READ THE FIG LEAVES

Signs of the Times

STUDY 2

TOPIC 13— THE 144,000 of ISRAEL SEALED—JEWS

The 144,000 of Israel Sealed—Jews

After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, that no wind might blow on earth or sea or against any tree. Then I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, with the seal of the living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm earth and sea, saying, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” REVELATION 7:1-3

John “…saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, that no wind might blow on earth or sea or against any tree.” REVELATION 7:1 These winds are the judgments of God. He does not want those who are to be sealed to suffer from judgments meant for those who are evil. God wants all of the 144,000 sealed before destruction of the earth starts—they will obviously be in harm’s way and need His protection! This seal symbolizes God’s ownership and protection of His people and is antithetical to the mark of the beast. Those who overcome are promised a gift, “… and I will write upon him… my own new name.” REVELATION 3:12

The “…angel ascending from the rising of the sun, coming from the East, with the seal of the living God…” REVELATION 7:2 has a visible means that he will use to seal the 144,000. He calls to the four angels holding back the four winds to wait until he has finished sealing the servants of God. REVELATION 7:3 The start of Tribulation is being held up until they are sealed.

While there is not a lot of scripture witness concerning this 144,000, we can look at what we do know. First, they are going to be sealed “…with the seal of the living God…” “…It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes.” REVELATION 14:4 And they will be with the Lamb on Mount Zion “…singing a new song before the throne…” REVELATION 14:3

Sealed by God means you belong to Him—that you are safe from His wrath—and that others can see you belong to Him. Even the locusts that will be released from the bottomless pit after the fifth trumpet will be able to distinguish between those who have the seal of God and those who do not. REVELATION 9:4

This 144,000 literally are Jews that will be sealed by God! Although it’s not clear from scripture, God does have a special purpose for them in the Tribulation. Scripture tells us they follow the Lamb wherever he goes. Perhaps they are his elite spiritual soldiers who are ever present with Him to do his biding! And they may well be a part of the army of God. We know that they are a choir!

They will be reunited at the end of times for a song. This song could be about their experiences following the Lamb; for it is a song only they can learn. It is obvious, from Revelation chapter fourteen verse four, they will spend the Tribulation on a mission with the Lamb.

One view is the 144,000 will be the Lamb’s elite unit during the Tribulation. Others believe they may be the ones to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and when they are finished, the end will come. MATTHEW 24:14 They could be the reason all of Israel will be saved. ROMANS 11:26-32 Again, we know they will follow the Lamb wherever he goes!

Doctor David Jeremiah says, “they have a special calling. And that they will be celibates who preach the gospel around the earth—since there are no time for families in the Tribulation. Their mission to preach the gospel will be a full time task. They will be spared the coming judgments and wrath of God.” [1] This may be; but I did not find supporting scripture witness, to conclude the 144,000 will be missionaries.

The fact that the four angels were asked to delay destruction until the 144,000 are sealed and the fact the list of the tribes that will be sealed differs from some lists of tribes in the Old Testament tells me God has a special reason and purpose for these whom he seals; but he choses to keep those reasons hidden for now. The only supporting scripture, as to their roles, says they will follow the Lamb wherever he goes and later—when Tribulation is over—in chapter fourteen, they are standing on Mount Zion with the Lamb. Then they are before the throne in heaven and before the four living creatures and before the elders singing a new song. REVELATION 14:3 So anything further is yet to be discovered by me.

Summarizing, the angel will literally seal 144,000 from the tribes of Israel and the destruction on earth will be held back until the angel finishes sealing them. They will be redeemed from the earth, they are virgins, they will follow the Lamb wherever he goes—and they will be redeemed from mankind as first fruits for God and the Lamb, and no lie will be found in their mouth. They are blameless! REVELATION 14:1-5 They will stand on Mount Zion with the Lamb’s name and the Father’s name written on their foreheads—they will sing a new song before the throne that no one else can learn. We need scripture witness to believe anything further.

