
Moses
and Elijah Coming:
The Day of Vengeance of Our God –
Which is The Great Tribulation.
By Jan Lilleby
INTRODUCTION
As a short introduction I just want to say that this booklet of 27 pages is in no way a
full exposition of the topic. But it has still much vital info to share.
My hope is that the reader shall have a fuller view of what
is coming for Israel in the Great Tribulation. At the same time proving
that this grievous time for that nation, is not going to inflict so much on
other nations, other than the fear we may feel when having to watch such
super-natural punishments via the TV-screens! However, ‘we’ here is not the
church. We shall be taken into heaven before the Great Tribulation hits against
Israel (Col. 3:1-4).
My way of making a point of this, is to put the spotlight on the
two prophets whom God shall send to administer this holy war against
Zionist-Israel in the end-times.
Many fine Bible Scholars have studied the topic, but it is my
impression that not very many have had these two witnesses of Rev. 11 in sight
when doing so; which – to my opinion – is a blunder. For the two witnesses and
their presence in the tribulation is of vital importance, and I cannot
underline the significance of that fact enough!
This booklet is not sectioned by chapters, but by titles of the
topics taught.
Let me also tell you that it is my belief that these things may
not be farther into the future than perhaps half a century or so.
Be sure also to check out my article found under category ‘Bible
Prophesy’ – for in it I have a better exposition of the time aspects for His
Second Advent. The title is “The Two Returns of Jesus Spoken of in the New
Testament” – and we will learn that He spoke to His disciples of a coming
first, which was dependent upon Israel’s repentance in the life-time of
the apostles; and He also had spoken of His ‘Ultimate’ coming, which would take
place later…if Israel would not receive Him under the ministry of the apostles.
That coming is prophesied in Hosea 6 – and it is a fixed future event
regardless of this world.
THE TWO GENERALS OF WAR
The
quote in the headline above is from Is. 61:2 – the last half of the verse which
Jesus left out (deliberately) when reading from the Book of Isaiah in the
synagogue at Nazareth in AD 29.
Jesus did not come to bring on Israel the Great Tribulation, but
to – “proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord…” which is the first
half of the same verse.
But when God is going to once again call Israel back to Himself
as a chosen nation on earth, it will no longer be any more ‘acceptable year’
like when Jesus came the first time. This time He shall send down His two
‘Generals of War’ – Moses and Elijah – to bring on the horrible ‘Day of
Vengeance’.
This day is a period of seven years – equivalent to the last
‘Year-week’ foretold in Dan. 9:24-27 – which again is also equivalent to what
Jeremiah called ‘Jacob’s Trouble’ (Jer. 30:7) – and confirmed by Jesus in Matt.
24:21, 22…quote:
“For then there will be great tribulation such as has not been
from the beginning of the world (read: Land, nation) until now – no, and never
will be again. 22: And if those days had not been shortened (stopped), no human
being (in Israel) would endure and survive, but for the sake of the elect
(Messianic Israel) those days will be shortened.”
Jer. 30:7 – “Alas! For that day will be great, so that none will
be like I; it will be the time of Jacob’s trouble, but he will be saved
out of it.
Rev. 7:14 is correctly noted as reference in Jer. 30:7, and
says:
“..These are they that have come out of the great tribulation,
and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
Who are they? They are the newly restored and
re-established Messianic Israel, which we find is dealt with in Rev. 7
mainly. Twelve thousand Jews/Israelites organized per tribe, and with twelve
tribes making up a total of 144 000 believers, - by their leaders Moses
and Elijah in the tribal order which shall reign with Christ in the millennia.
What did Jesus say about Elijah’s coming – other than him coming
for to, quote:
“…get everything RESTORED and ready.” (Matt. 17:11).
What did Jesus teach the disciples after His resurrection, other
than Himself coming for to, quote:
“…reestablish the kingdom and restore it to Israel…” (Acts 1:6).
Yes, I know that the latter quote was contained in a question
which they asked the Lord, after His forty days of teaching them to preach the
kingdom to Israel.
But His answer was not a denial of that truth (of a coming
restoration of Israel) – but He only warned them of getting too hooked up in
speculation regarding the time aspect of His coming for the kingdom. In other
words, there will be a restoration of Israel as a nation for God – and
one of the prophets God shall send, will be Elijah – and he shall get
everything restored and ready.
In those three words are contained the entire punishments and
horrors and plagues of the Great Tribulation – as well as the end of it, when
Jesus shall descend from heaven and take the throne on Zion.
I just want to make this quick second introduction so we can at
once see the clear and undisputable fact that the Great Tribulation will be
started and administered by Elijah and Moses – just as we will learn from Rev.
11 – God sending them to, quote:
“…prophesy …for 1260 days…, dressed in sackcloth.” (Rev. 11:3).
Our
first question will have to be: Prophesy what?
My
immediate answer can only be one thing: To prophesy the plagues and horror
which God shall cast upon Zionist-Israel in the end-time!
Elijah
is not coming to restore the world, but only Israel. And the Great
Tribulation is the tool to make them ready for God. We shall have a look
at some of the ‘High Lights’ so to speak. Just a glimpse of what this will look
like in the real world. It is not a full exposition of the topic. Some of this
will seem pretty weird and scary to some of you, and to others this will be
well-known material. But what do you think your reaction would have been, if
you had been present when God let loose His gigantic judgment upon Egypt
when Moses told Pharaoh to let the Hebrews go? Right! So here we go….
Some
gullible and ignorant believers today think that the Great Tribulation is just
appearing/starting out of thin air, by itself or by some mad politicians or
despots going about with their mad ideas. But there will be no such thing…the
Great Tribulation will be triggered off by the mighty and anointed genuine
prophets of God, Elijah and Moses. They will prophesy forth those
judgments, plagues and horrors which can be seen in the Book of Revelation.
Moses
in his time, as well as Elijah later on, was sent to the leaders of Israel.
Moses spoke to the elders of Israel as they represented the entire people at
Sinai, and Elijah was mainly sent to the infamous Ahab and his evil-minded
wife, Jezebel to have them end the Baal-worship in the land.
This
very same principle will be in operation when they once again are sent to
Israel to prophesy. They will mainly speak to two groups of people, one
being the Israeli government with its prime minister and president, and the
other will be those 144 000 tribal Israelites and Jews seen in Rev. 7.
Actually, there would be no tribal restoration for Israel unless the two prophets
appear to make this new organization.
This
move of God will be strongly opposed by the Zionist-Israel of course, for which
Moses in the company of Elijah will begin to prophesy punishments upon the
unbelieving nation, one punishment after another, in same manner as we
learn that Moses and Aaron worked in the face of Pharaoh Ramses II in Ex. 7-11
chapters.
The
tribulation will start with these witnesses proclaiming the harsh punishments
coming upon Israel, and will be referring to Ezek. 36…saying to Israel:
(Probably saying this in Knesset) …..
