READER NOTE: Today we begin a four or five-part series of commentary identifying Daniel’s chapter 11 pronouns by naming the persons, places, and things he prophecies but only gives generic identities. We do this by parallel research of secular history. History that parallels the same time periods of Daniel’s chapter 11 prophecies. The reader will read the scripture and then see the who’s who. This first article covers background for a better understanding of the time and events of Judah’s Babylonian captivity with the fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecies.

Daniel 11

There is as much prophecy in the book of Daniel as there is controversy over its prophecies. Recall that Daniel was one of the first from the Kingdom of Judah to be removed from Judah by Nebuchadnezzar and then taken to Babylon. He was a cohort of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego of the fiery furnace fame; Daniel 1-3. Their Hebraic names were Hananiah (חֲנַנְיָה), Mishael (מִישָׁאֵל) and Azariah (עֲזַרְיָה) in the same order as just mentioned.

AHAMOMENT: Following, we play a bit with Bible Code name meanings. Please be reminded: Hananiah (Shadrach) means “God who is gracious”; Mishael (Meshach) means “Who is like God”; and Azariah (Abednego) means “God is our help, or God has helped”. BONUS: Daniel means “God is my judge.”  Stating these four meanings together reveals a New Testament message: God is gracious; who can be like God; God is my help/salvation; God is my judge. This is what the New Testament is all about.

Just as contrasting as it is interesting are their Babylonian name meanings: Shadrach means “command of Aku”, Aku being the name of the Babylonian god of the moon; Meshach means “who is what Aku is?“ Abednego means “servant of Nebo,” the Babylonian god of wisdom.

While studying the Book of Daniel, we should also note that the name Babylon is used within prophecy but does not always mean the geologic location. The use of the name Babylon is often symbolic or analogous to events characteristic of end-time prophecies. One cannot look at the Book of Daniel without including some references to Revelations and a few other helping or supportive scriptures. This Daniel – Revelation comparison will be a near-future article right here on ahabiblemoments.com

In a broad sense, the Book of Daniel prophecies can be defined under four categories:

1. Prophecies of things in the distant future (End Time)
2. Prophecies of imminent events soon to happen at or shortly after Daniel’s time
3. Prophecies of intermediary or mid-time events
4. Words of support and encouragement helping one remain in the faith during the Tribulation

There are only 12 chapters in the Book of Daniel unless one includes Susannah (c13) & Bel and the Dragon (c14). These two chapters are found in the apocrypha. Much is relevant to current events at the time of Daniel; prophecies of things to shortly happen with a look into the future, our modern times, and a distant future, all in one book of the Bible…Daniel

It will be our honor, and one of the greatest challenges, to translate Daniel 11 by inserting the actual historical character names instead of the generic place/descriptive names found in this scripture. Chapter 11 is probably the most controversial chapter in this great Old Testament book. The contentiousness of chapter 11 is not so much over what it contains, but its pinpoint accuracy. It is so accurate, some theologians and secularists insist some parts of Danial had to be written “after the fact” by others authors, then inserted into the Book of Daniel.

[JIV] Unfortunately, some Christians have difficulty understanding that our sovereign Lord is the Aleph–Tav; knowing the beginning and the end; the Alpha–Omega.

One will find a general overview outline of the Book of Daniel on the next page(s). Then a by-name, place, and event translation of unnamed persons, places, and things in Daniel 11. If there is an error when inserting names and place identities, as mentioned in chapter 11, we accept full responsibility. One can only be sure if s/he looks things up for him or herself. If God or Jesus says it… don’t question it. This translation took months of research.

Historical background:
As a wonderful teaching method, it helps when one can put an event or series of events into perspective within other historical events in secular history. Remember that the bible does not need to prove itself according to history. History needs to place itself within the bible.

1. King Pekah of the Northern Kingdom of Israel along with his ally King Rezin of Aram, threatened Judah and the capital city of Jerusalem. Ahaz, the king of Judah, called upon King Pul [aka Tiglath-Pileser III] of Assyria to intervene. King Pul of Assyria did defeat Israel; executed King Rezin of Aram (AKA: Damascus).
   1. Assyria was a Semitic [Hebrew] nation, but not Israeli, before and up to 608 B.C.E.
   B. Assyrians were offspring of Shem’s (son of Noah) eldest son Elam: Genesis 10:22, Ezra 4:9
2. During this time, Damascus was not yet the capital of Syria. It was itself a large city-state.
3. Assyrians attacked the Kingdom of Israel (ten northern tribes). They first dispersed the east of Jordan River Israeli tribes of Gad, Reuben, and the half-tribe of Manasseh in 732 B.C. [2 Kings 16:9]
4. 720 B.C.: Assyria invades the remaining tribes of the northern kingdom of Israel including a few cities within the northern borders of the southern Kingdom of Judah. Many of the captives are exiled to unsettled lands of the middle to far east including some *north of the Caucus Mountains.
   *NOTE: This is an amazing historical study in and of itself. Look up Khazar Empire.
5. Daniel is a contemporary of Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men originated from the southern Kingdom of Judah. The Northern Kingdom of Israel was destroyed about 120 years earlier by the Assyrians.
6. Daniel lived during the time of Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar, father and (grand)son kings of Babylon, and the Medo-Persian ruler Cyrus (King Darius the Mede).
7. He lived in Babylon during the entire 70-year Judean captivity including a few years beyond.
8. Daniel never left Babylon once taken there. He continued in the service of their Persian conquerors.
9. Sequence of nations:
   1. Israel was a nation under kings Saul, David, and Solomon. During their reigns, Israel co-existed with Assyria for 120 years before Israel divided into the Kingdom of Israel to the north [with ten tribes] and the Kingdom of Judah to the south with 2 tribes plus stragglers from the northern kingdom who were faithful to Judaism and worship in Jerusalem.The ten tribes to the north are eventually conquered then dispersed [around 740 B.C.] over a period of 20 plus years [720 B.C.]. First by Tiglath-Pileser III [sometimes called King Pul], then Shalmaneser V, and finally by Sargon II; each a king of Assyria; each king mentioned in scripture. The Kingdom of Judah continues to exist for another 120 plus years; until about 605/597 B.C. Babylon rebels against and overthrows their Assyrian overlords between 637 B.C.E. to around 612 B.C.E.
   1. Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon invades the Kingdom of Judah and begins to bring Judean Jews, including Daniel, to Babylon. [Daniel 1:1-4]
      1. 605 B.C.; 597 B.C.; 586 B.C. [three periods of dispersion for Judah]
10. Daniel becomes an advisor and dream interpreter for Nebuchadnezzar [Daniel 2:1-49]
11. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego face the fiery furnace [Daniel 3:1-30]
12. Nebuchadnezzar goes insane and eats grass with the wild animals of his kingdom [Daniel 4:1-37]. Daniel may have unofficially acted as the overseer of Babylon during this time.
    AHAMOMENT: Daniel chapter 4 was narrated or written by King Nebuchadnezzar. Read Daniel 4:1,2 (especially verse 4) to better understand. It appears that by this time in history, Nebuchadnezzar has accepted Daniel’s God as his own God.
13. Daniel interprets for *King Belshazzar the writing on the wall from the finger of God [Daniel 5:1-31]
    1. *Belshazzar was the son or the grandson of Nebuchadnezzar. He was overthrown by Medo-Persians (King Cyrus of Persia with General Darius the Medes leading the forces). As Daniel had told him, Belshazzar died the night he was overthrown.
14. King Cyrus, the first Medo-Persian ruler over Babylon, signs a decree releasing all Israeli captives within his newly conquered empire; [538 B.C. – Ezra 1:2-4; also 6:2-5]; 70 years after being taken captive by the Babylonians.
    1. Cyrus was King of all Persia. In alliance with the Medes, Babylon fell. The lead General of the invading forces, a Mede named Darius, temporarily ruled Babylon [about two years].
15. Daniel and the Lions’ den under the Medo-Persian ruler Darius [Daniel 6:1-28]
16. The prophetic future according to the dreams of Daniel
    1. The 4 beasts [Daniel 7:1-28Daniel’s dream of the goat and the ram [Daniel 8:1-28]Daniels 70 week or years dream [Daniel 9:1-27]
17. Daniel foresees the future and end times (aha article “Are We There Yet”?) [Daniel 10:1 – 12:13]

Part 1 of 4 or 5 Daniel 11 articles. Part two next week

Revelation is often spoken of as a book of the Bible that can be difficult to understand. One of the books of the Bible that rivals Revelation for understanding is the Book of Daniel. Especially chapter 11. Adding to this supposed understanding issue is a curiosity about why Daniel wrote different parts of his book in two distinct languages. In its original text, Daniel 11: 1 to 2a is written in Hebrew. Daniel 2:4 through 7:28 is written in Aramaic. After chapter 7:28 Daniel is written in Hebrew. There is much speculation as to why one book would be written, in part, in two different languages. There isn’t room in this article to brief the reader on each speculation as to why this is so. But there possibly is a simple reason.

