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Revelation 14:6-19:21, Part 2

by Karl Kemp
10/04/2012 / Bible Studies

We will continue this verse-by-verse study of Rev. 14:6-19:21 here in Part 2, starting with Rev. 14:12.

(12) Here is the perseverance [The NIV has "patient endurance."] of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. [Compare Rev. 12:17; 13:10. It will require substantial perseverance on the part of the saints (Christians) living on the earth during the second half of Daniel's 70th week not to submit to Antichrist (cf. Rev. 13:1-18), but God's grace always is sufficient.] (13) And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, 'Write, "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!" ' 'Yes,' says the Spirit [cf. Rev. 22:17], 'that they may rest from their labors [cf. Heb. 4:9-11], for their deeds [works] follow with them.' [[These words were written for the benefit and encouragement of those saints who will live on the earth during the very difficult days of the second half of Daniel's 70th week. It's also true that the message of this verse has much application for Christians of all generations. It always is a blessing, not a curse, for a Christian to die as a martyr for Christ when it is the will of God, by the grace of God. This will be especially true for those Christians who live on the earth during the three and one-half year reign of Antichrist.

Although we know that there will be many martyrs during that period (e.g., Rev. 13:15; 20:4), the words of this verse also apply to those who die (but not as martyrs) in Christ. The more difficult the times, the more of a blessing it is to escape to the rest of heaven. Their righteous deeds/works, which come by the grace/Spirit of God through faith, will follow them, and they will be ready to stand before God to be judged according to their works (cf., e.g., Rev. 22:12).]] (14) And I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and sitting on the cloud was one like a son of man, having a golden crown on His head, and a sharp sickle in His hand. [[Christ will come in glory with the clouds of heaven at His mid-week return (cf. Matt. 24:30; 26:64; Mark 13:26; 14:62; Luke 21:27; Acts 1:9-11; and Rev. 1:7). The saints will be caught up in the clouds of heaven to meet Him in the air at the time of His return (cf. 1 Thess. 4:17). I assume that the time-setting for the scene pictured here in Rev. 14:14 is the middle of Daniel's 70th week, not long after the rapture.

The "one like a son of man," which builds on Dan. 7:13, refers first and foremost to the Lord Jesus Christ (cf. Matt. 16:27; 24:30; 26:64; Mark 13:26; 14:62; Luke 21:27; John 5:27; and Rev. 1:13), but we can probably also say that the raptured saints are included with Him under this terminology. (For a detailed discussion on the one like a son of man, see my book, "The Mid-Week Rapture" under Dan. 7:13, 14 on pages 75-83.) Even if the glorified saints aren't included in what is meant by the words "one like a son of man" here in Rev. 14:14, it's clear that they will be with Him in the clouds of heaven (cf., e.g., 1 Thess. 4:17), and that they will be reigning with Him from the time of the rapture (cf. Dan. 7:13, 14, 18, 22, and 27; Rev. 2:26, 27; 3:21; 12:5; 14:1-5; 17:14; and 19:14).

The "golden crown" goes with the reigning (cf. Rev. 6:2). The "sharp sickle" is used for the reaping mentioned in the next two verses.]] (15) And another angel came out of the temple [This angel apparently gives directions that come from God the Father. On the temple in heaven, cf. Rev. 11:19; 14:17; 15:5-8; and 16:17.], crying out with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, 'Put in your sickle and reap, because the hour to reap has come, because the harvest of the earth is ripe.' [[Many understand this to be a positive reaping of the earth, the reaping of the saints at the time of the rapture; others see both a positive and negative reaping here; I agree with the widespread viewpoint that this is a negative reaping, a reaping of judgment. The "sharp sickle" of Rev. 14:14-16 is used for judgment, even as the "sharp sickle" of Rev. 14:17-20 is used for judgment.

