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Daniel 11: Are we doing exegesis or eisegesis?

Tony — Thu, 02 Jan 2014 22:00:00 +0000

Problems with the interpretation of Daniel 11

When reading the different interpretations of Daniel 11:5-45 from the following theologians, one can come to the conclusion that they find it hard to come to a common consensus, on which they all can agree on. Another problem amongst the following interpretations, is the use of Bible Commentaries and other means of interpretations before the use of exegesis. The study then becomes eisegesis, a reiteration of the common consensus of Bible commentaries, plus our own background knowledge and experience. But this is not exegesis.

What is exegesis?

The famous and time-honored Reformation principle repeated in modern times, namely that “Scripture is its own interpreter” or “the Bible is its own expositor,” derives fully from Scripture (for example, Luke 24:27, 1 Cor 2:13, 2 Pet 1:20). It means that “Scripture interprets Scripture,” that one portion of Scripture interprets another, becoming the key to other, less clear passages. This procedure involves the collection and study from all parts of the Bible of passages dealing with the same subject, so that each may aid in the interpretation of the other[1].

The question is, do we follow the basic steps of Biblical exegesis as outlined by Hassel or are we doing our own eisegesis and calling it exegesis. Examples of this anomaly used by the most respected theologians in our church are for example:

Uriah Smith

In his book “Daniel and the Revelation,” he describes the king of the North from Daniel 11:5-15 as the Seleucid dynasty ruling in Syria[2] and the king of the South as Egypt ruled by the Ptolemaic dynasty.[3] From verse 16-30 the Roman Empire became the king of the North and Egypt the king of the South.[4] From verse 31 to verse 39[5] the king of the North became Papal Rome. After verse 40 the king of the North becomes Turkey[6] and the King of the South is still geographically Egypt.

Mervyn Maxwell

He wrote a commentary on Daniel called “God Cares”. Maxwell divides the role of the Kings of the North and South with different rulers in history starting with the successors of Alexander the Great from the Grecian Empire. Daniel 11:5. The King of the North represents the Seleucid Kingdom ruling Syria lying to the north of Israel and the King of the South represents the Ptolemaic kingdom ruling Egypt lying to the south of Israel.[7] From verse 16 to 22 the king of the North becomes the Roman Empire and after verse 23 the title is transferred to the papacy whilst the king of the South represented the Muslims during the Crusades.[8]

Jaques B. Doukhan

In his book “The Vision of the End Daniel,” he describes the King of the North from Daniel 11:5-39 has having the same characteristics as the Little Horn in Daniel 7 and 8.[9] The King of the South represents man´s government without God which we would call atheism and an example of this would be Egypt from the Old Testament.[10]

Desmond Ford

In his book “Daniel,” he describes the King of the North as the enemies of Israel for example Syria, Babylon, Medo-Persian, Greece and much space is devoted to the Seleucid dynasty, especially Antiochus Epiphanies, whilst the king of the South represents the enemies of Israel to the south which was Egypt. Ford goes on further to explain that the King of the North in the new covenant times is spiritual Babylon and the king of the south is spiritual Egypt that denies Yaweh.[11]

William H. Shea

In his book “Daniel A Readers Guide,” he describes the king of the North as Syria including Babylon and the king of the South as Egypt. After the reign of Alexander the Great of Greece, the Seleucids took over the role as the king of the North and the Ptolemy’s took over the role as the king of the South as described from Daniel 11:5-14.[12] After Daniel 11:15 the role of the king of the North is transferred to the Roman Empire up to verse 22.[13] From verse 23 to verse 39 the king of the North becomes Papal Rome who battled with the Muslims and Egypt (the king of the South) during the Crusades.[14] From verse 40 to 45 the king of the North is still papal Rome and the king of the South would take on a spiritual phase like rationalism, atheism, communism, humanism and agnosticism.[15]

It is alright to have different meanings of a text in the Bible from different theologians; however these different meanings should be based on a sound exegetical study of the text and the rest of the Bible. This is not the case with the for mentioned theologians. One of the dangers of referring to theologians and commentaries before the use of exegesis is that the text becomes whitewashed with double meanings and then along with confusion to what the text is really saying.

Exegesis v Eisegesis

John J. Collins

An example of what I am saying can be taken from the commentary Hermeneia, in the book of Daniel, interpreted by John J. Collins[16]. Now I have never met Collins, but when I look at the first few pages of his book, this tells me that he is on the faculty of the theological department at Notre Dame University, which is a Roman Catholic university near South Bend, Indiana, USA. Upon reading some of his interpretations of chapters Daniel 2: Daniel 7: Daniel 8: and Daniel 11: I would say this guy is a genius at using modern methods and tools of interpretation. He is an expert in his field. His excellence in the study of the book of Daniel is second to none. This theologian knows what he is doing. However, he is not using exegesis but eisegesis.

What is the difference between exegesis and eisegesis?

The proper method of exegesis of God´s word entails word studies, not from Kittel´s Theological Dictionary or from Botterweck and Ringgren´s Theological dictionary. Why? Because these men are not perfect and they come to their word studies with presuppositions which all theologians do. However, your presuppositions may not agree with theirs; so it is best to do your own word studies of the whole Bible from Genesis to Revelation, and it is best to do your own syntax study of Bible passages, going back to the original Hebrew or Greek etc. This does not only mean studying the time period of the text but involves all time periods of the whole Bible. When all the ground work is done in your personal exegesis, then you can compare your findings with the study of other theologians on the subject, but not before.

Exegesis with Dr Norman Young and Dr Richard Davidson

In addition I would say it would be a great help to those who do exegesis, that when the study has been done, then get someone to examine it for you. One of the best exegetical duo studies I have seen is the one between Dr Norman Young, professor from Avondale college, Australia and Dr Richard Davidson professor at Andrews, Michigan, USA. This study was open to all on the internet. They were discussing which day Paul was talking about in Hebrews chapter nine. Was it the day of atonement, or the day of inauguration of the tabernacle? The way they criticised each others study, not in a negative way but to understand the text, was a marvel in itself; just to see how they learnt from each other, so as to come to a better understanding of the text. This is the ideal when doing exegesis: that is two theologians doing exegesis together.

