Mantis Bible Comment Notes

{Folder: Mantis Notes}

Psalms 14:1

Ecclesiastes 3:5

Psalms 19:1

John 4:24

John 1:1

John 3:3

John 3:16-18

Psalms 86:15

John 14:1

John 14:2

2 Corinthians 5:10

Matthew 22:37

Matthew 22:38

Matthew 22:39

Matthew 22:40

Romans 8:28

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{Folder: Love}

{John 3:16} A classic verse about God's love.

{Folder: Brotherly Love}

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{1 John 4:20} Loving God is not enough.

{EndFolder: Brotherly Love}

{EndFolder: Love}

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{Genesis 1:1} Psalms 146:6 - God is Creator

See Hebrews 11:3 & 2Peter 3:5

{Genesis 1:27} See Gen 2:18-25

{Genesis 2:18} Cp Gen 1:27-28

{Genesis 2:21} Gen 1:27-28

{Genesis 2:25} Cp Genesis 3:10-12

{Genesis 3:10} Cp: Genesis 2:25? There was no inherent conscience that mankind would feel sinful or that they had done something wrong

{Genesis 19:5} See 2Peter 2:7-8 and Romans 1:18-32

Also see Genesis 13:13

{Exodus 4:11} Often times when we doubt the Lord we are saying that He cannot overcome our own frail and failings. God created us for a reason and He knows well our limitations and our shortcomings.

{Exodus 18:13} Exodus 18:13-26 reflects representation of each head or Represenative of each family. All the People organized in managable units.

{Exodus 18:26} Cases of difficulty were handled on local levels

{Exodus 20:7} Compare Matt 12:34 also Eph 5:4

Perjury Lev 19:12 & Is 48:1

We are saved by His Name Acts 4:12 it is the Name of God

Also Rom 10:13

Col 3:17

{Exodus 20:10} For the Jews Re the Sabbath see Ex 31:12-18

{Exodus 20:17} Coveting is an attitude? See 1Cor 12:31 & Col 3:5

Mark 7:21-23 - Source of Coveting & John 8:44, Isaiah 14:13-14, see

Psalms 119:36. From within the Heart is an attitude.

Luke 12:15-19 - Selfishness of Coveting. I was used 6 times my was used 5 times. It is self centered, all about me.

The sin of Coveting - Romans 7:7, 1Timothy 6:9-10. Note the word Desire. Money doesn't corrupt but the Love of Money. Coveting is not contentment. The problem is not owning money but money owning you

1Cor 6:9-10 & Luke 16:13, 1Tim 6:9

Solution - Heb 13:5 The solution is to find contentment or the source of contentment. See Mark 8:36, John 16:33 - In the world you will find desire and want but through Christ you find Contentment and happiness.

All things come from God and only the things that matter are those which endure eternally and don't wither away.

{Exodus 23:12} Cp Ex 20:10

Re the Sabbath see Ex 31:12-18

{Exodus 31:13} Compare Romans 14:5 here

Dt 5:14

{Leviticus 17:11} Matthew 26:27&28 - Blood is required for any sacrifice for the soul.

{Leviticus 19:18} See Matthew 22:36-40. also see Deut 6:4-5

{Leviticus 23:34} Since Jesus was conceived six months after John the Baptist, and we have established a likely date for John's birth, we need only move six months farther down the Jewish calendar to arrive at a likely date for the birth of Jesus. From the 15th day of the 1st month, Nisan, we go to the 15th day of the 7th month, Tishri. And what do we find on that date? It is the festival of Tabernacles! The 15th day of Tishri begins the third and last festival of the year to which all the men of Israel were to gather in Jerusalem for Temple services.

{Leviticus 25:10} This appears on the Liberty Bell and is part of Anglo Saxon Peoples Law

{Deuteronomy 6:4} See Matthew 22:36-40 and Leviticus 19:18

{Deuteronomy 29:29} There things that are reserved for God alone to know.

{Joshua 6:21} Human wisdom looks at this as babaric and horrific by the murder of young, old, women and children but God's wisdom is not mans nor is mans Gods. Ours is not to test or reason out God's reasons or commands but rather ours is to obey and follow.

{Joshua 6:24} Here is an example of that which is devoted to the Lord. The tenth of the top, the best, was also dedicated unto the Lord God.

{Joshua 7:1} 7:1 The things to be "set apart" refers to all the clothing, cattle, and other plunder that God said Israel should destroy when they conquered Jericho (see 6:17-19). It was not that they found a good use for something that was going to be thrown out anyway.

This was a serious offense because it was in direct defiance of an explicit command of God (see Deuteronomy 20:16-18).

7:1 The success of Israel at Jericho was marred by unfaithfulness with respect to the cherem on the part of Achan, who took items for himself from the spoils. The Lord held the entire nation responsible for the action of one person who violated His command. This demonstrates the biblical principle of corporate solidarity (cp. Dt 2:34; Dt 5:9; Dt 13:12-18). Sin is not merely an individual matter, but affects the entire community of which the individual is a member.

{1 Chronicles 4:10} The scriptures have genealogical notes contained within scripture text. CP GE 4:19-24, 10:8-12

{2 Chronicles 16:10} Often our anger gets the best of us and anger is not a fruit of the Spirit.

{Ezra 3:2} Refer to Haggai 1:1-15

{Job 40:15} The word dinosaur was not around at the writing, but dinosaur could be what he was talking about.

{Job 41:1} Could be a dinosaur type creature also. Croc is speculated because they are around today.

{Psalms 51:5} We must recognize that we are born into a sinful body and in need of salvation from the start. See John 3:17-18.

{Psalms 51:10} God by His Holy Spirit creates a clean and new heart a new attitude toward life. See Fruits of the Spirit in Gal 5:22-25

{Psalms 83:3} The thought is that the hidden ones are the two witnesses and not the bride of Christ or the Church.

{Psalms 119:11} This can only come from study, over time, in order to remember.

{Proverbs 25:11} Or in a setting of Silver

{Ecclesiastes 3:2} Note Ecc 8:8.

Also see Luke 12:17-20

James 4:14 & 2 Cor 5:8-10

{Ecclesiastes 12:7} CP Isaiah 31:3, Psalms 104:29, Psalms 146:3-4, Rom 8:10, Mark 14:38, Jn 3:6-9, Eph 2:22, 1Peter 4:6, Luke 24:39, 2Cor 5:1-5, Heb 12:9, Lk 23:46, 1Tim 3:16, Rom 7:22

{Ecclesiastes 12:14} See 2 Cor 5:10

{Isaiah 6:3} compare Revelation 4:1-11 and Revelation 5:1-14

{Isaiah 13:6} Verses 6-12. The beginning of Gods wrath. The Day of the Lord. The timing comes along with Rev Ch 7-8. The opening of the 7th Seal bringing in the trumpet judgements ushered in by Gods agents His Angels.

{Jeremiah 2:1} Jeremiah is telling Judah of the Lord's anger at their transgressions..one thing that should be explained is the difference between Judah & Israel. Israel is the Northen Kingdom where Judah is the Southern Kingdom. The time period of this chapers one where Assyria is the dominate power. Egypt and Babylon are fast approaching the power level of Assyria. Jeremiah is warning Israel or rather Judah of their sin and trying to get them to repent. Jeremiah's prophicies the coming capture and recommends surrender, Jeremiah 2:18, to Babylon since Babylon captured Ninevia and overcome Assyria but the King and Judah wanted to ally with Egypt, something that Jeremiah did not want to do Jeremiah 2:16. Our text deals with Jeremiah's dialog with Judah concerning God's feelings about their backslidings and he is seeking for them to repent unto God.

Jeremiah 2:4-14 Jeremiah is speaking for the Lord God and in doing so, in his dialog, also alludes to this. The Lord is inquiring what fault do you find in me ( Jeremiah 2:5-7 & Jeremiah 2:20 ). Reminds Judah of the Lords deed, for them and how He broke the yoke and burst the bands then led the Children out of Egypt (in Exodus). It seemed the Israelites were faithful at the times where the Lord performed miracles in front of them but when the times in the valleys came Israel forsook the Lord. Jeremiah 2:9-13 vividly describes the sins of Judah. Over and over Judah in vss 9 & 10 ask judah to examine the countries to the Northwest (Kittim or Cyrpus) and the european island countries ... these were countries more polite and learned. Then He says look and examine the countries to the Southeast, to Kedar (Arabia) and these were much more babaric. He explains in vs 11 that even though the people have false gods, gods that have neer done anything for them, they still remain faithful unlike Israel & Judah.

In Jeremiah 3:21-24 Jeremiah continues explaining of Israels degree of backsliding. The prophet likens Israel's degree of backsliding and likens Judah's idol worship to that of

1) a Young female camel in the uncontrollable violence of her brute passion.

2) to a wild donkey (Untamed and Reckless) in her sniffing the wind for a male/mate. He explains that the male donkeys need not tire themselves but rather in her season who can resist her?

What Jeremiah is saying is that Judah is activly and eagerly seeking and going after new gods and that no one has to provoke them to do this for they are doing it on their own.

{Jeremiah 2:2} compare Psalms 51:1-17

{Jeremiah 2:4} compare Deut 6:1-25

{Jeremiah 3:21} vss 20-25 there are 4 things we see.

1 A Problem - They have forgotten the Lord God. A violation of the 1st Commandment Exodus 20:3. Israel has committed adultery by leaving her first love. Some are aware of this and through weeping & Supplications plea for Israel to return. God in His grace pleas for Israel to return.

{Jeremiah 3:22} return, the plea, in the KJV it addresses the people as Children. Just because of their backsliding God did not disinherit them. He didn't cast them out of the family. Note verse Jer 3:8 where Israel is given a divorce, a separation from God, and His protection. This separation left Israel alone in a host of sin the result of which is cited in Jer 2:19. The separation made Israel see that security is only in the Lord/God.

The fruits of sin also draw a picture of sin to sickness. The Bible uses many pictures.

Matt 6:23, Luke 11:34, John 3:19,

Acts 22:16, Heb 10:22, James 4:8 and in 1Pet 2:24 and in this verse Sin to Illness.

{Jeremiah 3:23} Why Is sickness a good picture of sin?

1) it gets in secretly then gets hold on us. Often there is no announced warning.

2) Sickness is shortly followed by a loss of appetite and a lack of nourishment.

3) AT times there is a gradual decline, at times, unknown to the person themselves. Often others see it first with symptoms like moaning, groaning followed by a sudden collapse and sickness has its roots planted. Backsliding is also usually gradual, it's not back falling.

4). There is a dulling of the senses. See Prov 19:3

5) There is discomfort and pain, feeling lousy. Backsliding can be a very uncomfortable time for the Christian as they no longer enjoy the unfettered ministry of the Holy Spirit. In many cases the Christian has to be broken all together (same with the sinner under conviction). See Matthew 11:28 - Labour and are Heavy laiden. The burden of lost fellowship is the greatest burden a believer can have.

The World is represented by the sea. We can't help but put our boats (bodies) in the world/sea/water but trouble comes to us when we allow the water (world) to get in our boats. (we become worldly).

6) When you are sick you effect others around you Gal 2:11-14

7) You have to recooperate -- Sin robs us of our Spiritual Health, there is no immunity. Just booster shots each Sunday and Wednesdays, at Church. Recovery is gradual and not instantious ... be must build back our strength and be ever aware of a possible relapse. Also there is a weak period after illness.

{Jeremiah 3:24} The PROCLAIMATION - " In vain is salvation hoped from the Hills. Note that Israel's response is instantanous, immediate, ... Behold WE Come. We are reminded of the New Testament example of the prodigal son (Lost Son) from a Loving Father Lk 15:11-33. God has a plan, today, that will keep us healthy James 4:7-10 Draw near to God.

