7. THE ESCAPE OF THE WOMAN INTO THE WILDERNESS. Rev.12v1-17.

1. The woman is not Mary or the manchild Jesus.

Some say that the woman is Mary, and the manchild is Jesus, however, Rev.4v1., definitely informs us that the things that followed were in the future and not in the past. Also the woman is persecuted by Satan, when he and his evil angels are cast down to the earth; at present they are in the heavenly places, and will remain there until they are cast out of the heavenlies to the earth by the archangel Michael and his angels at the start of the last 3½ years of this age. Eph.6v12. Dan.12v1,2,6,7. Rev.12v7-12. Satan tries to kill the woman by means of the Beast, the Antichrist, and God miraculously transports, protects and feeds her during the last 3½ years of this age. Rev.12v4,6,9,12-14. 13v5. We read in Rev.12v5., that the manchild is to rule the nations with a rod of iron; and since this is a quote from Ps.2v9., some have thought that the manchild must be Jesus. However, we read in Rev.2v26,27., that the church at Thyatira was also told that if they overcame they would rule the nations with a rod of iron. The rod of iron descends on the wicked at Christ's coming, and those among the nations who are allowed into the Millennium on probation, who turn to evil and try to harm people. The righteous among these nations have a life of perfect peace and happiness. Is.32v1,17,18. The rod of iron ensures that everlasting righteousness and peace are brought in, and that evil never breaks out again and ruins the happiness of God's creation. Ps.2v1-12. Dan.9v24.

2. The woman is not Orthodox Jewry.

Some say that the woman is a company of Orthodox Jews. We know some Jews do flee for safety when Antichrist breaks the covenant, and they see the shadows of a great war and severe persecution threatening to engulf them. However, the woman of Rev.12. is not the group of Israelites who Jesus delivers from Antichrist when He returns. Is.30v19-22. 32v15. 35v1-10. 66v7-9. The Jews who would not accept Jesus as their Messiah when He was on earth, became the children of the Devil. Jn.8v39-47. The synagogue that rejected Jesus as their Messiah became the synagogue of Satan. Rev.2v9. 3v9. Acts.14v1,2. 17v5,13. 18v4-6. 19v8,9. 21v27-31. 22v22. 23v12. 24v1. 28v17-31. Christ said that the people who love the truth would listen to His voice. Jn.18v37. 1Jn.2v22,23. The Orthodox Israelite who truly loves God will usually accept Christ when he hears the Gospel. However, many godly Jews may be as slow to lay aside their Jewish traditions, as the apostles and leaders of the early Church. It took a vision of Christ to detach Paul from his cherished traditions and his hatred of Christians. The Orthodox Israelites who flee for safety are perhaps among the sheep of Mt.25v31-46., whose good treatment of the sons of God is looked upon as treatment of the Son of God, some of them may accompany the Christians who flee from Antichrist.

3. The Woman is a section of the Church specially created and empowered by God for the last days.

The vision of this glorious woman reveals to us one of God's major purposes for the last days. She represents a group of people, who are foreknown, designed, specially created and empowered by God for the great tribulation. It is a group of praying people, with prepared hearts and special ministries for the last days, who will operate with awesome power as a prayer-warrior group behind the scenes. God also gives a definite promise that He will protect, provide and empower the seeking hearts in His Church in a new and special way in the last days, and will not leave His Church defenceless in the great tribulation. This glorious woman reveals that part of the Church will be clothed with the fullness of God's power, and will be transported, protected and fed by God. This group is a major part of God's answer to the mystery of iniquity, and it could be one of many such groups, who operate in a similar manner in other parts of the world. This woman is certainly not speaking of Orthodox Jews; though this group, or a group like it, could well be speaking of the Jewish Christian Church, for the following reasons.

a. Jesus warned Christians to get out, and keep out, of Israel at the start of the great tribulation.

Jesus warns us that Christians in Judea are to flee into the wilderness, when Antichrist sets up the abomination of desolation, the divinely aided transportation of this woman, seems to be an obvious fulfilment of that prophetic warning. Mt.24v15-20. Our Lord was teaching the leaders of His Church in Mt.24., and His directions were for them and not the orthodox Jew. Anyway, it is a fact that no traditional Jew, who rejected Christ, would accept or heed His warnings and prophecies.

b. The picture of this woman is far too magnificent for a group of unbelieving Israelites.

Here we see part of the Church filled with the power and glory of God. The symbols that are used here are very striking and significant. The moon of Mosaic dispensation shone with the borrowed light of the Gospel, as the moon shines with the borrowed light of the sun. The woman is not shining with the light of the moon of Judaism, she is clothed with the light of the Gospel sun. Jewish worship was a shadow of things to come. Many of the Old Testament types, shadows and prophecies have been fulfilled in the birth, life, death, resurrection and intercession of Christ. These Biblical revelations of Christ, and other prophetic and moral truths in the Old Testament Scriptures, constitute the moon under the feet of the woman, for the Church is founded upon the truths revealed to the Old Testament prophets, as well as the truth given to New Testament apostles. Eph.3v5. Col.2v17. Heb.8v1-13. 10v1-16.

c. The twelve stars are not the twelve tribes of Israel.

It is very unlikely that the twelve stars are the twelve tribes of Israel, for most of the sons of Jacob were rather wicked, and anything but shining lights. The Scriptures inform us that Christians are the only ones who do not follow Antichrist in the countries that are under his control. Rev.13v8. Antichrist will corrupt the Israelites who are not saved. Dan.11v32-35. We see from Revelation seventeen, that most of the Israelites do accept Antichrist and lean upon him.

The twelve stars are more likely to be the twelve apostles of Christ, as a star usually portrays an individual not a group of people. Rev.1v20. 2v1. 12v4. 21v12-14. Mt.19v28. Paul tells us in Gal.3v28., that in this age of grace, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ.” Through the blood of Jesus the distinction between Jews and Gentiles is abolished, we are fellow citizens of the household of God. Eph.2v11-22.

d. The woman is surely giving birth to her own kind.

We know that the manchild which is born to the woman is a group of Christians, for the martyred manchild is said to have overcome Satan and Antichrist through the blood of the Lamb. Rev.12v5,11,12. We are also told in Rev.12v17., that the seed of the woman keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

4. The Woman is not the whole Church of Christ.

The vast majority of the Church is now in Heaven and so is absolutely safe from being persecuted by Satan and the powers of darkness, in fact the Church will judge these evil angels. 1Cor.6v1-3. Jude.v14,15. We see from Rev.12v17., which speaks of the “seed of the woman,” that the woman represents a limited number of Christians on earth, who flee into the wilderness for safety from the murderous wrath of Satan and Antichrist.. Christ’s warning in Mt.24v15-21. Mk.13v14-20. and Lk.21v20-24., is to the Christians in Judea, and not to the whole Church, this is an obvious fulfilment of that warning. The woman is fed by God for 3½ years in the wilderness, this has obviously a local, and not a universal fulfilment. Rev.12v6,14-16. The woman flees from Antichrist at the start of the great tribulation, and at this time his authority is limited to the Middle East and some countries North and East of this area. Antichrist certainly does not possess world-wide power at this time. Indeed, he never has world dominion even when he wins His final military victory in the Middle East, a few days before the end of the great tribulation.

The wilderness referred to in Rev.12, could be a wilderness area in the region of Edom, Moab and Ammon, which, according to Dan.11v41., never falls into the hands of Antichrist. When he does send an army to capture the woman, God opens up the ground and swallows his army up, they suffer same fate as the sons of Korah. Rev.12v15,16.. Numb.16v28-35. Antichrist appears to send out another army, just before Christ returns, in an attempt to destroy the saints in Edom. We read in Is.63v1-6., and 34v1-8., that Jesus personally destroys this army. Though Christians are persecuted and hated by all nations at this time, it is only when Antichrist puts his image in the Temple that life becomes impossible for them in Palestine. Christ's warning in Mt.24v9-21., for Christians to flee from Judea, had a partial fulfilment in A.D. 70, when Jerusalem was destroyed by Titus. However, this warning is really directed at Christians in Judea during the last 3½ years of this age. The warning in Lk.21v20-24., for Christians to flee from Judea, when Jerusalem is surrounded by armies, had a definite fulfilment in A.D. 70, for v24 speaks of the dispersion of the Jews among the nations, and a long period of trampling under foot of Jerusalem by Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. As the context of Lk.21v20-24., has many prophecies concerning Christ’s second coming, the warning to flee from Judea, and not to enter into Judea, when armies surround Jerusalem, must have a dual fulfilment, and also apply to the events of the great tribulation. Since Rev.11v1,2., was written after Jerusalem and the Temple were destroyed by Titus, therefore another sanctuary has to be built, and this will be desecrated by Antichrist. We can only correctly interpret these prophecies when we accept that Christ’s Second coming will take place after the great tribulation. Mt.25v15-31.

