LESSON TWENTY-THREE

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Scripture to read: Revelation 14 

Calendar: Intermission (turquoise)

Lord’s Feast: Rosh Hashanah (turquoise)

“Jesus saith, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: BLESSED are they that have NOT seen and yet HAVE believed.” John 20:29

The world has just experienced an unbelievable event; they are in shock as they NOW realize that there really is a true living God. Families begin to mourn the loss of children, fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters who have suddenly been taken away. There is coldness in the air and a deafening silence as those left behind struggle to make sense of it all. Those who were lukewarm in their faith now have regret and turn to God for repentance. Those who did not believe or walked away from Christ now question their judgment and many will turn to God with fear. Unfortunately, there will still be many that turn to Satan for direction putting their physical needs in front of their spiritual.

The earthly influence of the Holy Spirit, who dwells in us, is now greatly diminished. His unique sin-restraining ministry through saved believers is gone and evil becomes front and center. The world is now in turmoil, churches are empty; hospitals are understaffed, transportation systems are down, law enforcement restricted; rationing of food and prescription drugs begin to take its toll. There is still hope for mankind as the two anointed witnesses become more prevalent. The Holy Spirit is still available for those on earth who accept Jesus Christ as their savior, but they will now have to prove themselves worthy. God makes it perfectly clear that he expects them to continue obeying his commandments and have faith in his son. 

“And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Zion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. These were redeemed from among men, being the FIRST FRUITS unto God and to the Lamb.” Revelation 14:1

This multitude of church members (144,000) believe without seeing and will be the first redeemed from the earth. Those who are left behind believe only because they will see. As the first of the harvest, we will be blessed as “first fruits” and will learn a new song only to be sung by us.

“And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting GOSPEL to PREACH unto them that dwell on the earth, and to EVERY nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his JUDGMENT IS COME: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” Revelation 14:6-7

“And this GOSPEL of the kingdom shall be preached in ALL the world for a witness unto ALL nations; and THEN shall the end come.” Matthew 24:14

It is going on 60 days since the rapture and there is seen an angel flying in the heavens above earth with the announcement Jesus spoke of to his disciples before his death. This first angel shares the everlasting gospel and one last warning to those on earth that this hour of judgment has come and to give glory to the true living God.

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

As soon as this angel finishes his message another angel arrives to announce that Babylon’s false religious system has fallen. This message delivers good news but also brings bad news. The good news is that the spiritual war on earth was successful, but the bad news is that worship of a God will now turn to a man who calls himself God.

“And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Revelation 14:9-12

The ten nations who chose an alliance with this man to bring the world together religiously have been successful in its demise. Unfortunately, due to world economic and financial issues they give in to this man and help him set up a new World Order. Now instead of freedom and sovereignty the world will be dictated by an authoritarian regime. The world religious leader of Babylon will begin his new job alongside the political leader. He will be instructed to create an image of this man and place it in God’s temple for all to worship. It is uncertain whether this image will be in a specific place just in Jerusalem or all religious buildings. This religious leader will also be given authority to kill anyone who does not worship this image.

As the long-term economic effects of the natural disaster and a shortage of skilled workers impact food supplies, commerce, transportation, etc. he will also be instructed to implement a mark signifying access to buy or sell. This third angel warns mankind to avoid taking this mark or they will face the same wrath of God. Then he reminds the saints to persevere by obeying God’s commandments and to keep their faith in Jesus Christ.

“Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” Revelation 14:13

 As the angel finishes his announcement a voice from heaven says to John, write down this message…

“Thrust in thy sickle and reap for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.” Revelation 14:15

Just before God’s judgment is set to begin an angel from the temple of God instructs Jesus to reap the earth with his sickle. This reaping is the next harvest, the souls of the saints. 

“…an angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.” Revelation 14:18-20

After Jesus has saved his bondservants from the wrath, two more angels appear. One comes out of the temple with a sickle and another from the altar having power over judgment (fire). The angel from the altar instructs the other angel with the sickle to gather the clusters of the vine of the earth and cast them into the winepress of the wrath of God. This third harvest of the wicked is so immense that the blood reaches the height of a horse’s bridle.

