KEY BIBLE PHRASES IN PROPHECY AND THEIR DEFINITIONS

“The Day of the Lord” - is the second return of Christ WITH His saints AFTER theTribulation of 7 years (including at times the horrible events just before it)

Zach. 12:1-14:21Joel 2:1-2 (Mal. 4:1-2)

Acts 2:14-20

“Coming/Revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ” - “Day of Christ” - “Day of theLord Jesus” - “Day of the Lord Jesus” - “Day of Jesus Christ” - is a reference

only to the Rapture, the coming of Christ for His church BEFORE the Tribulationbegins

1 Cor. 1:71 Cor. 5:52 Cor. 1:14

Phil. 1:6, 10 / 2:16

“Those days” - The Tribulation period

Jer. 31:33, 15-16 / 50:4Joel 3:1

Matthew 24:19-29, 37-39Judges 17:6 / 18:1 / 19:1

“Time of trouble” - “time of Jacob’s trouble” - the Tribulation period

Jer. 2:26-28 / 11:11-14 / 30:7Daniel 9:25 / 12:1

Is. 22:1-5Ps. 9:9 / 10:1 (prophetic of what will be said in the Tribulation as well)

“Woman with/in labor pains” - Israel during the time of the TribulationMicah 4:8-10

Is. 13:6-8Rev. 12:1-2

1 Thess. 5:1-3

WHO IS “HE THAT RESTRAINS?”2 THESSALONIANS 2:2-12

The error that was taught to the Thessalonian Christians (and had begun to believe though withskepticism still) is that they were already in the Tribulation period and were facing the great suffering andjudgments of God upon the world as prophesied. But Paul encourages them in that they indeed were NOTliving in the Tribulation because the Restrainer had not been taken from the earth yet and the antichrist - the“lawless one” - had not been revealed and active yet. 1 John 4:3 does tell us that the system, attitude anddemonic preparations for the antichrist to be revealed one day are in action but the actual man himself hasnot been revealed - that event is still to come.

So, who is the one that Paul refers to here that is restraining?

! Is it the Roman emperor of that day and age? No, he could not restrain all the evil and also the evilcontinued past Caesar

! Is it human government and human law? No, because these in and of themselves, though they aidand are established by God to punish evil, cannot so powerfully keep the fullest of evil from occurringworldwide.

! Is it Satan? He does not and cannot go against himself (see Matthew 12:24-27)! Is it the church worldwide? Though God indwells and uses us, and we are a salt and light to the world

of the Gospel, we of ourselves cannot withhold evil’s full takeover of the world! Is it then the Holy Spirit?

" By eliminating the others this is the only one that remains" The “lawless one” is spiritually guided, so it would need to be a spiritual being that restrains

him" to do such a work against Satan it would need to be God, all-powerful over Him to overpower

him" The Restrainer is removed before the antichrist takes over - thus we know that the Holy Spirit

would only be able to be removed by removing the one in whom He dwells and works throughin the world, the church.

" The Holy Sprit’s work is - in part - to restrain and have power over evil and the evil one and hisminions (see John 16:7-11; 1 John 4:4)

Conclusion: When the church is raptured to be with Christ in the air and forever more with Him there, the Holy

Spirit is naturally removed with us. The removal of this presence of the Holy Spirit through the churchworldwide will open the door to unbridled evil going rampant in the world in order to fulfill all prophecy ofthe Tribulation through the antichrist.

The work of the Holy Spirit in the world during the 7 year Tribulation period will go back to previouslybefore the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts chapter 2). In other words, He will not indwell believers then on apermanent basis but will engage people and moments and with temporary fillings of Himself to accomplishthe purposes of God during this time.

“The Bema, The Believer’s Hot Seat”II Corinthians 5:10

Introduction:

1. The Roman Beam was an important place in the Roman world. The Bema, orjudgement, was a large place that would accommodate many people. At one end was ajudge who sat on a plush throne elevated so that all could see him. The people werebrought to him and their crime was revealed. They were sentenced by the judge.

2. Paul lifts the Roman Bema and applies it to the Judgement of the believer.

I. Reason For The Believer’s Judgment - v. 10a

A. To stimulate Christian faithfulness - v. 10 “...we must all appear...”B. To vindicate the Believer - v. 11 “...we are made manifest unto God...”