Tribes That are Sealed

And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel: 12,000 from the tribe of Judah were sealed, 12,000 from the tribe of Reuben, 12,000 from the tribe of Gad, 12,000 from the tribe of Asher, 12,000 from the tribe of Naphtali, 12,000 from the tribe of Manasseh, 12,000 from the tribe of Simeon, 12,000 from the tribe of Levi, 12,000 from the tribe of Issachar, 12,000 from the tribe of Zebulun, 12,000 from the tribe of Joseph, 12,000 from the tribe of Benjamin were sealed. REVELATION 7:4-8

Sons of Israel

The sons of Israel are these: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Zebulun, Issachar, Dan, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Joseph and Benjamin. GENESIS 49:3-27 Differing lists of the tribes of Israel are found in the Bible. Joseph’s two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, were added to the blessings that Israel gave his sons—Joseph received a double portion! GENESIS 48:5, 20 There is no a clear reason to me why the twelve tribes listed here are different from most lists. Since the two sons of Joseph were each given a tribe, there was no tribe of Joseph. This would make thirteen tribes; but Levi was considered to be God’s so the twelve tribes of Israel were the sons of Israel minus Levi and Joseph with Joseph’s two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, receiving a tribe.

In this list Dan is missing and Joseph’s son, Manasseh, is added. Usually the tribes are listed in order of the patriarch’s birth; but only Joseph and Benjamin are in their birth order on this list. Judah is listed first but his birth order is fourth. Manasseh is the youngest listed but he is listed as the sixth tribe sealed. It could be Judah was listed first because he is the tribe of Jesus!

There is a lack of scripture witness to explain why Dan and Ephraim are missing from the list of sealed tribes; but two scriptures give reasons they may have been excluded. “In those days there was no king in Israel. And in those days the tribe of the people of Dan was seeking for itself an inheritance to dwell in, for until then no inheritance among the tribes of Israel had fallen to them.” JUDGES 18:1 For some reason Dan had not received an inheritance with the rest of Israel—so he was seeking for himself an inheritance to dwell in. Further, from scripture, he was a worshipper of idols. In Psalm we are told that God, “…rejected the tent of Joseph; he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim.” PSALM 78:67 Again, no reasons are given why they are not included in the list of those sealed; but their tribes will not be sealed with the seal of God.

TOPIC 14—THE TWO WITNESSES

The Two Witnesses—1260 days to prophesy

And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. They have the power to shut the sky, that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire. REVELATION 11:3-6

Scriptural precept requires two or three witnesses to confirm testimony. MATTHEW 18:16 While I could not find scripture to confirm which 1,260 days of the Tribulation that is referred to in Revelation, it is the first one-half of Tribulation that the two witnesses will be present on earth; for in the second one-half of Tribulation Israel will flee to the wilderness and the Antichrist will rule—then will not be a time to preach repentance and most of Israel would not be present to hear. The witnesses will be martyred by Satan himself—the beast that rises from the bottomless pit. Their bodies will lay in the street dead for three and one-half days. Then they will be resurrected. It could be this happens at the same time the Bride is caught away!

The Two Witnesses will have authority from God. They will be clothed in sackcloth—a symbol of humility and repentance; but their message and their defense against those who wish to harm them is not so humble. They will be street preachers. These two Old Testament prophets will be on earth to prophesy for a specific time of 1,260 days. REVELATION 11:3 Many scriptures in the Bible confirm that two or more witnesses are required before a charge or a death sentence can be carried out—God always uses two or more witnesses. JOHN 8:16-18 and DEUTERONOMY 19:15

There are varying views on the identity of these two witnesses, the two olive trees, the two lamp stands that stand before the Lord of the earth; REVELATION 11:4 but the most convincing view is that they will be Moses and Elijah. Zechariah saw the two olive trees but did not identify them. ZECHARIAH 4:2-3 and ZECHARIAH 4:11-14 In Malachi we are told that one of the witnesses, Elijah, will be sent before the great and awesome day of the Lord. MALACHI 4:5-6 Some believe the second witness will be Enoch; but I find a more compelling view to be it will be Moses!

Evidence for the identity of the two witnesses is found in Matthew chapter seventeen and Luke chapter nine. On the Mount of Transfiguration Moses and Elijah were there. They were the two witnesses that God chose to witness that Jesus is the Son of God—confirmed by God’s voice from heaven! Moses, a priest, and Elijah, a prophet, are familiar with plagues—turning water into blood and with calling fire down from heaven—two of the things they did while on earth the first time and two of the things they will do while they are on earth a second time! EXODUS 7:20 and II KINGS 1:10 These two will preach that the antichrist, a man of false peace and false hope, is not who he pretends to be—he is not the Prince of Peace. Since the people will be deceived by the antichrist, the Two Witnesses will be hated; but no one can kill them until their 1,260 day ministry is complete. REVELATION 11:5-7 Jesus’ ministry was also for three and one-half years and no one could kill him, even though they tried, until his ministry was complete. God has always been in control and will always be in control.

