The Book of Revelation

Chapter 1

Introduction - Greetings - John’s Vision of Christ

Introduction

1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God [the Father] gave unto Him [Jesus], to show unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He [God] sent and signified it by His Angel [His Messenger, Jesus Christ] unto His servant John:

2 Who bare record of the Word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

The word Angel here means Messenger.  JESUS, the SON OF GOD, was the MESSENGER for GOD the FATHER. This does NOT mean that Jesus is an angelic being. Clearly the Word of God teaches us that Jesus took on the nature of man and not the nature of the angels.

3 Blessed is he [whosoever] that reads, and they that hear [understand] the words of this prophecy, and keep [obey] those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand [near].

Luke 11:28 "Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

Romans 13:11 "It is high time to awake out of sleep [spiritual complacency]: for now is our salvation [final deliverance] nearer than when we [first] believed.

                                   
Greetings

4 John to the  seven Churches [Congregations]which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from Him [God the Father] which is, and which was, and which is to come;  and from the seven Spirits which are before His Throne;

The Seven Churches of Revelation, are seven major churches of Early Christianity, as mentioned in the New Testament Book of Revelation. "Churches" in this context refers to the community or local  “Congregations”  of Christians living in each city, and not to the building or buildings in which they gathered for worship.

5 And from Jesus Christ, Who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the Kings of the earth. Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood,

6 And has made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

7 Behold, He [Jesus] Comes with Clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds [tribes of people] of the Earth shall wail [mourn] because of Him. Even so, Amen.

8 I am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the Ending, says the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

VERSE 7  is NOT talking about the “Rapture”, this verse is talking about “The Second Return” of Christ to set up His Kingdom on Earth which occurs at the end of the Tribulation, as shown in the following three verses ...

Revelation 19:11-14 “I saw Heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He [Jesus] that sat upon him was called Faithful and True ... His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many Crowns ... His name is called The Word of God. The armies [Saints] which were in Heaven followed Him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean."

Matthew 24:30 “They shall see the Son of Man Coming in the Clouds of Heaven.”

Mark 13:26 “Then shall they see the Son of Man Coming in the Clouds.”

John’s Vision of Christ

9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the Word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What you see, write in a book, and send it unto the seven Churches [Congregations] which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos [Pergamum], and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

12 And I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And being turned, I saw Seven Golden Candlesticks;

13 And in the midst of the Seven Candlesticks one like unto the Son of Man [Jesus], clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps [chest] with a golden girdle [sash/belt].

14 His head and His hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and His eyes were as a flame of fire;

15 And His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and His voice as the sound of many waters.

16 And He had in His right hand Seven Stars: and out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword [the Word of God]: and His countenance [face] was as the sun shining in his [it’s] strength [the sun’s full brilliance].

The Sharp two-edged Sword  which John the Prophet sees in the mouth of Jesus is the "Word of God".  The sword is a symbol of the power of God's Word.God fights against His enemies with the Sword of His mouth, the "Word of God".  There is no more formidable weapon in the universe than God's Word.

Hebrews 4:12“The Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged Sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Ephesians 6:17“Take ... the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”

17 And when I [John] saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.  And He [Jesus] laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

18 I am He that lives, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and I have the keys of hell and of death.

19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are and the things which shall be hereafter;

The things seen  = The Vision of Christ - Chapter 1.

The things which are  = The Seven Churches [Congregations] - Chapters 2 and 3.

These portray real Churches during John’s time and also are prophetic outlines of all the Churches [Congregations] throughout church history.

The things which shall be hereafter  = Things which follow after the Church age - Chapters 4 to 22.

20 The mystery of the Seven Stars which you saw in My right hand, and the Seven Golden Candlesticks.  The Seven Stars are the Angels of the Seven Churches: and the Seven Candlesticks which you saw are the Seven Churches [Congregations].

Chapter 7

Prelude

 With the opening of the previous Six Seals, we have just read through the first outline explaining the Tribulation judgments.  Chapter 7  is an entire chapter with extra details telling about God Sealing the Israelites  to protect them from His wrath, and about the  Resurrection of the Tribulation Martyrs.

At this time, God also removes the remaining believers in Christ, who are still alive on earth,  before He pours out His Wrath,  but we are not given the details of this group until ...

Revelation 15:2-4  "I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses." 

Angels bring these living Tribulation Saints to the Throne Room in Heaven before  the  “Day of God’s Wrath”. Both these groups, the living people who are still in their human bodies, along with all the 144,000 Israelites, will inhabit the Earth in their human bodies during the Millennium.

God's Word assures us that His Children do not go through the “Day of God’s Wrath”

1 Thessalonians 1:10  “His Son from heaven, whom ... delivered us from the wrath to come.”

1 Thessalonians 5:9  “God has not appointed us to Wrath.”

Romans 5:9  “Being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from Wrath.”
 

The 144,000 Jews will remain on earth so they are sealed for their protection because God’s Wrath will come upon the inhabitants of the entire Earth.

Revelation 11:3 Shows that the two witnesses have already been prophesying in Israel for 3½ years. "And I [Jesus] will give power unto My two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth."

(1260 Days = 42 months or 3½ years. A Biblical year has 360 days, having 12 months of 30 days each.)

Brief Outline of Some of the things that will happen During the 6th Seal and the 6th Trumpet 
Revelation 7:1-8: The Israelites are Sealed for their protection during God's Day of Wrath.
Revelation 7:9-17: The Resurrection of the Martyrs who came out of great Tribulation.
Revelation 11:11-12: The Two Witnesses are Killed and Resurrected and Ascend Up To Heaven.

Revelation 15:2-4: Angels carry the still living Tribulation Saints to the Throne Room in Heaven.

144,000 Israelites Sealed

1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.

2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the Seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,

3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

The 144,000 Israelites are Sealed Immediately Before God’s Wrath is Poured Out.  Most would agree that the Seal of God is a Spiritual Marking applied to the believer with the presence of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Jeremiah 30:7 "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."

4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

5 Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.

6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.

7 Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.

8 Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.

The tribe of Dan went off into idolatry so this might be why they are omitted from this list. The tribe of Joseph appears twice, once under his own name and once under the name of his son Manasseh. Joseph’s other son, Ephraim, is not mentioned.

These 144,000 Israelites who are alive on earth, need supernatural protection by sealing, just before the beginning of the Great and Notable Day of the Lord’s Wrath. The 144,000 Israelites are on earth, protected from the terrible judgments, and are waiting for their Messiah, whom they now believe in, to come back to earth and set up His kingdom.

Revelation 9:2-4 says, “And he [an angel] opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace… And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.

These verses show that the 144,000 Israelites with the Seal of God in their foreheads stay on earth throughout the Tribulation period and they are also still on the earth during the Day of Wrath.

The full understanding of Israel's place in the Divine plan will only be fully understood at the end of the age when Israel's national restoration takes place and the people accept Him whom they have pierced.

Resurrected Tribulation Martyrs In White Robes with Palms

Saints who were killed or died during the Tribulation are Resurrected and Stand before the Throne.

9 After this I [John] beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindred's [tribes], and people, and tongues, stood before the Throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

Revelation 6:9,11 "When He [Jesus] had opened the Fifth Seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain [killed & beheaded] for the Word of God ... And white robes were given unto every one of them."

10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sits upon the Throne, and unto the Lamb.

11 And all the Angels stood round about the Throne, and about the Elders [the Bride] and the four beasts [Seraphims], and fell before the Throne on their faces, and worshipped God,

12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

13 And one of the Elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence  [from where]  came they?

14 And I [John] said unto him, Sir, you know. And he said to me, these are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

15 Therefore are they before the Throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His Temple: and He [God] that sits on the Throne shall dwell among them.

16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.

17 For the Lamb [Jesus] which is in the midst of the Throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

These same Martyrs are also seen in ...
Revelation 20:4 “I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the Word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived, and [they] reigned [ruled] with Christ a thousand years.”
 