The tendency today is to skip the long tedious study of word studies from the whole of the Bible and in depth exegesis, and quote some well-known theologian who has already studied the passage thoroughly. This method is wrong, but it is used in all protestant universities in the world, because it saves time. This kind of Bible study white washes the Bible doctrines and enables one theologian to have an authoritive meaning on a text and another theologian another meaning on the same text. These studies create double meanings of texts or even more, as in the case to my introduction and seeing the discrepancy of five theologians in the Adventist church over the explanation of Dan 11:5-45.

Eisegesis is imposing the theologians own interpretation into the text, without doing the real ground work of exegetical studies. In so doing, one white washes the doctrines of the church, with the use of quotations from theologians, commentaries, historical-critical method, source criticism, form criticism and redaction criticism. Some theologians take a text and only study it in that time setting, ignoring the rest of the Bible. Other theologians use other languages in that time setting, hence bringing double meanings to the text. All in all, different theologians who study the same text, come out with different conclusions and double meanings, bringing confusion to what God has stated in the text. This is called excellent scholarship in the area of theology and many protestant and Seventh-day Adventist theologians follow in the footsteps of these eisgesis theologians, looking to be recognized in the top theological circles of the world. However this is not exegesis dear friends, it is eisegesis, leading not to an understanding of God´s word, but to enhance oneself at the top of the theological ladder.

Method of study

I will attempt to do an exegetical study of Daniel 11: using the tools of proper exegesis and that includes word studies from the whole of the Bible, syntax and Hebrew grammar. Furthermore I will only use historical sources to fill in the time being explored by the text. The historical books I am using are: A History of the Christian Church by Williston Walker[17], this is a pro-protestant book. The other source is: A Lion Handbook: The History of Christianity,[18] and this is a pro-Roman Catholic book, hence giving a balanced historical information of the period being studied. I will not use footnotes for these historical sources, but just enter the authors surname and page number when quoting from them.

1. Introduction-The problem with Daniel 11:
2. The Little Horn power in the Hebrew text of Daniel 11:
3. Who is the king of the North in Daniel 11?
4. Who is the king of the South in Daniel 11?
5. Daniel 11:14
6. Daniel 11:15-20
7. Daniel 11:21-25
8. Daniel 11:26-29
9. Daniel 11:30
10. Daniel 11:31.32.
11. Daniel 11:33
12. Daniel 11:34
13. Daniel 11:35-39
14. Daniel 11:40
15. Daniel 11:41
16. Daniel 11:42.43.
17. Daniel 11:44.
18. Daniel 11:45
19. Daniel 12:1-3
20. Daniel 11: Conclusion and recommendation

[1] Gerhard F. Hassel, Biblical Interpretation Today (Washington D.C.: Biblical Research Institute, 1985), 102.103.

[2] Uriah Smith, Daniel and the Revelation (Washington D.C.: Review & Herald, 1944), 237.

[3] Ibid, 236.

[4] Ibid, 245,246.

[5] Ibid, 270.

[6] Ibid, 294.

[7] C. Mervyn Maxwell, God Cares, Vol. 1 (Nampa, Idaho: Pacific Press, 1981), 284.

[8] Ibid, 293- 294.

[9] Jacques B. Doukhan, The Vision Of The End Daniel (Berrien Springs, MI: Andrews University Press, 1987), 79.

[10] Ibid, 86.

[11] Desmond Ford, Daniel (Nashville, Tennessee: Southern Pub. Assoc., 1978), 254.

[12] William H. Shea, Daniel A Reader´s Guide (Nampa, Idaho: Pacific Press, 2005), 241.

[13] Ibid, 245.

[14] Ibid, 251.

[15] Ibid, 264-265.

[16] John J. Collins, Hermeneia: Daniel (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1993).

[17] Williston Walker, A History of the Christian Church (Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1963).

[18] Tim Dowley, Ed., A Lion Handbook: The History of Christianity (Herts: Lion Publishing, 1977).

Daniel 11:30 Why did the first reformers protest against the pope?

Tony — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 15:00:00 +0000

Daniel 11:30a. and they come in him boats Kittim and he is sore and he returns and he menaces on covenant of holiness and he does and he returns and he shall have an understanding on ones forsaking of covenant of holiness. (Hebrew direct translation)

Daniel 11:30b. For the ships of Chittim shall come against him (the Little Horn power); therefore, he shall be grieved, and return and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant. (Hebrew/English translation)

Daniel 11:30 begins a new era in church history and this is the start of the Reformation.

Ships in this verse is in the plural. So after we have defined what ships mean in prophecy, we can find out who they refer to. Ships in the Hebrew is “tsiyim”. The following texts imply that the Hebrew word “tsiyim” means warships or ships of affliction.

Isa 33:21 But there the majestic Lord will be for us. A place of broad rivers and streams, in which no galley with ores will sail, nor majestic ships pass by.

Num 24:24 But ships shall come from the coasts of Cyprus, and they shall afflict Asshur and afflict Eber, and so shall Amalek, until he perishes.

Ezek 30:9 On that day messengers shall go forth from Me in ships to make the careless Ethiopians afraid, and great anguish shall come upon them, as on the day of Egypt; for indeed it is coming!

The texts from Numbers and Ezekiel suggest that it is God who sends these ships to inflict punishment on His enemies. These ships of affliction, are guided by men whom God uses to discipline all those who oppose Him.

Why ships instead of armies?

Armies have a direct approach with many thousands of soldiers. They attack and annihilate the object at one time.

However, warships are few in number and come quietly and secretly to their enemy, and can make a surprise attack.

Where do these warships come from?

From the harbor city of Kittim. Kittim is identified with the inhabitants of Cyprus because its ancient capital was named Kiton. This was the last trading harbor before reaching Israel.

OK! These ships are symbols of the few heralds of the Protestant Reformation who are few in number and come quietly and secretly to their enemy before they are discovered. For example:

John Wycliffe 1329-1384.

First English reformer known as the “Morning Star” of the reformation. He was a member of the Roman Catholic Church. He was an English scholastic philosopher, theologian, Biblical translator, reformer and seminary professor at Oxford University.

Johan Huss 1374-1415.