Jewish tradition teaches that the two witnesses will be Enoch and Elijah. These two prophets were taken up into heaven without dying. Since it is taught that all must die, it is believed they will return in the last days to witness and then they will be killed; [1] but Elijah and Moses are the most compelling choices. I am still looking for more scripture witness.

When the two witnesses start preaching, it will be the beginning of Tribulation.

TOPIC 15—THE SCROLL WITH SEVEN SEALS

Ezekiel’s Scroll and Daniel’s Sealed Book

And when I looked, behold, a hand was stretched out to me, and behold, a scroll of a book was in it. And he spread it before me. And it had writing on the front and on the back, and there were written on it words of lamentation and mourning and woe. EZEKIEL 2:9-10

But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase. DANIEL 12:4

I heard, but I did not understand. Then I said, “O my lord, what shall be the outcome of these things?” He said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end.” DANIEL 12:8-9

And the vision of all this has become to you like the words of a book that is sealed. When men give it to one who can read, saying, “Read this,” he says, “I cannot, for it is sealed.” ISAIAH 29:11

Ezekiel’s description of the scroll that he saw is a good description of a scroll with indictments and judgments. EZEKIEL 2:10 Daniel after hearing things that were to happen in the end-times was told to “…shut up the words and seal the book…” DANIEL 12:4 And when he wanted to know the “outcome of these things,” he was told “the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end.” Isaiah says, “And the vision of all this has become to you like the words of a book that is sealed. When men give it to one who can read, saying, ‘Read this,’ he says, ‘I cannot, for it is sealed.’” ISAIAH 29:11 God has shut up some things that will not be revealed until the time of the end. And they cannot be opened until one who is worthy opens them, as it is with the scroll with seven seals.

The Scroll With Seven Seals

The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David Can Open The Scroll

It is Jesus Christ who opens the Scroll with Seven Seals. REVELATION 5:5:7 Jesus Christ is the Root of David. REVELATION 22:17 And He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah. REVELATION 5:5

Lamb Takes Scroll From Right Hand of God—The Lamb is Worthy!

Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” REVELATION 5:1-12

The description of this scroll given to the Lamb is similar to the scroll given to Ezekiel. EZEKIEL 2:9-10 “And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it.” REVELATION 5:3 It is noteworthy that not only was no one worthy to open the scroll—no one was worthy to look into it! No one can open this scroll except the Lion of Judah—the root of David—He has fulfilled the blessing of Israel on Judah. GENESIS 49:8-12 He has conquered. The scroll is an indictment against evil and a judgment against evil. The breaking of the seals reveals the judgments. The scroll will be handed to the righteous judge for execution. Only He is worthy! For the slain Lamb of God has become a conquering Lion!

Some Bible scholars long ago decided this scroll is the title deed to earth. When you have title to something—you are the owner. The devil has never owned the earth. Throughout the Bible, God reaffirms his ownership of earth. PSALM 24:1 Rather it is time to evict earth’s squatter—the devil. He will not go easily. It will take the judgments and the wrath of a just God and a final battle to remove all evil.

“The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is mine. For you are strangers and sojourners with me.” Leviticus 25:23

The Scroll—The Sealed Book—Indictments and Judgments

Although some believe that The Scroll with the Seven Seals is the title deed to earth,Scripture could not be found to support that position. They believe Adam surrendered the deed to earth when he sinned in the Garden of Eden; but he was never given the deed to earth—he was only given dominion over it; GENESIS 1:28 and he was a caretaker of the Garden of Eden—not the owner. GENESIS 2:15 Adam did surrender dominion over the earth; but throughout scripture God declares that the earth is His—no one ever gave it to the devil. EXODUS 9:29 & ISAIAH 66:1-2 The devil is just an evil trespasser; and he is not here by choice! ISAIAH 14:12-21 Again, no one can take away the title to earth from its creator.

