I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star

Revelation 22:1-21

The angel affirms that the revelations are true to John. At the presence of such experience, John was also in fear and fell down to worship the angel. The angel immediately told John not to worship him and explained that the angels are fellow servants of the prophets and those who belong to Yshua. Instead we should all "worship God". In addition, the angel asked John not to seal the contents of the book - meaning that it should be told to people because the time of the Lord is near.

Finally Jesus spoke and referred to Himself as the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and End, the First and the Last. This shows the divine nature of Yshua being above all creation, who exist before and after it. Jesus warns that He is coming quickly. Those who obey His commandments will have immortality with Him, by being able to eat from the Tree of Life and entering through the gates. Then the invitation goes out to those who thirsts, to come and drink the water of life from Yshua.

Finally, there is a warning on this extraordinary and abstract book of revelations. The warning is that anyone who adds or remove any content of this book will be cursed with the judgments described in this book and be damned by having their names removed from the Book of Life. This warning is very fitting to prevent people from modifying the contents which are so unusual. The Scripture, and this book, ends with asking our Lord Yshua to come!

They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light

Revelation 22:1-5

Revelation, the last book of Scripture is about the victory of our Lord. This last chapter of Revelation shows the victory of God enjoyed by all creation. There is a picture of the River of Life, and reminds us that Jesus is the stream of living water.

There is also the Tree of Life on the side of the River. This reminds us of the Tree of Life in Genesis in the Garden of Eden. This is the tree people are meant to eat from. Its leaves heal the nations. There will be no more curse, suggesting no more disease, decay, degeneration and so on.

The throne of God will be the source of the river. The Lamb will sit on the throne and the people will see His face. The name of the Lamb, Yshua Ha Masiach, will on the foreheads of people. God Himself will provide the light for the world and there is no need for the sun.






Revelation 22
The River of Life

1 And he showed me a pure[a] river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 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. 4 They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. 5 There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.

The Time Is Near

6 Then he said to me, “These words are faithful and true.” And the Lord God of the holy[b] prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place.

7 “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

8 Now I, John, saw and heard[c] these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.

9 Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For[d] I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.” 10 And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. 11 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[e] still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.”

Jesus Testifies to the Churches

12 “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”[f]

14 Blessed are those who do His commandments,[g] that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 15 But[h] outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.

16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”

17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

A Warning

18 For[i] I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add[j] to him the plagues that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away[k] his part from the Book[l] of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

I Am Coming Quickly

20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”

Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.[m] Amen.

The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it,[j] for the glory of God illuminated it

Revelations 21:22-27

In the new earth, there would be no need for temple to go to worship and no Sun to produce light. The reason is because God will be there, hence no need for a place to worship and no need for other light than God. There will still be nations and kings and they will bring Glory to God. The inhabitants are those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.

The great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God

Revelation 21:9-21

The same angels that had the seven bowls filled with seven plagues, explained to John about the Bride of Christ. In other context the Bride is understood to be the Church. However, in this context, the Bride is the new Jerusalem. The new holy Jerusalem descends from heaven. It has twelve gates guarded by twelve angels. Each gate has the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Similarly there are twelve foundations of the city and each has the name of one of the twelve apostles of Y'shua.

A very detailed description of the New Jerusalem is given. The dimension of the square city is twelve thousand furlongs on each side. The walls are 144 cubits. Notice that the dimensions are twelve related. The city is pure gold. The foundations of the walls of the city has many precious stones, like jasper, sapphire, chalcedony, emerald, sardonyx, sardius, chrysolite, beryl, topaz, chrysoprase, jacinth, amethyst. The twelve gates were twelve pearls, hence the expression "pearly gates".

I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts

Revelation 21:1-8

This chapter is revealed after the Enemy has been defeated. Not only will there be a new earth, there will also be a new heaven. Note that God is even beyond heaven in that He can destroy and create is again. The new city of Jerusalem is revealed as the bride for God. And even with the new Jerusalem, we are reminded that God will live inside His people through the Holy Spirit. The promises of God that will be fulfilled in that time is that there will be no more tears, death, pain and crying.


Then Jesus spoke, introducing Himself as the Alpha and the Omega. Those who thirst will be given the water of life freely. This is in fact the Holy Spirit who will be given freely, only to those who ask from the right source - Y'shua Ha Masiach. We are also supposed to overcome before we can inherit the Kingdom. As a reminder those who live in ways which oppose to Jesus will be send to the lake of fire, in their second death.





Revelation 21
All Things Made New

1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John,[a] saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me,[b] “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

6 And He said to me, “It is done![c] I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things,[d] and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 But the cowardly, unbelieving,[e] abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

The New Jerusalem

9 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me[f] and talked with me, saying, “Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.”[g] 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy[h] Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. 12 Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: 13 three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west.

14 Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names[i] of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 15 And he who talked with me had a gold reed to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. 16 The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal. 17 Then he measured its wall: one hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel. 18 The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. 19 The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

The Glory of the New Jerusalem

22 But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it,[j] for the glory[k] of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. 24 And the nations of those who are saved[l] shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it.[m] 25 Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). 26 And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it.[n] 27 But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes[o] an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

Derek Prince - Teaching on receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit

Derek Prince shared about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in which the evidence is the speaking of tongues. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THa58YZgbOI

This Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a separate event to being Born Again. While the disciples needed to tarry for about 50 days at Pentecost to receive this, after Pentecost we can be baptised in the Holy Spirit as soon as we are born again. However this is not automatic - we have to ask for it.

