In my last article, The Revelation of the Apocalypse – Part II :: By Randy Nettles – Rapture Ready, we examined who or what the seven heads and ten horns of the beast in Revelation 17 are. To recap: The seven “heads” (or mountains per Rev. 17:9) are seven world empires, six past and one future, that Satan will have used throughout history to enhance spiritual apostasy and persecute the children of Israel and the saints of God.
Most scholars believe the six heads from the past represent Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. The yet-to-come seventh head is the kingdom of the ten kings (or horns) and Antichrist, as mentioned in Daniel and Revelation. When the Bible uses “horns” symbolically, they generally represent kings, as in Revelation 13 & 17, and Daniel 7:20, 24.
The seven-headed, ten-horned beast/s appears earlier in Revelation 12 & 13. However, the description of this end-time beast kingdom, and the true power that controls it, differs subtly within these chapters (and in Daniel 7). Let’s examine these subtle differences.
In Daniel 7:19-20, the “fourth beast” in Daniel’s vision has one head with ten horns. The fourth beast is Rome (preceded by Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece). The future “revived Roman Empire” is the “ten-horn” or “ten kings” kingdom that will arise in the last days from the territory of the ancient Roman Empire and beyond. The “one head” of Daniel 7:20 is the future seventh head of Revelation 12, 13, & 17. It has ten horns or kings.
Revelation 12:3 describes the great red dragon, Satan, as having seven heads, ten horns, and seven crowns upon his (seven) heads. Notice that the beast rising out of the sea in Revelation 13:1 has seven heads, ten horns, and ten crowns on its (ten) horns. Revelation 12:3 describes Satan as having seven crowns on its seven heads, whereas Revelation 13:1 describes a beast with ten crowns on its ten horns.
Of course, we know Satan is the true power behind the Antichrist. “And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast” (Rev. 13:4a).
Both creatures have seven heads (world empires) and ten horns (kings or kingdoms), but they differ in the number and placement of their crowns. I believe that Revelation 12:3 is describing Satan when he is still in heaven before he is kicked out of heaven shortly before the midpoint of the Tribulation.
Rev. 12:3 could be a picture of Satan’s authority over the earth before the Tribulation begins. The Tribulation begins when the Antichrist has enough authority to confirm or strengthen the covenant with “the many” (including Israel) for seven years, as Daniel 9:27 stipulates.
I believe Revelation 12:3 is described differently from Revelation 13:1 because the ten horns are not yet kings (they are not pictured as wearing crowns). Instead, the ten horns are ten regions/kingdoms under the United Nations’ control that will form their long-dreamed-of New World Order after the Rapture. I believe the Rapture will greatly speed up the formation of the ten-horn kingdom.
I wrote about this three years ago in The Second Horn :: By Randy Nettles – Rapture Ready. In this scenario, the world will be divided into 10 regions, similar to the Club of Rome’s 1973 proposal (other maps exist as well). At first, each region will have its own government and currency but will likely follow United Nations directives, or possibly the E.U.’s leadership, as they are the first of the ten horns. Many scholars think Daniel’s prophecy in Daniel 9:26-27 stipulates that the Antichrist (“the prince that shall come”) will be of Roman or European descent.
So, Satan’s seven heads (including the seventh head, the ten regions’ government) will wear seven crowns. Initially, the ten “horns” are kingdoms or regions (not kings), under the E.U. or U.N.’s authority. Basically, they share the seventh crown. This is why Rev. 12:3 describes Satan as having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads at this time.
After a major event or war (possibly the Gog-Magog war) that the U.N. cannot manage, the ten-region government will eventually form into a one-world government ruled by an oligarchy of ten kings. They will also implement a one-world currency. A one state-sanctioned religion will also be established (Mystery Babylon). The ecumenical Roman Catholic Church will help the ten kings acquire power and influence. They might even control the masses more than the ten kings.
These ten kings are the “ten horns” mentioned in Daniel and Revelation. Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum, in his book The Footsteps of the Messiah, also notes that the revived Roman Empire (the seventh head) will have several stages, including a “one world government” and a “ten horn” kingdom. The last stage will be the Antichrist’s 3.5-year-long reign.