I believe Rev. 14:14-16 build on Rev. 14:8 and speak of the judgment and removal of Babylon the great, which will apparently be progressively destroyed throughout the second half of Daniel's 70th week. (We'll discuss this point as we discuss the judgment of Babylon under Rev. 16:17-19; 17:1-19:3.) See Jer. 51:33; Joel 3:13. Joel 3:13 says, "Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, tread, for the wine press is full; The vats overflow, for their wickedness is great." Revelation 14:14-16 probably build on the first sentence of Joel 3:13, and Rev. 14:17-20 probably build on Joel 3:13. With the words "the hour to reap has come" (Rev. 14:15), compare the words of Rev. 14:7, "the hour of His judgment has come." (On the use of the word "hour," see under Rev. 14:7.)]] (16) And He who sat on the cloud swung His sickle over the earth; and the earth was reaped. [[First Christ judges and removes Babylon the great harlot through Antichrist and his followers (Rev. 17:12-18), then He judges and removes Antichrist and his forces after gathering them to Armageddon at the end of Daniel's 70th week (Rev. 16:12-16; 19:19-21). I believe these next verses (14:17-20) deal with this judgment of Antichrist and his forces. The gathering of the grapes of the vine of the earth corresponds with the gathering of Antichrist and his forces to Armageddon. The treading of the grapes in the winepress of the wrath of God corresponds with Christ's judgment and destruction of Antichrist and his forces pictured in Rev. 19:17-21.]] (17) And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, and he also had a sharp sickle. [This sharp sickle is used in the judging of God's enemies, as is the sharp sickle of 14:14-16.] (18) And another angel, the one who has power over fire, came out from the altar [Revelation 8:5 shows that the altar in heaven has fire on it (speaking of the sacrificial altar, not the golden altar before the throne [cf. Rev. 8:3-5; 6:9, 10; and 16:7]). The fire goes with the judgment of God (cf., e.g., Dan. 7:9-11; Rev. 8:5; 2 Thess. 1:7; Heb. 10:27; and 12:29).]; and he called with a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, 'Put in your sharp sickle, and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth [This "vine of the earth" can be contrasted with the vine of God/heaven, which embraces God's people (cf. John 15:1). On the gathering of Rev. 14:18, 19, see under 14:16, 20.], because her grapes are ripe.' (19) And the angel swung his sickle to the earth, and gathered the clusters from the vine of the earth, and threw them into the great wine press of the wrath of God. [On God's end-time judgment being pictured as treading grapes in a wine press, see above under Rev. 14:15, 16; see on Rev. 19:15 in this paper (with the cross-reference to "The Mid-Week Rapture" noted at Rev. 19:11); and see Jer. 25:30.] (20) And the wine press was trodden outside the city, and blood came out from the wine press, up to the horses' bridles, for a distance of two hundred miles." [["The city" is Jerusalem, but Jerusalem is probably used here in a symbolic, fuller sense than just the literal city (even as Babylon is used in a symbolic, fuller sense in the book of Revelation). The cities of Jerusalem and Babylon, and the kingdoms that go with these capital cities, are contrasted in the book of Revelation. Every person must make a choice for one city/kingdom, or the other. Outside of Jerusalem God's judgment will fall. On being "outside" the city of Jerusalem, compare Rev. 22:15.

"Two hundred miles" could be understood in a literal sense, but (in the Greek) it apparently is a symbolic number; this is a common view in the commentaries. On symbolic numbers in the book of Revelation, see the section at the beginning of the discussion of Revelation Chapter 21 in my paper on Revelation chapters 20-22, and see under Rev. 21:16, 17 in that paper. As in Rev. 21:16, 17, the translation of the NASB here in 14:20 obscures the symbolic number by its translation. In the margin of Rev. 14:20 the NASB has, "lit[erally] sixteen hundred stadia; a stadion was approx[imately] 600 feet." The NIV has, "for a distance of 1,600 stadia"; the NKJV has, "for one thousand six hundred furlongs." The number four can function as a symbol for the world/worldwide (cf., e.g., the four corners of the earth [Rev. 7:1; 20:8] and the four winds [Dan. 7:2; 8:8; 11:4; Jer. 49:36; Matt. 24:31; and Mark 13:27]). Four times four multiplied by a hundred is apparently used here in a symbolic sense that speaks of the worldwide judgment of God outside of Jerusalem. For one thing, we could think of the judgment and removal of every person living on the earth who has worshiped Antichrist and taken his mark.

