1 THE PERRY STONE INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED BIBLICAL STUDIES

BREAKING THE APOCALYPSE CODE

Unlocking future prophetic mysteries predicted in the book of Revelation, and understanding how ancient Feasts, Temple, and Priestly codes unlock clues to the Apocalypse

Perry Stone, Jr.

This prophetic teaching syllabus contains outlines and study notes on the subject, “Breaking the Apocalypse Code.” These outlines were prepared by Perry Stone and used in his seven DVD teaching series on the book of Revelation. This manual is designed to accompany the DVD series as a home Bible study teaching aid.

Copyright 2012 by Voice of Evangelism Ministries, Cleveland, Tennessee. All rights reserved. No part of this study manual or the DVD series may be stored in a retrieval system or reproduced in any form or by any means, including Internet and video websites. However, we do encourage individuals to study to show themselves approved unto God, teaching and preaching the truths that they glean from this study.

2 SESSION ONE

THE APOCALYPSE CODE AND THE HEAVENLY TEMPLE

3 4 THE APOCALYPSE CODE AND THE HEAVENLY TEMPLE

The book of Revelation is called the Apocalypse, or in Greek the Apokalupsis, meaning the uncovering of what is hidden.

Why don’t more people study Revelation or ministers preach from it? Some believe:

 The symbolism is too confusing  The message is too negative  The prophecy has already occurred

A. The book of Revelation is interpreted 5 different ways:

1. The Preterist interpretation – end-time prophetic events were fulfilled in the 1st century

2. The Historical interpretation – events were fulfilled from the 1st century to the return of Christ

3. The Allegorical interpretation – the book is an allegory, symbolizing battles between good and evil

4. The A-millennial interpretation – the book represents seven phases of church history

5. The Futuristic interpretation – events from chapters 4 to 22 deal with the tribulation

After decades of studying the Bible, I view chapters 4 to 22 as futuristic.

B. All Bible prophecy is primarily addressed to one of four groups:

The Message to The Person(s) The References in Revelation

1. Individuals the pastors Revelation chapters 2 and 3 2. Israel the Nation the Jewish people Revelation chapters 7 and 12 3. Gentile Nations the judgments Revelation chapters 8, 9, 15, 16 4. The Church the seven churches Revelation chapters 2 and 3

The Apocalypse reveals God’s blessings/judgments for the Church, Israel, and Gentile nations.

C. Definition of Important Terms

Biblical Prophet:

A Biblical prophet is a God-called man who, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, could foresee into the future, often through dreams or visions, and relate them through inspired utterances.

Biblical Prophecy:

Biblical prophecy is the writings of holy men of God, as recorded in the Scriptures, which predict events, often thousands of years before they come to pass. 5

Eschatology:

Eschatology comes from eschatos, meaning “last, utmost, or extreme,” and the word logos, meaning “word.” Eschatology means the last word, or a study of last things.

The Apocalypse:

Apocalypse is from the Greek word apokalupsis, meaning “to uncover or unveil what is hidden.” It is the Greek name given for the book of Revelation, which was a vision given to the apostle John. The book was originally written in Greek.

Apocalyptic Literature:

Both Jewish and Christian history is filled with apocalyptic literature. Some literature is called pseudepigrapha, defined as literature written by someone else who attributed authorship to a holy man or prophet. Apocalyptic literature consists of both Biblical and non-Biblical books.

Jewish Literature Christian Bible and Tradition

Book of Enoch Book of Revelation Book of Jubilees Book of Daniel Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs Books of Ezekiel, Isaiah, Zechariah, etc. The Sibylline Oracles Book of Enoch Book of Jasher The Shepherd of Hermes Ascension of Moses The Didache

Note: The Bible is the only source of true inspiration (2 Tim. 3:16, 2 Pet.1:21)

D. The Apocalypse is a vision divided into twenty-two chapters

1. This vision is a summary of Old Testament prophets’ predictions about the end of days

a. The vision reveals the combined prophecies of Biblical predictions about the time of the end

Visions of Ezekiel and John

 Both were priests or linked to the priesthood - Ez. 1:3 - History  Both were held captive against their will - Ez. 1:1 - Rev. 1:9  Both were near water when their visions occurred - Ez. 1:1 - Aegean Sea  Both saw heaven open and saw visions of God - Ez. 1:26 - Rev. 4:2  Both saw the four-faced living creatures - Ez. 1:10 - Rev. 4:7  Both saw the throne of God and the God of the throne - Ez.1:26 - Rev. 4:3  Both saw a rainbow around the throne - Ez.1:28 - Rev. 4:3  Both saw a scroll filled with woes and troubles - Ez. 2:10 - Rev. 6  Both were told to eat a scroll and prophesy - Ez. 3:1 - Rev. 10:9  Both saw angels mark the heads of the righteous - Ez. 9:4 - Rev. 7:1-3

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 Both saw the judgments strike Israel and Jerusalem - Ez. 14 - Rev. 11:13  Both saw a Jewish remnant - Ez. 12:16 - Rev. 12:17

2. The vision reveals the types of judgments against the nations

a. Rev. 5-7 There are six judgments released from a seven-sealed book b. Rev. 8-10 There are six judgments released by seven angels with trumpets c. Rev. 16 There are six judgments released by seven angels with vials or bowls

d. On the 7th seal there is silence and the seven angels with trumpets are released. e. On the 7th trumpet the 7th angel says, “The kingdoms of the world belong to Christ.” f. On the 7th vial judgments the 7th angel says, “It is done.”

3. The vision contains many references that originate in the Old Testament

The Apocalyptic Vision The Old Testament Reference

 Woman clothed with the sun, moon and stars (12:1) Joseph’s vision in Gen. 37:9-10  A great tribulation for 42 months (11:2; 13:5) Daniel revealed the time in Dan. 7:25  Gog and Magog battle (20:8) Ezekiel 38 and 39  Michael fighting Satan in a cosmic war (12:7) Daniel spoke of Michael in Dan. 12:1  The beast with ten horns (13:1) Daniel’s vision in Daniel 7:7; 20; 24  The battle of Armageddon (16:16) Zech. 14:1-2-3  The binding of Satan in the abyss/pit (20:2-3) Isaiah’s prediction in Isa. 14:15  The return of the Messiah to Jerusalem (19-20) Zechariah’s prediction in Zech. 14:4-5

Key: John’s vision pulls it all together (like taking chapters and combining them for one book)

THE INTRODUCTION TO REVELATION

Revelation is the only book in the entire Bible that is completely Apocalyptic in nature. In early history it was called, The Apocalypse of John, The Apocalypse of the Theologian, and the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

Main Verses: Revelation 1:1-8

A. The author of the book (John)

1. John was given care of Mary (John 19:25-27) and the apostles left Jerusalem in 37- 44 AD 2. John settled in Ephesus with Mary (67 AD); lived there 27 years; then he was arrested at age 90 3. John penned his name 3 times (Rev.1:1; 1:4 and 1:9) 4. John wrote the book from Patmos, an island off the coast of Turkey (Rev. 1:9) 5. John was a political prisoner on the island (tradition says for about 18 months) 6. About 93 AD, John was arrested and went to Rome; he was boiled in oil and survived 7. After his survival, the Emperor Domitian ordered him banished to Patmos

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B. The worst political prisoners were taken to Patmos, an island in the Aegean Sea

1. It was located 24 miles off the coast of Asia Minor (now Turkey) and 60 miles from Ephesus 2. It was 10 miles long and 6 miles wide; the coast was jagged rocks 3. John lived in an abandoned cave on top of the island acropolis overlooking the Aegean Sea 4. There was a niche where John slept; it was called the “Cave of the Revelation” 5. A “companion in tribulation” means “excruciating distress and pressure” 6. In 2 BC the island was dedicated to Hermes, the “messenger of the gods”

C. Authentication of the book by the early church fathers

1. Irenaeus (AD 103-202) stated the Apocalypse was written at the end of Domitian’s reign 2. Clement (AD 150-215) said John returned from Patmos after Domitian died (AD 96) 3. Origen (AD 185-254) believed it was written in the time of Domitian 4. Domitian accepted emperor worship and called himself “lord and god” in his letters 5. Saint Jerome mentioned the history of John on Patmos

Note: If the passion was AD 32, then 68 years later would be AD 100

D. The activity of the book

Main Verse: Revelation 1:19

1. The things you have seen - Revelation chapter 1 - the resurrected Christ 2. The things which are - Revelation chapters 2 and 3 - the seven churches in Asia 3. The things which shall be - Revelation chapters 4 through 22 - the events in the future

THE PROPHETIC NATURE OF REVELATION

A. The prophetic symbolism of the book

1. The lamb is Christ in 26 of 27 verses - Rev. 5:6 2. The dragon is Satan - Rev. 12:9 3. The harlot on the beast is a false religious system - Rev. 17:1 4. The beast with heads and horns is a final world empire - Rev. 13:1 and 17 5. The woman giving birth is Israel - Rev. 12:1

B. The prophetic purpose of the symbolism

1. Prophetic symbolism is found throughout apocalyptic literature such as Daniel and Revelation 2. Prophetic symbolism was used to veil the meaning, especially from the enemies of the Jews 3. Prophetic symbolism is used to allow the wise to search out the truth (Prov. 25:2) 4. Prophetic symbolism is found in the numbers, colors, and imagery of the animal symbols

Note: The Bible interprets itself and Revelation and Daniel are twin books in symbolism!

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C. The prophetic order of the book

1. John is viewing three realms at once

a. John sees in heaven - from inside the heavenly Temple (4:1) b. John sees on earth - from inside Israel, Jerusalem, and the nations c. John sees under the earth - from inside the abyss (bottomless pit)

Note: Chapter 11 (Jerusalem), chapter 12 (the wilderness), and chapter 13 (Jerusalem)

D. Prophetically interpreting the vision of Revelation

1. The vision reveals four central revelations

a. It is a revelation of earth’s final seven years (Daniel’s 70th week) b. It is a revelation of the final judgments predicted by Old Testament prophets c. It is revelation of the Messiah returning to earth, setting up His Kingdom d. It is a revelation of God’s eternal plan for His people (everything ends in eternity)

2. The vision reveals Christ’s threefold heavenly ministry

a. John reveals Jesus Christ as High Priest - Rev. 1:12-18 b. John reveals Jesus Christ as Judge - Rev. 14:14-20 c. John reveals Jesus Christ as King - Rev. 19:11-16 d. He was called a Prophet on earth - Matt. 13:57 e. He has been a Priest since His ascension - Heb. 4:14-16 f. He will be the King for one thousand years - Rev. 19:11-16

3. The vision reveals the “Temple Code” throughout the Apocalypse

a. The seven feasts were rehearsals for future events b. The earthly Temple rituals were a reflection of what would occur in the Heavenly Temple c. The Apocalypse reveals certain Temple rituals, customs, and patterns of the feasts

E. There is priestly imagery throughout the book

1. John’s link to the priesthood in Jerusalem

a. John was acquainted with the High Priest - John 18:15-18 b. John was allowed into the council chamber - John 18:15-16 c. John took Mary to his own house in Jerusalem - John 19:27

2. John’s priestly knowledge is revealed in the book

a. Certain verses have allusions to the seven feasts - Rev. 7:9 b. Certain verses have allusions to ancient Temple rituals - Rev. 8:3 c. Certain verses have allusions to priestly customs - Rev. 16:15

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F. The earthly Tabernacle was patterned from the Heavenly Temple

1. There were four main groups present at the earthly Temple

a. The Chief Priest - the High Priest - Lev. 21:10 b. Levites - the Temple ministers - Num. 1:50 c. Watchmen - the night watchmen - Isa. 62:6 d. Israelites - those offering sacrifices - Levi. 23:42

2. The four classes of people at the Heavenly Temple

a. The High Priest - Jesus Christ - Heb. 9:11 b. The Levites - the 24 elders - Rev. 4:4 c. The Church - the Saints - Rev. 1:6 d. The Israelites - the Jewish Remnant - Rev. 14:1

INTRODUCTION TO THE VISION OF JOHN

Rev. 1:4 - The book begins with grace (a Greek greeting) and peace (a Hebrew greeting) Rev. 1:4 - From Christ to the seven churches in Asia (area of Turkey today)

Main Verse: Revelations 1:9-11

A. John was “in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day” (Rev. 1:10)

1. Some teach it was the Sabbath Day - He would have said the “Sabbath day” 2. Some teach it was Sunday - He would have said, “First day of the week” 3. Some teach it was the “Day of the Lord” - The day of God’s judgment (Dan. 9:27)

Note: In the Greek time, the first day of each month was called the “Imperial Day,” when the emperor was celebrated. This is the possible meaning, as the real King (Christ) is revealing Himself as the true King and is revealing His day – the Day of the Lord – that was coming!

B. Two “days” alluded to in the New Testament

 The Day of Christ  The Day of the Lord

1. The Day of Christ - (the catching away)

The Day of Christ can allude to the return and the gathering together of the saints

a. Phil. 1:10 b. Phil. 2:16 c. 2 Thess. 2:2 d. 2 Cor. 1:14 e. 1 Cor. 5:5

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Note: This refers to the day Christ returns. We are saved “in the day.”

2. The Day of the Lord (refers to the tribulation)

a. 1 Thess. 5:2-4 b. 2 Pet. 3:10

3. The Old Testament prophets saw the Day of the Lord

a. Isa. 2:12 b. Isa. 13:6 c. Jer. 46:10 d. Joel 2:31 e. Amos 5:18

Note: The Day of Christ is when Christ gathers His saints to Himself. The Day of the Lord is when God judges the earth during the tribulation. In one day, Christ gathers His saints; and the same day, the tribulation begins. In one day, Christ will return to earth; and on that one day, Christ’s reign begins.

THE APOCALYPSE IS A REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST

Main verse: Revelation 1:1

A. The revelation of Christ (His positions)

1. In Revelation 1 He is the atoning High Priest 2. In Revelation 4-6 He is the Kinsman-Redeemer with the sealed book 3. In Revelation 8:1-5 He is the Priest of judgment at the golden altar 4. In Revelation 14:1-4 He is the High Priest presenting 144,000 (firstfruit Jews) 5. In Revelation 19:7-9 He is the Bridegroom celebrating with the bride 6. In Revelation 19:14-16 He is the coming King of kings to rule on earth 7. In Revelation 20-22 He is the Eternal King ruling from His city

B. The revelation of Christ as an “angel.”

1. He is the angel with the incense - Rev. 8:3 2. He is the angel with the little book - Rev. 10:2 3. He is the Son of man on the clouds - Rev. 14:16

C. The revelation of Christ as the King of kings

1. Christ is now the High Priest, but will be crowned in the future as the King of kings 2. Christ will set up rule for 1,000 years in Jerusalem as King

D. The Heavenly Priesthood

1. The priesthood in the Old Testament

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a. The Melchizedek priest - Gen.14 b. The Aaronic priesthood - Exo. 29 c. The Zadok priesthood - 1 Kings 1:32

2. The Priesthood of heaven in the New Testament

a. The High Priest (Christ) - Heb. 3:1 b. The kingdom of priests (believers) - Rev. 1:6 c. The 24 courses of priests (24 elders) - Rev. 4:4

3. The Priesthood of Christ

“The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” - Psalm 110:4

a. Melchizedek was both a king and a priest unto God in Jerusalem (Gen. 14) b. Christ is Priest but will become King in the future, ruling from Jerusalem (Zech. 14:5 and 9)

 In the Apocalypse, the High Priest (Christ) is becoming a King  In the Apocalypse, the High Priest is introducing judgments on the nations  As a Melchizedek Priest, He moves from the High Priest to King of kings (Heb.7:17-21)

E. The priestly garments

Christ is now the atoning Priest

1. The earthly garments

a. A pair of linen breaches - Exo. 28:42 b. A coat from the shoulder to the floor - Exo. 28:40 c. A girdle about the chest to hold coat together - Exo. 28:4 d. A linen bonnet on the head - Exo. 28:40

Note: High Priest wore 8 garments for beauty/ 4 garments for atonement

2. The heavenly garments

a. Christ is wearing a white linen garment - Rev. 1:13 b. Christ appears to be barefoot - Rev. 1:13 c. Christ is wearing a gold belt - Rev. 1:13 d. Christ has feet of polished brass - Rev. 1:15 e. Christ has a sharp two-edged sword from His mouth - Rev. 1:16 f. Christ was dead and is now alive forever - Rev. 1:18 g. Christ has the keys of death and hell (Hades) - Rev. 1:18

 Barefoot: It appears the priest wore no shoes as the ground was holy (Exod. 3:5)

 Polished brass: brass and bronze signify judgment in OT and Christ’s feet were polished by fire. He will trample all enemies “under His feet” through judgment.

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 The gold belt: “Girt about the paps” means “a wide belt in the upper mid-chest area.” Normal belts are worn around the waist. Kings often wore a large one in the upper chest area. The belt helped the robe to flow and meant dignity and honor when worn.

 Two-edged sword: Sharp in Greek is used to describe a sour vinegar or medical solution used to stop severe pain (Mark 15:36); also to cleanse filthy wounds and stop infections. Christ used His words to get the filth, junk, and sickness out of the church. A two-edged sword was a Roman sword, long bladed on a pole to cut at a distance. It was sharp on both sides. The sharp curved sword could cut the enemy in half!

Note: John fell down like he was dead (1:17). See also Gen. 17:3; Josh. 5:14; Dan. 10:15

3. The heavenly garments and Christ’s present ministry

a. Christ is in white interceding for us continually at the Heavenly Temple (Heb. 7:25) b. Christ (the Priest) must stand to intercede. Stephen saw him standing (Acts 7:56) c. The High Priest remained in linen until the atonement was completed d. Christ has no crown in chapter one, but many crowns in Revelation chapter 19:12

THE VISION OCCURS AT THE HEAVENLY TEMPLE

A. God’s seven earthly dwellings:

1. He visited man in Eden (Gen 3:8) 2. The Tabernacle of Moses (Ex. 26-33) 3. The Tent of David (1 Chron. 15 & 16) 4. The Temple of Solomon (1 Kings 6 & 7) 5. The Second Temple (John 2:21) 6. The human body is the Temple of God (1 Cor. 3:16) 7. The church is His body on earth (1 Cor. 12:27)

B. God’s one heavenly dwelling:

1. The Throne room in heaven is a Heavenly Temple

a. In Isa. 6:1, Isaiah saw the Lord lifted up in His Temple b. In 2 Chron. 18:18, Micaiah saw the Lord sitting on His throne c. In Dan. 7:9, Daniel saw the Ancient of Days on His throne d. In Ezek. 1:26, Ezekiel saw the Lord on His throne

C. The Heavenly Temple

The throne room is the heavenly Temple. All activity in the Apocalypse centers here.

1. The sacred Temple in heaven (location)

a. The Temple is in the north (Isa. 14:13; Ps. 48:2; Ezek. 1:4)

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b. The Temple is situated on a mountain (Heb. 12:22) c. The throne of God is the center (Rev. 4:2-5) d. The Temple contains doors (Rev. 15:6; Isa. 6:1-4) e. The men and angels have access (Rev. 11:19; 15:8)

2. The sacred furniture in heaven

a. There is a Menorah in heaven (Rev. 1:12) b. There is a Golden Altar in heaven (Rev. 9:13) c. There is an Ark of His Covenant in heaven (Rev. 11:19)

3. The sacred furniture missing in heaven

a. There is no need for a brass altar; Christ was the final sacrifice b. There is no need for a laver; there is no need for cleansing or washing c. There is no showbread; Christ is the manna from heaven

THE THRONE OF GOD (mentioned 40 times)

Main Verse: Revelation 4:2-3

A. Description of the One on the throne

1. The sardius - first stone on the High Priest’s breastplate - Exod. 28:17 (a sardius) 2. The jasper - last stone on the High Priest’s breastplate - Exod. 28:20 (a jasper)

Jesus said “I am the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last.” (Rev. 1:8)

a. First stone was Reuben - (behold a son) - the sardius (Exod. 28:17) b. Last stone was Benjamin - (son of my right hand) - the jasper (Exod. 28:20) c. Emerald was the 4th stone - (Judah’s slot) - the emerald (Exod. 28:18, KJV)

Traditions: Wearing an emerald kept a woman pure. It was a symbol of fidelity and a wedding stone in ancient times. Giving one expresses love, devotion and adoration. It was also a gift from the rich for the rich. (Modern Bible translations say turquoise was the 4th stone; but in Jewish history, it was emerald.)

B. Details of the throne

Main verse: Revelation 4:5

a. Thunder - This represents the voice of God (John 12:28-30) b. Lightning - This represents the power of God (Ps. 144:5-6) c. Voices - This could be our praise (Rev. 4:5) d. Rainbow - This represents the Covenant (Gen. 9:13)

Note: Revelation chapter one is a picture of the atoning priestly linen garments!

THE SEVEN LAMPS

Main verse: Revelation 1:20 14

A. Christ is standing in the midst of the candlesticks (1:13)

1. The meaning of the seven-branched lamp stand

a. The ancient seven-branched candelabra of gold was called the Menorah – 6 ft. high b. Josephus said it was 100 pounds of gold, with hollow shafts, and 70 ornaments c. Josephus believed the 7 branches represented the 7 planets (including the sun/moon) d. Each bowl held one days worth of oil (it held three eggs)

2. The message of the seven lamp stands

a. The Menorah brought light to the inner court or holy place b. The seven branches represented the 7 churches in Revelation c. Christ is the light of the world (John 8:12) and we are to shine as lights (Phil. 2:12-16) d. The light was to burn continually; fresh oil was added daily (Lev. 24:2) e. Rabbis believe the Menorah is a symbol of the Torah and the Tree of Life f. The seven pipes (lamps) can represent the seven eyes of God over the earth g. There were seven known planets then: the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn

3. The Messiah and the seven lamps

a. The Menorah was to be cleaned, replenished with oil, and relit every day b. The western branch was to continually burn; others were lit from this one branch

THE MEANING OF THE SEVEN STARS

Main verses: Revelation 1:16, 20

A. The seven stars are the seven angels (messengers)

1. These are the seven pastors of the churches, and the message was to seven churches 2. 1,000 cities were in Asia Minor but these 7 were the largest and most pagan cities in the region 3. These 7 were the largest and most influential churches – Paul started many of them 4. Paul died (67 AD); John was the Bishop of these churches for 27 years

B. There may be a dual application

1. There were over 40 major churches in the time of the Apocalypse 2. These 7 stars are the imagery of the Pleiades (constellation) 3. The brightest star is al-cyone which means “the center” (an Arab belief) 4. It has one star surrounded by 7 stars called the “seven sisters” 5. It is located in the constellation of Taurus the bull (the bull was the priest’s offering) 6. The 7 churches were located at the base of the Taurus Mountains

Note: The ancient Persians believed 7 stars rising and setting determined beginning and ending of a voyage.

