The First Half of the Tribulation: The Lamb and His Witnesses
by Ron Rhodes
IN THIS CHAPTER
The Lamb and the Seven-Sealed Scroll
The 144,000 Jewish Evangelists
God's Two Prophetic Witnesses
The Lamb and the Seven-Sealed Scroll
In Revelation 5, we witness an awe-inspiring, Christ-exalting scene that takes place in heaven early in the tribulation period: Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, receives the seven-sealed scroll.
Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. And one of the elders said to me, "Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe ofJudah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals."
And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had Deen slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying,
"Worthy are you to take the scroll
and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.
Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!" And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!" And the four living creatures said, "Amen!" and the elders fell down and worshiped.
The references to Christ as a Lamb and Lion refer to Christ's first coming and second coming respectively........
(AND YES CORRECT - Keith Hunt)
The 144,000 Jewish Evangelists
In Revelation 7A (niv), the aposde John writes, "Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel." Who are these 144,000?
(WELL YOU WILL NOTICE RIGHT AWAY.....THEY ARE ACCORDING TO FUNDAMENTAL CHRISTIAN PROPHETS....ALL JEWS!!! NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH!! Keith Hunt)
Some Christians have taken this as metaphorically referring to the church. However, the context indicates the verse is referring to 144,000 Jewish men—12,000 from each tribe—who live during the future tribulation period (see Revelation 14:4). The very fact that specific tribes are mentioned in this context, along with specific numbers for those tribes, removes all possibility that this is a figure of speech. Nowhere else in the Bible does a reference to 12 tribes of Israel mean anything but 12 tribes of Israel. Indeed, the word tribe is never used of anything but a literal ethnic group in Scripture.
(NOW HOW CAN THEY BE JEWS IF THE JEWS HAVE ALREADY GONE THROUGH EZEKIEL 38 AND 39, WHERE GOD HAS GIVEN THEM HIS SPIRIT [EZEK. 39:29] - THEY WOULD HAVE DISAPPEARED FROM EARTH IN THE "SECRET" RAPTURE BEFORE THE TRIBULATION BEGINS ACCORDING TO THE TEACHING OF MOST PROTESTANT PROPHETS....WELL I GUESS YOU COULD ARGUE THEY ARE JEWS IN OTHER NATIONS OF THE EARTH - Keith Hunt)
The backdrop to a proper understanding of the 144,000 during the tribulation is that God had originally chosen the Jews to be His witnesses. He appointed them to share the good news of God with all other people around the world (see Isaiah 42:6; 43:10). The Jews were to be Gods representatives to the Gentile peoples. Biblical history reveals that the Jews failed at this task, especially when they didn't recognize Jesus as the divine Messiah. During the future tribulation, these 144,000 Jews—who become believers in Jesus the divine Messiah sometime following the rapture—will finally fulfill this mandate from God and be His witnesses all around the world. Their work will yield a mighty harvest of souls (see Revelation 7:9-14).
These witnesses will be "sealed" (divinely protected) by God as they carry out their service for Him during the tribulation (Revelation 14:1-4; see also 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30).
(NOW THE FULL TRUTH IS THEY ARE PEOPLE FROM 12 TRIBES OF ISRAEL, AND JEWS ARE ONLY FROM THE TRIBE OF JUDAH, WITH LEVI AND BENJAMIN AMONG THEM. FOR THE WOLE TRUTH OF THIS AND ALL THE BIBLE PROPHETS, SEE MY EXPOUNDING OF THEM ALL FOR YOU ON MY WEBSITE - Keith Hunt)
Some have wondered why the Old Testament tribes of Dan and Ephraim are omitted from this list of Jewish tribes. The Old Testament has some 20 variant lists of tribes, so no two lists of the 12 tribes of Israel must be identical. Most scholars today agree that Dans tribe was omitted because that tribe was guilty of idolatry on many occasions and, as a result, was largely obliterated (Leviticus 24:11; Judges 18:1,30; see also 1 Kings 12:28-29). To engage in unrepentant idolatry is to be cut off from Gods blessing. The tribe of Ephraim was also involved in idolatry and paganized worship (Judges 17; Hosea 4:17). This is probably why both tribes were omitted from Revelation 7.