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

Scripture to read: Revelation 15 & 16

Calendar: Days of 7th Trumpet (turquoise)

Lord’s Feasts: Rosh Hashanah Ten Days of Repentance (turquoise)

“And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb.” Revelation 15:2-3

After the “souls” of the martyred saints are reaped from the earth, they stand before God’s throne. This is the fifth chapter of the seals where they are told to wait for the rest of the martyred saints so they can all be resurrected together. Again, if anyone has questioned the destination of a believer in Christ after their death this verse should confirm that there is NO PERGATORY! We all go directly to heaven where we await judgment.

The song of Moses was sung initially on the banks of the Red Sea after God had miraculously led His people across and then drowned Egypt's cavalry in the rushing water. The song of the Lamb presumably celebrates Jesus as the Passover Lamb, whose blood redeemed the tribulation saints. 

“And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.”

As the Tribulation saints praise God for their redemption, seven angels come out of the temple of the tabernacle of testimony carrying the seven plagues. Then the doors are closed until the wrath has been accomplished and the cleansing is finished. 

During the fall Jewish feasts, after the books are reviewed, names will be written in three books. The book of life, book of death and a third book of unresolved. This represents the ten-day period after Rosh Hashanah called the Ten Days of Repentance or better known as the “ten days of awe” where they spend their time praying, fasting, and asking one another for forgiveness.  

Those names that are written in this third book will be given 10 prophetic months during these days of the 7th trumpet to make atonement for their sins, thus saving them from the latter sentence.  

“How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” Daniel 8:13-14

It has now been a little over 2.5 years since the abomination was set up, leaving 11 months to accomplish this final cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary. After this cleansing is finished in heaven, Jesus will begin the annual cleansing of the sanctuary in his new temple on earth with Prince David in charge of the altar.

“And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.”

The bowls contain the wrath of God, and the whole world is the targeted area to receive the judgments. However, as the following verse indicates, the kingdom of the beast is the focal point. The beast and his followers will feel the intense pain of God's judgment, but they will remain unrepentant. It is probably, at this time that the anointed ones begin competing with the religious leader of Babylon, performing signs using these seven plagues like in the days of Moses. The torture will be so unbearable that the unrepentant will try to kill these messengers of God, but it will not be allowed until their mission is accomplished. Ten months of literal hell are about to be unleashed on the earthly kingdom of Satan and his followers.

“And the first went and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.”

Bowl 1 - The first bowl judgment brings harmful and painful sores to those who carry the mark of the beast. The Greek term here is helkos, which can refer to an ulcer or abscess—this is not a minor rash. These sores will probably be blisters from the rays of the sun as the earth will no longer be protected by an ozone layer.

“And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.”

Bowl 2 - Whatever happens to the sea water, it becomes like the rotting fluids found in a decomposing body. Long-term exposure from volcanic disruptions can lead to CHRONIC HEALTH problems, especially for children and the elderly. Water sources and farmland can remain CONTAMINATED for YEARS after a major eruption, The threat is not just a dramatic explosion but the SILENT, ONGOING poisoning of air, water, and soil. As a result, everything in the sea dies. No doubt, this judgment cripples the beast's shipping and fishing industries affecting more than simple commerce. A massive change in ocean waters can have a drastic effect on weather and rain. Also, if "everything" living in the oceans were to die, it would remove a primary food source for the entire world. Even more dire, ocean plants produce most of the oxygen in the atmosphere. The death of everything in the oceans would start a countdown to the extinction of all life on earth. 

“And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.”

Bowl 3 - This third bowl judgment affects the water people use for drinking, bathing, washing clothes, and keeping plants, lawns, shrubs, and trees alive. The fact that this affects all "the rivers and the springs of water" means that now all the world's water—fresh or salt—has been corrupted. Earth, at this point, is amid planetary death throes.

“And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.”

Bowl 4 - The sun itself is not going to be changed so much as earth will be more susceptible to it. In other words, this bowl judgment might mean something previously restraining the sun's potency—such as the ozone layer—will be crippled, "allowing" the sun to scorch the earth. Looking at all these environmental judgments together, one can see how they could combine creating extreme conditions. Death and decay from earlier judgments can interfere with earth's natural defenses against solar radiation and temperature change. It becomes so intense that people are scorched by it.