II. Results Of The Believer’s Judgment

A. In the PastAll sins forgiven at salvation.

*** IMPORTANT: THIS IS A JUDGMENT OF OUR WORKS FOR Christ in this life andrewarded accordingly - NOT for our sin. This is where each believer’s works arerevealed before God - alone (not on some screen for all to see or with others present). Romans 8:1 declares we are forever free from any condemnation for our sin.

B. At the Present1. Reveals our standing in Christ - v. 10 “we”2. Gives an incentive to work - v. 10 “...that everyone may receive...”

I Corinthians 3:12-13a. Gold - true worshipb. Silver - Christian service as an outflow of redemptionc. Precious Stone - the obedient Christian helping othersd. Wood - self made worshipe. Hay - social service w/o the Gospel sharedf. Straw or Stubble - works of flesh

C. In The Future1. Our works admitted - Romans 14:122. Our works tried by fire - II Corinthians 3:133. Our works rewarded - II Corinthians 5:104. Believers presented faultless to the Father - Jude 24-25

Dr. Don Davis, 1985 - “Prophecy Conference”Quotations based on KJV

“Olivet Discourse”Matthew 24 - 25

Introduction:

1. To understand the Olivet Discourse, one must be acquainted with the proper designations oftime.

2. These designations of time are established by the use of adverbs.Note: Then 24:9, 10; when v. 25; then in v. 16, 21, 23, 30, 40 and 25:1, 7, 16, 24, 34, 37, 41, 44 and 45; when 25:31 & 38.

3. To understand this discourse, one must discern the subject of discussion. The subject isISRAEL...not the church.a. The destruction of the Temple is completely Jewish 24:2b. The disciples were confused about the return of the Lord and needed clarification 24:3c. False Christs (Messiahs) is directed to Israel 24:5

The church has False Teachers (II Peter 2:1), but Israel had False ProphetsFalse Messiahs 24:24

d. “False Prophets” is a term used 8 times in the New Testament outside this discourseand is always used of Israel.

e. The Gospel of the Kingdom (24:24) is the good news of the millennial kingdom and notthe good news of Jesus Christ.

f. The “abomination” of 24:15 is completely Jewish.g. The “Sabbath day” of 24:20 is Jewish.h. The “carcase” is Israel and the “eagles” are Gentile nations in 24:28.i. This is not a complete list and others will be discussed.

I. The Destruction of the Temple 24:1-2A. The Temple v. 1B. The Destruction v. 2

II. The Questions Asked 24:3A. When shall these things be?B. What shall be the sign of your coming?C. What shall be the sign of the end of the age?

III. The Questions Answered 24:4-31A. Questions number 3 answered 24:2-28

a. Characteristics of the first half of the Tribulation 24:4-14b. Characteristics of the second half of the Tribulation 24:15-28

B. Question number 2 answered 24:29-31C. He does not answer question number 1

IV. The Questions Illustrated 24:31-25:46A. Illustrated by the fig tree 24:32-35B. Illustrated by days of Noah 24:32-35C. Illustrated by two women 24:36-39D. Illustrated by faithful householder 24:40-41E. Illustrated by wise servant 24:45-51F. Illustrated by ten virgins 25:1-13G. Illustrated by talents 25:14-30H. Illustrations consumated by the judgment of the Gentiles 25:31-46

* Dr. Don Davis, 1985 “Prophecy Conference” * Quotations based on KJV

Revelation 2:1 - 3:21

The seven churches of Asia are: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis,Philadelphia and Laodicea. There have been many interpretations of the meaning of theseven churches. I think there are four views that suffice. The seven churches were actualchurches in the time of John who were either good or backslidden (turned away from God).Another interpretation is that these seven churches symbolize seven periods of the church init's history. The final interpretation is that these seven churches symbolize the condition ofchurches today meaning that there are seven kinds of churches. Finally, the seven churchescan represent seven different kinds of churches throughout the church age. Here is a chart ofthe seven churches:

Church Commendation Criticism Instruction Promise

EphesusRejects evil,

perseveres, haspatience

Love for Christno longerfervent

Do the works youdid at first

The tree of life

SmyrnaGracefully bears

sufferingNone

Be faithful untildeath

The crown of life

Pergamum Keeps the faith of

Christ

Toleratesimmorality,idolatry, and

heresies

Repent

Hidden mannaand a white stonewith a new name

ThyatiraLove, service, faith,patience is greater

than at first

Tolerates cult ofidolatry andimmorality

Judgmentcoming; keep the

faith

Rule over nationsand receivemorning star

SardisSome have kept the

faithA dead church

Repent;strengthen what

remains

Faithful honoredand clothed in

white

PhiladelphiaPerseveres in the

faithNone Keep the faith

A place in God'spresence, a newname, and theNew Jerusalem

Laodicea NoneIndifferent and

lukewarmBe zealous and

repent

Share Christ'sthrone

Here is a another chart of the seven churches compared with church history:

Church Characteristic Time Period (AD)

Ephesus The Backslidden Church 70 - 170

Smyrna The Persecuted Church 170 - 312

Pergamum The Compromising Church 312 - 606

Thyatira The Corrupt Church 606-1520

Sardis The Dead Church 1520 -1750

Philadelphia The Faithful Church 1750 - 1900

Laodicea The Lukewarm Church 1900 - ?

Excerpted from http://www.geocities.com/stat23mj/prophecy/revelation.html

THE 144,000Revelation 7 and 14:1-5

This is a unique group of Jews - 12,000 from each tribe - who will receive Christ in theTribulation period.

They have the following characteristics:- the Father’s name on their forheads- they have a unique song to sing to the Lord no one else can know- theyt did not engage in thje sexual immorality of the period (some say they were

literally virgins the whole time or that they remained so until marriage)- they follow the Lamb everywhere, a description of absolute service and

dedication to God alone in everything- they never lie and are though redeemed human beings they are faultless before

God for their short time on earth- they are the firstfruits - most believe this means that they lead many many

others to Christ during the Tribulation period

Jacob’s original 12 sons/tribes

JudahReubenGadAsherNaphtaliDan ------------------------------------------------SimeonLeviIssacharZebulunJoseph

Benjamin

Revelation of listing of 12 tribes

JudahReubenGadAsherNaphtaliManasseh (replaces Dan due to their idolatry)Simeon LeviIssacharZebulunJoseph (or Ephraim?)

(Ephraim most likely excluded due to itsidolatry)

Benjamin

** another explanation for the Joseph’s sons from his time in Egypt but blessed additionally byJacob (Joseph receives his own portion then also his two sons as one tribe, or two half tribes ofone tribe:

Ephraim }Manasseh } one tribe

THE TWO WITNESSES AND THE TEMPLERevelation Chapter 11

Three woes:1. First - Revelation 9: 12 - Scorpion from the pit on the whole earth

hurting everyone to almost death.2. Second - The 200,000,000 evil horsemen / Two witnesses and

earthquake

3. Third - The Rest of the judgments

The Temple - 11:1-2The Temple has been rebuilt and sacrifices go on there under a tenuous peace

agreement in Jerusalem and worldwide. The as Daniel predicted there will be an“abomination” that occurs at the halfway mark in the 7 year Tribulation when theantichrist and Gentiles reference to not non-Jew but unbelieving?) desecrate theTemple with their presence (see Daniel 9:24-27; 11:31; 12:11 / Matthew 24:15).

The Two Witnesses - 11:3-14Who are they?

No one can be absolutely sure though most scholars believe they aremost likely to be Moses and Elijah. But again, it is not certain nor does itdevalue the passage to know or not know.

They come and preach Christ for 1,260 days (which equals 3 ½ years -remember a prophetic month is 30 days, a prophetic year is 360 days).

“Like prophets of old the two witnesses will be able to do supernaturalmiracles, and fire will destroy those who will try to harm them (Rev. 11:5). LikeElijah they will have power to stop rain, and will have power like Moses to turnwater into blood and to bring on plagues (v. 6). In the midst of the unbelief,apostasy, and satanic power of the Great Tribulation these two witnesses will bea threat to the entire wicked world for a literal period of 1,260 days.”—BibleKnowledge Commentary

They are killed by antichrist and their dead bodies left for the world to see. Theirdeath is cause for the world to celebrate like a holiday even exchanging gifts to oneanother because their “tormenters” are dead and gone.

