Part III<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Great Tribulation<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u05d7<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EIGHT<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Great Tribulation: Introduction<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The second major division of eschatology concerns the seven-year period commonly designated as the Great Tribulation. Some simply refer to the period as the Tribulation and apply the term \u201cGreat Tribulation\u201d only to the second half of the seven-year period, the last 3\u00bd years. However, in this study, the term \u201cGreat Tribulation\u201d will be used of the entire seven-year period and not just of the latter half. In this introductory chapter, three aspects will be discussed: the names of the Tribulation, its purposes, and the general descriptions of it given in various parts of Scripture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A. Names<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the Old Testament, the most common name for the Great Tribulation is the Day of Jehovah or the Day of the Lord found in various passages. Every reference will be dealt with at some point in this study. There are some who use the Day of the Lord to include the Millennium as well as the Tribulation period, based upon 2 Peter 3:10. But as will be shown later in this chapter, this verse is best seen as applying to the Tribulation only, rather than including the events following it. In every passage of the Scriptures that the term the Day of Jehovah or the Day of the Lord is found, it is always and without exception a reference to the Tribulation period. This is the most common name for this period in the Old Testament, and it is also found in various passages of the New Testament. While the phrase that day is used both negatively and positively and therefore many times it does apply to the Millennium, the phrase Day of Jehovah or Day of the Lord is always used negatively and never included the Millennial Kingdom.
\nBut there are a number of other names or designations for this time period found in the Old Testament. Following the translation found in the American Standard Version of the 1901 edition, these names include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Time of Jacob\u2019s Trouble\u2014Jeremiah 30:7\nThe Seventieth Week (a seven) of Daniel\u2014Daniel 9:27\nJehovah\u2019s Strange Work\u2014Isaiah 28:21\nJehovah\u2019s Strange Act\u2014Isaiah 28:21\nThe Day of Israel\u2019s Calamity\u2014Deuteronomy 32:35; Obadiah 12\u201314\nThe Tribulation\u2014Deuteronomy 4:30\nThe Indignation\u2014Isaiah 26:20; Daniel 11:36\nThe Overflowing Scourge\u2014Isaiah 28:15, 18\nThe Day of Vengeance\u2014Isaiah 34:8; 35:4; 61:2\nThe Year of Recompense\u2014Isaiah 34:8\nThe Time of Trouble\u2014Daniel 12:1; Zephaniah 1:15\nThe Day of Wrath\u2014Zephaniah 1:15\nThe Day of Distress\u2014Zephaniah 1:15\nThe Day of Wasteness\u2014Zephaniah 1:15\nThe Day of Desolation\u2014Zephaniah 1:15\nThe Day of Darkness\u2014Zephaniah 1:15; Amos 5:18, 20; Joel 2:2\nThe Day of Gloominess\u2014Zephaniah 1:15; Joel 2:2\nThe Day of Clouds\u2014Zephaniah 1:15; Joel 2:2\nThe Day of Thick Darkness\u2014Zephaniah 1:15; Joel 2:2\nThe Day of the Trumpet\u2014Zephaniah 1:16\nThe Day of Alarm\u2014Zephaniah 1:16<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThe New Testament names and designations include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Day of the Lord\u20141 Thessalonians 5:2\nThe Wrath of God\u2014Revelation 15:1, 7; 14:10, 19; 16:1\nThe Hour of Trial\u2014Revelation 3:10\nThe Great Day of the Wrath of the Lamb of God\u2014Revelation 6:16\u201317\nThe Wrath to Come\u20141 Thessalonians 1:10\nThe Wrath\u20141 Thessalonians 5:9; Revelation 11:18\nThe Great Tribulation\u2014Matthew 24:21; Revelation 2:22; 7:14\nThe Tribulation\u2014Matthew 24:29\nThe Hour of Judgment\u2014Revelation 14:7<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nB. Purposes of the Tribulation<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are three main purposes for the Great Tribulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- To Make an End of Wickedness and Wicked Ones<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
The first of these purposes is to make an end of wickedness and wicked ones. There are two key passages that express this purpose. The first is found in Isaiah 13:9:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Behold, the day of Jehovah comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger; to make the land a desolation, and to destroy the sinners thereof out of it.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThis passage uses the term the Day of Jehovah as a reference to the Great Tribulation and gives its goal in the phrase, to destroy the sinners thereof out of it. The purpose, then, is to destroy wicked ones out of the land. This is further described in Isaiah 24:19\u201320:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The earth is utterly broken, the earth is rent asunder, the earth is shaken violently. The earth shall stagger like a drunken man, and shall sway to and fro like a hammock; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it, and it shall fall, and not rise again.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThe closing words of this verse state that the basic reason for the judgments of the Tribulation is that the transgression worldwide shall fall and not rise again. Its purpose is to make an end of wickedness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- To Bring About a Worldwide Revival<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
The second purpose of the Tribulation is to bring about a worldwide revival. This purpose is given and fulfilled in Revelation 7:1\u201317. In verses 1\u20138, John describes the means by which God will bring about this worldwide revival, while verses 9\u201317 portray the results of the revival. Revelation seven will be examined from a different perspective in chapter ten of this book, but certain things should be mentioned at this time.
\nRevelation 7:1\u20134 reads:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that no wind should blow on the earth, or on the sea, or upon any tree. And I saw another angel ascend from the sunrising, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a great voice to the four angels to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we shall have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads. And I heard the number of them that were sealed, a hundred and forty and four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the children of Israel.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nVerses 5\u20138 proceed to state that 12,000 Jews are selected from each of the Twelve Tribes, adding up to a total of 144,000 Jews. It is by means of these Jewish evangelists that God will bring about the worldwide revival and accomplish another goal of the Tribulation.
\nLooking at this from a human viewpoint, there is a decided advantage in using Jews to conduct a worldwide revival in the short time period of 3\u00bd years, for, as will be demonstrated later, this revival will occur during the first half of the Tribulation. In the present system of training missionaries for the work of evangelism in a foreign field, the missionary must first study the Scriptures in a Bible school or in a seminary program, either of which takes three to four years. But while the Bible school or seminary graduate may be prepared to teach the Word of God in his own nation, he is still not prepared to minister in a foreign field. The next two years or so must be spent in language study, for he must learn the language of another country in order to communicate the Word there. The modern missionary, then, must spend approximately six years in preparation before he is fully equipped to present the gospel in a language that is not his own. However, because this revival will be conducted in 3\u00bd years during the first half of the Tribulation, there is not that much time for training. This is where there is a decided advantage in using Jewish people.
\nFirst of all, the Jews are scattered all over the world. All of this world\u2019s major languages, and a great number of the world\u2019s minor languages, are spoken by some Jews somewhere. Except for American Jewry, most Jews are at least bilingual. The author is bilingual, and the author\u2019s parents are multi-lingual, speaking five languages each.
\nSecond, with a large segment of American Jewry being the exception, most Jews receive a good and basic understanding of the Old Testament text. They have a greater or lesser degree of knowledge of the Old Testament Scriptures, depending on their background.
\nHence, at some time after the Rapture of the Church, the Lord will save 144,000 Jews from the Twelve Tribes and from around the world. These Jews will already speak the languages needed. They will already have a basic knowledge of the Old Testament text. All they will need will be a little time spent in learning the content of the New Testament. So, they could begin to preach the gospel in a very short period of time.
\nDuring the first half of the Tribulation, God will evangelize the world by means of the 144,000 Jews and thus fulfill the prophecy found in Matthew 24:14:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a testimony unto all the nations; and then shall the end come.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nFollowing the vision of the 144,000 Jews in the first part of Revelation seven, John saw the results of the ministry of these Jewish evangelists in verses 9\u201317:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After these things I saw, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could number, out of every nation and of all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, arrayed in white robes, and palms in their hands; and they cry with a great voice, saying, Salvation unto our God who sits on the throne, and unto the Lamb.\u2026 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, These that are arrayed in the white robes, who are they, and whence came they? And I say unto him, My lord, you know. And he said to me, These are they that come out of the great tribulation, and they washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (vv. 9\u201310, 13\u201314).<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nAfter the vision of the 144,000 Jews, John saw myriads and myriads of Gentiles, as well as other Jews who have come to a saving knowledge of the Savior during the Tribulation. The connecting link, after these things, is chronological and also shows a cause and effect relationship between the first and the second parts of Revelation seven. Thus, by means of the 144,000 Jews, God will accomplish the second purpose of the Great Tribulation, that of bringing about a worldwide revival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- To Break the Power of the Holy People<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
The third purpose of the Tribulation is to break the power or the stubborn will of the Jewish nation. In Daniel 11\u201312, the prophet was given a vision of what conditions will be like for his people (Israel) during the Tribulation. Then, in Daniel 12:5\u20137, a question is raised as to how long this period will be allowed to continue:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, I, Daniel, looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on the brink of the river on this side, and the other on the brink of the river on that side. And one said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and swore by him that lives for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and a half; and when they have made an end of breaking in pieces the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. (emphasis added)<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThis passage provides a third goal of the Tribulation. It is to break the power or the stubborn will of the Jewish nation. The Tribulation will continue and will not end until this happens. So from this, the third purpose of the Tribulation can be deduced: God intends to break the power of the holy people in order to bring about a national regeneration.
\nThe means by which God will perform this is given in Ezekiel 20:33\u201338:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As I live, says the Lord Jehovah, surely with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with wrath poured out, will I be king over you. And I will bring you out from the peoples, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with wrath poured out; and I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there will I enter into judgment with you face to face. Like as I entered into judgment with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I enter into judgment with you, says the Lord Jehovah. And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant; and I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me; I will bring them forth out of the land where they sojourn, but they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am Jehovah.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nIn this passage, Ezekiel draws a simile with the Exodus, which was examined earlier, in Chapter 4, The Sequence of Pretribulational Events. What is important to note here is that after God gathers the Jews from around the world, He will enter into a period of judgment (the Tribulation) with them. The rebels among the Jewish people will be purged out by this judgment. Only then will the whole new nation, a regenerate nation, be allowed to enter the Promised Land under King Messiah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
C. General Descriptions<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Numerous passages of the Old Testament describe the nature and times of the Great Tribulation, and they can not all be dealt with in the scope of this study. But there are key passages that need to be considered in this introductory material on the Tribulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- The Little Apocalypse of Isaiah<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
An important passage pertaining to the Tribulation is Isaiah 24:1\u201327:13. This section has some strong similarities with the Revelation, and so it has been called the Little Apocalypse of Isaiah. Verses 24:1\u201313 depict the earth in utter desolation because of the judgments of the Tribulation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Behold, Jehovah makes the earth empty, and makes it waste, and turns it upside down, and scatters abroad the inhabitants thereof. And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the creditor, so with the debtor; as with the taker of interest, so with the giver of interest to him. The earth shall be utterly emptied, and utterly laid waste; for Jehovah has spoken this word. The earth mourns and fades away, the world languishes and fades away, the lofty people of the earth do languish. The earth also is polluted under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore has the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are found guilty: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left. The new wine mourns, the vine languishes, all the merryhearted do sigh. The mirth of tabrets ceases, the noise of them that rejoice ends, the joy of the harp ceases. They shall not drink wine with a song; strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it. The waste city is broken down; every house is shut up, that no man may come in. There is crying in the streets because of the wine, all joy is darkened, the mirth of the land is gone. In the city is left desolation, and the gate is smitten with destruction. For thus shall it be in the midst of the earth among the peoples, as the shaking of an olive-tree, as the gleanings when the vintage is done.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nIn verses 19\u201320, the earth is pictured as staggering from the judgments of the Tribulation which have fallen upon it because of sin:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The earth is utterly broken, the earth is rent asunder, the earth is shaken violently. The earth shall stagger like a drunken man, and shall sway to and fro like a hammock; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it, and it shall fall, and not rise again.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nYet the judgments are a necessary corollary to God\u2019s righteousness, and this is recognized by the righteous ones living at the time, according to Isaiah 26:8\u201310:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yea, in the way of your judgments, O Jehovah, have we waited for you; to your name, even to your memorial name, is the desire of our soul. With my soul have I desired you in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek you earnestly: for when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness. Let favor be showed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness; in the land of uprightness will he deal wrongfully, and will not behold the majesty of Jehovah.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nIsaiah 26:20\u201321 states that the righteous ones are specially protected by God as the judgments are poured out against all unrighteousness:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Come, my people, enter you into your chambers, and shut your doors about you: hide yourself for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, Jehovah comes forth out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nIndeed, this section of Isaiah is the backdrop filling in and clarifying much that is said in Revelation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- The Day of Jehovah Passages<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
The term the Day of Jehovah is the most common term in the Old Testament for the Tribulation. It is a period of time that begins with the signing of the Seven-Year Covenant and ends with the Second Coming of Messiah exactly seven years later. Some teach that the Day of Jehovah starts with the Rapture itself, assuming it is the Rapture that begins the Tribulation. But because there could easily be a period of time between the Rapture and the start of the Tribulation, it is better to view the Day of Jehovah as starting with the Seven-Year Covenant. Others wish to extend the period of the Day of Jehovah to include the Millennium and the Aftermath, but a study of the term in every passage will show that it is never used in any context except that of the Tribulation. While other expressions, such as that day or in that day, are used for both the Tribulation and the Millennium, the term the Day of Jehovah, is never used for anything outside of the Great Tribulation.
\nSeveral Day of Jehovah passages refer to Israel during the Tribulation, and these will be taken into consideration in Chapter 13, The Great Tribulation: Added Features and Facts. Here, only those Day of Jehovah passages that deal with the world in general, or relate to a specific Gentile nation, will be noted. There are seven such passages.
\nFirst, Isaiah 2:12\u201322 emphasizes the terror of Jehovah that will be manifested at that time:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For there shall be a day of Jehovah of hosts upon all that is proud and haughty, and upon all that is lifted up; and it shall be brought low: and upon all the cedars of Lebanon, that are high and lifted up, and upon all the oaks of Bashan, and upon all the high mountains, and upon all the hills that are lifted up, and upon every lofty tower, and upon every fortified wall, and upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant imagery. And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be brought low; and Jehovah alone shall be exalted in that day. And the idols shall utterly pass away. And men shall go into the caves of the rocks, and into the holes of the earth, from before the terror of Jehovah, and from the glory of his majesty, when he arises to shake mightily the earth. In that day men shall cast away their idols of silver, and their idols of gold, which have been made for them to worship, to the moles and to the bats; to go into the caverns of the rocks, and into the clefts of the ragged rocks, from before the terror of Jehovah, and from the glory of his majesty, when he arises to shake mightily the earth. Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils; for wherein is he to be accounted of?<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nSecond, Isaiah 13:6\u201316 elaborates on the first purpose of the Tribulation, to make an end of wickedness and wicked ones:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wail ye; for the day of Jehovah is at hand; as destruction from the Almighty shall it come. Therefore shall all hands be feeble, and every heart of man shall melt: and they shall be dismayed; pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman in travail: they shall look in amazement one at another; their faces shall be faces of flame. Behold, the day of Jehovah comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger; to make the land a desolation, and to destroy the sinners thereof out of it. For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light; the sun shall be darkened in its going forth, and the moon shall not cause its light to shine. And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible. I will make a man more rare than fine gold, even a man than the pure gold of Ophir. Therefore I will make the heavens to tremble, and the earth shall be shaken out of its place, in the wrath of Jehovah of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger. And it shall come to pass, that as the chased roe, and as sheep that no man gathers, they shall turn every man to his own people, and shall flee every man to his own land. Every one that is found shall be thrust through; and every one that is taken shall fall by the sword. Their infants also shall be dashed in pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be rifled, and their wives ravished.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThird, Ezekiel 30:1\u20139 describes the effects of the Day of Jehovah on the Middle East nations, particularly on Egypt:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The word of Jehovah came again unto me, saying, Son of man, prophesy, and say, Thus says the Lord Jehovah: Wail ye, Alas for the day! For the day is near, even the day of Jehovah is near; it shall be a day of clouds, a time of the nations. And a sword shall come upon Egypt, and anguish shall be in Ethiopia, when the slain shall fall in Egypt; and they shall take away her multitude, and her foundations shall be broken down. Ethiopia, and Put, and Lud, and all the mingled people, and Cub, and the children of the land that is in league, shall fall with them by the sword. Thus says Jehovah: They also that uphold Egypt shall fall; and the pride of her power shall come down: from the tower of Seveneh shall they fall in it by the sword, says the Lord Jehovah. And they shall be desolate in the midst of the countries that are desolate; and her cities shall be in the midst of the cities that are wasted. And they shall know that I am Jehovah, when I have set a fire in Egypt, and all her helpers are destroyed. In that day shall messengers go forth from before me in ships to make the careless Ethiopians afraid; and there shall be anguish upon them, as in the day of Egypt; for, lo, it comes.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nFourth, Joel 1:15\u201320 stresses how the Day of Jehovah will affect the crops of the earth:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alas for the day! for the day of Jehovah is at hand, and as destruction from the Almighty shall it come. Is not the food cut off before our eyes, yea, joy and gladness from the house of our God? The seeds rot under their clods; the garners are laid desolate, the barns are broken down; for the grain is withered. How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate. O Jehovah, to you do I cry; for the fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and the flame has burned all the trees of the field. Yea, the beasts of the field pant unto you; for the water brooks are dried up, and the fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nFifth, Obadiah 10\u201320 describes the effects on the land of Edom, present-day southern Jordan:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the violence done to your brother Jacob, shame shall cover you, and you shall be cut off for ever. In the day that you stood on the other side, in the day that strangers carried away his substance, and foreigners entered into his gates, and cast lots upon Jerusalem, even you were as one of them. But look not you on the day of your brother in the day of his disaster, and rejoice not over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction; neither speak proudly in the day of distress. Enter not into the gate of my people in the day of their calamity; yea, look not you on their affliction in the day of their calamity, neither lay ye hands on their substance in the day of their calamity. And stand you not in the cross-way, to cut off those of his that escape; and deliver not up those of his that remain in the day of distress. For the day of Jehovah is near upon all the nations: as you have done, it shall be done unto you; your dealing shall return upon your own head. For as ye have drunk upon my holy mountain, so shall all the nations drink continually; yea, they shall drink, and swallow down, and shall be as though they had not been. But in mount Zion there shall be those that escape, and it shall be holy; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions. And the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble, and they shall burn among them, and devour them; and there shall not be any remaining to the house of Esau; for Jehovah has spoken it. And they of the South shall possess the mount of Esau, and they of the lowland the Philistines; and they shall possess the field of Ephraim, and the field of Samaria; and Benjamin shall possess Gilead. And the captives of this host of the children of Israel, that are among the Canaanites, shall possess even unto Zarephath; and the captives of Jerusalem, that are in Sepharad, shall possess the cities of the South.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThe Day of Jehovah will be particularly heavy on Edom because of their special mistreatment of Israel. Though other nations are equally guilty, Edom has a unique shame due to its blood relationship to Israel.
\nSixth, Zephaniah 1:14\u201318 portrays the Day of Jehovah as a time of darkness and distress, and also refers to the first purpose of the Tribulation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The great day of Jehovah is near, it is near and hastens greatly, even the voice of the day of Jehovah; the mighty man cries there bitterly. That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of the trumpet and alarm, against the fortified cities, and against the high battlements. And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against Jehovah; and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as dung. Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of Jehovah\u2019s wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he will make an end, yea, a terrible end, of all them that dwell in the land.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nSeventh, in 2 Peter 3:10\u201312, the Day of Jehovah is described as a time of burning for the earth:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing that these things are thus all to be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy living and godliness, looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God, by reason of which the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThe process by which the earth will be burned is by the fiery judgments contained in the Seal, Trumpet and Bowl Judgments that will be discussed in Chapter 10, The Events of the First Half of the Tribulation, and Chapter 12, The Events of the Second Half of the Tribulation.
