The American Wisdom Series

Please keep in mind as you read these accounts in Revelation that our Lord took John spiritually into the future (this is prophecy) and many of these events that he describes haven't happened as yet in real time even though John has seen them. 

We will now see one of those 7 angels who poured out the vials come and give us a "close up" view of the judgment of the "Great Whore". Maybe we should update the terminology a little and call her the "Great Slut" because the Holy Spirit wants us to get a real good PICTURE of exactly how He looks upon the false religious system that spews forth from of our churches, that great city where the "son of perdition" will sit claiming that he is God (2 Thes. 2).  Also, be it known that our Father deals in reality, so if the terminology used here is offensive then one can always go to a church where they only teach nice things like cute little bunny rabbits and Ishtar eggs, real Biblical gems!!!

Now, if you have read all of God's Word, then you are already familiar with "whores" and "harlots" and how their actions are used to describe "idolatry".

You see, idolatry is a far greater sin than being a whore, for the latter is of the flesh but the former is of the spirit. And while most whores know they are "whoring around" most idolaters of religion think they serve God, yet they violate the very 1st Commandment of God.

For those, however, who are not familiar with God's Word, for perhaps they are just beginning to study His Word, then it would serve them well, if they wish to understand this great chapter 17 of Revelation, to first read and understand the Book of Hosea in the Old Testament. Hosea means "salvation" which is what the Book of Hosea is about! That's right, the book titled "Salvation" is in the Old Testament. Then perhaps they will SEE how our Father feels about and looks upon "idolatry"/false religion. As the apostle Paul documents in 2 Thes. 2:3, there's a Great Apostasy about to be born and this Great Whore in Rev. 17 will be its mother and give it birth.

Live Link to-  Hosea
So if you read the Book of Hosea you will read that God tells Hosea to go marry a whore! That's right! "Go marry a whore, Hosea! I want you to know what it is like being married to someone who is unfaithful to you!"
Hosea 1:2
The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD.

Live Link to->>> Hosea
Again, you must read the entire book. Hosea's wife conceived and bore him children, Lo-ruhamah and Lo-ammi, and they were told by the LORD to say unto their brethren:
Hosea 2:2
Plead with your mother, plead: for she is not my wife, neither am I her husband: let her therefore put away her whoredoms out of her sight, and her adulteries from between her breasts;
Many think they are going to attend the marriage supper of the Lamb, but are there not those to whom He will say "Get away from me, I never knew you?"
[3] Lest I strip her naked, and set her as in the day that she was born, and make her as a wilderness, and set her like a dry land, and slay her with thirst.

[4] And I will not have mercy upon her children; for they be the children of whoredoms.

[5] For their mother hath played the harlot: she that conceived them hath done shamefully: for she said, I will go after my lovers, that give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, mine oil and my drink.

Got the PICTURE? God hates idolatry, spiritual whoredom. And His children are too Biblically ignorant to know to whom they are married! Yes they are! They will jump in bed with the first Bridegroom that appears on earth claiming to be Jesus and they will be seduced! They are the first women (no gender intended) spiritually taken, by Satan's flood of lies, in the field in Mat. 24:40, just as it was in the days of Noah when the flood took all but 8 (Noah and his family) physically by the flood of water. Is all this graphic enough? It is very serious.
In this final generation you must have the seal of God (His Word) in your forehead (mind) in order to escape the vials from being poured out on you.
Hosea 4:6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge...
One final comment before we begin chapter 17. Remember in the first chapter of Revelation that which we learned regarding the symbology used in Revelation? It is either "old hat", i.e. we've seen it before and know what it means, or the Book of Revelation interprets it for us. For example, we read about 7 stars and 7 candlesticks in the first chapter and we were then told that the 7 stars were "angels" and the 7 candlesticks were "churches". The explanation was therefore supplied and we did not have to imagine what the symbols were or make up our own interpretation. We will see the same done here in this 17th chapter.

Here then is verse one of chapter 17
:
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:
This will be easy on our part because the angel is going to show us the judgment! I believe that's called a revelation.

By the way, here's Strong's definition of "whore". It is from where we get the English word "porno".

porne, por'-nay, Greek 4204; feminine of Greek 4205 (pornos); a strumpet; figurative an idolater :- harlot, whore.
Also when we get to verse 15 we'll be told exactly what the "waters" are, just like we were told what stars were in chapter one. So let's peek ahead: Rev. 17:15 "And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues." No guesswork needed here, is there?
Now, looks who's has been sleeping with this whore?
[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.
Oh wow! She's slept with just about everyone. She must be a real doll!
Now the angel makes good his word and takes John in the spirit to the desolate place, even the place of the desolator, and shows him a PICTURE!
[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.
What do we SEE? A "woman" sitting upon a "scarlet coloured" beast, full of the names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
Hey, we know who the "scarlet coloured beast" is. He's the "Red Dragon" of Rev. 12:3 & 13:1. It is Satan and his power structure. We've identified these 7 heads and 10 horns before!  Now, if we just knew who this woman was! (Let's scan the rest of the chapter and see if we are told who the "woman" is, like we were told what the "waters" were).       BINGO!
Don't you just love it?  
Rev. 17:18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
Now where does Satan set up his headquarters when he's cast out of heaven in Rev. 12:7-9?  We know that from chapter 11. It's where he sits in the temple with his angels! It is Jerusalem, where also our Lord was crucified, and where the two witnesses shall be killed.
Rev. 11:8
And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
It is "spiritually" called Sodom and Egypt which "spiritually" means Idolatry and Oppression. It's the city of Jerusalem! That's the great city!

Let's return to Rev. 17 and learn more about this woman.
Rev. 17:4 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:
Wow! This woman is "dressed to kill". She's clothed with Royal Colors (religion) and decked with enormous wealth and she has a "cup" in her hand. I'll bet she gives each and everyone of her "lovers" a drink from that cup! What do you think? I can just see it now. This beautiful "Queen" flashes those beautiful eyelashes and cuddles up real close and says "Here honey, this is for you, you sexy thing you!" GULP!

Ooooh! Did you see what was in that cup? I don't even want to describe it! Yeeeech!

