Revelation 15 A Sea of Glass

Chapter 15 is a prelude to the final judgement of God. The initial out pouring of his judgement began back in chapter 8 with the sounding of the first trumpet. Remember the seven seals revealed the four horses, souls that are slain for the word of God, and ominous signs in the sun and moon. Stars falling accompanied by a great earthquake. The seventh seal reveals the seven trumpets. The first of which begins the out pouring of God's wrath upon the beast and his kingdom. This also coincides with the beginning of the final 3 1/2 year period of the tribulation.

The initiation of this period is marked by Antichrist going into the temple and proclaiming that he is God. As his reign begins, so does the wrath of the almighty one. The seventh trumpet rev 11:15 reveals the seven bowls of the final out pouring of the wrath of God along with a whole lot of information about the end time conditions and participants.

Revelation 15:1.. And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. So the last events are about to take place. This is at the end of the tribulation period. The wrath of God is complete with these last plagues.

Verse 2.. And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. Verse 3.. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Verse 4.. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

Who are these that gain victory over the beast, over his image, over his mark, and over the number of his name? This is the nation Israel. It started with the first fruits, the 144,000, and culminates in the national salvation of Israel. They started out long ago being delivered by God through Moses and end up being delivered by God through Jesus. They sing the song of Moses and the Lamb. Here is the song proceeding the judgments that will be poured out upon the earth.

Verse 5.. And after that I looked, and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened: Verse 6.. And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles. Verse 7.. And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever. Verse 8.. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

The Lord's ways are just and true. He is fair. Even as the record of the innocent life of Jesus was preserved. John chapter 19 the Roman government finds no fault in Him. When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate said unto them, You take him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him. Matthew chapter 27 his betrayer finds no fault in Him. Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see you to that. And even the thief on the cross finds no fault. Luke 23:41, 42 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Do you not fear God, seeing you are in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man has done nothing amiss.

So now God's righteous judgment is about to be poured out upon the earth. It is recorded as just and true.

Revelation 16 The Bowl Judgements

Verse 1.. And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God upon the earth.

In the previous chapter we learned that the sanctuary was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished. Now God himself directs the out pouring of the final judgment upon the earth.

Verse 2.. And the first went, and poured out his bowl upon the earth; and there fell foul and evil sores upon the men who had the mark of the beast, and upon them who worshiped his image. 

Notice that people who have taken the mark of the beast are the ones afflicted with the painful sores. These sores don't go away. They would be similar to skin conditions caused by radiation fallout.

Verse 3.. And the second angel poured out his bowl upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man; and every living thing died in the sea. The blood of a corpse has no life in it. The blood of a living person is full of life. So the oceans of the earth will become polluted and unable to support life.

Verse 4.. And the third angel poured out his bowl upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood. It doesn't say "blood of a corpse like in the previous verse, but one would draw that conclusion. Life giving water becomes toxic and polluted; unable to sustain and refresh.

Verse 5.. And I heard the angel in charge of the waters say, "Just are you, O Holy One, who is and who was, for you brought these judgments. Verse 6.. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink. It is what they deserve!"  These people that have accepted the mark of the beast are the same ones who approved the slaughter of believers earlier during the tribulation period. So the righteousness of God is declared in that they are given blood to drink.

Verse 7.. And I heard the altar saying, "Yes, Lord God the Almighty, true and just are your judgments!"

Verse 8.. The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was allowed to scorch people with fire. Verse 9.. They were scorched by the fierce heat, and they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues. 

They did not repent and give God glory. Earlier in the tribulation period, the sun failed to light the earth for a time. Now it is scorching the earth. This cosmic anomaly  does not cause earth dwellers to repent or even give God glory. This judgment has come upon those who have completely abandoned any opportunity for a relationship with the creator!

Verse 10.. And the fifth angel poured out his bowl upon the throne of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, Verse 11.. And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds. People gnawed their tongues in anguish and cursed the God of heaven for their pain and sores. They did not repent of their deeds. So the sun scorches the earth then goes dark. This resembles a super nova condition where a star heats up for a few days and increases in intensity and then dies out. Whatever it is, it doesn't cause people to repent.

Verse 12.. The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and it's water was dried up, to prepare the way for the kings from the east. Apparently eastern armies will route up this valley in order to do battle against against the Lord.