Derek Prince shares the 4 steps:

- We have to be thirsty for this Baptism of Fire which is the Holy Spirit and desire the gifts that come with it.

- We have to ask Jesus for it because only He can Baptise with Fire. Also when we ask Jesus for this, He will in no way turn away those who ask this Good thing.

- We have to open ourselves and breathe in the Spirit of God.

- We have to allow the words - utterance of the Spirit to come out through our mouths.

And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire

This chapter tells of the imprisonment of the Enemy for 1000 years in the bottomless pit. If this chapter is to be taken chronologically from the last chapter, then the imprisonment of the Enemy follows the defeat of the Anti-Christ. However, it is God's plan that after 1000 years the Enemy would be released.

Then the chapter describes the saints that would reign with Christ for a thousand years. Contrary to popular interpretation, the chapter seems to suggest that these saints are only the one who did not follow the Beast and who were destroyed because the chose Messiah over the Beast. So does that mean that other followers of Y'shua Ha Massiach who lived and died before the period of the Anti-Christ, will not then take part in this thousand year reign?

The next description is more interesting. At the end of the thousand years, the Enemy is released to lead another rebellion on Earth. So this suggests that during the one thousand years, the saints of the First Resurrection lived on Earth and reign with Christ. Then during the final rebellion by the Enemy, there are still people or beings opposed to God who live on Earth, whom the Enemy will gather for the final battle.

Another interesting point is that the Enemy is defeated in this Final Battle and thrown into the Lake of Fire and Brimstone where the Beast and False Prophet had been for the last thousand years. So it seemed that the Enemy was first thrown into a different place, which is the Bottomless Pit, for the first thousand years and that this is a different place to the Lake of Fire where the Beast and False Prophet were kept.

The chapter ends in the Final Judgement which is so terrible that heaven and earth flee in the face of God. It mentioned that this is the time that the dead will be judged. The question is whether these dead include the believers of Y'shua who have died. Where is the argument that says that these dead are all non-believers?

For these resurrected dead, they will be judged according to their works which are written in multiple books, not just one book. In addition, the judgment will also consider the Book of Life. It is still possible to interpret that the dead believers of Y'shua, who will be found in the Book of Life, will not be judged by their sins at this stage. The last sentence also supports this saying "And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire." This agrees with the fact that all humans sinned and fall short of God's glory and the wages of sin is death, hence everyone will be cast into the Lake of Fire no matter what their works were. The only exception is having their names in the Book of Life, which can only happen for those who follow Y'shua Ha Masiach.






Revelation 20
Satan Bound 1,000 Years

20 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3 and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.

The Saints Reign with Christ 1,000 Years

4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a[a] thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

Satanic Rebellion Crushed

7 Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. 9 They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. 10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where[b] the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

The Great White Throne Judgment

11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God,[c] and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.[d] 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!

After the judgment and destruction of the "woman", which is the great city that led nations into corruption, there is great rejoice in heaven. Those in heaven including the twenty four elders and the four beasts worshipped and glorified God. They also praised God for His judgment on the great city that has caused many saints to perish.

The next praise and rejoicing is for the marriage of the Lamb to His bride, which is the church of Y'shua. The angel pronounced blessings on those attending the marriage supper of the Lamb. As the angel finished the sayings, John tried to worship him but the angel stopped him and told him to worship God instead, because the angel is also a fellowservant.

In the next vision, John saw Jesus riding on the white horse. Y'shua is described as Faithful, True, judging and waging war in righteousness, eyes of flaming fire, head with crowns, having an unknown name, dressed in blood, has the name Word of God, sword in his mouth that can smite nations, rule nations with an iron rod, has the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God, has the names written on His thigh Lord of lords, King of kings, is followed by an army on white horses.

If the Revelation is revealed in a chronological order, at least in this chapter, then the destruction of the Great City comes first. This city, also known as the Woman, Whore and Babylon, may be the prime city in the world, a world capital or a nations state. Following its destruction is the marriage of the Lamb to His saints. After this is the great battle. An angel calls on all flying creatures to celebrate the wedding of the Lamb, by preparing to devour the earthly kings, leaders, armies and all the people remaining. The beast will lead the earthly kings with armies against Y'shua and His armies. There are no other details of the battle. The next description is about the total defeat of the Beast (Anti-Christ), the False Prophet, and those that worshipped the image of the Beast. The Beast and the False Prophet were thrown into the Lake of fire burning with brimstone. The rest of the people are slain by Y'shua and eaten by the flying creatures.




Revelation 19
Heaven Exults over Babylon

1 After these things I heard[a] a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord[b] our God! 2 For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her.” 3 Again they said, “Alleluia! Her smoke rises up forever and ever!” 4 And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sat on the throne, saying, “Amen! Alleluia!” 5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying, “Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both[c] small and great!”

6 And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the[d] Lord God Omnipotent reigns! 7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” 8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.

9 Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.” 10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

Christ on a White Horse

11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had[e] a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean,[f] followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp[g] sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

KING OF KINGS AND
LORD OF LORDS.

The Beast and His Armies Defeated

17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather together for the supper of the great God,[h] 18 that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free[i] and slave, both small and great.”

19 And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. 20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the rest 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.

Alas, alas, that great city, ..... For in one hour she is made desolate

Rev 18:11-24

When the "woman" was judged, the "merchants of the earth" mourn and weep over her. This indicates the woman or great city, has been the greatest commercial hub of the world. It is a symbol of materialism, luxury and Godlessness. Though the merchants weep, they dare not go near for fear of the severe judgment being inflicted on her. The riches that the city build over the years is destroyed in an instant.

