Revelation 13:1-18

EIGHT CHAPTERS EXPLAINING THE SPIRITUAL BATTLES, PEOPLE, AND EVENTS OF THE GREAT TRIBULATION TO THE RETURN OF

KING JESUS TO RULE THIS EARTH:

PART II – THE ANTICHRIST’S SATANICALLY EMPOWERED RULE,

THE FALSE PROPHET, AND THE

PERSECUTION OF THE SAINTS

Revelation 13:1-18

As taught by Dave Lindstrom

I. During the Great Tribulation (the last 3 ½ years of Daniel’s 70^th week of 7 years), the prophesied Revived Roman Empire with its Antichrist king devours the whole earth, blasphemes Yahweh, and wears out the saints (Revelation 13:1-10).

A. A ten nation Revived Roman Empire has evidently risen to power before the Great Tribulation which was blasphemous against the true God Yahweh (vs 1).

1. This was prophesied about in detail in Daniel 2:40-45 and 7:7-25 which was written around 530 B.C.!

2. The idea that it came out of the sea (vs 1) comes from the same idea as Daniel 7:3 and should be a context clue for the diligent reader. In the Old Testament and Hebrew mind, when the sea is used figuratively (according to context), it has to do with special satanic activity against Yahweh

(Job 26:12, 13; Ps. 89:9, 10; Isa. 27:1, 51:9-11). 

3. Satan was unsuccessful in preventing Yahweh’s Christ from being born in history and accomplishing His mission (Rev. 12:1-5) through the seven dominant nations (heads) of the world (Rev. 12:3, 13:1). These nations were probably Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Media, Persia, Greece, and Rome. His plan during the last days and specifically during the Great Tribulation, where he has at that time been thrown out of heavenly access (Rev. 12:8), is to exert his power through the kings (horns) of this revived Roman group (Rev. 12:3; 13:1).

4. Evidently each of these ten kings did not believe in the true God, Yahweh, because they were characterized as blasphemous (in this context, words to cause injury or harm to Yahweh).

B. This ten nation empire was like a leopard (swift), a bear (strong), and a lion (ferocious). They also were like some of the characteristics of the three nations of Greece (leopard), Medo-Persia (bear), and Babylon (lion) found in Dan. 7:1-6 which was described before Rome and Revived Rome in Daniel 7:7, 8. This ten nation empire was satanically empowered and its eventual ruler, the Antichrist, was in possession (as well as satanically possessed) of all of Satan’s usurped authority of wickedness (vs 2).

C. The ten nation kingdom starts out being called a beast or the beast (vs 1, 2) but then it takes on the personification of its leader who seemed to be mortally wounded and then healed through Satan’s deceit. This person is known in the New Testament as the Antichrist (I John 2:22, 23; I John 4:3), the man of lawlessness (2 Thes. 2:3) or the beast (Rev. 13:3). 

1. The people on the earth at the Great Tribulation will worship Satan (the dragon, Rev. 12:9) and the beast (Antichrist) who personifies this end time Revived Roman Empire (vs 4).

2. Daniel 7:8 and 7:20 tell us that the Antichrist comes up after the ten nations (kings) are established in power. Revelation 17:12, 13 tell us that these ten kings willingly turned their power and authority over to the Antichrist. Then the same Daniel passages tell us that because of this “one from among them” three of the original ten fell and were plucked up by the roots. This would possibly leave seven or eight kings during the Great Tribulation.

3. The Antichrist (beast) was allowed by Yahweh to blaspheme Yahweh Himself, Yahweh’s heavenly creation, as well as make war on Yahweh’s earthly saints for 3 ½ years (the Great Tribulation, Dan. 7:25, 9:27, 12:7; Matt. 24:15-25; 2 Thes. 2:4-12; Rev. 11:3, 12:6, 14) (vs 5-10).

a. Daniel 7:20-25 and I Thes. 2:3-12 correlate this prophecy perfectly.

b. During this time, many Christian saints will be taken captive (as prisoners) or killed by the world government probably by being beheaded (Rev. 20:4, the “sword” is the symbol of death by the ruling power or nation, Rom. 13:4). According to the pre-wrath view, some (all true believers at this time) will have this time shortened by rapture (Matt. 24:22-31; Rev. 7:9-17) probably one to two years into it. Either way it calls for endurance and faith on the part of the saints.