Research released by NASA and the University of California has shown a major decrease in the volume of ground water reserves in the Tigris and Euphrates river basins. Turkey also has the ability to shut off the water supply downstream. The Ataturk Dam makes it possible to control the flow of the Euphrates. Though an agreement to let the water flow is in place, Turkey could decide to turn off the spigot at any time. This would in effect dry up the flow and allow a crossing for military troops and trucks.

Verse 13.. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. Verse 14.. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Demons performing miracles is a recurring theme during the tribulation period. The people are eager for a miracle and are quick to believe a lie.

Verse 15.. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. This seems like a warning and an encouragement interjected here by the Lord. In Luke 21:36 Jesus says watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these thing that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. So it is like the Lord reaching out to the reader and encouraging him. You don't have to experience this great tribulation.  Others believe that it is a warning not to participate in this final battle. 

Verse 16.. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

Revelation 14:20 says.. And the wine press was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the wine press, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs. From Mageddo to Edom is a thousand and six hundred furlongs or 176 miles. 

Verse 17.. And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. Verse 18.. And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.

Verse 19.. And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.

Verse 20.. And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.

Verse 21.. And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent; and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great. 

The whole topography of the earth will be changed. Islands will be no more. Mountains will be leveled. This will not be an isolated earthquake like we see in different areas. This great quake will shake the entire earth. These hail stones will weigh in at about 75 to 100 pounds. Hurling through the air at 100 plus miles an hour; you can imagine the damage they will do.

Revelation 17 Judgement of the Harlot and the Beast

In Revelation 17, we get specific details concerning the judgement of the great harlot and the beast. The previous bowl judgments were aimed squarely at the beast and his kingdom. Now we get details about the judgement and who this mystery woman is.

17:1 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters.

Revelation 17:18 says the woman that you saw is the great city that has dominion over the kings of the earth. So the woman is the great city. 

In Revelation 16:19 the great city is split into three parts. In Revelation 11:8 the dead bodies of the two prophets lie in the street of the great city that is symbolically called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was crucified. We know that the Lord was crucified in Jerusalem. Sitting on many waters speaks of authority. Revelation 17:15 says "the waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues." So the harlot exercises authority over the peoples, multitudes and nations of the earth. 

Revelation 13:1 says "And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea." So the sea or the "waters" are peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues. They bring forth the beast / system of government. The woman sits on the waters or exercises authority over the beast / system of government, peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues.

17:2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been make drunk with the wine of her fornication.

17:3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 17:4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold an precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. 17:6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. 

We don't have to imagine what this all means. We are now told what it means. 17:7 And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell the the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns. 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. 

Revelation 13:3 tells us that the beast was wounded unto death and that the deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. So, the beast/antichrist system will come back to life and the harlot will be at the reigns controlling it. Remember the harlot is the great city. The center of commerce and trade and religion. All goods and services will be provided through this center of commerce. Without the mark of the beast, it will be impossible to participate in this system.

17:9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. 17:10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. 17:11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.

Seven mountains as a designation for Rome is verified in ancient literature. But the seven mountains are also seven kings. So one could conclude that this final beast government is similar to that of ancient Rome but it's seat of power or the "great city" of Revelation 16:19 isn't necessarily Rome. The woman and the world economy "sit" on the seven heads which indicates that they control them. And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. This means that there are seven beast kings and one of them will serve twice. How he serves twice is not clear. But if the dragon is involved, it will certainly include some sort of sorcery or deceptive trickery.

So, the beast could be one of the five previous Roman emperors prior to the writing of the book of Revelation by John. Of the seven of the major Roman emperors, the one that comes closest to fitting this description is Caesar Nero whose name numerically in Hebrew totals to six hundred and sixty-six. By June in A.D. 68, the emperor Nero had managed to alienate virtually every sector of Roman society because of his cruelty and incompetence. The Senate, the army and the people of Rome had enough, and without support from any quarter, the senate declared the emperor an outlaw. Unwilling to face the harsh Roman justice awaiting him, Nero ordered a servant to kill him.

Nero was called by the early church the beast. Quite apparent that he was possessed by demonic spirits. The things that he did could only be done by a mind perverted by Satan. The horrible atrocities that this man brought against the Christian church could only be done by a mind that was totally deranged by demonic forces. Domitian was sitting on the throne at the time of John's writing.

This eighth beast king is also represented by the little horn of Daniel which resembles the beast description of Revelation 13.

Daniel 7:21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; 7:22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. Daniel 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. Compare to the beast of Revelation 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months or time and times and the dividing of time or 3 1/2 years. 

