THE CONFLICT

The Conflict vs. 4b-5

"And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born." "And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne."

The Place of the Conflict

"Before the woman."

Literally, in the eyes of the woman. He planted himself there when Israel was young and has continued there through the centuries. The woman could always see and recognize him.

The Period of the Conflict

"Stood" AV; "Standeth" RV. The verb is in the perfect tense and perhaps might even be better translated "was standing." From a late verb esthken.

This certainly covers the centuries from the moment of Israel's existence as a nation to the very moment of the birth of the Christ child. Even after the child was born and caught up to heaven, the dragon has not ceased to hate and stand before the woman (6).

The Purpose of the Conflict
"To devour her child."

Satan apparently was always aware that the nation Israel was on the verge of giving birth to the Christ child. Having set his own affec­tions upon the crown, he realized there was one contender for the crown with whom he must deal, and that was the Heir apparent, the Lord Jesus Christ. If he could anticipate His entrance into the world or devour the child at His birth, he would succeed in his own ambitions. This he tried at Bethlehem, at the temptation, at Nazareth, numerous times through his ministry, and finally at the cross. At the cross he thought he had won.

The Rapture in the Conflict vs. 5

"Caught up to God and his throne."

But the cross was not all. There was the resurrection, unquestionable proof that he had miscalculated. Forty days more and He was raptured to the presence of God and to the position of power at the throne.

THE DRAGON IS REVEALED IN REVELATION 12

The Dragon Vs. 3-4

"And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads." "And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born."

 

The Appearance of the Dragon vs. 3 with vs. 9

"And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads."

"And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."

He is a dragon or monster in appearance, formi­dable. He is great in dimensions. This marks his power and activity. He is fiery in color, or brilliant like fire. This color suggests attractiveness rather than repulsiveness.

The Activity of the Dragon vs. 4a
"drew," present tense

"And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven,...."

"And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,"

He drew and continues to draw the third part of the stars. These are angels as indicated by the language of vs. 7. These are the angels that followed him in the beginning and with whom he is continuing to traffic through the centuries and now and into the future.

The Attitude of the Dragon vs. 4a

"And he did cast them to the earth."

This very word is used of the Leader who causes others to follow Him (John 10:4). John is writing this from the viewpoint of things after the events are finished.

"And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice."

Satan's heart is unchangeable. He has set his heart on being like God and higher in authority than God. He has no concern for those who follow. He will rule or ruin. So he leads them on. They followed him and they were cast out of the Holy of Holies in heaven, out of the holy mountain of God, and then out of the precincts of heaven into the stellar regions. Now they are cast down to the earth. Some have already been cast down to Tartarus and the rest will in due time be cast into the Lake of Fire (2 Pet. 2:4; Matt. 25:41).

"For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;"

"Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:"

The Meaning of the Dragon vs. 3

"And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.""And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."

Though called a "wonder" AV, this is also a "sign" RV. Through the centuries he has been masquerading as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14). Now the great enemy of God and the archfiend of the universe is revealed in his true colors. What he was in inward nature was never known. Now he becomes clearly manifest and is identified in vs. 9.

The Book of Revelation is first a Revelation of the long-awaited Messiah as well as His arch-enemy.

ISRAEL'S CONFLICT - WITH THE DRAGON IN THE PAST

Israel's conflict with the Dragon in the Past   12:1-5

"And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:" "And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered." "And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads." "And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born." "And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne."

 

 

The Woman  vs. 1-2

Four women in the scripture represent false or true religion.

1. Jezebel represents paganism - Rev. 2:20 cf. 1 Kings 16:31
2. Scarlet woman represents false religion - Ch. 17.
3. Bride of Christ represents true church - Ch. 19.
4. Sun-clothed woman represents Israel - Ch. 12.

The Appearance of the Woman Cf. Gen. 37:9-11

"And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me." "And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?" "And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying."

Clothed with the sun; the moon under her feet. And having a crown of twelve stars.

The Activity of the Woman vs. 2 (Present tense is used throughout.)

"And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered."

This describes Israel from Abraham to the birth of Christ.

• She is continuously with child.
• She is continually crying.
• She is continually travailing.
• She is continually laboring.
• She is continually in process of giving birth.

The Arrival of the Man Child vs. 5

"And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne."

She gives birth to the man child. cf. Isa. 7:14, Micah 5:2-3

"Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."

"But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." "Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel."