II. During the Great Tribulation there will be a False Prophet whose goal is to proclaim the glories of Satan and the Antichrist (Rev. 13:11-18).

A. The False Prophet (beast) rose out of the earth (instead of the sea like the Antichrist). This probably implies that this man started out as a fairly normal human being having nothing originally to do with the ten nation empire or the Antichrist. However, he gradually let himself be swayed satanically by his choices. The two horns (probably power over many people) made him influential in deceiving people with what appeared to be a message of peace (lamb) and yet it was straight from Satan (dragon). He is called the False Prophet in Rev. 19:20 (verse 11).

B. His satanically driven goal is to bring the world into worshipping the Antichrist by a sophisticated form of deception and trickery (vs 12).

1. He convinces most of the world to believe that the Antichrist is God because of a supposed healing and miracles in the Antichrist’s presence. However, 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 tells us that these are false signs and wonders (vs 13, 14a; Rev. 19:20).

2. He is instrumental in getting the Antichrist’s image set up in the Jerusalem Temple to be worshipped and somehow caused it to speak. This might be the abomination of desolation marking the beginning of the Great Tribulation (vs 14a, 15; Dan. 9:27; Matt. 24:15; 2 Thes. 2:4).

3. He causes there to be economic consequences and hardship to anyone not getting the Antichrist’s name or number on the right hand or forehead. The number which will be recognizable in the Great Tribulation is 666 (vs 16- 18).

Revelation 12:1-17

EIGHT CHAPTERS EXPLAINING THE SPIRITUAL BATTLES,

PEOPLE, AND EVENTS OF THE GREAT TRIBULATION

TO THE RETURN OF KING JESUS TO RULE THIS EARTH:

PART I – SATAN’S ANGER TOWARDS THE PROPHESIED

CHRIST AND SATAN’S EXPULSION

FROM HEAVEN

Revelation 12:1-17

As taught by Dave Lindstrom

I. Revelation chapters 12 through 19 seem to form one unit of thought which gives details of the last 3 ½ years of Daniel’s 70^th week (Great Tribulation) through the return of Christ to rule and reign on this earth.

A. Revelation chapters 12-14 provides the diligent reader with parenthetical information on Satan’s wrath toward Christ and Christ’s people (chapter 12), the beast’s (Antichrist’s) satanic empowerment and cruel reign (chapter 13), and Yahweh’s triumph over the forces of Satan’s in the final harvest of evil (chapter 14).

B. Revelation chapters 15, 16 chronologically moves history forward past the blowing of the seventh trumpet (Rev. 11:15) to the final seven bowls of judgment. These will finish Yahweh’s wrath on the earth and are specifically designed to purge evil and those who persist in choosing Satan over Yahweh from this earth.

C. Revelation chapters 17-19 provides the diligent reader with parenthetical information on the fall of the beast’s (Antichrist’s) capital city and therefore the final fall of satanically influenced leaders forever. It also unveils for us the marriage supper of the Lamb and the return of Christ with His saints.

D. The events of the final harvest of evil (Rev. 14:19, 20), the seventh bowl massive judgment (Rev. 16:17-21), and the return of Christ in judgment (Rev. 19:11-21) seem to occur approximately at the same time. These things will prepare the way for Christ’s prophesied millennial reign on this earth in Revelation 20:1-6.

 E. According to the pre-wrath rapture view, the ending of the events in Revelation 14:19, 20; 16:17-21; and 19:11-21 occurs sometime between 30 and 75 days after the ending of the Great Tribulation (last 3 ½ years) (Daniel 12:11, 12).