(THERE IS NO ANSWER FOR DAN BEING OMITTED, WE SHALL NEED TO WAIT FOR JESUS TO RETURN TO ASK HIM THAT QUESTION. EPHRAIM IS NOT OMITTED, THEY ARE IN THE NAME "JOSEPH" - Keith Hunt)
Others have wondered why the tribe of Levi was included in this list of Jewish tribes rather than rnamtaining its special status as a priestly tribe under the Mosaic law. Levi is probably included here because the priestly functions of the tribe of Levi ceased with the coming of Christ, the ultimate high priest. Indeed, the Levitical priesthood was fulfilled in the person of Christ (Hebrews 7—10). With no further need for the services of the tribe of Levi as priests, God had no further reason for keeping this tribe distinct and separate from the others. This is probably why they were properly included in the tribal listing in the book of Revelation.
As for the chronology of when these 144,000 Jewish evangelists emerge on the scene, I personally believe this event occurs in the early part of the tribulation period, sometime after the rapture. Some Bible expositors suggest that the 144,000 must engage in their work of evangelism early in the tribulation, for the believers who are martyred in the fifth seal judgment (Revelation 6:9-11) are among the fruit of their labors, and the seal judgments are definitely in the first half of the tribulation period.
(AGAIN.....WE'VE HAD THE "RAPTURE" [THE ONE THAT IS SECRET, INVISIBLE, ANY SECOND COMING OF CHRIST AS THEY TEACH IT] AND THE "JEWS" [TO THEM] HAVE GONE THROUGH EZEKIEL 38 AND 39 [ACCORDING TO THE AUTHOR] - SO HAVING RECEIVED GOD'S SPIRIT [EZ.39:29] THEY ARE IN THE "RAPTURE" - IN HEAVEN AND NOT ON EARTH. SO THE 144,000 "JEWS" [TO THEM] CANNOT BE, UNLESS YOU ARGUE THEY ARE IN DIFFERENT NATIONS AND DID NOT RETURN TO THE HOLY LAND BEFORE ALL THIS ATTACK TAKES PLACE - Keith Hunt)
These Jews will probably become believers in Jesus in a way similar to that of the aposde Paul, himself a Jew, who had a Damascus-road encounter with the risen Christ (see Acts 9:1-9). Interestingly, in 1 Corinthians 15:8, the apostle Paul refers to himself in his conversion to Christ as "one untimely born." Some Bible expositors, such as J. Dwight Pentecost, believe Paul may have been alluding to his 144,000 Jewish tribulation brethren, who would be spiritually "born" in a way similar to him—only Paul was spiritually born far before them.
(DO YOU SEE THE BRANDED MIND-SET OF PEOPLE? THOUGH EACH TRIBE [BUT DAN] IS MENTIONED, THEY ARE ALL JEWS TO THEM. HOW CAN SOMEONE FROM ISSACHAR, OR SIMEON, OR JOSEPH, BE A JEW?
IT IS TRUE THAT THREE TRIBES [JUDAH, BENJAMIN, AND LEVI] BECAME KNOWN AS "JEWS" IN THE NEW TESTAMENT TIME; BUT THE OTHER TRIBES OF ISRAEL, THE SO-CALLED "LOST TEN TRIBES OF ISRAEL" NEVER RETURNED EN MASS, WITH JUDAH TO THE HOLY LAND, AFTER THE 70 YEARS CAPTIVITY IN BABYLON; WHY EVEN MANY JEWS DID NOT RETURN. THAT IS ANOTHER SUBJECT COVERED ON MY WEBSITE - Keith Hunt)
God's Two Prophetic Witnesses
During the tribulation period, God will raise up two mighty witnesses who will testify to the true God with astounding power. In fact, the power of these witnesses bring to mind Elijah (1 Kings 17; Mal-achi 4:5) and Moses (Exodus 7—11). In the Old Testament, two witnesses were required to confirm testimony (see Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15; Matthew 18:16; John 8:17; Hebrews 10:28).
I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.
These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. They have the power to shut the sky, that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire (Revelation 11:3-6).
These witnesses will wear clothing made of goat or camel hair, garments that symbolically express mourning over the wretched condition and lack of repentance in the world. The reference to olive trees and lampstands is intended to symbolize the light of spiritual revival. Those who stand against these two witnesses will encounter a fiery response!
Many expositors believe the two witnesses will actually be Moses and Elijah. Here are three of the reasons for this view.