Bohemian reformer (province of Czechoslovakia). He was a member of the Roman Catholic Church and was a priest and philosopher. He did his Masters at Charles University in Prague.

Martin Luther 1483-1546.

German reformer. He was a member of the Roman Catholic Church. He was a priest, a monk and became Doctor of Theology at Wittenberg University.

Ulric Zwingli 1485-1531.

Swiss reformer. He was a member of the Roman Catholic Church and attended the Universities of Vienna and of Basil. He became a pastor.

John Calvin 1509-1564.

French reformer. He was a member of the Roman Catholic Church and was educated as a humanist lawyer and became a theologian and pastor.

What did all these reformers and many more have in common?

They read the Holy Bible for the first time and a new world opened up to them. They understood that amidst the corruption of the church which they were against, there was a loving God up in heaven who wanted to be acquainted with them personally. They found out that God is not an abstract God: a God who lives up in heaven and makes contact with them at the altar every time they have communion. They found out that when they believe in him as their personal savior, he lives in everyone’s heart always. Now this was a new teaching. They also discovered that the Pope is not the head of the Church, but Jesus Christ is, Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the Church. They also found out that we are not saved by works and the purchasing of indulgences, but by faith in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God.

What else did they find out?

The Holy Bible tells us about the plan of salvation for every being on this earth through texts like:

Rom 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” This means that all men are sinners and no one is perfect. There are no exceptions. The pope is a sinner. All the priests in the Catholic Church are sinners. All ministers in the Protestant churches are sinners. Every man and woman on earth is a sinner. What does God do with all sinners who live in sin?

Rom 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death.” Sinners who willfully sin do not come to heaven, but die with all the ungodly on earth. How are we rescued from a life in sin?

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” Therefore, we should believe in Jesus Christ as our only savior. There is no other name under heaven whereby we can be saved. Acts 4:12. The Pope and the priests cannot save us, only Christ can save us.

When we realize that we are sinners in God´s eyes, what shall we do? We shall repent of our sins. Acts 2:38 Peter, when he preached on the day of Pentecost and the people asked, what shall we do? He said “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” After we have repented of our sins we should come to God and ask for forgiveness of our sins as stated in 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” This means that no matter what sin we have committed, God will forgive us if we come to him personally and ask him for forgiveness. When we believe in Christ as our only personal savior, repent of our sins and ask for forgiveness of our sins, then we have peace with God.

Rom 5:1 “Therefore having being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” What does this peace include? There is no condemnation for sins from God.

Rom 8:1 “there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.” When we have experienced this process of salvation through Jesus Christ, we become born again Christians. Jesus said speaking to Nicodemus in John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” To repent of sins and be born again, means that you have chosen a new way of life: to live like Jesus Christ when he was on earth. This includes helping people and spreading the good news of salvation only through Jesus Christ.

This is the message that these reformers preached to their congregations through the literary writings of the Holy Bible. In fact they translated the Holy Bible into the language of the people in their own land.

(Walker 250[1]). Indulgences: Only Popes and Bishops gave out indulgences. Huss and Luther condemned the sale of indulgences.

(Lyon 269[2]). An indulgence guaranteed the crusader against heretics and all believers’ entry into heaven and reduce or abolished time in purgatory.

(Lyon 333). Under Pope Sixtus there was a need for greater amounts of money in the form of gifts which led to the peddling of indulgences.

(Lyon 360). Luther nailed 95 theses on the doors of the church in Wittenberg condemning the sale of indulgences and the theology of indulgences. Luther says it is unwarranted by scripture. It encouraged men in sin and tended to turn their minds away from Christ and God´s forgiveness. Luther says we are justified not by our deeds but by our faith alone. Luther denied the supremacy of the Pope and the infallibility of general councils.

(Lyons 372). The reformers rejected the authority of the pope, the merit of good works, indulgences, the mediation of Mary and the saints, and all the sacraments which had not been installed by Christ. They rejected the doctrine of transubstantiation, the view of the mass as a sacrifice, purgatory, prayers for the dead, private confession of sin to a priest, and celibacy of the clergy.

(Lyons 373). The reformation argued that there was no precedent in the early church for priest as mediator (between man and God). The reformers believed in the priesthood for all believers. What is purgatory? Medieval people had a very real dread of and the punishment in purgatory – – .

The church taught that before they reached heaven they had to be cleansed of every sin committed in mortal life, in purgatory´s pains. (A place before one reaches heaven). An indulgence assured the shortening of the punishment to be endured after death in purgatory.

As a result of the reformation, the papacy in Dan 11:30 shall be grieved, and return and have indignation against the holy covenant – – -.

The word, “grieved” in Hebrew is “nikah” and gives a broader meaning of being disheartened, cowed, draw back timidly, abstain, downhearted and subdue[3].

The word, “indignation” in the Hebrew is “zaam” and means to blame, hostile in speech, denounce or curse, moved by mingled anger and scorn or feeling of injured innocence[4].

The word, “understanding” in the Hebrew is “yaben” and means to discern, become separated, distinct, observe, consider and understanding with cunning[5].

The papacy experienced the meaning of all these words and then turned upon those who proclaimed the new gospel message. As a reaction to these reformers, the papacy called them heretics, and called them before tribunals of the church to get them to recant and if they refused, they were condemned to the fire. The papacy understood the method in dealing with Protestants and that was burning them to death in fire and setting them as an example to their neighbors and friends by saying this what happens to heretics. Many recanted and joined the Church again, however even more refused and were burnt at the stake.

[1] Williston Walker, A History of the Christian Church (Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1963)

[2] Tim Dowley, Ed., A Lion Handbook: The History of Christianity (Herts: Lion Pub., 1977)

[3] Francis Brown, S.R. Driver and C.A. Briggs, A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1980), 456.

[4] Ibid, 276.

[5] Ibid, 106.

Daniel 11:42-43 The New World Order verses God´s commandments

Tony — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 08:00:00 +0000

Daniel 11:42 a. and he shall send hand of him in lands and land of Egypt not she shall become to deliverance. (Hebrew direct translation)

Daniel 11:42 b. as “He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape”. (Hebrew/English translation)

The text is talking about some kind of control and rulership the papacy shall impose on lands in the future. Shall we look at the land of Egypt as literal interpretation or figurative in this text? Well the king of the north and the king of Negev are interpreted figuratively in the whole chapter, therefore we shall do the same here.

