second coming of Christ – B I B L E – ONLY

Revelation 6:9-11. Fifth Seal with Souls Under the Altar

Tony — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 13:59:58 +0000

The Fifth Seal – The cry of the martyrs under the altar

Rev 6:9-11 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 (of the Lamb, in the Greek) which they held. They cried: “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.

In the book of Revelation, references are made to the heavenly sanctuary every now and then. For example in Rev 1:12.13., it mentions Christ who is our High Priest standing among the seven lampstands in the Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary. The Lamb was slain Rev 5:6. The altar of burnt offering where the blood was poured out at the base of the altar Rev 6:9.10. Incense offered at the golden altar before the Lord Rev 8:3.4. The temple of God and the altar was measured Rev 11:1. The temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple (In the Most Holy Place). Rev 11:19.

OK! Which altar did the apostle John see in his vision? Was it the altar of burnt offering or the altar of incense? The only altar where it refers to blood under the altar or at the base (bottom or foundation) of the altar is in Ex 29:10-13 at the consecration of Aaron and his sons to the priesthood. They had just killed a bull and burnt all the fat and entrails on the altar and afterwards they poured the blood out at the base of the altar Ex 29:12.

In Lev 4:7. And the priests shall put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of sweet incense before the Lord, which is in the tabernacle of meeting; and he shall pour the remaining blood of the bull at the base (bottom or foundation) of the altar of the burnt offering, which is at the door of the tabernacle of meeting.

So it is the altar of burnt offering John saw in vision. What about the souls under the altar? Where they really souls? We have to remember that this was a vision and not reality. Why? Because when we die, we lie in the grave until the day of resurrection, when Christ shall appear and call us out of the grave at the Second Coming of Christ. (See the title on my website, “what happens when we die?”) So this is a vision of people who had been slain for the word of God.

From which time?

Math 23:29-35. (This is Christ talking about the woes upon the scribes and Pharisees). Verses 34.35. Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zachariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.

St. Bartholomew’s massacre

So all who have been slain for the word of God would refer to all believers from the time of Abel to the time of Zachariah and thereafter. This would include all the millions that were slain during the Dark Middle Ages by the papacy in the Roman Catholic Church.

Rev 6:11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the (number) of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.

Rev 6:9.10. Refer to all the believers who have been slain for the word of God through all ages. Rev 6:11 refers to a time in the future when Christians who keep the Ten Commandments of God and the faith of Jesus Christ will be slain. These white robes which were given to the those slain under the altar are related to the white robes given to the great multitude standing before the throne of God in heaven, after the Second of Coming of Christ. Rev 7:9. Even more so, those slain for the word of God during all ages would be related to the 144,000, who will be sentenced to death in the future, because they will not worship the image of the beast Rev 13:15. The souls under the altar of burnt offering are related to the 144,000, because the text Rev 6:11 states “until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.” Therefore, those who were killed for the word of God through all ages of time, are related to those who will be killed for the word of God in the future, just before Christ´s Second coming.

To explain more about those slain for the word of God through all the ages and the 144.000, I would like look to use Ellen G. White´s writings to clarify this text in Rev 6:9-11. (To find the literary source of Ellen G, Whites writings see the link: www.whiteestate.org

Referring to Rev 6:8-11 White writes, “Here were scenes presented to John that were not in reality, but that which would be in a period of time in the future.” ((1)). Ellen G. White wrote this article in 1898, so the future is after 1898 and not before.

The earth was filled with transgression (Refers to the seven plagues in the future Rev 16:). The voices of those who had been sacrificed to human envy and hatred were crying beneath the altar for retribution. ((2)).

When the fifth seal was opened, John the Revelator in vision saw beneath the altar the company that were slain for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. After this came the scenes described in the eighteenth of Revelation, when those who are faithful and true are called out from Babylon. ((3)).

This citation is referring to the text in Rev 18: and applies to the time before the Second Coming of Christ.

For example in Rev 18:2 And he cried mightily with a loud vice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird!

Rev 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.” (Babylon in this text is referring to all the false churches throughout the world who do not keep the Ten Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus Christ. Rev 12:17, Rev 14:12).

Rev 18:8 Therefore her plagues will come in one day – death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her. (This is referring to the seven plagues in Rev 16: which will come upon all Christians worshipping in these false churches worldwide).

Rev 18:24 In her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and all who were slain on the earth. (In parallel with Rev 6:9 this text gives the reason why the plagues will fall on these false churches worldwide. Because they are responsible for shedding the blood of innocent Christians who believe in God with all their hearts and all their minds).