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C. The “bright and morning star” is Christ (Rev. 22:16)

1. Venus is called the morning star and was named after the Roman goddess of love 2. Venus reaches its maximum brightness before sunrise and shortly after sunset 3. Some months it is first seen before the sun rises; it introduces a new day 4. On June 17th, 2 BC, Venus seemed to be on a collision course with Jupiter (two brightest stars)

IN REVELATION CHAPTERS 2 AND 3, CHRIST IS PERFORMING A TEMPLE RITUAL

A. Christ is cleaning and relighting the Menorah

1. The lighting procedure of the Menorah at the Temple in Jerusalem

a. The priest was selected by casting lots; then he began a cleansing procedure b. The priest used gold tweezers and a gold jug of first pressed olive oil c. The procedure occurred prior to a new day beginning at the Temple’s morning service

In Revelation, this pictures a new day - the Lord’s Day or the Day of the Lord.

B. Jesus is trimming the Menorah (Revelation 2 and 3)

1. Jesus addressed seven churches located in Asia Minor (Rev. 2 and 3) 2. He rebuked five and commended two of the seven (Rev. 2 and 3) 3. He told one church their light would be snuffed out (Rev. 2:5)

C. Jesus taught to keep our lamps trimmed and burning

1. Our lights are to be continually burning (Luke 12:35) 2. We must keep oil in our lamps to keep the light burning (Matt. 25:7) 3. The Menorah needed fresh oil to continually burn (Exo. 27:20)

Note: As the priest first relit the Menorah – Christ is cleaning & relighting the church!

THE SEVEN CHURCHES IN REVELATION 2 AND

A. Details of the seven churches:

The City The Reference Meaning of the name of the City

1. Ephesus Rev. 2:1-7 desirable 2. Smyrna Rev. 2:8-11 myrrh 3. Pergamos Rev. 2:12-17 height or elevation 4. Thyatira Rev. 2:18-29 continual sacrifice 5. Sardis Rev. 3:1-6 a remnant 6. Philadelphia Rev. 3:7-13 brotherly love 7. Laodicea Rev. 3:14-22 the rights (rule) of the people

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B. Brief description of each church

1. The church at Ephesus:

a. It was the 4th greatest city in the world (with Rome, Alexandria, and Antioch) b. It was the largest city in Asia Minor with stadiums, schools of philosophy, temples, gyms c. The best of the seven cities located in a major city with a seaport and many tourists d. People came to see the temple of the Greek goddess Artemis that Romans called Diana e. Slavery, prostitution, bathhouses, and idol worship occurred throughout the city f. There were popular Gladiator fights at the 10,000 seat stadium

Note: Paul had a revival in Ephesus and wrote a powerful letter to the church at Ephesus

2. The church at Smyrna:

a. A seaport city; but the silt increased, making it difficult for ships to enter the ports b. It was wealthy city, with science, medicine and architecture c. It was a political city and the Christians were poor and persecuted d. The chief goddess was Cybele and hers was the city’s largest temple e. The followers marked a day when they cut themselves and danced to a frenzy f. The male priests were castrated, becoming “third gender”—not male or female g. Noted for oracles, where spirits would speak through a priestess (this was demonic) h. The saints were poor in material things but rich in their faith and love for the Lord i. An early Bishop of Smyrna was Polycarp, a disciple of John (served Christ 86 years)

Note: The stadium held 20,000 and for years was a site for executing Christians

3. The church at Pergamos

a. Pergamos means “elevation,” built on a hill overlooking the city; Asia Minor’s capital b. The city had a temple to Caesar and also Zeus – a stronghold city for idols c. Patron goddess was Athena – she was believed to protect the city d. It was called the “place where Satan dwells” and where “Satan’s seat” was located (2:13) e. Antipas, a believer, was martyred in this city. It was home of the Nicolaitans (2:15)

4. The church of Thyatira

a. Thyatira was located inland in Asia Minor and was known for its color dyes b. The city was built in a valley with many trade routes running through it c. In Acts 16:14, Lydia was a seller of cloth as far away as Philippi d. The chief deity was Apollo, who was said to be linked with the power of the sun e. They had allowed a Jezebel to seduce the men in the church (2:20)

5. The church at Sardis

a. Sardis was noted for its industry, including carpets; was destroyed by an earthquake b. Gold was found in the area and the kings were very wealthy c. They had a “Royal Road” connecting the city with Persian cities in the east d. The goddess Artemis was the chief deity and was revered as the “mother-goddess”

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6. The church at Philadelphia

a. It was located at the foot of a mountain plateau in what is today West Central Turkey b. It was built on an important travel route linking the city with Laodicea to the south c. An earthquake struck in 17 AD, but it was rebuilt with help from Emperor Tiberius d. Agriculture, wool, wine making, and leather were the main industries

Note: Sardis and Philadelphia were both destroyed in 17 AD and had been rebuilt

7. The church at Laodicea

a. It was 40 miles from Ephesus and was steeped in Greek culture; had many earthquakes b. It had schools, libraries, and even a banking center and was quite well off financially c. Two salves were made (one for the ears and one for the eyes); a famous medical center

Note: The one weakness was the water supply. Water had to be piped into Laodicea. Cold water could come from the abundant supply at Colossae, but by the time it traveled the ten or so miles from the cold springs, it was lukewarm. About six miles away in Hierapolis were hot springs, but that water, too, was lukewarm when it reached Laodicea. If they piped in either cold or hot water, it arrived at Laodicea lukewarm.

C. Each church was given a command to repent or continue in their obedience

1. These were rebuked: Ephesus, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, and Laodicea 2. There were commended: Smyrna and Philadelphia

D. The rebukes or commendations

The Church The Message from Christ The Reference

1. Ephesus They had left their first love Rev. 2:4 2. Smyrna They were enduring tribulation and poverty Rev. 2:9 3. Pergamos They were holding to some false doctrines Rev. 2:14-15 4. Thyatira They were being seduced by a woman Rev. 2:20 5. Sardis They had people about to spiritually die Rev. 3:2 6. Philadelphia They were given an open door and protection Rev. 3:8-10 7. Laodicea They were lukewarm and would be spewed out Rev. 3:15-16

E. There is a blessing given for overcoming that is linked to 7,000 years of history

The Church Historical Backdrop The Blessing for Overcoming

 Ephesus back to Eden will eat from the tree of life  Smyrna the sin of Adam will not be hurt by second death  Pergamos the Exodus will eat from the hidden manna  Thyatira Joshua and David will be given power over the nations  Sardis to crucifixion will be dressed in white /Book of Life  Philadelphia end of church age will make a pillar in Temple  Laodicea the millennial will sit on His throne 18

F. The seven churches ages (could also allude to the seven periods of church history)

The Church The Church Age The Timeframe

 Ephesus The Apostolic Church 30 to 100 AD  Smyrna The Persecuted Church 100 to 312  Pergamum The Roman Church 313 to 600  Thyatira The Dark Ages 600 to 1517  Sardis The Reformation 1517 to 1700  Philadelphia The Missions Church 1648 to 21st century  Laodicea The Lukewarm Church the present situation

Seven times the Lord tells the churches, “He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying unto the churches” (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22). Much of the church today is content and lukewarm!

THE PROPHETIC TIME IN THE APOCALYPSE

A. The prophetic time

1. The Apocalypse covers a seven-year time frame, or Daniel’s 70th week (Dan. 9:27) 2. These seven years are divided into two halves 3. The first half is 42 months; the second half is 42 months (Rev. 11:2; 13:5) 4. The first half is 1,260 days; the second half is 1,260 days (Rev. 11:3; 12:6) 5. The wrath of the Lamb is the first 42 months (Rev. 6:16-17) 6. The wrath of God is the last 42 months (Rev. 14:10; 16:1)

B. The two halves are parallel with the morning and evening services

1. The Jewish day was divided into two halves of 12 hours each (John 11:9)

a. The first part of the day is from six to six, or sunrise to sunset, which is 12 hours b. The second part of the day is from six to six, or sunset to sunrise, which is 12 hours

2. The Temple services were divided into two halves

a. The morning services were sunrise to sunset, or from six to six b. The evening services were from sunset to sunrise, or from six to six

Note: Evening services mentioned in Ps. 92:2-3; Ps. 134; and 1 Chr. 9:33; 23:30

THE FIVE-PHASED MORNING RITUALS AT THE TEMPLE

A. These five parts are seen in the Apocalypse

1. Cleaning the Menorah - In Rev. 2 and 3 2. Offering the Incense - In Rev. 5:8 3. Opening the Gate - In Rev. 4:1-2 4. Offering the Lamb - In Rev. 5:6 5. Worshipping God - In Rev. 5:9-14 19

B. The Apocalypse is divided into three periods

1. Pre-tribulation - Rev. 4:1 2. Mid-tribulation - Rev. 11, 12 and 13 3. Post-tribulation - Rev. 19:20-21

MANY EVENTS ARE IN LINE WITH THE FEASTS OF ISRAEL

A. The seven feasts (Leviticus 23)

1. Passover 2. Unleavened Bread 3. First fruits 4. Pentecost 5. Trumpets 6. Atonement 7. Tabernacles

Note: The 3 spring feasts reveal the Messiah son of Joseph - the Lamb of God (John 1:29) Note: The 3 fall feasts reveal the Messiah son of David - the Lion of Judah (Rev. 5:5)

B. The three spring feasts

1. Passover - the time of Christ’s crucifixion 2. Unleavened Bread - the sinless Christ was in the tomb 3. First Fruits - alive as the first fruits of the dead

C. The three fall feasts, all on 7th month

1. Trumpets - may reveal the Rapture 2. Atonement - may reveal the tribulation 3. Tabernacles - may reveal the thousand year Kingdom

Note: These are the three patterns seen in the book of Revelation

CHRIST ALSO GIVES PRIESTLY (TEMPLE) WARNINGS IN REVELATION

A. Warnings to watch are Temple warnings (Rev. 16:15)

1. The Temple guards

a. The Temple guards would make secret visits at night b. They checked to see if a watchman was sleeping on the job c. Those caught sleeping were punished in a severe manner d. They were beaten and their clothes were burned (Luke 12 - “beaten with many stripes”)

2. The door reference (Rev. 3:20)

a. There were many priestly chambers in the earthly Temple 20

b. At times of cold, the priests would warm themselves at a fire in a special chamber c. They could fall asleep and the head guard knocked on the door d. They could fellowship with each other if they were not sleeping

3. The names and the white raiment reference (Rev. 3:5)

a. The white raiment was given to a priest who was accepted into the priesthood b. Names were placed in the Temple registry and they were confessed before the Sanhedrin

4. A pillar in the Temple reference (Rev. 3:12)

a. Pillars at Greek temples were carved and placed there to honor dignitaries b. This could mean a pillar in the Temple is carved to honor you c. Gal. 2:9 – there were men who were pillars (main support) of the church

5. The hidden manna and the white stone reference (Rev. 2:17)

a. The priests were permitted every 7th day to eat the showbread from the table b. White stone was called a victory stone; conquerors given white stones with their names c. White stones (if pardoned of a crime) black stones (if guilty of a crime)

Note: After examining a priest, he was given a “stone of the sanctuary” to enter it

d. A white stone was given as an admission to public festivals e. Victors at public games were given white stones, allowing them to live on the public tab f. Special guests were given a white stone with a message shared only by the host/guest g. The “new name” is mentioned in Isa. 62:2, and an “everlasting name” in Isa. 56:5

THE SUMMARY

A. Revelation chapter 1-3

1. John on the island of Patmos received a vision of the “Day of the Lord” 2. John sees Christ in Revelation 1 as the atoning High Priest over the Heavenly Temple 3. John is informed to write and send the vision to seven main churches in Asia Minor

After cleaning the Menorah, the gates of the Temple are to be opened for worshippers. The door of heaven will open at the conclusion of the church age.

B. The transition from chapter 3 to chapter 4

Main verse: Revelation 4:1-2

Note: Revelation 4 initiates three different themes at once

1. The conclusion of the church age (notice the phrase, “after this”)

a. We are in the “dispensation of the grace of God” (Eph. 3:2) b. We are in the “dispensation of the gospel” (1 Cor. 9:18)

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Note: Dispensation is oikonomia, meaning, “stewardship over an administration” Note: The church is not mentioned again after chapters 2 and 3

2. The church age ends and the door of heaven opens; this is the imagery of the catching up

a. There was a voice of a trumpet (1 Thess. 4:16-17; 1 Cor.15:52) b. The door was opened for saints to enter (Matt. 25:10 - the door was closed) c. The words, “Come up here” (1 Thess. 4:17 - the voice of archangel) d. Immediately he was in the Spirit (Rev. 4:2)

3. The church age ends and the tribulation begins

a. The gospel is preached and the “end comes” (Matt. 24:14) b. The great tribulation is alluded to in Matthew 24:21 and Revelation 7:14 c. It is a seven-year period of time divided into two halves (Dan. 9:27)

4. The door signals a separation from the earthly to the heavenly

a. Revelation 4:1 is a transition that begins the morning service at the Temple b. Revelation 4:1 is when the door (Greek - thura) of heaven is opened

Note: This is the imagery of the “catching away” or the Rapture of the church

C. The Trumpet (Rev. 4:1)

1. Israel used four styles/types of trumpets

a. The long horn of an antelope b. The silver trumpet (Num. 10:1-10) c. The ram’s horn (also a shofar) is the shorter version d. The gold trumpet was used every seventh year

2. Israel blew trumpets

a. During the Feasts of Israel (Lev. 25:9) b. During Jubilee cycles (Lev. 25:9) c. During the new moon (Ps. 81:3) d. During times of war (Josh. 6:5) e. During Israel’s journey in the wilderness (Num. 10:4) f. During special offerings and sacrifices (Num. 10:10) g. During special processions (2 Sam. 6:15)

3. Israel blew silver trumpets to assemble people at the tabernacle door (Numbers 10:2)

a. Two silver trumpets assemble the people at the door of the tent (Num. 10:3) b. They were sounded to gather the camp together (Num. 10:4) c. Paul spoke of our gathering together unto Christ (2 Thess. 2:1) d. Paul said we would be caught up together (1 Thess. 4:17) e. Paul said in the fullness of time Christ will gather together in one (Eph. 1:9-10)

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Note: The blasts of the silver trumpets in the morning initiated a new day Note: There will be a “trump of God” sounded at the gathering together (1 Thess. 4:16-17)

4. The heavenly “door” is opened

Christ is opening the gate of heaven to the saints! a. The priests used a special, large key to open the Temple doors in Jerusalem b. Christ has the keys of death and hell (Rev. 1:18) c. Christ will open the door of the heavenly Temple as the High Priest (Rev. 4:1-2) d. The church (the “royal priesthood”) will arrive for the Temple procedures

Closing: As the church of overcomers gathers in the heavenly Temple, we will view the amazing Temple of God in heaven, where the prophetic activity linked to the seven-year tribulation will begin.

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SESSION TWO

THE HEAVENLY THRONE ROOM, THE PRIESTHOOD, AND THE BEGINNING OF THE TRIBULATION

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THE HEAVENLY THRONE ROOM, THE PRIESTHOOD, AND THE BEGINNING OF THE TRIBULATION

THE SHIFTING SCENE FROM EARTH TO HEAVEN

 The scene changes from Christ in linen to God on the Throne (what was)  The setting changes from the earthly church to the Heavenly Temple (what is)  The substance changes from addressing Christians to judging the nations (what is to come)  Revelation chapters 4 and 5 are the initiation of the tribulation or Daniel’s 70th week

A. Theologians have three opinions of the timing of the “catching away” in Revelation

1. Pre-tribulation - Christ catches away the overcomers in the church before the tribulation 2. Mid-tribulation - Christ catches away the overcomers in the middle of the tribulation 3. Post-tribulation - Christ catches away the overcomers at the end of the tribulation

B. The pre-tribulation concept from Rev. 4:1-2

Main verse: Revelation 4:1-2

1. There is transition from what is (the church age) to what is to come (after the church age) 2. The catching away occurs after the gospel is preached to all nations (Matt. 24:14) 3. The imagery and the words used in chapter 4:1-2 4. The door in heaven opens (a literal portal) - the parable of the 10 virgins (Matt. 25:10) 5. The voice of a trumpet (the voice of archangel and trump of God) - “come up” (Rev. 11:12) 6. Things hereafter means after the previous events (church age) 7. John was immediately in the Spirit (a picture of being “changed” and “caught up”) 8. The imagery in Rev. 4:1-2 is the gathering together (1 Thess. 4:16-17; Eph. 1:9-10)

THREE ANCIENT TEMPLE RITUALS REFLECT THE RAPTURE OF THE SAINTS

 The Passover Assembly  The Priestly Ordination Service  The Concealment of the High Priest before Yom Kippur

A. The Rapture and the Passover assembly

1. There are parallels in the Passover Assembly in Revelation chapters 4 and 5

a. During Passover at the Temple, there were so many sheep the ground was covered white b. There were three blasts blown from a silver trumpet c. Twelve Levites stood with silver sticks inside the Temple compound d. Twelve Levites stood with gold sticks inside the Temple compound e. The priest wore a red garment to the thighs so no blood would be seen f. The slain lambs are the central theme of Passover at the Temple

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2. The prophetic correlations in the Passover Assembly

a. The heavenly multitude has been redeemed by the Lamb (Rev. 5:9) b. A series of trumpet blasts occur at the Rapture (1 Cor. 15:52) c. There are twenty-four elders who assist at the judgment (Luke 22:30) d. Twelve could be the twelve sons of Jacob (Gen. 35:22-26) e. Twelve are perhaps the twelve Apostles from the New Testament (Matt. 10:2-4) f. The lamb is “slain” at Passover – and we see Christ the “Lamb” (Rev. 5:6)

B. The priestly ordination service

1. This service lasted for seven days (Lev. 8:31-36)

a. A special meal was prepared b. A special place was prepared c. A special service at the altar was prepared

Note: The Temple priests served from Sabbath to Sabbath (for a one week cycle)

2. The Revelation correlation of the priestly ordination

a. The worship beings at the altar at God’s throne when we arrive b. A special place is being prepared (John 14:1-2) c. The special meal will climax at the Marriage Supper (Rev. 19:9) d. The priest could not go out the door for seven days; we will be in heaven seven years e. We are called “kings and priests” (Rev. 1:6); in Greek this can read “a kingdom of priests”

C. The concealment of the priests before Yom Kippur

1. The 10 Days of Awe (Feast of Trumpets is the next feast to have a prophetic fulfillment for the future)

a. From Trumpets to Atonement is 10 Days of Awe b. For seven days the High Priest was concealed before the Day of Atonement c. He is in a special chamber and cannot come out until the time before atonement d. He is rehearsing for the day God either judges or releases Israel from her sins e. Days of Awe has the same concept as Isaiah’s concealment:

“Come, my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; Hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment, Until the indignation is past. For behold, the LORD comes out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity; The earth will also disclose her blood, And will no more cover her slain.” - Isa. 26:20-21 (NKJV)

2. The concealment of the saints in heaven

a. The Feast of Trumpets has the imagery of the catching away b. The saints are concealed for seven years with Christ, the High Priest in heaven c. After seven years Christ returns to judge the earth and rescue Israel d. The cycle is a Jubilee imagery and is painted in Christ redeeming men out of every nation 28

AROUND THE THRONE

A. The four living creatures

Main verse: Revelation 4:7-8

1. The word beast is not the same word as the beast (for the antichrist). This Greek word is zoon. 2. The Greek word zoe is the word for life in the New Testament. They are living creatures. 3. The beast alluding to the antichrist is therion, or a wild beast (Rev. 13:1). 4. Isaiah also saw Seraphim with six wings, full of eyes and crying holy (Isa. 6:1-2).

B. These beasts match the four main tribes at the tabernacle

Location The Tribe The Emblem The Number of Men

 East Judah Lion 74,600 (Num. 1:27)  West Ephraim Ox 40,500 (Num. 1:33)  South Reuben Man 46,500 (Num. 1:21)  North Dan Eagle 62,700 (Num. 1:39)

C. The four living creatures and Christ

The Heavenly Emblem The Imagery of Christ The Gospel Reference

 Head of a Lion Jesus the Lion of Judah Matthew’s gospel  Head of an Ox Jesus the Servant Mark’s gospel  Head of a Man Jesus the Son of man Luke’s gospel  Head of an Eagle Jesus the Eternal Word John’s gospel

D. There are 24 elders around the throne (Rev. 4:4)

 Elder is presbuteros, meaning one of older age; used of a deacon (James 5:14)  The elders are a picture of the twenty-four courses of priests at the ancient Temple  The elders are the twelve sons of Jacob and twelve apostles of Christ (Luke 22:30)  The twenty-four elders are a picture of the heavenly priesthood – at the Heavenly Temple

1. The earthly Temple correlation

a. The Temple service was overseen by fourteen men called the “counsel of the Temple” b. The Temple members were called the “elders of the priest” c. In the Heavenly Temple we are a “royal priesthood and a holy nation” (1 Pet. 2:9) d. In the Heavenly Temple we are literally a “Kingdom of priests” (Rev. 5:10)

Note: These twenty-four elders remain in the Heavenly Temple throughout the book of Revelation

2. The appearance of the twenty-four elders

a. They are sitting upon 24 seats (in Greek - thronos). These were seen by Daniel in Dan.7:9.