Egypt the land of Pharaoh, who went against God and Moses, said before the 10 plagues came upon the land, Ex 5:2 And Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, nor will I let Israel go.” The word Egypt is a symbol of atheism or unbelievers all over the world. These will not escape the hand of the papacy´s controlling power to decide what they should believe in. The Little Horn will decide for them all, even if they do not want anyone compelling them.

Daniel 11:43 a. and he rules in reserves of the gold and the silver and in all of coveted things of Egypt and Libyans and Ethiopians in steps of him.

Daniel 11:43 b. But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians at his steps.

One is tempted to translate the gold and silver as literal here in the text; however, one will be out of harmony with the method of using a literal interpretation with the rest of the chapter.

What do the symbols of gold and silver mean in prophecy?

They are symbols of belief, faith, teachings from the Bible, preaching, doctrines and practicing ones faith. Hence, the papacy´s power will have powers to impose worship, belief, faith, doctrines and preaching in the future over every atheistic believer and Christian believer in the world. How?

Rev. 13: 17. ”No one may buy or sell”

Most Bible commentaries interpret the text above literally. This means the ‘buying and selling’ of goods such as food and clothing as a means for survival. However, there could be an alternative view and that is the spiritual interpretation. For example in Rev. 3:18 the SDA Bible Commentary interprets this verse to the church at Laodicea, spiritually[1]. “I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.”

The spiritual interpretation for gold is faith tried in fire. 1 Pet 1:6.7. The white garment is a symbol of Christ’s righteousness. Rev 7:13.14. Isaiah 61:10. The eye salve represents the Holy Spirit. Ephes 1:17.18. Laodicea is a symbol of the church living in the in last days before Christ’s Second coming. Christ invites us to buy faith, his righteousness and the Holy Spirit. With what? What do we have to offer? Money and worldly possessions cannot purchase them. Christ wants our hearts or our lives to be exact, and in return, we get more than he is offering in the verse. We become members of Christ’s family and part of God’s kingdom.

Let us look at Rev. 18:11 “And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise anymore.” This chapter tells of the downfall of spiritual Babylon, which in a nutshell is a symbol of all false gods, false religions and churches with false teachings hat are not from the Bible. The merchants are a symbol of all peddlers who sell their spiritual merchandise of false doctrines and policies to all people on this earth. It is interesting to note that the first merchandise to be named in the following verse is gold, which is a symbol of faith, but this would be a false teaching of faith. The word ‘buys’ is interpreted spiritually in this verse.

Now let us look at Rev. 13:17. Shall we take these words of ‘buying and selling’ literally or should it have a spiritual application? As a rule of interpretation, if the context is interpreted spiritually then this verse should also be interpreted spiritually. The context is Rev. 13:11-18 and is about the beast with the lamb like horns, which we interpret to mean the USA. All of the symbols in this text have a spiritual application, so we do injustice to the text to interpret verse 17 as literal only.

If we give this verse a spiritual application, what would ‘buying and selling’ mean?

From Rev.3:18 we have the spiritual interpretation of buying and selling related to faith, Christ’s righteousness and the Holy Spirit. Rev. 13:17 is telling us of a power in the future which will prevent us from preaching and teaching doctrines related to our faith, Christ’s righteousness and the Holy Spirit.

We relate this text to the future, but there are laws now on the statute books, preventing us preachers and teachers in expounding the whole Bible.

We have all heard of Salmon Rushdi, the Muslim author who wrote against his religion, and as a result, a death sentence was pronounced on him from his religious community. Then there was the Muhammed cartoons printed in the ‘Jutlands Post’ newspaper here in Denmark last year, which caused quite a reaction from the Muslims in the east. Then there was the terrorist attack on the twin towers in New York, USA.

All these conflicts and many more around the world have given rise to the bringing in of ‘Hate Laws’ on the statute books in some countries. What are ‘Hate Laws’? They are laws of discrimination, which have been made by governments during the past 10 years. When you type ‘Hate Laws’ on the internet in Google, you find these laws in different countries of the world which discriminate between people of different ethnic origins, skin color, race, religion, sexual orientation and nationality.[2] If you criticize in word or look at another person in a peculiar way, then you are in danger of being taken to court and be sentenced from 2 to 14 years imprisonment in some countries. Even the Queen of England supports this law,[3] which was incorporated into the British legal system in April 2007. This is called the equality act.

The following is taken from an article which is located at: http://www.christianitytoday.com/gleanings/2015/june/supreme-court-states-cant-ban-same-sex-marriage.html

On Friday the 26th June, 2015, “the US Supreme Court ruled 5-4 today that State bans on same-sex marriage are no longer legal in America.”

The U.S. supreme court

What does this mean? It means all homosexual men and lesbian women have the right to get married in the USA and no one has the right to criticize them for doing so.

What does this law mean for all Bible believing Christians in the USA? It means that there is a conflict between the US law and the Holy Bible. The law says one thing and the Bible says the opposite. This will bring conflict to many court sessions in the USA. This law also means that Christians will no longer be able to preach and teach from the Bible in our churches and in our schools and colleges against homosexuals and lesbians. One cannot uphold the traditional marriage union of man and wife only. This law will be interpreted in the Courts in this way, that the marriage union between homosexuals and lesbians is equal to that of man and wife. This law will go directly against the teachings of the Bible.

This is a strange new law because it goes directly against another law in the USA, which is called the “First Amendment” giving protection to all religious groups who advocate the traditional marriage union from the Bible. This new law will be implemeted in the future in many countries of the World and is already on their statute books awaiting to be enforced.

For example in 2002 the Swedish government passed a law prohibiting unfavorable speech towards Homosexuals, bisexuals and heterosexuals. On the 29 June, 2004 a Pentecostal pastor preached a sermon in his church, citing from the Bible against homosexuals, saying that it was sinful. He was taken to court and sentenced to 30 days imprisonment. His lawyer made an appeal and the pastor was later released. You can read his full story and sermon on the internet.[4]

Ellen G. White writes in the book “Confrontation” Grantham, Lincs: Stanborough Press, 1978, page 459. “And the Bible teaches that a time is approaching when the Laws of the State will so conflict with the law of God that whosoever would obey all the divine precepts must brave reproach and punishment as an evil doer.” It seems like this prophecy is on its way to be fulfilled.