5. The woman in travail and her man child. Micah.4v10.

This does not seem to be the soul travail that we can have in prayer for sinners to be saved, even though Christians who know the truth will be making great efforts to win people to Jesus, and warn them of the approaching calamities under Antichrist. This travail is more likely to be that spoken of by Jesus in Mt.24v8., “all these things are the beginning of travail, THEN shall they deliver you up into tribulation, and shall kill you.” Though at this time travail will, in some measure, be experienced by the universal Church, persecution will be particularly lethal for the Church in Judea. Jesus emphasises the necessity of enduring to the end. Mt.24v8-13. In Rev.12v13., “persecuted,” is “edioxen,” the aorist active indicative of “dioko,” to hunt, to pursue, to chase, it speaks of hostile pursuit as in Mt.5v10-12. and 10v23.

N.B. The man child is a group of Christians who are martyred for their faith.

We read in Rev.12v11., that, “they loved not their lives unto death.” Jesus said that the Church in Israel will experience travail, suffering and death. Mt.24v8,9. Those who are faithful to death will rule with Christ. Rev.2v26,27. 3v21. 20v4-6. The martyred man child is in sharp contrast to the Christians who allow the abounding iniquity of the last days to cool off their "agape" love for God. Mt.24v12,13. The man child overcomes through the blood of Jesus, their word of testimony, and an utter disregard of love for their own life, out of love for God. Rev.12v10-12. They overcome, not by their own power, but by relying on God's grace and power. Personal love for Jesus and the Father is the secret of victory, and its absence is the cause of defeat. 1Jn.2v12-14.

6. The Great Red Dragon.

The red dragon is said to be Satan in Rev.12v9., this indicates Satan's malevolent and ferocious disposition, and his desire to cause suffering, death and destruction. The seven heads are seven kingdoms under the control of Satan, he has used six of them in the past to oppress, persecute and dominate the Israelites. The previous six heads were Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Egypt, Syria, and Rome. the sixth head was oppressing Israel in John's time. The seventh head, the kingdom of Antichrist, is still to come, and the ten horns are ten kings under Antichrist. The tail of the dragon casts the third part of the stars of heaven to the earth, these are without doubt the angels that fell with Satan.

The Ancient Serpent. Jesus said Satan was a liar and murderer from the beginning. Jn.8v44. His wickedness goes back to the angelic ages; He has always been the enemy of man, and as in Eden, he still tries to corrupt and destroy mankind.

The Devil. “Diabolos,” “Slanderer,” Satan is the slanderer who tries to take away a persons character. 1Tim.3v11. 2Tim.3v3. Tit.2v3. Jn.6v70. In Rev.12v10., Satan is called, “the accuser of the brethren,” “ho kategor,” is one who brings a legal charge against another, it is a legal term and is used in Jn.8v10. Acts.23v30,35. 24v7,8. and 25v16,18.. In Rev.12v10., “accused,” is “kategoron,” the present active participle of “kategoreo,” to bring a legal accusation;” the present participle again shows the evil persistence, continual action, and habitual character of Satan's accusations. Satan, the father of lies and falsehood, accuses Christ's brethren day and night before their heavenly Father. Note the amazing malice and hate of Satan and the wonderful patience of God. The Devil, the greatest lawbreaker of all, claims the right to appear before God in Heaven, on the grounds of the Law of God, to make a legal accusation against the children of God. Envy will see a spot in a bright sky and dwell on it, failing to see the beauty and brightness in a life that love delights to dwell on. When a disciple gives the Devil grounds for accusation, the whole of Heaven knows about it, and when he sees, or thinks he sees, a weakness in one of Christ's brethren, he demands an opportunity to sift them, just as he did in the case of Peter. Lk.22v31,32. 1Pet 5v8,9.

Satan. “Satanas,” this means adversary, opponent and enemy. Jesus applied it to Satan, when Peter tried to persuade Him not to go to the cross. Mt.16v21-23. Mk.8v33. Adversary is also used in legal matters. Lk.12v58. 18v3. 1Pet.5v8. Mt.5v25. Our enemy Satan can come like a roaring lion to devour us, and a fight to the death may be necessary. 1Pet.5v6-11.

The Great Deceiver. In Rev.12v9., "Satan, who deceiveth the whole world,” "deceiveth,” is “planon,” the present active participle of “planao,” to lead astray, to deceive; the present participle shows the evil persistence, continual action and habitual character of Satan's attempts to deceive. Jn.8v44. Truth will protect us from his attempts to deceive; “It is written,” gave Jesus victory over the deceiver, and it will give us victory too, if we love God's Word as the Saviour did. Mt.4v1-11. Eph.6v14,17.

It is a terrible tragedy that this once beautiful, wise, and great angel has had his character and disposition destroyed by evil until he can only find pleasure in iniquity and causing suffering. Sin is no respecter of persons, it destroys the personalities of angels as well as the souls of men. Is.14v12-19. Ezek.28v11-19. Lk.10v17-19. Lk.11v17-26. Jn.12v31-33. 16v8-11. Rev.20v1-3,10. Heaven is sick at heart over the misery that Satan and his angels inflict on God's Creation. The good angels are continually having the most distressing and painful conflicts with the powers of darkness when they come to minister to the children of God on earth. Heb.1v13,14. Dan.10v12,13,19-21. The whole of Heaven will rejoice with great joy when Michael and his angels cast Satan and his angels out of the heavenly places. Rev.12v12. The cleansing of the heavenlies will be followed 3½ years later by the cleansing of the earth. Rev.11v15-19. Michael means, “Who is like God,” and shows his deep love for God and his real humility of mind, there is a complete absence of the self-exaltation and pride that brought about the fall of Satan, who said “I will be like the Most High.” Is.14v13-15. There is a vast difference between the union that Michael had with his angels, and that which Satan has with his angels. Michael and his angels are banded together by the sweetest and most tender love for one another and God, whereas Satan and his angels are banded together only by a common hatred of good and God. There exists in Satan's ranks the most dreadful hatred, variance and strife, and one angel rules another only by a greater ferocity and greater spiritual strength; it is a kingdom of darkness, thanks be to God who has delivered us from the power and end of these evil angels, and translated us into the kingdom of love and light. Col.1v12,13.

7. The rest of the seed of the woman.

God gives the woman wings to escape, which could well be the kind of supernatural transport that Elijah and Philip enjoyed. The “they” of Rev.12v6., who feed the woman, are more likely to be angels than men. When God frustrates the attempt of Satan to kill these saints who flee into the wilderness, Satan tries to kill and persecute the rest of the woman's seed who are elsewhere. When Antichrist places his image in the Temple, it will distress Orthodox Jews even more than Christians, and as they see the warning that the Two Witnesses have given them about Antichrist come true, some will doubtless become Christians and suffer martyrdom as a result. However, the majority of the Jews will be completely deceived by the show of power that Antichrist puts on to substantiate his claim that he is God, and they will accept their false Messiah. 2Thes.2v1-12. Jn.15v19. 5v43. Doubtless even some of these Jews will later have their eyes opened by the ministry of the Two Witnesses and will become Christians as a result, and the plagues and judgements of God, will cause many to realise that Jehovah is God. It is these converts, and other Christians in the kingdoms of Antichrist, that Antichrist tries to trace and kill.

Our Lord warns us in Mt.24v15-31. and Rev.12v1-17., that it will not be safe for any Christian to remain in the kingdom of Antichrist after the setting up of the image in the Temple. Jesus said that, if it is possible, His disciples are to flee and escape from those who persecute them, and so avoid martyrdom. Mt.10v23. To sum up then, the woman is a group of Christians, possibly, or probably, those in Judea, who God transports into a place of safety, for 3½ years. The manchild is a group of Christians in Palestine who do not manage to escape when Antichrist breaks the covenant and puts his image in the Temple. The rest of the seed of the woman are other Christians who are scattered throughout the areas under the control of Antichrist. The vision of this glorious woman gives us a revelation of God's wonderful fullness of provision for His Church in the last days, let us take God at His Word and prepare for those days, for spiritual survival will depend on obtaining and living in that fullness. Let us earnestly seek for God's maximum fullness, and not rest content with man's minimum empty tradition and form.

8. ANTICHRIST AND THE FALSE PROPHET. Rev.13v1-18.

In Rev.11, we see God's Two Witnesses, and their conflict with the Beast. In Rev.13, God gives us another look at Antichrist, and his right hand man, the False Prophet. They are the means by which the dragon makes his attack on the woman of Rev.12, and the rest of the Christians within his reach. In Rev.13, we see two beasts, Antichrist and the False Prophet; they are both evil monsters for they are described by the word “thorion,” which describes a wild animal, a beast, a monster.

THE FIRST BEAST, THE ANTICHRIST.

There is a definite connection between this vision and the one in Daniel seven, for the beast of Rev.13 has the characteristics of all four of the beasts of Daniel's vision. Notice that all the beasts here named are destroyers of life, leopards, bears, and lions are all killers. This is a reference to the kingdoms that Satan has used to oppress and conquer the Israelites in the past. The seventh head with ten horns is the kingdom of the final Antichrist.

The power of the Beast.

“The dragon gave him his power, and his throne and great authority.” Dan.8v24. Jn.12v31. 14v30. 16v11. 1Jn.5v9. This power lasts for 42 months in Rev.13v5.; this is the same period of time that is mentioned elsewhere as 1260 days, and “times, time, and half a time.” The wickedness of Antichrist and Satan is the cause of this 42 months of great tribulation.