Chapter 8

Seventh Seal - The Great Day of God’s Wrath Is Come

1 And when He had opened the Seventh Seal, there was silence in Heaven about the space of half an hour.

When the seventh seal is opened revealing the contents of the scroll, there is an ominous, awesome half an hour of calm in Heaven (the only such silence mentioned in Scripture) before the greatest, most destructive “storm” in history - the plagues of the judgments and the Wrath of God. After the 144,000 Israelites are sealed and the remaining believers in Christ, who are still alive on earth, are safe in Heaven, the four angels will now release the winds of destruction on Earth.

2 And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.

3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a Golden Censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the Golden Altar which was before the Throne.

4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.

7th Seal
5 And the angel took the Censer, and filled it with fire of the Altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.

We see from reading these Verses, that the  7th Seal,  7th Trumpet,  and  7th Vial  all end at the same time.

7th Trumpet- Revelation 11:19: "And the temple of God was opened in Heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament [covenant]: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thundering's, and an earthquake, and great hail."

7th Vial- Revelation 16:18: "And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great."

Trumpets Prepare to Sound

6 And the Seven Angels which had the Seven Trumpets prepared themselves to sound.

America is known as Modern Day Babylon, and it does appear that she will come under judgment when the first Four Trumpets are sounded. The destruction of North America would be about a Third part of the earth.

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

Revelation 16:19 "Great  Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath."

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

Jeremiah 50:24-25  "I will render unto Babylon ... Behold, I am against you, O destroying  mountain, says the Lord I will ... roll you down from the rocks, and will make you a  burnt mountain.

Trumpet One

7 The First Angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the  third  part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.

Trumpet Two

8 And the Second Angel sounded, and as it were a great  mountain burning with fire  was  cast into the sea: and the  third  part of the sea became blood;

9 And the  third  part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the  third  part of the ships were destroyed.

Trumpet Three

10 And the Third Angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the  third  part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;

11 And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the  third  part of the waters became  wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

Nuclear bombs will cause the water to become bitter. An example is the plant in Russia, Chernobyl, which exploded. "Chernobyl" means wormwood.

Trumpet Four

12 And the Fourth Angel sounded, and the  third  part of the sun was smitten, and the  third  part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a  third  part of it, and the night likewise.

Woe, Woe, Woe

13 And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven [the sky], saying with a loud voice, Woe, Woe, Woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!

Chapter 9 

Trumpet Five - The First Woe - Locusts Torment Men for Five Months
1 And the Fifth Angel sounded and I saw a star [angel] fall from Heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.

2 And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.

3 And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.

144,000 Israelites Protected

4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but [hurt] only those men which do not have the Seal of God in their foreheads.

The 144,000 Israelites were protected from these locusts because they had the Seal of God.

Revelation 7:2-3  "I saw another Angel ... having the Seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four Angels ... Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads."

The Seal of God is a Spiritual Mark, not a Literal Mark, applied to the believer with the presence of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

5 And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he strikes a man.

6 And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Trumpet Six - The Second Woe - The Third Part of Men Killed

13 And the Sixth Angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the Golden Altar which is before God,

14 Saying to the sixth Angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.

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

16 And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand [two hundred million]: and I heard the number of them.

17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone.

18 By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.

19 For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt.

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

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

Chapter 10

The Mighty Angel, Jesus

1 And I saw another mighty Angel [Jesus] come down from Heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon His head, and His face was as it were the sun, and His feet as pillars of fire:

This mighty Angel is Jesus, as also seen from the description that is given in the following verses.

Revelation 1:14-16 "His eyes were as a flame of fire; And His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace ... and His countenance [face] was as the sun shining in his [it’s] strength [the sun’s full brilliance]."

Revelation 2:18 "These things says the Son of God, who has His eyes like unto a flame of fire, and His feet are like fine brass."

2 And He [Jesus] had in His hand a little book open: and He set his right foot upon the sea, and His left foot on the earth,

Seal Up What the Seven Thunders Uttered

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

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

The Thunder Represents the Voice of God
Psalm 18:13  says, “The LORD thundered in the Heavens, and the Highest gave His voice.”

This incident 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. Thunder is often a mark of judgment in Scripture, so these seven powerful voices may be crying out for God’s judgment upon the sinful earth.

Just as John was about to write the words of the seven thunders, God's voice from Heaven commands him to seal up 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 the Book of Revelation that are sealed.

5 And the Angel [Jesus] which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up His hand to Heaven,

6 And swear by Him [God] that lives for ever and ever, who created Heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:

7 But in the days of the voice of the Seventh Angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God  should be finished, as He hath declared to His servants the prophets.

During the sounding of the Seventh Trumpet, Christ will take over the kingdoms of this world to reign forever.

Daniel 12:7 "And I heard the man [Angel] clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by Him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time,  times,  and an half [3 ½ years]; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished."

Revelation 11:15 "And the Seventh Angel sounded [Trumpet Seven]; and there were great voices in Heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever."

8 And the voice [God] which I heard from Heaven spoke unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the Angel [Jesus] which stands upon the sea and upon the earth.

9 And I went unto the Angel [Jesus], and said unto Him, Give me the little book. And He [Jesus] said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.

10 And I took the little book out of the Angel's [Jesus] hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.

11 And He [Jesus] said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.

John must be back on earth witnessing the events about to take place at the Midpoint of the tribulation regarding the two witnesses and the Beast and False Prophet. The “Little book” is probably the message John needs to deliver in the, 2nd half of the 7 year tribulation.

John is told to consume the little book, which is sweet in his mouth but bitter in his stomach. Sweet as honey…God’s word is sweet to those who consume and understand the message and meaning.  Psalm 119:103 describes God’s word as sweeter then honey. Stomach became bitter... As the word of God is sweet to those who taste it, proclaiming the message can be a bitter task.  Knowledge of the God’s wrath and judgment is not sweet but bitter, it is gloom on the world.  

Chapter 11

The Two Witnesses, Elijah & Enoch

Moses  may be the other witness instead of Enoch.

Moses appears in bodily form with Elijah at the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-3); so perhaps Moses and Elijah may be the two witnesses. The ministry of the two witnesses will be In Israel, primarily Jerusalem, and will last 3 ½ years during the first half of the tribulation. The Lord sends these two exceptional witnesses to proclaim to Israel that Jesus was their true Messiah and they will surely have a hand in the building of the Third Temple.

1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the Angel [Jesus] stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.

2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy City shall they tread under foot forty-two months. [3 ½ years]

Daniel 9:27 “He[the Antichrist] shall confirm the covenant with many [people] for one week [7 Years]: and in the midst of the week [after 3½ Years]he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation [offerings] to cease (in the Jews third Temple), and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate.” (An image of himself shall be set up in the Holy Temple, and he shall declare himself to be God. This is called the “Abomination of Desolation”.)

3 And I [Jesus] will give power unto My two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. [42 months or 3 ½ years]

A Biblical year has 360 days (having 12 months of 30 days each). 

Elijah and Enoch are the only two men in the Bible who never died.
Genesis 5:24 “Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.”
2 Kings 2:11 “Behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire ... and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into Heaven.”

4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceeds out of their mouth, and devours their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.

6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.

The Two Witnesses are Killed During the Sixth Trumpet

7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascended out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great City [Jerusalem], which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half (3 ½), and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.

10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.

The Two Witnesses Arose and Ascended Up To Heaven

11 And after three days and an half (3 ½) the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.

12 And they heard a great voice from Heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to Heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the City fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were frightened, and gave glory to the God of Heaven.

14 The second  woe  is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.

Trumpet Seven - Seventh Angel Sounded His Trumpet

15 And the Seventh Angel sounded and there were great voices in Heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever. 

Revelation10:7: "But in the days of the voice of the Seventh Angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as He hath declared to His servants the prophets."

