what it would be like when the Roman armies came. People were going to begin to disperse, many would stay to be killed, and the onslaught would begin.

Chapter 25

Now Jesus has described all of these things that will happen as sign to the events of one stone not being left upon another. Jesus is now going to continue on his discussion and describe what it will be like after these things. Notice Matthew 25:1, “then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins.” That is an important word. It is not like the other places like in 24:32, now from the parable or verse 36, “now concerning that day.” Jesus will now describe what the kingdom will be like after all of these things take place.

Conclusion:

Everything in chapter 24 is referring to the destruction of Jerusalem and the signs that will precede that event. It was a great and terrible event for which Jesus told his disciples to be ready for. The use of apocalyptic language does not need to throw us, especially since we have two other gospel accounts to help us decipher the language found in this chapter. This is how the Lord spoke when referring to a coming judgment upon a nation. He used this same language with the prophets of the Old Testament referring to the surrounding nations, the nation of Israel and the nation of Judah. The same type of language is found in Daniel, Ezekiel, Revelation and other places. To help us know what judgment the Lord is referring to in this chapter, remember that Jesus said that the generation alive then would not pass away until all these things take place. Therefore we reject premillenialism that takes this passage out of its context. We reject the great tribulation theorized. We reject the rapture of only saints while others are left behind. None of that is true in this text and is a twisting of the scriptures to destruction.

We now turn our attention to chapter 12. The beginning of this chapter is still a continuation of the words of the angel who has been speaking in chapter 11. Once again we have a poorly timed chapter break, since this is still the same discussion that was taking place in Daniel 11. Recall that the angel is revealing to Daniel the things that are inscribed in the Book of Truth ( 10:21 ).

In chapter 11 and verse 2, the angel begins to reveal some of the things found in the Book of Truth. Chapter 11 reveals that there would be war between Greece and Persia , and Greece would overcome. After Alexander the Great (the mighty king) the kingdom would be divided into four smaller, weaker kingdoms. Two of those kingdoms, the Ptolemies and the Seleucids would war back and forth, affecting the Jewish people. One of the rulers of the Seleucids, Antiochus IV Epiphanes, would cause great havoc and persecution to the Jews. He is the despicable, vile person of 11:21 . However, neither the Seleucids nor the Ptolemies would continue in their rule. Another empire will rise that will speak blasphemies against God and exalt themselves higher than God ( 11:36 ). When we compare this description to what we read in Revelation 13 and 17, we see that this is the Roman empire . The Roman empire was introduced to us in 11:30 and they would have great power controlling most of the known world at that time ( 11:40 -45 ). This explanation fits in with the words of the angel in Daniel 10:14 that the events were concerning the Jewish people and would occur in the latter days. With this as a refreshing of our memories of chapter 11, let us continue to read the words of the angel in chapter 12.

The Rest of the Angel’s Message (12:1-4)

A time of distress (12:1)

“Now at that time.” We must immediately ask ourselves the question, “What time is being referred to here?�? Daniel 11:36-45 has been describing the events and powers of the emperors of the Roman empire . Therefore, since the angel has been speaking in a chronological fashion to Daniel, “at that time�? must refer to the time of the Roman empire . During the time of the Roman empire , the angel reveals that “Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people will arise.�? On the surface, we would not understand what this means for Michael to arise. But the rest of the verse tells us what this means to the Jewish people. The rest of the verse says, “And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time.�? The NKJV calls this “a time of trouble.�?

This event would be significant since the angel says that it would be a time of distress that had never been seen before by a nation. Jesus used the same language in Matthew 24:21, “For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will.�? In this passage, Jesus speaks of the same event, for He says it was something that had not occurred since the beginning of the world, nor ever will. Whatever Jesus was talking about is the same thing the angel is revealing to Daniel. Jesus, living in the latter days of the Jewish nation, during the days of the Roman empire spoke about the destruction of Jerusalem . Matthew 24:1-2 sets the context that Jesus is describing the signs that one stone will not be left upon another in the Roman destruction of Jerusalem . Luke 21 is a parallel passage that says, “when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is near�? (vs. 20). For a fuller discussion of this subject, see the lesson Understanding Matthew 24.

