Revelations
Revelations follows up on a similar theme as Daniel and the other Old Testament prophets, as well as the New Testament apostles. That is, the final conflicts, God’s judgement and the reign of Christ, which comprises of eternal life for the righteous.
The verses of Revelations we will cover in this book will be generally correlated with the writings of other biblical prophets to aid in the portrayal of a general biblical picture.
REV 1V1-3: This book is the record of the events that Jesus Christ revealed. God gave him this revelation in order to show his servants what must happen very soon. Christ made these things known to his servant John by sending his angel to him, and John has told all he has seen. This is his report concerning the message from God and the truth revealed by Jesus Christ. Happy is the one who reads this book, and happy are those who listen to the words of this prophetic message and obey what is written in this book! For the time is near when all this things will happen.
The above verses in revelations carry a similar theme as those carried in Daniel 12v13, about the importance of being faithful, and the final reward that, that will entail. We will cover the promises of the first three chapters of Revelations later.
Divine laws are for the benefit of God’s creation, and not the means in which the Lord can keep a check on his creations as earthly laws are framed.
God is always God. Through his word he creates and then governs his creations in the manner described above. We all owe our existence to God’s word or will. Disobedience of the word leads to our own destruction, but it has no bearing on God’s omnipotence.
Rev chapter 5v6-10: Then I saw a lamb standing in the centre of the throne, surrounded by the four living creatures and the elders. The lamb appeared to have been killed. It had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God that have been sent throughout the whole earth. The lamb went and took the scroll from the right hand of the one who sits on the throne. As he did so, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the lamb. Each had a harp and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. They sang a new song: “ You are worthy to take the scroll and to break the seals. For you were killed, and by your sacrificial death you bought for God people from every tribe, language, nation, and race. You have made them a kingdom of priests to serve our God and they shall rule on earth.”
Rev 5 here appears to be returning to the theme of Daniel 7 and 8, where the one who was presented to the one who had been living for ever was given authority over the nations, in his kingdom of God’s people who shall rule on earth forever.
The Lord's high priest described in Daniel 11 before the invasion of Israel is probably referring to this kingdom of priests. The kingdom of Christ, the kingdom of God.
This is also similar to Daniel 2 that talks about a kingdom that will come on earth that will completely destroy the kingdoms of the earth and then last forever. This is also the theme we had in Daniel 11 and 12, where we also quoted from Isaiah, Thessalonians and Matthew, where after the conflicts will come the eternal kingdom for those who are chosen, who will reign with the Lord into eternity.
Rev chapter 6v1-2: Then I saw the lamb break open the first of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice that sounded like thunder, “come!” I looked and there was a white horse. Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown. He rode as a conqueror to conquer.
Zechariah chapter 6v1-7: I had another vision. This time I saw four chariots coming out from between two bronze mountains. The first chariot was pulled by red horses. The second by black horses, the third by white horses, and the fourth by dappled horses. Then I asked the angel, “Sir, what do these chariots mean?” He answered, “these are the four winds; they have just come from the presence of the lord of all the earth.” The chariot pulled by the black horses was going north to Babylonia, the white horses were going west, and the dappled horses were going to the country in the south.
Rev 19 informs us that the heavenly armies were riding the white horses. This conqueror then, should belong to the heavenly armies. The horses are symbolic for war, or conflict they are vehicles of war. The colour of the horse probably signifies the colour or temperament of the symbolic rider, from bloody red to enigmatic black or benign white, and the bow may symbolise aerial conflict, or dispersion of light or information.
Since directions are normally given from Israel’s locational perpective, this rider will probably move in the direction of Europe, as the area of the Mediterranean and west of it is what is normally depicted as west in the bible.
When the rider here is taken in conjunction with the one in Zechariah 6 quoted together, and the two mountains of bronze and the winds are co-related with the the mountain and the winds in Daniel 2, then the activities of these symbolic riders could in one way or another precipitate the coming of the new order.
Also interesting to note is that only the rider of the white horse has a crown, this may be pointing to the era of the saints or the kingdom of God to come, where all authority will be in the hands of God’s people.
Revelations 6v3-4: Then the lamb broke open the second seal; and I heard the second living creature say, “come!” Another horse came out, a red one. Its rider was given the power to bring war on the earth, so that men should kill each other. He was given a large sword.
This rider should be among the resident forces in Israel, which Zechariah 12-14, Joel 3 and others including Revelations informs us will be a major centre of the end conflicts. Joel 3, Zechariah and Isaiah 14 may explain their lack of movement in any direction and the terminology of redness used against them.
This rider may be involved in the final conflicts of Joel 3 and Daniel 11. His colour would suggest that he could be part of the army that will tread the grapes of wrath in the verses quoted above together with Rev 14. The significance of this will be mentioned in Rev 19 and 20. This may be part of the domestic Israeli force defending itself from the global forces allied against it.
Revelations 6v5-6: Then the lamb broke open the third seal; and I heard the third living creature say, “come!” I looked, and there was a black horse. Its rider held a pair of scales in his hand. I heard what sounded like a voice coming from among the four living creatures, which said, “A litre of wheat for a day’s wages, and three litres of barley for a day’s wages. But do not damage the olive trees and the vineyards!”
Zechariah 6v8: Then the angel cried out to me, “The horses that went north to Babylonia have calmed down the Lord’s anger.”
The dark rider in Zechariah 6 calms the Lord’s anger by going north to Babylonia. Biblically all lands east of Euphrates are termed as the East, areas west of the Mediterranean coast or the Mediterranean lands are viewed where found, probably as west, for example Daniel 11. The north historically points to Tyre and Sidon and all lands beyond.
Egypt and all lands to the south are termed as the south as Genesis 12, Micah 7, Daniel 8 when correlated with the final invasions of Daniel 11 may indicate. This dark horse may thus be Egyptian, Saharan or Sub Saharan who engages the Babylonians in commercial and other probably hidden activities.
Taking Zech 6 together with Rev 6 and the activities taking place in Babylon in Rev 18 and 19, where the commercial activities of Babylon have corrupted the world, this dark horse could in some way be involved in resolving the issue.
The dark horse appears to be offering or trading labour for commodities. It appears to be wages of wheat and barley for work on olive gardens and vineyards. Olive oil was traditionally what was used to anoint people in Israel and wine may symbolise blood. The symbolism of this rider would appear to be quite profound. It will be interesting to observe whether this has anything to do with labour migration. However as is noted in Rev 18, Babylon will be the centre of trade for shippers and business people, and a social centre for many of the rulers.
The passage appears connected to Daniel 8 where an empire is destroyed and judgement given in favour of the saints, who then rule forever.
Revelations 6v7-8: Then the lamb broke open the fourth seal; and I heard the fourth living creature say, “come”! I looked, and there was a pale coloured horse. Its rider was named death, and Hades followed close behind. They were given authority over a quarter of the earth, to kill by means of war, famine, disease and wild animals.
Zechariah 6v6: …and the dappled horses were going to the country in the south.
Zechariah 6v7: As the dappled horses came out, they were impatient to go and inspect the earth. The angel said, “Go and inspect the earth!”- And they did. Then the angel cried out to me, “The horses that went north to Babylonia have calmed down the Lord’s anger.”
As mentioned earlier, the south normally depicts Egypt or probably regions south of it in scripture. Since Egypt is not specifically mentioned here, then these bands of possibly unbelievers could possibly invade a country south of Egypt. Here we are supposing the riders of Rev 6 and Zech 6 are referring to the same event. Even if it proves not to be so, the quote above pointing to famine and wild animals would appear to fit well with Africa as well. There are few places in the world where significant numbers of wild animals still reside. When one adds famine to the equation it almost fits Africa.
Unlike in the past, Africa in future may be drawn more into global conflicts. Initially there is the invasion of Egypt, Libya and Sudan by the major anti-establishment leader in Daniel, followed by what appears to be another invasion by those who will succeed him in his capital and areas of conquest.
It appears likely that these forces are connected to the beast from the abyss in Rev 11 and 17. In Daniel we concluded that the beast from the abyss will succeed the beast from the sea and his allies, who we concluded was the same character being described in Daniel 7, 8, 11 and 12.
Since it appears like the last major character of the Mid-East will fall to allies allied against him from the north and the east, and Rev 11 specifically has his activities in Israel being succeeded by the beast from the abyss after three and a half years, an entity that appears to destroy his capital in Rev 17 and 18 with the support of a new generation of Mid-East leaders. Then it would appear that the beast from the abyss could have a larger area of operation than the Middle East, and his conflicts before he also falls may continue for sometime after or together with the activities in Rev 11 and 17.
In Rev 20 the dragon who gives his power to the beast rising from the sea -probably the same power behind the throne as depicted in Daniel 8 who may also be found in the activities taking place in Daniel 11- is thrown into the abyss and held there by an angel who had the key to the abyss and a heavy chain. One wonders whether this will have any connection to the character being referred to as death here and his followers depicted as hades.
In Rev 13 we have what appears to be some of the powers of the Mediterranean taken in the context of the apostasy described in Daniel 11 delegating their power to elements in the Middle East, as happened in Roman times. One wonders whether just as Rome was destroyed by barbarian invasions, some of whom were from the east and others from the north, the new order that may soon arise temporarily will also be destroyed by similar forces.
As stated, there is probably some connection between the Ottoman Empire as described in Daniel 7, and both the beasts from the sea and the abyss. In fact the beast from the sea appears to incorporate elements from all the four empires of Daniel 7, in more reduced domestic circumstances-as is the case now-probably pointing to the intrigues that will be taking place as the current order comes to a close.
As stated, there is probably some connection between the Ottoman Empire as described in Daniel 7, and both the beasts from the sea and the abyss. In fact the beast from the sea appears to incorporate elements from all the four empires of Daniel 7, in more reduced domestic circumstances-as is the case now-probably pointing to the intrigues that will be taking place as the current order comes to a close.
The dark horses or rider went north to Babylonia. In Rev 17 Babylon is destroyed by the beast from the abyss which appears connected to the riders here, that also go to the country in the south in the general vicinity from where the dark horse may have come. It will be interesting to observe the relationship between the beast from the abyss and these two horses or riders.
The conflicts of the pale and red horses are explicit, while that of the white horse which goes out as a conqueror is implied. Only with the black horse is conflict neither explicit or implied. The white horses probably as part of the army of heaven may lead to a spiritual revival or engage in defense of the faith, as Daniel 11 describes some doing, while Babylon whose hunger for resources as described in Rev 18 and 19 is legendary may inevitable get caught up in battle for resources with the beast from the abyss that the black horse may be supplying. The beast from the abyss and the pale horse named death and his followers are probably connected.
Revelations 6v12-17: And I saw the lamb break open the sixth seal. There was a violent earthquake, and the sun became black like coarse black cloth, and the moon turned completely red like blood. The stars fell down to the earth, like unripe figs falling from the tree when a strong wind shakes it. The sky disappeared like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved from its place. Then the Kings of the earth, the rulers and the military chiefs, the rich and the powerful, and all other men, slave and free, hid themselves in caves and under rocks on the mountains. They called out to the mountains and to the rocks, “ Fall on us and hide us from the eyes of the one who sits on the throne and from the anger of the lamb! The terrible day of their anger is here, and who can stand against it?”
Joel 2v30-31: I will give warnings of that day in the sky and on the earth; there will be bloodshed, fire, and clouds of smoke. The sun will be darkened, and the moon will turn red as blood before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes.
The above verses may be co-related with Daniel 12, Zechariah and other verses in Revelations, which we will cover shortly, and point to significant cosmic changes before the reign of Christ. As we deduced in Daniel this will succeed the Middle-Eastern conflicts, and will herald in the reign of the saints and Christ.
This may also be what Isaiah 13 as we concluded in Daniel is referring to, as Babylon and Babylonia are defeated and destroyed and their 3 ½ years of glory come to an end and conflicts abate then the above will occur and Christ as per the gospels will appear.
Luke 21v25-26: “There will be strange things happening to the sun, the moon, and the stars. On earth whole countries will be in despair, afraid of the roar of the sea and the raging tides. People will faint from fear as they wait for what is coming over the whole earth, for the powers in space will be driven from their courses.
Revelations 9v1-3: Then the fifth angel blew his trumpet. I saw a star, which had fallen down to the earth, and it was given the key to the abyss, and smoke poured out of it, like smoke from a large furnace; the sunlight and the air were darkened by the smoke from the abyss. Locusts came down out of the smoke upon the earth, and they were given the same kind of power that scorpions have.
The key to the abyss could link the activities here to those of the pale rider in Rev 6 and the beast from the abyss.
The fact that these people are referred to as locusts could be because, as we noted in Rev 6 and Joel 2, they will cause famines through their activities. Joel 3 confirms that these comprise of nations that surround Israel. Which we concluded are the horns of the fourth beast of Daniel 7.
This smoke from the abyss and the locusts coming down from it could be related to the conflicts of the beast from the abyss and the horns or rulers that support him.
Revelations 9v4-6: They were told not to harm the grass or the trees or any other plant; they could harm only the people who did not have the mark of God’s seal on their foreheads. The locusts were not allowed to kill this people, but only to torture them for five months. The pain caused by the torture is like the pain caused by a scorpion’s sting. During those five months they will seek death, but will not find it; they will want to die, but death will flee from them.
