Revelation

FALL OF BABYLON ANNOUNCED

/ David R Maas / 6 Comments

Angels announce the judicial sentence of God on “Babylon” and the “inhabitants of the earth,” but “rest” awaits the faithful followers of Jesus.

Next, “another angel” announced the “fall of Babylon.” He was followed by “a third angel” who pronounced the judicial sentence on the men who gave allegiance to the “beast from the sea.” The passage uses Old Testament language from pronouncements against Sodom and “Gog and Magog.” In contrast to the impenitent, the “saints” look forward to “rest.”

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EVERLASTING GOSPEL – COMING HARVESTS

/ David R Maas / 1 Comment

Whether one follows the Lamb or the Beast, one will reap everlasting consequences as a result in the final harvest – Revelation 14:6-7.

The preceding sections presented two very different groups – the “inhabitants of the earth” that rendered homage to the “beast,” and the 144,000 priests of God, the “first-fruits” of the earth purchased by the blood of the “Lamb.” Now, an angelic herald issues the final summons to humanity while time remains before the “final hour.”

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PRIESTLY COMPANY ON ZION

/ David R Maas / 5 Comments

The 144,000 “males” on Mount Zion comprise the “first-fruit” of the final harvest, the priestly company that “follows the Lamb” – Revelation 14:1-5.

Previously, John saw the 144,000 “males” from the tribes of Israel encamped in the wilderness. Now, they appear together on “Mount Zion,” a priestly company and the “first fruits” of the greater harvest to come. They stand with the “Lamb” in contrast to the “inhabitants of the earth,” who bowed and rendered homage to the “beast.”

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THE ABYSS

/ David R Maas / 9 Comments

The Abyss is the source of satanic attacks against the people of God, though it remains under the authority of the Lamb – Revelation 11:7.

When first introduced, “smoke” and the horde of locust-like creatures were seen ascending from the “Abyss” to torment the “inhabitants of the earth.” In Revelation, it is a deep pit from which satanic agencies ascend to wreak havoc and wage war against the “saints.” It is also the “prison” where demonic forces are held until their appointed time to execute their evil deeds.

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MARK OF THE BEAST

/ David R Maas / 5 Comments

All men and women that refuse to follow the “Lamb” will render homage to the “beast” and take its “mark” – Revelation 13:16-18.

The “false prophet” uses the economic power of the first “beast” against anyone who refuses to give full allegiance to it. The “mark of the beast” is an economic tool. Commerce is the lifeblood of the World-Power and leveling economic sanctions against peoples is its primary enforcement mechanism. And economic restrictions mean deprivation and suffering.

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