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b. Their clothing was white raiment – just as the white the ancient priest wore (Rev. 4:4) c. Their headdresses were gold crowns (Greek - stephanos) – a crown of victory or a prize (Rev. 4:4)

3. The worship of the twenty-four elders

a. They fall when the Lamb is introduced (Rev. 5:8 and 5:14) b. They fall when the angels and beasts begin worship (Rev. 7:11) c. They fall before the Bema begins (Rev. 11:16) d. They fall after Babylon is judged (Rev. 19:4)

Note: They sing a new song (Rev. 5:9-10). The word “new” is used 9 times in Revelation.

THE PARALLELS OF SELECTING THE PRIESTS

A. The earthly and heavenly procedure

1. Priestly linage was confirmed 2. Priestly genealogy was confirmed 3. Priests stood before the Sanhedrin 4. They met in the hall of the polished stones

Note: If they were accepted, they received a white garment and were inscribed in the roll book.

5. 140 things could disqualify a priest from the priesthood – 22 temporarily 6. The disqualified were given a black robe; the qualified were given a white robe 7. The disqualified names were removed from the rolls; qualified were allowed to minister

“He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” - Revelation 3:5

THE ATTIRE OF THE PRIESTS

Note: All the priests were clothed in linen garments (Ex. 28)

A. Two types of garments are found in Revelation (robes and raiment)

1. White robes are given to martyrs and tribulation saints (Rev. 6:11; 7:9-14) 2. White raiment is promised to the elders and the church (Rev. 3:5; 3:18; 4:4) 3. Martyrs have robes (stole in Greek) and saints have raiment (himation in Greek)

B. The white robes and the linen garments

1. In Rev. 1:13 - Jesus is clothed with a garment to the foot 2. In Rev. 4:4 - the twenty-four elders are clothed in white raiment 3. In Rev. 6:11 - the martyrs are given white robes 4. In Rev. 7:14-15 - the tribulation saints are given white robes 5. In Rev. 19:8 - all saints are given white linen garments

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C. These garments are a clue to the church and their priesthood

1. The priesthood wore linen garments at all times in the Temple 2. The twenty-four elders serve at the heavenly Temple during the seven years

THE PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS (Revelation 5:8)

Main verse: Revelation 5:8

A. The prayers of the saints

1. The golden vials store the prayers of the saints 2. Offering the incense was presenting prayers to God in heaven 3. The saints’ prayers will be opened and offered in chapter 8 at the golden altar 4. Offering incense (prayers) is part of the morning ritual

THE LAMB AND THE MORNING SERVICE

A. The lamb is introduced at the heavenly Temple (Rev. 5:6)

1. The lamb is a metaphor for Christ 2. Christ was born in Bethlehem (Matt. 2:1) and laid in the manger (Luke 2:7) 3. Christ was called the Lamb of God (John 1:29), and was crucified at Passover (Matt. 26:2)

B. The Lamb (Jesus) is a slain Lamb

1. The word slain means, “to butcher, to slaughter, to slay violently” 2. The Greek word amnos is used four times in the New Testament as lamb 3. In Revelation the word arnion is used - meaning a lambkin or a Passover pet lamb 4. Jesus is identified through the book of Revelation as the Lamb (arnion)

Note: In the Temple are a “lamb in the morning” and a “lamb in the evening” (Exo. 29:39)

C. The lamb has total authority

1. The lamb has seven horns (Rev. 5:6) 2. The lamb has seven eyes (Rev. 5:6) 3. What are the seven horns and eyes?

“And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.” - Isaiah 11:2

 Spirit of the Lord  Spirit of wisdom  Spirit of understanding  Spirit of counsel  Spirit of might  Spirit of knowledge  Spirit of the fear of the Lord 31

D. The lamb is a kinsman – redeemer as Boaz in the book of Ruth

1. Boaz and Ruth are pictures of Christ (Boaz) and the Church (Ruth) 2. Boaz was “next of kin” and had authority to redeem what was lost 3. Christ (our Boaz) has come in the flesh as our “Kinsman Redeemer.”

SUMMARY OF THE MORNING SERVICE (The Fivefold Morning Procedure)

 Cleaning the Menorah (Rev. 2-3)  Opening the gates (Rev. 4:1)  Burning the incense (Rev. 5:8)  A lamb was offered (Rev. 5:6)  Worship to God (Rev. 5:14)

THE LAMB OPENS A SEALED SCROLL

Jesus must present a will or testament of His worthiness to become the King of kings. This occurs at the opening of the seven sealed book. He is worthy to open it because He is the Lamb. But He will become the Lion after the book is opened!

Main verse: Revelation 5:1-2

 John has seen the throne of God  John has seen the four living creatures  John has seen the 24 elders on 24 thrones  John has seen the Lamb of God and Lion of Judah  John has seen the golden vials of the prayers of the saints  John has seen the seven sealed book

THE BOOKS IN THE TEMPLE

A. Books in the earthly Temple

1. Books containing the genealogies 2. Books containing the Torah and the Prophets 3. Books containing the records of Israel 4. Books containing the deeds for the land and the properties 5. Books containing records of giving

B. Books in the heavenly Temple

1. The book of the living (Ps. 69:28) 2. The book of life (Rev. 3:5) 3. The book of tears of the saints (Ps. 56:8) 4. The book of works and deeds (Rev. 20:12) 5. The book of remembrance (Mal. 3:16-17)

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C. Specifics about the book of Remembrance (Mal. 3:16-17)

1. Those written in this book will be spared when God “Makes up His jewels.” 2. The word jewels is “a peculiar treasure” and not just jewelry 3. We have this “treasure in earthen vessels” (2 Cor. 4:7) 4. We are a “peculiar people and chosen generation” (1 Pet. 2:9)

D. The Feast of Trumpets is also called the “Day of Remembrance”

1. The Feasts of Trumpets is known as Yom HaZikkaron or Day of Remembrance 2. These trumpets are a “memorial” (zikkaron in Hebrew) of blowing of trumpets (Lev. 23:24) 3. The book of Remembrance said to be opened on this day

THE MYSTERIOUS SEVEN-SEALED BOOK

A. Beliefs about this seven sealed book

1. It is a Divine will - revealing the will of God for the earth 2. It is a title deed - giving Christ the authority to take earthly kingdoms 3. It is a book of Remembrance - with the sins of the world listed and judgments given 4. It is a Jubilee will - a scroll giving the Lamb redemption/judgment powers

Jeremiah gives us a picture. After the Babylonian invasion, Jeremiah’s cousin sold him a field. Jeremiah took the title-deed, sealed it, and then hid it away. The deed was hidden by his secretary with instructions to unearth it one day. After the captivity, the scroll could be opened, proving that Jeremiah’s descendants owned the property (Jeremiah 32).

Key: One scroll was a public record displayed and unsealed for anyone to read. One scroll was rolled up and sealed with seven seals in the Temple chamber. Once the debtor came with proof of the deed, the priest could unseal the scroll.

B. This scroll is similar to Ezekiel 2:9-10

1. Ezekiel ate the scroll, just as John was commanded to eat the little scroll in Rev. 10:9-10 2. After eating the scroll, both men prophesied concerning events in the future

C. The seal is linked to the Jubilee

1. The law of Jubilee (Lev. 25)

a. Israel counted 7 years of 7 Sabbath cycles (49 years) and on the 49th blew the silver trumpets b. The Jubilee fell on the Day of Atonement (there was freedom and judgment the same day) c. The Day of Atonement was believed to be the day Adam sinned

2. The four-fold affect of the Jubilee (Lev. 25)

a. The Hebrew slaves returned home - The saints will arrive home b. The land was redeemed - The earth will be redeemed back to Christ

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c. The oppressed were released - The Jewish remnant will be saved d. The land and the people rested - The Sabbath of rest for God’s people begins

Note: On the Jubilee a family needed proof of possession (a will) to redeem back their land

D. Wills in the Roman time

1. The Roman wills

a. Cesar Augustus’ will was sealed with seven seals (it must be opened by an important person). b. Some suggest the scroll was written, sealed, then written & sealed. None have ever been found. c. If Jewish families lost land or belongings, they wrote it down in a scroll sealed with seven seals. d. The will was opened when land was ready to redeem back on the Jubilee cycle.

2. The types of wills

a. Scrolls written inside called recto and written outside called verso b. Scrolls written on the front and back were called opisthograph

3. The purpose for this scroll

a. God’s will was for Adam to have dominion (Gen.1:26) b. Adam broke God’s will and Satan became the “god of this world” (2 Cor. 4:4) c. This book is a Jubilee will of redeeming the earth back to Christ the King d. At the seventh seal it is said, “It is finished.” (Rev. 10:7)

4. The seven seals on the scroll

a. There are 7 churches and 7 seals b. It required 7 witnesses to break the 7 seals, matching the seal with the insignia ring c. With 7 seals there must be 7 individual witnesses present at the opening of the scroll d. These 7 would be the pastors and the members of the seven churches

E. Who is worthy to open the seals?

1. No man was worthy

a. There is searching (Rev. 5:3) - no one was found in earth, heaven, or under the earth b. There is weeping (Rev. 5:4) - John wept as he thought the book would remain sealed c. There is declaring (Rev. 5:5) - The Lion of Judah was declared worthy to break the seals

Note: Christ is called the “Lion” of Judah (note Gen. 49:9-10) but John saw a “Lamb”

2. The celebration begins when the Lamb takes the book

a. The four living creatures bowed down to worship (Rev. 5:8) b. The twenty-four elders fell down to worship (Rev. 5:8) c. The angelic multitude - angels voices are heard in worship (Rev. 5:11) d. The ten thousand times ten thousand – thousands of thousands (Rev. 5:11-13)

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Note: Opening these seals will initiate the beginning of the tribulation

REVELATION CHAPTER 6

A. The tribulation begins with the four horsemen saying, “Come and see.”

1. The white horse (Rev. 6:2) 2. The red horse (Rev. 6:4) 3. The black horse (Rev. 6:5) 4. The pale (greenish) horse (Rev. 6:8)

B. The four horseman are also found in Zechariah

1. The two witnesses - Zech. 4:12 - seen in Rev. 11:1-3 2. The battle for Jerusalem - Zech. 13 &14 - seen in Rev. 11: 13 3. The Lord’s return to Jerusalem - Zech. 14:4-8 - seen in Rev. 19:11-21 4. The King ruling on earth - Zech. 14:9-16 - seen in Rev. 20 5. The four horses - Zech. 6:1-7 - seen in Rev. 6:1-8

C. The four chariots are also seen in Zechariah 6:2-3

1. The first chariot - red horses - Zech. 6:2 - no indication where they are going 2. The second chariot - black horses - Zech. 6:2 - going into the north Country 3. The third chariot - white horses - Zech. 6:3 - following the black horses 4. The fourth chariot - grisled horses - Zech. 6:3 - went into the south country

“And the angel answered and said unto me, these are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth.” - Zechariah 6:5

In Zechariah they are in chariots – in Revelation all have riders on single horses

THE WHITE HORSE (Revelation 6:2)

A. The white horse and rider is not Christ

1. A white horse - emperors & conquers were pulled in chariots with white horses 2. A bow is in his hand - the Greek is toxon – a bow of a warrior or a fighter 3. He wears a crown - the Greek is stephanos - a wreath, crown, prize for the games 4. He conquers - to subdue and to take control in entire nations

B. The white horse rider is the antichrist

1. Muslims teach this is their last, end-time leader called the Mahdi

a. The Mahdi will appear at the end of days riding upon a white horse b. The Mahdi will kill, by beheading, any Jews and Christians who don’t convert c. The Mahdi will rule for 7 or 10 years according to Islamic scholars

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C. The antichrist signs agreements

1. He confirms (makes firm a covenant) for one week (Dan. 9:27) 2. By peace he shall “destroy many” (Dan. 8:25) 3. Peace here is not Shalom, a normal word for “peace, blessing, and prosperity” 4. Peace here is shalvah, meaning, security (false or genuine) or “making things quiet” 5. He uses peace to destroy, meaning to “decay, ruin, and lay them waste” 6. Men cry peace and sudden destruction will come (1 Thess. 5:3)

D. The antichrist makes a treaty

1. There is a seven-year treaty with Israel involving the land (false peace) 2. Dan. 8:23-24 teaches he comes to power when transgression is full 3. Islam teaches there will be four agreements with the “Romans” (Christians and Jews) 4. The antichrist appears at the beginning of the seven years (with a treaty) 5. The antichrist will rule from a Middle East nation for forty-two months 6. The antichrist will seize Egypt, Libya, and Ethiopia (Dan. 11:42-43) in mid-tribulation 7. The white horse rider introduces a new Islamic empire the final forty-two months

THE RED HORSE (Revelation 6:4)

A. The second seal introduces a red horse and rider

1. The dragon, beast, and harlot all have the color red (Rev. 12:3; 17:4-5) 2. Peace will be taken from the earth - meaning quietness, rest, the tranquility (there will be unrest) 3. He uses a great sword. Great is “megas,” meaning “mighty, big, and exceeding great” 4. A sword throughout the Bible means war or severe fighting

Note: How can one man conquer without arrows, followed by a red horse of war?

B. Islamic wars and jihadists are in the following countries

1. Indonesia, Nigeria, Sudan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Lebanon, Iraq, Israel, etc. 2. About 90% of all wars and civil uprisings involve Muslims or Islamic countries 3. The Muslims teach they will dominate the world in the 21st century through sword 4. The red horse takes peace by fighting wars throughout the earth 5. There will be food shortages and no doubt fights will ensue over the need for food

THE BLACK HORSE (Revelation 6:5)

A. The third seal introduces a black horse

1. One measure is about 1 ½ pints; it was a ration for one day in the Roman time 2. A denarius was a coin for a full day’s work, normally provided 12 to 15 times more 3. In good times, barley could be purchased 24 measures for 1; here only 3 measures for 1 4. The scales are a picture of the rationing process for food (shortage) 5. They are selling barley and wheat; oil and grapes are not impacted (this is strange) 6. Wine used as a metaphor for the vineyards and oil a metaphor for olives

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B. Possible reasons for the famine

1. Rev. 6:4, because of the numerous wars in the tribulation 2. Rev. 11:6, because of the lack of rain for forty-two months 3. Rev. 16:12, because of the natural disasters

THE PALE HORSE (Revelation 6:8)

A. The fourth seal introduces the pale horse

1. The Greek word for pale is chloros, meaning a pale green color 2. The word could allude to something that’s sickly – caused by the beast of the field 3. Sword (war), hunger (famine), the beasts cause death of one fourth of the world (Rev. 6:8) 4. There seems to be an Islamic link when comparing these verses with Islam

THE NEXT THREE SEALS ARE IMPORTANT

A. The fifth seal reveals the martyrs

Main verse: Revelation 6:9-11

B. The tribulation martyrs

1. These people are killed in the early tribulation (by beheading - Rev. 20:4) 2. They are under the altar – the location of Paradise in the third heaven (2 Cor. 12:2) 3. The base of the altar is where sacrificial blood was poured (Ex. 29:12) 4. They are crying for vengeance and will receive it at the end (Rev. 6:10) 5. They were given white robes and were to rest for a little season (Rev. 6:11)

C. The tribulation martyrs in heaven

1. There are elders standing on the throne room floor (Rev. 4:4-6) 2. There are martyrs resting under the throne room floor (Rev. 6:9) 3. The floor of the Temple is crystal and John saw under it (Rev. 4:6)

THE COSMIC ACTIVITY

A. The sixth seal releases cosmic judgments on earth

Main Verse: Revelation 6:12-17

B. The shaking of the earth and heavens

1. In Rev. 6:12, earthquakes will shake the earth 2. In Rev. 6:12, the sun and moon are dark and bloody 3. In Rev. 6:13, the stars will fall to the earth

Note: This could be caused by an asteroid, volcanic eruptions, and/or a tsunami

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C. Seven types of men go into hiding (Rev. 6:15-17)

1. Kings, great men, rich men, chief captains, mighty men, bondmen, every free man 2. Men are hiding in dens and caves which are underground bunkers and chambers

THE SUMMARY

 The six seals introduce judgments on earth and are identified with the wrath of God  There is an interruption between the sixth and seventh seal  The seventh seal will introduce seven angels with seven trumpet judgments

THE SCENE CHANGES TO EARTH IN CHAPTER 7

A. There are 144,000 mentioned in chapter 7

Main verse: Revelation 7:1-3

B. The four angels

1. There are four angels – one over each of the four regions on earth (Matt. 24:31; Rev. 7:1) 2. The angel from the east comes with the seal of God (this is the Middle East area)

C. The seal of God

1. Scripture references:

a. Eph. 1:13 b. Eph. 4:30 c. 2 Cor. 1:22 d. 2 Tim. 2:19

Note: The “seal of God” is linked to the Holy Spirit that works through believers

2. The sealing of Jewish Men from the twelve tribes

The tribe The number sealed Scripture reference

 Judah - 12,000 - Rev. 7:5  Reuben - 12,000 - Rev. 7:5  Gad - 12,000 - Rev. 7:5  Asher - 12,000 - Rev. 7:6  Nephtali - 12,000 - Rev. 7:6  Manasseh - 12,000 - Rev. 7:6  Simeon - 12,000 - Rev. 7:7  Levi - 12,000 - Rev. 7:7  Issachar - 12,000 - Rev. 7:7  Zebulon - 12,000 - Rev. 7:8

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 Joseph - 12,000 - Rev. 7:8  Benjamin - 12,000 - Rev. 7:8

Note: Joseph may allude to Ephraim but the tribe of Dan is missing from this tribal list.

3. Why is Dan missing?

a. Jud. 18:30 - Dan was the first tribe to lead Israel into idolatry b. Gen. 49:17 - Dan was called a “serpent in the way and an adder in the path” c. Gen. 49:17 - Dan is said to “bite the heels of the horses” d. It is today the coastal area of Israel’s modern cities

Note: 144,000 Jewish men will be protected from the antichrist in the first forty-two months

THE SECOND MULTITUDE IS SEEN IN HEAVEN

Main verses: Revelation 7:9; 13-15

A. This is the imagery of a Feast of Tabernacles celebration

1. In Lev. 23:39 - This is a seven-day feast 2. The Hebrews lived seven days outside their homes in booths 3. It was called the seasons of our joy 4. The people made booths from the etrog, palm, myrtle, and willow branches

B. The procedure during Tabernacles

1. The Jews and Gentiles come together on this feast.

a. The 144,000 Jews and Gentiles from all nations (Rev. 7) b. The heavenly multitude no man can number (Rev. 7:9) c. The multitude is from all nations and peoples (Rev. 7:9)

2. The palm branches are waved during the Feast of Tabernacles

a. The Lulav was shaken during the celebration b. Palms are waved at the water drawing ceremony (over the brass altar) c. Palms are in their hands covering the altar

3. The last day of Tabernacles is called “Hashanah Rabah.”

a. The theme is the Lord saving His people. The multitudes cry, “Hosanna,” or God save us.” b. In Heaven they cried, “Salvation to our God and unto the Lamb.” (Rev. 7:10) c. They cry “salvation to God” and this is the “Hosanna of heaven.”

4. The multitude begins to worship

a. The beasts begin to worship (Rev. 7:11) b. The twenty-four elders begin to worship God (Rev. 7:11)

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c. The angels begin to worship God (Rev. 7:11) d. These are before the throne and serve in the Temple (Rev. 7:15)

C. Who is this multitude?

1. Are they the tribulation martyrs now around the throne from Rev. 6:11? 2. Are they the people killed during the tribulation who “made their robes white” in 6:11? 3. Are they the church that has gone through part of the tribulation, as some teach?

Note: they come out of tribulation and have “washed their robes” (Rev. 7:14) Note: they are before the throne day and night – the saints will rule on earth

THE SEVENTH SEAL IS BROKEN

Main verses: Revelation 8:1-6

Note: This is Day of Atonement imagery

A. This angel is Christ

1. Only a priest could offer incense in the Jewish Temple 2. This “angel” has a censer, incense, and is at the golden altar in the heavenly Temple 3. The thirty minutes of silence occurred when the priest entered the Holy of Holies

Note: Early writings say Raphael is the angel over the prayers and Gabriel was seen at the altar

B. The angel mixes the incense with the prayers of all of the saints

1. Incense was used in the Temple and was a picture of the prayers of the saints (Ps. 141:2) 2. The prayer in chapter six was to avenge the blood of the innocent (Rev. 6:10) 3. When the angel throws incense to the earth, the judgments continue (Rev. 8:5)

C. This is a picture of the Day of Atonement

1. Three groups will be judged on Atonement

a. The totally righteous - in heaven at the Bema - Rev.11:18 b. The totally unrighteous - on earth in the tribulation, (and who repented not) - Rev. 16:11 c. The in-between - those who must choose - Rev. 20:4

D. The earthly priest entered the Holy of Holies four times on Atonement

1. The first time was to take fire off the altar for incense 2. The second time was to kill the bull and place blood in a bowl 3. The third time was to sprinkle blood in the ark seven times 4. The fourth time he announced, “It is done.”

Note: These four correlations are seen in the procedure in Revelation 8:1-6

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THE FIRST PROCEDURE IS TO BURN INCENSE

A. The priest on earth would take fire from the brass altar for the incense

1. Christ is offering all the prayers on the altar of all the saints 2. Christ is answering the prayers of the righteous to judge the earth for their blood 3. The church is in heaven and there is no more need for prayers to be answered

B. The priest on earth would offer the blood of a bull

1. Christ is the “lamb that was slain” who shed His blood (Rev. 5:6) 2. Christ’s blood is now in the heavenly Holy of Holies (Heb. 9:23-27)

C. The priest placed blood on the Ark of the Covenant for atonement

1. The “original” Ark is in the Temple in heaven (Rev. 11:19) 2. No man is able to go into the Temple while God is releasing certain judgments (Rev. 15:8) 3. No other priests could enter the Holy of Holies while the High Priest was in the Holies

D. The priest concluded atonement by announcing, “It is done.”

1. This decree is made by a voice out of the Temple (Rev. 16:17) 2. This decree is made at the time of the seventh angel (Rev. 16:17)

Note: On Passover the priest offered the final lamb and announced, “It is finished.” On Atonement he completed the service and proclaimed, “It is done.”