Regarding the covenant in Daniel 9:27, the “U.N./ten-regions” government or the “ten kings” government may make a covenant with “the many,” and the A.C. will later confirm or strengthen it for seven years. Because of these different stages of world government after the pre-tribulation Rapture, a significant gap of time (perhaps months or even years) could occur before the Tribulation begins, as the Antichrist will not appear right away.
Rev. 13:1 says, “And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.” Notice, the beast (empowered and authorized by Satan) now has seven heads and ten horns, with each horn having a crown. This indicates that the ten horns are now kings, as they wear crowns. Although it doesn’t say so, the seven heads will always have crowns. These are world empires, both past, present (John’s time), and future.
“And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear’s, and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority” (Rev. 13:2). This beast has all the traits of the four beasts that Daniel saw in the visions of Daniel 2 & 7, which most scholars believe are Greece, Medes-Persia, Babylon, and Rome (including the “revived Roman Empire,” as Daniel 7:7 says it has ten horns). Some scholars believe the Antichrist’s kingdom will include all the territories these ancient world empires held.
Also, the next verse in Revelation says, “And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast” (Rev. 13:3). “One of his heads” is the seventh head (the revived Roman Empire), which the Antichrist is now a part of. According to Rev. 13:12, the Antichrist will be killed and brought back to life. So, the beast in Revelation 13:1-3 is the kingdom of the ten kings and the Antichrist.
Daniel mentions the Antichrist emerging in the midst of the ten kings in Daniel 7:20, 24: “And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows…. And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.”
John mentions that the beast, the Antichrist, that was killed and resurrected is part of (with the ten kings) the seventh head: “And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet [in john’s time]; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.” (Rev. 17:11-12).
We know from Daniel 7:8, 24 that the Antichrist will subdue or kill three of the ten kings. At this point, the remaining kings (and perhaps three replacement kings) will give their power and authority to the beastly Antichrist. This will occur at the midpoint of the Tribulation, as Revelation 13:5 says, “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.”
REVELATION 14
Revelation 14 is a parenthetical insert that links the mid-tribulation events of Revelation 10-13 to the second half of the tribulation in Revelation 15-16. This insert shows the different fates of those who choose Satan’s kingdom over the Kingdom of God. It is one last call for mankind to make the right choice.
Revelation 14:1-5 is a millennial scene in which the 144,000 Messianic Jewish evangelists of Revelation 7 stand on Mount Zion with the Lamb of God (Jesus Christ). They appear to be about to enter the Kingdom of God. They bear the name of God the Father on their foreheads, the seal that has protected them from death throughout the Tribulation.
This millennial scene appears at this juncture to show the contrast between those who take God’s mark (chapter 7) and those who take the mark of the beast, as mentioned in chapter 13. Their eternal destinies are quite different. Regarding the 144,000: “These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb” (Rev. 14:4). They are the first fruits of many more Messianic Jews to enter the kingdom of God.
Regarding those who take the mark of the beast: “The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name” (Rev. 14:10-11).
Three proclamations, by three flying angels, are given to the world before the seven bowl judgments are poured out upon the earth. The first one is a final call to the world to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God in light of the False Prophet’s dictate to worship the Antichrist. This angel calls the world to choose between Jesus Christ and the Antichrist (Rev. 14:6-7).
The second angel proclaims the fall of political/economical Babylon, as detailed in Revelation 18 (see Rev. 18:1-8 and The Revelation of the Apocalypse – Part II) and Rev. 16:19. The announcement declares that the Antichrist’s worldwide capital is about to be destroyed.
The third angel proclaims judgment on anyone who worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on their forehead or hand, as Revelation 14:9-12 says. Those who choose Satan’s way are doomed to suffer the severe bowl judgments that are about to be unleashed upon the earth. After that, they will suffer in Hell for a thousand years and then in the Lake of Fire for all eternity.
Revelation 14:13 says, “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.” It’s better to die losing your head than by losing your soul!
Revelation 14:14-20 pictures the earth’s harvest of believers and unbelievers during the last portion of the Tribulation. The first part of the harvest involves reaping, a common symbol of salvation. These are those who have come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
“And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped” (Rev. 14:14-16).
The second part of the harvest is one of treading of grapes. Treading is a common symbol of judgment. The red grapes symbolize blood, and the great winepress symbolizes God’s wrath. The grapes are gathered and then subjected to the severity of God’s wrath, including the last of God’s judgments, the Vial or Bowl judgments. This treading is reserved for those who have chosen to follow the Antichrist over the true Christ.