There is one very logical reason for this when one parallels secular history with time up to End Time prophecies. The reason for using two different languages within the text for Daniel is called “the intended target market.” The separation of languages is because of the fulfillment of prophecies that address two different groups of people, but all within a common vision and shared timeline. After the introduction of Daniel in 11:1 – 2a, Daniel is focused on the secular (Aramaic) world. That is, until Daniel 7:28. From that point on to the end of Daniel, the focus includes the world but is focused on consequences per Jacob’s Hebrew descendants; the 12 Tribes of Israel [Jacob]. The focus targets the consequences of Jacob’s descendants from Daniel 7:29 forward. This is where one finds end-time Tribulation prophecies for the world with an overall focus or consequence aimed at the global descendants of Jacob by the world focused on THEM.

Example: Why do competing teams, in the same game, have different uniforms and their cheering crowds wear their team colors? The obvious is that one can express his or her support for or against one or the other team. Daniel 11 is similar. Daniel 11:1 through 2:3 is in Hebrew. Daniel 2:4 through 7:28 is written in Aramaic (non-Hebrew populations) of that time and End Time parallel prophecies. The rest of Daniel (7:29 to the end of this book) is written in Hebrew. It is directed at the Israeli people of that time and the future end time. Yes, history will repeat itself. These prophetic threats will be fulfilled in direct or indirect forms. It means the future holds different paths for those of Israeli descent and those to whom the Bible identifies as Greek (non-Israeli) and nonbelievers. These are differing paths for Israel and the secular world, but the same history timeline of a shared world.

Daniel chapter 11 presents a future of the world that parallels many factors of End Time Tribulation and the antichrist. What is seriously missing in Daniel 11 is noun identifications of these future events and Tribulation people.  There is a good reason for this. We read in Daniel 11 of many prophetic actions that go (pronoun) nameless. One reason is that it is a parallel of two similar prophecies at two different times. Daniel 11 addresses a future to Daniel that we now call history in secular texts, plus a future we call End Time (Tribulation). Ahabiblemonents.com stands on the principle that Bible history and secular histories share the same timeline. They are as distinct as the histories of one person and the history of another but parallel in time, world, manner, and facts. Simply put…just as Daniel 11 has Israeli (Hebrew) and non-Israeli (Aramaic) message targets, they share the same historical and End Time timeline with very different consequences.

Daniel 11 is one of those highly debated chapters of prophecy that are questioned as to if written before each prophetic event or after each prophetic fulfillment. One can see this by reviewing Nebuchadnezzar’s multi-metal layered statue dream in Daniel 2. The Daniel 11 debate…was it written, in whole, before all prophesied events occurred, or after each prophetic event and by another men’s pen? Because chapter 11 is so accurate, so-called secular experts of this world make it a point that such accuracy is impossible. These people fail to understand the word “prophecy”. With this impossible accuracy being advocated by them, secularists should pay close attention to the remaining unfulfilled prophecies and their accuracy.

What will follow in ahabibnlemoments.com over the next few weeks, in shortened articles, is evidence of who and what Daniel’s prophecies include using nouns instead of pronouns. Each article will be on actual secular and historical events of both Israel and the world around it.  Essentially, we will also explain how the two groups will interact when the antichrist appears. We do this by researching and comparing secular and Biblical histories and timelines merging into a common timeline. Then, we insert the proper names, places, and things into the unnamed pronouns of each verse in Daniel 11. Our goal is not to prove the world and the Bible are not related, i.e., separate entities, but to point out that true Bible facts are supported by secular histories. They are the same global history and future; just two different peoples and their consequences of End Time and Tribulation.

Rev. Dr. Jstark
2023

PS: (Bonus ahamoment) The following is taken from a secular science article written in *Smithsonian, Ocean Find Your Blue. It supports the fact that oceans once covered the earth. Their reasoning for it purposely avoids the time and Noah’s Ark that concluded the ancient world. It adds a great number of years to infer their conclusions. More accurately said, to refute the Word of God. The bottom line: They declare the earth once was immersed in a great ocean.

*Between asteroid and comet bombardments, scientists believe enough time passed for vaporized water to condense and settle on the earth’s surface. According to the most recent scientific studies, an ancient ocean likely covered the entire planet… 150 million years after the formation of Earth, about 4.4 billion years ago. Scientists know this through the discovery of ancient zircon crystals that were dated around this time. These crystals can hold up against temperatures that would melt and destroy most other rocks, and a subset discovered in Australia have a specific chemistry that indicates the crystals formed through a sedimentary process in a cool and wet environment—what scientists infer to be an ancient ocean floor.

AHAMOMENT BONUS #2

We at ahabiblemoments.com suggest that since we are told the toes on Nebuchadnezzar’s dream statue (Daniel 2) are composed of Iron and clay, they cannot mix. Two different entities. One is the kingdom of the antichrist, and the other kingdom is opposed to him. This is just before the return of Christ to set up the Kingdom of God as stated in the Lord’s Prayer.

Consider the Kingdom of the King of the North to be the antichrist’s power and the Kingdom of the South to be that of Muslim nations. Of course, this is speculation but when the shoe fits….(Iron versus clay)

In the previous 27 articles on End Time issues, we have touched upon several items of End Time consequences and rewards. There remains an abundance of END TIME information we have not covered in this series but is available in scripture. The question remains, why worry or fret about a 7-year Tribulation that believers will either miss or to some degree be protected from its scourges up to the 3 1/2 mark? One might assume that during the 3 1/2 years of the Two Witnesses mentioned in Revelation 11:1-14, people (particularly Jews) will become believers and receive the Mark of Christ mentioned in the Bible. To think this is speculation. Some things were sealed up according to the Book of Daniel and Revelation.

Perhaps thousands will become believers from the witness of these two witnesses found in Revelation 11:1-14 [cf. Acts 2:17-21 & Joel 2:30-32]. This could also be one of the catalysts for the antichrist (Satan) to try and destroy the Tribulation believers beginning 3 1/2 years into the Tribulation. His anger or desperation against God’s creation will likely become even greater when what he thinks he has killed (the two Jerusalem witnesses) return to life 3 ½ days of being dead on a street in Jerusalem, then they rise, fully recovered, are taken up to the heavens in full view of Satan’s followers.

A confusion causing theologian disagreements is the placement of and who receives the mark of the beast or the mark of Christ. There are multiple times this is mentioned in scripture. The forehead is pronounced. When one looks into the eyes of another, the forehead is in clear view. Any mark on it is difficult to “not see”. Catholicism practices an ash or charcoal mark applied to the forehead. The 144,000 (12,000 from each Tribe of Israel minus the Tribe of Dan) are characterized by having the seal of God on their foreheads, according to Revelation 7:3; 14:1.

Something very significant is in the wording of Ezekiel 9:4: “Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it.” Note well, this passage of scripture identifies Jerusalem, not the church. Why? Because believers have already been redeemed and raptured.

AHAMOMENT: During our research for this article, we ran across Mark 1:1. Now one can know that the first gospel was not the Book of Matthew, but the Book of Mark. Why? Because it says so. Why study such things as end time if the Rapture has already occurred? Look at 1 Peter 3:15.