God says that all the earth will worship Antichrist except true Christians. Some think that the “proskuneo,” here translated as “worship,” should rather be translated “do homage,” however, we read in 2Thes.2v4., that Antichrist claims that he is God, and demands worship. In Rev.13v8., Antichrist is worshipped as a person, “auton,” “him,” is a masculine pronoun. In politics and entertainment, worldlings do homage to and worship their idols, without being under their control or political domination. This could be the sense of Rev.13v7,8., where it states that Antichrist is given “authority (“exousia”) over every tribe, and people and tongue and nation.” We know that Antichrist is fighting with other nations of the world until the last few days of the great tribulation, and even when he defeats these nations, he does not have time to be world ruler before Jesus returns. However, Antichrist's influence and power will reach into every nation before he wins the war, even as communism did in its height of power. Antichrist will have followers in every country, though not every country will follow him, many countries will fight him until the last few days of the great tribulation, when he defeats their armies in the Middle East. Antichrist will have his followers and worshippers in every nation in the world, but in many countries they will be a minority.

Those in the countries under the control of Antichrist will either do homage to Antichrist or die. Rev.13v15. Christ was offered the kingdoms of the world by Satan, but the only way He could have received them, was by worshipping Satan and by following a career as evil as that of Antichrist, this was completely unacceptable to Him. No matter how promising Satan's temptations may seem, they all lead to evil, death and destruction. Satan's plan is to rule the earth by political force, and to have the worship of men because of their fear of death, in this evil plan God has restrained him. 2Thes.2v6-8. Satan's kingdom is based on subservience through force and fear, God's kingdom is based on the rule of love. There will be a genuine affection, fervent love, serene trust, sincere respect, and a beautiful care and concern between all the members of God's kingdom. Pure and perfect love will rule in the kingdom of God, and so happiness will be perfect and complete.

The miracles of the Beast.

We read that one of the heads of the Beast, from the context the seventh head, the Antichrist, is “wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed,” this causes all the world to marvel at the Beast. In Rev.13v3,12,14., states that Antichrist's wound of death” will be healed. It appears that Satan copies the death and resurrection of Christ, and raises Antichrist from the dead, this miracle makes the whole world wonder after the Beast. Fire is brought down from heaven by the False Prophet by the power and at the desire of Antichrist, and many more great wonders are done by Antichrist. No wonder that the Lord Jesus warned us that the manifestations of evil power will be so great that the elect children of God will almost be deceived. The miracles that Antichrist will do will be the very things that Elijah and other men of God did to prove that God was with them. God desires His Church to prepare for these evil days and manifest His power, for if false prophets do more wonders than the Church of God, the world will never take the Church or the Gospel message seriously. The anti-Pentecostal attitude of many Christian leaders today, is leading much of the Church into sure spiritual defeat in the days ahead.

The Image of the Beast.

A statue, or some kind of image, is made of Antichrist, and the False Prophet is given power to bring this image to life. This image, probably made of a precious metal, is set up in the Temple sanctuary at Jerusalem, and is called the abomination of desolation. Mt.24v15. Dan.9v27. 11v31. 12v11. 2Thes.2v3,4. This idol is made to live and speak and all who will not worship it are killed. This is another lying wonder that Antichrist does to prove that he is God. 2Thes.2v3,4,8,9. This worship of Antichrist involves the worship of Satan, this desire for worship brought about Satan's sin and fall. Rev.13v15. Lk.4v7. Is.14v12-19.

The blasphemy of the Beast.

The attitude of Antichrist to God is appalling, He continually, mocks, derides and blasphemes God, and all that He stands for, he insists that all his subjects should ridicule, criticise, and utter blasphemous insults against God and Christianity. Here we see a dreadful preview of the final attitude of all who do not want God. The last judgement will give us a startling revelation of the hatred that the wicked have for God, goodness, love and truth. There will be the most appalling outburst of anger, hatred and blasphemy against the great, good, and beautiful God of love. The wicked will bewail their fate, but they will be bitterly angry and blaspheme God for it. Dan.8v11,12. 7v25. 9v27. 11v31,36. Jer.13v23. 17v1. N.B. Rev.2v21. 9v20,21. 16v9-11,21. It is a dreadful fact, that people can totally reject God and virtue, and like the evil angels, be gripped by an everlasting love of evil.

The Beast, the Antichrist, blasphemes God and authority is given to him to persecute the children of God and kill them. Rev.13v5-7. This is why the woman flees into the wilderness from the malice of Satan and Antichrist. Persecution is inevitable from a world that hates God, however, it can be a blessing to us, and can drive us into deeper experiences with God. Let us be careful not to receive the grace of God in vain in these trials. Jn.15v18 to 16v3. Rom.8v35-39. Heb.12v15. 2Cor.6v1.

The mark of the Beast.

Those who live in countries dominated by Antichrist will not be able to buy food or conduct business unless they have the mark of the Beast upon their right hand or forehead, they will either worship Antichrist and receive his mark or suffer starvation, imprisonment and death. Rev.13v15-17. Strict economic and political control is already a fact in almost every country of the world, even in Britain, government permission or supervision effects much our lives. We thank God for the freedom we have in the Western countries, and this freedom should not be sacrificed by careless Christian living, we should continually pray for this state of affairs to continue. 1Tim.2v1-8. This economic control by Antichrist gives light on the sheep of Mt.25v31-46., those who help Christians in the great tribulation, and risk their life or reputation to do so, are allowed into the Millennial Kingdom.

The number of the Beast.

We are told that the person who is wise and understanding is able to count the number of the Beast, for it is the number of a man. Some say that this is the number of man, 666 being the height of human power, which is contrasted with 777, the overwhelming perfection of God. However, the writer believes, with many others, that the name of Antichrist will add up to 666. The way of telling a man by his number is made possible by the fact that both the Hebrew and Greek languages use the letters of the alphabet for numerals, in fact, good authorities inform us that for a long time these were the only numerals in use. People have found an amazing number of names that add up to 666; Nero, the Pope, Mohammed, Napoleon, and Luther are but a few of them. The Protestant Church has applied it to the Roman Catholic Church, and by careful juggling of words the Roman Catholic Church has applied it to the Protestant Church and its leaders. The Lord Jesus has told us that Antichrist's name will adds up to 666 in order to give additional proof that he is the man of sin. Unless a person fulfils such prophecies as Dan.9v27., 2Thes.2v3-12., Mt.24v15-21., and no one has yet done so, it is useless speculation to apply this number test to a person. God has given us this number to show that He knows the name and most minute details about this man before he is even born, and so we can be encouraged to believe that the good things that God has promised will also come to pass. It is interesting to note that some tells us that the name of Jesus in the Greek language has the numerical value of 888.

THE FALSE PROPHET, THE SECOND EVIL BEAST. Rev.13v11-18.

We see from Rev.13v11., that the false prophet has two horns like a lamb, perhaps this means that he has a mild and innocent appearance, however, his speech betrays him, he speaks like a dragon. He has the same disposition as his master Satan, and the Antichrist; he is venomous, fiery, cruel, hateful and a devourer of all that is good. He exercises all the power of the first Beast, and does great wonders and miracles in order to deceive people. The reason why God allows some people to be deceived in this manner is given in 2Thes.2v11,12., it is to separate the wicked from the righteous, only those who want to be wicked will finally be deceived by Antichrist. The Two Witnesses and other spirit-filled Christians will expose Antichrist and reveal the source of his power. Nevertheless we are warned by the Lord Jesus that we must watch and pray and take heed to our spiritual life in these days, or we will grow spiritually cold and backslide. It will take real patience, grace, faith and spiritual stamina to come through these times with an overcoming faith. Mt.24v4,5,12,41-51. Lk.18v1-6.

There are several textual variations and problems of exposition in Rev.13v10..
Some texts of Rev.13v10. “If anyone by a sword will kill, etc.” vary greatly in content and meaning.

Hodges and Farstad read, “If anyone by a sword must he be killed.” This lacks meaning and qualification. The Critical Texts and Codex A read, “If anyone by a sword kills, he with a sword be killed.” The manuscripts C, P, read, “If anyone by a sword will kill, he must by a sword be killed.” The A.V., T.R., Mce read, “If anyone by a sword will kill, he must by a sword be killed.” The future active shows this verse is speaking of the persecutor, and not the persecuted, which would be indicated by the future passive. It means that the slayer is slain. These manuscripts are more likely to apply to a persecutor than to the persecuted. The following interpretations of these variations are possible.

a. God's Judgement on Antichrist for Causing Captivity and Carnage.

Antichrist invades countries and brings vast numbers of people into captivity under his tyrannical domination. The Septuagint uses “aichmalosia,” in this sense of leading into captivity in Numb.21v1. 2Chron.28v5. Is.20v4. Ezek.11v25. and Hab.1v9.. The A.V., T.R., and Mb, state that Rev.13v10. speaks of persecutors and their end; and assures us that God’s judgement will fall on Antichrist for the captivity and carnage he causes. This chapter shows the effect of the Beast on all mankind, not just upon followers of Jesus. Other manuscripts of Rev.13v10., can also be interpreted to speak of the judgement of God on Antichrist for his wickedness. God warns all tyrants who engage in captivity and carnage; that they will not escape His judgement.

b. Antichrist's Tyrannical Domination of His Own Followers.

