False prophet – B I B L E – ONLY

Revelation 17:6 What does it mean to be drunk with the blood of saints?

Tony — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 11:00:00 +0000

Rev 17:6. I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.

The word “drunk” in the Greek is “methusan”. It is an accusative, singular, participle, present of “methuo”. The word does not refer to the past as many theologians and commentaries have stated. Because the word is a participle, and parts of the verb are used adjectivally in the construction of subordinate phrases and in the formation of tenses. They exist in two voices, active and passive. The active voice is a present participle e.g. drinking. The perfect participle is e.g. having drunk.[1]. This participle in the text is called a “verbal adjective” e.g. I have a splitting headache. This is a present participle and not in the past.

Therefore, when we analyze the word “drunk” in Rev 17:6, it should be translated, drinking or being drunk, in the present and not in the past.

Literally continuing in a state of intoxication e.g. being drunk.[2]

For example we shall look at a few texts clarifying the word being drunk “methusan” in the Greek and in the present.

Mat 24:49. My master is delaying his coming and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards.

Acts 2:15. These are not drunk as you suppose.

1 Cor 11:21. (The Lord´s supper). For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk.

1 Thess 5:7. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night.

What does the statement “drinking of the blood of the saints and martyrs” mean?

St Bartholomew’s day massacre in 1572

Rev 16:6. (This takes place under the third plague which shall come upon the earth when the waters will be turned to blood). For they have shed the blood of the saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink. (It is very clear from this text that drinking blood is related to shedding the blood of the saints and prophets: That is persecuting and killing them).

In relation to Rev 17: the time setting of this chapter refers to the future and this persecution and killing of the saints or true Christians, also refers to the future. When? At the war of Armageddon.

Rev 17:14. These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with him are called, chosen and faithful.

Rev 16:12-16. Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Verse 16. And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.

When looking at the traditional Adventist interpretation of the drying up of the river Euphrates: the waters on which Babylon sits on and when it dries up, means the finances to the city of Babylon have dried up, and there is no longer any support to the city and therefore Babylon collapses.

The term Kings from the East is generally defined as Christ´s Second Coming.

Questions to the above interpretation.

Does the River Euphrates mean many waters on which Babylon sits on?

Does the drying up of the river Euphrates mean drying up of financial support?

What is the Biblical meaning of Kings from the East?

Does the River Euphrates mean many waters on which Babylon sits on?

The text used to support this view is taken from Rev. 17:15.The waters which you saw, were the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. This text is referring to Rev 17:1. Come I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters.

As for rivers, meaning populated parts of the earth is just speculation and reading into the text what is not there. Rivers in prophecy refer to life giving waters like the river of life but certainly not many peoples.

Does the drying up of the river Euphrates mean the drying up of financial support?

There is no Biblical text to support this view.

Analysis of the text Rev 16:12-16.

Verse 12 Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared.

Where is the river Euphrates?

The river Euphrates is the lower blue line

It lies on the border between Gods people the Israelites, and their enemies. The border lies on the river flowing from the north and east of Israel. The enemies of Israel who lived on the other side of the border where Fx. Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persian etc.

What does it mean when the river Euphrates dries up?

It means that when the water has disappeared, there is no border between Israel and their enemies. Hence, their enemies have direct access to attacking Israel.

What does the statement “kings from the east” mean?

I have read many different commentaries and different interpretations of this text. Most are speculative also from the Adventist traditional approach. The traditional approach states that the kings from the east refer to Christ at his Second Coming from the east. Math 24:27 “For as the lightening comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” But this interpretation gives a problem with the grammar in Rev 16:12-16. The word kings is written in the plural and not singular. That means there is more than one king. Some theologians have tried to get around the text by saying that the Second Coming involves the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit making three kings. Or even Christ is coming from the east and he will meet his people who are the priesthood of all believers and kings with him. Rev 5:10. Again these interpretations do not agree with the context of the passage and the rest of the Bible.

Kings from the east is an indirect expression used in the Old Testament. It was an expression used for the enemies of Israel, who lived just over the river Jordan or on the other side of the river Euphrates who came from the east of Israel. Fx the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Assyrian and Babylonians. When the river Euphrates and river Jordan dried up in parts, mainly in the summer, then the enemies of Israel marched over the river, which was now dry ground and this made it easier for the enemy to attack the Israelites. The enemy, were referred to as the Kings (Jos 11:2) of the Cannanites, Amorite, Hitite, Perizite, Jebusite, Hivite (Jos 11:3). When all these kings had met together; they came and camped together at the waters of Merom to fight against Israel. Jos 11:4 So they went out, they and all their armies with them, as many people as the sand that is on the seashore in multitude. Jos 11:6. But the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid because of them, for tomorrow about this time I will deliver all of them slain before Israel. So it is God who does the fighting for his people in this text.

Jos 12:1 These are the kings of the land whom the children of Israel defeated, and whose land they possessed on the other side of the Jordan toward the rising of the sun (the east, “anatolé” in Greek), from the River Arnon to Mount Hermon, and all the eastern Jordan plain.

Jos 12:2 One king was Sihon king of the Amorites.

Jos 12:4 The other king was Og king of Bashan.

In addition, the east or rising of the sun refers to Northern Arabia, Syria, and Mesopotamia. This was the area where the Magi or Wise men came from before visiting the child Jesus with their gifts in Bethlehem. Mat 2:1. Thus Haran was in the land of the people of the east Gen 29:1.4. The king of Moab later brought Balaam from Aram (that is Syria), out of the mountains of the east (Num 23:7. 22:5). Isaiah spoke of Cyrus, the Persian, as the righteous man from the east (Isa 41:2).

What does the text Rev 16:12-14 mean for us today?

It means there will come a time in the future when the border between believers in Christ and non believers will be removed. The enemies of Christ thereafter will have access to destroying and exterminating all Christians who obey the ten commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Rev 12:17. When the border of security and protection is removed from Christians, then the wicked will go in for the attack, and the last world war Armageddon will take place. This will happen just before the Second Coming of Christ literally, and every eye will see him. Rev 1:7.

What else happens at that time according to Rev 16:13?

And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the dragon, out of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet.

OK! We are talking about Bible prophecy here in the text.

Who does the Dragon represent in Bible prophecy?

Rev 12:9. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Who does the beast represent in Bible prophecy?

Rev 13:1-10. Rev 17:1-8. 2 Thess 2:1-12. Dan 7:7.8.19-25. Dan 8:9-12. Dan 11:16-45. The Roman Catholic organization and system of worship.

Who does the false prophet represent in Bible prophecy?

Rev 19:20. Rev 13:11-13. First and foremost the Protestant church in the USA, which has stopped protesting against the Roman Catholic Church; it also refers to all the Protestant churches all over the world who follow in the footsteps of the Protestant Church in the USA.

GC page 588 “Through two great errors, the immortality of the soul and Sunday sacredness, Satan will bring the people under his deceptions. While the former lays the foundation of spiritualism, the latter creates a bond of sympathy with Rome. The Protestants of the United States will be foremost in stretching their hands across the gulf to grasp the hand of spiritualism; they will reach over the abyss to clasp hands with the Roman power; and under the influence of this threefold union, this country will follow in the steps of Rome trampling on the rights of conscience.”

Rev 16:14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God almighty.