In Ezekiel’s vision, we read that the saved are marked. This does not necessarily mean on the forehead, but they are marked. In Revelation 3:5 we find a mark being a “robe of white” with his or her name written in the Book of life. This is a “mark” of one’s faithful devotion to Jesus as Messiah. One who wears the armor of God (Ephesians 6) reveals their mark to the world. John 13:35 finds Jesus instructing how others will recognize a Christian believer.

One can find many references as to being or how to be recognized as “marked for Christ”. However, being marked with the seal of Christ means being marked on the forehead in the end time Tribulation, not identified by the clothes one might wear. This is a rebellious world that refuses to be told what to do. These people are the ones, besides the descendants of Israel (we call them Jews today), that Satan deceives and hates for refusing his mark. They refuse to bow a knee to him or his statue.

One who calls him or herself a believer during the Tribulation may be comfortable volunteering for public events or being kind to others, but will be nervous about sharing one’s faith, the consequence that has a price tag for not grasping Matthew 12:2.

We conclude this overview series with a section of scripture that is seldom preached or explained. It is found in 2 Thessalonians 2:6-17. There is a well written article that addresses the questions raised in 2 Thessalonians 2:6 & 7. Let’s conclude by doing a verse-by-verse review of 2 Thessalonians 2:6-12. Understanding this passage is a personal giant step forward in one’s grasp of the end time.

⁶ And now you know what is restraining him [from being revealed at this time]; it is so that he may be manifested (revealed) in his own [appointed] time.

(Commentary) There is debate as to who this restrainer is. Because Paul does not identify him (it?) we might conclude that the Thessalonians already know about the restrainer. What is being restrained? Satan’s ruthless being, his antichrist status, and the false prophet. Being so, he could be on earth today but yet to be revealed.

⁷ For the mystery of lawlessness (that hidden principle of rebellion against constituted authority) is already at work in the world, [but it is] restrained only until he who restrains is taken out of the way.

(Commentary) The world does not accept the deity or even the existence of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Remember that the New Testament is an appeal to all individuals within this world. This is the mystery of lawlessness. How can a rational person NOT accept this fact? The Apostle Paul points out that a restrained Satan by the Holy Spirit has an end. When the restrainer is removed from the earth, what next? (ans) The restrainer is removed so the lawless one (Satan) can be revealed.

⁸ And then the lawless one (the antichrist) will be revealed and the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of His mouth and bring him to an end by His appearing and second advent.

(Commentary) Scriptures tell us that antichrist’s identity is revealed for who and what he is at the mid-point of the Tribulation [Revelation 13]. This happens when the promise of 7-years of peace in Israel is revoked by antichrist. Satan will then set himself up on the throne within the rebuilt Temple of Israel. He will declare himself as the god. The image made of him will be given the power to speak and will condemn to death all who refuse to worship Satan/antichrist. 2 Thessalonians 2:6-8

⁹ The coming [of the lawless one, the antichrist] is through the activity and working of Satan and will be attended by great power and with all sorts of [pretended] miracles and signs and delusive marvels—[all of them] lying wonders…

(Commentary) Even the supposed death of the Antichrist [Revelation 11:7-9] is just that…supposed. This is the course of the deep deception of end time.

¹⁰ And by unlimited seduction to evil and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing (going to perdition) because they did not welcome (accept) the Truth but refused to love it (so) that they might be saved.

¹¹ Therefore God sends upon them a misleading influence, a working of error, and a strong delusion to make them believe what is false,…

(Commentary) …Romans 10:17 may have something to do with verse 11 of 2 Thessalonians. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God”. What could cause a greater delusion than there no longer being any hearing of the Word of God during End Time? Instead, the false faith given by hearing the words of Satan (antichrist) is all they hear. Recall that the two Jerusalem witnesses will have left earth by this time. We must not forget that the two witnesses and the 144,000 are witnesses of God.

¹² In order that all may be judged and condemned who did not believe in [who refused to adhere to, trust in, and rely on] the Truth, but [instead] take pleasure in unrighteousness.

(Commentary) Verse 12…explains Romans 10:17. “that all may be judged who do not believe” is self-evident. Man will still have a personal choice to accept Christ or not, but the other possible restrainer, the Word of God, is no longer being preached. Might this be true of many churches today where their emphasis is upon social and political issues, musical talent, dinners, church activities, and great speeches, but not a word is mentioned of the need for faith and salvation?

Rev. Dr. Jstark
2023

PS: We at ahabiblemoments.com believe the restrainer to be the most obvious…the Holy Spirit. Once he is removed the one who is convincing sinners of a need for Jesus to gain salvation is no longer present. Mankind will now be on personal recognizance. That of itself is not much of a shield against the influence of Satan. Possible? Yes. Likely? No.

PSS: Do not lose thought that this 7-year end time is also the 70^th week of Daniel’s 70-7’s prophecy. As Daniel prayed, the angel Gabriel appeared to him and gave him a vision of Israel’s future. No mention is made of the church [Daniel 9:24,25].

PSSS: One should also recall Daniel’s interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s Statue Dream. The feet of this statue (End Time Tribulation) will be a mixture of iron and clay…these elements make it weak [Daniel 2]. One should note that such a mix does not hold together meaning the antichrist’s end time rule will also NOT hold together from the start of it.

Here are three stand alone verses about End Time in Jerusalem to which one might not but should pay much attention. This is a passage that reflects all the past, present, and future wrapped into it. Jesus laments Jerusalem. Why? He knows what this city in Judah/Israel was, is, and will be shortly before the end of current events of today and the world as we now know it. It is a lament about how Israeli secular and religious leaders have been, and continue to be. This passage includes their history and future attitudes ever since their appointment as God’s chosen people. The lament explains why Israel had problems before and will continue to struggle with national enemies until the end of the 7-year Tribulation.

Backing up a few verses one finds the primary issue in this chapter. Jesus in verses 37-39 is, in a sense, comparison of how a good intending parent has a vested interest in their children. After many attempts to give guidance to their children, the kids still walk off in the wrong direction. Just as do these parents, Jesus laments Jerusalem with a similar “sigh” of a parent or woe of parents. Five times in this chapter we read that Jesus addresses his chosen with woe to you. He supplements these five “woes” by calling Israeli leaders “fools and blind.”

We won’t expand on it here, But Jeremiah 3:14 states…”Return, faithless people [Israel] ,” declares the LORD, “for I am your husband“.

Look at verses 25 and 28. How similar this is to both the modern-day Godly and seemingly Godly churches. This is not the church building itself that addresses those within it who religiously attend church and activity events. They have particular and notable ways of conduct that make them appear godly, but they are only being religious. So often their conduct and appearances change according to which crowd they are trying to mimic. At times, verse 28…“even so you outwardly appear righteous to men…” includes dependable pew dwellers who don’t even try to appear righteous when outside of their church setting. Last week’s article covered “The Book and the books” mentioned in Revelation 20. There are no deeds or thoughts a person can commit that will not be found recorded in The Books.

Be careful. God defines sin as sin. To him and broadly speaking, all sins are equal to God in that all sins are by definition “unrighteous” and “imperfect.” Man tries to self-protect by identifying sins as having different levels of wrong. We do this in justice systems, but different systems cannot agree on the punishment levels of wrong. One often tries to make his or her sin less punitive. In God’s eyes, a sin is a sin (reference James 2:10). This by itself should prove that mankind makes his own rules of wrongs, rights, and consequential punishments. God created man and only HE can set the boundaries of right and wrong.

In 2014 Billy Graham stated… It is always difficult and dangerous to attempt to list sins according to their degree of seriousness. In one sense, all sins are equal in that they all separate us from God. The Bible’s statement, “For the wages of sin (singular tense) is death …” It matters not the magnitude of the sin. (Romans 6:23), applies to all sin, whether in thought, word, or deed. NOTE: Billy Graham died four years later in 2018.

 Since today’s reference is but three verses, we write them out. The reader will find commentary inserted within these verses. The verse is in italisized and the commentary is weaved into each of the three verses in black.

