Author: Charlie Garrett

Friday, 12 March 2021

Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. Revelation 13:1

There is a variation between manuscripts to start Chapter 13. Some say, “Then he stood.” That would be speaking of the dragon (Satan) of verse 12:17. Others say, “Then I stood.” That would be referring to John as he continues with the visions he is witnessing. Regardless of which is correct, the narrative continues without any damage to the surrounding verses.

What is of note is that the vision that opens Chapter 14 has the Lamb standing on Mt. Zion. That is certainly a sure foundation which is to be distinguished from the sand of the sea which changes with the tides. With that thought in mind, John says, “And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea.”

This is similar to a vision seen by Daniel –

“I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea.” Daniel 7:2

The sea is representative of the nations of the world. In their stirring up, it reflects the changing nature of the empires of the world. In particular, it is dealing with those empires that have an impact on Israel. Countless other empires have come and gone, but they didn’t have any relevant effect on Israel. Because of this, they are left out of the biblical narrative.

In these words, Revelation 13 corresponds to the thirteenth letter of the Hebrew aleph-bet. The thirteenth letter, mem, pictures water, and it signifies “water,” “chaos,” “mighty,” and “blood.” In this chapter is found the beast rising out of the sea, the waters of chaos.

From this sea of peoples forming new alliances and governments out of the people of the world, John says the one rising up is “having seven heads and ten horns.”

The symbolism is the same as that of the dragon in Revelation 12. There are heads, probably representing individual nations. There are horns, probably representing powerful leaders. Next, John notes that on his horns ten crowns. As seen in Chapter 12, diadems probably reflect kingdoms or nations under a single leader’s rule. The actual interpretation of the heads, horns, and crowns will be evident when the time comes. For now, these meanings are simply best guesses. John finishes the description with, “and on his heads a blasphemous name.”

In this, there are now several differences from the fiery red dragon of Revelation 12 –

In Chapter 12, the beast is seen as a sign in heaven rather than a beast rising out of the sea. The color in Chapter 12 is defined as a fiery red dragon. This is unstated in Chapter 13. In Chapter 12, the dragon has seven heads, ten horns, and seven diadems. The beast of Chapter 13 has seven heads, ten horns, and ten crowns (Greek: diadéma– the same word as in Chapter 12). Now in Chapter 13, a final variation is that on the heads are a blasphemous name.

With these words, there is another variation in manuscripts. Some say, “a blasphemous name.” Others say, “blasphemous names.” The difference is important, but until the beast is revealed, it is unknown which is correct. Either each head has a different blasphemous name on it, or all of the heads have one blasphemous name on them.

Concerning the similarities and differences to the fourth beast in Daniel 7, the final empire of Daniel’s vision is identified as the Roman Empire. This was an early fulfillment of the prophecy at the time of the destruction of Israel in AD70. However, what appears to be the case is that this same beast will be revived in the end times to become the dominant power in the world.

This has actually been coming to fulfillment in modern times as the EU has risen and is going through its process of solidification. Numerous events have occurred in Greece, Spain, the UK, and elsewhere in this alliance (as a great sea being stirred up). These events are molding it to become the revived empire which finds its roots in the Roman empire that existed so long ago. It is this beast that will usher in the anti-Christ as is noted in Daniel 9:27.

As far as the name (or names) of blasphemy, the word indicates something that occurs against God. And so, whatever this name is, which John hasn’t disclosed, it is something that indicates this beast is supposedly the spiritual banner of the earth. As such, it is taking the place of God. This beast will be located in Rome where the Vatican now stands. This political/religious system will be centered on this area (as will be clearly noted in verses to come).

Life application: The events described here are future, and they are vague enough to keep us from seeing exactly what is coming, but they are precise enough so that when they do come about, there will be no doubt as to what is being referred to. What is certain is that the beasts being described in Scripture are always those that have an impact on Israel. This alone is an indication that God still has plans for the people and the nation. He has not forsaken His promises, and their lack of faithfulness in no way negates His faithfulness.