{Jeremiah 3:25} Christ also has a word for the sick in John 3:14-15 where he relates back to Numbers 21:5-9. He is saying for the sick there is a cure. Look to the Cross just as the people looked to the staff. Moses held the staff that cured the Physically sick whereas the cross held Christ for our Spiritual Cure both to those who never accepted Christ's sacrifice or to those believers who have backslid and no longer enjoy Joy in their salvatino.

{Jeremiah 25:11} Daniel 9:4-19 was Daniels prayer to know about this prophecy.

{Jeremiah 30:5} The 7 year period will surely be a hard time of troubles. Consider Isaiah 10:20-23 as Israel will be punished harder.

{Jeremiah 30:7}

The phrase "the time of Jacob's trouble" is a quote from Jeremiah 30:7 which says, "Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it" (KJV).

In the previous verses of Jeremiah 30, we find that the Lord is speaking to Jeremiah the prophet about Judah and Israel (30:3-4). In verse 3, the Lord promises that one day in the future, He will bring both Judah and Israel back to the land that He had promised their forefathers. Verse 5 describes a time of great fear and trembling. Verse 6 describes this time in a way that pictures men going through the pains of childbirth, again indicating a time of agony. But there is hope for Judah and Israel, for though this is called "the time of Jacob's distress" (NASB), the Lord promises He will save Jacob (referring to Judah and Israel) out of this time of great trouble (verse 7).

In Jeremiah 30:10-11 the Lord says, “‘I will surely save you out of a distant place, your descendants from the land of their exile. Jacob will again have peace and security, and no one will make him afraid. I am with you and will save you,’ declares the LORD.”

Also, the Lord says He will destroy the nations who held Judah and Israel in captivity, and He will never allow Jacob to be completely destroyed. However, it should be noted that the Lord describes this as a time of discipline for His people. He says of Jacob, “Though I completely destroy all the nations among which I scatter you, I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you but only with justice; I will not let you go entirely unpunished.”

Jeremiah 30:7 says, "That day is great, so that none is like it.” The only time period that fits this description is the period of the Tribulation. This time is unparalleled in history.

Jesus described the Tribulation using some of the same imagery as Jeremiah. In Matthew 24:6-8, He stated that the appearance of false christs, wars and rumors of wars, famines, and earthquakes are "the beginning of birth pains."

Paul, too, described the Tribulation as birth pains. First Thessalonians 5:3 says, "While people are saying, ‘Peace and safety,’ destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape." This event follows the Rapture and the removal of the Church, in 4:13-18. In 5:9, Paul reemphasizes the absence of the Church from this time period by saying, "For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ." The wrath spoken of here is God's judgment on the unbelieving world and His discipline of Israel during the Tribulation.

These “birth pains” are described in detail in Revelation 6-12 Part of the purpose of the Tribulation is to bring Israel back to the Lord.

For those who have received Christ as Savior from sin, the time of Jacob's trouble is something for which we should praise the Lord, for it demonstrates that God keeps His promises. He has promised us eternal life through Christ our Lord, and He has promised land, seed, and blessing to Abraham and his physical descendants. However, before He fulfills those promises, He will lovingly but firmly discipline the nation of Israel so that they return to Him.

{Daniel 9:24} Weeks based on the Hebrew word shbuah means "weeks of years". 70 weeks would be 490 years total (70x7). The clock started when the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt. by the prophet Ezra in 445 BC. It continued until the coming of the Messiah (Jesus) and Daniel foretold of Christ being "cut-off". The time period of this would be 483 years (69 weeks) exactly. Gods. Countdown clock stopped for the times of the Gentiles as prophesied by Isaiah in Isaiah 42:6, 49:6,

Commentary: Daniel 9:24-27 is a key biblical passage. It is the only Old Testament passage which refers to the Messiah as "Messiah." Elsewhere He is called "Shiloh" (Genesis 49:10), the "Root of Jesse" (Isaiah 11:10), the "Righteous Branch" (Jeremiah 23:5), the "Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6), etc. But the name by which He is known best, "Messiah," appears in only one passage: Daniel 9:24-27. Here is an excerpt from that passage:

"Seventy sevens have been decreed for your people. . . . So you are to know and discern that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince there will be seven sevens and sixty-two sevens; it will be built again, with plaza and moat, even in times of distress. Then after the sixty-two sevens the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary."

Exactly what is meant by "seventy sevens"? The phrase by itself is ambiguous, but taken in context the meaning is clear. Daniel's prayer in verses 3-19 of the chapter refers to the fulfillment of a specific seventy-year period, the seventy years of the Babylonian captivity (as prophesied by Jeremiah). Daniel received the seventy sevens prophecy in response to his prayer. The prophecy foretold a period of seven times seventy yet to come, or seventy seven-year periods. Seventy seven-year periods equals 490 years.

The prophecy goes on to say that "from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince there will be seven sevens (49) and sixty-two sevens (434). . . . Then after the sixty-two sevens the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing."

Nebuchadnezzar had Jerusalem dismantled around 587 BC after having to put down two rebellions there in less than 10 years. At the time this prophecy was given, Jerusalem still lay in ruins. According to the prophecy, from the decree to rebuild Jerusalem there would be seven seven-year periods and sixty-two more seven-year periods"or 483 years"until the Messiah would show up. After the culmination of the 62 seven-year periods, or after 483rd year, the Messiah would be cut off.

Both the ancient Hebrews to whom Daniel was writing and the ancient Babylonians to whom he was subservient (Daniel supposedly having been written in Babylon during the latter half of the 6th century BC) used a 360-day year.

So, 483 years x 360 days = 173,880 days. This is the equivalent of 476 years and 25 days using our modern Gregorian calendar's 365.24219879-day year.

As for our starting point, the Persian Emperor Artaxerxes Longimanus (who ruled Persia from 464-424 BC) issued the edict to rebuild Jerusalem sometime during the Hebrew month of Nisan in the 20th year of his reign, or 444 BC (Nehemiah 2:1-8). The month of Nisan fell between February 27 (Nisan 1) and March 28 (Nisan 30) of that year according to our modern Gregorian calendar.

Now, 173,880 days from February 27 - March 28, 444 BC, lands us at March 24 - April 22, AD 33.

According to this prophecy, the Messiah would show up, present Himself as Messiah to the nation and then be "cut off" some time between March 24 and April 22, AD 33. Jesus Christ presented Himself to the nation of Israel on Palm Sunday, March 27, was crucified four days later on April 1, or "Preparation Day" (the annual day on which the Passover Lamb was slain), and rose from the dead on Sunday, April 3, AD 33, all within our 30-day range of dates.

{Daniel 9:25} The history of Jerusalem before the exile to Babylon is described briefly here: 2 Chronicles 36:17-21

{Daniel 9:26} Research on Revelation, Tribulation and End Times from McArthur's sermon

Koran & Sunnah or Haddith is words of and works of Mohammad or tradition

Koran - words or Allah

Theology comes from Koran & Haddith

Catholic theology comes from bible & tradition

Jewish theology comes from Old Testament & Rabbitical tradition

Muslim Jesus description:

Jesus was a man

He did not die but wen't to heaven like elligiah

he did not rise

he did not provide an attonment

a man, a prophet, went to heaven and standing by allah waiting for allah to send him back. He will return from heaven, without dieing and will come only when allah only sends him back. He willl be sent back to correct all the Christians who misunderrstand who he is. The great event of Christ second coming, to islam is to straighten out the Christians. He will then marry, live, die, and be burried by Mohammad

Signs of the end in Islam

Three great signs, each a man

First will come the Mahdi, the 12th Imam, The Guided one. (The Antichrist?) Hes coming to establish the kingdom of Islam and will convert all to Islam, the establisher of the final Califat and the World must follow him or he will destroy the rest of the word. He will have an army and will go from nation to nation to punish the unbelievers and will carry black flags with the word punishment. He will lead thee army of the black flags to Israel and kill all the jews and will establish his rule on the temple mount. He will destroy all enemies of Islam and either have people convert or they will die.

Bring rain, crops, happiness, and all good and everyone will speak of him favorably. He will come first with a peace agreement for 7 years with Israel and the West and his reign will last 7 years. He will come riding on a white horse (Rev 6:1-2)

He comes carrying a sword to kill the infidels and will find hidden scriptures and the hidden torrah (Somewhere near the sea of Galliee) and will be the scrriptures used by the Mahdi to show the Christians that they were wrong and that their scriptures were wrong in the beginning. He will be a descendent of Mohammad.

He will establish a new world order. He will establish Islamic world headquarters at Jerusalem. The Antichrist is the Mahdi, the beast of Rev 13 same as Rev 6:1-2. The Bible's antichrist is Islam's savior.

Second person to come will be Jesus. Second Sign, Jesus and lesser than the Mahdi but Jesus comes back/again (not the true Jesus but the Jesus that didn't die and went to heaven ) His reason to return as a radical muslim, at a minnurette holding the wings of two angels and riding down to assist the Mahdi and will acknowledge the Mahdi as His lord and make pilgermidge to Mecca and point all Christians to Allahh. He will estabilish world wide Sahrih law and be the final witness against all non-muslims and Christians everywhere will then acknowledge that the Muslims are truth and he will shatter crosses and show where the church and Christianity was all wrong. He will also kill the islamic antichrist and then he will die and be buried by Mohammad only after the desgttruction of Christianity. This is the False Prophet of Revelation who aids and abets the Antichrist. He is the Mahdi's enforcer.

Then the Third Person Dajal, the great deceiver comes to earth on a mule and is blind in one eye, an infidele and is a false worker, claims to be Jesus, claims to be deity and the son of God. Will be to stop the true (Muslim) jesus. This is the Islamic antichrist.

At the great battle the muslim Jesus will fight the false jesus and establish world Islamic domination afterward, after this battle.

Daniel 2's final world empire. At the time of the NT 60% of the land is land, today, that is under Muslim control. Ezek 38 picture of Gog, 8 nations, all eight are muslim nations and ring the meteranian sea.

What is thee 7th kingdom? Ottoman/Turk empire? Turkish empire was the last muslim empire and they are waiting for the end/next.

So Muslim's do believe in Jesus but they do not know the true, real, factual Jesus.

Why people make war

evolutionary war, survival of the fittest

marxist theory, economic disparity and difference

politiclal science theory

James says we war because we lust and we hate.

Wars over history have chronicled massivve death but all will pale compared to the death that is to come with Revelations' revealing.

1/2 million earthquakes a year of which 100000 are felt

Massive death has come at the infliction of desease on earth but the worst is yet to come.

This coming from Matthew 24.

Much off what is to come is contrasted with birth pains. so far we have had 2000 years of so of minor contractions as foetold by Christ.

Vs 9 lets us know that Christians will be involved and be in torment and tribulation

{Daniel 9:27} Gods countdown will continue.

Compare Matthew 24:15

The covenant between the Antichrist and Israel will usher in a period of false peace. See 1 Thessalonians 5:3 and Amos 5:18-22

Note that this agreement will be with MANY people, not just Israel and for 7 years.

Question: What is the Tribulation? How do we know the Tribulation will last seven years?

Answer: The tribulation is a future seven-year period of time when God will finish His discipline of Israel and finalize His judgment of the unbelieving world. The church, made up of all who have trusted in the person and work of the Lord Jesus to save them from being punished for sin, will not be present during the tribulation. The church will be removed from the earth in an event known as the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51-53). The church is saved from the wrath to come (1 Thessalonians 5:9). Throughout Scripture, the tribulation is referred to by other names such as the Day of the Lord (Isaiah 2:12; 13:6-9; Joel 1:15; 2:1-31; 3:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:2); trouble or tribulation (Deuteronomy 4:30; Zephaniah 1:1); the great tribulation, which refers to the more intense second half of the seven-year period (Matthew 24:21); time or day of trouble (Daniel 12:1; Zephaniah 1:15); time of Jacob's trouble (Jeremiah 30:7).

