REVELATION LESSON 18

REVELATION

LESSON 18

ARE WE LIVING IN THE END TIMES?

Some people say that we all worship the same God. These people need to get their heads out of the sand. Let me give a little insight on this subject.

Muslims worship the moon god of Mecca, called Allah.

Muslims say Allah is not love, but Christians say Jehovah is love.

Muslims say Allah is not a father, Christians call Jehovah their father.

Muslims say Allah cannot be known in a personal way, but Christians say that Jehovah can be known personally.

Muslims say Allah made a covenant with Abraham to give the promise land to Ishmael’s descendants, Christians and the Jewish people say Jehovah made a covenant with Abraham to give the promise land to Isaac and his descendants.

Muslims say Jesus was created from the dust like Adam, but Christians say Jesus was born of a virgin.

Muslims say Jesus was a messenger of God, Christians say Jesus is the son of God.

Muslims say Judas Iscariot died on the cross, Christians say Jesus died on the cross.

Muslims say their sins can be forgiven but they have to kill an infidel, (non-Muslim). Christians say Jesus’ blood washed away all of our sins.

Muslims believe in a messiah called the Mahdi, Christians the messiah is Jesus.

Muslims say the messiah will be a descendant of Mohammed, Christians and the Jewish people say the messiah will be a descendant of King David.

Muslims say the messiah will reign on earth for seven years and die, Christians say the real messiah will reign on earth for one thousand years and never die.

Muslims say their messiah will conquer Israel, Christians and Jewish believe he will rescue Israel.

Muslims believe in a great war at the end of the age called the mother of all battles, Christians call it the battle of Armageddon, the Jewish people call it the battle of all battles.

Jerusalem is considered the Holy City by Christians and Jews and Muslims alike. Jews consider it Holy because their temple was located there. Muslims consider it Holy because they believe Mohammed ascended into heaven from there.

Muslims worship on Friday, Jews worship on Saturday, and Christians worship on Sunday.

The militant Muslims chant that once they get rid of the Saturday people (Jews), we will get rid of the Sunday people (Christians).

This is just a few differences of what the Muslims believe, and what the Christians, and Jews believe.

Revelation 11:2 ½    ² But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

Revelation 11:3   ³ And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

In the old testament the mosaic Law required two witnesses to validate matters pertaining to Jewish religion. In that same way God will send two witnesses to prophesy and validate the worlds sin and blasphemy during the first half of the tribulation period.

The identities of these witnesses are unknown. The only two that I can think of that God raptured to heaven alive were Enoch and Elijah. Some think it will be Moses, but Moses died and God buried him.

Malachi 4:4   ⁴ Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.

Elijah is in heaven, but he will return to earth as one of the two witnesses. He and the second witness will stay and prophesy for the first three and a half years of the tribulation period.

Each witness is represented by one olive tree and one lampstand. It takes these two symbols to represent one person.

To understand this passage, we need to know what these symbols mean the answer to the olive trees is found in Zechariah 4:11-14.

Zechariah 4:11-14    ¹¹ Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?

¹² And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?

¹³ And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.

¹⁴ Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.

The lampstands hold pots of burning oil that provide light. The two witnesses will be lampstands because they will provide light to a dark world. If you combine these two symbols each witness will be one olive tree filled with the Holy Spirit, and one lampstand giving off the light of God.

They will be two witnesses filled with the Holy spirit. Counteracting the forces of darkness in the world. This continue to show the grace of God during the tribulation period. God will go to great length to reach out to the Lost. To offer them blessings and to be their God.

Until our next lesson, 

Stay ready and stay in the word.

Brother Andy

REVELATION LESS0N 17

REVELATION

LESS0N 17

ARE WE LIVING IN THE END TIMES?

Revelation 11:1-2   11 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.

² But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

At the close of Chapter 10, john was commissioned to prophesy about many people, nations, tongues and kings; About the events, about the gentiles and about two particular people, called the two witnesses. More is given about the king who rules nations and the residents of heaven.

The bible speaks of four temples in Jerusalem. The first two temples, Solomon’s and Herod’s, have already been built and destroyed. The final two temples, the tribulation temple and the millennial temple are yet to be built. They are spoken of in great detail in biblical prophecy.