In Matthew Jesus was tempted and promised the kingdoms of the world. MATTHEW 4:8-9 This was not a promise of a return of the title deed to earth to Him; but rather a promise to give him the kingdoms the devil controlled. The kingdoms of idols ISAIAH 10:10-11 and kingdoms of nations HAGGAI 2:21-22 were his to give. Although the kingdoms of the devil may be on earth—he is a squatter—not an owner of this earth. It must be noted that the devil has many kingdoms; but God has one kingdom; and His kingdom is not of this world [yet]. JOHN 18:36-37

In the end God will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed. DANIEL 2:44 He will not take over an evil kingdom and change it! After all of Satan’s earthly kingdoms have been destroyed, then the only kingdom in this world that is left—purged by judgments and God’s wrath—will become the kingdom of our Lord and his Christ. REVELATION 11:15

Others believe the scroll is Christ’s last will and testament—last wills and testaments are for dead people, or the covenant for the new earth; but again, I do not see this in scripture. Rather, I read what happens when the Lamb begins to open those seals! To me that is a great indicator of what is written within and on the back of the scroll. REVELATION 5:1

The Lamb took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. REVELATION 5:7 The Lamb that has been slain is Jesus Christ the righteous judge II TIMOTHY 4:8 and since the Father judges no one, he has given all judgment to the Son. JOHN 5:22-23 So the sealed scroll is a legal document with Indictments and Judgments; “for the Lord has an indictment against the nations; he is entering into judgment with all flesh,” JEREMIAH 25:31 and MICAH 6:2 “The Lord has an indictment against Judah and will punish Jacob according to his ways; he will repay him according to his deeds.” HOSEA 12:2 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. JOHN 12:31 You “cast out” a squatter or illegal resident—not an owner! This scripture says the devil is the ruler of the world—not owner; but the world lies in the power of the evil one. I JOHN 5:19 Judgments always follow indictments.

Further, the book that Daniel saw was sealed until the end-time. DANIEL 12:4, 8-9 The scroll that Ezekiel saw had writing on the front and on the back, just as this scroll does, and there was written on it words of lamentation and mourning and woe. EZEKIEL 2:9-10 Judgments! Indictments bring lamentation and mourning. Judgments bring woe!

The Lamb will be both prosecutor and righteous judge of the devil and his angels and all unbelievers! They stand accused of sin. Now they will be officially charged. The sealed scroll is an indictment against Satan and his angels and those who rebel against God. As each seal is broken, He will deliver His judgments against them—that brings lamentation and mourning and woe! There will be a lot of lamentation and mourning and three woes in Revelation. “And I will set my glory among the nations, and all the nations shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid on them.” EZEKIEL 39:21 Final sentencing will be at the great White Throne judgment when the ‘dead’ are judged.

TOPIC 16—THE FOUR HORSEMEN of the APOCALYPSE

The Announcers of the First Four Seals

and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal. And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” REVELATION 4:6-8

It still amazes me how we can ‘read’ the Word of God and still overlook important things in scripture. We read but we do not read carefully! I had almost completed a part of my research in Revelation; but then I reread chapter six and noticed for the first time that it is one of the four living creatures [a different one for each horseman] that surround the throne of God that calls for John to look at these four horsemen! [These horsemen have been riding for a long time!] I am not sure what the significance of this is; but since they are in the presence of God perhaps it is meant for us to pay close attention to these horsemen. Again, this is amazing; for most of the annunciations are by angels but for some reason the four living creatures that surround the throne are chosen to announce the horsemen of the apocalypse.

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

Now I watched when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, “Come!” And I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer. When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” And out came another horse, bright red. Its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that people should slay one another, and he was given a great sword. When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” And I looked, and behold, a black horse! And its rider had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures, saying, "A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine!” When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider's name was Death, and Hades followed him. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth. REVELATION 6:1-8

The first four seals are visions of riders on horses. Since these horseman bring death and devastation in the end-time, they are often referred to as “The Horsemen of the Apocalypse.” Apocalypse is defined as—the complete and final destruction of the world. These horsemen have been riding for quite a while. They are in their last years. Their rides will continue until the end of time; but just as birth pains progressively get worse, so will the destruction by these four riders get worse at the start of Tribulation.

TOPIC 17—THE FIRST FOUR SEALS

First Seal—Rider on a White Horse—The Antichrist

Now I watched when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, “Come!” REVELATION 6:1 This first living creature looks like a lion. REVELATION 4:7

“And I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer.” REVELATION 6:2 Some views hold that this rider on this white horse will be the Antichrist; others that the rider is Jesus Christ! A comparison of the rider in this passage and the rider on a white horse in chapter nineteen of Revelation should confirm this first rider is not Jesus Christ! The rider in chapter six is symbolic and the one in chapter nineteen is literal. The only commonality between these two scriptures is that both say and “…behold, a white horse…” REVELATION 6:2 and REVELATION 19:11 However, there are several differences.

