If we step back for a moment and envision the entire world drunk, what do we see? All people acting silly or badly, and not being able to think clearly. We see the entire population in a daze, not being able to focus or function, stumbling around and falling down. Unfortunately this is our world. From the vantage point of Yahweh this is what we are. We are all drunk. We have all had the wine of Babylon. Yahweh has been trying to sober us up, but we don’t understand why we should sober up. This is the world system we all live under. We have been drugged and cannot think clearly. We wobble when we walk and feel like we are spinning when we lie down, and this poison all came from Babylon. Babylon has infected all people, all nations, all governments, all religions, all denominations, all world leaders, all church leaders, all people great or small. How did Babylon become a symbol of all that will be wrong in the latter days? Let’s explore it’s roots.
The Antiquities of the Jews
1:4:1 …Now the plain in which they first dwelt was called Shinar. God also commanded them to send colonies abroad, for the thorough peopling of the earth, that they might not raise seditions among themselves, but might cultivate a great part of the earth, and enjoy its fruits after a plentiful manner. But they were so ill instructed that they did not obey God; for which reason they fell into calamities, and were made sensible, by experience, of what sin they had been guilty: for when they flourished with a numerous youth, God admonished them again to send out colonies; but they, imagining the prosperity they enjoyed was not derived from the favor of God, but supposing that their own power was the proper cause of the plentiful condition they were in, did not obey him. Nay, they added to this their disobedience to the Divine will, the suspicion that they were therefore ordered to send out separate colonies, that, being divided asunder, they might the more easily be Oppressed.
The Works of Flavius Josephus.
They disobeyed God by not moving abroad. They believed that they themselves had brought their prosperity. They became suspicious that in smaller numbers they would be oppressed. Who told them this?
1:4:2 2. Now it was Nimrod who excited them to such an affront and contempt of God. He was the grandson of Ham, the son of Noah, a bold man, and of great strength of hand. He persuaded them not to ascribe it to God, as if it was through his means they were happy, but to believe that it was their own courage which procured that happiness. He also gradually changed the government into tyranny, seeing no other way of turning men from the fear of God, but to bring them into a constant dependence on his power. He also said he would be revenged on God, if he should have a mind to drown the world again; for that he would build a tower too high for the waters to be able to reach! and that he would avenge himself on God for destroying their forefathers!
The Works of Flavius Josephus.
They listened to a man. They believed their own courage made them happy. They became dependent on their leader. They stopped trusting Yahweh and started trusting Nimrod. Gradually Nimrod “changed the government into tyranny” as no one would notice the gradual change until they were stuck in this system. Nimrod used the fear of another flood to control people. Wasn’t the rainbow a reminder that God would not flood the earth again? They didn’t believe the promise. Nimrod wanted to fight Yahweh. Doesn’t the beast want to fight the Lamb? There seems to be a correlation here.
1:4:3 3. Now the multitude were very ready to follow the determination of Nimrod, and to esteem it a piece of cowardice to submit to God; and they built a tower, neither sparing any pains, nor being in any degree negligent about the work: and, by reason of the multitude of hands employed in it, it grew very high, sooner than any one could expect; but the thickness of it was so great, and it was so strongly built, that thereby its great height seemed, upon the view, to be less than it really was. It was built of burnt brick, cemented together with mortar, made of bitumen, that it might not be liable to admit water. When God saw that they acted so madly, he did not resolve to destroy them utterly, since they were not grown wiser by the destruction of the former sinners; but he caused a tumult among them, by producing in them divers languages, and causing that, through the multitude of those languages, they should not be able to understand one another. The place wherein they built the tower is now called Babylon, because of the confusion of that language which they readily understood before; for the Hebrews mean by the word Babel, confusion. The Sibyl also makes mention of this tower, and of the confusion of the language, when she says thus: "When all men were of one language, some of them built a high tower, as if they would thereby ascend up to heaven, but the gods sent storms of wind and overthrew the tower, and gave every one his peculiar language; and for this reason it was that the city was called Babylon." But as to the plan of Shinar, in the country of Babylonia, Hestiaeus mentions it, when he says thus: "Such of the priests as were saved, took the sacred vessels of Jupiter Enyalius, and came to Shinar of Babylonia."