It is the spirits of demons who gather the Roman Catholic Church and Protestants throughout the whole world, through the means of spiritualism. Through two doctrines: the immortality of the soul and Sunday sacredness. On top of that these demons are working extra hard because they go out to all the kings of the earth who become the enemies of Gods people and attack them.

Notice “Kings” is in the plural just as kings from the East (rising of the sun) is in the plural in Rev 16:12. When the river Euphrates is dried up; when the border of security and protection of Gods people on earth is removed by civil authorities; then the kings of the earth together with all the wicked go in for the attack against Gods people at the battle of Armageddon.

Should Gods people who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus be afraid?

What did God say to Joshua when the kings from the east, the enemies of Gods people were preparing for an attack on the Israelites?

Jos 11:4-6. So they went out, they and all their armies with them, as many people as the sand that is on the seashore in multitude, with many horses and chariots. When all these kings had met together; they came and camped together at the waters of Merom to fight against Israel.

But the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid because of them, for tomorrow about this time I will deliver all of them slain before Israel. So it is God who does the fighting for his people in this text. It is the God of the whole universe, who has everything under control; it is God who wins the battle of Armageddon.

Rev 17:6. I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.

The apostle John states and “when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.” Why? Because he saw that in the future, during the war of Armageddon, the whole Christian worldwide community will make war against Gods people who keep the ten commandments of God and the faith of Jesus Christ. How can this be possible? Ellen G, White writes in the book “The Great Controversy” page 628, “By condemning the people of God to death, they (that is Babylon) have truly incurred the guilt of their blood as if it had been shed since the days of Abel — -.”

When will God´s people be condemned to death? Rev 13:15. He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. This is in the future.

[1] W. G. Bebbington, An English Handbook (Huddersfield: Schofield & Sims Ltd., 1965), 14.

[2] Francis D. Nichol, Edit., Seventh-day Adventist Commentary, Vol. 7 (Washington D. C.: Review & Herald, 1957), 852.

Revelation 16:12-16 The Last World War Armageddon

Tony — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 16:52:49 +0000

Rev 16:12. Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its waters was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared.

Looking at the traditional Adventist interpretation of the drying up of the river Euphrates, the waters on which Babylon sits on and when it dries up, means the finances to the city of Babylon have dried up, hence there is no longer any support, and therefore Babylon collapses. The term Kings from the East is generally defined as Christ´s Second Coming.

Questions to the above interpretation:

Does the River Euphrates mean many waters on which Babylon sits on?

Does the drying up of the river Euphrates mean drying up of financial support?

What is the Biblical meaning of Kings from the East?

Does the River Euphrates mean many waters on which Babylon sits on?

The text used to support this view is taken from Rev. 17:15. The waters which you saw, were the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. This text is referring to Rev 17:1. Come I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters.

What do many waters mean in the book of Revelation?

Rev 1:15. His voice as the sound of many waters. (Refers to the voice of Christ in heaven).

Rev 14:2. And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps. (Refers to the 144,000 voices in heaven singing a new song verse 3).

Rev 17:1. Come I will show the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters.

Rev 17:15. The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues. (These people are related to one voice of praise and worship to the fallen church worldwide, which is opposite to the voices of the 144,000 who keep the Ten Commandments of God and the faith of Jesus Christ Rev 14:12).

Rev 19:6. And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunder, saying, Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns.

Conclusion

Many waters are related to the voice of Christ up in heaven and the 144,000 up in heaven. Many waters are also related to the 144,000 singing a new song and the voice of the great multitude praising God in heaven. They also keep the Ten Commandments of God and the true faith of Jesus Christ. These commandments include the Sabbath day which is on a Saturday.

As regards to the harlot sitting on many waters, this represents the worldwide fallen church singing and praising God through false worship and teachings they have received from the scarlet beast. These teachings represent the wine of her fornication in Rev 17:2.3. These teachings are opposite to the Ten Commandments of God and the true faith in Jesus Christ. i.e. their holy day which is on a Sunday.

What do seas represent in the prophetical books of the Bible?

Isaiah 57:20. But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.

In the book of Daniel 7:2.3. Daniel saw in vision: the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. And four great beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other.

The interpretation is in Dan 7:17. Those great beasts, which are four, are four kings which arise out of the earth. These kings arose from the wicked nations of the earth like Europe, Asia Minor and the east.

As for rivers meaning seas and many waters is just speculation and therefore reading into the text what is not there.

Does the drying up of the river Euphrates mean the drying up of financial support? There is no Biblical text to support this view.

Analysis of the text Rev 16:12-16.

Rev 16:12 Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared.

Where is the river Euphrates?

It was the border between Gods people the Israelites, and their enemies. The border lies on the river flowing from the north and east of Israel. The enemies of Israel, who lived on the other side of the border, where e.g. Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persian etc.

What does it mean when the river Euphrates dries up?

It means that when the water has disappeared there is no border between Israel and their enemies. Hence, their enemies have direct access to attacking Israel.

What did this event mean to the kings from the east?

I have read many different commentaries and different interpretations of this text. Most are speculative also from the Adventist traditional approach. The traditional approach states that the kings from the east refer to Christ at his Second Coming from the east. Math 24:27 “For as the lightening comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” But this interpretation gives a problem with the grammar. The word kings is written in the plural and not singular. That means there is more than one king. Some theologians have tried to get around the text by saying that the Second Coming involves Christ, the Father and the Holy Spirit making three kings. Even more, Christ is coming from the east and he will meet his people who are the priesthood of all believers and kings with him. Rev 5:10. Again, these interpretations do not agree with the context of the passage and the rest of the Bible.

Kings from the east is an indirect expression used in the Old Testament.

It was an expression used for the enemies of Israel who lived just over the river Jordan or on the other side of the river Euphrates who came from the east of Israel, e.g. the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Assyrian and Babylonians. When the river Euphrates and river Jordan dried up in parts, mainly in the summer, then the enemies of Israel marched over the river, which was now dry ground, and this made it easier for the enemy to attack the Israelites. The enemies were referred to as the Kings from the east (Jos 11:2) kings of the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizites, Jebusites, Hivites

(Jos 11:3). When all these kings had met together, they came and camped together at the waters of Merom to fight against Israel.

Jos 11:4. So they went out, they and all their armies with them, as many people as the sand that is on the seashore in multitude. Jos 11:6. But the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid because of them, for tomorrow about this time I will deliver all of them slain before Israel. So it is God who does the fighting for his people in this text.

Jos 12:1. These are the kings of the land whom the children of Israel defeated, and whose land they possessed on the other side of the Jordan toward the rising of the sun (the east, “άνατολής anatolés” in the Greek), from the River Arnon to Mount Hermon, and all the eastern Jordan plain.

Jos 12:2 One king was Sihon king of the Amorites.

Jos 12:4 The other king was Og king of Bashan.

In addition, the east or rising of the sun refers to Northern Arabia, Syria, and Mesopotamia. This was the area where the Magi or Wise men came from, before visiting the child Jesus with their gifts in Bethlehem. Mat 2:1. Thus Haran was in the land of the people of the east Gen 29:1.4. The king of Moab later brought Balaam from Aram (that is Syria), out of the mountains of the east to curse the Israelites.

(Num 23:7. 22:5). Isaiah spoke of Cyrus, the Persian, as the righteous man from the east (Isa 41:2).

What does the text Rev 16:12-14 mean for us today?

