With all the 2012 hoopla and fear of doomsday right around the corner, and tension in the Middle East keeping everyone sleeping with one eye open, it seems appropriate to once again discuss Armageddon.
Contrary to popular belief, Armageddon is way down the list of catastrophes waiting their turn to fulfill prophecy.
What should be of more concern for the present is what happens before Armageddon, which does not occur until the sixth vial is poured out upon the Euphrates River, which then dries up, making way for the kings of the east.
There are many catastrophic events that occur prior to the sixth vial, and Scripture makes it clear there is no being "caught up in the air" (1 Thessalonians 4:17), until Christ returns, which is shortly before that Great War.
The Holy Bible is Earth's biography, from beginning to end.
It is the Father and the Son, the Old and New Testaments, and together they are One.
What is written must be taken more seriously and regardless of how much of it is understood, it must be accepted as Truth.
Understanding comes with growth and with faith.
The prophecies contained within it exceed by far those of Nostradamus or any other prophet since John the Baptist.
It should also be deeply considered that if the prophecies of old have come true, then the prophecies of the future will come true also.
If we are to base our analysis on the book of Revelation, along with a few other citations from other books of the Bible, then we should first begin with the opening of the seven seals, the beginning of the end.
Prior to this are the letters to the seven churches, which would be for the things that are, for John's present time.
John was told to write "the things you have seen, the things that are, and the things that will be hereafter.
" It is quite obvious that when the sixth seal is opened, the Transformation and Resurrection has already occurred.
The four horsemen of the apocalypse are the most familiar of the seven seals, and much debate over what or who they represent continues.
Since it is the Lamb of God who opens the seals, it does not seem logical that the white horse would represent Christ himself, but because He rides a white horse in most references of His return, many people associate this with the return of Jesus.
However, that is not the first thing to be fulfilled.
Besides, Christ usually carries a sword, not a bow.
Other interpretations may seem just as valid, of which Time Periods must also be considered.
First Four Seals: First Seal: White horse, rider wears a crown (kingdom), given a bow, went forth conquering and to conquer.
A time of conquering, from tribal clans of eastern Europe to the Mongolian battles of Genghis Khan to the conquering of America.
Second Seal: Red horse, given a sword; they went forth to take peace from the earth and kill one another.
A time of wars.
Once nations became established, or conquered, wars and races for domination continued.
The nations of today evolved from these invasions and wars with neighboring lands.
Third Seal: Black horse, given balances; one measure of wheat for a penny, three measures of barley for a penny, do not hurt the oil or wine.
Time of Rationing.
One measure of wheat and three of barley for a penny each, and not hurting the oil or wine, may mean both will suffice if used carefully.
Maybe it is more of a warning to prepare for the next time period.
Fourth Seal: Pale horse, Death is its rider and Hell follows after him.
Given power to kill with sword, hunger, death, and beasts, over one-fourth of the world.
Death comes through sword, hunger, dying, and the beasts, and it spreads over one-fourth of the world.
This time of starvation, disease, and ravaging wars continues and Hell is there to take the dead.
Fifth Seal: Souls under the altar are told to rest a little season (another time period) until their fellow servants and brothers who are killed for their testimony as they were, is fulfilled.
Sixth Seal: Great earthquake, sun becomes black and moon blood red (lunar/solar eclipse), stars fall from heaven (meteor shower or tail of comet), heaven departs as a scroll and every mountain and island are moved out of their places (polar or magnetic shift?).
People hide in dens and rocks for fear of the Day of the Lord.
The four winds are held back while 144,000 are sealed.
A great multitude of people stand before the throne in white robes holding palms and worshiping God.
They have come out of great tribulation and have washed their robes (souls) in the blood of the Lamb.
Seventh Seal: Silence in heaven about half an hour.
It is the Sixth Seal that is of most importance to the present time.
This is the time of great tribulation, as mentioned in Matthew 24:21, and warns it is greater than any in history.
Those who "endure to the end," will be greatly rewarded.
If we consider the four horsemen to be periods or eras of time on earth, relevant to humankind, then we are most assuredly due for the sixth seal to be opened.
What happens during the period of the sixth seal is similar to the fourth trumpet, when the sun, moon, and stars are darkened.
Thus, we must conclude that the seals and the trumpets are neither simultaneous nor consecutive.
Since none of the other seals has to do with astronomical events as mentioned, and since all biblical prophecies of the end include such events, then we know that when we see these events occur, the end is near (Mark 13:24-29).
The Sixth Seal is the time of the end which includes the sounding of the trumpets and the pouring out of the vials with the seven last plagues.