The Works of Flavius Josephus.
They did not learn from the flood. Why were they building a tower? In case the earth flooded again. They did not trust Yahweh. They believed a man, Nimrod. They became self sufficient apart from Yahweh, the Creator. They separated themselves from their Creator. Nimrod made it unpopular to attribute favor or blessings from Yahweh. This is the satan’s world system. He disguised all of this behavior as rational. Instead of saying ‘God blessed me with a good crop of wheat’ the satan played the ego and emotions of people so that they would instead say ‘l grew a great crop of wheat’. Then others would confirm the ego by saying ‘you grew a great crop of wheat’. Men took the credit for the favor of God. Sly.
Many people believe in Yahweh today, but do not trust Him. It is easier to believe men, what men say, what men do, rather than Yahweh. Even with the written words from holy men that were led by the Holy Spirit, some people simply do not trust Yahweh. Some people even go as far as to make up their own ideas about Yahweh, and form a group around those ideas. Yet if those ideas contradict the words of the Holy Spirit, it exposes the person who chooses to be their own god (like Nimrod) and the people who follow that person, as mistaken and led astray. Interestingly those groups are not struck down, they can go right on existing, having a slight look of godliness, but truly denying His power. We will see a group of people who finally “get it”; they will finally understand Yahweh’s wisdom and plan, and they will rejoice. However they will be martyred before they gain that understanding.
We are about to see a whole group of martyrs that come out of Babylon.
Isaiah tells us Babylon is fallen. This is a reference to our day, not Isaiah’s day. Here’s why. Babylon was never a long term nation, it may have been grand and elaborate in it’s lifestyle, but Babylon itself has a history of hardly being an independent nation. It was a nation at the time of Nimrod, and all the people were united. It’s sin was separation from Yahweh, doing things on their own, united apart from Yahweh. Babylon’s language was confused and the region was taken over by various peoples many times. It was mostly occupied by the Assyrians and Persians. It just so happened it had a short stint as a nation at the time that Israel went into captivity in Babylon. Babylon’s next grand king was Nebuchadnezzar, and the kingdom of Babylon had just come out of captivity, and would soon go back into captivity under Cyrus.
Isaiah is told to station a watchman and declare what he sees. Uriah/Urias the priest declares that Babylon was fallen. John introduces us to Babylon in a time line manner, meaning Babylon’s fall is announced before the bowls are poured out.
Isaiah 21:6 For thus said the Lord to me, Go and station a watchman for thyself, and declare whatever thou shalt see. 7 And I saw two mounted horsemen, and a rider on an ass, and a rider on a camel. 8 Hearken with great attention, and call thou Urias to the watch-tower: the Lord has spoken. I stood continually during the day, and I stood in the camp all night: 9 and, behold, he comes riding in a chariot and pair: and he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all her images and her idols have been crushed to the ground. 10 Hear, ye that are left, and ye that are in pain, hear what things I have heard of the Lord of hosts which the God of Israel has declared to us.http://ecmarsh.com/lxx/Esaias/index.htm
At this point when Isaiah is writing, Judah had not gone into captivity. Isaiah mentions all Babylon's images and idols have been crushed. So far in time, all Babylon’s images and idols have not been crushed. We have a problem thinking very black and white, and one dimensionally. On the earth today there are many religions, many images, and many idols. They have all stemmed from independence from Yahweh. The satan has inspired many false images and many false idols. They are all considered Babylon. This is the shift that we are looking for in the tribulation. The time when all other religions are done away with in lieu of the beast and false prophet.
Jeremiah gives us an interesting perspective. He talks of the vengeance of God and the sickle (or pruning hook) at the time of harvest. When is the day of vengeance? During the seven years of tribulations. Who has the pruning hook? As we studied last week, Jesus.