It means there will come a time in the future when the border between believers in Christ and non-believers will be removed. The enemies of Christ thereafter will have access to destroying and exterminating all Christians who obey and teach the Ten Commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Rev 12:17. When the border of security and protection is removed from Christians, then the wicked will go in for the attack and the last world war Armageddon will take place. This will happen just before the Second Coming of Christ literally from the heavens and every eye will see him. Rev 1:7.

What else happens at that time according to Rev 16:13?

And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the dragon, out of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet.

OK! We are talking about Bible prophecy here in the text.

Who does the Dragon represent in Bible prophecy?

Rev 12:9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Who does the beast represent in Bible prophecy?

Rev 13:1-10. Rev 17:1-8. 2 Thess 2:1-12. Dan 7:7.8.19-25. Dan 8:9-12. Dan11:16-45.

The papacy and Roman Catholic Church system of worship.

Who does the false prophet represent in Bible prophecy?

Rev 19:20. Rev 13:11-13. First and foremost, the Protestant church in the USA, which have stopped protesting against the Roman Catholic Church; in addition, it refers to all the Protestant churches all over the world who have stopped protesting against the Roman Catholic Church since the days of Martin Luther.

The book Confrontation says, “Through two great errors, the immortality of the soul and Sunday sacredness, Satan will bring the people under his deceptions. While the former lays the foundation of spiritualism, the latter creates a bond of sympathy with Rome. The Protestants of the United States will be foremost in stretching their hands across the gulf to grasp the hand of spiritualism; they will reach over the abyss to clasp hands with the Roman power; and under the influence of this threefold union, this country will follow in the steps of Rome trampling on the rights of conscience[1].”

Rev 16:14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God almighty.

It is the spirits of demons who gather together and unite the Roman Catholic Church and Protestants throughout the whole world, through the means of spiritualism. Through two doctrines: the immortality of the soul and Sunday sacredness. Furthermore, these demons are working extra hard because they go out to all the kings of the earth who become the enemies of Gods people and attack them.

Notice “Kings” is in the plural just as kings from the East (rising of the sun) is in the plural in Rev 16:12. When the river Euphrates dries up; when the border of security and protection of Gods people on earth is removed by civil authorities; then the kings of the earth together with all the wicked go in for the attack against Gods people at the battle of Armageddon.

What does spiritualism mean for us today?

The Bible talks about spiritualism in some places. However, if the Bible teaches the dead cannot speak to us and we find one narrative where the dead speak, then we can be sure it is from Satan and not from God. For example, in 1 Sam 28:3-15. The story is about King Saul who has departed from the Lord and an evil spirit had overtaken him. King Saul was fighting the enemy the Philistines, and he needed counsel from the Lord, but the Lord would not speak to him. So he decided to seek the counsel of a medium who could speak to the dead, and the irony is, he himself had issued a law that mediums should not work in the land on the pain of death. Now he is visiting a medium.

To cut the story short, King Saul asks the medium to bring up the prophet Samuel from the dead. In 1 Sam 28:3 it explicitly states that Samuel had died. Verse 3. Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had lamented for him and buried him in Ramah, in his own city. And Saul had put the mediums and the spiritualists out of the land.

What does the Bible say about death?

Ecclesiastes 9:5.6.10. For the living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, their hatred, and their envy have perished; nevermore will they have a share in anything done under the sun. For there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.

The story carries on with Saul visiting the medium and asking her to bring Samuel up from the dead. 1 Sam 28:13.14. Saul asks her, What do you see?” She responds with, “I saw a spirit, ascending out of the earth. ”So he said to her, “What is his form?” And she said, “An old man is coming up, and he is covered with a mantle.” And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped; with his face to the ground and bowed down.

So who is the old man with a mantle? It is not Samuel because he is dead. The spirit is not from God because Ex 22:18 it says, “You shall not permit a sorceress to live.” The spirit comes from Satan and his evil angels who are demons and enjoy acting the persons of the deceased so as to deceive people and destroy them as in the case of King Saul.

Why is it important to understand what spiritualism is?

Because the evil spirits main objective is to destroy mankind just like they destroyed King Saul, both spiritually and physically. Spiritualism is the main component at the last world war Armageddon, when they gather the whole of the world to war against Gods people who keep the Ten Commandments of God and the faith of Jesus Christ.

Rev 16:13.14. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the dragon, out of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

The dragon represents Satan. The beast represents the papacy in the Roman Catholic Church system. The false prophet represents the Protestants in the USA who have stopped protesting against the papacy. Rev 19:20. Rev 13:11-13. They are the Protestant Christians who belong to the charismatic movement, who believe in signs and miracles more than they believe in the Bible. They are also the Protestants who gather in the mega and giga churches all over the USA.

Spiritualism has changed very much over the past 50 years. Before they were acquainted with talking to the dead at seances and communicating with them. They did not believe so much in the Bible and Jesus Christ. Now they accept everything. Spiritualism is incorporated into nearly every Protestant church in the world. How?

(Subject is spiritualism). While it formerly denounced Christ and the Bible, it now professes to accept both. But the Bible is interpreted in a manner that is pleasing to the unrenewed heart, while its solemn and vital truths are made of no effect. Love is dwelt upon as the chief attribute of God, but it is degraded to a weak sentimentalism, making little distinction between good and evil. God´s justice, His denunciations of sin, the requirements of His law, are all kept out of sight. The people are taught to regard the Decalogue as a dead letter.^[2]

As spiritualism more closely imitates the nominal Christianity of the day, it has greater power to deceive and ensnare. Satan himself is converted, after the modern order of things. He will appear in the character of an angel of light. Through the agency of spiritualism, miracles will be wrought, the sick will be healed, and many undeniable wonders will be performed. And as the spirits will profess faith in the Bible, and manifest respect for the institutions of the Church, their work will be accepted as a manifestation of divine power.[3]

It is true that spiritualism is now changing its form and, veiling some of its more objectionable features, is assuming a Christian guise.[4]

The divine precepts condemning sin and enforcing righteousness were set aside; truth was lightly regarded, and impurity was not only permitted but enjoined. Spiritualism declares that there is no death, no sin, no judgment, no retribution; that men are fallen demigods; that desire is the highest law; and that man is accountable only to himself.[5]

God´s justice, His denunciation of sin, the requirements of His holy law, are all kept out of sight. The people are taught to regard the Decalogue as a dead letter. Pleasing, bewitching fables captivate the senses and lead men to reject the Bible as the foundation of their faith. Christ is as verily denied as before; but Satan has so blinded the eyes of the people that the deception is not discerned.[6]

The wide diversity of belief in the Protestant Churches is regarded by many as decisive proof that no effort to secure a forced uniformity can ever be made. But there has been for years, in Churches of the Protestant faith, a strong and growing sentiment in favour of a union based upon common points of doctrine. To secure such a union, the discussion of subjects upon which all were not agreed-however important they might be from a Bible standpoint-must necessarily be waived.[7]

Through two great errors, the immortality of the soul and Sunday sacredness, Satan will bring the people under his deceptions. While the former lays the foundation of spiritualism, the latter creates a bond of sympathy with Rome. The Protestants of the United States will be foremost in stretching their hands across the gulf to grasp the hand of spiritualism; they will reach over the abyss to clasp hands with the Roman power; and under the influence of tis threefold union, this country will follow in the steps of Rome in trampling on the rights of conscience.[8]

Giga churches in the USA have about 10,000 to 30,000 people attending each week. They are a blend of believers and non-believers. One minister for one of these churches is Rick Warren who is the minister of Saddleback Church in Lake Forrest, California with 22,000 members.