THE SEVEN TRUMPET JUDGMENTS (Revelation 8)

Main verses: Revelation 8:2, 6-8

As the judgments are being poured out, God can and will use natural disasters and cosmic activity to fulfill many of the judgments recorded in the Apocalypse.

 The first angel - hail and fire mingled with blood - Rev. 8:7  The second angel - a great mountain burning with fire - Rev. 8:8  The third angel - a star falls, polluting 1/3 of the rivers - Rev. 8:10  The fourth angel - 1/3 of the sun, moon, and stars darkened - Rev. 8:12  The fifth angel - the bottomless pit is opened - Rev. 9:1  The sixth angel - fallen angels in the Euphrates are loosed - Rev. 9:14  The seventh angel - concludes the trumpet judgments - Rev. 10:7

“But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.” - Revelation 10:7

A. The trumpet judgments can be a combination of five things

1. Volcanic eruptions - a literal mountain burning with fire 2. Comets or asteroids - an asteroid striking a certain part of the earth 41

3. Global droughts - there is no rain for forty-two months 4. Major earthquakes - there will be great earthquakes 5. Nuclear exchanges - mountains burning and polluted water could be nuclear disasters

B. The earth and heavens are predicted to shake

1. Hebrews 12:26-28 2. Luke 21:11 3. Luke 21:25-26 (AMP)

C. Massive deaths occur in the tribulation

1. “The sun shall be darkened and the moon not give light” - Mark 13:24-25 2. “Powers of heaven shall be shaken” - Mark 13:25 3. “A time of trouble such as there was not since a nation or ever shall be” - Dan. 12:1 4. “Except those days be shortened there shall no flesh be saved…” - Matt. 24:22 5. “Men run to mountains and rocks saying hide us from the wrath…” - Rev. 6:16 6. “God’s wrath will lay land desolate and destroy sinners out of it…” - Isa. 13:9

D. What could cause massive deaths?

Main verses: Revelation 8:10-11

1. This is death by an asteroid:

a. The word great in Greek means, “exceedingly great, large, loud and mighty.” b. The word star in Greek is astare (a star) burning like a lamp (the tail is glowing behind it) c. The word astare in Greek is stronomee from the word “astronomy” d. The word lamp is the Greek word for describing the tail of the asteroid

Key: This star will strike the earth, thus fulfilling many of the judgments (falling stars)

2. Stars will be affected in the tribulation

a. Mark 13:24-25 b. Isa. 13:10 c. Isa. 13:13

Note: All of this is the impact of a major asteroid striking the earth (Rev. 6:13)

3. Documentaries have revealed:

If a sizable asteroid struck the edge of Mexico the following eight things would occur:

 A tsunami with twenty-foot high waves – moving 500 m.p.h. to America  It would wipe out everything on the coasts and then go inland for about 50 miles  All ships (e.g., cruise ships, fishing, and military) in tsunami’s path would be destroyed  It would heat the atmosphere 280 degrees, sending metal up to reheat, then back down  The earth (land) temperature would rise from normal to as high as 700 degrees

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 The only survivors would be in mountains underground until the areas cool off  Particles would cover the earth and darken the sun for weeks or months  The food supply would be gone – starvation, pestilence, and drought kill millions

E. Are these scenarios found in Revelation?

1. The destruction of the ships (Rev. 8:9) 2. The water is undrinkable (Rev. 8:10-11) 3. The darkening of the sun and moon (Rev. 8:12) 4. The hailstones of fire (Rev. 8:7) 5. The heat of the earth (Rev. 16:9) 6. The earth moves off its axis (Isa. 13:13) 7. Men are hiding in the mountains (Rev. 6:15-16)

Note: Notice how these judgments are parallel to the repercussions of an asteroid

WHERE WILL IT STRIKE?

A. There are several major seas and gulfs in the world:

1. The Pacific Ocean 6. Indian Ocean 2. The Atlantic Ocean 7. South China Sea 3. The Mediterranean Sea – Black Sea 8. Gulf of Mexico 4. The Persian Gulf 9. Caribbean Sea 5. The Bering Sea 10. Arctic Sea

B. The areas around Israel

1. The first possibility is the Mediterranean & Black Sea

a. An asteroid would wipe out Israel (a coastal nation), Egypt, Lebanon b. These nations exist until the end (the battles of prophecy indicate this – Dan. 11:45) c. Ships of Chittim come against antichrist (this is the region of Cypress – Dan. 11:30)

2. The second possibility is the Persian Gulf (the oil region)

a. The kings of the east go across the Euphrates River (the river dries up -Rev. 16:12) b. The spirits are loosed from the Euphrates River (Rev. 9:14) c. The antichrist will be over the oil places of Medina (Dan. 11:24) d. The antichrist kingdom experiences darkness (Rev. 16:10)

Note: The kingdom of the beast (10 kings) experience darkness, and heat gnaws tongues! (16:9-10)

C. Here are the main points

a. The king of the north is active (Dan. 11:40) b. The king of the south is active (Dan. 11:40) c. The kings of the east are active (Rev. 16:12) d. The west is missing in the future

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THE STRANGE LOCUST CREATURES (Revelation 9)

Main verses: Revelation 9:1-5

A. The star falling to earth

1. Stars can allude to natural stars or angelic beings

a. Stars are part of God’s cosmic creation (Gen. 1:16) b. Stars are alluded to as angelic beings that dwell in heaven “among the stars” (Job 38:7)

B. This angel has a key to the bottomless pit

1. The Greek word is abyssos, and is translated in other versions as the abyss 2. The phrase “bottomless pit” is mentioned in seven verses in the Apocalypse 3. It alludes to a very deep pit or abyss located under the earth

C. There are fallen angels located under the earth

1. In Isa 14:15 Satan is told he would be brought down to the “sides of the pit.” 2. In Luke 8:31 the demons asked Christ not to send them into the “deep” (abyss) 3. In 2 Pet. 2:4 wicked angels are also bound in hell in a place called tartarus in the Greek

D. Opening the pit

1. There are strange creatures called locusts that are released on earth out of the pit!

E. Are these possibly Islamic hordes?

Adam Clark, Jamison, Faust and Brown believed these were an Islamic Army!

1. The description of the locust

a. In Joel 1:4, invading armies were compared to swarming locusts b. In Amos 7:1-3, men were likened to locusts (Jud.6:5; Jer. 46:23; Nahum 3:15) c. In Rev. 9:14, the center of the conflict is the Euphrates River (they kill 1/3 of mankind) d. Early commentators believed they were an Islamic army – some suggested a Turkish army e. The Revelation description:

 They were like horses prepared for battle (Rev. 9:7)  They had faces like men (Rev. 9:7)  They had hair like women (Rev. 9:8)  They had teeth of a lion (Rev. 9:8)  They had breastplates of iron (Rev. 9:9)  They had crowns of gold (Rev. 9:7)  They had a King over the pit (Rev. 9:11)  They torment (terrorize men) for five months (Rev. 9:10)  They have a sting in their tails (Rev. 9:10)

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F. The king over the pit

1. He is a fallen angel named in Greek Apollyon and in Hebrew Abaddon (Rev. 9:11) 2. The name alludes to destruction or being a destroyer

Note: Some suggest these are modern weapons such as helicopters

THE SIXTH ANGEL SOUNDS HIS TRUMPET

Main Verses: Revelation 9:13-19

A. The four angels

1. They could be the four prince spirits over the past four empires of prophecy 2. Two prince spirits of Satan’s kingdom are mentioned in Daniel 10 (Greece and Persia) 3. The antichrist will be like a leopard, with feet like a bear and a lion mouth (Rev. 13:2) 4. They kill for 1 year, 1 day, 1 month, and 1 hour

B. The huge army

1. They come from the east across the Euphrates River and are 200 million strong 2. They could be from India, China, or an Islamic army from Iran to south Russia 3. They may be headed for the oil wells in the Muslim Gulf nations (West of Euphrates)

C. The army on horseback

1. Ezekiel saw an army on horseback (Ez. 38 and 39) 2. Joel saw an army on horses (Joel 2:4) 3. John saw an army on horses (Rev. 9:16)

Note: The asteroids could destroy the electric power and men use horses for transportation

D. Drying up of the Euphrates

1. The Euphrates runs between Iraq and Iran and joins the Tigris at Bozrah 2. The river can be dried today because of five dams in Turkey that can be shut off 3. The future famine could also dry the Euphrates River in the tribulation

E. The death of one third of mankind

1. One third are killed, some by the fire from the army (Rev. 9:18) 2. Others are killed by the smoke from the army (Rev. 9:18) 3. Others are killed by the brimstone from the army (Rev. 9:18)

Note: Men will not repent of their idolatry, murder, sorceries, fornication, or thefts (Rev.9:20-21) Conclusion: The next chapter introduces a transition!

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SESSION THREE

THE TWO WITNESSES, THE BEMA, THE DRAGON, AND THE KINDGOM OF THE BEAST

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THE TWO WITNESSES, THE BEMA, THE DRAGON, AND KINGDOM OF THE BEAST

HOW TO VIEW THE BOOK OF REVELATION FROM THIS POINT FORWARD

 The world will be in chaos due to wars, famines, pestilences and cosmic judgments  The Islamic world will be forming a major coalition around the Middle East  The final dictator, the antichrist, will be a Muslim who sets his headquarters in Jerusalem  This final empire will control all buying and selling with a mark, name, or a number  This final empire will have ten kings united with the antichrist and false prophet

A. The three woes from the three angels

Main verses: Revelation 9:12-21

1. In Rev. 9:1-10 – this two hundred million man army is from the east and is possibly Islamic 2. In Rev. 9:11, 14 – this army is directed by a strong, evil demon prince loosed from the abyss 3. In Rev. 16:12 – this army makes its move when the Euphrates River dies up

Note: This could be to take over the oil and the sea lane of the oil tankers in the Gulf

B. The Mighty Angel

Main verses: Revelation 10:1-7

1. Similar imagery is found in Daniel 10:5-6; the angel is Christ

a. He has a gold belt of Uphaz (this was a region that produced very fine gold – Jer. 10:9) b. He had a body of beryl (which can have three colors – but probably a yellow gold color)

2. The angel on land and sea

a. Daniel saw two angels on either side of the river and a man on the waters of the river b. Dan. 12:5-7 (Daniel and John both write about the antichrist and the time of the end)

3. The angel is Christ

a. His face was like the sun and his feet like fire and the rainbow was over him (Dan. 10:5-6) b. The voice was as a roaring lion in the “Day of the Lord” (see Isa. 31:4-5; Jer. 25: 29-36) c. This may be the sealed book and now the internal contents are opened d. The seals are broken and now the inside of the book is released to John e. John ate the book and was told he would prophesy f. Ezekiel saw a scroll with woes and was told to eat it (Ezek. 3:1-3)

Note: The little book may be a scroll of Daniel (seal till time of the end – 12:9) Why: After this, John begins to see imagery found in Daniel (horns, beast, kings) etc!

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4. The angel in a cloud

a. Christ was transfigured in a cloud surrounded by Moses and Elijah (Matt. 17:3-5) b. Christ was taken up in a cloud from the area of Bethany and the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:9) c. Christ will return in the clouds (Luke 21:27) d. Believers are surrounded by a great “cloud of witnesses” (Heb. 12:1)

Note: In Revelation a cloud is mentioned in six verses (10:1; 11:12; 14:14-16)

5. The rainbow over the angel

a. A rainbow was a sign to Noah that God would never destroy the earth by water again (Gen. 9:13-14) b. God said He would remember His covenant not to destroy the earth (not a total destruction) c. The “roaring Lion” is the Lion of Judah who is preparing to conquer and rule on earth

THE MYSTERY OF THE SEVEN THUNDERS (Revelation 10:4)

A. God’s voice is compared to thunder

1. God’s voice on Mount Sinai was as the voice of thunder (Exo. 20:18) 2. God spoke to Christ in the voice of thunder (John 12:29) 3. Job said God spoke through the thunder (Job 40:9)

B. John was told not to write what the seven thunders said

1. In Psalms 29 the voice of the Lord is mentioned:

a. The voice of the Lord thunders upon the waters (v-3) b. The voice of the Lord is full of majesty (v-4) c. The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon (v-5) d. The voice of the Lord divides the flames (v-7) e. The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness (v-8) f. The voice of the Lord makes the hinds to calve (v-9) g. The voice of the Lord is heard in His temple (v-9)

Note: Is there any clue as to what the seven thunders were uttering?

Scholars note that the seven thunders are similar to a Coptic text in which seven Greek vowels often function as a mysterious divine name. Sometimes it appears in the form of Alpha and Omega in an abbreviated way of referring to all seven vowels. In the Coptic text it is referred to as the Seven Voices. – Source: World Bible Commentary – Revelation, p. 560

2. Are they uttering a secret name?

a. God’s sacred name was YHVH and Christ’s name was Yeshua (these names were known) b. In Rev. 19:12 Jesus has a secret name that will be revealed when He becomes King (19:12-16) c. He “has a name written that no man knew but He himself” (we get a new name and so does he)

Note: At the seventh angel’s trump the mystery of God is finished 50

THE MYSTERY BEING FINISHED

 Some believe this is where the Rapture of the church occurs at the sound of the seventh trumpet  Some suggest this because the judgment of the believer is in the next chapter (11:18)  Some connect this seventh trumpet to Paul’s “last trump” in 1 Cor. 15:51-52

Note: There is difference between the “last trump” (1 Cor. 15:51-52) and the seventh trump (10:7)

 Corinthians was written in 53-57 AD and Revelation 10:7 about 95 AD (40 years later)  No one at Corinth asked Paul for an explanation because they knew what the “last trump” was  There are four trumpets blasts: the Tekia, the Shevarim, the Teruah, and the Tekiah Ha Gedolah

Note: Exodus 19 has the imagery of the Rapture. This trumpet blew “long and loud” (19:19-20) Note: The “last trump” is the longest and loudest of one hundred blasts on the Feast of Trumpets

 We read that “time will be no longer” (10:6), meaning no longer delayed  The earth is going to be judged for shedding innocent blood (Rev. 18:24 and 18:20)  Mystery Babylon (Rev. 17-18) will be the epicenter of the final judgment of God on the earth

Revelation chapters 4-11 will be the first 42 months of the Tribulation. One more event occurs!

THE TWO WITNESSES

Main verses: Revelation 11:1-6

A. The setting

1. These two appear at the first forty-two months of the tribulation 2. They assist in the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem 3. They also announce the plagues (as angels prepare each one in heaven)

B. The three Temples in Jerusalem

1. Solomon’s Temple - 2 Chron. 3 - destroyed by the Babylonians; rebuilt by Ezra 2. The Second Temple - John 2:20 - destroyed by the Romans and never rebuilt 3. The Tribulation Temple - Rev. 11:1-2 - rebuilt the first forty-two months of the tribulation

C. There are three New Testament references to the future tribulation Temple

1. Matt. 24:15 - The abomination occurs in the holy place 2. 2 Thess. 2:4 - The antichrist will sit in the Temple in Jerusalem 3. Rev. 11:1-2 - The Temple is measured, but the outer court is not measured

This is not the Temple in Jerusalem in John’s day, as it was destroyed in 70 AD. It is not the Heavenly Temple, as no Gentile will trample the Temple in Heaven. This will be a rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem where the abomination takes place (Matt. 24:15-21). Once the church age is completed, the two witnesses minister for forty-two months, then the image of the beast is set up in Jerusalem.

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HOW CAN THE JEWS BUILD A TEMPLE?

 The mount is called in Arabic, Haram Al Sharif. It was expanded by Herod in 20 BC.  Underneath the mount are numerous arches and rooms that support what is above.  Old beams from the mosque were replaced (in the 1930s) and examined as 9th century BC.  On Aug. 21st, 1969, a fire was set by a tourist at the El Aqsa mosque.

A. There are four problems with building a Temple on the Mount

1. Muslims have had total control of the Mount for centuries – since 638 AD 2. There are two Islamic mosques on the Temple Mount (the Dome and Al Aqsa) 3. Muslims would never permit a Jew to build beside their mosque 4. Muslim law teaches that such property forever remains a mosque

B. Possible Scenarios

1. After the Gog and Magog war, the Muslims are completely defeated

a. Only a sixth of the Islamic coalition armies remain (Ezek. 39:2) b. It takes seven years to burn the weapons and seven months to begin burying the dead (39:9) c. With such a defeat, there is weak or almost no resistance to the Jewish Temple being built

2. The signed “covenant” of Daniel 9:27

a. The covenant with the Jews is signed for seven years (Dan. 9:27) and is false peace b. This could give the Jews a “legal contract” to build a Temple of worship on the mount c. Muslims worship on Friday, Jews on Saturday, and Christians on Sunday

3. It is possible that the prophet Elijah—one of the two witnesses—is involved in the matter

a. Elijah is said to return before the great and terrible day of the Lord (Mal. 4:5) b. Elijah must come and restore “all things” (Matt. 17:11)

C. How a Temple could be built

1. It has been discussed (but rejected by Muslims) to divide the mount into three sections 2. Today there is plenty of room north of the Dome to construct a Temple 3. The outer court will be “given to the Gentiles” (Rev. 11:2), so the Dome might remain there

D. I believe the rebuilding of the Temple is linked to the two witnesses

1. The first reference is in Zechariah 4:9-14

a. He saw the rebuilding of the Temple (in his day) and the prophetic future (Zech. 4:9) b. He saw “the two olive branches pouring out the golden oil” (Zech. 4:12) c. He saw the two “anointed ones standing before the God of the whole earth” (Zech. 4:14) d. Most believe one witness is Elijah the other Moses or Enoch (Mal. 4:5)

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2. The theory of Enoch and Elijah as the two witnesses

 Both are Old Testament prophets - the witnesses are prophets (Rev. 11:10)  Both have never died - it is appointed unto us once to die (Heb. 9:27)  Elijah called down fire from heaven - the prophets call down fire (Rev. 11:5)  Elijah closed the heavens for 42 months - they close the heavens for 42 months (Rev. 11:6)  Enoch prophesied about the Lord returning in Judgment (Jude verses 14 -15)  Both are mentioned by the early fathers - as the two witnesses (Ante-Nicene Fathers)

Note: Moses died and God buried him (Deut 34:5). At the transfiguration Moses represented the Law and Elijah represented the prophets.

JEWISH INTEREST IN A TEMPLE

There has not been a Jewish Temple since 70 AD. In Israel, among some, there is an interest in the rebuilding of a Temple. However the two Islamic mosques are the challenge.

 In the 1967 war, Jewish paratroopers were on the Temple Mount and had control of the Mount  Israeli General Moshe Dayan gave the keys back to the Islamic guards  In the eyes of the Muslims, the Jews and Christians occupy their lands

A. There are organizations working on the Third Temple

1. Temple Institute

a. They began by building small vessels and trumpets b. They began to sew the garments of the priests and Levites c. They made a copy of the menorah (displayed in Jewish section) d. They are continually working on other items

2. School of the Levites

a. Rabbi HaCohen founder (building models and teaching sacrifices) b. Rabbi Getz claimed to have seen the ark in a tunnel in 1981

3. Temple Mount Faithful

a. Gershon Solomon (founder) fought in the War of 1967 b. He has attempted on numerous occasions to move a cornerstone on the Mount

B. Reforming the Sanhedrin

1. The Sanhedrin was the highest Jewish legal tribunal in ancient Israel 2. In Oct. 2004 in Tiberias, Israel, several rabbis launched a new Sanhedrin 3. Rabbi Yisrael Ariel is one of the participating rabbis

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C. Purpose of the two witnesses

1. They are linked to measuring the Temple in Jerusalem (Rev. 11:1) 2. They are to testify to the Jewish remnant in Jerusalem 3. They turn the hearts of the fathers to the children (Mal. 4:5)

Note: I believe it is the rebuilding of the Temple that will trigger the conflict in Jerusalem.

4. Elijah must come and restore all things 5. Elijah would know the tribe of each Jew 6. In Jewish tradition, Elijah is expected to precede the appearing of the Messiah

D. Three major points

1. They will have great power for miracles (sending fire and plagues – Rev. 11:6) 2. No man can harm them for 1,260 days; afterwards they will be killed (Rev. 11:3) 3. Possibly at the Temple dedication, the antichrist enters Jerusalem (Dan. 9:27)

E. Six things that will occur in Revelation 11:7-15

1. Both prophets are killed by the antichrist when he invades Jerusalem (Rev. 11:7) 2. Their bodies will be laid in the street for 3 ½ days (Rev. 11:9) 3. Men will send gifts in celebration of these two men being killed (Rev. 11:10) 4. They will be raised from the dead after 3 ½ days (Rev. 11:11) 5. A great earthquake will strike the city and 7,000 are killed (Rev. 11:13) 6. The antichrist will make a move to set himself up in Jerusalem (Rev. 13:1-11)

After their ascension from Jerusalem, the seventh angel blasts his trumpet (Rev. 11:15-16) This is the time that a judgment for the righteous is set in heaven

THE BEMA TAKES PLACE

Main verse: Revelation 11:18

A. There are two heavenly judgments

1. The judgment seat of Christ (Rev. 11:18) is at Christ’s throne 2. The great white throne judgment (Rev. 20:11-13) is at God’s throne

B. The judgment seat of Christ scriptures

1. Romans 14:10-12 2. 2 Corinthians 5:10 3. 1 Corinthians 4:5 4. 1 Timothy 5:24-25 5. Romans 2:16 6. 2 Timothy 4:1

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C. At this judgment

1. It will occur at the throne of Christ and is called the “judgment seat of Christ” (Rom. 14:10) 2. It will begin at the moment the Temple doors in heaven are opened (Rev. 11:19) 3. It will be for the saints, prophets, servants, and those who feared God’s name (Rev. 11:18) 4. It will be to see who will be rewarded and who will not

Note: The word for reward in 11:18 is mis’thos and means “a payment for your works”

TYPES OF REWARDS (Matt. 10:41-42)

A. Three types

1. A prophet’s reward - receiving and believing the Word of God preached 2. A righteous man’s reward - receiving a righteous man and his works 3. A disciple’s reward - giving a cup of water, feeding, and caring for the needy

B. Rewards are given by levels of obedience

1. Punishment is also by degrees (Matt. 23:14-15)

a. Hypocrites will be judged more severely than others b. Faithful will be rewarded greater than others

2. Rewards for the righteous (1 Cor. 15:40-44)

C. The three vessels are the three levels of character (1 Cor. 3:10-15)

1. Notice the type of material (earthly and precious metals) 2. Notice the texture of the materials (some endure as a foundation and others will crack) 3. Notice the testing of the materials by fire as some become pure and others burn up

D. The word “crowns” in the Bible

1. The crown of wisdom and understanding (Prov. 4:1-9) 2. The crown of a good wife to her husband (Prov. 12:4; 31:10-31) 3. The crown of a silver haired person (Prov. 16:31; 20:29) 4. The crown of the grandchildren (Prov. 17:6) 5. The crown of thorns (Matt. 27:27-31)

E. The crowns of reward in the New Testament

The Romans and Greeks used crowns as symbols of victory and reward. Winners of the Olympics were given crowns woven with leaves and wild olive branches. In the Pythian games, the laurel was presented as the reward and in the Nemean games the parsley was used. Others used the leaves of pine and the Romans prepared a civic crown for the one who saved the life of a citizen. These crowns faded; but the crowns given by the King of kings will never fade and are called incorruptible.

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F. The Five Crowns in the Bible

1. The incorruptible crown (1 Corinthians 9:24-25)

a. The crowns are nonperishable, incorruptible, and will never rust or decay b. This crown is given for running and completing your race on earth (Heb. 12:1-2) c. When running you must lay aside the weights and the sins weighing you down (Heb. 12:1) d. A good soldier will not entangle himself with the affairs of this life (2 Tim. 2:4)

2. The crown of rejoicing (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20)

a. This is often called a soul winners crown as souls winners rejoice at a sinner being saved

3. Crown of life (James 1:12)

a. This crown is given to the overcomer – the crown of Rev. 2:10 b. Those who die martyred will receive a special crown (Rev. 2:10) c. Those suffering severe persecution and remaining faithful will receive a crown of life

4. Crown of glory (1 Peter 5:4)

a. 1 Pet. 5:4 was addressed to ministers and pastors b. Those ministers found faithful to their flock and ministry receive a special crown

5. Crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8)

a. Those who believe in and love the appearing of the Lord will receive this crown b. Those who live righteous on earth will receive this crown

G. A summary of the five crowns

 1 Cor. 9:24-25 - An incorruptible crown - For running the race and finishing it  1 Thess. 2:19-20 - A crown of rejoicing - For winning souls to Christ  James 1:12 - A crown of life - For overcoming temptation  1 Pet. 5:4 - A crown of glory - For ministers, pastors, and workers  2 Tim. 4:8 - A crown of righteousness - For those who love Christ’s appearing

H. The other crowns in Revelation

 Twenty-four elders with crowns of gold on their heads (Rev. 4:4)  Christ has a gold crown reaping the harvest (Rev. 14:14)  Christ has on His head many crowns (Rev. 19:12)  Believers are promised crowns (1 Cor. 9:24-25)

I. Two words for crown

1. Diadema: From diadeo, meaning “to bind round.” It was used for the kingly ornament of the head, especially the blue band marked with white used to bind on the turban of Persian kings. It was

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adopted by Alexander the Great and his successors. Among the Greeks and Romans, it was a badge of royalty. Used of the dragon (12:3), the beast (13:1), and Christ (19:12).

2. Stephanos: in a contest; hence, a reward or a prize. A token of public honor for military ability; also worn at the coming of a king. It could be woven as a garland of oak, ivy, myrtle, or olive; or an imitation of these in gold.

Christ wears the royal crown and we wear a victor’s crown if we overcome!

J. Your rewards can be lost or given to another

“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.” - Rev. 3:11

1. Christ was speaking to the church at Philadelphia (Rev. 3:7-12) 2. Christ said they have an open door and they have little strength (Rev. 3:8) 3. Christ encourages them to continue to hold fast what they have (Rev. 3:11) 4. Holding fast means to keep in check and to continue to guard something precious 5. Christ told all seven churches, “I know your works.”

K. We work together for a reward!

“Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.” - 1 Corinthians 3:5-8

THREE GROUPS OF PEOPLE AND THEIR WORKS

 Those that performed good works (1 Tim. 6:18-19)  Those who died and did not perform works for God (Titus 1:16)  Those who have worked evil works (2 Tim. 4:14)

You are saved by grace – but rewarded according to your works!

 Eph. 2:8-9  Rev. 2:19

The Temple in heaven is open (Rev. 11:19) as the Bema occurs in the heavenly Temple

WHY IS THE ARK SEEN NOW?

 It was accessed only on the Day of Atonement when the priests carried the blood of atonement  The original Ark is in heaven and judgment will occur near the altar and Ark  This is the Holy of Holies in heaven located behind the throne of God  The priest stood up on atonement and could not sit down until atonement was completed

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While the judgment for earth is being prepared, Satan will be expelled from heaven to the earth

THE EIGHT ABODES OF SATAN

1. The Temple in Heaven - Isa. 14:13 2. The Heavenly Eden - Ezek. 28:13 3. The earthly Eden - Gen. 3:1 4. The earth - up and down in it - Job 1:7 5. The second heaven - Eph. 2:2 6. The earthly Jerusalem - Rev. 13 7. The abyss for 1000 years - Rev. 20:1-2 8. The lake of fire for eternity - Rev. 20:10

Satan is the “prince of the power of the air” (Eph. 2:2) and will be expelled to the earth

REVELATION CHAPTER 12

Main verses: Revelation 12:1-12

A. The beliefs in John’s day

1. John lived in the time of the Greek-Roman culture which believed in many gods and goddesses 2. In Greek mythology there was Ares (god of war), Poseidon (god of the sea), and Zeus (the sky) 3. The Jewish people were all familiar with the myths and legends

B. The Greek words used in the New Testament

1. Kronos (Matt. 2:7) - He was the titan of time and this word is used for linear time 2. Tartarus (2 Pet. 2:4) - This is the deepest chamber in the underworld for the fallen angels 3. Uranous (Acts 10:11) - This is the word used in the New Testament for heaven 4. Hades (Matt. 11:23) - This was the guardian of the underworld, translated as hell

Note: Common Greek words were used in the time of Christ for time, hell, and heaven

C. The Romans and Greeks were familiar with cosmic activity

1. Both the Romans and the Greeks had astronomers – such as the Persian Magi (Matt. 2:1) 2. Both the Greeks and Romans believed in twelve constellations and the planets 3. God said the sun, moon, and stars were for the “signs and the seasons” (Gen. 1:14) 4. Joseph dreamed of the sun, moon, and stars bowing before him (Gen. 37:9)

D. The symbolism in Revelation

1. God used cosmic symbols that people understood in that day 2. God used symbols of nations as beasts, again symbols that the people understood 3. God repeated to John the apocalyptic symbolism originally revealed to Daniel

E. The symbolism of empires in Daniel

1. In Dan. 7:4 the Lion emblem is Babylon and the heavenly emblem is Leo a lion 58

2. In Dan. 7:5 the Bear is Media-Persia, and the heavenly emblem is Ursa Major, the bear 3. In Dan. 8:5 the Goat is Greece, and the matching heavenly emblem is Sagittarius the goat

God used cosmic symbolism in the book of Revelation because people understood these symbols

F. The woman in travail

1. The yearly solar cycle begins with Virgo (the virgin) and ends with Leo (lion). 2. The Gospel began with the Virgin Mary and concludes with the Lion of Judah (Christ) 3. Joseph saw the sun, moon, and stars (Gen. 37:9) – thus the woman in Rev. 12 is Israel

G. The symbols of Satan in the Bible

1. In Gen. 3, Satan is the serpent in the garden coming as the tempter 2. In Job 40, the behemoth is a prophetic picture of the future false prophet 3. In Job 41, the leviathan is a prophetic picture of the dragon and antichrist kingdom

H. The dragon (Satan) in heaven (there are two emblems)

1. The dragon (draco), is in the center of the heavenly circuit with his eyes on the virgin 2. The serpent (hydra) takes up a third of the circuit of heaven (note Rev. 12:4 3. Four names are given to Satan (Rev. 12:9):

 Great Dragon - He is the god of this world  Old Serpent - He is the deceiver  The Devil - He is the slanderer  Satan - He is the adversary

I. The dragon has seven heads and ten horns

1. The seven heads can allude to the seven major empires of prophecy 2. They are Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Media-Persia, Greece, Rome and the Rome division 3. There are also seven chief prince spirits that rule these empires (note Dan. 10) 4. The seventh empire rules for 42 months and the eighth and final for 42 months

THE DRAGON (SATAN) IS VERY ACTIVE AT THIS POINT

A. Persecution by the dragon

1. The dragon attempts to destroy the seed of the woman (Rev. 12:4) 2. The dragon attempts to persecute the woman (Rev. 12:13) 3. The dragon sends a flood to destroy the woman (Rev. 12:15) 4. The dragon can’t kill the woman so he goes after the remnant (Rev. 12:17)

B. The protection of the man child

1. The man child was a target of Satan and the fallen angels (Rev. 12:4) 2. The man child will rule all nations with a rod of iron (Rev. 12:5) 3. The man child was caught up to the throne of God (Rev. 12:5)

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Note: The man child can be Christ and it can allude to the 144,000 (Rev. 7 and 14)

C. The provision for the woman

1. Israel will flee to the wilderness where God will sustain her (Rev. 12:6) 2. Petra is believed to be the area where this will occur – in Jordan or Edom (Psa. 60:6-12) 3. Israel will survive the persecution, the flood, and Satan’s wrath (Rev. 12:13-16) 4. Israel will remain in the wilderness for 1,260 days, or 42 months (Rev. 12:6)

The 144,000 are “caught up” (Rev. 14:1-2) and this is a remnant of Jews fleeing!

THE DAY OF ATONEMENT IMAGERY - (Revelation 12)

A. This is a picture of the Day of Atonement when the “scapegoat” is hurled off the mountain!

1. On Atonement there are two identical goats – one for the altar - one that escapes 2. One goat is offered for the Lord and the other (azzazel) is hurled off a mountain 3. The “scapegoat” is removed so the sins cannot influence the nation 4. Satan is “cast out of heaven” to stop his accusations of the believers (Rev. 12:7-9)

B. The cosmic conflict

1. There are three levels of heaven (2 Cor. 12:1-7; Isa. 14:13-14) 2. The second heaven is presently Satan’s domain (Eph. 2:2) 3. The war is between the third and first heaven in the second heaven region

C. The cosmic warriors

1. Michael the archangel verses Satan and his angels (Rev. 12:7) 2. Michael has angels won and removed Satan’s dominion (Rev. 12:8) 3. Satan and his hosts were cast to the earth (Rev. 12:9)

D. The cosmic outcome

1. The heaven rejoices (Rev. 12:10-12) 2. The earth is given a woe (Rev. 12:12) 3. Satan is coming in great wrath (Rev. 12:12) 4. Satan knows his time is short (Rev. 12:12)

After Satan is expelled from the second heaven, the antichrist moves to Jerusalem!

“But news from the east and the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many. And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him.” - Daniel 11:44-45 (NKJV)

REVELATION 13 REVEALS THE RISE OF THE ANTICHRIST

Main verses: Revelation 13:1-5 60

A. The beliefs concerning the antichrist

1. The antichrist is an evil principle but not a literal person 2. The antichrist is a person but a person of the past like Nero, Titus, etc. 3. The antichrist is a system and not a person (such as the Papacy or the Vatican) 4. The antichrist is a person who will appear at the end of days

B. The word Christ

1. In the Old Testament the word Messiah (Dan. 9:25-26) is Meshiach or the “anointed one.” 2. In the New Testament the word Christ is Christos and refers to the “anointed one.”

C. The teaching of the antichrist

1. The Greek word antichrist is antichristos and can mean an “opponent of the Messiah.” 2. The word is often said to mean one who stands against Christ 3. The word “antichrist” is found in four places - 1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 1:7

D. Three main points concerning the antichrist

1. The antichrist is a spirit that was working even in John’s day 2. The antichrist is a spirit that denies the father and the Son and Christ’s divinity 3. The antichrist is a person that will arise at the end of days

Note: He is identified with the personal pronoun he (2 Thess. 2:4, 6-7; 1 John 2:22; Rev. 13:6)

E. The symbolism used

1. He is called the “little horn” (Dan. 7:7-8) 2. The “horn” is mentioned five times in Daniel and all five references refer to one man 3. The beast system has seven heads and ten horns (they receive crowns in the tribulation)

Revelation 13 will reveal more details concerning the antichrist and his false prophet

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SESSION FOUR

THE ISLAMIC ANTICHRIST, THE FALSE PROPHET, AND THE EMPIRE OF THE BEAST

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THE ISLAMIC ANTICHRIST, THE FALSE PROPHET, AND THE EMPIRE OF THE BEAST

This chapter is the pivotal chapter and the turning point during the tribulation

SEVEN KEY POINTS

1. The timing is the middle of the tribulation 2. The tribulation will continue another forty-two months 3. The two witnesses who ministered for forty-two months have been slain 4. The Temple has been reconstructed and the antichrist has stopped the worship and offerings 5. The trial and trouble for the Jewish people begins as the antichrist seizes half of Jerusalem 6. The team of evil has been organized; the antichrist and the false prophet

A. The Olivet Discourse

1. Matt. 24:14 2. Matt. 24:15-16

B. The word “abomination”

1. In the Hebrew Scriptures it is something spiritually disgusting, such as an idol 2. In the Greek Scriptures is something to detest, also often identified with idols

Key 1 – This abomination did not occur before Christ’s birth (some teach it was Antiochus) Key 2 – This abomination did not occur before Matthew wrote Matthew 24:15 (37-40 AD) Key 3 – This abomination did not occur in 70 AD at the destruction of the Temple

a. It occurs after the gospel is preached around the world as a witness to the nations (Matt. 24:14) b. Daniel speaks of the daily sacrifice being taken away (Dan. 11:31; 12:11) which is at mid-trib. c. This event could occur at the actual dedication of the new Jewish Temple at Passover

C. The abomination and the “image”

Key 1 – A Jewish Temple must be on the Temple platform in Jerusalem Key 2 – The two witnesses must first be killed, and then raised up Key 3 – The antichrist and false prophet must first team up in Jerusalem Key 4 – This image of the beast will cause the religious Jews to flee from Jerusalem

D. Matthew 24:15-31 holds seven parallels found in the book of Revelation

1. Matthew speaks of an abomination making Jerusalem desolate (Matt. 24:15) 2. A great tribulation that is something such as has never been seen before (Matt 24:21) 3. The days will be shortened for the elect’s sake (Matt. 24:22) 4. There will be a false “christ” performing satanic miracles (Matt. 24:24) 5. The sun will become darkened and the moon will not give her light (Matt. 24:29)

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6. The Son of man will appear in the heaven (Matt. 24:30) 7. The angels will gather God’s elect from the four areas of the earth (Matt. 24:31)

The appearing of the Son of man (in Matthew) is when Christ returns with the armies of heaven

THE BEAST IS THE COMING ANTICHRIST

Main verses: Revelation 13:1-5

A. John coined the term “antichrist” and wrote it in his epistles

1. 1 John 2:18 2. 1 John 2:22-23 3. 1 John 4:3 4. 2 John 1:7

B. The antichrist according to John

1. The antichrist is a spirit that was working in the time of John 2. The antichrist is a spirit that denies the relationship of the Father and the Son 3. The antichrist is a person who will arise at the end of days

C. The antichrist is a man called “he and him.”

1. “The man of sin the son of perdition…” (2 Thess. 2:3) 2. “He as God sitteth in the Temple of God showing himself that he is God (2 Thess. 2:4) 3. “He might be revealed in his time…” (2 Thess. 2:6) 4. “And the dragon gave him his power and his seat…” (Rev. 13:2) 5. “And the dragon gave him his seat and there was given to him a mouth …” (Rev. 13:2 and 5) 6. “And it was given to him to make war…” (Rev. 13:7)

D. The antichrist is called a “wild beast” and is a “beast” in Daniel

1. He is called the little horn (Dan. 7:8) 2. He is the king of fierce countenance (Dan. 8:23) 3. He is called the prince that shall come (Dan. 9:26) 4. He is the desolator (Dan. 9:26) 5. He is the willful king (Dan.11:36) 6. He is the man of sin (2 Thess. 2:3) 7. He is the son of perdition (2 Thess. 2:3) 8. He is called the antichrist (1 John 2:22) 9. He is called the beast (Rev. 11:7, 13:1)

E. The symbolism continues as he is the little horn (Dan. 7:7-8)

1. Daniel saw a “little horn” 2. Daniel saw the horn with eyes like a man and a mouth speaking great things 3. Daniel heard the voice of the horn and his words 4. Daniel said the horn was “more stout” than his fellows 5. Daniel saw the horn “make war” against the holy ones 66

F. Satan gives the antichrist his authority (Rev. 13:2)

1. There has always been a spirit of antichrist (1 John 2:18) 2. There is a man who will be the final antichrist of prophecy (1 John 2:22) 3. This man will make a treaty with Israel for seven years (Dan. 9:27) 4. This man will break the treaty and invade Israel (Dan. 9:27; Rev. 13) 5. There will be ten kings and their kingdoms will be given to him for forty-two months (Rev. 17-18)

G. Both Daniel and John saw the same images of the beast

1. Both saw a final period of seven years

a. Daniel identified the time frame as one prophetic week (7 years) in Dan. 9:27 b. John divided the seven years into 42 months and 42 months (Rev.11:2; 13:5)

2. Both saw a final forty-two months of world history

a. Daniel saw a time (one year), times (2 years) and dividing of time, (half of a year) - (Dan. 12:7) b. John said the final time frame would be 1, 260 days -3 ½ years (Rev. 11:3, 12:6)

3. Both identified the antichrist as a “beast”

a. Daniel saw the antichrist as the fourth beast that would arise (Dan. 7:7) b. John saw the antichrist as the beast rising up from the sea (Rev. 13:1)

4. Both reveal a time of great trouble on earth

a. Daniel said it was a time such as never was, nor ever shall be (Dan. 12:1) b. John described a time of wrath and trouble (Rev. 13:7-10)

5. Both prophets saw Michael the archangel

a. Daniel saw Michael standing up at the time of trouble (Dan. 12:1) b. John saw Michael warring with Satan in heaven (Rev. 12:7)

6. Both prophets saw ten kings that would arise at the end of days

a. Daniel saw the ten horns were ten kings (Dan. 7:24) b. John saw ten horns with ten crowns that were ten kings (Rev. 13:1)

7. Both saw the resurrection of the dead

a. Daniel recorded a resurrection after the tribulation (Dan. 12:2) b. John saw a resurrection of those who were beheaded in the tribulation (Rev. 7:9-17)

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8. Both prophets saw the return of the Lord to set up His Kingdom

a. Daniel saw an everlasting Kingdom of the Messiah (Dan. 7:13, 14) b. John saw Christ setting up a Kingdom for 1,000 years (Rev. 20:1-5)

Note: Daniel saw four beasts come up from the sea (Dan. 7:7) and John saw the same (Rev. 13:1-2)

THE EARLY FATHERS

After the death of John, the early fathers of the church gave various opinions

 The Apostolic Fathers - Bishops who tutored under the apostolic men in the 1st century  The Ante-Nicene Fathers - Bishops after the Apostolic fathers until the Nicean Council (325 AD)  The Post-Nicene Fathers - Bishops after the Council of Nicea (325 AD)  The early fathers believed an antichrist would come  The early fathers believed he was linked to the Roman Empire  Some early fathers believed he could be linked to a wicked Roman Emperor

A. Some believed it was Nero

1. Nero came to power as emperor in 54 AD at age 16. He was mentally unstable. 2. Nero desired to rebuild Rome and construct a palace called Neropolis using his image. 3. The Senate rejected his idea and Nero burned Rome (4 of 14 sections). 4. Nero blamed Christians and persecuted them (he had Paul beheaded). 5. Nero committed suicide (some believed he faked his death and would return)

a. Rev. 13:3 said the beast had a deadly wound to the head and would rise from the sea b. Victorinus (304 AD), Lactantius (250-325 AD,) and Severus (400 AD) c. Notice it did not say “head” but one of his heads, or one of the seven previous empires d. Some used the verse the beast that was, is not, and shall ascend (Rev. 17:11)

B. Later some believed it was Judas

1. Judas is called “son of perdition” and so is the antichrist (John 17:12; 2 Thess. 2:3) 2. Jesus said, “Have I not chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? (John 6:70) 3. Judas sinned and “went to his own place” (Acts 1:25) – a chamber in hell. 4. Because of Rev. 17:11, the beast from the abyss would return.

