An Overview of Chapter 11

• Verse 1 - The temple of God is a symbolic description of God’s true people.
• Verse 2 - Spiritual gentiles (falsehearted professors of religion) would tread underfoot the truth and the true people of God.
• Verse 3 - God’s Word was in obscurity during this time, while God’s witnesses were often persecuted and kept in bondage. The truth was kept from the masses, and the Bible was confined to a few clergy and intellectuals and in languages unknown to the common people.
• Verse 4 - The Old and New Testaments and how the faithful bear the message of the gospel.
• Verses 5 & 6 - These verses testify to the power and certainty of God’s Word.
• Verse 7 - Toward the end of the prophetic time period of 1,260 years, another power was to arise, Satanic in nature, to war against God and the truth. History has revealed this power from the bottomless pit was atheistic, revolutionary France.
• Verse 8 - This power was to have attributes of both Sodom and Egypt: licentiousness and denial of God were to be the characteristics of this power.
• Verse 9 - The anti-biblical attitudes of the people of France fostered the dissolution of morality and the Bible, and heaped disrespect upon the truth. The Bible was outlawed for a number of years.
• Verse 10 - The wicked rejoiced that the voice of conscience and right was silenced.
• Verse 11 - The devastation brought about by the rejection of truth became apparent and the Bible was again legalized.
• Verse 12 - In the early nineteenth century, shortly after the revolution, various Bible societies came into existence and the Bible began multiplying throughout the earth.
• Verse 13 - The events depicted here represent the great turmoil that shook France, which is represented as being the tenth part of western European Christendom.
• Verse 14 - The third woe of the seventh trumpet announces the soon-coming Savior.
• Verses 15 &17 - Christ ceases His ministration for man and puts on the garments of kingly authority, having received His kingdom preparatory to coming in the clouds of heaven.
• Verses 18 &19 - These verses present an overview of events just preceding the second coming, the closing of the door of mercy, and the pouring out of the plagues. The ark is seen containing the law of God, the standard of righteousness in the judgment.

Revelation 11:1

And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.

Measure—metaphorically, to judge according to any rule or standard1

Altar—a place of sacrifice2

The measuring here is symbolic in nature and means to assess the condition or value of something, physically or spiritually.

“Rise, and measure”

[Gifts of the Spirit are given] Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:13. The measure or standard is the fullness of Christ.)

I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand. Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof. (Zechariah 2:1–2. Jerusalem was “measured” to ascertain its condition after long years of captivity and after experiencing God’s chastening judgments, preparatory to her restoration.)

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth. (1 Peter 2:21–22. We are to follow Christ, the standard or measure by which we are to live.)

Thou son of man, show the house to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities: and let them measure the pattern. And if they be ashamed of all that they have done, show them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out thereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof: and write it in their sight, that they may keep the whole form thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and do them. (Ezekiel 43:10–11. The measuring of the temple by the angel was to show Israel their iniquities as they looked at the divine pattern.)

“Temple of God”

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:19–22. The individual members of the church are to be fitted to grow up into a holy temple.)

If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. (1 Corinthians 3:17. We, as the temple of God, are to be holy.)

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. (1 Corinthians 6:19–20. The believer’s life belongs to God and is to be a temple for the Holy Spirit.)

And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail. (Revelation 11:19)

And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. (Revelation 14:17)

And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened. (Revelation 15:5)

And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled. (Revelation 15:6, 8)

And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. (Revelation 16:17)

The temple referred to in Revelation 11:1 is the temple or sanctuary in heaven. The measuring represents the assessment of the character of the professed people of God, who are to be the temple of the Lord.

“The altar”

Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord. (Psalm 4:5)

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. (Psalm 51:17)

Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:5)

By him [Jesus] therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. (Hebrews 13:15)

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (Romans 12:1)

The altar is the place of sacrifice, and every believer is to offer up spiritual sacrifices. The altar also represents self-surrender. The worshippers are to be judged or measured by the sacrifice and self-surrender outlined in the Bible and in the life of Christ, for they constitute the standard for all. (See Philippians 2:5–9; 1 Peter 4:1–2.)

Revelation 11:2

But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

But leave out of your measuring the court outside the sanctuary of God; omit that, for it is given over to the Gentiles. (Revelation 11:2 AMP)

“Court which is without the temple”

And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate. So Moses finished the work. (Exodus 40:33)

In the wilderness sanctuary, the tabernacle was in an open space called the court, which was surrounded by hangings of fine linen suspended from pillars of brass. The entrance to this enclosure was at the eastern end. The hangings of the court were about half as high as the walls of the tabernacle; this allowed the tabernacle to be readily seen by all from outside the court. In the court near the entrance was the brazen altar of burnt offering. Upon this altar were consumed all the sacrifices made by fire unto the Lord. Between the altar and the door of the tabernacle was the laver, which was made of brass, constructed from the mirrors that had been given as freewill offerings by the women of Israel.

In the temple that John was familiar with, and which was the temple that Jesus cleansed, there was an inner court divided into three sections: the court of the women, the court of Israel, and the court of the priests. Beyond that was the temple proper, made up of the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place, which only the priests could enter. The outer court was called the court of the Gentiles, beyond which non-Jews were not allowed to pass. It is this outer court to which John’s vision refers.

“Measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles”

Gentiles - a race; i.e., a tribe, especially a foreign (non-Jewish) one; by implication pagan.3 In the scriptures, a pagan; a worshipper of false gods; any person not a Jew or a Christian; a heathen4

For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries. (1 Peter 4:3)

This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart. (Ephesians 4:17-18)

That each one of you should know how to possess (control, manage) his own body in consecration (purity, separated from things profane) and honor. Not [to be used] in the passion of lust like the heathen, who are ignorant of the true God and have no knowledge of His will. (1 Thessalonians 4:4-5 AMP)

But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. (1 Corinthians 10:20)

Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. (1 Corinthians 12:2)

John is called upon to take a reed and use it as a measuring stick, to measure or ascertain the state of the temple; i.e., the church, the altar (our spiritual sacrifices or works), and the worshippers. The outer court was given unto the Gentiles, or false professors. Though the outer court is attached to the sanctuary, it is in the sanctuary proper that the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place are located, where the work of God goes forward on behalf of His people. Here we have a scene of the true and the false professors. One is merely attached to the outer extremities of the sanctuary; the others are in the heart of the sanctuary. As we read in Daniel 7:25, a false system of religion, essentially pagan, trampled the true believers underfoot for 1,260 years.

“Holy city”

And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (Revelation 21:2)

But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels. (Hebrews 12:22. Jerusalem represents the experience of the new covenant.)

Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean. (Isaiah 52:1)

Then the devil taketh him [Jesus] up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple. (Matthew 4:5)

The holy city represents the people and the kingdom of God. Literal Jerusalem was considered the holy city because it was the place of God’s temple. Now the holy city is the heavenly Jerusalem. Throughout the book of Revelation, the holy city is mentioned as the dwelling place of God and the future home of the faithful. In contrast, those who are opposed to God have a spiritual city known as Babylon, which represents the false doctrines, philosophies, and religions of apostate Christendom, Catholicism, and the non-Christian religions. The angel did not measure those in the court of the Gentiles, for they represent the false professor.

“Tread under foot”

Thus he [the angel] said, the fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. (Daniel 7:23)

I will send him [the Assyrian] against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets. (Isaiah 10:6)

That I will break the Assyrian in my land, and upon my mountains tread him under foot: then shall his yoke depart from off them, and his burden depart from off their shoulders. (Isaiah 14:25)

The treading underfoot is speaking of God’s true people being persecuted by the Gentiles or false professors of religion.

“Shall they tread under foot forty and two months”

The periods here mentioned - “forty and two months” and “a thousand two hundred and threescore days” mentioned in verse 3 - speak of the same time: the time in which the church of Christ (the holy city) was to suffer oppression from Rome. This is the same 1,260-year time period mentioned in Daniel 7:25, Revelation 12:14, and Revelation 13:5. All of these prophetic times describe various aspects of the persecuting work of one power described in various ways as the little horn, the dragon, and the beast, and the Gentiles in Revelation 11:2.

Revelation 11:3

And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

“My two witnesses”

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. (John 5:39)

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (Matthew 24:14. The gospel is to be given as a witness.)

But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference. (Romans 3:21–22. The law and the prophets and the gospel are the witnesses to mankind.)

Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, we have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. (John 1:45)

The two witnesses represent the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. Both the Old and the New Testament testify to the unchanging nature of the law of God and are witnesses of the plan of salvation. The types, sacrifices, and prophecies of the Old Testament point forward to a Savior to come. The gospels and epistles of the New Testament tell of a Savior who has come exactly as foretold by the Old Testament. The two witnesses are the law and the prophets of the Old Testament, and the gospel and the fulfillment of the law and the prophets in the New Testament.

“They shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth”

Sackcloth - of Hebrew origin, mohair (the material or garments made of it, worn as a sign of grief)5

And in every province, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. (Esther 4:3)

The two witnesses were clothed in sackcloth because of persecution and affliction. Being clothed in sackcloth also symbolized the deep need of repentance called for by these witnesses among a corrupt church and a sinful world. (See Daniel 9:3, for further references under sackcloth.)

During much of the period of 1,260 years, religious authorities kept the truth of the Bible largely hidden from the people. Its circulation was limited and it was kept in a language unknown to the common man. Rome’s policy was to withhold the Bible from the ordinary man, claiming that respect for the Bible meant it should not be profaned by being read or made available in the language of the people. Therefore, it was written in Latin, a language only understood by theologians and religious leaders. By this policy God’s Word was kept from the majority of  the people. Because of the withholding of the Bible on the part of the Roman church and the scarcity of its circulation, and because its teaching was usurped by the traditions and doctrines of men, the two witnesses’ message was “clothed in sackcloth.”

Those who taught and lived by the Bible were often betrayed, tortured, cast into prison, and martyred for their faith. Many who desired to follow the Bible sought refuge in the isolated mountains and valleys of Europe. (See Revelation 12:6.) Despite this, God’s Word and its witness continued throughout the entire 1,260 years, for in the darkest times of superstition, falsehood, and persecution there were faithful men who loved God’s Word and who taught and lived its precepts.

Revelation 11:4

These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

“The two olive trees”

Then he said unto me, This [addition of the bowl] to the candlestick, causing it to yield a ceaseless supply of oil from the olive trees] is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit [of Whom the oil is a symbol], says the Lord of hosts. (Zechariah 4:6 AMP)

And a second time I said to him, What are these two olive branches which are beside the two golden tubes or sprouts by which the golden oil is emptied out? Then said he, These are the two sons of oil [Joshua the high priest and Zerubbabel the prince of Judah, the two anointed ones] who stand before the Lord of the whole earth [as His anointed instruments]. (Zechariah 4:12, 14 AMP; see also Revelation 1:6. We are kings and priests.)

“Two candlesticks”

The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. (Revelation 1:20. Candlesticks represent the churches.)

Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:15–16. The candlestick represents the light of truth so it can be seen by all.)

The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. (Psalm 119:130)

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalm 119:105)

The two witnesses, two olive trees, and two candlesticks represent the Word of God through the Old and New Testaments, which was given through the Holy Spirit (the olive oil) to God’s faithful ministers and people. These servants are the anointed ones, the priests and kings of God who receive the oil of God’s Word, and shine as the candlestick with the light and truth of God.

Revelation 11:5

And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.

“Fire proceedeth out of their mouth”

And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty. (2 Kings 1:10)

Wherefore thus saith the Lord God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them. (Jeremiah 5:14. The word of the Lord is like fire to the impenitent.)

Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth. (Hosea 6:5)

By the command of the Lord, fire has been used in judgment when His Word and will have been despised. For all who continue in sin and rebellion, despising and undermining His Word and law, we are told that “the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men” (2 Peter 3:7).

And because “sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil” (Ecclesiastes 8:11). Yet the warning is clear: whenever individuals, churches, governments, or mankind in general despise, neglect, or distort God’s Word, unless there is repentance, there remaineth only “judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries” (Hebrews 10:27).

“If any man will hurt them”

I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. (Revelation 22:18–19)

Add thou not unto his [God’s] words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. (Proverbs 30:6)

God has given these warnings that mankind might be aware of the danger of changing His Word. These denunciations apply to all who, by their influence or teaching, lead men to lightly regard, by precept or example, the law and Word of God. Revelation 11:5 teaches that all who exalt their own opinion above divine revelation, and change or lessen the authority of the Scriptures to exalt their own ideas, are taking upon themselves a fearful responsibility. The written Word and the law of God, as found in the Bible, measure the character of every man and shall condemn all who violate its precepts.

Revelation 11:6

These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.

“Power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy”

And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. (1 Kings 17:1. Drought occurred at the command of God’s prophet, who was speaking by God’s authority.)

“Power over waters to turn them to blood”

Thus saith the Lord, In this thou shalt know that I am the Lord: behold, I will smite with the rod that is in mine hand upon the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood. And Moses and Aaron did so, as the Lord commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood. (Exodus 7:17, 20. At the word of the Lord through Moses, waters became like blood. Many other plagues followed by the same word.)

And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea. And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood. And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. (Revelation 16:3–6)

Revelation 11:6 represents the certainty of God’s Word and His sovereign power. Moses and Elijah were instruments in God’s hands to declare His word that there would be no rain in Israel, and to send plagues upon Egypt. They were God’s witnesses, His anointed ones, declaring the word of the Lord by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Revelation 16 says that the final plagues, including the waters of the world turning to blood, will come upon the rejecters of God’s Word and His mercy. This testimony is true, for God’s Word declares it.

Revelation 11:5–6 is not speaking of Elijah and Moses literally coming to this earth, for the authority and power they had was not in themselves but in the Word of God. God’s Word and the declarations, warnings and promises it contains still has power through His faithful witnesses.

The Word of God in the Old and New Testaments (the law and the prophets), and the gospel received and propagated by faithful believers, are the two witnesses. The Holy Spirit filling God’s children represent the two olive trees. The light of truth lived and taught by God’s messengers, represent the two candlesticks. Thus it is true believers, bearing the Word of the Lord, who are the witnesses of Revelation 11.

Revelation 11:7

And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

“When they shall have finished their testimony”

The 1,260 years, when the two witnesses were to prophesy clothed in sackcloth, ended in 1798. Near the termination of the 1,260 years, war was to be made upon the two witnesses by a power represented as “the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit.” For centuries a corrupt church had controlled many of the nations of Europe through equally corrupt political leaders. The beast out of the bottomless pit was a new force or power that was to arise to war against religion in general and especially against God and His truth.

“The beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them”

These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth. (Daniel 7:17)

• A beast, in prophecy, is a kingdom or political power.

The bottomless pit means the abyss. It is a representation of a time of chaos and confusion. (See Revelation 9:1, for further references under bottomless pit.) In the book of Revelation it is often a time when a destroying force of evil is let loose upon the earth. Thus a political power or kingdom is to come out of the bottomless pit of confusion and chaos near the end of the 1,260 years, bringing with it a reign of evil and terror, especially noted for its warfare against God’s Word.

The atheistic power that ruled in France during the Revolution and the Reign of Terror waged an open war against God and His holy Word in a way never before witnessed. The national assembly abolished the worship of the deity. Bibles were collected and publicly burned with hatred and jubilance. The law of God was trampled underfoot. The weekly rest day was set aside, and in its place every tenth day was devoted to reveling and blasphemy. The sacred symbols of baptism and communion were prohibited. Truly revolutionary France threw off the shackles of not only oppressive kings and prelates but mistakenly warred against God Himself and His two witnesses. Indeed, as Revelation 11:8 describes, it appeared as if true religion and God’s Word had been slain.

Revelation 11:8

And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

“The great city”

And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. (Revelation 14:8)

And upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery, Babylon The Great, The Mother Of Harlots And Abominations Of The Earth. And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth. (Revelation 17:5, 18. Mystery Babylon, represented as a woman, is the great city.)

Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. (Revelation 18:10)

Babylon is the antithesis of New Jerusalem. In Revelation it is the great city or system in opposition to God. Atheistic revolutionary France is a type of the rebellion of that great apostate city or system called Babylon that will rule the earth. (See Revelation 17:1–4.)