Another giga church minister is Bill Hybels who presides over Willow Creek church in Chicago with 17,000 in attendance each week. I have visited this church on a Saturday night and before Hybels preached there was a professional electrical guitarist with drums etc., leading out in praising the Lord with songs.

The problem with these giga churches is that they have only a few doctrines, which one can say yes to, before one becomes a member. For example: They believe in the Bible, they believe in God the Father, God the Son and the Holy Spirit. They believe in the church, death and communion, and nothing else. Just like the teachings of spiritualism believe in.

2 Tim 4:3.4. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

When a giga church minister preachers from the pulpit, he does not talk about sin, the judgment of God or anything that will offend his hearers who are sitting in the congregation. Therefore, he is very limited to what he can talk about from the Bible. This goes for many preachers in the Lutheran church and other churches if they want people to come and listen to them.

Those people who come to listen to Bill Hybels in Willow Creek have a problem. They do not understand what sin is. It was found out after a 6 month investigation, that 18% of Hybels members had stolen, 12.5% had committed fornication with another person, and 27% of the men had looked at pornographic pictures. What did Hybels say about these sins? Not very much. He said to the congregation that the Holy Spirit must teach us to do things differently next time.[9]

Vi must remember that these giga church preachers are good to entertain a congregation with stories and jokes which are not related to the Bible at all. Jokes and stories one can see on the television all the time. The audience also come to listen and sing with a professional pop group with electric guitars and drums.

This is spiritualism disguised in sheep clothing and it is taught in many church growth seminars in many churches also in my own Seventh-day Adventist Church.

A third of the Bible teaches about the judgment of God. A third of the Bible teaches about sin. Vi cannot throw away two thirds of the Bible away just to please the audience. But this is what many preachers do in the giga and Protestant churches all around the world do.

“As spiritualism more closely imitates the nominal Christianity of the day, it has greater power to deceive and ensnare. Satan himself is converted, after the modern order of things. He will appear in the character of an angel of light. Through the agency of spiritualism, miracles will be wrought, the sick will be healed, and many undeniable wonders will be performed. And as the spirits will profess faith in the Bible, and manifest respect for the institutions of the Church, their work will be accepted as a manifestation of divine power.

The line of distinction professed Christians and the ungodly is now hardly distinguishable. Church members love what the world loves and are ready to join with them, and Satan determines to unite them in one body and thus strengthen his cause by sweeping all into the ranks of spiritualism. Papists, who boast of miracles as a certain sign of the true Church, will be readily deceived by this wonderworking power; and Protestants, having cast away the shield of truth, will also be deluded. Papists, Protestants, and the worldlings will alike accept the form of godliness without the power, and they will see in this union a grand movement for the conversion of the world and the ushering in of the long-expected millennium.”[10]

John Wimber is known for starting the “Vineyard Church,” which has spread all over the world. He began his first church in California, USA. Wimber centers his teachings in the church planting and church growth movement, which has also spread into many churches all over the world. What is church planting? It is when a group of Christians start up a new church group in a town or city.

John Wimber has taught at Fuller Theological Seminary in the USA. What are his Teachings? Church planting, evangelism, the gift of prophecy and healing. Some very well known people who have also taught church planting and church growth are Donald McGavaran and C. Peter Wagner and they have been employed at Fuller Seminary.

In 1983 Peter Wagner described the future of Pentecostal Christianity with three wave movements.[11]

The first wave movement began in the 1900´s with the Pentecostal movement.
The second wave was the charismatic movement in the 1950´s.
The third wave movement began in the 1980´s with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit coming on many members from Protestant churches who had the gift of prophecy and healing.

This third wave movement is called the signs and wonders movement, which comes from the teachings of Vineyard. In this movement one does not believe in the Ten Commandments of God. They do not use many teachings from the Bible. They concentrate on healing, the gift of prophecy, signs and wonders. If one would like to give their lives to Christ they do not have to repent of their sins as it says in the Bible. It is a matter of feelings. One feels saved.

This third wave movement is like the teachings and beliefs of spiritualism. A few teachings from the Bible and lots of signs and wonders and miracles. There are many people who belong to this charismatic movement or spiritualism and they do not know it.

What does Christ say about these teachings of signs and wonders and the gift of prophecy?

Matt 7:22.23. Many will say to me in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name, cast out demons in your name, and done many wonders in your name?” And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness!”

In conclusion I would say that spiritualism has entered the Protestant Church worldwide, through the Charismatic movement, the church growth and church planting movement, and the mega and giga church movement. How? These movements and churches tailor make the church services to fit the desires of the audience attending. They call it seeker services, to attract the seeker.

To do this they eliminate three quarters of the teachings of the Bible: every teaching that may offend the seeker like sin and the judgment of God. Without the judgment of God and the teachings of sin, one cannot come to know the real gospel through Jesus Christ. One is saved in their sins and not from their sins. This is the main aim of spiritualism. To prevent people coming to a knowledge of the true gospel of Jesus Christ. To achieve this, a good portion of the Bible teachings are eliminated and substituted for entertainment, comedy and a good pop group with electric guitars and drums as a backup.

When the majority of Christians accept this form of Christianity, then it is true what Christ says when he returns to this earth in Luke 18:8. “Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he really find faith on the earth?”

Maybe this is the reason why the Church growth movement has not worked in the Adventist Church, because God has his hand over the Church to prevent it from being influenced by Spiritualism. Furthermore, God is still waiting for the Adventist Church to complete the work of evangelism outreach to the world, by all the members going from door to door just like Christ, commanded his disciples to do in the early stages of his ministry.

Should Gods people who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus be afraid of Armageddon?

What did God say to Joshua when the kings from the east, the enemies of Gods people were preparing for an attack on the Israelites?

Jos 11:4-6. So they went out, they and all their armies with them, as many people as the sand that is on the seashore in multitude, with many horses and chariots. When all these kings had met together, they came and camped together at the waters of Merom to fight against Israel.

But the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid because of them, for tomorrow about this time I will deliver all of them slain before Israel. So it is God who does the fighting for his people in this text. It is God of the whole wide universe who wins the battle of Armageddon.

E.G. White quotations taken at random in relation to the war Armageddon and spiritualism

Why so many Ellen G. White quotations when this study should be exegesis from the Bible? Well there is not much written in the Bible about the seven last plagues. Ellen G. White is the only one who writes a considerable amount on the subject, and she must know what lies ahead in the future because she was a messenger of the Lord.

1. As the defenders of truth refuse to honor the Sunday-Sabbath, some of them will be thrust into prison, some exiled, and some will be treated as slaves[12].

2. As America, the land of religious liberty shall unite with the papacy in forcing the conscience and compelling men to honor the false Sabbath, the people of every country on the globe will be led to follow her example[13].

3. The plagues upon Egypt when God was about to deliver Israel were similar in character to those more terrible and extensive judgments which are to fall upon the world just before the deliverance of God´s people[14].