Update on the first casualty as a result of the Supreme Courts decision can be seen on the internet FoxNews.com called “The Christian purge has begun: Chaplain banned from preaching that homosexuality is a sin, by Todd James, published August 11, 2015.

“Chaplain David Wells was told he could either sign a state-mandated document promising to never tell inmates that homosexuality is “sinful” or else the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice would revoke his credentials. David Wells could not sign the document and he was fired after 13 years of ministry to underage inmates.”

Update on the second casualty 4th September, 2015, as a result of the Supreme Courts decision can be read on the www.DailyMail.co.uk and other websites. “Kentucky clerk jailed for defying court orders on gay marriage. Kim Davies has said that her Christian faith should exempt her from signing the licences for gay marriages.” “US District Judge David Burning said to Kim Davies, 48, she would stay behind bars until she complied with his order to resume issuing the licences.” Davies has been released after one week in jail.

This is the first of many Christian casualties to come, because of the Supreme Courts law on homosexuality, which now takes precedence over the First Amendment. It is amazing that we do not hear any sermons in the Adventist church or any other protestant church against the Supreme Courts decision going against the First Amendment. This is a milestone in prophetic history. Prophesy is being fulfilled and we are silent. A man is fired from his job and a woman is sent to prison, because they believe in the Bible. What is the Protestant Church saying about this event? Not very much. Lord forgive us of our passiveness in the present world of today.

I have received a link from a friend of mine, if you go on Google and type ADTV News Liberty of Conscience with Michael Mc Caffrey one can hear about this incidence with Kim Davies and much more.

What implications do these ‘Hate Laws’ have on the future preacher and teacher of the Bible?

There will come a time when we cannot condemn sin anymore or preach against sin. There will be restrictions on preachers from preaching from the Bible. For example, we will not be able to use a text like 1 Cor. 6:10 preaching against fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, homosexuals, thieves, covetousness, drunkards, revilers and extortioners. Why? Because they will be protected by hate laws, and their sinful practices will be accepted by all in society as part of the norm.

How can a preacher bring people to Christ without preaching against their sins? The law of God being the Ten Commandments which reveals their sins will become nullified. A new world order will be set up of religious beliefs and teachings: like what takes place in Mega churches all over the USA. The future preacher will extol the virtues of having a good relationship with God through a spiritual experience, involving the Holy Spirit either in worship or personally, like the charismatic Christians do, who use healing and speaking in tongues. Hence, the word of God from the Bible will take second place to the experience with the Holy Spirit.

When looking at the context of Rev. 13:11-18 we find from our reading that these laws will come from the USA. This is yet future and there will be a worldwide national law to follow suit with further amendments and severe penalties ending with the death penalty. However most of these ‘hate laws’ are already on the books in some countries, just waiting to be used when a preacher or any other person steps out of line.

So remember the next time you preach against sin and there is a ‘Hate Law’ in that country, you might be accused of breaking the law of the land. Hence, if you ignore this interpretation of ‘buying and selling’ you could end up with a prison sentence for preaching from the word of God in the Bible. When looking at this law from a broader aspect into the future, it does not only prevent Adventists preachers, but it will prevent all preachers from every denomination in the world in preaching from the whole of the Bible.

Bible texts used are from the New King James Version.

[1] Francis D. Nichol, Ed., The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 7 (Washington D.C.: Review & Herald Pub., 1957), 762.

[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hate_speech

[3] http://politics.guardian.co.uk/queensspeech2004/story/0,,1357680.html

[4] www.religioustolerance.org/hom_hat8.htm

Revelation 11:1-14. Sixth Trumpet

Tony — Wed, 10 Jul 2019 08:59:34 +0000

Rev 11:1.2. Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar and those who worship there. But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months.

The Adventists were told to analyze the sanctuary teachings from the Bible leaving out the outer court. As they did this, they found out that the earthly sanctuary was moved to heaven after the crucifixion of Christ. Heb 8:1.2. They also discovered that Christ became our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary. Heb 4:14.

So what happened in 1844 when Christ did not come to destroy this earth? From Christ´s ascension to the heavenly sanctuary, he officiated in the first apartment named the Holy Place, where the seven candle sticks stood, the altar of incense stood and the table with 12 pieces of flat bread lay. In 1844, Christ entered into the Most Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary as the High Priest did once a year in the earthly sanctuary: on the Day of Atonement. Lev 16:

It is this message that needed to be prophesied again to many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings from the time of the end in 1844.

Rev 11:2. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months.

What does the Holy City mean in this text and in the book of Revelation?

Rev 3:12. (To the Church in Philadelphia). He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God. (The temple is related to the New Jerusalem. He who overcomes is a citizen of the New Jerusalem and pillar of the temple of God).

Rev 21:2.3. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I Heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God himself will be with them and be their God.” (The New Jerusalem is likened to a bride who are the Church of all believers who keep the Ten Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus Christ. The New Jerusalem is related to the tabernacle or sanctuary. The tabernacle is no longer used as a means of atonement for sins, but God is a substitute for the tabernacle in heaven).

Conclusion

The holy city refers to overcomers and believers in God. The holy city refers to believers as a bride adorned for her husband who is Jesus Christ. The citizens of the New Jerusalem are God´s people.

Therefore, the holy city on earth refers to the citizens of the kingdom of God and they are his people on earth. God´s people are also related to the teachings of the services of heavenly sanctuary outlined in the books of Hebrews and Leviticus.

Rev 11:2. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months.

Rev 12:6. Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days. In prophetical writings, one day is equal to one year. Num 14:34, Eze 4:6. Therefore, when it says in the text “one thousand two hundred and sixty days” this means prophetical 1,260 years. This figure is also equal to “a time, times and half a time” in Rev 12:14. When we add this figure up, we have one time plus two times plus half a time which equals 3½ times. One time is equal to 360 years in prophecy. So 3½ times is equal to 1,260 years. Therefore, these two verses in Rev 12: 6.14, reinforce each other in Biblical prophetic time. In addition, the 42 months in Rev 11:2.3. are also equal to 1,260 years in Biblical prophecy. If we times 42 months with 30 prophetic days for each month, this gives us 1,260 days or prophetic years. Hence, there is harmony in these calculations.