In a sense the verses here are probably connected symbolically or directly to the symbolism and promises found in Exodus 12, John 3 and Rev 17 where people who find God's favour are able to overcome or are spared death through faith.This could be some form of blockade that causes unbearable suffering, more so to non-believers or people who have not been attentive to faith.
Revelations 9v7, 10-11: The locusts looked like horses ready for battle; on their heads they had what seemed to be crowns of gold, and their faces looked like men’s faces.
They have tails and stings like those of a scorpion, and it is with their tails that they have the power to hurt people for five months. They have a king ruling over them, who is the angel in charge of the abyss. His name in Hebrew is Abaddon; in Greek the name is Apollyon (meaning “the destroyer”).
Activities being described here are probably an extention of the activities of the fourth rider of Rev 6 who was riding the pale horse, who was described as death. The symbolism of locusts and horses probably point to war and famine as mentioned in Rev 6, and being in charge of the abyss appears somewhat connected to the description of the fourth rider of Rev 6. What is described as hades in Rev 6 is probably what is being described as locusts here in Rev 9 and the consequences should be the famines and epidemics mentioned earlier.
These locusts with crowns of gold, and the king ruling over them are probably referring to the situation in Rev 17 of the beast from the abyss and his supporting group of rulers. The short time there, symbolically described as an hour, could be the five months depicted here in Rev 9.
In modern day language, it would appear that elements within the ancient Mid-East nations, opposed to others in their midst symbolised by the beast from the sea in Rev 13 will form an alliance with an eastern power with Turkic roots in the course of their domestic conflicts, but though in the course of things they will oppose the church or Israel they will not be successful because of even stronger powers; the Turkic related eastern power they are supporting or Divine intervention. This would be domestic Middle Eastern factions supporting eastern elements described in Daniel 11, Isaiah 41, Rev 16 and deduced in Rev 17.
Rev 9v20-21: The rest of mankind, all those who had not been killed by these plagues, did not turn away from what they themselves had made. They did not stop worshipping demons, nor the idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood, which cannot see, hear, or walk. Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic, their sexual immorality, or their stealing.
The above verse could be relating to non-believers who survive the conflicts. Both those in Babylon and their supporters as we will discover in Rev 17-18, and their opponents who may have different believe structures as opposed to what is universally accepted in scripture. This could probably be a mix of immorality and oriental beliefs.
This could be what hades and the abyss in Rev 6, 9 and 17 are all about, that is spiritual barreness. This could be referring to a segment of survivors of the conflict such as those crossing from the East in Rev 16 going to Armageddon.
Revelations 11v1-4: I was then given a stick that looked like a measuring rod, and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count those who are worshipping in the temple. But do not measure the outer courts, because they have been given over to the heathen, who will trample on the holy city for 42 months. I will send my two witnesses dressed in sackcloth, and they will proclaim God’s message during those 1260 days.
The period given here incorporates the final conflict of Daniel 11 in which one of the nations invaded is Israel, which is 1260 days. These 1260 days may be part of the 1290 days given in Daniel 12 before the cosmic phenomenon, which will be part of the seventh trumpet.
Apparently the invasion of Israel in Daniel 11 by the character we covered in Daniel, who we concluded personifies the beast from the sea in Revelations will last about 1260 days, which may include the movement of his capital from Babylon to Jerusalem as suggested in Daniel 11 where he sets his royal tents between the mountain where the temple stands and the sea.
This invasion by the beast from the sea will be followed by the beast from the abyss, the east, north winds of Daniel 11 as we will discover shortly.
Apparently as in the days of Elijah and Elisha, this will not necessarily be a comfortable invasion, as there appears that there will be two prophets proclaiming God's message amidst the ungodliness.
The verses of Rev 11 above may also refer to the reconstruction of the temple narrated in Ezekiel 40 to 47, and related practices and occurrences. Such as the festival of shelters in Zechariah 14 and the purifying stream in Ezekiel 47, Joel 3 and Zechariah 13 which may emerge at this time.
All the vanquished nations will be required to attend the festival of shelters and at about the same time, springs will spring out in the desert as narrated by Joel 3, Isaiah 30, 41 and Zech 13. Ezekiel 47 informs us that one of these springs will originate from the newly reconstructed temple.
Zechariah 14v16: Then all the survivors from the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go there each year to worship the Lord Almighty as king, and to celebrate the festival of shelters.
Zechariah 13v1: When that time comes, says the lord Almighty, a fountain will be open to purify the descendants of David and the people of Israel from their sin and idolatry.
Joel 3v18: At that time the mountains will be covered with vineyards, and cattle will be found on every hill; there will have plenty of water for all the streams of Judah. A stream will flow from the temple of the Lord, and it will water the valley of Acacia.
The above verses all reflect on events at the end, as narrated through out Daniel and Revelations, and also by the apostles, which point to conflict at the end coupled with earthquakes and other cosmic phenomenon before the final reign of the saints.
The reconstruction of the temple will also occur at this time and a stream will be opened which will have a purifying influence both on the people and the land which it will traverse.
One of the results of this stream will be that the Dead Sea will have both fresh water and marine life in it. Ezekiel 47 also speaks of orchids or fruit trees bordering the river.
Rev 11v7-8: When they finish proclaiming their message, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will fight against them. He will defeat them and kill them, and their bodies will lie in the street of the great city, where their Lord was crucified. The symbolic name for this city is Sodom, or Egypt.
It would appear for reasons that will be further elaborated in Rev 17, that after the invasion of Israel by the last of the Middle, Easterners for a period of forty, two months when he will hold sway. Another invasion of Israel will follow, this one by the beast from the abyss.
To distinguish between the beast from the abyss and the first beast of Rev 13 who is also the leader of Daniel, 2 Estradas 11-12 may be very useful. 2 Estradas gives the leader of Daniel and Rev 13 as the main head of the eagle, while the beast from the abyss may appear as one of the two wings from the middle ages, who bring the reign of the eagle to a close.
It is interesting to note that the beast from the abyss will end the first beast of Rev 13's occupation of Israel and also destroy its capital in Rev 17. This will be during the time when the first beast will be planning its war against the forces of Rev 19.
The beast from the abyss appears to do the forces of Rev 19 enormous service in Rev 11 and 17 and it will be interesting to note what kind of relationship will exist between them.
Just as the forces of Rev 19 are probably connected to the white rider of Rev 6, so also is there a high likelihood of the beast from the abyss here being associated with the pale horse of Rev 6 and the angel of the abyss in Rev 9. As can be expected with these forces, death appears to follow them where they go.
It would appear that even after being banished from his capital in Babylon to Jerusalem, as per Daniel 11 and Rev 11 and 17, the beast rising from the sea, or the leader from Daniel will maintain the ways of Babylon described in Rev 17 in his temporary new refuge of Rev 11 and Daniel 11. Where it appears that the invaders being described here as heathen will temporarily turn the temple mountain into some form of Sodom, an immoral place that will also be enslaved.
Revelations 11v15: Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “ the power to rule over the world now belongs to our Lord and his messiah, and he will rule for ever and ever!”
Revelations 11v19: God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the covenant box was seen there. Then there were flashes of lightening rumblings and peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail.
The above verses follow the trend that was established in Daniel of the coming reign of Christ and the saints. Earlier verses in Revelations and also the trumpets, together with our earlier discussions in Daniel would seem to suggest that the reign of Christ will first be proceeded by conflict, earthquakes and other super natural phenomenon before it appears.
The death of the two witnesses might occur at the time Daniel 12v1-3 describes as the time of troubles, after the east, north winds when the beast from the abyss might hold sway. This is because Daniel states that those in God's book would be saved, and Rev 17 informs us those not in the book would be terrified by the beast from the abyss.
This is in essence Daniel 7 and the one appearing in the clouds being presented to the one who has been living forever. It is also Isaiah 30, Zech 12-14, Joel, Ezekiel, Daniel 12, Isaiah 24-27 and all the other writings from the prophets regarding the times of the end and the reign of the saints or what the gospels refer to as the Kingdom of God.
The reign of Christ may also witness the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, as we have narrated.
Revelations 12v1-6: Then a great and mysterious sight appeared in the sky. There was a woman, whose dress was the sun and who had the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. She was soon to give birth, and the pains of childbirth made her cry out.
Another mysterious sight appeared in the sky. There was a huge red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and a crown on each of his heads. With his tail he dragged a third of the stars out of the sky and threw them down to the earth. He stood in front of the woman in order to eat her child as soon as it was born. Then she gave birth to a son, who will rule over all nations with an iron rod. But the child was snatched away and taken to God and his throne. The woman fled to the desert, to a place God had prepared for her, where she will be taken care of for 1260 days.
Matthew 2v13: After they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph and said, “Herod will be looking for the child in order to kill him. So get up, take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt and stay there until I tell you to leave.”
Revelations 2v26-28: To those who win the victory, who continue to the end to do what I want. I will give the same authority that I received from my father: I will give them authority over the nations, to rule them with an iron rod and break them to pieces like clay pots. I will also give them the morning star.
Revelations 12 and the supporting verses in Matthew narrate the birth of Christ and efforts by king Herod to have him killed. Rev 12 may also be referring to the persecution, crucifixion and the resurrection of Christ and his ascendancy into heaven.
The twelve stars on the woman’s head are the twelve tribes of Israel, the dress of the Sun may represent Jacob, and the moon under her feet may point to Jacob’s wives or Leah the meaning here is similar to the one given in Genesis 37.
What Rev 12 may be describing could be the birth, death and resurrection of Christ, where Christ rose up to heaven pending his second coming. Israel, the descendants of Jacob as described in Genesis 37 return to their land as prophesied by Jeremiah in Jeremiah 3 and 23, where the conflicts of Daniel, the other end-time prophecies, and Revelations including Rev 11 take place.The 1260 days here should be refering to the same 1260 days in Rev 11 where Israel will be under seige, but somewhat protected. Zechariah 12-14 clearly describes the situation.
The earthly manifestation of the dragon, would be the forces that wanted to destroy Christ at birth, and the forces to whom he was handed over for crucifixion, the forces whom he said he would destroy in John 12 by dying on the cross. Those who had invaded Israel at the time, and later destroyed the nation. The institutional powers of the region, who continue to dominate world affairs, and who have remained a mortal threat to the nation of Israel at various times over the last two millenniums of exile. Apparently inspite of everything, Israel or the section not invaded might still be the safest place to be for the nation of Israel during the final tribulations.
The physical manifestation of these worldly powers during the time of Christ was the Roman Empire. The seven heads of the dragon with a crown on each of the heads represent the seven regions of the Roman Empire which are the regions from which the heads of the four empires, which we covered in Daniel 7 originate.
In fact notwithstanding Daniel 9, which gives a time factor and consequent events following the death of Christ which we touched on in our perspective, Psalms 22 by inference also points to the Messiah dying during Roman times as the death mentioned there clearly points to something akin to a crucifixion, which was basically a Roman tradition.
Deuteronomy 21 and Numbers 21 when taken together with Psalms 22 may suggest that it was predestined that the Romans would be saved from their sins by accepting Christ and that they would play a leading role in his ministry.
Daniel 2 also describes the Roman Empire as the bronze empire, which may have some connected symbolism to the bronze snake in numbers 21 and the death of Christ in Psalms 22. All this may have been pointing to John 12, where Christ obliquely declares that by dying on the cross he would overcome the earthly powers and draw everyone to him, a prophecy that was certainly fulfilled in regards to the Roman Empire and subsequent history.
To understand the symbolism of the dragon we may revisit the lamb of Rev 5. In Rev 5 we stated that the head of the lamb represented Christ and the horns were the seven angels of the seven churches. We may further elaborate and state that on an earthly level the head also signifies the Church in Rome set up by Peter on Christ’s request and the horns are the Greek Churches in Asia minor as recorded in Rev 1 to 3 in which the apostle Paul played a leading role. From this Christianity has spread to the rest of the world.
However the Greek or Orthodox churches as is characteristic of horns and as we noted in Daniel 7 tend to be regional based in given areas as opposed to the Catholic head and its dissenters who have spread to virtually all corners of the globe. They also tend to have less influence than heads and the significance of this will be noted in Rev 13.
Just as the Dragon eventually lost out to Christ especially with the reign of Emperor Constantine from 312 A.D who left Rome for all practical purposes in the hands of the Church by moving his capital to the Black Sea. So also did the spiritual dragon lose out to the, spiritual Church.
Revelations 12v7-9: Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, who fought back with his angels; but the dragon was defeated, and he and his angels were not allowed to stay in Heaven any longer. The huge dragon was thrown out that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, that deceived the whole world. He was thrown down to earth and all his angels with him.
Revelations 12v13-18: When the dragon realised that he had been thrown down to the earth, he began to pursue the woman who had given birth to the boy. She was given the two wings of a large eagle in order to fly her to her place in the desert, where she will be taken care of for three and a half years, safe from the dragon’s attack. And then from his mouth the dragon poured out a flood of water after the woman, so that it could carry her away.
