Revelation x14 thru 15, Chapter 17
Parenthetical – A mystery revealed
This is not a span of time, but rather like a time out to describe to us the Babylon that is going to be destroyed in Chapter 18.
Chapter 17 = Mystery Babylon = The woman sitting on a scarlet beast = Babylon, revealed to us
Rev 17:9 is the verse that Hal Lindsey uses to identify the Rome of the end times, he thinks it will be the European Union’s capital. The 7 heads = 7 mountains of Rome. Quoting Lindsey, “There is no question about where the city would be – it was Rome. It says that the woman sits (or rules) on seven mountains. Most elementary students of history or geography know that Rome is the city of seven hills. It is there that the religious system will reign for a time in coalition with the political system.” The beast is being ruled by ‘the woman’=Babylon.
My interpretation is: The seven heads = 7 mountains which are 7 kings who are controlled by this ‘woman sitting on the scarlet beast.’ These seven kingdoms/countries who will have a leader who sells his soul to the Devil and they will hate the harlot (17:16; 17:4; 18:16;) and destroy her, Babylon. Till all give their kingdoms to the beast. 17:18! Those 7 hills/mountains are ‘kingdoms’!
The great harlot is Mystery Babylon, that city that rules all the kingdoms, is rich and ‘they’ hate her. Not an apostate church – but a city that is rich ‘arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication……….the kings of the earth committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her…..merchandise of gold and silver, precious stones and pearls, fine linen and purple, silk and scarlet, every kind of citron wood, every kind of objects of ivory, precious wood, bronze, iron and marble ……and cinnamon and incense, fragrant oil and frankincense, wine and oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses…..and bodies and souls of men.’ The ‘Islam’ religion is the worlds religion now! Not hard to imagine the Arabs of todays world, who hate all who do not worship their way.
Babylon destroyed in one day.
Chapter 14,15,16,19 will all occur at the same time. One right after the other. In heaven, in earth, until ‘it is finished’
Someone once said, ‘The description of Babylon only fits the U. S. at this time.’ Since that was said there are more possibilities, like Abu Dhabi, Dubai City in the UAE, Qatar and Al Basrah, the city of Basra has a major role in H.G. Wells‘ 1934 future history “The Shape of Things to Come” where the Iraqi city is at the center of a world state emerging after a collapse of civilization and becomes in effect the capital of the world.
Abu Dhabi – Abu Dhabi is ruled by Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is also the President of the UAE.
UAE –Dubai – one of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), or that emirate’s main city, sometimes called “Dubai city” to distinguish it from the emirate.The modern emirate of Dubai was created consequent with the formation of the United Arab Emirates in 1971. (SEE http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubai)
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/134702
Dubai’s problems developed because of its need to diversify as its oil reserves diminish. It has marketed itself as a tourist and financial center, and Dubai World is building magnificent projects, including artificial palm-shaped islands, that have attracted curiosity seekers from all over the world but also have resulted in a bloated debt. Goodbye to Dubai; It is over……..
http://www.waow.com/Global/story.asp?S=11782714
“Dubai’s downfall is not only hurting the city-state and the financiers who bet big on its promises.”
Even before Dubai’s financial crisis, the sheikdom’s growing economic woes had begun rippling out across the Arab world,..”
Qatar – Since 1995, Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has ruled Qatar, seizing control of the country from his father Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani while the latter vacationed in Switzerland. Under Emir Hamad, Qatar has experienced a notable amount of sociopolitical liberalization, including the endorsement of women’s suffrage or right to vote, drafting a new constitution, and the launch of Al Jazeera, a leading English and Arabic news source which operates a website and satellite television news channel.The International Monetary Fund states that Qatar has the highest GDP per capita in the world, followed by Luxembourg. The World Factbook ranks Qatar at second, following Luxembourg.
This is Scofields Commentary.
(Scofield, C. I. “Scofield Reference Notes on Isaiah 13″. “Scofield Reference Notes (1917 Edition)”. <http://www.studylight.org/com/srn/view.cgi?book=isa&chapter=013>. 1917.)
Babylon
The city, Babylon is not in view here, as the immediate context shows. It is important to note the significance of the name when used symbolically. “Babylon” is the Greek form: invariably in the O.T. Hebrew the word is simply Babel, the meaning of which is confusion, and in this sense the word is used symbolically.