You know what? We've seen this "golden cup" before. Not only that we've read of the "earth being made drunk with her wine", too! Have you read the entire Bible! Imagine how little we'd know if just ran around with half the book, like just the New Testament, and said "Just believe, little ones, and you'll be safe. Why don't you know, you're going to fly away into a place of safety (the ushers will now pass the collection plate as we listen to the beautiful special music, now turn to song #666)."

So where did this golden cup come from? Let's read Jeremiah chapter 51 and find out.
Here's verses 6 & 7:
Jeremiah 51:6
Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD'S vengeance; He will render unto her a recompence.
The judgment of the great whore! The Day of Vengeance of the LORD!
[7] Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD'S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.
BABYLON! So you see, the beautiful woman arrayed in Royalty holds the cup of Babylon from which the earth has been made drunken! False religion! Confusion! The nations are confused!

Again, "confusion" is what Babylon means. Here's Strong's definition of Babylon:

Babel, baw-bel', Hebrew 894; from Hebrew 1101 (balal); confusion; Babel (i.e. Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire :- Babel, Babylon. 

Live Link to->>> Mystery Babylon
So Babylon means "confusion" and Satan has so confounded the world's religions, including main stream Christianity though the traditions of men, that the world cannot see the pure water, the truth, of the Word of God. The nations indeed are mad! And their peoples do not have "eyes to see" for they are blinded by traditions and have all sipped from her cup.
She looks so religious and good and right and holy. She is arrayed so beautifully in her robes and ornaments. But she is a WHORE! And the people don't know it. They are spiritually drunken! Her cup is filled with filthiness! It is time to wake up to the reality of churchianity!

Here now is the woman's official title shown to us by the angel:
Rev. 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
MYSTERY, BABYLON, MOTHER OF WHORES, ABOMINATIONS!

Live Link to- Mystery Babylon

Next we'll document the simplicity of the meaning of this name written upon the woman's forehead!

Have you ever read the book "Sargon the Magnificent" by Mrs. Sidney Bristowe?  It is a remarkable work revealing and tracing Cain in secular history as Sargon of Akkad. It begins with his ousting from the presence of God and his journey into the land of Nod, Sumer, and the founding of Babylon from whence originates the "golden cup" full of abominations. He is reported to have lived 730 years and founded many religions of the earth in his travels including sun worship, dragon worship, etc.,etc.)

We read of John's description of a beautiful woman clothed in purple and scarlet colours and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a "golden cup" in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication. In other words, she was gorgeous, but she was a whore! She had a name on her forehead which we will look at again shortly.
But first, haven't you ever wondered how it could possibly be that Satan when he comes to earth is able to "deceiveth the whole world" (Rev. 12:9)?  If what "main stream" Christianity is teaching, i.e. their traditional doctrines, is true, then how could this be? Is the majority right when most professing Christians are completely Biblically illiterate? Think about it? If a person is deceived it means that they believe something to be true that is, in fact, not so. Folks, it is "religion" that prevents our people from seeing the truth of God's Word.

So, while the majority of Christianity today teaches that Jesus Christ can return at any moment, both Jesus Christ and the apostle Paul WARNED about being deceived concerning His return. Jesus said repeatedly that many would come claiming to represent Him, i.e. as Christian ministers, and would deceive MANY, the multitudes, not just a few! Take a look at what the majority of our Christian churches teach concerning our gathering back to Christ, then read what Paul says in 2 Thes. 2. 

Here it is:

2 Thes. 2:1
Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
The subject is the 7th Trump, the return of Christ, and our gathering back to Him.
2 Thes. 2:3
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
We are NOT going to gather back to Christ until the son of perdition is revealed. There is only one son of perdition, Satan himself. What does this "revealing" mean?
[4] Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
What will he do when he is revealed? He will take over God's house, even the body of Christ (our churches) which results in the great apostasy, and claims to be God, i.e. Jesus Christ. That's why he is called the "instead - of - Christ", i.e. His REPLACEMENT!

Satan will be revealed as Jesus Christ! It is a mystery to most. Hang on a few verses!

[5] Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
Paul says "Don't you remember I told you all of this?"
[6] And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
"You know what Satan's status is now."
[7] For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
What is this "mystery"? Let's look up the Greek word in Strong's:
musterion, moos-tay'-ree-on, Greek 3466; from a derivative of muo (to shut the mouth); a secret or "mystery" (through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious rites) :- mystery.
It's RELIGION! Hidden Religion! Even the "Hidden (Secret) Dynasty of Religion" that has crept into the churches.
It's "Churchianity", ceremony and religious rites, disguised as "Christianity". Do you not remember the 1st Seal in Rev. 6:2 and the rider of the first white horse? 
It is deception brought about by Satan, the rider of the white horse which looks like Christ's white horse, but it isn't! Don't be deceived! If you need a refresher then go back and re-read the 1st Seal
!
Note: Many, way too many, churches teach that the "only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way" in verse 7 refers to the Holy Spirit departing the earth when they are Raptured away. That's because the "mystery" has already completely taken over their unlearned minds. They are not going anywhere before Satan as the spurious messiah is revealed. Paul just said so in plain and simple language.

The subject being discussed is when will the "man of sin" be revealed? The answer is when Michael let's him go in Rev. 12:7-9. Michael is holding him back! 

Here's verse 7 from the Living Bible translation:

2 Thes. 2:7 As for the work this man of rebellion and hell will do when he comes, it is already going on, but he himself will not come until the one who is holding him back steps out of the way. (Living Bible)
When Michael steps out of the way and let's Satan go, he will come to the earth as Jesus Christ.

Back to the KJV and continuing in 2 Thes.:

2 Thes. 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
Most of Christianity is awaiting an evil, Hitler like, Saddam Hussein like butcher to be revealed. Don't you SEE the mystery at work?  The Wicked one will be revealed as Jesus Christ. He won't appear to be doing anything wicked at all! He's very religious. He heals the "deadly wound". As Daniel shows us, the "little horn", Satan, brings peace and prosperity to the world. The whole world will love him! They will think Christ has returned! Is that hidden, or what?
[9] Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
Even if you see "religious" miracles performed by religious leaders, especially by one claiming to be Jesus, don't be deceived!
[10] And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
If you "love truth" you will study the truth, which is His Word. Look out across the land. How many folks do you know that truly study His Word? You can tell by just listening to people that they have not received the "love of the truth", even though they may attend a church every Sunday!
[11] And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
What is the "lie" that they'll believe? It is that Satan is Jesus and that his "church systems", his "religions" are true Christianity.