16 And the twenty-four Elders [The Saints], which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,

17 Saying, We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and was, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.

18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that You should give reward unto Your servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear Your name, small and great; and should destroy them which destroy the earth.

7th Trumpet
19 And the temple of God was opened in Heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament [covenant]: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thundering's, and an earthquake, and great hail.

We see from reading these Verses, that the  7th Seal,  7th Trumpet,  and  7th Vial  all end at the same time.

7th Seal - Revelation 8:5: 'And the angel took the Censer, and filled it with fire of the Altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake."

7th Vial - Revelation 16:18: "And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great."

Chapter 12

Prelude
Beginning at the twelfth Chapter, the Book of Revelation covers events again. There is parallel prophecy showing the same time periods, but with different details. Chronologically Chapter 12 returns to Chapter 4, just before the ending of the Church age and the Rapture of the First-Fruit Overcomers. Notice the difference in the details that are given after the Rapture takes place in these two chapters.

In Chapter 4 we saw events taking place in Heaven after the Rapture.
In Chapter 12 we see events that will take place on Earth after the Rapture.

Thus, Chapter 12 begins before the Rapture and before the rise of the Antichrist and his ten-horned kingdom. There are various reasons why this is so. For one thing, you will notice that the dragon, which is the devil, has seven heads (kingdoms), and these seven heads are Crowned. This shows that the imagery of the Woman and the dragon pertains to "the times of the Gentiles". However, the  ten horns  which represent the ten kings which appear at the end, and who give their power to the Antichrist, have no Crowns as yet. The Tribulation, at that point, has therefore not yet begun. In the 13th chapter of Revelation, when the Antichrist reigns, we see that the ten horns then have Crowns!

The Woman and the Dragon
1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:

 FIRST, the Woman is a Heavenly Sign. She is also a symbol of Spiritual Israel (not carnal or natural Israel), and she represents God's Saints, the true church which, although on earth, sits in heavenly places with Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:4,6: "But God ...  has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus."

She holds this position but not without conflict, for she must wrestle with Satan and his angels which are also in high places.

Ephesians 6:12: "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against ... spiritual wickedness in high places."

SECOND, the woman is "clothed with the sun." The sun is a symbol of Christ who is our righteousness.

Malachi 4:2: "The Sun of righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings."

THIRD, the moon is under her feet. This shows that the church is in the heavens as well as on earth. As the moon reflects the sun in the darkness of the night, so the Church reflects the Son of Righteousness in the darkness of this age.

In The Song of Solomon we see a beautiful picture of the Bride.
 Song of Solomon 6:10  “Who is she  (The Bride of Christ) that looks forth as the Morning, (Like the Sunrise in all of its Glory) Fair as the Moon, (She reflects the Righteousness of Christ) Clear as the Sun, (She is Clothed with the Sun with Pure Spotless Beauty) and Terrible (Majestic) as an Army with Banners?” (She is set as an Army in Spiritual Warfare against the powers of evil.)

(“Who is she that looks forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners?")
 
FOURTH, the twelve stars answer to the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb.  As a further indication of the close relation of the Church and Israel, Christ promised the Apostles that they should "sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes".
Matthew 19:28: Jesus said ... "you, which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.

3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon [Satan], having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.

The woman faces a dragon [Satan] who has seven heads and ten horns. Bible scholars generally agree that these seven heads of the dragon, represent seven successive empires that rise in the world. These were, in succession, Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Media-Persia, Greece, and Rome. The seventh is the coming empire of the Antichrist. The ten horns are the ten kings who receive power with him during the Great Tribulation.
However, since the ten horns are not Crowned, as they are in Revelation 13:1, we understand that the imagery here portrays the Woman and Satan in opposition as natural enemies during the past ages, with the moment of action marked by the Woman travailing in the birth of the Manchild.

4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, (this is the one-third group of rebellious angelic hosts who chose to follow Satan, Ezekiel 28) and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon [Satan], stood before the woman [church-Israel] which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

The Rapture
5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a  rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to His throne.

The Birth of Christ was years before this prophecy was given. Prophecy relates to the future rather than the past, so while the imagery of this verse may also speak of the Birth of Christ, it must have primary reference to the future. Christ was not Raptured to Heaven at birth, He lived 33 years, died on the cross, was resurrected, and 40 days later He ascended to Heaven. In contrast, the Manchild [His Body of Believers] is Raptured at Birth.

In Revelation 2:26-27the Overcomers were promised to be given this "Rod of Iron" to rule the Nations ... "And he (all mankind) that overcomes, and keeps my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron."

The Overcomers, are translated before the Great Tribulation in a First-Fruit Rapture, and the final Harvest and Resurrection will take place afterwards, before the Day of God's Wrath.

CHRIST is the FIRST of the First-Fruits. The Manchild Saints are caught up to God by Rapture. These Saints are the Overcomers. They are the First-Fruits unto God that "follow the Lamb whithersoever He goes." In the 14th Chapter, while the Tribulation is still on, we find this company of people standing on the Heavenly Zion, singing a new song before the Throne. They are without guile and "without fault before the Throne of God."

6 And the woman  [Israel] fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days  [1,260 days or 3 ½ years].

Compare Verse 6 with Verse 14.

These two events, the catching up of the Saints and the fleeing of the Woman, are separated in time by 3 ½ years. The Two Witnesses began their 3 ½ year ministry of prophesying in Israel after the Rapture, and this event, the woman fleeing into the wilderness, occurs just after the Beast/Antichrist overcomes and kills the two witnesses in Revelation 11:7. The Jews flee to the wilderness in the middle of the tribulation, when their Temple is made desolate. The Antichrist may make the Third Temple his headquarters after cutting off the sacrifices there and his Image/statue will be set up in the Temple. This is the "abomination of desolation" .

Matthew 24:15-21 “When you therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), “Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be."

The urgency of Christ’s command to flee as soon as the abomination of desolation stands in the holy place, indicates that they must flee immediately, no opportunity for packing belongings, or anything else. The nearest desert area they can reach will be their only opportunity for survival during this second half of the seven year Tribulation period. The Jews who have listened to the two witnesses and have come to believe that Jesus is their Messiah will take warning and flee into the mountains where God will sustain them for three and a half years, and everywhere believers will attempt to flee to remote places in their effort to escape the Antichrist.

Having "a place prepared by God" conveys that preparation has been made prior to her flight so that the place is ready for her upon her arrival. Some believe this place in the wilderness where Israel finds safety during this last 3 ½ years will be the rock city of Petra, in Jordan, south of the Dead Sea.  The Bible says that Jordan will escape from the Antichrist's grasp.

Daniel 11:41 "He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon." 

In modern times there is one nation encompassing those exact three peoples. We know it from the name Ammon, which is the capital of Jordan.

“That they should feed her there”, indicates that the physical needs of the woman will be met in her wilderness hiding place. “They”, seems to indicate the participation of others in providing for her nourishment. In the same way that the ravens (unclean birds) and a Gentile widow were used to feed Elijah during his time of drought, so too will others be used to provide for the Jewish remnant. Perhaps this is an indication that the Jewish remnant will be provided for by Gentile means. During the Tribulation, the need for provision will be intensified in their case because no one will be able to buy or sell without the mark of the beast during this three and one-half years. This time of testing in the wilderness, fed by God, will result in the full conversion of those Jews who remain alive.

Satan and His Angels Cast to the Earth
7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon [devil] fought and his angels,

8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in Heaven.

9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceives the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

10 And I heard a loud voice saying in Heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

12 Therefore rejoice, you Heavens, and you that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has but a short time.

When the devil and his angels are cast out of the heavenlies, he knows that it will be only  a short time of seven years  and then he will be chained and the Millennium will begin.