To further illustrate the point, the angel took a a great stone and threw it down the sea to show the suddenness of the destruction. The great city is named as Babylon, which may be symbolic of a great city or the rebuilt city of ancient Babylon. No matter which is true, it will be a great city that leads the seduction of all nations. The angel further explained that the merchants are not only commerce people, but are in fact leaders in the world. Babylon has deceived the nations with her sorceries and also destroyed God's prophets, saints and others.

For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication

Rev 18:1-10

A powerful angel came down from heaven to announce that Babylon, or the great city represented by the image of the "woman" is finally destroyed. The fallen city also became the place where the fallen spirits are sent.

Another voice from heaven calls for the repentance of the people, showing again, the patience and mercy of God. The angel calls on people to not share in her sins so that they will not share on the wrath of God. Her sin is so great that it reaches heaven. Her (the city's) sins include self-glorification, pride and arrogance. Due to these sins, her judgment will be severe and quick showing that she is totally helpless against God's judgment.

The kings and leaders in the world who had sinned with the great city, will weep from a distant, being afraid that the judgment of this city is so swift.







Revelation 18
The Fall of Babylon the Great

1 After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. 2 And he cried mightily[a] with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! 3 For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.”

4 And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. 5 For her sins have reached[b] to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. 6 Render to her just as she rendered to you,[c] and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her. 7 In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.’ 8 Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges[d] her.

The World Mourns Babylon’s Fall

9 “The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning, 10 standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come.’

11 “And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise anymore: 12 merchandise of gold and silver, precious stones and pearls, fine linen and purple, silk and scarlet, every kind of citron wood, every kind of object of ivory, every kind of object of most precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble; 13 and cinnamon and incense, fragrant oil and frankincense, wine and oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and bodies and souls of men. 14 The fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you, and all the things which are rich and splendid have gone from you,[e] and you shall find them no more at all. 15 The merchants of these things, who became rich by her, will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 16 and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city that was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls! 17 For in one hour such great riches came to nothing.’ Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance 18 and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What is like this great city?’

19 “They threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and wailing, and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city, in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! For in one hour she is made desolate.’

20 “Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles[f] and prophets, for God has avenged you on her!”

Finality of Babylon’s Fall

21 Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down, and shall not be found anymore. 22 The sound of harpists, musicians, flutists, and trumpeters shall not be heard in you anymore. No craftsman of any craft shall be found in you anymore, and the sound of a millstone shall not be heard in you anymore. 23 The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived. 24 And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth.”

The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues

Revelation 17:7-18

There are things the Scripture describes using allegory / symbolic and there are things which are literal. For the most cases when it is not literal, as in this chapter, the Scripture itself will provide the explanation. Hence in other parts of Scripture which does not give specific explanations, they are generally meant to be taken as literal.

In this chapter, the Woman and the Beast are symbolic and are explained by the angel. The beast is said to be "Was, is not, and yet is". The angel does not explain more than that. People have usually taken this to mean that the Beast represents the Anti-Christ and that he will be mortally wounded and appeared to have died. And then the Beast would come back to life again, causing people to think that he was resurrected.

There's another phrase about they "whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world". This might mean the non-believers, those who choose not to follow Y'shua Jesus. The interesting part about this is that they may have been pre-determined not to be in the book of life from the beginning.

More details are revealed that the seven heads of the beast are actually seven mountains. They may correspond to seven kingdoms with seven kings. At that time, five kings have already been known and fallen, one king is there at that time, and there will be one more to come. The seventh kings will reign a short time and will give rise to the resurrected beast who will be the eighth king.

The ten horns are another set of ten kings with no kingdoms, but will be given to reign a short time with the beast at the End Times. The fact that the have no kingdoms, has led to some interpretation that they are spiritual beings, followers of the Enemy, rather than earthly kings. They will worship and support the beast and will be ultimately defeated by the Lamb.

Finally the woman is revealed as the great city which "reigns over the kings of the earth". This may be a capital of a united world of kingdoms. The water which the woman sits on is also revealed as peoples and  nations. So it seems to be an oppressive worldwide government. However, this worldwide regime will be opposed by the ten kings who worship the Beast. So although it seems like the evil forces are fighting with another evil force, the result is that the people of the nations who will endure great suffering in those battles.

MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT

Revelation 17:1-6

John was led by one of the seven angels and shown the Harlot woman and the Beast. Here are the descriptions of each:

The Harlot Woman
- sits on many waters
- commits fornication with kings of the earth, perhaps making some evil deals with them.
- cause the people to be drunk with fornication.
- sits on a scarlet beast. Is this the same woman?
- clothes in scarlet and purple with lots of jewelry
- holds a golden cup full of abomination and filthiness of her fornication
- drinks the blood of the saints and martyrs of Jesus. Probably means she is complicit in their destruction.

The Beast
- scarlet colour
- has seven heads and ten horns
- full of blasphemy

The Scriptures contain literal images as well as non literal ones. Usually when the images are non-literal such as the Woman and the Beast, then the Scripture itself would explain those images, as in this chapter. Hence there is no excuse for claiming some parts of Scripture to be allegorical when it is not meant to be.

To be continued...........




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Revelation 17
The Scarlet Woman and the Scarlet Beast

1 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me,[a] “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, 2 with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.”

3 So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 4 The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication.[b] 5 And on her forehead a name was written:

MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT,
THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS
AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS
OF THE EARTH.

6 I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.

The Meaning of the Woman and the Beast

7 But the angel said to me, “Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns. 8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.[c]

9 “Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. 10 There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time. 11 The beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition.