The tribulation is a period in which God deals with the Jews—just as He did in the first 69 weeks (that is, weeks of years) of Daniel. Moses and Elijah are two of the most influential figures in Jewish history.
Moses and Elijah appeared on the mount of transfiguration with Jesus. This shows their centrality.
The miracles portrayed in Revelation 11 are very similar to those previously performed by Moses and Elijah in Old Testament times.
(MOSES AND ELIJAH ARE DEAD! THEY ARE NOT IN HEAVEN! THEY WILL NOT BE THESE TWO WITNESSES, THAT I GUARANTEE YOU! THE SUBJECT OF WHAT IS DEATH, AND ARE MOSES, ENOCH, AND ELIJAH, IN HEAVEN, IS COVERED IN STUDIES ON MY WEBSITE - Keith Hunt)
These reasons are valid, but one cannot be dogmatic. The two witnesses maybe two entirely new prophets of God.
(THEY WILL INDEED BE - Keith Hunt)
Scholars debate whether the ministry of the two witnesses belongs in the first half or the second half of the tribulation. Their ministry will last 1260 days, which measures out to precisely three and a half years.
Obviously, this is equivalent to half of the tribulation period. However, the context of Revelation 11 does not reveal whether this is the first or second half of the tribulation.
Most prophecy scholars conclude that the two witnesses do their miraculous work during the first three and a half years. The reason is that the antichrists execution of them seems to fit best with other events that will transpire in the middle of the tribulation—such as the antichrist's exaltation of himself to godhood in defiance of the true God and His witnesses.
(SO HERE WE GO AGAIN WITH THIS 7 YEAR TRIBULATION PERIOD, THAT IS NO WHERE MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE. THE PROTESTANT PROPHETS HAVE DANIEL 9 ALL MESSED UP. THEY DO NOT EVEN READ THEIR OWN OLD SCHOLAR'S BIBLE COMMENTARIES, SUCH AS ADAM CLARKE AND MATTHEW HENRY, FOR THE TRUTH OF DANIEL 9. THE BOOK OF REVELATION ONLY GIVES US 42 MONTHS, 1260 DAYS, TIME, TIMES, AND HALF A TIME = 3 AND 1/2 YEARS. THE TWO WITNESSES PREACH DURING THE LAST 3 AND 1/2 YEARS OF THIS AGE - Keith Hunt)
Moreover, the resurrection of the two witnesses—after being dead for three days—would make a much bigger impact on the world in the middle of the tribulation than at the end, when Armageddon is in full swing, just prior to the second coming of Christ.
(WELL IT WILL BE AT THE END OF THE ONLY 3 AND 1/2 YEARS GIVEN IN THE BIBLE FOR THE TRIBULATION AND DAY OF THE LORD. THEY WILL BE RESURRECTED TO LIFE [PHYSICAL - IT DOES NOT SAY IMMORTAL LIFE] SHORTLY BEFORE JESUS RETURNS [DANIEL 12 - LAST VERSES] ADDS ADDITIONAL DAYS YET TO BE ADDED TO THE 42 MONTHS OR 1260 DAYS, BEFORE DANIEL STANDS [IS RESURRECTED] AT THE COMING OF THE ONLY COMING OF CHRIST GIVEN IN THE BIBLE TO ESTABLISH THE KINGDOM OF GOD ON EARTH - Keith Hunt)
In any event, the martyrdom of the two witnesses—apparently at the midpoint of the tribulation—is described in detail in Revelation 11:7-12:
(THERE IS NO MID-POINT! THERE IS ONLY 42 MONTHS, OR 1260 PLUS MORE DAYS GIVEN IN DANIEL 12, TO END THIS AGE, AND THE ONLY ONE COMING AGAIN OF CHRIST - Keith Hunt)
When they have finished their testimony, the beast that rises from the bottomless pit will make war on them and conquer them and kill them, and their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city that symbolically is called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was crucified. For three and a half days some from the peoples and tribes and languages and nations will gaze at their dead bodies and refuse to let them be placed in a tomb, and those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth. But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here!" And they went up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies watched them.
(NOTICE "CLOUD" AND "HEAVEN" - IT DOES NOT SAY INTO THE HEAVEN WHERE GOD LIVES - Keith Hunt)
This resurrection will serve as a mighty testimony to the power of God during the tribulation. How awesome a day this will be. (I will address these two witnesses again in chapter 11, which deals with events at the midpoint of the tribulation.)