The abstract term “aichmalosia,” “captivity,” speaks in a very expressive manner of the way that Antichrist gathers his followers into captivity. It is a striking fact that Stalin imprisoned and killed many millions of the members of his own party and supporters, as well as those who opposed him; here God tells us that Antichrist will imitate him. Those who the beast gathers together as his followers, are gathered into the very worst kind of captivity, and tyrannical domination. They will be promised freedom, but will become the captives of sin and Satan. Antichrist will come in as a peace-maker, and will be the most plausible and evil man the world has ever known. Many will fall under the charms and “lying wonders” of “the man of sin,” “the son of perdition,” and will be destroyed by him, including many Jews. 2Thes.2v3-12. Dan.8v24,25. 11v23-28. 12v7. Many people out of all the nations of the world gather together to follow Antichrist, but they are gathered to captivity, death and eternal destruction.

c. The Captivity and Murder of Christians by Antichrist.

Some expositors have interpreted some texts of Rev.13v10. to say Christians must accept captivity and death and not resist Antichrist. However, this cannot be true, for the Two Witnesses do resist captivity, and kill many of Antichrist’s soldiers with God’s power gifts, so this Scripture can hardly be contradicting their experience. Jesus commends the steadfast endurance, “hupomone,” and faith of the saints who are murdered by Antichrist in this darkest hour of the world. God’s saints stand out in sharp contrast to the fear, distress and anxiety, that is the reaction of the worldlings in this time of devastation. Lk.21v21-26.

The Scriptures warn us that Antichrist and his followers will carry into captivity, and murder many of God’s children in the countries under his control. Jesus promises us that these murderers will be slain by the sword proceeding from His mouth, and will suffer the captivity and imprisonment of Hell. 2Thes.2v8. Rev.19v15. Zech.14v12. Compare Jer.15v2. Jesus promised us, nearly 2,000 years before these events, that He would surely avenge His own elect. Rev.6v9-11. 16v4-7. 18v5-8,20,24. 19v2. Lk.18v1-8. Even now God judges evil people and evil angels, and confines them in chains of darkness in Hades, and they, with great fear and terror, dread the coming of the great day of judgement of God Almighty. 1Tim.5v24,25. Heb.10v27.

Some Textual Evidence of Rev.13v10, "He that leads into captivity," lack sense and qualifying statements.

Hodges and Farstad, 051, and Mac (about 130 manuscripts) read,” “Ei tis echei aichmalosian hupagei.” “If anyone goes captivity has. “The manuscripts Md, part Me, p47, Aleph, C, P, 046, read, “Ei tis eis aichmalosian hupagei;” “If anyone goes into captivity.” It is very difficult to make any sense of these readings, for they lack any qualifying statement. The Critical Texts, A, read, “Ei tis eis aichmalosian eis aichmalosian hupagei;” “If anyone into captivity, into captivity he goes.” This does make some sense, and is capable of being interpreted as speaking of either the persecutors or the persecuted. The A.V. and T.R., read, “If anyone gathers into captivity, into captivity he goes,” “Ei tis aichmalosian sunagei eis aichmalosian hupagei.” Some say that “sunagei,” “gathers,” is a gloss by Elzevir, but part of the Me manuscripts have this reading, and it does clarify the thought of this verse, and probably gives its true meaning, that Antichrist will pay for his evil deeds. The Mb manuscripts read, “Ei tis eis aichmalosian apagei eis aichmalosian hupagei.” If anyone leads into captivity, into captivity he goes.” This again makes sense, and states that Antichrist will pay for his evil deeds. The following thoughts are suggested by the textual evidence.

a. The contrast between Satan’s evil captivity, and Christ’s freedom and deliverance from captivity.

We are informed that in Rev.13v10., the abstract noun “aichmalosia,” 161, is used for “captivity,” it is only used here and in Eph.4v8., where Paul quotes Ps.68v18., and writes about Jesus, that, “He led captivity captive,” “echmaloteusen 162 aichmalosian,” 161. “Echmaloteusen,” 162, is the aorist active indicative of the verb “aichmaloteuo,” 161, “to lead captive,” (from “aichmalotos” 164, a captive at spear point in war, from “aichme,” spear). So in Eph.4v8., Paul uses “aichmalotos” 164, with the abstract noun “aichmalosia,” “captivity,” 161. Paul reveals that the immediate result of Christ's atonement and His glorious resurrection and victory over death; was His setting free of a multitude of Old Testament saints, who were held captive in Hades, and on His ascension Jesus gave spiritual gifts and ministries to His Church. Heb.2v14,15. Eph.4v8-11.

When Israel sinned they suffered captivities in Assyria and Babylon. When the Jews rejected their Messiah, Jesus, they again suffered at the hands of a cruel Devil. In Lk.21v24., Jesus prophesied about the Jewish-Roman war of A.D. 66-70, He said the Jews, “shall be led captive at spear point, (“aichmalotisthesontai,” the future passive of “aichmalotizo,” 163) to all nations.” This actually happened to the Jews, and is the only place where it is used to speak of literal spears in the New Testament.

b. We have to resist Satan and bring every thought into captivity to Christ. 2Cor.10v5. James.4v7. 1Pet.5v9.

The concrete noun "aichmalotos" is not used in Rev.13v10.; it only occurs in Lk.4v18., where Jesus states that He has come to set free those who are held captive by Satan at spear point. In 2Cor.10v5., we see the fortresses which Satan imprisons mankind with, being torn down, and his lies being brought captive to Jesus by the truth and spiritual gifts that God gives to His Church. In 2Cor.10v5., “captivity,” is “aichmalotizontes,” the present active participle of “aichmalotizo,” 163, from “aichmalotos,” 164, a captive in war. We must not be passive when Satan attacks us, but must actively and steadfastly resist him, and take captive Satan’s lies and attacks upon our mind, and bring them at spear point “to the obedience of Christ.” In 1Pet.1v5. Peter states, we “are guarded by God’s power,” “are guarded,” is phrouroumenous” the present (continuous process) passive participle of “phroureo” 5432, to garrison, from “phrouros,” sentinel, it is a military term. 2Cor.11v32. In Phil.4v7 it is used of God’s love. God can inform us of, and delivers us from, Satan’s underhand plots, trickery, and schemes. 2Cor.2v11.

We read in James.4v7., “Be subject therefore unto God; and resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” “Be subject,” is “hupotagete,” the aorist passive imperative of “hupotasso,” 5293, a military term meaning, to set in array under. We can always victoriously resist Satan, and make him flee from us, when we draw near to God, and submit, humble and range ourselves under Him. In 1Pet.5v5., Peter uses “hupotagete,” to tell young Christians to be subject to the elder, “presbuterois” 4245). “Resist,” in James.4v7., and “withstand” in 1Pet.5v9., are both “antistete,” the aorist active imperative of “anthistemi” 436, "to take a stand against." We are to imitate Jesus and steadfastly resist and take a stand against Satan in our daily lives, and do our utmost to set people free from sickness and Satan’s oppression. Acts.10v38. 2Tim.1v6-8. Satan roams about like a roaring lion seeking to devour and destroy us, but when we cast all our care on God, and resist the Devil, he flees from us. Mary’s son James, grew up with Jesus at Nazareth, but he did not feel that it was right to say Jesus was his brother, he said Jesus was, “the Lord Jesus Christ.” Mk.6v1-6. James 1v1. Jude, the brother of James, clearly felt the same. Jude.v1. The recollection of Christ’s beautiful life at Nazareth filled James with awe. Jesus was his perfect holy Lord, who amid great rejection and opposition, had completely controlled His tongue, and lived a life of perfect “agape” love at Nazareth. James.3v2. When, after his initial unbelief, James trusted in Jesus, his memories of the holy life and active faith of Jesus at Nazareth, filled James with awe, and birthed in him a prayerful holy life, and a positive active faith in Jesus. Mk.3v21. Jn.7v5. 1Cor.15v7. Jn.6v50-58. This is demonstrated by the imperatives that James uses. Robertson writes, “Note the ten aorist imperatives in James.4v7-10., “hupotagete” 5293; “antistete. 436; “engisate,” 1448; “katharisate” 2511; “hagnisate” 48; “talaiporesate” 5003; “penthesate” 3996;; “klausate” 2799;, “metatrapeto” 5726; “tapeinothete” 5013.”

c. We have to resist the unlawful demands of the flesh and not allow them to bring us into captivity.