\nIn summary, then, the Scriptures give some general descriptions of the Great Tribulation as a time of darkness, torment, anguish, turmoil, confusion, death, and massive destruction, especially by fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u05d8<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NINE<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Beginning of the Tribulation<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It has been emphasized in several places that it is not the Rapture that begins the Tribulation, but the signing of the Seven-Year Covenant between the Antichrist and Israel. Two key passages bear this out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A. Daniel 9:24\u201327<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first 23 verses of Daniel 9 provide the introduction to the Seventy Sevens prophecy found in verses 24\u201327. The background is given in verses 1\u20132, where Daniel states that he had been studying the Book of Jeremiah as well as some other prophets, such as Isaiah. He knew from the study of these prophets that the Babylonian Captivity was to be seventy years. He also knew that the seventy years were nearly up. That much of the prophecy he clearly understood. What he misunderstood about the prophecies of Jeremiah, Isaiah, and perhaps others was that he thought the Messianic or Millennial Kingdom would be set up following the seventy years of captivity. He also knew from these prophets that the prerequisite for the setting up of the Kingdom would be Israel\u2019s confession of her sins. Assuming that the Babylonian Captivity would be immediately followed by the Kingdom, Daniel prayed a prayer of confession for Israel\u2019s sins in verses 3\u201319.
\nIn verses 20\u201323, the angel Gabriel was sent to correct Daniel\u2019s misunderstanding about the Kingdom\u2019s being set up at the end of the seventy years of captivity. Gabriel came to reveal to Daniel the program of God, which would bring in the Kingdom. In a play upon words, he informed Daniel that it was not going to be seventy years, but seventy sevens of years before the Kingdom would be established.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- The Decree of the Seventy Sevens\u2014Daniel 9:24a\nSeventy weeks are decreed upon your people and upon your holy city, \u2026<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
One of the greatest tragedies in biblical interpretation is that the word has been translated here as weeks. This would require the Hebrew word shavuot. But the word used here is shavuim which does not mean weeks, but simply means \u201csevens.\u201d As such, it could refer to \u201cseven\u201d of anything, just as the English word \u201cdozen\u201d simply means \u201ctwelve\u201d and can be twelve of anything. A dozen is a quantity of twelve, such as a dozen apples or a dozen eggs, and the context must be studied to determine the content. The same thing is true with this Hebrew word; it simply means \u201cseven\u201d and can refer to seven of anything. In this context, obviously, it must be a seven of years, because Daniel has been dealing with years. He has been counting up the seventy years of the Babylonian Captivity, assuming that after seventy years the Kingdom was going to be set up. Clearly, Daniel has been thinking in terms of years. In the Hebrew text there is a play upon words. Daniel is told that it is not \u201cseventy years\u201d but that \u201cseventy sevens of years\u201d must pass before the introduction of the Kingdom. In this passage, then, it means seventy sevens of years, for a total of 490 years. The angel is telling Daniel that a 490-year period has been decreed.
\nThe Hebrew word for decreed means \u201cto cut off\u201d or \u201cto determine.\u201d Throughout his book, Daniel has been dealing with the theme of the Times of the Gentiles, the lengthy period that began with Nebuchadnezzar\u2019s destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. and will end with the close of the Tribulation and the Second Coming of the Messiah. Daniel was the prophet who was given lengthy and detailed revelation concerning the nature of the Times of the Gentiles. It was Daniel who revealed that there would be four Gentile empires over the history of the Times of the Gentiles. In the Seventy Sevens passage, Daniel is told that a period of 490 years is decreed or being cut out of the Times of the Gentiles to bring about the final restoration of Israel.
\nOne final note regarding this verse concerns the center of the program of the Seventy Sevens which is decreed upon your people [Daniel\u2019s people, the Jewish people] and upon your holy city [Jerusalem]. The center of the program of the Seventy Sevens is, specifically, the Jewish people and the Jewish city of Jerusalem. A very important thing that must be noted is that the program of the Seventy Sevens does not concern the Church. It has nothing to do with God\u2019s plan and program for the Church. Rather, the Seventy Sevens program concerns Israel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- The Purpose of the Seventy Sevens\u2014Daniel 9:24b\nSeventy weeks are decreed upon your people and upon your holy city, to finish transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
The second part of verse 24 states the purpose of the Seventy Sevens. The purpose of this 490-year period that God has decreed upon the Jewish people is for the accomplishment of six things. The first three things are negative, undesirable elements, which are going to be removed during the program of the Seventy Sevens. The second three things are positive, desirable elements, which are to be effected during the program of the Seventy Sevens. Indeed, the three positive elements are responses to the three negative elements. For example, the first negative element is responded to by the first positive element; purposes one and four go together. The second negative element is responded to by the second positive element; purposes two and five go together. Finally, the third negative element is responded to by the third positive element; purposes three and six go together, as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
a. To Finish the Transgression<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first purpose is: to finish transgression. The word to finish is a Hebrew word that means \u201cto restrain firmly,\u201d \u201cto restrain completely,\u201d \u201cto bring to completion.\u201d The word transgression is a very strong word for \u201csin.\u201d It is a word that literally means \u201cto rebel.\u201d In the Hebrew text, it has a definite article. It is not merely to finish transgression, but to finish the transgression, to finish the rebellion. It refers to one specific act of rebellion, one specific act of transgression, to bring it to a finish, to bring it to completion. The one specific transgression in this context is the rejection of the Messiahship of Jesus. The finishing of this one transgression is seen in Isaiah 53:1\u20139 and Zechariah 12:10\u201313:1.
\nIn this first purpose, sin is to come under control so that it will no longer flourish, specifically, Israel\u2019s sin of the rejection of the Messiahship of Jesus. Israel\u2019s national sin is now to be firmly restrained, to be brought to completion. The same point is brought out in Isaiah 59:20 and Romans 11:26. The first purpose, then, is to bring to an end Israel\u2019s national transgression: the rejection of the Messiahship of Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
b. To Make an End of Sins<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The second purpose is: to make an end of sins. The Hebrew word translated to make an end means \u201cto seal up\u201d or \u201cto shut up in a prison house,\u201d \u201cto be securely kept,\u201d \u201cto be locked up,\u201d \u201cto be prevented from roaming at random.\u201d The Hebrew word for sins means \u201cto miss the mark\u201d and refers to sins in daily life. Sins, then, would be put to an end or taken away.
\nIt is known, of course, that there will be sins in the Kingdom. The point in this passage is that while there may be sin among the Gentile nations, in the Kingdom there will be no sin in Israel. This very same truth is taught in Isaiah 27:9; Ezekiel 36:25\u201327; 37:23; and Romans 11:27. This is also the point of the New Covenant in Jeremiah 31:31\u201334, where Jeremiah clearly predicts the day will come when all Israel\u2019s sins will be removed and all Israel will be saved, from the least to the greatest. It will not be necessary in the Kingdom for one Jew to say to another Jew, \u201cKnow the Lord,\u201d for they will all know Him, from the least to the greatest.
\nThe second purpose of the Seventy Sevens is to bring an end to sins in general in daily living in the nation of Israel. On one hand, He will deal with the one specific transgression, the rejection of His Messiahship; on the other hand, sinning daily in Israel will also cease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
c. To Make Reconciliation for Iniquity<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The third purpose of the Seventy Sevens is: to make reconciliation for iniquity. The Hebrew word for reconciliation is a word that means \u201cto make an atonement.\u201d This is the means by which the first and second purposes will be accomplished. The means by which Israel\u2019s national sin of rejecting the Messiah will be removed and the means by which her daily sins will be removed is by an atonement.
\nThe third purpose is to make an atonement specifically for iniquity. The word iniquity refers to the sin nature. The program of the Seventy Sevens is a cleansing of Israel that will include the removal of all three things: first, the national sin of rejecting His Messiahship; second, sinning daily; and third, dealing with the sin nature itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
d. To Bring In an Age of Righteousness<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The fourth purpose of the Seventy Sevens is: to bring in everlasting righteousness or more literally, \u201cto bring in an age of righteousness,\u201d which is what the Hebrew word for everlasting really means. This age of righteousness is called the Messianic Kingdom and the Millennium. This is the same point made by Isaiah 1:26; 11:2\u20135; 32:17; Jeremiah 23:5\u20136; and 33:15\u201318.
\nThe fourth purpose is to bring in an age of righteousness, to establish the Kingdom. Daniel thought the Kingdom would be set up immediately after the seventy years of captivity; now he is told that this will occur not after seventy years, but after seventy sevens of years or 490 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
e. To Cause a Cessation of Prophecy<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The fifth purpose of the Seventy Sevens is: to seal up vision and prophecy. The Hebrew word for seal up means \u201cto seal up\u201d or \u201cto shut up.\u201d It means \u201cto cause a cessation,\u201d \u201cto bring completely to fulfillment.\u201d The word vision refers to oral prophecy, prophecy made only orally like those of Elijah and Elisha. The word prophecy refers to prophecy found in written form in the writing prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and in the twelve Minor Prophets. The fifth purpose of the Seventy Sevens is to cause a cessation of both oral and written prophecy, because the program of the Seventy Sevens will contain the final fulfillment of all prophecies; the function of all prophecies will cease at the Second Coming of the Messiah.
\nBecause he is dealing with the Messianic Kingdom, another question is: How is it that the Messianic Kingdom will fulfill all prophecies, since there are things concerning the time beyond the Kingdom, the Eternal State? The thing to remember, however, is that the Eternal State is New Testament revelation; no Old Testament prophet ever saw beyond the Kingdom into the Eternal Order. From the perspective of the Old Testament and in light of the fact that no prophet ever saw beyond the Messianic Kingdom, when Daniel speaks about the sealing up of vision and prophecy with the Kingdom, he means that insofar as Old Testament prophecy is concerned, everything will indeed be fulfilled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
f. To Anoint the Most Holy Place<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The sixth and final purpose of the Seventy Sevens reads: to anoint the most holy. From the Hebrew, it should actually read \u201cto anoint a most holy place.\u201d It is not a most holy person but a most holy place that is to be anointed. The most holy place is the Temple, not the First Temple of Solomon, nor the Second Temple of Zerubbabel, and certainly not the Third Temple of the Tribulation. Rather, it is the Fourth Temple, the Temple of the Messianic Kingdom, built by the Lord Himself, and it will be anointed as part of the program of Seventy Sevens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- The Starting Point of the Seventy Sevens\u2014Daniel 9:25a\nKnow therefore and discern, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore \u2026<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
The starting point of the Seventy Sevens is given in the first part of verse 25: Know therefore and discern, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem. Verse 24 already stated that the program of the Seventy Sevens concerns not only the Jewish people, but also the Jewish city of Jerusalem. Now Daniel is told that the Seventy Sevens will begin with a decree, one that involves the rebuilding of Jerusalem.
\nThe Seventy Sevens is then subdivided into three units: seven sevens, sixty-two sevens, and one seven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- The First Sixty-Nine Sevens\u2014Daniel 9:25b\nAnd to build Jerusalem unto the anointed one, the prince, shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: it shall be built again, with street and moat, even in troublous times.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
The second part of verse 25 speaks of the first sixty-nine sevens by combining the first two subdivisions: the seven sevens and the sixty-two sevens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
a. The Seven Sevens or Forty-Nine Years<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first subdivision, the seven sevens, is a total of forty-nine years and refers to the forty-nine year period that it took to rebuild Jerusalem. In speaking of the rebuilding of Jerusalem, it speaks of the city as being built again, with street and moat, even in troublous times. The first subdivision of the Seventy Sevens, then, is the seven sevens or forty-nine years during which time Jerusalem was rebuilt. Only after forty-nine years was the rebuilding process brought to completion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
b. The Sixty-Two Sevens or Four Hundred Thirty-Four Years<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The second subdivision of the Seventy Sevens is the sixty-two sevens, comprising a total of 434 years. Insofar as this passage is concerned, there was no break between the first and the second subdivisions of the Seventy Sevens. The sixty-two sevens immediately followed the seven sevens, or the 434 years immediately followed the forty-nine years. Combining seven sevens and sixty-two sevens gives a total of sixty-nine sevens; or combining forty-nine years with 434 years gives a total of 483 years. A total of 483 years will transpire from the time that the decree is issued until the coming of the Messiah, the prince. Hence the first 483 years of the 490 year period came to an end with the First Coming of the Messiah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- The Events Between the Sixty-Ninth and the Seventieth Sevens\u2014Daniel 9:26\nAnd after the threescore and two weeks shall the anointed one be cut off, and shall have nothing: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and even unto the end shall be war; desolations are determined.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
After saying exactly how many years would transpire before the First Coming in verse 25, Daniel is now told of events coming between the sixty-ninth seven and the seventieth seven in verse 26. While there was no gap of time between the first subdivision and the second subdivision of the Seventy Sevens, there is a gap of time between the second subdivision and the third subdivision. Verse 26 starts out: And after the threescore and two [62] weeks, after the second subdivision, certain things must occur before the third subdivision begins in verse 27. When he says, \u201cafter the sixty-two sevens,\u201d he means after the conclusion of the second subdivision of the Seventy Sevens and before the beginning of the third subdivision of the Seventy Sevens. This phrase clearly shows that a gap of time exists between the second and third subdivisions, that is, between the sixty-ninth seven and the seventieth seven. In this gap of time three events are to occur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
a. The Messiah Would Be Killed<\/p>\n\n\n\n
First, the Messiah shall be cut off, and shall have nothing. The expression be cut off means \u201cto be killed.\u201d This occurred in A.D. 30, approximately thirty-five years after the birth of Jesus. Furthermore, it says: and shall have nothing. The noun may mean \u201cnothingness,\u201d to explain His state at death, or the Hebrew term may also mean \u201cbut not for Himself,\u201d meaning He did not die for Himself, but for others. That is probably the intent of the passage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
b. The Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, \u2026<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThe word people in the Hebrew text has a definite article. It is the people, a specific people, who are the subject of the action. In other words, it is not the prince that shall come who will destroy the city and the Temple, but rather, the people of the prince that shall come. The point of that second phrase in verse 26 is that the nationality of the people and the prince that shall come are one and the same. The prince that shall come in this context is the Antichrist of whom Daniel has already spoken in chapters 7 and 8. By saying the prince, Daniel uses the article of previous reference, because he has spoken of him in the previous chapters. The prince that shall come, which is still future, is of the same nationality as the people who will destroy the city and the Temple. After the Messiah is cut off, the city and the Temple will be destroyed.
\nThis occurred in A.D. 70, forty years after the death of the Messiah. It is known from history who the people were. The people who destroyed the city and the Temple in A.D. 70 were the Gentiles of Rome, the Romans. Since the Antichrist must be of the same nationality as the people who destroyed the city and the Temple, it is this verse that shows that the Antichrist will be a Gentile of Roman origin.
\nThen he states: and the end thereof shall be with a flood, meaning that the end of Jerusalem and the Temple shall be the result of a flood. Whenever the figure of a flood is used symbolically, it always is a symbol of a military invasion. Jerusalem was destroyed by a Roman military invasion, first under Vespasian and then under Titus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
c. Continuing War<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even unto the end shall be war; \u2026<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nFor the remainder of the interval before the start of the seventieth seven, the Land will be characterized by war. This has certainly been true throughout the history of the Middle East. As a result of the wars, desolations are determined, a reference to the state of the Land as determined or decreed by God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- The Seventieth Seven\u2014Daniel 9:27<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
The third subdivision of the Seventy Sevens is the last seven, the seventieth seven, and is dealt with in verse 27:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And he shall make a firm covenant with many for one week: and in the middle of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease; and upon the wing of abominations shall come one that makes desolate; and even unto the full end, and that determined, shall wrath be poured out upon the desolate.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThis last seven is a total of seven years and is the same seven years as the Great Tribulation. These seven years, the seventieth seven, are subdivided in this verse into two equal halves of 3\u00bd years each. Elsewhere in Daniel and in Revelation, they are given different descriptive terms. Each half is referred to in three different ways: sometimes as 1,260 days (Rev. 12:6); sometimes as forty-two months (Rev. 11:2\u20133; 13:5); and sometimes as a time, times and half a time (Dan. 7:25). In all three cases, they are equal to two 3\u00bd-year periods comprising this seven-year period.
\nThe starting point of the first subdivision of seven sevens was the decree to rebuild Jerusalem. Since the second subdivision of sixty-two sevens immediately follwed the first subdivision there was no need for a sign that signaled the beginning of the second subdivision. Since that left a gap of time between the record and the third subdivision, it was necessary to provide a sign that will inaugurate the third subdivision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
a. The Firm Covenant<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The verse states: he shall make a firm covenant with many for one week [one seven]. This is the starting point of the seventieth seven. The pronoun he in verse 27 goes back to its nearest antecedent: the prince that shall come, in verse 26. The he who makes a covenant in verse 27 and the prince that shall come are one and the same person, better known in evangelical circles as the Antichrist. The prince that shall come, or the Antichrist, will make a firm covenant. He will make it firm; he will make it strong. The Hebrew word does not mean to renew an existing covenant, but to make an original one containing strong guarantees. Exactly what it will guarantee will be made clear in the next passage.
\nThe starting point of the seventieth seven of Daniel, the last seven, is still in the future and the starting point of the Great Tribulation is the signing of a seven-year covenant. It will not be the Rapture that will begin the Tribulation. The Rapture will come some time before the Tribulation starts. It may come just before or it may come ten, twenty, thirty years or more before the Tribulation starts. While the Bible teaches that the Rapture will precede the Tribulation, it never says that the Rapture begins the Tribulation. Rather, the event that begins the Tribulation is the signing of the seven-year covenant.
\nFurthermore, it states that the covenant is made with many; not with all, but with many. The Hebrew text uses a definite article meaning the many. This is the leadership of Israel that will be empowered to sign covenants of this nature. The covenant is made for one seven. On one hand, it begins the seven years of the Tribulation, but on the other hand, it is also signed for the specific purpose of being in effect for seven years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
b. The Cessation of the Sacrificial System<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The verse goes on to state that in the middle of the seven: he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease. In the middle of the seventieth seven, that is, after the first 3\u00bd years, the covenant will be broken. When it is broken, he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease. There will be a forced cessation of the sacrificial system. This same point is made in Revelation 11:1\u20132.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
c. Idol Worship<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following the breaking of the covenant and the cessation of the sacrificial system, the next line states:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Upon the wing of abominations shall come one that makes desolate; \u2026<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThe word wing refers to the pinnacle of the Temple, and it is a Hebrew word that means \u201can overspreading influence.\u201d This overspreading influence will be upon the pinnacle of the Temple. This specifically refers to the worship of the Antichrist, when he declares himself to be the one true god (2 Thes. 2:3\u20134). The word abomination in Hebrew refers to \u201can image\u201d or \u201cidol,\u201d meaning that an image or idol of the Antichrist will be set up in the Temple Compound on the pinnacle of the Temple itself. This is also spoken of in Daniel 12:11 and Matthew 24:15. The image itself is spoken of in Revelation 13:14\u201315.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Upon the wing of abominations [upon the overspreading influence of idol worship] shall come one that makes desolate.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThe one that makes desolate is the Antichrist, who will cause desolations to fall upon the Jewish people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
d. The Completion of the Tribulation<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The verse then states:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even unto the full end, and that determined, shall wrath be poured out upon the desolate.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThe phrase even unto the full end is a Hebrew word that means \u201cto finish\u201d or \u201cto complete.\u201d To the end, to the finish, to the completion of the seventieth seven these things, these desolations, are determined. The word determined means \u201cto be decreed beforehand,\u201d because the events spelled out in Daniel 9:27 were already prophesied and decreed long before the Tribulation. This is seen in Isaiah 10:23 and 28:22.