So let's look again at Rev. 17:5:
Rev. 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

Here's the link again, PLEASE READ IT!
Live Link
to- Mystery Babylon

We know what every word in this verse means:
Forehead = Brain location
Mystery is "musterion" = Hidden Religion
Babylon = Confusion
Mother = One who gives birth, brings forth
Harlots & Whores (same Greek word) = Idolaters
Abominations = Idolatries
Earth = World
It is Satan's religious system, that looks like the real thing, that causes great confusion (Babel) and deception, and brings forth multitudes of idolaters (those who worship Satan as Jesus) and abominations in all the world. That's what Rev. 17:5 says!
It is really quite simple,
isn't it?
Rev. 17:6 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.
Remember now who this woman is from the last verse of this chapter: Rev. 17:18 "And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth." It is where the son of perdition, Satan, sits in the temple, i.e. in the heart of most pro-claiming Christians! 

Note: Did you know that our Father chose Jerusalem to become the Headquarters of the Universe? You can read of it in Ezekiel 16 where He "took to wife" that location, and in Rev. 21 we see the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven to that location. Is it any wonder that Satan has so attacked this great city and has chosen it for his headquarters when he comes here with an "in your face" attitude?

It is true that the great city, Jerusalem, has been filled with the blood of saints and the blood of martyrs down through the ages. But the context of this chapter 17 is the judgment time of the great whore, when Satan and his angels will sit in the temple of that great city, exercising world domination both religiously and politically and shall kill the two witnesses as we learned in chapter 11. Then shall there be great rejoicing and merry making.
Rev. 11:7
And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

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

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

And when John saw the woman he marveled with great wonder! He was astounded!
Rev. 17:7 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.
"Relax John", said the angel, "I'll tell you the mystery of both the woman and the beast that carries that babe."
[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.
The beast was present on earth before. Of course he was in the 1st earth age but he was also present in the garden of Eden and at the time of Christ. But he is not present, in person (here in person) now. We've covered many times already that he shall be cast from heaven (Rev. 12:7-9), which is to say released from the bottomless pit. And he shall eventually go into the lake of fire and PERISH with the rest of the elements (2 Pet. 3:12), i.e. evil rudiments, when our Father, the consuming fire (Heb. 12:29) comes.

And in verse 8 we also read for the "umpteenth time" that if you are not one of God's elect, if your name is not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, then you are going to love this beast! (For a further explanation of "from the foundation of the world" as also spoken of by the apostle Paul, visit Ephesians here on this site.

We continue now with who the beast is:
Rev. 17:9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.
It's going to take just a little wisdom and common sense to understand this verse about the beast. We know from Rev 12 & 13 who the 7 heads, and the 7 mountains are. Mountains are symbolic of governments and nations. They are the 7 dominions, meaning the complete or whole dominion of the world, the one world political system, whom the beast controls from that great city of Jerusalem.
Note: Many people would like to say that this means the "great city" is San Francisco or Rome or some other city that is built on 7 literal mountains. But first of all, the woman isn't even the subject. The subject is the beast and his political system. The angel doesn't change the subject to the woman until verse 18. That is why this verse is prefaced with "here is the mind which has wisdom". Wisdom comes from knowing God's Word, all of it. If you do then this verse and this chapter is a "no brainer". If you don't, you'll probably get out a topographical map and look for cities built on mountains. It's your choice.
[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.
Again, wisdom is required here. The subject is still the beast and these 7 kings have nothing to do with the 10 kings which we will get to in verse 12. The subject hasn't changed. These 7 kings are all one and the same person. Let's read verse 11 first and we'll explain.
[11] And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
The 7 kings are sequential roles that Satan has played  [Verse 10] #s1-5, that are fallen(past) i.e. down through the ages even from the first earth age (#1)as a priest of God then still in the first earth age (#2)where he rebelled, leading 1/3 of us to follow him, he became the dragon.  Then in this earth age (#3)in the garden of Eden as the serpent, (#4)at the time of Job as the accuser, and (#5)at the time of Christ as the tempter.  [still Verse 10] and one is, (#6)where he is alive and in heaven spiritually organizing his troops while being physically restrained from earth.  [still Verse 10] other is not yet come, (#7)when he is cast out of heaven and he comes here again as the spurious messiah and "must continue a short space" until Christ returns and Michael tosses him in the abyss.  [Verse 11] even he is the eighth, (#8)when he will be released for the final time at the end of the Millennium angoes into perdition, i.e. is cast into the lake of fire.

Now, verse 11 makes it really simple. Again, what is the subject? We are talking about the beast that was and is not. The beast is who? Satan! In as much as he will also have an 8th role at the end of the Millennium, he is of the seven, ALL SEVEN, because he was #1-5 and is now #6 and shall be #7, i.e. he is all seven kings. So just as the 8th is of the 7, the 7th is of the 6, and the 6th is of the 5. The 7 kings are the same king, Satan, in series of reigns not 7 contemporary kings.

Now here come the 10 kings who are contemporary kings:
[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.
One hour is the hour of temptation (Rev. 3:10). It is the 5 month reign of the false-christ, the time of the locusts of Rev. 9 and Apollyon, Satan, their king.
[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.

What are you called? If you are with Him in this generation then you (1) were called, (2) were chosen before the foundation of this earth age, and (3) are faithful unto and through the final hour!
Rev. 17:15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.
"Waters" = "the peoples of the world". If you miss this symbol you'll drown in uncertainty while trying to understand Revelation.
[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.
Don't let this verse be confusing or seem contradictory. It is not. Just remember that in Rev. 9 all those who do not have the seal of God in their forehead are consumed away and made desolate. It is God's plan to use Satan and his kings to fulfill His will.
[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.
Yes, God even calls the locust army "His army", for it exists only by His permission.  God is in complete control. He always has been, He always will be.
[18] And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
We documented previously that this great city is Jerusalem, where also our Lord was crucified.