The word is written, the Lord has spoken, and Israel will again be the central focus of the biblical narrative. For that to happen, the church will first be taken out of the picture. This is the great hope of believers. Someday the Lord will come for His church. Someday, hopefully soon, we shall be with JESUS!

Lord, after the rapture, it is evident that the world will be lined up exactly as Your word says. It will be in a way that is opposed to You and Your gospel message, and yet it will be what the world thinks is correct. Such is the way of false religion, hiding the truth behind blasphemous falsities. Help us to get the word out now about this coming apostasy so that people will know the truth. Amen.

Thursday, 11 March 2021

And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Revelation 12:17

Verse 12:16 showed the protection of Israel when “the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth.’ Thus, it is revealing that the force that is coming against Israel will be thwarted. With that in mind, John next says, “And the dragon was enraged with the woman.”

In the failed attempt to overwhelm and destroy Israel, this great satanically inspired coalition of nations (see comments on Revelation 12:3) led by the antichrist will be furious. But without the power to accomplish this, it will direct its fury elsewhere. How this comes about will continue in the chapters ahead, but for now, John continues with, “and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring.”

The fury of this body will be directed toward those who have understood the importance of Israel in the end times scenario, supporting its right to exist. Thus, they are called “her offspring.” The male Child is Jesus. Therefore, it can logically be stated that the woman’s offspring here are those who are akin to Jesus through faith. As it says in Hebrews 2:11, “For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren.”

John then goes on to confirm this, saying that they are those “who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” The words, “the commandments of God,” are not referring to the Law of Moses. That is set aside through the work of Christ. This is evidenced in verses such as 1 Corinthians 7:19 –

“Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters.”

Circumcision is a precept mandated in the Law of Moses, and yet Paul says that in Christ circumcision is not a consideration. Therefore, he cannot be referring to the Law of Moses when he says, “keeping the commandments of God.” Rather, this is referring to faith in Christ. As this is so, then it is evident that John is now using parallelism in this verse in Revelation by equating keeping the commandments with having “the testimony of Jesus Christ.”

The antichrist will seek to destroy any believers because of their faith in Christ. That faith will lead to their support for the cause of Israel in the end times.

The sentiment of this verse is seen in Daniel 11. Towards the end of that chapter comes a passage that has clearly been understood to be referring to the antichrist of the end times. There, Daniel says –

“At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through. ⁴¹ He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon. ⁴² He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. ⁴³ He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow at his heels. ⁴⁴ But news from the east and the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many. ⁴⁵ And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him.” Daniel 11:40-44

Though what is recorded in these verses from Daniel are written in a single paragraph, they will span quite a bit of time. These are certainly the events being relayed by John now. In the coming pages of Revelation, the details will be filled in, but they correspond to what then begins Daniel 12 –

“At that time Michael shall stand up,
The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people;
And there shall be a time of trouble,
Such as never was since there was a nation,
Even to that time.
And at that time your people shall be delivered,
Every one who is found written in the book.
² And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake,
Some to everlasting life,
Some to shame and everlasting contempt.
³ Those who are wise shall shine
Like the brightness of the firmament,
And those who turn many to righteousness
Like the stars forever and ever.” Daniel 12:1-3

Life application: The message of the two witnesses of chapter 11 will have gone out to the post-rapture world and a great multitude will believe. They will accept Jesus Christ and will not bend the knee to the global system that has been developed.

In the chapters ahead, the penalty for rejecting this global system will be seen. There will be war against the saints because they will not accept being part of this system. The commandments of God are centered on faith in Jesus. It is this faith that cannot be tolerated by the world of wickedness that seeks to rule apart from God. This was the case before the Flood of Noah, and it has been repeated throughout the ages. But for those who hold fast to their faith, there will be great rewards.

The beautiful part of Scripture is that there is no time that God’s mercy is not seen, even after the rapture, many will come to faith in Christ and be saved. This is because of the love of God which is found in the giving of His Son. Such is the love of God as is found in JESUS.