Premillennialists will have you believe that this great tribulation that Jesus and Daniel spoke about has not yet happened and will occur against all mankind. However, remember the angel told us in 10:14 that these things were against the Jews. This validates what Jesus said in referencing the destruction of the temple and the city of Jerusalem in Matthew 24 and Luke 21. Further, as we have shown many times in our study of Daniel, the phrases the “last days,�? “latter days,�? “time of the end,�? and “end of the age�? are all references to the end of the Jewish age and end of the Jewish system and covenant.

“And at that time, your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued.�? Again, we must notice the group of people this event is concerning: “your people,�? which to Daniel would be the Jews. The Jews that listen to the warning that Daniel is writing down would be rescued. More clearly, those who would listen to the words of Jesus concerning this destruction and follow the directions Jesus gave in Luke 21:20-24 and Matthew 24:21-28 would be rescued from this tribulation. Those who obeyed Jesus would not be in the city when the Romans attacked. However, as Josephus records, those who did not quickly escape would be shut up in the city as it would prepare for war. Josephus records that more than 1 million Jews were killed in the Roman siege of Jerusalem and more taken captive. This book is similar to what we read in Malachi 3:16-4:2. In Malachi the book is called the book of remembrance. Those written in the book were the ones who feared the Lord. So it also is here in Daniel. Those who would obey the words of the Lord would be rescued from the great tribulation.

Spiritual resurrection (12:2)

During this time of tribulation and distress, we read, “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, some to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.�? Here we are reading about a resurrection that will take place during this time of tribulation. Is this a physical resurrection of dead bodies? While the language may sound as such, we must remember that we are dealing with apocalyptic language of judgment in this message from the angel. This statement to Daniel by the angel has a parallel to Ezekiel’s vision of dry bones in Ezekiel 37:1-14. In Ezekiel, the prophecy is regarding the spiritual resurrection and renewal of the nation. During the days of Ezekiel, the Jewish nation was in captivity, but would rise again. Here in Daniel we need to see that we are also reading about a spiritual resurrection and renewal to those who will hear the voice of the Lord. This cannot refer to the physical resurrection at the end of time, for we know that all will be raised to be judged by the Lord (John 5:28 -29 ). But Daniel 12:2 tells us that “many�? will rise, not all. Therefore, during this persecution and destruction from the Romans, many of the Jews will reawaken their hearts to the Lord and truly turn and live for the Lord. However, others would not do so and would bring about everlasting contempt upon themselves for rejecting the Lord’s words.

This life that is being offered here in Daniel seems to be the same that Jesus offered in John 5:25-26. In this passage Jesus speaks about a coming judgment. While verses 28-29 seem to talk about the final resurrection and judgment of the Lord, verses 25-27 clearly talk about an imminent judgment. Verse 25 says that the hour is coming and now is. Something was on the brink of coming, which is what we are reading here in Daniel, the judgment of the Jewish nation through the power of the Romans. Those who would hear Jesus would have life, not only from the destruction, but more importantly, eternal life for obeying and submitting to Jesus Christ.

The wise will find life (12:3)

Verse 3 tells us that those who would understand these things would find life through deliverance from the Messiah. The wise will have insight, understand these things, recognize the Messiah, and find life. To survive the times that were coming would require understanding and insight. This is what we read Jesus saying in Matthew 24:10-15. There would be many false prophets that would arise at this time (Mt 24:11) and many would be betraying one another (Mt 24:10). Jesus goes on to say in verse 15, “Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet standing in the holy place (whoever reads, let him understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.�? Here Jesus reminds the readers of the words of Daniel and the need for insight and understanding concerning the Roman invasion of Jerusalem and other cities in Judea.