They resurrect before the whole world and ascend to heaven. An earthquakekills 7,000 in Jerusalem but the remaining ones now begin to worship God. This thatthe remnant that God tries to bring to Him to worship as true Messiah and King finallydo so!

The Worship In HeavenThere is worship by the church (24 elders) in heaven and the Temple in heaven

is opened and the heavenly Ark of the Covenant is seen for the first time.

THE WOMAN, THE SON, AND THE DRAGONRevelation Chapter 12

! The Woman vv. 1-2" Who is she?

- Mary, the mother of Jesus? No, at least not literally because shedid not flee to the desert for 1, 260 days

- The church? No, because she does not birth Christ, she is thebride of Christ

- Israel then? YES! Because she cries out in labor pain; thisexplains the birth pains as her many rebellions and persecutions aswell; Israel is likened to being the one symbolically “married” to God(see Is. 54:5-6)# The sun, moon and stars are equal to what is said in Gen.

37:5-11;# The moon stands for earthly wisdom, the crown with twelve

stars stands for the 12 tribes of Israel

! The Dragon (Rev. 20:2) vv. 3-4,9, 13" Who is it? Satan!" 1/3 of stars follow him - Job 38:7 is another instance where the word “star”

refers to angels; 1/3 of the heaven’s angels followed Satan (Lucifer) inrebellion

" “to devour” - see Mat. 2:13-23 where Satan uses Herod to tries to literallykill Jesus by killing all young babies and young boys

" Also he tries to kill Jesus through the crucifixion" “seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads...”

represent his power and dominion (though temporary and infinitely weakerthan God’s) on the earth

! The Child v. 5 (See Gen. 3:15)" “...And her Child was caught up to God and His throne.” This is about His

resurrection, ascension to heaven and sitting on the throne as King ofKings and Lord of Lords! (See Luke 24:50-53; Rev. 4-5; Heb. 8:1; Col. 1)

! The Great Heavenly Battle vv. 6-12Note: The Dragon/Satan could not do anything to God in heaven so he tries thento do damage at Him by attacking Israel and Jesus

" The woman flees - v. 6,14 (Mat. 24:16)- Where does she go? See Zech. 14:5; Dan. 11:41; Is. 16:1 & 4- “Sela” (Is. 16:1) means “rock” in Hebrew, and is translated “petra”

in Greek which means “rock/boulder” and lies south of today’sAmmon, Jordan. It is an area that is surrounded by miles of desertand is a hidden city in a canyon. It has basically one way inthrough a gorge only 3-4 feet wide, is built of solid rock and is

highly defensible even to airborne assault with 800-1300 ft. highcliffs. At it’s peak of past habitation over 260,000 resided there.

- Israel who flees there will be there for 1,260 days = 3 ½ years (360days is one prophetic year)

" The war in heaven vv. 7-17- NOT to be confused with Armageddon on earth or the final battle at

the end of the millennium- See Daniel 12:1 - the battle is a total loss for Satan and his minions

and they fall to earth, cast out of heaven (evidently at some timeafter the book of Job where Satan could still come before God andthe persecutions and sins of ancient Israel begins - YET it spansthe time of Satan showing his fury during the last 3 ½ years of theTribulation)

- Those who resist Satan on earth during the Great Tribulation - vv.10-11,17:# It appears there are two groups:

* those who flee - a remnant of believing Israel - andare relatively protected for the 3 ½ years (Is. 10:20-22; Rev. 12:6,14)

* those Jews - also remnant of believing Israel - whofight back with the power of the Gospel and theirtestimony, yet die as martyrs - and still remainvictorious!