The child is to rule the nations. Isa. 9:6 Psa. 2:6-9

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

"Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion." "I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee." "Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession." "Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel."

Very obviously this could not be the church. For Israel gave us the child and not the church (cf. Isa. 66:7; Micah 5:2-3).

"Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child."

"But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." "Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel."

The woman's subsequent experience through 3 1/2 years proves that this cannot be the church (12:6).

"And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days."

The Meaning of the Woman vs. 1

"And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:"

AV says "wonder" RV says "sign" which is correct. This has a peculiar use in John. It refers to something that has inherent relation to what it signifies. In some sense of the word, it becomes evident what the Lord meant when he said to the Samaritan woman, "Salvation is of the Jews." This is seen in heaven but takes place on the earth. Like a movie.

THE SUN-CLOTHED WOMAN AND THE DRAGON

The Sun-Clothed Woman and the Dragon  Ch. 12
This is an inset

Introduction:

Chronologically, this chapter should appear at this point. Since Israel comes into prominence here, it is necessary to show how she fits into the picture of the ages.

The content of this chapter is very important to the understanding of many things.

(1)   A correct interpretation of the book of Revelation rests upon the correct interpretation of this chap­ter.

(2)   A correct interpretation of the Bible rests upon the correct understanding of this chapter.

(3)   A correct interpretation of history rests upon the understanding of this chapter.

The conflict of the ages is set forth in this chapter of the book.

The conflict of great personalities is set forth in this chapter. Mere abstractions such as right and wrong are not described in this chapter.

Outline of the Chapter

(1)    Israel's conflict with the dragon in the past. 12:1-5

(2)    Israel's conflict with the dragon in the heavens. 12:7-12

(3)    Israel's conflict with the dragon in the future. 12:6, 13-17

THE FINAL HALF OF THE TRIBULATIONAL PERIOD OVERVIEW

The Final Half of the Tribulation Period  Chaps. 12-19

Overview

 

INTRODUCTION

The Chronology of this Period of Time

(1)   This period begins with the blowing of the seventh trum­pet. 11:15-19

(2)   This period brings Israel to the forefront in God's plans. 11:19 cf. also 11:1-2

(3)   This period is characterized by great persecution of Israel. 11:2, 7; 12:6, 13

(4)   This period marks the height and waning career of Antichrist. 11:7; 13:1-5

The Contents of this Period of Time - Indicated by Rev. 12-19

(1)   The sun-clothed woman and the dragon (Inset)     Ch. 12

(2)   The Satanic trinity in final conflict (Inset)    Ch. 13

(3)   The Sion-vision and the great harvest (Inset)    Ch. 14

(4)   The seven angels and seven vials of wrath.     Ch. 15-16

(5)   The scarlet woman and the scarlet beast (Inset)  Ch. 17

(6)   The strong-voiced angel and the doom of Babylon (Inset) Ch. 18

(7)   The supper in heaven and the supper on earth.      Ch. 19

THE 7th ANGEL & THE FINAL TRUMPET

The Seventh Angel and the Final Trump of Judgment  11:14-19

"The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly. " "And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever." "And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God," "Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned." "And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth." "And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail."

The Divine Announcement of the Final Woe vs. 14

Each one of the woes have been introduced (8:13; 9:12; 11:14). Each one has been increasingly worse. The final woe is the worst of all for the world. It will bring the end of judgment and the victory of the Messiah.

"And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!"

"One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter."

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

The Vocal Proclamation of the Realized Victory vs. 15

There is the sounding of the seventh and final trumpet. This is followed by the speaking of the great voices in heaven. The substance of this proclamation is twofold:

The kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of Christ. Not kingdoms (plural) but kingdom (singu­lar). There is a unity of the many kingdoms of the world. They are united under one head, Satan. Now this vast system becomes the kingdom of Christ.

The kingdom of Christ will continue on forever and ever. There will be a thousand years rule for a definite purpose. Then it will merge into the eternal state.

Antichrist has reached the height of his career in the midst of the seven years. At that point the heavenly decree goes forth and the kingdom is handed over to Christ. What follows now is merely a matter of expelling the usurper from his domain. 3¹/₂ years will accomplish this.

The Great Acclamation of the Redeemed Saints in Heaven vs. 16-18

"And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God," "Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned." "And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth."

This Begins With Worship on the Part of the Elders vs. 16

"And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,"

They fall upon their faces before the one who sits upon the throne and worship him.