(1) In the prophets, when the actual city is not meant, the reference is to the “confusion” into which the whole social order of the world has fallen under Gentile world-domination. (See “Times of the Gentiles,” Luke 21:24; Revelation 16:14; Isaiah 13:4 gives the divine view of the welter of warring Gentile powers. The divine order is given in Isa. 11. Israel in her own land, the centre of the divine government of the world and channel of the divine blessing; and the Gentiles blessed in association with Israel. Anything else is, politically, mere “babel.”
(2) In Revelation 14:8-11; 16:19 the Gentile world-system is in view in connection with Armageddon;Revelation 16:14; 19:21 while in Rev 17, the reference is to apostate Christianity, destroyed by the nations Revelation 17:16 headed up under the Beast; Daniel 7:8; Revelation 19:20 and false prophet. In Isaiah the political Babylon is in view, literally as to the then existing city, and symbolically as to the times of the Gentiles. In the Revelation both the symbolical- political and symbolical-religious Babylon are in view, for there both are alike under the tyranny of the Beast. Religious Babylon is destroyed by political Babylon Revelation 17:16 political Babylon by the appearing of the Lord Revelation 19:19-21. That Babylon the city is not to be rebuilt is clear from ; Isaiah 13:19-22; Jeremiah 51:24-26,62-64. By political Babylon is meant the Gentile world-system. (See “World,” ; John 7:7; Revelation 13:8) It may be added that, in Scripture symbolism, Egypt stands for the world as such; Babylon for the world of corrupt power and corrupted religion; Nineveh for the pride, the haughty glory of the world.
Rev 17:1 THEN one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters,” Rev 17:1,15,18; 18:8; Isa 47:7-9; Jer 30:11; 51; Zeph 2:15; 3:1
The Great Harlot (Babylon) Judged
Isa 47:7-9; And thou saidst, I shall be a lady for ever: [so] that thou didst not lay these [things] to thy heart, neither didst remember the latter end of it. Therefore hear now this, [thou that art] given to pleasures, that dwellest carelessly, that sayest in thine heart, I [am], and none else beside me; I shall not sit [as] a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children: But these two [things] shall come to thee in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood: they shall come upon thee in their perfection for the multitude of thy sorceries, [and] for the great abundance of thine enchantments.
Jer 30:11; For I [am] with thee, saith the LORD, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished.
Jer 50:1; Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will raise up against Babylon, and against them that dwell in the midst of them that rise up against me, a destroying wind;
Zeph 2:15; This [is] the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I [am], and [there is] none beside me: how is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! every one that passeth by her shall hiss, [and] wag his hand.
Zeph 3:1; Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city!
Rev 17:2 “with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.”
Rev 17:3 So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. Rev 9:2,11; 11:7; 12:3,9,13; 13:1; 17:3,16,18; 19:20; 20:2,3,10;
The Woman (Sitting on the 1st Beast?)
7 horns, 10 horns
Rev 17:4 The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. Rev 17:1-2,3-7, 15-18; 18:3,16;
The woman
Rev 17:5 And on her forehead a name was written:
MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
The great harlot = Babylon
Rev 17:6 I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement. Rev 17:1,3-7, 15-18;
Woman = harlot = Babylon
12/24/10 http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/dec/23/radical-islam-vs-christianity/ “Religious cleansing is taking place everywhere in Iraq – by Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds. Before the toppling of Saddam Hussein, there existed more than 1 million Christians in Iraq. They are now mostly gone – scattered to the winds, sacrificed on the altar of erecting an Islamic state. Churches have been closed or blown up. Hundreds of thousands have been expelled. Nearly two-thirds of the 500,000 Christians in Baghdad have fled or been killed. In Mosul, about 100,000 Christians used to live there. Now, just 5,000 remain. Soon there will be none.”
Rev 17:7 But the angel said to me, “Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns.” Rev 12:3
Mystery Revealed
1st Beast 7 heads, 10 horns (Which I believe is the Ottoman Empire restored)
The woman –Babylon – see 17:15
Rev 17:8 “The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition (9:2). And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.” Rev 9:2,11; 11:7; 12:3,9,13; 13:1; 17:3,8,16; 19:20; 20:2,3,10; (3:5; 20:12,15; 21:27; 22:19) 17:8- 17:14 Talks about the 1st beast.
1st Beast = from bottomless pit and goes to perdition
(Book of Life)
Maybe, “whose names are not written in the Book of Life..” means the persons Satan uses was never written in the Book of Life.