12 “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. 13 These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. 14 These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”

15 Then he said to me, “The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. 16 And the ten horns which you saw on[d] the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire. 17 For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. 18 And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.”

And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon

Revelation 16:8-21

The fourth bowl of wrath is described as being poured on the Sun and caused the Sun to scorch men. Clearly the wrath in the bowl is a spiritual rather than physical, but its effects is real. The physical manifestation may be that the Sun is intensified and the heat will scorch the people. However, the people are still to stubborn to repent but instead blasphemed God.

The fifth angel's bowl of wrath is poured on the capital of the Beast and caused a darkness to occur in that region. The people may have realised that this is spiritual and they continued to blaspheme God instead of repenting.

The sixth angel pour the wrath into the river Euphrates. This caused the river to dry up such that the mortal enemies can now cross the river. The enemies mentioned are the kings of the East. The Enemy will make his move, by having the evil spirits inside the Dragon, Beast and the False Prophet to come out and roam the land to gather human kings and armies to battle the people of God.

We are told that although Yeshua will come like a thief in the night, we are supposed to wait and watch and not get caught naked by the sudden event. The enemies will all gather at the place called Armageddon.

The seventh bowl of wrath will be poured in the air and Heaven declares that "It is done!". There will be great natural upheaval on earth including the largest earthquakes. The great city is probably Jerusalem and will be split in three while other cities will be destroyed. Babylon, representing the chief blaspheming city, will face the full wrath. The devastation will include the destruction of islands and mountains. Great hail will fall on men, and yet they will continue to blaspheme rather than repent.

For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets

Revelation 16:1-7 

Permission is given to the seven angels to start pouring the wrath of God, which they carry in bowls.

First Bowl: This specifically targets the people who accepts the Mark of the Beast and worship the image of the beast. This wrath is in the form of sores which appear on the people and are described as loathsome. The people may not see the angel, but they would know that this is a supernatural disease since only those who have the Mark of the Beast are inflicted.

Second Bowl: This wrath is poured into the sea causing it to turn blood rate. This wrath is unprecedented and quite final because all the sea creatures would die, not just a fraction. This had not occurred in past judgment before, hence showing the Final Judgment or the End of All Things is almost about to happen.

Third Bowl: This also turns water to blood but this third bowl affects the rivers and springs of water, essentially the water of human civilisations. This time, the angel explains (glorifying God first) that blood symbolizes the slain prophets and believers by the evil forces. The angel reminds that this wrath is God's righteous judgment.





Revelation 16

1 Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out the bowls[a] of the wrath of God on the earth.”

First Bowl: Loathsome Sores

2 So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.

Second Bowl: The Sea Turns to Blood

3 Then the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died.

Third Bowl: The Waters Turn to Blood

4 Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. 5 And I heard the angel of the waters saying:

“You are righteous, O Lord,[b]
The One who is and who was and who is to be,[c]
Because You have judged these things.
6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets,
And You have given them blood to drink.
For[d] it is their just due.”
7 And I heard another from[e] the altar saying, “Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments.”

Fourth Bowl: Men Are Scorched

8 Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire. 9 And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory.

Fifth Bowl: Darkness and Pain

10 Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues because of the pain. 11 They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their deeds.

Sixth Bowl: Euphrates Dried Up

12 Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. 13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and[f] of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

15 “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.”

16 And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.[g]

Seventh Bowl: The Earth Utterly Shaken

17 Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” 18 And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. 19 Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. 20 Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. 21 And great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent. Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great.

Seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete

This vision seems to be the last in the series where seven angels are preparing seven bowls of plagues. The plagues are the judgment from God. A few interesting and mysterious things of note are the sea of glass and those who rejected the beast are now victorious, singing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb.

The vision that followed seemed to be the process where the plagues of God were given out. So in the temple in Heaven it is one of the four creatures who filled the seven bowls with God's wrath which are the plagues. During this significant ceremony, access to the temple is forbidden. It is curious that these details in Heaven are revealed in the vision to John. However, we can be assured that God has revealed this detail for a good reason, and it will be understood by the intended people in the intended time.





Revelation 15
Prelude to the Bowl Judgments

1 Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete.

2 And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark[a] and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. 3 They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying:

“Great and marvelous are Your works,
Lord God Almighty!
Just and true are Your ways,
O King of the saints![b]
4 Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name?
For You alone are holy.
For all nations shall come and worship before You,
For Your judgments have been manifested.”
5 After these things I looked, and behold,[c] the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened. 6 And out of the temple came the seven angels having the seven plagues, clothed in pure bright linen, and having their chests girded with golden bands. 7 Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever. 8 The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one was able to enter the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.

And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress

Revelations 14:14-20

The figure sitting in on the white cloud is described as being like the Son of Man. So He could be Yshua the Son or God the Father. An angel announced that the Earth is ready for reaping and God begins the judgment. The harvest that is riped to be reaped are not the obedient and faithful believers. On the contrary the harvest are people who opposes God because the angel will reap them and throw them into the judgment winepresses of God. A specific dimension of this judgment winepress is given. Why the specific dimension? Perhaps it is God showing that His Words will definitely come to pass.

They have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name

Revelation 14:6-13

John saw three angels flying in Heaven. The messages of the angels were very clear. The first message is to glorify God and call to worship, even as His judgment is coming. The second angel announce the fall of Babylon. The third message specifically relates to the Anti-Christ Beast, that anyone who received the Mark of the Beast, will face the full wrath of God and suffer for eternity. To receive the Mark of the Beast is an act of worship of the Beast, hence the eternal punishment.