But the earth helped the woman; it opened its mouth and swallowed the water that had come from the dragon’s mouth. The dragon was furious with the woman and went of to fight against the rest of her descendants, all those who obey God’s commandments and are faithful to the truth revealed by Jesus. And the dragon stood by the seashore.
Rev 12v13-18 is probably refering to events covered in Daniel, the conflicts against God’s people, the church and Israel. The return of Israel to the land and the resultant conflict that will ensue, together with renewed persecution on the Church as we witnessed in Daniel and also covered in Rev 11. The verses here appear to be part of the 1260 days of conflict that are a recurring theme in Daniel and also Revelations, where both Israel and the faith will be under attack from apostates and non-believers.
The war that the dragon wages on the believers is well documented in the Acts of the Apostles, the writings of the Apostle Paul, and also in general history where the early church suffered great persecution at the hands of the Roman authorities.
The truth that Jesus revealed is the religion of God’s people in Daniel 11, which some will seek to destroy. Revelations here is referring to the same events and even more details will be given in Rev 13.
As mentioned in Isaiah 9 the people living in darkness, symbolising all Gentiles received the great light of Christ. This light it appears was not only opposed by the physical Roman authorities but also by their spiritual masters.
With the fall of the Roman Empire and the propagation of Christ and the obvious resultant blessings it is clear who the victorious party as indicated here in Rev 12 was.
In Daniel 7 we referred to these 1260 days of Rev 12. This should be the same 1260 days of Rev 11 and 42 months of Rev 13. Michael is Israel’s guardian Angel and his charge as we stated in Daniel 7,11 and Rev 11 will be under attack.
Daniel 8 is probably Rev 12 given under a different perspective. In Daniel 8, there is a war after which the Church and Israel come under attack and wickedness increases this is the same event being described here. The little horn that grows from the prominent horns is the same beast from the sea in Rev 13 who derives his power from the dragon.
Some of the authorities descended from the Roman tradition of the Mediterranean Sea will as the reign of Christ approaches become very hostile to Christianity and the nation of Israel, as is narrated in Daniel 11. Among the sanctuary of 1260 days for Israel being described with reference to Isaiah 11 and Daniel 11 would appear to be Jordan (Edom, Moab, Ammon), which the Israelites appear to conquer in Isaiah 11 and which is delivered from the last major Mid East leader in Daniel 11.
Revelations 13v1-4: Then I saw a beast coming up out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads; on each of its horns was a crown, and on each of the heads there was a name insulting to God. The beast looked like a leopard, with feet like a bear’s feet and a mouth like a Lion’s. The dragon gave the beast his own power, his throne, and his vast authority. One of the heads of the beast seemed to have been fatally wounded, but the wound had healed. The whole earth was amazed and followed the beast. Everyone worshipped the dragon because he had given his authority to the beast. They worshipped the beast also, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who can fight against it?”
Daniel 11v38: Instead, he will honour the god who protects fortresses. He will offer gold, silver, jewels, and other rich gifts to a god his ancestors never worshipped.
Isaiah 41v21-24: The Lord, the king of Israel, has this to say: “You gods of the nations, present your case. Bring the best arguments you have! Come here and predict what will happen, so that we will know it when it takes place. Explain to the court the events of the past, and tell us what they mean. Tell us what the future holds then we will know that you are gods! Do something good or bring some disaster; fill us with awe! You and all you do are nothing; those who worship you are disgusting!
Here what appears to be happening is a Roman Empire in reverse, which Daniel 8, 11 and Rev 17 may explain. This beast from the sea is an entity covering many of the Mediterranean and Asia regions of the Roman Empire. However as we will discover in Rev 17, it is based not in Rome but in Babylon. Interestingly, it is also sitting on the 7 hills of Rome, historically the home of institutional earthly power, which we refer to here as the dragon.
This as we learnt in Daniel 8 and more clearly in Daniel 11 is facilitated by powerful forces there who have turned their back on the faith, and who participate in the desecration of the church, and the setting up of the awful horror, and probably also the sweeping aside of the Lord's high priest in Daniel 11 and the communion-sacrifices offered to the prince of the heavenly army- in Daniel 8.
The reference here to the lion, leopard and bear simply implies that, what Daniel 7 prophesied will have come true before these events take place. i.e. The empires of Daniel 7 will have lost their dominions as they have now, and some of their citizenry probably at the behest of powerful forces will unite in some unholy alliance as we narrated in Daniel 11 with elements in the Middle East in an anti-religious campaign. This is facilitated by the power behind the throne as clearly stated in Daniel 8, 11 and here in Rev 13. Powers which Daniel 11 observed sit at the king's table, but who will nevertheless betray their societies.
The heads and horns being referred to in Rev 13 are the same ethnic communities of Rev 12, which have progressed to the modern nations we covered in Daniel 2 and 7. The fact that each of the heads has an insulting name would seem to point to the irreligious or wicked elements within these nations, such as the ones we covered in Daniel 11 who advise the Middle Easterners in their actions against the church.
It is interesting to note that though the beast and the dragon have the same number of heads and horns, on the dragon-the more powerful force- the crowns are on the heads. These are the Roman communities north of the Mediterranean, the initiators of the empire, and its successors, the four empires of Daniel 7. On the beast however the crowns are on the horns, the ten ancient/biblical nations south of the Mediterranean who were also incorporated into the Roman Empire, and ended up as vassals of the Ottoman Empire. This is consistent with the driving theme of Daniel 8 and 11, and here in Rev 13 of the powerful propping up a lesser power.
We stated in Rev 12 that heads or the institutions of heads are always more powerful than horns. The crowns on the horns of this Empire may indicate as is clearly stated in Daniel 8 and 11 and also here in Rev 13 itself that this entity and its leadership are mainly a creation of other interested parties.
The horns with the crowns will act as the leaders, but their power will be derived elsewhere from the heads. The leopard or third beast of Daniel 7 would appear to be the most prominent, but elements of the bear and lion will also be found. Behind the people will be the state forces of the dragon.
However the two wings of a large eagle given to Israel-the return-in Rev 12 coupled with Divine grace would appear to be an insurmountable barrier for the dragon.
The ruling class in Europe since Roman times has always been a distinct group of people more in touch with one another than with the people they claimed to represent.
However returning to Daniel 2 we discussed a ruling class in Europe that had no nationality but only personal interests. Who reigned and intermarried as circumstances and the stars permitted. This was the ruling class of royalty descended or inspired by the Romans that has now been replaced by a more professional apparatus, which still functions in a similar but more efficient fashion.
With the horns it is different, the Roman horns or South Mediterraneans were subjects of Roman Europe. However with the current Arab states, the leaders are executive Presidents. Some even bequeath their positions to their descendants even when officially they are not monarchies but republics.
Even before the Roman Empire the nations in Daniel 7, which were influenced and re-organised by the Romans, had their own ruling classes. Some of this became civvies of Rome and were given official positions by the Romans. An example, are the Herods of Judea ruling under Roman patronage, the original royal persecutors of Christ or Christianity, as narrated in the books of Acts and Matthew.
A crown would tend to imply a fixed position of authority such as that of high government officials and monarchs. The dragon would perhaps favour civil service to elective politics.
The crowned heads of the dragon may thus be implying some of the monarchies or government organs within the former nations of the Roman Empire in Europe. The heads of the beast under such circumstances would be the loyalists, and the crowned horns Middle Eastern protégés or beneficiaries.
When the Roman Empire disintegrated under the weight of its own wickedness and barbaric invaders. The heads returned to their original form, with each head based in its own region. The European union was dissolved, however the monarchy or ruling class remained, each in its own country. The new German conquerors were taught how to behave appropriately in this new regal environment.
This disintegration of the Roman Empire could be part of the physical aspect of the war in the heavens.
The influence of the dragon or powerful Roman European forces in the final struggles against Israel should not be surprising. When one studies all the prophets and the recurring theme in Joel 3, Zechariah 12-14, Micah 4 and 7, Isaiah 25-27, 41 amongst others of all the nations in the region being gathered against Israel one may suspect some foreign influence or machination.
The notion of Israel in an earthly sense being distinct and separate from its neighbours can safely be claimed to be a modern invention at no time during the time of the prophets did the neighbouring nations consider themselves united allies against Israel or for that matter united allies. Everybody made alliances as one saw fit suggesting that the propaganda of a distinct and separate people in the Mid East is already part of the conflict to come.
Naturally the modern Israeli may have thoughts and habits, which because of his long stay abroad his ancestors may have found peculiar but this will be magnified and encouraged both to his detriment and to the detriment of his neighbours.
We can safely conclude that the Middle, Easterners will only be able to invade Europe through European duplicity. That duplicity will mainly be channelled as we ascertain from the beast here, from the third beast of Daniel 7, which comprises of continental Europe and some elements from within the other European empires.
The state apparatus or the dragon within these empires will also be very involved in these matters as Daniel 11 clearly points to one continental leader losing his army and battle because of internal intrigue.
When one observes the beast here and its predominant leopard character and the intrigues, which we covered in Daniel 11 one must not lose sight of Rev 19 and what will follow because the birds or the bourgeois elements in Europe would appear to be more in tune with the East, North and the domestic opponents of this Mid East based entity whom we mentioned in Rev 11 and whom we will follow up in Rev 17 and 19.
From Daniel 11 itself it is clear that though the Mid East leaders will have sympathisers on the continent, they will also have opponents such as the last of the Continental/ European leaders who will ignite the last war and subsequent events through his attack.
We may revisit Daniel 8 for the purpose of further understanding Rev 12 and 13. The protagonists in Daniel 8 are basically the empires of Daniel 7 of whom parties are found in Rev 12 and 13.
The goat/Greeks should be the Westerners, with the prominent horn being their most powerful empire, the lion and the eagle. The breaking of the horn in Daniel 8 could be referring to the same event referred to as the tearing off, of the wings of the eagle in Daniel 7, and as Daniel 7 explains in relation to the fourth beast, tearing means toppling.
So we have a situation whereby the Anglo-Saxons, particularly the eagle have retreated in power after probable over-involvement in the Middle East or Persian region(the kingdoms of Media and Persia), with their space being taken over by the sophisticated continentals, some of whom in their official capacities then sponsor puppets, for dubious reasons in the Middle East.
It should be no coincidence that the beast from the sea is being primarily referred to as a leopard, the description which we concluded in Daniel 7 refers to the Continental empire, with its more prominent and substantive Iberian, French and Dutch parts. Furthermore as we concluded in Daniel 11, the island appears to have staved off invasion by naval means after what appears to be an earlier Rome and Continental invasion, and since it is not subject to invasion, it is unlikely it would be subject to direction by the concerned parties.
This circus will probably be a Continental, Middle Eastern affair to a large extent, and there appears as was well documented in Daniel, experimentations with new believes to replace the faith, which for some reason would appear to have become suddenly offensive and unpalatable.
The wounded headed quoted here could be part of that process as we will discuss further shortly.
Revelations 13v5-8: The beast was allowed to make proud claims, which were insulting to God, and it was permitted to have authority for forty-two months. It began to curse God, his name, the place where he lives, and all who live in heaven. It was allowed to fight against God’s people and to defeat them, and it was given authority over every tribe, nation, language, and race. All people living on earth will worship it, except those whose names were written before the creation of the world in the book of the living, which belongs to the lamb that was killed.
The events narrated here reflect the events of the little horn of Daniel 7 and his activities in Daniel 8 and 11. These are the activities of the crowned horns or the Arab nations we depicted in Daniel 7, under their main alliance leader. The forty two months are the same 1260 days of Rev 11 and 12 and also Daniel 7 and 12 under which Israel will be under attack.
The earth here mainly represents nations of what may be termed as the biblical lands in the Mid East the same nations Daniel was referring to in Daniel 2,4 and 6 together with parts of Europe, or the nations he conquers or overruns in Daniel 11.
The authority over every tribe, nation and race, is probably more due to modern demographics and immigration, than total world domination. As Daniel 11 and also Isaiah 41 would seem to suggest powerful Easterners and Northerners outside the control of the Mediterranean protagonists, and also as we have mentioned his European rivals. There is also the physical demarcation of the river Euphrates, which we will cover in Rev 16.
Further reason why the earth here should be referring to the ancient Middle East lands together with the Mediterranean and effects of immigration could be as follows: Firstly, there are the lands which he tries to invade but is repulsed by a mightier navy in Daniel 11. Then there is his constant nemesis, the European leader or king of the south who causes the curtains to come down with the last of his several wars against this Mid-East leader, and then they are the kings of the east in Rev 16 who appear to be in a different domain, together with the north, east winds in Daniel 11 which appear to lead to his downfall.
There is also very specifically the beast from the abyss that appears to sack his capital and to follow him in his new abode of Jerusalem after the 42 months in which he will hold sway there.
His fight against God’s people is his conflict against Israel and those united to Israel through the Church, which we narrated as the conflict against the prince of the heavenly army in Daniel 8 and his war against the Lord’s High Priest and the religion of God’s people in Daniel 11.
Rev 13 seems to confirm what Daniel states in Daniel 7 and 12 that the conflict against Israel and the conflicts in general after Israel is invaded will last for about three and a half years.