4. When Christ shall cease is work as mediator in man’s behalf, then this time of trouble will begin[15]. The time of trouble occurs before the Second Coming of Christ and referrers to the time of the seven plagues in Rev 16:

5. When he leaves the sanctuary, darkness covers the inhabitants of the earth. In that fearful time the righteous must live in the sight of a holy God without an intercessor. The restraint which has been upon the wicked is removed, and Satan has entire control of the finally impenitent – – – Satan will then plunge the inhabitants of the earth into one great final trouble[16].

6. Those who honor the law of God have been accused of bringing judgments upon the earth (e.g. seven plagues) and they will be regarded as the cause of the fearful convulsions of nature and strife and bloodshed among men that are filling the earth with woe. The power attending the last warning has enraged the wicked; their anger is kindled against all who have received the message, and Satan will excite to still greater intensity the spirit of hatred and persecution[17].

7. It will be urged that the few who stand in opposition to an institution of the Church and a law of the State ought not to be tolerated; that it is better for them to suffer than the whole nation to be thrown into confusion and lawlessness – – -. This argument will appear conclusive; a decree will finally be issued against those who hallow the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, denouncing them as deserving of the severest punishment and giving the people liberty after a certain time, to put them to death[18].

8. As the decree issued by the various rulers of Christendom against commandment keepers shall withdraw the protection of government and abandon them to those who desire their destruction, the people of God flee from the cities and villages and associate together in companies, dwelling in the most desolate and solitary places – – -. But many of all nations and of all classes, high and low, rich and poor, black and white, will be cast into the most unjust and cruel bondage. The beloved of God pass weary days, bound in chains, shut in by prison bars, sentenced to be slain, some apparently left to die of starvation in dark and loathsome dungeons[19].

9. The people of God will not be free from suffering; but while persecuted and distressed, while they endure privation and suffer for want of food they will not be left to perish – – -. While the wicked are dying from hunger and pestilence, angels will shield the righteous and supply their wants. To him that walketh righteously is the promise: “Bread shall be given him; has waters shall be sure.” Is 33:16[20].

10. The decree will go forth that they must disregard the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, and honor the first day, or lose their lives: but they will not yield, and trample under their feet the Sabbath of the Lord, and honor the institution of the papacy. Satan´s host and wicked men will surround them, and exult over them, because there will seem to be no way of escape for them[21].

11. When the protection of human laws shall be withdrawn from those who honor the law of God (the Ten Commandments), there will be, in different lands, a simultaneous movement for their destruction. As the time appointed in the decree draws near, the people will conspire to root out the hated sect. It will be determined to strike in one night a decisive blow, which shall utterly silence the voice of dissent[22].

12. As the siege of Jerusalem by the Roman armies was the signal for flight to the Judean Christians, so the assumption of power on the part of our nation (United States of America) in the decree enforcing the papal Sabbath (Sunday) will be a warning to us. It will then be time to leave the large cities – – –[23].

13. I saw the saints leaving the cities and villages, and associating together in companies, and living in the most solitary places[24].

14. Let the principle once be established in the United States that the Church may employ or control the power of the state; that religious observances may be enforced by secular laws, in short, that the authority of the church and state is to dominate the conscience, and the triumph of Rome in this country is assured[25].

15. The spirits of devils will go forth to the kings of the earth and to the whole world, to fasten them in deception, and urge them on to unite with Satan in his last struggle against the government of heaven[26].

16. When the leading churches of the United States, uniting upon such points of doctrine as are held by them in common, shall influence the state to enforce their decrees and to sustain their institutions, then Protestant America will have formed an image of the Roman hierarchy, and the infliction of civil penalties upon dissenters will inevitably result[27].

17. And under the influence of this threefold union, this country will follow in the steps of Rome in trampling on the rights of conscience[28].

18. Human laws will be made so stringent that men and women will not dare to observe the seventh-day Sabbath. For fear of wanting food and clothing, they will join with the world in transgressing God´s law. The earth will be wholly under my (Satan´s) dominion[29].

19. With shouts of triumph, jeering and imprecation throngs of evil men are about to rush upon their prey, when, lo, a dense blackness, deeper that the darkness of the night, falls upon the earth[230].

20. As Satan influenced Esau to march against Jacob, so he will stir up the wicked to destroy God´s people in the time of trouble[31].

21. Next came the multitude of the angry wicked and next a mass of evil angels, hurrying on the wicked to slay the saints. But before they could approach God´s people, the wicked must first pass this company of mighty holy angels. This was impossible[32].

22. The world has rejected His (God´s) mercy, despised his love, and trampled upon his law. The wicked have passed the boundary of their probation; the Spirit of God persistently resisted, has been at last withdrawn. Unsheltered by divine grace, they have no protection from the wicked one. Satan will plunge the inhabitants of the earth into one great, final trouble. As the angels of God cease to hold in check the fierce winds of human passion, all the elements of strife will be let loose. The whole world will be involved in ruin more terrible than that which came upon Jerusalem of old[33].

23. The wicked will be distinguished by their efforts to tear down the Creator´s memorial and to exult the institution of Rome. In the issue of the conflict all Christendom will be divided into two great classes, those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and those who worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark[34].

24. The Roman Church is far-reaching in her plans and modes of operation. She is employing every device to extend he influence and increase her power in preparation for a fierce and determined conflict to regain control of the world, to re-establish persecution, and to undo all that Protestantism has done. Catholicism is gaining ground upon every side. See the increasing number of her churches and chapels in Protestant countries. Look at the popularity of her colleges and seminaries in America, so widely patronized by Protestants. Look at the growth of ritualism in England and the frequent defections to the ranks of the Catholics. These things should awaken the anxiety of all who prize the pure principles of the Gospel[35].

28. Papists, who boast of miracles as a certain sign of the true Church, will be readily deceived by this wonder-working power; and Protestants, having cast away the shield of truth, will also be deluded. Papists, Protestants, and the worldlings will alike accept the form of godliness without the power, and they will see in this union a grand movement for the conversion of the world and the ushering in of the long-expected millennium[36].

29. Through spiritualism, Satan appears as a benefactor of the race, healing the diseases of the people, and professing to present a new and more exalted system of religious faith; But at the same time he works as a destroyer[37].

30. The miracle-working power manifested through spiritualism will exert its influence against those who choose to obey God rather than men. Communications from the spirits will declare that God has sent them to the rejecters of Sunday of their error, affirming that the laws of the land should be obeyed as the law of God. They will lament the great wickedness in the world and second the testimony of the religious teachers that the degraded state of morals is caused by the desecration of Sunday. Great will be the indignation excited against all who refuse to accept their testimony[38].

31. As the crowning act in the great drama of deception, Satan himself will personate Christ. The Church has long professed to look to the Savior’s advent as the consummation of her hopes. Now the great deceiver will make it appear that Christ has come. In different parts of the earth, Satan will manifest himself among men as a majestic being of dazzling brightness, resembling the description of the Son of God given by John in Revelation 1:13-15. The people prostrate themselves in adoration before him, while he lifts his hands and pronounces a blessing upon them, as Christ blessed his disciples when he was upon the earth – – – he heals the diseases of the people, and then in his assumed character of Christ, he claims to have changed the Sabbath to Sunday, and commands all to hallow the day which he has blessed. He declares that those who persist in keeping holy the seventh day are blaspheming his name by refusing to listen to his angels sent to them with light and truth. This is the strong almost overwhelming delusion[39].

When this false Christ comes, he will accept adoration and homage and people will prostrate themselves before him. This picture is like when a pope receives homage from his subjects on a large scale.