An understanding of Daniel 9:24-27 is necessary in order to understand the purpose and time of the tribulation. This passage speaks of 70 weeks that have been declared against "your people." Daniel's people are the Jews, the nation of Israel, and Daniel 9:24 speaks of a period of time that God has given "to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy." God declares that "seventy sevens" will fulfill all these things. This is 70 sevens of years, or 490 years. (Some translations refer to 70 weeks of years.) This is confirmed by another part of this passage in Daniel. In verses 25 and 26, Daniel is told that the Messiah will be cut off after "seven sevens and sixty-two sevens" (69 total), beginning with the decree to rebuild Jerusalem. In other words, 69 sevens of years (483 years) after the decree to rebuild Jerusalem, the Messiah will be cut off. Biblical historians confirm that 483 years passed from the time of the decree to rebuild Jerusalem to the time when Jesus was crucified. Most Christian scholars, regardless of their view of eschatology (future things/events), have the above understanding of Daniel's 70 sevens.

With 483 years having passed from the decree to rebuild Jerusalem to the cutting off of the Messiah, this leaves one seven-year period to be fulfilled in terms of Daniel 9:24: "to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy." This final seven-year period is known as the tribulation period"it is a time when God finishes judging Israel for its sin.

Daniel 9:27 gives a few highlights of the seven-year tribulation period: "He will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven.' In the middle of the 'seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing of the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him." The person of whom this verse speaks is the person Jesus calls the "abomination that causes desolation" (Matthew 24:15) and is called "the beast" in Revelation 13. Daniel 9:27 says that the beast will make a covenant for seven years, but in the middle of this week (3 1/2 years into the tribulation), he will break the covenant, putting a stop to sacrifice. Revelation 13 explains that the beast will place an image of himself in the temple and require the world to worship him. Revelation 13:5 says that this will go on for 42 months, which is 3 1/2 years. Since Daniel 9:27 says that this will happen in the middle of the week, and Revelation 13:5 says that the beast will do this for a period of 42 months, it is easy to see that the total length of time is 84 months or seven years. Also see Daniel 7:25, where the "time, times, and half a time" (time=1 year; times=2 years; half a time=1/2 year; total of 3 1/2 years) also refers to "great tribulation," the last half of the seven-year tribulation period when the beast will be in power.

For further references about the tribulation, see Revelation 11:2-3, which speaks of 1260 days and 42 months, and Daniel 12:11-12, which speaks of 1290 days and 1335 days. These days have a reference to the midpoint of the tribulation. The additional days in Daniel 12 may include the time at the end for the judgment of the nations (Matthew 25:31-46) and time for the setting up of Christ's millennial kingdom (Revelation 20:4-6).

{Daniel 11:31} Compare to the abomination that make desolation Matthew 24:15

{Daniel 11:33} Compare Revelation 6:9-11 & Matthew 24:22

{Daniel 12:1} See Matthew 24:29-31

{Daniel 12:11} Antichrist signs an agreement with Israel at the start of the 70th week but midway 3&1/2 years he sets up the Abomination of desolation Matthew 24:15

See Daniel 11:31

{Joel 2:31} Prior to the comming Day of the Lord. See Acts 2:20 & Rev 6:12-13

see also Zephaniah 1:14-18

also see Isaiah 13:6-13

Amos 5:18-22

{Micah 4:9} See Jer 8:19 The Lord God was made angry.

{Zephaniah 1:7} Compare to Rev 8:1-2

{Zechariah 13:9} Compare Eze 36:20-28

{Zechariah 14:12} Some use this scripture to be indictive of the explosion of a Nuclear weapon and predictive prophecy of the Nuclear era to come. Revelation 6:12-14 is yet another portion of scripture that some point to citing the appearance of a Nuclear explosion or it's aftermath. Seeing that particularly with Revelation 6 we are looking at end time events than it becomes possible that this is what John saw or observed. As for this scripture there are also often many that take one scripture here and another there and try and make an application that just isn't warranted.

{Matthew 1:1} cp vss 1:1-17 to Lk 3:23-38

vss 1:3-6. To Ruth 4:18-22

vss.1:7-11 to 1Ch 3:10-17

{Matthew 1:23} cp Luke 1:34

{Matthew 2:23} Jesus was called a Nazarene but that did not mean He took a Nazarene vow along with the strict codes of conduct.

{Matthew 3:1} Parallel passages for vss 3:1-12 see Mark 1:3-8, Lk 3:2-17.

Also cp Lk 1:5

{Matthew 3:3} cp Mark 1:2-3

{Matthew 3:4} compare Jesus words about John the Baptist in Mat 11:18-19

{Matthew 3:11} See Acts 1:4-8

{Matthew 3:13} vss 3:13-17 see Mk 1:9-11 and Lk 3:21-22 and Jn 1:31-34

Also Lk 7:18

{Matthew 3:14} Lk 1:15

{Matthew 3:16} Here the Trinity is seen. Also cp Col 2:9 & Phil 2:6.

We also see water and Spiritual Baptism in this one verse.

{Matthew 4:1} vss 4:1-11 to Mk 1:12-13 & Lk 4:1-13.

Notice temptation comes only after the Holy Spirit comes upon Christ.

{Matthew 4:3} Satan chooses that which is our greatest desire to temp us with. Satan knows our human nature.

{Matthew 4:6} Jesus was confident in God's power. When we are overcome with qestions often it's becase we doubt God's Power to keep us or take care of us.

{Matthew 5:14} cp Rev 1:12 & Rev 1:20

{Matthew 5:16} cp Mat 6:1

{Matthew 5:19} cp Romans 7:4 the Law.

{Matthew 5:27} Compare 1 Corinthians 6:12 and Proverbs 6:25

{Matthew 5:31} see Mal 2:13-16

{Matthew 5:44} cp Rom 12:14 & Ex 4:11

Good & Bad

{Matthew 5:47} Philippians 2:1-5

{Matthew 6:3} compare Rev 14:13

{Matthew 6:5} vss Mat 6:9-13 to Lk 11:2-4

also Mk 1:35

{Matthew 6:9} Romans 8:15 tells us it is the Holy Spirit that allows us the close relationship to pray. We should Pray in the Spirit Jn 17:25-26 & Heb 5:7 are prayers heard because of Reverent submission.

It is a prayer of Postiion Eph 2:6

See 2Cor 12:8-9 - Sometimes God's will is not ours, God uses our weaknesses.

{Matthew 6:10} cp James 4:15

1Pet 1:16, Lev 11:44 & Lev 19:2, PS 100:4 His name is HOLY

Col 3:1-2 Pray with the Holy Spirit Eph 6:18, Rom 8:26-27, Jude 20

{Matthew 6:12} PS 66:18, IS 59:2, James 5:16

{Matthew 6:15} cp Mat 18:21-35 / Mal 2:13

James 4:1-3 & 1Pet 4:7, Col 3:13, 2CH 7:14 & MK 11:25

{Matthew 6:19} vss Mt 6:22-23 cp to LK 11:34-36 parallel

also see Rev 14:13 This refers to our personal priorities

{Matthew 6:25} vss Mt 6:25-33 parallel to Lk 12:22-31

Also see James 4:13-15

{Matthew 6:34} James 4:13-15

{Matthew 7:1} vss Mt 7:3-5 parallel to LK 6:41-42

See also James 5:9 & Romans 2:1 and James 4:11-12, James 2:10

{Matthew 7:7} Parallel Lk 11:9-13

{Matthew 7:21} Lord, Lord = Master cp Mt 25:44

{Matthew 7:22} Good Works Outside.

{Matthew 7:24} parallel Lk 6:47-49 ... also compare PS 18:1-6'

We should expect that Christians would and will experience truble.

{Matthew 7:29} Jesus was bold in His aproach with authority. We can do the same through the Holy Spirit.

{Matthew 8:1} Parallel passage reference Mk 1:40-44 & Lk 5:12-13

{Matthew 8:5} parallel passage in Lk 7:1-10

{Matthew 8:8} Here the Centurion recognized and accepted Christ as who He said He was and having power and authority of God.

{Matthew 8:12} 2 Pet 2:17 & 1Sam 2:9

{Matthew 8:13} James 4:3 & James 5:15

{Matthew 8:14} parallel passages are Mk 1:29-34 & Lk 4:38-41

{Matthew 8:16} Demon Possession is very real.

{Matthew 8:18} parallel Lk 9:57-60

{Matthew 8:23} parallel Mk 4:36-41, Lkk 8:22-25'also reference Mt 14:22-33

{Matthew 8:28} Parallel Mk 5:1-17 & Lk 8:26-37

{Matthew 8:29} Note that there is an appointed time for Judgment and even the demons know that there will be a coming day for that to happen.

{Matthew 9:1} parallel passage Mk 2:3-12 & Lk 5:18-26

{Matthew 9:9} parallel passage Mk 2:14-17 & Lk5:27-32

{Matthew 9:14} Parallel passage Mk 2:18-22 & Lk 5:33-39

{Matthew 9:18} Parallel passage Mk 5:22-43 & Lk 8:41-56

{Matthew 10:1} Parallel passages

vss Mat 10:2-4 to Mk 3:16-19 & Lk 6:14-16 & Acts 1:13

vss Mat 10:9-15 to Mk 6:8-11 & Lk 9:3-5 & Lk 10:4-12

vss Mat 10:19-22 to Mk 13:11-13 & Lk 21:12-17

vss Mat 10:26-33 to Lk 12:2-9

vss Mat 10:34-35 to Lk 12:51-53

{Matthew 10:17} Not saying this section is about the end times but one can surely envision such shard times for Christians in a Non-Christian world. Compare Matthew 24:3-25.

{Matthew 10:28} Note: Body / Spirit / Soul cp Romans 7:21-25

{Matthew 11:1} parallel to Lk 7:18-35

{Matthew 11:2} John here falls into a catagory that many of the Jews at that time fell into. He was looking for a Lion to come, to come and to wage battle. Cp Jn 1:29-34

{Matthew 11:18} Many want to say that Christ never drank but these two verses prove from Christ own words that He did. Compare Luke 1:15 where the Angel of God informs Johns Father that John is not to drink. John did not drink of fermented, alcoholic, or alcohol beverage. Today this would include today's beer, wine, whisky etc. Also Matthew 3:1-4.

The same taunting continues today for a Christian by those who reject Jesus and seek to tear down and weaken the Christian

{Matthew 11:19} There were many Jewish dietary laws that Jews and at times Christians were held to obey. Romans 14 talks about some of those that like to burdon people with with dietary laws or respect of certain days. Also compare 1Tim 5:23 with reference to drink and Matthew 9:11 about dining with tax collectors and sinners.

Also Compare Lk 7:33 & Lk 1:15

{Matthew 11:20} parallel to Lk 10:13-15

{Matthew 11:25} parallel passage to Lk 10:21-22

Jesus also said that we have to come as little Children. Here many make Salvation into something it isn't and make it far too complicated. We at times make things far harder than they need to be.

{Matthew 12:1} Parallel to

vss: Mt 12:1-8 to Mk 2:23-28 & Lk 6:1-5

vss: Mt 12:9-14 to Mk 3:1-6 & Lk 6:6-11

Re the Sabbath see Ex 31:12-18

{Matthew 12:22} parallel to: Mk 3:23-27 & Lk 11:17-22

{Matthew 12:25} This shows how God knows our thoughts, reasoning, justification, or he reads our minds.