The forty-two months refers to the 1,260 day/year prophecy outlined in Rev 12:6.14. This period was during the Dark Middle Ages when the papacy persecuted all Bible believing Christians who were citizens of the holy city, in the kingdom of God, and substituted the services of the heavenly sanctuary with their own system of forgiveness, by coming to the priests for confession. This system incorporated into the Roman Catholic Church worldwide and is called the abomination of desolation written by Daniel in Dan 11:31.

Rev 11:3. And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.

Who are the two witnesses in this verse? A short word study to determine the understanding of the two witnesses.

Mat 18:16. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

Mat 24:14. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all nations, and then the end will come.

John 1:6.7. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe.

John 10:25. The works that I do in my Father´s name they bear witness of me.

Acts 1:8. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

Acts 10:43. To him all the prophets witness that, through his name, whoever believes in him will receive remission of sins.

Rom 3:21. But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets (We understand the Law to be the Torah and means the first five books of the Old Testament written by Moses. The prophets refer to Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and the minor prophets).

Heb 10:15. But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after he had said before, “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord.

Conclusion

Witnesses are related to two or three people, the gospel written in the New Testament, John the Baptist, the Holy Spirit, all the prophets in the Old Testament, the Law and the Prophets in the Old Testament. To summarize witnesses would refer to writings in the Old and New testament Bible and people who witness to the message in these books.

Rev 11:3. And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.

The two witnesses were clothed in sackcloth. What does this citation mean?

Gen 37:34. Then Jakob tore his clothes, put sackcloth on his waist, and mourned for his son many days. (This was in relation to his son Joseph who he believed was killed by a beast).

2 Kings 19:1. And so it was, when King Hezekiah heard it, that he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth, and he went into the house of the Lord.

Conclusion

When one is covered in sackcloth, it is a sign of sorrow and mourning because of death or one is nearing the state of death.

The two witnesses are symbols of the Old and New Testament Bible, plus believers who preach and teach from the Bible with the power of the Holy Spirit. They prophesied for one thousand two hundred and sixty days clothed in sackcloth. This period of 1,260 are prophetical years which was from 538 to 1798, during the Dark Middle Ages of papal rule in the Roman Catholic Church. Why in sackcloth? Because it was forbidden by the papacy for any member to preach and teach from the Bible in public. “All versions of the Holy Bible, in any vernacular language, made by non-Catholics are prohibited; and especially those published by the Bible Societies, which have been more than once condemned by the Roman Pontiffs, because in them the wise laws of the Church concerning the publications of the sacred books are entirely disregarded.”[1]

Rev 11:4. These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth.

What do olive trees represent in the Bible?

Judges 9:8. The trees once went forth to anoint a king over them. And they said to the olive tree, reign over us. (The trees in this parable refer to the men of Shechem who went to ask first the olive tree who represented Gideon to reign over them, but he refused Judges 8:22.23. Then they asked the bramble who represented Abimelech to be king).

Psalm 52:8. But I am a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever. (Psalm 52:6 olive tree refers to the righteous).

Psalm 128:3. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the very heart of your house, your children like olive plants – – -. (The olive tree represents in verse one, blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his way).

Jeremiah 11:16. The Lord called your name, Green Olive Tree, lovely of good fruit. (Refers to the evil house of Israel and the house of Judah in verse 17).

Hosea 14:5.6. I will be like the dew to Israel; he shall grow like the lily and lengthen his roots like Lebanon. His branches shall spread; his beauty shall be like an olive tree. (Israel likened to an olive tree).

Zechariah 4:2-6. And he said to me, “What do you see?” So I said, “I am looking, and there is a lampstand of solid gold with a bowl on top of it, and on the stand seven lamps with seven pipes to the seven lamps. Two olive trees are by it, one at the right of the bowl and the other at its left.” So I answered and spoke to the angel who talked with me, saying, “What are these, my Lord?” Then the angel who talked with me answered and said to me, “do you not know what these are?” And I said,” No my Lord.” “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: `Not by my might nor by power, but by My Spirit, ` says the Lord of hosts.

Zechariah 4:14. So he said, “These are the two anointed ones, who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth.” (The two olive trees represent the word of the Lord and the Holy Spirit).

Romans 11:17. And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree. (Paul is talking to the Gentiles in Rom 11:13 who are grafted into the olive tree representing Spiritual Israel in Rom 11:25-27).

Revelation 11:4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. Zechariah 4:14. So he said, “These are the two anointed ones, who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth.” (The two olive trees represent the word of the Lord and the Holy Spirit).

Conclusion

The two olive trees represent the word of the Lord and the Holy Spirit. In addition they represent Gideon, the righteous, children of believers, spiritual Israel and Judah.

Rev 11:5. And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner.

What does fire proceeding from the mouth mean in prophecy?

A short word study on fire related to the mouth.

Jerm 5:14.15. Behold, I will make my words in your mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them. I will bring a nation against you from afar, O house of Israel. (The nation of Babylon destroyed the city of Jerusalem in 586 BC).

Jerm 23:29. Is not my word like fire? Says the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rocks in pieces? (Refers to the false prophet and priests using the word of God in vain in verse 34. And as for the prophet and priest and the people who say, “The oracle of the Lord!” I will punish that man and his house. (This punishment is over time upon the city of Jerusalem in 586 BC).

Is 30:30.31. The Lord will cause his glorious voice to be heard, and show the descent of his arm, with indignation of his anger, and the flame of a devouring fire – – -. For through the voice of the Lord Assyria will be beaten down, as he strikes with a rod. (Voice and fire are related to punishment and destruction).

Is 33:11. Your breath, as fire shall devour – – – like thorns cut up they shall be burned in the fire. (Impending judgment and destruction over time upon Zion).

Is 66:15.16. For behold the Lord will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire and by his sword the Lord will judge all flesh; and the slain of the Lord shall be many. (Refers to Jerusalem. The first and second coming of Christ with judgment and destruction over time).