In Rom.7v23., Paul warns about how the flesh had brought him into captivity before he met Jesus. “But I see a different law at work in my body, warring against “ [”antistrateuomenon,” 497, to carry on a campaign against] the law which my mind (“noos” 3563) approves of, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is at work in my body.” “Bringing me into captivity,” is “aichmalotizonta” 163, the present active participle of “aichmalotizo,” literally, "making me prisoner of war.” It is the very verb that Jesus used in Lk.21v24., to describe of the final ruin, dispersion, and captivity of the Jews. In Rom.7v14,23., Paul said that his “inward self” acknowledged that God’s Law was holy, righteous, spiritual (“pneumatikos” 4152), and good, (1Tim.1v8.) but confessed, that he was “carnal (“sarkinos” 4560), and sold under sin,” and in captivity to the demands of the body. “Sold,” is “pepramenos,” the perfect passive participle of “piprasko,” 4097, the perfect shows a state of completion and ownership by sin. In Rom.7v7-25., Paul is considering the experience of himself and all human kind before Jesus saves and delivers us. Paul is certainly not saying that the body is sinful in itself, he is stating that the desires of the body are a battlefield, where the conflict between sinful base desire, and a righteous godly mind are fought out. Paul confesses, that before he met Jesus, he had, like everyone else, become a prisoner to the law of sin which was at work in his body. Some say that this was Paul’s experience after he became a Christian. This teaching is totally untrue and erroneous. Paul states that Jesus is the perfect deliverer and complete answer to his heart rendering cry for help, “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” In Rom.7v24,25., Paul rejoices that Jesus delivers him this wretched captivity to the sinful demands of the body.

In Rom.7v7-23., Paul describes someone who is dominated by the flesh, and who is the captive of Satan and the slave of sin. Who, in their right mind, can apply this appalling iniquity to the holy soul of the apostle Paul? This totally contradicts Paul’s statement in Rom.8v2., “The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made free from the law of sin and death.” The forgiveness and grace of God in Jesus, and God’s law of the Spirit and life in Jesus, totally eradicates guilt, and breaks the power of cancelled sin. God removes the pollution of sin from our souls, and writes His laws in our minds and hearts. Heb.8v10. Jesus came not only to forgive us our sins, but to save us from them. Mt.1v21-23. It is ridiculous to suggest that Paul could say that he was "carnal, sold under sin, and brought into captivity to the law of sin and death"; and then, a few verses later, rejoice that, “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” In Romans 7 Paul is speaking about his, and everyone else’s experience of the domination and captivity of sin before Jesus saved them., whereas, in Rom.8v2, Paul describes the experience of the grace, forgiveness, restoration, and victory over sin that is ours in Jesus.

Paul was certainly not guilty of the sexual sins of the reprobate teachers of the last days, that he warns us against in 2Tim.3v1,5-10., who have “a form of godliness without the power.” “Form” is “morphosin” 3446, (as in Rom.2v20.) the pencilled outline of truth without the inner reality, “morphe” 3446. These apostate teachers seduce and take captive (“aichmalotizontes,” the present active participle of “aichmalotizo” 163), silly women, (the diminutive “”gunaikaria” 1133, literally, "little women"). Paul rebuked this carnality, he was certainly not captivated by, and sold to the sins of the flesh, he had victory in Jesus.

Barnes writes about the Authorised Version “cannot do” in Gal5v17., “The expression "cannot do" is stronger by far than the original, and it is doubted whether the original will bear this interpretation. ----The Vulgate and the Syriac give a literal translation of the Greek, "So that you do not what you would." This is undoubtedly the true rendering; and, in the original, there is no declaration about the possibility or the impossibility, the ability or the inability to do these things.” End of quote.

A. T. Robertson translates, “that ye cannot do,” in Gal.5v17., as, “That ye may not do,” hina” 2443, “me” 3361, “poiete” 4160. “poiete,” the present active subjunctive of “poieo” 4160, "That ye may not keep on doing." End of quote.

Vincent also says that the “cannot do,” of the A.V. in Gal.5v17. is “a mistake, growing out of the misinterpretation of “hina” 2443. Rather, each works "to the end that ye may not do," etc.” End of quote.

In Gal.5v15-26., Paul warns us, that even in spiritually renewed Christians, there will always be a conflict between the flesh and the Spirit, but he assures us, “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” Gal.5v16. Paul, through “the law of the Spirit and life in Christ,” had crucified the bad desires of the body, and tells us to do the same, he states “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Gal.5v24. Rom.8v2. Crucifixion of the flesh is a painful necessity, and fasting as well as well as prolonged communion with God in prayer, are necessary to nail the flesh to the cross. In 1Cor.9v27. Paul tells us, But I discipline and buffet my body and make it my slave, (“doulagogo” 1396), lest after preaching (“kerusso” 2784) to others, I myself should be disqualified.” “Rejected,” is “adokimos” 96, an adjective, “dokimos” 1384, which with the negative “a,” means literally, not standing the test. rejected, and so reprobate. See also Rom.1v28. 2Cor.13v5-7. 2Tim.3v8. Titus.1v16. Heb.6v8. It is from “dokimazo,” 1381, a rigorous test of metals etc. and of prophecies. 1Thes.5v21. “Buffet,” is “hupopiazo,” The present active indicative of “hupopiazo” 5299, "to strike under the eye; to give one a black eye, to beat black and blue. Only here and Lk.18v5., where, “she weary me,” is “hupopiazo me” 5299, the present active subjunctive of “hupopiazo” 5299, it appears that the judge is afraid that the widow may come and assault him, literally, "beat him under the eye." Jesus could really tell a story! The boxing gloves of Paul’s day, the "cestus," were made of about five bands of ox-hide covered with metal or nails, and weighted with lead and iron. Paul was determined to discipline and master his body. Paul considers his body an antagonist with which he must wage war. Paul made the body the slave of his soul, and did not allow his soul to be the slave of the body, which is the state of all the unsaved. We too can put to death the bad desires of the body by prayer and fasting, self-denial, abstinence, and absorbing and demanding physical work.

The Law of the Spirit in Christ, can bring total deliverance from captivity to the flesh. 1Cor.13

When the Holy Spirit directs our lives, we may not and cannot do what the flesh would desire and wish to do. This includes not only sexual sins, it also includes the whole area of all the works of the flesh mentioned in Gal.5v19-21. The fruit of the Spirit are God’s perfect cure for the works of the flesh, they are very positive attributes of character, which are manifested in a very practical love for people. We read in Micah.6v8., “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” James observed the practical care of Jesus for needy people at Nazareth, and because of this, he wrote in James.1v27., “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” Is.58v6-11. The Church at Jerusalem demonstrated the fruit of the Spirit by a remarkable unity and love, and a practical care for the widows and poor.

The Law of the Spirit in Christ, can bring glorious freedom, and total deliverance from captivity to the flesh. Rom.8v1-4,19-21. In 1Cor.6v9,10., Paul gives a list of appalling sins of the flesh and then states, in 1Cor.6v11., “And such were some of you. But you are washed (“apelousasthe,” is not the passive, but the first aorist middle indicative of “apolouo” 628), but you are sanctified (“hegiasthete” 37), but you are justified (“edikaiothete” 1344), in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” Rev.1v5. (A.V. “lousanti” 3068, the aorist active participle of “louo.”) Acts.20v28. Heb.9v14. 1Jn.1v7. No matter how depraved a person is, the blood of Christ, and the exceeding grace of God can cleanse, justify, renew, and sanctify them.

John Newton was a shameless, dissolute, immoral and depraved slave trader, whose life was so bad that even worldly people were disgusted by it. Jesus met with this shameless sinner and transformed him into a godly Christian, and beloved minister of the Church, He became a friend of John Wesley. John Newton wrote the following beautiful and outstanding hymns.

1. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saves a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind, but now I see.

2. How sweet the Name of Jesus sounds In a believer’s ear!
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, And drives away his fear. Hymn 176. Ancient and Modern.

3. Come, my soul, thy suit prepare, Jesus loves to answer prayer,
He Himself has bid thee pray, Therefore will not say thee nay. Hymn 527. Ancient and Modern.

4. Glorious things of thee are spoken, Zion, city of our God;
He whose word cannot be broken Formed thee for His own abode.
On the rock of ages founded, What can shake thy sure repose?
With salvation’s walls surrounded, Thou may’st smile at all thy foes. Hymn 545. Ancient and Modern.

5. May the grace of Christ our Saviour, And the Father’s boundless love,
With the Holy Spirit’s favour, Rest upon us from above. Hymn 551. Ancient and Modern.

6. Approach my soul the mercy seat, Where Jesus answers prayer;
There humbly fall before His feet, For none can perish there. Hymn 626. Ancient and Modern.

7, Great shepherd of Thy people, hear, Thy presence now display;
As Thou hast given a place for prayer, so give us hearts to pray. Hymn 690. Ancient and Modern.

8. Quiet, Lord, my forward heart; Make me teachable and mild,
Upright, simple, free from art; Make me as a weaned child,
From distrust and envy free, Pleased with all that pleases Thee. Hymn 691. Ancient and Modern.

9. THE 144,000 CHRISTIANS, THE ANGELIC MESSENGERS, THE TWO HARVESTS. Rev.14.

In Rev.14. we see events that occur on the last day of this age. In Rev.14v1-5., we see those who have the Saviour's mark, who sharply contrast with those in Rev.13, who had Antichrist’s mark. In Rev.14v6-20., three angels preach to the whole world in the hours of the great tribulation, something that has never occurred before. Two harvests follow, the gathering of the 144,000 and the harvesting of the Church for glory, and the harvesting of the wicked for destruction when Jesus returns.

