Category Archives: Bible prophecy

Introduction To The Bowls (Revelation 15:5-16:1)

Posted on by
1

After John takes in the glad and victorious vision of the saints in heaven, rejoicing in their victory over the beast (Rev. 15:1-4), he then looked and saw the heavenly temple—where God dwells. And the door to the temple was open, so he could see inside, even into the Holy of Holies. And he saw the seven angels (referred to in verse 1). They came out of the temple clothed in clean linen, and they were girded around their chest with golden sashes. The clean and bright linen represents their holiness and purity, and the golden sashes denotes their royalty.

Then one of the four living creatures (God’s cherubim) gave to each of the seven angels, golden bowls full of the wrath of God. Take note that it is not the wrath of the Antichrist, but the wrath of God. Hence, all the terrible tribulation during the next period of time (approximately three- and one-half years) will come from the wrath of God as He pours out His anger on the sins of the world.

Suddenly, after the angels were out of the temple and had received the bowls of wrath, there came into the temple a cloud of smoke. It was not any ordinary smoke; it was smoke from the glory and power of God. And it was impenetrable, so that no one was able to pass through it to enter the temple until after the seven plagues were finished.

Now we don’t know exactly what this cloud of smoke was like, but I imagine that it was the same smoke as in the Old Testament, the smoke of God’s presence preventing Moses or the priests from entering the temple. Now I don’t think that its impenetrability had anything to do with its physical make-up. I think it has more to do with its spiritual make-up, with the holiness of God, mainly His wrath and judgment.

I dare not say too much—more that I am sure of, but I need to say something about this situation of not being able to enter the temple. The temple here is not the physical, Tribulation temple. Verse five tells us that it is the temple in heaven. So, I take it that it is the place of God’s presence, the place where we now go to draw near God when we pray. It is the throne of grace where we go to receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Heb. 4:16). Hence, during this Great Tribulation, I take it that the time of grace is over, that for unbelievers as well as believers, it is too late to call out to Him. For believers during that time, I believe that God will take care of them. But for unbelievers that suddenly want God’s help, I think it may be too late for them.

Suddenly, John was disturbed by a loud voice from inside the temple, saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God.”

Timeline Of Events Leading To The Bowl Judgments

Posted on by
1

I don’t know if we can be exact about when all the judgments will occur; but, according to most bible prophecy scholars, the seal judgments will occur roughly during the first twenty-one months of the Tribulation, the trumpet judgments during the second twenty-one months, and the bowl judgments during the entire second half of the Tribulation, for forty-two months or three and a half years. In the first half of the Tribulation (with the seals and trumpets) the earth will experience the wrath of the Antichrist, along with the harlot (or the false church); and in the second half of the Tribulation, known as the Great Tribulation, the earth and its people will experience the wrath of the Almighty God.

I don’t think it is super important to try to fit everything exactly into its proper place—nor can we; but, I think, to at least guess at it, we may get a better understanding of how things will fit together, especially during the time of the middle of the Tribulation and leading up to the bowl judgments.

The way I see it, there are two categories of time; events at the mid-Trib, and events a little later, leading up to the bowl judgments.

Events at the Middle of the Tribulation

1. The Antichrist is resurrected (Rev. 13:3). After this seemingly miraculous event, the Scripture says, “The whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast.”

2. The Antichrist breaks his peace covenant with Israel and puts a stop to animal sacrifices and grain offerings in the Jewish temple (Dan. 9:27). Notice that he does this in the middle of the week (meaning the seven-year covenant).

3. He exalts himself, and others exalt him, as God (2 Thess. 2:3b-4; Rev. 13:3b-4). In 2 Thessalonians we read, “The man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.” Then in Revelation it is written, “And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast; they worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, ‘Who is like the beast, and who is able to war with him?’”

These three points will mark the exact time at the middle of the Tribulation. And this is the time when scholars believe that Satan fills and empowers the Antichrist so that he believes himself to be God and the resurrected Christ. Hence, it is at this time that he begins to speak so arrogantly against God and against believers and makes war with them (Rev. 13:5-7).

A Few Days or Weeks Later

We cannot be sure how long it will take the following events to transpire, but it seems logical that it will take at least a few days to a few weeks—but probably not longer than that.

4. The Antichrist destroys the harlot (Rev. 17:16-17). The harlot (the false church) will reign together with the Antichrist during the first half of the Tribulation (Rev. 17). But when he is fully controlled by Satan and thinks that he alone is God, he no longer will tolerate the harlot; and he, along with his ten kings will hate her and make her “desolate.” Now we don’t know how long it will take to destroy her, but I imagine that with just a strike of the pen, with an executive order, he will do it.