Jeremiah 27:14 Set yourselves in array against Babylon round about, all ye that bend the bow; shoot at her, spare not your arrows, 15 and prevail against her: her hands are weakened, her bulwarks are fallen, and her wall is broken down: for it is vengeance from God: take vengeance upon her; as she has done, do to her. 16 Utterly destroy seed out of Babylon, and him that holds a sickle in time of harvest: for fear of the Grecian sword, they shall return every one to his people, and every one shall flee to his own land. Jeremiah 50 KJV
Jesus is the one with the sharp sickle and the time of harvest is just after he is crowned and has redeemed the 144,000. Babylon was not a nation when the Greeks took it over, it was under Assyrian rule. Keeping that in mind, we understand that the timing is the day of vengeance. At the time of Jeremiah’s writing, Judah had not gone into captivity yet.
Jeremiah 28:5 For Israel and Juda have not been forsaken of their God, of the Lord Almighty; whereas their land was filled with iniquity against the holy things of Israel. 6 Flee ye out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every one his soul: and be not overthrown in her iniquity; for it is the time of her retribution from the Lord; he is rendering to her a recompence. 7 Babylon has been a golden cup in the Lord’s hand, causing all the earth to be drunken: the nations have drunk of her wine; therefore they were shaken. 8 And Babylon is fallen suddenly, and is broken to pieces: lament for her; take balm for her deadly wound, if by any means she may be healed. 9 We tried to heal Babylon, but she was not healed: let us forsake her, and depart every one to his own country: for her judgment has reached to the heaven, it has mounted up to the stars. 10 The Lord has brought forth his judgment: come, and let us declare in Sion the works of the Lord our God. http://ecmarsh.com/lxx/Jeremias/index.htm
Jeremiah 51 KJV
Flee out of the middle of Babylon. Not simply the city, but the world system. The text doesn’t say “city”. If people were in captivity they could not simply flee. Judah was in captivity for seventy years. Babylon caused everyone to drink of this fornication, porneia. Again, the sin of Babylon as Josephus writes, is the sin of self-sufficiency without acknowledging the favor of Yahweh, unity apart from Yahweh, and separation from Yahweh. Self sufficiency is the gateway for people to become their own god. This makes it simple for the beast to declare that he is Yahweh.
Trust Yahweh. The people stopped trusting Yahweh, and many today do not trust or believe His promises, even within the body of Christ. The whole earth became drunk. The whole earth, not just some religions, or just some nations, everyone, you and I included. We have all been drugged by this delusion and it takes effort to become sober. There isn’t one religion that is sober, or one nation that is sober. The Jews, the Christians, the Muslims, the Buddhists, the Hindu’s, the Atheists are all drunk. Everyone is drunk. There may be bits and pieces of truth, but all religions function under the world system of Babylon and ultimately the satan. Let’s read a few verses in Revelation.
Revelation 14:8 (KJV)
8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that [the] great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
Revelation 14:8 G2532 And G243 another G32 angel, G1208 a second G190 followed, G3004 saying, G4098 Is fallen, G4098 is fallen, G* Babylon G3588 the G3173 great; G1537 because G3588 [6of the G3631 7wine G3588 8of the G2372 9wrath G3588 G4202 10of her harlotry G1473 G4222 1she has given 5to drink G3956 2all G3588 3the G1484 4nations].
Remember the word city in Revelation 14:8 is not in the text. Babylon the great has fallen.
Revelation 17:1-2 (KJV)
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.
Revelation 18:2-3 (KJV)
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.
All of us live under Babylon as a system and all nations drank from her. All people are partakers with her. But pay attention to who the governor of the age is. Who created this system? This world system is going to be destroyed by the beast. Who is behind the beast? The very same governor of this age who also created the system of Babylon. In other words, the satan created one world system and convinced men to follow it. He then will create another world system at the end of this age. Everyone may think this is a great thing, a one world government where everyone will be taken care of by the beast. But it will once again be separate from Yahweh, and the beast will declare himself to be Yahweh.
Revelation 18:4 (KJV)
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.
John hears a voice call out for people to come out of her. Jeremiah wrote to flee out of her. Who is to come out of her? At this point in time, if the harpazo occurs within the next ten years or so, there are 14 million Jews still on the earth. The Jewish people by this time have recognized that the beast is a false messiah. They have been pushed into the position of allegiance with all the mixed nations under Babylon, but now are told to come out of her. The Jews will simply have to trust Yahweh. Zechariah tells us about this time.
