8:3 - "the prayers of all the saints"

This is similar to the opening of the 5th seal in the previous section -- Revelation 6:9-10. We are not told what is prayed for but it is strongly implied that the prayers are for judgment against those persecuting the Christians. Note the prayers go to God and then the fire from the altar is thrown to the earth. The last time has arrived and they are anxious for the conclusion of everything to take place.

Now, the Trumpets can begin to sound. Notice the opening of the seals deals with the actions of the riders of the horses. When the first four trumpets sound the events happen.

As in the first vision the first four scenes pass by pretty quickly. In the first four trumpets a third part of just about everything is effected. It seems good to note at this time that perhaps the quickness of the first four scenes in both visions indicates that this is the part that has already taken place. Remember John was to write "the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this"

If the application of the visions begins at the time in history that John sees the visions, we can see that we are quickly approaching the end as John faithfully records the vision before him.

Note these disasters are non-selective as to what is spared or not spared. The only exception is "all green grass was burned up." In the trumpets of the three woes, the grass is spared - 9:4. The following from Isaiah 40:6-10 is in harmony with what is happening here.

"6 The voice said, "Cry out!" And he said, "What shall I cry?" "All flesh is grass, And all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. 7 The grass withers, the flower fades, Because the breath of the Lord blows upon it; Surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever." 9 O Zion, You who bring good tidings, Get up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, You who bring good tidings, Lift up your voice with strength, Lift it up, be not afraid; Say to the cities of Judah, "Behold your God!" 10 Behold, the Lord God shall come with a strong hand, And His arm shall rule for Him; Behold, His reward is with Him, And His work before Him."

Trumpets were used in a number of ways, to announce, warn, call to assemble. It seems most probable here that the trumpets are sounding a warning. The first four trumpets are general warnings which should bring repentance. These things are certainly great tribulation. Compare the text of Revelation here with the text in Matthew.

Revelation 8:7-13

The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up. 8 Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. 9 And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed. 10 Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. 11 The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter. 12 Then the fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night.

Matthew 24:21-19 21

"For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 "And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened. 23 "Then if anyone says to you, `Look, here is the Christ!' or `There!' do not believe it. 24 "For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 "See, I have told you beforehand. 26 "Therefore if they say to you, `Look, He is in the desert!' do not go out; or `Look, He is in the inner rooms!' do not believe it. 27 "For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 28 "For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together. 29 " Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

The falling of a star indicates someone in power suffering a blow. Prehaps this is Nero. Perhaps it a ruling High Priest who should not have been in power in the first place. Perhaps it is one of the powerful men who usurped power and control in Jerusalem in her last days.

Three woes, three trumpets -- that the last calamities are all woes is clearly stated. Who, however, are the woes against. Note the text says, "They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads." 9:4 after the 5th angel sounded. These woes are against those who have not received the seal of God.9:1 -- "The fifth angel sounded"

-- "A star fallen from heaven"

This star is generally assumed to be Satan. Jesus says, in Luke 10:17-19:

"7 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name. And He said to them, I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you..

Satan could certainly be restrained by God as is indicated in the temptations of Job.

Some think the devils are the demon posession that went on in this first century. Josephus mentions demons only a couple of times. The following is from Wars Of The Jews Book 7 Page 1794:

" but still in that valley which encompasses the city on the north side, there is a certain place called Baaras, which produces a root of the same name with itself;  its color is like to that of flame, and towards the evening it sends out a certain ray like lightning: it is not easily taken by such as would do it, but recedes from their hands, nor will yield itself to be taken quietly,  . . . It may also be taken another way, without danger, which is this: they dig a trench quite round about it, till the hidden part of the root be very small,  they then tie a dog to it, and when the dog tries hard to follow him that tied him, this root is easily plucked up, but the dog dies immediately, as it were instead of the man that would take the plant away; nor after this need anyone be afraid of taking it into their hands.   Yet, after all this pains in getting, it is only valuable on account of one virtue it hath, that if it be only brought to sick persons, it quickly drives away those called Demons, which are no other than the spirits of the wicked, that enter into men that are alive, and kill them, unless they can obtain some help against them.