Rev 17:16 And the ten horns you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot (Babylon), make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire. (The ten horns represent all the political kingdoms on the earth. When they realize that they have been deceived by all the false churches in the world, who preach that we should not keep the Ten Commandments of God e.g. Keeping Sunday as a holy day and not the Sabbath which is on a Saturday. Then they will persecute all the cardinals, bishops, priests and false Christians in all the false churches worldwide).

Rev 6:9.10. Refer to the past, from the blood of Abel to the present time. However, Rev 6:11 refers to the future. Rev 6:11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the (number) of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.

The white robe is related to the white robes given to the great multitude in heaven Rev 7:9.13. However, these fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed, refers to a time in the future and refers to a special group of Christians namely the 144,000 in Rev 7:1-8.14.15. Rev 14:1.

By condemning the people of God to death, they have as truly incurred the guilt of their blood as if it had been shed by their hands. ((4)).

This citation applies to the 144,000 living just before the Second Coming of Christ. They will experience the war of Armageddon, were they will be condemned to death by the beast coming out of the earth, who had two horns like a lam and spoke like a dragon.

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.

However, Christ will rescue all those who are condemned to death, at his Second Coming. Therefore, Ellen G. White says in the citation, “by condemning the people of God to death, they have as truly incurred the guilt of their blood as if it had been shed by their hands.” ((5)).

Ellen G. White, Lt. 65-1898. 22.
White, Review & Herald, July 17, 1900.
White, Manuscript 39, 1906.
White, Confrontation (Grantham, Lincolnshire: The Stanborough Press, 1978), 628.
Ibid., 628.

Revelation 8:1-6. Seventh Seal -Silence in Heaven

Tony — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 17:39:35 +0000

Seventh Seal – Silence in Heaven

Rev 8:1 When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.

All of the Greek New Testament original manuscripts were written in LARGE CAPITAL LETTERS with no spaces and probably no punctuation – – -. This is because the Greek alphabet did not have punctuation until at least the Second Century, and there were no minuscule (lower case) letters until much later[1].

When the books and letters of the New Testament Bible were originally written, they did not contain chapters or verse divisions.

The chapter and verse divisions commonly used today, were developed by Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury. Langton put the modern chapter divisions into place in around A.D. 1227. The Wycliffe English Bible in 1382 was the first to use this chapter pattern[2].

This is what John 1:1 would look like in capital letters with no spaces or punctuation.

Joh 1:1 ENAPXHHNOΛOΓOΣKAIOAOΓOΣHNΠPOΣTONΘEONKAIΘEOΣHOΛOΓO

Now what does this grammatical information have to do with our text Rev 8:1? In Rev 8:1 it says, when He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about an hour. Then in Rev 8:2 it says, And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets.

The majority of Bibles have the chapter division between Rev 7:17 and Rev 8:1. This is between the 6^th and 7^th seal. This should not be the case, because by doing so, Rev 8:1 becomes related to Rev 8:2. The seventh seal is not related to the seven trumpets. In my view the chapter division should occur between Rev 8:1 and Rev 8:2 and not before.

OK! What does the text mean, that there was silence in heaven for about half an hour? I cannot find one reference in the Bible explaining this verse. The only explanation comes from Ellen G. White: “We all entered the cloud together, and were seven days ascending to the sea of glass, when Jesus brought crowns, and with His own right hand placed them on our heads.”[3]

What precedes this event when she writes about it on pages 60 and 61?

“Soon our eyes were drawn to the east, for a small black cloud had appeared, about half as large as a man´s hand, which we all knew was the sign of the Son of man. In solemn silence, we all gazed on the cloud as it drew nearer, and became lighter, glorious, and still more glorious, till it was a great white cloud. The bottom appeared like fire; a rainbow was over the cloud, while around it were ten thousand angels, singing a most lovely song; and upon it sat the Son of man (Math 25:31). His hair was white and curly, and lay on His shoulders, (Rev 1:14) and upon His head were many crowns. (Rev 19:12) His feet had the appearance of fire; in His right hand was a sharp sickle, (Rev 14:17) in His left a silver trumpet[4].”

This description is the Second Coming of Christ were every eye shall see him in the future. Rev 1:7. He will come on a cloud, as he ascended on a cloud. Acts 1:9-11.