Next we will get an even closer view of the Great Fall of the Great Babylon of the end times. It is most fascinating indeed!

In chapter 17 we learned that the great whore who "sitteth upon many waters (peoples of the world)", is not a woman at all, but is in fact that Great City, (Mystery Babylon) which will reign over the kings of the earth, the city where the beast, Satan, sits atop the one world political and religious systems, the city in which the son of perdition sits in the temple and claims he is Jesus Christ. The woman is that great city, Jerusalem, where also our Lord was crucified.

Live Link to- Mystery Babylon
Let's review the last verse of chapter 17 so that no one gets any brainy idea to identify the woman as something other than that great city.
Rev. 17:18
And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
We also learned in chapter 17 that this great city, likened to a sleazy whore who has been in bed with just about everyone, has a special name on her forehead.  That special name is MUSTERION, the Greek word translated MYSTERY, which means "false religion" disguised as "true religion", i.e. it is hidden from being seen for what it really is.
It is really BABYLON which we documented means CONFUSION.

And so we see and understand why people are confused! They believe their religion, their church, is right and holy and pure and good! They cannot see that they have already been led astray from the TRUTH by the traditions of men, perpetuated by Biblically illiterate pastors and ministers, though many are well meaning, who follow the doctrines of their church and NOT "THE BIBLE" , "HI SWORD", which means they lead our people astray from the God's Word and let them wander the hills of confusion!

Is something new? 

Not a chance! It's been going on since ancient Babylon who "hath been a golden cup in the LORD'S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad (Jeremiah 51:7)."

In order for us to more fully understand this chapter 18 of Revelation we all need to go back and read the 50th and 51st chapters of the Book of Jeremiah. It concerns Babylon and it will read much like that which we shall read in Revelation 18 and it is relative to TODAY!
The apostle Paul taught us a principle that we must always remember as we study God's Word. And that is that the history of the events that happened to our people occurred and are recorded as examples for us, in these end times, TODAY, to LEARN from and SEE in detail the types set forth.
1 Cor. 10:11
Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
The reason this needs brought to our attention is that in this 18th chapter of Revelation we are going to see the judgment of the great city which is "Jerusalem", but is named "Secret Babylon" because it is Satan's worldwide headquarters of the pagan, false religious system that deceives the whole world. In other words, the world will not call Jerusalem "Babylon". The great city is not going to be renamed!
You must have the seal of God in your forehead, i.e. have an understanding of God's Word, to know that it will not be "Jesus in Jerusalem" when the spurious messiah arrives. It will be "Satan in Babylon". Do you have "eyes" to see that this is what we've been studying for 17 chapters?

Let me repeat that one more time!

It will not be "Jesus in Jerusalem" when the false-christ arrives. It will be "Satan in Babylon"!

The false messiah comes first but he will "Look Like the Lamb Slain", "With Two Horns", i.e. wielding both the power of King of kings and Lord of lords, both the powers of the one world political system and the worldwide religious system with him as Jesus who performs miracles in the sight of men.

Do you remember chapter 13? Rev. 13:11 "And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon."
The "beast", the "dragon"!
Come on, you know who that is! We've seen it revealed many times?  In the last chapter, Rev. 17:8, we were even told that the beast is the son of perdition.
What does it take for a person to "see"?

Satan is coming as Jesus Christ and the whole world will believe him! It is that simple, but the world doesn't see it. The waters (people, even church attending pro-claiming Christians) are confused because they have sipped from the filthy, muddy, golden cup of Babylon. And if they don't wake up they will get to share the whore's name, which is the same as the beast's mark!  Why? Because they'll be a little HARLOT!

They'll be worshipping Satan!

You remember the "Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne?  Well, you'll get to wear (not literally, of course) the "Scarlet Number" by Satan the Beast, which is "666" !

So our people are confused and led astray. Whose fault is that, other than their own for not studying His Word? Have you read Jeremiah 50 and 51 yet? 
Live Links to- Jeremiah 50 and 51
Jeremiah 50:6
My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their restingplace.
How are the shepherds who lead your church doing? I'm sure they are nice people!
Now, with all that as background, and if you understand chapter 17, then you can read and understand chapter 18 all on your own! It is simply the judgment and fall of that great city. Sure, there are a few English words that don't quite bring forth the full meaning of the Greek, which we will look up, but even as it is written in the KJV you can read and understand this chapter.

Let's begin.

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.
The Truth from our Father is light. This angel has great glory and great authority, which means lots of "thumping power".
[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.
"The show is over for you wicked whores and sluts in Babylon. Yes, that means you, Satan, and all your filthy, trashy, evil kings and birdbrains that you have caged in this city."
[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.
The whole world is drunk and screwed up! And the Rulers and CEOs have become "Fat Cats" through your "miracle performances" and "straining".

Here are the two words "abundance" and "delicacies" from Strong's.
abundance
dunamis, doo'-nam-is, Greek 1411; from Greek 1410 (dunamai); force (literal or figurative); specially miraculous power (usually by implication a miracle itself) :- ability, abundance, meaning, might (-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle (-s), power, strength, violence, might (wonderful) work.

delicacies
strenos, stray'-nos, Greek 4764; akin to Greek 4731 (stereos); a "straining", "strenuousness" or "strength", i.e. (figurative) luxury (voluptuousness) :- delicacy.

[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.
Have you read Jeremiah 50 and 51 yet?  What are you waiting for?  The type has been set forth. Babylon is going to be the recipient of the LORD's vengeance when He returns. The warning is clear... Come out of her!  
Live Links to- Jeremiah 50 and 51
Jeremiah 51:6
Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD'S vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence.

[7] Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD'S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.

Come out of confusion! Do you remember from chapter 16 who it is that the vials are poured out upon, i.e. receives the 7 plagues? It is those who are confused, deceived. It is those who do not have the Seal of God in their foreheads! We just read Rev. 18:4 which documents that people can come out of this religious confusion and escape the plagues. How is it done? By absorbing the truth of God's Word into their minds, which is in their foreheads, thereby "sealing" themselves.
[5] For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
Her sins "stink to high heaven" and our Father knows and remembers what she's done to His children.
[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.
Boy is she going to get it!
[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.
She glorifies herself in purple and scarlet robes, and decks herself with gold and precious stones, and houses herself with magnificent structures with stained glassed windows and cathedral ceilings. She's quite a religion! Looks great!