\nThe phrase also means that the Tribulation will not go a single day beyond its predetermined duration. It will end on the exact day. The same point is made in Matthew 24:22, where it reads: And except those days had been shortened [or more literally, except those days had been cut short], no flesh would have been saved: but for the elect\u2019s sake those days shall be shortened. It is not that the Tribulation will last less than seven years; rather, it will not be allowed to last a single day beyond its allotted time of exactly seven years, and no more.
\nThe last phrase is: shall wrath be poured out upon the desolate. The word translated desolate can also be translated as \u201ca desolator.\u201d If taken to mean \u201cdesolate,\u201d it refers to the Jewish people during the second half of the Tribulation, when wrath is poured out upon the desolate. If it refers to \u201ca desolator,\u201d it refers to the Antichrist and to his destruction at the Second Coming on the very last day of the seventieth seven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
B. Isaiah 28:14\u201322<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While Daniel 9:27 presents the covenant that begins the Tribulation from man\u2019s perspective, Isaiah 28:14\u201322 views the covenant from God\u2019s perspective. Verse 14 reveals God\u2019s viewpoint of the many who enter the covenant:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wherefore hear the word of Jehovah, ye scoffers, that rule this people that is in Jerusalem: \u2026<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nGod calls the ones making this covenant scoffers. He considers them mockers rather than serious leaders.
\nVerse 15 gives the reason that God considers them thus and provides God\u2019s viewpoint of the covenant itself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with Sheol are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us; for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves: \u2026<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nHere, in vivid terms, it can be seen why God calls the leaders scoffers. It is obvious that the leaders of Israel will go into this covenant in order to obtain some measure of security and to escape the overflowing scourge. The figure of a flood, when used symbolically, is always a symbol of a military invasion. Hence, the leaders of Israel will believe that by entering the covenant, they will be free from any further military invasions. However, God declares that this is not a covenant of life, but a covenant of death. It is not a covenant of Heaven, but a covenant of Hell. Rather than gaining security, they will receive a strong measure of insecurity. There is a common misconception that Israel will accept the Antichrist as the messiah. The Scriptures nowhere state any such thing. The fact is, Israel will not accept him as the messiah. Israel will make a covenant with him and will place her trust for her security in this covenant. But Israel will never accept him as the messiah.
\nVerse 16 speaks of the non-many who refuse to enter into the covenant:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Therefore thus says the Lord Jehovah, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner-stone of sure foundation: he that believes shall not be in haste.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThis verse makes clear that there will be a segment of Jews, as there were in Daniel 9:27, who will refuse to have anything to do with this covenant. They will not be in haste to enter into it nor to identify themselves with it.
\nThen, in verses 17\u201322, the same three results are found as in Daniel 9:27. First, in verses 17\u201318, the covenant is broken followed by the military invasions they hoped to escape:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I will make justice the line, and righteousness the plummet; and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding-place. And your covenant with death shall be annulled, and your agreement with Sheol shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nSecond, in verses 19\u201320, desolations fall upon the Jewish people:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As often as it passes through, it shall take you; for morning by morning shall it pass through, by day and by night: and it shall be nought but terror to understand the message. For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it; and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nRather than having security, they will have insecurity. This insecurity is pictured as tremendous discomfiture and is illustrated in two ways. First, it is like a man trying to stretch himself out on a bed that is too short for him. Second, it is like a man trying to wrap himself up in a blanket to protect himself from the cold, but the blanket is too small to cover all of his body. In place of comfort, there will be discomfort. In place of security there will be insecurity.
\nThe third result is the wrath of God, emphasized in verses 21\u201322:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For Jehovah will rise up as in mount Perazim, he will be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon; that he may do his work, his strange work, and bring to pass the act, his strange act. Now therefore be ye not scoffers, lest your bonds be made strong; for a decree of destruction have I heard from the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, upon the whole earth.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nTwo of the Old Testament names for the Tribulation are given in this passage: Jehovah\u2019s strange work and Jehovah\u2019s strange act. It is given these two unusual names because of the latter phrase in verse 22: for a decree of destruction have I heard from the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, upon the whole earth. This decree is issued in Heaven because of the covenant that is signed on earth. It is strange in that it calls for the destruction of the whole earth. This decree of destruction is the same as the Seven-Sealed Scroll of Revelation five. As the next chapter will show, with the breaking of the seals, there is massive destruction of the earth. But this decree of destruction will be issued only when the covenant is signed.
\nSo then, the same point made in Daniel 9:27 is made by Isaiah. The Tribulation begins with the signing of the Seven-Year Covenant between the leaders of Israel and the Antichrist. Once that covenant is signed, the Tribulation begins and a decree of destruction is issued by God Himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chart #4<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u05d9<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TEN<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Events of the First Half of the Tribulation<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Revelation 6\u201318 deals with the Great Tribulation period. Chapters 6\u20139 and 17 are concerned with the events of the first half, chapters 10\u201314 with the events of the middle, and chapters 15\u201316 and 18 with the events of the second half.
\nRegarding the events of the first half, two things should be noted. First: some events occur in chronological sequence, with one event following the other in order. The Seal Judgments of chapter six and the Trumpet Judgments of chapters 8\u20139 fall into this category. Second: other events occur throughout the first half simultaneously with the sequential events. There are five such events occurring throughout the first half. Two of these events actually begin before the Tribulation but continue on into and through the first half. One is the ministry of Elijah the Prophet. The other is the governmental system of the ten kings and the Ten Kingdoms. As was stated earlier, after the fall of the One World Government before the Tribulation, the world is divided into ten kingdoms. This Ten Kingdom Division continues into and throughout the first half of the Tribulation.
\nThe other three events will be discussed later in this chapter. They are the ministry of the 144,000 and the worldwide revival (Rev. 7), the ministry of the Two Witnesses (Rev. 11), and the rule of the Ecclesiastical Babylon that will control the religious affairs of the world during the first half (Rev. 17).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A. The Seal Judgments<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Seal Judgments of Revelation six are the first of three series of judgments during the Tribulation. These begin as a result of the signing of the Seven-Year Covenant and are part of the decree of the destruction upon the whole earth (Is. 28:22).
\nThere are seven Seal Judgments, with the seventh containing the Seven Trumpet Judgments. The seventh Trumpet Judgment contains the seven Bowl Judgments. The first four of the seven Seal Judgments are also known as \u201cthe four horsemen of the Apocalypse.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- The First Seal\u2014Revelation 6:1\u20132\nAnd I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, Come. And I saw, and behold, a white horse, and he that sat thereon had a bow; and there was given unto him a crown: and he came forth conquering, and to conquer.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
With the first horseman of the Apocalypse, Revelation introduces a man wearing a crown and conquering, and to conquer. This figure on the white horse will play a major role in the Tribulation period. That the figure is not Messiah is indicated by the fact that the crown here is a stephanos crown, the crown of an overcomer or victor. It is not the diadem crown, the crown of sovereignty and royalty, the type of crown Messiah will wear in chapter 19. This figure who enters the Tribulation conquering, and to conquer is the Antichrist.
\nTo fully understand the person and the activities of the Antichrist, he needs to be viewed within the framework of the counterfeit trinity. According to Revelation 13, an unholy trinity will be set up in the Great Tribulation. Satan will play the role of the counterfeit father. For just as the true Father gave all His authority to the Son, Satan will give all his authority to the Antichrist. The False Prophet will play the role of the counterfeit holy spirit. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is to call men to worship Messiah. The ministry of the False Prophet will be to call all men to worship the Antichrist. In every detail, as will be seen later in this study, the Antichrist will play the part of a counterfeit son. Once the role he is to play is comprehended, many things said of him in the Scriptures will be more easily understood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
a. The Names of the Antichrist<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The person who is to have the central role in human affairs during the Great Tribulation is given a number of names throughout the Scriptures. These various names, titles or descriptions simply portray the various facets of his character. Taken together, these names portray him as the epitome of evil in the human realm, just as Satan is the epitome of evil in the angelic realm.
\nThe various names are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Seed of Satan\u2014Genesis 3:15\nThe Little Horn\u2014Daniel 7:8\nThe King of Fierce Countenance\u2014Daniel 8:23\nThe Prince That Shall Come\u2014Daniel 9:26\nThe Desolator\u2014Daniel 9:27\nThe Willful King\u2014Daniel 11:36\nThe Man of Sin\u20142 Thessalonians 2:3\nThe Son of Perdition\u20142 Thessalonians 2:3\nThe Lawless One\u20142 Thessalonians 2:8\nThe Antichrist\u20141 John 2:22\nThe Beast\u2014Revelation 11:7<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nOf these eleven names, six are found in the Old Testament and five in the New. Of the Old Testament names, all are in the Book of Daniel except for one. Of the New Testament names, three are given by Paul, all in one chapter of one book out of his many writings. The other two names are given by the Apostle John in two of his five books.
\nThe vast majority of prophetic scholars have used a single name for this future world dictator: the Antichrist. Although this may not be his most common name in Scripture, it is a well-chosen title. It is a title that describes his true intent, which is to be against Messiah. All his other names essentially portray the various characteristics which he will use in his opposition to Messiah.
\nHowever, one should begin to see the counterfeit nature in this multiplicity of names. For just as the True Son has a number of different names, titles, and descriptions, so does the counterfeit son.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
b. The Origin of the Antichrist<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Antichrist, being the counterfeit son, will have both a natural origin and a supernatural origin in imitation of the True Son. The natural origin of the True Son is that He was born of a Jewish woman. The supernatural origin was the miraculous virgin conception by means of the overshadowing power of the Holy Spirit. The end product was the God-Man.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(1) His Natural Origin<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As to his natural origin, speculation has centered around his nationality, with the question being whether or not the Antichrist will be a Jew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(a) The Antichrist Will Not Be a Jew<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those who believe that the Antichrist has to be a Jew do so for several reasons. One reason that is given could be classed as the logical reason. Stated in a syllogism, this argument goes as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Major Premise:\nThe Jews will accept the Antichrist as the messiah;\nMinor Premise:\nThe Jews will never accept a Gentile as the messiah;\nConclusion:\nThe Antichrist will be a Jew.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThe argument is that the Jews will accept him as the messiah. The Scriptures make no such claim. While the Bible teaches that Israel enters into a covenant relationship with the Antichrist, this in no way means that they will accept him as the messiah. Some have stretched this reasoning to say that the Jews would not even enter into a covenant with a Gentile. But none of this is valid, for Jews have often entered into covenant relationships with non-Jews in the past. But this logical reason also fails to view the whole issue. It could be asked another way: how would the Gentiles accept him if he is a Jew? So the logical reason could be used either way, and it is not valid in and of itself. The argument for his Jewishness based on this kind of logic is not valid. It is an argument based on two assumptions, neither of which is able to stand on its own. Furthermore, the final analysis as to whether something is true cannot be based on logic, but on Scripture. The ultimate question is not, \u201cIs it logical?\u201d but, \u201cIs it scriptural?\u201d The assumption necessary for the logical reason cannot be validated by Scripture.
\nAnother reason people often give for the Jewishness of the Antichrist is based on Revelation 7:1\u20138. Stated as a syllogism, this argument would read as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Major Premise:\nThe tribe from which the Antichrist would come would not be listed among the 144,000;\nMinor Premise:\nDan is not among the 144,000;\nConclusion:\nThe Antichrist is from the Tribe of Dan.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThe folly of such reasoning should be clear to anyone holding to a literal interpretation of Scripture. First of all, it is an argument of conjecture. If the interpreter is at all honest, he would have to admit that he really does not know why Dan is left out of the 144,000. The Bible nowhere spells out why Dan is excluded. If the reason is what the proponent of this view says it is, then it should be explained why an entire tribe is punished because of one man. Furthermore, why is Dan included in the Millennial Israel (Ezek. 48:1) if there is a curse on him? Assuming information where the Bible is silent is a danger to sound hermeneutics. This argument also involves circular reasoning. To repeat the syllogism:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Major Premise:\nThe tribe from which the Antichrist will come will not be listed among the 144,000;\nMinor Premise:\nDan is not among the 144,000;\nConclusion:\nThe Antichrist is from the Tribe of Dan.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nFrom this syllogism another is developed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Major Premise:\nThe Antichrist is from the Tribe of Dan;\nMinor Premise:\nDan is a Jewish tribe;\nConclusion:\nThe Antichrist is a Jew.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nOr they can be stated another way:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. The Antichrist is a Jew;\n2. The tribe from which the Antichrist would come would not be listed among the 144,000;\n3. Dan is not among the 144,000;\n4. The Antichrist is from the Tribe of Dan;\n5. Dan is a Jewish tribe;\n6. The Antichrist is therefore a Jew.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nNo matter how it is put, this is purely circular reasoning, the truth of which is dependent upon the truth of the presupposition. While circular reasoning is consistent within itself, the consistency does not make it scriptural. The presupposition of circular reasoning has no proof on which to base this doctrine.
\nThe scriptural text used most often for the Jewishness of the Antichrist is found in Daniel 11:37, which in the King James Version reads as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThe whole argument rests on the phrase, the God of his fathers, which is taken to be clear-cut evidence that the Antichrist is a Jew. It should be pointed out, however, that the argument for the Jewishness of the Antichrist from this verse is based upon the King James Version. But even if it is granted (and it is not) that the King James is the correct translation from the original, the phrase \u201cGod of his fathers\u201d need not be used exclusively of the Jews. The phrase \u201cGod of his fathers\u201d allows for a wider interpretation. For instance, he could be a person who had Christian parents but rejects their God in this sense. It could refer to a Roman Catholic or a pagan just as easily as to a Jewish person. The one phrase where the term \u201cAntichrist\u201d is used in 1 John 2:18\u201319 refers to those who apostatize from Christianity and not from Judaism.
\nUltimately, Bible doctrine should be based on the Hebrew and Greek texts since they are the closest to the original autographs. To base a doctrine on a translation, especially when that translation is know to contain error, is folly. This is exactly the case with the King James rendering of Daniel 11:37. Any student of Hebrew would see from the original text that the correct translation should be: \u201cthe gods of his fathers,\u201d and not \u201cthe God of his fathers.\u201d In the whole context, Daniel 11:36\u201339, the term god is used a total of eight times. In the Hebrew text, six of these times it is in the singular and twice in the plural, one of which is the phrase in verse 37. The very fact that the plural form of the word \u201cgod\u201d is used in a context where the singular is found in the majority of cases makes this a reference to heathen deities and not a reference to the God of Israel.
\nMoreover, there is much external evidence to show that this is the correct rendering of the text. The earliest known translation of the Old Testament is the Septuagint (LXX), which is a Greek translation of the Old Testament made about 250 B.C. The LXX has translated the word as \u201cgods,\u201d which is in keeping with the Hebrew text. Further evidence that the King James Version is incorrect in its translation here is seen in the fact that almost all other English translations, both from Jewish and non-Jewish sources, have rendered the word for \u201cgod\u201d in the plural. Two major Jewish translations, the Jewish Publication Society of America and the Isaac Leeser translation, have rendered the phrase \u201cthe gods of his fathers.\u201d In Christian translations\u2014such as the American Standard Version, the Revised Standard Version, the Amplified Old Testament, the New American Standard, and the New International Version, among others\u2014have all translated the phrase to read the gods of his fathers. Furthermore, the New Scofield Reference Bible, itself based on the King James Version, has done a great service to scholarship by rendering this passage to read in the plural form. Commentaries based on the Hebrew rather than the English text recognized the correct reading of Daniel 11:37. This is true of the official Orthodox Jewish commentary in the Soncino Commentary on the Old Testament, as well as the prominent Christian commentary in the Kiel and Delitzsch Commentary.
\nAll this evidence shows that Daniel 11:37, the chief argument used by proponents that the Antichrist is to be a Jew, gives no validity to this belief. A doctrine of such magnitude must not be based solely on the King James Version as is this one. It has been shown that even if the King James Version were correct, it would not limit the expression to Jews, but it would be valid for believers as well. However, the truth is that the text is dealing with heathen deities and not with the Jewish Jehovah. If anything, this passage implies that the Antichrist will be a Gentile rather than a Jew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(b) The Antichrist Will Be a Gentile<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It has been shown that the Bible does not teach that the Antichrist is to be a Jew. This raises the question: do the Scriptures plainly teach that the Antichrist is to be a Gentile? The answer is that they do. This is seen to be true from biblical typology, biblical imagery, and the nature of the Times of the Gentiles.
\nThat the Antichrist is to be a Gentile is seen first by looking at biblical typology. The only biblical type of the Antichrist is given in the person of Antiochus Epiphanes, a Gentile. The reason is that the Antichrist himself is to be a Gentile.
\nAnother argument for the Gentile nature of the Antichrist is found in biblical imagery. Whenever the word sea is used symbolically in the Scriptures, especially in the Book of Revelation, it is a symbol of the Gentile nations. Since the Beast in Revelation 13:1\u201310 arises out of the sea, and since the sea represents the Gentile nations (Rev. 17:15), this points to the Antichrist as being of Gentile origin.
\nBut the key to his Gentile nationality is to be found in the nature of the Times of the Gentiles. It is agreed by most Premillennialists that the Times of the Gentiles does not end until the Second Coming of Messiah. It is further agreed that the Antichrist is the final ruler of the Times of the Gentiles (extended information on this was presented in Chapter 2, The Times of the Gentiles). If this is so, how then can a Jew be the last ruler when only the Gentiles can have the pre-eminence? To say that the Antichrist is to be a Jew contradicts the very nature of the Times of the Gentiles. A Jew heading up the final world throne of Gentile power is an impossible postulation. So while arguments from typology and imagery are not strong by themselves, when coupled with the clear scriptural teaching of the nature of the Times of the Gentiles, they can be powerful evidence that the Antichrist is to be a Gentile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(c) The Antichrist Will Be of Roman Origin<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But not only does the Bible reveal the fact that the Antichrist is to be a Gentile, it also reveals the very nationality of the Antichrist. The nationality of the Antichrist can be deduced from Daniel 9:26\u201327:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And after the threescore and two weeks shall the anointed one be cut off, and shall have nothing: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and even unto the end shall be war; desolations are determined. And he shall make a firm covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease; and upon the wing of abominations shall come one that makes desolate; and even unto the full end, and that determined, shall wrath be poured out upon the desolate.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThe first order of business is to identify the he in verse 27 who makes the Seven-Year Covenant with Israel. The rules of Hebrew grammar must be used to determine this. The fact that in the Hebrew text the third masculine singular is used means that one must look for an antecedent. The nearest antecedent is the prince that shall come in verse 26. So the he of verse 27 is the same as the prince that shall come of verse 26.
\nThe next order of business is to establish the identity of this prince. It is generally recognized that this prince is the Antichrist himself. Daniel used the definite article since he had already spoken of him in chapter seven of his book as the little horn, and again in chapter eight. So then, the prince that shall come is also the he who makes the covenant with Israel, and both have reference to the Antichrist. Verse 26 also states that the prince that shall come is of the same nationality as the people who will destroy the city and the Sanctuary. The third step is to establish the nationality of this people, and history has shown that this was accomplished by the Romans in A.D. 70. The obvious conclusion, then, is that the Antichrist is a Gentile of Roman origin.
\nTo summarize the argument of the Gentile Roman origin of the Antichrist, it could be stated be follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. The he who makes a covenant and the prince that shall come are one and the same person;\n2. They both have reference to the Antichrist;\n3. The Antichrist is of the same nationality as the people who destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple;\n4. The Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple in A.D. 70;\n5. The Antichrist, then, will be of Roman origin.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThe conclusion is that the Antichrist will not be a Jew. Most people who believe the contrary merely assume it without giving any reason. Those who present a logical reason\u2014\u201cHow will the Jews accept him if he is not a Jew?\u201d\u2014are reminded that the Bible and not logic is the basis for doctrine, including this one. Those who argue from Revelation 7:4\u20138 are arguing from conjecture and circular reasoning and not from any clear statement from Scripture. Those who argue from Daniel 11:37 are basing doctrine on a faulty translation of the Hebrew text.
