A. The shaking of the heavens in the sixth seal is related to the nations coming to Jesus.
6 Thus says the LORD of hosts… "I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; 7 and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire (Jesus) of all nations. (Hag. 2:6-7)
B. The sixth seal events were prophesied by Joel in context to the outpouring of the Spirit before Jesus returns. I honor, but do not agree with those who equate the sixth seal with Jesus’ Coming.
28 I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy…31 The sun shall be turned into darkness…before the coming of the great…day of the Lord. (Joel 2:28-31)
29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days (first five seals) the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall…30 Then…they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven (seventh trumpet) with power and great glory. (Mt. 24:29-30)
C. Summary: The sixth seal describes God’s glory being released in context to martyrdom resulting in the shaking of the nations, the outpouring of the Spirit and the great Harvest.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Response of Unbelievers to Seals
15 The kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, 16 and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the Throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?" (Rev. 6:15-17)
A. John describes those affected from seven categories of society. He emphasizes how leaders will respond. Kings (presidents); (world leaders); great menrich men (financial leaders); military commanders; mighty men (civil leaders); every slave and free man (common class majority).
B. Powerful world leaders are pictured as running for their lives in panic without regard for their dignity as they run to the mountains claiming to hide from a God they said did not exist. Later in the seventh bowl, they decide to fight against Jesus (Rev. 19:17-21).
C. Some asteroids can be detected years ahead of time so that nations will know they are coming.
D. Unbelievers will perceive God’s wrath in these signs as they cry to the mountains, "Fall on us and hide us from the wrath of the Lamb!” They run in panic understanding the cosmic disturbances as God’s judgment.
E. We are not told how they conclude this is God’s wrath. The forerunners have been proclaiming it since the opening of the first seal. This is not the Second Coming because at that time, the world leaders will fight Jesus instead of running to hide from Him in the mountains (Rev. 19:17-21).
F. The unbelievers will understand and even announce the coming of the Day of the Lord.
G. Jesus, Peter and Paul taught that the Day of the Lord would come as a thief surprising many (Mt. 24:37-44; 1 Thes. 5:2-4; 2 Pet. 3:10; Rev. 3:3; 16:15).
H. Isaiah prophesied of people hiding in the caves (Isa. 2:10, 21, 19; Hos. 10:8; Lk. 23:30).
10 Enter into the rock, and hide in the dust, from the terror of the LORD and the glory of His majesty…11 The haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day…19 They shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, from the terror of the Lord…when He arises to shake the earth mightily. (Isa. 2:10-19)
I. The saints will see and understand in this hour in which Nahum’s prophecy is fulfilled.
A. John describes those affected from seven categories of society. He emphasizes how leaders will respond. Kings (presidents); (world leaders); great menrich men (financial leaders); military commanders; mighty men (civil leaders); every slave and free man (common class majority).
B. Powerful world leaders are pictured as running for their lives in panic without regard for their dignity as they run to the mountains claiming to hide from a God they said did not exist. Later in the seventh bowl, they decide to fight against Jesus (Rev. 19:17-21).
C. Some asteroids can be detected years ahead of time so that nations will know they are coming.
D. Unbelievers will perceive God’s wrath in these signs as they cry to the mountains, "Fall on us and hide us from the wrath of the Lamb!” They run in panic understanding the cosmic disturbances as God’s judgment.
E. We are not told how they conclude this is God’s wrath. The forerunners have been proclaiming it since the opening of the first seal. This is not the Second Coming because at that time, the world leaders will fight Jesus instead of running to hide from Him in the mountains (Rev. 19:17-21).
F. The unbelievers will understand and even announce the coming of the Day of the Lord.
G. Jesus, Peter and Paul taught that the Day of the Lord would come as a thief surprising many (Mt. 24:37-44; 1 Thes. 5:2-4; 2 Pet. 3:10; Rev. 3:3; 16:15).
H. Isaiah prophesied of people hiding in the caves (Isa. 2:10, 21, 19; Hos. 10:8; Lk. 23:30).
10 Enter into the rock, and hide in the dust, from the terror of the LORD and the glory of His majesty…11 The haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day…19 They shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, from the terror of the Lord…when He arises to shake the earth mightily. (Isa. 2:10-19)
I. The saints will see and understand in this hour in which Nahum’s prophecy is fulfilled.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Sixth Seal: Cosmic Disturbances and Fear
Earthquake: Is mentioned 7 times in Revelation (Rev. 6:12; 8:5; 11:13 [2x], 19; 16:18 [2x]). Four times they are prophesied with the qualifying word great (Rev. 6:12; 11:13; 16:18 [2x]).