Lord God, You have called us to faith and promised us rewards for that faith. In this world, it can mean trials, troubles, and difficulties, but it is worth it! The promise of life to come far outweighs the short-term gains of this temporary walk. Help us to keep our priorities straight and to focus on You every moment we walk upon this world. Amen.

Wednesday, 10 March 2021

But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. Revelation 12:16

In the previous verse, the serpent spewed water out of its mouth in order to carry the woman away by the flood. That is most probably referring to an army sent forth to destroy those of Israel who had fled to the mountains. Now, and in response to that, John says, “But the earth helped the woman.”

Quite often in Revelation, and elsewhere as well, the term “the earth” is used to speak of the inhabitants of the earth. It is a general way of expressing this idea without regard to whether the people are right with the Lord or not. This is probably the idea here. Without specifying what group or army is brought against this attacking force intent on destroying these Jews, they simply are recorded as doing so. With this probably being the case, it then says, “and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood.”

The attacking army is consumed. The reason isn’t given, and it could be another army is intent on destroying the attackers without regard to the safety of the Jews at all. Or it could be a purposeful battle to protect them. Either way, the result is help for the woman. And the help is effectual, thus destroying “the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth.”

The purpose of this group attacking the Jews, who are ultimately serving the purposes of Satan, was to destroy Israel and thus thwart the redemptive plans of God. However, this will not come to pass, and the Jews who heeded Jesus’ advice and fled to the mountains will be safe. Something like this scenario is recorded in 2 Chronicles 20. A great army was set to come against Judah. King Jehoshaphat acknowledged that they had no power to stand against the invaders. In this, their only hope was deliverance by the Lord. And the Lord delivered –

“Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated. ²³ For the people of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir to utterly kill and destroy them. And when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.
²⁴ So when Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude; and there were their dead bodies, fallen on the earth. No one had escaped.” 2 Chronicles 20:22-24

An incident such as this appears to be the most likely scenario for the stopping of “the flood.” However, there are other possibilities as well. In a battle found in Joshua 10, a natural event (meaning an event of nature, even if supernaturally produced) helped to destroy the enemies of Israel –

“So the Lord routed them before Israel, killed them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, chased them along the road that goes to Beth Horon, and struck them down as far as Azekah and Makkedah. ¹¹ And it happened, as they fled before Israel and were on the descent of Beth Horon, that the Lord cast down large hailstones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died. There were more who died from the hailstones than the children of Israel killed with the sword.” Joshua 10:10, 11

Regardless as to what will actually swallow up the flood, it is recorded, and it will come to pass. Events of the past give possibilities to assure us that just as the Lord tended to Israel then, so He will do in the future. Israel will have to simply trust in the Lord. He will deliver.

Life application: Whatever is set to occur, God has a plan, and it will not be thwarted. As noted above, the earth may be representative of a protecting army, friendly to the plight of the Jews. There may be an appropriately timed earthquake that occurs at the spot where the attackers are in pursuit. Another possibility is that something like what occurred during the wilderness wanderings of Israel will happen again. During a rebellion against Moses, the main rebel and his household found out the seriousness of coming against God and His purposes –

“Now it came to pass, as he finished speaking all these words, that the ground split apart under them, ³² and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the men with Korah, with all their goods. ³³ So they and all those with them went down alive into the pit; the earth closed over them, and they perished from among the assembly. ³⁴ Then all Israel who were around them fled at their cry, for they said, ‘Lest the earth swallow us up also!’” Numbers 16:31-34

Whatever is coming, it ultimately is God who is behind the deliverance of this group of fleeing Israelites. He has spoken now so that when these astonishing events occur, it will be plain, clear, and obvious that it was He who knew all along what would transpire. He is in complete control of what is coming. The Lord has spoken, and He will perform. The millennium will be ushered in, the Lord will sit and judge among His people, and the world will see the glorious splendor of Israel’s Messiah. They will behold the kingdom of JESUS!

