Epaggelia

Trying to understand what the Dragon (Satan) on the beach gives authority to, v4, is impossible without Daniel 7, and Revelation 17. They both compliment what is revealed in Rev. 13. Every scholar both catholic & protestant always interprets Daniel’s fourth beast to be the Roman Empire, which for John’s vision is coming out of the Sea, v1. A list of Caesars are 1-Julius, 2-Augustus, 3-Tiberius, 4-Caligula, 5-Claudius, 6-Nero, (7,8,9 Galba, Otho, Vitellius) 10-Vespasian, 11-Titus, 12-Domitian. The Sea Beast has 10 horns, which have another definition akin but different to the Beast, AND ends up hating the Prostitute which represents the City riding the Beast in 17:12-16. Note John’s Sea Beast has 7 heads (kings) & 10 horns (kings), Rev. 17:9-12, which possibly represents the following: The Heads may represent Emperors which promoted their own deity. The Horns could represent the Provincial Kings of the Empire which rose up against the city of Rome itself. There were at one time (117AD) at least 33 provinces in the Empire, but not all of them had kings that rose up against Rome. Here are 7 Caesars which accepted worship as a god, promoted themselves as a god or were deified post-humously. Which the 7 heads might represent:

1. Julius
2. Augustus
3. Claudius
4. Nero (Ruler of rulers)
5. Vespasian
6. Titus
7. Domitian

The Historians Suetonius and Cassius Dio allege that Domitian officially gave himself the title of Dominus et Deus (“Lord and God”). However, not only did he reject the title of Dominus later during his reign, but since he issued no official documentation or coinage to this effect, historians such as Brian Jones contend that such phrases were addressed to Domitian by flatterers who wished to earn favors from the Emperor. To foster the worship of the imperial family, he erected a mausoleum on the site of Vespasian’s former house and completed the Temple of Vespasian and Titus, a shrine dedicated to the worship of his deified father and brother. To memorialize the military triumphs of the Flavian family, he ordered the construction of two Temples and completed the Arch of Titus. There are at least 10 Provinces which had Kings or Generals that would lead rebellions & attacks on Rome or the Empire itself. These might represent the 10 horns.

1. Jews & Galileans from Caesarea to Masada & Beth Horon 66-73AD, Jerusalem fell 70AD, at great expense of Roman life, losing over 10,000 soldiers.
2. During the years succeeding the rule of Antoninus Pius, the Roman Empire began to be attacked on all sides. A war with Parthia lasted from 161 to 166 (under the joint rule of Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus) and, although it ended successfully, its unforeseen consequences for the Empire were great. The returning troops brought with them a plague (the so-called Antonine Plague), which would eventually kill a conservative estimate of 5 million people, severely weakening the Empire.
3. The Syrian Pescennius Niger, proclaimed himself Emperor with support from Arabians in 193AD.
4. Goths battle at Thermopylae against Romans & Greeks towards Thessalonica, 250AD
5. Bar Kokhba revolt in Judea, over 80,000 Romans killed, defeating Jews, 132-136AD
6. The Burgundians led by King Gunther, 411AD
7. King Alaric &  the Visigoths sacking Rome, 410-411AD
8. Gaiseric & the Vandals 435-455
9. In 451, Attila the Hun invaded Gaul, and the Franks joined the Romans and the Visigoths to resist the invasion. Attila’s conquest was halted at the Battle of the Catalaunian Plains, present-day France, and he retreated from Gaul. The Franks continued to provide military support to Rome to fight against imperial enemies, including the Visigoths in 463 and the Saxons at Angiers in 469AD.
10. Odoacer was a soldier who in 476 became the first King of Italy (476–493). His reign is commonly seen as marking the end of the Western Roman Empire. Though the real power in Italy was in his hands, he represented himself as the client of the Emperor in Constantinople.

God wants only his Son, in Jesus Christ worshiped as God, no one else on earth deserves our allegiance of life and love, without our life being in Christ, we are without hope. We will become the enemy and lose if we do not make Jesus the only rightful Lord of our life, 1^st Timothy 6:14-15 & Deuteronomy 10:17.