Sun: The darkening of the sun cannot be for a long period or the earth would freeze. What causes this darkening? This will be Jesus’ supernatural work. Yet, it could also include natural events such as volcanic eruptions that leave particles in the air as ash, dust, debris, a nuclear fallout or even a full eclipse which occurs when something gets in between earth and the light of the sun.
The sun will be black as sackcloth. Sackcloth is the clothing of mourning and judgment (Isa. 33:9). The prophets wore black and sackcloth when calling for repentance (Mt. 11:21; Lk 10:13; Rev. 11:3). The sun will one day wear the garments of death and mourning.
Moon: This will be Jesus’ supernatural work. Yet, it could also include natural events as gases or a lunar eclipse that change the color of the moon's light to look red. A lunar eclipse occurs during a full moon when the earth gets in the way of the light of the sun. Blood red speaks of death.
Stars: Asteroids and meteor showers hitting the earth. The Greek word for stars used here is “aster” from which we get the word asteroid. An aster refers to any shining mass in the sky, including stars, comets, meteors, asteroids, or any flaming debris, etc.
The diameter of the earth is nearly 8,000 miles. Our sun is a small star which is over 800,000 miles in diameter (100 times larger than the earth). One star hitting the earth would destroy it, thus the kings would not need to flee to the mountains. Stars will still be in the sky in the fourth trumpet (Rev. 8:12). Isaiah prophesied of stars losing their light rather than falling (Isa. 13:10).
As God guided David’s stone to hit Goliath, so He will guide these stones (asteroids) to destroy the Antichrist’s infrastructure. Meteorites will bombard the earth as compared to a fig tree losing its figs when strong winds blow on it.
Sky: The sky will recede (split, divide, move back) as a scroll. God will cause the sky to roll back, thus opening a window to see into heaven so that worldwide leaders may witness it.
Mountains moved: Every mountain and island will be moved out of its place does not imply that they are all destroyed. No one would be able to hide in the mountains if they were all destroyed. There are five specific earthquakes prophesied in Revelation: At the sixth seal (Rev. 6:12), at the release of the trumpets (Rev. 8:5), at the seventh trumpet (Rev. 11:15, 19), when the Two Witnesses ascend to heaven (Rev. 11:13) and at the seventh bowl (Rev. 16:17-21) which is referred to as the most severe earthquake in history (Zech. 14:4-5; Isa. 2:19; 29:6; Hag. 2:6, 7).
Sun: The darkening of the sun cannot be for a long period or the earth would freeze. What causes this darkening? This will be Jesus’ supernatural work. Yet, it could also include natural events such as volcanic eruptions that leave particles in the air as ash, dust, debris, a nuclear fallout or even a full eclipse which occurs when something gets in between earth and the light of the sun.
The sun will be black as sackcloth. Sackcloth is the clothing of mourning and judgment (Isa. 33:9). The prophets wore black and sackcloth when calling for repentance (Mt. 11:21; Lk 10:13; Rev. 11:3). The sun will one day wear the garments of death and mourning.
Moon: This will be Jesus’ supernatural work. Yet, it could also include natural events as gases or a lunar eclipse that change the color of the moon's light to look red. A lunar eclipse occurs during a full moon when the earth gets in the way of the light of the sun. Blood red speaks of death.
Stars: Asteroids and meteor showers hitting the earth. The Greek word for stars used here is “aster” from which we get the word asteroid. An aster refers to any shining mass in the sky, including stars, comets, meteors, asteroids, or any flaming debris, etc.
The diameter of the earth is nearly 8,000 miles. Our sun is a small star which is over 800,000 miles in diameter (100 times larger than the earth). One star hitting the earth would destroy it, thus the kings would not need to flee to the mountains. Stars will still be in the sky in the fourth trumpet (Rev. 8:12). Isaiah prophesied of stars losing their light rather than falling (Isa. 13:10).
As God guided David’s stone to hit Goliath, so He will guide these stones (asteroids) to destroy the Antichrist’s infrastructure. Meteorites will bombard the earth as compared to a fig tree losing its figs when strong winds blow on it.
Sky: The sky will recede (split, divide, move back) as a scroll. God will cause the sky to roll back, thus opening a window to see into heaven so that worldwide leaders may witness it.