“Spiritually is called Sodom”

Spiritually—figuratively6

But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly. (Genesis 13:13)

Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. (Ezekiel 16:49)

For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against the Lord, to provoke the eyes of his glory. The show of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves. (Isaiah 3:8–9. They speak and act against the Lord, living in open sin, as in Sodom.)

I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah. (Jeremiah 23:14. Like those in Sodom, they walk in lies, commit adultery, strengthen the hand of evil, and do not repent.)

The “great city” is also known spiritually as Sodom. The corruption of Sodom in breaking the law of God was especially manifested in licentiousness. This sin was also a significant characteristic of the nation that fulfilled the specifications of the prophecy of Revelation 11.

According to the words of the prophet, before 1798, the year that would mark the end of the 1,260 years of prophetic time, a political power or kingdom of satanic origin and character would arise to make war upon the Bible. In the nation represented by the beast out of the bottomless pit, the atheism of Egypt under Pharaoh and the licentiousness of Sodom would be exhibited. During the Revolution in France there was a state of moral debasement and corruption similar to that which brought destruction upon the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.
 
“Intimately connected with these laws affecting religion, was that which reduced the union of marriage—the most sacred engagement which human beings can form, and the permanence of which leads most strongly to the consolidation of society—to the state of a mere civil contract of a transitory character, which any two persons might engage in and cast loose at pleasure, when their taste was changed or their appetite gratified.

“If fiends had set themselves to work to discover a mode of most effectually destroying whatever is venerable, graceful, or permanent in domestic life, and of obtaining at the same time an assurance that the mischief which it was their object to create should be perpetuated from one generation to another, they could not have invented a more effectual plan than the degradation of marriage into a state of mere occasional cohabitation, or licensed concubinage. Sophie Arnoult, an actress famous for the witty things she said, described the republican marriage as ‘the sacrament of adultery.’”7

“Spiritually is called … Egypt”

And Pharaoh said, Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go. (Exodus 5:2. Egypt is characterized by doubt and pride, and denial of God.)

Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the Lord! (Isaiah 31:1. Egypt represents trust in material power and distrust in God.)

That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt! (Isaiah 30:2. Going to Egypt for help showed an attitude of trust in men rather than in God.)

And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; and I will destroy the counsel thereof: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards. (Isaiah 19:3. Having the “spirit of Egypt” is to trust in witchcraft or spiritualism.)

In Scripture, Egypt appears as the boldest in denying the existence of the God of creation and in resisting His commands. No monarch was more openly in rebellion against the authority of heaven than the king of Egypt. When Moses brought to him the message of God, Pharaoh boasted, “Who is Jehovah, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I know not Jehovah, neither will I let Israel go” (Exodus 5:2).

The nation represented symbolically in Revelation 11 by Egypt would exhibit a similar spirit of unbelief and defiance of God. The “great city” in whose streets the witnesses are slain, and where their dead bodies lie, is spiritually or figuratively known as Egypt.

“France is the only nation in the world concerning which the authentic record survives, that as a nation she lifted her hand in open rebellion against the Author of the universe. Plenty of blasphemers, plenty of infidels, there have been, and still continue to be, in England, Germany, Spain, and elsewhere; but France stands apart in the world’s history as the single state which, by the decree of her Legislative Assembly, pronounced that there was no God, and of which the entire population of the capital, and a vast majority elsewhere, women as well as men, danced and sang with joy in accepting the announcement.”8

During the French Revolution, “the world for the first time heard an assembly of men, born and educated in civilization, and assuming the right to govern one of the finest of the European nations, uplift their united voice to deny the most solemn truth which man’s soul receives, and renounce unanimously the belief and worship of a Deity.”9

“Where also our Lord was crucified”

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. (Hebrews 6:4–6)

Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? (Hebrews 10:29)

Having largely rejected the gospel brought by the Reformation, the leaders and people of France crucified Christ afresh in the rejection of His truth. When they tread underfoot the gospel of Christ and counted true Christianity an unholy thing, the restraining grace of God was grieved away, and the most degrading scenes of cruelty and vice followed.

During the Revolution, Jesus Christ was declared an impostor. The rallying cry of the French infidels was “Crush the wretch,” meaning Christ. Blasphemy and gross wickedness prevailed, and the basest of men, the most abandoned to cruelty and vice, were highly exalted. In all of this, supreme homage was given to Satan, the master they had chosen. Christ, through the rejection of His Word and principles, was crucified anew. During the revolution no man was safe whether prince or pauper; all alike were rushed to the guillotines, and when that was too slow other means were found.

The centuries long support of a corrupt and unholy church, with the oppression of the many poor by the few rich, set the stage for the convulsions of revolution to terrorize France.

Revelation 11:9

And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.

“Shall see their dead bodies”

“In the wretched city of Lyons, not only was public worship suppressed, and the churches defiled, but the most gross outrage was committed on every thing sacred. On the tenth of November, an ass, dressed out in a sacerdotal habit, was led in procession through the town by sans culottes, carrying a sacred cup, out of which they gave the animal drink; and when they arrived at one of the public edifices, Bibles, books of devotion, etc, were piled up in a heap, which was set on fire amidst horrid shouts from a vast concourse of people, ‘Long live the Sans Culottes!’”10 (See endnotes for meaning of Sans Culottes]

“Shall see their dead bodies three days and an half”

See comment on Revelation 11:11.

Revelation 11:10

And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.

“And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry”

This verse depicts the great joy that infidels and unbelievers felt when they saw what they believed were the superstitions of religion despised. The Bible, a so-called book of myths, was cast aside. But “knowest thou not this of old, since man was placed upon earth, the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment? Though his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds; yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: they which have seen him shall say, where is he?” (Job 20:4–7).