Michael the archangel, is the leader of God's angelic forces. Because the catching away of the Manchild evidently has a definite connection with Satan's defeat and overthrow in the heavenlies. Michael and his angels war against Satan and his angels. But in some way the testimony of the saints also has a vital part in the overthrow of Satan in the heavenlies. That testimony is seen in  Verse 11: "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony." This ejection of Satan ends his occupation of the heavenlies. He is now cast down to earth.

Michael also appears again in the book of Daniel, where we are told that he will come to the rescue of the people of God, at the time of the end: "And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, everyone that shall be found written in the book." (Daniel 12:1)

13 And when the dragon [Satan] saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman [church-Israel] which brought forth the man child. [The Raptured Saints]

14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the  wilderness, into her  place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time [3 ½ years], from the face of the serpent.

Compare Verse 14 with Verse 6.

Every sentence given in the Book of Revelation has significance. The reason this prophecy is repeated twice may be because there are two phases to it.  In Verse 14, "the woman is given two wings of a Great Eagle that she might fly into the wilderness". One may notice that the bald eagle is known as the emblem of the United States of America and at the time when John was given the Revelation, America was a wilderness unknown to civilization.There may be an epic airlift of huge numbers of God's covenant people and Christian believers into a place of safety. 

The “wings of the great Eagle” are also an allusion to God’s own description of the Exodus experience and his tender care for the young Israel.
Deuteronomy 32:10,11 says: “He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye. As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings.”
Exodus 19:4 says: “I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto Myself.”

 
15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.

Satan indwelling the Antichrist pursues Israel and at this point God intervenes on Israel’s behalf and the earth miraculously opens up and swallows the Antichrist's armies.

16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.

17 And the dragon was wroth (Furious/Enraged) with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which  keep the commandments of God,  and  have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Daniel 7:25 "And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High (with persecution), and think to change times [of sacred feasts and holy days] and laws: and they [the saints] shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time [3 ½ years]."

Notice that after the Manchild is caught up to the throne of God, the woman undergoes a change of position. Satan now persecutes the woman. She is no longer in the heavenlies but is seen on earth, exceedingly weakened by the birth of the Manchild. The Tribulation church no longer sits in the heavenlies, but "the remnant of her seed", are left on earth to contend with the powers of hell which are now cast into their midst.

After the Manchild Company is caught up to heaven, the rest of the seed of the woman is left on earth, fulfilling the words of Jesus, "the one shall be taken, and the other left."  Satan's persecution of the seed of the woman is accomplished through the Antichrist who now comes on the scene. His war is not only against the believing Jews but against all the Christians of "all nations, and kindreds, and people and tongues." Satan persecutes Israel and the Gentile Christians.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ

John the Apostle, was given a Prophetic Vision for the End Times - 2

The Book of Revelation

Chapter 5

The Scroll - Title-Deed of the Earth
Jesus takes the Book from God the Father
The Elders, Raptured and Resurrected Heirs, singing a new song

The Lamb and the Scroll with Seven Seals - The Title-Deed of the Earth 
1 And I [John] saw in the right hand of Him [God] that sat on the Throne a Book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven Seals.

In the beginning when man was made in the image of God, the inheritance of the Earth and of immortal life were given to Adam and Eve. However when Adam sinned, he lost his inheritance of the earth, and it passed out of his hands into the possession of Satan, to the disinheritance of all of Adam's seed.

The forfeited Title-Deed of the Earth is now in God's hands and is awaiting redemption. Its redemption means the legal repossession of all that Adam lost by the Fall. The time has come for the whole Earth to be restored to its rightful heirs. The price of the redemption was paid by Christ 2000 years ago, even though it would not come into the hands of the heirs at that time. So even though the price has been paid, the land redeemed, and the time has come to take possession, the evidence has to be presented and the seals broken in the presence of the heirs. The heirs are now present, having been Raptured or Resurrected, and they sing the song of redemption, anticipating the imminent redemption of the Earth.

2  And I saw a strong Angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the Book, and to loose the Seals thereof?

3 And no man in Heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the Book, neither to look thereon.

4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the Book, neither to look thereon.

5 And one of the Elders said unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, [Jesus] has prevailed to open the Book, and to loose the seven Seals thereof.

6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst [center in front] of the Throne [where God sat] and of the four beasts [Seraphims], and in the midst of the Elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

7 And He [Jesus] came and took the Book out of the right hand of Him [God] that sat upon the Throne.

The position of the Lamb [Jesus] is described from John’s point of view: The Lamb is not on the Throne, but standing in the center in front of it, and also apparently between the living creatures, and in the midst of the circle formed by the Elders.
Christ the Mediator takes and opens the Book. This revelation describes the person of Christ, the Mediator between God and men, as the Eternal Word of God, and our Redeemer: as the Lamb of God, standing as slain and making intercession for us by the power and merit of His everlasting sacrifice, armed with the Spirit of God.

The Bride with Harps and Golden Vials, Sung a New Song

8  And when He [Jesus] had taken the Book, the four beasts [Seraphims] and twenty-four Elders [the Bride] fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints.

When the Lamb stepped forward to open the Book, the Seraphims and the twenty-four elders fell down before Him. Harps and golden vials full of odors - the prayers of the saints - filled the atmosphere with beautiful music and sweet fragrances; the music of worship and the fragrance of prayer. This is the most impressive evidence of the importance of prayer. Prayer should be an essential part of our lives. Each prayer is carefully preserved in Heaven, and in that day they will fill the celestial atmosphere with their fragrance.

9 And they [the Bride] sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the Book, and to open the Seals thereof: for You [Jesus] were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred [tribe], and tongue, and people, and nation;

The Raptured and Resurrected Heirs singing a new song.

10 And have made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

 
Once again, the Elders are shown to also represent the Bride of Christ. In Revelation 4:4, they were Seated, had on White Raiment, and wore Crowns. In this chapter they are singing the “Song of The Redeemed”, and are called Kings, and Priests, and are proclaiming "We shall reign on the earth".

11And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many Angels round about the Throne and the beasts [Seraphims] and the Elders: and the number of them [the Angels] was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

The Firstfruit Raptured and Resurrected Saints of God along with a hundred million angels and every living creature all join in with praise and adoration.

12  Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.

13 And every creature which is in Heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him [God] that sits upon the Throne, and unto the Lamb [Jesus] for ever and ever.

John heard every creature in Heaven and on earth praising God and His Son. The crescendo to this symphony of praise is all creation, everywhere and everything worships the Father and the Son.

The birds, the animals, and the fish finally cry out, all creation had been groaning under the futility of the curse, now they know that they are about to be set free. Clearly animals had greater capabilities for communication with men before “The Fall”.

In "Numbers 22:21-39" God spoke to Balaam through his donkey.

In "Genesis 3:1-5" the serpent spoke to Eve and she obviously was not surprised to hear him speaking.

"Revelation 22:3" shows that Christ’s Redemption will reverse all the effects of the curse. “There shall be no more curse.”

In "Romans 8:22-23" it says that, "the whole creation groans and travails in pain together (as with birth pangs) ... waiting for ... the redemption ...”

14 And the four beasts [Seraphims] said, Amen [so be it]. And the twenty-four Elders  [the Bride]  fell down and worshipped Him that lives for ever and ever.

Understanding the Book of Revelation

The Bible is comprised of 66 books, all equally important, but the book of Revelation inspires wonderment, as well as fear, like no other.  In it is contained the blueprint by which the God of Abraham will End the Church Age, begin the time of Jacob’s trouble, defend Israel, defeat the Devil, reward the Saints, and judge the wicked lost, before destroying everything by fire and then creating it all brand new in Eternity.

Revelation 21:3-5 "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away ... Behold, I make all things new."

Revelation 1:3 "Blessed is he [whosoever] that reads, and they that hear [understand] the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand [near]."  (If the time was at hand 2,000 years ago, think how close it is today!)