This first rider will have a bow—neither a quiver nor arrows are mentioned. “…A crown was given to him…” According to some commentators this rider wears the garland of a victor—much like the laurel wreaths given to victorious athletes. This could be a crown given to him by Satan for his victories by ‘deception.’ “…He comes out conquering and to conquer.” Since he has no arrows with his bow, his conquests could be his subjugations using the rhetoric of an Antichrist. [1]

The rider on a white horse in Revelation chapter nineteen is very clearly Jesus Christ. For comparisons between the rider in chapter six and scripture in chapter nineteen, I will only compare those things that are comparable. While it is easy to picture the first rider in chapter six as coming out of a gate or a fog at full gallop, Jesus Christ is sitting on the white horse in chapter nineteen.

Scripture never says Jesus is riding on a white horse; but it does imply that he is riding a white horse,“And the armies of heaven… were following him on white horses.” REVELATION 19:14 But He is able to make war while He is simply “sitting on his white horse.” He is sitting on a white horse when heaven opens REVELATION 19:11 and he is still sitting on his horse after he has slain the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against Him. REVELATION 19:19, 21 He does not have a bow.

“From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down nations, and he will rule with a rod of iron…” REVELATION 19:15 “…and on his head are many diadems…” REVELATION 19:12 Diadems are the crowns of a King, a symbol of sovereignty and of royalty. These are not laurel wreaths that soon decay like those of a victorious athlete. Actually there is no comparison between the two riders, just their weapon, crowns and conquests! Jesus is without an equal and is incomparable! The rider on a white horse in Revelation chapter six is riding to start Tribulation. The One sitting on the white horse in chapter nineteen will end Tribulation.

Some believe a bow without arrows speaks of rhetoric—political and economic power—instead of physical battles and wounds and deaths. Daniel says that deceit prospers under the antichrist. DANIEL 8:25 That happens because God sends them strong delusions so they believe what is false, II THESSALONIANS 2:11 just like God did to some false prophets in the Old Testament. I KINGS 22:23 The Antichrist deceives world rulers, all media, cultural elite and academia with his lies of humanism, evolution, tolerance and universalism. This causes terror, calamity and chaos—and Tribulation! With these comparisons of scripture and the definitions of crowns and diadems and the belief that a bow without arrows is rhetoric and deception, the following postulation can be made!

The rider, Antichrist, on the white horse emulating the Prince of Peace is anything but a prince of peace. He comes out conquering. He will go forth to conquer. He will make war on the saints and prevail over them with his false doctrines. He will even put them to death. DANIEL 7:21 and REVELATION 13:7 The crown that he has, is not a diadem. It is a mock and worthless crown taken in conquest! REVELATION 6:2 He is not Jesus Christ; for Jesus is coming with a sword—not a bow! REVELATION 19:15

Jesus, when asked by his disciples, gave a sequence of events that will happen in the end times. The very first thing he told them was, “…See that no one leads you astray.” MATTHEW 24:4 That is the mission of this first rider. He started leading people astray in Jesus’ time. The first rider on the white horse conquers people with his false doctrine and will continue conquering them until his final judgment. His ‘ride’ becomes more intense in Tribulation. It culminates with the Antichrist, the wounded head of the first beast of Revelation chapter thirteen, and his ride will not end until his final destruction.

We need to resist false doctrines—to test the spirits to see whether they are from God. I JOHN 4:1 A good test is to see if the doctrine aligns with scripture. II TIMOTHY 3:16 Isaiah says, woe to those who call evil good and good evil. ISAIAH 5:20 We should always look for scripture witness.

In his place shall arise a contemptible person, The Antichrist, to whom royal majesty has not been given. He shall come in without warning and obtain the kingdom by flatteries. DANIEL 11:21 This is the Antichrist. He rises from unknown man to a charismatic deceiver to satanic ruler for the last three and one-half years of the Great Tribulation.

The beginnings of his Revived Roman Empire could be in the early stages of being formed now. It is possible that the person who will eventually become the Antichrist is already living. We should pray that we are able to discern his existence and his rise so we can warn others. If his rise happens after we are gone, then the knowledge of his soon appearance should be imparted to the next generation. In conclusion of the first horsemen, the rider is many antichrists that ends with the Antichrist; and the color of the horse [white] represents conquest and the promise of peace!

Tension—Scriptural Witness—The Antichrist

The word antichrist or antichrists is only mentioned in the Bible five times. All are in the writings of John; but John does not mentioned antichrist in the book of Revelation.

Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. I JOHN 2:18 [NKJV]

Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. I JOHN 2:22

and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. I JOHN 4:3

For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. II JOHN 1:7

In the NKJV of the Bible in I John chapter two and verse eighteen, John says, “…even now many antichrists have come…” and “…that the Antichrist is coming…” This scripture, with the capital ‘A’ Antichrist, is a reference to the “Antichrist” of the end-time—the devil incarnate ruler of the world for the last three and one-half years of Tribulation! John, in his writings, makes it clear that anyone who does not confess the coming of Jesus Christ is an antichrist! Given John’s declaration and other scripture witness, a viable conclusion can be made that our world is now full of antichrists now; but the “Antichrist” is coming! His role in the end-times lies in prophecy in scripture that begins in the book of Daniel. Chapters two, seven, nine, and eleven, discussed further on in this treatise, are end-time prophesies that are the basis for a postulation of an end-time “Antichrist.” A confirmation is given by the Apostle Paul in II Thessalonians, chapter two where the “Antichrist” is called “…the man of lawlessness…the son of destruction.” II THESSALONIANS 2:3 John calls him a “beast” in Revelation.The actions of the subject in Daniel, II Thessalonians, and Revelation, and that is referenced by Jesus in Matthew chapter twenty-four, describe the ultimate—final antichrist, the capital A “Antichrist.”

Second Seal—Wars—Rider takes peace from the Earth

When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” REVELATION 6:3 This second living creature looks like an ox. REVELATION 4:7

The bright, fiery, red horse could represent all of the blood shed in all wars, including wars against the saints and in Tribulation. This second rider has permission to take peace from the earth. He has taken peace from the earth today in many places; but the whole world will be affected in the Tribulation. Murders and acts of terrorism—the new wars, are increasing, as are conventional wars. He is given a great sword to accomplish his mission! REVELATION 6:4 This indicates to me that the blood shed will be monumental. All will be affected by the extent of his great sword! This rider’s ride has already started also and will last throughout all Tribulation—until Armageddon. Jesus will cause any blood shed at Armageddon and He is not the rider on a bright red horse!

The second thing Jesus mentions in his Matthew Twenty-four end-time dissertation was, “…you will hear of wars and rumors of wars…” MATTHEW 24:6 There will be no peace in the end times; but there will be wars upon wars—nation against nation and kingdom against kingdom!

Wars and conflicts are described throughout scripture; and future wars are prophesied to be much worse. Most wars in the end-times will be those wars that involve Israel for she has many enemies; and there are continuing incidents of provocation against Israel. The end-time wars of Revelation will be the worst ever. The most notable are the Battle of Armageddon REVELATION 16:16 and Satan’s last rebellion. REVELATION 20:7-10

This rider’s ride includes all wars and rumors of war; but Jesus Christ will end all wars with His final destruction of Satan. From skirmishes among factions within a nations to wars of kingdom against kingdom and wars among nations, all are included in this rider’s journey. He is the rider of ‘terrible war.’ Those wars will include those nations the Antichrist ‘invades’ in his rise to power and the downfall of those three kings in Daniel chapter seven. It will include the Battles of Gog and Magog. EZEKIEL 38-39

Although there are events that are now taking peace from the earth, when the ride of this second horseman intensifies there will be no peace on earth and there will massive loss of life. In World War II it is estimated between 70-85 million people perished. That’s a lot of people! But in two of God’s judgments, the fourth seal, REVELATION 6:7-8 and the sixth trumpet REVELATION 9:15 about 4 billion people will die. That is one-half of earth’s population. After all of the wars and other judgments, the wrath of God, and the Great Tribulation, Jesus said there would be no human being saved if those days were not cut short! MATTHEW 24:22 With this massive loss of life, all of the inventions and technologies of man and his evil intent will be employed. In conclusion, this second horsemen and his horse will have the power to take peace from the earth and the color of this horse [red] represents war and the shedding of blood!

Third Seal—Famine and Pestilence—Food Rationing

When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!”… REVELATION 6:5 This third living creature has the face of a man. REVELATION 4:7

This horseman could represent the failure of producing enough food and the acute rationing of food. The governments of the world will take control of the food supply. The scales in the hand of rider on the black horse represent strict control of food. Scales measure weight; but the voice declaring the price of wheat and barley is giving the price for a certain volume. It is both possible and probable that as food supplies get smaller, the scales will be used to measure an even smaller amount.