It seems at first that the angels were flying to warn people of the Judgment and the consequences of worshipping the Beast in the End Times. However, the angels are in fact flying in heaven, as described by John. It is possible that God may command the angels to give these warnings on earth during the End Times, but there is no indication of this view. In fact the first two messages has always been given to God's people to spread to others throughout the history of Israel. The final message about not receiving the Beast has been written in the New Testament Scriptures for almost two thousand years of Y'shua's followers to tell others. In other words, there is no need to make angels visible and for them to broadcast the message to the whole earth. All people on earth should already know these three messages before the Last Days.

And then in verse 13, there is comforting words for those who resist the Beast in the Last Days. If Rapture happened first, then those left behind can still choose to follow Y'shua, be blessed and finally have rest after they are destroyed from this world.

These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb

Revelation 14:1-5

The Lamb standing on Mt Zion is none other than our Lord Yshua Himself and he has with Him the 144,000 selected individuals. Where these individuals are selected from is not that clear but they have God's Name written on their foreheads, opposite to those who have the name of the Beast on their hands or heads. The 144,000 individuals are special in a few respects, for example, they are very pure being male virgins, do not lie, and very obedient to God. They are referred to as the firstfruits to God the Father and to Yshua. How are they the firstfruits, will they be the first to be martyred before or after the Rapture, why are they called firstfruits when there are other saints who have gone sleep before them? One curious thing from this passage is that only these individuals could understand the new heavenly songs being conducted in heaven.





Revelation 14
The Lamb and the 144,000

1 Then I looked, and behold, a[a] Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having[b] His Father’s name written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps. 3 They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth. 4 These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed[c] from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. 5 And in their mouth was found no deceit,[d] for they are without fault before the throne of God.[e]

The Proclamations of Three Angels

6 Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people— 7 saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”

8 And another angel followed, saying, “Babylon[f] is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”

9 Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”

12 Here is the patience of the saints; here are those[g] who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

13 Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me,[h] “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’”

“Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.”

Reaping the Earth’s Harvest

14 Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. 15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, “Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You[i] to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” 16 So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped.

Reaping the Grapes of Wrath

17 Then another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.

18 And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire, and he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, “Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe.” 19 So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses’ bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs.

No one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name .... 666

Revelation 13:11-18 - Continued


The second beast which comes out of the earth may be the False Prophets, which means the earlier reference to the dragon giving power to the first beast means that the dragon is the Evil One. This final False Prophet wields the full power of the Anti-Christ with his authorization. As the total opposite of the Holy Spirit, the False Prophet points people to worship and glorify the Anti-Christ. The False Prophet will use a lot of supernatural power to convince people to idolize and worship the Anti-Christ. He would even supernaturally cause the idol / image of the Anti-Christ to speak and would destroy those who would not worship the idol. During this time, he will force everyone to receive the Mark of the Beast on their right hand or their forehead. This Mark of the Beast represents the name of the Anti-Christ and has the numeric equivalent of 666.

And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation

Revelation 13 - Continued

The Anti-Christ beast will speak great blasphemies. These blasphemies are more than derogatory or foul language. Instead they are words directly targeted at the Almighty God. They will be words that turn glory away from God and lies about God. However, it is God who allows this to be spoken by the Beast but only for 42 months or 3.5 years. The beast will target and destroy many of God's followers on earth.

Some believe that the Anti-Christ Beast will only rule part of the world and make war with the rest. In verse 7, it clearly states that the beast will have authority over all nations and all people, clearly ruling the whole world. All who remain will worship the beast, and they are the ones who are not God's people since their names are not written in the Book of the Lamb. The saints are called to be patient, some will die as captives, others will die by the sword.

And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months

The Beast that comes out of the sea is introduced in this chapter. This description of the beast having 7 heads, 10 horns, and some parts that look like a leopard, bear and lion may be symbolic. The Beast is commonly agreed to represent the Anti-Christ. Some claim the ten crowns on his horn represent the 10 nations that control directly. The symoblism represented by the leopard, bear and lion are not quite that obvious.

Then the dragon is said to give him power. This dragon is commonly agreed to be the final False Prophet who stir others to the Anti-Christ. At some point the Anti-Christ will be either physically or otherwise wounded. Then the Anti-Christ will be supernaturally healed from it and this leads people to worship both the False Prophet and the Anti-Christ.



Revelation 13
The Beast from the Sea

1 Then I[a] stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns,[b] and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. 2 Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. 3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. 4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?”

5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue[c] for forty-two months. 6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. 7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe,[d] tongue, and nation. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 10 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.

The Beast from the Earth

11 Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. 12 And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. 14 And he deceives those[e] who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. 15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or[f] the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.

he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ

There are various supernatural players in this chapter, some of which could be symbolic, while others are real no matter how unlikely they may seem. The first two characters are the woman in travail and the great dragon.

The woman giving birth - she appears from heaven. She is clothed as bright as the sun, stepping on the moon and wears a crown of twelve stars. This may be a good character since she not only appears from heaven but is as brilliant as the sun, however we cannot be sure yet.

The great red dragon - it has seven heads, ten horns and seven crowns. It is written that its tail drew a third of the stars of heaven to earth. This is reminiscent of the Enemy who was cast down to earth with a third of the angels. The dragon was prepared to devour the baby as the woman gives birth. The baby is a boy and is destined to rule. The baby is soon taken to God's throne very soon after birth. The is similar to how the Lord Yshua was born into the world where the Enemy was waiting to destroy Him since birth. Yshua's life on earth was very brief and was soon at the right hand of God again, just as the baby boy's life was brief. The boy's mother fled and was protected for a thousand two hundred and sixty days. This period of time is three and a half years and is similar to the length of certain periods of tribulation already mentioned.