II. To understand the events that are going on during the Great Tribulation and beyond, we need to go deeper than the surface of things and move into the spiritual realm (Rev. 12:1-6).

A. John is going to tell us about two great signs in Rev. 12:1 and 3 and then another sign in Rev. 15:1. These three signs reveal to the diligent reader the spiritual battle behind the physical chaos of the Great Tribulation and beyond.

1. In verse 1, the word for sign (samaon – Greek) means a wonder or miracle that is beyond the usual course of nature. In this case, we need to look at the spiritual significance as to what the sign is pointing to by looking into God’s Scriptures for the answer.

2. The best place to start finding the identity of the woman is in Gen. 37:9, 10. Joseph had a dream given to him by Yahweh which had “the sun (Jacob), the moon (Rachel), and eleven stars (his eleven brothers) bowing down to him.” This passage would put into the Hebrew mind that the nation of Israel or probably the remnant in the nation of Israel who will believe (look at verses 6, 13-17) could be the woman who is in child birth. Other passages that could be referenced are Isaiah 26:17-18; 66:7-9; Jer. 4:31; Jer. 13:21; Micah 4:10; 5:3) (verse 1, 2).

3. The great red dragon is probably the plan of Satan through the seven countries of Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Media, Persia, Greece, and Rome to thwart the birth of the future unique male child Jesus Christ throughout history (verses 3, 4; Daniel chapters 2, 7). The reference to Christ is very specific in verse 5 (Psalm 2:9; Rev. 2:27; 19:15).

a. The great dragon is identified as Satan in verse 9 and the “third part of the stars” might refer to his and other angels who departed from Yahweh’s rule before humanity (Isaiah 14:11-14 possibly).

b. The child (Christ) ascended (“was caught up”) to the Father’s throne (Acts 1:9; Col. 3:1).

B. During the Great Tribulation (1,260 days, the last 3 ½ years, according to a 30 day Jewish month, of Daniel’s 70^th week of 7 years), God has prepared a special place of protection for the woman (Israel’s remnant of future believers).

III. The reason why remnant Israel needed Yahweh’s protection during the Great Tribulation is because Satan was denied anymore access to Yahweh’s throne. He was thrown out of heaven forever! (Rev. 11:7-17)

A. Michael is Israel’s specially assigned protector angel (Dan. 12:1) and is an angel in charge of other angels called an archangel (Jude 9). Up until the Great Tribulation on earth, Satan and at least some of his angels have access to Yahweh’s throne (I Kings 22:19-22; Job 1:6-12; Zech. 3:1). At the point of the Great Tribulation on earth, Satan and his angels are thrown out of heaven permanently. This is good news for heaven but bad news for earth because Satan is wrathful and knows he has a short time (verses 7-12).

1. The Devel (Diabolos – Greek) and Satan (Hebrew) both mean slanderer or accuser. He is the accuser of the brethren and the deceiver of the whole earth! (verses 9, 10)

2. Believers throughout history overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb, their testimony, and being willing to die for their faith! (verse 11).

B. Satan pursues remnant Israel during the Great Tribulation but Yahweh protects and feeds them like He did with Israel leaving Egypt. In miraculous ways, Yahweh once again delivers them on eagles wings (Deut. 32:10-14; Ex. 19:4). As Satan realizes that he can’t harm this group of Israel’s remnant (possibly the sealed 144,000), he goes after other believers on the earth (verses 13-17).

Revelation 11:15-19

THE BLOWING OF THE SEVENTH TRUMPET

Revelation 11:15-19

As taught by Dave Lindstrom

I. At the blowing of the seventh trumpet, Yahweh Father and His Messiah, Yahweh Jesus, begin the process of taking back Satan’s earthly hold and power

(Revelation 11:15-19).

A. Loud voices in heaven include the 24 elders (angels) surrounding Yahweh’s throne (Rev. 4:4), probably the innumerable angels in heaven (Rev. 5:11) and probably the redeemed and raptured saints (Rev. 7:9-17) (verse 15).