Zechariah 13:7 Awake, O sword, against my shepherds, and against the man who is my citizen, saith the Lord Almighty: smite the shepherds, and draw out the sheep: and I will bring mine hand upon the little ones. 8 And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts thereof shall be cut off and perish; but the third shall be left therein. 9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and I will try them as silver is tried, and I will prove them as gold is proved: they shall call upon my name, and I will hear them, and say, This is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God. 14:1 Behold, the days of the Lord come, and thy spoils shall be divided in thee. 2 And I will gather all the Gentiles to Jerusalem to war, and the city shall be taken, and the houses plundered, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, but the rest of my people shall not be utterly cut off from the city. http://ecmarsh.com/lxx/Zacharias/index.htm
If there are 14 million Jews, and two thirds are killed by the beast, there will be 9.3 million Jews killed. This will leave 4.7 million Jews on the earth. The Jews left will be gathered at the end of the age as Jesus told us. They will be gathered from the ends of heaven and earth to repopulate Jerusalem during the millennial kingdom. The one third that are left will finally call on Yahweh, and they will be refined. The 9.3 million Jews who are among the 1.2 billion people of Babylon will be martyred. Zechariah says the women will be ravished. I would suggest that the men may also be ravished, or raped, because that is the same type of behavior we see today. So far in history we have not come to a point when two thirds of the Jewish people have been cut off. The first holocaust killed 6 million Jews, this will be the second holocaust.
Revelation 15:1 (KJV)
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 of God.
Revelation 15:1 G2532 And G1492 I saw G243 another G4592 sign G1722 in G3588 the G3772 heaven, G3173 great G2532 and G2298 wonderful, G32 [2angels G2033 1seven] G2192 having G4127 [4calamities G2033 3seven G3588 1the G2078 2last], G3754 for G1722 in G1473 them G5055 [4was finished G3588 1the G2372 2rage G3588 G2316 3of God].
4127 LSJ Gloss:πληγή a blow, stroke
Dodson:πληγή a blow, stripe, wound a blow, stripe, wound; an affliction, plague.
Thayer:
1) a blow, stripe, a wound
2) a public calamity, heavy affliction, plague,
πληγή
plēgē play-gay' From G4141; a stroke; by implication a wound; figuratively a calamity KJV Usage: plague, stripe, wound (-ed).
5055 LSJ Gloss:τελέω to complete, fulfil, accomplish
Dodson:τελέω I end, accomplish, pay (a) I end, finish, (b) I fulfill, accomplish, (c) I pay.
Thayer:
1) to bring to a close, to finish, to end
1a) passed, finished
2) to perform, execute, complete, fulfil, (so that the thing done corresponds to what has been said, the order, command etc.)
2a) with special reference to the subject matter, to carry out the contents of a command
2b) with reference also to the form, to do just as commanded, and generally involving the notion of time, to perform the last act which completes a process, to accomplish, fulfil
3) to pay
3a) of tribute
τελέω
teleō tel-eh'-o From G5056; to end, that is, complete, execute, conclude, discharge (a debt) KJV Usage: accomplish, make an end, expire, fill up, finish, go over, pay, perform.
2372 LSJ Gloss:θυμός the soul
Dodson:θυμός an outburst of passion, wrath.
Thayer:
1) passion, angry, heat, anger forthwith boiling up and soon subsiding again
2) glow, ardour, the wine of passion, inflaming wine (which either drives the drinker mad or kills him with its strength)
θυμός
thumos thoo-mos' From G2380; passion (as if breathing hard) KJV Usage: fierceness, indignation, wrath.
John sees seven angels who have the seven last afflictions, the concluding indignation. The twenty one afflictions are things that took place in the heaven which either caused men to harm one another, or caused the earth to harm men, or harmed men directly. These twenty one stripes or wounds upon humans can only take place once the harpazo has occurred as the believers in Jesus as Lord and Christ are not children of wrath. The day of vengeance is upon men, however the satan is also casting calamities on the earth as well. He always has.