“And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.
And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs” (Rev. 14:17-20).
The final treading takes place outside Jerusalem, in the Valley of Kidron, also known as the Valley of Jehoshaphat. The treading in this valley results in blood coming out 4.5 feet high for about 180 miles. This passage involves the Armageddon Campaign and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
REVELATION 15-16
Revelation 15 is a heavenly vision of the seven angels who will pour out the seven bowl judgments described in Revelation 16. The seventh trumpet judgment (and the third woe of Rev. 11:14) introduces the seven bowl judgments. Revelation 15:5 picks up where Revelation 11:18-19 left off and introduces the prelude: seven angels coming out of the temple in heaven with the seven bowls, “for in them is filled up the wrath of God” (Rev. 15:1).
God’s wrath doesn’t begin here. It began with the seal judgments, as Rev. 6:17 indicates, and will end with the coming bowl judgments in Rev. 16.
Revelation 15:2 shows the Tribulation martyrs in heaven, who had not worshipped the beast or his image, standing on a sea of glass mingled with fire. “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. 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” (Rev. 15:3-4).
“Commentator John Phillips compares and contrasts the two songs: “The song of Moses was sung at the Red Sea; the song of the Lamb is sung at the crystal sea. The song of Moses was a song of triumph over Egypt; the song of the Lamb is a song of triumph over Babylon. The song of Moses told how God brought His people out; the song of the Lamb tells how God brings His people in. The song of Moses was the first song in Scripture; the song of the Lamb is the last. The song of Moses commemorated the execution of the foe, the expectation of the saints, and the exaltation of the Lord; the song of the Lamb deals with the same three themes.” (Exploring Revelation, rev. ed. [Chicago: Moody, 1987; reprint, Neptune, N.J.: Loizeaux, 1991], 187) {1}
Revelation records two songs that are sung in heaven. One is sung at the beginning of the Tribulation before the opening of the seal judgments. The other is sung toward the end of the Tribulation, before the opening of the bowl judgments.
Rev. 5:8-10 records the 24 elders (representing the raptured Church) falling down before the Lamb and singing a new song, “for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth” (Rev. 5:9-10). This song preceded the opening of the seal judgments.
Revelation 14:3 is sung by “harpers” in heaven. “And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth” (Rev. 14:2-3).
I believe these harpers in heaven are the martyred Tribulation saints (in heaven) mentioned in Rev. 15: “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.
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. 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” (Rev. 15:2-3).
So, Revelation 15:2-3 explains who is singing the song in Revelation 14. It is a song of the Lamb’s redemptive work and the victory of Jesus Christ, the King of Saints, over his enemies. Of those who enter the Kingdom of God, only the 144,000 will learn the Lamb’s song.
I find it interesting that the Church, those who have escaped God’s wrath, sings the first song. “Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth” (Revelation 3:10). The second song is sung by the martyred Tribulation saints, those who had to experience God’s wrath. It’s great to be in the heavenly choir, but you definitely want to be in the first group.
After the harpers’ song, the seven angels having the seven plagues of the bowl judgments are seen coming out of the temple in heaven. Revelation 16:1 says, “And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.”
THE SEVEN BOWL JUDGMENTS
“The primary purposes of the seven bowl judgments are: (1) to pour out God’s righteous wrath in judgment of the earth dwellers; (2) to graphically demonstrate the unrepentant nature of the Earth dwellers who are already doomed by the mark they have taken (Rev. 14:9-11). Whereas the trumpet judgments were partial and intended to produce repentance, the bowl judgments are completely punitive, the Earth dwellers having passed the point of possible return.” {2}
Numerous Old Testament passages describe God’s judgment as “pouring out” His indignation, fury, and wrath. David wrote, “Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name” (Psalm 79:6). Jeremiah wrote, “Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not on thy name: for they have eaten up Jacob, and devoured him, and consumed him, and have made his habitation desolate” (Jeremiah 10:25).
Zephaniah, another O.T. prophet, wrote, “Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy” (Zephaniah 3:8).
The most famous prophecy that mentions a “pouring out” was written by Daniel, regarding the 70th week, otherwise known as Jacob’s trouble, or the Tribulation. “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate” (Daniel 9:27).