“A Woman Clothed with the Sun” v1, The faithful children of God are symbolized as the young bride in the prime of her life, she is giving birth to the future success of God’s Kingdom, Jesus Christ. Later on in Revelation as the pictures develop, the Woman actually represents the churches as a whole. The Old Testament is clear about how God views his people as a wife, read Isaiah 50:1, 54:1 & Micah 4:9ff.

“The Twelve Stars” represent  God’s continual crowning authority and victory for his faithful children, the 12 tribal leaders of Israel were previously pictured as Judah, Reuben, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Manasseh, Simeon, Levi, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph & Benjamin, (Rev. 7:6-8), but as the Woman’s meaning changes into the church, she doesn’t lose her stars, which represent the 12 apostles, read Matthew 10:2-4. Stars are compared to God’s children through Abraham & Sarah, Genesis 15:5 and our ancestry sheds light on the world in darkness and having the moon under our ancestry’s feet would signify any other light other than our clothing in Christ being of lesser significance. The labor pain is indicative of the fact that we have a common struggle with the nation of Israel going through pain in order to bring the Messiah to the world. Today we find in our work of evangelizing that if there is no pain, there is no gain! Paul taught Timothy, to do the WORK of an evangelist, see 2^nd Timothy 4:5

“A Great Red Dragon” v3, remember that Satan has grown from the beginning of time as a subtle snake into a monstrous dragon, this is the nature of evil, it’s deception and destruction grow way out of our control but God’s victory overcomes our enemy in the end. The Pharaohs of Egypt are described as dragons in the O.T., see Psalm 74:13, Isaiah 51:9 & Ezekiel 29:3. It’s 7 diadems the dragon wears is actually reflecting how totally inferior his rule is, in comparison to the victory crown (garland) the Woman wears, she is the winner in the end, the dragon loses his temporary reign.

“Stands Before The Woman” v4, illustrated twice, once in Pharaoh’s slaughter of the baby boys, Exodus 1:15-19 and also prophesied in Jeremiah 51:34 through Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylon, being fulfilled in Herod’s slaughter after the birth of Jesus. John alludes to the analogy in Revelation 11:8. “She Bore a Man-Child”, Jesus is the reason God rules perfectly in this life, ministry and sacrifice, shows his heart is enthroned with the Father’s rule, while the mother was being chased in the wilderness, she was nourished by God, this is happening in the spiritual heavenly places, Ephesians 1:3, now, the nourishment is given to her for 1260 days, again, emphasizing the temporary limited suffering of the new churches, this young mother now represents. Daniel foresaw this painful struggle in Daniel 7:25-27 & 12:5-7. The “ruling rod of iron”, it is interesting to note that Hugh J. Schonefield in his book, “The Incredible Christians” describes middle-eastern shepherds as carrying staffs which are covered or shielded with iron and/or lead to hit wolves with!

War Broke Out in Heaven…He was Cast Down to Earth” v7-9, Michael represents the front-line of battle which God orchestrates, see Daniel 12:1, so here in Revelation we shouldn’t think Michael has won the battle, but rather we should see Michael representing the fight Jesus initiated on earth, but actually won in Heaven after the resurrection and ascension. Our own spiritual battles are initiated here on earth but ultimately won in heavenly places, see Ephesians 6:10-17. “Now…have come”, v10, this is past tense for us, the victory for Jesus is already done as in His resurrection, but for us his victory is in his blood, v11. The blood has no effect if we do not express a testimony and are willing to suffer for Him who paid the price, read 1^st Peter 2;21 & Acts 14:22.

“Two Wings of a Great Eagle” v14, The woman has not changed into an eagle but was given wings of one, this is clearly showing God’s powerful care to rescue, nourish and deliver her out of harms way, see Deut. 32:11, Psa. 36:7, Isa. 40:31. “The Serpent Spewed Water out of His Mouth” v15, Satan here tries to ape God’s action during Noah’s flood, but the effect is reversed by the earth. This may be an analogy of Satan’s spiritual work in false religion from Rome’s Emperor worship and later on in the false religion of Rome’s secular seal of approval on Christianity, which did not bless the woman’s latter offspring, the new church gave birth to other children which struggled with false doctrine and persecution by so-called christian leaders. Notice the war is ongoing but we experience the war’s reality if our testimony is true and we are using the Spirit’s Sword which is the word of God, Ephesians 6:17.