The great truths of the Book of Revelation are hidden to the casual reader, so many Christians believe it is a “sealed” book, not intended for us to understand, even though in the last chapter, John was clearly told that this Book was NOT to be sealed!

Revelation 22:10 "He said unto me, Seal  not  the sayings of the prophecy of this book."

God Intended for the Book of Revelation to be Understood

While it is true that the Book of Revelation can be challenging to understand at times, the fact that it is a revelation, and it carries a special blessing for those who study it, means that God intended for it to be understood.  The blessing is for those who not only read and hear, but also take to heart what is written, and one can only take to heart that which is understood.  God meant for all His Children to understand His written Word!  A revelation is given to reveal something, not to conceal it. 

We must prayerfully study the Scriptures in these last days, and with the help of the promised guidance by the Holy Spirit, we can fully trust God to reveal its meaning.  It is absolutely critical for every Christian to know about the days leading up to Christ’s Return!  Jesus, Himself said these days would be filled with deceit.  We have got to be prepared so we can identify the false teachers, prophets, and churches.  Approximately 27% of the Scriptures are devoted to prophecy and to the end times, yet in churches across America, the end times is hardly mentioned.  Christ’s people are dangerously unprepared for His return.  We are told to "Search the Scriptures",   "Study to show ourselves approved to God",  "We ought to be teachers",  and "We are destroyed for lack of knowledge".   We need an intimate knowledge of God and His Word.

John 5:39 "Search the Scriptures;  for in them you think you have eternal life:  and it is they which testify of Me."

1 John 2:27-28 "But the Anointing [Holy Spirit] which you have received of Him abides in you, and you need not that any man teach you: but the same Anointing [Holy Spirit] teaches you of all things ... and even as it has taught you, you shall abide in Him. And ... when He [Jesus] shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming."

John 16:13 "When He, the [Holy] Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth ... and He will show you things to come."

2 Timothy 2:15 "Study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly [accurately] dividing [understanding] the Word of truth."

Hebrews 5:12 "(By this time) You ought to be teachers, but you have need that someone teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you ... have need of milk, and not strong meat. (Comparable to a child who needs milk and cannot eat solid food.)"

Isaiah 28:9-10 “[To] Whom shall He [God] teach knowledge? And [to] whom shall He [God] make to understand doctrine? (God will teach) them that are weaned from the milk (God will teach those that are no longer babies, those who are mature in His Word.) … For precept must be upon precept ... ; line upon line ... ; here a little, and there a little."

Psalm 119:130 "The entrance [revelation] of Your Words gives light [wisdom]; it gives understanding [discernment] to the simple [straightforward honest person]."

Hosea 4:6  "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge."

As Christians, we should be prophecy proficient.  A study of Revelation, and other Scripture verses throughout the Bible that pertain to these coming end time events, will give us an idea about how everything will eventually play out.  Much of this information and knowledge is found in the Book of Revelation.

A few of the Old Testament prophets who were given visions and information on end time events were Daniel, Ezekiel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Joel, and Zechariah.  Plus additional information is scattered throughout the Bible.

We need to know important basic facts such as, that after the seven year Tribulation, many of the Saints in Heaven will be coming back down to rule with Christ during His Millennial Reign on earth.  After that 1000 years has passed, there will be the final Great White Throne Judgment.  Afterwards, John saw a New Heaven and New Earth and then the New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of Heaven.  Then God the Father and His Son, Jesus, will dwell with mankind throughout Eternity.  God said anyone that overcomes shall inherit all things; and we shall be His Children.  God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes; and there shall be no more crying, sorrow, pain, or death: for the former things are passed away.  These are vital facts that God wants us to know!

Many Christians read the Book of Revelation through from chapter 1 to chapter 22 and assume that the end times will be laid out accordingly.   In truth, the Bible is full of places where there is a “Double Witness” or even “Multiple Witnesses”  as is the case with Revelation. 

Take notice that beginning at the twelfth Chapter, the Book of Revelation covers events again. There is parallel prophecy showing same time periods, but different details are given. Chronologically Chapter 12 returns to Chapter 4, just before the ending of the Church age and the Rapture of the First-Fruit Overcomers. Notice the difference in the details that are given after the Rapture takes place in these two chapters.

In  Chapter 4  we see events that are taking place "in Heaven" after the Rapture.

In  Chapter 12  we see events that are taking place "on Earth" after the Rapture.

The “Double Witness”

God gave a double witness in the case of Pharaoh's two dreams.  Both dreams meant the same thing:  They showed that seven good years were to come upon Egypt, and then seven lean years of famine.  Joseph explained that because the thing was established of God, it was doubled unto Pharaoh twice: "And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice;  it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass."  (Genesis 41:32)

The same thing is true in Daniel, the book in the Old Testament which corresponds to Revelation. The second chapter of Daniel relates Nebuchadnezzar's dream of the Great Image, which foretells the rise of our four successive world empires.  In the seventh chapter of Daniel, there is parallel prophecy showing the same thing, although different symbols are used, and many additional details are given.

So it is that the Book of Revelation is divided into two distinct parts.  The first eleven chapters carry the prophetic narrative through to the end.  Then the last eleven chapters go through the apocalyptic story again, this time filling in many additional details.  These two corresponding chronological outlines, harmonize and coordinate the whole plan of the ages, as has been revealed by the Old Testament prophets.  So we see that the Book of Revelation itself has a double witness.

This is the way the book of Revelation is written.  First we are told a few things,  then a second time later on we are told some other things,  which are in reality a more defined description of what we were already told, plus some new information as well.  And yet again we are given even more information about the same events.  Several of the major items of importance, receive entire chapters of information.

It Goes Like This ...

The things John sees with the opening of the Seals are given as an outline of the judgments to come,  and then additional details are given as John tells about the Trumpets being sounded,  and then the Vials of Wrath being poured out.

The Seven Seals are the  Long outline  which end at Armageddon.

The Seven Trumpets are the  Shorter Outline  which end at Armageddon.

The Seven Vials are the  Shortest outline  which also end at Armageddon.

The Seals outline the entire seven year Tribulation. The Trumpets happen sometime during the last half of the Tribulation, and the Vials of God’s Wrath are poured out at the end.

This is a Work in Progress, additional information will be added as time permits.

Notes of Clarification are written in this Font Color.

The Book of Revelation

Chapter 6

First Seal - White Horse - Conquest
1 And I [John] saw when the Lamb [Jesus] opened One of the Seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts [Seraphims] saying, Come and see.

2 And I saw, and behold a White Horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto Him: and He went forth conquering, and to conquer.

There are differing schools of thought regarding the identity of the rider of the white horse. Since white has always been a symbol of purity and righteousness throughout the Bible there is strong evidence that the rider represents Christ. Remember that Jesus has just taken the Seven Sealed Book, the Title Deed to the Earth, out of the hand of God. In opening it, He is preparing to dispossess the powers of evil that have taken control of the Earth. So the first horseman would appear to point toward Christ in His Kingly role going forth in judgment upon the world to restore the Earth to its rightful heirs.

Christ receives His Crown as “King Of kings, And Lord Of lords”. The twenty-Four Elders have also received their Crowns. When Christ reaps the Earth, in  Revelation 14:14  we see “on His head a Golden Crown”.

When Christ Returns to Earth in  Revelation 19:12  He has “many Crowns” on His head indicative of His Universal Reign as King of kings, and Lord of lords.

In the parallel visions of Zechariah, the riders of the four horses are Heavenly messengers carrying out Divine authority in the world.  Zechariah 6:5  “These are the four Spirits of the Heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the Earth.”

Even though this is the time that the Antichrist comes on the scene, he receives ten crowns, but actually his reign is brief, a simple tick of the clock in God’s plan of the ages. The Antichrist has power for a very comparatively short time.