Revelation 15:2 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.
Revelation 15:2 G2532 And G1492 I saw G5613 as G2281 [2sea G5193 1a glass] G4442 with fire G3396 being mixed, G2532 and G3588 the ones G3528 overcoming G1537 of G3588 the G2342 beast, G2532 and G1537 of G3588 G1504 his image, G1473 G2532 and G1537 of G3588 the G706 number G3588 G3686 of his name, G1473 G2476 standing G1909 upon G3588 the G2281 [2sea G3588 G5193 1glass], G2192 having G2788 harps G3588 G2316 of God.
5193 LSJ Gloss:ὑάλινος of crystal
Dodson:ὑάλινος glassy, transparent glassy, made of glass, transparent.
Thayer:
1) of glass or transparent like glass, glassy
ὑάλινος
hualinos hoo-al'-ee-nos From G5194; glassy, that is, transparent KJV Usage: of glass.
4442 LSJ Gloss:πῦρ fire
Dodson:πῦρ fire, trials fire; the heat of the sun, lightning; fig: strife, trials; the eternal fire.
Thayer:
1) fire
πῦρ
pur poor A primary word; “fire” (literally or figuratively, specifically lightning)
KJV Usage: fiery, fire.
3528 LSJ Gloss:νικάω to conquer, prevail, vanquish
Dodson:νικάω I conquer, overcome I conquer, am victorious, overcome, prevail, subdue.
Thayer:
1) to conquer
1a) to carry off the victory, come off victorious
1a1) of Christ, victorious over all His foes
1a2) of Christians, that hold fast their faith even unto death against the power of their foes, and temptations and persecutions
1a3) when one is arraigned or goes to law, to win the case, maintain one's cause
νικάω
nikaō nik-ah'-o From G3529; to subdue (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: conquer, overcome, prevail, get the victory.
2476 LSJ Gloss:ἵστημι to make to stand
Dodson:ἵστημι I cause to stand, stand trans: (a) I make to stand, place, set up, establish, appoint; mid: I place myself, stand, (b) I set in balance, weigh; intrans: (c) I stand, stand by, stand still; met: I stand ready, stand firm, am steadfast.
Thayer:
1) to cause or make to stand, to place, put, set
1a) to bid to stand by, [set up]
1a1) in the presence of others, in the midst, before judges, before members of the Sanhedrin;
1a2) to place
1b) to make firm, fix establish
1b1) to cause a person or a thing
ἵστημι
histēmi his'-tay-mee A prolonged form of a primary word στάω staō (of the same meaning, and used for it in certain tenses); to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: abide, appoint, bring, continue, covenant, establish, hold up, lay, present, set (up), stanch, stand (by, forth, still, up).
2788 LSJ Gloss:κιθάρα guitar)
Dodson:κιθάρα a harp a harp, lyre.
Thayer:
1) a harp to which praises of God are sung in heaven
κιθάρα
kithara kith-ar'-ah Of uncertain affinity; a lyre KJV Usage: harp.
John sees a transparent ocean mingled with fire and people who nikaō (prevail) over the beast. They are standing upon the sea with harps. How did these people get the victory over the beast? They died. We have been conditioned by the satan that death is a bad thing, it is not. The only time death is bad is when one is not saved. These people have overcome the beast by believing Jesus is Lord and Christ and dying, and notice they are not sad, they are singing.
Revelation 15:3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.
Revelation 15:3 G2532 And G103 they sing G3588 the G5603 ode G* of Moses G3588 the G1401 bondman G3588 G2316 of God, G2532 and G3588 the G5603 ode G3588 of the G721 lamb, G3004 saying, G3173 Great G2532 and G2298 wonderful G3588 G2041 are your works, G1473 G2962 O Lord G3588 G2316 God G3588 G3841 almighty; G1342 just G2532 and G228 true G3588 G3598 are your ways, G1473 G3588 O G935 king G3588 of the G1484 nations.
2041 LSJ Gloss:ἔργον work
Dodson:ἔργον work, labor, action, deed work, task, employment; a deed, action; that which is wrought or made, a work.
