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THE SEVENTH VIAL # 55

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REVELON BOOK“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. 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. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.  And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.”  (Revelation 16:13-16).

These four verses are parenthetical and digress temporarily from the action to explain how Satan lures these armies to the great battle.

       An unholy trinity will be at work to bring down the armies of the world to the great battle of Armageddon, which is called, “that great day of God Almighty.” In order to do this, supernatural powers will be required. Thus, the flattery, promises, and miracles of the three persuade them to come into the land of Israel.

Notice that Satan is consistent with the first mention principle in Scripture. As in the beginning, so it is here. He is ever the great deceiver. He is a liar and the father of the lie. Not only is he a liar, he is described in the most revolting image imaginable. He is first introduced as a serpent. Now, his demonic ambassadors are described as frogs. Devils fall into different classes. These are called unclean. What could be more disgusting? Frogs live in the swamp. They love darkness and do most of their work under the cover of the night. They were unclean and forbidden to Israel. Also, these spirits come out of the mouth of the dragon, the beast and the false prophet. All three work in unison to bright these nations to the battle of slaughter. 

       The warning and the blessing for those who watch and remain faithful is consistent with kingdom theology. It is seen repeatedly in the Gospels, and in Hebrews through Revelation. (See Matthew 24:43; Luke 12:39; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 3:3.)

The Seventh Vial

 “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. 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.”  (Revelation 16:17-21).

When the seventh vial is poured out into the air, a voice is heard from within the temple in heaven, along with other voices combined with thunder and lightning. These are accompanied with one of the greatest earthquakes the world has ever experienced. Some believe the great city to be Jerusalem. However, it is most likely the city of Babylon that is divided into three sections and her destruction is complete in one hour. That will be described in full in chapter 18.

Bullinger says the cities, which were destroyed, are the capital cities of the confederated nations that were allies of the beast.

There will also be great topographical changes within the Holy Land and, no doubt, in the surrounding regions.  (See Zechariah 14:1-5, 8; Isaiah 13:19-22; 14:4.)

The vial, which is poured out into the air, causes such violent storms and updrafts that hail stones accumulate to a weight of 100-114 pounds each. It will not be a good day for flying in the Middle East. A similar storm was also in Egypt. 

Twenty Things Done Under the Seventh Vial:

The second coming of Christ (19:21)

  1. The 70th week of Daniel ends (Dan. 9:27)
  2. Great tribulations end (Rev. 11:15 — Rev. 19:21; Mt. 24:15-22; Dan. 12:1-7)
  3. The judgments of the seals, trumpets, and vials end (Rev. 6:1 — Rev. 19:21)
  4. The wrath of God started in the 6th seal ends (Rev. 6:12-17; 16:17 — Rev. 19:21)
  5. Two witnesses end their earthly career (Rev. 11:3-14; Rev. 16:17 — Rev. 19:21)
  6. Israel is liberated from Gentiles under Antichrist (Rev. 12:1 — Rev. 19:21; Zech. 14)
  7. Jerusalem is delivered from Gentiles (Lk. 21:24; Rev. 11:1 — Rev. 19:21; Zech. 14)
  8. Martyrdom of saints ends (Rev. 6:9-11; 7:9-17; 15:2-4; 20:4-6)
  9. Beast worship ends (Rev. 13:1-18; 19:20)
  10. Babylon is destroyed (Rev. 16:17-21)
  11. The times of the Gentiles end (Lk. 21:24; Rom. 11:25-29; Rev. 19:11-21)
  12. Gentile world powers are defeated at Armageddon (Rev. 19:11-21; Zech. 14)
  13. Many cities of the nations fall by an earthquake (Rev. 16:17-21)
  14. Great physical changes on earth take place (Rev. 11:13; 16:17-21; Zech. 14:4)
  15. First resurrection is completed (Rev. 11:12; 7:9-17; 15:2-4; 20:4-6)
  16. The Day of the Lord begins (Rev. 20:1-10)
  17. The Antichrist’s reign ends (Rev. 19:11-21)
  18. Satan’s reign on earth ends (Rev. 19:11 — Rev. 20:3; Isa. 24:21-22)
  19. Second coming; the eternal reign of Christ begins (Rev. 19:11-21; 20:1-10)

Dake’s Study Bible

The Seven Plagues #54

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The Seven Plagues #54

REVELON BOOK  “And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:  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.  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.  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.”  (Revelation 15:5-8).

 John’s attention is now turned to the tabernacle in heaven, and he witnesses seven angels exiting in single file. Each one has in his hand a bowl, which was used in temple worship. This time the bowls were not filled with perfume or oil for the lamps, but with the wrath of Almighty God!

The seriousness of the hour could not be more ominously portrayed. There is no levity here. All is determined, and every face is fixed and intent on carrying out the command of God. They are seven in number. There is perfection in their purpose. They are clothed in pure white. They are pure in their intent. They have golden girdles about their loins. They are restrained as to their mission. They are God’s servants for the hour.

The fact that the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and that no one was able to enter it, speaks of His righteous judgments and that there can be no intercession for those who have received the mark of the Beast. The hour of God’s mercy is past.