\nNot only has it been concluded negatively that the Antichrist is not a Jew, but it is concluded positively that he is a Gentile, as seen from biblical typology and imagery, along with the very nature of the Times of the Gentiles as presented by the Scriptures. The Bible not only teaches that the Antichrist is a Gentile, but it reveals his exact nationality: a Gentile of Roman origin, as seen by a careful study of Daniel 9:26\u201327.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(2) His Supernatural Origin<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The True Son has both a natural origin and a supernatural origin, which became possible by virtue of the virgin conception. Since the Antichrist is to be a counterfeit son, he too will have both a natural and a supernatural origin by means of a counterfeit virgin conception.
\nHis supernatural origin is to be found in Genesis 3:15:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThis verse not only contains the first prophecy of the coming of the Messiah, it at the same time gives the first prophecy of the Antichrist. It should be noted that this verse speaks of enmity in two pairs. First, there is going to be enmity between Satan and the woman. This satanic enmity with woman can be seen to play itself out in the account of Genesis six, where Satan had some of his demons intermarry with human women for the purpose of perverting womankind in an attempt to nullify the first messianic prophecy. This attempt was stopped by means of the worldwide Flood. But second, the verse states that there is going to be enmity between the woman\u2019s Seed and Satan\u2019s seed. The woman\u2019s Seed is Jesus the Messiah. As God, He was eternally existent; as a Man, He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. So He was truly both God and Man. The very mention of a seed of a woman goes contrary to the biblical norm, for nationality was always reckoned after the seed of the man. That is why, in all the genealogies of Scripture, only the male names are given with some very rare exceptions. The reason why the Messiah must be reckoned after the Seed of the woman is explained by Isaiah 7:14: the Messiah will be born of a virgin. Since the Messiah will not have a human father, His national origin will have to be reckoned after the woman, since His humanity comes only from her. So the very expression her Seed implied a miraculous conception. In reference to Satan\u2019s seed, this term, being in the same verse, implies the same thing: that of a supernatural and miraculous conception. The enmity against the Seed of the woman comes from the seed of Satan. If the Seed of the woman is Messiah, the seed of Satan can only be the Antichrist. From this passage, then, it can be deduced that Satan will counterfeit the virgin conception and will some day impregnate a Roman woman who will give birth to Satan\u2019s seed who is going to be the Antichrist. The woman herself may not be a virgin, but the conception of Antichrist will be through the supernatural power of Satan. By this means, the Antichrist will have a supernatural origin.
\nAnother passage dealing with this is 2 Thessalonians 2:9:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even he, whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, \u2026<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThe Greek word translated working is the word energeo, which means \u201cto energize.\u201d His coming, then, will be brought about by the energizing of Satan. In other words, the Antichrist comes into being by some supernatural means, and that supernatural means is a counterfeit virgin conception.
\nClearly then, the counterfeit son, in imitation of the True Son, will have both a natural origin and a supernatural origin. As to his supernatural origin, his father will be Satan. As to his natural origin, his mother will be a woman of Roman nationality. A time is coming when the situation of Genesis six will be repeated. A fallen angelic being, this time Satan himself, will impregnate a Gentile woman of Roman origin who will then give birth to Satan\u2019s son. The end product will be a counterfeit god-man.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
c. The Character and the Rise of the Antichrist<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because of his supernatural origin as Satan\u2019s seed, the Antichrist will always have access to the satanic and demonic realm. Ultimately, the counterfeit son will accept the offer that the True Son rejected. When Satan offered Messiah all the kingdoms of the world on the condition that Messiah would worship him just once, Messiah rejected the temptation by stating that only one Person is to be worshiped, and that is God Himself. The same offer will be made to the counterfeit son, who will accept Satan\u2019s offer of the kingdoms. When this temptation is accepted by the Antichrist, it will mark the beginning of his rise to political and religious domination of the world (Dan. 11:38\u201339; Rev. 13:2).
\nThe rise to power of the Antichrist is described in two passages. The first passage is in Daniel 8:23\u201325:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power; and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper and do his pleasure; and he shall destroy the mighty ones and the holy people. And through his policy he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and in their security shall he destroy many: he shall also stand up against the prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nIn this passage it is emphasized that the king of fierce countenance, or the Antichrist, will have the understanding of dark sentences. This means that he will have the same supernatural abilities to solve riddles that Daniel had in Daniel 5:12. Daniel\u2019s source was God, but the source for the Antichrist will be Satan. The Antichrist will have the power of the occult behind him. This is further spelled out in the following verse, where it is clearly stated that his power is going to be mighty, but it will not be his own power. In other words, the Antichrist will have access to a tremendous amount of power. However, the power is not his own; it originates from another source, from his father, Satan. He will seek to destroy the holy people of Israel with this supernatural power. Verse 25 states that he is characterized by craftiness and deceit. By these means he will lull rulers into a sense of false security and take advantage of it for the purpose of uprooting them. For a time he will prosper, that is, be successful in his goals. He shall magnify himself in his heart and this will lead to his self-declaration of deity (2 Thes. 2:3\u20134; Rev. 13:3\u20139). He will stand against the prince of princes, the Messiah, and so truly be the ANTI-CHRIST.
\nA second description of his rise to power is in Daniel 11:36\u201339:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods; and he shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished; for that which is determined shall be done. Neither shall he regard the gods of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god; for he shall magnify himself above all. But in his place shall he honor the god of fortresses; and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honor with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things. And he shall deal with the strongest fortresses by the help of a foreign god: whosoever acknowledges him he will increase with glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for a price.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nIn this passage, Daniel describes the Antichrist as a willful king (v. 36a), characterized by self-exaltation above all men, and self-deification by magnifying himself above even God (vv. 36b\u201337). In his self-exaltation, he will speak against the God of gods (Dan. 7:25), deifying himself and magnifying himself above all humanity. He will not desire the love of women which is natural to men, and so he will be inhuman in his disregard of women. The enmity of Satan against womanhood continues through Satan\u2019s seed. Furthermore, he will be under the total control of Satan (vv. 38\u201339). The passage states that he will honor a god that his ancestors on his mother\u2019s side never honored: the god of fortresses, who is Satan. His policy will be that \u201cmight makes right.\u201d Furthermore, with the help of this foreign god, Satan, he will be able to take over the strongest defenses in the world, and he will appear totally invincible. Those who submit to his authority and deity will be increased and given positions of status and authority in his kingdom. He will divide territory he has conquered among those who will be loyal to him and confess him to be god.
\nThus, the Antichrist will be a Satan-controlled and Satan-energized being who will set out in worldwide conquest. The beginning of this conquest is seen in the first seal, though total control does not come until the middle of the Tribulation.
\nThis, then, is the first horseman of the Apocalypse, representing the key personality during the Tribulation period. Later, more will be said concerning him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- The Second Seal\u2014Revelation 6:3\u20134\nAnd when he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, Come. And another horse came forth, a red horse: and to him that sat thereon it was given to take peace from the earth, and that they should slay one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
With the second horseman of the Apocalypse, peace is removed from the earth. The opposite of peace is war. Thus, the period of peace and false security that existed before the Tribulation is now shattered. As the Antichrist comes conquering, and to conquer in his worldwide conquest, the Tribulation begins with a war. There are three major wars during the period of the Tribulation, and the second seal is the first of these three wars. The second war will be in the middle of the Tribulation, and the third, which is the Campaign of Armageddon, toward the end of the Tribulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- The Third Seal\u2014Revelation 6:5\u20136\nAnd when he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, Come. And I saw, and behold, a black horse; and he that sat thereon had a balance in his hand. And I heard as it were a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, A measure of wheat for a shilling, and three measure of barley for a shilling; and the oil and the wine hurt you not.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
The third horseman of the Apocalypse brings a worldwide famine which often comes as a consequence of war. The expression, a measure of wheat for a shilling, and three measures of barley for a shilling, denotes a great scarcity of these food items. The judgment of a worldwide famine, however, is tempered by mercy. For while there is a famine of food, there will be an abundance of medicine, for the oil and wine are not hurt. These items were used for medicinal purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- The Fourth Seal\u2014Revelation 6:7\u20138\nAnd when he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, Come. And I saw, and behold, a pale horse: and he that sat upon him, his name was Death; and Hades followed with him. And there was given unto them authority over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with famine, and with death, and by the wild beasts of the earth.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
The fourth horseman of the Apocalypse is the deadliest of all, for in this judgment, one-fourth of the world\u2019s population is destroyed. The population is destroyed by four means: the sword, which may mean either massive slaughter or another war; famine, meaning death by starvation; pestilence, meaning death by disease; and death by wild animals. Once food becomes scarce, wild animals which generally leave man alone will begin to attack man for food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- The Fifth Seal\u2014Revelation 6:9\u201311\nAnd when he opened the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of them that had been slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: and they cried with a great voice, saying, How long, O Master, the holy and true, do you not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And there was given them to each one a white robe; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little time, until their fellow-servants also and their brethren, who should be killed even as they were, should have fulfilled their course.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
The fifth seal deals with the martyrs of the first half of the Tribulation. Thus, early in the Tribulation there is the persecution of the believers in Messiah. This raises two questions. First, with the Church already raptured, who are these saints and how is it that they come to believe? Second, who is doing the persecuting? How these martyrs became believers will be explained in Revelation seven: namely, by the preaching of the 144,000 Jews. As to who is persecuting these believers, this will be answered by Revelation 17: namely, the Ecclesiastical Babylon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- The Sixth Seal\u2014Revelation 6:12\u201317\nAnd I saw when he opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the whole moon became as blood; and the stars of the heaven fell unto the earth, as a fig tree casts her unripe figs when she is shaken of a great wind. And the heaven was removed as a scroll when it is rolled up; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the princes, and the chief captains, and the rich, and the strong, and every bondman and freeman, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains; and they say to the mountains and to the rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of their wrath is come; and who is able to stand?<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Each series of judgments ends with convulsions of nature, and the sixth seal concludes the first series of judgments with such convulsions. The convulsions begin with an earthquake (v. 12a) followed by a blackout of the sun and moon, followed by a meteor shower (vv. 12b\u201314). As has been stated in Chapter V, Other Pretribulational Events, the Bible speaks of five blackouts during the end times, and this is the second blackout. Anarchy ensues as men begin to flee from the wrath of God rather than to turn to Him in faith (vv. 15\u201317). This passage shows that with the fifth seal, even unbelievers recognize that they are experiencing the wrath of God. They may have been able to explain away the previous judgments as natural catastrophes, but with the nature of the sixth seal, that will no longer be possible. It should be noted that the passage does not say that the wrath of God begins only with the sixth seal, but that only with the sixth seal do unbelievers recognize that it is the wrath of God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
B. The 144,000 Jews and the Worldwide Revival<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Revelation seven deals with the second major purpose of the Great Tribulation, that of the worldwide revival. The chapter divides itself into two sections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- The Means of the Worldwide Revival\u2014Revelation 7:1\u20138\nAfter this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that no wind should blow on the earth, or on the sea, or upon any tree. And I saw another angel ascend from the sunrising, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a great voice to the four angels to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we shall have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads. And I heard the number of them that were sealed, a hundred and forty and four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the children of Israel:\nOf the Tribe of Judah were sealed twelve thousand;\nOf the Tribe of Reuben twelve thousand;\nOf the Tribe of Gad twelve thousand;\nOf the Tribe of Asher twelve thousand;\nOf the Tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand;\nOf the Tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand;\nOf the Tribe of Simeon twelve thousand;\nOf the Tribe of Levi twelve thousand;\nOf the Tribe of Issachar twelve thousand;\nOf the Tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand;\nOf the Tribe of Joseph twelve thousand;\nOf the Tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
This passage describes the third of the five events happening throughout the first half of the Tribulation. This ministry of the 144,000 is something that occurs throughout the entire first half and not merely after the sixth seal judgment. In fact, it is going on during the Seal Judgments, and it is the means by which the fifth seal saints come to the Messiah. The passage begins with After this, which is not chronological, but merely the next vision John sees.
\nIn verses 1\u20133, the four angels which are commissioned to bring judgment on the earth are commanded to hold off their destruction until a specific number of servants are sealed. Sealing was done for two reasons: service and protection. Both reasons apply here. They are sealed for protection so that they cannot be hurt either by the judgments poured out by God or by the persecutions against believers. But they are also sealed for service, for they are the ones who will proclaim the message of the gospel in the Tribulation. The mention of the four winds shows that these 144,000 Jews will come from all parts of the world and not only from Israel.
\nIn verses 4\u20138, the identification of those who are sealed is clearly specified as 144,000 Jews. To make it even more clear, twelve tribes are listed with the statement that 12,000 are chosen from each of the twelve tribes. Such careful delineation definitely indicates that these 144,000 are Jews and will be nothing else, in spite of much speculation to the contrary. The emphasis is on the Jewishness of the 144,000. Looking at the list of tribal names, some have concluded that the Tribe of Ephraim is left out, but this is not the case. In place of the name of Ephraim there is the name of his father Joseph (v. 8), but it is the same tribe. Such an interchange between Joseph and Ephraim is not unusual and also appears elsewhere, as in Ezekiel 37:16. But one tribe is left out, namely, the Tribe of Dan. No reason for this is given. A great deal of speculation and guesswork has developed as a result, mainly the idea that the Antichrist will come out of this tribe. But this has already been dealt with earlier. Others claim that the False Prophet will arise out of the Tribe of Dan and that is why that tribe is left out. But this, too, is pure speculation. There is nothing in the context to suggest either of these suppositions. The text itself does not state the reason why the Tribe of Dan is left out. The actual reason is simply to maintain the symmetry of twelve. When all tribal names are actually listed, the total comes to thirteen and not twelve because Joseph produced two tribes: Ephraim and Manasseh. In order to maintain the symmetry of twelve, one name must always be dropped. This is not the only place this happens. For example, in Deuteronomy 33, Moses presents his twelve tribal blessings, as Jacob did in Genesis 49. But to maintain the symmetry of twelve, Moses also had to drop one tribe, and that was the Tribe of Simeon. In Ezekiel 47\u201348, in describing the tribal settlement in the Messianic Kingdom, to maintain the symmetry of twelve, Ezekiel drops the Tribe of Levi, putting this tribe in a separate place and category. Just as there was no sinister reason for dropping Simeon, there is no sinister reason for dropping Dan. In all cases, it was merely to retain the symmetry of twelve. In the Book of Revelation, three numbers are prominent: four, seven, and twelve. Hence, the dropping of Dan.
\nThis ministry of the 144,000 Jews preaching the gospel fulfills the prophecy of Matthew 24:14.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- The Results\u2014Revelation 7:9\u201317\nAfter these things I saw, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could number, out of every nation and of all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, arrayed in white robes, and palms in their hands; and they cry with a great voice, saying, Salvation unto our God who sits on the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels were standing around about the throne, and about the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, These that are arrayed in the white robes, who are they, and whence came they? And I say unto him, My lord, you know. And he said to me, These are they that come out of the great tribulation, and they washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God; and they serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sits on the throne shall spread his tabernacle over them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun strike upon them, nor any heat: for the Lamb that is in the midst of the throne shall be their shepherd, and shall guide them unto fountains of waters of life: and God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
In verses 9\u201310, John sees a multitude of Gentiles from every nationality standing before the Throne of God. The expression after these things means that the salvation of these myriads of Gentiles follows chronologically the 144,000 Jews and there is a cause and effect relationship. After describing the worship of the One on the Throne (vv. 11\u201312), the text proceeds to identify who these Gentiles are that are found around the Throne (vv. 13\u201314). These Gentiles are identified as those who have come out of the Great Tribulation. They are saved Gentiles, for they have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb. Since they follow chronologically the ministry of the 144,000 Jews, the implication is that they are the Gentiles who come to Messiah as a result of the preaching of the 144,000 Jews. Included are the fifth seal saints who suffered martyrdom. Because of the massive persecution that these Tribulation saints have undergone, this passage concludes with a description of the comfort they now enjoy in the presence of God (vv. 15\u201317).
\nFrom this chapter it should be evident that the Holy Spirit will be still at work in the Tribulation, for the work of regeneration is His particular ministry. While the work of restraining evil is removed, allowing the Antichrist to begin his evil rise to power, the Holy Spirit Himself will still be in the world and will have an active ministry. While He will no longer be baptizing (for that is a special ministry for the Church only), He will be performing some of His other ministries, such as regeneration, filling, sealing, etc.
\nIn all this, the second purpose of the Tribulation will be accomplished: that of bringing about a worldwide revival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
C. The Trumpet Judgments<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- The Prelude\u2014Revelation 8:1\u20136\nAnd when he opened the seventh seal, there followed a silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. And I saw the seven angels that stand before God; and there were given unto them seven trumpets. And another angel came and stood over the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should add it unto the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel\u2019s hand. And the angel took the censer; and he filled it with the fire of the altar, and cast it upon the earth: and there followed thunders, and voices, and lightnings, and an earthquake. And the seven angels that had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
In verses 1\u20132, the seventh seal is opened, and the seventh seal contains the second series of judgments, called the Trumpet Judgments. Verses 3\u20135 describe events in Heaven and earth just preceding the Trumpet Judgments. The act of adding incense to the prayers of the saints indicates that the Trumpet Judgments will answer the prayers of the saints, prayers already voiced in the fifth Seal Judgment. As a warning to the earth that the Trumpet Judgments are about to start, it is made to tremble with convulsions of nature. Then, in verse six, the seven angels prepare to sound the seven trumpets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- The First Trumpet\u2014Revelation 8:7\nAnd the first sounded, and there followed hail and fire, mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of the earth was burnt up, and the third part of the trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
With the sound of the first trumpet, one-third of the earth\u2019s dry surface is destroyed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- The Second Trumpet\u2014Revelation 8:8\u20139\nAnd the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; and there died the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, even they that had life; and the third part of the ships was destroyed.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
The second trumpet destroys one-third of the salt waters, including sea life. The great mountain burning with fire may refer to a meteor or a volcano, but the results are supernatural, for they of themselves would not turn the sea to blood. A number of the Tribulation judgments are similar to the ten plagues God brought on Egypt, and here is one such similarity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- The Third Trumpet\u2014Revelation 8:10\u201311\nAnd the third angel sounded, and there fell from heaven a great star, burning as a torch, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of the waters; and the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
The third trumpet destroys one-third of the sweet water. Whenever the word star is used symbolically, it is a common symbol of an angel, and this is the case here. The angel\u2019s name is Wormwood, showing the angel to be a fallen one. This fallen angel causes one-third of the sweet water to turn bitter, which in turn causes the death of many. Fallen angels will be used on several occasions to render judgment on the earth, and this is one such occasion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- The Fourth Trumpet\u2014Revelation 8:12\nAnd the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; that the third part of them should be darkened, and the day should not shine for the third part of it, and the night in like manner.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
The fourth trumpet destroys one-third of the earth\u2019s light sources. These verses do not necessarily imply that one-third of the sun, moon, and stars are destroyed, only that their light is somehow hindered from reaching the earth. As a result of this judgment, one-third of the light source for the daytime and one-third of the light source for the nighttime are completely blacked out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- The Prelude to the Woe Judgments\u2014Revelation 8:13\nAnd I saw, and I heard an eagle, flying in mid heaven, saying with a great voice, Woe, woe, woe, for them that dwell on the earth, by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, who are yet to sound.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
With the first four trumpets having sounded, this verse introduces the final three. Because the three final Trumpet Judgments are especially severe for mankind on the earth, they are called Woe Judgments. As bad as the first four judgments were, the latter three will be far more severe. This severity is so pronounced that there is a warning of their approach sounded with a voice in the atmospheric heavens. The eagle is most likely a seraph (Rev. 4:7) chosen to give this warning to the earth. The first two of these Woe Judgments are demonic invasions, and the third one contains the Bowl Judgments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- The Fifth Trumpet: the First Woe Judgment\u2014Revelation 9:1\u201312\nAnd the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from heaven fallen unto the earth: and there was given to him the key of the pit of the abyss. And he opened the pit of the abyss; and there went up a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. And out of the smoke came forth locusts upon the earth; and power was given them, as the scorpions of the earth have power. And it was said unto them that they should not hurt the grass on the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree, but only such men as have not the seal of God on their foreheads. And it was given them that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when it strikes a man. And in those days men shall seek death, and shall in no wise find it; and they shall desire to die, and death flees from them. And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared for war; and upon their heads as it were crowns like unto gold, and their faces were as men\u2019s faces. And they had hair as the hair of a woman, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions. And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots, of many horses rushing to war. And they have tails like unto scorpions, and stings; and in their tails is their power to hurt men five months. They have over them as king the angel of the abyss: his name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in the Greek tongue he had the name Apollyon. The first Woe is past: behold, there come yet two Woes hereafter.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
The passage begins when a fallen star is given the key to the Abyss (v. 1). Once again, the word star is used symbolically of an angel. Once again, it is a fallen angel. The Abyss is a temporary place of confinement for fallen angels or demons. It is the place where the demons feared to be sent when they were cast out by Messiah (Lk. 8:31). It is temporary, for the final abode for fallen angels will be the Lake of Fire. Not all demons are confined in the Abyss at the present time. Those that are, are waiting there to be released for specific judgments on mankind.