They Next Voice Their Thanksgiving For the Final Victory vs. 17

"Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned."

So far as heaven is concerned, the decree has gone forth to possess and rule the kingdom. God has taken His power and has reigned. "Art to come" has been left out because Christ has come (cf. ASV). He has come at the rapture and the first part of this presence has begun.

The Final Movement is a Rehearsal of All the Events vs. 18

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

The realization of his own power. 17b
The reigning as a king over the world. 17c
The reaction of the nations is anger. 18a (Ps. 2)
The response of wrath upon the nations.
The recompense of punishment on the dead. Seventh trump reaches to the millennium and its effects to the end of the 1000.
The rewarding of the saints and prophets.
The requital in kind upon the destroyer.

The Sacred Ratification From the Heavenly Temple vs. 19

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

The Temple of God in Heaven is Opened

This marks the fact that the universe is moral and spiritual at its center. Holiness is the final criterion of judgment.

The Ark of the Covenant is the Thing Seen

This is a reminder that God keeps covenant. He will not forget. This is in order for the Jews are about to enter tribulation.

The execution of His promise is indicated by the lightnings, thunders, voices, earthquake, and hail, that judgment is ahead.

This is a vindication of God's law, and judgment is proceeding according to the law. Men have rejected God's Savior Who in death bore the penalty demanded by the law, and they have elected to bear their own punishment. The punishment is now beginning and it is being executed according to the law.

THE DIVINE WONDERS & THEIR PURPOSE

The Divine Wonders and Their Purpose 11:11-13

"And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. " "And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them." "And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven."

 

The Resurrection of the Dead Bodies vs. 11

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

The time of the resurrection is after 3 1/2 days.

The agent of the resurrection is the Spirit of life. This undoubtedly is the Holy Spirit (cf. Rom. 8:11).

"But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."

The evidence of the resurrection is the fact that these prophets stand up on their feet in the sight of all.

The effect of the resurrection on the people is great fear. They thought they were victorious. And then . . .

The Translation of the Two Prophets vs. 12

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

The agent of the translation is the call of the great voice. This is a supernatural cause.

The ascension into heaven in a cloud is the supernatural experience of these men.

The attention of the people is centered upon this event as it takes place.

The Disturbance in the Earth vs. 13

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

The time of the earthquake is the same hour of the ascension of the witnesses.

The damage of the earthquake is great. It takes in a tenth part of the city and 7000 men are slain.

The effect of the earthquake upon men is great. They are moved to a frenzy of fright and they do what they would never do on other occasion: They give glory to the God of heaven.

THE SATANIC WAR & THE TWO WITNESSES

The Satanic War and its Effect on the Witnesses 11:7-10

"And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them." "And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified." "And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves." "And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth."

 

The Destruction of the Witnesses vs. 7

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

 

 

The Time of Destruction

This is at the conclusion of their testimony, the completion of their mission in the earth.
This comes at the end of 42 months, at the close of the first 3 1/2 years (11:3).

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

The Agent of Destruction

This is the beast that ascendeth out of the Abyss. This is the beast of Rev. 13:1; 17:3, 8; 19:19-20; 20:10). This is the Antichrist, the head of the revived Roman Empire.

"And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy."

"So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns." "The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is."

"And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army." "And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone."

"And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever."

The Nature of the Destruction

The beast makes war with them: the magni­tude of the attempt.
He overcomes them: the outcome of the attempt.
He finally kills them: the purpose of the attempt.

The Humiliation of the Witnesses vs. 8-9

"And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified." "And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves."

The Place of Their Humiliation vs. 8

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

The physical location is the streets of the great city. There their bodies are allowed to lie.
The spiritual location is the Sodom and Egypt of the world. So low and sinful has this city become that it is like Sodom and Egypt.
The geographical location is the city of Jerusalem. This is the place where Christ was crucified. It is not surprising that His witnesses are killed there and their bodies exposed to humiliation.

The Extremity of Their Humiliation vs. 9

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

The Publicity Given the Bodies

They are exposed to the view of the people of the world. This may be a reference to television of the end time.

The Period of Time

This covers a full 3 1/2 days. In that hot climate they will have begun to decay and decompose and to be eaten with worms, to say nothing of the odor.

The Prohibition of Burial

The proper and decent thing to do with bodies, even of the enemy, is to bury. But this is the only earthly remains, and to satisfy their hatred they vent their wrath upon that which remains.