I'll quote from Philip E. Hughes ("Book of Revelation" [Inter-Varsity Press, 1990], page 167), "[The sixteen hundred stadia] should certainly be regarded as a number of symbolical significance, four times four times a hundred, signifying judgment that is worldwide and thorough and complete." I'll also quote from H. B. Swete ("Commentary On Revelation" [Kregel, 1977, reprint of the 1911 edition], page 192), "...it is more in accordance with Apocalyptic arithmetic to regard 1600 (equals 4 times 4 times 100) as symbolical of completeness; except within the walls of the City, the deluge of blood was everywhere; or as Victorinus [bishop of Petau; martyred in AD 304] explains, followed by Primasius and the later Latin commentators, it spread 'through all the four parts of the world; ... [Swete has this quotation from Victorinus in Latin].' The point to be illustrated is the finality of the blow dealt to the enemies of the Israel of God...."

The gathering of Rev. 14:18, 19 apparently corresponds with the significant gathering that takes place under the sixth bowl of wrath, which is described in Rev. 16:12-16. These verses speak of the gathering (in the plan of God) of the enemies of God to Armageddon "for the war of the great day of God, the Almighty" (Rev. 16:14). They are gathered by Satan, Antichrist, the false prophet, and three unclean spirits like frogs working with them. They (including Antichrist and the false prophet) are gathered by God for their destruction, which is pictured in Rev. 19:19-21. Christ Himself (accompanied by His armies, which includes the raptured saints) destroys those who are gathered to Armageddon.]]

REVELATION CHAPTER 15

"And I saw another sign in heaven [cf. Rev. 12:1, 3], great and marvelous, seven angels who had seven plagues, which are the last, because in them the wrath of God is finished. [[This verse serves as an introduction for chapters 15 and 16. In 15:5-8 we learn more about these seven angels with the seven last plagues; the seven last plagues equate with the "seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God" (15:7). In chapter 16 the seven bowls of wrath are poured out. Revelation 17:1 and 21:9 both mention "one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls"; these two verses aren't necessarily referring to the same angel.

God's end-time wrath "is finished" in these seven last plagues/bowls of wrath, but it doesn't begin with them. The first bowl of wrath probably won't be poured out until Antichrist's three and one-half year, super-evil reign is well established (cf. Rev. 16:2, 5, 6); it could be poured out as late as a few months (or even a month) before the end of this reign. God's end-time plagues/wrath will be manifested to some extent even before Christ returns, especially during the wrath associated with the sixth trumpet. (Christ will return at the time of the sounding of the seventh and last trumpet, right in the middle of Daniel's 70th week.) Revelation 9:18, 20 (verses dealing with the sixth trumpet) use the same word "plague" used of the seven last plagues.

Revelation 6:16, 17 speak of the wrath of God the Father and the Lamb that is associated with the end-time day of judgment. This "great day of their wrath" (Rev. 6:17) will begin in a very significant sense when Christ returns, but as I mentioned, something of God's wrath/plagues is manifested under the sixth trumpet, which will sound about the time of the abomination of desolation, about a month before Christ returns and the rapture takes place. God's wrath is also mentioned in Rev. 11:18, a verse that includes all the wrath of judgment day and is not to be limited to the wrath of the seven last bowls of wrath.

Revelation 16:19 speaks of God's end-time wrath being directed against Babylon the great. Revelation 18:4 and 8 speak of the plagues that are to come against Babylon the great. As we'll discuss, it doesn't seem that the seven last plagues/bowls of wrath have much, if anything, to do with God's end-time judgment and removal of Babylon the great. It's possible that a climactic end could come to Babylon the great under the seventh plague/bowl of wrath, after the gathering of Antichrist and his followers under the sixth plague/bowl of wrath. For more on Babylon the great and her destruction, see under Rev. 14:8, 14-16; 16:17-19; and 17:1-19:3 in this paper.

The seven last bowls of wrath will be directed, for the most part at least, at Antichrist and his followers (cf. Rev. 16:2, 4-7, 10-16). Babylon will be judged and destroyed by God through Antichrist and his associates (Rev. 17:16, 17). Antichrist and his associates will apparently be against Babylon the great from the time Antichrist begins his super-evil reign in the middle of Daniel's 70th week (cf. Rev. 13:1-18; 17:12, 13). Antichrist apparently won't tolerate competition/opposition from that time on (whether from religious or governmental authorities, leaders of commerce, etc.; all must submit to him [cf. Dan. 11:36; 2 Thess. 2:3, 4]), and Babylon will apparently be progressively destroyed throughout his reign. Also, even though Antichrist won't have his full authority at the relatively early time of the abomination of desolation (about a month before the middle of Daniel's 70th week), he will begin some of his anti-God, anti-religion, anti-all-competition/opposition activities at that time.

