Revelation 13 "The Mark"

"And he (the beast from the land, the false prophet) causes all both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and 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).” (vv.16-17)

Here in chapter 13 John describes two Beasts, one from “the sea” (vv.1-10) and one from “the land" (vv.11-18). Most Bible scholars believe the beast from the sea to be the “anti-christ,” and the beast from the land to be the "false prophet.” 

The beast from the sea (the anti-christ) will more than likely come out from one of the European nations. John describes this beast as having, "seven heads, ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy" (v. 1). We are told in the book of Revelation that the seven heads are the seven mountains upon which the beast sits (rules), and that the ten horns are ten kings (also reinforced by the 10 crowns). He shall speak blasphemous things against God and "the world will marvel and follow the beast (anti-christ)” (v.3).

Now the beast from the land (the false prophet) will testify of the anti-christ causing many upon the earth to worship the first beast (v.12). He (the 2nd beast) will, "perform great signs, call fire down from heaven, deceive all those who dwell on the earth, and cause them to make an image of the first beast, and to worship the image or be killed” (vv.13-15). Finally we read in our text that, “he (the 2nd beast) causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and 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).” 

Amazingly enough, there will be those during this tribulation period who will receive Jesus Christ as Lord: through the witness of the 144,000 who were sealed and sent out, and the two witnesses from chapter 7 who prophesied in Jerusalem for 1,260 days. These will refuse to worship the beast or take the mark of his name and become martyrs for Christ, but will enjoy everlasting life. Conversely, those who deny Christ and take the mark of the beast we are told in Revelation 14, "will drink of the wine of God's fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb” (vv.9-10). 

As believers, we are sealed (marked) by the Holy Spirit, marking us as people belonging to Him, and preserving us for His kingdom. The mark of the beast similarly identifies men as his servants, and this mark will bring God’s full fury upon them. So, one who walks the earth during the tribulation period can either: 1) take the mark of Christ, probably die a martyr but rule and region with Him forever, or 2) take the mark of the beast, live for 1,260 days, but suffer for eternity. Everyone will be marked, the question is, which one will mark you?

The Truth: “A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: "If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, he, too, will drink of the wine of God's fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb.” (Revelation 14:9-10)

Revelation 12 “The Woman, The Child, And The Dragon”

“And the the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. And she bore a male Child who was to rule the nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and to His throne.” (vv. 4-5)

Here in chapter 12 John digresses from the continuing story of the seventh trumpet (the seven vial judgments) to give us a broader look into both past and future events. In it, we shall find great insight about our enemy, how his master plan was thwarted, and what his future plans entail.

The identity of the woman in our text is believed to be the nation of Israel. This fits theologically with Genesis 37 (Joseph’s dream), contextually with the church as the bride of Christ (Isaiah 62), and  also geographically with the birth of the Child Jesus, in Bethlehem. The dragon then, who stands ready to devour the Child, is none other than Satan.

We know from Matthew’s gospel that Jesus’s linage came through Jacob, to Joseph, to the husband of Mary (Matthew 1:1-16). And, that some time after the Child was born, the evil king Herod ordered that all the baby boys in Bethlehem area be killed (who were two years and under Matthew 2:16). Thus the dragon was ready to devour the child using king Herod’s paranoia to do it. If the Child could be killed, then no one would ever be found worthy to, "open the scroll and loose its seals" and redeem the title deed to the earth (Rev.5). But, Joseph was divinely warned in a dream to “take the young Child and His mother by night and depart for Egypt” (Matthew 2:13), thus thwarting the original plan of Satan. 

This was just the beginning of Satan’s efforts to derail the messiah’s life. He tempted Him with all manner of sin to slip-up, to miss the mark of a sinless life, just once, so he could keep his power and earthly reign (Matthew 4). But Jesus prevailed. He lived a sinless life, not giving into temptation, enduring the death of the cross, rose to life again, and now sits at the right hand of God’s throne, ready to redeem His property. However, because Satan could not defeat the Child, he now turns his attention to the woman, to deceive the whole world (v.9).

Scripture tells us that the “day of the Lord” will not come unless, "the falling away" (departure from the faith) comes first, and the man of sin is reveled" (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). This falling away will be led by Satan’s right hand man, the “anti-christ.” He will come with the power of Satan, with signs and lying wonders, and with unrighteous deception and will lead many to their deaths because they will not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved” (2 Thessalonians 2:8-10).

Today's passage should indicate the importance of making sure you haven’t been deceived by Satan. That he has not turned you away from God and the truth that He has for you in Christ. For in that day many will cry Lord, Lord, but shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Therefore, "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near, for He will abundantly pardon." (Isaiah 55:6-7)

The Truth: “Jesus answered and said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)

“Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.” (Acts 16:31)

Revelation 11 “The Two Witnesses Resurrected”

“But after the three and a half days, the breath of life from God came into them, and they stood on their feet; and great fear fell upon those who were watching them. And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, ‘Come up here.’ Then they went up into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies watched them.”