5. He will make war with all true believers (Rev. 13:7). Besides the false believers of the false church, He will also, and more, go against the true believers. In fact, he will hunt them down and kill them—all who are destined to be martyred (read Rev. 13:10).

6. The image of the Antichrist is made and set up (Rev. 13:14-15). We don’t know how long it will take for those “who dwell on the earth” to make this image and to make it speak, but I am guessing that it will take some time. However, the way advanced technology will be, it may not be long.

7. Many Jews flee to safety into the wilderness (Rev. 12:14; Matt. 24:15-21). We know exactly when these Jews—as many as decide to go—will begin fleeing for safety into the wilderness. It will be, as Matthew 24:15 indicates, when they see the Abomination of Desolation standing in the temple. This, I think, is the image of the beast (I won’t go into more details as I have already written on it on pages 155-157).

8. All people are required to take the mark of the beast (Rev. 13:16-18). These verses (vs. 16-18) explain it quite well. Everyone, no matter how old, how wealthy, or what status, will be required to take the mark; which is a mark representing the Antichrist. It will be the government’s system to control people. And if you want to buy or sell anything you must have the mark.

But we know that there will be many who refuse to take the mark. All true believers will not take the mark; for it is a sign of the Antichrist and for those who worship Him (Rev. 14:9-10). And since all who take the mark will suffer the wrath of God (hell), we can be certain that believers will not receive it, nor will they be force to get it, or be tricked into getting it. However, we know that God will somehow provide for them; He will provide for any believer that is destined to live during that time.

Now one of the reasons I decided to do this timeline is to give us an idea as to when the bowl judgments will begin; because the first bowl is a judgment on those who received the mark and who worship his image. For that reason, the first bowl will not commence until after the image is set up.

However, in saying that, I think we can be certain that even though there is a gap of time between the mid-Trib and the first bowl, there still will be plenty of Tribulation-suffering going on in that short gap of time.

The Song Of Moses And The Lamb (Revelation 15:1-4).

Posted on by
Reply

I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues — last, because with them God’s wrath is completed. 2 And I saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and over the number of his name.

Here, as John sees the last plagues coming (v. 1)—which will finish the wrath of God—he then sees the victorious ones in heaven, rejoicing in their victory over the beast and in the greatness of God.

They will sing the song of Moses (Ex. 15:1-21), which the people of Israel sang after they passed through the Red Sea; and they will also sing the song of the Lamb (Rev. 5:8-14), which is their rejoicing in the blood of Christ to redeem them from sin.

Verses 3 and 4, I think, is a short condensation of the song of Moses and the Lamb, and is the high points of what will be their worship to God and to the Lamb. In these verses they extol His greatness and holiness and sing of His future millennial reign in the new kingdom when “all the nations will come and worship before [Him].”

They held harps given them by God 3 and sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb:

“Great and marvelous are your deeds,

Lord God Almighty.

Just and true are your ways,

King of the ages.

4 Who will not fear you, O Lord,

and bring glory to your name?

For you alone are holy.

All nations will come

and worship before you,

for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

The Harvest On The Earth

Posted on by
1

The harvest of the earth speaks of the great judgment of God upon all unbelievers, which occurs at the very end of the Tribulation. We will look at the entire passage and then break it down into three points.

Revelation 14:14-20. Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and sitting on the cloud was one like a son of man, having a golden crown on His head and a sharp sickle in His hand. 15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying out with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, “Put in your sickle and reap, for the hour to reap has come, because the harvest of the earth is ripe.” 16 Then He who sat on the cloud swung His sickle over the earth, and the earth was reaped.

17 And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, and he also had a sharp sickle. 18 Then another angel, the one who has power over fire, came out from the altar; and he called with a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, “Put in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, because her grapes are ripe.” 19 So the angel swung his sickle to the earth and gathered the clusters from the vine of the earth, and threw them into the great wine press of the wrath of God. 20 And the wine press was trodden outside the city, and blood came out from the wine press, up to the horses’ bridles, for a distance of two hundred miles.

The Executioners

There will be two executioners: Jesus Christ and special designated angels. Jesus Christ is seen by John as “a son of man having a golden crown on His head and a sharp sickle in His hand.” This imagery, especially the golden crown on His head, shows us vividly that Christ is victorious in battle; and even before the battle is over, we know that He will conquer His enemies.

His special angels helping Him also have sharp sickles (deadly weapons), and they will be working to gather all the sinners into the great wine press of God (the wrath of God).