Who are the 144,000?

This number is not symbolic, for God tells us when He means a great multitude. Rev.7v9. 20v8. This number of 144,000 is no more symbolic than the 7,000 who are slain in the earthquake of Rev.11v13. The 144,000 are obviously a select body, for only a few Christians have reached the standard of purity of these godly saints, for God says that even in the searching light and purity of Heaven, no fault can be found in them. “No guile or falsehood is in their mouths,” they say what they mean, and no idle and deceitful words pass their lips, they are conformed to the image of Christ. Rev.21v5. 3v7. They are “first fruits,” and this means first fruits in excellence rather than first fruits in time. James.1v18. Only the prime fruits and the best of the harvest was good enough to be offered to God. Since the rest of the Church is resurrected at the same time as the first fruits, it cannot mean that they are resurrected before the rest of the Christians. 1Cor.15v51-53. It can hardly refer to them being first fruits in comparison with the harvest 1,000 years later, when the rest of the dead are raised, for the whole Christian Church would be the first fruits compared with that resurrection. To take the word first fruit strictly in a time sense is quite wrong, for God is merely showing the nature of the fruit by this term. The first fruits are the best of the harvest.

The 144,000 are described as being like pure men and pure virgin women.

This does not mean that they remain unmarried, for the Scripture states that marriage is honourable and does not defile. 1Tim.4v1-3. 1Cor.7v38. 9v5. Heb.13v4. By the grace of God these Christians have attained a beautiful purity of soul and spirit, and they stand before God free from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. 2Cor.7v1. The blood of Jesus has cleansed them from all sin, and enabled them to walk in victory over sin. Lev.21v16-24. Tit.2v14. Eph.1v4. Phil.2v14-16. Jude.v24. They walk in love to God and man and no fault is found in them. They are dove-like and lamb-like in their souls, and they will rule the world with Jesus, “and follow the Lamb wherever He goes,” Rev.17v14. Lk.19v17. 1Pet.2v21,22. These Christians share the rule of the Millennial kingdom with the Old Testament overcomers of Rev.7v1-8.. It is clear from Rev.19v7-9. and Eph.5v25-27., that many more Christians besides these will also receive white garments for their righteous lives, and receive the Lord's well done. However, it is clear from Rev.14v1-5., that there are only a limited number of positions available for Millennial rulers.

It states in Rev.14v1., that the 144,000 have the name of Christ's Father written in their foreheads; this is the promise given to the overcomer in Rev.3v12.. How wonderful to have the seal of God on you to signify that you have passed with first class honours, and that you will be forever in closest fellowship with Jesus and the Father. Only those who have passed the most difficult trials and temptations and proved their ability to love and care for people like Jesus, will rule with Him. It is a striking fact that God desires Christians to love one another with the same love that He loves the Church. Jn.17v23. 15v9. 13v34.

How wonderful this day will be, when Jesus comes to reign!

No adjectives are adequate to describe the glory of this occasion, the blinding glory, the tremendous thunderings of majestic harmonies, the rapturous joy of the redeemed billions of God's children, and the indescribable love, peace, harmony, and joyful expectant faith of God’s kingdom. Hallelujah! May this glorious day come soon. On this wonderful day the 144,000 have a song that only they can sing. There can be no doubt that in this song, they sing of the great grace that had redeemed them, and that it was this grace that had made them victorious, and appointed them to be rulers with Christ. With all other saints they will cast their crowns before Him through whose grace alone they had managed to win the victory.

Which Mount Zion is referred to here?

The Scriptures tell us that there is an heavenly Mount Zion as well as an earthly one, which is a part of the heavenly Jerusalem. Heb.12v22-25. However, Rev.14v1., could point to the fulfilment of the Old Testament prophecies of Christ reigning from the Jerusalem which is rebuilt at the start of the Millennium. Ps.2v6. Joel.2v32. Micah.4v7. Is.24v23. Zech.14v1-21. When Jesus returns Antichrist's armies have devastated Jerusalem and are gathered around it like a crowd of vultures around a corpse. Mt.24v27,28. Lk.17v36,37. 21v20-27. Rev.17v16-18. 18v1 to 19v21. When the feet of Jesus touch the Mount of Olives, the greatest earthquake the world has ever known will take place, the landscape of Israel and all of the world is greatly altered, all the land is “turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon.” Zech.14v5,10. Rev.6v12. 11v19. 16v18-21. This earthquake splits Jerusalem into three parts, and covers some of it with the waters of the great new river of Ezek.47v1-12. The Scripture tells us that the end of the old city will be with a flood. Ps.48v46. Dan.9v26. Zech.14v4,5,8-10. The new city will be built upon the new mountain that is formed to the north of the present site. Ps.48v2. The vision of Rev.14v1-5. is at the commencement of the Millennial kingdom, and here again we see how wonderfully God has written this book and connected one vision with another. After seeing the mark and evil rule of the Beast, we see those who have the mark of God upon them, who righteously rule the world with Jesus. The loving rule of these godly and guileless souls sharply contrasts with the rule of the often two-faced, crafty and evil politicians and rulers of this present evil world. We thank God for godly exceptions like Joseph and Daniel. “Guile,” “dolos,” occurs, in Mt.26v4. Mk.7v22. 14v1. Jn.1v47. Acts.13v10. Rom.1v29. 2Cor.12v16. 1Pet.2v1,22. 3v10. Rev.14v5.

The Message of the First Angel. Rev.14v6,7.

The first angel proclaims “an everlasting gospel unto them that dwell on the earth,---and he said with a great voice, 'Fear God, and give Him glory; for the hour of His judgement is come: and worship Him who made heaven and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” It is not “to euaggelion aionion,” “the everlasting good news,” but “euaggelion aionion,” “everlasting good news,” or it can be translated, “gospel of the ages.” An angel tells the world that the kingdom of God is about to commence with its untold ages of bliss, and the angel tells the conditions of entering into the glorious kingdom, wholehearted repentance and turning to God. The angels warns of judgement on the unrepentant and blessing for the repentant. The angel's message will truly be wonderful good news for a world that has suffered destruction, death and misery through Antichrist's evil activities. God warns that He will use the very creation He has made, to judge the wicked. Lk.21v25. However, before God judges the wicked He gives space for repentance. 2Pet.3v7-9. The longsuffering of God is absolutely wonderful, He has striven with both angels and men, for untold thousands of years, but judgement is the only possible end for the wilfully impenitent, who despise “the riches of his goodness, and forbearance, and longsuffering.” Gen.6v3-5. Rom.2v1-11.

The Message of the Second Angel. Rev.14v8. Is.21v9. Jer.50v2. 51v8.

This angel announces that “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” The angel tells of God's judgement upon the impure and wicked city that had defiled every nation under heaven with its Satan and Antichrist worship. There is a tremendous rise in the study of the occult, this contact with, and worship of the powers of darkness, is an abomination to God and is expressly forbidden by Him, for it defiles and perverts the soul. Lev.19v31. 20v6,27. Deut.18v19,20. 2Kings.21v6. Exod.22v18. with 1Sam.28v6,7. and 1Chron.10v13,14. Acts.16v16-18. 19v19. Is.8v19,20. 1Cor.10v20,21. 1Tim.4v1. 1Jn.4v1-5. 2Thes.2v9-12. with Rev.12v12. 13v13,14.

The angel announces the fall of Jerusalem; and we have to decide which fall it is, for there are three falls of Jerusalem in the last few days of the great tribulation. The first fall occurs when Antichrist destroys a great part of Jerusalem a few days before the Lord returns. Rev.17v16. 18v1-4. Mt.24vv28. Lk.21v20-24. The second fall of Jerusalem occurs at the great earthquake, which occurs when the two witnesses are resurrected and caught up to Heaven. Rev.11v11-14. The third fall occurs when the feet of the Lord Jesus touch the Mount of Olives, and Jerusalem is devastated by the tremendous earthquake which then occurs, and the flood that follows it. The fall that the second angel announces must then be either the first or second fall we have just mentioned, because the third angel, warns everyone against continuing to follow Antichrist on pain of eternal damnation, this warning would be pointless if the Lord Jesus had returned and destroyed Antichrist and his armies, whose destruction occurs immediately before the third fall of Jerusalem.

God states in Rev.14v13., that at this time Christians are still dying for their faith, this shows that Jesus has not returned and the resurrection and rapture of the Church have not yet taken place. Indeed, Rev.14v13., states that Christians will still face death for Christ's sake for a little while yet. The harvests of the earth follow the messages of these angels, it is after these angelic announcements that the Church is resurrected and raptured, and the wrath of the Lamb is poured out. Rev.14v10. Rev.16v19. 18v21. 19v2. This reference to the fall of Babylon gives us the approximate time when the angels give their messages. We know that this sacking of Jerusalem occurs about four days or so, before the end of the great tribulation, when the Two Witnesses are killed, up to this time Jerusalem has been the throne of the Beast. Rev.16v10. Thus we see that when the Two Witnesses are killed God continues to speak through angelic ministry.