On Antichrist's destructive activities that will be used by God as part of His end-time judgment, see Dan. 8:19, 23-25; 11:36-44; and Zech. 11:1-17. The sequence of Rev. 14:8 (a verse that deals with the judgment of Babylon the great) followed by Rev. 14:9-11 (verses that warn of the doom that will come to all who worship Antichrist) and Rev. 14:14-16 (verses that apparently also deal with the judgment of Babylon), followed by Rev. 14:17-20 (verses that deal with God's judgment of Antichrist and his followers) confirms that Babylon will be judged first. Revelation 14:14-20 suggest that Babylon will be destroyed before Antichrist's forces are gathered to Armageddon (which will come to pass under the sixth bowl of wrath). This gathering is apparently pictured in Rev. 14:17-19 as the gathering of the clusters of grapes. It is totally clear that Babylon the great will be destroyed before Antichrist and his followers are destroyed in that God is going to judge Babylon through Antichrist and his ten associates (Rev. 17:16, 17).
How Far Does the Seventh Plague/Bowl of Wrath Extend? There are some solid reasons for saying that the seventh bowl of wrath extends to include God's casting the rest of His unrepentant enemies (including Satan and his angelic, demonic host) into the eternal lake of fire (Rev. 20:10, 14, 15). Quite a few commentators understand the seventh bowl in this full sense, and I favored this viewpoint in "The Mid-Week Rapture." It's clear that God's wrath won't be finished in the full and final sense until after the great-white-throne judgment at the end of the millennium. Also, the fact that it is "one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues" (Rev. 21:9) who showed John the holy city, new Jerusalem, after the millennium and the great-white-throne judgment fits the idea that the seventh bowl of wrath extends to the end of the millennium.

Now, however, after further consideration, I believe it was intended by the Author that we see the seventh plague/bowl of wrath just extending to the judgment and removal of Antichrist, the false prophet, and those who are gathered to Armageddon under the sixth plague/bowl of wrath. (This seventh plague may well be against all who have taken the mark of the beast, whether they are gathered to Armageddon, or not.) In other words, the seventh plague/bowl of wrath deals with the intense judgment pictured in Rev. 14:20 and 19:19-21; and we apparently also see this same judgment pictured in the plague of huge hailstones of Rev. 16:21. The language of 16:21 probably has a strong symbolic component, if it isn't entirely symbolic, but God's enemies will be totally removed by His judgments.

The word "plague" fits better with this more limited view of the extent of the seventh plague/bowl of wrath. For another thing, this view fits much better with Rev. 15:8. (The idea that God the Father will be preoccupied with judgment throughout the millennium and will be unapproachable in the temple until after the millennium seems untenable.) This more limited view also fits better with Rev. 15:2-4, verses that deal with things that will come to pass at the end of Daniel's 70th week, apparently after God's end-time wrath has been finished in the seven bowls of wrath.

Revelation 15:2-4 have a strong tie to the seven bowls of wrath because of their setting between Rev. 15:1 and 15:5-8, verses that deal with the seven bowls of wrath. The scene of the saints who came off victorious over Antichrist pictured in heaven in 15:2, and the statement of 15:4 that (the remnant of) the nations will now come to worship God, both fit the idea that God's wrath manifested in judging (and in saving His people), which is finished with the seven last bowls of wrath, will not extend beyond the end of Daniel's 70th week.]] (2) And I saw, as it were, a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who had come off victorious from the beast and from his image and from the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, holding harps of God. [[I agree with the widespread viewpoint that this is the same "sea of glass" that was seen before the throne of God in Rev. 4:6. The "fire" here probably represents the refining fire these now-glorified saints just came through, as they lived for God during the very difficult days of the super-evil reign of Antichrist, during the second half of Daniel's 70th week. On this refining fire for the end-time elect remnant of (true) Israel, see Zech. 13:9; Dan. 7:21, 25; 12:7, 10-12; Rev. 13:5, 7. They had "come off victorious from the beast and from his image and from the number of his name" by staying faithful to God and rejecting the worship demanded by Antichrist (e.g., Rev. 13:1-18). These victorious, now-glorified saints are pictured in heaven.