{Matthew 12:29} This verse can be used with the application of the holy Spirit in our lives and body. To vanquish the Holy Spirit one would have to be more powerful. Ephesians 2:18-22

see 1Jn 4:4 & Col 2:19

{Matthew 12:32} see 2Thes 2:9. We know that Satan can also do wonders but be careful who you condemn for signs & wonders. Here some say it is this person giving credit to Satan when it is by the power of God that the miracle is performed. Another way of looking at it is the person saying that Christ is doing the things He does, not by the Holy Spirit, but by the power of Satan. Denying the power of God working in Christ through the Holy Spirit.

{Matthew 12:34} James 3

{Matthew 12:37} see 2Cor 5:10

{Matthew 12:38} parallel to:

vss Mt 12:39-42 to Lk 11:29-32

vss Mt 12:43-45 to Lk 11:24-26

{Matthew 12:46} Parallel: to Mk 3:31-35 & Lk 8:19-21

{Matthew 13:1} parallel passages --- Note that the Soil is the Key / Soil is common

vss Mt 13:1-15 to Mk 4:1-12 & Lk 8:4-10

vss Mt 13:16-17 to Lk 10:23-24

vss Mt 13:18-23 to Mk 4:13-20 & Lk 8:11-15

{Matthew 13:14} see 1Cor 2:8 (about not seeing the truth)

{Matthew 13:19} 1Cor2:14

{Matthew 13:21} Here the word trouble is translated in the KJV as tribulation and is the first mention of tribulation and in the same context it is persecution? Compare Jn 16:33 & Jn 16:1-4

Consider the word for trouble/Temptation. Greek Word: θλῖψις

Transliterated Word: thlipsis

Root: from 2346;

Definition: tribulation:--

List of English Words and Number of Times Used

affliction (14),

afflictions (6),

anguish (1),

distress (2),

persecution (1),

tribulation (16),

tribulations (4),

trouble (1).

{Matthew 13:22} It should be noted that Both received the seed, both heard the word.

cp: Heb 6:4 & Jn 6:60-67

{Matthew 13:31} parallel passages

vss Mt 13:31-32 to Mk 4:30-32

vss Mt 13:31-33 to Lk 13:18-21

{Matthew 13:36} In this parable it should be noted that not only does the wheat look like the weeds but the weeds also look like the wheat. It should be noted that often times a Christian appears, by their life, to be like one who is outside but also often someone who is lost will appear to be living as a Christian.

{Matthew 13:53} parallel to Mk 6:1-6

{Matthew 14:1} Parallel to Mk 6:14-29

{Matthew 14:13} Parallel to:

vss Mt 14:13-21 to Mt 15:32-38 & Mk 6:32-44 & Lk 9:10-17 & Jn 6:1-13

{Matthew 14:22} Parallel to:

vss Mt 14:22-33 to Mk 6:45-51 & Jn 6:15-21

vss Mt 14:34-36 to Mk 6:53-56

{Matthew 14:36} It wasn't Jesus Cloak that cured the people but it was their Faith in Christ that was what effected the healing. Many came to Jesus out of desire for a need. Jesus often ministers through our needs and not our desires.

{Matthew 15:1} Parallel to mk 7:1-23

{Matthew 15:20} These are things that we plan to do from within our own minds. These are not things that just happen on the spur of the moment but are usually planned and pre-thought out.

{Matthew 15:21} parallel to: Mk 7:24-30

{Matthew 15:29} parallel to:

vss Mt 15:29-31 to Mk 7:31-37

vss Mt 15:32-39 to Mk 8:1-10

vss Mt 15:32-39 reference -- Mt:13-21

{Matthew 16:1} parallel to Mk 8:11-21

compare to Mt 24:3

{Matthew 16:2} What Jesus was telling them was that they could discern the signs in the sky for the weather but they were totally blind and ignorant in discering the signs fortold in prohecy about the Messiah who was right there before them. Although they were the Religious elite they were blind to the Word of God and Prophecy.

{Matthew 16:4} Sign of Jonah (belly of the whale 3 days & nights cp Matthew 16:21-22

{Matthew 16:13} parallel to Mk 8:27-29 & Lk 9:18-20

{Matthew 16:17} The Catholic church uses this scripture to Justify the Pope's and Priest power & Position and confession, handing out pentence.

{Matthew 16:21} parallel to Mk 8:31-38 & Mk 9:1 also Lk9:22-27

{Matthew 16:28} Answer: Luke 9:27 says, "I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God." See also Matthew 16:28 and Mark 9:1 for the parallel quotes. In each of the synoptic Gospels, the next event immediately after this promise from Jesus is the transfiguration. Rather than interpreting Jesus' promise as referring to His coming the establish His kingdom on earth, the context indicates that Jesus was referring to the transfiguration. The Greek word translated "kingdom" can also be translated "royal splendor," meaning that the three disciples standing there would see Christ as He really is"the King of heaven"which occurred in the transfiguration.

The "transfiguration" refers to the event described in the above cited passages when Jesus took Peter, James, and John to the top of the mountain, where He met with Moses and Elijah"representing the Law and the Prophets of the Old Testament"and spoke with them. The disciples saw Jesus in all His glory and splendor, talking with a glorified Moses and Elijah. This is a glimpse of what will occur in Jesus' kingdom. The disciples were dumbstruck at the sight and "fell on their faces" (Matthew 17:6).

It seems most natural to interpret this promise in Matthew 16:28; Mark 9:1; and Luke 9:27 as a reference to the transfiguration, which "some" of the disciples would witness only six days later, exactly as Jesus predicted. In each Gospel, the very next passage after this promise from Jesus is the transfiguration, which shows Jesus in all His glory which will be seen again in the Kingdom of God. The contextual links make it very likely that this is the proper interpretation.

{Matthew 17:1} parallel to Lk 9:28-36 & Mk 9:2-13

{Matthew 17:14} Parallel to Mk 9:14-28 & Lk 9:37-42

{Matthew 17:27} God Controls everything, all including fish.

{Matthew 18:1} parallel to Mk 9:33-37 & Lk 9:46-48

{Matthew 18:7} What you allow

{Matthew 18:10} Parallel to Lk 15:4-7

{Matthew 18:15} See Hebrews 10:30

{Matthew 18:21} Compare Eph 4:32 & Col 3:12-14

{Matthew 18:22} cp Lk 17:4

{Matthew 18:35} Mark 11:25-26

{Matthew 19:1} parallel to Mk 10:1-12

{Matthew 19:13} parallel to Mk 10:13-16 & Lk 18:15-17

{Matthew 19:16} parallel to Mk 10:17-30 & Lk 18:18-30

{Matthew 20:17} parallel to Mk 10:32-34 & Lk 18:31-33

{Matthew 20:20} parallel to Mk 10:35-45

{Matthew 20:29} parallel to Mk 10:46-52 & Lk 18:35-43

{Matthew 21:1} Parallel to Mk 11:1-10 & Lk 19:29-38 & Jn 12:12-15

{Matthew 21:2} Zech 9:9 .. The Disciples must have been excited at this request recalling prophecy

{Matthew 21:18} parallel to Mk 11:12-14 & Mk 11:20-24

{Matthew 21:23} parallel to Mk 11:27-33 & Lk 20:1-8

{Matthew 21:33} parallel to Mk 12:1-12 & Lk 20:9-19

{Matthew 22:1} parallel to Lk 14:16-24

{Matthew 22:15} parallel to Mk 12:13-17 & Lk 20:20-26

Herodians - were fierce supporters of Rome but usually hated by the Pharasees

{Matthew 22:37} Compare Deut 6:4-5 and Leviticus 19:18

{Matthew 22:39} Compare Leviticus 19:18

{Matthew 23:17} A Christian's body is the temple of the (God's) Holy Spirit and it is that Holy Spirit that makes the Christian a special entity among others and sets us apart from everyone else. Other than that we have the same temptations and failings but it is God Himself in the Holy Spirit that sets us as unique among creation.

{Matthew 23:30} Between the Sixth and Seventh Seals see Revelation 6:15-16.

Also see Daniel 12:1-2

Also note that the Coming of Christ in Revelation 19:11-14 which has the characteristics

1 Appears in Heaven on a White Horse. 2 Eyes like flame. 3 Clothed in a robe dripped in blood

{Matthew 23:33} It should be noted that even here Christ did not issue condemnation in the form of ultimate judgement but rather ask the question how will you escape hell?

{Matthew 24:1} See Luke 21:5-36

Mark 13:1-37. Mark identifies where and Who was there in Mk 13:3

Many say this is only to the Jews but reading of the context clearly shows that scriptures before Matthew 16:18 and after Matthew 26:26-30 refers ahead to the church. What justification do we have to carve up this one passage and not the other without clear division? Also in Matthew 28:19-20 Also see instructions in 1Tim 6:3. Look at Jesus direct reference to Daniel 11:31. Here Christ did not use the Distinctivly Jewish phrase "the time of Jacob's Trouble".

PreWrath timetable is such

Birth Pains 1st 3 seals concist of the first 3 1/2 years from the start of the Tribulation period or of Daniels 7 years. At this Abomination midpoint the agreement with Israel and the Jews is abrubptly terminated and Christ instructions are to flee, run, fast, with all haste.

The next 3 1/2 years make up the Great Tribulation and encompass the 4th, 5th, and 6th seals of Revelation 6:1-13. It is after or at this 6th seal sometime within this 3 1/2 years the Rapture will occur, Matthew 24:29-31. Then the 7th seal and the ushering in of the Day of the Lord, God's Wrath. These remaining seals 4-7 are in the second 3 1/2 year period (1260 days (360 day calendar)).

The Wrath of Satan (persecution, tribulation) will occur prior to the Rapture and God never promises to save us from persecution or man's or satan's persecution. What is the danger of not acceepting the prewrath rapture? Christians will not be prepared to fall into intense persecution and thus many will fall away or reject Christ.

{Matthew 24:2} End times prophecy?

Question: Have any aspects of end times prophecy been fulfilled?

Answer:

Revelation 4:1 introduces a section of Scripture that details “things which must be hereafter.” What follows are prophecies of the “end times.” We have not yet reached the tribulation, the revelation of the Antichrist, or other “end-time” events. What we do see is a “preparation” for those events.

Jesus said that the last days would be preceded by several things: many false Christs would come, deceiving many; we would “hear of wars and rumors of wars”; and there would be an increase in “famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in diverse places. All these are the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:5-8). Today’s news is full of false religions, warfare, and natural disasters. We know that events of the tribulation period will include all that Jesus predicted (Revelation 6:1-8); current events seem to be a build-up for greater trouble ahead.

Paul warned that the last days would bring a marked increase in false teaching. “In later times, some will abandon the faith, and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons” (1 Timothy 4:1). The last days are described as “perilous times” because of the increasingly evil character of man and because of people who actively “oppose the truth” (2 Timothy 3:1-9; also see 2 Thessalonians 2:3). The list of things people will be in the last days—lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power—(2 Timothy 3:1-2) seems to fit our modern age exactly.

Can there be any doubt that the prophecies concerning apostasy are being fulfilled? Our 21st-century world has embraced moral relativism, a philosophy which is tainting even the church. For example, many denominations are having a hard time defining marriage as being between one man and one woman, and many religious leaders today are openly supporting homosexuality. The Bible has become subordinate to the modern church’s quest for a more appealing “truth.” These are indeed “perilous times” spiritually.