These seven bowls of judgment are the third woe described in Rev. 11:14. The third woe is the seventh trumpet judgment, which introduces the seven bowl judgments. Rev. 11:19 mentions an earthquake and great hail, which the seventh bowl judgment in Rev. 16:17-21 includes. Let’s briefly examine the seven bowl judgments.
1) “And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image” (Rev. 16:2). This judgment affects only those who have the mark of the beast in fulfillment of Rev. 11:10.
2) “And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea” (Rev. 16:3). This judgment will finish the job of the second trumpet judgment, which affected only one-third of the salt waters.
3) “And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood. And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus” (Rev. 16:4-5).
This description of the Lord matches the one in Revelation 1. “John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood” (Rev. 1:4-5). These verses clearly refer to the Godhead, also known as the Trinity.
In verse 4, the One “which is, and which was, and which is to come” refers to the Father. He exercises supreme authority and control over all events, past, present, and future. Rev. 1:8 also says, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”
John then describes his vision of the glorified Christ (v. 13 calls him the Son of man) in Rev. 1:12-18. He then says, “And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death” (Rev. 1:17-18). These verses clearly support Jesus’ statement in John 10:30: “I and the Father are one.”
Revelation 16:6 says, “For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.” Those who are bloodthirsty to kill the Tribulation saints will be subjected to drinking literal blood.
4) “And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory” (Rev. 16:8-9). Those who have the grievous sores from taking the mark of the beast will especially suffer in this scorching heat.
5) “And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds” (Rev. 16:10-11).
6) “And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared” (Rev. 16:12). John sees three unclean spirits come out of the mouths of Satan, the Antichrist, and the false prophet (these three are the counterfeit Trinity). These are demons that work supernatural miracles, convincing the kings of the earth to “gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty” (Rev. 16:14).
Their gathering place will be “in a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon (Har-Magedon),” which means “the mountains of Megiddo.” It is near the city of Megiddo near Haifa. It is a strategic location near a major international highway that runs north from Egypt through Israel, along the coast, and on to Babylon. Megiddo overlooks a huge valley, known in Christian circles as the Valley of Jezreel. This is just the meeting place for the Campaign of Armageddon. From there, the Antichrist and the “ten kings” armies will invade Jerusalem and then move on to Bozrah, Jordan, where the remnant Jews have fled after the A.O.D.
7) “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. 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. 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” (Rev. 16:17-19).
THE END OF THE GREAT TRIBULATION
With the seventh bowl judgment, God declares His wrath is done. John witnesses the greatest earthquake in history, in which “the cities of the nations fell.” The “great city” mentioned in vs. 19 is Jerusalem. The earthquake destroys the city and divides it into three sections. Some scholars believe this great earthquake occurs when Jesus Christ returns to the earth. First, “the LORD will go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.” Then, He will return to Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives.
“And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south” (Zechariah 14:4). When Christ’s feet land upon the mount of Olives (the same place he ascended into heaven from), it will coincide with the seventh bowl judgment of the great earthquake.
The destruction of Jerusalem reminds God of Babylon’s destruction at the time the Antichrist was gathering his forces at Har-Magedon. Babylon truly received “the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath” (Rev. 16:19). Isaiah 13-14 and Jeremiah 50-51 also prophesy Babylon’s utter and complete destruction (which has never occurred in history).
The seventh bowl judgment is a worldwide cataclysmic event. “And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. 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” (Rev. 16:20-21). A talent is about 75 pounds.
The destruction of Babylon in Revelation 16 occurs at the end of the Tribulation and is associated with the “political and economic” Babylon of Revelation 18. I wrote about Revelation 17 & 18 in my second article (See link above). You may want to revisit that article. I went out of order because my first article ended with Revelation 13, and since Revelation 14 mentions “Babylon,” I felt I needed to first discuss the different interpretations of her identity and the timing of her demise, which are topics of Revelation 17 & 18.
Rev. 18:14 says this about Babylon: “And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.” Jeremiah 51:49 likewise says, “As Babylon hath caused the slain of Israel to fall, so at Babylon shall fall the slain of all the earth.”
We shall finish up our study of Revelation (Rev. 19-22) in the next installment.
Randy Nettles
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Endnotes:
{1} Revelation 15 Commentary | Precept Austin
{2} Revelation 16 Commentary | Precept Austin
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