The time setting of the scene pictured in Rev. 15:2-4 is about the end of Daniel's 70th week, after the "wrath of God is finished" (Rev. 15:1), but we are shown this scene, with its very positive outcome for these saints, before the seven bowls of wrath are poured out. ((This is comparable with the scene of the just-raptured saints in heaven in Rev. 7:9-17 [who will be raptured at the seventh trumpet (Rev. 11:15) in the middle the seven-year period] being presented just before the seven trumpets are introduced and then sounded, starting with Rev. 8:2.

Although the seven trumpets aren't introduced until Rev. 8:2, Rev. 6:12-17 give us an early look at the arrival of the day of God's wrath before the all-important scroll that the Lord Jesus takes from the hand of God the Father is opened with the removal of the seventh and last seal at Rev. 8:1.)) These verses (Rev. 15:2-4) show the glorious outcome for those members of true Israel (Christians) who will be converted after the rapture and stay faithful to God; they will undoubtedly encourage those saints who will live on the earth during those very difficult three and one-half years. Revelation 15:3, 4 also go on to speak of the ultimate conversion of the end-time remnant of the nations about the time of the end of Daniel's 70th week.

Many teach that these glorified saints in Rev. 15:2 are all martyrs. There is nothing said in this verse, however, that indicates that these saints are martyrs, though it's clear that some of them are (cf., e.g., Rev. 20:4). I believe this multitude in heaven includes those members of God's true Israel who stay faithful to Him and are still alive at the end of Daniel's 70th week. (Revelation 12:6, 14-16 show how it will be possible for some saints to stay alive during this period. Compare 13:10 in the NIV. Also see Psalm 110; Mic. 5:3-6; Zech. 12:1-14; and 14:3-15; these passages are discussed in chapters 19, 17, and 15 of my book, "The Mid-Week Rapture.")
Assuming this viewpoint is correct, it's clear (from Rev. 15:2-4) that these non-martyred saints (along with the martyred saints) will be glorified and enter heaven/the heavenly dimension about the time of the end of Daniel's 70th week. (Many teach that those saints still alive at the end of Daniel's 70th week will enter the millennial kingdom in their natural [non-glorified] bodies.)

Isaiah 66:8 is an important cross-reference; it helps confirm that all the members of true Israel, including those still alive at the end of Daniel's 70th week, will be glorified at that time. Isaiah 66:8 is discussed on pages 243, 244 of "The Mid-Week Rapture." We can apparently say that all the members of God's true Israel, who are represented by the woman of Revelation chapter 12 and by the bride of Christ spoken of in Rev. 19:7-9, including the Christians still alive on the earth at the end of Daniel's 70th week, will be glorified in time to function as priests and to reign throughout the millennial kingdom.

The fact that these saints are "holding harps of God" and sing before God (Rev. 15:3, 4) has some important correspondence with Rev. 14:2, 3. In Rev. 14:2, 3 the members of true Israel who were raptured in the middle of Daniel's 70th week sang a new song before the throne of God. Revelation 14:2, 3 didn't mention that they were holding harps of God, but it did say that John heard a voice "like the sound of harpists playing on their harps." (Revelation 14:2, 3 are discussed in chapter 23 of "The Mid-Week Rapture.") Now, in Rev. 15:2-4, we see the rest of the members of true Israel (those converted after the rapture) join their raptured, glorified brethren in the presence of God, in glory, to begin their eternal reign with Him.]] (3) And they sang the song of Moses the bond-servant of God and the song of the Lamb [[It seems there's only one song here, not two. The last words confirm that these glorified saints are Christians. The words "the song of Moses" help confirm that these saints constitute the end-time elect remnant of (true) Israel. (This remnant centers in the remnant of the nation Israel [cf. Rom. 11:25-27].) I believe these words (the song of Moses) build on Deut. 31:14-32:52. These verses in Deuteronomy speak of the song God gave Moses just before he died to teach to the sons of Israel. This song included, for one thing, the message that God would save the repentant end-time elect remnant of Israel. I'll refer to this song from Deuteronomy further as we continue. I also refer the reader to the discussion on the "the song of Moses" on page 246 of my book, "The Mid-Week Rapture."