“The
Lord Christ Jesus will now vindicate the holiness of His great name and
separate it for its holy purpose from all that defiles it – His name, Jesus,
which has been profaned among the nations, which you – Israel – have profaned
among them – and the nations during the tribulation now coming upon you, will
know, understand and realize that (it is) He, Christ Jesus, when He shall be
set apart by you and His holiness vindicated in you before their eyes and
yours.” (v.23).
And
one of the first punishments cast upon Israel would immediately be made
effective: The two prophets will shut up heaven for rain! (Rev. 11:6).
There will be no rain in Israel for the 3 ½ years given them to prophesy
punishments, says the Bible. More of this will come below.
HOW
CAN WE KNOW THAT IT IS
MOSES
AND ELIJAH
IN REV. 11?
I deliberately wrote the above, before coming
to this issue. Thus we easily find that there are no other ‘Hand to Fit the
Glove’ – only Moses and Elijah are capable in such a ministry to Israel. And we
will now find that it pleases God to send these well-known and tested prophets
to perform such a formidable task as the Great Tribulation in Israel.
Notice
carefully that chapter 11 does not open by telling of the two prophets.
No,
it opens with telling of a new (and illicit!) temple in Jerusalem – and
John is told by the angel to measure that temple and those who worship there,
Rev. 11:1. Not in inches and foot or yards, but in ethical standards…to
evaluate the temple and its worshippers. What is going on here?
Suggesting to us that what is going on is not pleasing to God, to say
the least.
However
he is not allowed to measure (evaluate) the court outside the sanctuary –
because that part of the temple was given over to the Gentiles, for they shall
trample underfoot the holy city for 42 months (3 ½ years) – which is the period
of the final half of the 7-year tribulation period. Rev. 11:2.
But
in verse 3 we are introduced to the two witnesses – telling us that they shall
prophesy for 1260 days – which is the first half of the 7-year tribulation.
In
these three verses, we have a quick overview of the entire 7-year
tribulation…and thus the Revelation Book puts the new ‘False temple’ (it
shall be burned down, just like the second temple in AD 70) right smack in the
center of all things pertaining to Israel and the Great Tribulation.
A
side remark is in its place here, - because some will perhaps object to my
saying of the temple as an illicit one, and thus false. That is because Paul wrote
of anti-Christ that he will be…quote: “…taking the seat in the temple of
God, proclaiming that he himself is God.” (2 Thess. 2:4).
But
Paul’s words here are not as if the temple actually is God’s temple as
such; but rather – he is putting the temple into the frame, or presumption,
that this third temple is in the minds of the Israeli people considered
so. Remember, Paul is describing a seduction-scenario! The people are seduced
to think this is the right Messiah of God, sitting in ‘God’s temple’.
But the temple will be built by Christ-rejecters and Christ-profaners, not by
anointed God-chosen prophets or servants. We must be eager to stick to the context
always. And still – whether God’s temple or not, even the temple of God can
be destroyed, when this is an act of God punishing Israel. This is clear
from ancient history. The first temple was destroyed together with the city, when
Nebuchadnezzar deported Jews in the last (third) raid against Jerusalem 586 BC,
Jer. 52:12, 13. The second temple was destroyed in AD 70 by Titus and his Roman
army. Jesus prophesied that there would not be left even as much as a
stone-on-stone…it would all get laid flat to the ground.
I
have had disputes with other believers – who protested to my teaching of the
temple in the Great Tribulation getting burned. Particularly one person was
very stubborn, and would not accept Biblical facts. It is of no importance
whether the temple is God’s or men’s – if God has decided to have it burnt,
then it will be burnt. And in Rev. 17 -18 we find the story of a future arson
of both the city and the temple. It is part of God’s judgment upon the Babylon
harlot, Zionist-Israel.
That
is why we find that God will have built a fourth temple, as we read
Ezek. 47, after the tribulation is over. The building of this new (or maybe restored…from
the tribulation when it will be much destroyed) temple is performed alongside
the establishing of the tribal pieces of land, just as they did when Joshua led
them into it the first time (Ezek. 47:21).
This,
again, tells us that Elijah and Moses cannot appear, before this third temple
has been built.
After
the short 3-verses overview, we are told a very important message in verse 4 –
a clue regarding as to whom these two witnesses might be – using a very tribal
and private way of telling…so obvious for outsiders, that we immediately
understand that the addressees of the Book of Revelation are in no way us
Gentiles, but Jews only. The language itself expose to us that this is
for insiders only! Which means there was no need for telling names or things
like that, simply because, to a learned Jew it will be obvious who those
witnesses are. Let us read:
“These
are the two olive trees and the two lampstands which stand before the Lord of
the earth.”
Any
fairly skilled Jew would immediately recognize this! They all know the
story of Elijah from 1 Kings 17 – as the introduction Elijah used before Ahab:
“Elijah
the Tishbite, of the temporary residents of Gilead, said to Ahab, As the Lord,
the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew or
rain these years but according to my word.”
Also,
a very interesting detail meets us when considering Elijah: He was himself
struck by the no-rain policy of the Lord. Even if he was for a short time
having water at the brook of Cherith, it eventually dried up because of lack of
rain. But look what God then did (I shall come to this later on) – he sent
Elijah to the widow at Zarephat, for He had commanded her to provide food for
Elijah. Likewise, in the Great Tribulation, Elijah will once again experience
how the Lord will provide food and shelter for him, like we read in Rev.
12. But I shall come back to this.
As
Elijah is recognized spiritually as one who is standing before the Lord, so
it is with Moses also:
“Therefore
He said He would destroy them, had not Moses, His chosen one, stepped into
the breach before Him…”. Psalm 106:23.
In
the Norwegian Bible it is better translated, I think, saying…”Moses, His
chosen one, stood before Him.”
These
two prophets are alive, and God has not dismissed them as prophets – thus they
are still in the same high status of being prophets who stand before the
Lord; ready at any time to do ministry on the command of the Lord; in
present tense as well as future tense. They are standing NOW, today, before the
Lord, in heaven; and shall continuously stand before Him, even as we find them
in the Great Tribulation.
We
will learn below, how the plagues and horrors in the Great Tribulation have
many likenesses to things which happened in their ancient ministries. Moses
turned water into blood, Elijah shut off rain. Moses had hailstorm smashing up
Egypt, and Elijah had super-natural fire coming down. Moses had super-natural
supply of food, as had Elijah…and so on.
Let
me also point to the fact that Malachi 4 is telling of Elijah to come before
the Day of the Lord - and in the same breath mentions Moses…and that is not a
coincident:
“Remember
the law of Moses, My servant, the statutes and ordinances which I commanded him
on Horeb to all Israel. 5: Behold I will send you Elijah the prophet before the
great and terrible day of the Lord comes.” Mal. 4:4, 5.
No
wonder that the two were sent to talk (talk: prophesying) with Jesus –
of His death and resurrection (Matt. 17:3; Luke 9:30, 31). Why not satisfy with
sending just Moses alone to tell Jesus of His coming death and resurrection?
