We have discussed the wrath of the Lamb, when those things will take place; but after
the wrath of the Lamb, comes the wrath of God. People can become confused when
we share our thoughts about why certain things may be happening instead of
going to the word of God to determine why terrorist or natural disasters
happen. I believe fear sells, but it is
scary to think that there are people who are accusing God Almighty, the maker
of heaven and earth, of harming righteous people. Should the tea cup accuse the potter or
direct the potter to do what the tea cup wants? Ludicrous! Consider that we will all stand before God
one day. We should be cautious about accusing God of things his word says he
does not do. The wrath of God only comes
on the unjust as we shall see, not the just or the righteous. Therefore if there is a disaster, or
terrorist act, and righteous people die, it is not the wrath of the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. But
there is a god of this world, and he may set up situations that cause righteous
people to die. We have to ask the question,
who are we calling God? Are we calling the devil god, or the Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ God? When we say something is from the God the Father that is not,
what we are really saying is that the devil is god. The devil is not my God. There
is a vast difference between the saved and the unsaved. The unsaved suffer wrath, but the saved do
not. The unsaved go to hell; but since
the crucifixion of Jesus, the saved go to Paradise.
Jesus
made some good points about terrorist acts as well as tragic accidents. The superstition of the day was that if a
tragedy happened where people died, those people must have been evil doers or
sinners. Jesus didn’t say the wrath of God was coming on people. He also didn’t give the devil any
thought. As we have reviewed, the rain
falls on the just and the unjust, as Jesus had said. Jesus tells us that people
should repent so they don’t end up perishing.
When an unsaved person dies they go to Hades. Remember the story of the rich man and
Lazarus? There are different places for
the righteous dead and the unrighteous dead.
Here in Luke, Jesus seems rather matter of fact about these two
instances.
Luke
13:1-9 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans,
whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.2 And Jesus answering said
unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the
Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye
repent, ye shall all likewise perish.4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower
in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men
that dwelt in Jerusalem?5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all
likewise perish.6 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree
planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.7
Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come
seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it
the ground?8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also,
till I shall dig about it, and dung it:9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if
not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.KJV
The
parable Jesus uses, as a comparison to the story, is that God is giving us
time. Jesus is cultivating our roots,
trying to get people saved. Jesus said
he came for the sinners, so here we see the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ is not harming people who decide to believe on Jesus as Lord and Savior.
However, tragedies happen, and the god of this world inspires people to do evil
things, such as terrorist acts or shoddy construction.
Rom
9:21-26 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one
vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?22 What if God, willing to shew
his wrath [3709], and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering
the vessels of wrath [3709] fitted to destruction:23 And that he might make
known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore
prepared unto glory,24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but
also of the Gentiles?25 As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people,
which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.26 And it
shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not
my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.KJV
Wrath NT:3709 orge
(or-gay'); from NT:3713; properly, desire (as a reaching forth or excitement of
the mind), i.e. (by analogy,) violent passion (ire, or [justifiable]
abhorrence); by implication punishment: KJV - anger, indignation, vengeance,
wrath.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with
Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc.
and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Paul
is giving a hypothetical situation, “what if”, not “God does”, but what if. What if God endures the vessels of wrath, so
that they would get saved and show His mercy? Paul is speaking to the Jews who
were the chosen children of God. The Jews always set themselves apart from
everyone else, so the hypothetical question is what if God makes Jews and Gentiles vessels of wrath to show His
mercy. Paul is also saying God can bring
in the Gentiles if he wants. We are the
clay, not the potter, we have no right to question what God wishes to do. God
is not pouring out wrath on the righteous.
Let’s read the Message.
Rom
9:21-25 Isn't it obvious that a potter has a perfect right to shape one lump of
clay into a vase for holding flowers and another into a pot for cooking beans?