Daniel 7 and 12 do not talk about another conflict involving Israel after this and neither does Revelations state otherwise with the exception of Rev 20 where after a millennium, conflict will resume.
Using Rev 11 and 13 as the time indicators and Rev 16 and 19 as events within this time frame and borrowing from Daniel 11 and Isaiah 41 one may safely conclude that the 1260 days of the last Mid East entity will end because of forces east of the Euphrates who will force matters to a head in the valley of Israel referred to in Rev 16 as Armageddon and mentioned severally in Joel, Daniel 11, Isaiah 29, 30, 41, Zech 12–14 amongst other scriptures.
These 42 months should be the 1260 days of Rev 11 when Jerusalem will be trampled over by the heathen, and the two witnesses will proclaim God's message, after which they will be succeeded by the beast from the abyss. Interestingly, just as those who are in the Lamb's Book of Life, will not worship the beast from the sea here, so also in Rev 17 do they appear not to dread the beast from the abyss.
It will be interesting to see whether the beast from the abyss might actually ally with believers against this new force in the Middle East. However, the horns of Rev 17 attacking the Lamb, and the death of the two witnesses, creates uncertainity of how exactly the beast from the abyss will be operating.
Revelations 13v11-12: Then I saw another beast, which came up out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb’s horns, and it spoke like a dragon. It used the vast authority of the first beast in its presence. It forced the earth and all who live on it to worship the first beast, whose wound had healed.
Revelations 13v16-17: The beast forced all the people, small and great, rich and poor, slave and free, to have a mark placed on their right hands or on their fore heads. No one could buy or sell unless he had this mark, that is, the beast’s name or the number that stands for the name.
Zechariah 5v5-11: The angel appeared again and said, “look! Something else is coming!” “What is it?” I asked. He replied, “It is a basket, and it stands for the sin of the whole land.” The basket had a lid made of lead. As I watched, the lid was raised, and there in the basket sat a woman!
The angel said, “This woman represents wickedness.” Then he pushed her down into the basket and put the lid back down. I looked up and saw two women flying towards me with powerful wings like those of a stork. They picked up the basket and flew off with it. I asked the angel, “Where are they taking it?” He answered, “To Babylonia, where they will build a temple for it. When the temple is completed, the basket will be placed there to be worshipped.”
In essence Rev 13 from verse 11 could be describing the Awful Horror that we first encountered in Daniel 11 an idol set up for the purpose of worship as the main character of Daniel, the same character here attempts to introduce new religious practices.
The two horns like a lamb would seem to suggest that this entity will portray itself as peaceful and divine, spiritual and good, a trait that has it being referred to as a false prophet in Rev 19. Basically this is false prophecy. As we observed in Daniel 8 the main character there, who should be the same one here will try to change religious laws and practices, and will hold sway for some time.
The speech like a dragon would suggest that this will be a state sanctioned activity, as verse 16-17 clearly indicate, that this will be official policy of this entity. The entity being worshipped will not be Middle Eastern in origin, i.e. not from one of the horns or Middle Eastern nations, but will be derived from the heads which we concluded lie north of the Mediterranean as opposed to the horns who lie south of it.
Here in Revelations 13, and also in Rev 6, 17 and 18, there appears to be more reference to commerce than is usually found in prophecy. The reason could be that commerce will be vital to the activities of this entity, as Rev 17 and 18 would appear to suggest that Babylon, the capital of this Middle Eastern character will be vital to trade.
It could also be that as societies have progressed, subsistence living has declined leading to a more commercial system, that is probably becoming even more pronounced and pervasive as we proceed.
It is quite probable that the conflict between the beast rising out of the sea, the entity here of whom most of this book analyses, and the beast from the abyss, his main nemesis could be to a large extent, trade derived, as judging from Rev 11 and the allies of the beast from the abyss in Rev 17, the primary grievance of the beast from abyss does not appear to be spiritual, though the supporting horns in Rev 17 have a spiritual agenda.
In short this idol of worship will be derived from where the power of this character as noted in Daniel 8 and here in Revelations will be derived. This could be the essence of the god who protects fortresses in Daniel 11 or the people who worship a foreign god who will protect his fortresses.
The kind of activity quoted here would appear to concur with Daniel 11 that this Middle Eastern entity will not follow the cultural norms of his area but will take up new behaviours.
This second beast is a result of the first and will be based in the ‘earth’ of Babylonia where those who worship a foreign god in Daniel 11 will be based, the foreigners of Isaiah 13 and the leopard heads, lion mouths and bear paws, the powers behind, or the heads of the crowned horns of the first beast.
As we mentioned in Daniel 7 on the difference between heads and horns, where we deduced that heads are people based, and are spread out where those people are spread, while horns are confined to a specific location. The reasons why the beasts of Daniel 7 were said to be rising from the ocean was because those were migthy empires that spread overseas.
Here in Rev 13 they have been limited to the Mediterranean from where they originated. However this beast arising out of the earth might even be more localised than that, as horns, being located in two specific locations.
The beast here may partly explain the reason for the different religious practices of the last of the Mid East leaders in Daniel 11 who appears to deny the faith of the region and the Almighty as well.
Since the beast here will be captured at the same time as the first beast in Rev 13, in Rev 19 then we can expect this cult to operate within the 42 months or three and a half years that the first beast will hold sway.
Events here may also be a pointer to the economic clout of Babylon and Babylonia in the last days, as we will witness in Rev 17 and 18.
The 42 months here, are also the 1260 days of the dragon in Rev 12, so in essence the dragon and his forces after the initial conflict of Daniel 8 and Rev 12 will simultaneously create within his last three and a half years a petty political entity and false cult based in Babylonia as he battles Israel and the Church. All will fall at the same time after 42 months, the beasts as narrated in Rev 19, and the dragon as mentioned in Rev 20.
In Isaiah 13 there are foreigners in Babylonia during, judging from the cosmic activities there, the end times. This should be the foreigners who defend the last Mid East leader in Daniel 11.
The foreigners in Babylon during the end times in Isaiah 13 are part of the dragon forces as stated in Rev 13. The pride of the Babylonians regarding their city in Isaiah 13 is probably the same as mentioned in Rev 17-18.
The power this second beast appears to have despite its small size or infancy would probably reflect to it belonging to the people who have come to defend the Middle, Easterners rather than two small indigenous nations.
History often repeats itself but since the time of Darius, Babylonia has never again been a great power. The activities of Zech 5 especially when taken together with the succeeding and proceeding chapters which refer to visions similar to those which appear in Revelations at the end. May be safely adduced to end time occurrences as well.
The wickedness here also appears to tally well with the sixth trumpet of Rev 9 and the destruction originating from the same region and other resultant activities.
In essence, it would appear that a new compulsory religion will be established in the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions as Daniel 8 and Rev 13 attest, where this entity will hold sway. This could mean that two of the world’s most populous religions will be under attack, more so the one based south of the Mediterranean where this entity will have his main base. This could well be what Daniel 11v24 is alluding to, or the earthly cause of the negative passions directed by the ten horns of Rev 17 on his likely capital of Babylon.
Of these, the horns that may suffer the greatest disadvantage could be Babylonia, where this entity might be based, somewhere in the Euphrates region; and Libya, Egypt and Sudan, the three nations that will be toppled as Daniel 11 explains. Edom, Moab and Ammon(Jordan) for some reason appear to escape this misfortune in Daniel 11, and it is not clear what the fate of Tyre, Sidon and Syria will be.
Revelations 14v9-10: A third angel followed the first two, saying in a loud voice, “whoever worships the beast and its image and receives the mark on his forehead or on his hand will himself drink God’s wine, the wine of his fury, which he has poured at full strength into the cup of his anger! All who do this will be tormented in fire and sulphur before the holy angels and the lamb.
Matthew 24v15-16: You will see the awful horror of which the prophet Daniel spoke. It will be standing in the holy place. (Note to the reader what this means!) Then those who are in Judea must run to the hills.
Matthew 24v22-25: But God has already reduced the number of days; had he not done so, nobody would survive. For the sake of his chosen people, however, God will reduce the days. “Then if anyone says to you, ‘look, here is the Messiah!’ or ‘there he is!’ do not believe him. For false Messiahs and false prophets will appear; they will perform great miracles and wonders in order to deceive even God’s chosen people, if possible. Listen! I have told you this before the time comes. “ or, if people should tell you, ‘look, he is out in the desert!’ don’t go there; or if they say, ‘look, he is hiding!’ don’t believe it. For the son of Man will come like the lightning which flashes across the whole sky from the east to the west.
Matthew 24 v29-31: Soon after the troubles of those days the sun will grow dark, the moon will no longer shine, the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers in space will be driven from their courses. Then the sign of the son of man will appear in the sky, and all the peoples of the earth will weep as they see the son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. The trumpet will sound, and he will send out his angels to the four, corners of the earth, and they will gather his chosen people from one end of the world to the other.
The verses above appear to be warnings against the false prophet of Rev 13 and as the gospels clearly state and also Zechariah 12 mentions Christ will appear only as the conflicts in Israel come to a close and after significant signs and wonders in the cosmos and cosmic and earthly movements such as those mentioned in Rev 6, 11 and 16, Isaiah 2, Micah 4 and Zechariah 14.
The torment above could also be pointing to those in Daniel 11 who do not repent, who aid the leader there, and here in Revelations to desecrate the temple after the Awful Horror is setup. In all likelihood the Awful Horror of Daniel and the image of the beast in Rev 13 will probably prove to be connected, if not synonymous.
Christ in his ministry clearly informs us that he will only appear after the years of Daniel 12 are over. Which will comprise within it the invasion of many nations including Israel and also the church before the final fall of the Middle East entity to forces from the east and the north.
His coming will be visible from the east to the west and will be preceded by earthquakes and other phenomena and will include the voice of the arch Angel Michael and the trumpet as we narrated in Daniel and the gospels, and the rising of the dead. Any orders to worship the images of people as narrated in Rev 13 when the Middle East , European conflicts are going on should then be discarded, as well as receiving any mark for the purpose of commerce as this will lead to eternal torment. The laws of Moses are also quite clear about the worshipping of images, which they forbid.
Rev14v14-20: Then I looked, and there was a white cloud, and sitting on the cloud was what looked like a human being, with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle on his hand. Then another angel came out from the temple and cried out in a loud voice to the one who was sitting on the cloud, “use your sickle and reap the harvest, because the time has come; the earth is ripe for harvest!”
Then the one who sat on the cloud swung his sickle on the earth, and the earth’s harvest was reaped. Then I saw another angel come out of the temple in heaven, and he also had a sharp sickle. Then another angel, who is in charge of the fire, came from the altar. He shouted in a loud voice to the angel who had a sharp sickle, “use your sickle, and cut the grapes from the vineyard of the earth, because the grapes are ripe!”
So the angel swung his sickle on the earth, cut the grapes from the vine, and threw them into the winepress of God’s furious anger. The grapes were squeezed out in the winepress outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress in a flood three hundred kilometres long and nearly two metres deep.
The verses above may be narrating the final events of Daniel 11 and what may occur therewith. Daniel together with Joel and Zechariah, who we have quoted frequently, note great conflicts in the land of Israel.
It appears that there will be duality at the time of the end. As wickedness increases, so will faith. The entity with a crown of gold on his head would appear to be rallying believers or uniting or gathering believers. One may wonder whether there is any connection between, the entity here, the rider of the white horse in Rev 6 who goes out to conquer, and the armies of heaven in white in Rev 19.
Daniel 11 clearly states that people will fight for their faith in more ways than one, including sharing their wisdom with many others. It will be interesting to note the form which the conquests of the white rider of Rev 6 will take.
As the faithful are marshalling their forces, the unfaithful as Daniel 8 clearly narrates, and Daniel 11 and Revelations attest, will also be marshalling theirs. After the deciding battles being fought in the hills and plains of Jerusalem and Israel, as Zechariah 12-14, Isaiah 41, Daniel 11, Rev 11,16, Joel and many other scriptures may be describing, end, the saints might then have their reign as Daniel 2, 7 and 8 narrate.
Joel and Daniel point to the valley as the place where these conflicts will come to a head. Habakkuk 2 talks of the forests of Lebanon being plundered and Joel further elaborates by stating that the army will come from the north and will cover a range stretching from the Mediterranean to the Dead Sea and beyond.
The harvest may be pointing to a new spiritual awakening or alliance, while the treading of grapes may be pointing to the final invasions and conflicts in Israel that appear to occur in the valley of Jerusalem. One could be symbolically related to the rider of the white horse in Rev 6, while the other may be connected to the rider of the red horse.
Rev 19 states that the armies of heaven following the rider were riding white like the archer above and were wearing fine linen depicting the good conduct of the saints.
White horses or riders may depict Christian armies while red may depict the pre Christian tendency that may be prevalent in Israel.