Why have two prophets to meet with him? Answer: Because this was a concern
going farther than just the Lord’s suffering, death and resurrection. This was
also concerning His Second Advent and the tribulation just before this Advent!
Into which Moses and Elijah are the Generals of War on behalf of God and
Christ.
As
long as Moses and Elijah are alive, no other prophets can imitate or take
over their ministries or their power from God to perform certain signs and
punishments. They are absolutely unique before God and men. But had they both
been dead, God could of course theoretically have sent two new prophets for His
purposes with Israel. The all-wise God Jehovah of Israel knows better than to
use some fresh ‘New prophets’ with no experience or anointing like we see with
the two. God will not send others than Moses and Elijah now that the two are
alive – He has strict principles as to whom He will be pleased to send
in such an errand.
And
the final clue I want to give you, before moving on, is the fact that the two
cannot only be prophets. Before God and Christ, it is a very high calling if
you are called to be a witness for Jesus Christ. The two witnesses in
Rev. 11 are called for both prophets and witnesses. And to be a witness you
will have to have seen and talked with Jesus in persona de facto. For
which the Bible gives testimony of Moses and Elijah meeting with Jesus on the
mountain, as quoted.
They
are also called witnesses because of the nature of their mission: They shall witness
to Israel about Jesus and tell them to repent. They are those who shall go
with the mission of re-opening the offer to Israel of the New Covenant in the
blood of Jesus, just as He told in Matt. 24:14. Accompanied by the 144 000
of the tribes of Israel, Rev. 7.
The
fact that the Book of Revelation is bearing the impression of a Scripture which
is written in a private Jewish tribal language – like as if the addressees are
already familiar to its contents – names, places, the temple, etc., is evident.
That is why you cannot find for example the name ‘Jesus’ in the book, other
than in the introduction chapter 1. For already in verse 8 Jesus is now
mentioned as the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End; and in verse
13, Son of Man.
For
it is so evident in this private dealing between God and future Israel, that it
is Jesus altogether…so we read of ‘The Lamb of God’, the ‘Bridegroom’,
or ‘He Who rides the white horse’, or ‘He is called the Word of God’ and so on.
In
same manner it is that Rev. 11 is not saying ‘Moses and Elijah’ – for by recognition
it is obvious to the Jews who these two witnesses are. No need to mention
names…but rather mention their position with God, or status
spiritually. But the tribal names in Rev. 7 are of course important, since the
tribes now will be organized again. So names are essential in that move of God.
Names
as such are however still only of secondary importance and the mission of the
bearers of the names is the primary.
God
already know the birth name of the coming anti-Christ. But he is still just
called for anti-Christ, the Beast, the Man of Sin, the Lawless one, Son
of Perdition, a prince (in Daniel) – no name. Because it is his ‘mission’ which
has priority, not his personal name.
Same
goes for the false prophet, called ‘Another Beast’ in Rev. 13:11-17. He has a
personal name, which God and Christ know already, but it is not important. The
importance lies in the ‘mission’ of this second beast, the false prophet.
I
hope things have become clear to you of how Revelation is edited by God
– and given in the form of signs and symbolism in combination with prophetic
facts to John, originally addressed (Rev. 1:1) to the Messianic believers
during the Acts period – however pointing to the future end-time events.
THE DISPUTE
OF THE 42 MONTHS – 1260 DAYS
The 1260 days of the two witnesses, in Rev. 11:3 -
makes out the first half of the 7-year tribulation.
I am
aware of that a dispute has been going on for some time regarding the 3 ½ years
mentioned as 1260 days, and 42 months in Rev. 11. But I shall prove to you that
the two ways of mentioning 3 ½ years is not the same interval, but they
represent each one half of the total of 7 years. The 1260 days are the first
interval – in which these two witnesses/prophets are given to prophesy to
Israel.
The
final half, the 42 months, are the time in which we find anti-Christ starting
to kill and destroy Israel; ending with the burning of Israel’s capital
Jerusalem.
And
when anti-Christ kills the witnesses, the Gentiles will have those days ruling
Jerusalem as the final half is clocked off, mentioned as the 42 months.
How
do we know? By reading Rev. 11:14 where it says, as the prophets are killed –
there has only been fulfilled two of the three Birth Pangs or woes by
this. And still one woe remains – in other words: When the 1260 days of
these two witnesses ends, it is not the end of the tribulation, but it has come
half-way through it. Understand? They die (and are resurrected) before the
tribulation ends; easy for everyone to comprehend. And after their
death/resurrection, we find that much of the doom and punishments of the
tribulation remains. If they were to prophesy for 1260 days (3 ½ year)
as these days are the last days of the tribulation, it will not be true. They
die before the tribulation is over! The third and final woe remains, plus the
‘Seven Plagues’ of the bowls in Rev. 15:6-8. So, this proves that the two
witnesses are the ones who will start the Great Tribulation, by prophesying
forth the punishments.
The
third Woe is heard as we read Rev. 18:16, 19 when God let Babylon the harlot,
Jerusalem, have the judgment due, and Jerusalem shall burn for the last time in
history! Verse 24 testifies for certain that the Babylon harlot, Jerusalem,
also is the great city, in which it was found blood after prophets and the
saints and of all who have been killed (for their faith in God) in the land.
And right after this Third Birth Pang, we are told in Rev. 19:11 that
Jesus is coming in His Second Advent. And I have so proved to you that the 1260
days of the two witnesses are the first half of a 7-year
tribulation for Israel. The tribulation cannot get started, unless these two
prophets appear in Israel to warn the people. This has always been God’s holy
principle in regard to doom.
Rev.
11 telling of the two witnesses is essential to be able to understand the Great
Tribulation.
The
tribulation will not come just because Revelation says so – but it will
physically and spiritually be ‘administered’ by Moses and Elijah, as they are prophesying
one punishment following another!
In
the same manner as we read of Moses when he confronted Pharaoh again and again,
(Ex. 7-11) telling him of new and terrible plagues to hit Egypt. And
even after their deaths, that which they prophesied will continue to happen,
and Israel shall be whipped and scourged for their hatred against Christ – and
so ultimately be forced to get on their knees calling up His name for
salvation.
These
plagues are the signs (really rather plagues) Jesus warned Israel of in
Luke 21:25, 26 – and for which the people in Israel (not in the world
elsewhere) shall be…I quote:
“..swooning
away or expiring with fear and dread and apprehension and expectation of the
things that are coming on the nation; for the very powers of the heavens
will be shaken and caused to totter.”
And
to point out the last words of verse 25: “…at the roaring of the tossing of the
sea (Mediterranean)”. This effect of the waves crashing in over Israel’s
shores – comes from the asteroids falling in it – so to destroy one third of
the ships. This means that we are talking of huge tsunamis here…reaching
several kilometers inland, destroying everything in its way, like we saw from
Japan 2011.
Rev.