When God begins to close out the age, he will focus his attention on Israel and the temple. As we go over this it is good to recall the old testament prophecies, there are several passages of scripture referring to the temple in the end time.

Jesus spoke of the abomination of desolation that Daniel the prophet spoke of. Indicating that at the end of time in the middle of the tribulation period a temple would be desecrated by the anti-Christ. In order for this to be fulfilled it must first be rebuilt. Paul predicted that the anti-Christ in the middle of the tribulation would defy God by sitting in the temple of God and presenting himself to the world as God.

In order for him to do this the temple has to be rebuilt. From this we learn that Israel will become the storm center of the world during the tribulation period. The nations of the earth will gather against Jerusalem. She will be captured and half of the Jewish people will flee to exile.

This struggle over Jerusalem and the temple will trigger the second coming of Jesus Christ and the battle of Armageddon. Israel is Gods weapon of battle and he will use her to break the nations in pieces.

The struggle over Jerusalem is already underway. The Palestinian authority says Jerusalem will be the capital of their new Palestinian state. However, Israel is moving to make Jerusalem their capital.

The Jews want to build their new temple on the same site two old testament temples were built. Solomon’s and Herod’s. The preparation plans and building plans, the garments, musical instruments, the menorah and more are all prepared and ready to go.

The problem is the Palestinians want to keep this same site for their existing Al-Aqsa mosque and dome of the Rock Mosque. They indicate that moving or tearing one or both of these religious buildings down will trigger world war three.

The anti-Christ will work out a temporary peace plan. The tribulation temple will be rebuilt, but Jerusalem and the tribulation temple will be in the line of fire until the second coming of Christ Jesus.

This temple must be rebuilt before the tribulation period midpoint, because that is when the anti-Christ will defile it. So it seems somewhat clear that the temple will be rebuilt during the first half of the tribulation period.

If the Muslims could stop the Jews from rebuilding the temple on the temple mount they would. The world leaders at this time will designate it as an international site to be shared by everyone.

John was given a reed and told to measure the tribulation temple. Measure the alter and count the worshipers. This is significant because in the last days the temple and one of its two original alters will be rebuilt. The rebuilt alter was called the alter of Gold or the alter of incense.

The alter was located inside the temple. The alter that will not be rebuilt was called the bronze alter. It will not be rebuilt because it was located outside in the outer court. The gentiles will rule the outer court.

Well until the next lesson, stay in the word, be ready for what God has planned for our lives.

Brother Andy.

REVELATION LESSON 16

REVELATION

LESSON 16

ARE WE LIVING IN THE END TIMES?

Revelation 10: 5-6   ⁵ And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,

⁶ And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:

This angel will raise his hand toward heaven to swear to tell Gods truth. The angel is making an oath by the only sure guarantee, God himself because he could swear by nothing greater. God swore by himself. This angel swore by someone greater than his self.

The angel was swearing or giving oath on the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ that there should be no delay any longer. The Greek word Kronos has two meanings. Time and delay, it is obvious that time is not the exact meaning for there is time after this event. In fact, the last three and a half years of the seven-year tribulation period that follows, plus one thousand years of the millennial kingdom.

The word translated “delay” where they will be delayed no longer. We have been living under the time of Gods delay for centuries. This angel is warning mankind that God is about to conclude his patience in the face of mans rebellion against His will and that soon the final conclusion will take place.

In Revelation 6:10-11 it said, “How long O Lord, holy and true until you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth”. Each of them was given a white robe to delay a little longer. Here in Revelation chapter ten the mighty angel will say its time to stop the delay. When the time comes for the seventh angel to sound the seventh trumpet for the third trumpet woe. It will release seven bowl judgments. This is where God will complete his plan.

It will be the answer the martyred tribulation saints have been waiting for. God will no longer delay his vengeance for their persecution and death. To the believers still on earth who have been hiding and waiting these words will mean they will no longer have to wait for God to move against the wicked. To the unbelievers on earth this will mean God is now going to fulfill his wrath with no more delay.

This message should be a word of consolation to the saved and a word of terror to the lost. In a moment the awesome final judgments of God will start falling and nothing will stop them.

Revelation 10:7   ⁷ But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.