..........
AND I WILL ANSWER HIS CHAPTER 11 WHEN WE GET TO IT - Keith Hunt
END TIMES CHRONOLOGY
by Ron Rhodes
The First Half of the Tribulation: Judgments, Martyrdom, and Apostasy
IN THIS CHAPTER
The Seal Judgments Are Unleashed
Martyrdom Increases
The Trumpet Judgments Are Unleashed
Religious Babylon Dominates the World
The Seal Judgments Are Unleashed
The God of heaven—whose glory and majesty we witnessed in Revelation 6—is all-powerful and sovereign over all things in the universe, but He is also a God of judgment. In his modem classic Knowing God, J.I. Packer forcefully reminds us of this sobering, oft-forgotten truth.
The reality of divine judgment, as a fact, is set forth on page after page of Bible history. God judged Adam and Eve, expelling them from the Garden and pronouncing curses on their future earthly life (Gen. 3). God judged the corrupt world of Noahs day, sending a flood to destroy mankind (Gen. 6—8). God judged Sodom and Gomorrah, engulfing them in a volcanic catastrophe (Gen. 18—19). God judged Israels Egyptian taskmasters, just as He foretold He would (see Gen. 15:14), unleashing against them the terrors of the ten plagues (Ex. 7—12). God judged those who worshipped the golden calf, using the Levites as His executioners (Ex. 32:26-35). God judged Nadab and Abihu for offering Him strange fire (Lev. 10:lff.), as later He judged Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, who were swallowed up in an earth tremor. God judged Achan for sacrilegious thieving; he and his family were wiped out (Josh. 7). God judged Israel for unfaithfulness to Him after their entry into Canaan, causing them to fall under the dominion of other nations (Judg. 2:llff, 3:5ff, 4:lff.).
Some people have tried to claim that the God of the Old Testament is characterized by judgment, whereas the God of the New Testament is all about love. God is a God of love, but He also continues to be a God of judgment in the New Testament. Judgment falls on the Jews for rejecting Jesus Christ (Matthew 21:43), on Ananias and Sapphira for lying to God (Acts 5), on Herod for his self-exalting pride (Acts 12:21-23), and on Christians in Corinth who were afflicted with serious illness and even death in response to their irreverence in connection with the Lords Supper (1 Corinthians 11:29-32; see also 1 John 5:16). Christians will one day stand before the judgment seat of Christ (1 Corinthians 3:12-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10)......
(MOST PROTESTANTS HAVE THE SAINTS STANDING BEFORE THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST ALL WRONG! YOU NEED TO STUDY MY STUDY CALLED "THE TRUTH ABOUT JUDGMENT DAY" ON MY WEBSITE - Keith Hunt)
The Tribulation Period
It is no surprise to witness various judgments falling upon the world during the future tribulation period. Interestingly, the word tribulation comes to us from a Latin word meaning "to press" (as grapes). It refers to times of oppression, affliction, and distress. The Greek word thlipsis is translated variously as "tribulation," "affliction," "anguish," "persecution," "trouble," and "burden." This word has been used in relation to... those "hard pressed" by the calamities of war (Matthew 24:21)
a woman giving birth to a child (John 16:21) the afflictions of Christ (Colossians 1:24) those "pressed" by poverty and lack (Philippians 4:14)
great anxiety and burden of heart (2 Corinthians 2:4) a period in the end times that will have unparalleled tribulation (Revelation 7:14)
General tribulation is to be distinguished from the end-times tribulation period. All Christians may expect a certain amount of general tribulation in their lives. Jesus Himself said to the disciples, "In the world you will have tribulation" (John 16:33). Paul and Barnabas also warned that "through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). But the end-times tribulation period is distinct.
1.Scripture refers to a definite period of time of tribulation at the end of the age (Matthew 24:29-35)
2.It will be of such severity that no period in history past or future will equal it (verse 21).
3.It will be shortened for the sake of the elect (verse 22), as no flesh could survive it.
4.It is called the time of Jacob s trouble, for it is a judgment on Messiah-rejecting Israel (Jeremiah 30:7; Daniel 12:1-4).