32. These plagues enraged the wicked against the righteous; they thought that we had brought the judgments of God upon them and that if they could rid the earth of us the plagues would then be stayed. A decree went fourth to slay the saints[40].

33. All unite in heaping their bitterest condemnation upon the ministers – – -. God´s Word is made of none effect by false shepherds . . . Their work will soon react upon themselves. Then will be witnessed the scenes described in Revelation 18 when the judgments of God shall fall upon mystical Babylon[41].

34. Many will be laid to sleep before the fiery ordeal of the time of trouble shall come upon the world[42].

35. The Lord has often instructed me that many little ones are to be laid away before the time of trouble[43].

[1] Ellen G. White, Confrontation, 588.

[2] White, Confrontation, 558.

[3] Ibid., 588.

[4] Ibid., 557.558.

[5] Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets (Mountainview, California: Pacific Press Pub., Assoc., 1958), 688.

[6] White, Confrontation, 558.

[7] Ibid., 444.

[8] Ibid., 588.

[9] G. A. Pritchard, Willow Creek Seeker Services (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book, 1996), 264.

[10] Ibid., 588.589.

[11] Matthias Deininger, Global Pentecostalism: An Inquiry into the Cultural Dimensions of Globalization (Hamburg: Anchor Academic Pub., 2014), 48.

[12] Ibid., 608.

[13] Ellen G. White, Testimonies to the Church, Vol. 6 (Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Pub., 1948), 18.

[14] White, Confrontation, 627.628.

[15] Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets (Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Pub., 1958), 201.

[16] White, Confrontation, 614.

[17] Ibid., 614.615.

[18] Ibid., 615.616.

[19] Ibid., 626.

[20] Ibid., 629

[21] White, Testimonies to the Church, Vol. 1, 353.354.

[22] White, Confrontation, 635.

[23] White, Testimonies to the Church, 464.465.

[24] Ellen G. White, Early Writings, (Washington D.C.: Review & Herald, 1945), 282.

[25] White, Confrontation, 581.

[26] Ibid., 624.

[27] Ibid., 445.

[28] Ibid., 588.

[29] Ellen G. White, Prophets and Kings (Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Pub., 1943), 184.

[30] White, Confrontation, 635.

[31] Ibid., 618.

[32] White, Early Writings, 283.284.

[33] White, Confrontation, 614.

[34] White, Testimonies to the Church, Vol. 9, 16.17.

[35] Ibid., 565. 566.

[36] Ibid., 588. 589.

[37] Ibid., 589.

[38] Ibid., 590. 591.

[39] Ibid., 634.

[40] Ellen G. White, Early Writings, (Washington D.C.: Review & Herald, 1945), 36.37.

[41] Ellen G. White, Manuscript 60, 1900.

[42] Ellen G. White, Counsels on Health (Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Assoc., 1897),375.

[43] Ellen G. White, Selected Messages 2 (Washington D.C.: Review & Herald Pub. Assoc., 1958), 259.

Revelation 19:1-21. The Last Worldwide War on this Earth

Tony — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 12:21:17 +0000

Revelation 19

Rev 19.1.2. And after these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honour and power belong to the Lord our God. For true and righteous are his judgments, because he has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and he has avenged on her the blood of his servants shed by her.”

Rev 18: writes about the judgment and the fall of Babylon representing the fallen world-wide church. It is God who has judged Babylon the great harlot in Rev 19:1.2.

There are two women in the book of Revelation. One woman is a symbol of the true church keeping the Ten Commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ Rev 12:1.17. The other woman is the harlot who is symbol of all people who do not keep the Ten Commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. This harlot represents the fallen world-wide church as outlined in Rev 17:

Rev 19:1.2. says that this harlot has corrupted the earth with her fornication. What does this fornication mean? For a full explanation see my website www.ayindk.com/Rev 17:2. Rev 18:3. In short it represents false teachings and false gods in opposition to the teachings in the Bible and God almighty.

Rev 19:1.2. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants shed by her.

When did this blood of God´s servants occur? During the Dark Middle Ages 538-1798, when the papacy was responsible for the killing of over 50 million Roman Catholic church members by burning at the stake because they followed the teachings of the Bible and not of the papacy.

Rev 19:7-9. Let us be glad and rejoice and give him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his wife has made herself ready. And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, “Write: Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!”

Who is the bride whom Christ is married to?

In the Bible, God is married to the church.

Ephesians 5:23.25. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church. Husbands love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for her.

In the Bible, God is married to a nation like Israel and Judah.

Jeremiah 3:6. (Refers to Israel). The Lord said also to me in the days Josiah the king, “Have you seen what backsliding Israel has done? She has gone up on every high mountain and under every tree, and there played the harlot.

Jeremiah 3:14. “Return O backsliding children,” says the Lord, “for I am married to you.”

Jeremiah 3:8. The I saw that for all the causes for which backsliding Israel had committed adultery, I had put her away and given her a certificate of divorce, yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear, but went and played the harlotry also.

In the Bible, God is married to the city of Jerusalem.

Isaiah 62:1. (This verse refers to the city of Jerusalem). For Zion´s sake I will not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem`s sake I will not rest, until her righteousness goes fourth as brightness and her salvation as a lamp that burns.

Isaiah 62:5. And as a bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.

It is interesting to note that Ellen G. White writes, “The marriage represents the reception by Christ of his kingdom. The Holy City, the New Jerusalem, which is the capital and representative of the kingdom, is called the bride, the Lamb´s wife. Clearly, then, the bride represents the Holy City, and the virgins that go out to meet the bridegroom are a symbol of the church. In the Revelation the people of God are said to be guests at the marriage supper. Rev 19:9. If guests, they cannot be represented also as the bride.”[1]

So, she says the bride in this context of Rev 19:9 represents the Holy City and the kingdom of Christ, agreeing with the concept in the Bible that the bride of Christ has many meanings depending on the context.

Rev 19:8. And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.

Does the linen represent the righteous acts of the saints or Christ´s righteousness?

Matthew 10:41. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man´s reward.

Mathew 13:17. I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see and did not see it – – -.

Matthew 13:43. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.

Matthew 23:28. Even so you (the Pharisees Mat 23:27.) also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

Mark 2:17. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Romans 3:10. As it is written: There is none righteous no, not one.

Romans 5:19. For as by one man´s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by on man´s obedience many will be made righteous.

1 John 2:1. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

1 John 3:12. Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother´s righteous.

Conclusion

Righteous men are believers in God and evil wicked men are not righteous. There is none righteous in the sight of God. We are made righteous by one man: Jesus Christ´s obedience. True linen represents the righteous acts of the saints, while false linen represents the evil and wicked acts of the ungodly.

“By their wedding garment in the parable is represented (Matthew 22:1-14) the pure, spotless character which Christ´s true followers will possess. To the Church it is given `that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white, ` `not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing. ` Rev 19:8. The fine linen, says the Scripture, is the righteousness of the saints. ` Ephesians 5:27. It is the righteousness of Christ, His own unblemished character, that through faith is imparted to all who receive him as their personal Saviour.”[2]

Rev 19:9. “Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!”

What is this marriage supper of the Lamb?

This supper is also mentioned in Rev 19:17.18. Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great.”

Now this is symbolic language describing some kind of war.