When Gods plan for human history is completely revealed all prophecy will be fulfilled. The mystery of God should be finished as he has declared to his servants and prophets. A mystery of God means that God is going to disclose a truth that is only possible to know in the word of God.

Jesus has now opened all seven seals and six of the angel have sounded their trumpets. The last trumpet will be seven bowl judgments. Before the seventh angel blows his trumpet, a voice from heaven will declare the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants and prophets. One of Gods great secrets will unfold during the seventh trumpet judgment exactly as the prophets predicted.

The bible identifies several mysteries. One is the mystery of salvation.

Colossians 1:25-26   ²⁵ Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;

²⁶ Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

1 Corinthians 15:51   ⁵¹ Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

All of these mysteries are coming to a close. It is apparent by the fact that 42 months of the tribulation have expired when the statement is given. At this point there are only 1,260 days of mans known history left, apart from the kingdom age.

Revelation 10:8-9   ⁸ And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth.

⁹ And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.

Now at this point John is more than just a hearer and writer, he must be a doer. The same voice of the seven thunders tells John to go and take the open book out of the mighty angel’s hand. This is also true for believers, serving God requires doing, not just hearing.

Since the mighty angel is pictured as standing with one foot in the sea and one foot on the land, John must no longer be in heaven. He has apparently returned to earth to take the little book. It is possible that there was no longer need for this book. It must have to do with the events that are to come upon the earth.

After John took the book, he was told to take it and eat it. Although he was warned that it would be sweet to the taste and bitter to the belly. This is a form of receiving a commission or special task from God. At this point in Johns life he was switched from being a spectator of these amazing things to being a participant in them.

Before Jesus ascended to heaven he instructed his disciples to go and preach the gospel to everyone. Christians are not saved to be waited on, they are saved to serve.

The angel tells John to take the book and eat it. This may sound strange but it is not new to the bible. Jeremiah ate the words of God and Ezekiel ate a scroll from God. The idea is that the word of God must be received into the heart. The bible will profit us little unless it becomes part of us, we must digest it, it must be brought inside of one’s self.

The instruction to eat the little book will come as the word of God is sweet to the believer but bitter to the unbeliever.

Isn’t it sweet to know that final victory is assured to the believer, but bitter to consider the plagues, pain, loss of life and eternal destiny of the lost.

It was pleasant for John to receive the message from God but painful for him to focus on the steps toward fulfillment.

Perhaps the full impact of what John experienced is a reminder to all who proclaim Gods wonderful word and speak of his coming judgement and wrath. We must speak it with a measure of sorrow and bitterness with a broken heart of the judgment and his wrath on lost souls.

Please believe this script as I write it. At the same time, I’m praying for lost souls they have no Idea what is ahead of them.

Choices have to be made, choose Jesus.

Stay in the word,

Brother Andy

REVELATION LESSON 15

REVELATION

LESSON 15

ARE WE LIVING IN THE END TIMES?

Revelation 10:1-4   10 And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:

² And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth,

³ And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.

⁴ And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.

John sees another mighty angel as he did in chapter 5:2. The purpose of this angel is clear. His identity we do not know. He will announce the final judgements on earth. We also know that he will have great authority.

He will be allowed to stand in the presence of God and will speak for God. He will probably be an archangel, who will come down from Heaven possibly wearing some type of garment. First this mighty angel will be clothed in a cloud. In the bible clouds have been associated with at least two things, the presence of God and the return of Jesus.

We can only speculate about the rainbow on the mighty angel’s head. It could possibly be God’s grace; his face will shine like the sun. Probably from being in the presence of the almighty God, just as Moses’ face shone on Mount Sinai.

This mighty angels feet will be “as” pillars of fire. His feet will represent God’s plan to take control of the earth through divine judgment.

Verse 2. This angel will have a small book in his hand. While he is holding it he will plant his right foot on the sea and his left foot on dry land as he claims it in the name of his King. The earth belongs to God.

The bible in chapter 13 says the false prophet comes up out of the earth and the antichrist will come up out of the sea, God says in his word they will deal with all creation not just a limited part as did the seal and trumpet judgments. Gods truth will prevail.