Revelations 16v12-16: Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates. The river dried up, to provide a way for the kings who come from the east. Then I saw three unclean spirits that looked like frogs. They were coming out of the mouth of the dragon, the mouth of the beast, and the mouth of the false prophet. They are the spirits of demons that perform miracles. These three spirits go out to all the kings of the world, to bring them together for the battle on the great day of Almighty God. “ Listen! I am coming like a thief! Happy is he who stays awake and guards his clothes, so that he will not walk around naked and be ashamed in public!” Then the spirits brought the kings together in the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.
The activities mentioned here will probably be ignited when the last king of the symbolic south/Egypt which we deduced to be Europe, particularly the nations the make up the third beast of Daniel 7 - though the first beast could also be involved - launches the last battle in the hope of expelling the two beasts of Rev 13 from the city of seven hills which we will cover shortly in Rev 17, where the daily communion will have been suspended as narrated in Daniel 8 and the high priest expelled, as told in Daniel 11.
As we witnessed in Daniel 11, this will lead to a series of events that will eventually, probably see the north, and the east mentioned here being dragged in. Armageddon could then be the final resting place of the Middle East leader which Daniel 11 informs us will be between the mountains of Israel and the Mediterranean sea, where his forces appear to be defeated by the beast from the abyss in Rev 11, which will also destroy his former capital in Babylon in the succeeding chapter of Rev 17.
As we will note in Rev 17 and as we mention in Daniel 7, the Ottoman Empire was Asiatic in origin, and is a fragment of a larger Asian empire. A reconstitution of this larger empire from the east should be among the kings coming from the east, the beast from the abyss that appears to do the decisive damage both in Rev 11 - which we co-related to Daniel 11 to mean the final resting place of the last Middle East leader - and in Rev 17 his former capital.
As for the dragon, the human symbolism of the dragon i.e. earthly power as depicted in Matthew and Luke 4, and John 3 and 12, and events taking place in John 16, 18-19, which is what John 12 and 14 may be pointing to, which for most purposes then was the Roman Empire, might not be as easily defined as the beasts of Daniel 7. The dragon on an earthly level may include elements of state power within the sum of all the entities mentioned in Daniel 7, but with the Ottoman Empire, things become a bit blurred. Does the dragon as relates to Ottoman power only refer to Shenanigans among elements of the Ottoman Turks, or would it also include all kingdoms with Turkic/Mongol lineage? What do the winds from the east in Daniel 11 mean, will there be other activities taking place there that will make the battle on the hills of Israel inevitable? Of course this will only be answered as events unfold.
However Rev 13 when analysed together with Rev 16 might give a few clues. In Rev 12 we have the dragon pursuing Israel, which nevertheless finds a sanctuary in its historic home. In Rev 13 we have the dragon standing by what we deduced to be the nearby sea, which borders both Israel and comprises of the historical home of the dragon or earthly power that was the Roman Empire. So both from events in Revelations and Daniel we can clearly note that the dragon and the two beasts of Rev 13 appear to have most of their activities concentrated in the Mediterranean sea area. Besides, the Ottoman and other empires of Daniel 7 basically all originate from Europe or the Mediterranean area, so the dragon or a segment of the elite of these empires, to whom this refers should basically be situated or originate in the same area. Basically the elite and rulers of the four empires of Daniel 7 originated from those empires.
The beast from the abyss if taken as part of the larger Turkic/Mongol entity would thus mainly be based east of the Euphrates. A conflict between the beast from the abyss in Rev 11 and the two beasts of Rev 13, supported by the dragon in the preceeding chapter could very well be an Asiatic, European conflict having Middle Eastern proxies. The dragon, elements within the ancient powers of the Mediterranean having their proxies in Rev 13, while the probable Asiatic beast from the abyss having its Middle Eastern proxies depicted by the ten horns on its head. In essence the ten horns of the beast of Rev 13 and the ten of Rev 17 should basically be different segments of the same societies or nations.
As we mentioned in Rev 13 the wickedness at the end, which will bring about the Lord’s anger will mainly be as a result of the activities of the dragon and the beasts of Rev 13 and will probably last as long as these entities last.
From Rev 15 we learn that the seven bowls will be the last expressions of the Lord’s anger. All the bowls that involve human activity involve either the dragon or the beasts of Rev 13.
Armageddon here could be what is referred to as the winepress outside the city in Rev 14. With the narration here of kings coming from the East. This should be part of what we have been narrating of the beast from the abyss in Rev 11 and 17 taking on the dragon and the beasts of Rev 13 in the final conflict. Despite the numerous battles between the king of the south – the Europeans, and the king of the north - the Middle Easterners, for some reason the greatest passions against the Middle Eastern leader and his supporters appear to be roused in the Easterners as narrated in Rev 17 and probably inferred to in Rev 11 and here in Rev 16, though reasons for this state of affairs are scanty.
Their defeat after 42 months as can be deduced in Daniel 7 and 12 and Rev 11 to 13 in Rev 19 and 20, should bring to an end the wickedness of the end times and the final expression of the Lord’s anger before the new dawn as is clearly illustrated in Daniel 7.
Daniel and Revelations do not appear to give any leeway to any other conflicts from any other place on any other time frame threatening Israel or spreading wickedness. This should be the final conflict that Matthew 24, Luke 17 and 21 may be referring to, after which Christ will return. As Daniel 12 suggests, the final conflict in Israel after the north, east winds appears to be the final conflict before resurrection and condemnation. With the verses quoted here in Rev 16, Christ appears to return as these conflicts rage or subside, as the other verses quoted here also narrate. In fact Matthew 24 quotes from Daniel, suggesting by deduction that this is indeed the end the prophets and gospel predicted.
Political propaganda appears to have the global situation in an inverse situation in relation to how things will unfold at the end, but beginning with Daniel 7 a precedent is set of a three and a half year conflict, which will then be followed by a universal reign of God’s people. The conflict from our deductions is attributed to the region of the Ottoman empire as the fourth beast, and neigbouring areas in the Mediterranean. Other books and chapters give additional details as is the case here in Rev 16 and Revelations in general but Daniel 7 appears to be a very complete foundation as regards the origin, base and outcome of the end times conflicts.
The consequences would appear to be the same as those suggested in Daniel 11, and our prior discussions of Daniel 2, Isaiah 41 and Rev 19. The identity of the beast, the second beast or false prophet and the dragon is the same as that given in Rev 13.
The rash actions of Daniel 8 will then lead to the succeeding wars in Daniel 11, which will go on up to the final conflict between the Europeans and the Middle, Easterners leading to the invasion of Israel and the judgment in Armageddon.
The kings coming from the East are probably connected to the man who lives in the East in Isaiah 41, and the north, east winds of Daniel 11. These kings may thus play a very significant role in the demise of the Middle, Eastern power.
It is clear from Rev 16 taken together with Rev 13 that the wars in Israel including the coming of the easterners and northerners as narrated in Daniel and Isaiah, will be brought about through the actions of the, ‘crowned horns of the beast’, sections of the Middle, Eastern leadership, the ‘heads of the beast’, sections of the Europeans such as those noted in Daniel 11 and the crowned heads of the dragon comprising of some state elements.
The Kings from the East may then be threatened or provoked as will the other world parties. They may then push all before them to the valley of judgement or Armageddon.
Rev 16 is in essence describing aspects of Isaiah 11, Joel and Zechariah 14 and as mentioned earlier Daniel 11, Isaiah 41 and Rev 19. From Zechariah, Isaiah and Joel, we learn that the conflict in Israel, the place of judgement or Armageddon will occur almost simultaneously with the seventh bowl of the Lord’s anger, the earthquakes and other cosmic phenomena that will lead to the situation in Isaiah 2 and Micah 4 as mentioned in Zechariah 14.
We stated in Daniel 7 and 8 that dramatic changes are in the offing for both the lion and the eagle and this probable shift of power to the East and the duration of time that the Babylonians and their allies will be able to operate both in Daniel and Revelations appears to confirm this.
It is also clear from Daniel 7 itself that the stated empires are in decline even though this may not appear so at present.
Also of note is the fact that as quoted above, the kings from the east of the Euphrates appear to be very separate entities from the dragon and the beasts of Rev 13. Suggesting as we have stated that the power of the beast over seemingly all people will be more a matter of migrant nationalities than physical subjugation of the entire earth. Most probably the term ‘the earth’ has the same connotation in Revelations that it does in Daniel 2 and 5, probably referring to the ancient kingdoms of the fertile crescent and the Mediterranean sea – in short the traditional biblical lands. East of the Euphrates and other distant areas could be safe places to escape the manmade aspects of events at the end.
Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl in the air. A loud voice came from the throne in the temple, saying, “It is done!” There were flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder, and a terrible earthquake. There has never been such an earthquake since the creation of man; this was the worst earthquake of all! The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of all countries were destroyed. God remembered great Babylon and made her drink the wine from his cup- the wine of his furious anger. All the islands disappeared, all the mountains vanished. Huge hail stones, each weighing as much as fifty kilograms, fell from the sky on people, who cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because it was such a terrible plague.
The above narration may fit with our deductions that the coming of Christ will be preceded by unparalleled cosmic action. This is similar to our discussion on Rev 6 and refers to the same events.
The splitting of Jerusalem into three parts may explain the stream that will flow from the temple to both the Mediterranean and Dead seas, as we narrated in Zech 14, and probably alluded to in Isaiah 41 and Joel.
The nations may have to rebuild again during the reign of Christ, as all their cities and consequently their wealth will be destroyed and the most vulnerable appear to be the Island nations.
As Israel is being levelled to make Jerusalem and Mt Zion tower over all, Babylon may continue to suffer misfortune beginning with the drying up of the Euphrates, followed by the Eastern invasion and finally destruction through earthquakes.
Rev 17v1-3: Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came to me and said, “come, and I will show you how the famous prostitute is to be punished, that great city built near many rivers. The kings of the world practised sexual immorality with her, and the people of the world became drunk from drinking the wine of her immorality.”
The spirit took control of me, and the angel carried me to a desert. There I saw a woman sitting on a red beast that had names insulting to God written all over; the beast had seven heads and ten horns.
Rev 17 v7-8: “Why are you amazed?” the angel asked me. I will tell you the secret meaning of the woman and the beast that carries her, the beast was once alive, but lives no longer; it is about to come up from the abyss and will go off to be destroyed. The people living on Earth whose names have not been written before the creation of the world in the book of the living, will all be amazed as they look at the beast. It was once alive; now it no longer lives, but it will reappear.
Rev 17 v12-18: “ The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet begun to rule, but who will be given authority to rule as kings for one hour with the beast. These ten all have the same purpose, and they give their power and authority to the beast. They will fight against the lamb; but the lamb together with his called, chosen, and faithful followers, will defeat them, because he is lord of lords and king of kings”. The angel said to me, “The waters you saw, on which the prostitute is sitting, are nations, peoples, races, and languages.
The ten horns you saw, and the beast will hate the prostitute; they will take away everything she has and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and destroy her with fire. For God has placed in their hearts the will to carry out his purpose by acting together and giving the beast their power to rule until God’s words come true. “The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth.”
In Daniel 11 we had the Lord’s high priest, whom we deduced to be the pope being banished or swept aside by an invasion. Rome has traditionally been the city of seven hills, which this city referred to as a woman, is sitting on in Rev 17v9. In essence this should be referring to the occupation and conquest of Rome by the Middle Easterners -from the desert- the setting up of the awful horror therewith and other obnoxious activities taking place in Daniel 7, 8 and 11.
In Daniel 7, 8 and 11, there is a character violently opposed to the church, or the Prince of the Heavenly army, or the religion of God’s people, and from verse 6 in Rev 17, where the woman is said to be drunk with the blood of God's people and those faithful to Jesus, we may conclude that Babylon here is indeed the capital of the anti-religious activities taking place in Daniel and Revelations. From the description here of a city in the desert built near many rivers, from a Middle Eastern point of view, which Rev 18 also refers to, it is fairly easy to deduce where the city being referred to could be situated.
In Daniel 7, 8 and 11, there is a character violently opposed to the church, or the Prince of the Heavenly army, or the religion of God’s people, and from verse 6 in Rev 17, where the woman is said to be drunk with the blood of God's people and those faithful to Jesus, we may conclude that Babylon here is indeed the capital of the anti-religious activities taking place in Daniel and Revelations. From the description here of a city in the desert built near many rivers, from a Middle Eastern point of view, which Rev 18 also refers to, it is fairly easy to deduce where the city being referred to could be situated.
Going back again to Daniel 7 and 11, we can state again that the three ancient Middle Eastern nations toppled, or the three horns toppled are all in Africa; Egypt, Libya and Sudan. The three that get away are based in Modern Jordan; Edom, Moab and Ammon. The ruling horn should be this Babylon one, and the other three by ancient biblical reference would appear to be as stated, Tyre and Sidon in Lebanon, and Syria. Of course all these were vassals or territories of the head, i.e. the Ottoman empire.
v11 informs us that the beast from the abyss is indeed a re-emergent entity who is one of the seven empires that keep recurring after Daniel 7. We concluded because of constant reference to the East that this could be part of the greater Mongol/Turkic nation. As clearly noted in Daniel 11, the fortunes of the prominent protagonist of the Middle East conflicts appear to change only after the winds from the north and east, and we observed in Rev 16 that the crossing of the Euphrates is one of the factors that leads to Armageddon, which would appear to be the final resting place of the Middle Easterner, lying between the sea the temple mountain.