Seal up the words (12:4)

This is the end of the message of the book of truth that the angel was to reveal to Daniel. The angel now instructs Daniel to shut up the words and seal the scroll until the time of the end. Both the words “shut up�? and “seal�? carry with them similar meanings that these things were to be hidden until a later time. The words were shut up and the scroll sealed so that no more information could be revealed at this time. The angel was not to give any more understanding about these matters until “the time of the end.�? This is the scroll that we see sealed in the right hand of the One seated on the throne in Revelation 5. The book of Revelation is the revealing of the contents of the sealed scroll.

When is “the time of the end?�? It sounds like we are talking about the end of time. However, that does not fit the chronology of the events that we have been reading about. The events that were revealed to Daniel in chapter 11 and the beginning of chapter 12 concerned the dividing of the Grecian empire, the warring Ptolemies and Seleucids in Palestine , and the coming to power of the Roman empire . Further, in Daniel 8:17 , 11:35 , and 11:40 we have seen the phrase used “time of the end.�? In none of those cases has “time of the end�? referred to events at the end of time. They referred to events that had to do with the end of the Jewish age and end of the Jewish system. The meaning is the same here as well. The time of the end is pointing to the end of the Jewish system, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D., just as Jesus had spoken in Matthew 24 and Luke 21. It would be in the days of the Messiah that more about this matter would be revealed.

“Many will run to and fro and knowledge will increase.�? This seems to be a statement about what will be occurring during the time of the end. For a more detailed explanation, read Matthew 24:15-28. Jesus describes in this section of Matthew 24 the running after the false Christs and running to the mountains as meaning that during the Roman invasion many would understand the prophecy of Daniel.

Questions Concerning the Scroll (12:5-13)

The spiritual hosts (5-6)

We are now reminded of the points we made in Daniel 10 that Daniel is surrounded by numerous spiritual beings in this discussion. In verse 5 Daniel looks and see two others, likely besides the other spiritual beings that we have been introduced to in chapter 10. One is on one side of the riverbank and the other spiritual being is on the other side. One of the spiritual beings asks the question, “How long until these wonders are fulfilled?�? This is a rather interesting question, because it seemed that the angel was not going to reveal any more information about these things. Daniel had been instructed to seal up the scroll. But before the scroll is sealed, one of the spiritual beings asks how long till these things are fulfilled.

The answer (12:7)

The man clothed in linen. We saw the man clothed in linen in Daniel 10:5 who had a radiant appearance that we notice to be very similar to the description of the Son of Man in Revelation 1. In Daniel 12:7 we see the man clothed in linen “hold up his right hand and his left to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things will be finished.�? The man in linen gives us two time references as to when all of these wonders would be fulfilled. The first time reference is that “it shall be for a time, times and half a time.�? “Time�? is understood to be one year, so a “time, times, and half a time�? would be one year, two years, and a half a year, therefore three and a half years. However, we know that all the things that we have read in chapters 11 and 12 would take longer than a literal three and a half years. Therefore, the time, times, and half a time is a symbolic reference to the fact that a definite amount of time would pass.

But verse 7 gives us a more detailed time reference. The angel says “it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered.�? This definite period of time would pass “when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered.�? This is a clear reference to the destruction of Jerusalem and the ending of the Jewish system as spoken by Jesus in Matthew 24 and Luke 21. This shattering of the holy people has already been prophesied in Daniel 9:24 -27 concerning the seventy weeks. This same imagery is found in Revelation 10:5-11. Notice that we read, “The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised up his hand to heaven and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there should be delay no longer, but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets.�?

In the days of Daniel, the angel said that it would be a time, times, and half a time before these wonders would be fulfilled. In the days of the writing of the book of Revelation (about 69 A.D.), we see this same angel make the same oath, but declares that there will no longer be a delay. The time, times, and half a time has passed and the shattering of the holy people would now occur (in 70 A.D.). In Revelation 11:15, the seventh angel blows his trumpet, signifying that these things had now come to pass. The words of Jesus and the prophecies of Daniel all came to pass when the Romans laid siege and destroyed Jerusalem and the cities of Judea.