22 If God needs one style of pottery especially designed to show his angry
displeasure 23 and another style carefully crafted to show his glorious
goodness, isn't that all right? 24 Either or both happens to Jews, but it also
happens to the other people. (from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary
Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)
Matt
3:7-9 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism,
he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the
wrath [3709] to come?8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:9 And
think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say
unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto
Abraham.KJV
The
Pharisees and Sadducees were getting baptized in the Jordan. Jesus wanted to
know who warned them to flee the wrath to come. Then he says live, bringing
forth fruits that show you’ve repented. As I mentioned last week, it does not
matter if we believe in Abraham, we have to believe on Jesus Christ, and bring
forth good fruit. Jesus says the
Pharisees and Sadducees are doing this to escape the wrath to come. They wanted
to avoid hell. Remember hell has
torment. Luke 16:28. But Solomon says
the righteous are not tormented even though people think that when one dies it
is a bad thing, yet the righteous are in peace in death.
Wisdom
2:23-3:3 For God created man to be immortal, and made him to be an image of his
own eternity.24 Nevertheless through envy of the devil came death into the
world: and they that do hold of his side do find it.3:1 But the souls of the
righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them.2 In
the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for
misery,3 And their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in
peace.KJV
Luke
21:19-24 In your patience possess ye your souls.20 And when ye shall see
Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is
nigh.21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them
which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the
countries enter thereinto.22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all
things which are written may be fulfilled.23 But woe unto them that are with
child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great
distress in the land, and wrath [3709] upon this people.24 And they shall fall
by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and
Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the
Gentiles be fulfilled.KJV
Jesus
tells us there is wrath upon the people, not the wrath of God but war from the
Romans. The Romans destroyed Jerusalem but that was to allow the time of the
Gentiles to be fulfilled. Jesus was
telling them there would be a time of the Gentiles, while Paul tells us in
Romans 11 that there is a number of Gentles that have to come in and that is
why the Jews are blind. But this is not
the wrath of God but simply wrath because of war. We have many wars today, all over the
world. For the people being conquered it
is always a time of wrath, but specifically, in Jerusalem, this war would allow
the Gentiles to come to saving faith in Jesus.
The Roman roads made it available to spread the gospel. This may have been different had the Jews
accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior rather than rejected him. The Jews may then
have been the ones to spread the gospel instead of the Romans. And really, the
Romans messed up some things along the way, but it was better than the word of
God never being preached.
John
3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth
not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath [3709] of God abideth on him.KJV
What
happens when someone does not believe on Jesus? They do not see life but
wrath. Again, who sees wrath, the
unbeliever not the believer. Where do they see wrath? In Hades which is
separation from God. God does not do
this to people, people do this to themselves.
Rom
1:17-21 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith:
as it is written, The just shall live by faith.18 For the wrath [3709]of God is
revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who
hold the truth in unrighteousness;19 Because that which may be known of God is
manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.20 For the invisible things
of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the
things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are
without excuse:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as
God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their
foolish heart was darkened.KJV
People
are without excuse, but when is the wrath of God revealed from heaven on all
ungodliness? If the godly people are harmed with the ungodly when God pours out
wrath, we could say today; but the ungodly and the godly are not treated the
same. God does not harm the godly, but
the ungodly. Again, that is what the
bible says.
Col
3:4-11 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear
with him in glory.5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth;
fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and
covetousness, which is idolatry:6 For which things' sake the wrath [3709] of
God cometh on the children of disobedience:7 In the which ye also walked some
time, when ye lived in them.8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath,
malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.9 Lie not one to
another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;10 And have put
on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that
created him:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor
uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in
all.KJV
Rom
2:4-11 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and
longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to
repentance?5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto
thyself wrath [3709] against the day of wrath [3709]and revelation of the
righteous judgment of God;6 Who will render to every man according to his
deeds:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and
honour and immortality, eternal life:8 But unto them that are contentious, and
do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath [3709],9
Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew
first, and also of the Gentile;10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man
that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:11 For there is no
respect of persons with God.KJV
Are
we treasuring up wrath for the day of wrath? Again Paul explains the difference
between the believer and the non believer. Each individual is responsible for
where he spends eternity. Your deeds will be judged, and God’s judgment is
righteous. We live in a time of the Holy
Spirit on earth, not in the day of wrath.