Why this beast is said to be from the abyss is probably best explained from scripture, where those who believe in Christ have eternal life. In essence this is probably depicting an empire of unbelievers.
The reason why the beast from the abyss is described as a red beast with insulting names written all over it, could be as a result of the activities taking place in Rev 9v20-21 with the conflicts appearing to originate from the Euphrates, probably the same events Rev 16 is referring to, i.e. invasion from the East. The numbers given in Rev 9, and some of the practices there would indeed appear to point to an Eastern invasion.
What would be interesting to note is whether this Eastern/Middle Eastern alliance, will rally against the Western/Middle Eastern alliance that the two beasts of Rev 13 and Babylon represents as clearly depicted in Daniel 11 - where we have the leader whose base should be the Babylon here, allying with those who have abandoned their faith - on religious or strategic grounds. From Rev 9v20-21 quoted above, the reasons can only be deduced to be strategic.
The horns as may have been stated elsewhere appear to have a religious agenda, but the situation of the beast from the abyss appears to be rather ambivalent. It is not really clear what the grounds for conflict between the beasts of Rev 13 and this one of Rev 17 are, though both appear to have segments of local support.
From explanations given in Daniel 12 and Rev 20, where people will literally resurrect to reign with Christ as various books of the scriptures also attest to, then in a broad sense, the masses from the East could well be a danger to all who may be living at the time, because from verses quoted in Rev 17, only those in the book of the living can be inferred, to not being affected by this beast from the abyss.
The woman on the beast as we have stated elsewhere may be a pointer to a renewal of political power in the region that will see nations such like the ones mentioned in Daniel 11 coming under her domain. This together with the wealthy province invaded earlier in Daniel 11 may give the new Babylon a political and economic status of which more will be narrated in Rev 18.
The woman could then be the capital of modern Babylonia better known as Iraq under future political realities. Returning to the beast from the abyss, the constant reference to seven heads and ten horns right from Daniel 7 is probably meant to act as a geographical compass indicating that all these parties being discussed are the same Roman/ Mediterranean entities of Daniel 7 under different circumstances.
The woman in Rev 17 in our opinion is the capital of the first beast of Rev 13, 16 and 19, which will be based in Babylonia and the Euphrates region.
The original Byzantium was Greek, but with the coming of the Mongols and Turkish invaders, the seventh head which will reappear as the eighth had substantially changed in character.
With the coming East/ North winds of Daniel 11 and Isaiah 41 and the end of Babylon’s 1260 days in Daniel 7, Rev 11, 12 and 13. The surrounding nations probably with foreign assistance may then rally round their traditional leader Turkey or under a unifying banner in order to destroy Babylon . Since heads have no geographical restrictions, the traditional states of the Mid East may ally with like minded Turkic people against Babylon.
The attack on the lamb may be a question of faith or beliefs in that part of the world. Zechariah 12-14 appears to give a good account of how that conflict might progress. Nations in the region will be expected to go and worship in Jerusalem. Isaiah 2 and Micah 4 carry a similar theme.
Revelations 18v1-3: After this I saw another angel coming down out of heaven. He had great authority, and his splendour brightened the whole earth. He cried out in a loud voice: “ she has fallen! Great Babylon has fallen! She is now haunted by unclean spirits; all kinds of filthy and hateful birds live in her. For all nations have drunk her wine- the strong wine of her immoral lust. The kings of the earth practised sexual immorality with her, and the businessmen of the world grew rich from her unrestrained lust.”
Revelations 18v16-19: and say, “How terrible! How awful for the great city! She used to dress herself in linen, purple, and scarlet, and cover herself with gold ornaments, precious stones, and pearls! And in one hour she has lost all this wealth!” All ships’ captains and passengers, the sailors and all others who earn their living on the sea, stood a long way off, and cried out as they saw the smoke from the flames that consumed her; “There never has been another city like this great city!” They threw dust on their heads, they cried and mourned, saying, “ How terrible! How awful for the great city! She is the city where all who have ships sailing the seas became rich on her wealth! And in one hour she has lost everything!”
Revelations 18v24: Babylon was punished because the blood of the prophets and of God’s people was found in the city; yes, the blood of all those who have been killed on earth.
Going back to Rev 17 we noted that after the invasion of virtually all her neighbours including the earlier invaded wealthy province in Daniel 11, the Babylon of the past or the capital of Modern Day Babylonia or Iraq may regain her former glory for a while.
The wealth of the Middle East including North Africa as stated in Daniel 11 is fairly substantial. If all this wealth falls into the hands of one nation, then it might have the kind of commercial influence noted in Rev 18.
The blood of God’s people may be as a result of the persecution of the Church in Daniel 11 and the later invasion of Israel, which claims ten of thousands of lives. The blood of God’s people being found in the city would then be a result of the people killed during the 1260 to 1290 days when Iraq or Babylon may control both the Church in Rome and parts of Israel including the temple mount as narrated in Daniel 7 through to 12, and especially in Daniel 11 and also stated in Rev 11 and 13.
The blood of all those killed on earth again may be as a result of the invasions of Daniel 11, also narrated in Rev 13. More so if this takes the form given in Daniel 7 of the fourth beast/empire given to total ruthlessness and lack of compassion.
Again as in Rev 17 our main conclusion is that Rev 18 is basically a continuation of the narrative of Rev 17 and the city being discussed is Babylon, a new and rejuvenated capital of Babylonia or Iraq destined to fall to its neighbours and fellow members of a temporary resurrected Turkic/Asiatic empire.
Rev 19v11-15: Then I saw heaven open, and there was a white horse. Its rider is called faithful and true; it is with justice that he judges and fights his battles. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and he wore many crowns on his head. He had a name written on him, but no one except himself knows what it is. The robe he wore was covered with blood. His name is the “word of God”. The armies of heaven followed him, riding on white horses and dressed in clean white linen. Out of his mouth came a sharp sword, with which he will defeat the nations. He will rule over them with a rod of iron, and he will trample out the winepress of the furious anger of Almighty God.
Isaiah 42v1: The lord says, “Here is my servant, whom I strengthen the one I have chosen, with whom I am pleased. I have filled him with my spirit, and he will bring justice to every nation.
The furious winepress that he presses may point to battles against the Middle, Eastern alliance, and wayward elements in Europe and elsewhere, which comes to a head in the Mediterranean valley of Israel referred to as Armageddon in Rev 16 and 14 and also referred to in Joel 3, Daniel 11, Micah 4 and Zechariah 12-14.
The armies of heaven are probably referring to those of the faith of Christ.
Rev 19v17-18: Then I saw an angel standing on the sun. He shouted in a loud voice to all the birds flying in mid air: “come and gather for God’s great feast! Come and eat the flesh of kings, generals, and soldiers, the flesh of horses and their riders, the flesh of all people slave and free, great and small!”
Rev 19v19-21: Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered to fight against the one who was riding the horse and against his army. The beast was taken prisoner, together with the false prophet who had performed the miracles in his presence. (It was by those miracles that he had deceived those who had worshipped the image of the beast.) The beast and false prophet were both thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulphur. Their armies were killed by the sword that comes out of the mouth of the one who was riding the horse; and all the birds ate all they could of their flesh.
The verses quoted here should basically be continuing with the theme of Daniel 7,8,11-12. Basically the character fighting the church in Daniel is finally defeated. Daniel 7, 8 and Rev 19 are not clear how that will happen, But the chronology we covered in Daniel 11 explains everything. This is also seconded in Matthew 24. Of course the capital of this entity is destroyed as explained in Rev 17. Daniel 8 states that the leader fighting the church will not die by human hand, so it will be interesting to note how the beast being taken prisoner will unfold. The lake of fire will probably be, as appears in Rev 20, a post life or spiritual experience.
This false prophet is probably connected to the new religion in Daniel 7,8 and 11, and the so-called god of fortresses, and The Awful Horror, whom the character in Daniel 11 and by deduction Daniel 7, where he tries to change religious practices, worships. From Daniel 11, Isaiah 13 and Rev 18, there appears to be lots of foreign participation in the affairs of the character of Daniel and Revelations, and some of these could be mercenaries of armies defeated as quoted here.
In fact the very essence of the capital of the beast being referred to as Babylon may indicate that there will be a lot of foreign presence there, i.e. it will be a mixed up place. Noting that in Daniel 11 we have the main character there, who should be the same here defending himself with the help of people who worship a foreign god, that is probably not native to the Middle East or Babylonia. It is also stated that his religious practices will be different from those of his ancestors.
In fact the very essence of the capital of the beast being referred to as Babylon may indicate that there will be a lot of foreign presence there, i.e. it will be a mixed up place. Noting that in Daniel 11 we have the main character there, who should be the same here defending himself with the help of people who worship a foreign god, that is probably not native to the Middle East or Babylonia. It is also stated that his religious practices will be different from those of his ancestors.
The verses of Rev 19 quoted here, should also be considered together with Rev 16, Zech 12-14, Psalms 110 and similar passages. Rev 16 which appears to be pointing to the Mediterranean valley that houses the last of the Mid East leaders after the invasion of Israel in Daniel 11, a theme also covered in Zech 12-14, should be part of the attack on Christ being referred to here, as Christ is the successor to the throne of David, so in essence, an attack on Israel at the end, and the church as narrated in Daniel 11 should basically be the battle being referred to here. This battle from Daniel 11, co-related to Rev 16 appears to come to a head at the forementioned valley. The beast from the abyss after the destruction of Babylon in Rev 17 appears to follow the character we have been following to Israel and the temple area in Rev 11.
Also to take into consideration are the dragon elements, segments of the elite, north of the Mediterranean, such as those that mislead their leader in Daniel 11, from whom we learn in Rev 13 that the power of this beast is derived, not forgeting the heads of this beast, which should basically comprise of sections of the heads of the beasts of Daniel 7, with the continental third beast or empire appearing prominent here.
It will be interesting to observe whether the foreigners currently in Babylonia in the early years of the 21st century will be part of the strength and defence of a re-emergent Babylon, or whether another set of foreigners with a similar northern Mediterranean heritage will take their place. In Daniel 7 we have the wings of the eagle being torn off, and in Daniel 8, we have the most prominent Western power falling. It will be interesting to note whether remnants of this power will continue to aid Babylonia and Babylon, or whether new forces mainly from the continent, the third beast of Daniel 7, which appears to dominate the appearance of the beast from the sea will take their place. Daniel 8 seems to suggest that the Mid East entity will grow from the new lesser powers.
The army of the rider of the white horse, should be faithful followers such as those who fight back in Daniel 11 and Psalm 110 and instruct others on what is right. Their victory might be more on a spiritual plane, because from actual fighting, the beast from the abyss both in Rev 11 and 17, and by inference Daniel 11 and Rev 16 appears to do most of the military fighting.
Other kings of the earth that may take on the church, could be the dragon as Rev 16 may imply, and the horns of the beast from the abyss. A new set of Mid East leaders with a different believe structure. As Daniel 7, 11 and Rev 19 here illustrate, ultimately either naturally or supernaturally the saints will be victorious.
The verses quoted above in our opinion bring up two aspects. First, is the armies of heaven riding white horses, and second is the matter of the eating of flesh. We first come across a white horse in Rev 6 where a rider of a white horse is given a crown and goes out as a conqueror to conquer. Co-relating that with Zech 6, the rider appears to be going west. On the matter of eating flesh, we first came across this when covering the second beast of Daniel 7, the bear which is instructed to eat much flesh.
Given that there is only one end before the thousand year reign, we took all events taking place at the end from Daniel 7 to Revelations to be generally expounding on the same matter. Given that it is clear from Isaiah 41 and more so Daniel 11, that the winds from the north and east appear to hasten or change the fortunes of the Middle Eastern character bent on destroying faith and the church. It is highly likely that the north, east winds, and this eating of flesh which are generally pointing to how the faith-fighting Middle Eastern leader will be defeated, should comprise within it the bear from the north, which may be the wind from the north, as part of the winds from the north and east, and part of this eating of flesh, or conflict referred to here.
In short the winds from the north and east in Daniel 11 and the defeat of the beasts of Rev 13 here could be an alliance between Orthodox believers from the north or the lands of the bear, and non-believers from the East exemplified by elements such as the beast from the abyss, and the continuous passages on invasion from the east that we have been covering. Let’s not forget that in Rev 17, Babylon which we deduced to be the capital of the beast of Rev 13 is said to have its flesh eaten and burnt with fire. All this should be part of the conflict that will see the fall of the character we covered in Daniel, whom we deduced to be the first beast of Rev 13.
It will also be interesting to note whether the birds being referred to here are simply natural birds, or this also refers to the birds of Daniel 7, the continental settlements overseas, which appear to have maintained a strong Christian tradition.
Rev 19 could be co-related to Isaiah 13, which refers to a holy war and the Lord’s armies and soldiers coming from a far. The reference to Babylon and Babylonia in Isaiah 13 would suggest as we have repeatedly stated and as mentioned in Rev 17-18 that Babylon and Babylonia will be the base of the last Mid East entity in the final conflicts before the Second Coming.