“Then Jesus’ silver trumpet sounded, as He descended on the cloud, wrapped in flames of fire. He gazed on the graves of the sleeping saints, then raised His eyes and hands to heaven, and cried: `Awake! Awake! Awake! Ye that sleep in the dust, and arise.` Then there was a mighty earthquake. The graves opened, and the dead came up clothed with immortality. (1 Thess 4:13-18). The 144,000 shouted, Alleluia! As they recognized their friends, who had been torn by death, and in the same moment we were changed, and caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air. (1 Thess 4:17. 1 Cor 15:5-58).”[5].

What does the citation “about half an hour” mean in Rev 8:1?

We are talking about prophetic time with symbols in chapter seven.

One prophetic day = one literal year in Bible prophecy. Ezek 4:4-6. (See my website on Rev 12:1-17 on www.ayin.dk for more explanation).

1 prophetic day = 1 literal year or 360 literal days.

24 hours = 360 literal days (360 divided 24=15)

1 hour = 15 literal days

½ hour = 7½ literal days

Seven and half days was the time it took for Christ and the angels of heaven, plus the saints to travel to the third heaven, which is in paradise. While Christ attended His Second Coming on this earth, all the millions of angels from heaven were with Him. Therefore, there was silence in heaven for about seven days, because heaven was empty of all the angels who should be there.

Ellen G. White writes, “We all entered the cloud together, and were seven days ascending to the sea of glass.”[6]

[1] www.friktech.com/rel/canon/types.htm

[2] www.gotquestions.org/divided-Bible-chapters-verses.html

[3] Ellen G. White, Testimonies for The Church, Vol 1 (Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Pub., Assoc., 1948), 60.61.

[4] Ibid., 60.

[5] Ibid., 60.

[6] Ibid., 60.

Revelation 8:12.13. Fourth Trumpet

Tony — Wed, 10 Jul 2019 08:37:01 +0000

Rev 8:12.13. Fourth Trumpet

Rev 8:12. Then the fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night.

When interpreting the sun, moon and stars symbolically, one can do so individually or grouped together. In this text I will interpret them grouped together, because the result is a third of the day did not shine and likewise the night. If the sun, moon and stars were interpreted individually then it would give another meaning in prophecy. For example: the sun represents Christ and his righteousness, Malachi 4:2. The moon represents the enemies of Christ and the Church, Rev 12:1-17. The stars represent angels, Rev 1:20.

A short word study on “sun, moon and stars,” as a group, and related to the darkening of a day.

Eccles 12:1.2. Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, “I have no pleasure in them:” While the sun and the light, the moon and the stars, are darkened, and the clouds do not return after the rain. (This text refers to a man in his old age and when he dies Verse 5.7.)

Is 13:9.10. Behold, the day of the Lord comes, cruel, with both wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate; and He will destroy its sinners from it. For the stars of heaven and their constellations will not give their light; The sun will be darkened in its going forth, and the moon will not cause its light to shine. (The darkening of the sun, moon and stars are related to the day of the Lord with the land becoming desolate, followed by death and destruction upon sinners. This primarily refers to the destruction of Babylon Is 13:1.)

Joel 2:10.11. The earth quakes before them, the heavens tremble; the sun and moon grow dark, and the stars diminish their brightness. For the day of the Lord is great and very terrible. (Judging by the context, this verse refers to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. Joel 2:1.2. Blow the trumpet in Zion and sound an alarm in My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; For the day of the Lord is coming, for it is at hand: a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, like the morning clouds spread over the mountains. A people come, great and strong – – -. Verse 3. A fire devours before them.)

Joel 3:15. The sun and moon will grow dark, and the stars will diminish their brightness. (Judging by the context it refers to God judging all nations for their wickedness. Joel 3:12.13. Let the nations be wakened and come to the valley of Jehoshaphat; for there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations. Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, go down; for the winepress is full, the vats overflow- for their wickedness is great.)

Mark 13:24-26. But in those days, after that tribulation, (Refers to the Middle Ages), the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. (This text is referring to the Second Coming of Christ where two events will take place for mankind. Firstly, the elect or true Christians will be gathered Mk 13:27. Secondly, the wicked sinners over the whole earth will mourn Matt 24:30.)

Rev 6:12-17. I looked when he opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake: and the sun became black as sackcloth; and the moon became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell to the earth – – -. Verse 17. For the great day of his wrath has come and who is able to stand. (Refers to the Second Coming of Christ and a judgment day for all sinners.)

Conclusion

“Sun, moon and stars,” as a group, and related to the darkening of a day are related to the following: refers to a man in his old age and when he dies; it is related to the day of the Lord with the land becoming desolate, followed by death and destruction upon sinners; it refers to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 B.C.; it refers to God judging all nations for their wickedness; it refers to the Second Coming of Christ where two events will take place for mankind. Firstly, the elect or true Christians will be gathered Mk 13:27. Secondly, the wicked sinners over the whole earth will mourn Matt 24:30. It finally refers to the Second Coming of Christ and a judgment day for all sinners.