\nWhen the Abyss is opened by the fallen angel, the third blackout occurs (v. 2), and for the third time there is a total cessation of light from the sun reaching to the earth.
\nBut it is not the blackout that makes the fifth Trumpet Judgment the first Woe Judgment. Out of the Abyss a great number of demons are released for the first of two demonic invasions (v. 3). These demons are commissioned to carry out the fifth Trumpet Judgment (vv. 4\u20135). They are commanded to refrain from destroying any vegetation and told to torment only those who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. So the 144,000 are excluded from any harm in this first demonic invasion (7:3\u20134). In all likelihood it also includes all believers at that time. Furthermore, these demons are commanded to kill no one, but only to torment men for five months, or 150 days. Generally, John does not reveal the duration of time for each of these judgments, but in this case the timing is given. There will be a limit as to how much destruction these demons will be allowed to render. Unsaved mankind will be open to torment, but not death.
\nNot only will the demons be unable to kill, but the tormented men will not be able to kill themselves either (v. 6). Because of the tremendous torment inflicted by these demons, men will seek death. They will attempt suicide, but all suicide attempts will fail. Men will be forced to endure the torment in all its fury.
\nThe description of these \u201clocust-scorpions\u201d given in verses 7\u201310 clearly shows that they are something other than literal scorpions or locusts. Their origin being the Abyss further shows that they are demons. It is not unusual for demons and other angelic beings to have animal-like features. This was true of the seraphim in chapter four.
\nThe description of the first woe ends with the identity of the fallen angel who opened the Abyss. His name in Hebrew is Abaddon and in Greek Apollyon. Both words mean \u201cdestruction.\u201d
\nThe five months of torment will eventually come to an end. Although mankind may see some relief, it will be short lived, as verse 12 makes clear:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first Woe is past: behold, there come yet two Woes hereafter.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n- The Sixth Trumpet: The Second Woe Judgment\u2014Revelation 9:13\u201321\nAnd the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the horns of the golden altar which is before God, one saying to the sixth angel that had the trumpet, Loose the four angels that are bound at the great river Euphrates. And the four angels were loosed, that had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, that they should kill the third part of men. And the number of the armies of the horsemen was twice ten thousand times ten thousand: I heard the number of them. And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates as of fire and of hyacinth and of brimstone: and the heads of the horses are as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths proceeded fire and smoke and brimstone. By these three plagues was the third part of men killed, by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone, which proceeded out of their mouths. For the power of the horses is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails are like unto serpents and have heads; and with them they hurt. And the rest of mankind, who were not killed with these plagues, repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and the idols of gold, and of silver, and of brass, and of stone, and of wood; which can neither see, nor hear, nor walk: and they repented not of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
With the sounding of the sixth trumpet, four fallen angles bound at the Euphrates River are released, for they are the leaders of the second demonic invasion (vv. 13\u201314). While the first demonic invasion was led by one fallen angel, this one is led by four. While the first demonic invasion was able to torment but not to kill, this one is commissioned to kill one-third of the earth\u2019s population (v. 15). So the second woe is indeed worse than the first.
\nThe number of demons involved in the second invasion is given as two hundred million (v. 16). Sensationalism has had a field day with this figure, resulting in some fantastic speculation. In order for this speculation to stand, the two hundred million figure must be pulled out of its context. The speculation all rests on current events. Communist China once declared that they can field an army of two hundred million. Without even so much as questioning the truthfulness of this assertion, many have concluded that the two hundred million must involve a Chinese invasion of the Middle East. The context just will not allow for this. In support of a Chinese invasion, the ones who adhere to this theory say that this invasion is led by the kings of the east and that the east must refer to China. First of all, the kings of the east are found in chapter sixteen and are not connected by the text with the two hundred million of chapter nine. The kings of the east are part of the Bowl Judgments, and the two hundred million belong to the Trumpet Judgments. So they are not connected in any way. The events are separated by a period of time. Furthermore, the consistency of usage requires identifying the kings of the east as referring to Mesopotamian kings rather than to China. Who the kings of the east are will be explained in Chapter 14, The Campaign of Armageddon and the Second Coming of Jesus the Messiah. For now, it is sufficient to point out that the east in Scripture is always Mesopotamia and never China. This army of two hundred million are demons and not Chinese. The fact that they are led by four fallen angels shows that they are demons rather than humans. Furthermore, the location of the source of this invasion is the Euphrates River, which is not located in China, but in Mesopotamia or ancient Babylonia, a place the Scriptures often connects with demonism.
\nThe announcement of the number in this army is followed by a description of what this army looks like (vv. 17\u201319). A person would be hard pressed to find just one Chinese person who looks like this, let alone two hundred million of them. The description given of the army clearly rules out their being human and requires that they be demonic. Furthermore, the means by which the destruction of one-third of the world\u2019s population is accomplished (fire, smoke, brimstone), involves the supernatural rather than the natural.
\nTo summarize why these two hundred million are demons and not Chinese, four things should be noted: first, they are led by four fallen angels; second, the location of the army is stated to be the Euphrates, where Babylon is located (which in the future will be the headquarters of the counterfeit trinity); third, the description given in the text rules out this army\u2019s being human; and fourth, the kings of the east are not connected with this at all.
\nAnother passage describing these two demonic invasions is found in Joel 1:15\u20132:11:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alas for the day! for the day of Jehovah is at hand, and as destruction from the Almighty shall it come. Is not the food cut off before our eyes, yea, joy and gladness from the house of our God? The seeds rot under their clods; the garners are laid desolate, the barns are broken down; for the grain is withered. How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate. O Jehovah, to you do I cry; for the fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and the flame has burned all the trees of the field. Yea, the beasts of the field pant unto you; for the water brooks are dried up, and the fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness. Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain; let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of Jehovah comes, for it is nigh at hand; a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, as the dawn spread upon the mountains; a great people and a strong; there has not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after them, even to the years of many generations. A fire devours before them; and behind them a flame burns: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and none has escaped them. The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horseman, so do they run. Like the noise of chariots on the tops of the mountains do they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devours the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array. At their presence the peoples are in anguish; all faces are waxed pale. They run like mighty men; they climb the wall like men of war; and they march every one on his ways, and they break not their ranks. Neither does one thrust another; they march every one in his path; and they burst through the weapons, and break not off their course. They leap upon the city; they run upon the wall; they climb up into the houses; they enter in at the windows like a thief. The earth quakes before them; the heavens tremble; the sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining: and Jehovah utters his voice before his army; for his camp is very great; for he is strong that executes his word; for the day of Jehovah is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nJoel begins to portray this demonic invasion by describing the devastation of the Day of Jehovah, or the Tribulation (1:15\u201320). After announcing its approach (v. 15), he relates the results on the crops (vv. 16\u201317): little remains either for the Temple (v. 16) or for sustenance (v. 17). This is followed by a description of the devastation of the livestock (vv. 18\u201320). Joel then proceeds to give an account of the invasion itself (2:1\u201311). The alarm is sounded (v. 1), announcing the approaching army of demons, giving clear evidence that the Day of Jehovah has arrived with a vengeance. He then describes the Day of Jehovah (v. 2a) as being composed of darkness, gloominess, clouds and thick darkness. As dawn is sudden and spreads around a mountain, so sudden and widespread is this judgment of the Day of Jehovah. It is then that Joel points to the invading army (vv. 2b\u20139). He describes their approach, which shows their uniqueness (v. 2b) and their devastation (v. 3). What is related here is similar to the Revelation passage, which again points to something other than human. The description of the invading army is presented next (vv. 4\u20139), giving their appearance (v. 4), noise (v. 5), terror (vv. 5\u20136), speed (v. 7), discipline (v. 8) and their attack (v. 9). The similarity with Revelation is striking and again points to these invaders as being demons. The results (v. 10) of this demonic invasion include convulsions of nature and a total blackout, the third one of the end time. The passage concludes with the reason for the invasion (v. 11): the judgment of God. The text states that the army is great, for there are two hundred million demons, and it is enough for God to execute His word: the destruction of one-third of humanity. It was pointed out in the introduction that one of the purposes of the Revelation was to give the chronological sequence to many of the Old Testament prophecies. This is just one example.
\nBut even with the sixth Trumpet Judgment, mankind still refuses to repent (Rev. 9:20\u201321). They continue to worship the same demons which have tormented them for five months and have just destroyed one-third of their number.
\nThe Trumpet Judgments come to an end by the middle of the Tribulation period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
D. The Two Witnesses\u2014Revelation 11:3\u20136<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The fourth event transpiring throughout the first half of the Tribulation is the ministry of the Two Witnesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I will give unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees and the two candlesticks, standing before the Lord of the earth. And if any man desires to hurt them, fire proceeded out of their mouth and devours their enemies; and if any man shall desire to hurt them, in this manner must he be killed. These have the power to shut the heaven, that it rain not during the days of their prophecy: and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to smite the earth with every plague, as often as they shall desire.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nIn verse three, the timing of the ministry is given as 1,260 days, which is the equivalent of 3\u00bd years. These 3\u00bd years cover the first half of the Tribulation period.
\nTheir identity is given in verse four, and they are said to be the fulfillment of Zechariah 4:11\u201314:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive-trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof? And I answered the second time, and said unto him, What are these two olive branches, which are beside the two golden spouts, that empty the golden oil out of themselves? And he answered me and said, Know you not what these are? And I said, No, my lord. Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThese Two Witnesses have been subject to much speculation. Many prophetic teachers try to identify them with two men who have lived in the past. One is always said to be Elijah, while the other is said to be either Moses or Enoch. Those who claim them to be Enoch and Elijah base it on the fact that these two men have never died, and so they will return to die in the Tribulation. Often, Hebrews 9:27 is used as evidence for \u201cit is appointed unto men once to die.\u201d But this is a general principle and not an absolute rule. For example, take the word once: some people have died twice, namely, all those who had been resurrected in the Old and New Testaments apart from Messiah. Furthermore, what about the living Church saints? If indeed Hebrews 9:27 is an absolute rule, it would mean that all living Church saints at the Rapture will also have to die at some time. Both 1 Corinthians 15:51 and 1 Thessalonians 4:15\u201317 show that Hebrews 9:27 is only a general principle. Also in the light of Hebrews 11:5, it cannot be that Enoch will die in the future:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and he was not found, because God translated him: for he has had witness borne to him that before his translation he had been well-pleasing unto God.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nEnoch is clearly said to have been translated, and this involves corruption putting on incorruption and mortality putting on immortality (1 Cor. 15:50\u201358). Since Elijah has already been taken into Heaven, the same is true of him, for no man in his physical state can enter Heaven (1 Cor. 15:50). This means that neither Elijah nor Enoch can die, for they are now immortal.
\nThose who wish to make them Elijah and Moses fall back on the fact that these were the two who appeared with Messiah at the Transfiguration. But this is very flimsy evidence and hardly shows a cause and effect relationship. Others say it is because these men had unfinished ministries, and they will return to finish them at this time. This is a very subjective judgment, and many from the Old Testament could be nominated for the same reason. The fact that the miracles performed by the Two Witnesses are similar to those of Moses and Elijah is hardly sufficient evidence, for God can use others to perform these same miracles.
\nIt is best to take these men to be two Jewish prophets whom God will raise up during the Tribulation itself. They are purely future persons and not two men from the past. The Scriptures clearly teach that Elijah is to return before the Tribulation and will conduct a ministry during the Tribulation. But there is no scriptural warrant to make Elijah one of the Two Witnesses. The Two Witnesses will simply be two Jewish men living in that time whom God will elevate to the office of prophet and will endow with miraculous powers. Their exact identity, then, awaits the Tribulation.
\nIn verses 5\u20136, the character of their ministry and their authority is described. They have the power to kill men by fire, which will be used against those seeking to kill them before their proper time has come (v. 5). They also have authority to cause drought by withholding rain, to turn water into blood, and to cause other plagues (v. 6), perhaps similar to the ten that fell on Egypt (for the turning water into blood was one of them).
\nThe center of their ministry will be the City of Jerusalem, whereas that of the 144,000 Jews will be worldwide. More will be said about the Two Witnesses in the next chapter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
E. The Ecclesiastical Babylon\u2014Revelation 17:1\u20136<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And there came one of the seven angels that had the seven bowls, and spake with me, saying, Come hither, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot that sits upon many waters; with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and they that dwell in the earth were made drunken with the wine of her fornication. And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness: and I saw a woman sitting upon a scarlet-colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and decked with gold and precious stone and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations, even the unclean things of her fornication, and upon her forehead a name written, mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of the Harlots and of the Abominations of the Earth. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I wondered with a great wonder.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThe fifth event that occurs throughout the first half of the Tribulation is the rule of the Ecclesiastical Babylon.
\nJust as there will be two political systems during the Tribulation, one during the first half (the ten kings) and one during the second half (the Antichrist), there will also be two religious systems, one for each half of the Tribulation. This passage describes the religious system of the first half of the Tribulation.
\nIn verses 1\u20132, John is invited to come and to view the judgment about to fall on the Great Harlot. To prostitute something is to take that which has a proper use and to turn it into an improper use. A prostitute takes sex, which has a proper use, and perverts it with an improper use, turning it into something illicit, causing fornication. In this case, the harlot represents \u201creligion,\u201d which has a proper use (Jas. 1:26\u201327), but here has been prostituted for improper use. Rather than serving, it rules. The false use of religion causes spiritual fornication. The word fornication is used both of physical unfaithfulness and also of spiritual unfaithfulness, as in Hosea 1\u20132; Jeremiah 2:20; 3:1\u20139; Ezekiel 16:15\u201341; 23:5\u201344, etc. It is with this woman that the kings of the earth commit fornication (v. 2), showing this to be a unity of religion and state. The woman is sitting upon many waters (v. 1), which is interpreted in verse 15 to refer to the world population:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And he says unto me, The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nIn verse three, the harlot is seen to be sitting on the seven-headed and ten-horned beast. This means that this false religious system does have the support of civil government during the first half of the Tribulation and is able to rule because of government support.
\nThe description and identification of this woman is given in verses 4\u20135. The woman is seen as being very wealthy and influential, and her full name is Mystery, Babylon the Great, The Mother of the Harlots, and of the Abominations of the Earth. What is found in these verses is the final form of religious apostasy, ending in a one-world super-church. It is the final form of the woman Jezebel cast into the Great Tribulation (Rev. 2:20\u201322) and united with the apostate Laodicean Church. This is the counterfeit bride of messiah, presented as a prostitute, in contrast with the true Bride of Messiah, presented as a pure virgin (2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 5:25\u201327; Rev. 19:6\u20138).
\nBabylon the Harlot represents the one-world religious system that rules over the religious affairs during the first half of the Tribulation. She rules over the nations of the world (the many waters), fully controlling the religious affairs, and has the reluctant support of the government. The headquarters of this one-world religion will be the rebuilt city of Babylon, the mother of idolatry, for it was here that idolatry and false religion began (Gen. 11:1\u20139).
\nIn verse six, the woman is drunk with the blood of those who suffered martyrdom for Messiah. This answers the question as to who was killing and hurting the fifth seal saints: the false super-church. The myriads of Gentiles who are saved under the ministry of the 144,000 Jews will suffer persecution by the Ecclesiastical Babylon, and many will be martyred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Summary<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These, then, are the events of the first half of the Tribulation. Some are sequential, with one following the other in chronological sequence. Included in these are the Seal and Trumpet Judgments.
\nThere are also five events that transpire throughout the first half of the Tribulation. They are: First, the ministry of Elijah; second, the 144,000 Jews and the worldwide revival; third, the ministry of the Two Witnesses; fourth, the political system of the ten kings; and fifth, the religious system of the Ecclesiastical Babylon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chart #5<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u05d9\u05d0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
ELEVEN<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Events of the Middle of the Tribulation<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The sixth Trumpet Judgment concludes at the time of the middle of the Tribulation and is followed by a temporary cessation of the judgments poured out of Heaven. The Tribulation enters into the temporary proverbial eye of the hurricane. But it does not mean that the earth will be at peace. The nations will be in turmoil as the Antichrist proceeds to take over the political, economic and religious control of the entire world.
\nSo many things happen at this point that it is difficult to put them in sequential order with any certainty. The following layout is more of a logical order, for the events may not necessarily come in this sequence. That all of the events listed in this chapter occur in the middle of the Tribulation is certain. What is uncertain is whether or not they all come in this particular sequence. In the Book of Revelation, the events of the middle of the Tribulation comprise chapters 10\u201314 and chapter 17.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A. The Little Book\u2014Revelation 10:1\u201311<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I saw another strong angel coming down out of heaven, arrayed with a cloud; and the rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire; and he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left upon the earth; and he cried with a great voice, as a lion roars: and when he cried, the seven thunders uttered their voices. And when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying, Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. And the angel that I saw standing upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his right hand to heaven, and swore by him that lives for ever and ever, who created the heaven and the things that are therein, and the earth and the things that are therein, and the sea and the things that are therein, that there shall be delay no longer: but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then is finished the mystery of God, according to the good tidings which he declared to his servants the prophets. And the voice which I heard from heaven, I heard it again speaking with me, and saying, Go, take the book which is open in the hand of the angel that stands upon the sea an upon the earth. And I went unto the angel, saying unto him that he should give me the little book. And he says unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make your belly bitter, but in your mouth it shall be sweet as honey. And I took the little book out of the angel\u2019s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and when I had eaten it, my belly was made bitter. And they say unto me, You must prophesy again over many peoples and nations and tongues and kings.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThe temporary suspension of the judgments from Heaven begins after the sixth Trumpet Judgment with the story of the Little Book. John saw a strong angel carrying a little book or scroll (vv. 1\u20132). This is the second scroll mentioned in Revelation. The first was the Seven-Sealed Scroll or book that contained the Seven Seal and the Seven Trumpet Judgments which described the events of the first half of the Tribulation. Now, a second scroll comes into the picture, the content of which will shortly be revealed.