17:12 And the ten horns which you saw are ten kings, who have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

These ten horns are probably different from the ten horns of Daniel 7:20. The little horn which comes up among the ten does look like the Antichrist though. The horns of Revelation 17:12 continue with the Antichrist for a definite period of time "one hour". They have no kingdom but receive power as kings. They are probably enlisted by Antichrist to make war with the Lamb. They will probably aid with resources and financial support required to wage such a war.

The ten horns of Daniel 7 could be countries, world powers, etc. The little horn subdues 3 and eleven become eight. Eight world powers with ten CEOs, so to speak.

17:15 And he said unto me, The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. Where the harlot sits indicates authority. The woman exercises power over multitudes, nations, and tongues.

17:16 And the ten horns which you saw upon the beast, these shall hate the harlot, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. 17:17 For God has put in their hearts to fulfill his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. 17:18 And the woman whom you saw is that great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth.

The ten horns hate the harlot. 17:18 tells us that the harlot is the great city. It is the center of commerce and trade which reigns over the kings of the earth. Are the ten horns or ten CEOs of the beast kingdom made up of radical Islamic elements? Oil rich with plenty of cash, these would be able to aid Antichrist with resources and financial support. At the same time they are bent on destroying capitalism and the world economic system as we know it and replacing it with a Sharia system of government. Remember 9/11. This attack was aimed squarely at the world trade center.

Revelation 18 Mystery Babylon

18:1.. And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was made bright with his glory. 18:2.. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of demons, and the haunt of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

In Revelation 17:5 it says... And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. So this mystery city, the harlot, has come to the lowest of lows. It is fallen and the degree of the fall is emphasized by repeating "is fallen". Demonic activity, a lair for every foul spirit, a hangout for every unclean and hateful individual. Mystery, Babylon indicates that literal Babylon is not necessarily the intended reference. The activity in the city does resemble that of ancient Babylon, only worse.

Revelation 17:6 says... And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus:

In Matthew 23:37 Jesus says... O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is lift unto you desolate. There is no indication that this mystery Babylon is not Jerusalem. If this is the case, we would expect to see a shift in the center of world power and commerce to Jerusalem.

18:3.. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown rich through the abundance of her luxury. The harlot city convinces the world to put it's trust in the beast. If the harlot city is the center of commerce and trade, then it controls the world economy. What better way to convince the world to trust in the beast than to have the capacity to cancel or grant participation of buying and selling.

18:4.. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that you be not partakers of her sins, and that you receive not of her plagues. So those that are trusting in the Lord are instructed to leave the city. They are not to receive of her plagues.

18:5.. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. 18:6.. Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she has filled, fill to her double.

18:7.. So much as she has glorified herself, and lived luxuriously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she says in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. 18:8.. Therefore her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judges her. The amount of time it takes to destroy the city is contrasted by the boast, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.

18:9.. And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived in luxury with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning. So the kings who hated her are now bewailing her. Probably because they are getting a glimpse of their own fate. 18:10.. Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour is your judgment come. 18:11.. And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buys their merchandise any more:

18:12.. The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all citron wood, and all manner of vessels of ivory, and all manner of vessels of most precious wood, and of bronze, and iron, and marble, 18:13.. And cinnamon, and incense, and myrrh, and frankincense, and wine, oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and slaves, and souls of men.

18:14.. And the fruits that your soul lusted after are departed from you, and all things which were luxurious and splendid are departed from you, and you shall find them no more at all. 18:15.. The merchants of these things, who were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 18:16.. And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! The woman sitting on the beast in chapter 17 was arrayed in purple, a sign of royalty.

18:17.. For in one hour such great riches is come to nothing. And every shipmaster, and all seafarers, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, 18:18.. And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!

18:19.. And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, in which we were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her wealth! for in one hour is she made desolate.

Now quite a different response from the saints, heaven, apostles and prophets.

18:20.. Rejoice over her, you heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets; for God has avenged you on her. 18:21.. And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.

18:22.. And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of flutists, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in you; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he may be, shall be found any more in you; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in you; 18:23.. And the light of a lamp shall shine no more at all in you; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in you: for your merchants were the great men of the earth: for by your sorceries were all nations deceived. 18:24.. And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.

Through her sorcery and deception, she caused people to accept the mark of the beast. She is responsible for the death of the prophets and saints and of all that were slain upon the earth. Her destruction is complete and ever lasting.