The Harvest Will Be Ripe

The harvest in this passage is first of grain (vs 14-16), and then of grapes (17-20). In the first group of verses I think the harvest of grain is dealing with the separation of the tares from the good grain, or the unbelievers from the believers (This is explained for us in Matthew 13:39-43). We can’t be sure exactly when or how this will occur, but I think it will occur sometime before Armageddon—which is what is described in verses 17 through 20.

So, as for this second passage, where the imagery is clearly of the harvest of grapes, the separation has already occurred, and all of the unbelieving people left (represented as grapes) are harvested (judged); they are all ripe and are cast into the great wine press.

Notice that in both cases—the harvest of grain (the separation) and the harvest of grapes—the timing is exactly right. Hence, as the writer of Ecclesiastes puts it, “There is an appointed time for everything” (Ecc. 3:1). And in this case, the time for God’s judgment on unbelievers has come. He has waited patiently for people to repent and come to Him. But there will be an appointed time when His patience runs out and His judgment begins. At that time nothing can be done to delay His time of judgment.

The Great Wine Press

The great wine press is the slaughter of all unbelievers like the pressing of grapes. The writing here portrays all those who will come to the great battle ground in Israel. As is described in the sixth bowl (Rev. 16:13-16), they (hundreds of millions) will be drawn to this place of battle: mainly in Armageddon, but I think in most of the land of Israel, by demons which will come out of the mouths of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet; these three will demonically convince the world to come and fight. And so, they will be led by demons to this great battle. But they will come to be slaughtered by the angels of God and Christ Himself. They will be slaughtered by the sword, and their blood will be as deep as the horses’ bridles—as it flows for 200 miles from Armageddon in the North to Edom in the south.

Now these who gather, at least most of them, I think, are military men (armies). But what of the civilian unbelievers. I assume that they will be judged too—wherever they may be located. None will escape the sword of God’s wrath. All will die because of their rebellious unbelief. As the seventh bowl judgment describes, some will die by a great earthquake, and some will die by huge hail stones, and I imagine that some will die merely out of fear—the fear of His judgment. In the end there will be no unbelievers left. All will die.

Three Tribulation Angels (Revelation 14:6-11)

Posted on by
1

In addition to the constant preaching all over the world by the 144,000 Jewish evangelists during the Tribulation, God will send His angels to warn the world of what is coming in the last three and one-half years of the Tribulation. We don’t know to what extent the angels will be active in this warning ministry, but here in these verses is what John saw and heard.

Revelation 14:6-7. And I saw another angel flying in midheaven, having an eternal gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people; 7 and he said with a loud voice, “Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters.”

Here John saw something incredible: an angel flying across the sky preaching the eternal gospel to all the world. We don’t know how he will do it, but he will. Perhaps it will be broadcast over the internet or TV so that all will see and hear it. That is my guess. Or perhaps this one angel will have others helping him. At any rate, we know that all the world will hear this eternal gospel.

Now this gospel will not merely be presented; it will be preached with a stern warning that they must repent and believe now because God’s judgment is coming. I think it will be much like the preaching of John the Baptist.

Verse 8. And another angel, a second one, followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who has made all the nations drink of the wine of the passion of her immorality.”

 This is not only a warning but a declaration that the evil, idolatrous and immoral system of Babylon will certainly be destroyed. Its destruction will begin at about the midpoint of the Tribulation, when the Antichrist himself along with his ten kings will make desolate the harlot (the false religious system) because of his hatred for her. He will be envious of her power and will want all power for himself (read Rev. 17:16-17).

The climax of Babylon’s fall will be toward the end of the Tribulation, when Rome, the future capital city of the world and of the Antichrist falls and is burned up, along with all of its riches and power (Rev. 17 and 18). Some may disagree with Rome being that city and say that it is the actual rebuilt city of Babylon. However, as I have stated in my book, After the Rapture, after the ancient city of Babylon was destroyed in 539 B. C., the high priest, along with the entire Babylonian system moved to safety and settled in Rome. There they merged their evil beliefs and idols with the Roman Emperors as well as with the Catholic Church. Hence, the city of Rome essentially has become Babylon.

Verses 9-11.  Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 “And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”

Here, with this angel’s message is the final and ultimate warning. The first massage was to fear God and give Him glory, and thus to repent and be saved. The second message is that there is no hope for the Antichrist’s kingdom—that it is fallen and will be no more. This third message and stern warning is that if anyone decides to follow the Antichrist—to worship Him and receive him mark—they will suffer the wrath of God forever.