Not much, but one can see that demons were thought to have power and great pains were taken to obtain the plant potent to destroy them. In the Gospels they are many and they definitely obey Jesus. In the Great commission the Apostles are given the power to cast out demons - Mark 16:17

Another view is of course that this represents an invading army, such as Vespasian and his troups as the Romans came against Judea. The breast plates of iron certainly indicate this. But why and did it happen that they were not allowed to kill. This could refer to Roman occupation of Judea where they tried to keep peace and appease the emperor at the same time. A show of force was certainly there. But were they of Satan?

Arthur Ogden takes the view that they are the seditious Jews that took over Jerusalem during this time. They possibly would not have taken any liberty to kill. And even without killing, some rode roughshod over the populace of Jerusalem.

Lastly we cannot ignore Adam Clarke: He is interesting at times.

That they should be tormented five months - Some take these months literally, and apply them to the conduct of the Zealots who, from May to September, in the year of the siege, produced dreadful contests among the people; or to the afflictions brought upon the Jews by Cestius Gallus, when he came against Jerusalem, before which he lay one whole summer, or nearly five months.

Their torment was as the torment of a scorpion - The phraseology here is peculiar, and probably refers to the warlike weapon called a scorpion, several of which, or men armed with them, Cestius Gallus brought with him in his army.

Isidore describes this scorpion thus:. "The scorpion is a poisoned arrow shot from a bow or other instrument, which, when it wounds a man, deposits the poison with which it is covered in the wound; whence it has the name of scorpion."

(Note: Josephus makes no mention of this incident that I could find. Neither does Edersheim. This doesn't mean that it didn't happen, but it seems more normal that at least one of them would mention such an incident. The quote does show, however, that Adam Clarke understood Revelation to be about the events pertaining to Jerusalem's fall. - MCS)

We may want to tie this together later on in our studies but for now we can easily see that this star fallen from heaven is causing havoc. He opens the bottomless pit and the scorpion like locusts are given power for five months.

His name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon.

The Hebrew name means "ruin, destruction, the place of destruction"

The Greek name means "destroyer"

These names are appropriate for Satan. The devil certainly occupied the bottomless pit as is seen in Revelation 20:1-2:

"Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years."

It possible could apply to others. Any one of the power hungry mongrels who took over a portion of Jerusalem just before or during the war with Rome could certainly have "Destruction" and Destroyer" applied to them. The text here also points out that the king was an angel, the angel of the bottomless pit. This may mean supernatural control of the creatures, making them non-human since no other references refer to any angel being king on the earth. If the devil is the king and the forces are human I would still have to consider that it was Jewish forces and not the Roman forces. The Romans were protecting their territory, the Jewish rebels were in defiance of God.

This is a definite act of God. It is according to his plan. This great calamity should have sent men falling to their knees; instead they increased their resolve to defy the living God. By refusing to repent the further calamites would deservedly come upon them. The call to release the angels is from the altar; therefore we are drawn back to the martyrs. For some, the time for punishment had come, others, those who did not repent, were still building for the wrath to come.

I'm reminded of the words of Jesus found in Matthew 24. "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only." Although this scene is not a fulfillment of this passage it is important to note that the angels were prepared whenever they were called. The father knew the hour, but the angels didn't. This does not mean that the preparation was not made. The plan was there,  in place. The angels were in a state of readiness.

Many understand this to be Christ. I'm prone to agree. Many of the early Christians viewed some of the Old Testament references about an angel to refer to Christ. According to Justin Martyr, Christ was the one who spoke to Moses out of the burning bush and was the third angel who appeared to Abraham. (Dialogue with Trypho the Jew - chapter 56). In the New Testament, I Corinthians 10:4, Paul says the rock of which they drank in the wilderness was Christ. Remember Christ is called the lion of the tribe of Judah in Revelation 5:5.