Mountains moved: Every mountain and island will be moved out of its place does not imply that they are all destroyed. No one would be able to hide in the mountains if they were all destroyed. There are five specific earthquakes prophesied in Revelation: At the sixth seal (Rev. 6:12), at the release of the trumpets (Rev. 8:5), at the seventh trumpet (Rev. 11:15, 19), when the Two Witnesses ascend to heaven (Rev. 11:13) and at the seventh bowl (Rev. 16:17-21) which is referred to as the most severe earthquake in history (Zech. 14:4-5; Isa. 2:19; 29:6; Hag. 2:6, 7).
Monday, September 7, 2009
Fifth Seal: Prayer Movement and Martyrs
9 When He (Jesus) opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God...10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" 11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and brethren, who would be killed…was completed. (Rev. 6:9-11)
A. Jesus will release the fifth seal judgment against the Antichrist in context to a significant increase of intercession. The prayer movement in heaven and on earth (Lk. 18:8) will increase at the fifth seal. The fifth seal judgment is against the Antichrist not against the martyred saints.
B. Jesus prophesied about the end-time prayer movement on earth crying out for vengeance against the great injustice of the Antichrist’s reign of terror. This occurs at the time of the fifth seal.
C. The fifth seal judgment is more severe than the four preceding it. The judgments increase in intensity as the seals unfold. The fourth seal resulted in the death of one fourth of the earth. The first four seals were the wicked acting against each other as God removed His restraining hand.
D. The blood of the martyrs crying out for justice in the fifth seal is powerful. It will release a new order of supernatural judgments seen in the sixth seal followed by the trumpets and bowls. There is a dramatic acceleration of judgment after the fifth seal. It is the turning point in Revelation.
E. The mistreatment of the righteous in the first four seals (Rev. 6:1-8) resulted in increased prayer by the saints (Rev. 6:10). The murdering of the saints will stir Jesus’ heart of vengeance.
F. Martyrdom sets into motion a domino affect in the spirit realm which intensifies prayer. Murder backfires on the Antichrist. The shedding of the saint’s blood fuels the prayer movement, purifies the church and releases the harvest. It will result in fearless dedication to Jesus and zeal in the prayer movement which releases judgment.
G. The Antichrist will be the greatest oppressor in history. God is raising up a justice movement to confront him. The end-time prayer movement is the ultimate justice movement. Jesus will confront oppressors and completely overpower them.
H. The wicked do not fear the prayer movement because they do not understand that the blood of martyrs fuels the prayer movement. Murder fills up the guilt of a nation.
I. The Spirit who inspires intercession in heaven in the fifth seal will inspire intercession in the Church on earth as Jesus prophesied in Lk. 18:7-8. The prayer ministry in heaven gives us great insight into the prayer ministry on earth. They will mirror each other.
J. Jesus will confront oppression to the degree that pray ascends. The end-time prayer movement is the greatest justice movement in history. The prayers of the saints (Lk. 18:7-8; Isa. 42:10-16; Rev. 5:8; 22:17), join with the prayers of the martyrs in heaven (Rev. 6:10) and with the prayers of the remnant of Israel (Zech. 12:10; Isa. 64:1-12; 30:18-33; Ps. 94:1-23; 98:1-9; 99:1-9, etc.).
K. Scripture prophesies the end-time prayer movement at the time of the fifth seal in heaven.
L. The prayer ministry is the governmental center of the universe. The end-time prayer movement affects the decrees in God’s court by releasing favor on the saints and judgment on the wicked.
A. Jesus will release the fifth seal judgment against the Antichrist in context to a significant increase of intercession. The prayer movement in heaven and on earth (Lk. 18:8) will increase at the fifth seal. The fifth seal judgment is against the Antichrist not against the martyred saints.
B. Jesus prophesied about the end-time prayer movement on earth crying out for vengeance against the great injustice of the Antichrist’s reign of terror. This occurs at the time of the fifth seal.
C. The fifth seal judgment is more severe than the four preceding it. The judgments increase in intensity as the seals unfold. The fourth seal resulted in the death of one fourth of the earth. The first four seals were the wicked acting against each other as God removed His restraining hand.
D. The blood of the martyrs crying out for justice in the fifth seal is powerful. It will release a new order of supernatural judgments seen in the sixth seal followed by the trumpets and bowls. There is a dramatic acceleration of judgment after the fifth seal. It is the turning point in Revelation.