The Exultation Over the Witnesses vs. 10

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

 

The Extent of Exultation

Apparently all that dwell upon the earth are included in this rejoicing group.

The Nature of Exultation

The people make merry to the extent of sending gifts to one another. This is surely the devil's Christmas.

The Reason for Exultation

Because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt upon the earth. These prophets were witnesses only. They proclaimed a message. When others tried to do them harm, they defended themselves by the miraculous power granted to them. There is therefore only one explanation, and it is this: The message they brought was the thing that tormented people. This simply means that humanity has become too incorrigible in its unbelief and that any message of truth is a torment to them.

By their testimony, 144,000 of the Jews are sealed. They are led to believe the truth and to rebel against Antichrist. This not only stirs up Antichrist, but it is regarded as a direct insult by all those who pledge allegiance to him. The war organized against the two witnesses is doubtless great because the two witnesses were able to defend themselves miracu­lously and the 144,000 were sealed against any harm.

THE TWO WITNESSES & THEIR TESTIMONY

The Jewish Witnesses and Their Testimony  vs. 3-6

"And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. " "These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth." "And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed." "These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will."

This is not Seen by John but Told by Christ

The Interval of Their Testimony vs. 3

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

The Power That is Granted to These Witnesses

This consists largely of the right or authority to proclaim the message which is given to them.

The Prophecy of These Two Witnesses

This spoken of in Mal. 4:4-6. It harks back to the law of Moses and the basis for the kingdom. This includes the gospel of grace as it relates to the millennial kingdom (Rev. 14:6). This leads men to Christ and the experience of the new birth as conditions for entrance into the kingdom (John 3:3, 5).

"Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments." "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:" "And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse."

"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,"

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."

 

The Period of Their Prophecy is 1260 Days

This period is 3¹/₂ years or 42 months. It should be noted that this is the first half of the 70th week. They are allowed to finish this testimony, and then they are killed by Antichrist (7).

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

The last half of the week is referred to in vs. 2, During this period the great perse­cution takes place. Cf. 12:6, 13; 13:5-7.

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

"And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days." "And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child."

"And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months." "And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven." "And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations."

The Importance of Their Testimony vs. 4

The Two Olive Trees (Zech. 4)

This is symbolic of testimony. They represent the Lord in royal and priestly rights here among men. Oil comes from olive trees and oil is the symbol of the Spirit.

The Two Lamps (RV) Zech. 4

They are the light of the Spirit shining amidst the darkness of this time. There is nothing uncertain about them.

They Stand Before the Lord  (RV)

This probably refers to the Lord Jesus in His sovereign and Messianic office.

The Instrument of Their Testimony vs. 5-6

 "And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. " "These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will."

The Instrument for Protection vs. 5

This is power to perform miracles so that enemies who would hurt them personally are devoured and killed. The fire is probably the word that proceeds out of their mouths.

The Instrument for Evidence vs. 6

This consists of authority to shut up heaven that it rain not. This will confirm their message. This is most characteristic of Elijah (Jas. 5:17-18 with 1 Kings 17:1; 1 Kings 18:42). This more than confirms the identity of this one (Mal. 4:4-6). (John the Baptist, Matt. 11:13-15; John 1:21; Luke 1:14-17).

"Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months." "And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit."

"And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word."

"So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees,"

"Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments." "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:" "And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse."

"For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John." "And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come." "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."

"And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No."

"And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth." "For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb." "And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God." "And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

This also consists of power to turn water to blood and smite the earth with plagues (cf. Mal. 4:4 cf. Matt. 17:4 with 2 Pet. 1:16). cf. also Exodus 7:20; 9:14.

"Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments."

"Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias."

"For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty."

"And Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood."

"And Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood."

"For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth."

Others suggest that Enoch may be the other witness (Jude 14-15). Be that as it may, these are two witnesses and not representatives of two companies of witnesses. Jews seemed to expect another prophet (John 1:21-23). Just two who did not die. Moses' body was preserved for transfiguration.

"And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints," "To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him."

"And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No." "Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?" "He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias."

THE 70th WEEK OF DANIEL & ISRAEL'S JUDGMENT

The Seventieth Week of Daniel and Israel's Judgment  11:1-14

This is an inset

The Preparatory Measuring and its Meaning 11:1-2

"And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein." "But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months."