“Tormented them”

And, behold, they cried out, saying, what have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time? (Matthew 8:29. Wicked spirits are tormented in the presence of the Son of God.)

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4:18. The wicked, lacking the fear and love of God, are tormented by God’s truth.)

And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? (1 Kings 18:17. The voice of reproof, through God’s servant, troubled and tormented the king.)

For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. (John 3:20)

The darkness of evil hates the light of truth for it disturbs the debased conscience. God’s Word and His faithful witnesses were torture to the wicked. Therefore, when it appeared that the Word of God was banished and His servants silenced, there was rejoicing. The influence of the Catholic church, dominated France and denied the people the opportunity to be set free by the gospel of Christ. Because of the superstitious rites and doctrines of men, the people came to look upon all religion, even the holy and good, as the source of their problems. Because of this, faith in God was swept aside with great rejoicing. This blasphemous condition continued for three and a half years.

Revelation 11:11

And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.

“After three days and a half the spirit of life from God entered into them”

In 1793 the decrees that abolished religion and set aside the Bible passed the French Assembly. Three years later, a resolution rescinding these decrees was put forth, and after six months it passed without dissent. By this resolution, toleration was again granted to religion and the Scriptures. The church of Christ and His Word had been slain in France from November 1793 until June 1797. Just as the Word of the Lord had said, for three and a half years (or, prophetically, three and a half days), His witnesses would be slain, despised, and outlawed and then would come back to life. In time, religion, the false as well as the true, entered into the life of the country once again.

The world stood horrified at the enormity of guilt during the reign of terror. Men recognized the necessity of faith in God and His Word as the foundation of virtue and morality for any nation or people.

Portalis, Minister of Public Worship, on the restoration of religion in France said this:

“‘It is religion alone that affords a consolation for the inequality of rank, for chagrin and affliction, that collects and relieves from their fatigues the inhabitants of an immense territory. The government could not, therefore, hesitate to adopt an institution which makes the most essential truths the domains of the public conscience, which calms every mind, which calls all men to justice and humanity, and establishes equality among all ranks. Christianity has the sanction of time and the respect of nations. … Christianity has civilized Europe; it has created a social disposition in the countries where it has penetrated; it connects itself with the progress of the arts and sciences.’

“In accordance with these views of the importance of religion, the First Consul went in great pomp to Notre Dame, from which the altar of infidelity was removed in order to honour Christianity. The statue of Mars was displaced from the Temple of the Invalids, churches were reopened, and the Sabbath restored to its ancient rule. With regard to the Protestants, they were well received at the seat of power. Bonaparte graciously addressed, and promised them an ample toleration.”11

Causes for the Revolution

“But it should never be forgotten, that whatever may have been the instrumental causes of the Revolution—such as the anti-social influence of infidelity, and the return of soldiers from a country where republican principles had just been triumphant, and the gross mismanagement, abuses, and despotism of the government at home—that the real and efficient moral causes are to be found in the protracted persecution, and almost destruction, of the Evangelical Church of France. Mere political writers may not enter into such views; but to those who make the Word of God their standard of judgment, they are the only sound ones.

“It was to be expected that the great Head of the Church would not allow the blood of so many hundreds and thousands of His saints to be poured forth without challenge—that He would punish the nation which, without reason, oppressed and massacred those dear to Him as the apple of His eye. This is a principle of government to which the history of the world bears ample testimony. The persecutors of the saints are, in their turn, almost always sufferers; and the course of events in bringing about this result in France, strikingly showed that it was indeed the persecution of the Church, which was the remote cause of the Revolution.

“What produced the infidelity, which awoke and carried through that dread event? It was the burying of the Bible—the extinguishing of that visible church which alone presented Christianity in a light, which commended it to the conscience, and admitted of vindication before intelligent minds. What chance had the absurdities of the Breviary against Voltaire? …

Popery by destroying Protestantism, let loose and gave encouragement to infidelity, which, in its turn, brought on a frenzied political Revolution.”12

The trends that led to the revolution in France are active in today’s world as well:

• Increasing disparity between rich and poor countries and individuals

• Politicizing of religion and church involvement with the state

• Moral decay

• Rejection of the Word of God and biblical Christianity

Today Bible societies and publishers put out Bibles by the tens of millions, and the Bible is yearly a best seller. Yet despite this widespread distribution, the Bible is still being rejected. Polls conducted in the United States from time to time consistently show that more than 80 percent of Americans claim to believe in God or to be Christians.

Yet these same surveys indicate that fewer than 10 percent of those who claim to be religious have daily Bible study and prayer and a biblical world view. This spiritual condition is similar throughout the world, regardless of the religion people profess. This decline in true piety and commitment is readily apparent in those nations that previously were considered Christian, or who even now call themselves Christian.

No doubt this is the time spoken of in Scripture: “And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying we will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach” (Isaiah 4:1). Many churches in this world claim the name of Jesus Christ, and dress in the robes of their own self-righteousness, and reject the Word of God for the commandments of men.

They “eat their own bread,” not realizing or not caring that “the flesh profiteth nothing; the words that I [Jesus] speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life” (John 6:63). Today the Christian church worldwide “hast a name that thou livest, and art dead” (Revelation 3:1).

The iniquity and spiritual darkness that reigned in prerevolutionary France was the result of the suppression of the Scriptures by the Roman church. Today, however, Rome is ecumenical in her views, encouraging its members to read the Bible. Protestants have always professed to follow “the Bible and the Bible alone?” Why then, with the wide circulation of the Scriptures and evangelicals, Protestants, and Catholics claiming the Bible as the guide of life, is there such widespread infidelity and rejection of the Word and law of God in practice?

