My last article, The Revelation of the Apocalypse – Part III :: By Randy Nettles – Rapture Ready, ended with the destruction of political/economic Babylon, as John prophesied about in Revelation 18. This will occur towards the end of the seven-year Tribulation (Daniel’s 70th week), after the seventh bowl judgment is poured out on the earth as described in Revelation 16:17-21. “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” (Rev. 16:17).
Revelation 16:18-21 describes the seventh bowl judgment, which includes the greatest earthquake in mankind’s history. “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. 16:18-19).
The great city refers to Jerusalem, as it is contrasted with the cities of the nations (or Gentiles) and Babylon. The Greek word ethnos (or ethnon) is translated 93 times as Gentiles and 64 times as nations in the KJV. Rev. 11:8 calls Jerusalem a great city, and Rev. 21:10 also describes the heavenly Jerusalem as such. The division into three parts would more naturally refer to Jerusalem, since we know the Mount of Olives will divide in two when Messiah returns (Zechariah 14:4). Perhaps this causes a three-way division (north, south, and west) within Jerusalem itself.
The destruction prophesied for Babylon is far more severe than a mere three-part division; it involves overwhelming devastation that renders her completely unfit for further habitation. See Isaiah 13:19-22 and Jer. 50:39-40.
The remainder of the seventh bowl judgment is found in the last two verses in Revelation 16: “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). Wicked men will blaspheme God until the very end.
At this point, God’s twenty-one judgments against the earth and its inhabitants are finalized, and His wrath is complete. “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” (Rev. 15:1).
The Father’s wrath may be complete at this point, but the Son’s is not. At His return to the earth, Christ (the Word of God) will destroy all his enemies, including the Antichrist, the False Prophet, and all the Gentile armies that come against Him. Revelation 19:15 says, “And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.” We will review Christ’s return in more detail a little later in this article.
REJOICING IN HEAVEN
After the destruction of political/economic Babylon in Revelation 18, John sees and hears many people in heaven shouting, “Hallelujah unto the Lord God.” In fact, they shout Hallelujah four times about specific events that have occurred or are about to occur.
The first Hallelujah is for the fall of the Ecclesiastical (Mystery) Babylon: “And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Hallelujah; Salvation, and glory, and honor, and power, unto the Lord our God: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand” (Rev. 19:2). This destruction of Mystery Babylon occurs at the midpoint of the Tribulation. See The Revelation of the Apocalypse – Part II :: By Randy Nettles – Rapture Ready.
The second Hallelujah is for the destruction of Babylon, the world’s political and economic capital under the Antichrist’s reign. “And again they said, Hallelujah, and her smoke rose up for ever and ever” (Rev. 19:3). This occurs at the end of the Tribulation and is pictured in Revelation 18:18: “And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!
The third Hallelujah is a worshipful praise to God from those around His throne, namely the 24 elders (representing the Church) and the four Seraphim. “And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Hallelujah. And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great” (Rev. 19:5).
The fourth Hallelujah is for the marriage of the Lamb to His bride, the Church. “And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Hallelujah: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints” (Rev. 19:6-8).
Regarding the first and fourth Hallelujahs, we see the contrast between the two “women” that have significant influence over the world: the whore of Babylon, representing Satan and his blasphemous lies; and the wife of Jesus Christ, the Church, representing God and His truthful word. Only those who acknowledge and worship the One true God will enter the kingdom of God and have eternal life.
The marriage of the Lamb to the Church occurs in heaven at this time. The marriage feast (supper) will take place on the earth at the beginning of the millennial kingdom. “And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb” (Rev. 19:9). The guests at the marriage supper will be the believing Tribulation survivors who go into the Kingdom in their natural state, the resurrected Old Testament saints, and the resurrected Tribulation saints.
“And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Rev.19:9b-10).
After our “marriage” in heaven, we will await the order from the supreme commander of the heavenly armies (both angelic and the translated Church) to “mount up” and prepare for war (in which we will only be witnesses). The Man of War (see A Man of War: The Lord is His Name :: By Randy Nettles – Rapture Ready) will be called back into action to redeem His remnant saints on the earth and, once and for all, defeat His enemies, both demonic and human.
THE CHARGE OF CHRIST AND THE COSMIC CAVALRY
Jesus’ Second Coming will be like the cavalry arriving at the last moment to save those about to be slaughtered. They will first hear the bugle (shofar/trumpet) sounding the cavalry charge. Then they will see the Man of War on His white stallion. He will not wear a white cowboy hat, but many crowns on His head. He will not wield a saber, but will use the sickle of the word of God.
The armies of heaven will follow Him, all riding on white horses. I can imagine the poor, pathetic armies of the Antichrist shaking in their boots with fear. Here is how John described it:
“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
“And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords” (Rev. 19:11-16).
Here is the true conqueror on a white horse, not the impostor from Rev. 6. The crowns He wears are diadems, the crowns of royalty, not merely a stephanos (victor’s) crown as is given to the Antichrist. The sharp sword is His word, as Hebrews 4:12 explains, and His robe is dipped in blood, as Isaiah 63:1-6 foretells. John gives Him the same name from his gospel. He is “the Word” (John 1:1).
“He will rule them with an iron scepter” is a direct quote from Psalm 2:9, a promise given by God to His Son, and by the Son to the overcomers of Thyatira. (Rev. 2:26-27) This signifies that His Church will rule with Him. Although the armies of heaven accompany Him on white horses and dressed in white linen, Christ alone fights, according to Isaiah 63:5-6. Christ’s armies include both angels and resurrected saints, although it’s possible only the saints are on horses.