Thayer:
1) business, employment, that which any one is occupied
1a) that which one undertakes to do, enterprise, undertaking
2) any product whatever, any thing accomplished by hand, art, industry, or mind
3) an act, deed, thing done: the idea of working is emphasised in opp. to that which is less than work
ἔργον
ergon er'-gon From ἔργω ergō (a primary but obsolete word; to work); toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication an act KJV Usage: deed, doing, labour, work.
3841
παντοκράτωρ
pantokratōr pan-tok-rat'-ore From G3956 and G2904; the all ruling, that is, God (as absolute and universal sovereign) KJV Usage: Almighty, Omnipotent.
They start to sing ‘great and wonderful are your (His) works’. The works of the Lord God Almighty, Kurios Theos Pantokratōr, Yahweh Elohim Shaddai. These people finally get it. They can now look back and say they understand the plan of Yahweh. They are sober. As a people they have never trusted Him, they never trusted his prophets, servants, or written words given by the Holy Spirt. They distrusted Yahweh, His plans, His ways, and His guidance. They didn’t even trust Yahweh enough to have a personal relationship with Him. But now they get it. They even sing that he is King of the Nations. They continue singing.
Revelation 15:4 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.
Revelation 15:4 G5100 Who G3766.2 in no way G5399 should fear G1473 you, G2962 O Lord, G2532 and G1392 glorify G3588 G3686 your name? G1473 G3754 For G3441 [2alone G39 3holy G1510.2.2 1you are]. G3754 For G3956 all G3588 the G1484 nations G2240 shall come G2532 and G4352 shall do obeisance G1799 before G1473 you, G3754 for G3588 G1345 your ordinances G1473 G5319 were manifested.
1345 LSJ Gloss:δικαίωμα an act by which wrong is set right
Dodson:δικαίωμα a thing pronounced to be just a thing pronounced (by God) to be righteous (just, the right); or the restoration of a criminal, a fresh chance given him; a righteous deed, an instance of perfect righteousness.
Thayer:
1) that which has been deemed right so as to have force of law
1a) what has been established, and ordained by law, an ordinance
1b) a judicial decision, sentence
1b1) of God
1b1a) either the favourable judgment by which he acquits man and declares them acceptable to Him
1b1b) unfavourable: sentence of condemnation
2) a righteous act or deed
δικαίωμα
dikaiōma dik-ah'-yo-mah From G1344; an equitable deed; by implication a statute or decision KJV Usage: judgment, justification, ordinance, righteousness.
5319 LSJ Gloss:φανερόω to make manifest
Dodson:φανερόω I make clear, visible, or manifest I make clear (visible, manifest), make known.
Thayer:
1) to make manifest or visible or known what has been hidden or unknown, to manifest, whether by words, or deeds, or in any other way
1a) make actual and visible, realised
1b) to make known by teaching
1c) to become manifest, be made known
1d) of a person
1d1) expose to view, make manifest, to show one's self, appear
1e) to become known, to be plainly recognised, thoroughly understood
1e1) who and what one is
For Synonyms see entry G5812
φανερόω
phaneroō fan-er-o'-o From G5318; to render apparent (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: appear, manifestly declare, (make) manifest (forth), shew (self).
In Essence they sing “your righting wrongs has been made clear” when they sing your ordinances have been made manifest. They now understand why they had to go through this terrible time in the latter days. They finally see the whole picture and understand everyone from the time of the adam through Moses, through the time of Jesus, and through the church age. These people get it. They are no longer drunk as death brings sobriety. Notice what Moses says just before he gives them his song.
Deuteronomy 31:29-30 (KJV)
29 For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because ye will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands.
30 And Moses spake in the ears of all the congregation of Israel the words of this song, until they were ended.
2078 LSJ Gloss:ἔσχατος outermost
Dodson:ἔσχατος last, at the last, finally last, at the last, finally, till the end.
Thayer:
1) extreme
1a) last in time or in place
1b) last in a series of places
1c) last in a temporal succession
2) the last
2a) last, referring to time
2b) of space, the uttermost part, the end, of the earth
2c) of rank, grade of worth, last i.e. lowest
ἔσχατος
eschatos es'-khat-os A superlative probably from G2192 (in the sense of contiguity); farthest, final (of place or time) KJV Usage: ends of, last, latter end, lowest, uttermost.