Matthew 23:37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, [repeated twice for the reason of absolute emphasis. This is the same emphasis as when a verse starts with “verily, verily”] the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I [God] wanted to gather your children [this is the “her” in those who are sent to “her”] together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! [Again, this shows that God allows free will]

Matthew 23:38 See! Your house [both Jerusalem and the Promised Lands] is left to you desolate; [desolate to those who were originally given this land by God to be a nation of light onto other nations and peoples]

Matthew 23:39 “for I say to you, you shall see Me no more until you say, ‘BLESSED is HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!’ “

You shall see me no more…This is the time between when this verse is stated and the end of End Time i.e., Tribulation. Israel will find itself so surrounded and overwhelmed by enemy forces, even the irrational mind will concede that there is no way out. This is also one reason the timid, but antisemitic will willingly and eagerly join the nations aligned against Israel. They want to have part of both the anticipated victory and the plunder. People blindly and by choice join the forces against ISRAEL. Just like fans at a sporting event join the cheering of the fans around them. Not one of them did anything to help win but all wish to share in the glory. Tin comparison, it is similar to when a team’s lead seems insurmountable. Somehow in the last moments of the game, they lose. This will be true of Jerusalem at the ending of the 7-year Tribulation. The odds against their very survival will seem like it is a given.

 Rev. Dr. Jstark
2023

PS; The United States is not mentioned in scripture by name. To Include them requires speculation, something we at ahabiblemoments hesitate to do unless we preface the statement with a JIV (Jim’s Introspective View). The following is one of those JIV moments but given thought and consideration. United States is a leading country. It is rapidly going down a path of self-destruction. We will not list the abundance of poor decisions being made as a nation with all of these cancel culture idioms. People are being deceived by lies, half-truths, misleading speeches, social media, main line news casters, church pulpits that offer false religious statements but stress social positions, ignorant or empty Bible lesson content, political hacks and those who fail to follow the laws and constitution they were sworn to protect. All of this and more is what scripture means by kingdom against kingdom.

Perhaps the reason the United States is not mentioned in scripture is because the word “united” no longer applies.

Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. (Revelation 20:1, NKJV)

This by itself has theologians on different sides of a round table. Do you say that a round table does not have sides? Then tell the theologians that.

One argument avoided by many theologians is this verse in Revelation and another found in 2 Peter 2:4, both address the “bottomless pit”. The first group has to do with Angels shackled in this retaining pit for desiring and (possibly) fathering children with “the female offspring and daughters of men in ‘ancient time’”. Many theologians claim angels can’t do that. Far too little is known about angels to make such a blind statement when scripture says the sons of God (angels in general) took women to themselves. Their offspring were giants in the land. Of course, since we are only beginning to recognize in science the DNA of man, the gene of size may already be in a man. But…who were the “sons of God” who desired and took sexual liberties with these “daughters of man”?

NOTE: Jesus is the only one referred to as THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD.

The question is found in Revelation 20. Odd as it reads, but in Revelation 20:1 there is no description or definition of this unnamed angle that was empowered to grasp and chain Satan, then take and seal him in the bottomless pit. This act tells us that once done, Satan cannot influence the spirit of man from this isolation in the pit. Any sin on earth during the Millennial reign is man’s choice. DO NOT THINK that the Millennial reign is some type of introduction to what Heaven will be. In Heaven, there is never a mention of mankind needing to be ruled by an iron rod as found during the Millennial Reign (Revelation 19:15,16). If this isn’t good enough to persuade the reader of sin-filled men during the Millennial Reign, then from where does Satan get his forces to fight against God after the end of the 1,000-year reign of Christ on earth? Yes, it is possible that the hordes of angels swept from heaven with the dragon’s tail are somehow released with Satan at the end of the Millennial reign.

We know Satan’s influence over the earth is pointed out in Revelation 20:2,3. Will he be joined by other fallen angels? Very likely. In Jude 1:6 we are only told that these fallen angels are bound until the (their?) Great Judgment. Satan is bound so that he cannot deceive the nations anymore. Here is one place in scripture and human thinking where wording confuses our preconceived thoughts of word meaning. Nations by their name are not judged. It is the principles by which occupants live by within these nations. The same is true when someone thinks the “CHURCH” is somehow a group setting upon which any judgment includes all occupants of a given church directory. The Old Testament was about a nation. The New Testament is about individuals within these group settings.

A powerful footnote to the Millennium is found in Isaiah 2. (Control/click)

Pay attention to the (obvious) meaning of Revelation 20:4. “…and they lived once again and reigned with Christ a thousand years”. Who is “THEY” in this passage? It simply states in v4a “they sat upon the thrones.” In the next sentence, same verse, it reads: “I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.” Who is missing? Revelation 20:5 (next verse) “the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished.” This is called the first resurrection. Here is the blessed assurance…the second death will have no power over them.

Beginning at verses 7 and 8 of Revelation 20, we read about the defeat of Satan. When the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. This is where *Gog and Magog enter the end-time picture. This is at the end of the Millennium, not at the beginning as some confuse the chronology. [*Gog & Magog: Ezekiel 37, 38.] This will be the final war on earth.

It may shock some, but mankind does not need Satan to deceive him or her. Their sinful nature will be demonstrated DURING the 1,000-year Millennium. As difficult as this is to accept, man (Adam) was created with the ability to make choices. Sin during the Millennium is still possible even though Jesus is now the King of kings on earth. This all changes once the New Earth and New Heaven(s) are instituted. Satan’s goal, once released from bondage, is simple. To take as many “souls” as possible with him to the Lake of Fire. He knows he cannot defeat Jesus. He will try to kill off as many unbelievers as possible for one reason. Spite! He is probably not thinking he will win. He is thinking just as the destroyer he is.

Then comes the Great White Throne judgment.

AHAMOMENT: In the very popular book series “Left Behind” one reads about the beheading of believers during the 7-year Tribulation. This is fine since this is reflected in the scripture itself. However, one might wish to consider that the ancient Greek word for beheading also means executed. It is only a difference between pelekizō and place’-so. The meaning is to strike or give a blow to something. We Teach – You Decide

They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God’s people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. (Revelation 20:9). A point often missed is who is or are “THEY”? Since this verse states “THEY” surround the city of God’s people and it is the city God loves, *they is all nations aligning against Jerusalem. But, once again who is or are the “THEY”? These are those alive during the Millennial Reign of Jesus who may have demonstrated an outward submission to Christ’s rule but rejected his ruling within their hearts. Man judges by man’s outward appearance, but God sees the intent of the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).

*This includes all nations as indicated in Revelation 20:9 by the words They marched (came from) across the breadth of the earth…the breadth of the earth.

STUDY NOTE: Revelation 20:10 echoes Revelation 20:2.

Revelation 20:11 – This is a total conclusion of the global earth. Not a conclusion as in speech or activity, but the end of the End Time. As one might understand, it is an introduction to the New Heaven and Earth. Why? Click on this passage and see. The old heavens and earth vanish. Time for the Great White Throne judgment. Essentially, all created objects recognize the face of the White Throne judge. They know their perceived value is no longer. For the first time, some need to be reminded or told that the New Heaven and New Earth is not a remodel or upgrading of the original heavens and earth. This helps explain 1 Corinthians 2:9.

Revelation 20:12 – Book or books? This too is a topic for discussion. There is a difference. The book (singular) is the book of life. When one’s name is listed in it, they are judged for rewards according to their works and dedication to Christ. The books (plural) judge the unsaved but there is a twist. It lists their deeds in life but also notes their rejection of Christ. V12b: “The dead are judged according to what they had done in life as recorded in the books.” This is a debate by some theologians. Does the reference to “the dead being reunited with their bodies” mean those who believe in Christ, those who rejected Christ, or both?

If this verse is a reference to believers and unbelievers alike, work is crucial to one’s afterlife destination. Look closely at this passage. Those at the Great White Throne’s judgment seat are being judged according to their works. This falls under the category of “the books”. If one’s name is not listed in “the book” they are listed in “the books”.

The theological question: might there be a tiered level of Hell meaning the Lake of Fire? Sadly the next verse does not help.