The formation of the European Union—and the fact that we have a reunified Germany—is very interesting in light of biblical prophecy. The “ten toes” of Daniel 2:42 and the ten-horned beasts of Daniel 7:20 and Revelation 13:1 are references to a “revived” Roman Empire which will hold power before Christ returns. Although the precise political structure has yet to be formed, the pieces can be seen as falling into place.

In 1948, Israel was recognized as a sovereign state, and this, too, has ramifications for the student of Scripture. God promised Abram that his posterity would have Canaan as “an everlasting possession” (Genesis 17:8), and Ezekiel prophesied a physical and spiritual resuscitation of Israel (Ezekiel 37). Having Israel as a nation in its own land is important in light of end-time prophecy, because of Israel’s prominence in eschatology (Daniel 10:14; 11:41; Revelation 11:8).

While there is no biblical proof that the things mentioned above are the fulfillment of specific end-times prophecies, we can see how many of these events are similar to what the Bible describes. In any case, we are to be watching for these signs because Jesus told us that the day of the Lord—His return for His own—would come like a thief in the night (2 Peter 3:10), unexpected and unannounced. “Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:36).

{Matthew 24:3} Signs of His coming

1 Rise in false Christ vs 5

2 Rise in wars between nations vs 6

3 Famines, pestilence, earthquakes in various places vs 7

4 Antichrist will desecrate the temple of God vs 15 (yet to happen)

5 Period of severe tribulation for Gods people more intense than at anytime before.

see Revelation 6:9 where those before the throne cry "how long"?

see also Zephaniah 1:14-18

also see Isaiah 13:6-13

Amos 5:18-22

Zechariah 14:1-20

note Joel 2:31 occurs right before the Day of the Lord.

Revelation 14:7-10

also Acts 2:20

{Revelation 8:2} Before the Angels of God were observing as Christ unveiled the seals but here in and with the seventh seal God's Angles take an active direct part because it is now God's wrath.

{Revelation 8:3} See Revelation 6:9-12

{Revelation 8:6} Question: What are the seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls in the Book of Revelation?

Note that some believe that God's wrath are the Bowls and not the trumpets.

Answer:

The seven seals (Revelation 6:1-17, 8:1-5), seven trumpets (Revelation 8:6-13; 11:15-19), and seven bowls/vials (Revelation 16:1-21) are three succeeding series of end-times judgments from God. The judgments get progressively worse and more devastating as the end times progress. The seven seals, trumpets, and bowls are connected to one another. The seventh seal introduces the seven trumpets (Revelation 8:1-5), and the seventh trumpet introduces the seven bowls (Revelation 11:15-19, 15:1-8).

The first four of the seven seals are known as the four horsemen of the Apocalypse. The first seal introduces the Antichrist (Revelation 6:1-2). The second seal causes great warfare (Revelation 6:3-4). The third of the seven seals causes famine (Revelation 6:5-6). The fourth seal brings about plague, further famine, and further warfare (Revelation 6:7-8).

The fifth seal tells us of those who will be martyred for their faith in Christ during the end times (Revelation 6:9-11). God hears their cries for justice and will deliver it in His timing—in the form of the sixth seal, along with the trumpet and bowl judgments. When the sixth of the seven seals is broken, a devastating earthquake occurs, causing massive upheaval and terrible devastation—along with unusual astronomical phenomena (Revelation 6:12-14). Those who survive are right to cry out, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” (Revelation 6:16-17).

The seven trumpets are described in Revelation 8:6-13. The seven trumpets are the “contents” of the seventh seal (Revelation 8:1-5). The first trumpet causes hail and fire that destroys much of the plant life in the world (Revelation 8:7). The second trumpet brings about what seems to be a meteor hitting the oceans and causing the death of much of the world’s sea life (Revelation 8:8-9). The third trumpet is similar to the second, except it affects the world’s lakes and rivers instead of the oceans (Revelation 8:10-11).

The fourth of the seven trumpets causes the sun and moon to be darkened (Revelation 8:12). The fifth trumpet results in a plague of “demonic locusts” that attack and torture humanity (Revelation 9:1-11). The sixth trumpet releases a demonic army that kills a third of humanity (Revelation 9:12-21). The seventh trumpet calls forth the seven angels with the seven bowls of God’s wrath (Revelation 11:15-19, 15:1-8).

The seven bowl/vial judgments are described in Revelation 16:1-21. The seven bowl judgments are called forth by the seventh trumpet. The first bowl causes painful sores to break out on humanity (Revelation 16:2). The second bowl results in the death of every living thing in the sea (Revelation 16:3). The third bowl causes the rivers to turn into blood (Revelation 16:4-7). The fourth of the seven bowls results in the sun’s heat being intensified and causing great pain (Revelation 16:8-9). The fifth bowl causes great darkness and an intensification of the sores from the first bowl (Revelation 16:10-11). The sixth bowl results in the Euphrates River being dried up and the armies of the Antichrist being gathered together to wage the battle of Armageddon (Revelation 16:12-14). The seventh bowl results in a devastating earthquake followed by giant hailstones (Revelation 16:15-21).

Revelation 16:5-7 declares of God, “You are just in these judgments, you who are and who were, the Holy One, because you have so judged; for they have shed the blood of your saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve. … Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments.”

{Revelation 8:10} Question: What is the meaning of wormwood in Revelation?

Answer: "Wormwood" is the name of a star in Revelation 8:10-11: “The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water—the name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that had become bitter.” This is the third of the “trumpet judgments” described in Revelation. The seven trumpets are the judgments of the seventh seal (Revelation 8:1-5). The first trumpet causes hail and fire that destroy much of the plant life in the world (Revelation 8:7). The second trumpet brings about what seems to be a meteor, comet, or other heavenly body hitting the oceans and causing the death of one-third of the world’s sea life (Revelation 8:8-9). The third trumpet is similar to the second, except it affects the world’s lakes and rivers instead of the oceans (Revelation 8:10-11). It will cause a third part of all fresh water on earth to turn bitter and many people will die from drinking it.

The word “wormwood” is mentioned only here in the New Testament, but it appears eight times in the Old Testament, each time associated with bitterness, poison and death. The Revelation passage may not be saying that the star falling to the earth will actually be called Wormwood by the inhabitants of the earth. Rather, wormwood was a well-known bitter herb in the Bible times, so by naming the star Wormwood, we are told that its effect will be to embitter the waters of the earth, so much so that the water is undrinkable. It won’t be a matter of simply a bitter taste to the water; it will literally be poisonous. If drinking water is unavailable to one third of the earth’s population, it’s easy to see how chaos and terror will result. Humans can only survive a couple of days without water, and the inhabitants of the affected areas will be so desperate as to actually drink the poisoned water, causing the death of thousands, if not millions of people.

This is a prophecy that is yet to come in the last seven years of this age, also known as the 70th week of Daniel. This is only one of the natural disasters in the seven trumpets that will usher in the rise of the Antichrist to world power very quickly (see Revelation, chapter 13). Since one-third of the earth is destroyed by these trumpet judgments, this is only a partial judgment from God. His full wrath is yet to be unleashed.

{Revelation 9:4} Cp Rev 3:10 but these are those sealed in Revelation 7:1-8

{Revelation 10:4} Question: What do the seven thunders in Revelation 10:1-7 mean?

Answer: The seven thunders appear in Revelation 10:1-7. In his apocalyptic vision, the Apostle John saw a mighty angel striding the sea and the land with a scroll in his hand. He gave a shout like the roar of a lion and then the voices of the seven thunders spoke. Just as John was about to write down what they said, a voice from heaven told him to “seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write it down” (Revelation 10:4).

The incident of the seven thunderous voices occurs in the interlude between the sixth and seventh trumpets. The seven thunders are not just the usual noise of thunder but are thunder-like voices communicating a message. The Greek word translated “thunder” means “to roar.” Thunder is often a mark of judgment in Scripture as in 1 Samuel 2:10, 2 Samuel 22:14, and several more places in Revelation (8:5, 11:19, 16:18), so these seven powerful voices are crying out for God’s judgment upon the sinful earth. The thunder represents the voice of God. Psalm 18:13 says “The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded.”

Further evidence of the seven thunders being the voice of God is in Revelation 4:5 “From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God.” Again the voice of God is depicted as thunderous rumblings that display the power, majesty and glory of our mighty Lord. In this verse, John saw a preview of the divine wrath to be poured out on the earth as described in full in Revelation, chapters 16-19.

Just as John was about to write the words of the seven thunders, a voice from heaven commands him to seal up what was revealed by them. The same throne that issues forth lightning and peals of thunder issues a command to keep secret what the voices have revealed. The reason for the sealing is not given, but it could be that the judgment was simply too terrifying to be recorded. The content of the message is never revealed in Scripture, so we can’t speculate on it. The seven thunders are the only words in Revelation that are sealed.

{Revelation 10:7} See Revelation 11:15-19

{Revelation 11:3} Question: Who are the two witnesses in the book of Revelation?

Answer: There are three primary viewpoints on the identity of the two witnesses in Revelation 11:3-12: (1) Moses and Elijah, (2) Enoch and Elijah, (3) two unknown believers whom God calls to be His witnesses in the end times. (1) Moses and Elijah are seen as possibilities for the two witnesses due to the witnesses' power to turn water into blood (Revelation 11:6), which Moses is known for (Exodus chapter 7), and their power to destroy people with fire (Revelation 11:5), which Elijah is known for (2 Kings chapter 1). Also giving strength to this view is the fact that Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus at the transfiguration (Matthew 17:3-4). Further, Jewish tradition expected Moses and Elijah to return in the future. Malachi 4:5 predicted the return of Elijah, and the Jews believed that God's promise to raise up a prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15, 18) necessitated his return.

(2) Enoch and Elijah are seen as possibilities for the two witnesses because they are the two individuals whom God has taken to heaven apart from experiencing death (Genesis 5:23; 2 Kings 2:11). The fact that neither Enoch or Elijah have experienced death seems to qualify them to experience death and resurrection, as the two witnesses experience (Revelation 11:7-12). Proponents of this view claim that Hebrews 9:27 (all men die once) disqualifies Moses from being one of the two witnesses, as Moses has died once already (Deuteronomy 34:5). However, there are several others in the Bible who died twice"e.g., Lazarus, Dorcas, and the daughter of the synagogue ruler'so there is really no reason why Moses should be eliminated on this basis.

View (3) essentially argues that Revelation chapter 11 does not attach any famous identity to the two witnesses. If their identities were Moses and Elijah, or Enoch and Elijah, why would Scripture be silent about this? God is perfectly capable of taking two "ordinary" believers and enabling them to perform the same signs and wonders that Moses and Elijah did. There is nothing in Revelation 11 that requires us to assume a "famous" identity for the two witnesses.

Which view is correct? The possible weakness of (1) is that Moses has already died once, and therefore could not be one of the two witnesses, who die, which would make Moses a contradiction of Hebrews 9:27. Proponents of (1) will argue that all of the people who were miraculously resurrected in the Bible (e.g., Lazarus) later died again. Hebrews 9:27 is viewed, then, as a "general rule," not a universal principle. There are no clear weaknesses to view (2), as it solves the "die once" problem, and it makes sense that if God took two people to heaven without dying, Enoch and Elijah, it was to prepare them for a special purpose. There are also no clear weaknesses to view (3). All three views are valid and plausible interpretations that Christians can have. The identities of the two witnesses is an issue Christians should not be dogmatic about.

{Revelation 11:15} This is when mid-tribulation rapturist believe that the rapture will happen.