Final question and answer (8-13)

In verse 8 we see that though Daniel heard all of these words, he did not understand what all of this meant. Therefore Daniel asks, “My lord, what shall be the end of these things” Daniel seems to want to know what will be the outcome of these events. However, this is information that was to be sealed up. The angel tells Daniel to go his way, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. These things would be revealed in the book of Revelation, hence the name of the book, “Revelation.” The unveiling of things that were previously sealed up. The things that are sealed up and shut away in the days of Daniel would be fully revealed in “the time of the end,” the writing of Revelation during the last days.

Verse 10 tells us that these events were set to purify the people. Because of the destruction of the temple and the Jewish system, many would become purified, turning their lives back to God. But many of the wicked would continue to act wickedly and not understand these events. However, those with insight and understanding would know the meaning of these events.

Verse 11 must be read carefully. We will go ahead and note that there are many different interpretations of this verse. As always we will look for the answer that is simplest and most logical. Let us understand what are time markers are in this verse. First, the angel mentions “the time the daily sacrifices are taken away.” This is certainly a reference to the sacrifices that were being offered in the temple in Jerusalem . When the sacrifices in the temple in Jerusalem ceased would be one time marker. The other is “the abomination of desolation is set up.” There are often many controversies as to what the abomination of desolation is. Many argue that this is the description of the Antichrist. But Jesus gives us a clear definition of who the abomination of desolation is.

In Matthew 24:15-16 Jesus spoke of the abomination of desolation. We read there, “Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place, (whoever reads, let him understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.�? The book of Matthew was written to a predominantly Jewish audience, and thus the statement is given, let the reader understand. The Jews were to understand the meaning of Daniel’s prophecy. Luke records the same account in his gospel, which will define for us who the abomination of desolation is. Since Luke was written mainly to a Gentile audience, they would need a clearer definition of what to look for, since they would not be familiar with the prophecy of Daniel. In Luke 21:20-22 we read Jesus says, “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. Then let those in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.�? The statement in Matthew 24 and this statement in Luke 21 are parallel. According to Luke, what was the sign of the abomination of desolation? “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies.�? When the Romans surrounded the city of Jerusalem , the people were to know that its desolation was near. The Romans are the abomination of desolation because they would conquer Jerusalem and destroy the temple. The Romans would make the temple desolate. Therefore, the two points that are being mentioned to Daniel are the time that the sacrifices cease in the temple and the time when the Romans destroy the temple.

Now we must address the question as to what time frame is being discussed. Is Daniel being told the that there would be 1290 days between the time the daily sacrifices are taken away and the abomination of desolation is set up? Or is Daniel being told that there will be 1290 days once the daily sacrifices are taken away and the abomination of desolation is set up? When we carefully read this verse, it seems that Daniel is being told that after these two events take place, there will be 1290 days. The angel does not say that there would be 1290 days between these events. Further, if we were to understand the angel telling Daniel that there would be 1290 days between these events, then we must look for how this was fulfilled. With this understanding, the starting point is the time the daily sacrifices are taken away and the end of the 1290 would be when the abomination of desolation is set up. While there was much fighting that began within the city of Jerusalem by the Jews when they heard that Vespasian, the general of the Roman army, was coming against Jerusalem , I could not find any historical points to show that the sacrifices ceased 1290 days before the destruction of Jerusalem . One may argue that the sacrifices were being made by unholy hands, those not designated to be priests, but I still could not show a duration of 1290 days. Even if we understand the text to tell us that once the abomination of desolation is set up there would be 1290 days, it would be difficult to prove this literally as well. 1290 days does add up to approximately three and a half years, which is the approximate length of time from when Vespasian begins the siege on Jerusalem to the city’s destruction under Titus. While it may fit rather closely, I do not know that anyone can show that exactly 1290 days passed in the siege of Jerusalem . Furthermore, if we take the 1290 days literally, we must also take the 1335 days in verse 12 literally, which also would cause great difficulties.