Conclusion

Fire from the mouth is related to destruction from another nation, punishment over time, impending judgment, and destruction of the wicked at the second coming of Christ.

Rev 11:6. These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy.

What does rain mean in this text? Is it literal or symbolic rain? The context is using symbolic words from Rev 11:4-6. So we shall interpret rain in symbolic language.

A short word study on the word rain.

Deut 32:2. Let my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distill as the dew.

Psalm 72:6.7. He shall come down like rain upon the grass before mowing, like showers that water the earth. In his days the righteous shall flourish. (Rain is related to the Messiah bringing righteousness at his first coming).

Proverbs 16:15. In the light of the king´s face is life, and his favor is like a cloud of the latter rain. (Rain is related to a king´s favor).

Hos 6:3. Let us know, let us pursue the knowledge of the Lord. His going forth is established as the morning; he will come to us like the rain, like the latter and the former rain to the earth. (Rain is related to the first and second coming of Christ).

Hos 10:12. Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, till he comes and rains righteousness on you. (Rain is related to the coming of the Lord with righteousness).

Joel 2:23. Be glad then, you children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God; for he has given you the former rain faithfully, and he will cause the rain to come down to you – The former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. (This can be interpreted literally and symbolically because the context refers to the Day of the Lord. Joel 2:1. However, Peter the disciple used this text to explain the outpouring of the Holy Spirit like the former and the latter rain on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2:16-21).

Joel 2:28. And it will come to pass afterward that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. (This text was used by Peter as a partial fulfillment on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2:16-21).

James 5:7. Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. (Rain in this text is related to the second coming of Jesus Christ).

Conclusion

Rain in symbolic language is related to knowledge from the Lord, righteousness, God´s teachings, kings favor, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit like on the Day of Pentecost, the first and the second coming of Jesus Christ.

Rev 11:6. These two witnesses: The Old testament and the New Testament Bible have power to shut heaven through the power of the Holy Spirit, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit giving knowledge, righteousness, God´s teachings and favor to the people was limited during the Dark Middle Ages from 538 to 1798. Why? Because the papacy had control over the Bible and who read it in the Latin language. The people were not allowed to read it until the time of the Reformation when Martin Luther and John Wycliffe translated the Bible into the vernacular of the people.

Rev 11:6. They (two witnesses) have power over waters to turn them to blood.

This is not literal but symbolic. The waters represent the waters of life. John 4:13.14. That is eternal life through Christ. However, the waters of life coming from the Church during the Middle Ages were false teachings of eternal life through works, like penance and praying to statues of saints. These teachings of works were turned into blood by the two witnesses: the Holy Spirit and the Old and New Testament Bible.

Blood represents the washing of sins through Christ´s blood in Rev 1:5. It also represents pollution and defilement in Hos 6:8. Therefore, these two witnesses through the Bible had power to reveal the false teachings of the Church during The Middle Ages, that they were not truth, but polluted and defiled like blood.

Rev 11:6. These (two witnesses) have power . . . to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.

There is no symbolic interpretation in the Bible for the word plague. Therefore, it is to be interpreted as literal. For example: Deut 28:58.59. If you do not observe all the words of this law that are written in this book (Deuteronomy), that you may fear this glorious and awesome name, the Lord your God, then the Lord will bring upon you and your descendants extraordinary plagues-great and prolonged plagues – and serious and prolonged sicknesses.

Rev 11:7. When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them.

This beast who ascends out of the bottomless pit refers to Satan in the book of Revelation. For example:

Rev 9:1.2. Then the fifth angel sounded: And I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. To him was given the key to the bottomless pit. And he opened the bottomless pit, and smoke arose out of the pit like smoke of a great furnace. So the sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke.

Who represents the fallen star in this text?

The only star which fell from heaven was the one Jesus Christ mentioned in reference to Satan. Luk 10:18. I saw Satan fall like lightening from heaven. The text does not state the word star. But Satan was one of the stars of heaven before he fell and was cast out of heaven.

Rev 12:3.4. And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. (The dragon refers to Satan, the devil or the serpent in Rev 12:9. The stars refer to angels in Rev 1:20. Satan is also referred to as an angel in Rev 9:1 and in Ezek 28:13.14. He is also referred to as an angel of light 2 Cor 11:14)

What does the bottomless pit mean in the book of Revelation?

There are only six other texts that mention the bottomless pit in the New Testament, and they are in the book of Revelation.

Rev 9:2. He opened the bottomless pit. (The bottomless pit refers to the earth in Rev 9:1. Satan was cast out of heaven to this earth).

Rev 9:11. And they had a king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in the Greek, he has the same name Apollyon. (The angel of the bottomless pit is Satan on this earth).

Rev 11:7. When they finished their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them and kill them. (Satan is described as an angel and a beast in the book of Revelation. Rev 12:9. He killed the witnesses: The Old and New Testament Bible and Christian´s during the French Revolution in this text. The bottomless pit is the earth).

Rev 17:8. The beast that you saw, was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the sea beast that was, and is not, and yet is. (This beast who ascended out of the bottomless pit refers to Satan after the 1,000 years of millennium on this desolate earth).

Rev 20:1-3. Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years: and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. (At the Second Coming of Christ, the saints are resurrected to heaven, the unbelieving wicked are all destroyed by Christ at the Armageddon war, and Satan is bound to this desolate earth for 1,000 years).

Conclusion

The bottomless pit refers to this earth where Satan and his angels (demons) live. This earth can be both inhabited or desolate during the millennium in the future.

When did these two witnesses representing the Old and the New testament Bible were killed in the history of the Church?

“It had been Rome´s policy, under a profession of reverence for the Bible, to keep it locked up in an unknown tongue and hidden away from people. Under her rule the witnesses prophesied `clothed in sackcloth`. But another power – the beast from the bottomless pit – was to arise to make open, avowed war upon the Word of God.

According to the words of the prophet, then, a little before the year 1798 some power of satanic origin and character would rise to make war upon the Bible. And in the land where the testimony of God´s two witnesses should thus be silenced, there would be manifest the atheism of the Pharaoh and the licentiousness of Sodom.