Eschatologically speaking, it is important to remember that almost all Christians agree on three things: 1) there will be a future time of Tribulation such as the world has never seen, 2) the Ssecond Coming Jesus Christ, and 3) a translation from mortality to immortality for believers, commonly known as the Rapture (John 14:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). The question is when does the Rapture occur in relation to the Tribulation and the Second Coming? The three main theories concerning the timing of the rapture are pretribulationism (the belief that the Rapture will occur before the Tribulation begins), midtribulationism (the belief that the Rapture will occur at the midpoint of the Tribulation), and posttribulationism (the belief that the Rapture will occur at the end of the Tribulation). This article deals specifically with the midtribulational view.

Midtribulationism teaches that the Rapture occurs at the midpoint of the Tribulation. At that time, the seventh trumpet sounds (Revelation 11:15), the church will meet Christ in the air, and then the bowl judgments are poured upon the earth (Revelation 15–16) in a time known as the Great Tribulation. In other words, the Rapture and Christ’s Second Coming (to set up His kingdom) are separated by a period of three-and-a-half years. According to this view, the church goes through the first half of the Tribulation but is spared the worst of the Tribulation which occurs in the last three-and-a-half years. Very close to midtribulationism is the belief in a “pre-wrath” rapture, i.e., a belief that the church is caught up to heaven before the “great day of . . . wrath” comes (Revelation 6:17).

In support of their view, midtribulationists point to the chronology given in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3. The order of events is as follows: 1) apostasy, 2) the revelation of the Antichrist, and 3) the Day of Christ. The midtribulational view teaches that the Antichrist will not be decisively revealed until “the abomination which makes desolate” (Matthew 24:15), which occurs at the midpoint of the Tribulation (Daniel 9:27). Also, midtribulationists interpret “the Day of Christ” as the Rapture; therefore, the church will not be caught up to heaven until after the Antichrist is revealed.

Another foundational teaching of midtribulationism is that the trumpet of 1 Corinthians 15:52 is the same trumpet mentioned in Revelation 11:15. The trumpet of Revelation 11 is the final in a series of trumpets; therefore, it makes sense that it would be “the last trumpet” of 1 Corinthians 15. This logic fails, however, in view of the trumpets’ objectives. The trumpet that sounds at the Rapture is “the trumpet call of God” (1 Thessalonians 4:16), but the one in Revelation 11 is a harbinger of judgment. One trumpet is a call of grace to God’s elect; the other is a pronouncement of doom on the wicked. Further, the seventh trumpet in Revelation is not the “last” trumpet chronologically—Matthew 24:31 speaks of a later trumpet which sounds at the commencement of Christ’s kingdom.

First Thessalonians 5:9 says that the church has not been appointed “to suffer wrath but to receive salvation.” This would seem to indicate that believers will not experience the Tribulation. However, midtribulationism interprets “wrath” as only referring to the second half of the Tribulation—specifically, the bowl judgments. Limiting the word in such a way seems unwarranted, however. Surely the terrible judgments contained in the seals and trumpets—including famine, poisoned rivers, a darkened moon, bloodshed, earthquakes, and torment—could also be considered the wrath of God.

Midtribulationism places the Rapture in Revelation 11, prior to the start of “the great tribulation.” There are two problems with this placement in the chronology of Revelation. First, the only occurrence of the term “great tribulation” in the entire book of Revelation is in 7:14. Second, the only reference to a “great day of wrath” is in Revelation 6:17. Both of these references come too early for a midtribulational Rapture.

And a final weakness of the midtribulational view is shared by the other two theories: namely, the Bible does not give an explicit time line concerning future events. Scripture does not expressly teach one view over another, and that is why we have diversity of opinion concerning the end times and some variety on how the related prophecies should be harmonized.

{Revelation 12:1} In Revelation chapter 12, John sees a vision of a woman "clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars" (Revelation 12:1). Note the similarity between this description and the description that Joseph gave of his father Jacob (Israel) and his mother and their children (Genesis 37:9-11). The twelve stars refer to the twelve tribes of Israel. So the woman in Revelation 12 is Israel. Additional evidence for this interpretation is that Revelation 12:2-5 speaks of the woman being with child and giving birth. While it is true that Mary gave birth to Jesus, it is also true that Jesus, the son of David from the tribe of Judah, came from Israel. In a sense, Israel gave birth—or brought forth—Christ Jesus. Verse 5 says that the woman’s child was " a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up to God and to His throne." Clearly, this is describing Jesus. Jesus ascended to heaven (Acts 1:9-11) and will one day establish His kingdom on earth (Revelation 20:4-6), and He will rule it with perfect judgment (the “rod of iron”; see Psalm 2:7-9). The woman’s flight into the wilderness for 1,260 days refers to the future time called the Great Tribulation. Twelve hundred, sixty days is 42 months (of 30 days each), which is the same as 3 1/2 years. Halfway through the Tribulation period, the Beast (the Antichrist) will set an image of himself up in the temple that will be built in Jerusalem. This is the abomination that Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24:15 and Mark 13:14. When the Beast does this, he breaks the peace pact he had made with Israel, and the nation has to flee for safety—possibly to Petra (also see Matthew 24; Daniel 9:27). This escape of the Jews is pictured as the woman fleeing into the wilderness. Revelation 12:12-17 speaks of how the devil will make war against Israel, trying to destroy her (Satan knows his time is short, relatively speaking—see Revelation 20:1-3, 10). It also reveals that God will protect Israel in the wilderness. Revelation 12:14 says Israel will be protected from the devil for "a time, times, and half a time (“a time” = 1 year; “times” = 2 years; “half a time” = one-half year; in other words, 3 1/2 years).

{Revelation 12:2} See Genesis 37:9-11. This is a great indication that the Woman is Israel.

{Revelation 12:4} Indication of Satan's power and who he took with I'm and more their destination, which is Earth.

{Revelation 12:6} 1260 days = 42 months = 3 1/2 years Compare Matthew 24:15-31

{Revelation 12:12} Note that Satan can also have wrath. The wrath of the first six seals doesn't have to be exclusively God's wrath upon man. Here with Satan's time near he will unleash his full fury against God and His represenatives who have God's Holy Spirit within their own bodies.

{Revelation 12:13} This verse is used to indicate and show that the nation of Israel, the Jews, will not accept Antichrist to be their Messiah or receive him as their Messiah. In return that Antichrist will turn his vengence and wrath upon Israel and Christians as he knows his time is near. Jesus Christ warns those who see and recognize this to with haste run to the hills/mountains and hide away to avoid his direct wrath which will come upon them.

{Revelation 12:14} Time, times and half a time or 42 months or 1260 days or 3 1/2 years. Compare to Daniel 7:25

Michael has the unique ability to contend with the Devil/Satan ( Jude 1:9 ). It appears that Michael is holding back the antichrist.

{Revelation 12:17} Here it is believed that these with whom Satan, through the Antichrist, will wage war on the Christians. This is also the time thought as the Great Tribulation Period. Again see Matthew 24:15-31 Satan first goes after the Jews but in the end turns upon Christians who will be here, the Church, until the are taken out by Christ at the Rapture.

{Revelation 13:1} The Beast seen here is thought to be the Antichrist.

See Revelation 6:1-17

{Revelation 13:8} Compare Daniel 12:1

{Revelation 13:10} Could this be a back reference to saints in the Great Tribulation?

{Revelation 13:11} Question: Who is the false prophet of the end times?

Answer:

The false prophet of the end times is described in Revelation 13:11-15. He is also referred to as the “second beast” (Revelation 16:13, 19:20, 20:10). Together with the Antichrist and Satan, who empowers both of them, the false prophet is the third party in the unholy trinity.

The apostle John describes this person and gives us clues to identifying him when he shows up. First, he comes out of the earth. This could mean he comes up from the pit of hell with all the demonic powers of hell at his command. It could also mean he comes from lowly circumstances, secret and unknown until he bursts on the world stage at the right hand of the Antichrist. He is depicted as having horns like a lamb, while speaking like a dragon. The horns on lambs are merely small bumps on their heads until the lamb grows into a ram. Rather than having the Antichrist’s multiplicity of heads and horns, showing his power and might and fierceness, the false prophet comes like a lamb, winsomely, with persuasive words that elicit sympathy and good will from others. He may be an extraordinary preacher or orator whose demonically empowered words will deceive the multitudes. But he speaks like a dragon, which means his message is the message of a dragon. Revelation 12:9 identifies the dragon as the devil and Satan.

Verse 12 gives us the false prophet’s mission on earth, which is to force humanity to worship the Antichrist. He has all the authority of the Antichrist because, like him, the false prophet is empowered by Satan. It is not clear whether people are forced to worship the Antichrist or whether they are so enamored of these powerful beings that they fall for the deception and worship him willingly. The fact that the second beast uses miraculous signs and wonders, including fire from heaven, to establish the credibility of both of them would seem to indicate that people will fall before them in adoration of their power and message. Verse 14 goes on to say the deception will be so great that the people will set up an idol to the Antichrist and worship it. This is reminiscent of the huge golden image of Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 3) before which all were to bow down and pay homage. Revelation 14:9-11, however, describes the ghastly fate that awaits those who worship the image of the Antichrist.

Those who survive the terrors of the Tribulation to this point will be faced with two hard choices. Those who refuse to worship the image of the beast will be subject to death (v. 15), but those who do worship him will incur the wrath of God. The image will be extraordinary in that it will be able to “speak.” This doesn’t mean it will come to life—the Greek word here is pneuma meaning “breath” or “current” of air, not the word bios (“life”)—but it does mean that it will have some kind of ability to breathe forth the message of the Antichrist and the false prophet. Along with being the spokesman for them, the image will also condemn to death those who refuse to worship the unholy pair. In our technological world, it is not hard to imagine such a scenario.

Whoever the false prophet turns out to be, the final world deception and the final apostasy will be great, and the whole world will be caught up in it. The deceivers and false teachers we see today are the forerunners of the Antichrist and the false prophet, and we must not be deceived by them. These false teachers abound, and they are moving us toward a final satanic kingdom. We must faithfully proclaim the saving gospel of Jesus Christ and rescue the souls of men and women from the coming disaster.

{Revelation 13:16} See Revelation 14:9

{Revelation 14:1} Compare Revelation 7:1-8

{Revelation 14:6} God's Wrath, his day of wrath is about to be released. Last warning.

{Revelation 14:9} Revelation 13:16-18

Comprare this to the text of Revelation 14:12. Patient endurance on the part of the saints, who obey God's commandments and remain faithful to Jesus. Is there not a better descriptoin of Christians, those saved? If the Church/Christians are already Raptured then why is there need for this instruction for the Christians have been removed from the Earth. Verse 10 seems to indicate that those who take on the mark of the beast ( 666 ) will indeed taste of God's Fury, His Judgment.

{Revelation 14:14} Compare Revelation 7:9-17 the Rapture of the Saints

{Revelation 14:17} Rapture then wrath/Judgement.

{Revelation 16:16} Question: What is the battle of Armageddon?

Answer: The word "Armageddon" comes from a Hebrew word Har-Magedone, which means "Mount Megiddo" and has become synonymous with the future battle in which God will intervene and destroy the armies of the Antichrist as predicted in biblical prophecy (Revelation 16:16; 20:1-3, 7-10). There will be a multitude of people engaged in the battle of Armageddon, as all the nations gather together to fight against Christ.

The exact location of the valley of Armageddon is unclear because there is no mountain called Meggido. However, since "Har" can also mean hill, the most likely location is the hill country surrounding the plain of Meggido, some sixty miles north of Jerusalem. More than two hundred battles have been fought in that region. The plain of Megiddo and the nearby plain of Esdraelon will be the focal point for the battle of Armadeggon, which will rage the entire length of Israel as far south as the Edomite city of Bozrah (Isaiah 63:1). The valley of Armageddon was famous for two great victories in Israel's history: 1) Barak's victory over the Canaanites (Judges 4:15) and 2) Gideon's victory over the Midianites (Judges 7). Armageddon was also the site for two great tragedies: 1) the death of Saul and his sons (1 Samuel 31:8) and 2) the death of King Josiah (2 Kings 23:29-30; 2 Chronicles 35:22).