Destroying faith in the Bible serves the devil’s purpose as readily as destroying the Bible itself. Anyone who loves the truth enough to be reading this book knows this is happening today.

Another reason the Bible is being rejected in this age of religion is found in this passage:

For the time is coming when [people] will not tolerate (endure) sound and wholesome instruction, but, having ears itching [for something pleasing and gratifying], they will gather to themselves one teacher after another to a considerable number, chosen to satisfy their own liking and to foster the errors they hold, and will turn aside from hearing the truth and wander off into myths and man-made fictions. (2 Timothy 4:3–4 AMP)

The work of “higher criticism” in dissecting, conjecturing, and reconstructing is destroying faith in the Bible as a divine revelation; it robs God’s Word of the power to control, uplift, and inspire human lives. The spirit of relativism—the belief that there is no absolute truth or that there are many paths to God—is creating a world of apparent religious tolerance and pluralism that hides a hatred of God and His unchanging truth.

What has happened to the Protestant Reformation? The various faiths that sprang from the zeal, faith, and teachings of the early reformers have for the most part backtracked to such a degree that Luther, Zwingle, Wesley, Wycliffe, and other reformers would certainly be moved once again to thunder down their denunciations upon a world-loving and corrupt church.

The majority of Christian churches now regard Catholicism with greater favor than in former years. There is an increasing indifference concerning the doctrines that separate Protestant and evangelical churches from the teachings of the papacy. The opinion prevailing today is that we do not differ so widely upon vital points of doctrine and practice as had been supposed.

Further, it is believed by many Christians and churches that uniting to meet the many social ills prevailing in the world will bring us into a better understanding with Rome for the betterment of all.

“The ecumenical movement has united many churches in the World Council of Churches. The Catholic Church, since Vatican Council II (1963-65), no longer sees in the other churches enemies, but accepts (their members) with respect and affection as brothers.”13

An Overview

The spirit of lawlessness and so-called liberty is seeking to sweep away all law, not only divine, but also human. Today there is a growing centralization of wealth and power in the hands of a few, with vast consolidations of business and commerce for the enrichment of the minority at the expense of the majority. At the same time, there is the organizing of the poorer classes and nations for the defense of their interests and claims. The world in the twenty-first century is filled with terrorism and bloodshed, economic uncertainty, and the spirit of unrest and war. And like in pre-revolutionary France, secret societies of the influential, rich and powerful manipulate religion, politics and economics behind the scenes.

The worldwide dissemination of the same teachings that led to the French Revolution, and other influences currently in the world, are tending to involve all humanity in a struggle similar to that which convulsed France. When this situation reaches its full extent, it will be the time of the “beast out of the bottomless pit” as prophesied in Revelation 17. This will bring about some type of new global arrangement dominated by the harlot woman “mystery Babylon,” the church of Rome in conjunction with the religions and kings of the earth.

The teachings of the Revolution:

• Abolition of all ordered governments

• Abolition of private property

• Abolition of all inheritance

• Abolition of patriotism

• Abolition of all religion

• Abolition of the family

• Creation of a world government

These teachings and more were at the heart of the Illuminist philosophies founded by Jesuit Adam Weishaupt, who moved behind the scenes in the French Revolution. Today, through humanism, communism, atheism, evolution, and occultism, we see the same teachings and influences preparing the world for global convulsion.

Revelation 11:12

And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

“Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven”

Hear, O Israel: Thou art to pass over Jordan this day, to go in to possess nations greater and mightier than thyself, cities great and fenced up to heaven. (Deuteronomy 9:1)

Though Babylon should mount up to heaven, and though she should fortify the height of her strength, yet from me shall spoilers come unto her, saith the Lord. (Jeremiah 51:53)

It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth. (Daniel 4:22)

This expression in Revelation 11:12 is not speaking of literal prophets being taken to heaven but the exaltation of the Scriptures after 1,260 years of great difficulty and repression. Soon after the Revolution, the Bible began flowing to the nations in an unprecedented manner through the churches and Bible societies.

Revelation 11:13

And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.

“And the same hour was there a great earthquake”

Applying this prophecy to France, we see that this earthquake is not literal, but rather a description of the upheaval that shook the nation.

“Tenth part of the city fell”

The city of Revelation 11:13 is spiritual Babylon, with her seat in Rome. (See Revelation 11:8, for further references under great city.) France was one of the original ten horns of Daniel 7 that came up out of the fourth beast and made up a part of the Roman Empire. France was the first to accept and aid the papal power through Clovis, king of the Franks, as far back as A.D. 508. And France was one of Rome’s chief prosecutors against the Protestant Reformation. A small part, a tenth, of Babylon’s kingdom was greatly convulsed and agitated as if by an earthquake. This earthquake eventually convulsed Rome, as Napoleon’s general took the pope captive in 1798.

“Slain of men seven thousand”

In the original Greek, “men” is actually “names of men.” Some take this to mean seven thousand literal men. They apply this to the vast army of nobility who held the power and wealth of France, which some historians estimate at seven thousand. Far more than seven thousand lost their lives in the convulsion that overtook France. So this term is likely symbolic and refers to a class of men who controlled the state and the church, and held sway over the vast populace of France.

“Remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven”

Those who remained were filled with dread and terror and were awe-struck, and they glorified the God of heaven. (Revelation 11:13 AMP)

Surely the wrath [anger] of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain. (Psalm 76:10)

The History of the Revolution to Be Repeated Worldwide

The same confusion that convulsed France will soon overwhelm the whole world. Satan, the real power from the bottomless pit, will make his purpose the rule of life, not in one country alone but throughout the world. (See Revelation 17.) The wide inroads of communism and its atheistic philosophy during much of the twentieth century, and the atheistic teachings of evolution, have prepared and are continuing to prepare the world to openly side with the beast from the pit.

The previously pent-up hatreds of ethnic and religious strife are convulsing nations and continents across Europe, Asia, and Africa. This strife will soon engulf the whole world. The global thirst for materialism, combined with the fall of dictatorships and communism throughout eastern Europe, Russia, Asia, and Africa, is unleashing the unbridled lust and greed of man.

Now on a worldwide scale, humanity is falling quickly into two camps—the rich and the poor. The elitist class dominates the poor working class. The former class shall weep and lament when Babylon is burned with fire. The merchantmen will be making money, which they will lament the loss of, indicating that the beast system will bring temporary prosperity for a short time.

The rejection of truth and the uniting of church and state will prepare the world to follow in the footsteps of France. Liberty of conscience will be cast aside and a satanic rule will prevail. The real truth of the Bible will again be hated by the sin-loving religious multitude, and God’s people will be persecuted once more.

The people of God, “clothed in sackcloth and ashes,” will have to prophesy against the beast and his image. As the world celebrates the casting down of God’s Word and His witnesses for the exaltation of human religion, they shall rejoice. But the “spirit of life from God” shall enter His people, and the loud cry shall sound (See Revelation 18:1–4) as God’s people have been “measured” and fitted to receive the latter rain. The final judgment message will be given, and “great fear fell upon” “the Gentiles” “which saw them.” (See Luke 21:26; Matthew 24:21.)

Then God’s people shall be sealed, their sins blotted out, and the door of mercy will close. They shall be dwelling in “heavenly places with Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6). They will be glorified, and God’s “enemies beheld them.” Then the great earthquake (see Revelation 6:12; 16:18) will convulse the earth and shake Babylon, “which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt where also our Lord was crucified.”

The whole rebellious satanic system shall fall as Christ “cometh quickly.” And “there were great voices in heaven, 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” (Revelation 11:15).

The biblical lessons we studied in Revelation 9 are an outline of the fruits of this worldwide rejection of truth.

Trumpet Visions Completed—The Seventh Trumpet

Revelation 11:14

The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.

The Historical Fulfillment

The end of the sixth trumpet in Revelation 9 brought us to the prophecy foretelling the initial fall of the Ottoman Empire in August of 1840. Revelation 10 tells us of the end of all prophetic times, particularly the end of the 2,300-year prophecy of Daniel 8:14. From this point forward, the planet and mankind are on borrowed time, for all prophetic times have been fulfilled.

The events of chapter 11 took place in the 1700s, just a few years before the end of the 1,260-year prophecy of Daniel and Revelation, during the time period of the sixth trumpet. The seventh trumpet began to be sounded at the end of the 2,300-year prophecy as the mystery of God’s redeeming love and His gospel in the end-time setting of Revelation 14:6–10 began to go to the world to prepare a people for the soon coming of Christ.

By faith, the truth of the sanctuary in heaven was opened to the people’s understanding (see Revelation 11:19) and they saw the ark of God containing the Ten Commandments. Thus a movement was born to herald to the world the gospel, the eternal verity of God’s law, and the message that all mankind would be held accountable to that law.

“Third woe cometh quickly”

Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. (Revelation 3:11)

Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. (Revelation 22:7)

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. (Revelation 22:12)

He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20)

Quickly—shortly; i.e., without delay, soon, or (by surprise) suddenly14

The historical fulfillment of the trumpets has covered centuries. Now, with the sounding of the seventh trumpet, time on this planet is drawing to a close.

In the prophetic scenario of the trumpets, the seventh trumpet indicates the time of earth’s history just prior to the coming of the Lord. The third woe ends in the coming of Christ. To a sin-hardened, unbelieving world following man-made religion, He will appear with suddenness and surprise, and human history as we have known it will come to its end.

Revelation 11:15–17

And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, 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. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.

“The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ”

And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. (Daniel 7:14)

The Historical Fulfillment

In Revelation 10:6 Jesus declared there would be no more prophetic time, signaling the end of the 2,300-year prophecy of Daniel 8:14. In verse 7 He declared that in the days of the angel sounding the seventh trumpet, the mystery of God—the gospel of Christ—would be finished as the door of mercy shuts and God’s people are sealed and made ready for His coming. During the time of the seventh trumpet, a message was to go to the world. (See Revelation 10:11.) This is the message of Revelation 14:6–12 and 18:1–4.

With rebellion and sin having gone on for many millennia, the heavenly host recognize and understand that the end is nigh. In anticipation of this, all of heaven recognizes the lordship and rule of God and of Christ. The elders acknowledge once again the knowledge, power, and sovereignty of God.

The remaining verses of chapter 11 describe events from the sounding of the seventh trumpet at the end of the 2,300-year prophecy to the earth made new.

The Biblical Lesson

The seventh trumpet depicts the last moments of this world’s history, signaling that the coming of Christ is nigh. As Christ is preparing to come as King of kings and Lord of lords, the twenty-four elders look forward with praise and expectation to the reign of God and Christ over the universe no longer marred by sin. The verses that follow describe events from the seventh plague to the earth made new.