In this chapter the seven angels are commanded to go forth and pour out their vials on the earth. Each one is described in detail as he completes his assignment.

The First Vial

 “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. 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.”  (Revelation 16:1-2).

The command to pour out the vials on the earth is, no doubt, limited to the kingdom of the beast. The first vial caused a “grievous sore” upon all who had the mark of the beast. This vial is similar to that experienced by the Egyptians. (See Exodus 9:9-11.) The only people who escape this judgment are those who refuse to receive the mark.

 The Second Vial

“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.”  (Revelation 16:3).

      Under the second trumpet one third of the sea is turned to blood. (See 8:8.) This judgment is similar also to the plague in Egypt, (see Exodus 7:20-25), which was poured out on the Nile. The sea, not the seas, under judgment could be the Sea of Galilee, or possibly the Mediterranean.  All life in the sea dies and the water is turned to blood.

The Third Vial

“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. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.  And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.” (Revelation 16:4-7).

       This third vial is poured out on the rivers and water sources, and they became blood. This judgment is also similar to that in Egypt. (See Exodus 7:19-24.) The great whore has been the murderer of God’s people and prophets since the time of Nimrod, the mighty hunter. That brutality has continued until this day and will until the final vial is poured out. The angel declares that God is righteous in His judgment. Because of their thirst for the blood of the righteous, God gives them blood to drink. No doubt this vial is confined to the kingdom of the beast also. In addition, God will provide drinking water for those who have not taken the mark of the beast. If He did not, all flesh would die within three days.

The Fourth Vial

“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.”  (Revelation 16:8-9).

       Under the fourth trumpet the sun, moon, and the stars are effected, but in a different way. There, they are darkened and shown not for a third of the day and the night. Here, the heat of the sun is intensified. Men are burned from its intense heat, yet they refused to repent or turn to God. This shows the deceitfulness and hardening effect of sin. A man or woman can resist the call and the grace of God until there is no hope for them. You can get to the point where you are unwilling to repent, even if it means your destruction in this life and an eternity in hell.

The Fifth Vial

“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.”  (Revelation 16:10-11).

This vial is poured out on the throne of the beast. His headquarters, at this time, will be in Jerusalem or in Babylon. The darkness will be literal and matches the darkness over the land of Egypt. (See Exodus 10:21-22.) This darkness is confined to the kingdom of the beast within the revised Roman Empire.

The Sixth Vial

 “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.”  (Revelation 16:12).  

The river Euphrates is mentioned also in chapter 9:14, under the sixth trumpet, where four demonic angels are bound in it. They are released and come forth to marshal an army of two hundred million! The events under this sixth vial are a continuation of that release.

The Euphrates River dries up to allow this massive army to cross over. These are those in that region who will be drawn to the battle of Armageddon as discussed in chapter 14. We cannot be certain who they are. Take your Bible map, look east of Israel and beyond the Euphrates, and make your guess.

THE SONG OF MOSES AND THE LAMB #53

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THE SONG OF MOSES AND THE LAMB #53

REVELON BOOK“And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.”  (Revelation 15:1).

 John sees “another sign” in heaven. This is the third “sign” or “wonder” according to John. In chapter 12, the sun-clad woman was a great wonder symbolizing Israel. In the same chapter, a great red dragon was a sign of Satan. Here in chapter 15 the vision of the seven angels with the seven last plagues is described as a “great sign.”  These vials contain the last of the wrath of God for that time.

 “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.  And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous 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.”  (Revelation 15:2-4).

John sees the heavenly courtyard surrounding the throne of God, and it gives the appearance of a glass pavement with flashes of light within it. The fire seen may be a reflection of the lightning which proceeds from the throne. (See Revelation 4:5-6.)  Standing on the pavement of crystal, are those who overcame the Beast by refusing his mark and his name and number. These are the martyred that had the testimony and the faith of Jesus Christ. They have harps which they play, and a song which they sing. The content of their song is in the text. Each stanza should be considered.

They sing the song of Moses and of the Lamb. Some think this song is the one they sang at the Red Sea. It is recorded in Exodus 15:1-9. Although there are many good arguments for that point, it seems more likely that the song in Deuteronomy 32 is the one sung by this redeemed remnant. No doubt the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb are the same. Moses predicted victory in Deuteronomy 32:36-43, and Jesus accomplished it.

At the Second Advent, Jesus will be King of saints and King of nations. He is not ruling as a king today. He was rejected by His nation, and the kingdom is now in abeyance. Jesus is never called the king of the church. The church is His body, and He is its head. All the nations which survive Armageddon will come up to Jerusalem from year to year to worship the King and to receive the Law at His hand. “And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles” (Zechariah 14:16). (Note: this is proof that not everyone will be killed in the Tribulation. Even those who remain of the armies who came up against Israel will go into the Kingdom.)

The Fall of Babylon #52

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REVELON BOOKThe Fall of Babylon

  “And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”  (Revelation 14:8).

This is a preview of chapter 17 and 18 and will be dealt with when we come to those chapters.