Because of this history, the valley of Armageddon became a symbol of the final conflict between God and the forces of evil. The word "Armageddon" only occurs in Revelation 16:16, "Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon." This speaks of the kings who are loyal to the Antichrist gathering together for a final assault on Israel. At Armageddon "the cup filled with the wine of the fury of [God's] wrath" (Revelation 16:19) will be delivered, and the Antichrist and his followers will be overthrown and defeated. "Armageddon" has become a general term that refers to the end of the world, not exclusively to the battle that takes place in the plain of Megiddo.

{Revelation 17:9} Question: Is the pope, or the next pope, the antichrist?

Answer:

Most likely the Antichrist will come from the Muslim faith he will be accepted as their coming incarnation of Mohhamad.

There are many speculations about the identity of the Antichrist. One of the most frequent “victims” of the speculation is the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. In the days of the Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther and some of the other Reformers were convinced that the Pope of that time was the Antichrist. Pope John Paul II was commonly identified as the Antichrist until his death. The current Pope, Benedict XVI, is an equally popular target. Why is this? Is there anything in the Bible that would indicate that a Pope will be the Antichrist?

The speculation about the Pope possibly being the Antichrist revolves primarily around Revelation 17:9. Describing the evil end-times system symbolized by a woman riding a beast, Revelation 17:9 declares, “This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits.” In ancient times, the city of Rome was known as “the city on seven hills” because there are seven prominent hills that surround the city. So, the thinking goes, we can know that it is somehow connected with Rome. So, if the evil end-times system is somehow associated with Rome – it does not take much thought to see a potential connection with the Roman Catholic Church, which is centered in Rome. Numerous passages in the Bible describe an “Antichrist” who will lead the anti-Christ movement in the end times (Daniel 9:27; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4; Revelation 13:5-8). So, if the end-times evil world system is centered in Rome and led by an individual – the Pope is a likely candidate.

However, many Bible commentators say the woman cannot be the Catholic Church and the seven hills cannot refer to Rome. They cite the fact that Revelation 17-18 clearly identifies the woman riding the beast as the city of Babylon. (We know the city of Babylon by a different name today—Baghdad.) In addition, verse 10 plainly states that the seven hills symbolize seven kings, five of which “have fallen, one is and one is to come.” Clearly, this cannot refer to the seven hills of Rome. Rather, this is a reference to seven world empires ruled by the seven kings. At the time of the Revelation, five world empires had come and gone—Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia and Greece—one (Rome) existed, and one (Antichrist’s world empire) had not yet come.

Whoever the Antichrist turns out to be, the important thing is to be warned of his coming and learn to recognize him and all who possess his spirit. First John 4:2-3 tells us how to identify the spirit of Antichrist: "By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God" (NKJV). The current Pope, Benedict XVI, acknowledges Jesus as being from God and Jesus as coming in the flesh (see 1 John 4:2). While we disagree with Pope Benedict XVI on numerous areas of Catholic doctrine, his view of the Person of Jesus Christ is biblical. Therefore, it’s hard to believe that Pope Benedict XVI is the Antichrist. While we believe it is possible for a Pope to be the Antichrist, the Bible does not give specific enough information to be dogmatic. A future Pope very well may be the Antichrist, or perhaps the Antichrist’s false prophet (Revelation 13:11-17). If so, this future Pope will be clearly identified by a denial of Jesus as coming in the flesh.

{Revelation 19:7} Question: What is the marriage supper of the Lamb?

Answer:

In his vision in Revelation 19:7-10, John saw and heard the heavenly multitudes praising God because the wedding feast of the Lamb—literally the "marriage supper"—was about to begin. The concept of the marriage supper is better understood in light of the wedding customs in the time of Christ.

These wedding customs had three major parts. First, a marriage contract was signed by the parents of the bride and the bridegroom, and the parents of the bride would pay a dowry to the bridegroom or his parents. This began what was called the betrothal period—what we would today call the engagement. This period was the one Joseph and Mary were in when she was found to be with child (Matthew 1:18; Luke 2:5).

The second step in the process usually occurred a year later, when the bridegroom, accompanied by his male friends, went to the house of the bride at midnight, creating a torchlight parade through the streets. The bride would know in advance this was going to take place, and so she would be ready with her maidens, and they would all join the parade and end up at the bridegroom's home. This custom is the basis of the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13. The third phase was the marriage supper itself, which might go on for days, as illustrated by the wedding at Cana in John 2:1-2.

What John’s vision in Revelation pictures is the wedding feast of the Lamb (Jesus Christ) and His bride (the Church) in its third phase. The implication is that the first two phases have already taken place. The first phase was completed on earth when each individual believer placed his or her faith in Christ as Savior. The dowry paid to the Bridegroom’s Parent (God the Father) would be the blood of Christ shed on the Bride’s behalf. The Church on earth today, then, is “betrothed” to Christ and, like the wise virgins in the parable, all believers should be watching and waiting for the appearance of the Bridegroom (the Second Coming). The second phase symbolizes the Rapture of the Church, when Christ comes to claim His bride and take her to the Father's house. The marriage supper then follows as the third and final step.

Attending the wedding feast will be not only the Church as the bride of Christ, but others as well. The "others" include Old Testament saints who are going to be raised at the Second Coming, as well as the martyred dead of the Tribulation. As the angel told John to write, “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb” (Revelation 19:9). The marriage supper of the Lamb is a glorious celebration of all who are in Christ!

{Revelation 19:11} Post-Tribulation theory teaches that the Rapture happens after the tribulation period, thaT Christ comes once.

When considering any question involving eschatology (the study of end times), it is important to remember that almost all Christians agree on these three things:

1) There is coming a time of great tribulation such as the world has never seen,

2) After the Tribulation, Christ will return to establish His kingdom on earth,

3) There will be a Rapture—a “catching away” from mortality to immortality—for believers as described in John 14:1-3, 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, and 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. The only question regards the timing of the Rapture: when will it occur in relation to the Tribulation and the Second Coming?

There are primarily three theories about the timing of the Rapture: the belief that the Rapture will occur before the Tribulation begins (pretribulationism), the belief that the Rapture will occur at the midpoint of the Tribulation (midtribulationism), and the belief that the Rapture will occur at the end of the Tribulation (posttribulationism). This article deals specifically with the posttribulational view.

Posttribulationism teaches that the Rapture occurs at the end, or near the end, of the Tribulation. At that time, the church will meet Christ in the air and then return to earth for the commencement of Christ’s Kingdom on earth. In other words, the Rapture and Christ’s Second Coming (to set up His Kingdom) happen almost simultaneously. According to this view, the church goes through the entire seven-year Tribulation. Roman Catholicism, Greek Orthodoxy, and many Protestant denominations espouse a posttribulational view of the Rapture.

One strength of posttribulationism is that Jesus, in His extended discourse on the end times, says He will return after a “great tribulation” (Matthew 24:21, 29). Also, the book of Revelation, with all its various prophecies, mentions only one coming of the Lord—and that occurs after the Tribulation (Revelation 19-20). Passages such as Revelation 13:7 and 20:9 also lend support to posttribulationism in that there will obviously be saints in the Tribulation. Also, the resurrection of the dead in Revelation 20:5 is called “the first resurrection.” Posttribulationists assert that, since this “first” resurrection takes place after the Tribulation, the resurrection associated with the Rapture in 1 Thessalonians 4:16 cannot occur until then.

Posttribulationists also point out that, historically, God’s people have experienced times of intense persecution and trial. Therefore, they say, it should not be surprising that the church also experiences the Great Tribulation of the end times. In relation to this, the posttribulational view distinguishes “Satan’s wrath” (or “man’s wrath”) from “God’s wrath” in the book of Revelation. Satan’s wrath is directed against the saints, and God allows it as a means of purifying His faithful. On the other hand, God’s wrath is poured out on the Antichrist and his godless kingdom, and God will protect His people from that punishment.

One weakness of posttribulationism is the clear teaching of Scripture that those who are in Christ are not under condemnation and will never experience the wrath of God (Romans 8:1). While some judgments during the Tribulation specifically target the unsaved, many other judgments, such as the earthquakes, falling stars, and famines, will affect the saved and unsaved equally. Thus, if believers go through the Tribulation, they will experience the wrath of God, in contradiction of Romans 8:1.

Another weakness of the posttribulational view is that it must, to some extent, allegorize the Tribulation. Many posttribulationists teach that we are living in the Tribulation now; in fact, some say the Tribulation began immediately after Pentecost in Acts 2. Such teaching ignores the singular nature of the Tribulation as presented in Scripture (Matthew 24:21), that it will be a time of distress unparalleled in the history of the world. Also, posttribulationists face a difficulty in explaining the absence of the word “church” in all biblical passages related to the Tribulation. Even in Revelation 4–21, the lengthiest description of the Tribulation in all of Scripture, the word "church" never appears. Posttribulationists must assume that the word “saints” in Revelation 4–21 means the church, although a different Greek word is used.

And a final weakness of the posttribulational view is shared by the other two theories: namely, the Bible does not give an explicit time line concerning future events. Scripture does not expressly teach one view over another, and that is why we have diversity of opinion concerning the end times and some variety on how the related prophecies should be harmonized.

{Revelation 20:1} Question: What is the Millennial Kingdom, and should it be understood literally?

Answer:

The millennial kingdom is the title given to the 1000-year reign of Jesus Christ on the earth. Some seek to interpret the 1000 years in an allegorical manner. They understand the 1000 years as merely a figurative way of saying “a long period of time,” not a literal, physical reign of Jesus Christ on the earth. However, six times in Revelation 20:2-7, the millennial kingdom is specifically said to be 1000 years in length. If God wished to communicate “a long period of time,” He could have easily done so without explicitly and repeatedly mentioning an exact time frame.

The Bible tells us that when Christ returns to the earth He will establish Himself as king in Jerusalem, sitting on the throne of David (Luke 1:32-33). The unconditional covenants demand a literal, physical return of Christ to establish the kingdom. The Abrahamic Covenant promised Israel a land, a posterity and ruler, and a spiritual blessing (Genesis 12:1-3). The Palestinian Covenant promised Israel a restoration to the land and occupation of the land (Deuteronomy 30:1-10). The Davidic Covenant promised Israel forgiveness—the means whereby the nation could be blessed (2 Samuel 7:10-13).

At the second coming, these covenants will be fulfilled as Israel is re-gathered from the nations (Matthew 24:31), converted (Zechariah 12:10-14), and restored to the land under the rule of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. The Bible speaks of the conditions during the millennium as a perfect environment physically and spiritually. It will be a time of peace (Micah 4:2-4; Isaiah 32:17-18), joy (Isaiah 61:7, 10), and comfort (Isaiah 40:1-2), with no poverty or sickness (Amos 9:13-15; Joel 2:28-29). The Bible also tells us that only believers will enter the millennial kingdom. Because of this, it will be a time of complete righteousness (Matthew 25:37; Psalm 24:3-4), obedience (Jeremiah 31:33), holiness (Isaiah 35:8), truth (Isaiah 65:16), and fullness of the Holy Spirit (Joel 2:28-29). Christ will rule as king (Isaiah 9:3-7;11:1-10), with David as regent (Jeremiah 33:15-21; Amos 9:11). Nobles and governors will also rule (Isaiah 32:1; Matthew 19:28), and Jerusalem will be the political center of the world (Zechariah 8:3).