Revelation 20:13 – “The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and *death and *Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done”. All are judged.

*This is self-evident. The grave does not end all. Death and Hades cannot give up the souls of their dead unless they are already there.

Ahamoment: For the believer, this is not a trial. It is the merit measure of his or her reward. All deeds will be exposed but the sins committed will vanish from the list of deeds within the book. Neither God nor each individual will remember them.

Verse 13 addresses the fact that every soul will be judged accordingly “according to their deeds.” The difference is being judged for punishment or being judged for reward.

Revelation 20:14,15 helps conclude End Time Events. Verse 15 puts the punctuation mark on any need for any additional salvation scripture. What has been said from Genesis 1:1 to this point in Revelation regarding a path to Christ is now said and done.

Rev. Dr. Jstark
2023

The Fifth of Seven Angels

In our previous article, we briefly covered: The two witnesses; the Mark of Christ vs the Mark of the Beast; 144,000 Jews; Earth bows before Christ. What we didn’t make more relevant is Revelation 9. It introduces the Mark of Christ and many other End Time events. It reveals the pending torment of mankind during the Tribulation. It also points out that this torment is reserved for those who do NOT have the Mark of Christ.

Revelation 9:1 sets the tone for this End Time event DURING the final 3 ½ years of the Great Tribulation. The world is striving to destroy the Jews (Israelis) including trampling underfoot all of Jerusalem (Luke 21:20-24). Consider one reason…*for three and one-half years the voices of the Two Witnesses have condemned the world for their sins from the streets of Jerusalem, possibly from the steps of the rebuilt Temple.

*This is a topic of study in and of itself, but not today.

Revelation 9:1 tells of John seeing an angel “fallen” from heaven; one that has the “key” to the bottomless pit. There are large differences of opinions about who might be this angel, what is the key, and where the bottomless pit is located. What we learn from this verse is that the angel has already fallen from heaven and is on earth. Guessing is the same as speculating. It could be a good angel with the power to open the gates of the bottomless pit. It may be an evil angel seeking to leverage the contents (chain evil angels) from the bottomless pit. There are other evil and destructive beings symbolically called locus in scripture within this pit. The FALLEN ANGEL may be Satan himself. If this bottomless pit is the same one to which he will be chained and cast into for 1,000 years (Millennial Reign), we may better understand why he is BOUND (Revelation 20:1-12) and sealed in the bottomless pit.

The words “fallen from heaven” indicate this fallen being is no longer a resident of or welcomed in heaven. The Apostle John sees this angel as already cast out of Heaven. John foresaw it while exiled on the Island of Patmos. This suggests the angel is Lucifer (Satan). He (unknown angel) was GIVEN a key to the existing abyss. The word “given” may also mean “permission” to open the bottomless pit. It is where many of the fallen angels are today (2 Peter 2:4). This needs some clarification for a better understanding.

AHA MOMENT: There are two times angels are cast out of heaven. The one most often preached on is those that were swept from heaven by the tail of the Red Dragon (Satan). However…Read Genesis 6:1-4. Here is a batch of angels that sexually desired the women of created mankind. This is after the sin in the Garden of Eden. The word for woman in Genesis 6:1-4 is plural (women). This happens between creation of man and the time of Noah. The passage in Genesis 6 does not mention God’s judgment upon these angels. We find that answer in the New Testament.

JIV NOTE: The hordes of “locus” that are released from this pit may be the angels which were cast into it as referenced in Genesis 6:1-4.

We find the answer to Genesis 6:1-4 in 2 Peter 2:4. The probable argument against this addressing the angels that coveted the daughters of man is in the context of verse 4 and verse 5 of 2 Peter 2…and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly;” The context of this passage in 2 Peter is the “ancient world.” At this moment It may not be the angels swept from Heaven by the dragons tail. Perhaps the batch of angels released as “locus” may be the ones held in chains from Genesis 6.

Angels can take the form of other beings since they are creations of another nature, not flesh and blood. Evangelist Billy Graham during his Crusade at Flushing Meadows Park in New York, on June 25, 2005, made this one of his message points. Another supporting text is found in verse 7. They are not described as locus as one would imagine. The word “locus” stands for the abundance of them descending all at once.

We Teach but You Decide.

NOTE: We know that the generally canonized books of the Bible do not include the writings of the Book of Enoch, but the Apocrypha does. If one reads Jude 1:1-14 we see Jude, a canonized Bible book, references by name Enoch’s prophecies in verse 14. Give it thought. The Book of Jude addresses some of the sins and doom of the ungodly people of this world: past, present, and future. If the Book of Jude is accepted and it references the Book of Enoch, might some of what Enoch of the pre-flood time he references be acceptable?

One should keep in mind that hell (Hades) along with its occupants will end up in the Lake of Fire. Those souls and fallen angels in hell have yet to bask on the scorched beaches of the Lake of Fire – Revelation 20:14. Just as Paradise holds the souls of deceased believers, Hades holds the searching souls of deceased unbelievers.

Verse 4 of Revelation 9 mentions the mark or seal of God on one’s forehead. These people are immune to the torment of the locus. It takes no great understanding that those who are tormented will notice those not being anguished as are they 24/7. The anguished will seek death (v6) but will not find it.  For five months these “beings” will torture them day and night.

Verse 7… This verse says their faces will look like humans. Their bodies are like horses. They will have hair like that of a woman. …None of these descriptions in Revelation 9 describe a locus as we define them. The intended meaning of Locus is their sudden descent in hordes upon mankind at the sound of the 5^th trumpet; woe number one. Another counter to this not being the insect called locus is found in Proverbs 30:27. Add to this list the sounding of the 6^th trumpet found in Revelation 9:13.

What happens to mankind according to Revelation 9:15? These angels have been in reserve for this very moment i.e., the 6^th trumpet (2^nd woe). One-third of mankind will be destroyed. According to today’s global population, this will exceed *2 1/2 billion people.

*NOTE: The Promised Land goes from the Nile River east to the Euphrates River. Yet, there is a greater human loss during the Great Tribulation. Go back to the 4^th seal to read about this. There is another article on ahabiblemoments.com that covers this seal. As a reminder, Revelation 6:8 includes the 4^th seal of judgment. The woes, bowls of wrath, plagues, and 7 trumpets are distinct End Time events.

Revelation 9:14 tells of four angels that have been assigned one task since their creation. They are located and bound (held) at the head of the Euphrates River. Once told to “GO” they release a huge force or flood of 200,000,000 enemy troops against Israel. There is too much theological speculation as to from where these forces come. What we do know is the army is so great, Israelis will finally realize they need their Messiah to survive. This sets the stage for the 7^th trumpet. It brings us into the second half of the 7-year tribulation.

The critical verse to acknowledge is Revelation 9:20. It is the world’s response by individuals to this true destruction on a mass scale. As in a riot, people will turn on one another. The Bible calls this kingdom against kingdom, father against son, mother against daughter (Luke 12:53).

Let’s be clear. The idols mentioned are the works of those remaining humans including the works of their own hands, false worship, religiousness, and dedication to gathering riches. We will use the dictionary to define idol…click here.

Rev. Dr. Jstark
2022

The two witnesses? Mark of Christ vs the Mark of the Beast? 144,000 Jews. Earth bows before Christ.

During the first three and one-half years of the Tribulation, Jerusalem will have two identifiable witnesses for Jesus Christ. We find this discussed in Revelation 11:3.

Side Note: There is room to consider that they witness before the beginning of the 7-year tribulation. Our best understanding is that they witness during the first half of the tribulation. We determine this by studying the sentence sequence in Revelation 11:2,3. According to verse 2 of Revelation 11, Gentiles will *tread Jerusalem underfoot for forty-two months. This is 3 ½ years. The two witnesses will step forward to proclaim the return of Jesus Christ. It will be to the world but come out of voices in Jerusalem. We also know from Revelation 11:3 the two witnesses will prophesy for a thousand two hundred and threescore days which too is 3 ½ years. Since they prophesy, a future event, they cannot be in the 2^nd half of the Tribulation.