Ellen G. White comments on the darkening of the sun, moon and stars.

After the signs in nature taking place like the darkening of the sun and moon on the 19^th May, 1780 in the heavens in New England. “Absorbed in worldliness and pleasure seeking, the professed people of God were blinded to the Saviour’s instructions concerning the signs of His appearing.

The condition of the Church at this time is pointed out in the Saviour’s words in Revelation: ´Thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

Loving the paths of unrighteousness – to these the day of the Lord is ´darkness, and not light, even very dark, and no brightness in it.´ Amos 5:20.

That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of the trumpet and alarm. Zeph 1:15.16. Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, . . . to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.´ Is 13:9.

“In the view of that great day the Word of God, in the most solemn and impressive language, calls upon His people to arouse from their spiritual lethargy and to seek His face with repentance and humiliation: `Blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand.´

To prepare a people to stand in the day of God, a great work of reform was to be accomplished. God saw that many of His professed people were not building for eternity, and His mercy He was about to send a message of warning to arouse them from their stupor and lead them to make ready for the coming of the Lord.”[1]

A short word study on “darkness.”

Job 38:1.2. Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: “Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge?”

Psalm 35:6.8. (Refers to the enemies of God´s people). Let their way be dark and slippery – – -. Let destruction come upon him unexpectedly.

Ezek 30:18.19. At Tehaphnehes the day shall also be darkened, when I break the yokes of Egypt there – – -. Thus, I will execute judgments on Egypt.

Ezek 32:7. (Gods message to Pharaoh of Egypt). When I put out your light, I will cover the heavens, and make its stars dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not give her light. (This text refers to the destruction of Pharaoh by the king of Babylon Verses 9-11).

Is 13:10.11. For the stars of heaven and their constellations will not give their light; The sun will be darkened in its going forth, and the moon will not cause its light to shine. I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity – – -.

Is 29:15. Woe to those seek deep to hide their counsel far from the Lord, and their works are in the dark; They say, “Who sees us?” and “Who knows us?”

Amos 8:9-11. “And it shall come to pass in that day,” says the Lord God, “that I will make the sun go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in broad daylight; I will turn your feasts into mourning, and all your songs into lamentation; I will bring sackcloth on every waist, and baldness on every head; I will make it like mourning for an only son, and its end like a bitter day. Behold the days are coming,” says the Lord God, “That I will send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord.” (The context from Amos 8:2 reveals that the end has come for God´s people Israel and they will be taken into captivity by the Assyrians).

Micah 3:6. (The Lord accusing the false prophets). Therefore, you shall have night without vision, and you shall have darkness without divination; The sun shall go down on the prophets, and the day shall be dark for them. (The result is no communication from God).

Rom 1:21. (Paul referring to the ungodliness and unrighteousness in men). Because although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. (This text is referring to spiritual blindness).

Rom 11:10. Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back always. (Refers to Israel verse 7. What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded. This is referring to spiritual blindness and their understanding was dark).

Ephes 4:17.18. This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart. (Spiritual blindness due to not knowing God).

Conclusion

Darkness is related to the following: God´s counsel without knowledge, destruction, judgments of God, destruction of Pharaoh, evil and iniquity, a famine of hearing the words of the Lord, no communication from God, spiritual blindness results in dark understanding.

Explanation of the Rev 8:12 in the light of the above understanding.

A third of the sun, moon and stars were darkened means the Day of the Lord is at hand referring to the destruction of Israel and Judah in the Old testament. It also refers to the famine of hearing Gods word from the Bible, resulting in sinners in Jerusalem turning away from God to worship idols. As a last resort God sent the Babylonians to destroy Jerusalem and Judah in 586 B.C. and deport the people to Babylon.

The same understanding is referring to the Christian Church during the Middle Ages. When the Christians elected a Pope to rule the church in AD 538, this was because of the sins of the people, the turning away from God and hearing his word from the Bible. As a result, their spiritual understanding became dark and this period became known as the Dark Ages from AD 538 – 1798.