Lord, throughout the history of the world Your works have been evident. Creation testifies to You, but so does the miraculous – those things which transcend creation, and which are meant to demonstrate that You are sovereign over all things. When we see Your work in and around us, help us to acknowledge Your loving hand in it. Great and awesome are You, O God. Amen.

Tuesday, 9 March 2021

So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. Revelation 12:15

The previous verse mentioned the woman flying to a place in the wilderness where she is nourished during the second half of the tribulation period, as it says, “from the presence of the serpent.” These are those of Israel who will take heed to Jesus’ words of Matthew 24:15, 16. They will flee to the mountains as He instructed. For the rest of Israel, there will be consequences for not paying heed. This verse now begins with, “So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman.”

The intent here is that of completely destroying Israel in order to thwart the plans of God as laid out in Scripture. This will be done through human agency. The idea of an advancing enemy being equated to a flood is recorded in Isaiah 59. That passage is referring the recorded events of the Redeemer of Zion and it is most likely anticipating this verse of Revelation –

“So shall they fear The name of the Lord from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.” Isaiah 59:19

The devil will incite a group of people to chase after the woman like a flood. This will be an attempt to destroy the remaining Jewish people of the land. But the Lord will be their Protector and Defender. For those of Israel who failed to heed Jesus’ words and flee to the mountains, His words of Matthew 24 continue, saying –

“For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. ²² And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.” Matthew 24:21, 22

The intent of the serpent is to totally exterminate all of Israel. That is seen in John’s next words, “that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood.” Being carried away by a flood means destruction. This is the intent of the serpent as he works through this army to destroy Israel. But the Lord will keep safe those who believe His word and flee to the mountains.

With this in mind, there are other interpretations given for this verse such as a literal flood of water, or a river symbolizing a flood of lies in the religions of the world which are working against God.

The first option is unlikely because God is in overall control of nature. Even though the devil is allowed to cause natural disaster elsewhere in the Bible, the passage rather supports a wave of people coming against Israel. The second option is also unlikely because of the parallels elsewhere in the Bible which match both the flood of enemies and the judgment from God.

Life application: Revelation is a book of the future. Its contents are given under inspiration, and they will come to pass. But interpreting what is stated there can be difficult simply because it is future. However, there is a likely scenario that will play out, and it is based on the words of the prophets and the words of the Lord.

The symbolism of the woman must be deemed as Israel. Any other interpretation will be faulty. Though it was hardly imaginable that Israel would once again be a nation, that is no longer the case. It is inexcusable to insert the church into the typology now that Israel is clearly understood to be a part of His end-times scenario.

From that springboard, many passages from the Old Testament suddenly come into clearer focus, and the words of Jesus concerning these events do as well. Let us trust that the God who has been so faithful to Israel will also be equally faithful to us. He is the covenant-keeping Lord. We shall be safely kept because of this. Thank God for His covenant faithfulness. Thank God for JESUS!

Lord, the devil thinks he can win against You by destroying the Jewish people and thus showing that You are unable to keep the promises of Your covenant with them. But he is mistaken and so are all the nations who rage against them. You are in complete control of all things, including the preservation of Israel. Hallelujah to You for Your faithfulness! Amen.

Monday, 8 March 2021

But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. Revelation 12:14

John now continues with the thought from verse 12:6. The words closely match what is said there –

“Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.”

What this signifies is that verses 7 through 13 were a parenthesis and now the outlying information is being returned to. Now, John begins the verse with, “But the woman.” Understanding that the woman is Israel, John next says that she “was given two wings of a great eagle.”