Most everyone accepts that we must take these numbers symbolically. 1290 days is a general number to suggest a length of time that the oppressors will prevail. This is also the same meaning of using the phrase “time, times, and half a time.�? It is a certain length of time in which the oppressors will prevail. These same numbers can be found in Revelation and are used in the same fashion. In Revelation 13:5 we see the beast (which is the Roman empire ) is given authority for 42 months (which is 1260 days, or a time, times, and half a time). It suggests a period time that the oppressive Romans would prevail. The same can be seen in Revelation 11:2-3. Here the holy city is to be trampled underfoot for 42 months. Further, the two witnesses will prophesy for 1260 days. Again we have a picture of a duration of time when the oppressors would prevail.

Some may ask, as I do, why does Daniel use 1290 days, instead of 1260 days that we see in Revelation? Some scholars have shown that every three years the Jews would add thirty days to their calendars to bring it into line with a solar year. Maybe this would explain the difference. I believe the reason for the difference is to show us that we are not talking about a literal 1260 days or a literal 1290 days. It is a symbolic time reference, like “time, times and half a time,�? to show a certain period of time that would pass by when the oppressors would have authority. Therefore I believe the angel to be making the same point as he did in verse 7, that there was going to be a definite period of time when Daniel’s people would endure tribulation. But then the angel gives a message of hope. Those who endure this tribulation will be blessed. Those who outlast the 1290 days by obeying the directions of Jesus given in Matthew 24 and Luke 21 would live past these 1290 days and would see more days of life ahead. I do not know of any way to argue a literal 1335 days from this passage, nor do I know any who do. Instead, it is best to understand the 1335 days as enduring past 1290 days of oppression. Those who remained faithful to God through these days would be blessed.

In verse 13 Daniel is told not to worry about these things but to go his way. Daniel would die and not see the events just spoken of about the shattering of the holy people. Daniel would receive his inheritance (his lot, in some translations) at the end of these days. Again, this is not a reference to the end of time, but a reference to the end of the Jewish system and all the things Daniel has just prophesied. In the words of Jim McGuiggen, from his commentary on Daniel, “When Jerusalem fell, Daniel stood up and was acknowledged! Jesus warned that that is what would happen even as Daniel had said.�? Thus we see this come to pass in Revelation 11:17-18, “We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come, because You have taken Your great power and reigned. The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, and those who fear Your name, small and great, and should destroy those who destroy the earth.�? Daniel’s, as well as the other prophets, reward came when his words were fulfilled in the days of Jesus Christ.

Chapter 10 set the introduction to the vision that Daniel would see in chapter 11. Before we read chapter 11, let us remember a couple of aspects about the vision we are going to read about. Daniel 10:14 tells us that what the angel reveals to Daniel is concerning “what will happen to your people.” Therefore, the things that we are reading about in chapter 11 must be concerning the Jews, for these are Daniel’s people. Second, verse 14 also tells us that these will happen “in the latter days.” Recall that this is a reference to the time when the events will lead up to the end of the Jewish age, sometimes called the “last days,” “time of the end,” or “end of the age” (Heb. 1:1-2). For further notes about this point, please see my remarks in chapter 10 and chapter 2. Therefore, the things that we read in chapter 11 cannot refer to future events past our lifetime. They must have taken place prior to the end of the Jewish age, culminating in 70 A.D.