Rev 17:9 “Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits.” Rev 12:3; 13:1; The woman – go to 17:15
Mystery Revealed –
Babylon is the woman (who sits on the beast with 7 heads)
7 heads = 7 mountains = 7 kingdoms. The 10 kings are the group of countries who worship the 1st beast and represent the beast, Satan in chapter 12.
Rev 17:10“These are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time.”
7 kings, When he(the beast) comes must continue a short time
1st Beast
Rev 17:11“The beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition.” Rev 13:1;
1st Beast
8th king – going to perdition
Rev 17:12“The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast.” Rev12:3; 13:1;
10 horns=10 kings, one hour
1st Beast
Rev 17:13“These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast.”
1st Beast
Rev 17:14“These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”
The LAMB
Lord of Lords will overcome them
Rev 17:15Then he said to me, “The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues.” Rev 12:3; 17:1,15; 18:8
Mystery Revealed
Great harlot sits on water = nations, peoples
The Revived Ottoman Empire, represented by the Dan 2:42 ‘And [as] the toes of the feet’, 10 toes = I believe the 10 toes represent the Ottoman Empire, Dan 2:44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom,
The woman sitting on the beast = the harlot = Babylon
The 1st Beast – The one who rises up out of the united countries of Greece, Media Persia, Babylon = hates Babylon. And the 10 kings – 17:12 “who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast 17:16“And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire.”
When the 1st Beast and the ten horns destroy Babylon, the beast will then be in control of all the world and the all will worship the beast by acknowledging his authority and power.
Rev 17:16“And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire.” Rev 9:2,11; 11:7; 12:3,9,13; 13:1; 17:3,8,16; 18:18; 19:20; 20:2,3,10; Isa 13:19; Malachi 4:1
The 10 horns Hate the Harlot and Destroys Her
Isa 13:19; And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees’ excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.
Malachi 4:1; For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
Rev 17:17“For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.” Isa 14:24,26,27; 23:9; 46:11; Jer 4:28; 50:45; 51:29; Rom 1:13; 8:28; 9:11,17; Eph 1:5,9,11; 3:11; 6:22; 1 John 3:8;
To Fulfill His Purpose
Isa 14:24-27; The Lord of hosts has sworn: “As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand,” “that I will break the Assyrian in my land, and on my mountains trample him underfoot; and his yoke shall depart from them, and his burden from their shoulder.” This is the purpose that is purposed concerning the whole earth, and this is the hand that is stretched out over all the nations. For the Lord of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?
Isa 23:9; The Lord of hosts has purposed it, to defile the pompous pride of all glory, to dishonor all the honored of the earth.
Isa 46:11; Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken [it], I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed [it], I will also do it.
Jer 4:28; For this shall the earth mourn, and the heavens above be black: because I have spoken [it], I have purposed [it], and will not repent, neither will I turn back from it.
Jer 50:45; Therefore hear ye the counsel of the LORD, that he hath taken against Babylon; and his purposes, that he hath purposed against the land of the Chaldeans: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out: surely he shall make [their] habitation desolate with them.
Jer 51:29; And the land shall tremble and sorrow: for every purpose of the LORD shall be performed against Babylon, to make the land of Babylon a desolation without an inhabitant.
Rom 1:13; Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.
Rom 8:28; And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.
Rom 9:11,17; (For [the children] being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth)
For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.
Eph 1:5,9,11; Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Eph 3:11; According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
Eph 6:22; Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and [that] he might comfort your hearts.
1 John 3:8; He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
Rev 17:18“And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.” Rev 18:7-8; Isa 47:5,7,9; Jer 51; Zeph 2:15
Mystery Revealed Woman = great city = has dominion over kings of earth. Until she is destroyed!
Isa 47:5,7,9; Sit thou silent, and get thee into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called, The lady of kingdoms.
And thou saidst, I shall be a lady for ever: [so] that thou didst not lay these [things] to thy heart, neither didst remember the latter end of it.
But these two [things] shall come to thee in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood: they shall come upon thee in their perfection for the multitude of thy sorceries, [and] for the great abundance of thine enchantments.
(Scofield, C. I. “Scofield Reference Notes on Isaiah 13″. “Scofield Reference Notes (1917 Edition)”. <http://www.studylight.org/com/srn/view.cgi?book=isa&chapter=013>. 1917.)