*This is the second 3 ½ years of the 7-year Tribulation. It is also known as the time of Jacob’s Trouble. Why is the Tribulation called Jacob’s Trouble in Jeremiah 30:7? Jacob was renamed Israel by God in Genesis 35:10. One could say “Israel’s Troubles” and be correct.

These two are protected by God. They will have supernatural powers. The antichrist will oppose them. The ending of their time to witness, most likely at or in front of the rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem, is as amazing as anything found in scripture.

Revelation 11:7-10 explains these time-sensitive events. When scripture gives or offers a timing of events, they are not estimates. In this case, the 3 ½ years whether listed in years, 42 months, or 1260 days is the same period. In verse 7 the antichrist has assassinated the two witnesses. As a warning to others, or as a display of the antichrist’s power, their bodies are left in the streets for 3 plus days (Revelation 11:11). Their bodies are left in the streets as a demonstration to the world to heed Satan’s power. However, God intercedes. Three 1/2 days later they are given life again. The world may witness both events via video technology, in person, and word-of-mouth. They stand up right where they had been slain. What a shock this will be to the eyes of people…Left Behind. What a loss for Satan as the world sees this resurrection and begin to realize Satan does not have the last word.

NOTE: Daniel 9:24-27 is a parallel example of the pending End Time Tribulation. These parallel events occurred back in 167 B.C. Recall that Satan, the Red Dragon, can no longer access Heaven. He and his fallen angelic minions are confined to the earth and its atmosphere.  Scripture tells us that his anger is stoked. He knows he has but 7 years remaining for him to destroy all that God created: mankind, believers and Jews.

Here is a summary of the two witnesses: (1) They are giving warnings to the world. (2) They are very much disliked by the public. (3) They accompany a measurement of the Temple [found in Revelation 11:1,2]. (4) They are killed but 3 ½ days later return to life. (5) They perform miracles. (6) Their public ministry lasts for three and a half years. (7) They ascend to heaven in front of all who witness their resurrection.

Mark of the Beast and the Mark of Christ:

Many know or have heard that the mark of the beast will be put on the forehead or the back of mankind’s hand. Few understand that there will also be the mark of Christ during the same time period. Both marks are a choice but only one is of positive eternal value. Those who reject the mark of the beast regardless of their reasoning will be excluded from the marketplace. This includes anyone who rejected being told what to do by anyone.

This is a good time to remind the reader that reality and actuality are sometimes two different things. One’s realities may not align with actualities. However, one’s realities are one’s interpretation or perception of actuality. This is what Satan will do through the antichrist (Revelation 13:4). People will be deceived by the performance of seemingly miraculous wonders. Deception is often rooted in one’s rejection of the the truth.

*Beast #1 is Satan. Beast #2 is the antichrist.

Revelation 13 discusses this in some detail. This conclusion is found using its own words. We teach but YOU must decide.

Click on this link and read the passages of Revelation 13:1-2,11-18. The first creature to rise “out of the sea” is Satan. He can reveal himself in any form he desires. The creature that follows is the antichrist. In verses 11-16 we read that the beast is wounded as to onto death, then healed. The suggestion is that antichrist is wounded as unto death, then healed and raised from the dead; perception versus actuality. Satan has always tried to duplicate the life actions of Jesus. Since Jesus was wounded for our transgressions (Isaiah 53:5), Satan too is supposedly wounded. The word “sea” may mean from the midst of people or economies.

Now read or reread 13:16,17. The powers of beast #1 (Satan) are given, by him, to beast #2 (antichrist). Beast #2 performs great wonders in the eyes of man. Catch this…he only performs these wonders (v12) when in the presence of Satan. This implies that the antichrist is but a vessel of Satan; a vessel of and filled by Satan.

What is the significance of this and its connection with this article’s topic? (v15b through 17a) “…the idol that speaks causes those who do not worship the image of the beast to be slain; so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark…” The significance is the total economic bondage to and by Satan. The world is propelled into chaos. This also tells us that the mark of Satan must be given during the second half of the 7-year Tribulation.

The 144,000 witnesses

“For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work, but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way” (2 Thessalonians 2:7). What might this have to do with our subtitle “The 144,000 witnesses. First, let’s understand this verse. What does it mean to say it is already at work? We do miss the elephant in the room at times. Look around the world. Does one miss that freedoms and deteriorating standards of morality, truth, or deception of what is right and wrong already exist? Is wrong now being called right? Is freedom of expression (especially by Christians) being oppressed? Does no one know that Ecclesiastes 10:2 & 3 even exist? Better yet, review Ecclesiastes 10 and compare it to today’s social, schooling, and political environments.

What might these 144,000 witnesses witness?  Precisely what Ecclesiastes 10 says and warns against. Dr. David Jeremiah says it well in this 4-minute clip. Click on this link to hear him. These witnesses, all from the tribes of Israel, (minus the Tribe of Dan that is replaced by the Tribe of Joseph) are mentioned by name in Revelation 14. In Hebrew history, the Tribe of Dan was the first tribe to leave the alliance of Israel after they crossed the Jordan River and settled in Canaan. They pulled out of their assigned land, migrated north, conquered other people, settled these conquered lands for themselves, and began migrating to northern lands. There is so much more one can discuss regarding this Tribe, but not in this article. Suffice it to know that the Tribe of Dan has always been associated with idols. They left the Promised lands on their own while taking their idols. Keep in mind, some may have remained in their allotted Israeli land.

The 144,000 will be a witness to the world, an example for they reject what the world has to offer and to what Satan desires. They are just the opposite of what scriptures point out are the sins of the world that will exceed the times of Noah before the flood. It is possible, though speculative, that these witnesses of Jesus will be the turning point of Jews (Israelis) to accept as theirs the very same Messiah they crucified back around 32 A.D.

Theologian and author Jeff Kinley states: “Scripture reveals that God will once again bring worldwide judgment on mankind. But unlike the Flood, it won’t be a single event, but rather a series of happenings that occur all over the world…” We already see these gradual changes to our world as mentioned earlier in this article. This will be covered in a future article, blog, or commentary. It is amazing what little detail is taught from the pulpit about the future of this world itself and who are the major participants.

Earth bows before Christ

Far too often this is but an aside in End Time messages and studies. Romans 14:11 is obvious. No additional commentary is needed. What about the mountains melting and Jerusalem physically rising in elevation? Here is a help to understanding. Click on the following passages and read for yourself how the world will bow before Jesus after it is too late for salvation. Once Christ returns, JUDGMENT.

Isaiah 40:4
Luke 3:5 repeats this Old Testament passage
Revelation 6:14
Revelation 16:20
Ezekiel 38:20

To keep this simple, understand that Jerusalem has a major role in the foundations of this earth during the Millennial Reign. We read this in Ezekiel in chapter 47:1-9.

In Revelation 8:7 we read that 1/3 of this earth will be torched. Revelation 8 states the destruction of the earth, man, plant, and the world as we know it. It is well worth the read.

Rev. Dr. Jstark
2022

 PS; The Mark of Christ? Read Revelation 9:4. This is from the 5^th angel of the Book of Revelation.

Seldom does one fully grasp an inclusive view of End Time Tribulation judgments of God. They include the universe as well as this world. These calamities are added to by Satan’s attempts to force the world into worshiping him and him alone. God will provide an escape and place of refuge for his chosen people of Israel. However, they still must flee to it (Petra/wilderness) without hesitation (Revelation 12:6). That too is another choice for Israel. Those who heed it will likely see the Millennial Reign.

Does one live in the moment or think and prepare for the future? Most of us are immersed in the “here and now,” giving little thought to the future. But we should! For one thing, the end times will soon be the “here and now”; much sooner than many people realize. We need to be prepared! We shouldn’t let it overtake us or surprise us like the thief would try to do (1 Thessalonians 5:2-4).

Take note of 2 Timothy 33:1. The late Billy Graham quoted this same passage in some of his messages.  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.      

Many of these End Time Tribulation calamities can be found in Matthew 24. But there are two sides to these great end-time events. One is those instigated by Satan. He hates people of Israeli descent. People tend to incorrectly put them all in the same identity bucket – Jews. Not so. They are Israelis.