This was some mighty angel. His voice was loud, as when a lion roars. He had the authority to declare that the finish had come. When he cried out, 7 thunders uttered their voices.

This is a very similar scene to what Ezekiel saw. Ezekiel 1:28 -

" Like the appearance of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the brightness all around it. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. So when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of One speaking."

Note the association with the "glory of the Lord."

What these thunders uttered was sealed, but if out time frame is correct, the things they uttered did come to pass. We do not know why they were sealed, but I think we can safely say that the revelation was not for John's audience.

I find it curious that near the end of the Battle, Josephus records some wonders that were seen. Note the text on the following page.

From Josephus book 5, chapter 5

 Thus were the miserable people persuaded by these deceivers, and such as belied God himself; while they did not attend, nor give credit, to the signs that were so evident and did so plainly foretell their future desolation; but, like men infatuated, without either eyes to see, or minds to consider, did not regard the denunciations that God made to them.  Thus there was a star resembling a sword, which stood over the city, and a comet, that continued a whole year.

 Thus also, before the Jews' rebellion, and before those commotions which preceded the war, when the people were come in great crowds to the feast of unleavened bread, on the eighth day of the month Xanthicus Nisan, and at the ninth hour of the night, so great a light shone round the altar and the holy house, that it appeared to be bright day time; which light lasted for half an hour.  This light seemed to be a good sign to the unskillful, but was so interpreted by the sacred scribes, as to portend those events that followed immediately upon it.

 At the same festival also, a heifer, as she was led by the high priest to be sacrificed, brought forth a lamb in the midst of the temple.

 Moreover, the eastern gate of the inner court of the temple, which was of brass, and vastly heavy, and had been with difficulty shut by twenty men, and rested upon a basis armed with iron, and had bolts fastened very deep into the firm floor, which was there made of one entire stone, was seen to be opened of its own accord about the sixth hour of the night.   Now, those that kept watch in the temple came hereupon running to the captain of the temple, and told him of it: who then came up thither, and not without great difficulty, was able to shut the gate again.  (295) This also appeared to the vulgar to be a very happy prodigy, as if God did thereby open them the gate of happiness. But the men of learning understood it, that the security of their holy house was dissolved of its own accord, and that the gate was opened for the advantage of their enemies. So these publicly declared, that this signal foreshowed the desolation that was coming upon them.

Besides these, a few days after that feast, on the twenty-first day of the month Artemisius Jyar,a certain prodigious and incredible phenomenon appeared; I suppose the account of it would seem to be a fable, were it not related by those that saw it, and were not the events that followed it of so considerable a nature as to deserve such signals; for, before sunsetting, chariots and troops of soldiers in their armor were seen  running about among the clouds, and surrounding of cities.

Moreover at that feast which we call Pentecost, as the priests were going by night into the inner court of the temple, as their custom was, to perform their sacred ministrations, they said that, in the first place, they felt a quaking, and heard a great noise, and after that they heard a sound as of a great multitude, saying, "Let us remove hence." But, what is still more terrible there was one Jesus, the son of Ananus, a plebeian and a husbandman, who, four years before the war began, and at a time when the city was in very great peace and prosperity, came to that feast whereon it is our custom for everyone to make tabernacles to God in the temple, began on a sudden cry aloud, "A voice from the east, a voice from the west, a voice from the four winds, a voice against Jerusalem and the holy house, a voice against the bridegrooms and the brides, and a voice against this whole people!" This was his cry, as he went about by day and by night, in all the lanes of the city.

However, certain of the most eminent among the populace had great indignation at this dire cry of his, and took up the man, and gave him a great number of severe stripes; yet did not he either say anything for himself, or anything peculiar to those that chastised him, but still he went on with the same words which he cried before.  Hereupon our rulers supposing, as the case proved to be, that this was a sort of divine fury in the man, brought him to the Roman procurator;  where he was whipped till his bones were laid bare; yet did he not make any supplication for himself, nor shed any tears, but turning his voice to the most lamentable tone possible, at every stroke of the whip his answer was, "Woe, woe to Jerusalem!"