And she claims she's a Queen!  She says she is not a widow, which means she has a HUSBAND (she doesn't even know he's Satan!). Did she wait until the great wedding feast of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to wed Him?

No,  she's a WHORE!
Is she married to the real
"Jesus in Jerusalem"
?
No, she's married to "Satan in Babylon".
[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.
That one day is the Day of the Lord, the 7th Trump.
For her it will be the 7th Thump!
[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,
Gone up in smoke, the whole damnable thing!
They've been stripped of everything and now stand naked.
[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.
Destroyed with the blast from the 7th Trump!
[11] And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:
It shall be a sad day for those whose god is filthy lucre!
[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.

Did you catch those last two items? Satan wants your soul and he's willing to buy it! Is that something new, like a new revelation or something?   Hardly!
How much are you willing to sell your soul to the devil for?
Do you recall from chapter 12 that the dragon (you know who) drew a third of the sons of God (we/us, our brothers and sisters) away from God in the 1st earth age, i.e. "the reason for Lucifer's Flood"Do you know how he did that? Have you ever read Ezekiel 28 concerning the prince and king of Tyrus, Satan?

Live Link to- Ezekiel 28

Live Link to- Lucifer's Flood

Ezekiel 28:2
Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God:
This is in the "world that then was", the 1st earth age. This should remind us of what Satan will do when he is cast out of heaven (Rev. 12:7-9) and comes to earth. Here's the apostle Paul in 2 Thes. 2:4 "Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God."
 He hasn't changed a bit!
[3] Behold, thou art wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from thee: [4] With thy wisdom and with thine understanding thou hast gotten thee riches, and hast gotten gold and silver into thy treasures:
Remember his power structure in Rev. 12:3 was basically the same as he will have when he comes here (Rev. 13:1)? 
This guy buys friends and influences people with the gods of money and power and ego
(Just look at how he's influencing Politicians, Preachers, Teachers & the Media, and Bankers, etc) in this present earth age!

By golly Ned; I believe we covered all four of the "Hidden Dynasties" that make up our current "NEW WORLD ORDER"!  & He is not even here in person as yet! 
He's leading these happenings spiritually through his Ken
ite grandchildren right now!
 Live Link to- "Mystery Babylon"
But, just  you wait until Micheal kicks him our of heaven!  "Woe" to us, when we have to deal with him and his angels in person!

Daniel records that he will do the exact same thing when he arrives.  Like we said, he hasn't changed a bit!
[5] By thy great wisdom and by thy traffick hast thou increased thy riches, and thine heart is lifted up because of thy riches:
He was really something in the world that then was. People just loved his trafficking and riches. And it all went to his head! But the point is that he will operate the same way when he gets here, in this earth age!

 So the question is... "How much will you take for your soul?" The "Anti-Jesus in Jerusalem" will prepare a mansion for you, and give it to you! If you'll follow him! "Most of the world will!
Will you?"

Written by the hands of Jeremiah and John, are the words from the Lord our God, "Flee out of the midst of Babylon", "Come out of her my people!" Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen. The end of all religious confusion has come, for Jesus Christ has returned.

And so it is that we are reading in chapter 18 of Revelation the advanced news report about the fall of Babylon the great. We continue now in verse 14 with the lament of her lovers over her demise.
Rev. 18:14
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.
The "ripe fruit" (even the hope of salvation), i.e. all of your heart's desires, are gone along with all its luxuries and splendor! You've been harvested out of season!
[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,
The merchants are those great men or lords (see vs. 23 & Strong's) who became "Fat Cats" by peddling her "musterion", her false religion.
They ought to stand in fear because they are gettin' it next!
[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!
So beautiful she was! She looked so pretty! Yes, there's no doubt about it, Packaging Sells!
In other words, you can dress up a religion
 (even call it a Christian one) to look so good and holy with fancy buildings and priests in flowing robes, that people will just flock to it to partake of her golden cup!
[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,
You should check out the word "hour" used here. It is translated "season" in 2 Cor. 2:7, "short time" in 1 Thes. 2:17, as well as "hour", both literally and figuratively which can be determined by the context wherein it is used. In this case it means "instantly" or as we say "in an instant" or "just like that".
hora, ho'-rah, Greek 5610; apparently a primary word; an "hour" (literal or figurative):- day, hour, instant, season, × short, [even-] tide, (high) time.
Those shipmasters, the captains who steer the whore's "love boats", and all those who have been participating in the orgy, now try to distance themselves from Babylon!
 Too late though,
the party is over!
[18] And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!
Holy smoke, look at her burn!
[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.
To "cast dust on one's head" is an expression meaning to "mourn".  And what a "pity party" we see  going on here, weeping and wailing. Lament, lament, lament! That great city of whores, run by none other than "Puff the Magic Dragon" himself, is "gone up in smoke". Poof! She's gone!
[20] Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.
The battle is finally over. The good guys win! Praise God!
[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.
Babylon (FALSE RELIGION) will disappear forever, just like taking a big stone and casting it into the middle of the ocean.
Got the PICTURE?

"Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder shaped like a millstone and threw it into the ocean and shouted, 'Babylon, that great city, shall be thrown away as I have thrown away this stone, and she shall disappear forever.' (Living Bible)
[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;
If you have studied the book of Daniel then you should remember that Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, a type of the king of Babylon to come, had "set up" a golden image to be worshipped by all the people of the world.

Here's the decree:
Daniel 3:7
Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
Of course, those lads Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who had the Seal of God in their foreheads, would not bow a knee to the image. So the king threw them into the fiery furnace which was heated "7 times" hotter, but the fire of that great tribulation that they endured did not singe one hair on their heads!
 Sound like Revelation chapter 9 to you?
It should. It was a type that happened
 to increase our un
derstanding of these
 end time events!

We have studied in this Book of Revelation that the beast, Satan, "sets up" his image, i.e. that he is Jesus, and the people who go to church regularly, but are never taught any of the meat of our "Lord's Word" will believe he is God when they will hear the sound of the music and they will sing praises to Satan, the one sitting in the temple claiming to be God.