Ellen G. White comments on the Dark Ages

“In the sixth century the papacy had become firmly established. Its seat of power was fixed in the imperial city, and the bishop of Rome was declared to be the head over the entire Church. Paganism had given place to the papacy. The dragon (Satan) had given to the beast ´his power, and his seat, and authority´. Rev 13:2 (See Appendix.) And now began the 1,260 years of papal oppression foretold in the prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation. Dan 7:25. Rev 13:5-7.”[2]

“This compromise between paganism and Christianity resulted in the development of the ´man of sin´ (2 Thess 2:1-4. Referring to the papacy in the Roman Catholic Church system) foretold in prophecy as opposing and exalting himself above God. That gigantic system of false religion is a masterpiece of Satan´s power, – – – a monument of his efforts to seat himself upon the throne to rule the earth according to his will.”[3]

“At every assault, Christ presented the shield of eternal truth, saying, ´it is written.´ To every suggestion of the adversary, He opposed the wisdom and power of the world. In order for Satan to maintain his sway over men, and establish the authority of the papal usurper, he must keep them in ignorance of the scriptures. The Bible will exalt God and place finite men in their true position; therefore, its sacred truths must be concealed and suppressed.

This logic was adopted by the Roman Church. For hundreds of years the circulation of the Bible was prohibited. The people were forbidden to read it or have it in their houses, and unprincipled priests and prelates interpreted its teachings to sustain their pretensions. Thus, the pope came to be almost universally acknowledged as the vicegerent of God on earth, endowed with authority over Church and State.”[4]

“Christians were forced to choose either to yield their integrity and accept the papal ceremonies and worship, or wear away their lives in dungeons or suffer death by the rack, the faggot, or the headman´s axe. Now were fulfilled the words of Jesus: Ýe shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name´s sake. Luke 21:16.17. Persecution opened upon the faithful with greater fury than ever before, and the world became a vast battlefield. For hundreds of years the Church of Christ found refuge in seclusion and obscurity. Thus says the prophet: ´The woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and three score days.´ Revelation 12:6.

The accession of the Roman Church to power marked the beginning of the Dark Ages. As her power increased, the darkness deepened. Faith was transferred from Christ, the true foundation, to the pope of Rome. Instead of trusting in the Son of God for forgiveness of sins and for eternal salvation, the people looked to the pope, and to the priests and prelates to whom he delegated authority.”[5]

“Notwithstanding that vice prevailed, even among the leaders of the Roman Church, her influence seemed steadily to increase. About the close of the eighth century, papists put forth the claim that in the first ages of the Church the bishops of Rome had possessed the same spiritual power which they now assumed. To establish this claim, some means must be employed to give it a show of authority; and this was readily suggested by the father of lies. Ancient writings were forged by monks. Decrees of councils before unheard of were discovered, establishing the universal supremacy of the pope from the earliest times. And a Church that had rejected the truth greedily accepted these deceptions. (See Appendix).”[6]

“Another step in papal assumption was taken, when, in the eleventh century, Pope Gregory VII proclaimed the perfection of the Roman Church. Among the propositions which he put forth was one declaring that the Church had never erred, nor would it ever err, according to the Scriptures. But the Scripture proofs did not accompany the assertion. The proud pontiff also claimed the power to depose emperors, and declared that no sentence which he pronounced could be reversed by anyone, but that it his prerogative to reverse the decisions of all others. (See Appendix).”[7]

“The advancing centuries witnessed a constant increase of error in the doctrines put forth by Rome. – – – Prominent among these was the belief in man´s natural immortality and his consciousness in death. This doctrine laid the foundation upon which Rome established the invocation of saints and the adoration of the Virgin Mary. From this, sprang also the heresy of eternal torment for the finally impenitent, which was early incorporated into the papal faith.”[8]

“Then the way was prepared for the introduction of still another invention of paganism, which Rome named purgatory, and employed to terrify the credulous and superstitious multitudes. By this heresy is affirmed the existence of a place of torment, in which the souls of such as have not merited eternal damnation are to suffer punishment for their sins, and from which, when freed from impurity, they are admitted to heaven. (See Appendix).”[9]

“Still another fabrication was needed to enable Rome to profit by the fears and the vices of her adherents. This was supplied by the doctrine of indulgences. Full remission of sins, past, present, and future, and release from all the pains and penalties incurred, were promised to all who would enlist in the pontiff´s wars to extend his temporal dominion, to punish his enemies, or to exterminate those who dared deny his spiritual supremacy.