The Occasion for the Measuring Cf. la

A reed, a measuring stick, is placed in the apostle's hand by the angel spoken of in chapter 10. This angel was sent with delegated authority to take possession of the earth. The measuring then was occasioned by the plans of the Lord to eject the usurpers and take over his possession. The measuring is a symbolic act pointing to appropriation. (Instance of measuring windows of house next door.) cf. Ezek. 40:3; 45:1-7; Zech. 2:1-5.

The Objects Which are Being Measured vs. lb-2a

The things that are Jewish vs. lb

The temple, the sacred place of worship.
The altar, the place where atonement is made.
The people, the worshippers in the temple.
This signifies that God is beginning again to deal with the nation of Israel. This is Daniel's seventieth week (Dan. 9:27).

The Things That are Gentile  vs. 2a

The outer court is the Gentile court, and it is not to be measured. During this time he will not deal with the Gentiles except in retribu­tion. The times of the Gentiles are running out (Luke 21:24).

"And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled."

The Outcome of the Measuring vs. 2b

The Jews come back into their land and make covenant with Antichrist for one week (7 years), Dan. 9:27. During the first 3¹/₂ years they enjoy great prosperity at his hand. Then in the midst of that week, he breaks the covenant and begins persecution of them.

"And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate."

During the last 3¹/₂ years this persecution continues. It is here spoken of as 42 months. During this time the temple (God's temple) is desecrated by Antichrist (2 Thess. 2:3-4).

"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;" "Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God."

The altar (God's altar), the place where reconcilia­tion is made, ceases to be used. Sacrifice and oblation cease (Dan. 9:27). The people become the objects of awful persecution at the hand of the Antichrist (Rev. 12:6, 13).

"And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days."

"And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child."

THE MANS ACTION WITH THE LITTLE BOOK

The Man's Action With the Little Book  10:8-11

"And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth." "And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey." "And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter." "And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings."

The Reception of the Little Book vs. 8

"And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth."John must take the book from the hands of the angel.

The Reflection Upon the Message of the Book vs. 9

"And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey."

John is commanded to eat the book, which is done by reflection upon its message (Ezek. 3:1; Jer. 16:17-18). A twofold effect is predicted.

"Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel."

"For mine eyes are upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes." "And first I will recompense their iniquity and their sin double; because they have defiled my land, they have filled mine inheritance with the carcases of their detestable and abominable things."

The Rejoicing Upon the Surface Message of the Book vs. 10a

"And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey....."

In John's mouth it was sweet to the taste. The reason for this was that it announced judgment upon the world of the wicked.

The Realization of the Deeper Meaning of the Book vs. 10b
".....and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter."

Upon more careful reflection of what the book taught, he became aware that judgment to follow would not only affect wicked men but it would bring his own nation Israel into great tribulation. This was bitter in his stomach. Cf. Chapter 11, 12, 13.

The Responsibility of John Toward the Message of the Book vs. 11

"And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings."

He is commanded to prophesy the very message that is both sweet and bitter. The message follows. It has gone out before peoples, tongues, nations, and kings.

THE MYSTERY OF GOD IS ANNOUNCED

The Mystery of God is Now Announced Vs. 5-7

"And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven," "And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:" "But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets."

The Guarantee of the Truth of the Angel's Message vs. 5-6

Since the mission upon which he has to come is so important, this angel swears by the creator who made all things. This guarantees that his message is true.

The Substance of His Message is: "delay no longer." 6b

This does not mean that time comes to an end. For time had a beginning but will never have an end. Verse 7 explains the meaning. It here has reference to time in the sense of delay in the execution of a plan. Cf. Matt. 24:40-48. "My Lord delayeth his" (cronizei mou o kurioV).

The Mystery of God is to be Finished vs. 7a

"But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished...."

This mystery is to be finished at the sounding of the seventh trumpet. The nature of this mystery was "good tidings." See RV. The end of this mystery was announced to the prophets. The seventh angel begins to sound in the middle of the week (Rev. 11:15-19).

The Message Received and Recorded by the Prophets vs. 7b

This mystery was why a God of holiness and power allowed evil to go on unpunished and good to suffer. Why does God not establish his kingdom and rule over men? Hab. 1:4; Psa. 73.

"Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth."

When Christ came and was rejected, the mystery became deeper. The mysteries of the kingdom were set forth in 7 parables (Mark 4:11). The proof that this general interpretation is correct is recorded in Rev. 11:15-19.

"And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:"

"And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever." "And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God," "Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned." "And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth." "And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail."