This Book is Copyrighted
Revelation
- Made Easy! A Simple - Brief Commentary For Busy People! Are you worried about your future? Then just listen to a story told by the master story teller, Jesus. Let me paraphrase it for you. Its from Luke 19:12-27. One of the last stories Jesus ever told in His life on earth was that of a nobleman who went away to a distant empire to be crowned king and than return. Jesus was speaking about Himself and about Heaven, the distant empire. Jesus would soon leave Planet Earth to go to the distant empire, heaven. Jesus said "When the nobleman left to go to the distant empire to be crowned king he called all of His servants together, (You and me) and divided up ten pounds of silver among them, asking them to invest it for Him. The people of that country hated this nobleman (Jesus). The nobleman (Jesus) left and was crowned king in the distant empire, (Heaven). Jesus said "When the noble man returned as the king He called His servants to find out what they had done with the silver He had left them." (1) The first servant reported Master I invested your money and made ten times the original amount! (I have won ten people to your kingdom). “Well done” said Jesus I will make you a king and put you in charge of ten solar systems and their planets. (2) The next servant reported “I have invested your money and won five people to Your kingdom. And Jesus said “Well done” “I will make you a king and put you in charge of five solar systems and all their planets.” (3) But the third servant brought back only the original amount of money and said, ‘Master, I fed myself and kept myself healthy – I present myself to you I have kept good care of myself and my health. I didn’t tell others about you because I knew you wanted me to have good health and to protect my health so that others could look at me and see that I am healthy wealthy and wise.” “You wicked servant!’ said King Jesus ‘Your own words condemn you. You took what I gave you and invested it all in yourself. You knew I came to Planet Earth to live in poverty. You knew I came to sacrifice to invite everyone to share eternal life with Me, their King, in heaven and You did nothing about it! You have invited no one to spend eternity with Me! You have wasted your life on yourself! Then, turning to the angels standing nearby, King Jesus ordered, ‘Take the reward I would have given this servant and add it to the servant who invited ten people to share eternity with me in Heaven.’ “‘But, Jesus,’ the angel says, ‘he already has been put in charge of ten solar systems and all their planets! “‘Yes,’ replied King Jesus “those who use well what they are given to win souls for my kingdom, even more will be given. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. And as for these enemies of mine who didn’t want me to be their king—bring them in and execute them right here in front of me.’ Soon Planet Earth will have a change of administration. Soon Jesus will return as "King of kings and Lord of lords" to reward His servants. If you are not yet one of His servants you may become one. If you want to participate in the King's new administration of the universe just ask Him to forgive your sins and ask Him to cleanse and heal you from your sin (which is disobedience to the ten commandments of God. - Read His commandments in the Bible book of Exodus, chapter 20) Jesus, the Messiah, says that when you ask Him to forgive your sins that "Though your sins be as scarlet they be as white as snow." Isaiah 1:18, 1 John 1:7 and 1 John 1:9. When Jesus comes back to Planet Earth as the King of kings, He wants to make you a "king," a part of His royal family. He wants to share His administration of the Universe with you. He wants you to sit with Him on His throne. (see Revelation 3:21). One very effective way to invest the resources Christ has given you is to email everyone you know . Encourage them to put this (free to read) book on the desktop of their computer and read and study God's last message of love from "Revelation Made Easy," "Prophecy Made Easy," and "The Great Controversy." All three of these books are accessible at http://www.prophecymadeeasy.com God bless you forever and may we meet together as friends in God's glorious kingdom one day soon. We will be forever, friends for billions and billions of years! God bless you forever, Glen
A Guide to understanding the Book of Revelation
By Glen Walker
Global Crisis! We are living in a time of global turmoil. People are hurting! They hunger to know what the future holds. The economy is terrible. Every day brings fresh problems. People are living in fear of financial collapse, sudden death, terrorism, war, and natural disasters. People are crying out for answers! Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going? What's going to happen next? What will happen to me when I die? Two thousand years ago Jesus gave His disciple John a number of visions foretelling the future from John's day to our day and a thousand years beyond. John wrote these visions down in a book called Revelation. The very name of the book let's us know that Jesus wants us to "reveal" many future events to us before they happen so that we can survive the coming global disasters and be ready when Christ returns to take His faithful children home with Him God will Bless You! God will bless you as you seek to understand the last book of the Bible, called Revelation. God says, "Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it. Revelation 1:3. If we desire the blessing God has promised those who "read, hear, and keep the words of this prophecy," we must begin at once to make the study of the book of Revelation a priority! As we do this, God will pour out His power upon us, and provide us with knowledge and security through the coming conflict. God uses crisis to save His children. God says, "Look to Me, and be saved." Isaiah 45:22. "Revelation Made Easy" is a small study guide that will help anyone who wants to understand what God's Word has to say about the future. Any person can pick up this small study guide and quickly increase their understanding of the book of Revelation. We live in a busy world where thousands of things demand our attention. We need something that will grab the busy person's attention immediately. This basic study guide gives them something they can become excited about, something they can understand quickly and easily. Contents I - A - B - C's of a Great Revival II - The Four Sections of the Book of Revelation III - A Quick Overview of the Last Half of Revelation. 1 Revelation 12 - Satan's Four Wars 2 Revelation 13 - Two Beasts - Two Kingdoms. 3 Revelation 14 - God's Three Last Warning Messages 4 Revelation 15 - Human Probation Closes 5 Revelation 16 - The 7 Last Plagues . 6 Revelation 17 - Who is Spiritual Babylon? . 7 Revelation 18 - The Fall of Spiritual Babylon . 8 Revelation 19 - Christ Comes with the Armies of Heaven . 9 Revelation 20 - What will happen during the Next 1,000 years! . 10 Revelation 21 - Home at Last in God's Glorious City . 11 Revelation 22 - Eternal Joy - Eternal Security
A - B - C's of "a Great Revival"
Many people are beginning to realize their need for "a great revival" but do not know where to begin. One author, in writing about the book of Revelation says, "When we . . . understand what this book means to us, there will be . . . a great revival." Testimonies to Ministers, page 113. The reason more people do not study and understand the book of Revelation is that it seems "too difficult" for them. Many authors write long books with big words and difficult-to-understand concepts, which seem beyond the scope of many normal everyday people. A few people love Bible prophecy and understand the book of Revelation. However, the vast majority, even among committed Christians, do not understand it. Many think they just aren't knowledgeable enough to wade through the book of Revelation, the last book of the Holy Bible. . .People Need Small Simple Books! ... There is a tremendous need for small simple works like "Revelation Made Easy." One author writes, ""I have been instructed that the prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation should be printed in small books, with the necessary explanations, and should be sent all over the world. Our own people need to have the light placed before them in clearer lines." Ibid, page 117. These words point to the need for small works like "Revelation Made Easy." . "Revelation Made Easy" is so small anyone can afford to purchase this work in large quantities at a very economical price. This will stimulate the sale of other good books on Bible prophecy. At the end of this basic primer on the book of Revelation are fourteen footnotes to Prophecy Made Easy. The footnotes lead the reader to sections in Prophecy Made Easy that explain these prophecies in detail. In this way, anyone who has an interest can become knowledgeable about what the Bible really says about the end-time events quickly." You Can Understand Revelation We need to give people hope. We need to let them know that they can understand the book of Revelation. We need to put something small, simple, fast, and easy to understand into the hands of the people. God is calling all of us to use our inventive creative powers to work together to help bring about the "great revival" that will result from such study. If you like this small book, anyone can afford to purchase it in large quantities at a very economical price or you may save it or print in out and put it into a 3-ring notebook for easy and quick understanding of God's great Revelation to all the world FOUR SECTIONS God did not give John the visions of Revelation in a chronological order so that each of the 22 chapters of Revelation follows one another in a correct time sequence. The events in the second chapter of most books occur after the events of chapter one and the events in chapter three occur after the events recorded in chapter two. The book of Revelation, however, is like four books in one. Revelation has four major sections. There are three sections in the first half of Revelation, chapter 1 thru 11 and there is one section in the last half of Revelation, chapters 12 thru 22. The first three sections in the first half of Revelation are largely historical, meaning most of the things predicted in the first half of Revelation have already happened. The fourth section, which includes the entire second half of Revelation, is largely eschatological, meaning that most of those things spoken of in the last half of Revelation have not yet happened. They are unfulfilled prophecies. 1. The 7 Churches Section One: The first section in the book of Revelation is called ""the seven churches." This section can be located at Revelation chapters 1 thru 3. These letters to these seven churches have a dual application. God not only spoke to seven individual churches and their leaders but He also predicted what would happen within the Christian church from the resurrection of Christ to the second coming of Christ. Christ divided the years from resurrection to His second coming into seven periods. Christ gave John a vision, a letter to those Christians who were living during those seven different periods. Christ will come during the seventh, the last, church period known as Laodicea. Read Christ's counsel to His church in the twenty-first century, those who are living now, just prior to His second coming. You will find it in the last verses of Revelation chapter three. The message of Revelation 3:14-21 is a call for modern Christians to repent. 2. The book with 7 Seals Section Two: The second section is"the seven-sealed book, in Revelation 4 thru 7. Christ opens a book with seven sealed chapters, chapter by chapter. This book foretells the progressive fall of God's church in the first four sealed chapters. In the first four chapters of this sealed book, God's church is represented by four horses. The first chapter we see a white horse. The next horse is red and the next is black and the last is pale, the color of death. This colored portrayal of the spiritual fall of God's church was also foretold by the Apostle Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2:1, 3, 4; by John in Revelation 2:5, and by the prophet Daniel in Daniel 7:25. The prophecies of this book with seven sealed chapters foretell how the church would eventually become a persecutor of those who truly love Jesus and kill many in the name of serving God. In the sixth seal Christ comes to save His persecuted children and punish the persecutors who vainly try to hide in the dark caverns of the earth from the overpowering heat and light that surrounds Christ at His second coming.
3. Angels with 7 Trumpets Section Three: The third section is "The seven trumpets" in Revelation 8 thru 11. The seven trumpets are seven predictions of the break up of the pagan Roman Empire and events in the political world from the resurrection of Christ to the second coming of Christ. These seven angels with the seven trumpets give us details in regards to the prophecies of Daniel 2 and 7 at the point of the break up of the Roman Empire into ten divisions. The first four trumpets deal with the downfall of the Western part of the Roman Empire and occurred between A.D. 351 and 476, followed by the eastern part of the empire and events in the political world. Christ returns during the period known as the seventh trumpet, Revelation 11:19. For details on Revelation, check Uriah Smith's book Daniel and Revelation. Either purchase a copy or read it free on the web. Currently you may read it at http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/clt4/drtoc.htm. There are minor issues in Uriah Smith's book of which I do not agree but on all the important issues I agree one hundred percent. 4. The War between Christ and Satan Section Four: "The War between Christ and Satan," is found in Revelation 12 - 22. This is a real warfare and has been felt by every man, woman, and child that has ever lived. Christ's return is recorded in Revelation 14:14; 16:17, 18; 19:11-18. (Emphasis for clarity).
To What Event does Each Section Point?
The first three
sections begin about 2,000 years ago just after Christ was
crucified, raised from the dead, and ascended to heaven. In addition,
each section takes us down to the second coming of Christ when there will
be “lightnings and thunderings and voices” Revelation 4:5, 8:5,
|
NOTE: 538 - Emperor Justinian made the bishop of Rome supreme in the year 538 +1260 - Add the 1260-year year period of predicted persecution when the papacy killed millions =1798 - The 1260 years ended in 1798 - the French General Berthier took Pope Pius VI prisoner |
Justinian actually declared the bishop of Rome supreme five years before 538 but the bishop could not act supreme while the Ostrogoths ruled Rome. Justinian's armies overthrew the Ostrogoths in the year 538. The bishop of Rome ruled supreme for the next 1260 years until the year 1798 when Napoleon's General took the pope prisoner.
This was a fulfillment of Revelation 13:3, 10. We will look at that in the next chapter.
The Devil’s fourth attack in Revelation
12 is found here in Revelation 12:17.
This is the Devil’s attack on Christ’s faithful followers
“who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
This obviously refers to Christians who keep God’s fourth commandment
as well as the other nine. Thus, we know that the Devil will bring religious
persecution on Christians who keep the Seventh-day Sabbath holy just prior
to the second coming of Christ. The Devil will make war on the Remnant, the
last Christian church and people who are true to Jesus. Christ’s followers
will remain true and win this final war through the victory that Christ purchased
for them at the cross.
“And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make WAR with the remnant of her seed, which KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Revelation 12:17.
The Devil began his warfare in heaven and continued it on earth. The dragon’s attack on the virtuous woman of Revelation 12 symbolizes the Devil’s hatred and attack on God’s church, God’s people, who “keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Revelation 12:17. (3) - For greater details read Prophecy Made Easy chapter 25.
The Song
"When the saint go marching in."
| O when the saints go marching
in,
O when the saints go marching in; O Lord, I want to be among the number When the saints go marching in. |
Two Ways to Identify those God calls "Saints,"
In Revelation God gives us two ways to identify those God calls "saints," those who "go marching in" to God's beautiful city, New Jerusalem! Notice the verses below. God says that those He calls "saints.
“Here is the patience
of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of
God, and the faith of Jesus.” Revelation
14:12.
“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Revelation 22:14.
First: The people God calls saints "keep the commandments of God."
Second: The people God calls saints "keep the commandments of God" through power that comes from Jesus. God says that they have "the faith of Jesus." In other words, they are commandment-keeping Christians. That means they also keep the second commandment and the fourth commandment. Therefore, one of the identifying marks is that they worship on Saturday, the seventh day of the fourth commandment, not on Sunday, the first day of the week.
The people God calls saints and "keep the commandments of God" are those who enter in through the gates into the city," God calls those who keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus," saints. Christ has given them the victory over Satan. They "do his (Christ's) commandments." They eat of "the tree of life." In addition, they "enter . . . the gates into the city." New Jerusalem. Revelation 22:14.
Revelation 13
Two Beasts - Two Kingdoms
(Two End-time International Powers)
We noticed in chapter 12 how God uses a woman as a symbol of His church. In chapter 13 God tells us about two "beasts." What do these two beasts of Revelation represent? Daniel, the prophet, explains what a "beast" represents in Bible prophecy. He writes, "The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth." Daniel 7:23. Thus, we know that the two beasts of Revelation 13 are two kingdoms or governments.
In this chapter, God reveals the Devil's method of warfare just before Christ returns. As we study together, we will discover the identity of the two end-time international powers, the Beast from the Sea and the Beast from the Earth. (1) These two powers will unite to promote false worship. (2) They persecute those who attempt to worship God correctly with an economic boycott and with the threat of death.
| The Beast from the Sea |
"And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy." Revelation 13:1 (4) - For greater details read Prophecy Made Easy chapter 15.
What international power does the "sea" "beast" represent?"
The sea "beast" of Revelation 13 comes up in a heavily populated area of the earth. Water is a symbol for "many people." "Then he said to me, 'The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues.'" Revelation 17:15. Since the beast rose "up out of the sea," this kingdom rose in a populated portion of Planet Earth. It arose in Europe. For greater details read Prophecy Made Easy chapter 15.
"And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months." Revelation 13:3, 5.
NOTE: From the book of Ezekiel and Numbers, we know the Bible key for one "day" is a year. "I have laid on you a day for each year." Ezekiel 4:6.
This "beast" from the "sea," this great kingdom was to rule forty-two months, which is 1260 prophetic days or 1260 actual years. At the end of the 1260 years this kingdom was to receive a "deadly wound" that would be "healed." Did such an event occur? Emperor Justinian brought the bishop of Rome to supremacy in the year 538. What happened 1260 years later?
It was a French general who inflicted a "deadly wound" on the papacy when he and his army entered Rome in 1798 and took the pope prisoner. Berthier, the French general, abolished the papal government in 1798. Stripped of his power, both civil and ecclesiastical, the captive pope, Pius VI, died in exile at Valence in France, August 29, 1799.
Napoleons's General took Pope Pius VI prisoner in 1798
The deadly wound began healing and the papacy was re-established a couple of years later in the year 1800 with less power then in the past. The papacy is quietly regaining her power for a determined struggle for world domination.
"He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints." Revelation 13:10
This wounding is the same as the going into captivity. (Revelation 13: 10.) This is in direct fulfillment of the 1260 prophetic day prophecy (1260 actual years). God tells us about this 1260-year period in Revelation 12, the preceding chapter. It began with the rise of the Bishop of Rome to supremacy in the year 538 and ended with the captivity of Pope Pius VI in 1798.
| The Beast from the Earth |
"And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth." Rev. 13:11 (5) -
For greater details read Prophecy Made Easy chapter 16.
What nation does the "earth" "beast" represent?
A beast coming up out of water, "the sea," means a kingdom rising from a heavily populated part of earth. Therefore, a "beast" coming up out of the earth would suggest a nation rising up out of a sparsely populated area of Planet Earth. Time wise it was to rise around 1798 about the time the "sea" "beast" received its deadly wound and went into captivity. The only nation that arose to power around that time from a sparsely populated area of Planet Earth is the United States. "Then he said to me, 'The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues.'" Revelation 17:15.
"He had power to . . . cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed . . . And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast." Revelation 13:15-17.
God's Word foretells that just prior to the second coming of Christ, the two powers represented by the "sea" "beast" and the "earth" "beast" will work together to enforce a law that will bring persecution on those who serve God. Then we shall see the fulfillment of the words of the Apostle Paul. He wrote, "All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." 2 Timothy 3:12.
NOTE: Every one who will be ready when Jesus returns must pass the Final Test revealed in this last book of the Bible, Revelation! Will you pass that test? Will you be true to Jesus when threatened with economic boycott and death?
Revelation 14
God's Last Three Warning Messages!
In this chapter, God's people battle Satan and His evil angels using the sword of the spirit, the word of God. They carry God's last warning message to "every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people." Revelation 14:6. God's remnant people will follow Christ by faith as He finishes His work in His sanctuary in heaven. They plant the seeds of God's last warning message, the three angels' message. The size of this small booklet does not permit us to explain these three messages in detail. The author has presented the details in his book Prophecy Made Easy and also recommends the book The Great Controversy. You may either purchase these volumes or read them. at no cost, at the following two websites - www.prophecymadeeasy.com and www.thegreatcontroversyclub.com .
First Warning:
"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 'Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.'" Revelation 14:6, 7.
A person might ask "Why does the Bible tell us that "the hour of his judgment is come" in verse 7 but does not tell us about Christ's Second Coming until 7 verses later in verse 14? The reason is that God's judgment comes first, like "a thief in the night." Most people are conditioned to believe that the judgment of all humanity will occur after Christ comes the second time. They do not realize that the judgment of those who claim to be Christ followers is taking place right now as we read these pages.
God's Judgment will close shortly before He comes in the clouds of glory. At that time, Christ will say, "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still." "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be." Revelation 22:11, 12. When Christ speaks those words, the judgment of the living is over and He will bring His "reward" with Him. The judges of earth always sentence or release the person on trial after the trial is over. In other words, the judge gives out the "rewards" at the close of the trial not before. Thus, we know that the judgment of the living is over BEFORE Christ returns because when He returns He brings His "rewards" with Him. Read chapters 9 - 15 in Prophecy Made Easy for more information on the Judgment. www.prophecymadeeasy.com or purchase a book.
We can learn much about the Judgment that is going on now in heaven by studying the earthly temple, also called "the sanctuary" which was a miniature of God's great temple in heaven and the work God is doing there. (6) For greater details read Prophecy Made Easy chapters 9 - 10 - 11- 12 - 13
Second Warning:
"And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication." Revelation 14:8. (7) For greater details read Prophecy Made Easy chapters 7 - 8 - 26
The second angel's message says, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city that made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication." Revelation 14:8. "Her fornication" is her false teachings. This foretells a time when the church will reject Bible truth concerning God's commandments and His pre-advent judgment and will lead all nations accept her unscriptural beliefs
"Babylon is fallen, is fallen . . . Come out of her, my people, so you will not share in her sins and so that you will not receive her plagues." Revelation 14:8 & 18:4. Many churches that claim to follow Christ have turned away from His teachings. In other words, Jesus Christ says, "God will pour out His plagues on the disobedient churches." Come out of them, my children, so that you will be safe.
Babylon has not yet completely fallen as of the writing of this book. It is in a falling condition. Babylon will be completely fallen when the church unites with the world governments to persecute those who "keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Revelation 14:12, KJV.
1. Where does God say most of His people are?
"In Babylon!"
2. What does God say His people must do?
"Come out of Babylon!"
3. Notice God does not say "GO out of Babylon" If you hear a person calling you to come out of your house, where is that person?
He is outside calling you out also.
4. If you hear God calling you to come out of Babylon where is God?
God is withdrawing from those churches that are part of Babylon. He is calling you to follow Him out also! Listen to His voice and follow Your sacrificing Savior out of Babylon!
5. Will you choose today to follow your Savior out of Babylon? Follow the One who loves you so much He shed His blood so that you can live forever!
"Come out of her, My people" "so that you will not share in her sins" "so that you will not receive any of her plagues." Revelation 18
Follow Jesus out of Babylon and "The raging storms may round us beat," but we'll have "a Shelter in the time of storm. We'll never leave our safe retreat," for we'll have "a Shelter in the time of storm." "A shade by day, defense by night, a Shelter in the time of storm; No fears alarm, no foes afright, a Shelter in the time of storm."
Where is God?
God is withdrawing from those churches that are part of Babylon.
He is calling His people to come out too!
Listen to His voice
"Come out of her, My people,
so that you will not share in her sins,
so that you will not receive any of her plagues."
Revelation 18:4
God Says, "My People Are in Babylon"
God says "BABYLON is Fallen is Fallen. COME OUT of her MY PEOPLE." If you recognize yourself as being in one of the churches that make up "spiritual" Babylon you are saying, "I am God's child" because that is where God says His children are. Who am I to argue with God? Praise the Lord that you are His special child and that He cares enough for you to call you out of Babylon. God sent two angels to Sodom to warn his child, Lot, to leave Sodom. God is sending you the messages of three angels, (see Revelation chapter 14) to call you out of Babylon.
Jesus warns us to "remember Lot's wife." Luke 17:32
You know the story as recorded in Genesis. Lot left Sodom and God spared his life. His wife turned back and lost her life. Jesus tells us to "remember Lot's wife." Lot could have argued with God that He had lived in Sodom all his life and had many friends there and that Sodom was not such a bad place to live. Did God actually expect him to leave his home, and his friends? Yes He did. Did God actually destroy Sodom? Yes He did. Will God destroy Babylon? Yes He will. You are His child and He is calling you out of Babylon. He expects no less of you or me then He expected of Lot.
He has not called you to leave your homes like Lot yet but He is calling you to come out of Babylon. Child of God, I urge you to obey your Master who says "He that is unwilling to take up His cross in unworthy of Me." The cross was a cruel form of torture. Christ chose to die on the cross out of love for you. He wants you to follow Him out of love for Him. Do you love Him enough to hear His voice and follow Him out of Babylon?
Where does God say the majority of His children are just before he comes to get His people? He says that they are in the churches that make up "spiritual" Babylon. Does God condemn His children for being in Babylon? No! God loves His children and calls them out. God does not condemn His children but He does condemn "Babylon." So if you have chosen Christ as your Master, you are probably in one of the churches that constitute Babylon, because that is where God says His people are.
You are not condemned for belonging to one of these churches that God calls "Babylon" but you will be condemned and receive the seven last plagues if you stay in "Babylon." All of those who are following their master, Jesus Christ, will hear His call and come out. Lot was not condemned for living in Sodom but His wife lost her life when God called them out of Sodom and she turned back toward Sodom. "Child of God, your master Jesus Christ is calling you to follow Him out. Listen to His voice and you will be safe."
What a Shock!
Many Christian leaders condemn God's warning message just as the religious leaders condemned Christ saying, "Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed?" Many Christian leaders have fought, are fighting, and will fight unpopular truths; teaching that God has sealed the books of Revelation and Daniel. Many teach that no one can understand these prophecies. But, by rejecting the unpopular messages from Revelation; they are rejecting God.
Why is God calling His people
to come out of Babylon?
To protect them from the soon coming plagues and destruction.
For more information on the fall of "Babylon," the end-time spiritual apostasy, look in comments on Revelation 17 and 18 in this book and check out the endnotes. Babylon - . (7) For greater details read Prophecy Made Easy chapters 7 - 8 - 26
Third Warning:
"And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation." Revelation 14:9, 10.
Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Revelation 14:12.
How does a person "worship the beast and his image and receive his mark?"
In Revelation 14:9 and 10 God urges us not to receive the "mark" of the first "beast" (kingdom or government).of Revelation 13. Just two verses later Christ contrasts those who "receive" the "mark" of "the beast" with the "saints" who do not receive the mark of the beast but rather, they "keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." The mark, therefore involves breaking God's Ten Commandment law. For more information look in the endnotes. Revelation 14:7: 9-12 - (8) The Mark of the Beast - For greater details read Prophecy Made Easy chapters 15 - 16 - 17 - 18 - 19
Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Revelation 14:12.
Those who obey God keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. However, those who do not obey God worship the beast and his image. They receive his mark and must endure the seven last plagues.
"All both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave" receive "the mark of the beast." The only exception is a small group of people who really understand God's plan of salvation and let God write His law in their hearts. They put God first. They are those who have "gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, [and] stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God." Revelation 13:16; 15:2, 3; Hebrews 8:10.
What is The Mark of the Beast?
The vast majority of this world's population does not understand the "mark of the beast." In Revelation chapter three, God speaks to the people alive today just prior to the second coming of Christ. God explains that the majority of church-going people, just before Jesus comes again, think that they are honoring God and do not even know that they are dishonoring God and are breaking His Ten Commandment law. God overlooks some of our ignorance and loves us in spite of our ignorance. God foretells in Bible Prophecy that in this coming Global crisis the nations of this earth are going to pass laws that will seek to force everyone to break one of God's Ten Commandments. Satan hates God's children and God's law. The churches and religions of the world will unite to oppose God's commandment thinking that they are honoring God. Here is how God describes the spiritual condition of the churches just prior to the second coming of Christ. He says:
"I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'-and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked-I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne." Revelation 3:15-21
God says that the people in church just prior to the second coming of Christ think that they are "rich . . . wealthy, and have need of nothing." They "do not know" that they are spiritually "wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked." God's Word pictures a people who attend church and feel spiritually rich but who in reality are spiritually "poor, blind, and naked." They are ignorant of God's last warning message in Revelation 14 and are in danger of being totally unprepared for the final conflict that will soon sweep over Planet Earth before Jesus returns. Many feel that they know it all. They don't need to understand the three messages of Revelation 14 that prepare a people for the second coming of Christ.
The "mark of the beast" message is the third of three messages that prepare those in this world who will respond for the second coming of Christ. When Jesus comes back the second time the entire world will be divided into two groups, those with the seal of God and those with the mark of the beast. Let us look at "the seal of God" God says, "Seal up the law among My disciples." Isaiah 8:16. We will find the seal of God's law in the fourth commandment. This only, of all the ten, includes both the name and the title of the Lawgiver. It says He is the Creator of the heavens and the earth. Let us look at how man has tampered with God's divine law. Over the centuries man has tampered with God's law when the Church of Rome dropped the second commandment from their Catechism and dividing the tenth commandment into two parts to give the impression that they still believes in the Ten Commandments, not in the nine that they left in their catechism. The papacy also changed the fourth commandment. When we speak of the fourth commandment, we are referring to Exodus chapter 20 and not to the Catechism of the Church of Rome.
In the Catholic Catechism of Christian Religion, in answer to a question as to the day to be observed in obedience to the fourth commandment, this is what is written: "During the old law Saturday was the day sanctified; but the church, instructed by Jesus Christ, and directed by the Spirit of God, has substituted Sunday for Saturday; so now we sanctify the first, not the seventh day. In An Abridgment of the Christian Doctrine by Henry Tuberville page 58 papal writers say "the very act of changing the Sabbath into Sunday, which Protestants allow of . . . because by keeping Sunday, they acknowledge the church's power to ordain feasts, and to command them under sin." Italics added for clarity.
MAN SAYS (The church of Rome speaks) 1. "During the old law Saturday was the day sanctified; but the church . . . has substituted Sunday for Saturday; so now we sanctify the first, not the seventh day." -- Catholic Catechism of Christian Religion 2. "The very act of changing the Sabbath into Sunday, which Protestants allow of; . . . because by keeping Sunday, they acknowledge the church's power to ordain feasts, and to command them under sin." -- The Douay Catechism of 1649, 1833 known as "An Abridgment of the Christian Doctrine" by Henry Tuberville page 58 3. "Question: Which is the Sabbath day? "Answer: Saturday is the Sabbath day." "Question: Why do we observe Sunday instead of Saturday? "Answer. We observe Sunday instead of Saturday because the Catholic Church transferred the solemnity from Saturday to Sunday." -- Convert's Catechism of Catholic Doctrine by Peter Geiermann p. 50
GOD SAYS 1. "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. The seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God." Exodus 20:10. (The 4th commandment of God's Ten Commandment law.) 2. "I the Lord do not change" Malachi 3:6 3. “If you love Me, keep My commandments." Whom will you obey? Whom do you love the most - God or the Church of Rome? (To obey one is to disobey the other) |
What is the mark of the authority of the Church of Rome?
Whom will you obey? Whom do you love the most - God or the Church of Rome? To obey God's commandment we must disobey the Church of Rome's commandment (their change of God's commandment). To obey the Church of Rome's commandment we must disobey God's commandment. To obey one is to disobey the other. Thus, we can see that the change of the Sabbath is a sign or mark of the authority of the Church of Rome, the first beast (the first kingdom, or power) of Revelation 13. The change of the Sabbath from Saturday, the seventh day to Sunday the first day of the week) is -"the mark" of the beast."
Revelation chapter 14 tells us that just before Christ returns, three messages will be carried worldwide to prepare the world for the second coming of Christ. The first message is "Fear God, and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment is come." The second message (seen in both Revelation 14 and Revelation 18) is "Babylon is fallen, is fallen . . . come out of her, my people . . . so that you not receive any of her plagues." The third message is: "If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture [without mercy]." Revelation 14:7, 9, 10; 18:2, 4.
Does anyone have the mark of the beast now?
No! No one will receive the mark of the beast until the time when all men will be forced to honor Sunday worship or be punished for obeying God's fourth commandment that says, "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work." Exodus 20-8-10.
The mark of the beast is the mark of the beast power's authority. When the nations of this world enforce Papal authority with worldwide Sunday laws, then those who choose to obey that authority above the authority of God will be choosing the mark of the beast. Either all people everywhere will have the mark of the beast or the seal of God, involves honoring God's holy Sabbath. Those with God's seal will enter the New Jerusalem and those with the mark will ultimately perish.
God told Noah He would destroy the world with a flood. Noah warned the world but only eight people believed and got into the ark of safety. In other words, God says to modern man, "Sin has become so great that I will destroy the world again. I will not destroy it with water; I will destroy it with the seven plagues that I warn you about in the sixteenth chapter of Revelation."
Choosing disbelief is choosing death. Please choose life!
God says to modern man, "You can choose to believe it or disbelieve it. However, if you believe and come into my ark of safety, I will take care of you, and I will save you. In addition, if you choose to disbelieve, you will be choosing death. Please choose life!" By faith, we can enter God's ark of safety. "In the time of trouble He shall hide me . . . in the secret of His tabernacle (the sanctuary)" Psalm 27:5, KJV. Enter God's Sanctuary in heaven, by faith, and see Christ in His work of Judgment and let Him write His holy law in your heart."
Conclusion:
"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." Ecclesiastes 12:13
Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Revelation 14:12. (8)
God tells us in Revelation 14 that He will accept those who "keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus" in His judgment. They will pass the final test, survive the "seven last plagues, be protected by the angels of God, and find an eternal home in God's holy city New Jerusalem. See Revelation 16, 21, and 22.
Jesus gives us the power to "keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Revelation 14:12
(1) Jesus Brings His Faithful Home
The last part of 14 fast-forwards to God's final harvest, the second coming of Christ. At harvest time, the farmer takes care of two things, the crop and the weeds. First Jesus saves those who have responded to His loving appeal and second Jesus cleanses the universe of all sin, sinners, Satan, evil angels and unhappiness for ever. Jesus spoke of this twin harvest in Matthew 13:39-43. In one harvest, the righteous whom He calls "good seed" "will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father." Matthew 13:43.
"And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped." Revelation 14:14-16.
(2) Christ destroys those who persecute His children.
In the harvest of the wicked, Christ said that the "weeds will "be gathered and burned in the fire." Christ destroys those who do not respond, those who persecute His children. Matthew 13:41, 42.
"And another angel came out from the altar, and cried Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God." Revelation 14:18, 19.
The Final Days
Revelation chapters 15 through 20 gives us the details of some of the future events that will take place just before the final judgment that God has just told us about in the last seven verses of Revelation 14.
Revelation 15
Human Probation Closes
Chapter 15 brings us to the time when God will close His work of salvation and the judgment, which God has been accomplishing, for us in His temple (sanctuary) in heaven. In Revelation 14 God's people, just prior to Christ's second coming, proclaim "the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.'" (Emphasis provided).
God announces that His work of judgment is over with these words from Revelation fifteen:
"The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled." Revelation 15:8
Christ stands up and says, "It is done." "He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still. And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work." Revelation 22:11, 12.
In the now completed judgment, God has made His final decision of who are among the saved and who are among the lost. God has sealed His people with the invisible seal of God and the lost are marked with the invisible "mark of the beast."
Christ compared His Second Coming to the worldwide deluge when God used nature to destroy the majority of people living on Planet Earth at that time. He said, "As the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be." The world's probation closed in Noah's day when God's angels shut the door on the ark, seven days before the first drop of rain fell before the rain fell. Matthew 24:37.
By not entering the ark of safety, the people to whom Noah preached decided their own fate before the flood. Noah and his family were safe inside the ark for seven days before the flood came. The world's probation closed after Noah made his final appeal and no one but Noah, his wife, his 3 boys, and their wives got on board the ark. God sent an angel who shut the door. God shut Noah and his family in the ark of safety and shut the world out. No one could open the door again until after the flood. The world did not know that they had sealed their own fate when they chose not to enter the ark of safety. Matthew 24:37-39.
Today we can enter God's temple by faith as our prayers rise and enter the ears and heart of Christ in His temple in heaven. Soon probation will close and "no man" will be "able to enter the temple." It will be too late to learn to pray. It will then be too late to learn the Bible. We must pray now. We must learn God's last message of love from the last book of the Bible, the book of Revelation, while God is still in His work of judgment. We must ask God to seal us with the seal of the living God now, and we can be safe during the seven last plagues.
"And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled." Revelation 15:6, 8.
Revelation 16
The 7 Last Plagues
In this chapter, God's angels pour out the seven "vials of the wrath of God" on those who choose to remain in Babylon, which includes all who do not "keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." See Revelation 12:17.
"And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image." Revelation 16:1, 2.
God has good reason to pour out his wrath on those churches that choose to live in sin. The end-time churches unite with the governments of the world and persecute God's faithful children, who "keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." At this time, God fight for his children. God calls His battle for His persecuted children "the seven last plagues" or "the vials of the wrath of God." Revelation 15:1; 16:1.
Just before Christ returns Great Plagues will bring great sorrow. Jesus tells us, "all the" people "of the earth will mourn." Matthew 24:30. (9) - chapters 25 - 26 - 27 - 28
| "The seven last plagues" |
First - The first plague is that of foul smelling and painful sores on those with the "mark of the beast"
The first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast." Revelation 16:2
Second - The second plague turns the oceans into blood killing everything in the oceans.
"The second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea." Revelation 16:3.
Third - The third plague turns the waters into blood bringing a terrible drought and results in much death.
"The third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood." Revelation 16:3
In the second and third plague, the oceans and rivers
Become "blood, as of a dead man."
Millions of people and the creatures in the ocean and rivers die for lack of clean water
NOTE: At this time, everyone will have either "the seal of God" or "the mark of the beast. Those with "the mark of the beast" will not have clean water to drink but God will send angels to give those with "the seal of God," "bread" and "water." Isaiah 33:16.
What will happen to those who have "the seal of God?" Revelation 7; 9:4
"A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee." Psalm 91:7.
No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; for He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone." Psalm 91:10-12 NKJV.
"Bread will be given him, His water will be sure." Isaiah 33:15, 16.
NOTE: God's angels will provide protection, food, and water for those who have opened their hearts to obey God, those who "keep the commandments of God," and whom God seals with the seal of God. Revelation 12:17; 7:2; 9:4. Ezekiel 20:12, 20.
"Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation." Habakkuk 3:17, 18.
Revelation chapter 14 tells us that the time will come when everyone on Planet Earth will either worship "the beast and" receive "his mark" or "keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." Revelation 14:9-12. Those who "keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus" are sealed with the seal of the living God" and are protected through these plagues. They are patiently waiting for Jesus to come again and deliver them in power and great glory. 1 Kings 17:6.
Fourth - The fourth plague causes the sun to scorch men with great heat.
"The fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire." Revelation 16:8.
In the fourth plague, millions will die from the overwhelming heat of the sun and the lack of clean water to drink. God will provide "bread and water" for those with "the seal of God."
Fifth - The fifth plague results in darkness cold, and pain
"The fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain." Revelation 16:10.
Sixth - The sixth plague convinces everyone that Babylon's leaders are wrong and the people turn upon their leaders.
"The sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared." Revelation 16:12.
NOTE: This speaks of the second coming of the King of kings, Jesus Christ who comes "from the east." Both God the Father, and Christ, the Son of God are kings. Christ is a king from the east according to God's Word. Jesus said, "For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be." Matthew 24:27
In Bible prophecy, the word "waters" is a symbol for many people and nations. "Then he said to me, 'The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues.'" Revelation 17:15. This drying up of "the great river Euphrates is the drying up of the support of "peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues."
When all these plagues fall the people who support the leaders of spiritual Babylon will turn against their own leaders who taught them to be disloyal to God's commandments. Their leaders had taught them that they would never go through these plagues but rather that they would be secretly raptured out of this world before the plagues would fall. God foretells their final awakening to the fact that they are lost in the words "the water thereof was dried up." As we already noticed in Revelation 17:15, waters mean people support and the drying up of the waters foretells the time when the people all around Planet Earth finally realize they have been duped by the huge religious systems.
When those who have been deceived by the religious leaders of spiritual Babylon turn against them, we may know that the King of Kings (from the east) will arrive shortly. His promise is "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." John 14:2, 3.
One author puts it like this, "The people see that they have been deluded. They accuse one another of having led them to destruction; but all unite in heaping their bitterest condemnation upon the ministers. Unfaithful pastors have prophesied smooth things; they have led their hearers to make void the law of God and to persecute those who would keep it holy. Now, in their despair, these teachers confess before the world their work of deception. The multitudes are filled with fury. "We are lost!" they cry, "and you are the cause of our ruin;" and they turn upon the false shepherds. The very ones that once admired them most will pronounce the most dreadful curses upon them. The very hands that once crowned them with laurels will be raised for their destruction. The swords which were to slay God's people are now employed to destroy their enemies. Everywhere there is strife and bloodshed." The Great Controversy, pages 655, 656.
"Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame." Revelation 16:15
Is Christ coming in a Secret Rapture?
Christ says He will come later "as a thief" in the night after 5 plagues have already fallen. People who believe in the secret rapture theory, believe that they will be raptured before any plagues fall. (Already rivers and oceans have turned into blood of a dead man) the sun has scorched men with great heat, sores have fallen on those with the mark of the beast. It is after all these plagues have fallen that Christ still has not yet come "as a thief" in the night. Revelation 16:15.
"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up." 2 Peter 3:10.
Peter tells us, in the Bible, that His "thief in the night" coming will cause "the heavens" to "pass away with a great noise, and the elements" to "melt with fervent heat;" and "the earth and the works that are in it" to "be burned up." That is one very noisy, very hot experience that everyone will hear and see and feel. When Christ speaks in the Bible of His coming "like a thief in the night" He always emphasizes that His coming will be "a surprise." It is always "the hour" of His coming that is like a thief in the night but nowhere in the Bible does Christ tell us that He will ever come secretly. There is no "secret" rapture! Look up the word "rapture" in a Bible Concordance and you will not find it because it is nowhere in the Bible.
Follow Jesus closely and He will take you through the coming crisis successfully!
'There came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great." Revelation 16:17-21. (Emphasis added)
Seventh - The seventh plague results in the mother of all earthquakes - every building and mountain in the world falls and 50 - 75 pound balls of ice destroy everyone and everything except those whom God surrounds with His mighty angels. This is the last event before Christ comes in Glory. (10) -For greater details read Prophecy Made Easy chapter 28
Revelation 17
Who is Spiritual Babylon?
Chapter 17 is a flashback. It takes place before the closing scenes of Revelation 16. In this chapter, God identifies Babylon, those religious organizations that deceive the world into persecuting God's true children, who "keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." Revelation 12:17. God calls her "Babylon the great," "The great harlot," "the great whore." (NKJV, KJV)
"I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:
And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered . . ." Revelation 17:1-6.
Babylon = Modern church apostasy! (11) - For greater details read Prophecy Made Easy chapters 7 - 8 - 26.
BABYLON
Revelation 14:8; 17:3-6.
The two types of Christianity
Revelation 12:1 and Revelation 17:3-6 defines the two classes of people who call themselves Christian. Today there are many different types of Christians. God, however, says there are only two types of Christians. (1) There are those who follow the beast and his image that God calls "Babylon" and (2) there are those who "keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." Matthew 7:13-28; Revelation 12:17.
God puts all Christians in one category or the other. In which category do you want to be? There are only two choice, the popular "fallen" woman who rides a beast (the union of church and state) or the unpopular woman (church) robed in the sun, (the son) (Christ's light)?
NOTE: The word "beast" in Bible prophecy is God's symbol of a government. Daniel tells us, "The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth." Daniel 7:23. Thus, we know that whenever God uses the word "beast" in Bible prophecy He is talking about a "kingdom
Since a "woman" in Bible prophecy represents a "church," and a "beast" represents a "kingdom" or government, when God says in Revelation 17:3 that the harlot woman, Babylon (the spiritually fallen church) rides the beast it means that the church is in control of the government. Anytime a church or churches control a civil government that church or churches always persecutes those churches who have beliefs that differ from the majority Since God's true followers are always a minority in this world, they will be the ones who the majority persecute. This is exactly what God predicts (see Revelation 17:3-6) will happen shortly before Christ returns. See Matthew 7:13, 14.
Babylon, "The Great Whore"
Babylon is the church that controls "the kings of the earth," the governments of this earth. God calls those churches that apostatize just before the second coming of Christ, "the great whore" for two reasons;
First, God calls those churches who apostatize, "the great whore" because of their unbiblical beliefs that they borrowed from paganism;
Second, God calls those churches "the great whore" because they seek to control the governments of the world to enforce their (false) religious beliefs.
If a woman turns from her husband and chooses "new lovers" who provide her money for love, she becomes a whore. God draws the comparison. He says that those churches that choose "new lovers," "the kings of the earth" (the governments of earth) become part of Babylon, "the great whore." Revelation 6:14, 15; 17:2, 18; 18:3, 9; 19:19.
In Revelation God tells us that Babylon (those who follow the beast and his image) is the church that controls "the kings of the earth," the governments of this earth. The great whore is a whore because she no longer depends on Christ for power and now depends on her control of governments for power. This is the reason; God calls the churches that used to serve Him "whores." Instead of being faithful to Him they have "new lovers," the governments of Planet Earth, "the kings (or kingdoms) of the earth." Revelation 6:14, 15; 17:2, 18; 18:3, 9; 19:19.
The two women of Revelation represent two forms of Christianity, the church in the wilderness and the church "with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication." Revelation 12:6, 14; 17:2.
NOTE: Babylon includes "that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth." In 2008 the FCO reported that, "Currently, the Holy See has full diplomatic relations with 173 countries, the EU, and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta." The British Foriegn and Commonwealth Office online.
Revelation 18
The Fall of Spiritual Babylon
Revelation 18 is a flashback to God's last appeal to His people prior to His second coming to come out of Babylon (spiritually fallen churches) before He destroys it.
"And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies." Revelation 18:1-3
Just before Christ returns the spiritually fallen churches will unite their power to control the governments of the world as a way to deal with Global catastrophe and urge religious laws upon everyone. When churches reach out and control the governments, we will see the fulfillment of Revelation 17 and 18.
"I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. Reward her even as she rewarded you." Revelation 18:4-6.
Today the majority of the Christian churches that God calls Babylon are failing spiritually. God says that His children are in "Babylon" just before Christ comes again and that He is calling them to come out of those churches that do not "keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." Revelation 12:17. (Also, see Revelation 14:12 and 22:14).
"Her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her." Revelation 18:8.
God tells us about the destruction of the churches and religious organizations that He calls "Babylon the great." God calls His children out because those churches called Babylon have spiritually fallen. God foretells much about His future destruction of "Babylon the great" in Revelation 6:15-17 and in Revelation 16, 18, and 19.
Revelation 19
Christ Comes with the Armies of Heaven
Revelation 19 is also a flashback to Revelation chapter 16 when Christ sends His angels to pour out "the vials of God's wrath. Christ fights the great whore and the armies of earth with His Word, the sharp sword that comes out of His mouth.
"I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make WAR. "
"His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS." Revelation 19:11-16.
Christ's sword is His word. "It was by His word that Jesus healed disease and cast out demons; by His word He stilled the sea, and raised the dead; and the people bore witness that His word was with power." The Desire of Ages, page 390. Moreover, it was by His Word that Christ spoke this world into existence, John 1:1-3. Read the first chapter of Genesis and notice the words "And God said," repeated on each day of creation.