The rider of the white horse “went forth conquering, and to conquer”. This implies the ultimate triumph of Christ as He rides the white horse in Revelation 19:11, when, “in righteousness He does judge and make war”.  Christ is clearly the conqueror. Christ appears many times in the drama of the book of Revelation as it unfolds.

Psalm 7:11-12 “God is angry with the wicked every day. If he turn not … He hath bent His  bow,  and made it ready.”

Isaiah 41:2 “Who raised up the righteous man … gave the nations before him, and made him rule over kings? He gave them … as driven stubble to His  bow.

Lamentations 2:4 “[The Lord] He hath bent his  bow  like an enemy … “

Habakkuk 3:9 “Thy  bow  was made quite naked.” ("Thy  bow  was removed from its sheath.”)

The other horsemen who follow, will remove the hindrances that hold in check the forces of evil. The wicked will be allowed to punish themselves, and with the restraints removed, the Tribulation will begin.

(Since this is not a salvation issue, here is the other school of thought regarding the identity of the rider of the white horse. The other view is that the rider, on the first of the 4 horses of the Apocalypse, is the Antichrist. The rider has a bow but no arrows, indicating that although he is militarily strong, in the beginning he does his conquering by diplomacy. Since he wears a Crown, he is successful in his efforts and through deceit and clever maneuvering he will bring a false peace to the world. But that peace will not last.)

Second Seal- Red Horse - War - No Peace
3 And when He had opened the Second Seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.

4 And there went out another Horse that was Red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.

The rider of the red horse indicates a global war of great magnitude. We even now have war on every side. There is a constant attack of the devil and his demons on Christians. Believers in many parts of the world are martyrs, dying for holding up the name of Jesus.

Chaos will reign on the Earth. In the midst of it, the Antichrist rises to power. When the "three kings" mentioned in the book of Daniel oppose the Antichrist, he will respond in deadly fashion, swiftly crushing his enemies and bringing death to earth on a massive scale never before known.

Daniel 7:11 "The ten horns ... are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings."

 Third Seal - Black Horse - Famine 
5 And when He had opened the Third Seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a Black Horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.

6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts [Seraphims] say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.

A denarius was a common wage for a day's work, this indicates that a man will have to work all day just to get enough food to eat. Famine and disease often follow war. On the other hand, the call to not "harm the oil and the wine," are symbols of wealth that may indicate the rich will do fine, or it could mean something referring to Spirit-filled Christians.  Oil and wine are symbolic of the Holy Spirit of God. Which shows His Hand will be on the Tribulation Saints during the tribulation.

This famine may not be just physical but spiritual, as well. Many churches are teaching false doctrines. Even now there is a terrible famine of truth in the church.

Amos 8:11-12 “Behold, the days come, says the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the Words of the Lord: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the Word of the Lord, and shall not find it.”

Fourth Seal - Pale Green Horse - Death
7 And when He had opened the Fourth Seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.

8 And I looked, and behold a Pale Horse [Pale Green color]: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell (Satan’s demons) followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

The KJV translators called the fourth horse "pale", but The Greek word is literally "chloros," as in chlorophyll, the green color of plant leaves.

John says the rider who sat on this horse is named "Death", and floating along behind, was a figure that is identified as "Hades," or Hell, Satan’s demons, that followed with him. This rider Death takes the body and Hades takes the soul. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth."

 Fifth Seal - Slain Martyrs 
9 And when He [Jesus] had opened the Fifth Seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain [killed & beheaded] for the Word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

10And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, do you not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

These same Martyrs are also seen in these chapters ...
Revelation 7:9 “After this I [John] beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindred's [tribes], and people, and tongues, stood before the Throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with  white robes,  and palms in their hands.”

Revelation 20:4 “I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the Word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived, and [they] reigned [ruled] with Christ a thousand years.”

The souls of the slain Martyrs are not actually underneath an altar ...
A Gold Altar is set in front of the Throne of God. The Throne and the Altar are both high above the Sea of Glass that John said was like unto Crystal. The Martyrs are standing before God on the Sea of Glass which is at a  lower elevation  than the Altar and the Throne. So it can be said that they are under the Altar since they are standing at a  lower level  than the Altar.

Revelation 4:6 “Before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal.”
Revelation 15:2 “I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire.”
Revelation 8:3 “The golden Altar which was before the Throne.”
Isaiah 6:1-3 “I saw also the Lord sitting upon a Throne, high and lifted up.”

Sixth Seal - Terror - Earthquakes, Dark Sun, Red Moon, Meteorites

12 And I beheld when He had opened the Sixth Seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became (red) as blood;

Particle matter scattered in the atmosphere after an enormous earthquake or volcanic eruption can turn the sky black and made the moon appear to turn red.

 
Joel 2:31 “The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come.”

13And the stars [meteorites] of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casts her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.

14And the heaven [blue skies] departed as a scroll when it is rolled together (such as what happens when an atomic bomb explodes); and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

Matthew 24:29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.”

15And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;

16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him [God] that sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb [Jesus]: 

17For  the great day of His wrath is come;  and who shall be able to stand?

Isaiah 2:19 “And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of His majesty, when He arises to shake terribly the earth.”

                   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

John  The 144,000 Israelites are Sealed for their protection immediately before God's Day of Wrath, and he gives more information about the Resurrection of the Martyrs who came out of the great Tribulation.

In  Chapter 7  John stops after the opening of the Sixth Seal to give additional details about things that are happening during the  Sixth Seal, and afterwards he continues with the  Seventh Seal  being opened in  Chapter 8. (Remember, John did not divide this account into three different chapters. The translators did this.)

Chapter 8:1-5 "And when he had opened the  Seventh Seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. 3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. 5 And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake."

The Book of Revelation

Chapter 4

The Rapture - The Throne In Heaven
Twenty-four Elders Seated Around the Throne Of God
The Elders Cast Their Crowns before the Throne

The Rapture
1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in Heaven: and the first Voice which I heard was as it were of a Trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up here, and I [Jesus] will show you things which must be hereafter. (After the Rapture)

 Heaven’s Door Opening Portrays the Rapture! 

The Rapture is also seen in  Revelation 12:5  "And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a  rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to His throne. "

In  Chapter 4  we see events taking place  in Heaven  after the Rapture.

In  Chapter 12  we see events taking place  on Earth  after the Rapture.

"Jesus Voice" is shown in these verses to be as the sound of a "Trumpet".

Revelation 4:1 "The first Voice I heard was as it were of a Trumpet talking with me."

Revelation 1:10 "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and heard behind me a great Voice [Jesus], as of a Trumpet."

The Overcomers, are translated before the Great Tribulation in a First-Fruit Rapture, and the final Harvest Rapture and Resurrection will take place afterwards, before the Day of God's Wrath.

God Seated On The Throne In Heaven
2 And immediately I [John] was in the spirit: and, behold, a Throne was set in Heaven, and One sat on the Throne.

The word, "one" sat, here may mean the unity of the Trinity.
God the Father; God the Son; and God the Holy Spirit.
The word "sat" is indicative that the work is complete.
This throne is occupied even now in Heaven, where Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father.

3 And He [God] that sat was to look upon like a jasper (sparkling gemstone) and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the Throne, in sight like unto an emerald (of dazzling colors).

Isaiah 6:1-3 “I saw also the Lord sitting upon a Throne, high and lifted up ... Above it stood the Seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain [two] he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he did fly. And ... said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory.”

Daniel 7:9 "I beheld ... and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire."

Elders Seated Around The Throne Of God
4 And round about the Throne were twenty-four seats [thrones]: and upon the seats I saw twenty-four Elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads Crowns of gold. 

The “twenty-four seats” are actually miniature thrones in authority, subordinate to God, but nevertheless they surround the throne of God.

These "Elders" are the representatives of redeemed mankind. Only redeemed MEN are promised "Thrones" and Crowns." These "Elders" then must be representatives of the Old and New Testament Saints that have been redeemed by the BLOOD OF CHRIST.