8:8, 9 when the second angel blew his trumpet…says: “Something resembling a
great mountain, BLAZING WITH FIRE (this is definitely an asteroid) – was hurled
into the sea.”
In
other words, Jesus in Luke 21 did not speak of a constant hurricane blowing
huge waves all the time, but the consequences of a big burning asteroid
crashing through the atmosphere falling as a giant torch into the
Mediterranean and probably creating an enormous set of tall waves as if a 20
megaton (or more) nuke went off! Waves at the peak height of maybe 30 meters
will smash cities – such as Tel Aviv, Haifa and others. God only knows. This is
not going to be pretty. And it may also hit foreign shores, not only Israel…sorry
to say. But the main casualties will be those in Israel. I am sure.
People
will be fearfully looking for the prophesied plague (one by one), and
seek shelter! Now you can better understand how the Great Tribulation will
affect the frightened Zionist-Israel in the tribulation. This is for real!
The
two prophets will go in details when warning them of God’s next plague to
hit on Israel, because the nation will not take heed to their preaching
of Jesus as Messiah. And we shall make a comparison between the plagues in Ex.
7-11 and the ones we find in Rev. 6 and on, as the ‘Three Sevens’ plus the
Three Birth Pangs or Woes.
Like
Pharaoh of old, when opposing Moses, so the Israeli leaders will
stand against the two prophets. For which a new round of horrors is cast
upon the disobedient nation.
Elijah
and Moses will come before them to negotiate whether they will bow to
Jesus Christ or not. Stephen’s harsh rebuking of the unbelieving mob in Acts
7:51 comes to mind, and will hold true still:
“You
stubborn and stiff-necked people, still heathen and uncircumcised in heart and
ears, you are ALWAYS resisting the Holy Spirit. As your forefathers, so
you!”
And
if they will not listen, they will have to take another round of punishments –
much like we learn of Ex. 7-11 and Ramses II and his stubborn and evil ways.
When we read Revelation, we will see that after certain terrible plagues, the
Jewish people go on blaspheming God!
“People
were severely burned by the fiery heat, and they reviled and blasphemed the
name of God, Who has control of these plagues, and they did not repent of their
sins to give Him glory. 11: And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their
anguish and their ulcers, and they did not deplore their wicked deeds or
repent.” (Rev.
16:9, 11).
So it
is evident that the first plagues cast upon Israel in the ‘Day of Vengeance’
from God, will not be enough to make the disobedient Israelis bow before God
and Christ as He is preached to them by Moses and Elijah.
Neither
of the two will end the tribulation, but it will be Jesus Himself coming down
to stop the horrors and establish the millennial Kingdom (Matt. 24:21, 22).
When
God starts up or ends something of great importance and significance to Israel,
He always reveals His hidden council to His prophets (Am. 3:7).
It
pleased God to use His prophet and apostle Paul to proclaim judgment against
Israel for their hard resistance to Christ in his time as we see in Acts
28:25-28. It didn’t just happen out of thin air. God had an elected servant telling
Israel His decision.
Now
that God wants to take up His prophetic program with Israel, soon, He starts
the whole series of events by sending His elected servants for this
purpose, Moses and Elijah. God cannot send some ignorant ‘sissies’ – some fresh
new converts, spiritual hillbillies or Pentecostal dreamers, that is for sure.
He sends of course tough experienced real prophets – people that have
proven their faithfulness and stood every test and trial. And there is
precedence already for Moses and Elijah operating together (Matt. 17). And even
the plagues and type of prophesying seen in the Great Tribulation, are familiar
to these great prophets of old. They know what is expected of them.
And
God will not do one little thing, unless His prophets FIRST tells the Israeli
leadership what is coming upon them, why it is coming, and in
same breath – tell them all to repent to Jesus Christ!
Probably
this little booklet is the first time someone is telling you what is really
going to take place in the Great Tribulation, so that you can hopefully
understand this. Most of our Bible expositors have not paid enough attention to
these two prophets being placed there in the midst of it all, - and thus
not really managed to understand the significance of their presence.
The
key lays entirely in the study of not only the two witnesses as they are
described in Rev. 11, but not the least what we can learn when checking up on their
ancient ministries, which we now shall give our full attention.
MOSES
GOING TO PHARAOH
RAMSES
II
Before studying Moses’ actions in Ex. 7-11 chapters,
let me say shortly that Elijah came before Ahab in the same manner as Moses
came before Pharaoh. Elijah used the sign of shutting up heaven for rain.
I
shall not quote every verse in Ex. 7-11, but will use a few selected passages
to make a point and underline the proper context.
Before
going to the texts in Exodus – let us be reminded of the fact that God has
placed the two witnesses (this is because they will witness of Jesus to
Israel) in the tribulation, from the very first day…because nothing will occur
unless they first have appeared to Knesset with their prophetic warnings and
demands! This is of utter importance if we are to understand Revelation at all.
PHOTO: Knesset, Jerusalem.
God
would not let anything happen to Egypt, unless Pharaoh first had been
warned and exhorted to be obedient to the command of God Jehovah of Israel.
If we
count the opening signs of Moses in Ex. 7:10 – the staff turning into a real
snake, and the ‘Leprosy Sign’ of Moses’ hand stuck in and out of his robe, we
may count 12 signs/plagues.
This
is interesting. For we recall I hope, 1 Cor. 14:21, 22 speaking of SIGNS to
Israel. Israel had the proper signs demonstrated to them during Acts period
when the apostles in the years AD 32 to AD 62 preached the kingdom to them. So,
when Moses and Elijah appears, there will not be any such ‘Signs’ – no, they
have had enough of signs. Now comes harsh flogging, and they will be
smitten with the whip of the Lord: Using the Egyptian plagues/diseases to bring
them on their knees for the Lord (Deut. 28:15-68).
Like
Jannes and Jambres, the two chief wizards of Pharaoh who were hostile to Moses
– see also 2 Tim. 3:8 – in same manner did Israel in the times of the apostles’
stand against them and Christ, in spite of great miracle-signs shown them.
They
have had their share of watching God’s great miracles and signs. It is time for
the punishments!
Some
will perhaps object to this and say: But they were punished in AD 70 when the
Roman armies destroyed Israel. Yes, they were. But this was not the ‘Day of
Vengeance’ – this I have already proven by quoting Ezek. 36:23 above.
Ezek.
36:19 proves to us that the vindication of the Lords name coming upon Israel
in the end-time is due to their profaning of Christ in the centuries among
the gentile nations in which they have lived. Verse 19 speaks of the
destruction and scattering of Jews in AD 70 and on:
“And
I scattered them among the nations (not only in Babylon, as with
Nebuchadnezzar), and they were dispersed through the countries;
according to their conduct and their (evil) deeds I judged and punished them.”
The
plagues of Egypt were:
·
Water
turned to blood - Ex. 7:20-25.
·
Frogs
pestering the land – Ex. 8:2-14.