It is hard to understand but God actually creates through speaking. Before God speaks, there is nothing and after God speaks, there is life. Both God's power to create is in the very words He speaks and His power to destroy is in His very words. That is why God tells us that a "sword proceeded out of His mouth." His words are more powerful than an actual sword. You will find God's power as you read His Word. His Word has power to change your life forever!
"And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make WAR against him that sat on the horse, and against his army." Revelation 19:19
Christ's sword is His word. When He says, "It is done," heaven exults over the destruction of Babylon as Christ and His armies defeat "the kings of the earth, and their armies." Revelation 16:17-21; 19:19.
"And the rest (kings of the earth and their armies) were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh." See Revelation 19:19, 21.
Revelation 20
What will happen
during the Next 1,000 years?
Chapter 20 brings us back to the timeline after His people are safe in Heaven with Him for 1000 years. Those who asked Jesus to forgive their sins and loved Him, those who have kept "the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ" live with Christ in heaven for a thousand years in heaven.
"And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. The rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished." Revelation 20:4, 5.
In chapter 20, Satan resumes his warfare against Christ after the 1,000 years of solitary confinement on Planet Earth.
"He laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years." Revelation 20:2
Those who did not choose God's remedy for sin, Jesus Christ's sacrificial death, remain dead during this 1,000-year period. Satan and his evil angels are alone on Planet Earth. The earth at that time will be dark (like a "bottomless pit") for a thousand years, a place of solitary confinement for the devil and his angels.
The Devil, at that time, will have no one to tempt. He will be "bound" by circumstances for 1,000 years. The righteous are in heaven during this 1,000-year period and the wicked are dead.
"And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations." Revelation 20:7, 8.
After the 1,000 years, God's city will comes down upon Planet Earth. (See Revelation 20:9; 21:3, 10.) Christ then speaks and His voice raises the vast number of wicked back to life. The righteous will be safe inside the city with God the Father, Christ, and His angels and the wicked will be outside the city with Satan and his angels.
"I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." Revelation 20:11, 12.
"And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them." Revelation 20:9.
The wicked live for a certain time outside the city of God on the broken earth. At this time, Satan is "loosed" in that now he has access to people to tempt again. Satan deceives the wicked appearing to them as "an angel of light" Satan, his angels, and the wicked unite. They determine to attack the city of God hoping to take it by force. As they surround the city, Christ appears above the city on a Great White Throne and judges the wicked. Fire falls to Planet earth consuming everybody and everything outside the city of God. 2 Corinthians 11:14.
Fire will envelope the entire earth. Those inside the Holy city New Jerusalem will live forever and those outside the city, including the Devil, will be burned to "ashes." (12) - For greater details read Prophecy Made Easy chapter 29.
God tells us that He will turn the Devil into ashes in the "lake of fire"
Earth is cleansed of sin, sinners, and Satan by a fire that envelopes Planet Earth but does not enter the holy City New Jerusalem where God's people, saved through the ages, will be able to forever call home. Those who love God will travel to other solar systems and other worlds but they will always know that they have a home in the Holy city sitting next to the King of kings who sits upon His throne. See Revelation 3:21; Ezekiel 28:14, 18.
Revelation 21
Home at Last in God's Glorious City!
Warfare is forever ended
Christ makes the world new, fresh, and beautiful.
"And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass." Revelation 21:10, 19, 20.
All those who passed through the battles victoriously, by means of the blood of Jesus Christ, inherit eternal life and have a home in God's great city, the New Jerusalem. In chapter 21, God explains some of the glories of His great city the glorious New Jerusalem. (13) - For greater details read Prophecy Made Easy chapter 30.
Revelation 22
Eternal Joy, Eternal Security!
Hallelujah, Christ has conquered and there will be war, no more! Never again will people kill each other. In chapter 22 God tells us more about the beauties of life in God's holy city, New Jerusalem. We will always be able to talk face to face with God the Father and with Christ, God the Son. God's name, His character, will forever be in our minds.
"And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads." Revelation 22:1-4. (14) - For greater details read Prophecy Made Easy chapter 31.
Christ extends to us His warning, His invitation, and His blessing
"Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie." Revelation 22:14, 15.
If revival and life are important then it is vitally important to begin studying the book of Revelation. May God richly bless and reward you with His triple blessing as you "read, hear and "keep those things which are written therein." Revelation 1:3. One author, in speaking of the last book of the Bible (Revelation) says, 'When we as a people understand what this book means to us, there will be seen among us a great revival." Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, page 113 (emphasis added.)
God bless you. He will pour out His Holy Spirit upon you in great showers of blessings as you begin to read, study and understand God's final message for all mankind!. Ask Him to do exactly what He said He would do. Ask Him for His triple blessing. He assures you and says, "Ask and it shall be given you." Matthew 7:7.
See you in heaven,
Glen
For additional information, see Prophecy Made Easy! The End notes all point to additional comments on the various parts of Revelation from "Revelation Made Easy" that are discussed more completely in the book Prophecy Made Easy which can be read for free at http://www.prophecymadeeasy.com
All the "chapter" references in the endnotes below refer the reader to explanatory chapters from the book Prophecy Made Easy. For more information on the subjects below, turn to the chapters given below in the book Prophecy Made Easy at http://www.prophecymadeeasy.com . Each chapter below may be hyperlinked if you are reading this on the web.
1 Revelation 12:7-9 - SATAN, THE DEVIL, the Devil - chapter -2
2. Revelation 12:3-5 - THE TEN HORNS - chapter 15
3. Revelation 12:17 - THE DRAGON ATTACKING THE WOMAN -. chapter 25
4. Revelation 13:1 - THE FIRST BEAST of Revelation 13 - chapter 15
5. Revelation 13:11 - THE SECOND BEAST of Revelation 13 - chapter 16
6. Revelation 14:7 - THE JUDGMENT - chapters 9 - 10 - 11- 12 - 13
7 Revelation 14:8 - BABYLON - chapters 7 - 8 - 26
8 Revelation 14:7: 9-12 - THE MARK OF THE BEAST - chapters 15 - 16 - 17 - 18 - 19
9 Revelation 16 - ARMAGEDDON & the SEVEN LAST PLAGUES - chapters 25 - 26 - 27 - 28
10 Revelation 16:17 - 21 - THE SEVENTH PLAGUE - chapter 28
11 Revelation 17:1-6; Revelation 18 - BABYLON - chapters 7 - 8 - 26
12 Revelation 20 - THE 1,000 YEARS & THE FINAL FIRE - chapter 29
13 Revelation 21 - NEW JERUSALEM - chapter 30
14 Revelation 22 - PARADISE - chapter 31
Go to the book - Prophecy Made Easy
Prophecy Made Easy - Table of Contents