Once the righteous are gone from the earth, the only people left will be
the unrighteous. At that time the wrath of the Lamb and the wrath of the Father
God will be poured out on the earth.
1
Thess 2:14-16 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which
in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your
own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:15 Who both killed the Lord
Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God,
and are contrary to all men:16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they
might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath [3709] is come upon
them to the uttermost.KJV
Paul
explains, when someone won’t allow the preaching of the gospel so that others
would become saved, those who are hindering evangelizing will suffer
wrath. Yet today we see many people,
governments, and nations hindering the preaching of the gospel, and those
people don’t suffer now, but they will when they die. We’ve looked at these
next verses several times so I will include them without further explanation.
Rom
5:9-10 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from
wrath [3709] through him.10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to
God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by
his life.KJV
1
Thess 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead,
even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath [3709]to come.KJV
1
Thess 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath[3709], but to obtain salvation
by our Lord Jesus Christ,KJV
Now
we have to look at the wrath of God. The
order before the wrath of God comes on the earth is as follows :1 seals are
opened; 2 the trumpets sound; 3 the redeemed are singing; 4 the redeemed are
judged for their works; 5 the 144,000 are taken off the earth; 6 then the vials
or bowls are poured out. But right before that time three angels make
announcements; one angel preaches to the earth’s inhabitants.
Rev
14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting
gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and
kindred, and tongue, and people,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.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 [2372] of her
fornication.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 [2372] of God,
which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation[3709]; 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
ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who
worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
Wrath NT:2372 thumos
(thoo-mos'); from NT:2380; passion (as if breathing hard): KJV - fierceness,
indignation, wrath. Compare NT:5590.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's
Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright ©
1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
12
Here is the patience of the saints: [here are] they that keep the
commandments (precepts not the law or 10 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: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they
may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
Here
in the middle of the tribulation, those who die with faith in Jesus are
blessed. These would be people who do
not take the mark of the beast. Now we
see Jesus crowned, after the wrath of the Lamb, before the wrath of the Father.
14
And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto
the Son of man, 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 that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come
for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.16 And he that sat on
the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.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 [2372]of God.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.KJV
Now
we see the indignation of God poured out.
Rev
15:1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels
having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath [2373] of
God.
John
takes a side note regarding the martyred saints and their song, then tells us
about the seven plagues.
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 gave unto the
seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath [2372]of God, who liveth 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.KJV
No
one was allowed into the temple until this was fulfilled, so John then tells us
what is happening by what he hears from the outside of the temple. Just because
the redeemed are in heaven does not mean they have access to every part of
Heaven. Here, the Father conducts the
pouring out of the seven vials without the redeemed being party to it. When the seals were being opened, and the
trumpets were sounding, the redeemed were watching.
Rev
16:1 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.2 And the
first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome
and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them
which worshipped his image.
The
word vials are a shallow cup, like a
bowl rather than a test tube. People who have taken the mark of the beast and
who worshipped the image, end up with injurious, diseased, ulcers on their
bodies. This sounds like the boils Job
had. Let’s keep in mind that everyone on earth saw God on the throne and the
wrath of the Lamb when the sixth seal was opened. These are people who were scared at what they
saw but didn’t repent. God is not unjust
in His wrath. Simply, the devil, and the
men and women on earth, are not bigger than God Almighty.
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.
Everything
that was alive in the oceans, died.
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 wast, 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.
The
rivers, streams, and wells, all turn to blood; this could suggest that there is
no clean water on earth anymore. People
die quickly without hydration. The angels affirm this plague.