And when Albinus (for he was then our procurator) asked him who he was, and whence he came, and why he uttered such words; he made no manner of reply to what he said, but still did not leave off his melancholy ditty, till Albinus took him to be a madman, and dismissed him.

Now, during all the time that passed before the war began, this man did not go near any of the citizens, nor was seen by them while he said so; but he every day uttered these lamentable words, as if it were his premeditated vow, "Woe, woe, to Jerusalem!"  Nor did he give ill words to any of those that beat him every day, nor good words to those that gave him food; but this was his reply to all men, and indeed no other than a melancholy presage of what was to come. This cry of his was the loudest at the festivals; and he continued this ditty for seven years and five months, without growing hoarse, or being tired therewith, until the very time that he saw his presage in earnest fulfilled in our siege, when it ceased; for as he was going round upon the wall, he cried out with his utmost force, "Woe, woe, to the city again, and to the people, and to the holy house!" And just as he added at the last, - "Woe, woe, to myself also!" there came a stone out of one of the engines, and smote him, and killed him immediately; and as he was uttering the very same presages, he gave up the ghost.

We do not know what the trumpets uttered. These events recorded by Josephus fall in the time frame of the war, not necessarily in the time between the 6th and 7th trumpets. This just seemed like a good place to note this phenomena. Did I count right? Seven continues to be prevalent in this study.

This is when there will be no longer delay, recalling the cry from the alter, "How long, O Lord, holy and true?" It would be when the the 7 trumpet was about to sound, that the mystery of God would be finished. As we have repeatedly pointed out the finish of the old was necessary for the new to take it's eternal place as the unshakable kingdom. The mystery as declared by Paul to be (Romans 16:25-26)

"the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began but now has been made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith."

Surely one's thoughts are tuned to the words of Jesus recorded in Luke 21:22,

"For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled."

Jesus' words hold true: Matthew 5:17-18

"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled."

If the mystery is to be completed as he declared to his servants the prophets, then Revelation must be about things of which the prophets spoke. Come now, use your head. They didn't speak of Rome, the Roman Catholic church, the United Nations, the World Trade Federation or any such like. They spoke of Israel, God's people, and salvation through them which would extend to the Gentiles. Didn't they?

Note that this mystery would be finished as was declared to his servants the prophets. This expression is certainly not new and it precedes a great disaster upon those who did not listen.

II Kings 17:23 -- Israel was taken into Assyrian Captivity as he "said to all his servants the prophets"

Jeremiah 7:25-32 -- it would be call the valley of slaughter because they would not hear his servants the prophets.

Incidents of his people not heeding his servants the prophets is found 6 times in the book of Jeremiah. We find in addition to the above, 25:4, 26:5, 29:19, 35:15, 44:4. Daniel mentions the same. Perhaps, because chapters 38 and 39 of Ezekiel speak of Gog and Magog, the most noteworthy passage is in Ezekiel 38:16-18:

"You will come up against My people Israel like a cloud, to cover the land. It will be in the latter days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me, when I am hallowed in you, O Gog, before their eyes." Thus says the Lord God: "Are you he of whom I have spoken in former days by My servants the prophets of Israel, who prophesied for years in those days that I would bring you against them? 18 " And it will come to pass at the same time, when Gog comes against the land of Israel," says the Lord God, "that My fury will show in My face."

We will no doubt have more to say about this when we get to Revelation 20:8. For now surely the words of Jesus come to life in these passages of Revelation. Matthew 23:37&38:

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! "See! Your house is left to you desolate."

Just as Ezekiel, (3:1-3) ate the scroll, John was to eat the book and then deliver the message. In their mouth it was sweet. What John ate was bitter in his stomach. Perhaps what Ezekiel ate was bitter in his stomach also, but we are not told such. What was to be preached was not going to be well received. The testimony of John certainly contained some good news about the kingdom. The destruction of Jerusalem however was very bitter and painful.