“Measure the Temple of God” v1, To John, there is only one Temple, the Churches of Christ, 1^st Cor. 3:16-17, Eph. 2:19-22 & Rom. 16:16. The altar being holy, means that our prayers are sanctified. The worshippers are measured within the NAOS (inner temple) therefore they are priests, 1^st Pt. 2:9. The purpose of measuring is to designate what is holy and whatever is not measured is profane, Ezk. 40:3-5, 42:20. What is the consequence? Relief from the nations trampling underfoot God’s holy people, the church. Though the church will suffer abuse & martyrdom, they will not be profaned. But everyone outside the church suffering hardship from the Roman Empire falling, will be punished as profane and in the next life too.

“42 Months…1260 days” v2-3 are two different ways of expressing the same thing. This is why we know that the identity of the Two Witnesses is identical to the Temple. The numbers correspond to 3½ years but in the context of the Two Witnesses so that it relates to the resurrection of Jesus, his 3½ days, v9. This number, be it days, weeks or years, as in 1260, 42 or 3½, always means “LIMITED TEMPORARY SUFFERING”. It’s equivalent occurs in Dan. 7:25 as the “little horn” temporarily persecuting the saints, it occurs in Rev. 12:6 & 12:14 where the Woman is suffering in the wilderness but nourished and it occurs in 13:5 where the Beast temporarily exercises authority over the saints but is eventually destroyed, Rev. 19:20-21.

“Two Witnesses” v3, The Church can be seen as mournful prophets, witnessing His judgments against their persecutors and prophesying God’s deliverance and Jesus’ return. Why “two”? So that God’s message and meaning of the olive trees and lampstands (v4) delivers strength to them in their suffering. Zechariah helps us understand the meaning, Zec. 4:11-14, where we see two olive trees providing the candlestick with oil, they are two anointed ones before the Lord, whose eyes go throughout the whole earth. Without light, Zerubbabel can’t build and use his plumbline, the enemy can’t be seen and the victorious presence of God isn’t witnessed. So the olive trees and candlestick are essential for God’s work of judgment and spreading of His good news, building His Temple, the church. Two is used to bring the meaning of King Zerubbabel and the High Priest Joshua son of Jozedek inside the olive tree and candlestick Witnesses. Both Royalty and Priesthood are seen in the church, 1^st Pt. 2:9. Therefore if the church lived noble lives like Royalty and holy lives like Priests, therein lay the avenues of God’s power to endure the hardship, preach the word and experience the deliverance of God into salvation. His Temple will be built no matter what opposition halted it.

“If anyone wants to harm them…” v5, The Church’s altar (prayers) are measured, sanctified and heard for a response, God will punish the Beast, v7, which is Rome for it’s persecution against the church in Asia Minor and anywhere else.

“Their Dead Bodies” v8-9, The witnesses resurrection is coming, their humiliation and suffering is temporary. This sin against the church is not only committed by Rome, but also by leaders of Judaism in Jerusalem, v8, symbolized as Egypt, for it’s oppressive power over God’s people, and also symbolized as Sodom for it’s degenerate morals which lured people away from Christ.

“They Stood on their Feet” v11, After both Jerusalem & Rome fell, the church was alive & growing. The surviving unbelieving world would indeed by amazed to see such a persecuted religion win despite all the odds. The resurrection of Jesus which the church was within, was what they experienced, we are now surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, Heb. 12:1.

“The 7^th Trumpet” v15. Here is the most significant division in Revelation’s text. The end of the Roman Empire is finalized in this trumpet we see the triumph of Christ, and within this Trumpet is the 7 bowls outpouring His entire wrath on the enemy. From here on, there are no more series of sevens. Therefore Christ’s reign is celebrated & established completely over all the earth and although we don’t completely understand why Jesus tolerates the chaos of world powers today, nevertheless, He is King of kings, NOW, 1:5, 19:16.