All the other cosmic factors given there affirm the details of the Second Coming as stated in Luke 21, Matthew 24 and Zechariah 12.
The dragon or elements within Europe having been defeated will thus be channelling their efforts through the Mid East/Babylonian entity described here as the beast of Rev 13.
The Mid Easterners particularly the Babylonians together with their backers might then fall to an alliance or attacks from the East, North and probably the continentals, Europeans/kings of the symbolic south in the place called Armageddon, which from Joel 3, Zechariah 12-14, Rev 14 and Daniel 11 appear to point to the valley of Mt Zion.
As we have stated on heads, heads in our narrative are people driven as opposed to the area-based horns.
Rev 20v1-3: Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key of the abyss and a heavy chain. He seized the dragon that ancient serpent, …… …… …… chained him up for a thousand years. The angel threw him into the abyss, locked it, and sealed it, so that he could not deceive the nations any more until the thousand years were over. After that he must be let loose for a little while.
Here we have the dragon, at one level the dominant earthly power since Roman times, and the times of Christ being locked up for a thousand years. In essence the current world order, which is still basically Roman, being turned on its head. The interesting thing here is that it will be let loose again after a millenium.
This brings us to the beast from the abyss. In Daniel 7 we have the beasts from the ocean, of whom aspects are reduced to the beast from the nearby Mediterranean sea in Rev 13 from where they generally arose. The beast from the abyss, judging from the east, north winds of Daniel 11 and the movement from what we deduced to be Babylon to the Israel of Daniel 11, coupled with supportive narratives such as Isaiah 41, and Rev 16 which we have covered, appears to originate from the east.
Basically taking the north wind as originating from the bear, a bear that Daniel 7 informs us has a tendency to devour much flesh. Since the beast from the abyss, is in both Babylon, and then the valley of Mt. Zion, and since the entity in Daniel appears to fall after the east, north winds, and the north wind appears taken, then surely the east wind should be that of the beast from the abyss.
This brings us to the beast from the abyss. In Daniel 7 we have the beasts from the ocean, of whom aspects are reduced to the beast from the nearby Mediterranean sea in Rev 13 from where they generally arose. The beast from the abyss, judging from the east, north winds of Daniel 11 and the movement from what we deduced to be Babylon to the Israel of Daniel 11, coupled with supportive narratives such as Isaiah 41, and Rev 16 which we have covered, appears to originate from the east.
Basically taking the north wind as originating from the bear, a bear that Daniel 7 informs us has a tendency to devour much flesh. Since the beast from the abyss, is in both Babylon, and then the valley of Mt. Zion, and since the entity in Daniel appears to fall after the east, north winds, and the north wind appears taken, then surely the east wind should be that of the beast from the abyss.
That, or the east, north winds facilitate a local revolution. This could be plausible, but there does not appear historically to be anything local that could compare to the Mongol Turks, unless history was not properly recorded. Besides we have concluded that unlike the other entities that projected their power, the Middle East which we have determined to be the horns were mostly incorporated into empires, despite the spread of their faith.
Just as traditional north Mediterranean power may again arise after a millenium, it would appear a dreaded eastern empire will also rise again, before its demise. The most likely power would appear to be the Mongol/Turkic power from which the Ottoman Empire arose. Incidentally Mongol/Turkic forces also had a role in the fall of ancient Rome all those centuries ago, and Baghdad a couple of centuries back. The willingness of the ten horns to support it in Rev 17 would appear to suggest some historical or cultural affiliation.
Here what has to be determined is the meaning of the abyss and the meaning of the dragon. From Rev 6 through Rev 9, 11, 17 and 20. We keep encountering either, death, hades or the abyss. There should be many levels to the symbolic meaning of all this. In Rev 6 we have a rider referred to as death with hades following close behind. In Rev 9 we have the angel in charge of the abyss who is also king, then in Rev 11 and 17 we have the beast from the abyss, followed by the passage here.
At another level taking John 3 and other passages such as Rev 20 as reference, this is probably simply referring to a ruler of unbelievers or an empire or nation of unbelievers, naturally in the context of the bible. For example the beast from the abyss, a Turkic/Asiatic empire of biblical unbelievers, with Rev 9 probably referring to a ruler of the same or similar people.
As for the dragon, from Rev 13 it is clear that the dragon is above the beast, a higher authority in the scheme of things. In Job 41, the dragon is referred to as Leviathan, king of all wild beasts, living in the sea with a description somewhat uncanningly similar to that protrayed in the East. Isaiah 27 also informs us that leviathan is indeed a dragon of the sea. Just as the beasts of Rev 13 and Daniel 7 use the symbolism of living things or things that actually lived, so too as may be suggested by Psalms 74 is it possible that such creatures did exist in the prehistoric past.
Just as the beasts in Rev 13 and Daniel 7 are symbolic, so too should the dragon at the earthly plane be symbolic. Daniel 7 informs us that the beasts are empires, which we tried to deduce in Daniel, Job 41 in co-relation with Isaiah 27 informs us that the dragon is the king of all wild beasts. Rev 13 also makes this clear. So in short the dragon at one level could depict the ruling class or a section thereof of the forementioned empires of Daniel 7 and Rev 13. The type of class we covered in Daniel 2 and their successors. People, who; "eat at the king's table", as narrated in Daniel 11.
So in short, one of the things that could be happening here, is that the power of the elite of sections of the West, might simply fall to forces of non-believers, such as those we associated with the beast from the abyss, or Asiatics. In Rev 16, the beasts of Rev 13 and the dragon appear to be bringing matters to a head at a place called Armageddon which we have tried to locate or suggested as the valley between the sea and Mt. Zion in Daniel 11.
Since the two beasts of Rev 13 appear to fall along the way as we covered in Rev 11 and 17, and since the dragon had already given the beast his throne, power and vast authority, among this the historical seat of seven hills on which Babylon is seating on in Rev 17; probably through intrigues as covered in Daniel 11. Then the fall of the beasts of Rev 13 in Rev 11, 17 and 19 would probably also imply the fall of the dragon as described here. It is possible the beast from the abyss who captures both Babylon in Rev 17 and the valley of Mt. Zion in Rev 11 and by implication Daniel 11, which is covering the same area, will also defeat the forces the dragon represents. An outcome that will see the kind of Roman power the church faced in its early days contained for a millennium.
The interesting aspect however is that the fall of the dragon or Mediterranean, Western authorities does not appear to install the beast from the abyss or hades, i.e. unbelievers as the ultimate authority, but instead leads to the reign of the saints, as we will study shortly in this chapter, and noted in Daniel. In Rev 17, the beast from the abyss appears to be a threat to sinners only or mainly (unrepentant) sinners, those who are not in the Lamb's book of life. It will be interesting to see how the fall of the West also depicted in Daniel 7, leads not necessarily to the rise of the East, but to the reign of the saints.
The bronze snake of Moses that Christ refers to in John 3, should in essence be referring to the dragon, or the ancient serpent here, because in John 12, Christ seems to imply that by his crucifixion, he would defeat Roman authority, which in essence came to pass. In John 18-19, only Roman authority could give permission for his crucifixion, so in essence just as the first Passover of Moses, Christ acts as the sacrificial lamb that saves people from death. Death that ultimately falls on earthly power as happened in Exodus, and appears to happen with the coming of the beast from the abyss and his allies.
So bronze should be the symbolic metal of the Roman Empire, succeeded in its institutions by the Germanic iron as we narrated in Daniel 2. By Roman crucifixion, Christ freed people from Roman power, which has constantly remained the most powerful force, all these centuries later; and all other earthly power as well. Luke 2v36-37 and other passages we will cover appear to point to such a conclusion. As 1 John 5 states, only those who believe in Christ can defeat the world.
The first cross, made with the blood of a young sheep or goat on the beams and doorposts of Israelite homes, freed the Israelites from one of the uncrowned horns of the dragon - the power of ancient Egypt, one of the southern Mediterranean powers of the Roman Empire. The second cross, on the same day, centuries later now frees us from even the crowned heads of the dragon - Roman power of the north of the Mediterranean, the ultimate secular authority in the Mediterranean and indeed the earth.
The first cross, made with the blood of a young sheep or goat on the beams and doorposts of Israelite homes, freed the Israelites from one of the uncrowned horns of the dragon - the power of ancient Egypt, one of the southern Mediterranean powers of the Roman Empire. The second cross, on the same day, centuries later now frees us from even the crowned heads of the dragon - Roman power of the north of the Mediterranean, the ultimate secular authority in the Mediterranean and indeed the earth.
It is clear from John 12, 14, 18-19, and perhaps from history as well who the earthly ruler of this world was. In John 12, Christ states that with his crucifixion, he would topple the world order. Only the Romans appear to have practised crucifixion. In John 14, Christ states that the ruler of the world would come for him, and sure enough in John 18, Roman soldiers appear accompanied by guards of the chief priest. In John 19 the only power that could order his crucifixion does so, thereby as per John 12 guaranteeing its defeat.
Rev 17 also states that the beast from the abyss is also on the way to destruction, so in essence earthly power may simply destroy itself, or be destroyed supernaturally, or both, leading to the reign of the saints.
There is also a somewhat similar precedent from the last war, where the mighty nations waged devastating war against each other that eventually aided in decolonisation. The so-called Cold War at a lesser level had a similar outcome.
In Rev 17 we have the horns of the beast from the abyss fighting against the lamb, who defeats them. Apart from, at one level this probably being an attack on Israel by its neighbours, as clearly explained in Zechariah 12-14, there could well be another conflict against the Christian faith, from those wanting to impose another. It will be interesting to see how all this plays out and how the reign of the saints is established. However it would appear, taking into account the gospel and other scriptures that there could be a mix of the normal and the supernatural, as Daniel 12, and verses mentioned here clearly depict.
In Rev 13 we have the dragon giving his power and authority to the beast. We concluded that the beast was referring to remnant elements within the four empires of Daniel 7. We also gave the example of the Church and Christ and stated that though there is the unseen and more powerful element, there is also the physical manifestation of the forces of good and unfortunately the contra forces as well.
Psalms 82 and 83 has exactly such a scenario with the powers above appearing to live and die on the earthly plane and Israel’s neighbours making a determined effort to destroy her probably with the help of such powers as we have narrated, this is also in collaboration with Isaiah 24.
It was a fairly common occurrence in the post Ottoman era for the European powers to install leaders and propose states in the Mid East and equally frequent was domestic opposition to these entities.
The beast from the sea that appears from Rev 13 will follow on this precedence and the succeeding beast from the abyss will be the dutiful but predictable opponent.
The beast from the abyss appears as per Rev 11 after 1260 days of troubles in Israel. When Rev 17 is taken in conjunction with Rev 11 and Rev 19 all the strategic places both in Israel and also in Babylon, the capital of the last Mid East entity appear to fall to this political entity described as the beast from the abyss, probably implying that this is what defeat in Rev 19 will be.
The dragon or Roman/Western powers meddling in the area as per Rev 12 and 13 may become so entangled and engaged that their fortunes may follow those of their dependants in the region and may directly result to loss of any remaining power in their home countries.
The Mid East region appears to be heading for some kind of political revival both foreign sponsored and locally based. Unfortunately with the possible exception on the part played by the beast from the abyss in the conflicts in the region, and as a result elsewhere, it appears that this re-emergence will not be considered as a renaissance by the rest of the world particularly the historical surrounding regions of the Mediterranean.
Rev 20v4: Then I saw thrones, and those who sat on them were given the power to judge. I also saw the souls of those who had been executed because they had proclaimed the truth that Jesus revealed and the word of God. They had not worshipped the beast or its image, nor had they received the mark of the beast on their fore heads or their hands. They came to life and ruled as kings with Christ for a thousand years.
Rev 2v7: “If you have ears, then, listen to what the spirit says to the churches! To those who win the victory I will give the right to eat the fruit of the tree of life that grows in the Garden of God.
Rev 2v11: “If you have ears, then, listen to what the spirit says to the churches! Those who win the victory will not be hurt by the second death.
Rev 2v26-28: To those who win the victory, who continue to the end to do what I want. I will give the same authority that I received from my father: I will give them authority over the nations, to rule them with an iron rod and to break them to pieces like clay pots. I will also give them the morning star.
With the verse here, there appears to be two aspects. One normal, and the other supernatural. It would appear as stated in Daniel 12, that the righteous will resurrect to claim their reward, but also not all leaders would appear to be from among the dead, as the righteous living also appear to receive honours.
This end in Rev 20 is the same end in Daniel 12, Luke 21 and Rev 11 and comprises of the end of the conflicts and the earthquakes and cosmic phenomena leading to a thousand years of righteous living as narrated in Daniel 2,7 and the gospels. It is very similar to Daniel 7, which is only natural as it is likely to be referring to the same event. And as in Daniel 7, the main aggressive beast will have fallen before the reign of the saints commences. This is after trying to change the religious laws and festivals as appears to happen with the beasts of Rev 13, and in Daniel 11.
Some of those killed here could be among those killed in Daniel 11v31-35 when, what we concluded to be the same character we have been tracing will try to destroy the religion of God’s people as the end approaches, and set up The Awful Horror, as the faithful share their wisdom.