Verse 3. When this mighty angel described in verse two speaks with a loud voice as a lion’s roar, seven thunders are audible, or very loud. Seven thunders is a symbol of the voice of God. He will make a strong statement after his angel speaks. Remember that thunder is a symbol of Gods wrath, what he utters will probably be followed up with divine judgment.

God will make a unique remark in his voice of thunder “like” that even John will be able to hear and understand, because he will start to write it down. No one knows why John was prevented from revealing more. He knows much more than he is allowed to reveal. This proclamation or announcement in the entire book of revelation is the only one ordered to be sealed up.

Throughout history people have wanted to know what would happen in the future. God reveals some of it in this book that John was writing. John was stopped from revealing certain parts of his vision. Jesus told his disciples that the time of the end is known by only one, God.

God has revealed all that we need to know to live for Him. In our desire to be ready for the end we must focus more on the life we are living today. Rather than worrying about the last days. Matthew 6:33 says ‘seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness’, by doing this we will be less likely to worry about the future. We don’t have to know everything to trust God or be saved.

Set before us are blood, tears and famine. Heartache and heartbreak, killing, misery, hail, fire, burning mountains, demon monstrosities, men begging to die and being unable to do so. Surely what John was forbidden to write must have been beyond human imagination or understanding.

The judgments of the future is something you don’t want any part of. It is almost unimaginable the things that are to come. This is Gods word and he says these things will come.

If you haven’t made Jesus the Lord of your life and accepted Him as your Savior, there is not better time than right now. By doing so you will be in heaven when all this tribulation occurs.

REVELATION LESSON 14

REVELATION

LESSON 14

ARE WE LIVING IN THE END TIMES?

REVELATION 9:20-21   ²⁰ And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:

²¹ Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.

At this point the rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues were so hard hearted that even the plagues did not drive them to God. Those remaining on earth at this time will persist in their sins, refusing to repent and continuing to reject Jesus.

Two of the six sins that will be prominent during the tribulation period are demon worship (satanism) and Idolatry. The satanic bible will be widely read, and the church of Satan will fill its pews.

Goddess worship and witchcraft will become the new rage of the politically correct. Statues and images of the antichrist will be common. Multitudes will bow before them; those nations will soon learn what happens to those who forget God.

I can’t imagine with todays people with the education of today that they could do such a thing. Lately many turn to witchcraft, satanic worship and other occultisms. As stated in verse 21 above.

They would not repent of their evil and wicked ways. Four more sins of the tribulation period are murder, sorceries, sexual immorality and theft. The unbelievers are determined to trample on the laws of God and kill Gods children without fear or remorse. Abortion, gang warfare and terrorism will most likely go unnoticed. We will see the slaughter of believers that were talked about in the fifth seal. Revelation 6:9-11.

Drug abuse, astrology, signs and omens and theft will be worldwide. The world will move from a tolerance of perversion and sexual immorality to a blatant promotion of these sins. Evil and imposters will grow worse and worse as the tribulation period goes on.

2 Timothy 3:13   ¹³ But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

Most people fail to realize that the problem in Sodom and Gomorrah was not just a few homosexuals, it was public acceptance of this sin by young and old alike.

God has tolerated this sin all the way from Genesis to date. Todays society has turned the corner by re-creating Sodom with the multitudes of people who are not straight. They are allowed to marry and even allowed to adopt children, they are even ordained in some churches to be ministers.

It is a dramatic change and certainly against the word of God. Satan knows it and it will bring him lots of fuel for his fire.

Stealing is always bad, but the looting that occurred, the violence and chaos when the hurricanes hit the United States and Mexico are indications of some of the fearful things to come in the days of the tribulation.

Instead of seeking Gods way and Gods wisdom the new age religions search for spiritual answers from alien beings, fortune tellers and demons. Environmental pagans are now worshiping mother earth, increasingly they are calling on Gaia, the ancient earth goddess who is only a recycled version of Baal the pagan god of biblical history.

This moral chaos in America is tearing apart the very fabric of our society. There seems to be no end in sight. Drug addiction, physical and emotional problems are becoming the enemies of America as well as throughout the world. On the rise also are crime, riots, unemployment, poverty, illiteracy, mental illness and many other social problems.