The Old Testament Saints are represented by the Twelve Tribes of Israel, and the New Testament Saints' by the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb, they together make up the 24 representative characters. This distinction is clearly brought out in the description of the New Jerusalem, where the 12 Foundation Stones are named after the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb, and the 12 Gates after the Twelve Tribes of Israel. (Revelation 21:10-14)

While the twenty-four Elders are representative of the Old and New Testament Saints, they do not, as a whole, represent the Church, for the Church is composed only of New Testament Saints. The Old Testament saints are merely the "Friends of the Bridegroom". But the fact that the New Testament Saints, as represented by the Twelve Apostles, are required to make up the 24 representative Elders, is additional evidence that the Rapture of the Church takes place before the Tribulation.

The Overcomers Sit on Thrones with Christ

Revelation 3:21 To him that  overcomes  will I grant to sit with Me in My throne.

The SEATS [Thrones] on which the twenty-four Elders sat indicates they Reign with Christ.
The WHITE RAIMENT symbolize Christ’s Righteousness imputed to believers at Salvation.
The GOLD CROWNS that the Elders wore on their heads provides further evidence that these are Overcomers.

2 Timothy 4:8 “There is laid up for me [Paul] a Crown of Righteousness, which the Lord, the Righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.”

In Revelation 5:9-10 they sing the “Song of The Redeemed”, and are called Elders, Kings, and Priests, and proclaim that they "shall Reign on the earth".

5 And out of the Throne proceeded lightning and thundering and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the Throne, which are the Seven Spirits of God.

6 And before the Throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal [sparkling diamond]: and in the midst of the Throne, and round about the Throne, were four beasts [Seraphims] full of eyes before and behind.

7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.

8 And the four beasts [Seraphims] had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

9 And when those beasts [Seraphims] give glory and honor and thanks to Him that sat on the Throne, who lives for ever and ever,

The Elders Cast Their Crowns Before the Throne

10 The twenty-four Elders fall down before Him [God] that sat on the Throne, and worship Him that lives for ever and ever, and cast their Crowns before the Throne, saying,

11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for You have created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.

 Chapter 13

This chapter gives us a view of the: one-world government and the Antichrist, the one-world religion and the false prophet, who will be the leader of that one-world religion, and also the mark of the beast, the economic system of the end time one-world governmental system.

The Rise of the Antichrist out of the Sea

1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea [nations of the world], and saw a beast [Antichrist] rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. (Notice that the ten horns now have Crowns.)

Revelation 17:12 "The ten horns which you saw are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast [the Antichrist]."

Daniel 7:24 "The ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings."

2 And the beast [Antichrist] which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon [Satan] gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.

This might mean the apparent death of the Antichrist himself and the healing of the "wound" with his apparent resurrection. “The World wondered after the beast”, reveals that people will be astounded when the Antichrist rises from the dead or simply appears to. His charisma, brilliance, and fascinating but deluding powers will cause the people in the world, who do not believe in God, to follow him unquestioningly.

4 And they worshipped the dragon [Satan] which gave power unto the beast [Antichrist]: and they worshipped the beast [Antichrist], saying, Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him?

5 And there was given unto him [Antichrist] a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months [3 ½ Years].

6 And he [Antichrist] opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, and His tabernacle, and them that dwell in Heaven.

7 And it was given unto him [Antichrist] to make war with the [Tribulation] Saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds [tribes], and tongues, and nations. 

Daniel 7:25 “He [Antichrist] shall speak great words against the most High [God], and shall wear out the Saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they [Tribulation Saints] shall be given into his hand [Antichrist] until a time and times and the dividing of time [3 ½ Years].”

Daniel 11:32-35 "The people [Saints] that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. Now when they shall fall, they shall be helped with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end."

8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him [Antichrist], whose names are not written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

(The Tribulation Saints do not worship the Antichrist.)

9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.

10 He that leads into captivity shall go into captivity: he that kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

This scripture is for the believers who are alive during the Antichrist's persecution. End time believers are to depend on God and not to take matters into their own hands. Patience, is perseverance and endurance, knowing that in the end, the Antichrist and his followers will be overthrown and judged. God will punish those who are doing evil.

The False Prophet

11 And I beheld another beast  [thefalse prophet]  coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon.

The chief religious figure in the world during the Tribulation years is identified in Scripture as the False Prophet or the second beast. He will be greatly influential in religious affairs, motivated by Satan, having authority delegated to him as he promotes the worship of the Antichrist,  and authenticating his ministry with signs and wonders.

12 And he [the false prophet] exercises all the power of the first beast [theAntichrist] before him, and causes the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.

The false prophet will exercise the same kind of satanic power as the Antichrist because he is empowered by the same source [Satan]. He too, will have worldwide influence and reputation as a miracle worker and speaker.

13 And he [the false prophet] does great wonders, so that he makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,

14 And deceives them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast [Antichrist]; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast [Antichrist], which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast [image of the Antichrist], that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast [Antichrist] should be killed.

The two witnesses have just been killed when this image of the Antichrist is set up in the Temple at the half way point of the Tribulation period. Now the Jews will flee from Jerusalem and hide out for the next 3 ½ years.

Revelation 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days [1,260 days or 3 ½ years].

Matthew 24:15-22 “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

The Number of the Beast 666

16 And he caused all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six. [666]

The third Angel in  Chapter 14:9-11,  warns all the people who are still alive on Earth to not worship the Antichrist and to not take his “Mark” in their forehead or hand or they will be tormented for eternity. The Mark may be some sort of a “radio-frequency identification” (RFID) Chip. 

 
 Chapter 14

The Lamb and the 144,000 Firstfruits, the Bride of Christ
1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb [Jesus-Yeshua] stood on the Mount Zion, and with Him an hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father's name written in their foreheads.

The Seal of God is a Spiritual Marking, not a Literal Mark on the foreheads of God's people.  It is applied to the believer with the presence of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 12:22 “But you are [have] come unto Mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem.”

2 And I heard a voice from Heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping [playing] with their harps:

3 And they sung as it were a new song before the Throne, and before the four beasts [Seraphims], and the Elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty-four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.

4 These are they which were not defiled with women [not defiled with the World]; for they are Virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being the Firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

These Christians are chaste [pure] and have not been defiled with women in the sense that they have not committed spiritual adultery. True Christians remain true to God. In  Revelation 14:8, 17:2 and 18:3  we have this same symbolism. The image of the beast in  Revelation 13:14, 15  is referred to as the “great harlot” in  Revelation 17:1. Those who worshiped the image of the beast were said to be committing fornication with this “great harlot.” To worship anything other than God is to commit spiritual fornication. The 144,000 are the Firstfruit Christians, the Bride of Christ, who remained faithful to God. They also are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes.

5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the Throne of God.

The Three Angels

First Angel - Preaching the Gospel to Every Nation

6 And I saw another Angel fly in the midst of heaven [the sky], having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship Him that made Heaven, and Earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

There will come a time when an angel will actually appear and preach the gospel from heaven to all men of all nations. This Angel is flying around Earth preaching the Gospel, giving everyone an opportunity to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. God is giving all mankind every chance to make Heaven their home, by even sending Angels flying in the sky to give everyone warnings.

Second Angel - Proclaiming that Modern Day Babylon has Fallen

8 And there followed another [Second] Angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

Third Angel - Warning People About the Beast

9 And the third Angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,

10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy Angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

11 And the smoke of their torment ascends up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, [those] who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receives the mark of his name.

This third Angel warns all the people who are still alive on Earth to not worship the beast/antichrist and to not take his “Mark” in their forehead or hand or they will be tormented for eternity. The Mark will probably be some sort of a “radio-frequency identification” (RFID) Chip. 

Blessed are Those Who Die Henceforth

12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

13 And I heard a voice from Heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth [from this time forward]: Yes, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.