This is also confirmed in Revelation 16:20, during the sixth vial, where it states the mountains and islands fled.
When the seventh seal is opened, there is silence in heaven for about half an hour.
When the seventh trumpet sounds, which is also the third woe, the mystery of God will be finished (Rev 10:7), and great voices in heaven are heard, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever (Rev 11:15).
The pouring out of the seventh vial causes an earthquake greater than any ever before, and great, heavy hail.
Also, a voice speaks from the throne saying, "It is done", meaning finality.
Thus, the seventh seal, seventh trumpet, and seventh vial, are all indicative of the very end of things.
The events that happen prior to the final stages of the end of things as we know them should be our concern.
It can then be concluded that the seven trumpets will sound during the time of the sixth seal.
Also, the first six vials are poured out after the tribulation period and after the gathering and resurrection of believers, which occurred when Christ appeared during the sixth trumpet.
The cosmic events prophesied as a sign of the end are found in both the Old and New Testaments.
Isaiah 13:10 For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof will not give their light: the sun will be darkened in his going forth, and the moon will not cause her light to shine.
Joel 3:14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.
The sun and the moon will be darkened, and the stars will withdraw their shining.
Matthew 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days will the sun be darkened, and the moon will not give her light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken: (Mar 13:29) So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, (cosmic event in verses 24-28), know that it is nigh, even at the doors.
Acts 2:17-21 And it will come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters will prophesy, and your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams...
And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke: The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: And it will come to pass, that whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Such occurrences are scattered throughout the seals, trumpets, and vials, which imply a continuing devastation of the planet by all sorts of catastrophes caused by weather conditions, astronomical events, and even man.
First Four Trumpets: First Trumpet: Hail and fire mingled with blood burns one third of trees and all green grass.
Second Trumpet: Something burning like a fiery mountain is cast into the sea, one third becomes blood and one third of ships and sea creatures are destroyed.
Third Trumpet: Burning star called Wormwood falls upon one third of rivers and fountains.
Many men die because the waters are made bitter.
Fourth Trumpet: one third of sun, moon, and stars are darkened and one third of the day and night.
These four trumpets could be caused by one event, a volcanic eruption, possibly in the sea, or that fated asteroid with our name on it collides with earth and causes the devastations mentioned.
These events happen prior to Armageddon, which is to say, prior to the return of Christ and prior to the Harvest.
The tribulation is not necessarily just a persecution of Christians, but a period of time when everyone on earth will suffer through the devastations to come.
As if all this was not bad enough, here comes worse, the three woes, or, remaining three trumpets.
Fifth Trumpet: An angel is given the key to the bottomless pit, which he opens and releases smoke and locusts upon the earth.
He appears before the Beast that arises from the sea.
His name is King Apollyon and his army of locusts torments for five months those who do not have the seal of God, which seems strange.
It may not mean the 144,000 sealed from the twelve tribes (Revelation 7), but those who are sealed with the Holy Spirit, as in Ephesians 1:13 "after you heard the word of truth...
and believed, you were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise," and also 4:30 "grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby you are sealed unto the day of redemption.
" Those who do not have the seal of God are all nonbelievers.
The fifth trumpet is also a period of three and a half years of war led by King Apollyon.
During John's vision of trumpets, Seven Thunders utter their voices, but John is told not to write what was said.
An angel then swears by God and all His Creation that time will be no longer, and foretells that in the days of the last trumpet the mystery of God will be finished, or completed.
John eats the little book of prophecy in the angel's hand and is told he must prophecy again.
The Temple is then measured with those within it.
The Court outside the Temple is given to the Gentiles to tread underfoot for three and a half years, or forty-two months, which happens during the next trumpet.
This is the FIRST WOE.
The sixth trumpet is the second woe, or the second war.
This is an extensively detailed time period.
It is also when Christ returns.
It also contains the pouring out of the seven vials.
Almost all prophecy is fulfilled during this time, even Armageddon.
Four angels (nations) are released from the Euphrates to kill a third part of men.
An army of two hundred million will either war against King Apollyon for three and a half years, or just wreak havoc throughout the Middle East, killing all in their path.
King Apollyon will go into perdition until the time the Beast rises from the sea and he appears again as the seventh head of the Beast which was mortally wounded.
Many people speculate this huge army will be China.
However, with four nations combined, two hundred million is easily possible.
Besides, China does not have seven heads and ten horns, nor is it a nation of the Euphrates.
However, the "kings of th east" is referenced during the pouring out of the sixth vial, which is when Armageddon happens.
It is possible China may be involved in that war.