In verse 3 of chapter 11 we are introduced to two of the more interesting characters of Revelation, the two witnesses. They will prophesy, preach and demonstrate repentance (clothed in sackcloth) for one thousand two hundred and sixty days. And during those days they will have great power (continual empowering from the Holy Spirit), devine protection from harm, and a very effective ministry (vv.3-6).

When they finish their testimony (1,260 days) the two witnesses will be killed by the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit (most likely Satan himself Rev.9:11), their bodies left in the streets of Jerusalem, and those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over their deaths (vv.7-10). 

Then in verse 11, God breathed life into His two witnesses (who had been dead for three and a half days) and resurrected them, while those who killed them, mocked them and rejoiced at their deaths, watched. This created great fear among the people concerning what these two may do next.

The next verse (12) has been considered by many as, the time when the “rapture” of the church will occur. That these two witnesses are taken up is indeed a “rapture” for them, but, it does not say that all are raised to heaven at this time. What is clear here is, their enemies watched as the faithful were taken into Glory. This same thing will happen when rapture occurs, the faithful will be taken up while unbelievers watch. 

The Truth

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

Revelation 10 "No Longer A Delay"

"And the angel which I saw standing upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, and he swore by him that lives for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that are therein, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be no longer a delay.” (vv.5-6)

Here in chapter 10 John continues to relate to us his revelation. But before the seventh trumpet sounds he tells us, “I saw a mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. And having a rainbow on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire. And 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 and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. And when he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices” (vv.1-3).

The angel being described here is none other than Jesus Christ, who comes to earth with an open book in His hand, the title deed to the earth (see Rev. 5:5). What the seven thunders uttered after Jesus cried out with a loud voice here in verse 3, we are not told and John was told by God to, “Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them down” (v.4). Obviously, what we do not know, we do not know! And, should not render a guess.

However, what John witnesses next, is what many have been waiting to hear for thousands of years, "And the angel which I saw standing upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, and he swore by him that lives for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be no longer a delay, but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound (the seventh trumpet), the mystery of God will be complete, as he hath declared to his servants, the prophets” (vv.5-7).

Translation, the wait is over! The LORD, who promised His church He would return and establish His kingdom on earth, is about to make good on that promise. And to further establish it, He raises His right hand to heaven and takes an oath (swears by Himself) that, “There shall be no longer a delay," that the time has come for the establishing of the kingdom and the delay is over.

Hallelujah! Jehovah is about to begin His reign.

The Truth: But Peter said, "God is not slack concerning His promises as some men count slackness, but a day is as a thousand years to the Lord and a thousand years is as a day, and you know that this delay is for redemption purposes, that more people might come in and be a part of the body of Christ"( 2 Peter 3:9 ). 

Revelation 9 “The Fifth and Sixth Trumpets”

“The rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.” (vv. 20-21)

Back in chapter 8 we saw the opening of the seventh seal which released the seven trumpet judgements. The first trumpet struck the earth with hail and fire; the second struck the seas, the third struck the rivers and streams, and the fourth the heavens.

Now here in chapter 9 we see the Fifth and Sixth Trumpet Judgments. The Fifth Trumpet Judgment is centered on “idolatrous” man, those who did not repent from the works of their hands (v.20), not mankind in general. Here, Satan’s demons are given permission for a five month period of time to torment, but not to kill them (vv.4-5). The chapter describes this torment as so sever that, “men will seek death and will not find it; they will desire to die, and death will flee from them” (v.5).

How blind can idolatrous man be to his need for salvation? How harden would his heart have to become, that he would desire death over repentance, and find neither. After seeing the effects to the earth in the previous four trumpet judgments, and now experiencing 5 months of relentless torment, one would think repentance would seem a natural response, or at least a cry to God for deliverance. But, no such cry is recorded, and no repentance voiced.

The Sixth Trumpet Judgment involves the release of four fallen angels. They have been held back for this one hour in which they enter the world to accomplish their mission - to slay a third part of men by fire, smoke, and by the brimstone, out of their mouths (vv.14-17). Sadly enough, scripture goes on to tell us that, “The rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues repented not of the works of their hands; that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which can neither see, nor hear, nor walk: Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts” (vv. 20-21). Unbelievable!

Still, God desperately desires to see people who have rejected salvation wake up. And, He will do whatever it takes to get them back on their knees, to finally call out to Him. But, some men have gone beyond what they know to be true and have harden their hearts to the point of blindness, refusing to see the truth. Paul writes in Romans, “The wrath of God will be revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18). To suppress the truth one has to actively work at it, hold it down. Meaning one knows the truth, but purposely works at denying it.

John sums up this attitude perfectly in his gospel by saying, "The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed” (John 3:19-20). 

My friends I tell you this, you can either come to the light (Jesus) or be consumed by it. Your choice, for these things shall come to pass.