The people were also taught that by payment of money to the Church they might free themselves from sin, and also release the souls of their deceased friends who were confined in the tormenting flames. By such means did Rome fill her coffers and sustain the magnificence, luxury, and vice of the pretended representatives of Him who had not where to lay His head. (See Appendix).”[10]

“The scriptural ordinance of the Lord´s Supper had been supplanted by the idolatrous sacrifice of the mass. Papal priests pretended, by their senseless mummery, to convert the simple bread and wine into the actual ´body and the blood of Christ´. – Cardinal Wiseman, The Real Presence of the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Blessed Eucharist, Proved from Scripture, lecture 8, sec. 3, par. 26. With blasphemous presumption, they openly claimed the power of creating God, the Creator of all things. Christians were required, on pain of death, to avow their faith in this horrible, Heaven-insulting heresy. Multitudes who refused were given to the flames. (See Appendix).”[11]

“In the thirteenth century it was established that most terrible of all the engines of the papacy–the inquisition. The prince of darkness wrought with the leaders of the papal hierarchy. In their secret council Satan and his angels controlled the minds of evil men, while unseen in the midst stood an angel of God, taking the fearful record of their iniquitous decrees and writing the history of deeds too horrible to appear to human eyes. ´Babylon the great,‘ was ´drunken with the blood of the saints.´ The mangled forms of millions of martyrs cried to God for vengeance upon that apostate power.”[12]

“Popery had become the world´s despot. Kings and emperors bowed to the decrees of the Roman pontiff. The destinies of men, both for time and for eternity, seemed under his control. For hundreds of years the doctrines of Rome had been extensively and implicitly received, its rites reverently performed, its festivals generally observed. Its clergy were honoured and liberally sustained. Never since has the Roman Church attained to greater dignity, magnificence, or power.”[13]

Rev 8:13. And I looked, and I heard an angel (eagle in the NV and M text) flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!”

The inhabitants of the earth is a place on earth were God´s people live despite the catastrophes that have happened to the Church during the four trumpets that have sounded. So, we are talking about places like Europe, Asia and North Africa where Christians lived during the Middle Ages.

What does the word woe mean?

The Greek word is ουαί. It is an exclamation of speech to speak suddenly or cry out denoting pain or displeasure.

A short word study from the New testament on the word woe.

Matt 11:21.22. Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. (In verse 23 it infers that Capernaum, Chorazin and Bethsaida will end up in Hades on the day of judgment).

Matt 23:13-36. Is referring to the woes Jesus pronounced upon the scribes and Pharisees. Fx:

Verse 13. But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men, for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those entering to go in. (The scribes and Pharisees prevented men in entering heaven. This resulted in themselves in not entering into heaven).

Verse 14. Woe to you, scribes and pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widow´s houses, and for pretense make long prayers. Therefore, you will receive greater condemnation. (Greater condemnation is the opposite to eternal life).

Verse 15. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves. (Hell is a place for the lost eternally).

Verse 23. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. (Jesus calls them blind guides in verse 24 and therefore are lost eternally).

Verses 25.26. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside maybe clean also. (Refers to blind Pharisees who are lost eternally).

Verse 27. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men´s bones and all uncleanliness. (Refers to men who are spiritually dead).

Verses 29.31.33. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, and say, “If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.” Therefore, you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell? (Refers to Hell being lost).

Matt 24:19. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who nursing babies in those days. (In its context this verse is referring to the abomination of desolation in verse 15 surrounding Jerusalem before its destruction in A.D. 70. In addition, it refers to the papal system of forgiveness of sins ritual, substituting the forgiveness of sins in the heavenly sanctuary by Christ. Woe refers to women and persons being lost in these verse).

Matt 26:24. Woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born. (Refers to the disciple Judas who betrayed his Lord and lost his life eternally).

Luk 6:24-26. But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full, for you shall hunger. Woe to you laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

Verse 25. Woe to you who are full, for you shall hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.

Verse 26. Woe to you when all speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

Luk 26:24-26 is related to Luk 26:20-23 which is an antecedent and in opposition to what Christ had said. Fx. In verse 20. Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God as apposed to verse 24, but woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. It is not wrong to be rich, but it is how you use your wealth that determines the outcome of your life. In this case the rich use their wealth to console themselves. Instead of helping the poor. This results in a woe of condemnation leading to judgment and eternal death.

Luk 17:1.2. It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they did come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. (Woe is related to the judgment of God to the offender resulting in a millstone hung around the neck and thrown into the sea).

Luk 21:20-23. But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its destruction is near. (This occurred in the year AD 70).

Luk 21:22. For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written maybe fulfilled.

Luk 21:23. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. (In the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 a few million Jews perished along with those who were pregnant or mothers with babies).

Luk 22:22. But woe to that man by whom He is betrayed. (This verse is related to the previous verse in 21: but behold the hand of my betrayer is with me on the table. This verse refers to Judas who betrayed Jesus and ended up with the judgment of God and condemnation for his sin).