Babylon
The city, Babylon is not in view here, as the immediate context shows. It is important to note the significance of the name when used symbolically. “Babylon” is the Greek form: invariably in the O.T. Hebrew the word is simply Babel, the meaning of which is confusion, and in this sense the word is used symbolically.
(1) In the prophets, when the actual city is not meant, the reference is to the “confusion” into which the whole social order of the world has fallen under Gentile world-domination. (See “Times of the Gentiles,” Luke 21:24; Revelation 16:14; Isaiah 13:4 gives the divine view of the welter of warring Gentile powers. The divine order is given in Isa. 11. Israel in her own land, the centre of the divine government of the world and channel of the divine blessing; and the Gentiles blessed in association with Israel. Anything else is, politically, mere “babel.”
(2) In Revelation 14:8-11; 16:19 the Gentile world-system is in view in connection with Armageddon;Revelation 16:14; 19:21 while in Rev 17, the reference is to apostate Christianity, destroyed by the nations Revelation 17:16 headed up under the Beast ; Daniel 7:8; Revelation 19:20 and false prophet. In Isaiah the political Babylon is in view, literally as to the then existing city, and symbolically as to the times of the Gentiles. In the Revelation both the symbolical- political and symbolical-religious Babylon are in view, for there both are alike under the tyranny of the Beast. Religious Babylon is destroyed by political Babylon Revelation 17:16 political Babylon by the appearing of the Lord Revelation 19:19-21. That Babylon the city is not to be rebuilt is clear from ; Isaiah 13:19-22; Jeremiah 51:24-26,62-64. By political Babylon is meant the Gentile world-system. (See “World,” ; John 7:7; Revelation 13:8) It may be added that, in Scripture symbolism, Egypt stands for the world as such; Babylon for the world of corrupt power and corrupted religion; Nineveh for the pride, the haughty glory of the world.
I believe it is the Ottoman Empire represented in Dan 2:42 ‘And [as] the toes of the feet’, 10 toes = The Ottoman Empire revived. Dan 2:44And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom,
The woman sitting on the beast = the harlot = Babylon
Someone once said, ‘The description of Babylon only fits the U. S. at this time.’ Since that was said there are more possibilities, like Abu Dhabi, Dubai City in the UAE, Qatar and Al Basrah, the city of Basra has a major role in H.G. Wells‘s 1934 future history “The Shape of Things to Come” where the Iraqi city is at the center of a world state emerging after a collapse of civilization and becomes in effect the capital of the world.
Abu Dhabi – Abu Dhabi is ruled by Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is also the President of the UAE.
UAE – Dubai – one of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), or that emirate’s main city, sometimes called “Dubai city” to distinguish it from the emirate.The modern emirate of Dubai was created consequent with the formation of the United Arab Emirates in 1971. (SEE http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubai)
Update 1/4/10 There has been speculation that Abu Dhabi will seize a number of Dubai’s trophy assets
http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Main_Page
Wednesday, January 4, 2006
“His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai has passed away. He was 62 years old.”
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article6975780.ece
UPDATE: 1/4/10
“Dubai’s hereditary ruler, Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, serves as Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE.
There has been speculation that Abu Dhabi will seize a number of Dubai’s trophy assets in exchange for its assistance”
UPDATE 1/7/10
http://www.waow.com/Global/story.asp?S=11782714
“Dubai’s downfall is not only hurting the city-state and the financiers who bet big on its promises.”
Even before Dubai’s financial crisis, the sheikdom’s growing economic woes had begun rippling out across the Arab world,..”
Qatar – Since 1995, Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has ruled Qatar, seizing control of the country from his father Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani while the latter vacationed in Switzerland. Under Emir Hamad, Qatar has experienced a notable amount of sociopolitical liberalization, including the endorsement of women’s suffrage or right to vote, drafting a new constitution, and the launch of Al Jazeera, a leading English and Arabic news source which operates a website and satellite television news channel.The International Monetary Fund states that Qatar has the highest GDP per capita in the world, followed by Luxembourg. The World Factbook ranks Qatar at second, following Luxembourg.
The 1st Beast – The one who rises up out of the united countries of Greece,Media Persia, Babylon = hates Babylon. And the 10 kings - 17:12 “who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast 17:16“And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire.”
When the 1st Beast and the seven horns destroy Babylon, the beast will then be in control of all the world and all will worship the beast by acknowledging his authority and power.