Going back to the reference of the woman, this cannot be representing the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus. This woman is associated with too many imagery such as the sun, moon, stars, wings of eagle, flying to the wilderness and so on - she has to represent something other than a real woman. One possible explanation is that the woman represents Israel. In Genesis 37:9-10, Joseph dreamt of the sun, moon and 11 stars bowing to him. Jacob understood this dream to represent himself, his wife Rachel and his 11 other children. Also our Lord Jesus is born out of Israel.

Also the great battle that resulted in the casting down of the Evil One and his angels may not have been the past rebellion, but instead the final exile from Heaven which is still in the future. The rebellion may have happened in the past, but it seems the Evil One still had access to Heaven such as when he was accusing Job in front of God. So during this final exile or cast down to Earth, that would explain the "great wrath" and the "woe to the inhabitants of the earth" in that final time.

The final passage shows the supernatural protection on the woman (or Israel). The evil scheme against her fail so the Enemy turn the attention towards "her offspring" who have the "testimony of Jesus Christ". This offspring could possibly refer to gentile Christians. Even if the rapture has taken place, perhaps some of the remaining Gentiles will still have the chance of turning to Christ, but will face the great wrath of the Enemy.







Revelation 12
The Woman, the Child, and the Dragon

1 Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. 2 Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth.

3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. 4 His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. 5 She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne. 6 Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.

Satan Thrown Out of Heaven

7 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them[a] in heaven any longer. 9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. 12 Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”

The Woman Persecuted

13 Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. 14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. 15 So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. 16 But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. 17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.[b]

The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!

John was given a rod and told to measure the Temple building but not the Temple court, with the reason that the Temple court will be given to the Gentiles for three and a half years. This may refer to the time when the non-believers, being referred to as Gentiles, will control God's place for three and a half years. For the same amount of time, power will be given to two witnesses who will prophesy.

These two witnesses will have great power and if anyone tried to harm them, they will shoot fire from their mouths. They have the power to stop the rain and to turn water to blood and to cause plagues on earth. However, when they finished their testimony, they are allowed to be defeated by the evil from the bottomless pit. The place where this occurred is the place where the Lord was crucified, which is Jerusalem, and the passage also calls it the spiritual Sodom and Egypt - perhaps showing the spiritual state of Jerusalem at that time.

Since the two witnesses preached on things the non-believers hated to hear, the non-believers will rejoice at their deaths. The people wanted the death of these two witnesses so much that they did not allow the bodies to be buried, so they can see their dead bodies all day. However, after three and a half days, the Spirit brought the witnesses back to life and they ascended to heaven. As the people saw this, there was also an earthquake that destroyed a tenth of the city and over seven thousand men.

Then the seventh angel sounded the shofar. Heaven declares the earth to belong to the Lord and the twenty four elders worshipped and thanked God. They declare that God's judgment has come and the wicked shall be judged while God's servants will be rewarded. Heaven was opened, revealing the ark of his testament and the earth rumbled with lightnings, earthquakes, thunders and hail.




Revelation 11
The Two Witnesses

1 Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood,[a] saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. 2 But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months. 3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”

4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God[b] of the earth. 5 And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. 6 These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.

The Witnesses Killed

7 When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our[c] Lord was crucified. 9 Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow[d] their dead bodies to be put into graves. 10 And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.

The Witnesses Resurrected

11 Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. 12 And they[e] heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them. 13 In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven.

14 The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly.

Seventh Trumpet: The Kingdom Proclaimed

15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms[f] of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” 16 And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying:

“We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty,
The One who is and who was and who is to come,[g]
Because You have taken Your great power and reigned.
18 The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come,
And the time of the dead, that they should be judged,
And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints,
And those who fear Your name, small and great,
And should destroy those who destroy the earth.”
19 Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant[h] was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.

You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings

An angel descended from heaven in a cloud, with a rainbow on his head and face bright as the sun. He landed his right foot on the sea and left foot on the earth. At this stage it is not clear if this is the seventh angel who will sound the shofar. He has a little book and began to cry aloud accompanied by seven thunders who also spoke. Then John started to write the words spoken from the thunders but was commanded to stop.

The angel turned heavenward to God and swore that when the seventh angel sounded (perhaps the shofar sounded), the mysteries of God should have been revealed to all. Then a voice from heaven commanded John to take the opened little book from the angel. When John requested the book from the angel, he was told to eat the book, thus preventing John from revealing the contents of the book. When John had swallowed the book, he was commanded to prophesy to many nations and their kings.




Revelation 10
The Mighty Angel with the Little Book

1 I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire. 2 He had a little book open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, 3 and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. When he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices. 4 Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices,[a] I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me,[b] “Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them.”

5 The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised up his hand[c] to heaven 6 and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there should be delay no longer, 7 but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets.

John Eats the Little Book

8 Then the voice which I heard from heaven spoke to me again and said, “Go, take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the earth.”

9 So I went to the angel and said to him, “Give me the little book.”

And he said to me, “Take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth.”

10 Then I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter. 11 And he[d] said to me, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.”

Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates

Unlike the events following the previous shofar calls which caused upheavals in the natural world, the following shofar calls appear to cause great disasters by supernatural means.