1 Cor 9:16. For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel. (This is Paul´s resolution, if he does not preach the gospel he would rather die in verse 15).

Jude 11. Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, having run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. (Balaam and Korah are amongst those who rebelled against God and will be lost in the judgment).

Conclusion

The word woe is related to the following: Day of Judgment, cannot enter the kingdom of heaven, cannot obtain eternal life, hell, blind men who are lost spiritually, blind guides, dead men spiritually lost, rich men who console themselves in their wealth, men who are eternally lost, a millstone hung around the neck and thrown into the sea, destruction, judgment if one does not preach the gospel, and perish.

In Rev 8:13 states that there are three woes and not just one woe that will be confronting the Church during the following period of the remaining three trumpets. Emphasis on three woes highlights the danger of these woes trying to penetrate the Church. Those in the Church who practice these woes will be lost eternally.

[1] Ellen G. White, Confrontation (Grantham, Lincolnshire: The Stanborough Press, 1978), 309-311.

[2] Ibid., 54.

[3] Ibid., 50.

[4] Ibid., 51.

[5] Ibid., 54.55.

[6] Ibid., 56.

[7] Ibid., 57.

[8] Ibid., 58.

[9] Ibid., 58.59.

[10] Ibid., 59.

[11] Ibid., 59.

[12] Ibid., 59.60.

[13] Ibid., 60.

Revelation 10:1-11. Sixth Trumpet

Tony — Wed, 10 Jul 2019 08:58:37 +0000

Rev 10:1. I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire.

Which person is related to clouds?

Rev 1:7. Behold, he is coming with clouds.

Rev 14:14. Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat one like the Son of Man.

Acts 1:9. He was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their site.

Which person is related to a rainbow?

Rev 4:3. (Throne in heaven) And he who sat there was like – – – and there was a rainbow around the throne – – -.

Ezek 1:28. Like the appearance of a rainbow on a cloud on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the brightness all around it. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord.

Which person is related to the sun?

Rev 1:16. His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.

Which person is related to feet like pillars of fire?

Rev 1:12-14. The mighty angel refers to the Son of Man; Jesus Christ.

Ezek 1:27. The appearance of His waist and downward I saw, as it were the appearance of fire with brightness all around.

Conclusion

The description of this other angel coming down from heaven is none other than Jesus Christ. Christ is also named as an Archangel in Jude 9, Dan 12:1, 1 Thess 4:16.

Rev 10:2. He had a little book open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. When he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices.

In the Greek the text it says “and having in his hand a scroll having been opened.”

What is this little book/scroll Christ has in his right hand which has just been opened?

Which book in the Old Testament Bible was closed and now was opened around the date 1844 at the end of time? It is the prophetical book of Daniel. Dan 12:9 And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the end of time.”

The citation “end of time” refers to the period around 1844. See my study on the subject! Daniel 12:9. Daniel 11:40.

The sentence in Rev 10:2 which says his right foot on the sea, but the left one on the earth, is symbolic of the scope of the message from the prophetical book of Daniel. It is to be preached throughout the whole of the world. As in Rev 12:12 Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath because he knows that he has a short time. The sea represents the wicked living in the world Dan 7:1-3. Es 57:20. The earth represents believers in God especially protestants living in North America. Rev 12:6.16. Rev 7:1.2.3.

“The books of Daniel and Revelation are one. One is prophecy, the other a revelation; one book sealed, the other opened. Dan 12:4.”[1]

Rev 10:3 and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. When he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices.

What does the word lion mean in prophecy?

Rev 4:7. (The four living creatures in the midst of the throne in heaven and around the throne). The first living creature was a lion.

Rev 5:5. Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals. (This lion represents Christ).

Rev 9:8. They had hair like women´s hair, and their teeth were like lion´s teeth. (Refers to Moslem soldiers in the Ottoman Empire going to war against their enemies. They crush their enemies like a lion crushes its prey).

Rev 10:1-3. I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire. He had a book in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. (This mighty angel is Christ and raises his voice like a lion).

Rev 13:2. (A beast coming out of the sea). Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. (The sea beast represents the papacy in the Roman Catholic Church system all around the world. When they talk like a lion the nations tremble because of their power and authority).

Conclusion

Lion represents Christ in prophecy, then power, Muslim soldiers at war against their enemies, Christ with a loud voice of authority, and the papacy in the Roman Catholic Church system who talk with power and authority to cause nations to tremble.

What does thunder mean in prophecy?

A short word study on symbolic meaning of “thunder.”