E. The mistreatment of the righteous in the first four seals (Rev. 6:1-8) resulted in increased prayer by the saints (Rev. 6:10). The murdering of the saints will stir Jesus’ heart of vengeance.
F. Martyrdom sets into motion a domino affect in the spirit realm which intensifies prayer. Murder backfires on the Antichrist. The shedding of the saint’s blood fuels the prayer movement, purifies the church and releases the harvest. It will result in fearless dedication to Jesus and zeal in the prayer movement which releases judgment.
G. The Antichrist will be the greatest oppressor in history. God is raising up a justice movement to confront him. The end-time prayer movement is the ultimate justice movement. Jesus will confront oppressors and completely overpower them.
H. The wicked do not fear the prayer movement because they do not understand that the blood of martyrs fuels the prayer movement. Murder fills up the guilt of a nation.
I. The Spirit who inspires intercession in heaven in the fifth seal will inspire intercession in the Church on earth as Jesus prophesied in Lk. 18:7-8. The prayer ministry in heaven gives us great insight into the prayer ministry on earth. They will mirror each other.
J. Jesus will confront oppression to the degree that pray ascends. The end-time prayer movement is the greatest justice movement in history. The prayers of the saints (Lk. 18:7-8; Isa. 42:10-16; Rev. 5:8; 22:17), join with the prayers of the martyrs in heaven (Rev. 6:10) and with the prayers of the remnant of Israel (Zech. 12:10; Isa. 64:1-12; 30:18-33; Ps. 94:1-23; 98:1-9; 99:1-9, etc.).
K. Scripture prophesies the end-time prayer movement at the time of the fifth seal in heaven.
L. The prayer ministry is the governmental center of the universe. The end-time prayer movement affects the decrees in God’s court by releasing favor on the saints and judgment on the wicked.
Monday, August 31, 2009
The Magnitude of Great Tribulation Death Toll
It has been projected that by 2025 AD there will be 8 billion people alive. One-fourth of 8 billion dying means 2 billion will die in the fourth seal judgment, leaving 6 billion people still alive.
The sixth trumpet points to another one-third of this 6 billion dying. This means another 2 billion will die leaving 4 billion alive. The death toll of these two judgments would equal 4 billion or 50% of the original number of over 8 billion living on earth before the Great Tribulation.
The death toll of World War II (1939-45) was nearly 50 million people. The death toll of the two judgments (fourth seal and sixth trumpet) will be nearly 100 times the total of World War II. If 4 billion people die in the last 3½ years (1260 days), then about 3 million will die on average each day. Thus, every month it will surpass the death toll of WWII. This will continue for 42 months.
21 There will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world…nor ever shall be. 22 Unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved. (Mt. 24:21-22)
The sixth trumpet points to another one-third of this 6 billion dying. This means another 2 billion will die leaving 4 billion alive. The death toll of these two judgments would equal 4 billion or 50% of the original number of over 8 billion living on earth before the Great Tribulation.
The death toll of World War II (1939-45) was nearly 50 million people. The death toll of the two judgments (fourth seal and sixth trumpet) will be nearly 100 times the total of World War II. If 4 billion people die in the last 3½ years (1260 days), then about 3 million will die on average each day. Thus, every month it will surpass the death toll of WWII. This will continue for 42 months.
21 There will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world…nor ever shall be. 22 Unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved. (Mt. 24:21-22)
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Fourth Seal: Death of 1/4 of People of Earth
8 Behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth. (Rev. 6:8)
Pale horse: is literally pale green or ashen which speaks of the color of death and decay (corpse). The faces of the peoples of the earth will show the terror they experience. One-fourth of the earth will be given over to Death. In other words, they will die unnatural deaths.
A fourth of the earth: The resistance to the mark will cause a series of events with a military backlash that will result in one-fourth of the earth being killed by war, famine and disease.
The name of him was Death: the spirit of death is pictured as being in hot pursuit of the unsuspecting victims on the earth. Death is what happens to the physical body which goes to the grave. Hades is place that the departed spirit of an unbeliever goes after they die physically.
Hades (Hell) followed with him: the ranks or hordes from Hades will run behind Death. The demonic ranks of Hades will run hard behind the spirit of Death to imprison every unbeliever who dies. They will be eager to accost them. The spirit of Death will run fast on his horse, yet the hordes of Hades will keep pace. Hades will chase Death. No one ever escapes.