·
Mosquitos
and gnat swarms – Ex. 8:16-18.
·
Blood
sucking gadfly swarms – Ex. 8:21-32.
·
Death
of livestock – Ex. 9:3-7.
·
Boils
making sores on man and beast – Ex. 9:9-11.
·
Great
hail with thunder and fierce lightning – Ex. 9:18-26.
·
Locust
swarms of enormous proportions – Ex. 10:4-15.
·
Egyptian
super-natural darkness for 3 days – Ex. 10:21-23.
·
The
Death-angel killing all firstborn of man and beast – Ex. 11:5-10; 12:29.
Thus
we find a total of ten horrible plagues/diseases cast upon Egypt under Moses’
and Aaron’s ministry as God’s prophets to release the Hebrews from slavery.
Of
these plagues we find some equals in Revelation.
Had
only Pharaoh let the Hebrews leave as Moses showed him the sign with the staff,
God would not have punished the Egyptians. Likewise, if Israel only had
believed on Jesus as they saw the signs performed by God through His apostles
in the time of Book of Acts, Israel would never have been destroyed and
scattered throughout the world.
I am
aware that the snake sign and leprosy sign were first used to convince the
Hebrews of the authority of Moses – and they believed…however reluctantly; but Moses
also used the same snake sign before Pharaoh, but his wizards copied the sign
trying to keep Pharaoh away from obeying Moses.
When
reading Rev. 6 and on, we learn of a multitude of horrors falling on
Israel in the Great Tribulation.
Like
Egypt under Ramses II, we recognize hail-stones and fire, pestilence, water
turned to blood ‘as of a dead man’ –guess whom….yes, Jesus died and shed His
blood on the cross. Thus water turned to blood in the Great Tribulation will
remind the Jews of this fact!
Also
we find that super-natural Egyptian darkness will fall upon the throne of the
beast, causing the anti-Christ and his followers to chew their tongues in agony
and fear!
We
also find locusts coming to plague Israel, but these are not of earthly
nature, but monsters from outer space, given to torment ungodly Jews by
stinging them for five months – so they try to kill themselves for the pain
inflicted on them, but death shall flee from them. What utter horror! (Rev.
9:3-11).
Before
making a more scrutinizing comparison, we need to read Deut. 28:61 where Moses
prophesied of the Great Tribulation and the plagues:
“Also
every sickness and every affliction which is NOT WRITTEN in this Book of the
Law the Lord will bring upon you until you are destroyed.”
This
makes it clear to us that the plagues which are not found with Moses when
confronting Pharaoh, but shall plague the end-time Israel, are written in
another book. The Book of Revelation!
These
punishments are found mainly in Rev. 6 and on, where under the umbrella of the ‘Three
Sevens’ – the seven seals, seven trumpets and seven bowls, plus the three woes
– reveals to us what an extreme and dangerous punishment is to come upon Israel
after the church dispensation is ended.
Rev.
11 puts the two prophets Elijah and Moses in there right from the start – even
if we are given a thorough description of the plagues in the chapters before.
THE PLAGUES
WHICH CORRESPOND
TO
EX. 7-11 CHAPTERS.
The first plague to hit on Israel after that Moses
and Elijah has stood before Knesset (Photo: The plenum auditorium), is the
plague of turning water into blood – as of a dead man. The blood sign, blood
plague goes first! Notice also, that the plague was the first real plague to
hit Egypt.
And
what a bull’s eye of a sign: It witnesses to Israel of the death of Christ –
and therefore we read:
“These
two witnesses had power to shut up the sky, so that no rain may fall during the
days of their prophesying (the first half of the 7 years tribulation); they
also have the power to turn the waters into blood and to smite and scourge the
earth (read: Land) with all manner of plagues as often as they choose.”
Rev.11:6.
The
description given to us in the ‘Three Sevens’ and the three woes, are not necessarily
written according to the chronology of the time aspect (which plague is number
one, two, three, and so on) – but to learn Israel of what to expect will
hit the land in the tribulation. We see also that several plagues are mentioned
more than just one time (so it may seem) in these Three Sevens. The seals,
trumpets and bowls are actually speaking much of the same, seen from various
angles so to speak. But some of these plagues could overlap (I leave the
door open for more than just one way of reasoning), and some plagues comes more
than just one time. But just as true: It may then actually be that there will
be several different earthquakes, asteroids falling and so on). We will
learn more of this below.
But
since we read of water turned to blood together with the shutting up of the sky
– in connection to the two prophets, it is safe to say that the two plagues are
coming at the same moment; and at the very opening of their ministry to
Israel.
Notice
how the two plagues are both in the concern of water: Shutting up the
sky for rain, and to make this harsh punishment of full effect from day one,
they turn the waters in Israel into blood. Instant lack of water! Photo:
Painting by E. S. Fields, The Nile and bloody water in Pharaoh’s time.
This
is the very root to the famine seen when reading rev. 6:6-8 – not only civil war
in Israel, but the lack of water. Israel can only have water by import, if God
in His mercy will allow outside nations to send them water. This is not
mentioned in Revelation, but I will let the door open to such a possibility.
But any such aid from the UN or other organizations will nevertheless be but a
drop in the ocean.
The
two prophets will have to – obviously – go out with a flying start to get their
full attention, and thus we find that horrible punishment hitting Israel with
full force from the first moment. But – as I wrote above – they will first make
clear to them the prophesy of Ezek. 36, and that this is an action to vindicate
the name of the Lord before Israel, and to have the Holy Name of Jesus Christ
made honorable to the world and to the Jews. They shall have to pay penalty
for their abuse and profaning of the name of Jesus Christ!
Let
me see who among the Christian-Zionists in this world who will stand up on
Israel’s side in this end-time battle of the Great Tribulation, please! Only a
fool will dare to take Israel’s side in this holy war of the Lord, as He will punish
the Christ-rejecting nation once and for all. How come Christian-Zionists
dare this foolish move today, but surely not when the going gets tough?
The
hail stones in Pharaoh’s day made so great destruction that we read:
“The hail struck down throughout all the land of
Egypt everything that was in the field, both man and beast (after giving them a
fair forewarning to seek shelter); and the hail beat down all the vegetation of
the field and shattered every tree of the field.” Ex. 9:25.
Rev.
8:7 – as we see the first of the seven angels blow his trumpet – tells of
hailstorm with fire:
“…and
there was a storm of hail and fire mingled with blood cast upon the earth
(read: Land). And a third part of the land was burned up and a third of the
trees were burned up and all the green grass was burned up.”
This
plague was the seventh plague when Egypt was punished. And here it will hit
Israel as the fourth plague (after first having severe boils and pestilence,
Rev. 6:8) – because Moses and Elijah will observe that Israel will not repent
and give Christ glory. On the contrary: They eventually go blaspheming the Lord
instead! (Rev. 16:9, 11). So they appear in Knesset again, pointing to what
horrors already cast upon them with bloody waters, no rain from heaven,
boils and pestilence – now adding to it the foretelling that Christ will
rain huge hailstones upon them. Rev.16:21 says of the weight of the hail
“..as heavy as a talent..” which equals about 50-60 pounds (25 kilos),
enough to smash everything in its way. Not even houses would be safe. Hail will
fall smashing through the roofs!