It is time to stop and think. Acknowledge where you are concerning eternity. There is a real heaven and a real hell. Regardless of what people say or what you might believe to the contrary the rapture is coming and the believers in Christ Jesus will be removed from the planet in the twinkling of an eye. Don’t let this opportunity pass, accept Jesus as your savior now.

Until our next lesson,

Brother Andy.

REVELATION LESSON 13

REVELATION

LESSON 13

ARE WE LIVING IN THE END TIMES?

Revelation 9:14   ¹⁴ Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.

The Euphrates river was close to the garden of Eden. It is also where the flood began, where the Tower of Babel stood, where Babylon was built and where the world government and world religion began. This demonic place was the scene several battles of war on terrorism was fought.

It has long been associated with astrology, idolatry, demon worship, witchcraft and other forbidden sins. Gruesome murders, torturing, and beheading of several people.

The word angels here means, fallen angels or demons. These four unidentified demons will be exceedingly evil and destructive. Note that they do not have the power to release themselves and do their evil work on earth. Instead, they are held back by God and will be released at a specific time, doing only what he allows them to do.

 Who are these four angels? The fact that they are bound indicates that they are fallen angels. We are not told why they fell and are bound. They appear to be very powerful assistants of Satan. The voice coming from the golden alter will tell the sixth angel to release these four angels that are bound.

This is the first introduction of these particular four bound angels. It seems obvious that they are evil angels because they are bound. Evidently, they are anxious to bring havoc upon mankind but have been bound by God the fulfillment of their intent awaits.

We are not told why they hate man so much. Perhaps it is because man is so special to God. There is a day coming when God will permit these four angels to come forth and fulfill His purpose and plan.

The word states that these angels have been prepared to slay the third part of men, which also means women too. Some of the worlds greatest events took place near the Euphrates river.

Revelation 9: 15   ¹⁵ And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.

Revelation 6:7-8   ⁷ And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.

⁸ And I looked and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

In vs 15 one third of all people are killed. In revelation 6:7-8 one fourth of all people were[GF1]  killed, over one half of the people have been killed because of mankind’s rebellion in these two verses by Gods great judgment. Even more would have been killed if God had not set limits on the destruction.

Some people say all prophecy has been fulfilled. I for one disagree. When the rapture occurs, the earth will lose millions of people. This is why Jesus said unless those days be shortened no flesh will be saved.

Since society has not witnessed such a cataclysmic loss of life, it is safe to say that revelation has not yet been fulfilled.

Revelation 9: 16   ¹⁶ And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.

In John’s day this number of mounted troops in an army would have been inconceivable. Today there are countries and alliances that could easily amass this man soldiers. This huge army led by the four angels “or demons” will be sent out to destroy one-third of the world’s population.

But the judgment is still not complete, an army of 200 million men would be an awesome host to confront mankind. This is an evil army of horse like creatures with riders on their backs called horseman, having heads of lion and emitting fire, smoke and brimstone, they have tails like serpents from which their power is sent forth.

Johns description of this evil army is not very clear. Some prophecy that these are not human. They say this is a literal description of unnatural demon like evil spirits that come out of the abyss. Advancing under the leadership of the four bound angels.

Others say this army of mounted troops must be a future army since it numbers 200 million. Today only two nations have the capacity of fielding a two hundred-million-man army. China and India, china seems to be the most likely since she is using the strength of her growing economy to build equip and restructure her military so her troops can be moved around the world.

India however could build an army of that size by making up the difference of adding her troops to her allies. This is why it is so hard to accurately describe this two-hundred-man army.

Regardless of who or what this evil army is made up of, it will kill one third of man-kind in the world. The leaders of this army will be seduced by the four angels that will be released from the Euphrates river.

God will allow these evil angels to convince these army leaders to go on the rampage and kill a third of mankind. Without Gods permission these angels would still be bound at the great river. It is doubtful that John could count a great figure like two hundred million. Someone in heaven told him how large this great army would be. 

These troops and their “possibly machines” will have breastplates that will be fiery red, hyacinth blue and sulfur yellow. The heads of these horses will resemble the heads of lions and out of their mouths will come fire, brimstone and smoke. It could possible be projectiles or missiles. 

You can’t imagine how many hours was spent trying to understand Johns revelation script, especially chapter nine. It is most interesting to note that Chinas flag is red and yellow.  The new uniforms of China are dark blue. China is commonly called the yellow peril, and fire breathing dragons with large heads are a favorite symbol.