Hades is a Greek term that is used only in the NT. It is the place of the dead that inflicts temporal imprisonment for some disobedient angels (demons) and for unredeemed human spirits.
Hades includes the chamber of torment for the unredeemed. Tartarus is a chamber to imprison certain demons (2 Peter 2:4).
God speaks directly to Jewish leaders in Jerusalem during the Tribulation telling them that their covenant with the Antichrist was a covenant with death and Sheol (translated Hades in the NT).
In the fourth seal, the Antichrist’s true nature is seen under the name Death with Hades. He will seek to kill all who oppose him. Yet, all who agree with him will be killed (Rev. 19:19-21).
Power was given to them over a fourth of the earth: the word “them” speaks of all four seal judgments combined together. The first three seal judgments weaken the nations. Then the fourth horseman will bring the deathblow to multitudes of fragile people in the nations.
These are the same four judgments God called, “My four severe judgments”. However, all four afflictions will occur simultaneously during the seal judgments.
1. Sword: death by human violence will reach unprecedented levels.
2. Famine: will increase from the time of the third seal until Jesus returns.
3. Death: is literally “pestilence” or “disease”. It will increase beyond any time in history.
4. Wild beasts: when men die wild beasts multiply rapidly and roam freely ( Num. 21:6; Deut. 32:24; Josh. 24:12; 2 Kings 2:24; 17:25; Isa. 30:6; Jer. 5:6; Ezek. 14:21; 33:27). In New Orleans, alligators attacked people waiting for days on their roof tops and rats bit people hiding under bridges. Many diseases are spread by wild animals. Wild beasts will be demonized at an unprecedented rate because of so many demons on earth (Rev. 12:9).
Pale horse: is literally pale green or ashen which speaks of the color of death and decay (corpse). The faces of the peoples of the earth will show the terror they experience. One-fourth of the earth will be given over to Death. In other words, they will die unnatural deaths.
A fourth of the earth: The resistance to the mark will cause a series of events with a military backlash that will result in one-fourth of the earth being killed by war, famine and disease.
The name of him was Death: the spirit of death is pictured as being in hot pursuit of the unsuspecting victims on the earth. Death is what happens to the physical body which goes to the grave. Hades is place that the departed spirit of an unbeliever goes after they die physically.
Hades (Hell) followed with him: the ranks or hordes from Hades will run behind Death. The demonic ranks of Hades will run hard behind the spirit of Death to imprison every unbeliever who dies. They will be eager to accost them. The spirit of Death will run fast on his horse, yet the hordes of Hades will keep pace. Hades will chase Death. No one ever escapes.
Hades is a Greek term that is used only in the NT. It is the place of the dead that inflicts temporal imprisonment for some disobedient angels (demons) and for unredeemed human spirits.
Hades includes the chamber of torment for the unredeemed. Tartarus is a chamber to imprison certain demons (2 Peter 2:4).
God speaks directly to Jewish leaders in Jerusalem during the Tribulation telling them that their covenant with the Antichrist was a covenant with death and Sheol (translated Hades in the NT).
In the fourth seal, the Antichrist’s true nature is seen under the name Death with Hades. He will seek to kill all who oppose him. Yet, all who agree with him will be killed (Rev. 19:19-21).
Power was given to them over a fourth of the earth: the word “them” speaks of all four seal judgments combined together. The first three seal judgments weaken the nations. Then the fourth horseman will bring the deathblow to multitudes of fragile people in the nations.
These are the same four judgments God called, “My four severe judgments”. However, all four afflictions will occur simultaneously during the seal judgments.
1. Sword: death by human violence will reach unprecedented levels.
2. Famine: will increase from the time of the third seal until Jesus returns.
3. Death: is literally “pestilence” or “disease”. It will increase beyond any time in history.
4. Wild beasts: when men die wild beasts multiply rapidly and roam freely ( Num. 21:6; Deut. 32:24; Josh. 24:12; 2 Kings 2:24; 17:25; Isa. 30:6; Jer. 5:6; Ezek. 14:21; 33:27). In New Orleans, alligators attacked people waiting for days on their roof tops and rats bit people hiding under bridges. Many diseases are spread by wild animals. Wild beasts will be demonized at an unprecedented rate because of so many demons on earth (Rev. 12:9).
Monday, August 17, 2009
Third Seal: Famine and Economic Crisis
5 When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come and see." So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. 6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, "A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine." (Rev. 6:5-6)
Black horse: speaks of sorrow, sadness and mourning. Famine and economic crisis follow war.