Chapter 32 of Deuteronomy is the song that Moses wrote. It is not a very nice song as it reminds them that they are going to go through a hard time due to their hardened hearts. Because of that evil will befall them. When? In the latter days, the final days, the farthest days of the age. Moses says they provoke Yahweh to anger by the work of their hands, their self-sufficient hands. Remember that one third of the Jews are left on the earth being refined, but they are now sober and call on Yahweh.
Revelation 15:5 And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:
Revelation 15: 5 G2532 And G3326 after G3778 these things G1492 I saw, G2532 and G455 [7was opened G3588 1the G3485 2temple G3588 3of the G4633 4tent G3588 5of the G3142 6testimony] G1722 in G3588 the G3772 heaven.
4633 LSJ Gloss:σκηνή a covered place, a tent
Dodson:σκηνή a tent, tabernacle a tent, booth, tabernacle, abode, dwelling, mansion, habitation.
Thayer:
1) tent, tabernacle, (made of green boughs, or skins or other materials)
2) of that well known movable temple of God after the pattern of which the temple at Jerusalem was built
σκηνή
skēnē skay-nay' Apparently akin to G4632 and G4639; a tent or cloth hut (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: habitation, tabernacle.
3142 LSJ Gloss:μαρτύριον a testimony, proof
Dodson:μαρτύριον witness, evidence, testimony
witness, evidence, testimony, proof.
Thayer:
1) testimony
μαρτύριον
marturion mar-too'-ree-on Neuter of a presumed derivative of G3144; something evidential, that is, (generally) evidence given or (specifically) the Decalogue (in the sacred Tabernacle) KJV Usage: to be testified, testimony, witness.
The temple of the tent of testimony. That is a big phrase. There is a tent of the testimony in the temple. In other words the ark of the testimony which Moses gave instruction to construct a representation of on earth, which holds the proof or evidence, is opened. The Holy of Holies opens in heaven.
Now seven angels come out of the temple with the bowl judgments.
Revelation 15:6 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.
Revelation 15:6 G2532 And G1831 came forth G3588 the G2033 seven G32 angels, G3588 the ones G2192 having G3588 the G2033 seven G4127 calamities, G3588 the ones G1510.7.6 who were G1746 being clothed in G3043 [4flax G2513 1clean G2532 2and G2986 3bright], G2532 and G4024 being girded G4012 around G3588 the G4738 breasts G2223 [2belts G5552 1by golden].
These seven angels are apparently not going to get dirty as they are wearing white linen. They have a chest plate or bodice of gold around their upper torso.
Revelation 15:7 And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.
Revelation 15:7 G2532 And G1520 one G1537 from G3588 the G5064 four G2226 living creatures G1325 gave G3588 to the G2033 seven G32 angels G2033 seven G5357 [2bowls G5552 1golden] G1073 being full G3588 of the G2372 rage G3588 G2316 of God, G3588 of the one G2198 living G1519 into G3588 the G165 eons G3588 of the G165 eons.
5357 LSJ Gloss:φιάλη a broad, flat vessel, a bowl
Dodson:φιάλη a shallow and flat bowl.
Thayer:
1) a broad shallow bowl, deep saucer
φιάλη
phialē fee-al'-ay Of uncertain affinity; a broad shallow cup (“phial”) KJV Usage: vial.
5552 LSJ Gloss:χρύσεος golden, of gold, decked
Dodson:χρυσοῦς golden golden, made of gold, adorned with gold.
Thayer:
1) golden
2) made of gold
3) overlaid or covered with gold
χρύσεος
chruseos khroo'-seh-os From G5557; made of gold KJV Usage: of gold, golden.
1073 LSJ Gloss:γέμω to be full
Dodson:γέμω I am full of.
Thayer:
1) to be full, filled, full
γέμω
gemō ghem'-o A primary verb; to swell out, that is, be full KJV Usage: be full.