As we go over this short list of plagues, curses, tribulations, earthquakes, volcanoes, violent seas, wars, and disasters, we MUST KEEP IN MIND Revelation 22:12. The best news of all, believers will be in the rapture before the Tribulation begins or (less likely) at the mid-point of the 7-year Tribulation. Our list will not be in chronological order. To do this would entail too much speculation.

Little time will be spent in an exhaustive study of each End Time calamity. This article is to make a stark awareness of what is in store.

We begin with the infamous apocalypse and its four horsemen. In an earlier ahamoment commentary study, we examined this in some detail. These four horsemen are associated with the opening of the first of the seven seals. Each seal is mentioned in Revelation 6:1-8. The first horseman, a conqueror with a bow (no arrows) and a diadem (crown) is given to him. He rides a white horse. He is probably a great leader at the beginning of the Tribulation, but not recognized for who he is (antichrist) until the mid-point in the tribulation when he turns on Israel. He is the horseman who brings acceptable, albeit temporary, peace to the earth with Israel.

The second horseman is given a great sword and rides a red horse, a symbol of death and bloodshed.  The third carries a balance scale, rides a black horse, and symbolizes famine. The fourth horseman rides a pale (light green) horse and is identified as Death for Hades followed. Horsemen 2, 3, and 4 are most likely symbolic of conditions on earth.

All four horsemen are bad omens to those remaining on earth. Click on the highlighted text to the left to read a more detailed discussion of the apocalypse (ahabiblemoment article – 2015).

Be clear…the Rapture and Tribulation are not the same things. First comes the Rapture of believers. What follows is the apocalypse horsemen, the Tribulation, and at the mid-point, the abomination of abominations in Jerusalem i.e., Jacob’s (Israel) Trouble (Jeremiah 30:7). Why is the second half of the 7-year Tribulation called Jacob’s Trouble? Jacob was renamed Israel by God (Genesis 35:10). The people being forefront on Satan’s list of the targeted will be Israeli.

Believers will be transformed into immortal bodies (Matthew 24:30-31). This is also when Israelis will be gathered together from the four corners of the earth. What we currently see in Israel today is but a partial gathering. 1948 set the stage for this event found in Matthew 24:31. Knowledge does help with understanding.

Many know the passage that reads: Kingdom against kingdom. We just reviewed this passage in our previous commentary on Matthew 24. It is an eye-opening list. Look it up and gain knowledge.

Matthew 24:7 For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.

Matthew 24:8 All these are but the beginnings of sorrows.

The beginning of sorrows? Matthew 24:7 & 8 says this is the beginning of End Time or Tribulation sorrows. Let this be a sign unto all. Recall in a previous ahamoment commentary what is defined as kingdom against kingdom. This means a small, medium, or large group of vested or in common members who connive to not lose their power to another group. They fight one another. A simple example of this could be in politics. Deception, lying, false accusations, and distractions, are in each group’s arsenals. Such has become the main platform of politics today in many nations including the United States. It is identifiable kingdoms (perhaps unions, denominations, localities, race, gender identities, political party, Green Deal agendas or more) within a given geopolitical arena. Since this same passage in Matthew 24 includes son against father, mother against daughter, and neighbor against neighbor it puts an interesting light on the statement often heard today…See (hear) something, say something. Sounds innocent by itself but it isn’t exclusive to bad behavior. Such puts person against person, group against groups, and vested interests against each other. The world is already at this point. Soon it will be open conflict if not already true.

Isaiah 19:2 adds to this list of maladies. It reads city against city, brother against brother, each person against his or her neighbor(s). See something, say something? Mark 13:8 and Luke 21:10 underscore this same concept. Will one find it difficult to recognize that this is a current and trending event? Only if one is not aware, know what to anticipate, and understand what Isaiah 19:2 says. It isn’t a needle in a haystack, but when one does not know what it is s/he is seeking, the same won’t know what it is if already in or at hand.

1 Thessalonians 4:16,17 may not sound or read like a curse, but hidden within this passage is a dreadful omen. It means that there is now a permanent separation between those left behind and those taken. This passage is the rapture. Over half of the earth’s population has been destroyed in the apocalypse. This includes much of the earth itself. David Rossiter once said… One problem with the bible is it says things people don’t like. The result is they try to “interpret” what they wish it to mean instead of taking it at face value (paraphrased).

To cross reference this momentous event read 1 Corinthians 15:52; the twinkling of an eye. Once again, most believers read this as great information but do not understand its consequences. In the twinkle of an eye. It takes longer for the reader of these six words than it takes for 1 Corinthians 15:52 to be completed.

In 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 one can question the death it mentions as a believer. That answer is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Our (souls) do not die. They either go to Hades (nonbelievers) or Paradise (believers). The word in Greek for dying is key-mah’-o. It means the body slumbers in an unconscious state. The way it actually differs from earthly sleep probably is no dreams. We don’t know what the soul, our conscious state, is doing at that time. We know where it resides but not its state of thought.

Other end-time events include Micah 1:4. The mountains will melt under Him, And the valleys will split Like wax before the fire-like waters pour down a steep place. The “him” in this passage is Christ. A valley that splits moving it to the north and the south is a known geological fault line that goes through Jerusalem. The Mt of Olives is where that fault line is located. It is where Jesus will return and plant his feet. It will also be a wide valley providing an escape route for those who are told to flee to the wilderness in order to be put under the direct protection of God when the antichrist seeks to destroy them. NBC published an article about this fault line in 2004. It is a good read.  https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna3980139. Old Testament Zechariah 14:4 points this out as do multiple New Testament passages. It is identified by secular science as the Great Rift Valley.

The sad part about this knowledge is that Israelis refuse to connect it to the New Testament. They also seem to reject the Old Testament passage in Zechariah 14:4.

Has this happened before? Yes. In Matthew 27:51-53 we read of a startling event In Jerusalem. Many fail to grasp its presents in scripture. Graves opened and many believers rose right along with and at the same time as the resurrection of Jesus. Why more is not recorded of this either in secular history or in scripture is an amazing curiosity. This opening of a few graves coincided with a major earthquake in 31 A.D.

The two witnesses? Mark of Christ vs the Mark of the Beast? 144,000 Jews. Earth bows before Christ.

There is so much more. We will continue gaining knowledge, about end-time plagues, disorders, and antichrist enactments in our next article.

Rev. Dr. Jstark
2022

Reminder: Revelation 8:1. “And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.” An Almighty voice cried out. And heaven stopped….it stood still. For thirty minutes every celestial thing stood still. “And there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.”

Chapter 8 reminds us that there is a dominant universal power. We are concluding our review of Revelation 12 which speaks of War in Heaven. We discussed chapter 8 in our Revelation series, but it is so powerful it serves well to remind us once again of God’s awesome power in chapter 8, verse one.

War In Heaven:       

Let’s reset the stage by remembering Revelation 12:12: “Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time” (NKJV). It is the heavens that stand still, according to chapter 8:1. Earth, all that is in it, and Satan are about to be judged. The end is no longer near. It is in progress. We read of rejoicing and woe. Let’s discuss it.

There are several noteworthy events in these verses of Revelation 12:10-17. Back up two verses to Revelation 12:10. In part we read: (v10b) “for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God, day and night, has been cast down”. Satan has, in a sense, been in the face of God pointing out the failures of believers. When cast out of heaven, he can no longer do this. His access to God in heaven is finished. At that time he is restricted to earth and the atmosphere around it. This is why verse 12:12 offers a warning…WOE TO EARTH. This is a parallel passage to the Red Dragon being pushed from heaven, his tail sweeping 1/3 of the angels along with him (Revelation 12:4).

Why does Satan panic? Revelation 12:12b states: “For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.” He has always known he is defeated. He also understands scripture when it says the Tribulation will last but 7-years. He knows his demise is but 7-years once cast out of heaven. All he can look forward to is 1,000 years of being nonessential with no direct influence over anything. At this time he has only 7 years remaining to destroy as much of God’s creation as possible. Where does he think he can do the most damage with such time constraint? By destroying God’s chosen Israelites.