Even though God is allowing this to happen some might say it is awful for God to let this happen. Take note that mankind has brought this on themselves by thinking “I have my rights” and they turn rebellious. Then have the audacity to find fault with Gods decisions.

1 Samuel 15:23   ²³ For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

Forget your will and your rights, give your life to the only one who can save you, Christ Jesus, and miss all this war and destruction.

---

 [GF1]

REVELATION LESSON 12

REVELATION

LESSON 12

ARE WE LIVING IN THE END TIMES?

Revelation 9:7-9   ⁷ And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men.

⁸ And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions.

⁹ And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle.

How would you describe these Locusts? Would you say they had a body like a horse, hair like that of a woman, two eyes like a man? That is the description of what John saw.

Personally, I don’t know what john thought he saw, but the word “like” appears eight times in these verses. Obviously, John is using comparisons and symbolic language to describe what these demon-possessed locusts will look like.

They will have bodies shaped like a horse prepared for battle. Something similar to a crown of gold will adorn their heads, and their faces will resemble that of a human. Their manes will be long like a woman’s hair, and their teeth will be small and sharp like a lion’s teeth.

They will have tails like a scorpion of today and their wings will sound like an army of chariots. In Italy and some other foreign countries, locusts are called horses and some of them resemble a horse. Demons and angels can take on an appearance of other than human. This description of these locusts who stung like scorpions does not fit any category of man or beast.

Strange that John would describe them as having breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron. Everything John was seeing in this vision had never been seen in Johns day. The things he saw were far into the future. That is why he used the term to describe them as Like.

Revelation 9: 10-13   ¹⁰ And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.

¹¹ And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.

¹² One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter.

¹³ And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,

They had tails like unto scorpions and stingers in their tails, but they could only hurt people five months, which means someone had complete control over them.

This unnatural army of locust will be under the direction of an angelic king. Some say this angelic king will be Satan. It is more likely he will be one of Satan’s powerful assistants. 

Satan will not be one of the demons confined in the abyss. He is the fallen star who opens the pit to let tis angelic king and his ungodly army loose.

This must be one of Satan’s top demon (fallen angel), his name will be Abaddon, which means destruction, his Greek name Apollyon means destroyer.  Since his name is given in both Hebrews and Greek, he will probably be permitted to attack both Jew and gentile alike. His name is given twice, so it is a double warning of his destructive powers.

Most people including Christians underestimate the power of the devil. To do so is a grievous error. The misery Satan has brought into Gods creation and in mankind should be reason enough to recognize his power and evil mind.

Verse twelve is further proof that Revelation is sequence – oriented. The trumpet woes will not overlap, they will come in sequence. It is obvious why the angel called them woes. Tormented people will lose their minds and beg to die. 

Verse 13 is referring back to chapter eight where the angel mixes the incense with the prayers of the tribulation saints. The mixture rises to God and kindles His wrath. Then the sixth angel will stand up and sound his trumpet, a voice will be heard coming from the horns of the alter that will speak for the martyred saints.

The horns of the golden alter refer to horns like animal horns that were extensions or spires that were placed at the four corners of the alter of burnt offerings. These spires are pointed objects, somewhat like a pointed tower or steeple, however, not that large. 

Sometimes sacrificial animals were tied to the horns, and there are even two instances of men grabbing hold of the horn when they thought there were going to be killed. They hoped to receive mercy by doing this.

When Abraham prepared to offer his only son as a sacrifice, God stopped him and a ram was offered as the sacrifice. The entire story is a picture of Gods mercy. God sent His only begotten son Jesus to die on the cross as a substitute of the sins of the entire world.

I want to let you know these lessons only project what is to come. These things will only get worse for the ones who would not receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Even though Jesus does save people, you have to receive His saving ability to be saved.

That is why all these end time tragedies are coming upon these lost souls. Because they are rebelling against God and simply want their own way. Their way is rebellion of Gods way and leads to eternal death.

In case you don’t understand what eternal means, it means that after all these bad things people will go through they will spend forever, never ending torment in the lake of fire called Hell.

Until our next lesson,

Stay in the word,

Brother Andy