1 Sam 7:9. But the Lord thundered with a loud thunder upon the Philistines that day, and so confused them that they were overcome before Israel.

Job 26:14. But the thunder of his power, who can understand?

Job 37:4. He thunders with his majestic voice.

Job 37:5. God thunders marvelously with His voice.

Ps 77:18. The voice of your thunder in the heavens.

Rev 4:5. And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices.

Rev 6:1. I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “come and see.”

Rev 10:3. (Christ the mighty angel) cried out with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. When he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices.

Rev 10:4. Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered and do not write them.

Rev 14:2. 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.

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 thunders, saying “Alleluia! For the Lord God omnipotent reigns.”

Conclusion

Thunder is related to thunder of destruction, God´s power and God´s majestic voice. It is related to the voice of thunder in the heavens, the voices from God´s throne and voices from the four living creatures around the throne. It is related to Jesus Christ´s voice in heaven. When there are seven thunders then the voices are extra loud and the message is more important.

Rev 10:4. Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me; “Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them.”

The voices of the seven thunders are primarily from God´s voice and from the living creatures around the throne. John the writer of the book of Revelation lived during the first century. The messages he received from Rev 1:1 to Rev 10 were not sealed. It was sealed only after Rev 10:4. This message would also be related to the book of Daniel which was also sealed in Dan 12:9.

When were the prophecies of the books of Daniel and Revelation opened for our understanding?

Rev 10:5.6. The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised up his hand to heaven and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there should be delay no longer. (In the Greek it says, because time no longer shall be).

The last sentence is related to time no longer shall be, which is related to Rev 10:4 and Dan 12:4. But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end. When is the time of the end? See my study. Daniel 12:9. Daniel 11:40.

The time of the end is related to the prophecy in Dan 8:14, the 2,300 days or prophetical years which ended in 1844. So these prophecies in these two books Daniel and Revelation should be sealed until the time of the end in 1844.

What happened in 1844?

Rev 10:8. Then the voice which I heard from heaven spoke to me again and said, “Go take the little book, which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the earth.”

The little book is referring to the book of Daniel in combination with the book of Revelation. For they were both sealed and now they were opened at the time of the end in 1844 at the close of the 2,300 days prophecy in Dan 8:14.

Rev 10:9. So I went to the angel and said to him, “Give me the little book?” And he said to me, “Take and eat it: and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth.”

What does this mean that when the little book was eaten and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth?

The answer can be found in Ezek 3:1-4. God is speaking to the prophet Ezekiel and telling him to eat a scroll which means the words of God. When Ezekiel read the word of God in the scroll, he understood it. These words tasted like honey in Ezekiel´s mouth because he delighted in God´s word. But when Ezekiel preached these words to the house of Israel, they would not listen. The words became bitter in their stomach´s. What was the message Ezekiel should preach to the house of Israel? He should preach condemning the people of their sins and wickedness. Ezek 3:17.18. Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore, hear a word from my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say to the wicked, “You shall surely die,” and give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand.

This illustration is similar to that used in Rev 10:9. The prophecies in the book of Daniel tasted like honey to the believers in 1844, because they understood it as the words of God from heaven. However, the words became bitter in their stomach´s because it resulted in a bitter experience at the end of time.

Let me explain what happened in 1844. “These prophetic days (2,300 days in Dan 8:14) had been shown to terminate in the autumn of 1844. In common with the rest of the Christian world, Adventists (who were believers from different church denominations were looking forward to Christs second coming) then held that the earth, or some portion of it, was the sanctuary. They understood that the cleansing of the sanctuary was the purification of the earth by the fires of the last great day, and that this would take place at the second advent. Hence, the conclusion that Christ would return to the earth in 1844.

But the appointed time passed, and the Lord had not appeared. The believers knew that God´s Word could not fail; their interpretation of the prophecy must be at fault; but where was the mistake?”[2]

The Adventists expected Christ to come to this earth in 1844 and cleanse the earth with fire. This was the sweet as honey experience in their mouths. However, Christ did not come in 1844, and this led to the bitter experience in their stomachs.

Rev 10:11. And he said to me, “You must prophecy again about many peoples, nations, tongues and kings.

The Greek word έπί (epi) which is “about” in the text, should be translated “over” or “to” many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings. The subject is not the peoples, but prophecy should be preached to peoples, which is the object in English grammar.

[1] Francis D. Nichol, Edit., The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol 7 (Washington D. C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assoc., 1980), 971. M.S. 59, 1900.

[2] Ellen G. White, Confrontation (Grantham, Lincolnshire: The Stanborough Press, 1978), 409.