At the fifth shofar call: an angel fall from heaven and unlocked the bottomless pit. The angel is Apollyon (in Greek) or Abaddon (in Hebrew) and he was the king over the locusts that are freed from the bottomless pit. The locusts are not the usual locust insects but are supernatural beings. Clear descriptions, although unimaginable are given in the Scriptures and they looked like battle-horses, wearing gold crowns, had human faces, long hair, lion-like teeth. They wear iron breastplates, had wings and lethal sting in their tails like scorpions.

These supernatural locusts-like beings are directed to sting humans for a period of five months. They are specifically targeting humans and not to cause harm to the environment, hence they are clearly intelligent supernatural beings. The sting on the humans will be severe but will not be lethal. Hence the humans are to suffer greatly for five months and unable to die.

At the sixth shofar call: the four horns from the golden altar before God, instructed the sixth angel to release the four angels bound in the river Euphrates. The four angels appear to raise another great supernatural army to cause destruction for an hour, then a day, then a month and then a year. This army had 200 million horsemen.  These supernatural horsemen had fiery breastplates, with jacinth and brimstones.  Their horses have heads like lions and breathes fire.

A third of humans will be killed by this army through their fire, smoke and brimstone from the horses, as well as their serpent like tales. The people who survived this army, still would not repent from their idolatry of evil, of money and other material things, nor of their murders, sorceries, sexual immorality and thefts.

These supernatural agents of destruction is allowed by God to cause great tribulation on humanity. Although they are described using features of animals, they are clearly not earthly animals at all.





Revelation 9
Fifth Trumpet: The Locusts from the Bottomless Pit

1 Then the fifth angel sounded: And I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. To him was given the key to the bottomless pit. 2 And he opened the bottomless pit, and smoke arose out of the pit like the smoke of a great furnace. So the sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke of the pit. 3 Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. And to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 4 They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. 5 And they were not given authority to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man. 6 In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will desire to die, and death will flee from them.

7 The shape of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle. On their heads were crowns of something like gold, and their faces were like the faces of men. 8 They had hair like women’s hair, and their teeth were like lions’ teeth. 9 And they had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots with many horses running into battle. 10 They had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails. Their power was to hurt men five months. 11 And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon.

12 One woe is past. Behold, still two more woes are coming after these things.

Sixth Trumpet: The Angels from the Euphrates

13 Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14 saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” 15 So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind. 16 Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them. 17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision: those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone. 18 By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed—by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came out of their mouths. 19 For their power[a] is in their mouth and in their tails; for their tails are like serpents, having heads; and with them they do harm.

20 But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. 21 And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries[b] or their sexual immorality or their thefts.

Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!

The seventh seal was finally opened but there was silence for half an hour. The seven angels which may or may not be the ones with the seals, were now given seven shofars (trumpets), perhaps getting ready to blow. Another angel came before the throne where there was also a golden altar. This angel had brought with him a golden censer filled with a lot of incense, which are the prayers of the believers. It appears that the normal procedure would be to present the incense on the golden altar. On this occasion, the angel took fire from the altar and put with the incense in the censer and cast it towards earth. This caused thunder, lightning and earthquakes on earth.

Then the seven angels with the shofars started blowing:

At the first shofar call: hail and fire mixed with blood were cast towards earth, causing a third of the trees and grass on earth to burn.

At the second shofar call: a great burning mountain was cast into the sea, causing a third of the sea to become blood, a third of sea creatures to die and a third of the ships on earth to be destroyed.

At the third shofar call: a burning star, perhaps like a meteorite fell to a third of the rivers and water resources, causing the water supply to become polluted. This leads to the death of many people from drinking the water.

At the fourth shofar call: a third of the sun, moon and stars were darkened and caused earth to be darkened. This shofar called does not appear to cause direct destruction. However, an angel flew heaven and announced more terrible calamity to be unleashed when the next three trumpets will sound.




Revelation 8
Seventh Seal: Prelude to the Seven Trumpets

1 When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. 3 Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand. 5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake.

6 So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.

First Trumpet: Vegetation Struck

7 The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth.[a] And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.

Second Trumpet: The Seas Struck

8 Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. 9 And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.

Third Trumpet: The Waters Struck

10 Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. 11 The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter.

Fourth Trumpet: The Heavens Struck

12 Then the fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night.

13 And I looked, and I heard an angel[b] flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!”

There were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel

The revelation given to John about the opening of the seals stopped at the sixth seal for a while. The next vision is that four powerful angels are stationed at the four corners of the world to hold back the winds, probably the winds of destruction. These may be the angels of judgment because there appeared another angel from the East who called on these four angels to delay their destruction, so that 144,000 ( a hundred and forty four thousand) of the descendants of Israel can be sealed or set apart.

These 144,000 are not just the modern Israelites who can trace their ancestry back to the kingdom of Judah (and the tribe of Benjamin). The Scripture here is specific, the 144,000 Israelites are composed equally of the twelve tribes of Israel, 12,000 from each tribe.

Then the vision is of a multitude of people, who are the Gentile and non-Gentile saved believers (with white robe) in Yshua. So the 144,000 are clearly in addition to the Christians (believers white robes). So these Christians praised God and together with the 24 elders and the four beasts, worshipped God. Then one of the elders revealed to John that these multitude of people in white robes are the ones that have gone through the tribulation period. Hence the people in white robes are also in addition to Christian believers caught up in the Rapture. In other words, the tribulation period will result in many people coming to the Lord.





Revelation 7
The Sealed of Israel

1 After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. 2 Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, 3 saying, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” 4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed:

5 of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed;[a]
of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed;
6 of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed;
7 of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed;
8 of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed.
A Multitude from the Great Tribulation

9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 11 All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying:

“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom,
Thanksgiving and honor and power and might,
Be to our God forever and ever.
Amen.”
13 Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?”