Revelation 11:18

And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

“The nations were angry”

And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. (Matthew 24:6)

But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. (Luke 21:9)

The twentieth century, so far, has been the bloodiest period and one of the most turbulent periods—and therefore one of the cruelest and least humanitarian—in the history of Western civilization and perhaps in the chronicles of mankind in general.15

And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. (Revelation 19:9)

“Thy wrath is come”

And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. (Revelation 15:1)

And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. (Revelation 16:19)

And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. (Revelation 19:15)

And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? (Revelation 6:16–17)

And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. (Revelation 14:19)

“Time of the dead, that they should be judged”

And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (Revelation 20:4)

Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? (1 Corinthians 6:2–3)

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. (Revelation 20:12)

Those who are dead in trespasses and sins will be slain by Christ’s coming. While the saints are in heaven for a thousand years (see Revelation 20:2–7), they will ratify God’s sentence of the wicked as they look over the records of the lost. At the end of the thousand years comes the final judgment and destruction of the wicked at the great white throne judgment depicted in Revelation 20.

“Shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints”

Behold, I shew you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. (1 Corinthians 15:51–52, 55)

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. (Revelation 22:12)

Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. (2 Peter 3:13–14)

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. And 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 shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (Revelation 21:1–4)

The reward of eternal life is granted to the saints at the coming of Christ when this “mortal shall put on immortality.” The final reward of an eternal kingdom will be bestowed upon them as they receive their inheritance of the earth made new after the judgment and destruction of the wicked occurs at the end of the thousand years.

“Destroy them which destroy the earth”

And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:7–8)

And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11–15)

The wicked who are alive will be slain by the brightness of Christ’s coming. Later, in the second resurrection, and after the great white throne judgment, the wicked of all ages will be eternally destroyed in the lake of fire.

Revelation 11:19

And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

“Temple of God was opened in heaven”

Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: we have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. (Hebrews 8:1–2)

But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building. (Hebrews 8:11)

For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. (Hebrews 9:19–24)

“Seen in his temple the ark of his testament”

And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee. And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee. And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel. (Exodus 25:16, 21–22)

For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; and over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. (Hebrews 9:2–5)

At earth’s final hour, the wrath of God will be fully and finally released, in the seven last plagues. Just prior to the coming of the Lord, “The ark of His testament,” which contains God’s holy law, will be seen in heaven. The rule of life, the standard that justified the saints saved by grace and condemned the wicked, will be made known to the world as the standard of the judgment. This is particularly applicable, as the worshippers of the beast have followed man’s laws and religion in contrast to the eternal law of God and the everlasting gospel.

The temple, opened with the law of God seen in heaven, also depicts the work of the people of God during the time of the seventh trumpet, when His people give the message to the world. “Saying with a loud voice, fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters” (Revelation 14:7).

The remnant “who keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12) will declare to the world the eternal verity of the Ten Commandments, especially the forgotten and neglected fourth commandment.

The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof. Clouds and thick darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne. A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about. His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled. The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. The heavens declare his righteousness, and all people see his glory. (Psalm 97:1–6)

The prophet declared. “The heavens shall declare His righteousness: for God is judge Himself” (Psalm 50:6). The holy law, the standard of God’s righteousness, which, in the midst of thunder and flame, was proclaimed from Sinai as the guide of life for all mankind, is to be revealed to the world as the rule of judgment. The conscience will be aroused as the darkness of superstition, error, and rebellion is clearly seen and understood. It is impossible to describe the horror and despair the inhabitants of the world will experience when they behold the testimony of the law of God in the heavens. The very law they have despised will then condemn them.

“There were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail”

And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. … And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great. (Revelation 16:18, 21)

The testimony of heaven declares, “It is done,” signified by thunderings and lightnings. The world has been judged, and the final plague of hail falls. Christ will follow as King of kings and Lord of lords. (See Revelation 19:11–21.)

My friend, may you be found ready for this inevitable day of deliverance. Though it seems as if it tarries long, yet in the time frame of heaven and eternity it will come quickly. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Endnotes

1.  Greek Lexicon, in The Online Bible CD-Rom, Macintosh Version 2.5.3 (Niagara Falls, NY: Cross Country Software, www.online-bible.com, 1996).

2.  James Strong, Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Book House, 1987).

3.  Ibid.

4.  Noah Webster’s First Edition of an American Dictionary of the English Language, (1828; reprint, San Francisco, Calif.: Foundation for American Christian Education, 1967).

5.  James Strong, op. cit.

6.  Ibid.

7.  Sir Walter Scott, Life of Napoleon Buonaparte, Emperor of the French (New York: Leavitt & Allen, 1858), 142.

8.  Blackwoods Edinburgh Magazine, American Edition, vol. LXXI, July–December 1870 (New York: Leonard Scott Publishing Company), 643.

9.  Sir Walter Scott, op. cit. 143.

10.  John G. Lorimer, Historical Sketch of the Protestant Church of France from its Origin to the Present Time (Philadelphia: Presbyterian Board of Publication, 1842), 458. Sans-Culottes was a French phrase meaning ‘without knee breeches.’ The term, which became popular during the French Revolution (1789-1799), was applied to the French volunteers who joined the Revolutionary army wearing homespun pantalons (trousers) instead of the usual culottes (knee breeches) of the aristocrats. During the French Revolution, a revolutionary either from the poorer classes or with extreme republican sympathies

11.  Ibid., p. 463.

12.  Ibid., pp. 460–461.

13.  Motto, a Catholic journal in Zimbabwe, January 1993.

14.  James Strong, op. cit.

15.  Pitirim A. Sorokin, Social and Cultural Dynamics (New York: American Book Co., 1937) vol. 3, p. 487.

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