NOTE ONCE AGAIN: In verse 4 of Revelation 12 we have a significant period between the first sentence and the second sentence. The first sentence is about the birth of Jesus. Satan knows this well. He tried to proxy the death of Jesus so the (woman) Israel would not produce a plan of salvation through the Tribe of Judah. His tail dragging 1/3 of heaven’s host of angels to earth is before the Tribulation. When Satan stood before Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem as she labored the birth of Jesus, it was years earlier then this passage addresses in Revelation. Jude 6 reinforces this conclusion.

Believers have total assurance of salvation, not of personal powers, but according to verse 11, the “blood of the lamb” assures it. “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.” 2 Corinthians 4:5 [KJV].

Satan’s wrath is exceedingly great. As pointed out. His days are numbered to 7 more years. Recall that Satan does not know when the return of Jesus would be. Even Jesus does not know this time. “But of that day and hour, no one knows.” Matthew 24:36

Revelation 12:13 can be a bit confusing. It is a predestined event. When Satan sees he has been cast to earth along with his minions, he persecutes the woman (Israel) who gave birth to the male child. Israel is God’s chosen and Satan hates it. Why? Because he wanted to be the chosen one.

1. The woman is Israel
2. Jesus was from the Tribe of Judah
3. The male child which Satan could not destroy is Jesus

The obvious focus of this verse is the End Time persecution of man, beast, and earth enacted by Satan. If it is due to Satan concentrating on brutalizing Israel due to Jesus being born out of them, it means that the focus of Satan is upon Israel first, then God’s creation. No hint or mention is given of the church of Jesus. Why? They are already raptured. We do know that some people will come to Christ during this short time. They too will be harassed or murdered through Satan’s proxies. Taking the mark of the beast will not do anyone a bit of good. Many in this later revival will be Jews. It may include those Left Behind pew dwellers.

New believers who accept Christ as Messiah and are murdered during the Tribulation will be the souls hidden under the Throne or alter. See Revelation 6:9-17. This is a very revealing passage. It happens at the opening of the 5^th and 6^th seals. To answer the question of will men and women become believers in Jesus Christ during the Tribulation is an obvious YES.

Keep in mind that the woman mentioned in verses 13 and 14 is Israel. One can only speculate the meaning of the “two wings and an eagle” mentioned in Revelation 12:14. Looking at Exodus 19:4, we find similar verbiage. We know that the exodus of Israelis from Egypt under Moses and Joseph was not aboard a huge airplane. The same is true in Revelation 12:14. This verse and mention of a great eagle with two wings imply the speed of the fleeing Israelis from *Judah, specifically Jerusalem. They flee to the wilderness where they have the protection and provisions of God. When does this happen? It will be the mid-point of the Tribulation when the antichrist goes back on his 7-year agreement of peace.

*JIV NOTE: The State of Israel in 2022 has approximately the same borders of the Old Testament territory of the Tribe of Judah. It is but a small part of the Promised land.

An aha moment often missed is the first sentence in Exodus 19:4…You have seen what I did to the Egyptians. This portion in Revelation 12 is also the time of judgment upon the earth, followers of the antichrist, and nonbelievers. God’s wrath will be felt upon the earth. We will discuss the multiple wrath during the Tribulation in a later article.

Amazingly, Satan tries to dislodge these refugees from their God-given place of refuge. Revelation 12:14 reads: “So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood”. One can probably take this literally. Satan has great powers. However, his attempt to use a mass weapon of destruction like this huge flood is nixed. God causes a great opening in the earth that swallows and absorbs the flood waters Satan “spews from his mouth”. v16 But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. v17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ i.e., those who have then accept Christ during the Tribulation. The dragon switches gears when he sees he cannot touch those who fled to the wilderness. He turns on those who since the beginning of the Tribulation have accepted the truths of Salvation and the blood of Jesus that assures their eternity. Satan’s wrath includes those who did not heed the warning to flee Judah/Israel. (Luke 21:20-23)

This is not a new tactic of either God or Satan. Isaiah 59:19 we see the use of a flood and defense provided by God back in the Book of Exodus. We must allow for the the possibility this flood being symbolic, perhaps of a great army. We do know at the exodus; Egyptian forces were swallowed up by the Red Sea. Perhaps this time in Revelation 12 it is a great opening in the earth that swallows up these possible invading forces or flood waters. These military forces may possibly be caught in the flood waters of Satan just as happened to Pharaoh’s army at the Red Sea.

Revelation12:17 reiterates that this secondary aggression is against God’s chosen who are not in Petra i.e., the wilderness to which they flee. It is those who are related to the fleeing Israelis. Again, the church is not identified as being on earth.

Rev. Dr. Jstark
2022

Verses 6-10 NKJV

Revelation 12:6 “Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.“

“Wilderness”: God will protect Israel from Satan by sheltering her in the wilderness, perhaps in the region of Moab, Ammon, and Edom, east and south of Palestine. Interestingly, those countries will be specifically spared from the Antichrist’s attack against the Holy Land (Daniel 11:41). There are theological minds who believe this sheltering will be due to the “Jews” being mixed well within the general populations of this world.

“A thousand two hundred and threescore days”: At the midpoint of the Tribulation, the Antichrist breaks his covenant with Israel. The church isn’t even hinted at being included. He puts a stop to temple worship, sets up the abomination of desolation (Daniel 9:27), and devastates Jerusalem (Revelation 11:2). At that time, many Jews flee for their lives, but not all. God will preserve those who flee them during the last 1,260 days (42 months; 3-1/2 years), the Great Tribulation (Time of Jacob’s Trouble; Jeremiah 30:7, Matthew 24:21,22).

Satan will not have a free checkbook. Israelis who understand this scripture will “flee Jerusalem”. (Matthew 24:15-21). Just as was true during the Exodus from Egypt, others besides “Jews” will flee from the wrath of the antichrist. Those who accept Christ during this final stage of the Great Tribulation may attempt to join this escape.

It does not take much more than looking around our environment and world. Multitudes are trying to regulate God’s creations. It isn’t that some of their causes are wrong, but their pleading is to distract from accepting God.

 Verses 7-9: The vision of “war in heaven” anticipates Satan’s exclusion from “heaven” and his confinement to the “earth” during the last half of the Great Tribulation. “Michael” the archangel is the leader of God’s holy angels (Daniel 10:13, 21; 12:1; Jude 9). Satan is the chief of the fallen angels. In the middle of the Tribulation period, God will empower Michael and his forces to “refuse” Satan and his force’s access to heaven. Satan is forced to restrict his activities to the earth.

Revelation 12:7 “And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought, “

“War in heaven”: The turbulent events on earth during the Tribulation find their counterpart in heaven. A state of war has existed since the fall of Satan. Something will intensify that warfare, possibly the raptured saints passing through the realm of the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:1,2). Satan will then know his time is numbered in months. We Teach – You Decide.

Revelation 12:8 “…but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. “

The vision of war in heaven anticipates Satan’s removal from and to “heaven”. He is then restricted to the earth during the last half of the Great Tribulation. Satan must thereafter confine his activities to the earthly sphere. His focus is the destruction of Israelis. Michael the archangel is the leader of God’s holy angels (Daniel 12:1). He is the protector of Israel.

There is an order of command in heaven as there is on the earth.  Not only the church of the Lord Jesus Christ is being attacked here on the earth, but there is war in heaven as well. Here we see the defeat of Satan to such an extent that he is not allowed in heaven anymore. Satan will no longer be able to accuse the believers. At a given point, Satan will occupy the bottomless put with shackles holding him. This will be during the Millennial Reign of Jesus on earth. Sin will still be possible, but sin will not be influenced by Satan. It will be the choice of mankind. 

His defeat on the earth will be complete when, as seen in Revelation 20:14, all sins and offenses of God will then reside in the Lake of Fire. His doom was sealed when Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected. This is exactly what Satan has tried to prevent. He knew he could not slay Jesus, but he has tried and continues to prevent the truth of the cross from being shared.

Revelation 12:9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him

Revelation 12:10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.

Rev. Dr. Jstark
2022