There is an article before “wings” that should be included. The Greek literally reads, “the two wings of the eagle, the great.” The second article before “great” is to highlight its size. The symbolism goes back to various passages from the Old Testament, such as –

“You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.” Exodus 19:4

“As an eagle stirs up its nest,
Hovers over its young,
Spreading out its wings, taking them up,
Carrying them on its wings,
¹² So the Lord alone led him,
And there was no foreign god with him.” Deuteronomy 32:11

In those Old Testament verses, the strength is from the Lord as He carried the people. In this verse in Revelation, the wings are given to the woman. Signifying they have been supplied with the means to carry themselves. If the eagle is the same as the Old Testament (meaning the strength of the Lord), as it should be so interpreted based on the definite article, then it is showing that these are believers in the Lord, being given His Spirit to bear them through the trial ahead. This is reflective of the words of Isaiah –

“But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

This strength of the Lord, represented by the eagle’s wings, is given so “that she might fly into the wilderness to her place.” This is the flight referred to by Jesus in Matthew 24 –

“Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), ¹⁶ “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.” Mathew 24:15, 16

The mountains of the Judean desert are a vast and mostly inhospitable wilderness. Such a wilderness in Scripture is a place of testing, but also of closeness and intimacy with the Lord when the one tested responds in accord with the will of the Lord. That is seen in the temptations of Christ where Matthew 4:1 says, “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” It is to this area that the woman, meaning these of Israel who have heeded the recorded words of Christ, will flee. It will be to a place, “where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time.”

The words here are a reworded repetition of what was said in verse 6 which referred to a period of “one thousand two hundred and sixty days.” They are the same amount of time. A year in Scripture is three hundred and sixty days. Thus, verse six is referring to three- and one-half years. The words “a time” signify one year, “times” signifies two years, and “half a time” signifies half a year. Again, it is three- and one-half years. This shows that what is said in verses 12:7-12 were a parenthetical insert, and the narrative is returning to that of verse 12:6 now. This flight is said by John to be “from the presence of the serpent.”

This is the serpent referred to in verse 12:9 (aka the dragon; the serpent; the Devil; and Satan). However, though Satan is the serpent, he is working through a human agency. This then takes the reader back to the dragon of verse 12:3, meaning the “fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads.”

Although that dragon (which is comprised of a group of nations) is not the same as the dragon of verses 7-12 (meaning Satan), the power behind it is. Satan is ultimately the leader of this multinational force. It is from that force that Israel will be kept safe and nourished.

Life application: When the people arrive at the location the Lord has chosen for them, He will nourish them for three- and one-half years. This may be a supernatural care for the people as it was during the wilderness wanderings, or it may be that there will be sympathetic people who tend to them by shipping in food, water, and whatever else is needed. Either way, God is already aware of what will occur and has shown that it will come to pass by placing it in His word. All of this will be in a place where the devil (meaning the satanically driven group of nations) will not harm them.

The analysis of the details here may not be one hundred percent right. The events are future, and one must take what is said elsewhere in Scripture and try to determine how it all fits together, but what is certain – despite the lesser details – is that the words of Jesus for Israel to flee to the mountains, and the words of Revelation now which speak of Israel being cared for in the wilderness, are speaking of the same future event.

The word has been given in advance, and when the time comes, those in Israel who believe what is recorded there will flee, just as they are instructed to do. As this is certain, then it is certain that the timeline of Daniel 9 is correct. It is also certain that the promises of the Lord from the Law of Moses, concerning Him never rejecting Israel, are reliable.

In other words, the Bible is seamlessly coming together to show us the faithfulness of God to the covenant He gave to Israel. As this is so, and as we are united to Him through faith in the New Covenant that was given in the blood of His Son, how much more should we trust His faithfulness to us! Let us never forget this. We are secure, and nothing can steal us away from Him. This is because of what He has done for us through JESUS!

Lord, for thousands of years Your care has been towards Israel. You safely led them to the land of Canaan, tended to them in Egypt, brought them again to Canaan, and gave it to them. And despite rebelling against you, You cared for them in exile and returned them both times to the land You promised on oath to them. Great is Your faithfulness to Israel. And so, how certain we are of Your faithfulness to those who have come to You through Christ. Thank You, O God, for Your great faithfulness! Amen.