(WRONG....PROTESTANT PROPHETS TEACH ALL ISRAELITES ARE "JEWS" - THEY ARE NOT. THE PUNISHMENT ON ISRAEL AND JUDAH AT THE END TIMES HAS NO DIRECT BEARING OF "MESSIAH-REJECTING ISRAEL" - IT HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH THEIR SINS IN GENERAL - Keith Hunt)
5.The nations will also be judged for their sin and rejection of Christ (Isaiah 26:21; Revelation 6:15-17).
This tribulation period will last seven years (Daniel 9:24,27).
(NO IT WILL NOT!! THE PROTESTANT PROPHETS DO NOT UNDERSTAND DANIEL 9:24,27 CORRECTLY! HENCE THEY COME UP WITH 7 YEARS TRIBULATION; REVELATION ONLY SPEAKS OF 42 MONTHS - 3 AND 1/2 YEARS - Keith Hunt)
6.This period will be so bad that people will want to hide and even die (Revelation 6:16).
The Unleashing of Judgments
The book of Revelation indicates that human suffering will steadily escalate during the tribulation period. The first set of judgments to be unleashed on earth are the seal judgments. Consider the horror of these judgments:
First seal judgment. The rider of the white horse—the antichrist— goes out to conquer and make war (Revelation 6:1-2).
Second seal judgment. Peace is taken from the earth, with people slaying each other on a massive level (verses 3-4).
Third seal judgment. Widespread famine emerges, probably as a result of war breaking out on a global scale, causing a disruption in transportation and distribution of food supplies (verses 5-6).
Fourth sealjudgment. Massive casualties result from the widespread famine and pestilence, further aggravated by predatory wild beasts (verses 7-8).
Fifth sealjudgment. Massive numbers of God's people are mercilessly martyred (verses 9-11).
(THE AUTHOR DOES NOT UNDERSTAND THE FIRST FOUR SEALS ARE NOT PART OF THE "GREAT TRIBULATION" - THEY COME BEFORE. THE GREAT TRIBULATION IS THE FIFTH SEAL......PERSECUTION OF TRUE SAINTS OF GOD. NOTICE MATTHEW 24.....THE GREAT TRIBULATION DOES NOT COME TILL VERSE 15 TO 28.....THE OTHER SEALS CAME IN MATTHEW 24: 5-7. NOTE JESUS THEN SAYS....VERSES 9-14 .... PERSECUTION OF SAINTS, AND GOES ON IN VERSES 15-28 TO EXPOUND IT MORE - Keith Hunt)
Sixth seal judgment. A devastating earthquake is accompanied by severe cosmic disturbances. People everywhere try to hide (verses 12-17). Further cosmic disturbances will occur a little later in the tribulation period. A third of the sun, moon, and stars will be darkened at the fourth trumpet (8:12), the sun will be darkened by smoke from the abyss at the fifth trumpet (9:1-2), and the sun will scorch people with fire and fierce heat when the fourth bowl is poured out (16:8-9).
(ACTUALLY THE FURTHER COSMIC DISTURBANCES WILL BE DURING THE "DAY OF THE LORD" WHICH STARTS AFTER REVELATION 6:17 - "GREAT DAY OF HIS WRATH IS COME" - Keith Hunt)
Seventh seal judgment. This final seal judgment results in the unleashing of the trumpet judgments, which are even more catastrophic.
(NOTICE ..... JOEL 2:30-31.....HEAVENLY WONDERS BEFORE THE DAY OF THE LORD! CORRESPONDING WITH REVELATION 6: 12-16 AND WITH MATTHEW 24: 29 WHICH COMES AFTER THE GREAT TRIBULATION - Keith Hunt)
Parallels to Jesus's Olivet Discourse
In Jesus's Olivet discourse, He speaks of things that will occur during the first half of the tribulation period, and more than a few Bible expositors have noticed the parallels that seem to exist between these events and the seal judgments.
(NOPE....NO SUCH THING AS "FIRST HALF OF THE TRIBULATION" BUT WHEN YOU GET DANIEL 9 WRONG, YOU GET ALL KINDS OF OTHER ERRORS BUILT UPON A FOUNDATION OF ERROR - Keith Hunt)
Jesus' Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24)
False christs (verses 4-5)
wars and rumors of wars (verse 6)
Famine (verse 7)
Earthquakes (verse 7)
The Seal Judgments (Revelation 6)
The antichrists (verses 1-2)
Men slay one another (verses 3-4)
Famine (verses 5-6)
A great earthquake (verses 12-14)
A comparison of Matthew 24 and Revelation 6 seems to indicate that these horrific events occur during the first half of the tribulation period. Woe to those who live on earth during this time, for things are about to get even worse.