Pair of scales in his hand: speaks of economics. This passage prophesies the greatest economic crisis with the most severe famine in history. This is the hour in which the Church will multiply food like when Jesus fed the 5,000. Moses witnessed a supernatural food and water supply.
Quart of wheat for a denarius: a denarius was equivalent to wages for one day of work. The message was that a day of work will earn enough money to buy food for one person for one day. A quart of wheat is the amount for one person to eat for one day (very minimal diet).
Three quarts of barley for a denarius: Wheat and barley were the common foods in John’s day. Wheat is superior in taste and nutrition to barley. One could purchase three times the amount of barley (inferior grain) for the same price. Barley is cheaper, but less nutritious and tasty.
The economic crisis will result in one’s earning power being reduced to working all day to afford food for one day. This represents about ten times less buying power than in the world today.
Do not harm the oil and the wine: the famine will not touch the ruling class. Luxuries will be enjoyed by a very few who will prosper in this famine. Only those in the Antichrist’s hierarchy will be the wealthy elite.
1. The kings of the earth and the great merchants will continue to have abundance and luxury (Rev. 18). The Antichrist will buy their cooperation with luxuries.
2. The vast majority of the people on earth will lack the necessities life while few greatly prosper. The social inequity between the rich and poor will result in civil strife in his kingdom. Most revolutions begin because of food shortages.
A voice in the midst of the four living creatures: Jesus is in control of all. This voice declares the nature of the famine. Jesus is releasing this famine.
1. He is working for the eternal good of the people and the earth itself. He sees this extreme measure as absolutely necessary.
2. God’s voice is speaking so we are clear that God is in control and God is carefully monitoring what is coming. God will be attentive. He will be distant and uninvolved.
The Antichrist will control many of the world economies (Rev. 6:5-6). The Antichrist will persecute all who resist his global economic policies especially those who refuse his mark.
This will set up the emergency mode that allows the mark of the Beast to be received much faster. He will “solve” the economic crisis by using the mark of the Beast.
The famine may be imposed by governmental policies, as Stalin’s famine in the 1930s that starved nearly 10 million people. However, it did not affect the ruling class.
Black horse: speaks of sorrow, sadness and mourning. Famine and economic crisis follow war.
Pair of scales in his hand: speaks of economics. This passage prophesies the greatest economic crisis with the most severe famine in history. This is the hour in which the Church will multiply food like when Jesus fed the 5,000. Moses witnessed a supernatural food and water supply.
Quart of wheat for a denarius: a denarius was equivalent to wages for one day of work. The message was that a day of work will earn enough money to buy food for one person for one day. A quart of wheat is the amount for one person to eat for one day (very minimal diet).
Three quarts of barley for a denarius: Wheat and barley were the common foods in John’s day. Wheat is superior in taste and nutrition to barley. One could purchase three times the amount of barley (inferior grain) for the same price. Barley is cheaper, but less nutritious and tasty.
The economic crisis will result in one’s earning power being reduced to working all day to afford food for one day. This represents about ten times less buying power than in the world today.
Do not harm the oil and the wine: the famine will not touch the ruling class. Luxuries will be enjoyed by a very few who will prosper in this famine. Only those in the Antichrist’s hierarchy will be the wealthy elite.
1. The kings of the earth and the great merchants will continue to have abundance and luxury (Rev. 18). The Antichrist will buy their cooperation with luxuries.
2. The vast majority of the people on earth will lack the necessities life while few greatly prosper. The social inequity between the rich and poor will result in civil strife in his kingdom. Most revolutions begin because of food shortages.
A voice in the midst of the four living creatures: Jesus is in control of all. This voice declares the nature of the famine. Jesus is releasing this famine.
1. He is working for the eternal good of the people and the earth itself. He sees this extreme measure as absolutely necessary.
2. God’s voice is speaking so we are clear that God is in control and God is carefully monitoring what is coming. God will be attentive. He will be distant and uninvolved.
The Antichrist will control many of the world economies (Rev. 6:5-6). The Antichrist will persecute all who resist his global economic policies especially those who refuse his mark.
This will set up the emergency mode that allows the mark of the Beast to be received much faster. He will “solve” the economic crisis by using the mark of the Beast.
The famine may be imposed by governmental policies, as Stalin’s famine in the 1930s that starved nearly 10 million people. However, it did not affect the ruling class.
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