“And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain”

Bowl 5 - This judgment cloaks the beast's kingdom in darkness. The beast and his followers loved moral and spiritual darkness, now they experience a more tangible form of darkness. If this is a literal physical loss of light, it might mean all electrical grids fail, and environmental conditions combine to create a thick, noxious darkness. Without electricity, and in the grip of natural disasters, it would be nearly impossible to use a computer, drive a car, or conduct business. TV news would be silent. Business would fail. Fear will grip people's hearts. Their bodies are feeling the pain of starvation and thirst, but they still do not repent and continue to curse God.

“And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.”

Bowl 6 – Euphrates river dries up to prepare for the war of Armageddon with kings from the east. To some extent the river provided protection for Israel because it was difficult to cross and a wilderness to the west separated it. The eastern invader will cross the Euphrates, march through Babylon, and enter Palestine. International armies assemble to join the armies of the beast in an all-out attempt to annihilate the Jews and to dethrone God and His Son. It's possible that they may be initially brought with the intent of fighting against the antichrist but then turn and join him to fight a common foe. 

“And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, IT IS DONE. And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings…” Revelation 16:17

Bowl 7 – This begins the final sixth chapter listed in the seals. As the seventh angel pours out his vial into Satan’s earthly kingdom, God cries out “It is Done”! What is done? That would be the “mystery of God” Jesus swore to his father would happen during the days of the seventh trumpet ending the third and final woe…

“And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in grave. And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the EARTHQUAKE were slain of men SEVEN THOUSAND: and the remnant were affrighted and gave glory to the God of heaven.” Revelation 11:7-13

Documented: "State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman urged authorities to fortify the country against a potentially devastating earthquake and pointed to the disaster in Turkey and Syria as indications of the urgency of doing so. Englman pointed to a 2018 report from his predecessor that estimated a major earthquake could “kill 7,000 people” and leave 170,000 homeless. He noted that without connection to recent events, Israel sits on the Syrian African Rift, which is prone to quakes every 100 years, and is currently overdue for a “medium to major seismic event.” (timesofisrael.com 2/2023) 

Note: last major earthquake in Israel was 1927!!

“…and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. And the great city was divided into three parts, and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.” Revelation 16:19

“…and the cities of the nation’s fell. And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.” Revelation 16:18-21

Three and a half days earlier a mob attacked and killed the two witnesses, leaving their dead bodies in the streets to rot. Little did they know that just days later the two anointed ones would be resurrected in full view of all those in Jerusalem and be called home by God. In the same hour there is a mighty earthquake killing seven thousand people. This event is the final act of the 1260-day tribulation period and the end of the ten months of repentance. 

“And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.” Revelation 18:21

“This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. Then was the iron (Rome), the clay (Papacy), the brass (Greece), the silver (Medo Persia), and the gold (Babylon), broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a “great mountain” (Christ’s kingdom), and filled the whole earth.” Daniel 2:32-35

It is at this time that the vision of Daniel comes to fruition, the great city of Babylon is destroyed by splitting it into three parts separating the Satanic trinity. Then the final kingdom made without hands replaces all kingdoms forever.

“And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the SUN became BLACK as sackcloth of hair, and the MOON became as BLOOD.” Revelation 6:12

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the SUN be DARKENED, and the MOON shall not give her LIGHT, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.” Matthew 24:29

Documented: "The next Harvest-Blood-Supermoon combination will occur in fall 2033, according to the public service radio program EarthDate. While it is a while away, the 2033 moon will be even more rare because it will also include a full lunar eclipse instead of a partial one." (Time.com 2024)

Documented: "The next super blood moon will appear on October 8, 2033. NASA’s lunar eclipse date table for 2031-2040 shows there will be two total lunar eclipses in 2033 – one on April 14 and one on October 8. The October 8 lunar eclipse will be visible from Asia, Australia, the Pacific and the Americas." (Newsweek 2024)