Two witnesses will prophecy for three and a half years.
King Apollyon makes war against them, prevails, and kills them.
The whole world rejoices and sends gifts to one another.
The dead bodies of the two prophets lie unburied for three and a half days and are then resurrected.
The whole world is in awe.
A great earthquake kills seven thousand people and is the end of the Second Woe.
The third woe, or seventh trumpet, comes quickly, which is when the dead are judged, but this does not occur until after the seven vials are poured out, another indication that the seals, trumpets, and vials do not occur consecutively.
Also, the dead are not judged until after the thousand year reign of Christ.
It must be understood these are separate visions of things to happen, not a list.
It is not clear when the sixth trumpet ends, but it is clear the seventh trumpet occurs at the end of time, not necessarily right after the sixth trumpet.
When the seventh trumpet sounds, the mystery of God is finished.
This cannot occur until the other prophecies are fulfilled.
John then reveals his next vision.
There is a Birth in heaven.
Some interpret this to be the Christ child, but it could also be the birth of a new nation, Israel.
There is war in heaven and Michael and his army of angels defeat The Dragon, who is expelled from heaven with his angels and cast down to earth for a short time.
He goes to make war with those who keep God's commandments (Jews) and those who have the testimony of Jesus Christ (Christians), the remnant of her SEED.
The Beast with seven heads and ten horns rises from the sea (nations), and continues another three and a half years.
(This could be a reformation of Mideast or European countries which form the Beast.
King Apollyon, who went into perdition, then returns as the wounded head of the Beast and the eleventh horn that rises.
He makes war with the saints and overcomes them, and is given power over all kindred, tongues, and nations.
This is after King Apollyon's war with the two prophets.
This next war is with the saints, or believers in Christ.
) Dan 7:20-27 And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell...
even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth (false prophet?) that spoke very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.
I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High, and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.
Thus he said, The fourth beast will be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which will be diverse from all kingdoms, and will devour the whole earth, and will tread it down and break it in pieces.
The ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that will arise: and another will rise after them (making eleven); and he will be diverse from the first, and he will subdue three kings (making him the eighth) (Revelation 17:11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goes into perdition).
He will speak great words against the most High, and will wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they will be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
Rev 13:6-8 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, and His tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them.
This is the same beast from the bottomless pit which has returned from perdition, upon which Babylon sits, which again indicates King Apollyon, the seventh head with the deadly wound, which was, and is, and is not.
Revelation 17:8 The beast that you saw was, and is not; and will ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition (King Apollyon), and they that dwell on the earth will 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 above verses indicate King Apollyon is the Beast, and is also the "other horn".
There are more horns than there are nations.
Once three of the horns are consumed by the eleventh horn, that gives each head, or nation, a leader, plus one.
King Apollyon returns from perdition with a wounded but healed nation, and most likely, is the leader of them all.
2 Thessalonians 2:3-12 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day will not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God...
Do you not remember that when I was with you I told you these things? A second beast rises from the earth (the people) and is the False Prophet.
He instructs the people to make an image of the Beast to worship.
It is also the False Prophet who makes them receive the mark, name, or number of the Beast, which is the number of a man, the Beast of seven nations from the sea which King Apollyon rules.
It is not the Beast who makes the people worship his image, but the False Prophet, a religious leader.
Beware of such.
This event will separate the nations, for there will be some who will not receive his mark or name or number.
This will interfere greatly with world trade, especially oil.
Countries that depend on Middle East oil must prepare for alternatives now.
America must not bow to the Beast and his demands, but there will be many who will be beguiled to follow this False Prophet and his teachings.
This False Prophet has also been given power to do great things, such as make fire come down on earth in the sight of men, and he deceives people because of the miracles which he has power to do.
He has power to give life to the image created of the Beast, and he exercises all the power of the first Beast.
Next, the Lamb appears on Mt.
Zion with the 144,000 elect.
Three angels make announcements.
The first has the everlasting gospel to preach to those on the earth and instructs the people of earth to worship God.
The second announces the fall of Babylon.
The third warns that those who worship the Beast or receive his mark, number, or name, will drink of the wine of the wrath of God.
There is a short space of time between when Christ appears on Mt.
Zion, right after the saints are destroyed by the Beast, and when the battle of Armageddon occurs.
Between these two events the Transformation of the living believers and the Resurrection of the dead in Christ occurs.
Jesus sits on His throne and thrusts in His sickle and reaps the earth, then an angel reaps again and puts the grapes into the winepress of the wrath of God.
The remaining events take shortly before Armageddon.