8
And the fourth [angel] poured out his vial upon the sun; and [power]
was given unto 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.
Now
humans will be burned by the sun, with fire. Does this indicate large solar
flares? Yet they blaspheme God instead of repent. How stubborn does one need to
be to continue to blaspheme God?
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.
This
vial is poured on the throne of the beast, and his realm was blinded, and they
chewed their tongues out of anguish. They blaspheme God out of, or on account
of their pain and sores. And they still don’t repent. How much pain does one
need to be in to gnaw one’s own tongue? Interesting to note is that the sores
have not gone away, which came when the first vial was poured out.
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, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the
mouth of the false prophet.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.15 Behold, I come
as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk
naked, and they see his shame.16 And he gathered them together into a place
called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
This
tells us that the beast’s kingdom is one of several because there are kings of
the east that will come. The beast, the serpent, and the false prophet gather
the other kings of the earth to do battle with God. The frog/devils come out of
their mouths, and they go forth to the kings of the earth. The demons go into the whole world to gather
everyone to battle. Now we know that at this time the dragon from chapter 12 of
Revelation has to be thrown out of heaven with his angels. About the time that the seventh trumpet is
proclaimed, there are seven thunders, in Revelation 10, that John was not
allowed to write about. But when the
kingdom is proclaimed at the seventh trumpet, the voices of heaven say that the
kingdoms of this world have become our Lord and Christ’s and he shall reign
forever. That is when the temple of God
is opened. It seems that the devil must
have been thrown out at this time, after the wrath of the Lamb, but before the
wrath of God, at the midpoint of the tribulation. Remember the devil taking
Jesus to a mountain top and telling him that if Jesus would worship him (the
devil) he’d give him all the kingdoms of the world? Now we see Jesus crowned and the kingdoms are
His. Therefore the devil is no longer in control of the kingdoms, Jesus
is. But as with every hostile takeover,
there must be a war first. In Revelation 14:12-ff we saw that blessed are those
who die without taking the mark of the beast from that point on, and in
Revelation 12 we saw that there are those who overcome the devil by the blood
of the Lamb and the word of their testimony, and the “woe” is for those who
live on earth because the devil has great wrath. Now the world leaders are gathering for war
with God. The devil has to be the one inspiring this as mere mortals could not
do this alone.
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.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.
There
was a time when there were no men upon the earth as Jeremiah 4 tells us. There were cities, but no men. This is about as harsh a time for the earth
as when it became formless, void, and dark, as in Genesis 1.
19
And the great city 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 [2372]of his wrath [3709].20 And every island
fled away, and the mountains were not found.21 And there fell upon men a great
hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men
blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was
exceeding great.KJV
The
cities are cities of the gentile nations.
The weight of the hail stones varies widely from 75 pounds to 300
pounds. Whatever the weight, the people
are still blaspheming. The islands disappear and the mountains are not found.
Now John will backtrack slightly showing us what was happening on earth during
the time the bowls were being poured out.
Rev
17:1 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and
talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment
of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: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.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 colour, 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 admiration.
The
kings of the earth are intoxicated with the lust of power. The woman dwells over the top of the crimson
beast in the desert. She wears beautifully colored clothes and precious gems
and metals. She is a spiritual being who holds a cup of idolatry, harlotry, and
lewdness. On her forehead, instead of the mark of the beast, she has engraved Mystery
Babylon the Great, The Mother of the Goddesses of Love and Idolatry of the
Earth. She is intoxicated with the bloodshed of saints and martyrs. This again points to the words John recorded
in Revelation 15:12 and Revelation 6:9 when the first martyrs cry out and are
told they need to rest until the number of martyrs is complete. This woman gets
intoxicated killing those who stand for God during the tribulation.