Kingdom of Greece (11:2-4)

As we begin looking at verse 2, recall that we are still reading the words of the angel. Though we have an unfortunate chapter break here, the angel from 10:20 is continuing to speak to Daniel. The angel is now going to reveal the things contained in the book of truth ( 10:21 ). “Three more kings will arise in Persia .�? Daniel 10:1 tells us that Daniel is seeing these things in the third year of Cyrus. The next three kings of Persia are Cambyses (530-522 B.C.), Smerdis (522 B.C.), and Darius I Hystaspes (522-486 B.C.). “And the fourth will be far richer than them all.�? The fourth king of Persia would be Xerxes (486-465 B.C.). This wealth of Xerxes is recorded for us in Esther 1:3-4, where he is called Ahasuerus. History records that Xerxes did stir up opposition to the realm of Greece .

In verses 3-4 we read of a mighty king who would arise and have great power. However, when he has arisen his kingdom will be divided into four. It should be clear to us by now who this mighty king is because Daniel has seen him in visions many times previous to this one. The description given in verses 3-4 are very similar to the scriptures in Daniel 8:8 and 7:6. This mighty king is Alexander the Great who brought the downfall of the Persian empire . Upon Alexander’s death, the kingdom of Greece was divided into four parts among his military leaders, and not his children. Verse 4 also points out their these rulers will not have the power or dominion that Alexander had.

Kingdoms of Egypt and Syria (11:5-20)

“The king of the South shall become strong�? (vs. 5). Of the four kingdoms that Greece divided into, the one to the south is Egypt . The kingdom of Egypt (known as the Ptolemaic reign) became very great. This king is likely a reference to Ptolemy I Soter. “One of his officers shall grow stronger than he.�? Ptolemy had a general named Seleucus I. Seleucus was a satrap of Babylonia for a time until Antigonus seized Babylonia . Once Antigonus was defeated at Gaza in 312 B.C., Seleucus returned to Babylonia where he greatly increased in power. This is the beginning of the conflict between the Ptolemies ( Egypt ) and the Seleucids ( Syria , Babylonia , & Media). The Seleucids, according to history, had the largest of the four divisions of the Grecian kingdom. Some time later, Berenice, daughter of Ptolemy II (king of the South), would marry the Seleucid king (king of the North), Antiochus II Theos (vs. 6). However, Antiochus was already married to a powerful woman named Laodice who succeeded in murdering Antiochus, Berenice, and their child. Therefore, their “power will not last.�? In verses 7-8, “a branch from her roots shall arise in his place.�? Berenice had a brother named Ptolemy III Euergetes who succeeded to the throne in Egypt . Ptolemy III attacks the Seleucid king (Seleucus II Callinicus). Ptolemy seizes Syria ’s gods and other treasures, returns home where he lives the rest of his reign in peace. Verse 9 describes the Seleucid king, Seleucus II, attacking Ptolemy III, failing, and returning home. However, Seleucus II has three sons who ruled and continued the wars with the Ptolemies (vs. 10). Antiochus III would rise up and attack the king of the South. He was renamed Antiochus the Great because of his military successes, attacking even into Egypt (vs. 10). In verse 11 we read that in response to these events, the king of the South ( Egypt ), Ptolemy IV Philpator, launched a counterattack with an immense army. Ptolemy wins a great victory at Raphia in Palestine . Because of this victory, Ptolemy’s heart was filled with pride (vs. 12). Antiochus had lost 17,000 soldiers, yet the Ptolemaic supremacy would not last. At the death of Ptolemy IV some years later, Antiochus III invades the Ptolemaic lands where the fortress of Gaza falls to Antiochus (vs. 13). In verse 14 we read that the Jews (violent men of your people) would aid Antiochus III in these battles leading to victory, but it would lead to their own undoing (since Antiochus IV would thus be enabled to rule over Palestine ). In verse 15 we read that Antiochus III (the king of the North) would take the well-fortified city of Sidon . With this victory, all of Palestine had come under Antiochus’ control (vs. 16). Palestine would continue to be in possession of the Syrian kings, which sets the stage for the reign of terror to follow under Antiochus IV. The Syrians forced terms of peace (an alliance) upon the Egyptian king because of the power Antiochus III wielded. To seal the agreement, Antiochus gave his daughter, Cleopatra, to Ptolemy V as a wife (vs. 17). But this did not work because Cleopatra loved her husband and supported the Ptolemaic cause. From this victory, Antiochus III turns his attention to the coasts of Asia Minor (vs. 18). A Roman general (Lucius Cornelius Scipio) would put an end to Antiochus’ attacks on their dominion in 191 B.C. at Thermopylae and Magnesium. The Romans forced Antiochus to surrender territory, much of his military force, twenty hostages, and pay a heavy tax to Rome . After this humiliating defeat, Antiochus III returned to his home country where he was killed by an angry mob (vs. 19). At his death, Seleucus IV Philopator succeeded the throne. Seleucus sends his prime minister Heliodorus throughout the kingdom to raise money to pay the taxes to Rome (vs. 20). Seleucus IV only reigned a few years and was not killed by an angry mob like his father, or in battle. Heliodorus, his prime minister, evidently seeking to gain the throne for himself or for Antiochus IV, poisoned the king.