These are the seven last plagues upon the earth and mankind, upon those who worship the Beast, upon the Beast and his kingdom, and upon the rest of the world.
These are the plagues: Plague of sores on those who worship the Beast Plague upon the seas, which become as the blood of a dead man, and all sea life dies Plague on rivers and fountains to become blood Plague of scorching sun Plague of darkness upon the kingdom of the Beast and upon his seat, but none repent Plague of three frogs which are evil spirits that come out of the mouth of the Dragon, the Beast, and the False Prophet, and who go out to gather the nations to ARMAGEDDON.
The Euphrates River is also dried up (most likely from the scorching sun), which makes way for the kings of the east to come to this battle.
The major nations east of the Euphrates River are Iran, India, Russia, China, and Japan.
Babylon is destroyed by the ten kings who receive power with the Beast for one hour.
A description of her destruction is described in the seventeenth chapter of Revelation.
She is burned with fire and the nations mourn for her.
These kings, which are part of the Beast, then make war with the Lamb who overcomes them.
Those who are with the Lamb are those who were called, chosen, and faithful to Him.
Babylon is called into remembrance to be given the wine of the wrath of God, which was tread outside the city (chapter 14:20), and blood came from the winepress to a depth as far as the horses bridles.
She is the city of the false religion of the False Prophet.
Those who worshiped the Beast and received his mark, name, or number, also are made to drink.
Although the Transformation and Resurrection are to occur at the time of Jesus' return to Mt.
Zion, He calls for His people to come out of Babylon just before she is given the cup of wrath.
This implies there are many who believe they believe, but have followed false doctrine, yet still belong to Christ.
He will call them one last time out of their false religion.
John is then told the time for the marriage supper nears.
Jesus rides out on a white horse, this time with His armies of heaven, also on white horses.
A sharp, two-edged sword (of Truth), goes out of His mouth to smite the nations with, which He will then rule with a rod of iron.
He treads the winepress of God from the harvest which has just been reaped, and Babylon is forced to drink it.
An angel standing in the midst of the sun cries aloud to the birds and fowl and calls them to gather together to eat the flesh of the dead.
The Beast and the kings of the earth with their armies, are gathered together to fight against Jesus and His army of angels.
The Beast and False Prophet are taken and cast into a lake of fire and brimstone and the rest of the armies are destroyed with the sword from the mouth of Jesus.
The birds eat the flesh of the dead bodies.
ARMAGEDDON is over.
An angel comes down from Heaven with a great chain and binds Satan, the Dragon that gave the Beast and False Prophet their power, for a thousand years and he is cast into the bottomless pit.
The sixth plague is finished.
The last vial is poured into the air.
A great voice from the throne in the Temple, says, "It is done.
" There are voices, thunders, and lightnings, then the earthquake of all earthquakes occurs, greater than any since mankind.
Islands and mountains are not to be found (as foretold during the sixth seal), followed by hail weighing almost 75 pounds each.
Judgment is given to those who sit upon thrones, and they live and reign with Christ a thousand years with those who were beheaded for their testimony of Jesus and did not take part in the worshiping of the Beast, False Prophet, or the image of the Beast.
This is the FIRST RESURRECTION, on which the second death has no effect.
After the thousand years have expired, Satan is loosed and gathers Gog and Magog from the four corners of the earth.
Fire from Heaven devours them and Satan is cast into the lake of fire with the Beast and False Prophet.
Heaven and Earth flee from God who sits on the great white throne.
The rest of the dead (those who were not resurrected at the Second Coming of Christ Jesus) are judged from the books that are opened, which is the Second Resurrection.
Another book, the Book of Life, is also opened.
All people will be judged according to their works, according to what was written in the other books.
Whoever is not found written in the Book of Life is cast into the lake of fire.
The final enemies to be destroyed are Death and Hell, which are also cast into the fire, which is the final, or Second Death.
This indicates that people still die during the thousand year reign, and that there is still one final battle.
These nations are destroyed by the fire from heaven.
Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
I, John, saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them, and be their God.
He will wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there will be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither will there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.
And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
Isaiah 65:17 Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former will not be remembered nor come into mind.
We will not remember this life or the things that happened here.
It will all be forgotten.
In the meantime, snap back to the present time.
Know that once the cosmic catastrophes begins to happen, the end has begun.
It is the sign in the heavens that we will see first.
We may not have a lot of time to prepare for this cataclysmic event, but as scientists have warned, "it's not a matter of if, but of when.
" Jesus warned that when we see the leaves fall we know autumn is here.
So also, when we see the stars fall from heaven, we will be sure the end is near.