Why do the birds of the air eat the flesh of humans? This was an Old Testament phrase used to describe the enemy’s outcome and the dreaded end of their life, e.g. 1 Samuel 17:44-46. (These verses describe the battle between David and Goliath). And the Philistine said to David, “Come to me, I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!” Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defiled.”

“This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.”

Birds of prey are also named in the New Testament like in Luke 17:34-37. “I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left. Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left. Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left.” And they answered and said to him, Where Lord?” So he said to them, “Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together.”

When do these birds of prey like eagles eat their prey of people who are taken? This occurs at the marriage supper of Christ and when the New Jerusalem descends out of heaven to this earth. This marriage supper can only take place after the 1,000 years millennium and not before. Hence, Rev 19:11-21 is not describing the Second Coming of Christ as many Bible commentaries explain and I the author of this study has believed, but it is referring to the third coming of Christ after the 1,000 years millennium and after the second resurrection.

Rev 19:10. And I fell at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

What does the testimony of Jesus mean in the book of Revelation?

Rev 1:1.2. The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants – things which must shortly take place. And he sent and signified it by his angel of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ to all things that he saw.

Rev 1:9. I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Rev 6:9. When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.

Rev 11:7. When they finished their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit (Satan) will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. (They refers to the Old Testament and the New Testament and those Christians who believe in the Bible).

Rev 12:11. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. (Christian believers).

Rev 12:17. The dragon was wroth with the woman and the remnant of her seed, those who keep the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Conclusion

The testimony of Jesus Christ are related to the following: Word of God, Revelation of Jesus Christ in the book of Revelation, Worship God, Spirit of prophecy, the commandments of God, overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and they did not love their lives unto death.

Rev 19:11. Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And he who sat on him was called Faithfull and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.

Why a white a horse?

Rev 6:2. And I Looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. (See my website www.ayindk.com/Rev 6:1.2., for a full explanation of a white horse). In short, a white horse is related to the following: horses in the Bible are used and are related to war, battle, army, to conquer, spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, to kill, death and hades, hunger, plagues, judgment and the military.

This white horse in Rev 19:11 is not related to saving the righteous saints, but it is going into battle or war to inflict punishment and judgment on sinners who have not repented. This is a large military exercise.

Rev 19:11. And he who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.

Who is the rider of the white horse called Faithfull and True?

Rev 1:5. And from Jesus Christ, the Faithfull witness.

Rev 3:14. These things says the Amen, the Faithfull and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God.

Conclusion

The Faithfull and True Witness is Jesus Christ.

Rev 19:11. And in righteousness he judges and makes war.

He judges and makes war could refer to Armageddon or the war after the 1000 years millennium. The great question is which one? We find out when we carry on with our study in Rev 19:11-21.

Rev 19:12. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except himself.

What does eyes like a flame of fire mean symbolically?

Rev 1:14. His head and hair were like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes like a flame of fire. (This is Christ in this text representing as our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary as he goes between the seven golden lampstands. Rev 1:13. He is clothed with a garment down to his feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. The seven lampstands represent the seven churches from the time of Christ to the Second Coming of Christ. Rev 1:20.)

Daniel 10:6. His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightening, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze in colour, and the sound of his words like the voice of a multitude. (This text is related to verses 13 and 20 where Michael a symbol of Christ is fighting the prince of Persia so as to establish the kingdom of Greece as foretold on Daniel 2: the prophecy of the statue revealing different Empires that will rule the world).

Conclusion

Eyes like a flame of fire indicate that Christ in Revelation is fighting for the church in different time periods through history in the future. In addition, Christ in Daniel 10: was fighting the Prince of Persia so as to establish the kingdom of Greece as foretold in Daniel 2:

Rev 19:12. And on his head were many crowns.

In the Greek the word crowns is δίαδηματα in the Greek, which is from the root word diadems.

Walter Brown says the word means the sign of royalty. It is a blue band trimmed with white, on the tiara, hence a symbol of royalty.[3]

In Rev 19:12 it is Jesus Christ who has many crowns and not just one crown of divine royal authority from heaven. When he has many crowns, this means he has the ultimate divine royal power and authority. Christ has the divine royal power and authority to go into war and he has the right to judge all nations and inflict punishment upon all the wicked non-believers on the earth.

Rev 19:12. He had a name written that no one knew except himself.

Christ has many names used in many situations, but Christ here does not want anyone to know his name because of the circumstances he is using it. That is, he is going into war to annihilate all non-believers who have rebelled against him on the earth. This is an event he does not want to remember. On the other hand, God is with his people who believe in him as their God. Matthew 1:23. Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call his name Immanuel, which is translated “God with us.” Hence, God is not with all the non-believers who rebel against him and make war against him, and he does not want his name to be known in this situation.

Rev 19:13. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called the Word of God.

This verse is a very important verse and indicator of which war the text is talking about.

What does it mean when Christ´s robe is dipped in blood?

Isaiah 63:1-3. Who is this who comes from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah, this one who is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? “I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save.” Why is your apparel red, and your garments like one who treads in the winepress? “I have trodden the winepress alone, and from the peoples no one was with me. For I have trodden them in my anger and trampled them in my fury; Their blood is sprinkled upon my garments, and I have stained all my robes. Verse 4. For the day of vengeance is in my heart, and the year of my redeemed has come. Verse 6. I have trodden down the peoples in my anger, made them drunk in my fury and brought down their strength to the earth.”

In this text the day of fury and vengeance is likened to a winepress. A winepress in Palestine today is about two-meter square or round, made from stone and is divided into two sections: the one lower than the other. The higher section was where the grapes were put and then they were trampled down with the feet of humans. The hem of their robes or dresses were sprinkled with red juice from the grapes. This juice then ran through a conduit to the lower section where it was taken up and poured into sacks made from sheep or goat skins.

In Rev 19:15 Christ is pictured as treading the wine press of the fierceness of his wrath. But instead of treading grapes into juice, he is treading upon the wicked non-believers and his robe is dipped in blood. Rev 19:13.

In Isaiah 63:1-6 the prophet writes about the victory of the Messiah (Jesus Christ) over all his enemies like the people from Edom who were the descendants of Esau. The Messiah treads the winepress of his fury against the Edomites.

In Rev 14:17-20 is a similar description of treading the winepress of God´s fury over all the wicked non-believers over all the earth. “And another angel came from the altar, who had power over fire, and he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, `Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe.` So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horse’s bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs.” (1,600 furlongs=184 miles=296 kilometres).

There are two instances that reveal the place and time when this happens in Rev 14:17-20.

The first is when the angel has power over fire. When does God use fire to annihilate the wicked non-believers? Not at the Second Coming of Christ. It is at the end of the 1.000-year millennium and the second resurrection of the wicked non-believers. Rev 20:9. They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them.
The second instance is when the winepress was trampled outside the city. When Christ came at the Second Coming, the beloved city the New Jerusalem was up in heaven. So, this event cannot be at the Second Coming of Christ. This event is also after the 1,000 year-millennium when the wicked non-believers were trampled down outside the city, the New Jerusalem after it came down from heaven to this earth as a bride.

Conclusion

So now we have the place and time of the treading of the winepress of God´s fury upon the wicked non-believers. It is not at the Second Coming of Christ as many Bible commentaries indicate, but it is after the 1,000 year-millennium, after the second resurrection and after the third coming of Christ to this earth. In fact, the whole of Rev 19:1.21 refers to the time after the 100 year-millennium, after the second resurrection and after the third coming of Christ to this earth. This is the marriage of the Lamb Jesus Christ to the New city of Jerusalem and all the saints are invited to the marriage supper.