\nThe strong angel cried a great shout, after which the Seven Thunders uttered something that John is forbidden to reveal (vv. 3\u20134).
\nUp to this point, six of the seven trumpets have sounded, so there is yet one more remaining. The results of the seventh trumpet are now announced by the strong angel (vv. 5\u20137). In the days of the seventh angel, the judgments of God will be completed. Just as the seventh Seal Judgment contained the Seven Trumpet Judgments, the seventh Trumpet Judgment will contain the seven Bowl Judgments, which will finish the judgments of God declared by the prophets. All the prophecies dealing with the Tribulation\u2019s second half will then be fulfilled. That the seventh trumpet will not be an all-at-once judgment but a process is evident from the statement, in the days of the voice of the seventh angel is the mystery of God finished. The plural number shows that a time period is involved. The Bowl Judgments all come toward the end of the Tribulation and with them the mystery of God is finished. The seventh trumpet that contains the seven Bowl Judgments is the third woe. For this reason, it is the worst of all. The Little Book contains all the information regarding the seventh trumpet with the Bowl Judgments, as found in Revelation 15\u201316.
\nAttention is focused on the Little Book in verses 8\u201310. John was commanded to eat the book. In his mouth the taste was as sweet as honey, but it became bitter in the belly. The clue to the meaning of this symbolic act is found in verse 11, which states what the content of the book is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And they say unto me, You must prophesy again over many peoples and nations and tongues and kings.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThe content of the Little Book is prophecy, especially the prophecy of the middle and the second half of the Tribulation. This gives the clue to the meaning of verses 8\u201310. To almost all people, prophecy is sweet. Prophetic conferences draw larger audiences than virtually any other kind of conference. The voluminous sale of the more sensational prophecy books is another evidence of how \u201csweet\u201d Bible prophecy has become to so many people. But if\u201dsweetness\u201d is all there is, then it is worth little. Every student of prophecy should have the second experience that John had: bitterness in the stomach. A knowledge of things to come should give every believer a burden for people. For the way of escape from these things is the Rapture, and the requirement to qualify for the Rapture is acceptance of Messiah now. A true student of prophecy will not simply stop with the knowledge of things to come. Rather, this knowledge will create the strong burden to preach the gospel to others and thereby give them a way of escape.
\nThus, Revelation ten introduces the reader to the events of the middle of the Tribulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
B. The Second Worldwide Conflict\u2014Daniel 11:40\u201345<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whatever kind of peace may have existed between the Antichrist and the ten kings ruling the Ten Kingdoms of the world is now shattered as the Antichrist begins his move to take political control of the world. Thus, the second worldwide conflict of the Tribulation begins with the Antichrist\u2019s declaring war on the ten kings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And at the time of the end shall the king of the south contend with him; and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass through. He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall be delivered out of his hand: Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon. He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries; and the land of Egypt shall not escape. But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps. But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him; and he shall go forth with great fury to destroy and utterly to sweep away many. And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the sea and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nIn his war against the ten kings, the Antichrist moves out in all directions in conquest. He is seen moving against the north (vv. 40, 44), the south (vv. 40, 42\u201343), and the east (v. 44). The three kings he will succeed in killing (Dan. 7:8, 20, 24) will be the king of the north (Syria), the king of the south (Egypt) and the king of the east (Mesopotamia). His conquest of Egypt opens the door for his conquest of Africa (vv. 42\u201343). He will also invade Israel, the glorious land (v. 41 and also mentioned in Rev. 11:1\u20132), setting the stage for the Abomination of Desolation, to be discussed later in this chapter.
\nAlthough eventually the Antichrist will gain political control of the whole world, three countries will escape his domination: Edom, Moab, and Ammon (v. 41). All of these three ancient nations are under one government today: the Kingdom of Jordan. Why Jordan escapes the domination will be explained in Chapter 13, The Great Tribulation: Added Features and Facts.
\nIn verse 45, Daniel states where the Antichrist will plant his headquarters during this Midtribulation war. A more accurate translation of this verse would be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas at the glorious holy mountain.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThe word for tent refers to a military tent of a general, and the word for palace to a royal tent. It is a royal tent of a military general (the Antichrist) that is set up. It is set up between the seas, meaning between the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea. Furthermore, it is at the glorious holy mountain, meaning the Temple Mount, or Mount Moriah or Mount Zion. This will set the stage for several events to be discussed later in this chapter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
C. The Antichrist Killed<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is apparently during this conflict that the Antichrist is killed. Daniel 11:45b states:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nIn Revelation 13:3 the death of the Antichrist is stated as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I saw one of his heads as though it had been smitten unto death; and his death-stroke was healed: and the whole earth wondered after the beast; \u2026<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThe seventh head, which is the Antichrist, is smitten unto death. The phrase, as though it had been smitten unto death, does not simply mean apparent death, for it is also used of Messiah in Revelation 5:6. This is simply an idiom for a resurrected individual and real death is involved.
\nSo in the course of this conflict between the Antichrist and the other ten kings, the Antichrist is killed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
D. Satan Cast Down to the Earth\u2014Revelation 12:7\u201312<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At this point of time Satan is cast down out of his third abode in the atmospheric heavens to his fourth abode, the earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels going forth to war with the dragon; and the dragon warred and his angels; and they prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast down, the old serpent, he that is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world; he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him. And I heard a great voice in heaven, saying, Now is come the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, who accuses them before our God day and night. And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony; and they loved not their life even unto death. Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe for the earth and for the sea: because the devil is gone down unto you, having great wrath, knowing that he had but a short time.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nIn the middle of the Tribulation, while war breaks out on earth between the Antichrist and the ten kings, war also breaks out in the atmospheric heavens, which is Satan\u2019s third abode (v. 7). The conflict is between the Archangel Michael and his forces and the archenemy Satan and his forces. Michael is victorious, and Satan and his cohorts are cast out of the atmospheric heavens and confined to the earth, which now becomes Satan\u2019s fourth abode (vv. 8\u20139). Five names are given to Satan, all describing his person and his work. In the great dragon, his fierceness and ferociousness is seen. The old serpent points back to the Garden of Eden where, due to his temptation, man fell, bringing sin and death into human experience. The Great Tribulation is a judgment of man\u2019s sin. In the word devil, Satan is viewed as the accuser of all of God\u2019s children. Satan means adversary, and in this he is seen as the opponent to God\u2019s program. As the deceiver, he is pointed out as the great master counterfeiter who attempts to deceive elect and non-elect alike.
\nSatan\u2019s confinement to the earth brings two results. First: Satan\u2019s access to Heaven is removed, and he will no longer be able to stand before the Throne of God and be the accuser of the brethren. For this there is rejoicing in Heaven (vv. 10\u201312a). Second: Satan is now full of wrath (v. 12b). His anger is due to the fact that he knows his time is short, namely, 3\u00bd years. Because of Satan\u2019s wrath, it is woe for the earth. This is a very important point to note in the understanding of what is happening during the middle and second half of the Tribulation. The full meaning will become apparent later in this study.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
E. The Resurrection of the Antichrist\u2014Revelation 13:3<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I saw one of his heads as though it had been smitten unto death; and his death-stroke was healed: and the whole earth wondered after the beast.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nAs the rest of Revelation 12 makes clear, Satan then sets out on a course to destroy the Jews. The means by which he will attempt to accomplish this will be the two beasts of Revelation 13. The details of both chapters will be dealt with as this study continues. But he will begin on this course by bringing the Antichrist back to life.
\nVerses 1\u20132 of chapter 13 have been explained earlier, but it is now clear that it is Satan who will resurrect the Antichrist back to life. Many take the phrase, as though he had been smitten unto death, to mean that the Antichrist appeared to be dead but was not really. However, the same idiom is used of Messiah in Revelation 5:6, and there was no question that Messiah died. The idiom, then, refers to a resurrected individual. The person was killed and by all human experience should have remained dead. But suddenly he is very much alive because of resurrection. This idiom must mean here what it means elsewhere: a reference to a resurrected individual. The text clearly goes on to say that his death-stroke was healed, that is, by resurrection.
\nSome wish to interpret this as a reference to the revival of the Roman Empire, feeling that this would be enough to cause man to worship it. But a revived Roman Empire would not cause man to worship it as God any more than the revival of Poland or Israel did. This kind of thinking is purely imaginary. It is the resurrection of the man Antichrist which creates this worship.
\nThus, the Antichrist is the counterfeit son in every respect. There has been a counterfeit multiplicity of names, a counterfeit virgin birth, a counterfeit god-man, and now a counterfeit death and resurrection. A counterfeit second coming to rule the world can be seen as he will move to possess the nations and kingdoms of the world. Satan is playing the part of the counterfeit father in this scenario. For as the True Father gave His authority to the True Son, so the counterfeit father will give his authority to the counterfeit son.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
F. Three Kings Killed\u2014Seven Submit<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The attempt of the Antichrist to gain political control will be interrupted by his death. But after his resurrection, the second world war of the Tribulation will continue until three of the ten kings are killed. The text dealing with this has already been examined, and it is found in Daniel 7:24:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And as for the ten horns, out of this kingdom shall ten kings arise: and another shall arise after them; and he shall be diverse from the former, and he shall put down three kings.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nOnce three of the ten are killed, the others submit to his authority. This is stated in Revelation 17:12\u201313:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the ten horns that you saw are ten kings, who have received no kingdom as yet; but they receive authority as kings, with the beast, for one hour. These have one mind, and they give their power and authority unto the beast.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThe ten horns of the beast are the ten kings (v. 12), but they eventually relinquish their power and authority to the Antichrist. The same point is made in verse 17:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For God did put in their hearts to do his mind, and to come to one mind, and to give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God should be accomplished.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThe other kings will all come to one mind, which is to give their kingdom unto the beast. With this submission, the Antichrist will succeed in taking over the political control of the entire world, with the exception of Jordan. The second political system of the Tribulation will be initiated at this point. The Antichrist\u2019s next goal will be to gain world religious control. To accomplish this, he must try to remove all religious opposition. This includes the Ecclesiastical Babylon, the Two Witnesses, and the Jews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
G. Destruction of Ecclesiastical Babylon\u2014Revelation 17:16<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the ten horns which you saw, and the beast, these shall hate the harlot, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and shall burn her utterly with fire.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nOne of the Antichrist\u2019s first acts in gaining religious control will be the destruction of the first religious system of the Tribulation, the Ecclesiastical Babylon. Previously, this religious system had the support of the civil government, for the first 3\u00bd years. With all civil authority turned over to the hands of the Antichrist, who is now in full control, civil government itself will destroy the domination of the Ecclesiastical Babylon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
H. The Death of the Two Witnesses\u2014Revelation 11:7\u201313<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss shall make war with them, and overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified. And from among the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations do men look upon their dead bodies three days and a half, and suffer not their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb. And they that dwell on the earth rejoice over them, and make merry; and they shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwell on the earth. And after the three days and a half the breath of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them that beheld them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they went up into heaven in the cloud; and their enemies beheld them. And in that hour there was a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell; and there were killed in the earthquake seven thousand persons: and the rest were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nIn order to gain further religious allegiance of the world masses, the Antichrist will also move against the Two Witnesses who, because of their supernatural abilities, caused so much havoc for the inhabitants of the earth during the first half of the Tribulation.
\nThe Antichrist will war against the Two Witnesses and will succeed in killing them (v. 7). That this incident will happen after his resurrection from the dead is clear from the statement, the beast that comes up out of the abyss, and he will come back from the Abyss by means of his resurrection by Satan. Along with his resurrection, the act of killing the Two Witnesses will provide another reason why mankind will worship him. All previous attempts to kill the Two Witnesses fail because of the miraculous powers of the Two Witnesses which kill those who attempt to murder them. But now their ministry is over, and God allows the Antichrist to have the power over them and to kill them. This power of the Antichrist over the Two Witnesses, when all others failed, will be another reason why mankind will give its allegiance to the Antichrist.
\nPerhaps in order to display the new power, the Antichrist will not allow the bodies to be buried. They will lie where they die in the streets of Jerusalem for all to see (vv. 8\u20139). The fact that the whole world is able to view the bodies indicates that such things would be possible future to John\u2019s day. Through modern technology this is no longer impossible to believe and has silenced many a former critic of the Scriptures. The bodies will lie in the streets of Jerusalem unburied for 3\u00bd days.
\nDuring the time that the bodies lie in the streets, the inhabitants of the earth will rejoice over the death of the Two Witnesses because of the plagues they suffered via the Two Witnesses (v. 10). The rejoicing extends to the point that they will give gifts to one another in an outward display of joy over the death of the Two Witnesses.
\nThe rejoicing will cease suddenly. After 3\u00bd days, the Two Witnesses will be resurrected and taken to Heaven in the sight of all (vv. 11\u201312). Suddenly fear will fall on all as they are able to observe the ascension of the Two Witnesses into Heaven.
\nJerusalem, where the murder will take place and where the bodies will be displayed, will receive sudden judgment (v. 13). Jerusalem will suffer an earthquake that will destroy one-tenth of the city, killing 7,000 inhabitants. While the Gentiles will begin to worship the Antichrist, the Jewish inhabitants of Jerusalem will give the glory to the God of Heaven. The salvation of the Jews of Jerusalem in the middle of the Tribulation will eventually lead to the saving of \u201call Israel\u201d at the end of the Tribulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I. The Worship of the Antichrist\u2014Revelation 13:3\u201310<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I saw one of his heads as though it had been smitten unto death; and his death-stroke was healed: and the whole earth wondered after the beast; and they worshipped the dragon, because he gave his authority unto the beast; and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? and who is able to war with him? and there was given to him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and there was given to him authority to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth for blasphemies against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, even them that dwell in the heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and there was given to him authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation. And all that dwell on the earth shall worship him, every one whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb that has been slain. If any man has an ear, let him hear. If any man is for captivity, into captivity he goes: if any man shall kill with the sword, with the sword must he be killed. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThe world will see the counterfeit resurrection of the Antichrist from the dead and his power over the Two Witnesses who had tormented the unbelievers for the first 3\u00bd years. Although the Two Witnesses will be resurrected, they will disappear from view and will no longer be heard from. The inhabitants of the earth will begin to worship the Antichrist as the king of the world and as god.
\nAs has been shown in Chapter 2, The Times of the Gentiles, the seventh head is the Antichrist Stage and this is the head that is smitten unto death, but the death-stroke was healed by means of resurrection (v. 3). Because he will give his authority to the Antichrist, men will begin worshiping Satan. Thus, Satan will become a counterfeit god the father. As the Father gave His authority to the True Son, Satan will give his authority to the counterfeit son. Just as the Father is worshipped through the True Son, Satan is to be worshipped through the counterfeit son (v. 4). And so men will worship him and will give him supreme glory by saying, who is like unto the beast? And who is able to withstand him? It should be noted that the worship is coming from the whole earth (v. 3) and not just from Europe.
\nIn verses 5\u20137a, the activities of this pseudo-god are related. He will speak great things and blasphemies (v. 5a), declare himself to be god, and call men to begin worshiping him. He will be given authority to continue for 42 months (v. 5b) which is equivalent to 3\u00bd years, and so his control is to extend throughout the second half of the Tribulation. He will blaspheme against all that is in Heaven, both God and all those who are there (v. 6). He will war against the saints and overcome them (v. 7a), as is evident from his murder of the Two Witnesses, and he will continue to persecute all believers in Messiah. He will also hold political authority over the earth, for he will be given authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation. This verse also makes it impossible to limit this to Europe alone. What is stated in verses 5\u20137 is also found in Daniel 7:25.
\nAt this point in time he will not only have political authority over the whole world (v. 7b), but he will also have religious authority over all the earth (v. 8), and all unbelievers will worship him that have not had their names written in the Lamb\u2019s Book of Life.
\nIn light of all this, a warning is given (vv. 9\u201310). The very way that men will treat the saints, God will treat them. If they enslave the saints, they will find themselves enslaved. If they kill the saints, they will be killed. This is a word of patience to the saints. It is a word of comfort to believers living in this period of persecution. They will understand that whatever suffering they undergo, God will in turn judge those perpetrating the persecution in the same way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
J. The False Prophet\u2014Revelation 13:11\u201315<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like unto a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon. And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his sight. And he makes the earth and them that dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose death-stroke was healed. And he does great signs, that he should even make fire to come down out of heaven upon the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives them that dwell on the earth by reason of the signs which it was given him to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast who has the stroke of the sword and lived. And it was given unto him to give breath to it, even to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as should not worship the image of the beast should be killed.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nIn the previous section the rise of the counterfeit father and the counterfeit son was dealt with. To complete the counterfeit trinity, the passages contain a description of the rise of the counterfeit holy spirit in the person of the False Prophet.
\nFollowing the rise of the first beast, the Antichrist, John saw a second beast come out of the earth (as over against Heaven), thus emphasizing his humanity. He will appear like a lamb, giving the appearance of a true religious character, and thus deceive many. But he will speak like a dragon and so will betray his true nature, for he will be an agent of Satan, who throughout the book is portrayed as a dragon. This second beast is elsewhere called the False Prophet (16:13; 19:20; 20:10).
\nHis activities as the counterfeit holy spirit are now spelled out (vv. 12\u201315). As the Holy Spirit exercises equal authority with the True Son, the False Prophet will exercise equal authority with the counterfeit son (v. 12a). Just as the Holy Spirit calls all men to worship the resurrected Son, the False Prophet will call all men to worship the resurrected counterfeit son whose death-stroke was healed (v. 12b). In order to fully carry out the deception, the False Prophet will have the power of the counterfeit spiritual gifts of miracles and will perform signs for the purpose of deception (vv. 13\u201314a). After convincing the world of the supremacy of the Antichrist, he will command men to make an image of the Beast. After the image is made, it will be given life by the False Prophet. This power of giving life will be another factor why men will worship the Antichrist and the image, and those who refuse to do so are put to death (vv. 14b\u201315).
\nIn this manner, the counterfeit trinity will be complete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K. 666: The Mark of the Beast\u2014Revelation 13:16\u201318<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free and the bond, that there be given them a mark on their right hand, or upon their forehead; and that no man should be able to buy or sell, save he that has the mark, even the name of the beast or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. He that has understanding, let him count the number of the beast; for it is the number of a man: and his number is Six hundred and sixty and six.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nTo counterfeit the seal of God on the foreheads of the saints, the seal of the Holy Spirit, the False Prophet will introduce his own counterfeit mark or seal. The counterfeit seal is the famous mark of the beast.
\nThe placing of the mark will be on the forehead or on the right hand (v. 16). It will be given to all who will subject themselves to the authority of the Antichrist and accept him as god. The mark will serve as a passport for business (v. 17a). They will be able to neither buy nor sell anything unless they have the mark. It should be pointed out that this mark has nothing to do with credit, as is often taught today. In a credit system, everyone must have a different number. In this case, everyone has the same number. The purpose of the mark will be to serve as a sign of identification of those who will own the Antichrist as their god. Only those who have this number will be permitted to work, to buy, to sell, or simply to make a living. The verse does not speak of credit cards, banking systems, a cashless society, a one-world money system, or computers, etc.