(NO SUCH THING AS FIRST HALF - DANIEL 9 WRONG, OTHER THINGS BECOME WRONG....WOE TO THOSE TEACHERS WHO BUILD ON A SAND FOUNDATION OF NOT UNDERSTANDING DANIEL 9 AND THE 70 WEEKS PROPHECY. THE TRUTH OF IT IS COVERED IN DETAIL ON MY WEBSITE, AS I BRING TO YOU WHAT OLD FUNDAMENTAL PROTESTANTS TAUGHT IN THEIR COMMENTARIES - Keith Hunt)
Martyrdom Increases
Scripture reveals that even though the church will be raptured prior to the tribulation period (1 Thessalonians 1:10; 4:13-17; 5:9; Revelation 3:10),
(ABSOLUTELY NONSENSE - THERE IS NO SUCH THING TAUGHT IN SCRIPTURE AS A "SECRET RAPTURE" - OR A TWO-PHASED SECOND COMING OF CHRIST - ONE INVISIBLE AT ANY SECOND, AND THE OTHER VISIBLE 7 YEARS LATER. THE WHOLE SILLY DOCTRINE IS BLOW TO BITS IN VARIOUS STUDIES ON MY WEBSITE - Keith Hunt)
many people will become believers during the tribulation period. (These are the "sheep" of Matthew 25:31-46.) There will be many conversions (Revelation 7:9-10).
(THAT IS TRUE - THE 144,000 PART OF THEM - Keith Hunt)
Though many believers in Jesus will still be alive at the time of the second coming, which occurs after the tribulation (see Matthew 25:31-46), many others will be martyred during the tribulation. We have already noted the martyrdom in connection with the fifth seal judgment in Revelation 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 witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, "O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.
This passage indicates that not only are many already martyred, but more are yet to come, even in the early days of the tribulation period. Some of these martyred "fellow servants" are the "great multitude" mentioned in Revelation 7:9-17—"the ones coming out of the great tribulation" who "have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (verse 14). Some of this great multitude may die natural deaths, but most will likely die as martyrs, as Bible expositor Thomas Constable explains.
This group appears to be the same as the one referred to earlier in 6:9-11 (cf. v. 14). These believers died either natural or violent deaths during the first half of the Tribulation. They have joined the angels in the heavenly throne-room that John saw previously (chs. 4—5; cf. v. 11). Now they hold palm branches symbolizing their victory and joy (cf. John 12:13). They are worshipping and serving God in heaven... They will no longer experience the privations and discomforts of their earthly existence (cf. Isa. 49:10 [LXX]; John 4:14; 6:35; 7:37). The Lamb, now seen standing before the middle of the throne, will provide for them as a good shepherd takes care of his sheep (cf. Ps. 23:1-4; Isa. 40:11; Ezek. 34:23; John 10:11,14; Heb. 13:20; 1 Pet. 2:25; 5:2-4).2
(THERE WILL INDEED BE A GREAT KILLING OF TRUE SAINTS OF GOD, DURING THE GREAT TRIBULATION AS JESUS SAID IN MATTHEW 24. THEY DO NOT GO TO HEAVEN! SEE THE STUDY ON MY WEBSITE CALLED "DEATH - THEN WHAT?" AND THE OTHER STUDIES LIKE "ENOCH, MOSES, ELIJAH - ARE THEY IN HEAVEN?" "LAZARUS AND THE RICHMAN" "WILL WE GET TO HEAVEN?" FOR THE TRUTH ABOUT DEATH AND THE RESURRECTION. THIS TRIBULATION AND DEATH OF SAINTS WILL BE MAINLY IN THE FIRST 2 YEARS OF THE LAST 42 MONTHS OF THIS AGE, IF WE GIVE A YEAR AS A "DAY" IN THE "DAY OF THE LORD" - Keith Hunt)
The book of Revelation indicates that such martyrdom in the tribulation period will be nothing new. In Revelation 2 Christ speaks to the church in Pergamum about one of His faithful martyrs: "I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells" (verse 13).