Food rationing usually happens during times of great trouble and in wars. Although famine is not mentioned in this portion of scripture until the fourth seal is opened, the wars and the carnage from the second seal will have already caused loss of food production and distribution. These are the precursors to famine. Famine was the third thing Jesus mentioned in his discourse on the end times. MATTHEW 24:7

It serves no useful purpose to try to give an interpretation to every phrase or term in this scripture, “quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius;” but most believe this price represents a days’ wages and the amount is the need of one person for one day. Wheat and barley are the staples of diet and survival and these staples will be affected the most. “Do not harm the oil and wine” REVELATION 6:6 may be considered staples by some, but they are not necessary for survival. They are often considered to be luxuries of the rich. The rich and their luxuries will not be affected as much as the poor and their needs. Food will be scare and the prices inflated; but the staples and the luxuries will be available to the wealthy. Famine will be much worse after the fourth seal is opened. All of the judgments that are to follow will simply compound this problem of famine. In conclusion, this third horsemen personifies famine and the color of his horse [black] represents pestilence and famine! It must be noted that a shortage of food is not the only reason for famine. It could be problems with distribution logistics as well.

Fourth Seal— Kill with Sword and Famine and Pestilence—Rider’s name is Death—Hades Follows

When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” REVELATION 6:7 The Pale Horse and its rider are the expected sequel to the other three horses and their riders. From all the wars and famines, many will be killed. With war comes scarcity and desperation leading to more deaths. Famine will begin after the many second seal wars. Famine is mentioned often in the Bible as one of the judgments of God. I CHRONICLES 21:12 Now pestilence is being added. The fourth thing in Jesus’ list of end-time events is that there will be pestilence in various places. LUKE 21:11 Pestilence is one of the judgments God uses to consume people. EZEKIEL 14:21 These end-time pestilences will cause the plagues of history and the pandemics of the present day to pale in comparison to these disastrous pestilences.

A common definition of pestilence is, a fatal epidemic disease. Strangely, the sentence given in one dictionary as a good usage of pestilence was: “Neither prayers nor demonstrations halted the advance of the pestilence.” [2] This will be true in the end-times for God has determined to bring his judgments on the earth. They will come!

“Before him went pestilence, and plague followed at his heels.” HABAKKUK 3:5 This rider will be a rider of “Pestilence and Death.” And Hades followed the rider on the Pale horse. REVELATION 6:8 Some believe Hades is another word for hell; but in this passage Hades is a rider that follows the Pale Horse and his rider. In the same verse, verse eight, it says “…they were given authority over a fourth of the earth…” From this it shows that both Death and Hades are involved in the havoc that follows them. Further, ‘they' is a personal pronoun that usually refers to people—not to things. Near the end of Revelation we are told Death and Hades are thrown into the lake of fire. REVELATION 20:14 People and spirits are thrown into the lake of fire—again, not things. We speak of the “Angel of Death.” He is the rider on the pale horse. Hades could also be a fallen angel; but scripture does not tell us what his role will be except to follow the Pale Horse and his rider! In conclusion, this fourth rider is death and the color of the horse [pale-greenish gray, the skin of corpses] represents death! Hades follows Death closely he represents the grave and the color of the horse [ashen] represents the realm of death or the color of the dead.

TOPIC 18—THE FIFTH SEAL

Fifth Seal—Martyrs— Souls Under the Altar

Tribulation will have increased the intensity of the rides of the Horsemen of the Apocalypse, the conquests of the antichrists, the wars, deaths, famines and pestilences before other seals are opened. Their rides started before Tribulation and will continue until Tribulation is almost over. Many Christians will have been delivered up in tribulation and put to death. MATTHEW 24:9

When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, "O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been. REVELATION 6:9-11

“When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne.” REVELATION 6:9 John tells us these martyrs are under the altar. So what does “under the altar mean?”

In the sight of God these are the souls who have given their lives for Him on the “altar.” Their blood has been shed. Their flesh is dead—for the life of the flesh is in the blood. LEVITICUS 17:11 In the times of animal sacrifices, a little of the blood from those sacrifices was put on the horns of the altar; but all the rest of the blood was poured out at the base of the altar. EXODUS 29:12 and LEVITICUS 4:7 Since the altars were outside the tabernacle or temple, the blood ran down under the altar into the earth—under the earth!