“Another Strong Angel” v1, This most certainly is not Jesus. The angel of Jehovah in the Old Testament is called an arch-angel in Jude v9 and is also called “one of the chief princes” in Daniel 10:13. So the strong angel here and in Rev. 5:2 could be one of those Chief Princes also.

“The Little Book”, v2, Ezekiel had a similar experience, Ezk. 2:8-3:3. It was his expression of commitment to the message he was given. To eat something, showed full acceptance in this case, John was accepting his responsibility to tell the message, live it and relay it onwards to many nations. There is no indication he needed to do a personal journey around the Empire. Jeremiah was appointed as a prophet to many nations, but he did not journey like Jonah was called to travel, see Jeremiah 1:5-10. Instead, John’s responsibility was fulfilled by finding others, to take what he was delivering to them. Secular history records that John died in Ephesus, so it seems he was released from his banishment on Patmos and would send forth this recording of the Revelation onwards. This necessitates disciples to commit to what the Apostle John wrote, which may be why John closes Revelation with a warning against changing any of the contents, Revelation 22:18-19. Do we feed on the word of God? It is food, see John 6:45-58, Hebrews 5:12-14, 1^st Corinthians 10:4, 12:13.

“7 Peals of Thunder Uttered Their Voices”, v3, The content of the thunderous judgments of God are not described, nor are the contents written down, but they are sealed up, indicating clearly, that God has no  intention of revealing their details to the early church. But what is clear is that His judgments are victorious against any future enemies even after the Roman Empire falls. What enemies has the church faced in recent history? God has always kept some things to himself and his silence is to be respected, Deuteronomy 29:29. However, there is no denying that persecution is real today, we must realize that God will judge our persecutors and we should rejoice along with other Christians who have suffered before us, Matthew 5:10-12. We do not face an enemy as big as the Roman Empire, but we do face enemies. God is saying in these 7 thunders that his judgments are just as effective now as they were then, see Romans 12:20.

“Standing on the sea and on the land, raised up his hand”, v5. Being both on the land and sea is clearly telling us that the oath the Angel takes, applies to every soul in heaven and on earth, (Daniel 12:7) His hand upheld indicates that he is aware of being in full view of God on the Throne.

“Delay no longer”, v6. The only delay the saints were suffering, was the time in which God was giving the general public throughout the Empire to repent in the face of His judgments. This proves that God loves our enemies and that we should be praying for their repentance, even when it seems most unlikely, Matthew 5:44 & 2^nd Timothy 2:25. Today we should remind ourselves of how many lost souls have neglected and procrastinated on the call of Jesus Christ, only to find themselves ushered into the presence of the Almighty unprepared.

“Sounding of the 7^th Angel”, v7. Within the 7^th trumpet comes the totality of God’s judgment, displayed as His wrath is poured out of the 7 bowls, Rev. 16. For the Christians, these days are long and hard, but for John it is seen as coming after a delay. When God’s judgment is finished, the Christians can see the glory of the good news as victorious. As promised, this Revelation has a blessing and the church is victorious, Rev. 1:3.

“Go & Take…take it and eat”, v8-9, Just as John was to show his own voluntary initiative in accepting responsibility, so we also should volunteer to go and pass on this message, Mat. 28:18-20. The strong angel did not give John the little book, John was told to take it! Have you taken the initiative to feed on His word? God never forces anyone to eat.

“your belly bitter…your mouth…sweet”, v10, It symbolizes the sweetness of being blessed and privileged to receive original oracles, but it’s also bitter because John too will feel the suffering the church must endure through God’s wrath against the evil Roman Empire they physically live within.

“many peoples & Nations”, v11, the church can not pretend to live separate from the world, when God punishes them, John will feel for them, it’s a bittersweet experience to know that your victory means that others suffer so much. The same pain is felt by Jeremiah, see Jer. 25:15-30, as he watches Judah fall.