It is the first sign of the coming of the end, of the rest of the prophecies coming true.
Is your lamp trimmed and filled with oil?
Contrary to popular belief, Armageddon is way down the list of catastrophes waiting their turn to fulfill prophecy.
What should be of more concern for the present is what happens before Armageddon, which does not occur until the sixth vial is poured out upon the Euphrates River, which then dries up, making way for the kings of the east.
There are many catastrophic events that occur prior to the sixth vial, and Scripture makes it clear there is no being "caught up in the air" (1 Thessalonians 4:17), until Christ returns, which is shortly before that Great War.
The Holy Bible is Earth's biography, from beginning to end.
It is the Father and the Son, the Old and New Testaments, and together they are One.
What is written must be taken more seriously and regardless of how much of it is understood, it must be accepted as Truth.
Understanding comes with growth and with faith.
The prophecies contained within it exceed by far those of Nostradamus or any other prophet since John the Baptist.
It should also be deeply considered that if the prophecies of old have come true, then the prophecies of the future will come true also.
If we are to base our analysis on the book of Revelation, along with a few other citations from other books of the Bible, then we should first begin with the opening of the seven seals, the beginning of the end.
Prior to this are the letters to the seven churches, which would be for the things that are, for John's present time.
John was told to write "the things you have seen, the things that are, and the things that will be hereafter.
" It is quite obvious that when the sixth seal is opened, the Transformation and Resurrection has already occurred.
The four horsemen of the apocalypse are the most familiar of the seven seals, and much debate over what or who they represent continues.
Since it is the Lamb of God who opens the seals, it does not seem logical that the white horse would represent Christ himself, but because He rides a white horse in most references of His return, many people associate this with the return of Jesus.
However, that is not the first thing to be fulfilled.
Besides, Christ usually carries a sword, not a bow.
Other interpretations may seem just as valid, of which Time Periods must also be considered.
First Four Seals: First Seal: White horse, rider wears a crown (kingdom), given a bow, went forth conquering and to conquer.
A time of conquering, from tribal clans of eastern Europe to the Mongolian battles of Genghis Khan to the conquering of America.
Second Seal: Red horse, given a sword; they went forth to take peace from the earth and kill one another.
A time of wars.
Once nations became established, or conquered, wars and races for domination continued.
The nations of today evolved from these invasions and wars with neighboring lands.
Third Seal: Black horse, given balances; one measure of wheat for a penny, three measures of barley for a penny, do not hurt the oil or wine.
Time of Rationing.
One measure of wheat and three of barley for a penny each, and not hurting the oil or wine, may mean both will suffice if used carefully.
Maybe it is more of a warning to prepare for the next time period.
Fourth Seal: Pale horse, Death is its rider and Hell follows after him.
Given power to kill with sword, hunger, death, and beasts, over one-fourth of the world.
Death comes through sword, hunger, dying, and the beasts, and it spreads over one-fourth of the world.
This time of starvation, disease, and ravaging wars continues and Hell is there to take the dead.
Fifth Seal: Souls under the altar are told to rest a little season (another time period) until their fellow servants and brothers who are killed for their testimony as they were, is fulfilled.
Sixth Seal: Great earthquake, sun becomes black and moon blood red (lunar/solar eclipse), stars fall from heaven (meteor shower or tail of comet), heaven departs as a scroll and every mountain and island are moved out of their places (polar or magnetic shift?).
People hide in dens and rocks for fear of the Day of the Lord.
The four winds are held back while 144,000 are sealed.
A great multitude of people stand before the throne in white robes holding palms and worshiping God.
They have come out of great tribulation and have washed their robes (souls) in the blood of the Lamb.
Seventh Seal: Silence in heaven about half an hour.
It is the Sixth Seal that is of most importance to the present time.
This is the time of great tribulation, as mentioned in Matthew 24:21, and warns it is greater than any in history.
Those who "endure to the end," will be greatly rewarded.
If we consider the four horsemen to be periods or eras of time on earth, relevant to humankind, then we are most assuredly due for the sixth seal to be opened.
What happens during the period of the sixth seal is similar to the fourth trumpet, when the sun, moon, and stars are darkened.
Thus, we must conclude that the seals and the trumpets are neither simultaneous nor consecutive.
Since none of the other seals has to do with astronomical events as mentioned, and since all biblical prophecies of the end include such events, then we know that when we see these events occur, the end is near (Mark 13:24-29).
The Sixth Seal is the time of the end which includes the sounding of the trumpets and the pouring out of the vials with the seven last plagues.
This is also confirmed in Revelation 16:20, during the sixth vial, where it states the mountains and islands fled.