# What does it mean the earth will swallow Israel’spersecutors who try to go in after them and destroy them?* It could be a physical trap made for them between

crevices, or* The earth miraculously opens up and swallows them* Either way, their enemies finally cease going after

those at Petra

THE DRAGON & THE TWO BEASTSRevelation Chapter 13

! The First Beast - THE ANTI-CHRIST - vv. 1-9

" Antichrist - 1 Jn. 2:18-22; 4:1-4; 2 Jn. v. 7

The Trinity - God

Satan

Antichrist

False Prophet

The False Trinity

Father

Son

Holy Spirit

" What he will be like - vv. 1-3- Politically - come from the sea

(The word “sea” is often used in Scripture to denote the general people ofthe world, arising out of the mass of humanity and not some supernaturalbeing; some interpret this as saying he arises out of the Mediterraneanregion by use of the word “the sea”)- 7 heads - 7 mountains that surround Rome- 10 horns - 10 European nations the will form a confederacy to

support the antichrist (European Union)- crowns over each one- blasphemous name - he is driven by Satan

The Roman Empire Re-created

Compare: * Daniel 7:7-8; Dan. 2:40-43* (10 fingers = 10 subdivisions of the Roman Empire’s confederate statesthat will reform)* Daniel 7:24 / Rev. 17:12 - a league of nations formed by a singlegoverning body led by one man* Daniel 7:4 - original world empire, ancient Babylonian kingdom

7 : 5 ( 8 :3-7 / 8:20) - second world empire formed by Medes-Persians 7:6 (8:5-8:21) - third world empire of Greece

Verse 2 teaches us that the new one world government (which is the oldEuropean or ancient Roman Empire recreated) will have many of thecharacteristics and elements of the ancient world empires of the past.

- An injured head that heals miraculously (an assassination thatwas successful but then he is resurrected before the world, whichmakes him even more revered and solidifies his influence andpower of all other leaders in the world)

" His activity - vv. 3b - 9- the world will adore & worship him- Has absolute authority over the world (for 42 months, or 3 ½ years

- the last ones of the Tribulation)# he is GIVEN authority - willingly handed over leadership# v. 5 = influenced only by Satan# v. 8 = Book of Life of the Lamb (those written there are the

saved and do not follow the antichrist)- Blasphemies

# impressive speeches# anti-God (of the Bible)# anti-Temple (in Jerusalem where the Jews worship Jehovah)# anti-church (recognizes those believers who are now in

heaven and rails against them!)

Revelation 13:10 (NKJV)

“He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the swordmust be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints .”

! Here we see that this is not a declaration that believers be pacifists but ratherthat their perseverance and faith is what will win the day, and not their weapons).

! The Second Beast - the False Prophet - vv. 11-18

" What he will be like - vv. 11-14- Came from the earth (the land also signifies he comes from the

mass of humanity and not a supernatural being; possibly fromoutside the Mediterranean (Roman) region)

- 2 horns - NO CROWNS; he will be outwardly gentle and meektrying to imitate Christ

- speaks like the Dragon" What he will do - vv. 12-18

- he shows equal authority as the antichrist (only what he is givenby the antichrist, or rather actually Satan himself)

- he directs the world to not only follow but worship theantichrist (especially after his resurrection from the dead); he willbe the world’s religious leader

- will do miracles that will convince the world even further (see 1Cor. 1:22)

- he creates an image - this is even more clearly the abomination ofdesolation (see Dan. 9:27 / 12:11 / Mat. 24:15 / Mark 13:14)

- Mark of the Beast - 666 - vv. 18# Dan. 12:10 - “...and none of the wicked shall understand,

but the wise shall understand.”

# placed in the forehead or right hand (microchip? Invisiblemark?)

# vv. 16-18* required to be able to buy and sell* one’s socio-economic standing will depend

entirely on this mark(See Zech. 5 = the “land of Shinar” is the sameas babylon which was the ancient citydescribed in the Old Testament as the all-powerful economic center of the world; thenew Babylon where the antichrist reigns andcontrols the world and will be the economiccenter [we don’t know if this will be Rome oranother city actually built on the EuphratesRiver in what is modern day Iraq])

# the number 666** it is interesting to note that the preferred numbered usedby God so often is the number seven (7). It isunderstandable that Satan would imitate this as well bychoosing the use of 6 in one form or another. This is alsoknown as the number of man (as opposed to the number 7of God - see Daniel 3).