\nThe interpretation of the mark is given by five clues (vv. 17b\u201318):<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The name of the Beast;\nThe number of his name;\nThe number of the Beast;\nThe number of a man;\nThe number is 666.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nFollowing through this logical progression, the number of the Beast is also the number of a man because the Antichrist will be a man who will be the last ruler of the final form of the Fourth Gentile Empire. Furthermore, this number is the number of his very own name, and the numerical value of his name is 666. The point is essentially this: whatever the name of the Antichrist will be in Hebrew, the numerical value of that name will be 666. Each letter of the Hebrew alphabet has a numerical value. There are 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet and in the order of numerical value they are as follows: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 200, 300, and 400. So everyone\u2019s name in Hebrew has a numerical value. The numerical value of the author\u2019s name is 966. The name of Jesus the Messiah has the numerical value of 749. In this passage, whatever the personal name of the Antichrist will be, if his name is spelled out in Hebrew characters, the numerical value of his name will be 666. So this is the number that will be put on the worshipers of the Antichrist. Since a number of different calculations can equal 666, it is impossible to figure the name out in advance. But when he does appear, whatever his personal name will be, it will equal 666. Those who are wise (v. 18) at that time will be able to point him out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
L. The Seven-year Covenant Broken<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another event occurring at the halfway point of the Tribulation is the breaking of the Seven-Year Covenant made 3\u00bd years earlier. In the context of the Daniel 11:40\u201345 passage dealt with earlier, it was stated in verse 41: He shall enter also into the glorious land. This involves the Antichrist\u2019s invasion of Israel, requiring a breaking of the covenant.
\nIn the Isaiah 28:14\u201322 passage studied in Chapter 9, The Beginning of the Tribulation, verse 18 stated that the covenant will be annulled:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And your covenant with death shall be annulled, and your agreement with Sheol shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nOther passages dealing with the breaking of the Seven-Year Covenant are connected with corollary events to be discussed next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
M. The Abomination of Desolation<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first corollary event tied in with the breaking of the covenant is the Abomination of Desolation in connection with the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. These three elements are all related together in Daniel 9:27:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And he shall make a firm covenant with many for one week: and in the middle of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease; and upon the wing of abominations shall come one that makes desolate; and even unto the full end, and that determined, shall wrath be poured out upon the desolate.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nWhen discussing this key passage in Chapter 9, The Beginning of the Tribulation, it was stated that the signing of the Seven-Year Covenant will begin the Tribulation. This verse reveals just how long the Tribulation will last: a total of seven years. But now it goes on to say that in the middle of the week, that is, in the middle of the seven-year period, the Antichrist will cause a cessation of the sacrificial system that had been reinstituted. This forced cessation is followed by the statement, upon the wing of abomination shall come one that makes desolate. Thus, the cessation of the sacrifices in conjunction with the breaking of the covenant is followed by an act (or acts) which is labeled as \u201cthe abomination of desolation.\u201d The exact nature of this act (or acts) is not spelled out at this stage. Exactly what the Abomination of Desolation consists of is not stated, only that it occurs in the middle of the Tribulation. However, the term wing refers to the pinnacle of the Temple, emphasizing the concept of an \u201coverspreading influence.\u201d What begins here will spread elsewhere. The term abomination often refers to an image or an idol.
\nAnother passage, Daniel 12:11, gives the duration of time that the Abomination of Desolation will last:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And from the time that the continual burnt-offering shall be taken away, and the abomination that makes desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nAs in Daniel 9:27, the starting point is the cessation of the sacrificial system. According to this passage, the Abomination of Desolation will last a total of 1,290 days. This is a full thirty days beyond the end of the Tribulation. No reason is given as to why it is permitted to last this extra thirty days. Again, this passage does not reveal exactly what the Abomination of Desolation will be. But, as in Daniel 9:27, the term abomination refers to an image or an idol.
\nThis event is also mentioned in Matthew 24:15\u201316:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When therefore ye see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let him that reads understand), then let them that are in Judaea flee unto the mountains.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThis passage is merely a reminder of the Daniel prophecy, with no explanation as to what the Abomination of Desolation is. The only clue given is that it will be something standing (like an image or idol) in the Holy Place. This passage helps to verify the futuristic interpretation of the Daniel passage, for it was still considered unfulfilled and future at the time of Messiah. The Abomination of Desolation will serve as a warning to the Jews of Israel to flee the Land.
\nAnother text dealing with this is in Revelation 11:1\u20132:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and one said, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. And the court which is without the temple leave without, and measure it not; for it has been given unto the nations: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThis passage also deals with the takeover of the Temple, as well as the City of Jerusalem (at least the Old City), and connects it with the Times of the Gentiles. This will be the final Gentile control of Jerusalem, and it will last 42 months, or 3\u00bd years. It will be this Gentile takeover of the city and the Temple that will cause a cessation of the sacrifices. Although Gentile domination over the City of Jerusalem will last 3\u00bd years, the Abomination of Desolation will continue an extra month. But there is still no clear explanation as to what the Abomination of Desolation is.
\nWhat, then, is the Abomination of Desolation? There are two elements or stages involved, the first of which is in 2 Thessalonians 2:3\u20134:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let no man beguile you in any wise: for it will not be, except the falling away come first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition, he that opposes and exalts himself against all that is called God or that is worshipped; so that he sits in the temple of God, setting himself forth as God.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nIn this passage, the Antichrist is described as seating himself in the Temple of God, declaring to the world that he really is God. In all probability, he will sit in the very Holy of Holies. Thus, with his initial takeover of Jerusalem in general and the Temple in particular, he will seat himself in the very Temple of God, will claim to be god, and, by so doing, will set up the second religious system of the Tribulation: the worship of the Antichrist.
\nHis self-declaration of deity will be accompanied with miraculous signs to carry out the work of deception, according to 2 Thessalonians 2:8\u201312:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then shall be revealed the lawless one, whom the Lord Jesus shall slay with the breath of his mouth, and bring to nought by the manifestation of his coming; even he, whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God sends them a working of error, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be judged who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nHis coming is said to be \u201cenergized\u201d by Satan, for it is by Satan that he will be brought back to life. His post-resurrection rise to power will be with all power and signs and lying wonders. The aim of these counterfeit miracles, according to verses 10\u201312, will be to deceive men so that they will worship the Antichrist and accept him as god. These verses have often been interpreted as teaching that if one hears the gospel before the Rapture and rejects it, he will not have an opportunity to be saved after the Rapture. But this is not the teaching of this passage. The point of no return is the acceptance of the \u201cbig lie\u201d of the Antichrist\u2019s self-proclaimed deity and the submission to the worship of him by means of taking the mark of the Beast. It is only then that the point of no return is actually reached. The option of taking the mark of the Beast only begins in the middle of the Tribulation. Even the context of this passage shows that it speaks of events that occur in the middle of the Tribulation. The worshipers of the Antichrist do so because they are deceived by the Antichrist\u2019s power of miracles. They are deceived because they received not the love of the truth. The rejection of the gospel was not what they may have heard before the Rapture, but rather the preaching of the 144,000 Jews and the Two Witnesses.
\nThough he will declare his deity within the Holy of Holies of the Temple, the Antichrist will not set up his throne there, but in Babylon. The Abomination of Desolation is to last a total of 1,290 days, while the Antichrist himself is allowed to continue 1,260 days. Hence, the Abomination of Desolation must include something more than merely the Antichrist\u2019s self-proclamation of deity. Furthermore, the Daniel and Matthew passages implied an image or idol that would be erected in the Temple.
\nThe second aspect of the Abomination of Desolation is in Revelation 13:11\u201315:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like unto a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his sight. And he makes the earth and them that dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose death-stroke was healed. And he does great signs, that he should even make fire to come down out of heaven upon the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives them that dwell on the earth by reason of the signs which it was given him to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast who had the stroke of the sword and lived. And it was given unto him to give breath to it, even to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as should not worship the image of the beast should be killed.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nIn the second stage of the Abomination of Desolation, the False Prophet will be given authority to perform many signs and wonders (v. 13), deceiving mankind in order to cause them to worship the Antichrist (v. 12). These same ideas were evident in 2 Thessalonians 2:8\u201312, and both help clarify what the Abomination of Desolation involves. The great deception is climaxed when the image of the Antichrist becomes alive and men are called upon to worship the image (vv. 14\u201315). So the deification of the Antichrist continues. The image will be set up in the Holy of Holies to carry on the Abomination of Desolation. Jerusalem will become the religious capital of the Antichrist, and the Temple will be the center of the worship of the Antichrist, where the living image will be standing. So while the Antichrist will be disposed of after 1,260 days, the image will remain in the Temple another thirty days beyond that. Then it, too, will be disposed of.
\nThus, the two stages of the Abomination of Desolation, lasting a total of 1,290 days will be the declaration of deity by the Antichrist in the Holy of Holies followed by the setting up of his image in the same place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
N. The Persecution of the Jews<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A second corollary to the breaking of the Seven-Year Covenant is the beginning of a worldwide persecution of the Jews which commences with the Abomination of Desolation, as Matthew 24:15\u201328 makes clear:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When therefore ye see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let him that reads understand), then let them that are in Judaea flee unto the mountains: let him that is on the housetop not go down to take out the things that are in his house: and let him that is in the field not return back to take his cloak. But woe unto them that are with child and to them that give suck in those days! And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on a Sabbath: for then shall be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved: but for the elect\u2019s sake those days shall be shortened. Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is the Christ, or, Here; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christ, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. Behold, I have told you beforehand. If therefore they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the wilderness; go not forth: Behold, he is in the inner chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning comes forth from the east, and is seen even unto the west; so shall be the coming of the Son of man. Wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nIn this passage Messiah gave a warning to those Jews living at the time when the covenant is broken and the Abomination of Desolation occurs (vv. 15\u201319). They are warned that as soon as they hear of that event\u2019s happening, they are to get out of Israel and to do so quickly. If they happen to be out on the rooftop for some reason, they are not to spend the few minutes needed to come down from the roof and to go into their house to take any possessions. From the moment their foot touches the ground, they are to get out of Israel. If they happen to be out in the field plowing when they hear about it, they are not to take the time to go into the living quarters to take any possessions. From that field they are to get out of Israel. The emphasis is on a speedy flight.
\nThey are also urged to pray that when this event occurs it will not happen during the winter, nor on the Sabbath (v. 20). Why not on the Sabbath? In Israel on the Sabbath day there is no public transportation. The buses are all locked up and the trains do not run. Unless an Israeli has his own automobile, he will find escape very difficult because of the lack of public transportation. An example of this difficulty was demonstrated in the Yom Kippur War of 1973. The Arabs attacked on a holy day, when public transportation was nonexistent. This made it especially difficult for the Israelis to mobilize their forces and get them to the front lines. So prayer is urged that it will not happen on the Sabbath. Prayer is also urged that when this event occurs, it ought not happen during the winter. Why not in the winter? After all, it seldom snows in Israel anyway. The reason for this prayer is that the Jews will be escaping toward the mountains in the east. Most of the escape routes will force them to use wadis, which are dry water beds that only fill up with flash floods when it rains during the winter months. Israel receives no rain between April and October. From October through the winter months up until April, Israel receives all its rain for the year. When it does rain, many of these wadis become filled instantly and very dangerous to cross. Frequently in Israel, people drown because they are caught in these dry river beds during a flash flood. If the Abomination of Desolation occurs during the winter months, it will make the escape toward the east that much more difficult. So prayer is urged that it will not happen in winter.
\nThe reason for the flight is because at this point, worldwide anti-Semitism breaks out. The worldwide persecution of the Jews begins and will continue for the next 3\u00bd years (vv. 21\u201322).
\nVerses 23\u201328 are a special message directed to the believing Remnant within Israel, warning them not to heed any rumor that the Messiah has returned and so come out of hiding. When the Messiah does return, all will be able to see Him and it will be known by all. While all Jews are persecuted, a special emphasis of deception is aimed against the believing Remnant.
\nA second passage describing the flight of the Jews out of Israel is in Revelation 12:1\u201317. The passage begins with a historical review and summary in verses 1\u20135:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And a great sign was seen in heaven: a woman arrayed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars; and she was with child; and she cried out, travailing in birth, and in pain to be delivered. And there was seen another sign in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his heads seven diadems. And his tail draws the third part of the stars of Heaven, and did cast them to earth: and the dragon stands before the woman that is about to be delivered, that when she is delivered he may devour her child. And she was delivered of a son, a man child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and unto his throne.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThese verses summarize the whole life of Messiah from just before His birth to His ascension. John saw two signs in the heavens. In the first sign (vv. 1\u20132), Israel is pictured as a woman, a motif taken from the Old Testament concept of Israel as the Wife of Jehovah. The sun, moon, and twelve stars are all common Old Testament figures relating to Israel. The Old Testament background for this sign is Joseph\u2019s dream in Genesis 37:9\u201311:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it to his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed yet a dream; and, behold, the sun and the moon and eleven stars made obeisance to me. And he told it to his father, and to his brethren; and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to you to the earth? And his brethren envied him; but his father kept the saying in his mind.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nFrom this passage, John\u2019s vision can easily be interpreted. The sun represents Jacob, who was renamed Israel, and both these names were often used to represent the entire nation (e.g., Is. 40:27; 49:5; Jer. 30:10, among others). The moon represents Rachel, who in turn becomes representative of Jewish women, especially Jewish motherhood (Jer. 31:15; Mat. 2:18). The twelve stars represent the twelve sons of Jacob who, in turn, fathered the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Normally, whenever the word star is used symbolically, it always refers to angels. It has been used this way several times already in Revelation, and it is used this way again in verse four, the verse that teaches that one-third of the angels God created fell with Satan. Verse one may be the only exception to this rule since, being based on Joseph\u2019s dream, the twelve stars obviously represent the twelve sons of Jacob, who fathered the Twelve Tribes of Israel. But it may not truly be an exception. What Joseph saw in his dream actually were stars and these stars represented the sons of Jacob. When a star is used symbolically for an angel, no actual star is seen. Rather, an angel is seen, but called a star, as in Revelation 8:11\u201312; 9:1, etc. What John saw was an angel, but called him a star since in the Old Testament, that was the symbol of angels. What Joseph saw actually were stars, but they represented his brothers. Clearly, then, the woman arrayed with the sun, moon, and stars is representative of Israel (not the Church). In verse two, this woman is seen in the final stages of pregnancy, about to give birth to a child. The vision, then, is of the nation of Israel just before the birth of the Messiah. A good reason why this cannot be the Church is that it would be an anachronism, with the Church giving birth to Messiah whereas the opposite is true.
\nThen John described the second sign. The great red dragon is Satan in all his fierceness (v. 3). The seven heads and ten horns represent the final form of the Fourth Gentile World Empire (see Chapter 2, The Times of the Gentiles), now shown to be under Satan\u2019s control and authority. The seven diadems point to a concept of conquest. Satan wrestled authority over the earth from man, and the Gentile empires wrestled authority from Israel.
\nIn verse four, the two signs come together. Satan brought his entire demonic host out of his third abode. Using his permission of access to the earth, he brought them down to the earth in an effort to try to slaughter the child about to be born. The demonic host is enumerated as comprising one-third of the stars, meaning one-third of all the angels that God created. Only from this verse is it possible to learn just how many of the angels fell with Satan in the original revolt during his second abode. This attempt to destroy the child was the slaughter of the babes of Bethlehem in Matthew 2:16\u201318. Satan\u2019s attempt to destroy the Messiah both before His proper time (Passover) and by the wrong means (stoning in place of crucifixion) continued throughout the course of His ministry. The bringing down of the entire demonic host was evident throughout the life of Messiah. There is a tremendous amount of demonic activity in the Gospels in contrast to the minimal demonic activity found in the Old Testament. Following the Gospels, there is a decrease of demonic activity, as seen in the Book of Acts.
\nVerse five points out the failure of Satan\u2019s attempt to destroy the child. The child, destined to rule the nations with a rod of iron, survived until His proper time for death came. After His resurrection, He ascended into Heaven and is presently seated at the right hand of God the Father.
\nAfter this historical survey, John\u2019s vision moves forward to events that will occur in the middle of the Tribulation, one of which is in verse six:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared of God, that there they may nourish her a thousand two hundred and threescore days.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nAs in the Matthew passage, the woman pictured here is in flight. In the Matthew passage, the flight was to the mountains, but here it is described as being in the wilderness, as well as to one particular place in that wilderness that God had prepared in advance. The exact location will be discussed in Chapter 13, The Great Tribulation: Additional Features and Facts. With Satan\u2019s attempt to destroy the child thwarted, Satan will then turn against the nation that produced Him. Satan\u2019s perpetual hatred of Israel is based on the fact that it is through Israel that God will fulfill His program of redemption. Furthermore, in this passage, the time of Israel\u2019s flight and hiding is given as 1,260 days or 3\u00bd years. This refers to the second half of the Tribulation.
\nThe next section of the chapter, verses 7\u201312 (discussed earlier in a different context), gives the reason or cause of Israel\u2019s flight. Satan is cast out of his third abode into his fourth abode (vv. 7\u20139) and is confined to the earth for the next 3\u00bd years. There are two results of this angelic war. First, there is rejoicing in Heaven because the accuser of the brethren is now cast down (vv. 10\u201312a) and his access to Heaven is removed forever. But second, there is woe for the earth, for Satan is now full of wrath and anger, knowing his time is short (v. 12b), for he now knows it is only 3\u00bd years before the Second Coming. Verses 7\u201312, then, are somewhat parenthetical, providing the reason for Israel\u2019s flight in verse six.
\nThe next section, found in verses 13\u201317, takes up where verse six left off:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And when the dragon saw that he was cast down to the earth, he persecuted the woman that brought forth the man child. And there were given to the woman the two wings of the great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness unto her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. And the serpent cast out of his mouth after the woman water as a river, that he might cause her to be carried away by the stream. And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth and swallowed up the river which the dragon cast out of his mouth. And the dragon waxed wroth with the woman, and went away to make war with the rest of her seed, that keep the commandments of God, and hold the testimony of Jesus.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nVerse 13 states that once Satan is cast down to the earth he persecuted the woman, Israel. Verse 13 should be connected with verse six as giving a further explanation for Israel\u2019s flight into the wilderness. It should also be connected with verse 12, which concluded that there was woe for the earth, for Satan is full of wrath. The reason is that he knows his time is short, namely, 3\u00bd years. What does he do with this short time left to him? He persecutes Israel, in verse 13. A question that needs to be raised is: What is the logical connection between Satan\u2019s knowing his time is short and his persecuting the woman? Why persecute the Jews just because his time is short? This intriguing question will be answered in Chapter 13, The Great Tribulation: Additional Features and Facts.
\nIn verse 14, Israel flees into the wilderness, where she is nourished for a time, and times and half a time, which is the same as the 3\u00bd years of verse six. The figure of the two wings of the great eagle has provided fertile ground for speculation among \u201cnewspaper exegetes.\u201d Amazingly, \u201cthe wings of the eagle\u201d has been identified as the American Air Force! After all, the eagle is a symbol of the United States, and so it would appear that the American Air Force will help the Jews escape! But other nations use the eagle as a symbol, and for some reason their air forces are ignored. It has been stated in the very beginning of this book that every symbol in the Revelation is explained either elsewhere in the Revelation itself or somewhere else in the Bible. The figure of flight in connection with the wings of the eagle is to be interpreted by its usage elsewhere. This same figure is found in Exodus 19:4 and Deuteronomy 32:11 in connection with the Exodus from Egypt. Obviously, Moses did not have the help of the American Air Force. The figure, then, is to be explained by its usage elsewhere. It describes a successful flight or escape after being pursued due to divine intervention. Israel was pursued by the Egyptian army but succeeded in escaping into the Wilderness of Sinai due to divine intervention. Here, again, Israel is being pursued, but escapes safely into another wilderness due to divine intervention. This is all that \u201cthe wings of the eagle\u201d represent.
\nThen, in verse 15, the persecution is described in terms of the waters of a river causing a flood, so that Israel might be drowned or destroyed by the flood. Whenever the figure of a flood is used symbolically, it is always a symbol of a military invasion. A good example is Daniel 9:26, where the Roman invasion and devastation of Jerusalem fulfilled in A.D.70 is prophesied or described in terms of a flood. This invasion of Israel sent by Satan was described in Daniel 11:41 as: He shall enter also into the glorious land. This is the same invasion spoken of in Revelation 11:1\u20132 by which the Antichrist will succeed in taking control of both Jerusalem and the Temple and will commit the Abomination of Desolation.