7
And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the
mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven
heads and ten horns.8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall
ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on
the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from
the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not,
and yet is.9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven
mountains, on which the woman sitteth.10 And there are seven kings: five are
fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must
continue a short space.11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the
eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.12 And the ten horns
which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but
receive power as kings one hour with the beast.13 These have one mind, and
shall give their power and strength unto the beast. 14 These shall make war
with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and
King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
John
then tells us that this woman encompasses several kingdoms, and the kings of
the land make an allegiance to the beast. The earth people who are not written
in the book of life don’t understand all the false signs that go on during this
time when the beast dies and comes back to life. Then there are some people,
the ten horns, who receive kingdoms during the tribulation just for a season, and
they give their miraculous power and authority to the beast, but they turn on
the whore and her idolatry. They
abdicate their thrones to the beast. The beast gathers the other kings to make
war with Jesus but as we see later in Revelation 19 Jesus comes back with his
armies; those in Jesus’ army are the called, chosen, and faithful.
15
And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth,
are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.16 And the ten horns
which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make
her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.17 For
God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their
kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.18 And the
woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of
the earth.KJV
The
idolatrous Goddess of Love reigns over the top of many people and gentile
nations and languages. The ten horns
hate the whore, which tells us they are probably religious people themselves,
rather than non-religious people. While
the other kingdoms love the whore, these people don’t, but they turn over their
kingdoms to the beast. Babylon, Iraq has
to become a world center for commerce and religion. Today that city is not built up but rumor has
it, it is in the works. What religious
people group surrounds Babylon? There will be ten nations of that religion that
will make desolate Babylon because they hate her idolatry. Remember, once
again, these religious people have seen God Almighty, the Father of our Lord
Jesus, sitting on the throne during the sixth seal. They reject the Father and the Lamb because
their religious leader is not among them.
This is why they are still on earth, along with the idolatrous religion
of Babylon. The Romans created an
idolatrous religion by the worshipping of saints. The mid-east people do not like that
religion. Meanwhile, there is Jerusalem,
a third religious group that the other two religions do not like.
Rev
18:1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having
great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.2 And he cried mightily
with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is
become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage
of every unclean and hateful bird.3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of
the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed
fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the
abundance of her delicacies.
Here
in verse 1, another world wide event happens; the entire earth is illuminated
with the glory of this angel who has authority. He pronounces judgment. It seems that the 42 months of the second half
of the tribulation, which is the wrath of God, is directed on the evil commerce
and merchants of the world. Remember
people are being killed for not taking the mark of the beast or worshipping his
image.
4
And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that
ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.5 For
her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.6
Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to
her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.7 How much she
hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give
her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see
no sorrow.8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning,
and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord
God who judgeth her.
This
voice from heaven says to a group of people to come out of Babylon. That would mean that regular trade and
commerce taking place in Babylon includes the people of God. Since the Christians who were redeemed before
the tribulation started are not here, then there has to be Jews and Gentiles
who have since become believers in Jesus.
9
And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived
deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see
the smoke of her burning,10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment,
saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour
is thy judgment come.11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn
over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:12 The merchandise of
gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and
purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of
ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron,
and marble,13 And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine,
and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and
chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.14 And the fruits that thy soul lusted
after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are
departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.15 The merchants of
these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of
her torment, weeping and wailing,16 And saying, Alas, alas, that great city,
that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold,
and precious stones, and pearls!17 For in one hour so great riches is come to
nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as
many as trade by sea, stood afar off,18 And cried when they saw the smoke of
her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!19 And they cast
dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that
great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of
her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.
The
destruction of Babylon happens fairly quickly, as in a day or two, or in an
instant. The wrath of God poured out
seems to happen almost all at once as compared to the wrath of the Lamb which
takes time. Once the city is destroyed,
the Kings of the earth, rallied by the beast and the frog demons, will make war
with the Lamb.