Note: Judas died and Nero died, and they would need to be resurrected and die again! Note: The antichrist has not yet come and will be a man possessed by evil spirits

C. The fathers believed the tribulation was near after John’s death (10 Kings)

1. There were 10 major persecutions:

1st Nero - 67 AD 2nd Domitian - 81 AD 3rd Trajan and Adrian - 108 AD

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4th Marcus Antonius - 162 AD 5th Severus - 192 AD 6th Maximus - 235 AD 7th Decius - 240 AD 8th Valerian - 257 AD 9th Aurelian - 274 AD 10th Diocletian - 303 AD

D. The belief in the antichrist eventually changes

1. Constantine legalized Christianity and stopped persecution against Christians 2. Rome eventually became a Christian state and not an Imperial government state 3. The Western Empire fell to 10 Germanic tribes and the Eastern Empire rose up

The 10 Germanic Tribes

 The Visigoths  The Huns  The Vandals  The Ostrogoths  The Franks  The Anglo Saxons  The Suevi  The Burgundians  The Heruli  The Lombards

E. Why these ten tribes were not the ten kings

1. The antichrist never appeared during the time of these ten tribal groups 2. Jerusalem fell to the Romans, Christians, and Muslims; and Christ never returned 3. The return of Christ to rule was to occur in the days of these kings

DANIEL GAVE DETAILS ON THE COMING BEAST

A. Daniel’s “nondescriptive beast” had ten horns in its head (Dan 7:19-20)

1. It had teeth like iron - Dan. 7:19 2. It had nails like brass - Dan. 7:19 3. It devoured much flesh - Dan. 7:19 4. It stamped on others with its feet - Dan. 7:19 5. It has ten horns (ten kings) - Dan. 7:20 6. It has a little horn that rises among them - Dan. 7:20 7. It overthrows three nations - Dan. 7:20 8. It had a mouth and spoke against God - Dan. 7:20 9. It shall devour the entire earth - Dan. 7:23 10. It shall change times and laws - Dan. 7:25

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B. Six important points about the coming antichrist

1. The beast will rise up from the Mediterranean (great) Sea area (Dan. 7:2) 2. He will be great to the south, the east, and Israel (Dan. 8:9) 3. He will make war against many people (Rev. 13:4) 4. He will appear to take a defeat then come back (Rev. 13:3) 5. He will be strong in the Assyrian and Babylonian area (Isa. 14:4-25) 6. He will invade Jerusalem and seek to kill Jews (Rev. 12:13)

He will be Islamic. The antichrist fits the expectations of the coming Islamic Mahdi.

THE BEAST KINGDOM

Main verse: Daniel 7:4-8

A. The beast arises out of the sea (Daniel 7:3)

1. The beast reforms three past empires

a. The lion was Babylon - Dan.7:4 John’s beast had a leopard body - Rev.13:2 b. The bear was Media Persia - Dan.7:5 John’s beast had the feet of a bear - Rev.13:2 c. The leopard was Greece - Dan. 7:6 John’s beast had the mouth of a lion - Rev.13:2 d. The leopard body is the Grecian Empire e. The bear feet are the Media-Persian Empire f. The lion’s heads are the Babylonian Empire

B. The beast controls these three regions

1. His “body” will rule from the area of the kingdom of Greece (India to Northern Africa) 2. His “mouth” (authority) will come out of the regions of the lion (Babylon) - Iraq and Iran 3. He will trample his enemies like a bear - the Persians Empire – Persia through Afghanistan

C. The Grecian Empire was divided among Alexander’s four generals

The name of the general The region he took The present area

 Ptolomey Egypt and Northern Africa Egypt, Libya, and North Africa  Seleucis Assyria, and Babylon Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq  Lysynachus Turkey Turkey and southern Russia  Cassander Greece and Macedonia Greece, Bulgaria, and Romania

D. The antichrist will arise out of one of these regions

1. The area of the Grecian Empire includes the following places:

 Afghanistan  Pakistan  Iran

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 Iraq  Syria  Lebanon  Egypt  Libya  Ethiopia  Sudan  Greece  Macedonia

This Empire will be the re-formation of a new Islamic Empire, and Muslims will appoint one man to rule over it. The center of these regions is Iraq, the land of ancient Babylon!

THE HISTORY OF ISLAM

 The religion was founded by Mohammad in the area of Arabia (Saudi Arabia)  After his death the religion split between two groups, the Sunni and the Shi’ite  Jerusalem was eventually taken over by Muslims and battles continued for 1300 years

A. The rise of the Mahdi

1. Ali was the first of eleven Shi’ite leaders, all killed in a row (Ali was killed in Kufa) 2. Ali and Hussain (the 10th and 11th leaders) were killed in Samarra, Iraq 3. The gold dome mosque built in 944 AD was the area where the twelfth Imam was hidden 4. There is a belief among some that the Mahdi will emerge from a cave or well in this area 5. The areas of Karbala and Samarra are the two areas the Shi’ite and Sunnis mark

WAR PRECEDES THE NEW ISLAMIC EMPIRE

A. The antichrist does not bring peace, but war

1. The red horse kills with a great sword (Rev. 6:4) 2. The pale horse kills with the sword, hunger, and death (Rev. 6:8) 3. Who is like the beast and who can make war with him? (Rev. 13:4, 7, 10; Dan. 7:21; 9:26) 4. Power was given to the beast to make war with the saints (Rev. 13:7) 5. He who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword (Rev. 13:10) 6. The little horn makes war with the saints (Dan. 7:21) 7. Unto the end of the war, desolations are determined (Dan. 9:26)

B. The beast’s authority comes from the dragon (Satan)

1. The dragon (Satan) is giving the beast his authority and throne (Rev. 13:2) 2. The dragon deceives the world with false miracles (2 Thess.2) 3. The dragon will motivate worship of the beast (Rev. 13:12)

Note: Satan, for forty-two months, gets what he has wanted:

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 He desired to be like God (2 Thess. 2:4)  He desired to sit in the Temple of God (Isa. 14)  He desired to be worshipped as God (Luke 4:7)

C. The beast’s “deadly head wound” is healed (Rev. 13:3)

1. We have heard the antichrist will be shot in the head and raised from the dead (this is not Biblical). 2. Some teach he will die and be resurrected as Christ was raised. 3. It reads, “One of his heads;” not “his head” (singular). A man has only one physical head. Heads refers to one of the seven previous empires that will be revived again.

D. The seven empires of prophecy

1. The Egyptian Empire - The nation of Egypt continues to exist 2. The Assyrian Empire - The nation of Syria continues to exist 3. The Babylonian Empire - This empire has ceased 4. The Media-Persian Empire - The Persians are today’s Iranians 5. The Grecian Empire - The nation of Greece continues to exist 6. The Roman Empire - Italy and the city of Rome continue to exist 7. The Kingdom of iron/clay - The possible reunification of the European Union; some identify as Islam and democracy

E. The eighth empire of prophecy (Rev. 17:11-13) is a revived Babylonian empire

1. One of the seven heads wounded to death is ancient Babylon (today it is located in Iraq) 2. Three of four empires have ruled from Babylon (Babylon, Media-Persia, and Greece) 3. Babylon was never overthrown, as it simply fell into ruin and was taken by Arab tribes

Key: Notice how many of these areas are now controlled by Islamic leaders

WHAT WILL THE ANTICHRIST DO?

A. The antichrist resurrects an ancient empire

1. This area would be the land of Babylon

a. It is the center of the 10/40 window b. It is the center where the Mahdi is expected to arise c. It is the land of Babel (Gen. 11) and Babylon (Dan. 1-12) d. It is the area of the Euphrates River

B. The antichrist will also take over three nations (Daniel 11:43-45)

1. This is clearly seen by Daniel

a. In Dan. 7:24, the antichrist will have ten kings aligned with formation of his kingdom b. In Dan. 7:24, the antichrist will uproot three of the ten kings in a battle c. In Dan. 11:43, the three uprooted are Egypt, Libya, and Ethiopia (The Northern horn of Africa) d. In Dan. 11:45, after seizing these nations he moves his armies toward Israel

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C. The antichrist then invades Jerusalem (Zech. 14:2)

1. The antichrist breaks a seven-year treaty in the middle of the seven years (Dan. 9:27) 2. The antichrist will enter the new Jewish Temple and stop the dedication offering (Dan. 9:27) 3. The antichrist becomes an Islamic hero and he divides the city in half (pre-67 borders) 4. The antichrist’s headquarters is moved from Babylonian region (Syria-Iraq) to Jerusalem

D. The antichrist will make “war against the saints”

1. There is a debate as to whom these “saints” are. Are they the church or the Jews? 2. After Rev. chapters 2-3 the church is not mentioned again in Revelation by name 3. In Rev. 11:18, the Bema for the saints is occurring in heaven at the mid-tribulation point 4. In Rev. 7:14, the tribulation “saints” who “made their robes white” are in heaven 5. In Dan. 7:24-25 Daniel calls the Jews the “saints,” and these saints are the Jewish remnant

E. The antichrist will behead those who are not following him

1. Beheading is a practice in Islam and is encouraged in the Koran against infidels and blasphemers (that is, anybody who practices another religion, speaks against Islam, or converts from Islam to another religion)

a. The Koran 8:12-13 b. The Koran 4:89 c. The Koran 47:4

THE ANTICHRIST WILL ARISE FROM THE MIDDLE EAST, BE A MUSLIM, AND COME FROM THE BABYLONIAN REGION

A. The Babylonian region will become the strongest region in the Middle East

1. According to Isaiah 17:1, Damascus, Syria will become a heap of rubble 2. According to Ezekiel 38:5, Persia will be impacted by a future war 3. Iraq sits between Syria and Persia, thus making this nation the key nation in the future

B. The antichrist initiates a “mark” on the head or the hand

1. On the seven heads of the dragon are “names of blasphemy.” 2. It is a spirit of antichrist that denies Jesus is the son of God (1 John 2:22) 3. In Islam, the faithful who pray have the “marks of prostration” on their heads 4. In Islam, there are headbands worn by the radical groups (Al-Qaeda, the Mahdi Army, Hamas)

Note: The Islamic confession of faith states: “I bear witness that there is no deity (god) other than Allah and that Mohammad is his servant and messenger.”

Note: The ten kings also have the “names of blasphemy” on their heads (Rev. 17:3)

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THE SECOND BEAST AND THE FALSE PROPHET

Main verses: Revelation 13:11-15

A. The second beast

1. The first beast is the antichrist rising up out of the sea (Rev. 13:1) 2. The second beast is the false prophet rising up out of the earth (Rev. 13:11) 3. The first beast is on a white horse and later forms an empire (Rev. 6:2) 4. The second beast, with two horns like a lamb, in the middle of the tribulation (Rev. 13:11)

B. Two horns like a lamb

1. The word “lamb” is mentioned in Revelation 27 times and refers to Christ except in 13:11-15 2. The two horns identify his ability to merge two religions together under his control 3. There are three religions in Jerusalem: Judaism, Islam, and Christianity 4. The Jews will flee, thus the two religions are Islam and apostate Christianity

C. The second beast is believed to be a defective Pope

1. Many Catholics teach the false prophet will be a defective pope 2. This pope would deny that Jesus is the Son of God, which will fit with Islamic teaching 3. He will then set himself up as though he is Christ – through false miracles

Note: see quotes from the DVD

D. The second beast will perform counterfeit miracles

1. Islam teaches that Isa (Jesus) will appear at Damascus at the white mosque 2. Isa and the Mahdi will join together and move to Jerusalem to defeat Jews and Christians 3. Islam does not believe Jesus was crucified, nor that He is the Son of God

THE IMAGE OF THE BEAST

A. This image worship is referred to in several places

1. In Matt. 24:15, Jesus warned of an “abomination that makes Jerusalem desolate” 2. In 2 Thess. 2:9, Paul warned of last day “lying signs and wonders” 3. In Matthew 24:24, this will be the false miracles of satanic origin 4. In Rev. 12:6, the image of the beast will cause the Jews to flee to the wilderness

B. This word “image” here is the Greek word “icon”

1. There are three Greek words for “image” in the New Testament; this word is eikon (or icon) 2. This image will supernaturally speak and live (we see bleeding and crying images now) 3. Image worship is forbidden in the Scriptures (Exod. 20:4; Lev. 26:1; Deut. 4:23)

C. Men will worship the image

1. There are four different Greek words for worship 74

2. This word is “pros-kuneh-o” and it means to “kiss toward,” as to kiss the emperor’s ring 3. In Rev. 13:4, 8, 12; 14:9, 11, men worship the beast and his image 4. The image will speak and live (nothing like this has occurred in world history)

D. The issue is about Jesus being the Son of God

1. An-Nisā´ 4:171 2. Al-Mā´idah 5:17 3. Yūnus 10:68-70 4. Maryam 19:88-89

Note: There are numerous inscriptions inside the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem (see DVD)

THE MYSERIOUS MARK OF THE BEAST

A. The false prophet will issue the infamous “mark of the beast.”

1. This will be the beginning of the “greater” tribulation lasting for a final forty-two months 2. Except the days are shortened there would be no flesh saved (Matt. 24:22) 3. It will be a time of trouble such as never was in the history of the world (Dan. 12:1)

Closing: The scene changes as the middle of the tribulation arrives.

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SESSION FIVE

666: THE MYSTERIOUS MARK, THE MYSTERY WOMAN, AND MYSTERY BABYLON

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666 – THE MYSTERIOUS MARK, THE MYSTERY WOMAN, AND MYSTERY BABYLON

The Setting (Revelation 13)

 The middle of the tribulation with forty-two months remaining (Rev. 13:5)  The antichrist has invaded and occupied half of Jerusalem (Zech 14:2)  The antichrist has stopped the sacrifice at the Temple (Dan. 9:27)

“And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.” - Dan. 12:11

 Forty-two months is 1,260 days – Daniel says 1,290 from the sacrifice to the image being set up  1,290 minus 1,260 is 30 days in which the antichrist takes over then sets up the image  The antichrist and false prophet are now headquartered in Jerusalem (Dan. 11:45)  The two seas are the Dead Sea and Mediterranean (Jerusalem is the holy mountain)

A. The mark for buying and selling

Main verses: Rev. 13:16-18

1. The false prophet helps initiate a buying and selling system

Why would the antichrist and false prophet desire to control all buying and selling?

a. To control food distribution because of food shortages from the judgments (Rev. 6:5-6) b. To control the masses by religious conversion to the antichrist’s religion (Rev. 13:16-18) c. To control the food supply because of famine and droughts (Rev. 18:8)

B. The mark, name, and number of the beast is used to control the system

1. What is the mark, the name, and the number of the beast?

a. John Darby b. Isbon T. Beckwith c. Merrill Unger

2. The word mark

a. It is the Greek word charagma and means to “scratch, an etching, or a stamp.” b. The mark is placed on either the forehead or the right hand

SIX MARK OF THE BEAST THEORIES SINCE 1967

1. The Bar Code Theory (since 1973) 2. The ISO 9000 Theory (since the 1990s) 3. The Dot-com Theory (since the late 1900s)

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4. The Bio-Hand Scanners (since 2004) 5. The Chip Implant (since 2006) 6. The New China Chip 7. Chipless Tatoos (since 2008)

Report: The Indian Government hopes to assign 600 million of its people a sixteen-digit identification number to help them get government food and services. It will save four billion a year in corruption (by 2014). Fingerprints and iris scans are to be done in eight years (by 2017-2018).

 The mark could be a chip, tattoo, invisible ink, or something we have not yet seen  The number (we’re known by numbers—house, license, S.S., banking, phone, credit, etc.)  The name of the beast (can also be authority) – the system will have a name

The number 666 and Roman Numerals

Roman Numeral Value

D 500 C 100 L 50 X 10 V 5 I 1 666 (total)

The following became popular with the printing of a Revelation by W.B. Godbey in 1896:

The Greek Letter English Translation Greek Number Value

Lambda L 30 Alpha A 1 Tau T 300 Epsilon E 5 Iota I 10 Nu N 50 Omicron O 70 Sigma S 200 666 (total) A. The Roman Empire

1. From the Battle of Actium in 31 BC to (Arabs) conquest in 636 AD is 666 years 2. To count the number is called gematria – meaning to assign number value to letters

B. Hebrew gematria (Rule 29 of 32 rules of Rabbinical Hermeneutics)

1. Hebrew/Greek - both alphabets have letters that interchange for numbers 2. Hebrew/Greek – both change names to numbers, and numbers to names) 3. Hebrew/Greek – many names that total 666 “Count the number…”

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Example: Mohammad, Napoleon, Hitler, and Kissinger can total 666

C. Some believe the number should be 616, instead of 666

In May of 2005, scholars at Oxford University used advanced imaging techniques to read a previously illegible portion of a manuscript from Revelation that used 616 instead of the majority text which renders it 666. This idea of 616 was known and referred to in older notes of some Bibles. Believed it was an attempt to make Nero Caesar the name of the beast whose name in Greek is 616! (Nero Caesar in Latin) from Jerome’s Latin translation.

INSIGHT FROM THE 3RD CENTURY MANUSCRIPT

 The New Testament Greek was translated into Latin by St. Jerome in 382 AD (The Vulgate)  The Peshitta was a translation from the Aramaic used in the Syrian Orthodox Church  In 1519 Erasmus translated a Bible from Greek and Latin text  He used texts from the 12th-13th centuries (the Byzantine, Koine, and Majority Text)  It became the basic Greek text of the New Testament

In the earliest translations there are 3 Greek letters used for the “666” in Rev. 13. These were later given their numerical values as “six hundred, sixty and six.”

A. Third century Egyptian manuscript from 350 AD uses three Greek letters, chi, xi, and stigma.

1. The oldest manuscripts use these three Greek letters 2. Later they were calculated into 600, 60, and 6 as the number of the beast, because these three Greek letters have a number value with them:

a. The Greek letter CHI is 600 b. The Greek letter XI is 60 c. The Greek letter STIGMA would have been 6

B. These letters are unique

1. The letter CHI is transliterated as an x, and stigma is not in the Modern Greek alphabet 2. Stigma, in ancient times, could represent the 6th letter of the alphabet 3. It is not a real letter but was invented by Greeks to represent 6 4. Stigma was also a mark that was put on slaves in Egypt and the Roman times 5. It is transliterated as “s” and its number equivalent is “6.”

What if these three letters are symbols and not just a value of the letters? If the antichrist is Islamic, then how will the mark tie into the beast system?

C. These symbols have been pointed out by former Muslims

1. The CHI is an X, and the X is the same form of the Saudi Arabian government’s civil sign 2. The XI is unique when looking at this letter sideways

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D. The “mark” in the head and Islam

1. The headbands worn by the Islamic groups 2. The number six is linked with Islam

a. Islam was founded in 622 b. The Koran has 114 Suras (chapters) with 30 sections and 6,666 verses c. The name Muhammad can total 666 in certain languages and spelled certain ways

Anyone receiving the mark receives the seal of Satan and is doomed!

E. Refusing to receive the mark

1. If you do not worship the beast (antichrist) 2. If you do not worship the image (the icon) 3. If you do not take the mark, number, or name

…the consequence will be: You will die by beheading – Rev. 20:4 (Islam kills by beheading). This also purges the population.

THERE IS A SWITCH TO HEAVEN AS THE 144,000 APPEAR IN HEAVEN (Revelation 14:1-5)

Main verses: Revelation 14:1-5

Notice the term “first fruits unto God” which is a reference to the Feast of First fruits!

A. There were three feasts all men were to attend (Exod. 23)

1. Passover – the barley harvest - the church 2. Pentecost – the wheat harvest – the Jewish remnant 3. Tabernacles – the fruit harvest - the seven continents

B. Note three important points

1. The number of the men is 144,000 2. The noise in heaven is like water and thunder as the harpers play their harps and sing 3. The new song is sung only by the 144,000 (new songs were songs in the night watches)

C. The law of the harvest (3 harvests)

1. Exod. 34:26 - Harvesting the first fruits - the first fruits are removed 2. Lev. 23:22 - Harvesting the main field - the main field is harvested 3. Lev. 19:9 - Harvesting the gleanings - the 4 corners are “gleaned”

D. The three harvests in Revelation

1. Harvesting the first fruits (4:1) - The church/overcomers 2. Harvesting the main field (14:15) - The 144,000/martyrs 3. Harvesting the four corners (Matt. 24:31) - The elect remnant

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E. The imagery: The morning service has ended (the doors are closed) and the night services begin

1. A new company of priests ascended to the mountain of the Lord (14:1)

a. The first forty-two months the church is serving as the worshippers - the morning service b. The final forty-two months the 144,000 are serving as the worshippers - the evening service

2. The angelic activity

a. In 14:6 an angel is flying through heaven preaching the Gospel b. In 14:8 an angel then follows, announcing the fall of Babylon c. In 14:9 an angel appears, warning man not to take the mark of the beast d. Note Rev. 14:12-13

THE SON OF MAN ON THE CLOUD

Main verses: Revelation 14:14-15

 The Son of Man used about Christ 88 times in the New Testament (found in Dan. 7:13)  It is used by Daniel for the Messiah coming in the clouds  It is used by Jesus for a term identifying Himself (Matt. 8:20; 9:6; 10:23)  Christ: The gold crown is the miter the High Priest wore at the time of First fruits  The sickle was used to cut the first ripened grain of barley at Passover  The 144,000 have no sin (leaven) just as there was no leaven during Unleavened Bread

DAY OF ATONEMENT CORRELATIONS FOUND FROM REV. CHAPTERS 4-15

 Rev. 4 Every Jubilee cycle began by blowing silver trumpets on the Day of Atonement  Rev. 5 The seven-sealed book is Day of Atonement imagery  Rev. 8 The thirty minutes of silence at the altar is Day of Atonement imagery  Rev. 12 The expelling of Satan is the removal of Azazel; the Day of Atonement  Rev. 15 These judgments are a picture of Day of Atonement judgments

A SECOND MULTITUDE APPEARS IN HEAVEN

Main Verses: Revelation 15:2-3

 The sea of glass mingled with fire is a picture of the Red Sea crossing and the fiery cloud  The song of Moses was sung after God defeated Pharaoh at the Red Sea (Exod. 15:1)

A. These have come out of tribulation

1. They have victory over the beast and his image, name, and mark 2. The world’s final judgment and harvest is now in process 3. The Temple of God in heaven is opened at this time (Rev. 15:6) 4. No man can enter the Temple as the seven angels bring the last seven judgments (15:6)

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B. These judgments are the “grapes of wrath” (Rev. 14:19)

1. There is the sickle of the Son of Man (Christ who caught up the 144,000 from the earth) 2. There is a sickle of the angel (reaping the grapes of wrath against the sinners on earth) 3. The grape harvest is the last of the three harvest cycles in ancient Israel 4. The grapes are crushed and this is called the blood of the grape (Duet. 32:14) 5. The wrath is “poured out” (Isa. 63:1-3) and men are “trampled in God’s fury.”