THE SIX ANGELSRevelation Chapter 14

(The study of the Lamb and 144,000 is covered in the study of Revelation chapter 7)

! The First Three Angels - vv. 6-11

" Angel One : the Creator and Judge is to be worshiped

" Angel Two : Babylon is destroyed

" Angel One : the final warning to those who worship the beast (antichrist)and to the beast himself

! Blessed are those who suffer for Christ and their faith in Him - vv. 12-13

! The Last Three Angels - vv. 14-20

" The harvest of the fourth angel (see Matthew 13:24-30 / 13:36-43)This “harvest” is one of judgment. The time of God’s grace has nowended in this Tribulation period and He now begins to take the final stepsto judge those who oppose and reject Him.

" The harvest of the fifth and sixth angel (see Is. 5:7 / Ez. 38-39 / Zech.14:2-3)This “harvest” is one of judgment upon those who follow antichrist anddestroys them all and casts them into fire of damnation, this is now thebeginnings of . . .

The battle of Armageddon !

Western league(incl. USA?)

The Battle At Armageddon

How the final war will develop...

• The African-Arab league will attack Israel (“the king of the south”) - Dan. 11:40** Islamic armies are a very big possibility to be highly involved here

• Further attack by Russia and its allies (“king of the north”) - Dan. 11:40-45

• The Russians come and at the same time as the African-Arab league they will attack Israel andcontinue on to Egypt (it appears they will all attack each other as well betraying one another until theconquest is complete) - Ez. 39:11-17 / Joel 2:1-10,20 / Dan. 11:40-45)

• Meanwhile in Egypt, Russia will try to consolidate the African continent under its control when “newsfrom the east and the north shall trouble him” (Dan. 11:44).

• The European alliance - the old Roman empire revived and reconstituted - and the rest of the westernworld (a weakened and liberal bent USA?) will involve itself in the war under the antichrist’s leadershipto attack Russia the same as the Asian group (lead by China?) Will cross the now dry Euphrates River(see Rev. 9:13-16 / 12:16) till they get to Israel.

• Russia returns from Egypt and camps en Israel in Jerusalem (now under its control) - Daniel 11:44-45b.

• Russia will be decimated by the rest of the world’s nations (Dan. 11:45b / Ez. 38:18-39:8 / Zech. 14:12)

• The Oriental/Asian army will arrive to attack the antichrist and the European/Western alliance.

• The rest of the world under the leadership of “the kings from the east” - Rev. 12:16.

• The final battle between the two final groups will occur in the valley of the Megiddo - Rev. 16:16-21 /Zech. 14:1-5.

The Battle of Armageddon will be the final moment at the end of the seven years of the Tribulation period. The armed forces of the antichrist, of the oriental east, and the rest of the nations will now turn and attackChrist (who comes with all saints from all time until the Rapture and his angels) who will now be seen comingto earth from the heavens - all will see Him and those who come with Him. The King Jesus Christ will destroythem all and touch his feet on Mount Zion en Jerusalem - Jude 1:14-15 / Rev. 19:11-16,19-21 / Is. 34:1-10 /Rev. 14:20 / Zech. 14:1-15 / Mat. 13:24-27 / Luke 17:20-37 / 21:27-28 / Acts 1:6-11.

• It will take seven months to bury all the dead and clean up the destruction from that final war - Ez.39:9-20.

Russia and itsallies

The Asianalliance

African-Arab(Islamic?) league

The Angels and Seven Bowl JudgmentsRevelation Chapter 15 - 16

! The celestial scene - 15:1-4" Sea of glass

- the multitudes of believers (see Rev 4:6, notice there it was not occupied butnow it is)# glass mixed with fire - represents . . .# those victorious martyrs of the Great Tribulation

" Their song “of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb...”- Why the mention of Moses and the Lamb (Christ) here? What is in common

between both?" The heavenly Temple

- Seven angels and their plagues come out of the “the temple of the tabernacle ofthe testimony in heaven was opened...”

- They are given the seven bowls of the final judgments of God upon the earth- The smoke that fills the heavenly Temple . . .