Although we are told in this scripture they are at rest, only those who have shed their blood can be “under the altar.” Further, these souls were martyred after the bride of the Lamb was caught away; for all those dead “in Christ” have been raptured. They are all from the Tribulation. Others are still to be killed, “as they themselves had been.” All of these martyrs will be resurrected before the start of the millennium; for they “…came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.” REVELATION 20:4

The Spirit of these martyrs has returned to God who gave it; ECCLESIASTES 12:7 and the Souls of these martyrs are in a place of rest. Some believe it is in the existing heaven. It is not in the place Jesus is preparing for His bride; for they are not a part of the bride of the Lamb; and their souls and spirits have not been united with their body to be glorified! They may be in the same place that all Christians go when they die. We know they are in a state of rest; for they were told to, “…rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.” REVELATION 6:11

A place of rest can mean differing places. Jesus told the thief on the cross “… today you will be with me in paradise.” LUKE 23:43 Paul called the third heaven paradise. II CORINTHIANS 12:2-3 In Luke it says, “The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. LUKE 16:22 Some say it is the new Garden of Eden. Others say we are at home with the Lord. “So we are always of good courage. We know while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” II CORINTHIANS 5:6-8

Regardless of what one might wish to call it—paradise—Abraham’s side—new Garden of Eden—or at home with the Lord, it is a “place of rest.”

“‘They cried out with a loud voice, ‘O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?’” REVELATION 6:10 It is their blood that cries out to God to be avenged; just as the blood of Abel cried out to God from the ground. GENESIS 4:10 Their cries come from their place of rest. Since they have already been slain, they know vengeance, from God, is coming. Our spirits are our deepest connection with God and when we communicate with him with our souls through our spirit, then he hears.

Although they cry out for justice, a number of their fellow servants and brothers are still in the Tribulation. Many more will be delivered up and killed before their number is complete. These are the souls of those who will have been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who have not worshiped the beast or its image and have not received its mark on their foreheads or on their hands. No one but those who have given their lives for the gospel, and for the witness they had borne, will be under the altar. All will be avenged and they will live; for vengeance is the Lord’s! ROMANS 12:19 Until then they are told to wait “… until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been..” REVELATION 6:11

They are given white robes—garments of righteousness! Now they can wait in confident expectation that they will be avenged and that they will live with Jesus Christ throughout eternity; but for now they wait for vengeance.Then they will live and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. That will be the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years. REVELATION 20:4-6

We should not seek martyrdom! There is no point in being persecuted when we can flee. We are told by Jesus to flee from persecution. MATTHEW 10:23 The early church “scattered” when they were persecuted. ACTS 8:1 Israel is told to flee at the midpoint of the Tribulation. MATTHEW 24:16-21 Paul was persecuted and eventually martyred; but he often escaped persecution by fleeing; ACTS 9:25, 30 and ACTS 14:6 but we should never stop witnessing. ACTS 14:7

TOPIC 19—THE SIXTH SEAL is OPENED

Sixth Seal—Earth and Heaven Shaken

When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” REVELATION 6:12-17

This is the first event in the Tribulation where an earthquake is mentioned and the first where the heavens are affected. REVELATION 6:12-14 These events in the heavens will be visible. They are much more than an eclipse of the sun, a blood moon and an occasional shooting star. When the sky vanished like a scroll, every heavenly body disappeared! Jesus named this same event in his discourse on the end times. MATTHEW 24:29 The appearing of Jesus Christ in the clouds could be immediately after the sixth seal is opened. In Matthew He tells us about His appearing. MATTHEW 24:30-31 Peter believes this is the sequence that will happen. II PETER 3:10

Survivors of this sixth seal, without regard to social positions or titles, take refuge in the caves and cry out to the rocks and mountains to “…Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” REVELATION 6:16-17 The Church will be caught up in the clouds to meet Jesus. Those left behind will see His appearing and will begin to suffer his great wrath—first, with the trumpet judgments and then with the bowls of His wrath!

Matthew Twenty-four and Revelation Six Comparison

Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, 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. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. MATTHEW 24:29-31

These things are comparable: The sun will be darkened—the sun became black as sackcloth. The moon will not give its light—the full moon became like blood.

The stars will fall from heaven— the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. The powers of the heavens will be shaken. The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up.

Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, 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. Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb.” For me, there is no doubt that Jesus in Matthew Twenty-four is talking about this sixth seal event and His appearing in the clouds for His Church!

Written by Mallard E. Guy Jr.

Over a Period of Two + Years

Finished October 28, 2023

Edited November 8, 2023

Last Edited May 31, 2024

STUDY ONE

STUDY THREE