The three woes in 8:13, find meaning in the next three (5^th, 6^th & 7^th) Trumpets. 9:12 & 11:14.

5^th Trumpet, The Judgment of God upon the Empire’s Cultural values/ethics. The fallen star, v1, alludes to a ruler over locusts. Satan is a type of ‘god’, 2^nd Corinthians 4:4. The locusts are an apt description of the sin of immorality and it’s painful consequences.

“from the shaft rose smoke like the smoke of a great furnace…Then from the smoke came locusts” v2-3, Abraham set eyes on a scene something like this from Genesis 19:28 after Sodom & Gomorrah were destroyed. Of course Satan would rule over immorality and it’s deadly consequences, Rev. 9:11. How would you like to face multiple outbreaks of diseases without antibiotics and/or modern medicine?

Imperial Rome had many afflictions, from catastrophic plagues to sexually transmitted diseases. The Antonine Plague, possibly the most widespread and catastrophic outbreak of disease in Rome’s Empire, was named after the Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, because it occurred during his reign. Historical sources suggest that Roman soldiers returning from battles in Mesopotamia spread disease, which lasted from 165-180 AD. Based on the written observations of fever, diarrhea, and boils by the Greek physician Galen, historians infer that smallpox caused the plague. Including substantial deaths within the army, the outbreaks decimated an estimated two thirds of the Roman population, killing almost 9 million people. Another disease, Mentagra, notably thought by the Imperial Romans to be spread by kissing, was a skin disease most commonly starting on the chin and moving on to the entire face and sometimes other body parts. The aesthetic factor was very ugly, the disease was not deadly but Romans ironically went as far as scar-inducing cauterization to rid them of the abhorrent disease, it made many of them wish they were dead, as they faced multiple outbreaks of diseases within 15 years and have no antibiotics and/or modern medicine? 9:6, 10.

“not to harm”, v4, Jesus was very clear about his disciples suffering persecution, but he also said to his apostles they could trample on snakes and their poison wouldn’t hurt them, while rejoicing that their names are written in Heaven, Luke 10:19. Logically, if STD’s were at the center of this judgment, and Christians truly lived a sexually pure life, avoiding things like the Roman Baths of their era, then you can see how some disease would have been avoided, but spiritual protection must be realized fully during the onslaught of plague and they must accept this spiritual reality as fully as when the Hebrews received it physically. Christians are protected spiritually to the same extent as Hebrews were protected physically from the plagues of Egypt! see Rev. 7:3.

6^th Trumpet, God’s judgment upon the Empire’s Military,  4 Angels “bound at the great river Euphrates”, v13-14. “mounted Troops & horses” are often a symbol of war itself, v16-17. 200 million troops, is a big army!

This number echoes from Psalm 68:14-19 numbering God’s army as victorious, but here in Revelation it could be used in reference to the armies against Rome’s Empire as victorious. East of the Empire lay Rome’s greatest threat, Persia! Other armies took advantage of Rome’s eastern weak front. The big division in the Empire was Constantinople, establishing the Eastern Roman Empire. From there on, it began to crumble. The lion headed horses with tails like snakes, are a sure indication that the armies (Vandals, Goths, Franks & Turks) against Rome are full of power and deception. Terrorism is real for the Romans, and you can hear clearly the Eagle’s second woe in this 6^th Trumpet, as they watched their military might weaken in defeat. On August 9, 378AD, an army of Goths led by Fritigern rose and attacked the Romans. Two-thirds of the Eastern Roman army were killed. Ammianus Marcellinus called it “the beginning of evils for the Roman empire then and thereafter.” . Between 406-419AD the Romans lost a great deal of their Empire to different German tribes. The Franks conquered northern Gaul, the Burgundians took eastern Gaul, while the Vandals replaced the Romans in Hispania.

“did not repent…did not repent”, v20-21, The purpose of these Judgments (trumpets) upon the Empire was not fully recognized by most unbelievers, just as in the days of Moses, Pharaoh and the Egyptian army were destroyed. God and His children in Christ were proven victors.