The Message of the Third Angel. Rev.14v9-13.

This third angel tries to turn people to the way of righteousness by arming men against the fear of the Beast by warning them of the greater fear of Hell. This angel warns that if anyone worships and follows Antichrist from this time forward, they will be doomed to eternal punishment. At this stage of events, people will see the awful desolation and destruction about them, and the dreadful wickedness of Antichrist. They will also see God as He is, and His wonderful plans, through the ministry of these mighty angels, so at this time, anyone who turns their back on God will have made up their minds in full light to sin for ever, and so are unreconcilable, and when Jesus returns, they will defiantly fight Him, and blaspheme Him to His face. Rev.16v21. 19v19. Ps.2v1-5. When people see the misery that their sin has caused and say, “I love evil, and I am still going to be evil, and I hate God and righteousness,” God cannot show mercy. It would be wicked to be merciful and forgive those who are unrepentant and love evil, and have determined to sin for ever. Jn.9v41. 15v22-25.

We need to realise that there is no contradiction between the hymn-writers words, “For the love of God is broader than the measure of man's mind; And the heart of the eternal, is most wonderfully kind,” and the words in Rev.14v10,11., where the angel states that those who continue to follow Antichrist will be confined in Hell. The angel states that the followers of Antichrist, “shall be tried ("basanizo") with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb; v11. And the smoke of their trial ("basanismos") ascends up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night.” In Rev.14v10., “he shall be tormented in fire,” is “basanisthesetai en puri;” which Young, in his "Concise Critical Comments, says literally means he shall be "tried in fire," which shows that the thought of being tested or tried can definitely apply here.

“Basanisthesetai," is the third person singular future passive indicative of “basanizo,” it is used here in Rev.14v10., of the test and examination by Christ and the holy angels of the souls of the wicked in Hell. The justice of Heaven is based on love, mercy, and righteousness, it would be impossible for people in Heaven to be happy if there was anyone in Hell who was genuinely repentant and desired and loved righteousness, so everyone has to see the unrepentant love of evil in the wicked in Hell, and so know beyond any shadow of doubt that justice has been done. Rev.14v10. 20v10. Mt.8v29. Mk.5v7. Lk.8v28.

The verb “basanizo,” to test or try, from "basanos," a touchstone; is used of any severe trial that produces distress, such as the physical trial and distress caused by disease, Mt.8v6. (4v24.); or trial caused by severe persecution, as is represented by the birth pangs of the woman of Rev.12v2.; or the severe spiritual trial and mental anguish and distress that Lot experienced through living in Sodom. 2Pet.2v8. It can speak of a boat being tried or tossed by the waves. Mt.14v24. Mk.6v48. It is also used of the trials and suffering inflicted on the wicked on earth through the judgements of God. Rev.9v5. 11v10.

In Rev.14v11., the A.V. "the smoke of their torment," "torment," is the noun “basanismos” it only occurs in Rev.9v5. 14v11. 18v7,10,15.; most translators follow the A.V. and render it as "torment," however, Robert Young, in his "Concise Critical Comments," always renders it as "trial," which is its literal meaning.

The noun “basanos,” literally, a touchstone, test, trial; it occurs three times in the New Testament, in Mt.4v24. it speaks of persons suffering trial through sickness, etc., but in Lk.16v23,28., it speaks of the severe trial of the wicked selfish man who was suffering confinement in Hades. In one of His parables our Lord spoke of a debtor in prison of whom everything possible was to be exacted, He said they were put in charge of the keeper of the prison, the jailor, the “basanistees,” it only occurs in Mt.18v34.. Jesus is the jailor, “basanistees,” of Hades and has its keys. Rev.1v18. God has His prison where He confines the wicked, the lake of fire which destroys both angelic and human bodies, and protects the rest of society from their evil ways.

God warns everybody that all who follow Antichrist and Satan, will end in the lake of fire, however, He is certainly not saying that people will be gradually roasted alive for ever. The lake of fire will destroy the body in a twinkling of an eye, and physical suffering will be out of the question. Rev.20v14,15. 21v8. Nor do Christ and His holy angels descend to the cruel levels of the Roman Inquisitors, who enjoyed putting their victims through the most dreadful tortures in the name of God. The sufferings of the wicked in Hell are not physical, for the lake of fire has devoured the bodies of angels and men, it is the distress of mind that is the result of being confined in the lake of fire with no hope of coming out and putting their evil desires into practice. The pain in the soul of the wicked is one of their own choosing, it is the suffering which they inflict upon themselves through loving evil and hating righteousness, the torment of a mind that is devoid of the truth and is twisted and deranged by the evil that it loves. Even the prospect of isolation and confinement in the lake of fire will fail to bring the wicked to repentance, they are stubbornly determined to eternally love evil. Rev.21v8. As the Lamb and the holy angels test and scrutinise the souls of the wicked, they find no trace of repentance, or any grounds for their release, they are proved unreconcilable.

The dreadful end of the wicked is compared with the blessedness of the dead that die in the Lord. The angel says they “rest from their labours,” “kopon,” and that “their works, “erga,” do follow them” into the heavenly kingdom. The angel says that these Christians who die for their Lord are blessed. This is the second of 7 beatitudes in the book of Revelation. Rev.1v3. 14v13. 16v15. 19v9. 10v6. 22v7,14. Jesus warns us that many Christians will die for the faith through dreadful persecution, and that we will need patient endurance to win through, when Antichrist is at the height of his power and fury. Rev.6v9-11. 13v10. Mt.10v22. 24v13,44-51. 25v35-40. “Patience,” is the noun “hupomone,” which speaks of triumphant fortitude and courageous steadfastness rather than the long patience of “makrothumia.” It is worth noting that the Greek word translated “labour,” can have the meaning of trouble, vexation, pain and suffering as well as the meaning of labour and toil. Mk.14v6. Lk.11v7. 18v5. Glory and blessing awaits those who are prepared to labour and suffer for Christ.

No rest day or night.

It is important to realise that “day or night” here is in the genitive case form, the same as when Paul said in 1Thes.2v9. that worked “day and night, and in 1Thes.3v10.,that he prayed “day and night.” The genitive case informs us that Paul sometimes worked both day and night, and sometimes prayed both day and night, but he did neither continuously without a break. Paul’s instruction in 1Tim.5v5. for godly widows to pray “day and night,” is also in the genitive case. In Revelation John uses the genitival “day and night,” to describe the Living Creatures praise of God in Rev.4v8.; the accusations of Satan of the children of God in Rev.12v10.; and the torment of Satan, Antichrist and the False Prophet in Rev.20v10.. Guillebaud concludes on page 24 of “Righteous Judge,” that the genitival construction of this phrase suggests there will be “no break or intermission in the sufferings of the followers of the Beast, while it continues; but in themselves they do not say that it will continue for ever.” End of quote. The genitival construction also occurs in Mk.5v5. Lk.18v7. Acts.9v24. and 2Thes.3v8.

“Day and night” continual action is expressed in Greek by the accusative case, as when in Mk.4v27., Jesus says a seed springs and grows up in both day and night.; the continuous fasting and prayers of Anna in Lk.2v37.; and of Paul’s continual tearful warnings to the Ephesians in Acts.20v31.; and of Paul’s prayers for Timothy in 2Tim.1v3.. Some of these may be a case of hyperbole, that is, an obvious exaggeration designed to produce a vivid and compelling impression, but they vividly show the almost continuous nature of prayer and concern for others by these great Christians.

The impenitence of the wicked causes all the righteous, not only to realise that the wicked must go to Hell, but to rejoice that earth and Heaven will be freed from their evil influence forever. Rev.19v1-6. They realise that this is the only way which Heaven and earth can be free from sin and sorrow, and that if the wicked were set free, happiness would be impossible. God's prison, Gehenna, will ensure that God's kingdom will be free from sin and sorrow, God has chosen to put the wicked in Hell because life with the wicked would be a continual misery. If the wicked were put in a kingdom of their own it would be utterly destroyed in a very short space of time, and the suffering that they would cause to one another would be worse than the isolation of Hell. Thus we see that social life, or community life of any kind, becomes impossible to the wicked, it is only mutual love and faith that makes community life a blessing.

It is a terrible fact that evil can so destroy a person’s character that even God cannot do anything to change it. The third angels warning proclamation in Rev.14v9-11., is among the most terrifying words in the Bible, no wonder that God says, “work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” Phil.2v12. The reaction of the wicked before the throne of God and in Hell will reveal to all the determined impenitence of the sinner and his hatred of righteousness. There will be a fearful looking for of judgement. Heb.10v26-30. The wicked will wail over their confinement in Hell, but they will gnash their teeth in bitter anger and blaspheme God to His face. Rev.19v19. 16v9,11,21. Ps.2v1-3. Mt.8v12. 13v42,50. 22v13. 24v51. 25v30. Lk.13v28.

See the Appendix, "The Issues of Death and Judgement," for further studies on the subject of eternal punishment.

There are several other important things that we must note about Rev.14v9-11.

a. This Scripture is not speaking of the heathen who have never had the Gospel preached to them.