The Third Angel’s Warning Of God’s Wrath And Of Hell

 “And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,  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.”  (Revelation 14:9-11).

This third angel, like the one with the everlasting Gospel, no doubt flies through the heavens with a message of warning. All who accept the Antichrist and his religion will suffer God’s wrath in hell. The Bible has far more to say about hell than it does about heaven. Hell is a real place with real fire and suffering, which lasts forever. It took the death of God’s only beloved Son to keep you out.

 The Blessed Who Die in the Lord

 “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.   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 labours; and their works do follow them.”  (Revelation 14:12-13).

You have heard of the patience of Job. Like Job, these will find themselves in the midst of Great Tribulation and suffering. God will be silent, and from all outward appearances, indifferent to the suffering of His people. However, those who know Him and His Word know that is not the case. God is a longsuffering God. He is not willing that any should perish. He will wait as long as His patience allows.

His saints are called upon to trust Him even unto death. God will keep His Word and show Himself faithful! These show their faith by keeping His commandments and having faith in Jesus, their Messiah.

Death by execution will possibly be a daily event within the kingdom of the Beast. God encourages His saints by assuring them that death would end their suffering and that their works will be rewarded accordingly. Notice that those who worship the beast die and spend eternity in the sufferings of hell, while those who worship God and die under the Beast, spend an eternity of blessings with a loving God.

The Second Advent and the Gentiles Nations at Armageddon

 “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.”  (Revelation 14:14-16).\

This section ends with the Second Advent of Christ and the battle of Armageddon. In verses 14-16 the Lord Jesus reaps the “harvest of the earth.”

The Gentile nations are going to be “drawn” together to the battle at Armageddon where they will be destroyed as they fight against Israel. In Zechariah 14 God said He would accomplish this. (See Ezekiel 38, 39; Joel 3; Revelation 16:13-16; 19:11-21.)

We believe the harvest and the vintage are in the same battle. “I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land” (Joel 3:2).

 This is the judgment of the nations in Matt. 25:31-46. God said in Joel 3:2 that He would plead with the Gentile nations concerning Israel. No doubt, some nations will listen to God and defend Israel. He will also plead with Israel, and a remnant of the righteous will repent and fight the wicked. “In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them” (Zechariah 12:8). The weakest among the nation will become as King David and fight for the cause of Christ. This, we believe is the battle spoken of in the above text.  

 The Second Advent and Israel at Armageddon

“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.”  (Revelation 14:17-20).

We believe the harvest here is of the wicked within the nation of Israel because of the reference to the vine of the earth. Israel is repeatedly called a vine. See Isa. 5:1-5; Jer. 2:21; Psa. 80:9; Hosea 10:1; Deut. 32:32. God gathers the nation of Israel to the battle for its destruction. Only one-third will remain when this battle is over. “And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God” (Zechariah 13:8,9). (See Zechariah 14:14; Romans 11:25-29.)

The Lord Jesus will be involved in this battle. This assures us that these events are at the Second Advent. “Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me. And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth” (Isaiah 63:1-6).  (See Revelation 19:11-21.)

It is obvious that chapters 15 and 16 culminate the wrath of God just prior to the Second Advent of Jesus Christ. There were three other accounts of His second coming within the book:

Chapter 6:12-17  Chapter 11:13-16  Chapter 14:18, 20

These plagues began under the seals and the trumpets. However, under the form of vials, they are greatly intensified. These events may take place just months or days before the Second Advent.

THE EVERLASTING GOSPEL PREACHED BY AN ANGEL # 51

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CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

 

THE EVERLASTING GOSPEL PREACHED BY AN ANGEL  #51

 “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,  Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.”  (Revelation 14:6-7).

God is not limited as to how He gets His message of salvation to man. We limit Him when we assume that it must be done our way. God can and will use any means necessary to save man. We should take a lesson from Him.

               The wisdom of God is written in the creation. His wisdom and power are clearly visible to all willing to see. God has also given every man the ability to set standards of morality. This is demonstrated when we excuse ourselves, or accuse others. (See Romans 2:12-16.)

               God has always wanted man to be saved. Jonah was to be a witness. Israel was to be a witness to the nations. He gave the 144,000 to be witnesses. He told His disciples that they were His witnesses. The churches of the Revelation were to endure and be faithful witnesses unto death. They are to continue that which was started in the book of Acts.

               When it seemed impossible for men to witness and get the Good News out to others, God brought in his reserve preacher whose pulpit was the sky. God will use this special angel to proclaim a salvation message to the lost.

               This Gospel is called “the everlasting gospel” not because of its results, but because of the content of its message. The message is, “fear God…give Him glory…worship Him Who made heaven…earth…the sea…and fountains of water.” Nothing is said about believing on the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. That Gospel is totally absent here.

               From Genesis to Acts, men were not required to believe on the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Not even Jesus’ disciples knew that message when they preached the kingdom Gospel! However, the Gospel preached by this angel was the same Gospel Gentiles were required to believe prior to converting to Judaism or Christianity. This is exactly what Peter said to Cornelius. “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:  But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him” (Acts 10:34-35). In every dispensation, God has His message and His massagers.