Chapter 14 – Babylon to fall. The scene starts in heaven.
Chapters 14,15,16,18, and 19 are going to all happen at the same time. One minute you are seeing what is going on in heaven, then on earth, and then heaven, earth, and building up to Armageddon.
This occurs same time as the Rev 11:13 welcoming the 7,000 Jews saved.
Chapter 14 is in Heaven!
Rev 14:1 THEN I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads. Rev 3:12; 7:2,3,4,9; 14:1; 22:4; Ex 28:38; Eze 9:4; Eph 1:13-14; 4:30
144,000 with name of His Father on foreheads
Ex 28:38; And it shall be upon Aaron’s forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD.
Eze 9:4; And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.
Eph 1:13-14; In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Eph 4:30; And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Rev 14:2 And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps.
Voice of loud thunder
Rev 14:3 They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth. Rev 7:4
144,000 redeemed, sing new song (Note: they are in heaven. Yes, it says they are ‘who were redeemed from the earth’, but now, they are in heaven. There is nothing in scripture that identifies a special group of people, 144,000 strong, who were undefiled with women, virgins and redeemed and follow the Lamb wherever he goes, meaning they have the preferential place with God and the Lamb. Except maybe the disciples. ‘Without fault before the throne of God’, describes all believers. This group of special people remains a mystery.)
Rev 14:4 These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.
Rev 14:5 And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God. Psalms 32:2; Romans 4:8
Without fault
Psalms 32:2; Blessed [is] the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit [there is] no guile.
Romans 4:8; Blessed [is] the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
Rev 14:6 Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth–to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people—
Another angel
Everlasting Gospel (http://www.foxnews.com/science/2013/05/26/fragments-dead-sea-scrolls-up-for-sale/?intcmp=features#ixzz2UPNgCZbb ) Perhaps when people finally are allowed to see the true Gospel (hidden scrolls because they reveal more truth) now hidden by zealot Jews and wicked men, the true gospel of Jesus Christ will be preached to the earth, again. Everywhere men know the truth and preaching Christ to those who dwell on earth will fulfill this prophecy.
Rev 14:7 Saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”
Warning of the final judgment of God
Rev 14:8 And another angel followed, saying, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” Rev 18:2; Isa 13:19; 21:9; Jer 51:8;
Another angel
Babylon fallen
Isa 13:19; And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees’ excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.
Isa 21:9; And, behold, here cometh a chariot of men, [with] a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground.
Jer 51:8; Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed.
Chapter 14 verses 1-8 and Chapter 18 verses 1-4 – Heaven is busy with angels telling the Saved the announcement of Babylon’s judgment.
Chapter 18 verse 4 has the same sound as Chapter 6 verse 9 Rapture. This is the harvest of Chapter 14:
The ‘church’ already raptured and all believers from earth at this time – gathered, preparing for the marriage supper. Perhaps at the same time as the 7000 Jews who are believers and/or repent.
Rev 18:1 AFTER these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory.
Another angel
Rev 18:2 And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird!” Rev 14:8; Isa 13:19; 21:9; Jer 51:8;
Babylon is Fallen
Isa 13:19; And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees’ excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.
Isa 21:9; And, behold, here cometh a chariot of men, [with] a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground.
Jer 51:8; Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed.
Rev 18:3 “For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.” Rev 17:18
Rev 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.” Rev 4:1; 6:9; Isa 26:20-21;
Rapture?
The ‘church’ already raptured and the believers saved during the last years, on earth, gathered, preparing for the marriage supper. Could it be the Church will be raptured in that one day when Babylon falls?
Isa 26:20-21; Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.
Rev 18:5 “For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.”
Rev 18:6 “Render to her just as she rendered to you, and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her.”
Rev 18:7 “In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.’” Rev 17:18; Isa 47:7-9; Zep 2:15
Isa 47:7-9; (Babylon, in the height of wickedness) And thou saidst, I shall be a lady for ever: [so] that thou didst not lay these [things] to thy heart, neither didst remember the latter end of it. Therefore hear now this, [thou that art] given to pleasures, that dwellest carelessly, that sayest in thine heart, I [am], and none else beside me; I shall not sit [as] a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children: But these two [things] shall come to thee in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood: they shall come upon thee in their perfection for the multitude of thy sorceries, [and] for the great abundance of thine enchantments.