B. Jesus Christ is Yahweh’s designated ruler of this world. He is the prophesied King from the line of David (2 Sam. 7:7-16; Ps. 2:1-12; Ps. 89:3, 4) and the promised Messiah (Isa. 49:1-7; Luke 2:26; Luke 9:20; Acts 1:6, 4:24-26)(verse 15).

C. The 24 elders (angels) once again fall on their faces in worship before Yahweh’s throne and proclaim several things that happen at this time (verses 16-18).

1. The prophesied time of Yahweh, Almighty God’s (Kurios ha Theos ha Pantokrator), The Eternal One’s reign begins in the invisible realm (spiritual reality with physical ramifications on earth such as the coming Bowl Judgments (Rev. 15:1 – 16:21) and becomes visible reality at Christ’s inauguration and reign (Rev. 19:11 – 20:6) (verses 16, 17).

a. Most pre-trib, mid-trib, and post-tribulation positions view this passage as a general preview of a time where the Seventh Trumpet sounding looks forward to its ending which is the setting up of Christ’s rule. This could be a period of several years.

b. If the pre-wrath tribulation view is correct, this time from the Seventh Trumpet sounding through Christ’s inauguration will take place in a period of 30 to 75 days (Daniel 12:11, 12). This is a time period after the Great Tribulation (last 3 ½ years) has ended which was after the events of the Sixth Trumpet (Rev. 9:21) and the finished prophesying of the two witnesses (Rev. 11:7-13).

 

THOUGHT: The Future reign of Yahweh’s Messiah (Christ) in Israel and Jerusalem on this earth is a major event in prophecy. Read what the Scriptures have to say about this momentous event in Psalm 2:1-12, Isaiah 9:6, 7; 61:2 – 62:12, Jeremiah 31:23-40, Daniel 7:9-27, and Matthew 24:31-34!

2. The Gentile nations were enraged at the thought of this Jewish Messiah reigning over them especially during Daniel’s 70^th week (7 years) and even more especially during the last 3 ½ years of it (verse 18a; Psalm 2:1, 2;Rev 6:1 – 19:21).

3. Yahweh’s wrath came to this earth after the Sixth Seal was opened and the Day of Yahweh began (verse 18b; Rev. 6:17).

4. It appears as if the judging of the saints for reward or lack of reward happens in heaven after the blowing of the Seventh Trumpet (verse 18c, d; Romans 14:10; I Cor. 3:10-15; 2 Cor. 5:10). The judgment of unbelievers happens 1,000 years later after Christ’s reign finishes on this earth and before the New Heaven and New Earth begins (Rev. 20:11-15).

5. After the blowing of the Seventh Trumpet, Yahweh will “destroy the destroyers of the earth” by pouring out the Seven Bowl Judgments (Rev. 15:1 – 16:21). This will happen as a precursor to inaugurating King Jesus as a cleansing process before His arrival (verse 18e).

II. The opened heavenly temple of Yahweh explains for us that Yahweh Father is getting ready to transfer His heavenly reign of the earth to the reign of His earthly Messiah (Christ) (Rev. 11:19).

A. In line with the proclamation of the 24 elders (angels) in Rev. 11:17, Yahweh Jesus Christ is beginning the process to reign. The opened temple in heaven might show a movement from His throne in heaven towards the earth since an open door means someone is going in or out.

B. As the door of the temple in heaven is opened, the heavenly Ark of the Covenant is seen. The Ark of the Covenant was also called the Ark of the Presence of God (Yahweh). It had great significance for the nation of Israel and showed them that Yahweh was with them in a special way (I Sam. 5:1 – 6:21;2 Sam. 6:1-17).

C. All the judgments that come to the earth during the Day of Yahweh come with heavenly throne and temple command. The coming earth cleansing Seven Bowl Judgment will not be any exception (Rev. 6:12-17; 8:1-5; 11:19; 15:4-6).