Christ urges His people to stand strong and not fear martyrdom. When He comforted the church in Smyrna, He included this exhortation: "Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life" (Revelation 2:10).
God's people will be persecuted during the tribulation period, and some will be killed. But death will simply be the gateway to eternal life with Jesus Christ, the divine Messiah.
The Trumpet Judgments Are Unleashed
(THIS IS NOW DURING THE "DAY OF THE LORD" OR AS THE LAST VERSE OF REV. 6 PUTS IT "THE GREAT DAY OF HIS WRATH HAS COME" - Keith Hunt)
Revelation 8 indicates that the seal judgments, as bad as they are, are followed by even worse judgments—the trumpet judgments.
First trumpet judgment. Hail and fire fall upon the earth. We are told that "a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up" (verse 7). Some .............. modern prophecy scholars suggest the possibility of nuclear detonations in this judgment. After all, what else could burn up a third of the earth?
Second trumpet judgment. A fiery mountain plummets into the sea, which turns bloody, resulting in a third of the sea creatures dying (verse 8). This, of course, cuts into the food supply as well as fouling the waters of the sea.
Third trumpet judgment. A star falls from heaven (verses 10-11). As noted previously, many believe this "star" will be a large meteor or an asteroid striking the earth and causing a near-extinction-level "deep impact." It looks like a star because it bursts into names as it plummets through earths atmosphere. It results in turning a third of the waters bitter so that people who drink them die.
(A "STAR" IS USED SOMETIMES FOR "ANGEL" - REV. 1:20 - SO COULD BE JUST A SUPERNATURAL ANGEL POWER EVENT - Keith Hunt)
Fourth trumpet judgment. Severe cosmic disturbances emerge. We are told that "a third of the sun was struck, and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of their light might be darkened, and a third of the day might be kept from shining, and likewise a third of the night" (verses 12-13). The diminishing of light may be due to the massive dust kicked up into the atmosphere when the large meteor or asteroid associated with the third trumpet judgment strikes the earth. With the diminishing of light, the growth of plant life will be hindered, thereby furthering reducing the food supply.
(COULD BE JUST THE MIGHTY POWER OF GOD SPEAKING AND IT IS DONE - Keith Hunt)
Fifth trumpet judgment. Hideous demons are released from the bottomless pit, and they engage in relentless torment of human beings for five months (Revelation 9:1-12). During this time, people will seek death but will not be able to escape their pain. They will long for death rather than repent before a holy God.
(THIS IS THE MIGHTY BABYLON BEAST/HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE OF EUROPE MAKING WAR ON THE EAST, AFTER IT HAS BECOME RULER OF THE WESTERN WORLD. IT IS A REPEAT OF WHAT HITLER AND THE NAZIS DID IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR, AS THEY WANTED TO RULE RUSSIA ALSO - Keith Hunt)
Sixth trumpet judgment. Angels that are bound at the Euphrates are released, and they kill a third of humankind by plagues (verses 13-21). Amazingly, "the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk, nor did they repent of their murders 'or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts" (verses 20-21). The hearts of human beings will be calloused and hardened against God.
(THIS IS THE MIGHTY POWERS OF THE EAST [RUSSIA, CHINA, INDIA, JAPAN, KOREA, PAKISTAN] HITTING BACK AT THE RESURRECTED HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE OF EUROPE. THIS IS THE BATTLE THAT IF NOT STOPPED BY THE COMING OF CHRIST, NO FLESH WILL BE SAVED ALIVE - Keith Hunt)
Seventh trumpet judgment. This final trumpet judgment results in the unleashing of the bowl judgments, which are even worse than the trumpet judgments (see Revelation 16). How awful it will be for those dwelling on the earth. Those who have experienced the trumpet judgments will think that things are as bad as they can possibly be. But Gods judgments will continue to escalate in the bowl judgments.