This prophecy has received a most exact and striking fulfillment in the history of France. During the Revolution, in 1793, `the world for the first time heard an assembly of men, born and educated in civilization, and assuming the right to govern one of the finest European nations, uplift their united voice to deny the most solemn truth which man´s soul receives, and renounce unanimously the belief and worship of a Deity.”[2]

“The atheistical power that ruled in France during the Revolution and the Reign of Terror, did wage such a war against God and His holy Word as the world had never witnessed. The worship of the deity was abolished by the National Assembly. Bibles were collected and publicly burned with every possible manifestation of scorn. The law of God was trampled underfoot. The institutions of the Bible were abolished. The weekly rest day was set aside, and in its stead every tenth day was devoted to reveling and blasphemy. Baptism and communion were prohibited.”[3]

Rev 11:8. And their dead bodies will lie in the streets of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

What is the great city in the book of Revelation? Rev 16:19. Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath.

The great city in the book of Revelation is Babylon combined with many cities and countries of the world that do not believe in God and his commandments.

What happened to the city of Sodom in the Old Testament? Because the city of Sodom was given up to depravity, and the majority of the men wanted to have homosexual sex, that is they wanted to rape the two angels that were visiting Lot, God decided to destroy the city with brimstone and fire. Gen 19. During the French Revolution the morals from the Bible were completely rejected and depravity enclosed the majority living in France.

Why Egypt? When Moses and his brother Aaron visited Pharaoh to ask him to release the Israelite’s from the land of slavery in Egypt he replied in Ex 5:2. And Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, nor will I let Israel go?” Pharaoh was an atheist just like many who took part in the French revolution.

Rev 11:8. Where also our Lord was crucified. Christ was crucified in Jerusalem, so how does this effect the French Revolution. When it says the word also in the text, it is not denoting the same time as the Revolution but indicating time during the history of France. But Christ did not die during the history of France. But his disciples in the form of believers were persecuted during the history of France and were killed.

Galatians 2:20. Paul says in Galatians, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” Christian believers who were protestants, like the Waldenses, Albigenses and Huguenots were killed in their thousands if not millions for there belief in the Bible by the papacy during the history of France. Believers in the form of Christ were crucified that is killed because of their belief in the Bible and refusing to believe in the creeds of the Roman Catholic Church. The worst of these killings was the St. Bartholomew Massacre. “The king of France, urged on by Romish priests and prelates, lent his sanction to the dreadful work. A bell, tolling at dead of midnight, was a signal for the slaughter. Protestants in their thousands, sleeping quietly in their homes, trusting to the plighted honour of their king, were dragged forth without a warning and murdered in cold blood.”[4]

Rev 11:8. Their bodies lay in the streets. This is referring to the two witnesses that is the Old and New Testament Bible and their teachings plus believers in Christ.

Rev 11:9. Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-half-days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves.

Using the year for a day principle explained in Rev 11:2 the 3½ days in prophecy are 3½ years. Hence, this period began on November 10, 1793, when a decree, was issued in Paris, abolished religion, to June 17, 1797, when, it is held, the French government removed restrictions against the practice of religion.[6]

Rev 11:11. Now after three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them.

“It was in 1793 that the decrees which abolished the Christian religion and set aside the Bible passed by the French assembly. Three years and a half later a resolution rescinding these decrees, thus granting toleration to the scriptures, was adopted by the same body – – -.”[7]

Rev 11:12. And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them.

As a result of the resurrection of the two witnesses, “In 1804 the British and Foreign Bible Society was organized – – -. It (The Bible) has been translated into many hundreds of languages and dialects.”[8]

Rev 11:13. In the same hour (Greek text: In that day) there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven.

“France was shaken as if by an earthquake. Religion, law, social order, the family, the State, and the Church-all were smitten down by the impious hand that had been lifted against the law of God.”[9]

Which city are we talking about? Rev 11:8. And their dead bodies will lie in the streets of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. The great city is referring to Spiritual Babylon. Why a tenth of the city of Babylon? Maybe it has to do with the ten kingdoms that started in Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire in Dan 7:7.8.20.24. The ten horns are ten kings who shall arise from this kingdom (referring to the fourth beast in Dan 7:7 symbolizing Rome). The ten kingdoms are the Vandals, Ostrogoths, Visigoths, Heruli, Franks, Suevi, Alamanni, Anglo Saxons, Lombards, and Burgundians. The collapse of Rome was around A.D. 476. When the text Rev 11:13 says a tenth of the city fell, it would imply that one of the ten kingdoms of Europe which would be the Franks (France) fell.

Rev 11:14. The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly.

There are three woes during the period of the seven trumpets and they start in Rev 8:13., at the end of the fourth trumpet.

The first woe covers the period of the fifth trumpet, that is the rise of Muslim Turkey against the Byzantine church and the reformation in Europe. This was a warning to the Church. Rev 9:12.

The second woe covers the period of the sixth trumpet as warnings to the Church. Rev 11:14. This includes the fall of the Muslim Turkish Empire, the sweet and bitter experience of the Adventists during 1844, the two witnesses representing the Old and the New Testament Bible along with those who preached the word, were killed during the French Revolution.

The third woe covers the period of the seventh trumpet as warnings to the Church. Rev 11:14-19. This period includes God´s kingdom proclaimed, the war between Satan and his subjects against the Christ and the church. The judgment takes place before the second coming of Christ.

[1] Leo XIII, Apostolic Constitution Officiorum ac Munerum, Jan. 25, 1887, art. 1 `Of the Prohibition of Books,` chap 3, trans. In The Great Encyclical Letters of the Pope Leo XIII (New York: Benziger, 1903) pp. 412.413.

[2] Sir Walter Scott, Life of Napoleon, vol. 1, ch. 17.

[3] Ellen G. White, Confrontation, 269.270.273.274.

[4] Ibid., 272.

[5] Ibid., 273.

[6] Francis D. Nichols, Edit., Seventh-Day Adventist Bible Commentary Vol. 7 (Washington D.C: Review & Herald Pub. Assoc., 1980), 803.

[7] Ellen G. White, Confrontation, 287.

[8] Ibid., 287.

[9] Ibid., 286.