Now let me mention just a couple of things from this passage. The first is that because of the strength and clarity of the message, no one will be able to plead ignorance at and during their judgment. They will not have any way out. Secondly, it is clear here that all those who receive the mark will also worship the beast. The two go together. That is, no one can say I received the mark but I do not worship him. Thirdly, it is very clear here what hell will be like; hence, no one can say that they weren’t aware of the reality and severity of the judgment. Here are three distinctives of hell:

1. Hell will be to experience the wrath of God forever, which is the full strength of His anger.

2. Hell is being tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and the Lamb of God.

3. Hell is to have no rest day and night. To me, this means to have no peace, no contentment, and no satisfaction of life. It will be a continual experience of pain and anxiety without a rest break.

The Lamb and the 144,000 Witnesses (Revelation 14:1-5)

Posted on by
1

In this blog we will concentrate on the relationship between the witnesses and Jesus the Lamb during the seven-year Tribulation.

Revelation 14:1-5. Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder, and the voice which I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps. 3 And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one could learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been purchased from the earth. 4 These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb. 5 And no lie was found in their mouth; they are blameless.

Indeed, right from the start John noticed the meeting they were having on Mount Zion, which, as Ray Steadman points out was within the limits of Jerusalem.2  Ray Steadman also points out that…

Jesus Christ will be on earth during this time and will reveal Himself from time to time to these Jewish disciples, just as He appeared to His followers during those remarkable forty days after his resurrection.3  

Now the question is, what is the meeting about? Well, I think that since the earth was about to experience the great Tribulation, and be warned of it by angels (Rev. 14:6 ff), that this meeting is somewhat of a commissioning and for encouragement. I think it will be very much like when Jesus met with His twelve disciples on a mountain just before His ascension.

But it will also be like a great rally and a time of worship. And they will experience music and worship like nothing they have ever experienced.  Heaven itself will come down to them. They will hear a voice from heaven like the sound of many waters and like thunder, and the sound of harps, and singing by the redeemed in heaven. They will sing a new song. And only the 144,000 will understand what they are singing.

I have a feeling that these kinds of meetings will take place more than just this once. I think Jesus will meet with them quite regularly—as often as is needed during this incredibly evil and hard time. They will need constant encouragement if they are going to daily preach His gospel to the world. And they in fact will remain chaste and blameless. 

2 Ray Stedman, What On Earth Is Happening? (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Discovery House Publishers, 2003), p. 93.

3 Ibid., p. 93.

3 Trends Leading to A One-World Economy

Posted on by
1

These notes are taken from the book, Foreshadows:12 Megaclues that Jesus’ Return Is Nearer Than Ever, by Steve Miller.

1. We are closing the gap between developed and underdeveloped nations. China recently invested $400 billion on infrastructure projects in the Middle Eastern nation of Iran in exchange for an ongoing supply of heavily discounted oil. But this is a debt-trap for them. Apparently, China is giving them a loan to do the infrastructure and they have to pay it back with interest. And you know that China—as seemingly is being generous—is mainly interested in political or a military control over a nation and eventually the world. Yes, they are interested in world control.

2. We are moving toward a cashless and digital economy. This makes a lot of sense. I am all in favor of it. However, we see it as a sign that the Antichrist system is closer.

3. We are moving closer to a one-world central bank and currency. Once everyone is required to use bank-issued digital currencies, it will become possible for the world to go truly cashless and we will enter an era where totalitarian-style economic surveillance is a reality. Soon all buying and selling will be controlled by the mark of the beast.

I am not so afraid of being cashless; I am almost cashless now. I just don’t like the thought of being controlled. And that’s what it is coming to. However, we all should rest in the thought that God is always with us and is for us. He will not leave us. And He is soon coming for us.

8 Trends Toward A One-World Government

Posted on by
3

Here are eight trends that are bringing us closer to the one-world antichrist empire (from the book, Foreshadows:12 Megaclues that Jesus’ Return Is Nearer Than Ever, by Steve Miller).

1. A trend toward rule by power elites. It is interesting and kind of shocking that a majority of citizens disagree with the powerful economic elites. Nonetheless, most policymaking these days is dominated by powerful business organizations and a small number of affluent Americans.

2. A trend toward blind loyalty. We are seeing that people more and more are not thinking for themselves, and they are too lazy to investigate what is true. They are regarding loyalty to their party as more important than what is right and true. We see this esp. on the issue of abortion. It didn’t use to be this way. But today 100% of Democrats are for abortion and 100% of Republicans are for pro-life. This is so sad; in the end times people will blindly obey their government because of loyalty regardless of what is right.

3. A trend toward greater dependance upon government. We see this esp. in the area of universal health care—free health care! And this will pull the people to love and depend on their government—as their god.