When the seventh seal is opened, there is silence in heaven for about half an hour.
When the seventh trumpet sounds, which is also the third woe, the mystery of God will be finished (Rev 10:7), and great voices in heaven are heard, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever (Rev 11:15).
The pouring out of the seventh vial causes an earthquake greater than any ever before, and great, heavy hail.
Also, a voice speaks from the throne saying, "It is done", meaning finality.
Thus, the seventh seal, seventh trumpet, and seventh vial, are all indicative of the very end of things.
The events that happen prior to the final stages of the end of things as we know them should be our concern.
It can then be concluded that the seven trumpets will sound during the time of the sixth seal.
Also, the first six vials are poured out after the tribulation period and after the gathering and resurrection of believers, which occurred when Christ appeared during the sixth trumpet.
The cosmic events prophesied as a sign of the end are found in both the Old and New Testaments.
Isaiah 13:10 For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof will not give their light: the sun will be darkened in his going forth, and the moon will not cause her light to shine.
Joel 3:14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.
The sun and the moon will be darkened, and the stars will withdraw their shining.
Matthew 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days will the sun be darkened, and the moon will not give her light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken: (Mar 13:29) So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, (cosmic event in verses 24-28), know that it is nigh, even at the doors.
Acts 2:17-21 And it will come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters will prophesy, and your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams...
And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke: The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: And it will come to pass, that whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Such occurrences are scattered throughout the seals, trumpets, and vials, which imply a continuing devastation of the planet by all sorts of catastrophes caused by weather conditions, astronomical events, and even man.
First Four Trumpets: First Trumpet: Hail and fire mingled with blood burns one third of trees and all green grass.
Second Trumpet: Something burning like a fiery mountain is cast into the sea, one third becomes blood and one third of ships and sea creatures are destroyed.
Third Trumpet: Burning star called Wormwood falls upon one third of rivers and fountains.
Many men die because the waters are made bitter.
Fourth Trumpet: one third of sun, moon, and stars are darkened and one third of the day and night.
These four trumpets could be caused by one event, a volcanic eruption, possibly in the sea, or that fated asteroid with our name on it collides with earth and causes the devastations mentioned.
These events happen prior to Armageddon, which is to say, prior to the return of Christ and prior to the Harvest.
The tribulation is not necessarily just a persecution of Christians, but a period of time when everyone on earth will suffer through the devastations to come.
As if all this was not bad enough, here comes worse, the three woes, or, remaining three trumpets.
Fifth Trumpet: An angel is given the key to the bottomless pit, which he opens and releases smoke and locusts upon the earth.
He appears before the Beast that arises from the sea.
His name is King Apollyon and his army of locusts torments for five months those who do not have the seal of God, which seems strange.
It may not mean the 144,000 sealed from the twelve tribes (Revelation 7), but those who are sealed with the Holy Spirit, as in Ephesians 1:13 "after you heard the word of truth...
and believed, you were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise," and also 4:30 "grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby you are sealed unto the day of redemption.
" Those who do not have the seal of God are all nonbelievers.
The fifth trumpet is also a period of three and a half years of war led by King Apollyon.
During John's vision of trumpets, Seven Thunders utter their voices, but John is told not to write what was said.
An angel then swears by God and all His Creation that time will be no longer, and foretells that in the days of the last trumpet the mystery of God will be finished, or completed.
John eats the little book of prophecy in the angel's hand and is told he must prophecy again.
The Temple is then measured with those within it.
The Court outside the Temple is given to the Gentiles to tread underfoot for three and a half years, or forty-two months, which happens during the next trumpet.
This is the FIRST WOE.
The sixth trumpet is the second woe, or the second war.
This is an extensively detailed time period.
It is also when Christ returns.
It also contains the pouring out of the seven vials.
Almost all prophecy is fulfilled during this time, even Armageddon.
Four angels (nations) are released from the Euphrates to kill a third part of men.
An army of two hundred million will either war against King Apollyon for three and a half years, or just wreak havoc throughout the Middle East, killing all in their path.
King Apollyon will go into perdition until the time the Beast rises from the sea and he appears again as the seventh head of the Beast which was mortally wounded.
Many people speculate this huge army will be China.
However, with four nations combined, two hundred million is easily possible.
Besides, China does not have seven heads and ten horns, nor is it a nation of the Euphrates.
However, the "kings of th east" is referenced during the pouring out of the sixth vial, which is when Armageddon happens.
It is possible China may be involved in that war.
Two witnesses will prophecy for three and a half years.
King Apollyon makes war against them, prevails, and kills them.