The angels are holding bowls or saucers; not test tube vials, but gold saucers that are full of the rage of the Living God. The temple is still open and smoke from the glory of God fills the temple.
Revelation 15:8 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.
Revelation 15:8 G2532 And G1072 [3was filled G3588 1the G3485 2temple] G2586 of smoke G1537 from G3588 the G1391 glory G3588 G2316 of God, G2532 and G1537 from G3588 G1411 his power; G1473 G2532 and G3762 no one G1410 was able G1525 to enter G1519 into G3588 the G3485 temple G891 until G5055 [7were finished G3588 1the G2033 2seven G4127 3calamities G3588 4of the G2033 5seven G32 6angels].
1411 LSJ Gloss:δύναμις power, might, strength
Dodson:δύναμις might, power, marvelous works (a) physical power, force, might, ability, efficacy, energy, meaning (b) plur: powerful deeds, deeds showing (physical) power, marvelous works.
Thayer:
1) strength power, ability
1a) inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth
1b) power for performing miracles
1c) moral power and excellence of soul
1d) the power and influence which belong to riches and wealth
1e) power and resources arising from numbers
1f) power consisting in or resting upon armies, forces, hosts
For Synonyms see entry G5820
δύναμις
dunamis doo'-nam-is From G1410; force (literally or figuratively); specifically miraculous power (usually by implication a miracle itself) KJV Usage: ability, abundance, meaning, might (-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle (-s), power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work.
1410 LSJ Gloss:δύναμαι to be able, capable, strong enough
Dodson:δύναμαι I am powerful, am able (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can.
Thayer:
1) to be able, have power whether by virtue of one's own ability and resources, or of a state of mind, or through favourable circumstances, or by permission of law or custom
2) to be able to do something
3) to be capable, strong and powerful
δύναμαι
dunamai doo'-nam-ahee Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible KJV Usage: be able, can (do, + -not), could, may, might, be possible, be of power.
5055 LSJ Gloss:τελέω to complete, fulfil, accomplish
Dodson:τελέω I end, accomplish, pay (a) I end, finish, (b) I fulfill, accomplish, (c) I pay.
Thayer:
1) to bring to a close, to finish, to end
1a) passed, finished
2) to perform, execute, complete, fulfil, (so that the thing done corresponds to what has been said, the order, command etc.)
2a) with special reference to the subject matter, to carry out the contents of a command
2b) with reference also to the form, to do just as commanded, and generally involving the notion of time, to perform the last act which completes a process, to accomplish, fulfil
3) to pay
3a) of tribute
τελέω
teleō tel-eh'-o From G5056; to end, that is, complete, execute, conclude, discharge (a debt) KJV Usage: accomplish, make an end, expire, fill up, finish, go over, pay, perform.
There is smoke from the glory and His power, dunamis. No one was strong enough to enter the temple until teleō, the end, or conclusion.
What is our goal in studying the scriptures? Our goal is to become less drunk or more sober. If we do not trust Yahweh why would we pretend to serve Him? We can understand the contentions Jesus had with the Pharisees as they were under the delusion of Babylon. Jesus brought clarity of who he was when he fulfilled the writings of the prophets. Since Jesus did in fact open blind eyes, heal the sick, raise the dead, etc., and we have the record of this, we can trust Him. As we know, the drunk rabbi’s and the Masorete’s altered a lot of the old covenant prophecies of Jesus to attempt to erase Him from history. However, we can overcome those alterations with older text.
Meanwhile our goal is to get others to the place that they are sober so that they too can see clearly. If the natural world around us attests to Yahweh the creator, we simply have to become less intoxicated with the wine of Babylon to see it. If the scripture attests to Yahweh, we have to become less drunk to read it. If the world system spins us one way and another, we have to stop filling ourselves with it’s poison, so that we can walk straight. We need to stop feeding our ego, it’s not about us, it is about Him. Yahweh sees us as drunk. Then we must develop our trust in Him. We must acknowledge Him instead of our own accomplishments. We can start our path to sobriety with His word, as it is profitable and inspired by God, as Paul told Timothy. These are strong words like a neat espresso. Yahweh is our Creator, our Sustainer, and our Savior.