(AND IT IS THE LAST OF SEVEN TRUMPETS......THE LAST TRUMP AS PAUL PUT IT IN 1 COR. 15. IT IS THE TIME FOR JESUS TO RETURN; THE ONE AND ONLY RETURN; TIME FOR THE RESURRECTION AND INSTANT CHANGE TO IMMORTALITY FOR ALL SAINTS OF GOD, FROM ADAM TO THIS VERY MOMENT. ALL IN DETAIL EXPLAINED IN MANY STUDIES ON MY WEBSITE - Keith Hunt)
Religious Babylon Dominates the World
In Revelation 17 we find prophecies of religious Babylon. Verses 1-7 describe it, and verses 8-18 interpret Johns vision, which includes much symbolic language.
The passage indicates that religious Babylon is a great prostitute whose religious unfaithfulness influences the people of many nations. Revelation 17:1 tells us that this prostitute is "seated on many waters," which symbolizes various peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages. Scripture reveals that the kings of the earth commit adultery with this harlot and become a part of the religious system she symbolizes (see Revelation 14:8). This false religious system apparently emerges during the first half of the tribulation period.
(REMEMBER THERE IS NO FIRST HALF; SHE COMES ON THE SCENE TO BRING IN THE GREAT TRIBULATION AS GIVEN IN DANIEL 11:40-45 AND ON INTO DANIEL 12 - Keith Hunt)
This great prostitute—a truly blasphemous religion—-sits on (and thus controls) a scarlet beast, who is the antichrist. Prostitution is often a graphic metaphor in Scripture that symbolizes unfaithfulness to God, idolatry, and religious apostasy (see Jeremiah 3:6-9; Ezekiel 20:30; Hosea4:15; 5:3; 6:10; 9:1).
(SHE IS THE WHORE, THE WOMAN BABYLON MYSTERY RELIGION, WITH ALL OF HER MYSTERIOUS RELIGIOUS RITES, TAKEN FROM ANCIENT BABYLON AND ROME. SHE HAD MANY DAUGHTERS THAT CAME OUT OF HER ...... IN PROTEST ...... TWO GUESSES AS TO WHO SHE IS, AND THE FIRST ONE DOES NOT COUNT. SEE THE OLD PROTESTANT BIBLE COMMENTARIES LIKE ALBERT BARNES, ADAM CLARKE, WHO PULL NO PUNCHES IN TELLING YOU WHO SHE IS - Keith Hunt)
We also read of "seven mountains on which the woman is seated" (Revelation 17:9). Apparently, the seven mountains symbolize the seven kingdoms and their kings that are mentioned in verse 10. Mountains often symbolize kingdoms in Scripture (see, for example, Psalm 30:7; Jeremiah 51:25; Daniel 2:44-45).
These seven kingdoms refer to the seven great world empires-Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, and that of the antichrist. The biblical text tells us that five of these kingdoms have fallen, one still exists, and one is yet to come (Revelation 17:10). This means that at the time of Johns writing, the Egyptian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Medo-Persian, and Greek empires had fallen. Rome, however, still existed during Johns day, and the antichrists kingdom was yet to come in the end times. This passage tells us that false paganized religion has affected (or will affect) all these empires.
(NOT QUITE CORRECT, ROME WAS TO HAVE 10 REVIVALS, 7 WOULD BE HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE REVIVALS. 6 HAVE ALREADY COME, THERE IS ONE MORE TO COME AT THE END OF THIS AGE.....THE HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE OF EUROPE NOW FORMING BEFORE YOUR VERY EYES. SEE MY STUDY ON MY WEBSITE CALLED "THE BEASTS OF DANIEL AND REVELATION" WHERE I PUT IT ALL TOGETHER FOR YOU RIGHT FROM HISTORY - Keith Hunt)
Revelation 17 indicates that this apostate religious system will...
be worldwide (verse 15)
(WELL MANY OF HER MYSTERIOUS RITES AND TRADITIONS HAVE DECEIVED THE WHOLE WORLD TO A GREATER OR LESSER DEGREE - Keith Hunt)
be utterly unfaithful to the truth and therefore a "harlot" (verses 1,5,15-16)
exercise powerful political clout among the nations (verses 12-13) seem outwardly glorious while being inwardly corrupt (implied in verse 4)
persecute believers during the tribulation period (verse 6)
..........
AGAIN I SAY, READ THE OLD PROTESTANT BIBLE COMMENTARIES, LIKE: ADAM CLARKE, MATTHEW HENRY. ALBERT BARNES; THEY TELL YOU PLAINLY WHO THIS BABYLON WHORE IS - Keith Hunt
To be continued
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