Revelation 12-18
January 7, 2015

Just a few comments on each chapter today:

Chapter 12:  The woman is the nation of Israel, and the dragon is the devil.  The child is Jesus Christ, whom the devil wants to destroy.   The 1/3 of the stars in the sky that his tail flung to earth are 1/3 of the angels, who then became demons.    The 1,260 days is 3 1/2 years and is mentioned several places in these next 5 chapters.   The dragon fighting against Michael and his angels must be a second battle, given the comments in verse 10 and after.   If it were the original fall from heaven, they wouldn't mention the "blood of the Lamb".     In some way the devil must try and destroy the whole nation of Israel, but the land (and God himself) fight for her.  (that has happened several times already)

Chapter 13: In this chapter we are introduced to the "unholy trinity".  Just as God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are presented to us as one, the devil now tries to imitate that which is true.   The beast has a fatal wound...that could be literal, or it could be a country that was thought to be "dead"   This beast brags and does miracles for 3 1/2 years, and deceives the whole world (except for the saints).
Notice that verse 10 says that the saints should remain patient.   Why would it say that if the saints aren't still here?
Sometime a third person appears, filling the role of the evil prophet.  This beast forces everyone to worship the first beast (who in turn serves the dragon...the devil)   there you have it: the evil trinity.
Many people will be deceived by this.   Jesus does not return to call fire down from heaven, or cause images to speak.  In fact, Jesus is opposed to images, so if you see one being set up:   it isn't Jesus doing it.
The mark of the beast (that is, the mark of the second beast) is some sort of agreement of allegience, or to serve.   It could be a literal stamp on the hand, or a microchip, or who knows what.  But no one will receive it by accident, and many will refuse to take it.   In particular, the saints will not accept it.   They will have wisdom at that time to recognize it for what it is.

Chapter 14:  The selected people are in heaven, but no mention of the rest of us.  I don't know why this passage is here, it doesn't seem to have anything to do with what is going on.   Then we have the curse uttered against anyone who takes the mark of the beast  (verse 9).   Again, the saints are commanded to endure patiently.   Hmmm.  It almost seems like the saints are still here...

The harvest of the earth is in two parts:   the sickle swings twice, by two different angels.   The first angel harvests the earth and not much is mentioned.   I suspect that is where the rapture occurs.   Then the second angel harvests the earth in the form of the battle of Armageddon.

Chapter 15;  The earth is being destroyed in this chapter, and all the people who are left along with it.   Verse 15 should not be interpreted to mean that the Saints are still here, this is a reflective thought, offered in the middle of the events.   Verse 17 one of those places that I suspect is an overlap in the text.   The earth was harvested, and I thought it was the great battle of Armageddon, which is spoken of again here.   So Chapter 15 and 14 could overlap...unless there are two great battles where millions die.   That seems unlikely.
I wonder what the impact crater looks like from a 100 lb hailstone falling at a terminal velocity of 150 feet per second?   I'm guessing it looks something like a huge bomb crater.   I tried to look it up on Google, and my brain started hurting and I got dizzy...    Let's just say that it would ruin your car, and probably your house.   One of those hitting a gas main or a electrical transfer station..... Oh boy.

Chapter 17 and 18 record the punishment for Babylon, which could be the actual city in Iraq, or it could be code for "Rome".    


Tomorrow's reading begins the good news!


PR