 (They know not that he is the son of perdition). Yes, they will kneel to and worship Satan, who will appear in the image of Christ.

Well guess what? It's going to end with the fall of Babylon! His music shall be heard no more!
[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.
There will be no more flickering light trying to imitate the real light of truth. It's over.

Now, do you remember in the last chapter what we read concerning the great whore? Rev. 17:2 "With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication."
The analogy is also made here that they have been drugged by her poison, i.e. deceived by her sorceries. 

Here's Strong's definition of "sorceries".
pharmakeia, far-mak-i'-ah, Greek 5331; from Greek 5332 (pharmakeus); medication ("pharmacy"), i.e. (by extension) magic (literal or figurative) :- sorcery, witchcraft.

pharmakeus, far-mak-yoos', Greek 5332; from pharmakon (a drug, i.e. spell-giving potion); a druggist ("pharmacist") or poisoner, i.e. (by extension) a magician :- sorcerer

Satan has a great many people in the world and in our nation strung out on booze and drugs. He's already got their souls in bondage with literal poison. The rest are in worse shape, for they are poisoned from the doctrines of men swirling in the golden cup of the beautiful looking whore which when they "sip from it", they "hallucinate" into imagining that they are seeing and worshiping Jesus, when in fact it's just the disguise of the beast, a mere image!

Oh the awesome power and deception of religion! It is ever so intoxicating. Our people are spiritually drunk already but they know it not, for they are in denial! They think they are OK! That is what deception is. Their church is so big and beautiful and the people are so nice and friendly.
 
Let us go sip from the cup!

And they do
Sunday after Sunday after Sunday to hear their "ONE VERSE REV." talk about anything
 and everything except what they need to know to "SAVE THEIR SOUL FROM SATAN'S DECEPTION"!
[24] And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.
Oh the awesome power and deception of religion!
It is ever so deadly.

We now conclude this study of chapter 18 with the words of Jesus Christ direct from His explanation of the first of the 7 Seals in Mark 13 and Mat. 24.
 Here is the #1 WARNING:
Matthew 24:4
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

[5] For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Many, not just a few ministers and preachers, but MANY, who claim to represent Christ and go around proclaiming "Jesus is Lord" and "Praise the Lord" will then hand you the golden cup!

So next time, before you take a sip, look in the golden cup and see if what's in it is from the "Word of God". Of course you'll have to know what the Word of God says to make that determination, won't you?

We've reached the 19th chapter in the great Book of the Revealing and there's about to be rejoicing in heaven. The 7th Trump is still sounding as Jesus Christ returns to this earth having judged the great whore and avenged the blood of His servants.
Babylon the great is history!
However, before we begin chapter 19 let's take a preview look at some of the terminology and symbols used in this chapter. You see, if you have studied line by line with us from the beginning of this book, then you will have no problem understanding most of this chapter because you already know what most everything means. For example, here of some the symbols and phrases used that we've read of and learned about to this point in the Book of Revelation:
vs. 2 The great whore

vs. 4 The four and twenty elders and the four beasts (living beings)

vs. 6 The voice of many waters

vs. 8,14 Fine linen, clean and white

vs. 11 A white horse

vs. 12 "Eyes as a flame of fire"

vs. 15 Sharp sword proceeding from Christ's mouth

vs. 15 the winepress of God's wrath

Plus, if you've studied, i.e. read with understanding, the entire Bible from the beginning, from Genesis on, line by line then you will completely understand this chapter, for as we said from the opening study, there is nothing really new in the Book of Revelation that hasn't been discussed before in God's Word. It's just that in this Book of the Unveiling, this PICTURE BOOK, prophecy is all tied together and simplified for our understanding.

Therefore the rest of the words and phrases in in this study, such as Lamb, Word of God, Kings of kings and Lord of lords, etc., are to be found previously in God's Word.

The point is that if a person were to pick up the book of Revelation and try to read and understand it without the foundation from the Word, you just can't imagine what kind of scenarios they would come up with. On second thought, you've probably seen some of the wild and crazy interpretations of this book. I actually heard one nationally televised preacher tell the viewers that there are going to come "huge locusts, come down out of the sky, the size of horses, with stingers in their tails, and when they sting you it will hurt for 5 months".
Confusion, confusion! And it all comes from not studying the Word of God!  And so it is written that the time is fast approaching when the whole world will be confused about who the true Christ is. Will you? Not if you are sealed with His Word in your forehead.

Chapter 19 verse 1:

Rev. 19:1
And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:
After seeing the fall of "Babylon the great" John hears much rejoicing in heaven. "Alleluia" is the Greek word for the Hebrew word "Hallelujah" which means "Praise ye Jah" or "Praise the Lord". "Jah" or "Yah" is God's name. So now when someone asks you if you speak any Hebrew say "Yes, Hallelujah".
By the way, this is the first time this word "Hallelujah" is used in the New Testament and it is connected with the punishment of the wicked. Do you know what? The first time it is used in the Old Testament it is connected with the same thing.
Psalm 104:35
Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD.
"Praise ye the LORD" is the translation of "hallelujah" as opposed to just converting the Hebrew letters to English, which is a process called transliteration.
So John observes them praising God in heaven.
[2] For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.
We've read of it all.
[3] And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.
Praise ye Yah! The great whore who corrupted the earth by committing fornication, which is idolatry, with all the nations is GONE!
Don't let the phrase "and her smoke rose up for ever and ever" conjure up some image of an ever burning hell fire. It simply means that when something is burned and it "goes up in smoke" it is gone for ever and ever.
[4] And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.
You should know who these people are. This verse should bring back a vivid and beautiful scene of heaven in your mind from chapter four. If it doesn't then go back and re-read chapter four.
[5] And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.
The word "fear" means "reverence", i.e. to "revere" or to love God.
[6] And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
Hallelujah!
[7] Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
Note to the advanced student: If you are familiar with those who were chosen "before the foundation of this world" spoken of by Paul in Ephesians chapter 1, and their calling and justification also spoken of by Paul in Rom 8:29-30, then you will know that the wife (Greek #1135 gune) is not the same as the bride (Greek #3565 numphe). Read the marginal note in The Companion Bible on Rev. 21:9.
Rev. 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
The fine linen is the righteousness or "righteous acts" of the saints (look up the word righteousness in Strong's). Your "works", your righteous acts, will be your clothing in heaven. If you have no righteous acts you'll be very, very naked!
How embarrassing would that be?
"Yes, but salvation is of grace and not of works", you say. True, but you are rewarded by your works, so will you be saved with your clothes on or will you saved stark naked.
Rev. 16:15
Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
So get some clothes and keep them on.
Now John is given some instructions. Back to work John!
Rev. 19:9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
[10] And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
This angel was one of John's brethren only he was in his spiritual body, not his flesh. And the angel said "Never, never, never worship angels. Worship God".
What is the testimony of Jesus? It's the entire Word of God. We could say it's both the Old Testimony and the New Testimony. Yes, I like it!
[11] And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
Heaven opened! Hey, the veil, that spiritual dimension that we can only see through darkly, has been parted. Of course we know that when Christ returns at the 7th Trump, the last trump, we are changed from our flesh bodies to our spiritual bodies as Paul documents in 1 Cor. 15:52: "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."
The rider on this white horse is Jesus Christ, and He is coming to make war with His enemies, who we read in Rev. 17 are preparing to make war with Him. Rev. 17:14 "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."
[12] His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and He had a name written, that no man knew, but He himself.
Remember the description of Christ in Rev. 2:18 "And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;"  Wait until His enemies look into His eyes!