The Truth: "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:15-17)

Revelation 8 “The Seventh Seal”

“When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.” (v.1)

Back in chapter 5 we were told of a Book, held in the right hand of God, with writings on both sides, and sealed with seven seals (v.1). And the question was asked, “Who is worthy to loose its seals and open the book” (v.2)? The question was answered by an elder in heaven saying, “The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seals” (v.5). This was none other than Jesus Christ. 

In chapter 6 He (Jesus) opened the first 6 seals ushering in the tribulation period. Chapter 7 described the sealing of 12,000 men from each of the 12 tribes of Judah (totaling 144,000), who bore witness to all the earth ushering in another great multitude, martyrs, who came out of the tribulation and into the kingdom (Ch.7:9-16).

Now here in chapter 8, Jesus opens the seventh seal which begins the seven trumpet judgments upon the earth. This brings a silence in heaven for about a "half an hour”. I believe this to be a time of solemn realization for what is about to happen. That is, the prayers of the martyred saints are about to be answered through the seven trumpet judgments, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?" (Revelation 6:10)

While these catastrophic events are yet future, and while they may or may not happen in our lifetime, the remaining verses of chapter 8 (7-13), describe these coming events as they relate to the first four trumpets in detail. And as the angel in verse 13 says, “Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, for they’re three more trumpets yet to sound.” In other words, it’s not over, there is more coming, and you do not want to be in that company, but in the company of the Lord.

The Truth: "Watch therefore, and pray always, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” (Luke 21:36)

Revelation 7 “The Tribulation Saints”

“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 the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” (vv. 9-10)

In verses 4-8 we are given a picture of a multitude which could be numbered. They speak of the 144,000 "Jews" who will be sealed at the beginning of the Tribulation and represent the passover of the church. These twelve thousand men from each of the twelve tribes of Israel, will have a ministry of "evangelism" during the "Great Tribulation.” And every person on earth (all seven billion), will have an opportunity to hear the "gospel of the Kingdom” (Matthew 24:14), and many will be saved.

The “great multitude” (here in our text) which could not be numbered, of all nations, tribes, peoples and tongues” are those who came to the faith as a result of their (144,000) ministry. These Tribulation Saints are those who would not take the mark of the beast and became martyrs for their beliefs in God. For their faith, they will sit before the throne of God and dwell with Him (v.15), and rule and reign in His Kingdom to come (Revelation 20:4).

This last minute opportunity of hearing and accepting the gospel during the “great tribulation" is proof that, "He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to salvation “ (2 Peter 3:9 ) - and is paralleled by the conversion of the thief on the cross by Jesus just before His death, again showing His compassion for mankind. 

So why wait, why continue to put off what you know in your heart of hearts is right? Accept Him now and insure your place in heaven, don't be left outside the gates.

The Truth: "There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

Revelation 6 "The Seals"

"Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.” 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." (vv.1-2)

From the previous chapter, we understand this scroll is the history and destiny of mankind and creation, and only Jesus – the Lamb – had the right to loosen the seals on this scroll of the culmination of history. If the scroll details the culmination of history, then the things associated with the removal of the seals must happen before the scroll is opened. This is not the fulfillment of history itself, but the preparation for it. The actual culmination will be detailed in Revelation 19.

As we read through this chapter each seal upon being opened will be associated with a living creature (possiibly a cherubim from Ezekiel 1 and 10), who will called out “come and see” (or, it could be translated “go forth”) to each of the four horseman who wil carry out death and destruction upon the earth (the first of which is mentioned in our text). 

It would be easy to believe the rider on the white horse here in our text is Jesus. However according to scripture, Jesus does return on a white horse (Revelation 19:11-16), so this then is a satanic dictator who imitates Jesus. Better known as the antichrist. The idea of a satanic dictator over men goes back all the way to Nimrod, the ruler over Babel in Genesis 10:8-14, where it says he was a mighty hunter before the LORD. This has the sense that he was a mighty hunter of men, and that this was offensive to the face of God.

The modern political and social scene is certainly set for the emergence of such a political leader. And the first seal opened here brings this dictator to prominence. We understand that the seventieth week of Daniel 9 begins when this dictator will confirm a covenant with [the] many, referring to the Jewish people. 

 Many wonder if these four horsemen of Revelation 6 are connected with the seventieth week of Daniel and the great tribulation itself, or with the course of history up until that time. This initial emergence of the antichrist, connected with what we know about this leader from Daniel 9 shows that these four horsemen are connected with Daniel’s seventieth week and the great tribulation. All that waits is for the Lord to allow it in His timing after He takes His church from this earth.

In summary, the first six seals are a “Summary of the judgments distributed over the whole book; a brief summary of what will occur in ‘the day of the Lord,’ up to the time of His actual Apocalypse or Unveiling in chapter 19. That span begins with the revelation of the Antichrist (the first seal) and it concludes with the revealing of the face of Him who sits on the throne (the seventh seal).

The sixth seal described by John here in chapter 6 concludes with a valid question: Who is able to stand? Only the believer can stand before this great judgment, the one who is justified by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

The Truth: "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand. (Romans 5:1-2)