The
prophets will say to Knesset: “You are given a fair day’s time to seek
shelter, yourselves and the people and their livestock. Put your cars into the
garages if you have. If anyone of you is out when the storm hits tomorrow, your
lives will be over!”
Something
like that, if we check out what Moses told Pharaoh in Ex. 9:18, 19:
“Behold,
tomorrow about this time (early morning) I will cause it to rain a very heavy
and dreadful fall of hail, such as has not been in Egypt from its founding
until now. 19: Send therefore now and gather your cattle in hastily, and all
that you have in the field; for every man and beast that is in the field and is
not brought home shall be struck by the hail and shall die.”
THE
PLAGUES AND HORRORS WHICH
ARE
NOT WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF LAW.
It is time to once again remember what I wrote above
concerning the mandate and power given to Moses and Elijah as the generals of
God’s Holy War:
“…they
also have power to…smite and scourge the land with all manner of plagues as
often as they choose.”
Why
so? Because they will have to evaluate and observe what Knesset and the population
will say and do after the plagues have hit them. If they meet the plagues
with further scoffing of Christ or by trying to kill the witnesses, a
new round of unspeakable horrors will fall – and burn, scourge, smite, smash,
grind, sting and torment them. All manner of plagues literally.
Almost
if not entirely, to insanity: “The Lord will smite you with the boils of
Egypt and the tumors, the scurvy and the itch, from which you cannot be healed.
The Lord will smite you with MADNESS and blindness and dismay of heart” (Deut.
28:27, 28).
Luke
21:26 need to be quoted again:
“Men
swooning away or expiring with fear and dread and apprehension and expectation
of the things that are coming (knowing what exactly is coming because of the
two prophet’s warnings) on the land; for the powers of the heavens will be
shaken and caused to totter.”
In
this horrible time for the ungodly Christ-rejecting Israel, they shall also
experience that the two witnesses cannot just be attacked, and Israelis getting
away with it. No, people whether police, military or otherwise, will dreadfully
experience that fire will consume each and every person who tries to do
them harm (Rev. 11:5.)
Jesus
rebuked some of his disciples when they were turned down by Samaritans, and angrily
asked Him if they should try to call down fire to kill them. Jesus knew
that He was sent to them in the setting of the ‘Acceptable year of the Lord’ –
which was a ministry to the Jews in the grace of God, and not judgments.
However, as we come into the Revelation we immediately find that the setting is
no longer an acceptable year, but rather the Day of Vengeance – of death
and destruction and doom.
Let
us read of the waters turned to blood – and we shall see that the implications
brought on by such a punishment and sign, are quite a bit more fatal than when
God let Moses turn the Egyptian waters into blood.
Rev.
16:3-7 is scary reading to us all, for we read of death and horror:
“The
second angel emptied his bowl into the sea (Mediterranean), and it turned into
blood like that of a corpse (some transls. say ‘as of a dead man’), and every
living thing that was in the sea perished. 4: Then the third angel emptied out
his bowl into the rivers (in Israel) and the springs of water, and they turned
into (became) blood. 5: And I also heard the angel of the waters say, Righteous
are You in these Your decisions and judgments, You Who are and were, O Holy
One! 6: Because they have poured out the blood of Your people (the saints) and
the prophets, and You have given them blood to drink. Such is their due. 7: And
from the altar I heard the cry, Yes, Lord God the Omnipotent, Your judgments
are true and just and righteous!”
Here
we learn that the making of waters into actual blood – not just water turned
‘Red’ – is a stern judgmental vengeance and doom from Christ. Not only
because they had crucified Christ, but also for all the spilled blood of all
saints.
It
corresponds with the judgment cast upon the Babylon harlot in Rev. 17-18,
ending with the burning of Jerusalem. Christ gave them blood to drink, we just
read.
As if
such horrors are not sufficient to make them repent, we learn of the gruesome
evil and dangerous ‘Locust-Monsters’ out of space in Rev. 9!
This
is a pretty much maddening reading. These stinging, attacking monsters with a
tail like a scorpion, and face of men, comes forth from the fifth angel
blowing the trumpet – mentioning the bottomless pit of Abyss as the place
from where these evil locusts came. Abyss is not inside the earth below, but
out into the outer space. Here is the description given by John:
“..then out of the smoke locusts came forth on the
land, and such power was granted them as the power the land’s scorpions have.
4: They were told not to injure the herbage of the land nor any green thing nor
any tree, but only to attack such human beings as do not have the seal of God
on their foreheads. 5: They were not permitted to kill them, but to torment
them for five months; and the pain caused them was like the torture of a
scorpion when it stings a person. 6: And in those days people will seek death
and will not find it; and they will yearn to die, but death evades and flees
from them. 7: The locusts resembled horses equipped for battle. On their heads
was something like golden crowns. Their faces resembled the faces of people.
8: They had hair like the hair of women, and their teeth were like lions’
teeth. 9: Their breastplates resembled breastplates made of iron, and the noise
made by their wings was like the roar of a vast number of horse-drawn chariots
going at full speed into battle. 10: They have tails like scorpions, and they
have stings, and in their tails lay their ability to hurt men for the five
months. 11: Over them as king they have the angel of the Abyss. In Hebrew his
name is Abaddon, but in Greek he is called Apollyon.”
The
super-natural locust-monsters happens under the first of the three woes – which
means that these horrors are happening while the two prophets are operating in
Israel – they are killed as a part of the second woe (Rev. 9:12).
Here
is a list of plagues and horrors, found in Revelation, but not in the Book of
the Law:
·
Asteroids
or meteorites fall from space, heaven darkens and islands in the Mediterranean
are shaken and altered, as well as mountains. Rev. 6:13, 14.
·
Huge
earthquake – Rev. 8:5.
·
Asteroids
hitting the Med again; and this time one third of the ships are sunk. – Rev.
8:9.
·
Asteroids
hit lakes and rivers in the land and turn them into wormwood, thus poisoning
them so that people dies of drinking the water. – Rev. 8:11.
·
One
third of the moonlight and sunlight disappears – Rev. 8:12.
·
Huge
earthquake in Jerusalem after the ascension of the prophets, killing 7000
people – Rev. 11:13.
·
Extreme
threatening sun heat, allowed to burn and plague the anti-Christ followers in
Israel, and the people blasphemed the name of God (Christ) for this plague –
Rev. 16:8, 9.
·
A
final gigantic earthquake…however this could very well be the same as already
seen in Rev. 11:13 because of the missing chronology of these events and
plagues – Rev. 16:18. But – it could also be a second quake…and by far, the
worst one.