14 And I said to him, “Sir,[b] you know.”

So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. 16 They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; 17 for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters.[c] And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb

When the Lamb opened the first four seals, each of the four beasts introduced different coloured horse.

White Horse (First Seal): The rider wears a crown and so represents a ruler or king of some sort. His role is to conquer.

Red Horse (Second Seal): The rider had the power to cause widespread conflict on earth and causing tremendous violence. He has a great sword.

Black Horse (Third Seal): Its rider holds a pair of scales, where scales are associated with trade and commerce, ie buying and selling. The description of the prices of some items are given, such as one measure of wheat for a penny and three measures of barley for a penny.

Pale Horse (Fourth Seal): Its rider is Death. He will cause death to a fourth of the world by violence and hunger.

Then the descriptions follow the remaining seals:

Fifth Seal: Those who have died for the sake of Christ cries out for justice. They were given white robes, symbolizing salvation and purification by Christ. The response to their cries are that judgment will come when the final number of those which must die for Christ is fulfilled.

Sixth Seal: There will be great upheavels by nature itself in the form of natural disasters such as earthquakes. The sun will be black, the moon will be blood red. Mountains and islands will be moved as the foundations of the earth are shaken. A few phrases that is difficult to put a definite meaning to are: "stars of heaven fell unto the earth" and "heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled togeher". These events will be so terrible that even the most powerful people on earth will beg to be hidden from the wrath of God.




Seventh Seal: to be described later.




Revelation 6
First Seal: The Conqueror

1 Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals;[a] and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.” 2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.

Second Seal: Conflict on Earth

3 When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come and see.”[b] 4 Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword.

Third Seal: Scarcity on Earth

5 When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come and see.” So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. 6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A quart[c] of wheat for a denarius,[d] and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine.”

Fourth Seal: Widespread Death on Earth

7 When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come and see.” 8 So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth.

Fifth Seal: The Cry of the Martyrs

9 When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.

Sixth Seal: Cosmic Disturbances

12 I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold,[e] there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon[f] became like blood. 13 And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. 14 Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. 15 And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders,[g] the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, 16 and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?

Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals

John saw God the Father sitting on the throne holding a scroll with seven seals. John felt sad that no one was worthy enough to open the scrolls, the elders could not do it, the four creatures could not do it, neither could the angels do it. Then The Lamb who is Yshua, came forth to take the scroll. Also the seven Spirits of God was mentioned, and this could be the angels sent out to the seven churches.

Then the twenty four elders and the four creatures, worshipped the Lamb. The Lamb is clearly Messiah who was slain, and was brought back to life, in order to redeem us. All the other beings in heaven join in the worship of the Lamb, to glorify Him and to praise Him. They all glorified, honoured and blessed the Lamb and the Father on the throne. The Lamb must be one with the God the Father, because God would not share His glory with anyone.





Revelation 5
The Lamb Takes the Scroll

1 And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it.

4 So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read[a] the scroll, or to look at it. 5 But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose[b] its seven seals.”

6 And I looked, and behold,[c] in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.

Worthy Is the Lamb

8 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll,
And to open its seals;
For You were slain,
And have redeemed us to God by Your blood
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
10 And have made us[d] kings[e] and priests to our God;
And we[f] shall reign on the earth.”
11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice:

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
To receive power and riches and wisdom,
And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”
13 And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying:

“Blessing and honor and glory and power
Be to Him who sits on the throne,
And to the Lamb, forever and ever!”[g]
14 Then the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four[h] elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.[i]

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!

John was given the revelation of the Throne of God in Heaven. He knew that he was being brought up in the Spirit, rather than in body so he knows that it is not a dream. The throne is surrounded by the 24 elders and the seven lamps which are the Spirits of God.

John also saw 4 creatures around the throne. Although these creatures were like lion, calf, man and eagle, they were spiritual beings which bear the resemblance to our terrestrial animals. These beings had wings and a multitude of eyes and their roles are to continuously worship The Lord God. As they worshipped, the 24 elders also worshipped and submitting their crowns before The Lord.

This is a picture of God being worshipped in a majestic way and it is Him who is deserving of such worship.



Revelation 4
The Throne Room of Heaven

1 After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.”

2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. 3 And He who sat there was[a] like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. 4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns[b] of gold on their heads. 5 And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices.[c] Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the[d] seven Spirits of God.

6 Before the throne there was[e] a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. 8 The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying:

“Holy, holy, holy,[f]
Lord God Almighty,
Who was and is and is to come!”
9 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:

11 “You are worthy, O Lord,[g]
To receive glory and honor and power;
For You created all things,
And by Your will they exist[h] and were created.”

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

The letter to the lukewarm church of Laodicea is to warn them against their self-reliance and self-satisfaction leading to arrogance since they did not need any material things from God. The harsh rebuke is such that God would rather they be cold like unbelievers, which still had a chance of listening to the gospel. The state of being lukewarm means that the people already know about God, but have no apparent need for God, these are the people most at risk of sliding away unknowingly.

God reminds them that although they are materially self-sufficient, they are in fact wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked unless they walk with God. They are urged to take God's gold and white garments which are the free gifts of salvation. They are reminded to be zealous and repent, and that Yshua is always ready to meet them where they are. Those who overcome are rewarded by sitting next to Yshua's throne.



Revelations 3
The Lukewarm Church

14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans[f] write,

‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot,[g] I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 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— 18 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. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 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. 21 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.

22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’”