The whole world rejoices and sends gifts to one another.
The dead bodies of the two prophets lie unburied for three and a half days and are then resurrected.
The whole world is in awe.
A great earthquake kills seven thousand people and is the end of the Second Woe.
The third woe, or seventh trumpet, comes quickly, which is when the dead are judged, but this does not occur until after the seven vials are poured out, another indication that the seals, trumpets, and vials do not occur consecutively.
Also, the dead are not judged until after the thousand year reign of Christ.
It must be understood these are separate visions of things to happen, not a list.
It is not clear when the sixth trumpet ends, but it is clear the seventh trumpet occurs at the end of time, not necessarily right after the sixth trumpet.
When the seventh trumpet sounds, the mystery of God is finished.
This cannot occur until the other prophecies are fulfilled.
John then reveals his next vision.
There is a Birth in heaven.
Some interpret this to be the Christ child, but it could also be the birth of a new nation, Israel.
There is war in heaven and Michael and his army of angels defeat The Dragon, who is expelled from heaven with his angels and cast down to earth for a short time.
He goes to make war with those who keep God's commandments (Jews) and those who have the testimony of Jesus Christ (Christians), the remnant of her SEED.
The Beast with seven heads and ten horns rises from the sea (nations), and continues another three and a half years.
(This could be a reformation of Mideast or European countries which form the Beast.
King Apollyon, who went into perdition, then returns as the wounded head of the Beast and the eleventh horn that rises.
He makes war with the saints and overcomes them, and is given power over all kindred, tongues, and nations.
This is after King Apollyon's war with the two prophets.
This next war is with the saints, or believers in Christ.
) Dan 7:20-27 And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell...
even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth (false prophet?) that spoke very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.
I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High, and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.
Thus he said, The fourth beast will be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which will be diverse from all kingdoms, and will devour the whole earth, and will tread it down and break it in pieces.
The ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that will arise: and another will rise after them (making eleven); and he will be diverse from the first, and he will subdue three kings (making him the eighth) (Revelation 17:11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goes into perdition).
He will speak great words against the most High, and will wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they will be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
Rev 13:6-8 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, and His tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them.
This is the same beast from the bottomless pit which has returned from perdition, upon which Babylon sits, which again indicates King Apollyon, the seventh head with the deadly wound, which was, and is, and is not.
Revelation 17:8 The beast that you saw was, and is not; and will ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition (King Apollyon), and they that dwell on the earth will 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 above verses indicate King Apollyon is the Beast, and is also the "other horn".
There are more horns than there are nations.
Once three of the horns are consumed by the eleventh horn, that gives each head, or nation, a leader, plus one.
King Apollyon returns from perdition with a wounded but healed nation, and most likely, is the leader of them all.
2 Thessalonians 2:3-12 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day will not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God...
Do you not remember that when I was with you I told you these things? A second beast rises from the earth (the people) and is the False Prophet.
He instructs the people to make an image of the Beast to worship.
It is also the False Prophet who makes them receive the mark, name, or number of the Beast, which is the number of a man, the Beast of seven nations from the sea which King Apollyon rules.
It is not the Beast who makes the people worship his image, but the False Prophet, a religious leader.
Beware of such.
This event will separate the nations, for there will be some who will not receive his mark or name or number.
This will interfere greatly with world trade, especially oil.
Countries that depend on Middle East oil must prepare for alternatives now.
America must not bow to the Beast and his demands, but there will be many who will be beguiled to follow this False Prophet and his teachings.
This False Prophet has also been given power to do great things, such as make fire come down on earth in the sight of men, and he deceives people because of the miracles which he has power to do.
He has power to give life to the image created of the Beast, and he exercises all the power of the first Beast.
Next, the Lamb appears on Mt.
Zion with the 144,000 elect.
Three angels make announcements.
The first has the everlasting gospel to preach to those on the earth and instructs the people of earth to worship God.
The second announces the fall of Babylon.
The third warns that those who worship the Beast or receive his mark, number, or name, will drink of the wine of the wrath of God.
There is a short space of time between when Christ appears on Mt.
Zion, right after the saints are destroyed by the Beast, and when the battle of Armageddon occurs.
Between these two events the Transformation of the living believers and the Resurrection of the dead in Christ occurs.
Jesus sits on His throne and thrusts in His sickle and reaps the earth, then an angel reaps again and puts the grapes into the winepress of the wrath of God.
The remaining events take shortly before Armageddon.
These are the seven last plagues upon the earth and mankind, upon those who worship the Beast, upon the Beast and his kingdom, and upon the rest of the world.