\nBut this invasion will fail (v. 16) in its attempt to destroy the Jews, for Israel will succeed in fleeing into the wilderness after being pursued by the invading army. Divine intervention will destroy the pursuing army.
\nThe passage closes (v. 17) describing further the wrath of Satan because of his initial failure to destroy the Jews. In this closing verse, as in the case of the Matthew passage, Satan will then make war specifically against the believing Remnant among the Jews, for it states that he now goes to make war with the rest of the woman\u2019s seed, namely, those who keep the commandments of God and hold the testimony of Jesus. These will include all the Jewish believers among the Jews at that time, as well as the 144,000 Jews.
\nRevelation twelve is a picture of Satan\u2019s persecution of the Jews with all its fierceness during the Tribulation. It will begin in the middle, after he is cast down to earth. Now he organizes an all-out worldwide anti-Semitic campaign to try to destroy all the Jews once and for all. He will set out on a program to destroy all the Jews still living, for a reason to be seen in Chapter 13, The Great Tribulation: Additional Features and Facts. But the initial attempt to destroy the Jews in the middle of the Tribulation will fail.
\nRevelation 13 describes the two beings whom Satan will use in his program of Jewish destruction: the Antichrist and the False Prophet. Revelation 13 has already been discussed in previous sections of this chapter, but now it is important to see the connection between Revelation 12 and 13. In Revelation 12, John describes Satan\u2019s program and desire to destroy all the Jews once and for all. Chapter 13 then shows the means by which Satan will hope to carry out this program: the two beasts.
\nTo what extent Satan will succeed in his program of Jewish destruction and some other points touching on the Jews in the Tribulation will be discussed in Chapter 13, The Great Tribulation: Additional Features and Facts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
O. Midtribulation Announcements<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Revelation 14 serves as a connecting link between the description of the Midtribulation events of Revelation 10\u201313 and the events of the second half of the Tribulation in Revelation 15\u201316. Most of what was found in Revelation 11\u201313 dealt with the activities of the counterfeit trinity in their attempt to usurp the authority of God and to destroy those who persist in worshiping Him alone. Now, in Revelation 14, there are seven proclamations given from the divine side, aimed at doing three things: First, to predict the failure of the program of the counterfeit trinity; second, to announce the results of the approaching last seven judgments, known as the Bowl Judgments; and third, to give words of assurance, encouragement, and comfort to the saints living in the second half of the Tribulation.
\nThe first proclamation is in Revelation 14:1\u20135:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I saw, and behold, the Lamb standing on the mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty and four thousand, having his name, and the name of his Father, written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and the voice which I heard was as the voice of harpers harping with their harps: and they sing as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures and the elders: and no man could learn the song save the hundred and forty and four thousand, even they that had been purchased out of the earth. These are they that were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they that follow the Lamb whithersoever he goes. These were purchased from among men, to be the firstfruits unto God and unto the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no lie: they are without blemish.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThe first verse presents what appears to be a millennial scene, with the 144,000 Jews of Revelation seven now on Mount Zion with Messiah, the Lamb. They have the name of God the Father on their foreheads, which is the seal that protected them from death (Rev. 7:3\u20134). The question is: Why bring in a millennial scene at this juncture of the Book of Revelation? The answer lies in its connection with the previous two chapters, where Satan organized his attempt to destroy the Jews. The first verse of chapter 14 opens with the 144,000 Jews standing on Mount Zion with the protective seal on their foreheads prominently displayed. This shows that Satan\u2019s attempt at total Jewish destruction will fail. This is the purpose of the first proclamation, and it will provide comfort to the Tribulation saints. Verses 2\u20133 describe the song of the 144,000, a song that they alone will know. Four characteristics are described next (vv. 4\u20135). First, they are male virgins, a necessity in light of their calling to evangelize the world during the first half of the Tribulation. The severity of the judgments falling on the earth, and the persecution of the saints initially by the Ecclesiastical Babylon and then by the counterfeit trinity will not be conducive to marriage. Second, they follow Messiah wherever He may lead. Third, they are the firstfruits, a term that indicates the first of much more to come later. The very fact that the 144,000 are merely the firstfruits of many more Jewish believers to come further points to the failure of the program of the counterfeit trinity. Where the rest come from is a point that will be discussed in Chapter 13, The Great Tribulation: Additional Features and Facts. Fourth, in relation to their morality, they are without a lie or blemish; they are not tainted by any kind of false religious or political system.
\nThe second proclamation is in Revelation 14:6\u20137:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I saw another angel flying in mid heaven, having eternal good tidings to proclaim unto them that dwell on the earth, and unto every nation and tribe and tongue and people; and he says with a great voice, Fear God, and give him glory; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made the heaven and the earth and sea and fountains of waters.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThis proclamation is a final call to the world to accept the gospel in light of the Revelation 13 problem where the Antichrist declares himself to be god, and the False Prophet is calling all men to take upon themselves the Mark of the Beast and thus show their submissive acceptance of the deity of the Antichrist. This proclamation is a call to the inhabitants of the world to choose between Messiah or Antichrist. With the announcement of a final call to heed the gospel comes an announcement of the coming final series of judgments about to be poured out through the Bowl Judgments. In light of the coming judgments, they are urged to worship Him Who made the heavens and the earth.
\nThe third proclamation is in 14:8:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And another, a second angel, followed, saying, Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, that has made all the nations to drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThis proclamation announces the fall of political Babylon, something that will be detailed in Revelation 18. This point will be discussed further in Chapter 14, The Campaign of Armageddon and the Second Coming of Jesus the Messiah. But for now, the announcement is made that the worldwide capital of the Antichrist is due for destruction.
\nThe fourth proclamation is in 14:9\u201312:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a great voice, If any man worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead, or upon his hand, he also shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is prepared unmixed in the cup of his anger; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: and the smoke of their torment goes up for ever and ever; and they have no rest day and night, they that worship the beast and his image, and whoso receives the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints, they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThis proclamation concerns those who take upon themselves the Mark of the Beast. This is the point of no return. The opportunity of salvation will be available to all as long as they are without the mark. But once the mark is taken, signifying the acceptance of the Antichrist as the one true god, they will have forfeited any further opportunity to be saved. Those who take the mark are destined for two things: first, they will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is the Bowl Judgments of Revelation 15\u201316; and second, they are doomed to eternal torment in the Lake of Fire. By taking the mark, they have reached the point of no return. However, no one will take the mark out of ignorance, for by this time there will have been two worldwide proclamations of the gospel. The first was the 144,000 during the first half of the Tribulation, and the second was the angel in Revelation 14:6\u20137 in the middle of the Tribulation. Those who accept the mark are those who heard the love of the truth but rejected it (2 Thes. 2:8\u201312). The fourth proclamation concludes in verse 12, declaring that this fact is the patience of the saints. By refusing the mark, the saints will undergo heavy persecution and martyrdom. But the encouragement lies in the fact that the persecutors, those with the mark, are doomed to suffer the severe Bowl Judgments in this life and eternal torment in the next.
\nThe fifth proclamation is in 14:13:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I heard a voice from heaven saying, Write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; for their works follow with them.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nAs a further word of encouragement and comfort, this proclamation concerns the saints who will die during the second half of the Tribulation. A special blessing is promised to them.
\nThe sixth proclamation is in 14:14\u201316:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I saw, and behold, a white cloud; and on the cloud I saw one sitting like unto a son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the temple, crying with a great voice to him that sat on the cloud, Send forth your sickle, and reap: for the hour to reap is come; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. And he that sat on the cloud cast his sickle upon the earth; and the earth was reaped.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThis proclamation is one of reaping. Reaping is a common symbol for salvation. Thus, this proclamation announces that in spite of the majority accepting the mark, there will be many who, during the second half of the Tribulation, will come to a saving knowledge of Jesus the Messiah.
\nThe seventh proclamation is in 14:17\u201320:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And another angel came out from the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, he that has power over fire; and he called with a great voice to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Send forth your sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. And the angel cast his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vintage of the earth, and cast it into the winepress, the great winepress, of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trodden without the city, and there came out blood from the winepress, even unto the bridles of the horses, as far as a thousand and six hundred furlongs.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThis proclamation is one of the treading of the grapes. Whereas reaping is a common symbol of salvation, treading is a common symbol of judgment. The grapes are gathered and then undergo the severity of the wrath of God, which is the coming Bowl Judgments; the treading, then, is by means of the Bowl Judgments. This treading takes place without the city of Jerusalem, where the Valley of Kidron, also known as the Valley of Jehoshaphat, is located. The treading in this valley results in blood coming out about 4\u00bd feet high for about two hundred miles. With the close of the Bowl Judgments, there is to be a severe judgment of treading, resulting in massive bloodletting. Since this passage involves the Campaign of Armageddon, it will be discussed further in Chapter 14, The Campaign of Armageddon and the Second Coming of Jesus the Messiah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
P. The Seventh Trumpet: The Third Woe Judgment\u2014Revelation 11:14\u201319<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The second Woe is past: behold, the third Woe comes quickly. And the seventh angel sounded; and there followed great voices in heaven, and they said, The kingdom of the world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ: and he shall reign for ever and ever. And the four and twenty elders, who sit before God on their thrones, fell upon their faces and worshipped God, saying, We give you thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who is and who was; because you have taken your great power, and did reign. And the nations were wroth, and your wrath came, and the time of the dead to be judged, and the time to give their reward to your servants the prophets, and to the saints, and to them that fear your name, the small and the great; and to destroy them that destroy the earth. And there was opened the temple of God that is in heaven; and there was seen in his temple the ark of his covenant; and there followed lightnings, and voices, and thunders, and an earthquake, and great hail.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nClosing the midtribulational events and announcing the Bowl Judgments of the second half of the Tribulation is the seventh trumpet, which is also the third Woe Judgment (v. 14). When the seventh trumpet is blown an announcement is made that with this trumpet, Messiah will inherit the kingdom of the world (v. 15). It should be noted that the word kingdom is singular, and so Messiah will gain the one-world kingdom of the Antichrist. A further announcement is made that the time of the final judgments has also come in order to destroy the ones who are destroying the earth and to avenge the ones who are killing the prophets and the saints (vv. 16\u201318). These announcements are also declaring the results of the Bowl Judgments, the final series of judgments. Because the results of the seventh Trumpet Judgment are the same as the results of the Bowl Judgments, it shows that, just as the seventh Seal Judgment contains the Seven Trumpet Judgments, the seventh Trumpet Judgment contains the seven Bowl Judgments (v. 19). This last verse is the prelude in Heaven before the Bowl Judgments, and the focus is on the Temple in Heaven. The Ark of the Covenant mentioned is the original ark of which Moses made a copy.
To summarize Revelation 11\u201316, Revelation 11 closes with the announcement that the Bowl Judgments are about to be poured out. This point is now temporarily dropped, to be picked up again in chapters 15\u201316. Chapters 11\u201314 are parenthetical to do two things: first, to add some details about the events of the middle of the Tribulation; and second, to show why the Bowl Judgments are so necessary. Revelation 12\u201313 then points out the events on earth necessitating the seven Bowl Judgments contained in the seventh trumpet, namely, the actions of the counterfeit trinity. Revelation 14 shows how the program of the counterfeit trinity will fail and also announces some of the results of the Bowl Judgments. The Bowl Judgments are then described in Revelation 15\u201316. This is the topic of the next chapter.
This chapter has been primarily concerned with the midtribulation events. Now it is necessary to go on to the events of the second half of the Tribulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
B. The Bowl Judgments<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- The First Bowl Judgment\u2014Revelation 16:2\nAnd the first went, and poured out his bowl into the earth; and it became a noisome and grievous sore upon the men that had the mark of the beast, and that worshipped his image.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
The first Bowl Judgment is clearly directed at affecting only those who have the Mark of the Beast in fulfillment of Revelation 14:9\u201311. It will result in a grievous sore upon the worshipers of the Antichrist. This sore will be some kind of skin ulcer or malignancy on the skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- The Second Bowl Judgment\u2014Revelation 16:3\nAnd the second poured out his bowl into the sea; and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living soul died, even the things that were in the sea.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Whereas under the second Trumpet Judgment one-third of the salt water was affected, in the second Bowl Judgment the rest of the salt water will be turned into blood, destroying the remainder of sea life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- The Third Bowl Judgment\u2014Revelation 16:4\u20137\nAnd the third poured out his bowl into the rivers and the fountains of the waters; and it became blood. And I heard the angel of the waters saying, Righteous are you, who are and who was, you Holy One, because you did thus judge: for they poured out the blood of saints and prophets, and blood have you given them to drink: they are worthy. And I heard the altar saying, Yea, O Lord God, the Almighty, true and righteous are your judgments.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Whereas in the third Trumpet Judgment one-third of the fresh water was destroyed, under the third Bowl Judgment the remainder of the fresh water in rivers and springs will be destroyed, as it too will become blood (v. 4). Apparently, water in wells and cisterns will survive. The act elicits two declarations. First (vv. 5\u20136), the guardian angel assigned to water declares the righteousness of God\u2019s judgment in this act. Since men have shed the blood of the prophets and saints, mankind is given blood to drink. The second declaration (v. 7) comes from the Altar, further affirming the assessment of God\u2019s righteousness being revealed through His judgments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- The Fourth Bowl Judgment\u2014Revelation 16:8\u20139\nAnd the fourth poured out his bowl upon the sun; and it was given unto it to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat: and they blasphemed the name of God who has the power over these plagues; and they repented not to give him glory.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Whereas the fourth Trumpet Judgment affected the sun by destroying one-third of the light source, the fourth Bowl Judgment will also affect the sun by increasing its temperature to the point that men are totally scorched. Mankind will recognize the source of this judgment as coming from God, but instead of turning to Him in faith, they will blaspheme His Name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- The Fifth Bowl Judgment\u2014Revelation 16:10\u201311\nAnd the fifth poured out his bowl upon the throne of the beast; and his kingdom was darkened; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, and they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores; and they repented not of their works.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Among the various results of the fifth Trumpet Judgment was the third blackout. The fifth Bowl Judgment will result in the fourth blackout of the end times. The entire kingdom of the Beast will be darkened which, at this stage, will include the entire world with the exception of the three Transjordanian nations where light will still exist. Along with the darkness comes a gnawing pain that will cause mankind to blaspheme all the more. This will be a thick darkness that can be felt. The circumstances are not unlike what befell Egypt in Exodus 10:21\u201323.
\nThe sixth (16:12\u201316) and seventh (16:17\u201321) Bowl Judgments are both concerned with the Campaign of Armageddon, which will be discussed in Chapter 14, The Campaign of Armageddon and the Second Coming of Jesus the Messiah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u05d9\u05d2<\/p>\n\n\n\n
THIRTEEN<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Great Tribulation: Additional Features and Facts<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The purpose of this chapter is to fill in some of the gaps concerning the Great Tribulation before dealing with the culminating event of the Campaign of Armageddon. The Old Testament prophets had a great deal to say about the Great Tribulation, and it would be impossible to deal with all of them adequately. This study will be limited to certain key passages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A. Babylon<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As has been indicated in several places earlier, Babylon is to be rebuilt and become the Antichrist\u2019s political and economic capital of the world. Passages involving the rebuilding of Babylon will be discussed in connection with the Campaign of Armageddon in the next chapter. All that needs to be noted now is that the prophecies regarding the city of Babylon have never been fulfilled in the past, as any encyclopedia article on Babylon will make quite clear. In order for these prophecies to be fulfilled, it will require the rebuilding of the city of Babylon in the same general area. Ancient Babylon is in present-day Iraq. More will be said on this later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
B. Israel and the Tribulation<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Though the whole world will be involved in the Great Tribulation, it will particularly affect Israel, as is evident from the massive amount of Old Testament Scripture concerning this time period. Of the three purposes of the Tribulation previously presented in Chapter 8, Events in Heaven Prior to the Tribulation, the second and third purposes are directly related to the Jews. Furthermore, the Tribulation will not begin until Israel signs the Seven-Year Covenant. This section will deal with some more points relating to Israel and the Great Tribulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Israel in General<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
a. The Time of Jacob\u2019s Trouble<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The uniqueness of the Tribulation\u2019s relationship to Israel is especially brought out in Jeremiah 30:4\u20137:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And these are the words that Jehovah spoke concerning Israel and concerning Judah. For thus says Jehovah: We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace. Ask ye now, and see whether a man does travail with child: wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness? Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob\u2019s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nWhile the Scriptures have many names for the Great Tribulation, in this passage a name is given that directly relates the Tribulation to the Jewish nation: the time of Jacob\u2019s trouble. While it is true that all will suffer during that time, Israel will suffer more so. The basic reason for this lies in Israel\u2019s relationship to God as God\u2019s first born (Ex. 4:22) and, therefore, Israel receives double, both in blessing and cursing. The principle that Israel receives double for all her sins is stated in Isaiah 40:1\u20132:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, says your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem; and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received of Jehovah\u2019s hand double for all her sins.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nIt is also found in Jeremiah 16:16\u201318:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Behold, I will send for many fishers, says Jehovah, and they shall fish them up; and afterward I will send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the clefts of the rocks. For my eyes are upon all their ways; they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity concealed from my eyes. And first I will recompense their iniquity and their sin double, because they have polluted my land with the carcasses of their detestable things, and have filled my inheritance with their abominations.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nThe principle of Israel\u2019s receiving double for all her sins is the reason why the Tribulation is uniquely the Time of Jacob\u2019s Trouble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
b. General Descriptions<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A graphic general description of Israel in the Tribulation is found in Isaiah 3:1\u20134:1:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For, behold, the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, does take away from Jerusalem and from Judah stay and staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water; the mighty man, and the man of war; the judge, and the prophet, and the diviner, and the elder; the captain of fifty, and the honorable man, and the counsellor, and the expert artificer, and the skilful enchanter. And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them. And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbor: the child shall behave himself proudly against the old man, and the base against the honorable. When a man shall take hold of his brother in the house of his father, saying, You have clothing, be you our ruler, and let this ruin be under your hand; in that day shall he lift up his voice, saying, I will not be a healer; for in my house is neither bread nor clothing: ye shall not make me ruler of the people. For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen; because their tongue and their doings are against Jehovah, to provoke the eyes of his glory. The show of their countenance does witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have done evil unto themselves. Say ye of the righteous, that it shall be well with him; for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him; for what his hands have done shall be done unto him. As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they that lead you cause you to err, and destroy the way of your paths. Jehovah stands up to contend, and stands to judge the peoples. Jehovah will enter into judgment with the elders of his people, and the princes thereof: It is ye that have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of the poor is in your houses: what mean ye that ye crush my people, and grind the face of the poor? says the Lord, Jehovah of hosts. Moreover, Jehovah said, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with outstretched necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet; therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and Jehovah will lay bare their secret parts. In that day the Lord will take away the beauty of their anklets, and the cauls, and the crescents; the pendants, and the bracelets, and the mufflers; the headtires, and the ankle chains, and the sashes, and the perfume boxes, and the amulets; the rings, and the nose jewels; the festival robes, and the mantles, and the shawls, and the satchels; the hand-mirrors, and the fine linen, and the turbans, and the veils. And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet spices there shall be rottenness; and instead of a girdle, a rope; and instead of well set hair, baldness; and instead of a robe, a girding of sackcloth: branding instead of beauty. Your men shall fall by the sword, and your mighty in the war. And her gates shall lament and mourn; and she shall be desolate and sit upon the ground. And seven women shall take hold of one man in that day, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by your name; take you away our reproach.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n