Antiochus IV Epiphanes (11:21 -35)

“In his place shall arise a vile person.�? Antiochus IV Epiphanes takes the throne instead of the son of Seleucus (Demetrius I Soter). By flattery, he is able to win support from the kings of Asia Minor , who then help him gain the throne (vs. 21). Antiochus IV also won decisive victories against Ptolemy VI Philometer, even capturing him and holding him hostage (vs. 22). We also see in verse 22“the prince of the covenant.�? There are two options generally presented as to who the prince of the covenant is. Some say that the prince of the covenant is Onias III, the high priest who was deposed and murdered by Antiochus IV. Others argue that the prince of the covenant is referring to Ptolemy IV because he agreed to become an ally of Antiochus if the Syrians would help him regain the throne in Egypt . A reference to Ptolemy as the prince of the covenant does not make sense to me personally. Would he not be called the king of the South, as the Ptolemies have been called throughout the chapter? The prince of the covenant must be a reference to something belonging to the Jewish covenant with God. It seems more likely that this is a reference to the removal of the high priest, thus leading to the ceasing of sacrifices in the temple and the abomination of desolation. In verse 23 we see that many alliances will be made with Antiochus; however, he will work deceitfully against his allies. He will become very strong in the world, though his people, the Syrians, are not very numerous. While some of the nations around feel at peace from these alliances, Antiochus would invade the rich provinces and plunder their treasures (vs. 24). Further, in verse 25 we see that Antiochus IV (king of the North) will again engage in war against the king of the South, who is Ptolemy VI. Ptolemy VI was defeated partly by sedition and desertion in and from his own army. Ptolemy’s counselors told him to go and recapture Syria and Palestine , igniting the wrath of Antiochus and causing the defeat of Ptolemy (vs. 26). Neither the kingdom of Egypt nor the kingdom of Syria would amount to greatness. An end had been appointed by God for each of these leaders (vs. 27). Antiochus would return to Palestine and begin to greatly persecute the Jews (vs. 28). In verse 29 we read that Antiochus would invade Egypt again, but this time he would not be successful. The reason is given for us in verse 30 that ships from Cyprus , bearing Roman envoys, came and ordered Antiochus’ withdrawal from Egypt . This again enrages Antiochus such that he again turns his attention against the temple and against the Jews. In verse 31 we see that Antiochus would send forces against the temple in Jerusalem . All the Jewish religious practices such as circumcision, possessing the Scriptures, sacrifices, and feast days were forbidden on penalty of death. The desecration continued as an altar of Zeus was erected in the temple. Swine was also offered in the temple, completely defiling the temple of God . In verse 32 we see that the wicked against God would continue in their evil, while the true people of God would display strength. The teachers of the people will teach many, but they, too, will suffer death or captivity during this time (vs. 33). During this period of oppression, those who are faithful to the Lord will receive a little help (vs. 34). This may be an allusion to the small number of people who were fighting against the actions of Antiochus. However, as the revolt began to grow, many more would join the rebellion. These events were to purify the people of God. This was a tool of God to try to bring the hearts of the people back to Him. The appointed end of the Jewish nation was still in the future.