7^th Seal, Revealing seven trumpets. Seals concealed a revelation of the future but revealed news (truth) when opened. But a trumpet spoke of warning in activated war or judgment. Notice each trumpet only destroys a fraction of what it is sounded against. The ungodly people the judgment is directed against are meant to pay attention and repent, but they do not. Trumpets are obvious reminders of the plagues against Egypt in the days of Moses, so it is in the days of the persecuted Church. Every 1^st century Christian reading this would see the parallel. In v3-5, we see the reason for the judgments, the Christian’s cry of “how long”, 6:10, was heard and acted upon. Our prayers have an effect. God’s power is seen at the right time. These judgments came upon the world because Christians cried for vengeance and also because God loves his children. In 9:20-22 we see what their end purpose is.

“silence…half an hour” v1, Hours in the Bible often speak of an important decisive action (1^st Jn 2:18) some kind of work that changes everything, therefore an hour that is halved may lead us to think that something real significant is about to happen, a bit like the purpose served in a drum roll before an important person arrives.

“golden censer” v5, an eighth angel at the altar attends to sanctified prayers of Christians which appeared before God’s Throne in 6:9. This is the only appearance of the censer in the entire revelation, and it is the reason for the half hour of silence. When the angel throws the burning censer to earth, it represents God’s answer to Christians’s cry for help. Censers are explained best in Numbers 16:11-18. The angel represents Christ’s intercessory position in our prayer, He is the only mediator between God & the physical church, 1Tm. 2:5, but in this vision, Christ is opening the seal, The Father is on the Throne and our prayers are sanctified & answered!

“7 angels with 7 trumpets” v2-6, The significance of this lay in Numbers 10:1-10, they were used to call a congregation and also to enact the assembly to set out camp. Secondly they were used to alarm the troops of Israel before war, Thirdly they were a call to bring God’s children into remembrance before God in their Feasts annually. Therefore trumpets in Revelation tell us that we are never forgotten before God as they go though the pain of martyrdom and suffering in the crossfire of war, we must stick together and use real fellowship to grow and fight with the spiritual sword, the Bible. 1^st Cor. 1:9, Gal. 2:9, Php. 2:1-3, 1^st Jn. 1:7. We should never tolerate fellowship with the enemy, Rev. 18:4.

1^st Trumpet, God’s war upon the Roman Empire’s agriculture/economy, v7

2^nd Trumpet, God’s war on the Empire’s commerce, allies/trade with provinces, v8-9

3^rd Trumpet, God’s war on the Empire’s religion, v10-11

4^th Trumpet, God’s war on the Empire’s political leaders, v12

5^th Trumpet, God’s war on the Empire’s cultural values\ethics, 9:1-12

6^th Trumpet, God’s war on the Empire’s military, 9:13-21

7^th Trumpet, God’s war resulting in victory, 11:15

When God shows the water is polluted in v11, it’s a sign that sin is mingled in what should help provide life, meaning that what appears to be healthy (religion) is actually deadly. Jeremiah 23:14-15 gives a good use of “wormwood”, and Amos 5:7-8 is wormwood’s description of God controlling the enemies own demise with whatever the enemy thinks/believes is good. Remember Exodus 15:22-25 shows that only God can sweeten polluted waters, making false religion change/repent!

The Three Woes, v13, the symbol of Rome’s Imperial rule itself, the eagle, speaks of it’s own shame in judgment upon itself. This emphasizes how deep the destruction of Rome is from God, as it’s own citizens are fully aware of how hypocritical, beastly and frightfully condemned they all are. This makes the church look like a very good place to be, even during a painful time of it’s history. The idea of each Trumpet only harming a third of whatever it warred against, is a reminder that this will be a long & painful war the church will experience, and just as in the days of Moses & Pharaoh, the Egyptians were destroyed and God’s children were proven powerful, but the enemy did not recognize real repentance, evil will linger even in the face of God’s judgment & destruction until the ultimate end and the glory of victory is delivered

6^th Seal, The fall and destruction of the Roman Empire throughout the known world, is a result of the wrath of the Lamb conquering over the world’s Government. A great change in Government is how Isaiah describes the sky vanishing in Isaiah 34:2-5, as well as Jeremiah’s staggering earth and shaking mountains, Jer. 4:23-25, both describing Judah’s fall & change in government. Words of judgment may not be taken literally in Zeph. 1:2-4 but the outlandish language is used to describe the judgment of Judah losing it’s government. This may be rooted in the act of God disturbing Mt. Sinai in establishing the law of Moses, changing the Government of his people, which resounds to this day, echoed in Micah 1:3-6.