Revelation 19:17-21 describes the Word of God, the glorified Christ, slaughtering the Antichrist’s forces, including the ten kings’ armies. “And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh” (Rev. 19:21). Verse 17 calls it the “great supper of God.” This is a grim contrast to the wedding banquet of the Lamb that will occur at the beginning of the millennium kingdom. Those invited to the wedding supper are indeed blessed. However, the armies of Earth won’t feel blessed to be invited to the great supper of God. They’re the main course.
Revelation 19:20 says the beast (the Antichrist) and the false prophet are taken and thrown alive into the Lake of Fire. For more details, see Is Gog the Antichrist? :: By Randy Nettles – Rapture Ready.
THE MILLENNIUM KINGDOM
The kingdom of God is eternal. Numerous passages of scripture from O.T. prophets confirm this. Here are a few: “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever” (Daniel 2:44).
“Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this” (Isaiah 9:7).
The millennial kingdom in Revelation 20 is merely the first 1000 years of God’s eternal kingdom. The Jews and the O.T. prophets knew nothing about the events that John saw in Revelation 20. After the Antichrist and false prophet are dealt with, Revelation 20 describes what happens to the third member of the Unholy Trinity, Satan.
“And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season” (Rev. 20:1-3).
Many scholars believe the demons who followed Satan will be imprisoned in the burning regions of Babylon and Edom (see Isaiah 13:19-22; Jeremiah 50:39; 51:37; Isaiah 34:8-13; Isaiah 13:21-22) during the Millennium.
“What an amazing time of blessing this will be! Satan and his demonic realm will be rendered completely inoperative during the coming earthly kingdom of God. But this great blessing also has a flip side: removing the great tempter also removes a convenient excuse by which men hide their own rebellious nature. And this, it would seem, is part of God’s plan in locking Satan away for the duration of the Millennial Kingdom—to show man his utter incapability of obedience to God, even in the midst of ideal conditions and in the absence of the influence of the serpent of old.” {1} Revelation 20 Commentary | Precept Austin
Revelation 20:4-5 describes several groups of resurrected saints. “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.”
Those seated on thrones come from two major resurrection events, both part of the category known as the first resurrection: Old Testament saints and Church saints. The O.T. Saints have been recently translated with their eternal bodies (as depicted in Daniel 12:1-2). The Church saints, represented by the 24 elders, were translated earlier at the pre-tribulation Rapture. Of course, the “souls” mentioned are the martyred Tribulation saints who are awaiting their translated bodies so they can live and reign with Christ for a thousand years.
Revelation 20:4b-6 says, “and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
The martyred Tribulation saints are part of the first resurrection, which is only for the righteous (those saved by grace through faith) and leads to eternal life. It takes place in four stages over more than three millennia. For those groups involved in the “first resurrection” (and the second resurrection), see Resurrection of the Dead and the Book of Life :: By Randy Nettles – Rapture Ready.
AFTER THE THOUSAND YEARS
In Revelation 20, after mentioning the Tribulation saints’ reign with Christ for a thousand years, John details major events that will transpire after the thousand years, namely Satan’s demise and the resurrection of unbelievers.
“And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, and shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
“And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever” (Rev. 20:7-10).
In verse 10, we see the eternal abode of the Unholy Trinity.
Next, John sees the destiny of the unrighteous unbelievers of all ages, those who have followed in Satan’s path and have rebelled against God and His word. They are resurrected at this time (the second resurrection) and face God’s judgment. In this instance, “God” refers to Christ, the second Person of the Godhead. “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son” (John 5:22). This is called the Great White Throne Judgment.
“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Rev. 20:11-15).
The Great White Throne Judgment will not determine whether a person is saved, for that was settled forever at the time of death. This judgment will determine the degree of punishment one will face in the Lake of Fire (see Matthew 11:20-24; Luke 12:47-48). At this time, the Book of Life will be opened. None of those facing judgment will have their names written in the book, as every unbeliever’s name will have been blotted out by God. The other books mention one’s deeds and sins. These books will determine the degrees of punishment.
John also wrote about the two resurrections in John 5:26-29. “For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
“Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”
Long before John wrote about the two resurrections, Daniel spoke of it in Daniel 12:1-2. “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”
Being thrown into the Lake of Fire is the second death. As I mentioned before, those who experience the second death will not be listed in the Book of Life, because their names will have been blotted out of it. The second death is not death at all in the sense of “passing away,” for you cannot escape from this eternal torment by dying again. There is actually no more death, as Death and Hades have been cast into the Lake of Fire.
The second death is the opposite of eternal life with God. The second death is a “living death” and separation from God for eternity. An individual has two choices: live eternally in the new heavens and earth (including the New Jerusalem) or die eternally in the Lake of Fire. You choose through the decisions you make in this life. “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life” (Deuteronomy 30:19).
THE NEW JERUSALEM
If you choose life, you will enter eternity with God. John describes this in Revelation 21:
“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also, there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away’” (Revelation 21:1-4).
The author of Hebrews had this to say about those who choose life and the glorious company they will keep throughout eternity: “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel” (Hebrews 12:22-24).
Next time, we will finish our study of Revelation with the last two chapters, Revelation 21 and 22.
Randy Nettles
You searched for randy nettles – Rapture Ready– archived articles
The post The Revelation of the Apocalypse – Part IV :: By Randy Nettles appeared first on Rapture Ready.
Leave a Reply