20
Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath
avenged you on her.21 And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great
millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that
great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.22 And the
voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard
no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be
found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at
all in thee;23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee;
and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all
in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy
sorceries were all nations deceived.24 And in her was found the blood of
prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.KJV
During
the second half of the tribulation, when the wrath of God is poured out, the
devil is cast to earth. Many people will
die who do not take the mark of the beast or worship his image. This is the time of the fulfilling of the
number of martyrs. It seems that the
vials are poured out quickly. The beast
along with the dragon and the false prophet who made a covenant of peace and
will break that covenant, have been building Babylon as an important city of
trade and religion. However not everyone
will like the mother of harlots because there are religious people who have
been given ten kingdoms in the mid-east. These people who have been given power
over kingdoms will hate the harlot and the idolatrous city. It seems they
destroy Babylon. Then they will give their power back to the beast. Another
group of people will also not like what is going on; those are the people who
are told to come out of Babylon, those killed for their testimony. They do not go to hell; they overcome the
devil because of the blood of Jesus, which means they must believe on Jesus
during this time. As Revelation 12 tells us they overcome by the blood of the
Lamb and the word of their testimony.
All
religions suffer from superstitions. Superstition
is a belief in a magical aspect of religion, such as stepping on a crack or
breaking a mirror. In Christianity we
become superstitious when we don’t understand something, such as who the
redeemed are, or the wrath of God. We Christians
simply attribute our incorrect mystical thinking to God because we lack an
answer to what we question. I heard of a
book that was written where someone attributed bad events happening today to
the wrath of God. But this person only did research from 2001 to the
present. I grew up as a child of the 1960’s
and I seem to remember lots of bad events through the 1960’s and the 1970’s.
Every time there is a disaster, fire, flood, terrorist act, people always say
they will rebuild and be better. That is
not a sign. Recently there have been
fires in the western United States that caused many houses to burn. Those
people said the same things about rebuilding using what materials are left and
they would build better. This does not
mean they were thumbing their noses at God, but rather the homeowner
associations which dictated what building materials they were allowed to build
with. Smarter building materials, more
advanced in technology, coupled with better landscaping would save rebuilt homes
on those lots from being burnt again.
Compare metal roofs to cedar shake roofs. Or compare homes at the ocean that are built
on stilts rather than directly on sand. Homes along coastal areas are built
better today and withstand hurricanes more effectively than they did in the
year 1900 for example when in Galveston, Texas, 6000 to 12000 people died in
that hurricane. That storm is still the deadliest on record. People rebuilt there. We cannot forget that; since the day of
Pentecost we are living under different statutes than people in other
ages. When we erase the dispensation of
the Holy Spirit we end up in superstition to reconcile our beliefs. Rather, it would be better to search out the
new covenant we live under.
As
we have seen, the wrath of God is not poured out on the righteous. Therefore if
we see buildings collapse due to people flying planes into them, and both the
righteous and unrighteous perish, it is not the wrath of God Almighty, but
instead the workings of the god of this world.
If we see hurricanes and flood destroy the lives and homes of the saved
and the unsaved, it is not the wrath of God, the Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ. Wrath is reserved today for
people who reject Jesus and go to hell; this is by their own actions. When the wrath of God is poured out on the
earth, those who are martyred are the ones that reject the mark of the beast
and confess Jesus as Lord. Remember, at the time of the sixth seal the entire
world sees the throne of God Almighty and the wrath of the Lamb. Then after the 144,000 are taken off the
earth, three angels make proclamations over all the earth, one angel in
particular crying “fear God”. There will be stubborn people who refuse to
repent after the vials have been poured out and they will gather with the
dragon to try and make war with the Lamb, but the lamb overcomes them. Instead of accusing God of harming the saved
and the unsaved together, we need to find out what the bible says. Remember Jesus calmed the storm; he didn’t
accuse God of sending it. That tells us he had authority over it. Jesus is
never once seen contradicting something the Father does. Therefore we can see why Jesus stopped
storms, healed the sick, and cast out demons, these things were not from God,
the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