“Fall on us and hide us…the wrath of the Lamb” v15-16, The epitome of Old Testament prophecy is seen from Psalm 110:4-7, about the wrath of the Lamb being fulfilled in the conquering Conqueror from the 1^st seal’s white horse Archer. If we are on the winning side throughout all this conflict, we best be in Jesus with Christians that are more than conquerors, experiencing his love, Romans 8:37-39.

“Who Can Stand?” v17 The answer unfolds in Chapter 7, God’s four angels show judgment being placed in them and are holding back, yes personifying the winds of judgment from 6:13. Wind is used in the O.T., to show God’s deliverance through judgment, remember the Hebrews salvation was the Egyptians destruction, Ex. 14:21-28. The wind is used as a term for judgment against idolatry in Isa. 57:13 & Jer. 18:17. But from the east in John’s vision comes an angel of mercy, the very place where wind would bring judgment. This is consistent with the symbol of wind being both judgment and God Himself as the Spirit, Ac. 2:2 & Jn. 3:8.

“Rising of the Sun…Seal of the Living God” v2, This claims that the judgment to come is God’s judgment, He is providing security & identity for everyone sealed. A very important point to remember about God’s Judgment is: “ALL SUFFERING IS NOT THE JUDGMENT OF GOD”, This is why Ezekiel 9 is important in understanding why the righteous suffered in Ezekiel 21:3-4. Just because we are caught in the cross-fire, doesn’t mean we are not on the winning side. The spiritual warfare we are in does not guarantee our physical safety, but it does guarantee our inner spiritual safety, victory and life! This is the purpose of the seal in Ephesians 1:13-14. Tertullian wrote appx. 210AD, “if the rains don’t come, Christians are blamed, if too much rain comes and Tiber river overflows, Christians are blamed”. Temporarily that might be the way they and maybe us live but it is not the reality in which we are sealed. The effect of this seal is an eternal reality of victorious peace.

“Bond-Servants” 7:3, Here we have two pictures of bond-servants for two reasons. Firstly they are 144,000 in v4 to show the historical faithfulness of God to his children and secondly they are the great multitude no one can count, v9 to show the future fulfillment of God’s faithfulness. Depending upon your own faithfulness to God, you know whether or not you are a “bond-servant”, an adopted child servant, Romans 8:14-17.

Notice the listing of the 12 Tribes, from Judah being first, not Reuben, signifying that this is Spiritual Israel, without “Dan” because of their saturation in idolatry (Judges 18) replaced by Joseph. There is no Ephraim because of their idolatry, (Hosea 5:9-11) replaced by Levi which had no physical tribal land but are listed here.

“a Great Multitude” v9-17 resembles the festive feast of Tabernacles with it’s palm branches and song of salvation, v10 is very reminiscent of this Feast which has so much rejoicing within Jerusalem annually.

“The Great Tribulation” v14-17 Is God’s way of describing the battle every Christian soldier should be involved in, Eph. 6:10-17. The Hebrew writer described his readers as Christians which “had not struggled with sin to the point of losing blood”, Heb. 12:3-6. But this was about to change and 1^st Peter 4:17 is a clear indication of the judgment of God beginning with the house of God. When it falls on humanity in general, the saints will suffer along with sinners while God’s winds of judgment sweep across the Roman Empire. Always remember that during God’s judgment, his faithful children are sealed survivors, look at Noah, Lot and Joseph as a few examples, Gen. 7:1-16, 19:15-17, 45:7, but we Christians are more than conquerors with living waters and every tear wiped away. He is the God of all comfort, 2^nd Corinthians 1:3-11 & Luke 16:19-31.