C. Blood will be to the horse bridles (Rev. 14:20)

1. The blood refers to the war and battle outside of Jerusalem 2. The blood stretches for 1,600 furlongs (from Jerusalem to the battle site) 3. One furlong is 220 yards, 8 furlongs is 1 statute mile, 1,600 furlongs is 200 miles 4. The bodies will be piled up to the horse bridles (an ancient manner of measurement)

D. The final judgments (Rev. 16:1-21) are vial judgments (meaning bowls or cups)

1. The seven angels enter the Temple and receive the vial judgments 2. The judgment comes to mystery Babylon because of the cup of filthiness and fornication 3. The judgment comes on the harlot system and she receives double for her iniquity 4. The seven angels pour out the vial judgments 5. The seventh angel later confesses he is a prophet and a servant of Christ (Rev. 22:8-9) 6. These seven angels may be seven prophets from the Old Testament

THE SEVEN VIAL JUDGMENTS ARE POURED OUT

Main verses: Revelation 16:2-17

The Judgment from the Vial Possible Cause of the Judgment

1st - sores appear on men (16:2) an infection from the mark 2nd - sea becomes blood (16:3) volcanoes/asteroids/and oil spills 3rd - rivers turn to blood (16:4) volcanoes/asteroids/death to sea life 4th - sun scorches men (16:8) solar flares/the ozone melting 5th - severe darkness & pain comes (16:10) ash clouds/or smoke from burning oil 6th - Euphrates dries up (16:12) droughts/5 dams in Turkey

Note: The 7th angel says, “It is done!” There is a release of demonic spirits.

THREE FROGS PROPHECY

Main verses: Revelation 16:13-14

A. The three frogs in the mouth

1. The Dragon - Satan with 7 heads and 10 horns - This is Satan 2. The Beast - The beast 7 heads 10 horns - The antichrist 3. The False Prophet - The lamb with 2 horns - The false prophet

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B. The Story of Nero (Written by Archbishop in 1275)

1. Nero wanted to kill his mother

“The physician and masters blamed him, and said he should not slay his mother that had borne him with sorrow and pain. Then said he: Make me with, and after to be delivered, that I may know what pain my mother suffered. Which by craft they gave him a young frog to drink, and it grew in his belly and then he said: But if you make me to be delivered I shall slay you all: and so they gave him such a drink that he had a vomit and cast out the frog, and bare him on hand that because that he abode not his time it was misshapen, which yet he made to be kept.” - The Lives of the Saints, Jacobus de Voragine, Archbishop 1275

a. Nero ordered the frog to be kept as his heir at his palace (in the hidden frog basilica) b. After his suicide (68 AD) the Romans found the frog and threw it out of the city c. A palace was built on the site called lateo “hidden” and rana for “frog” d. Location Basilica of St. John Lateran – The Basilica of the Popes e. The palace was once the Pope’s residence; it is now a museum f. John knew the story of Nero and the frog (coming out of the mouth of Nero) g. Three major demons deceive men to battle at Armageddon

C. Note the events occurring at this time:

1. In Rev. 16:16, God gathers the nations together at the Valley of Armageddon 2. In Rev. 16:19, a great earthquake in Jerusalem (divided into three parts) 3. In Rev. 16:19, there is then a great worldwide earthquake (the cities of nations fall)

D. The “cities of the nations fell” (Rev. 16:19)

1. There is a “ring of fire” – the coastal areas along the edge of the continents near oceans 2. 25,000 mile horseshoe shaped basin; 452 active volcanoes; 75% of world’s volcanoes 3. 90% of the world’s quakes and 80% of the largest are in this region of the world 4. In Rev. 16:20, a great destruction of islands and mountains (possible tsunamis) 5. In Rev. 16:21, a great hail falls on men (a talent is 100 lbs. of silver) 6. Men “repented not” (16:9). They blasphemed God and repented not (16:11)

THE JUDGMENT ON THE HARLOT ON THE BEAST

Main verses: Revelation 17:1-5

1. Revelation 17 – Mystery Babylon the harlot is a religious system that is judged 2. Revelation 18 – Babylon in this chapter is an economic system that is judged

There is the BEAST (kingdom) and the WOMAN (a city and religious harlot)

A. The history of Babylon (in Iraq)

1. The first Babylon was the tower of Babel in Genesis 11 2. The next major Babylon was founded and expanded by King Nebuchadnezzar

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3. Babel was the first global government, global economy, religion, and empire 4. Babylon was the first empire to destroy Jerusalem and the Temple, and take Jews captive

B. There is a political Babylon and a religious Babylon (Rev. 17 & 18)

1. Religious – Rome, Italy and the Roman church system as it will emerge in the last days 2. Political – Europe (Europa) and the destruction of the political power of Europe

C. The Political Babylon – Europe and the European Union (the rape of “Europa”)

1. This Greek myth tells how Europe got its name 2. Zeus-Jupiter (the “father of gods”) disguised himself as a white bull and saw Europa 3. He took her to a beach, raped her, and she became pregnant with Minos

In ancient mythology, Europa was considered to be a female goddess that rode on a bull with crescent horns (the symbol in the Middle East for Baal). Baal was the ruling god of ancient Babylon. This same image is being used today in the E.U., including on Parliament buildings, coins, and posters.

D. It is possible she rides a beast that is a bull with crescent horns:

1. The crescent horns are an emblem of ancient Baal worship; linked to the crescent moon 2. The horns on Baal idols are in the form of a crescent; Baal was also a god of the weather 3. The crescent became an emblem of the Islamic religion (it is on the mosques) 4. Europe was invaded by the Muslims for centuries (France, Britain, Germany)

E. The imagery may represent Europe (the E.U.) merging with the Muslims

1. Point 1: The Islamic religion is becoming strong over parts of Europe 2. Point 2: In Rev. 17:12, the ten kings will give their kingdom to the antichrist in one hour 3. Point 3: The two feet in Dan. 2 are east and west (west is Christian and east is Islam) 4. Point 4: This woman will “ride this beast” eventually to her death 5. Point 5: There are two chapters; one is religious (chapter 17), one is more economic (18)

F. In chapter 17 - the woman is a harlot religious system called “Babylon” (17:18)

1. Many scholars believe it is the Roman Church in total apostasy at the time of the end 2. John hid the name Rome using Babylon to protect the book of Revelation

G. Rome was compared to Babylon to hide the meaning (John would have been killed for this)

1. Rome and Babylon both destroyed Jerusalem on the 9th of Av 2. Rome and Babylon both destroyed the Temple on the 9th of Av 3. Rome and Babylon both took treasures out of the Temple in Jerusalem 4. Rome and Babylon both took the Jews captive as slaves

 Note: Rome was the “city ruling in John’s day over the earth” (17:18)  Note: Rome would develop a religious “mystery” system called the “Roman Church”

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WHY SOME BELIEVE “RELIGIOUS BABYLON” ALLUDES TO THE ROMAN CHURCH

A. These reference describe the woman and the city in Rev. 17

1. Purple - The color used by all of the Bishops 2. Scarlet - The color used by all of the Cardinals 3. Precious stones - The wealth (donations of pilgrims) 4. Golden cup - The main chalice is gold or silver with gold inside 5. Blood of saints - The Roman Empire slew multitudes of saints 6. Blood those who killed Jesus - The Roman soldiers crucified Christ 7. Sits on seven mountains - Rome sits on seven hills 8. Ruling over the kings - Rome has influenced Europe’s kings for centuries 9. The “souls of men” - Could allude to the doctrine of purgatory

Note: A spiritual harlot is one that follows a false religious system (Jer. 3:1, 3:6, 3:8; Ezek. 16) Note: An apostate system that will deny Jesus is the Son of God and merge two religions

B. She sits upon many waters

1. Nations are identified as many waters and sea (Isa. 17:12-13) 2. Many nations in the Middle East and parts of Western Europe are surrounded by water

C. She sits on seven hills (a dual meaning)

1. Two major ancient cities were built on seven hills – Rome and Constantinople 2. Rome was the headquarters for the West and Constantinople for the East 3. The seven hills are also the seven mountains and seven kings 4. There are seven continents on earth in which the Roman Church has been dominant 5. The seven empires begin with Egypt and conclude with the revived Roman Empire

D. She is supported by many nations (kings commit fornication with her)

1. Spiritual fornication is called whoredom and alludes to idol worship 2. The Old Testament prophets wrote of this (Jer. 3:9; Ezek. 23:37, etc.)

E. The wealth of the woman (the Vatican is wealthy)

1. From articles over the past several years revealing the wealth of the Roman Church system:

a. Vatican has investment banks (Rothchilds) Hambros Bank, London, Zurich, New York b. Billions of shares in major U.S. companies total 500 million in the USA alone c. U.N. magazine – gold wealth is several billion –some in gold ingots at Federal Reserve banks d. Land, property, and wealth; has the greatest amount of wealth of any world institute

F. The woman is drunk with blood (Rev. 17:6)

1. The Romans slew Jesus on the cross, and persecuted the saints for three centuries 2. There were ten persecutions for about 300 years and tens of thousands killed 3. The Roman Church system also had the Spanish Inquisition 4. From 313 to 1600, it is estimates that 50 million have been slain (drunk with blood) 87

G. The woman is that city (Rev. 17:18)

1. The Roman Empire ruled when John wrote the book of Revelation around 95 AD 2. Rome was the city ruling during Imperial Rome and also during the Roman Church

The woman “rides” a beast.” An ancient imagery that links to Europe. The beast is Islamic but swallows the woman (Europe) and burns Rome (Rev. 17:16)

H. The city is burnt in one hour by fire (18:10, 18)

1. In Rev. 18:9, the kings will see the smoke of her burning 2. In Rev. 18:10, for in one hour thy judgment is come 3. In Rev. 18:9, men stand afar off for fear of the smoke 4. In Rev. 18:15, they stand afar off for fear weeping and wailing 5. In Rev. 18:19, men cried when they saw the smoke of her burning

Note: This last global image of “Christianity” is destroyed by the Islamic antichrist

HEAVEN REJOICES AT BABYLON’S DESTRUCTION (Rev. 19:4)

1. Babylon becomes a stronghold of demons, foul spirits, and hateful birds 2. The Euphrates River area is where four evil angels are bound (Rev. 9:14-15) 3. Now the antichrist will impact the entire world

Main verses: Revelations 19:1-9

1. Much people are rejoicing saying, “Alleluia” (19:1) 2. Twenty-four elders are saying, “Alleluia.” (19:4) 3. The great multitude in heaven is saying “Alleluia” (19:6) 4. The Marriage Supper is announced (19:9)

Closing: Coming toward the end of the tribulation, as Mystery Babylon is destroyed and the Marriage Supper is celebrated in heaven!

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SESSION SIX

THE MILLENNIAL CODE: THE 1000 YEAR REIGN OF CHRIST THE KING

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THE MILLENNIAL CODE: THE 1000 YEAR REIGN OF CHRIST THE KING

Main Verses: Revelation 20:1-4

At the conclusion of the seven year tribulation, the Marriage Supper of the Lamb is occurring in heaven and Christ is preparing for His one-thousand-year reign on earth as King of kings! During the first three centuries of the church, the fathers believed in the literal one-thousand-year reign of Christ.

THE FORTY-EIGHT HOUR WINDOW OF CHRIST’S RETURN

A. The events in Heaven (Rev. 19:7-9)

1. The saints will enjoy a Marriage Supper in Heaven 2. In the Torah there is a law of rest (Lev. 25:8-12) every seventh day, year, and seven cycles 3. In the Torah, when a man married, he took one year off to be with his bride (Deut 24:5) 4. The Marriage Supper may occur in heaven the seventh year of the tribulation – for one year

B. The events on earth

1. The antichrist will have ten kings and will be in the final moments of his rule on earth 2. Mystery Babylon will have been destroyed and men will be mourning as a result 3. The kings of the east have crossed the Euphrates River and moved toward Israel (Rev. 16:12) 4. The kings of the east may be coming for oil (Dan. 11:24) to fight the antichrist 5. The nations will be gathered at the Jezreel Valley in Israel, called Armageddon (Rev. 16:16)

THE SETTING OF EVENTS FOR THE FINAL BATTLE

1. The kings of the earth are gathered together 2. Christ is returning with the saints to Jerusalem 3. Christ is returning to set up His kingdom

A. Christ returns to earth by himself at Bozrah

1. This is the first phase of the battle

a. Christ will return to fight a battle on earth (Isa 63:1-4) at the area of Bozrah b. Christ treads the wine vat alone and has His garments stained in blood (Rev. 19:13) c. Christ fights at Bozrah, near Petra, and Christ will go to the region to save the remnant d. Christ will then return to heaven with garments dipped in blood

B. Christ will then fight the battle for Judah (Zech 12:7)

1. This is the second phase of the battle

a. Judah is in the region of Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and a region where the settlements are located b. This will be the region where the antichrist will be attempting to kill the Jews

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C. Christ will then return to Jerusalem

1. This is the third phase of the battle

a. He will return to the Mount of Olives (Zech 14:1-7; Acts 1:11) b. The Mount of Olives is in Jerusalem, in front of the East Gate at the Temple Mount c. There are numerous Jewish and Muslim graves on the Mount and in front of the East Gate d. There is presently an earthquake fault line on the Mount of Olives

D. When Christ returns

1. The beast and false prophets are removed from the earth (Rev. 19:20)

a. Korah and his house were cast alive into the pit and so will the antichrist and false prophet b. Satan will be bound for one thousand years (Rev. 20:1-3) in the abyss (bottomless pit) c. The “seal” on the pit prevents Satan from being loosed from the pit d. Those having received the mark of the beast are also removed (Matt. 13:30)

2. The saints will return with Christ as the armies of Heaven (Rev. 19:11-16)

a. The Valley of Jehoshaphat is where a judgment of the nations will occur (Joel 3:2 and12) b. The Messiah will judge the nations and separate the sheep from the goats (Matt. 25:32-33)

THERE WILL BE A MILLENNIAL TEMPLE

A. Christ will become King over all the earth

 Jer. 23:5-6  Jer. 33:15  Psa. 2:6-8  Isa. 9:6-7  Zech 1:4-6

B. Christ is coming as the “Lion of the Tribe of Judah” (Rev. 5:5)

1. He is “King of kings and Lord of lords” (Rev. 19:16)

a. Rev. 12:5 b. Rev. 19:15 c. Ezekiel 44-47 d. Zech 14:16

C. Psalms 72:1-19 reveals the nations that will worship Christ

 The kings of Tarshish shall render him tribute  The kings of Sheba and Dedan shall offer gifts  The kings shall fall before him and nations shall worship him  He shall deliver the needy and the poor who cry out to him

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 The souls of the poor and needy He shall save  Men shall pray before him continually  Men shall bless him all day long  There shall be an abundance of grain and fruit  His name shall continue as long as the sun and men shall bless him  Any nation that does not come up to worship there will experience a drought (Zech. 14:16-19)  In Jer. 30:9, King David will be the prince of Israel and also rule from Jerusalem  In Ezek. 34:23-24, David will be the king over the people of Israel (Ezek. 37:21-25)

Note: Christ will be King over the earth and David will be king over Jerusalem (Ezek. 37:24-25)

D. The saints will be ruling with Christ during the 1000 years

1. Both the Old and New Testament saints will rule

a. The saints from Abel to the thief on the cross b. The saints from Christ’s resurrection until the coming of Christ for the church c. Those who died during the tribulation will be raised to rule with Christ for a thousand years

Note: There is also a remnant of humans that survived the tribulation

2. The twelve apostles will serve as judges during the millennial

a. Christ promised his apostles to sit on thrones and judge Israel (Matt. 19:28) b. There will be special princes appointed to serve as judges (Isa. 1:26) c. The saints will also be kings and priests and rule with Christ (Rev. 1:6)

E. Jerusalem will be the center of all worship

1. All nations will come at the Feast of Tabernacles (Zech 14:18-19)

a. Isa. 56:6-8 b. Zech 14:16 c. Micah 4:1-2 d. Ezekiel 20:10-11

2. There will be sacrifices in the New Temple (Ezek. 44-47)

a. The sacrifices in the Old Covenant were for the five different types of offerings b. In the Millennial Temple sacrifices will be restored; this has caused confusion c. These will be used as visible gifts and offerings for those who have survived the tribulation d. The offerings will be used to feed the thousands of priests called sons of Zadok (Ezek. 40:46)

F. There will be a new division in the land during the Millennial

1. The twelve tribes will get their original and expanded land grants

a. Abraham’s seed inherits the land from the River of Egypt to the Euphrates (Gen. 15:12-21)

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b. The twelve tribes are given land running from west to east c. Micah 4:2-4, there will be no more war and total peace will rule for a thousand years

GREAT CHANGES THAT WILL TRANSPIRE

1. The animal kingdom will change and aggressive animals will become peaceful (Isa. 11:6-8) 2. The curse on the animals and earth will be lifted in the millennial reign (Gen 3:13-18) 3. Earthly men shall live to be much older in the millennial (Isa 65:19-20) 4. The average age has gone from 28 years to about 67.2 year life span now 5. Children being born now can live to be 100 years of age 6. In Zech. 14:20-21, Holiness to the Lord will be on the pots, pans, and horse bridles 7. In Isaiah 35:1-2 the deserts shall blossom like a rose and produce food

Note: The Arabah Desert below the Dead Sea is now producing food continually Note: Israel is filling the world with fruit (Isa. 27:6)

THE EZEKIEL VISION

One of the greatest insights concerning the details of the restoration of Israel, the future defeat of her enemies, and the millennial Temple are found in the writings of the Prophet Ezekiel.

1. Ezekiel saw the valley of dry bones, a picture of the Jews returning after the holocaust 2. Ezekiel saw the famed visions of Gog and Magog, where Israel defeats her enemies 3. Ezekiel saw the Temple and the many truths related to the future Temple (Ezek 40-47)

A. Ezekiel saw the division of the land grant and healing water (Ezek. 47 and 48)

1. The land where Abraham traveled (Damascus to Egypt) will become Israel’s territory 2. Water flows from the Temple Mount into the Dead Sea and Mediterranean (Ezek. 47:2-12) 3. There were trees for healing on either side of the river flowing from Jerusalem

B. The water will flow from the Temple (Ezek. 47)

1. Today there is a brook of water in front of the eastern gate in the Kidron Valley 2. Today there is a strange water source underneath the city of Jerusalem 3. This is part of the water that will be released when the Mount of Olive splits (Zech 14:4-8) 4. The Dead Sea will be healed in the northern section as the waters will become a river

Note: There is underground water located near the Dead Sea

C. There will be fishermen at the Dead Sea (Ezek. 47)

1. There are no fish today in the Dead Sea as the sea is too salty 2. The sea is drying up on the edges and the Dead Sea is drying in the middle, forming two seas 3. The northern half is blue salty water and the south is filled with salt/minerals

D. The new Temple will be constructed

1. This new temple will be constructed in the same area of the previous two Jewish Temples

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2. The Holy of Holies will be about three times higher than the one from Herod’s day 3. This is where the Messiah (Christ) will rule as King and receive worship

E. There is a pattern established for worship in Ezekiel

1. The new priesthood will be the “sons of Zadok, “the faithful remnant” (Ezek. 48:11) 2. The saints will be living in and around Jerusalem and will be leaders (Matt. 24 and 25) 3. The saints will be leaders based upon obedience and works while living on earth 4. The sacrifices will be “memorial offerings” and gifts to the Temple for service

SATAN LOOSED AFTER A THOUSAND YEARS

Main verses: Revelation 20:7-9

1. This battle of Gog and Magog is not the same as the battle in Ezekiel 38 and 39 2. Gog can be, not just a human leader, but can be a chief demonic prince spirit (Dan. 10:13, 20) 3. When Satan is loosed, demonic spirits are loosed with him and go forth to conquer the saints

A. Why is Satan loosed for the thousand years?

1. There will be humans populating the earth in the millennial reign 2. For a thousand years, they have not been tested as we were while living on earth 3. These humans will need to be tested as we were to see if they will remain faithful

B. Is it possible for the saints to follow Satan?

1. Satan tempted a third of the angels to follow him in a rebellion against God (Rev. 12:4) 2. The resurrected saints no longer have the potential or power to sin in their glorified body

C. The fire of God will destroy the enemies

1. In Rev. 20:9, God sends fire out of heaven to destroy the armies of Gog and Magog 2. Satan will then be removed from earth and cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:10) 3. There will be an opening to look into hell (Isa. 66:24)

Note: The information on Satan being loosed and the White Throne Judgment is more detailed on the final DVD, “When Satan is Bound and Heaven Comes Down.” Some of the information is repeated from the Millennial Code DVD, as this DVD was taped as a special DVD from Israel. DVD number seven will put the information together in detail.

DETAILS ON THE TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM

A. The Temple in Ezekiel will be the “Third Temple”

1. The first was Solomon’s Temple 2. The second was called the Second Temple or Temple of Herod 3. The third (undefiled) Temple will be the Millennial Temple

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B. Why did God choose Jerusalem to place this Temple?