Let us carry on with the verse in Rev 19:13. His name is called the Word of God.

Where do we find the Word of God in the Bible?

John 1:1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:14. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory – – -.

Conclusion

These verses in John 1:1.14. refer to Jesus Christ being the Word of God who dwelt among us.

Rev 19:14. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed him on white horses.

Who are the armies in heaven?

Matthew 24:31. And he will send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Matthew 25:31. When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him.

Hebrews 12:22. But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels.

2 Kings 6:16.17. (The Syrian army was sent to Dothan to capture Elisha the prophet, because he was revealing the where-abouts of the king of Syria and his plans to make war with Israel, to the king of Israel. The Syrian army surrounded the city of Dothan). So, he answered (his servant), “Do not fear, for who are with us are more than those who are with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

When-ever many horses are used in vision in prophecy they are always related to battle, war or going in for an attack against the enemy. See my website www.ayindk/What do horses mean in prophecy?

Rev 19:15. Now out of his mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it he should strike the nations.

What is the prophetic symbol of a sword which is ρομφαία in the Greek?

Rev 19:21. And the rest were killed with a sword which proceeded from the mouth of him who sat on the horse.

Rev 1:16. He (Christ) had in his right hand seven stars, out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and his countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.

Rev 2:12. And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, “These things says he who has the sharp two-edged sword.”

Rev 2:16. Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

Rev 6:8. So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was death, and Hades followed him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth.

Luke 2:35. (Simon says to Mary in the temple). A sword shall pierce through thy own soul.

Conclusion

Sword proceeding from the mouth of Christ is a symbol of words of power proceeding from the mouth of Christ leading to destruction and death over the wicked non-believers.

Rev 19:15. And he himself will rule them with a rod of iron.

What does it mean to rule with a rod of iron?

Rev 2:26.27. (To the church in Thyatira). And he who overcomes, and keeps my works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations – He shall rule them with a rod of iron; they shall be dashed to pieces like the potter´s vessel.

Rev 12:5. She bore a male child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron.

Psalm 2:7.8. (A text related to the Messiah). I will declare a decree: The Lord has said to me, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will give you the nations for your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron; you shall dash them to pieces like a potter´s vessel.”

Conclusion

The citation, “rule with a rod of iron,” refers to breaking the wicked non-believing nations with a rod of iron and dashing them to pieces like a potter´s vessel. Hence it means total destruction.

Rev 19:15. He himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

When Christ treads the winepress and wrath of Almighty God, this also refers to the total destruction of all the wicked non-believers after the 1,000-year millennium when God sends eternal fire down from heaven and destroys them all. (See the study in Rev 19:13).

Rev 19:16. And he has on his robe and on his thigh a name written: King of kings and Lord of lords.

Are there other texts in the Bible with this name?

Rev 17:4. These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with him are called chosen and faithful. (This text is related to Rev 16:12-16, which is about the world-wide war Armageddon taking place just before the Second Coming of Christ. Christ who is the Lamb, overcomes all the political and religious nations in the world because he is the King of all kings and Lord of all lords).

1 Timothy 6:13-15. I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ´s appearing, which he will manifest in his own time, he who is blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords. (The he in this text refers to God the Father who is also the King of kings and Lord of all lords. Therefore, both the Father and Christ share this title).

Conclusion

It is possible that after the 1,000-year millennium, the second resurrection and when fire comes down from heaven and devours all the wicked non-believers, that Christ and the heavenly Father are present going from the texts Rev 19:16 and 1 Timothy 6:13-15.

Rev 19:17.18. Then I saw and angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather together for the supper of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great.”

The only texts in the Old Testament related to Rev 19:17.18. is in Ezekiel 39:1-6. And you son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say, “Thus says the Lord God: Behold I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal; and I will turn you around and lead you on, bringing you up from the far north, and bring you against the mountains of Israel. Then I will knock the bow out of your right hand. You shall fall upon the mountains of Isarel, you and all your troops and peoples who are with you; I will give you to birds of prey of every sort and to the beasts of the field to be devoured. `You shall fall upon the open field; for I have spoken, ` says the Lord God. `And I will send fire on Magog and on those who live in security in the coastlands. Then they shall know that I am the Lord. `”

Ezekiel 39:17-20. (the sacrificial meal). “And as for you, son of man, thus says the Lord God, `Speak to every sort of bird and to every beast of the field: “Assemble yourselves and come; gather together from all sides to my sacrificial meal which I am sacrificing or you, a great sacrificial meal on the mountains of Israel, that you may eat the flesh and drink blood. You shall eat the flesh of the mighty, drink the blood of the princes of the earth, of rams and lambs, of goats and bulls, all of them fatlings of Bashan. You shall eat fat till you are full, and drink blood till you are drunk, at my sacrificial meal which I am sacrificing for you. You shall be filled at my table with horses and riders, with mighty men and with all the men of war,” says the Lord God.

Ezekiel writes about Gog and Magog in Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39, but no one has ever found or even heard of these places. Archaeologists have never found a place called Gog or Magog. The only other text that mentions these places Gog ang Magog is in Rev 20:8, and this is a prophecy describing the fall off Satan and the wicked nations of non-believers who are raised up at the second resurrection after the 1,000 years millennium. So, the context of Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39 fits in very perfectly with the text in Rev 20:7-9. Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison, and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp pf the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them.

Rev 19:19. And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him who sat on the horse and against his army.

The beast is a symbol of the papacy in the Roman Catholic church system. (See my website www.ayindk.com/ Rev 13:1-10). The kings of the earth are a symbol of all the leaders and governments throughout all the earth. (See my website www. ayindk.com/ Rev 17:12.13. They and their armies are gathered after the 1,000-year millennium and after the second resurrection of the wicked, they are gathered together to make war against Christ and his army of angels and those inside the new city of Jerusalem. This all happens in Rev 20:7-9.

Rev 19:20. Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshipped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.

Who is the beast and who is the false prophet in this text?

If you look at my website www.ayindk.com/Rev 13:1-10 and Rev 13:11-18. It tells you from the study that the beast is the papacy in the Roman Catholic church system around the world. The false prophet is a symbol of false Protestantism in the USA. The mark of the beast is explained in www.ayindk,com/Rev 13:14.15.

When will the beast representing the papacy in the Roman Catholic church system be thrown into the lake of fire?

When will the false prophet representing false Protestantism in the USA be thrown into the lake of fire?

The lake of fire surrounding the earth appears when God in Rev 20:9.10. sends fire down from heaven. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are.

This happens after the 1,000-year millennium and the second resurrection of the wicked non-believers.

Rev 19.21. And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.

The word sword in the Greek is ρομφαία. We have already studied about the word sword in Rev 19:15. This sword is used symbolically for death.

And all the birds were filled with their flesh is also symbolic of death.

What happened to all the billions of wicked non-believers surrounding the New City of Jerusalem after the 1,000-year millennium and the second resurrection?

They were all destroyed in the lake of fire which came down from God out of heaven and devoured them.

[1] Ellen G. White, Confrontation, (Grantham, Lincolnshire: The Stanborough Press, 1978), 426.427.

[2] Ellen G. White, Christ Object Lessons,

[3] Walter Bauer, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and other Early Christian Literature, (Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1958), 182.