Zep 2:15; This [is] the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I [am], and [there is] none beside me: how is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! every one that passeth by her shall hiss, [and] wag his hand.
Rev 18:8 “Therefore her plagues will come in one day–death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her.” Rev 17:1,15; 18:8; Isa 47:7-9; Malachi 4:1;
Plagues in one day
Malachi 4:1; For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
Rev 18:9“The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning,”
Rev 18:10“standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying,” ‘Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come.’ Rev 17:1,15; 18:8; Isa 47:7-9; Malachi 4:1;
1 hour judgment
Rev 18:11“And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise anymore:”
Rev 18:12“merchandise of gold and silver, precious stones and pearls, fine linen and purple, silk and scarlet, every kind of citron wood, every kind of object of ivory, every kind of object of most precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble;”
Rev 18:13“and cinnamon and incense, fragrant oil and frankincense, wine and oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and bodies and souls of men.”
Rev 18:14“The fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you, and all the things which are rich and splendid have gone from you, and you shall find them no more at all.”
Rev 18:15“The merchants of these things, who became rich by her, will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,”
Rev 18:16“and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city that was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls!”
Rev 18:17‘For in one hour such great riches came to nothing.’ Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance Rev17:1,15; 18:8; Isa 47:7-9; Malachi 4:1
1 hour
Isa 47:7-9; And thou saidst, I shall be a lady for ever: [so] that thou didst not lay these [things] to thy heart, neither didst remember the latter end of it.
But these two [things] shall come to thee in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood: they shall come upon thee in their perfection for the multitude of thy sorceries, [and] for the great abundance of thine enchantments.
Malachi 4:1; For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
Rev 18:18“and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying,” ‘What is like this great city?’ Rev 17:16; Malachi 4:1
Rev 18:19“They threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and wailing, and saying,” “Alas, alas, that great city, in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! For in one hour she is made desolate.’ ” Rev 17:1,15; 18:8; Isa 47:7-9; Malachi 4:1
1 hour
Rev 18:20“Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her!”
Rev 18:21Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down, and shall not be found anymore.” Rev 17:16:
Mighty angel
Rev 18:22“The sound of harpists, musicians, flutists, and trumpeters shall not be heard in you anymore. No craftsman of any craft shall be found in you anymore, and the sound of a millstone shall not be heard in you anymore.”
Rev 18:23“The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived.” Rev 21:9
Rev 18:24“And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth.”
Babylon, destroyed in one day.
Chapters 14,15,16,19 will all occur at the same time. One right after the other. In heaven, in earth, until ‘it is finished’.
The fourth kingdom of Daniel 7 = The former Roman Empire. The Ten toes represent the revived Ottoman Empire with 10 horns (10 kings).
Someone once said, ‘The description of Babylon only fits the U. S. at this time.’ Since that was said there are more possibilities, like Abu Dhabi, Dubai City in the UAE, Qatar and Al Basrah, the city of Basra has a major role in H.G. Wells‘s 1934 future history “The Shape of Things to Come” where the Iraqi city is at the center of a world state emerging after a collapse of civilization and becomes in effect the capital of the world.
Abu Dhabi – Abu Dhabi is ruled by Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is also the President of the UAE.
UAE – Dubai – one of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), or that emirate’s main city, sometimes called “Dubai city” to distinguish it from the emirate.The modern emirate of Dubai was created consequent with the formation of the United Arab Emirates in 1971. (SEE http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubai)
Update 1/4/10 There has been speculation that Abu Dhabi will seize a number of Dubai’s trophy assets
http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Main_Page
Wednesday, January 4, 2006
“His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai has passed away. He was 62 years old.”
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article6975780.ece
UPDATE: 1/4/10
“Dubai’s hereditary ruler, Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, serves as Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE.
There has been speculation that Abu Dhabi will seize a number of Dubai’s trophy assets in exchange for its assistance”
UPDATE 1/7/10
http://www.waow.com/Global/story.asp?S=11782714
“Dubai’s downfall is not only hurting the city-state and the financiers who bet big on its promises.”
Even before Dubai’s financial crisis, the sheikdom’s growing economic woes had begun rippling out across the Arab world,..”