Yes, He will have many crowns on His head for all the crowns of the earth will have been surrendered to Him.

The word "knew" used here is "oido" which means to "know intuitively without effort".
Do you know His name?
[13] And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
He shed His blood for you and me.
He is the Word of God!

Always has been!
John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Rev. 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

The return of Jesus Christ with His saints!
Let's sing now: "Onward Christian Soldiers, Marching as to War!"          Ok, that's enough
Did you notice that everyone who rides with Him is fully clothed in white linen.
[15] And out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
The Sharp Two-edge Sword cuts right through the confusion and brings into submission all nations and peoples and tongues! We know from Rev. 1:16 that the Sword is the Word of God. He shall rule with correction, a rod of iron, treading that winepress where those who didn't make the first harvest were cast.
[16] And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
Now the very fitting the words of the apostle Paul in the Book of Timothy concerning our soon coming King of kings and Lord of lords:
1 Tim. 6:11-16
But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

[12] Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

[13] I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;

[14] That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

[15] Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

[16] Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

Amen.

Christ is coming to make war (Rev. 19:14-15) and to subdue all nations, taking all their "crowns", and placing them all under His rod of correction. We observed Him returning with His armies, who rode upon white horses, and were clothed with fine white linen, meaning their righteous acts.

Just wait until you see this army of the Host of Heaven led by the King of kings! It will truly be an awesome sight to behold! Of course when we read about the horses we wonder if these horses are real horses like "Trigger" or "Secretariat" or "Silver". Well, not exactly.
 Do you remember in 2 Kings chapter 6 when Elisha and the young man were surrounded by a host of enemy horses and chariots, and how Elisha prayed to the Father to reveal the heavenly army to the young man?
2 Kings 6:17
And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
These "horses" and "flaming chariots" are the same as the highly polished metallic flying circular vehicles described by Ezekiel in chapters 1 and 10 of his book. To describe them as high-tech, even using the terminology from the knowledge we possess in this space age, would be a gross understatement.

Live Links to- Ezekiel chapters 1 and 10

In any event, when Christ returns to make war at the sound of the 7th Trump, we read that His armies will follow Him. It is at this time that His Kingdom will be ushered in, which is to say that His Millennial reign will begin. This is one statement to which most everyone agrees. But there is something which happens at Christ's return which is a "mystery" to most.

Do you recall how many times we've said that an understanding of the rest of the Bible is essential in order to come to the fullness of the understanding of the Book of Revelation? That makes sense, doesn't it? You can't just pick up a book and read the last chapter or two and understand the whole book, can you? 

Here's what we said:
"Plus, if you've studied, i.e. read with understanding, the entire Bible from the beginning, from Genesis on, line by line then you will completely understand this chapter, for as we said from the opening study, there is nothing really new in the Book of Revelation that hasn't been discussed before in God's Word. It's just that in this Book of the Unveiling, this PICTURE BOOK, prophecy is all tied together and simplified for our understanding."
And so it is that we are about to SEE another very graphic PICTURE of what happens when Jesus Christ returns at the 7th Trump. That event is that ALL of mankind will be instantly changed from flesh (terrestrial) to spiritual (celestial) bodies. The apostle Paul in 1 Cor. 15 spoke of this event which he called a "mystery".
Of course he then revealed it, i.e. explained it, in very simple language so that it is a "mystery" no more. And here in Revelation that same "mystery" is revealed in PICTURE format (for this picture oriented final generation).
So before we see the picture, let us first understand what Paul said. The subject is he is addressing is the death and resurrection of the body from flesh to spirit:
1 Cor. 15:44
It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
Paul has gone to great lengths in this 15th chapter to let us know that we have two bodies and that when we die, the flesh is gone and we are then elevated, raised, resurrected, born again, into celestial bodies, just as Jesus said we must be, in John 3:3, to see the kingdom of God.
1 Cor. 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
Remember, Paul is about to show us a mystery, an event that will occur at the 7th Trump when Jesus returns, but he first wants to prepare our minds and remind us that flesh bodies cannot enter into the Millennium, i.e. the kingdom of God, which will begin on this earth when Christ returns.

 So the question is "How will Christ handle all the people who are alive and remain when He returns?"
Paul explains it and makes it very simple for us to understand, which I guess is why it is a "mystery" to most.
[51] Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
We are not all going to die (as we know natural death). But we will ALL be changed (born again) into our spiritual bodies! We will document that ALL means everyone when we return to Revelation.
And about how long, and precisely when will this change of bodies take place?
[52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
"Just like that" at the "last trump", i.e. instantly when Jesus Christ returns!

Now don't let the phrase "the dead shall be raised incorruptible" cause you to switch subjects in the middle of a sentence. 