The
tribulation in Israel after the killing of the two prophets, no longer allow
for the leaders (now it is anti-Christ and the ten kings, ref. Rev. 17-18) to
be warned before a new round of plagues hit.
This
is much like the situation with Pharaoh and his army trying to destroy the
Hebrews as they escaped through the Red Sea. Like miracles and signs were
transferred over to the apostles after the Lord’s ascension, these 144 000
Jews and Israelites (Rev. 7) of the new tribal system continue in the same
prophetic power mandate given first to Moses and Elijah. So that is why we read
of mighty plagues and judgments even after the prophets have been caught up
into heaven, like we see in Rev. 11:12.
Near
the end of the tribulation, we find the judgment coming upon the great Babylon
harlot, Jerusalem and Zionist-Israel under anti-Christ – Rev. 17-18.
That
judgment is the final plague (with the exception of the doom on anti-Christ and
the false prophet) or disaster in the 7-year tribulation in Israel, and this
judgment concludes the third and final woe, or birth pang – Rev.18:19 –
which is called out by the fear-stricken sailors watching Jerusalem burn (the
smoke pillar) from the distance, at the port of Haifa which is 150 kilometers
from Jerusalem, to the south-east.
Again
I would like to give a side remark: Knowing from Rev. 8:9 as the Second Angel
blow his trumpet, and one third of the ships at sea went down…probably
in a huge flood-wave, this is hitting the import and supply of goods sent to
Jerusalem – the Babylon harlot – making the ship-owners rich, and also the ten
kings and anti-Christ. Thus the doom of God destroys the supply line.
But not satisfied with that, He let the doom of fire hit Jerusalem – the receiving
end of the line, thus entirely shutting down the access to such illicit
riches. This is what we see in Rev. 18.
The
topic in this little booklet is not to make a full exposition of the Revelation
and the Great Tribulation, but rather focusing on how this tribulation
will be administered by Moses and Elijah.
As
we have seen, Moses and Elijah will come before Knesset to warn of the many
plagues and horrors, to give Israel a chance to repent before destruction hits;
just like they operated in ancient times.
The
diversion of, and the categorization of the plagues by seven seals,
seven trumpets, seven bowls, three woes, may have its cause from the fact that
the prophets come before Knesset in sessions equal to those categories.
The three woes seem to be climaxes of each of the three sevens with seals,
trumpets and bowls.
The
first woe tops off the seals, the second tops off the trumpets, and the third
woe tops off the bowls…as we learn that the sailors watch Jerusalem, Babylon
harlot, burn from a distance.
HOW
ABOUT THE 144 000 BELIEVERS
AND
OTHER BELIEVERS
– WILL THEY
NOT
BE SUFFERING THE PLAGUES?
To be honest:
This is not so clearly spoken of in Revelation. Not really. We will have to do
a little digging.
Will
Elijah and Moses themselves be hit by the plagues which shall punish
Israel to make them repent? A good question, don’t you think? I already
pointed to Elijah and the widow at Zarephat – commanded to supply the prophet
with food. So we shall have a closer look at this.
But
Rev. 12 may provide at least some of the explanation to this ‘Gordian knot’ –
which by first look may seem to be an impossible issue to solve.
In
Rev. 12 we are – shortly explained – told of the Messianic believers escaping
the persecution from anti-Christ…told in the image of the ‘Woman’ which is a historical
review of the first coming of Christ and His ascension (verses 1 to 5). But
verses 6 to 17 tell of the tribulation, in which this woman (the
Messianic believers) will escape into the dessert and be super-naturally fed
and sheltered from the tribulation (verse 6 and 14). Verse 14 implies that
these tribulation-saints will probably be lifted up and transported by the
Spirit (just like Philip in Acts 8:39, 40) – and it is my assumption that Moses
and Elijah will be there as well, for we read again of the first 3 ½ years, the
1260 days, when this protective move from the Lord is upon them:
“But
the woman was supplied with the two wings of a giant eagle (Holy Spirit), so
that she might fly from the presence of the serpent (anti-Christ) into the
dessert, to retreat where she is to be kept safe and fed for a time (time:
equals one year), and times (equals two years), and half a time (equals a half
year), or 1260 days.” Rev. 12:14; and 6.
From
this it is safe to assume that during the entire 3 ½ years of the two witnesses
and their followers the 144 000 – the new Israel of God – they actually
are lifted in and out of the dessert to appear before Israel’s leaders
to prophesy the continuous doom. That dessert will be the new ‘Goshen’ just
like Goshen was spared of the most hurting plagues when Egypt was smitten.
But
it also has in it the fact which we can observe from all wars on earth: There
will be casualties among the civilian population, believers and unbelievers.
War has no guarantee that only soldiers will get hurt or die. But there are
those which God must at all cost keep safe during these horrors, and
those are the 144 000 tribal believers and the two witnesses. None of them
can be killed before the time of God is due, which is in the conclusion of the
3 ½ first years when we learn in Rev. 11:7 that the two witnesses will be killed
by anti-Christ. This rage against the Messianic believers in Israel will
escalate into a full-blown death-raid against them, and many if not all of the
144 000 may be killed. We read of the souls under the Altar who are
calmed to await the rest of the martyrs before the doom of God hits their
executioners. Anti-Christ will kill everyone who does not bow to him as the new
‘God of Israel’, when he take the temple and declare himself to be Messiah. I
think I prefer to stop at this. But we shall have a brief look at the aspects
of the two witnesses and the utter fear they created while in ministry.
THE
DEATH OF THE TWO WITNESSES
TESTIFIES
TO
US WHAT A GREAT FEAR
THEY CREATED.
Rev. 11:8, 9 say a lot:
“And
their dead bodies will lie in the open street of the great city (Jerusalem, the
harlot Babylon) which is in a spiritual sense called Sodom and Egypt, where
also their Lord was crucified. 9: For three and a half days men from the races
and tribes and languages and nations (Jews, see Acts. 2:5) will gaze at their
dead bodies and will not allow them to be put in a tomb.”
In
plain fear of what might happen, people dare not get too close to their bodies
– for not to mention have them put in a tomb. They are scared witless by the
sheer presence of the two witnesses, who prophesied so many deadly punishments
and plagues upon the land. The news of their death falsely makes the people
conclude happily among themselves, that the plagues will now stop! They start a
wild celebration…its Christmas in Israel…just to lend a word-play into this.
Let’s read next verse 10:
“And
those who dwell in the land will gloat and exult over them and rejoice
EXCEEDINGLY, taking their ease and sending presents to one another, BECAUSE
these two prophets had been such a vexation and trouble and torment to
all the dwellers in the land.” (note: wrong translation says ‘Earth’, but this
is in Israel’s land, remember?).
Here
we learn what I already many times have tried to point out to you: The
tribulation is going to be prophesied progressively in sessions…so that
Israel can observe that what they prophesy comes true every time. Thus we see
here in verse 10, that the Israeli people put the full blame of the plagues –
and rightly so – upon the two prophets. Understand?