Revelation 20:2-7 gives the precise time period of the millennial kingdom. Even without these scriptures, there are countless others that point to a literal reign of the Messiah on the earth. The fulfillment of many of God’s covenants and promises rests on a literal, physical, future kingdom. There is no solid basis for denying the literal interpretation of the millennial kingdom and its duration being 1000 years.

{Revelation 20:4} Millinium is mentioned here.

{Revelation 20:5} This cannot be the rapture as it violates Paul description in 1 Thes 4:16-19

{Revelation 20:7} Question: Why is God going to release Satan after the 1000 years?

Answer: Revelation 20:7-10, "When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth"Gog and Magog"to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. 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. And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever."

As we read these verses, we wonder, "Why will God release Satan at the end of the Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ?" First, we must admit that there are some biblical questions which we cannot answer this side of glory because God has chosen to reserve some mysteries to Himself (Deuteronomy 29:29, Romans 11:33-36). Yet, as believers, even if we cannot always understand something about God's Word, His will, or His ways, we can be sure that He remains ever faithful, true, and trustworthy, and in light of that our job remains to obey what we do understand as quickly, fully, and well as we are able. Even if we might not be able to answer why God releases Satan, we can suggest some possible reasons and motivations, based on an understanding of the entirety of the Word of God.

At the beginning of the Millennium, only believers will be alive (Revelation 19:17-21), some who live through the Tribulation Period, and some who come back with the Lord at His second coming. It will be a time of peace unparalleled in history (Isaiah 2:4; Joel 3:10; Micah 4:3). Jesus will be ruling on the throne of David, imposing a benevolent theocracy on all of His creation. Jesus will ensure that everyone has every need fulfilled, while not tolerating the sin so prevalent in today's society (Psalm 2:7-12; Revelation 2:26-29; 12:5; 19:11-16). We can only imagine such a time of "heaven on earth."

The believers who live through the Tribulation will be mortal. They will live and repopulate the earth during the Millennial Kingdom. Without the devastation of sin taking its toll, we can imagine the population increase during the Millennium will be enormous, almost incomprehensible. All those who are born during the Millennium will enjoy the benefits and blessings of Christ's reign on the earth, but they will still be born with a sin nature, and they will still have to freely repent and believe the Gospel, personally choosing Christ as Savior and Lord.

Yet, at the end of the Millennial Reign, Satan is loosed and is able to deceive a vast multitude to follow him in one final rebellion against the Lord of glory and His saints! It seems that the further humanity gets from the end of the Tribulation and the start of the Millennium, the more they will "take for granted" how good they have it, and some may even harbor doubts about the goodness of God. Even though the number who rebel with Satan are said to be "as the sand of the sea" (Revelation 20:7), they may still be a minority compared to the number who do not rebel. It will still be a large number of souls who join Satan. Undoubtedly, one of the primary reasons God gives us this picture of what will happen in time is to demonstrate the deep-seated sin nature inherent in all of humanity (Jeremiah 17:9).

Additionally, God is trying to tell us something about His nature as displayed during the Millennium. His grace and goodness will be on display continually. But at the end of the 1000 years, He will have zero tolerance for rebellion. When it happens, He will show no mercy and offer no "second chances." At that time He will be quick to judge, and the final rebellion of Satan and sinful man will be over in a flash of fire. After this, the final judgment of the dead takes place (the Great White Throne Judgment, Revelation 20:11-15). Eternity can thus begin with every aspect of sin gone for all time.

Finally, God is trying to reinforce some very important lessons concerning Satan himself, especially for believers. First, that he has been and always will be the enemy of humanity. As God has fixed His love on us, Satan has for us a special hatred. Ever since Satan's fall (Isaiah 14, Ezekiel 28), he has been the adversary of believers, and he is aptly described as the ultimate deceiver of mankind (John 8:44; 1 John 2:22). All he can give or promise man is death and destruction (John 10:10a). Satan is also shown here to be a truly defeated foe, and his ultimate doom is certain, along with the doom of all who follow him. God is trying to remind us that Satan is a created being who is powerless before Him (2 Corinthians 12:7). All this should encourage believers today to take God at His Word concerning our position in Christ with respect to the devil (Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 2 Corinthians 4:1-7; James 4:6-8; 1 John 2:15-29; 1 John 4:1-3), especially as we remember this grand truth: "...greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4).

{Revelation 20:8} Who are Gog and Magog?

Answer: Historically speaking, Magog was a grandson of Noah (Genesis 10:2). The descendants of Magog settled to the far north of Israel, likely in Europe and northern Asia (Ezekiel 38:2). Magog seems to be used to refer to "northern barbarians" in general, but likely also has a connection to Magog the person. The people of Magog are described as skilled warriors (Ezekiel 38:15; 39:3-9).

Gog and Magog are referred to in Ezekiel 38-39 and in Revelation 20:7-8. While these two instances carry the same names, a close study of Scripture clearly demonstrates they do not refer to the same people and events. In Ezekiel's prophecy, Gog will be the leader of a great army that attacks the land of Israel. Gog is described as "of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal" (Ezekiel 38:2-3). Ezekiel's battle of Gog and Magog occurs in the tribulation period, more specifically in the first 3 1/2 years. The strongest evidence for this view is that the attack will come when Israel is at peace (Ezekiel 38:8, 11). The description from Ezekiel is that of a nation that has security and has laid down its defenses. Israel is definitely not at peace now, and it is inconceivable that the nation would lay down its defenses apart from some major event. When Israel's covenant with the Beast/Antichrist is in effect at the beginning of Daniel's 70th Week (also known as the 7-year tribulation, Daniel 9:27a), Israel will be at peace. Possibly the battle will occur just before the midpoint of the seven-year period. According to Ezekiel, Gog will be defeated by God Himself on the mountains of Israel. The slaughter will be so great it will take seven months to bury all of the dead (Ezekiel 39:11-12).

Gog and Magog are mentioned again in Revelation 20:7-8. The duplicated use of the names Gog and Magog in Revelation 20:8-9 is to show that these people demonstrate the same rebellion against God and antagonism toward God as those in Ezekiel 38-39. It is similar to someone today calling a person "the devil" because he or she is sinful and evil. We know that person is not really Satan, but because that person shares similar characteristics, he or she might be referred to as "the devil."

The book of Revelation uses Ezekiel's prophecy about Magog to portray a final end-times attack on the nation of Israel (Revelation 20:8-9). The result of this battle is that all are destroyed, and Satan will find his final place in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10).

It is important to recognize that the Gog and Magog of Ezekiel 38-39 is quite different from the one in Revelation 20:7-8. Below are some of the more obvious reasons why these refer to different people and battles.

1. In the battle of Ezekiel 38-39, the armies come primarily from the north and involve only a few nations of the earth (Ezekiel 38:6, 15; 39:2). The battle in Revelation 20:7-9 will involve all nations, so armies will come from all directions, not just from the north.

2. There is no mention of Satan in the context of Ezekiel 38-39. In Revelation 20:7 the context clearly places the battle at the end of the millennium with Satan as the primary character.

3. Ezekiel 39:11-12 states that the dead will be buried for seven months. There would be no need to bury the dead if the battle in Ezekiel 38-39 is the one described in Revelation 20:8-9, for immediately following Revelation 20:8-9 is the Great White Throne judgment (20:11-15) and then the current or present heaven and earth are destroyed, replaced by a new heaven and earth (Revelation 21:1). There obviously will be a need to bury the dead if the battle takes place in the early part of the tribulation, for the land of Israel will be occupied for another 1,000 years, the length of the millennial kingdom (Revelation 20:4-6).

4. The battle in Ezekiel 38-39 is used by God to bring Israel back to Him (Ezekiel 39:21-29). In Revelation 20, Israel has been faithful to God for 1,000 years (the millennial kingdom). Those in Revelation 20:7-10 who are rebellious are destroyed without any more opportunity for repentance.

{Revelation 21:1} Question: Who will occupy the Millennial Kingdom?

Answer: There will be two distinct groups occupying the Earth during the millennial kingdom"those with glorified bodies, and those with earthly bodies who lived through the tribulation and on into the millennial kingdom. Those with glorified bodies consist of the Church, receiving glorified bodies at the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:21-23, 51-53), and those who are resurrected after Christ returns to Earth (Revelation 20:4-6). Those who have earthly bodies can be subdivided into two groups: believing Gentiles and believing Jews (Israel).

In Revelation 19:11-16, we find the return of Jesus Christ to Earth, known as His second coming. The rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51-53) is an appearing of Christ in the air, not His second coming. I mention this to make a distinction between the rapture and the second coming of Christ. There is no mention in Revelation 19-20 of any kind of rapture event. The implication is that saints who are on Earth when Christ returns will remain on Earth to enter the millennial kingdom in their natural bodies. If the rapture or any kind of event where a living believer receives a glorified body were included in the second coming of Christ to Earth, one would expect to find reference to such a major event in Revelation 19. But no such reference is to be found. The only event that results in believers receiving glorified bodies is found in Revelation 20:4-6 where those who became believers during the Tribulation and were killed because of their faith are resurrected. It is also believed that at this same time Old Testament saints will be resurrected, also receiving glorified bodies (see Daniel 12:2).

Matthew 25:31-46 is another passage that should be considered. This passage is commonly called the separation or judgment of the sheep and the goats. The sheep and goats refer to righteous and unrighteous Gentiles. Christ will judge the unrighteous Gentiles (goats), and they will be cast into the lake of fire for eternal punishment (Matthew 25:46). Therefore, no unbelieving Gentile will survive to live on into the millennial kingdom. The righteous Gentiles, or sheep, will live on into the millennial kingdom. They will give birth to children and will populate the Earth. However, these are not the only ones who will be producing children during the millennial kingdom.

The impression is given that when Christ returns, all Israel will trust in Him (Zechariah 12:10). They, too, will not receive glorified bodies (as did those who were raptured prior to the tribulation and those resurrected afterward). They also will produce children during the millennial kingdom.

So, believing Gentiles, Israel, and resurrected/raptured believers (all of whom have glorified bodies) will occupy the Earth. It should be noted, however, that believers with glorified bodies will not be reproducing. There is no marriage after this life (Matthew 22:30).

Children born during the millennial kingdom will have the responsibility of faith in Christ as all people of past ages have (faith in Christ since His coming; faith in God before"Genesis 15:2-6; Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 3:20). Unfortunately, not all of the children that are born during the millennial kingdom will come to faith in Christ. Those that do not will be led away by Satan into rebellion against God at the end of the millennial kingdom when Satan is let loose for a short time (Revelation 20:7-10).

For a further look at this subject (who will live into the millennial kingdom), look also at the following passages: Isaiah 2:2-4; Zechariah 14:8-21; Ezekiel 34:17-24; Daniel 7:13-14; Micah 4:1-5.

The following is using Mantis to clean up the notes copied:

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{Note} MEMORIZE: Psalms 14:1

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{Note} MEMORIZE: Psalms 19:1

{Note} MEMORIZE: John 4:24

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{Note} MEMORIZE: John 3:16

{Note} MEMORIZE: John 3:17

{Note} MEMORIZE: John 3:18

{Note} MEMORIZE: Psalms 86:15

{Note} MEMORIZE: John 14:1

{Note} MEMORIZE: John 14:2

{Note} MEMORIZE: 2 Corinthians 5:10

{Note} MEMORIZE: Matthew 22:37

{Note} MEMORIZE: Matthew 22:38

{Note} MEMORIZE: Matthew 22:39

{Note} MEMORIZE: Matthew 22:40

{Note} MEMORIZE: Romans 8:28

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