The subject is the change of bodies from flesh to spirit. We read in verse 51 that it is ALL who are changed and here in verse 52 Paul breaks it down into two categories. (1) The "dead", who are the "spiritually dead", i.e. the figuratively dead, as in still liable to die the second death (the death of their soul) (see appendix 139 in the Companion Bible regarding the different use of the word nekros translated "dead" in the NT). They too will be elevated, or raised to incorruptible bodies, and (2) we Christians also!

Paul is simply saying both the good and the bad, those who are saved and those who aren't, will be changed into celestial bodies, i.e. ALL, EVERYONE!
[53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
You see documented in this verse that the change of body from flesh to spirit, i.e. from corruptible to incorruptible (which happens to ALL), is not the same as receiving eternal life which is to be elevated from a mortal soul to an immortal soul, which happens only to those who partake of the 1st Raising to eternal life, or the 1st Resurrection to Immortality. In other words there is a "resurrection" from the flesh to the spiritual body, and there is also a "resurrection" from mortality to immortality!
The resurrection from flesh to spirit bodies happens to ALL at Christ's return, but the resurrection from mortality to immortality happens only to those who are His at His coming. The rest must wait until the 2nd Resurrection to immortality after the Millennium, and though they also will be in spiritual bodies throughout the Millennium, they will be referred to as the "dead".
You see, the "dead" (spiritually) will still STAND before judgment.
"Dead" is a reference to the  condition of their soul, not the status of their bodies.
They are not corpses who stand, they are still mortal souls!
They just didn't make it in the 1st resurrection.
It is that their soul is still liable to die for it is still mortal and subject to the second death, and that is where they are headed if they don't shape up during the Millennium.

 We will read of them in chapter 20 of Revelation.

And so there is much confusion in the ranks of Christianity concerning the subject of "resurrection" because of the lack of understanding of the use of the word "nekros" and the failing to understand the simplicity of the "mystery" that Paul explains in 1 Cor. 15.

So we have learned from the apostle Paul that ALL flesh will be changed when Christ returns, and it is at that point to which we have arrived in Rev. 19. 

Here then is the PICTURE of the end of all flesh at the sound of the 7th Trump:

Rev. 19:17
And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;
The circling buzzards and birds are going to have a great feast at this event! There will be flesh and blood bodies lying all over the place!

The original texts read "to the great supper of God". The word "supper" used is here is the Greek word "deipnon" which comes from "dapane", dap-an'-ay, Greek #1160; from dapto (to devour); expense (as consuming) :- cost.

Again, don't be confused and bring in subjects that are not being discussed. This verse is not talking about the marriage supper of the Lamb which takes place later. Jesus Christ is returning and the flesh age is over; all mankind will be changed into their spiritual bodies. Some changed into their spiritual bodies, already having received immortality, i.e, eternal life & some changed into their spiritual bodies, but still mortal, i.e. not yet receiving eternal life. Their condition will remain as such for the Millennium, after which time, they will be judged at the "Great White Throne" by their works, during the Millennium.  Some will be awarded eternal life at the end of the Millennium & some will perish in the "Lake of Fire"!  And they will be no more.
[8] That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.
Here is the verse that documents that the word "all" in 1 Cor. 15:52 means "everyone" both small and great and not just Christians.
So do you get the PICTURE that there will be a lot of carcasses lying around for the birds to feast on and clean up? Pretty graphic isn't it?
[19] And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
We see here the 10 kings and the armies which Satan has gathered together in Jerusalem to make war with the Lamb. Let's switch to the Book of Zechariah and SEE a PICTURE of their fate at the 7th Trump.
The 14th chapter of the Book of Zechariah gives us this same account of Christ's return when His feet touch down upon the Mount of Olives. Remember we just read in Rev. 19:18 that "ALL FLESH" is going to be consume away at His return and that includes the earthly kings and their armies which Satan has gathered at Jerusalem to make war against the Lamb.
Zech. 14:12
And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.
Yep, their flesh is gone too! (Perhaps this was a bit "over dramatized" by the translators in 1611 but we've got the PICTURE.)
Rev. 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
Again, be careful not switch subjects here, but to rightly divide the Word. We are reading about the events surrounding the return of Jesus Christ, and not of the judgment after the Millennium and "the" lake of fire which causes the second death. For the sake of clarity in understanding, reading "a" lake of fire as it is translated here instead of "the" lake of fire will help. Why?  Because this verse is simply saying that the "one world political system", i.e. the political beast, and the false prophet, which is Satan's role as the false-christ, will also be consumed away for ever and ever, GONE!
This is Babylon the Great being "utterly burned with fire" as we read in Rev. 18:8!
Now let's think for a moment. We know that Satan will be loosed for a short time after the Millennium to be used as a final test for those who go through the Millennium But he will NOT be given a one political system again (for Christ is taking charge as King of kings forever when He returns), nor will he afforded the role as false Messiah again, i.e. the false prophet

Here's verse 21 to complete the 19th chapter:

Rev. 19:21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
This verse concludes the narrative contained in the three verses 19, 20 and 21 which all begin with "And" John is simply telling us (vs. 19) that he saw the beast and the armies gathered together to make war, (20) and Babylon the Great was "utterly burned with fire" as we read in 18:8, and (21) everyone else was changed from flesh (terrestrial) bodies to spiritual (celestial) bodies.

Again, I hope you can see that there is nothing new here that we haven't read of before! We are reading the final chapters of the Word of God. We should know all of this before we get to this point. Revelation is simply the uncovering, a final Pictorial Look at the events consummating the end of this age, i.e. it is mostly summary material.

In chapter 20 we will go into and even pass through the Millennium to that final judgment when all that is evil and wicked is consumed away in the lake of fire and the 3rd Heaven and 3rd Earth age, which will exist for all eternity, is finally come!
How truly exciting is the Revelation from our Father to those who have eyes to see and ears to hear!

To study the Bible is the noblest of all pursuits; to understand it, the highest of all goals.
We pray that with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you accomplish both.



The "American Wisdom Series"

is

Published by:

Rhine Publishing Co.
E-mail address - americanwisdomseries@verizon.net

If you would like to have your essay published
as part of the American Wisdom Series
submit your manuscript to Rhine Publishing Co
at the address above for consideration, or e-mail us
at the address shown on our home page.