These are the plagues: Plague of sores on those who worship the Beast Plague upon the seas, which become as the blood of a dead man, and all sea life dies Plague on rivers and fountains to become blood Plague of scorching sun Plague of darkness upon the kingdom of the Beast and upon his seat, but none repent Plague of three frogs which are evil spirits that come out of the mouth of the Dragon, the Beast, and the False Prophet, and who go out to gather the nations to ARMAGEDDON.
The Euphrates River is also dried up (most likely from the scorching sun), which makes way for the kings of the east to come to this battle.
The major nations east of the Euphrates River are Iran, India, Russia, China, and Japan.
Babylon is destroyed by the ten kings who receive power with the Beast for one hour.
A description of her destruction is described in the seventeenth chapter of Revelation.
She is burned with fire and the nations mourn for her.
These kings, which are part of the Beast, then make war with the Lamb who overcomes them.
Those who are with the Lamb are those who were called, chosen, and faithful to Him.
Babylon is called into remembrance to be given the wine of the wrath of God, which was tread outside the city (chapter 14:20), and blood came from the winepress to a depth as far as the horses bridles.
She is the city of the false religion of the False Prophet.
Those who worshiped the Beast and received his mark, name, or number, also are made to drink.
Although the Transformation and Resurrection are to occur at the time of Jesus' return to Mt.
Zion, He calls for His people to come out of Babylon just before she is given the cup of wrath.
This implies there are many who believe they believe, but have followed false doctrine, yet still belong to Christ.
He will call them one last time out of their false religion.
John is then told the time for the marriage supper nears.
Jesus rides out on a white horse, this time with His armies of heaven, also on white horses.
A sharp, two-edged sword (of Truth), goes out of His mouth to smite the nations with, which He will then rule with a rod of iron.
He treads the winepress of God from the harvest which has just been reaped, and Babylon is forced to drink it.
An angel standing in the midst of the sun cries aloud to the birds and fowl and calls them to gather together to eat the flesh of the dead.
The Beast and the kings of the earth with their armies, are gathered together to fight against Jesus and His army of angels.
The Beast and False Prophet are taken and cast into a lake of fire and brimstone and the rest of the armies are destroyed with the sword from the mouth of Jesus.
The birds eat the flesh of the dead bodies.
ARMAGEDDON is over.
An angel comes down from Heaven with a great chain and binds Satan, the Dragon that gave the Beast and False Prophet their power, for a thousand years and he is cast into the bottomless pit.
The sixth plague is finished.
The last vial is poured into the air.
A great voice from the throne in the Temple, says, "It is done.
" There are voices, thunders, and lightnings, then the earthquake of all earthquakes occurs, greater than any since mankind.
Islands and mountains are not to be found (as foretold during the sixth seal), followed by hail weighing almost 75 pounds each.
Judgment is given to those who sit upon thrones, and they live and reign with Christ a thousand years with those who were beheaded for their testimony of Jesus and did not take part in the worshiping of the Beast, False Prophet, or the image of the Beast.
This is the FIRST RESURRECTION, on which the second death has no effect.
After the thousand years have expired, Satan is loosed and gathers Gog and Magog from the four corners of the earth.
Fire from Heaven devours them and Satan is cast into the lake of fire with the Beast and False Prophet.
Heaven and Earth flee from God who sits on the great white throne.
The rest of the dead (those who were not resurrected at the Second Coming of Christ Jesus) are judged from the books that are opened, which is the Second Resurrection.
Another book, the Book of Life, is also opened.
All people will be judged according to their works, according to what was written in the other books.
Whoever is not found written in the Book of Life is cast into the lake of fire.
The final enemies to be destroyed are Death and Hell, which are also cast into the fire, which is the final, or Second Death.
This indicates that people still die during the thousand year reign, and that there is still one final battle.
These nations are destroyed by the fire from heaven.
Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
I, John, saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them, and be their God.
He will wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there will be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither will there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.
And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
Isaiah 65:17 Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former will not be remembered nor come into mind.
We will not remember this life or the things that happened here.
It will all be forgotten.
In the meantime, snap back to the present time.
Know that once the cosmic catastrophes begins to happen, the end has begun.
It is the sign in the heavens that we will see first.
We may not have a lot of time to prepare for this cataclysmic event, but as scientists have warned, "it's not a matter of if, but of when.
" Jesus warned that when we see the leaves fall we know autumn is here.
So also, when we see the stars fall from heaven, we will be sure the end is near.
It is the first sign of the coming of the end, of the rest of the prophecies coming true.
Is your lamp trimmed and filled with oil?