1. Because Abraham ate a covenant meal with Melchizedek (Gen. 14:18-20) 2. Because Abraham offered Isaac on Mount Moriah – the place of Christ’s crucifixion (Gen. 22) 3. Because it was the place where God put His name (Deut. 12:11; 21; 14:23-24) 4. Because it was the place God promised David a throne forever (2 Sam. 7:13-16) 5. Because it was the place where two Temples were built – Solomon’s and the Second Temple 6. Because Jerusalem was marked as the place of redemption through Christ (John 19-20)

C. Why is Jerusalem the city and capital of the Messiah?

1. There is circumstantial evidence that the Garden of Eden was centered in Jerusalem 2. Jerusalem is the site of the first king and priest to God – Melchizedek (Gen. 14) 3. Jerusalem is the center of the nation of Israel and the countries around her (Ezek. 5:5) 4. Jerusalem was the center of the Feast in Israel’s history (Exod. 23:17) 5. Jerusalem is the site of the previous temples 6. Jerusalem must be the city where the Messiah reigns according to prophecy (Zech. 14:16-17) 7. Jerusalem may be the site of the original creation of earth (Isa. 28:16; Job 38:4-6)

D. Ezekiel saw a detailed vision of the future Temple

1. Ezekiel saw the mountains around Jerusalem (Mt. of Olives, Mt. Scopus, Mt. Zion, Mt. Acra) 2. Ezekiel saw a new city in Jerusalem (not the heavenly Jerusalem) 3. Ezekiel saw a Temple platform that was a complete square

a. The platform and the Temple compound are much larger than now b. There is a surrounding wall 10 ½ feet high (Ezek. 40:5) and 10 ½ feet thick c. There are guards at the threshold at the east gate, the main entrance for the Temple d. The entrance is 17 ½ feet wide at the opening and the length is 87 ½ feet long (Ezekiel 40:15) e. There are gates to the north, south, east, and west where worshippers can enter

4. Ezekiel saw the many rooms in this Temple

a. In Ezekiel 40:38-49, rooms were for priests, for tables, for instruments, and for singers b. In Ezekiel 41:5-7, there is a wall with rows of rooms surrounding the Holy Place (3 levels) c. There is large building in the court area (41:12-15) 122 ½ feet wide with walls 8 ¾ feet thick

5. Ezekiel saw the Holy Place

a. In Ezekiel’s vision, the tower of the Holy of Holies is three times higher than the other Temples b. In Ezekiel 41:15-20, the Holy of Holies is paneled with wood and carved with cherubim c. The cherub will have the face of a lion and a man with palm trees carved between them d. In Ezekiel 41:21-22, there are square columns, an altar, and double doors at the Holy of Holies e. In Ezekiel 43:1-3, the glory of the Lord is seen in the Temple (as Christ will be in the Temple)

6. Ezekiel saw the Priesthood

a. In Ezekiel 44:10-14, he saw the priesthood; both Levites and sons of Zadok will serve b. The priests will receive the offerings and will assist the people in worship at the Temple c. In Ezekiel 44:29-30, the offerings are food for the priests along with the First fruits and grains 96

d. Ezekiel 45:13-17 gives the laws of harvest that will be brought to the Temple e. There will be offerings on the Sabbaths, New Moons, and Feasts Days f. Passover will be celebrated as a memorial (Ezek. 45:21-24) as will Tabernacles (45:25)

Note: These sacrifices are memorial offerings and are required of people living then

E. Ezekiel saw the land division among the tribes

1. The Temple platform where the main Holies is sitting is 875 feet by 875 feet 2. The platform the entire compound sits upon is 8 1/3 miles long by 8 1/3 miles wide 3. There will be sections of land for the Levites and the for princes (Ezek. 45:7-12) 4. The shekel will be used as a measure of weight and currency 5. The gates have the names of the twelve tribes – three over each of the four sections (Ezek. 48)

Closing: We will worship for a thousand years in Jerusalem, serving Christ and ruling in a Kingdom of Peace. Afterwards, there will be a Great White Throne Judgment and Eternity will set in.

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SESSION SEVEN

WHEN SATAN IS BOUND AND HEAVEN COMES DOWN

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WHEN SATAN IS BOUND AND HEAVEN COMES DOWN

The Five Points in Revelation 20

1. Christ has returned with the saints to set up a 1000-year kingdom in Jerusalem 2. Christ will be the King over the entire earth and the saints will be rulers, kings, and priests 3. Christ will bind Satan and cast the antichrist, false prophet, and those with the mark into hell 4. Christ receives worship, sacrifices, and each year the world celebrates Tabernacles 5. Christ will allow Satan to be loosed at the end of the 1000 years

A. Satan is loosed for a “season.”

1. The tribulation survivors will make up perhaps 1/3 of the world’s population (Zech. 13:8-9) 2. These human survivors will repopulate the earth during the 1000 years 3. The descendents of these survivors must be tested as we were while we lived on earth

B. Satan will attempt to overthrow the “camp”

1. The Greek word “camp” means a military encampment or military barracks 2. To “compass it” means to encircle it (they circle the city of Jerusalem); there are no walls 3. God destroys and defeats the armies along with Satan 4. Compare Ezekiel 38-39 and Revelation 20:8-9

In Ezekiel’s Vision (Ezekiel 38-39) In John’s Vision (Revelation 20:8-9)

 Led by Gog (a spirit) Led by Satan himself  Nations are named (Persia, Libya, Gomer etc.) The number is of the “sands of the sea”  Gathered on the mountains of Israel Compass the saints  An attack on the Jews in Israel An attack on the saints in Israel  Battle at Bashan and the Valley of the Passengers Compass the city of Jerusalem  Destroyed by hail, fire, brimstone Fire from heaven consumes them  One sixth of the armies remain The entire army is destroyed by Christ

Key: Satan caused a revolt in the Temple with angels – he will fail (Isa. 14:18-20)

C. Satan will then be cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:10)

1. Where is the lake of fire

a. The black hole b. The sun theory c. Under the earth

2. Chambers are under the earth

a. In Luke 16:22, there is an upper chamber in sheol (called Abraham’s Bosom) b. In Matt. 5:29-30, there is a main chamber (hell) for the souls of the unrighteous c. 2 Pet. 2:4, there is a lower chamber (tartarus) where fallen angels are bound

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d. Rev. 20:1, there is an endless chamber with no ending (7 x) Satan e. Rev. 20:10, the lake of fire (4 x) – Rev. 19:20; 20:10, 14, 15), burns with brimstone

3. Some teach annihilation at this point

a. Beginning of the 1000 years - The beast and false prophet are in the lake of fire (19:20) b. At the end of the 1000 year, Satan is cast where the beast and false prophet are (20:10) c. They are tormented day and night forever and ever (ages upon ages)

4. The lake of fire is on earth

Main verses: Isa. 66:23-24

a. Jerusalem will be the capital and the gates will be closed then opened (Ezek. 46:1) b. The area may be an opening in the Dead Sea where this region will be c. This will be a reminder of the penalty of sin and disobedience

THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT

Main verses: Revelation 20:11-15

A. This resurrection and judgment is predicted in Daniel 12:2

1. There is a resurrection of the just (Luke 14:14) 2. There is a resurrection of the unjust (Acts 24:15) 3. The sea and hell gave up the dead that were in it (Rev. 20:13)

B. The Throne is mentioned in both Testaments

1. The throne was like a fiery flame in Dan. 7:9 2. The throne is in Ezekiel’s vision – a sapphire stone in Ezek. 1:26; 10:1 3. The throne had thunder, lightning, and voices coming from it Rev. 4:5 4. The throne here is the Great White Throne in Rev. 20:11

a. Fiery throne is his earthly judgment b. The sapphire throne is God in His glory c. The white throne is his heavenly judgment

THE BIBLICAL JUDGMENTS

 1 Cor. 11:31 - The church judges itself at the Lord’s Table  1 Cor. 14:29 - Believers are to judge one another’s prophetic words  Heb. 13:4 - Individuals are judged on earth for their sin and iniquity  Rev. 11:18 - Nations are judged for their sins and shedding innocent blood  Rev. 6:10 - The tribulation judgments released in the apocalypse  Rev. 11:18 - The bema, or Judgment Seat of Christ – the judgment of the saints  Joel 3:2 - The judgment of the nations at the end of the tribulation

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 Rev. 20:12-13 - The Great White Throne Judgment occurring in heaven  1 Cor. 6:3 - The angels are judged in heaven by the saints

A. The five judgments in the future

1. The church has been judged at the Bema (Rev. 11:18) 2. Israel has been judged in the tribulation and re-grafted into the Covenant (Rom. 11) 3. The false religious system has been judged for shedding innocent blood (Rev. 17-18) 4. The world has been judged for their sins against men and God (Isa. 13) 5. The individual people from all nations will be judged at the Great White Throne

B. Six groups of people are judged at this judgment

1. Those who died lost from the Old Testament era - From Cain to the death of Christ 2. Those who died lost during the Church age - From Christ to the Rapture 3. Those who died lost during the 7-year tribulation - The unrepentant sinners 4. Those who died lost during the 1,000 year reign - The unrepentant sinners 5. The fallen angels will be judged by the saints - Satan and his angels 6. Those who died righteous in the Millennial - Humans who served Christ

C. How are they judged?

1. The Old Testament group will be judged by the Old Testament - 12 elders 2. The New Testament group will be judged by the New Testament - 12 elders 3. The others (from the tribulation to the 1,000 year) according to their works

D. The books are opened (Rev. 20:12)

1. The book of the living (Psa. 69:28) 2. The book of tears (Psa. 56:8) 3. The book of life (Phil 4:3) 4. The book of remembrance (Mal. 3:16) 5. The book of works (Rev. 20:12)

E. Saints were judged according the Gospel and these according to their works

1. Some are judged before the Law of Moses (from Cain to Moses) 2. Others are judged by the Law of Moses (from Moses to Christ) 3. Other are judged by the Gospel and the revelation of their deeds

Note: The books reveal their works – the degree of the sinner’s punishment Note: These are standing as to be sentenced by the eternal judge

THERE ARE LEVELS OF REWARDS AND LEVELS OF DAMNATION (Matt. 23:14)

A. Christ gave a picture of this Judgment

Main verses: Matthew 25:31-33

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1. Those who are condemned are cast into the lake of fire – the second death 2. The first death was dying without salvation and the second death is the lake of fire 3. Some believe these souls will be annihilated after this (but the spirit cannot die)

B. The saints and this judgment

1. The saints will judge the angels (1 Cor. 6:2-3)

a. The fallen angels are bound in chains until the judgment” (Jude 6) b. There are faithful angels – the elect angels (1 Tim 5:21) c. There must be a record of the works, deeds, and actions of the angels for us to judge them

2. Saints judge the world

a. People from the past will stand at this judgment

 Psa. 82:8  Psa. 94:2  Matt. 11:23-24  Matt. 12:41-42

C. The sinners at this judgment

1. The men of Sodom will testify against those from Jesus’ day 2. The men of Ninevah will testify against those from Jesus’ day 3. The Queen of the South (Sheba) will testify against those from Christ’s day

The reason: at a trial there must be witnesses for or against the individual(s)

D. Why will people testify against each other?

1. God will reveal to each person why they were condemned 2. God will allow people to testify against those who were guilty 3. God will reveal to the unbeliever and atheist that He is God and Judge 4. God will allow believers to see their arch enemy condemned for eternity 5. God will show Christ’s scars and no one will ever doubt the redemptive covenant

E. THIS VERSE IS FULFILLED

“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” - Phil 2:9-11  In heaven (the saints and holy angels)  In earth (those living at the end of the tribulation)  Under the earth (sinners and fallen angels)

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AFTER THE JUDGMENT, THE EARTH AND HEAVEN ARE RENOVATED BY FIRE

A. Peter wrote about this

Main verse: 2 Peter 3:12-13

1. At the Great White Throne judgment all humanity will be in heaven (no one on the earth) 2. During this judgment it may take many years to complete 3. This is when the heaven and earth will be purged with fire 4. Matt. 24:35 and Eccl. 1:4 – the heaven and earth will pass

B. The heaven and earth will be renovated

1. Not the heavens (plural) as this would be the entire galaxy of the cosmos (it is heaven, singular) 2. The heaven in this case would be the atmospheric heaven above the earth itself 3. Satan is the prince of the power of the air (Eph. 2:2)

Note: This fiery destruction will fulfill Adam’s prophecy (once by water or fire)

“They also were the inventors of that peculiar sort of wisdom which is concerned with the heavenly bodies and their order. And that their inventions might not be lost before they were sufficiently known, upon Adam’s prediction that the world was to be destroyed at one time by the force of fire and another time by the violence and quantity of water, they made two pillars; the one of brick, and the other of stone: they inscribed their discoveries on them both, that in case the pillar of brick should be destroyed by the flood, the pillar of stone might remain, and exhibit those discoveries to mankind; and also inform them that there was another pillar of brick erected by them. Now this remains in the land of Siriad to this day.” - Josephus; Antiquities of the Jews, Chapter II, part 3

C. This completes the cycle of God (From Paradise back to Paradise)

1. In the beginning at creation the earth was in water (Gen. 1:2) 2. In Noah’s flood the waters covered the earth (Gen 6-7) 3. The third time the earth will be made new after purging by fire (2 Pet. 3:12-13)

Note: Only fire can purify disease, corruption, the atmosphere, etc. Note: There was no more sea (waters evaporated). River of Life is the real river. Note: The atmospheric heavens will dissolve – as this was the ruling region of Satan

THERE IS A NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH COMING

Main verses: Revelation 21:1-3

 Isa. 65:17  Isa. 66:22

Note: This is not new in time but new in form and quality

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A. Jerusalem – the two cities of God

1. The earthly and heavenly Jerusalem

a. Christ appeared in this ministry as the prophet on earth (Matt. 21:11; Luke 21:9) b. Christ ascended to heaven as the High Priest making intercession (Heb. 9:11; 10:21) c. Christ appears again to become King of kings (Rev. 19:16) d. Christ will be a judge during the tribulation and at the White Throne (Rom. 2:16)

Note: In the New Jerusalem, He is the light and the glory and the everlasting King!

2. The city New Jerusalem (Heb. 11:10)

a. Abraham looked for this city and “heaven” was seen by Daniel, Ezekiel, and Isaiah b. The prophets saw the Throne Room but not the city itself

3. The city has always existed

a. Jesus said, “In my father’s house are many mansions” (John 14:2) b. The mansions already existed 2000 years ago (John 14:2) c. Christ said, “I go to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:2)

Note: The place was access to God that men did not have prior to Christ’s resurrection Note: The word place in Greek is topos, meaning, a spot, a condition, location, or a place

4. The city has been reserved for the bride

Main verses: Revelation 21:2, 9-10

a. If the city was the bride, then Jesus was married to the city and not the people b. Paul said we were “espoused to one” (2 Cor. 11:2) and a chaste virgin c. The Holy Spirit is the “earnest of our inheritance” (Eph. 1:14)

 The New Jerusalem is the wedding gift for the bride  The New Jerusalem is adorned as a bride for her husband  The New Jerusalem is where the saints live so the city is the bride

Note: God is married to Israel (called a husband) Note: Christ is married to the church (the parable of the ten virgins)

5. The city is the home of “just men made perfect” (Heb. 12:22-24)

a. Different rooms and places in heaven b. There are three levels of heaven (2 Cor. 12:2) c. The third level is Paradise (2 Cor. 12:4) d. The Heavenly Temple (Isa 6:1; Daniel 7 and Rev. 4-5) e. The New Jerusalem (Rev. 21) f. Heaven the land (or a planet)

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THE DESCRIPTION OF THE CITY ITSELF

A. The city is foursquare

1. Four is an earthly number (four winds, four corners, and four rivers of Eden) 2. Inhabitants from the north, south, east, and west, and the foundation of four corners 3. The base is foursquare; the length and width are equal to the heights of the city

“The city lies in a square, its length being the same as its width. And he measured the city with his reed—12,000 stadia (about 1,500 miles); its length and width and height are the same. He measured its wall also—144 cubits (about 72 yards) by a man's measure [of a cubit from his elbow to his third fingertip], which is [the measure] of the angel.” - Revelation 21:16-17 (AMP)

Note: We see a square – could be a pyramid (3 equal sides of 3 sides) Note: The light at the top sphere can spread out equal throughout the pyramid shape

B. Living in the city (a square)

1. If each room was 2800 sq .ft. by 12 feet high the city could hold 1 zillion, 500 trillion people 2. To count that many, with 469 a second without stopping, it would take 1 million years

C. The city has high and thick walls

Note: The walls appear to be about 72 yards thick (100 yards is length of a football field) Note: 1500 miles high, then 12 foundations are each 125 miles high

D. The city is like a jasper and transparent

1. Jasper can be a transparent stone similar to a diamond (red, blue, yellow, green) 2. Gold is yellow or white depending upon the mix. What is “transparent gold?” 3. Gold that is like a golden-clear crystal – there are a lot of crystal appearances 4. The wall is solid with precious stones imbedded within the wall (or like a natural rock) 5. The 12 stones have all the progressive colors of a rainbow

The Rainbow New Jerusalem Stones 12 Foundations (colors)

Red Jasper dark green Orange Sapphire dark blue Yellow Chalcendy greenish blue Green Emerald bluish green Purple Sardonyx red and white Violet Sardius bright red Chrysolite golden yellow Beryl blue green Topaz yellow green Chrysoprase apple green Jacinth blue Amethyst purple

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6. These 12 stones are found in two other places in the Scripture:

a. The foursquare High Priest breastplate with 12 stones and tribal name ( Exo.28:16-21) b. The covering stones of the anointed Cherub that was once in Eden (Ezek. 28:13)

E. The city is linked with the number 12

1. Twelve is linked to government and divine order (Rev. 21)

a. Twelve gates lead into the city (Rev. 21:21) b. Twelve gates have twelve angels at the entrance (Rev. 21:12) c. Twelve gates have twelve tribal names carved on them (Rev. 21:12) d. Twelve gates are divided with three on each four sides (Rev. 21:13)

F. The city contains the tree of life

1. The tree of life was in Eden but originated in the heavenly city (Rev. 22)

a. The river of life flows out of the Throne of God in the city (Rev. 22:1) b. The streets are laid out through the city near the river (Rev. 22:2) c. The tree bears twelve different types of fruit each month (Rev. 22:2) d. The leaves of the tree have healing power for the nations (Rev. 22:2)

2. There are several things missing in the city:

a. There is no Temple in the city - Rev. 21:22 b. There is no sun in the city - Rev. 21:23 c. There is no moon in the city - Rev. 21:23 d. There is no night in the city - Rev. 21:25 e. There is no candle in the city - Rev. 22:5 f. There are no sinners in the city - Rev. 21:27 g. There is no curse in the city - Rev. 22:3

THE RIVER AND TREE OF LIFE

 Rev. 2:7  Rev. 22:2  Rev. 22:14

A. The phrase “tree of life” is mentioned ten times in the Bible

1. The tree of life in the Old Testament was in the Garden of Eden 2. The tree of life appears now in the New Jerusalem

B. Ancient civilizations

1. 5500 years ago ancient civilizations had ideas about the tree of life 2. The ancient Sumarians (the Iraq area) had drawings some say was the tree

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3. It was a pole with flowers and seven fruits on either side 4. The tree of life has twelve different types of fruits growing on it

C. The leaves will heal the nations

1. There is no sickness in a resurrected body (the spirit is made perfect) – Heb 12:23 2. Adam ate and it preserved him; the leaves will preserve those making up the new earth

THE FINAL ENEMY TO BE DEFEATED IS DEATH (Rev. 20:6)

1. The first enemy of man was death that came by sin – the last one to be defeated is death 2. There will be no more death when the Holy City comes down (spirits are eternal) 3. 1 Cor. 15:24-27 4. Death is a spirit on a horse as seen in Rev. 6:8 and hell follows him 5. Death is cast into the lake of fire meaning this spirit is completely eradicated forever

The River of life is a literal river flowing out of the throne of God!

THE CITY COMES DOWN ON THE EARTH

1. Does the city hover over the earth? 2. Does the city sit down on the earth?

Note: The base is 1500 miles square and it would take up half of the United States Note: If the city came down on America it would stretch from Maine to Florida and coast to coast

A. Outside the gates

1. The wicked are outside the gates of the city

a. Rev. 21:8 b. Rev. 22:14-15 c. This sounds as though sinners are still on the new earth living outside the gates d. This verse could refer back to Isa. 66:24

THE OVERCOMER’S PROMISES FULFILLED

A. The seven promises given to the overcomer are now fulfilled

1. We are given access to the tree of life in the Paradise of God (Rev. 2:7) 2. We are not hurt by the second death (the lake of fire - Rev. 2:11) 3. We receive hidden manna, a white stone, and a new name (Rev. 2:17) 4. We are given power over the nations (Rev. 2:26) 5. We are clothed in white raiment, confessed to the angels (Rev. 3:5) 6. We are made a pillar in the Temple and a new name written (Rev. 3:12) 7. We will be permitted to sit with Christ on his throne (Rev. 3:21)

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THE RESTORATION OF EDEN

A. It will all conclude in the same manner it began in the beginning—in Eden!

The Beginning/Ending In Genesis In Revelation

 No sin Gen. 2 Rev. 21:4  No sorrow Gen. 2 Rev. 21:4  No death Gen. 2 Rev. 21:4  God is present with man Gen. 3:8 Rev. 22:4  There is a tree of life Gen. 2:9 Rev. 22:2  There is fruit on the trees Gen. 1:29 Rev. 22:2  There are rivers flowing Gen. 2:10 Rev. 22:1

“And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.” - Rev. 22:4

THE ANGEL OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION

Main verse: Revelation 22:8-9

 This angel was one of the seven angels in Rev. 17:1  It was one of the seven angels that showed John the latter part of the vision  This angel confessed he was a prophet and a servant of Christ

THE FINAL MESSAGE

“And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keeps the sayings of the prophecy of this book.” - Rev. 22:6-7

 The commission (22:16) - I have sent my angel to testify to the church  The call (22:17) - The Spirit and the bride say come  The caution (22:18-19) - Don’t add to or take away from the words of this book  “I am coming quickly” (Rev. 22:7)  “I am coming quickly” (Rev. 22:12)  “Surely I am coming quickly” (Rev. 22:20)

Key: The word quickly means speedily, shortly, or hastily! It means that, when things begin to come to pass, they will happen with great speed! (things shortly to come to pass – 1:1 and things that shortly must be done – 22:6)

IE: “Amen” (Hebrew closing), and “Even so” (Greek closing)

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The Saddest Verse: (Rev. 21:7-8)

“He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” - Rev. 21:7-8 THE FACT OF ETERNITY

 Eternity is a time without beginning or ending  6,000 years ago was approximately 2 million, 190 thousand days, or 52 million, 560 thousand hours  God shall wipe away all tears – former things will not be remembered!

Closing: Eternity is forever and we must enter the Redemptive Covenant and serve Christ, knowing that we will be judged by words and actions. We must win the lost as we are all headed into eternity!

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