Evangelist according to the wisdom accorded them have began to speculate on the millennium of Christ. Some quote 2 Peter in which he states that a thousand years is like a day, and a day like a thousand years, to symbolise the third millennium as the ‘day’ that Christ will return.
Others even more innovative have noted the power of seven in scriptures. The seventh day of the Sabbath, the seventh year of furrow in the books of Moses, and the 7 times 7 years of restoration.
Using a computation similar to the one we used in our foreword on Genesis. They have come to a similar conclusion that six millenniums have passed, and now we are in the seventh ‘day’ or millennium, which will be the millennium of Christ, rest or the Sabbath of peace, before the following ‘Monday’, Gog and Magog to be covered shortly, and the final judgement.
Before Christ who completed everything, there was roughly a Millennium between significant movements in the spiritual development of man. From Seth to Noah 926 years, Noah to Israel 1050 years, Israel to David 970 years and David to Christ 1026 years.
Seth began a new lineage after Cain, Adam’s surviving descendant became unacceptable. About a Millennium later Noah was involved in the cleansing and renewal of man and the earth and only he and his descendants survived. Israel and his descendants were the sign of a good future and God’s blessing and salvation, David provided the royal authority and Christ, David’s descendant was ordained the eternal King and also with reference to Psalms 110 and Revelations eternal priest.
Christ then has established his Kingdom and since the time of Christ no other activities have taken place in line with those stated here, and the second coming as per Isaiah, Daniel, Revelations and the scriptures appear to be the only remaining link in the universal plan, as sin has been forgiven.
Since this will be the beginning of an age and the end of another we should expect parties that support the current age to be very active attempting to stem its demise and those that support the next equally active in setting it up.
Whichever computations are used whether spiritual, historical or scientific/political logic the signs are there for those who Daniel 12 informs us are willing to accept them.
With more common sense and knowledge we may be able to minimise some of the disasters that will soon come upon the earth.
In Daniel 2 we stated the Empires being explained to Nebuchandnezzar as the Babylonian, Persian, Roman and their European Germanic successors. All this will disappear and be blown to the wind. This will then be the beginning of the reign of the saints.
Rev 20v7-10: After the thousand years are over, Satan will be let loose from his prison, and he will go out to deceive the nations scattered over the whole world, that is Gog and Magog. Satan will bring them together for battle, as many as the grains of sand on the seashore. They spread out over the earth and surrounded the camp of God’s people and the city that he loves. But fire came down from heaven and destroyed them. Then the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of fire and sulphur, where the beast and the false prophet had already been thrown; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
Ezekiel gives a very good account of these battles, which will take place a thousand years after the reign of Christ. He also points to their origin and the involved parties, and also hints at the events leading to them as follows;
Ezekiel 38v1-9: The lord spoke to me. “Mortal man,” he said, “denounce Gog, chief ruler of the nations of Meshech and Tubal in the land of Magog. Denounce him, and tell him that I, the sovereign lord, am his enemy. I will turn him round, put hooks in his jaws, and drag him and all his troops away. His army, with its horses and uniformed riders is enormous, and every soldier carries a shield and is armed with a sword. Men from Persia, Sudan, and Libya are with him, and all have shields and helmets. All the fighting men of the lands of Gomer and Beth Togarmah in the north are with him, and so are men from many other nations. Tell him to get ready and have his troops ready at his command. After many years I will order him to invade a country where the people were brought back together from many nations and have lived without fear of war. He will invade the mountains of Israel, which were desolate and deserted so long, but where all the people now live in safety. He and his army and the many nations with him will attack like a storm and cover the land like a cloud.”
Ezekiel 39v2-4: I will turn him in a new direction and lead him out of the far north until he comes to the mountains of Israel. Then I will knock his bow out of his left hand and his arrows out of his right hand. Gog and his army and his allies will fall dead in the mountains of Israel, and I will let their bodies be food for all the birds and wild animals.
The above verses may refer to, a Middle Eastern, Russian or European war a millennium after the final conflicts. Meshech and Tubal are ancient names for present day Turkey. Beth Togarmah is normally thought to refer to the area between the Black and Caspian seas. Apparently Togarmah is believed to have been the Partriarch of the Armenians and Georgians. The nation of Gog appears to comprise of the Turkey region in the future, and appears to be allied to nations that were part of the former Ottoman Empire.
As with directions we covered earlier, geography is given from the perspective of Israel, and distance as per the perspective of ancient times. Turkey may not appear to be very far from Israel, but in the times of Ezekiel, it must have been quite a distance. The same goes for reference to the earth, which we deduced, normally appears to refer to the biblical lands of the Middle East and the Mediterranean region.
Whether these nations will try to reinstate that former empire is hard to foretell, but it does appear from Ezekiel 38 and 39, and the phrasing above that the invasion of Israel will only be contemplated after a failed attack of lands farther to the north of Turkey which comprise of present day Russia or Eastern Europe.
This is a major difference between Ezekiel 39 and Daniel 11 probably pointing to, or confirming different times. In Daniel 11 we have invasion of Israel, then the north, east winds. In Ezekiel, it is conflict in the north, then invasion of Israel.
This may be what the turning or dragging in a new direction may represent. The north may prove too powerful for the latter day Middle Eastern alliance just as they may in the near future.
These frustrated parleys into the north could, then be attempted to be avenged by the invasion of Israel, which we stated in Rev 11, and many verses of Scripture such as Isaiah 2, and Micah 4, appears to be the future spiritual capital of the world.
It may be that the grievances of Gog and his men will be a historical grievance against the north or Israel dating back a thousand years, from the events narrated in the last verses of Daniel 11 and the northern, eastern alliance, or just an act of spiritual rebellion.
The north may also repulse and pursue Gog and his men up to their final defeat in the lands of Israel. This may then be an interesting factor to those who study Russian history. Russia or the entity that will succeed it after the demise of the four empires of Daniel 7, in northern Europe would appear to be powerful enough more than a millennium into the future to repulse a joint north African, Middle, Eastern, Persian and probably other sympathetic regions from their territories despite the numbers of their foes.
The north has in recent centuries outmanoeuvred more worldly civilised communities, beginning with the Swedes in the 1600’s and carrying on up to the Germans in the twentieth century. It may continue to be a part of a great empire up to the final end, but ironically even its foes of the next millennium will only be convinced of its might after their defeat or misfortunes at their hands.
However the bear from historical accounts and also our deductions of the future would appear to be good at self-preservation. in its own peculiar way, Russia may continue to be part of a great power for a long time to come.
Ezekiel 39, which narrates the death and burial of Gog and his followers in the land of Israel, would also appear to support such a theory.
Another point to note is that the dragon in the end will originate from the same region of the former Roman dragon in the Black sea and Mediterranean sea, one of the heads of the preceding dragon from, which the four beasts of Daniel 7 originate. The dragon will also be physically manifested as a leader or chief ruler, this time named Gog.
Our assertion that the dragon represents or has an earthly equivalence of the worldly powers, especially within the northern Mediterranean areas of the former Roman Empire appears again to correspond with the final events. Naturally every political entity has its leaders. This appears to be in line with the temptation of Christ in Matthew and Luke 4, reference to the ruler of the world in gospel, and demarcation between Caesar's and God’s.
Furthermore as the Gospels teach us, any other age or time apart from the time of Christ is in effect the time of the ruling spirits of the Earth or the dragon. We may safely conclude that since we are not yet living in the time or millennium of Christ, we are in effect living in the time of the dragon, and our leadership is thus then influenced.
With the coming of the reign of the saints, what we have come to consider as ‘normal’, ‘fair’, or ‘civilised’ may be changed as our perception is introduced to new spiritual ways of doing things.
Rev 20v12-15: And I saw the dead, great and small alike, standing before the throne. Books were opened, and then another book was opened, the book of the living. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. Then the sea gave up its dead. Death and the world of the dead also gave up the dead they held. And all were judged according to what they had done. Then death and the world of the dead were thrown into the lake of fire. (This lake of fire is the second death.)Whoever did not have his name written in the book of the living was thrown into the lake of fire.
John 3v16-18: For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to be its judge, but to be its saviour. Those who believe in the Son are not judged; but those who do not believe have already been judged, because they have not believed in God's only Son.
John 17v2-3: For you gave him authority over all people, so that he might give eternal life to all those you gave him. And eternal life means knowing you, the only true God, and knowing Jesus Christ, whom you sent.
Our understanding from the verses quoted above, is that it is only through grace that one can be saved. Deeds might not be enough without the knowledge of Christ.
Apparently these same people recorded in the book of the living, whom Rev 20v6 informs us that the second death has no power over, are also taking into account the narrative in Rev 17 the only people with seemingly nothing to fear from the beast from the abyss. However Rev 20 also informs us that some of those in the book of the living, will also have been killed, but ressurected earlier to serve as priests and rule as kings with Christ for a thousand years. It is then clear that the beast from the abyss will probably be a very destructive entity to much of humanity, and it will be interesting, or important to note for those who will be living how this entity will be destroyed as narrated in Rev 17, and how those in the book of the living will be able to avoid him.
This beast from the abyss appears to be the most perplexing of all the prophesied entities. He will destroy, but not rule. Rulership goes to the saints. Perhaps this is what Matthew 24 is talking about when it states that had the days not been shortened, nobody would survive.
So in conclusion we may note a spiritual plan carried out through earthly means. It would appear that since the time of the Roman Empire, or indeed the Exodus, the primary purpose of earthly entities has been to enable spiritual dissemination, or to return us to God after the fall of Adam. Firstly there is Israel created as a priestly nation, the coming of the Messiah to that nation during the time of Roman administration that enabled the faith to spread all over the Mediterranean.
Then comes the empires of Daniel 7, and the process is repeated all over again at an even grandeur level, and the religion of Israel and the teachings of the Messiah spread all over the world leading to a final scenario as envisaged in Daniel 2 and 7. Incidently as with Roman power, once the faith had been firmly established, the empires fade away, their purpose unbeknown to them having been served. The prophecies of Zachariah 9, of spreading the faith from sea to sea, could not have been accomplished without the Roman, Judeo-Christian traditions of the first three beasts of Daniel 7.
This would appear to be part of a spiritual plan beginning with Genesis 12, where Abraham is informed he would be used to bless all nations. In Genesis 14 he is given the bread and wine; the body of Christ or the church by Melchizedek and blessed, a theme that Psalms 110 also returns to. Luke 22v19-20 elaborates on this, the bread and wine representing the body and blood of Christ. Ephesians 1v23 clarifys the matter further when it states that the church is Christ’s body, that completes all things. Then comes the sacrificial lamb on Mt Zion in Genesis 22 pointing to the crucifixion on the same mountain of Abraham’s descedant, Christ, as clearly explained in John 3v16.
From there, what appears to be easily discernable is the cross on the beams and doorposts of Israelite homes in Exodus 12 during Passover, pointing to a similar event during the same time 1465 years later as depicted on our earlier table, that would lead not only to physical, but to spiritual freedom as well - the cross that saves people from death.
This is precisely what Ephesians 1v7, notes when it says that by the sacrificial blood of Christ, we are set free, that is our sins are forgiven. The cross made with the blood of lambs on the doors and beams of Israelite houses in Exodus 12 was sufficient to free the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, the second cross is sufficient to free the soul as well.
Numbers 21 predicts this event that Jesus also refers to in John 3, as occurring during the Roman age of bronze, before the Germanic age of iron, and what it entails as we described in Daniel 2. With the passing of this event, the church gradually usurped Roman authority as the most powerful force in the region, a force it later projected to the rest of the world.
This is precisely what Ephesians 1v7, notes when it says that by the sacrificial blood of Christ, we are set free, that is our sins are forgiven. The cross made with the blood of lambs on the doors and beams of Israelite houses in Exodus 12 was sufficient to free the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, the second cross is sufficient to free the soul as well.
Numbers 21 predicts this event that Jesus also refers to in John 3, as occurring during the Roman age of bronze, before the Germanic age of iron, and what it entails as we described in Daniel 2. With the passing of this event, the church gradually usurped Roman authority as the most powerful force in the region, a force it later projected to the rest of the world.
Now we are in a situation where both formal Roman power and the power of the empires has rescinded, but the Word has spread all over the world. Roman power can still be noted in a different form, and the empire nations continue to exist but with diminished authority as described in Daniel 7.
As Daniel 11 narrates, some have began to abandon their faith, and a Western, Middle Eastern entity as we described in Daniel 11, Rev 13 and 17-18 has probably began to appear in Babylonia. The form of permissiveness that can be detected in Rev 17 has also began to be projected as tolerance and modernity, and is now being actively encouraged or facilitated. After what we have narrated in this book, all this should pass leading to a situation as envisioned in Daniel 2, 7, Rev 20 and many other passages of scripture that point to the universal reign of the saints.
This will then bring about the reign of Christ and the saints as stated variously in Rev 20, 11, Daniel 12, 7 and the gospels of Luke and Matthew among others.
The reign of the saints will then last for a thousand years until the events narrated in Ezekiel 38 and 39, which will then be succeeded by the final judgement.
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