The word “henceforth” shows this refers to those who will die after the False Prophet has issued the command in  Revelation 13:15  that all who will not worship the "Image of the Beast shall be killed." This warning is given to encourage Christians to be faithful until death and for the benefit of those who in that day shall be tempted to compromise with evil in order to preserve their lives for another 3½ years. Millions of Christians and Jews will be killed during the tribulation for their belief in Jesus.

This special class of dead who "DIE IN THE LORD" will be blessed because they will be delivered from the trials and sufferings of the Great Tribulation, and will receive the "MARTYR'S CROWN".

Revelation 2:10 “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”  

What a contrast between the "Blessed Dead," and those who have the "Mark of the Beast." The Christians will rest from their labors, while the unbelievers shall not rest day or night. In fact the moment a Christian dies for not denying Christ, they will immediately be in Heaven.

Harvesting the Earth - Living Tribulation Saints Gathered by Angels
14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of Man [Jesus], having on His head a Golden Crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle.

15 And another Angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him [Jesus] that sat on the cloud, Thrust in Your sickle, and reap: for the time is come for You to reap; for the harvest of the Earth is ripe.

16 And He [Jesus] that sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the Earth; and the Earth was reaped.

At this time, Angels gather and bring the Tribulation Saints that are still alive on Earth to the Throne Room in Heaven before the “Day of God’s Wrath”. These people and the 144,000 Israelites, will inhabit the Earth in their human bodies during the Millennium. This gathering of the saints is shown in the following verses.

Revelation 15:2-3 “I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb.”
Matthew 24:31 “He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect.”
Mark 13:27 “And then shall He send His angels, and shall gather together His elect.”

The Angels are sent to gather these people because they are still in their earthly bodies.  All believers in Christ who have lived through the Tribulation are gathered immediately before God pours out His wrath upon the Earth.  These believers, along with the believing Israelites who were sealed, will populate the millennial kingdom during the thousand year reign of Christ.  There will be two distinct groups occupying the Earth during the millennial kingdom - those with glorified bodies, and those with earthly bodies.

Trampling the Winepress - The battle of Armageddon

17 And another angel came out of the temple which is in Heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.

18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.

19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. [The battle of Armageddon]

20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs. [160 Miles]

Revelation 19:14-15 "And the armies [Saints] which were in Heaven followed Him [Jesus] upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of His mouth goes a sharp sword [the Word of God], that with it He should smite the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron: and He treads the winepress [The battle of Armageddon] of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God."

 
Chapter 15

Seven Angels With Seven Plagues

1 And I saw another sign in Heaven, great and marvelous, seven Angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.

Living Tribulation Saints Standing Before God in Heaven
2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.

3 And they sing the song of Moses [Exodus 15] the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.

4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

These are the Tribulation Saints that were reaped in Revelation 14:16 who were still alive on Earth.

They were carried by the Angels to the Throne Room in Heaven before God’s wrath was to be poured out on the Earth.

These are those who have been delivered from the beast/antichrist, just as the children of Israel were delivered from Pharaoh in Egypt.

This is not the group told about in  Revelation 7:9-17.  That great multitude is the Tribulation Saints who were killed during the Tribulation.

Matthew  and  Mark  also tell about the Angels gathering the living Saints

Matthew 24:31 “He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”
Mark 13:27 “Then shall He send His angels, and shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.”

The Saints who were caught up in the Rapture were not gathered by the Angels, since their bodies were changed, "in the twinkling of an eye", and they ascended to meet the Lord in the air. 

Seven Angels are Given Seven Golden Vials Full of the Wrath of God
5 And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in Heaven was opened:

6 And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.

7 And one of the four beasts [Seraphims] gave unto the Seven Angels seven golden Vials full of the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever.

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

Chapter 16

The Seven Vials / Bowls of God’s Wrath
1 And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven Angels, Go your ways, and pour out the Vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.

We know the seven vials do not take place until after the mark of the beast is administered because when the First Vial is poured out, the bible tells us very clearly that it will be unleashed upon the people that have taken the mark of the beast. So, from that we know that the Vials will all be enacted at the time of the very end.

First Vial - Sore on People with the Mark
2 And the first [Angel] went, and poured out his Vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.

Second Vial - Sea became as Blood - All Living in Sea Died
3 And the second Angel poured out his Vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.

Third Vial - Rivers and Fountains Became Blood
4 And the third Angel poured out his Vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.

5 And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and was, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus.

6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.

7 And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.

Fourth Vial - People are Scorched by Fierce Heat of the Sun
8 And the fourth Angel poured out his Vial upon the sun; and power was given to him to scorch men with fire.

9 And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they  repented not  to give Him glory.

Fifth Vial - Antichrist Kingdom full of Darkness
10 And the fifth Angel poured out his Vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,

11 And blasphemed the God of Heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.

By this point in the Tribulation, few are repenting.  They know that God is sending His wrath onto the world, but many shake their fist at Him and  refuse to repent.  Battle lines have been set in eternal stone. In  Revelation 13  people either took the mark of the beast, thereby signaling their worship of Satan and sealing their doom, Revelation 14:9-10, or they refused the mark, thereby signaling their worship of the Lamb who lives forever, sealing most of these to their martyrdom. 

Sixth Vial - Dry up Euphrates River to Prepare for Battle of Armageddon
12 And the sixth Angel poured out his Vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.

13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon [Satan], and out of the mouth of the beast [Antichrist], and out of the mouth of the false prophet [World Religious Leader].

14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

Saints - Watch and Keep Your Garments of Righteousness

God threw this WARNING in here for the Tribulation Saints directly in the middle of these verses where He is gathering together the nations for the battle of Armageddon.

15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

I

Revelation 3:3 "If therefore you shall not watch, I will come on you as a thief, and you shall not know what hour I will come upon you."

Revelation 3:18 "I counsel you to buy of Me ... white raiment, that you may be clothed, and that the shame of your nakedness does not appear."

Christians most keep their spiritual garments of salvation and righteousness white with prayer and by obeying all His commandments. Take heed lest you be found walking without your garments, and suddenly find that you have missed the Rapture. This will be the shame a person will feel when other people begin to question why you are still here when you were expecting to go.

16 And He gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue  Armageddon.

Zechariah 14:2-5,9 "For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when He fought in the day of battle. And His feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains ... and the Lord my God shall come, and all the Saints with Thee ...  And the Lord shall be King over all the Earth. "

Seventh Vial - Voices, Thunders, Lightnings; and a Great Earthquake
17 And the seventh Angel poured out his Vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of Heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.

7th Vial
18 And there were  voices, and  thunders, and  lightnings; and there was a great  earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.

We see from reading these Verses, that the  7th Seal,  7th Trumpet,  and  7th Vial  all end at the same time.

7th Seal - Revelation 8:5: "And the angel took the Censer, and filled it with fire of the Altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were  voices, and  thunderings, and  lightnings, and an  earthquake."

7th Trumpet - Revelation 11:19 "And the temple of God was opened in Heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament [covenant]: and there were  lightnings, and  voices, and  thunderings, and an  earthquake, and  great hail."

Modern Day Babylon "America" has Fallen

19 And the great City [Jerusalem] was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great  Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath.

Revelation 14:8 "And there followed another [Second] Angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication."

20 And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.

21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven [the skies], every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.

The people still blasphemed God instead of repenting. By their actions, they choose Hell instead of Heaven!

Chapter 17

The Judgment of Babylon

1 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sits upon many waters:

Verse 15 And he said unto me, The "waters" which you saw, where the whore sits, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

The picture of the woman as evil signifies spiritual adultery, portraying those who outwardly and religiously seem to be joined to the true God but who are untrue to this relationship.

3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:

5 And upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery, Babylon The Great, The Mother Of Harlots And Abominations Of The Earth.

6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the Saints, and with the blood of the Martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great [astonishment] admiration.