The Roman Empire (11:36 -45)

This last section of text is used by many premillennialists to teach that this is the Antichrist that will come some day in the future yet to come. But why break from the chronology of history that we have been receiving at this point? Nothing in the text suggests that we are now speaking about things that would be over 2000 years later! The angel is continuing his discourse of the things that will happen to the Jewish people in the latter days ( 10:14 ). In verse 36 we seem to have a new entity that we are referring to. There are four views as to who this new king is that “will do as he pleases and exalt and magnify himself above every god.�? As we have already noted, one view is that this is the Antichrist. Others suggest the king is Antiochus IV Epiphanes, Herod the Great, or a Roman emperor. Let us consider each of the four views.

Not Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Leupold says, “As soon as the attempt is made consistently to apply these verses to Antiochus IV, the difficulties begin to become overwhelming.�? Here are four reasons this king is not Antiochus. (1) In verse 40, the king of the South moved against this king. However, the king of the South never moved against Antiochus. (2) Antiochus never fought a war against Egypt successfully after the events we have read in verses 21-35. Therefore these verses cannot refer to him. (3) Antiochus never conquered the nations listed in verses 40-45. (4) Antiochus never gained control of all the riches listed in verse 43.

Not Herod the Great. This view is rather easy to dismiss for the same reasons. (1) Egypt never came against Herod the Great as seen in verse 40. (2) Herod did not go and attack Egypt , nor did he conquer Egypt , Libya , and Ethiopia (vs. 41-44).

Not the “Antichrist.�? As we have already noted, a future Antichrist does not fit into the chronology of the events we have been reading about thus far. How can we suddenly jump to events that would happen past the 20th century? Remember that Daniel 10:14 told us that these things were concerning Daniel’s people, not something worldwide that was yet to come. The time period given to us was the last days which always refers to the end of the Jewish age, as we have been reading about. The Antichrist does not fit here. Finally, the conclusion of the vision rests with the destruction of Jerusalem , as seen in chapter 12. The Antichrist does not fit in here, either.

Roman emperors. The logical understanding of this king is to see him as the Roman emperors. This seems to fit the chronology of what we have been reading. During the latter days it was the Roman empire that was the world power. Verse 36 easily fits the description of the emperors who deified themselves and blasphemed God. Verses 36-39 sound very familiar to the description given to the Roman empire in Revelation 13:1-7. Finally, it was the Roman armies that surrounded Jerusalem and destroyed it, just as this vision depicts. Therefore, Rome fits this king the best.

In verse 39 we read a very clear depiction of the nature of the Roman empire . When Rome conquered a place or a nation, the king who would submit readily, keep down nationalism, and pay taxes on time was given a place of leadership. This is the same description found in Revelation 17:12. In verse 40 we read of the king of the South (the Ptolemies) going against the Romans. Cleopatra, the last of the Ptolemy line, aided by Mark Antony begins to push against Rome . This leads to Rome declaring war against Egypt under the leadership of Octavian. Octavian would later become Augustus Caesar. The Ptolemies were put to an end as Rome conquered and won in the battle of Actium . As the Romans began their conquests, Edom , Moab , and Ammon were able to escape (vs. 41). The Romans also took control of Egypt and the surrounding nations as they continued their conquests (vs. 42). Therefore, the Romans controlled much of the known world and the nations were in subjection to them (vs. 43). The Romans placed many taxes on the nations to increase its wealth. Some would try to rise up against Rome , but it was useless. The Romans had great power and swept away any nation that tried to conquer it (vs. 44). Rome would exercise its power over the Jewish nation, but we are told that an end was appointed for the Roman empire , which was yet to be seen (vs. 45).

Conclusion:

Chapter 12 will tell us the final end of the vision and we will see how Daniel reacts to this information.