It is referring to people who have seen the ultimate in prophetic ministry through the Two Witnesses, and the ministry of mighty angelic beings, and have rejected the truth in spite of all of this. It is extremely unreasonable and thoughtless to say that because a person has never had the opportunity to hear the Gospel they will go to Hell forever, and will never have the opportunity of salvation, even though they are crying for mercy and repentant when they stand before God. If this were true it would be impossible for anyone in Heaven to be happy, for they would realise that there were millions in Hell who had no need to be there. The only thing that will make Hell bearable is that all God's people know that it is absolutely unavoidable and that all those who are confined in Hell are determinedly unrepentant and totally evil, malicious, pernicious and injurious in their intentions. For God to put people into Hell who are repentant, would be equally as diabolical as the murder of millions of innocent people by Hitler and Stalin. Our God of love cannot, and will not do this. See Rev.20 and Appendix.

b. It is speaking of people who are irrevocably hardened after full light.

When people wilfully continue in sin after God has confirmed His truth by mighty miracles, their hearts can become so hardened that it is impossible for them to repent. Jer.13v23. 17v1. Heb.6v4-6. 10v26-31. 3v6-19. Antichrist and his followers, like Satan and the powers of darkness, come within the category of the irrevocably hardened unrepentant unreconcilables.

c. Someone may ask, "Why does God not immediately annihilate the wicked at death?"

One answer could be that if the wicked were annihilated at death many who will be saved would say, “Let us drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die.” There could be many in Heaven because of the fear of Hell, who, if they had thought that only instant annihilation lay at the end of a wicked life, would not have tried to fight the fight of faith and love. Nowhere in the Bible is annihilation of the soul at death taught; the False Prophet and the Beast are still in the lake of fire 1,000 years after they are put there. Rev.19v3,20. 20v10. 21v8. The words, “for ever and ever,” literally, “unto the ages of the ages,” which speak of God’s judgement of the wicked in Rev.14v11. 19v3. 20v10., are the translation of the same Greek phrase that describes the life, glory, sovereignty, and worship God and Jesus. Rev.1v6,18. 4v9,10. 5v13. 7v12. 10v6. 11v15. Ps.45v6. with Heb.1v8. It. is used in the epistles to ascribe glory, honour, praise and dominion to God. Gal.1v5. Phil.4v20. 1Tim.1v17. 2Tim.4v8. Heb.13v21. 1Pet.4v11. 5v11. In these contexts it cannot mean anything other than unlimited duration.

N.B. There cannot be much doubt that Hell endures as long as the throne of God. However, there has been considerable theological controversy between the Western Traditional view point, that God will sustain the soul of the wicked for ever in Hell, and the Conditional Immortality viewpoint that God will after a period of time allow those in Hell to cease to exist. Both viewpoints have been believed by good and godly Christians. See my study, “The Issues of Death and Judgement.”

The First Reaper, Christ. Rev.14v14-16.

In Rev.14v14-20., under the emblems of an harvest and a vintage, we are shown two aspects of the coming of Christ, the saints are resurrected and raptured, and the wicked are destroyed. Some have felt that the first reaper on the cloud cannot be Christ because he is told to reap by an angel coming out of the heavenly temple, they feel that Christ should not need an angel to tell Him of the Father's will. When Christ was on earth He was addressed by a voice from heaven, and He said that this was not for His sake, but for His disciples sakes. Jn.11v42. 12v27-30. Is not this command of the angels for our sake, and the sake of the angels, or even in this symbolic picture for the sake of added instruction and information? It tells us that there is the exact right moment for the harvest of the earth to be reaped, and that as soon as the right moment arrives the harvest will be reaped. God's reaping is based on perfect wisdom.

There is much in this picture that confirms that Christ is the reaper. Christ is spoken of as being on a cloud and having on His head a crown of Gold, the king is coming back to claim His kingdom and reign, He is coming in the clouds of heaven as promised. Mt.24v30. 26v64. Rev.1v7. Dan.7v13,14. Acts.1v9-11. These clouds could be clouds of heavenly glory. Ex.13v21,22. 1Kings.8v10. Ezek.9v3. 10v4,18,19. 11v23. 1v4. Jesus is given the crown because of His selfless devotion to His creation. Phil.2v5-11. Rev.3v21. The phrase “a son of man” is used in Rev.1v13., to speak of the exalted Christ, and it obviously refers to Him in Rev.14v14.

Christ Jesus is the reaper in the sense that He sends forth the angels to reap the harvest. Mt.13v40,41,49,50. 24v30,31. Christ is waiting the command of the Father to reap, but when it is given, He will divide the light from the darkness, and the silver, gold and precious stones from the wood, hay and stubble. Heb.4v12,13. Rev.2v12. Mal.3v1-4. 1Cor.3v11-15. The Lord Jesus will gather His saints from the world.

The Second Reaper, an Angel. Rev.14v17-20.

This is dealing with the wrath of God on the wicked, and it is described as the wrath of the Lamb elsewhere. Rev.6v16,17. The angels not only gather the saints, they are also the means by which Jesus judges the wicked. Mt.13v30,39,40,41,49,50. Rev.19v11-21. The angel with the sickle is probably in charge of the angels that destroy the wicked, even as the archangel Michael will lead the angels against Satan and his angels and cast them out of the heavenlies. Rev.12v7-9.

We read in Rev.14v18., that “another angel came out from the altar,” and that this angel has “power,” “exousian,” “over fire.” We know that Jesus will burn up the wicked with unquenchable fire, and will with flaming fire take vengeance ("ekdikesis") on them that do not know not God, and that do not obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Lk.3v17,18. 2Thes.1v7-9. This is the great winepress of the wrath of God. Rev.14v19. 19v15. Is.42v13-17. 63v1-6. Those who fight Jesus when He returns need no trial, they are destroyed, the others who are wicked but do not fight Christ at His coming are executed after trial. Mt.13v41-43, 47-50. 25v31-46. The wrath of God is as real as His love, and springs from His love. The only way that God can establish a happy kingdom is by executing the wicked, if the wicked were allowed to live in God's kingdom, happiness would be impossible. Joel.3v11-17. Ps.75v8. Is.51v17-23. Jer.25v15-29. 49v12,13.

John Wesley writes that when a person spoke of “the city,” Rev.14v20., the people who John wrote to would immediately understand that this was Jerusalem. This is the same city as “the city, the great one,” referred to in Rev.11v8. and 14v8.; under the evil rule of Antichrist, Jerusalem will be spiritually as unclean and evil as ancient Babylon.

N.B. "Blood flowed out of the winepress, as high as the horses bridles, for 200 miles around."

We read in Joel.3v12. and Rev.16v16., that the major slaughter of the armies of Antichrist will take place at Armageddon, in the valley of Jehoshaphat, but in Rev.14v20., we see that God destroys the armies of Antichrist all over Palestine. There is tremendous bloodshed on the day of the Lord, when Christ destroys the armies of Antichrist that attempt to kill Him. In Rev.14v20., we read that human blood and probably bodies is said to reach to the horses bridles for 200 miles, this is the whole length of Palestine, where most of the armies of Antichrist will be gathered when Jesus returns. Is.13v6-13. It appears from Ezek.39v1-4., that all of the armies Antichrist in Israel are destroyed by Jesus, when He returns, and this would include the bodies of the army of 200,00,000 that comes to the aid of the Antichrist from the kings of the East, and would explain the language of Rev.14v20., of a flood of blood. Rev.9v16. 16v13-16. The judgements of God greatly depopulate the world when Jesus returns, and make man rarer than the fine gold of Ophir. Is.13v9-13. 42v13-17. We read in Is.63v1-6., that when Jesus returns His garments will be stained with the blood of the evil people who have killed the children of God.

This slaughter of the wicked at Christ's coming is not to be confused with the great battle which occurs a few days before, when Antichrist defeats the armies of the West in the Middle East, this occurs at about the same time that the Two Witnesses are killed. The number of dead bodies in Israel is so great that it takes seven months to bury the last of the dead after Christ’s return. Ezek.39v11-16. God could instantly remove all these bodies, if He so desired, but He allows men to bury them, in order to bring home to all the surviving inhabitants of the world, the folly and end of evil, and the righteousness, justice and power of God. This will produce a healthy fear of sin and God, and will demonstrate the truth of Is.26v9., “when Thy judgements are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.”

The judgements of God on the wicked at our Lord's second coming will bring to pass the prophetic promises of Dan.9v24.; God has, “determined --- to finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness.” Jesus made atonement for sin at His first coming through His sacrificial love, He will establish world-wide righteousness at His second coming through stern justice. God’s judgement on Ananias and Sapphira had a beneficial effect on the Church at Jerusalem, and made them walk in the fear of God, and even those who were outside the Church were greatly influenced by this divine judgement. Acts.5v1-13. The memory of the awesome judgements of God on the day of the Lord, and the certainty of a rod of iron falling on the head of those who try to practice evil in the Millennium, will ensure the tranquillity, peace and happiness of the Millennium. Ps.2v1-12. N.B. v12. Rev.19v15. See. Rev.2v26,27. 12v5.

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