Qatar – Since 1995, Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has ruled Qatar, seizing control of the country from his father Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani while the latter vacationed in Switzerland. Under Emir Hamad, Qatar has experienced a notable amount of sociopolitical liberalization, including the endorsement of women’s suffrage or right to vote, drafting a new constitution, and the launch of Al Jazeera, a leading English and Arabic news source which operates a website and satellite television news channel.The International Monetary Fund states that Qatar has the highest GDP per capita in the world, followed by Luxembourg. The World Factbook ranks Qatar at second, following Luxembourg.
Rev 14:9 Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand,” Rev 13:17,18; 14:9,11; 16:2; 19:20;
Beast’s worshippers
Mark of Beast
1st Beast
Rev 14:10 “he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.” Isa 30:33; 34:9;
Wrath of God
Fire and brimstone torments Beast worshippers – In presence of the Lamb
Isa 30:33; For Tophet [is] ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made [it] deep [and] large: the pile thereof [is] fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it.
Isa 34:9; And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch.
Rev 14:11 “And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” Rev 13:17,18; 14:9,11; 16:2; 19:20;
Torment forever for Beast worshippers and whoever receives mark of his name
Rev 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
Rev 14:13 Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.” Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord… Wow! The dead… like those who didn’t believe but now do? ….their works follow them.
Chapter 15 thru Chapter 16:1-7 – A Parenthetical – the spiritual world, heaven, singing the song of the Moses, song of the Lamb, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven opened, Warning – the full wrath of God to be released. Chapter 16:8-15 The 4th , 5th, 6th bowl judgments.
Verse 10:7 says when the 7th angel sounds the ‘Mystery of God’ will be finished.Verse 15:1,8 says,‘….for in them (the seven last plagues) the wrath of God is complete.’ This has led me to believe the 6th seal, 6th trumpet, 6th bowl, 1st and 2nd woes, are to occur simultaneously while the 7th seal, 7th trumpet, 7th bowl, and 3rd woe (Which is our Lords return) are all to occur simultaneously climaxing the finished work of God.
Rev 15:1 THEN I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete. Rev1:4,12,16,20; 2:1; 3:1; 4:5; 5:6; 10:7; 15:1,7;
7 angels, 7 last plagues, wrath of God will be complete
Verse 10:7 says when the 7th angel sounds the ‘Mystery of God’ will be finished. Verse 15:8 says, ‘….no one was able to enter the temple till the seven plagues were completed..’. This has led me to believe the 6th seal, 6th trumpet, 6th bowl, 1st and 2nd woes, are to occur simultaneously, while the 7th seal, 7th trumpet, 7th bowl, and 3rd woe are all to occur simultaneously climaxing the finished work of God.
Rev 15:2 And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. Rev 13:16-18;
Victory over Mark of Beast = sea of glass, harps of God
Rev 15:3 They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying:
“Great and marvelous are Your works,
Lord God Almighty!
Just and true are Your ways,
O King of the saints!” Ex 15:1-21; Deut 31:30 – 32:1-43;
Song of Moses and the Lamb
Ex 15:1-21 Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea
Deut 31:30 And Moses spake in the ears of all the congregation of Israel the words of this song, until they were ended.
Rev 15:4 “Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name?
For You alone are holy.
For all nations shall come and worship before You,
For Your judgments have been manifested.”
Rev 15:5 After these things I looked, and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened.
Temple of the Tabernacle is opened
Rev 15:6 And out of the temple came the seven angels having the seven plagues, clothed in pure bright linen, and having their chests girded with golden bands. Rev 3:5,18; 4:4; 6:11; 7:9,13,14; 15:6; 19:8,14; Ex 28:2; Lev 16:4; Isa 61:10; Dan 7:9
7 angels, 7 plagues, clothed in white linen
Ex 28:2; And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty.
Lev 16:4; He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded with a linen girdle, and with the linen mitre shall he be attired: these [are] holy garments; therefore shall he wash his flesh in water, and [so] put them on.
Isa 61:10; I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh [himself] with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth [herself] with her jewels.
Dan 7:9; I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment [was] white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne [was like] the fiery flame, [and] his wheels [as] burning fire.
Rev 15:7 Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever. Rev 1:4,12,16,20; 2:1; 3:1; 4:5; 5:6; 15:1,7;
7 angels, 7 plagues in 7 golden bowls
Rev 15:8 The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one was able to enter the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed. Rev 3:7; 10:7; 11:15; 15:1,8; 16:17; Isa 22:22; Lk 13:25;
No one to enter temple till plagues completed