! Seven Bowls" Foul sores" Marine life dies" Potable water contaminated (turns to blood)

- vv. 6 & 7 tells the why of His judgments at this point" Intolerable heat (see Mal. 4:1)" Darkness

- the beast’s throne - Rome? Jerusalem?- the pain is caused by the darkness which can be felt and affects the

emotions" Demonic attack

- the Euphrates River (see on map at right) is now dried up which opens way fortanks and ground troops to proceed to Armageddon (see Rev. 14:20)

- they (frogs representing their loathsome level) will go out and persuade theleaders of the nations through miraculous doings to go to war in the Valley ofMegiddo# Armageddon (see sheet on the war/battle of Armageddon)

“The reference to “the battle” (ton polemon, Rev. 16:14) is probably bettertranslated “the war” (nasb). Thusit is better to speak of “the war ofArmageddon” (see v. 16) ratherthan the “the battle ofArmageddon.” The war will begoing on for some time, but theclimax will come at Christ’ssecond coming. “Armageddon”comes from the GreekHarmagedôn, whichtransliterates the Hebrew wordsfor Mount (har) of Megiddo. Thatmountain is near the city ofMegiddo and the plain ofEsdraelon, the scene of manyOld Testament battles.”—Bible Knowledge Commentary

# Megiddo also comes from a root Hebrew word that means both “tocut/gash” and “to assemble”

" Great earthquake & hail (see Zechariah 14:4-5 and Micah 1:3-4)

The Angels and Seven Bowl JudgmentsRevelation Chapter 17 - 18

Note: In the last 3 ½ years of the Tribulation the judgment of God contends with notonly the revived city but a whole evil centralized system called Babylon. This system iscomposed of both religious and political parts.

! The destruction of the religious Babylon

" The woman/harlot - the united religion of the world- sits on many waters (symbolic of the people of the world - see

17:15) # represents being the power over all nations of the world# a harlot because the religious system has adulterated itself

by not worshiping the true God but the false God, theantichrist

- v. 2 # “fornication” - spiritual infidelity # “drunk” - contaminated and controlled

- v. 3 - “a woman” - harlot Babylon/world system# “scarlet” - her power

- v. 4 - attractive and alluring religion / rich and prosperous- v. 5 - “mystery” - before unknown but now revealed by God to all- Babylon

# this is the revival of the old Babylon which was the reign ofNimrod and his building of the Tower of Babel to deify manand his power and not God

# the use of astrology, black magic, spiritism and immorality# quick judgment of God for her spiritual immoralities through

the turning of the antichrist against her now that he has usedher up

- v. 6 - she persecutes and gains power from martyring the saints- vv. 7-11

# “seven mountains” - seven mountains that surroundRome(?)

# “seven kings” - seven European nations# five of the kings fall - these are the older kingdoms that have

fallen already: Assyrian, Egyptian, Neo-Babylonian, Mede-Persian, Greek empires

# “There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, andthe other has not yet come. And when he comes, he mustcontinue a short time.”* the antichrist and his reign for the seven years

# “And the beast that was, and is not, is himself also theeighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition.” * the antichrist, his assassination and subsequent

resurrection- vv. 12-15

# “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who havereceived no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority forone hour as kings with the beast. These are of one mind,and they will give their power and authority to the beast.” * ten horns - ten kings with the antichrist as leader to

war against King Jesus

* the battle of Armageddon - the antichrist is defeatedand vanquished

- vv. 16-18 (see rev. 14:8)# The antichrist, after having used the false one-world religion

for his own ends, rebels against the false prophet anddestroys him

! Judgement of the political Babylon

Note: The religious Babylon is now destroyed ut now the political one, Babylonthe Great, is to be also vanquished forever.

" The characteristics of the political one-world government- v. 3 “fornication”- all world political and religious leaders have given themselves to it

" v. 4 - directed to the remaining saved who are on earth to stand awayfrom what is about to happen to the antichrist and the world

" v. 5-6 - God forgets the sin of the repentant but never of the willfullyrebellious against Him

" v. 7 - her lap of luxury and contentment in itself will be its downfall" vv. 9 - 19

- “one hour” - her judgment comes swiftly- the tremendous pain, depression, fear and sadness seen as never

before due to the immediate downfall of the world economic system" vv. 20- 21 - Rejoicing and just judgment has finally been executed on the

world system that has defied and hurt the faithful since the fall of man