4. A trend toward tightening the reins of power. We see that country leaders more and more are wanting to be authoritarians: China, Russia, North Korea, Turkey, Venezuela, Cambodia and more. Even the U. S. seems to be headed in that direction with its many executive orders and wanting to pack the court. Anything to get more control. And in the end the antichrist will be an absolute dictator.

5. A trend toward authoritarian governments advancing their agendas abroad. Today, thanks to globalism and technology, they can readily export their way of doing thing all over the world. China esp. has done this on a colossal scale.

6. A trend toward community identity. In communism and socialism, the state reigns supreme in people’s lives. Children belong to the state not the family; the state becomes the family. This ideology has become a major means of giving people a sense of community.

7. A trend toward expanding authoritarian power through technology. Both China and Russia have been involved in this—to exert their influence worldwide. But they use technology to manipulate information and the media, and to lie.

8. A trend toward silencing freedom of speech. This is a big one! In order for totalitarianism to succeed, freedom of speech (people that hold differing views) must be extinguished.

So what is a Christian to do in this changing world? Here are a few points:

  • Do not rebel under evil authority. Jesus never encouraged that.
  • Work at changing people’s hearts. Only the gospel can do that. Our greatest weapon for bringing about change is the gospel.
  • It is possible for us, as Christians, to live and persevere without freedom of speech.
  • Don’t be discouraged; trust in God.

Four Trends Toward Greater Globalism

Posted on by
3

I have been reading the book Foreshadows: 12 Megaclues That Jesus’ Return Is Nearer Than Ever, by Steve Miller. It is quite good. I think it is definitely worth blogging. The first foreshadow he discusses is The Rise of Globalism—so today I will write about that trend.

Four Trends Toward Greater Globalism

1. More advanced Technology. There are now many more connected devices in the world, bringing the world together more than ever before, such as: smartphones, computers, cameras, sensors, smart speakers, etc.

2. More powerful global corporations—that network the world.

3. More global coalitions and groups—that network the world. These would include The World Economic Forum, The United Nations, The G20 (that promotes international collaborations).

4. More emphasis on the world as a global community. This global community has a goal to change the way the world is governed.

  • They are and will deal with global problems
  • They will work as one to bring solutions
  • They will discuss what the Great Reset is, what they intend to do, and how they reimagine the world.

Some of these trends sound not so bad, even good. But if the leaders are not moral people, and don’t believe in God, that spells danger. Here are some of the dangers in globalism:

  • There will be less freedom. We saw this during the Covid-19 pandemic, how they handled it.
  • Government power will expand and be the norm.
  • Globalism leaves out God, rejects God as a solution, and ignores sin as a problem.

Five Red Heifers in Israel Excite Us for His Soon Coming

Posted on by
3

Jesus can come any day to bring us to heaven. I mean nothing needs to happen for Him to come. However, many of the signs of His soon return are evident–telling us that His return will be soon. One of those signs are the third Jewish temple to be put in place. It appears that one of the temple obstacles is now fixed. In my book of 2020, After the Rapture, I write,

The ashes of a red heifer were commanded by God and used to purify the Jewish priests for Temple service during the time of the Tabernacle and the two former Temples (Nu. 19:1-10). However, since the destruction of the second Temple, there has not been a red heifer in Israel.

But recently, since hope has been revived for a Third Temple, the need for a red heifer is paramount for the spiritual cleansing of priests who will be serving in the Temple. Thanks to Jewish ingenuity there is great hope for the breeding of red heifers. According to an article in the Jewish Voice, Rabbi Richman has been heading up a project to restore the red heifer. He and other rabbis have been partnering with an Israeli cattleman and are using a technique of implanting frozen embryos of Red Angus cattle into Israeli domestic cattle.33 As far as we know, it seems to be working—but time will tell.

Well, guess what? The time has come. Five red heifers have arrived in Israel. According to a recent article,

The Temple Institute and Boneh Israel made a huge step towards reinstating the Temple service on Thursday when five red heifers landed at Ben Gurion International Airport.00:00

:13. The red heifer was the main component in the Biblically mandated process of ritual purification for impurity that results from proximity or contact with a dead body.  Because the elements needed for this ceremony have been lacking since the destruction of the Second Temple, all Jews today are considered ritually impure, thereby preventing the return of the Temple service. The Temple Institute launched its Red Heifer program about a decade ago, led by Rabbi Azariah Ariel. (To continue reading this article click here.)

Keep looking up! His coming is very soon!

33 Dr. Randall Price, “Update On the Building of the Third Temple.”