One
more important supporting fact to this is that the people themselves, can read
this event in the Bible…and thus know that the tribulation was foretold in
detail two millennia’s before it happened; thus knowing that this is an action
of God, for not to speak of the forthright mentioning of the two witnesses in
Rev. 11 and their deaths. The Jews can read it all in our book, our Bible, and
this will expose their heretic Babylonian Talmud as a lie and falsehood!
But
the ease, which for a while overtook the fearful people at Jerusalem, is short-lived!
After just three and a half days God brings them back to life and rapture them
into heaven in a cloud – followed by a huge earthquake which brings their
illicit joy into the darkest grief: Ten percent of Jerusalem’s houses are
shattered, and 7000 of its inhabitants are killed. And for the first time in
the tribulation, we learn that Jews in the land start paying homage to God
Jehovah recognizing His judgments. Verse 13 tells of this. Verse 14 tells us
that the judgment just held in Jerusalem, concludes the second woe.
I
hope that this exposition so far has been of help to you to learn more about
the Great Tribulation in Israel – and how it will be progressing according to
the ministry given the two prophets in Rev. 11, Moses and Elijah.
It
is evident that the Great Tribulation will come in Israel, and not in the
nations. Same manner as when God punished Egypt with the plagues, it was Egypt
only which was judged and punished. But a scared world will watch!
WHAT
WILL HAPPEN AFTER THE DEATH
OF
THE TWO WITNESSES?
The two witnesses dies three and a half day before
God concludes the ‘Second Woe’ by judging Jerusalem (this is a forewarning of
her later destruction!) by a huge earthquake in which ten percent of the houses
falls into shrapnel and rubbles – killing 7000 of the citizens. I already
mentioned this, Rev. 11:13, 14.
In Israel are still the disciples/followers of the prophets –
the 144 000 of the re-established tribal system. They are ‘left behind’ to
lend an expression often used in Christendom. But they are not without a
mission: Just as the twelve disciples and their assembly were ‘left behind’ as
Jesus ascended from Mt. Olives, so will these 144 000 disciples or
apostles carry on the very same task and message as the two prophets.
But while – under the two – specific sign-like plagues and
judgments fell upon Israel, much of which were of super-natural character, will
now be handled by huge military armies and turmoil. Sure, the
144 000 will have God with them making judgments against the anti-Christ
regime, but the nature of the judgments will derive from God’s allowing the military
forces to come and smite and harm Israel. It’s heading toward Armageddon!
Between the most evil of regimes ever seen established in the
world, anti-Christ and his terror-regime with his marking-system of 666 in Rev.
13, and the death of the witnesses in Rev. 11 – we find the comforting chapter
12, in which we read of how God takes care of his tribulation-saints. But – lo
and behold! – This chapter also heralds scaring words: The Arch angel Michael
will cast down to earth (read: Land) Satan and his forces from outer space, to
raid Israel and terrorize them, Rev. 12:7-9.
But when anti-Christ starts his end-time holocaust against
Jewry, we find that he is heralded by a peculiar person, called ‘Another
Beast’, which is the False Prophet. This prophet could not come forth
before the genuine prophets were taken away. He may actually propone himself as
some kind of ‘Elijah’ returning from death, and to prove his ‘ministry’ he
performs false miracles plus calling down fire and to make the image
(statue) of the Beast (anti-Christ) speak as if it was a living organism,
Rev. 13:11-15.
Then we get a short review in Rev. 14 of the martyrs dying in
the tribulation because of the persecution from anti-Christ and his
666-terror system. Then, as the horrors of the anti-Christ rule of holocaust
against Jewry, we are warned of the seven last angels of doom, the ones
with the bowls, as we read Rev. 15. See verses 6 and 7.
Like the two first woes, the third and final woe will be
concluded after that these seven angels have emptied their bowls of plagues and
judgments upon Israel.
And in Rev. 16, under the sixth bowl in verses 12-16 enter
‘The Mother of All Wars’ – Armageddon! However, this fierce war is in northern
Israel at the plains of Megiddo, but it will cause – it seems - afflictions and
probably also some limited casualties in several of the nearest nations in the
Mediterranean area:
“Then the sixth angel emptied his bowl on the mighty river
Euphrates, and its water was dried up to make ready a road for the kings of the
east. 13: And I saw three loathsome spirits like frogs, from the mouth of the
dragon (Satan) and from the mouth of the beast (Anti-Christ) – (NOTE: The two
are now in a physical union together, because Satan is now present himself in
Israel and appearing visibly!) – And from the mouth of the false prophet. 14:
For really they are the spirits of demons that perform signs. And they go
fourth to the rulers and leaders all over (cosmos nations) world (meaning:
Middle East, not the entire world), to gather them together for the war on the
great day of God the Almighty. 15: Behold, I (Christ) am going to come like a
thief! Blessed is he who (in spite of the tribulation) stays awake and who
guards his clothes, so that he may not be naked and seen exposed! 16: And they
gathered them together at the place which in Hebrew is called Armageddon.”
Rev. 16 ends with first viewing the judgment on Jerusalem, the
Babylon harlot – and the city broken into three parts by a huge earthquake…I
have mentioned some of this above….and then the 25 kilos hailstones falls on
Israel, and Jerusalem, verse 21.
Then in Rev. 17 John is shown the more detailed story of the
doom coming upon the Babylon harlot, Jerusalem and the Jewish Zionist-Israel,
and how God implants His judgmental plan of having the city burnt, in
the minds of anti-Christ and his ten governors (kings), Rev. 17: 17, 18.
Rev. 18 tells of how the economic consequences, like I already mentioned
above, of such destruction in particular rips off those ship-owners who had
gotten themselves rich by selling and transporting goods and riches on their
vessels in the Mediterranean and the High Seas. They stand lamenting onboard
their ships (at Haifa, 150 kilometer from Jerusalem) watching with terror how
Jerusalem burns – a pillar of smoke in the horizon to the south-east. Heaven
with its angels and saints rejoice over this doom.
Rev. 19 is the Second Advent of Christ – and what glory shall
befall the world at His arrival. Rev. 19 should always be read together with
Rev. 20!
Anti-Christ, and his false prophet as well as the remaining
warriors at Armageddon are all killed by Christ; this because the soldiers
directed their weapons against Him when they observed Him in the sky.
The
church dispensation will be ended right before Elijah and Moses comes to
Israel, and we will experience the full blessings of Col. 3:1-4 as we will be appearing
with Christ in glory in heaven – no forewarning, we will just in less than
a split second find ourselves together with Christ in glory, and those who died
in times before the ending of the church dispensation, will be raised in heaven
and in heavenly eternal bodies.
The booklet cover: An image of
Moses, as his life and ministry was filmed in 1956 by director Cecil B. De
Mille, and acted by Charlton Heston. He died in 2008 at age 84. Heston had
star-roles in ‘The Ten Commandments’ and ‘Ben Hur’ as well as many other
productions in his long career.