These were the events taking place between the 6th and 7th trumpets the events just before the end. The prophecies of the little book about the many people, nations, tongues and kings about which John was to prophesy. "Measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there" clearly places the events taking place about Jerusalem. Some make a plea for the early date based on the present tense of measure, but this is a vision. This is not the case we are making here. In the vision, John is told to measure the temple. . . This is what the prophecy is about. The court, however, was not to be measured. It would be given to the Gentiles who would tread the holy city under foot for 42 months. Was Rome ever known as the holy city in any Biblical writings? The Roman legions were 42 months taking the city. This is 3 ½ years.

These are witnesses belonging to God. They are either spiritual or actual may be people or objects. If they are spiritual, then the fulfillment of the prophecies was the witness and the two would indicate the prophecies before Christ death and the prophecies after his death. If actual, then two people would be in Jerusalem. Certainly before such a great condemnation, a verification of the terrible deeds would be collaborated by two or more witnesses. Perhaps there were two actual people in the city proclaiming the word, perhaps not.

The most difficult part of the prophecy to me is the death of the witnesses and their subsequent resurrection after 3 ½ days. Actual is easy, they were in Jerusalem and prophecied until their prophecy was complete then they were killed. After 3 ½ days the end came and they assended to heaven on a cloud.

If figurative, the concept is more difficult. The gospel was preached in "all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come." -- Matthew 24:14. No doubt the end looked like the end to everything pertaining to both Christian and Jew. In the Roman mind there wasn't a big distinction. The Nationalistic Jews chose to go against God and deny His Messiah (Christ). In the parable of the vineyard, they said, "This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance." The Son was killed and in the end the battle for independence was lost for them. No doubt the Christians were saying believe on Christ, the Jewish priesthood had lost control of the temple near the end, so to the Jews who controlled the city, they had defied God and killed any who opposed them both Christians and Jews. The destruction of Jerusalem however fulfilled the words of Jesus and was the testimony that he was the Christ and that his followers, Christians were now the chosen ones. The kingdom of Christ was in place, the kingdom of the Jews was not to be found. Hence, their enemies saw them accend to heaven in a cloud according to the prophecy of Jesus.

Perhaps I'm to simple but I prefer having actual witnesses in Jerusalem. Their powers certainly imply that it is actual people not something symbolic. James Stuart Russell emphatically states that the two witnesses were James and Peter. It could have been another two witnesses. The witnesses were killed by the mercenaries that that taken over Jerusalem. Then the Jewish leaders just before their own demise saw them accend in the cloud.

This passage in Revelation certainly brings to light the prophecy of Jesus, Matthew 24:29-30:

"Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."

If our reasoning has been acceptable, if our presentation has been convincing at all for the early date and that Revelation deals with the destruction of Jerusalem, if our logic has been sound even half of the time then surely we can see the fulfillment the words of Jesus preceeding and of I Thessalonians 4:17:

"Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord."

As we have said, if this is the gospel, then the fulfilment of all the prophecies certainly glorifies the Christians. In any case this mention of the clouds seems significant in my mind.

The end has come. Note the results:

• "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" Rev, 11:15, I Corinthians 15:24-28.
• "He (Christ) shall reign forever and ever!" (11:15) The everlasting kingdom has come.
• The dead are judged (11:18)
• The prophets, saints and those who fear "Your name" are rewarded. (11:18) This fulfills the truth of Hebrews 11:39-40.

The earthly temple was destroyed, but not the spiritual. The earthly temple was for man's benefit. God did not need a place on earth to dwell. The earthly was destroyed, but God continues to reign and His temple is still in tact.

QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSIONS

REVELATION LESSON 5

REVELATION 8:2 - 11:19

FOR THIS LESSON YOU WRITE 5 QUESTIONS OR TOPICS OF DISCUSSIONS TO SHARE WITH THE CLASS.