Some commentators agree with this reference to Deuteronomy chapters 31, 32, but the majority refer to the song of Exodus chapter 15, where Moses and Israel sang beside the sea after God had destroyed their enemies in the waters. The translation of the NIV in Rev. 15:2 ("standing beside the sea") fits this understanding of the song of Moses, and this view is certainly reasonable, but it seems to me that the reference to Deuteronomy chapters 31, 32 is weightier. Also, the translation "[standing) on the sea of glass" of the NASB, KJV, and the NKJV seems more probable.]], saying, 'Great and marvelous are Thy works [[Compare Deut. 32:3, 4. God's works of saving His people and of judging His enemies are spoken of here in Rev. 15:3. In this song of Rev. 15:3, 4, with its setting between verses dealing with God's seven plagues/bowls of wrath, the emphasis is on God's works of judging, but this judging goes with the saving of His people. Note that the words "great and marvelous" were also used in 15:1 with reference to the seven angels with the seven last plagues.]], O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are thy ways [cf. Deut. 32:4; Rev. 16:4-7; and 19:2], Thou King of the nations. [God is the Creator and Judge of all the peoples of all the nations. This will become evident when He judges the nations, and when He saves the end-time elect remnant of the nations. Jeremiah 10:7 says, "Who would not fear Thee, O King of the nations? Indeed it is Thy due...."] (4) Who will not fear, O Lord [[This speaks of a proper, reverential fear of God, which the remnant of the nations will manifest after God's end-time judgments, about the time of the end of Daniel's 70th week. Significantly, Deut. 32:43, which is part of the song God gave Moses, shows that the nations (that is, the humbled, repentant remnant of the nations) will have cause to rejoice with (true) Israel after God's end-time judgment of the nations.]], and glorify Thy name? [[The remnant of the nations will glorify God's name by humbling themselves before Him and worshiping Him. Sections 1 and 2 of my paper titled "More Regarding God's Salvation Plans for the Nations" list many passages that confirm this teaching regarding the conversion of (the remnant of) the nations after God's end-time judgment of the world.]] For Thou alone art holy [The God of the Bible is the only real God, and the only One holy and worthy of worship.]; FOR ALL THE NATIONS WILL COME AND WORSHIP BEFORE THEE [[Revelation 20:3 is an important cross-reference (see under that verse in my paper on Revelation chapters 20-22). Psalm 86:9 says, "All nations whom Thou hast made shall come and worship before Thee, O Lord; And they shall glorify Thy name." Cf., e.g., Psalms 22:27-31; 47; Isa. 2:2-4; 66:23; and Jer. 16:19-21. These passages are all discussed in my verse-by-verse studies of selected eschatological passages for the books of Psalms, Isaiah, and Jeremiah. These three papers all deal to some extent with God's salvation plans for the remnant of the nations.]], For Thy righteous acts have been revealed." [[As I mentioned, His righteous acts of saving and judging will have been revealed. I'll quote part of what A. R. Fausset (1821-1910) says under this verse ("A Commentary on the Old and New Testaments by Jamieson, Fausset and Brown" [Eerdmans, 1984 reprint], page 706). "The confederacy of apostates against Christ becomes, when overthrown with fearful judgments, the very means, in God's providence, of preparing the nations not joined in the antichristian league to submit themselves to Him."

I'll also quote part of what George R. Beasley-Murray says here ("New Bible Commentary"; 21st Century Edition [Inter-Varsity Press, 1994], page 1445). "The vision is remarkable in its context, and is a reminder that the success of the antichrist is less than the hyperbolic [an adjective meaning exaggerated] pictures of the Messianic judgments may suggest." That is, you could easily get the idea from some, or many, prophetic passages (very much including passages in the book of Revelation) that there won't be any people left alive on the earth at the end of Daniel's 70th week to come submit to God and worship Him. Keep in mind that this must be people who had not worshipped Antichrist and taken his mark. As I have mentioned I believe the number could be in the billions. This strongly suggests, for one thing, that Antichrist's dominion will not extend (at least not effectively extend) worldwide, as we may have thought based on some prophecies. For more on the extent of Antichrist's dominion see under Rev. 9:15 in Part 3 of my paper on Revelation chapters 8 and 9 on this Christian article site.]]

We will continue this verse-by-verse study of Rev. 14:6-19:21 in Part 3, starting with Rev. 15:5.

Copyright by Karl Kemp

http://www.karlkempteachingministries.com Karl Kemp worked as an engineer in the space field throughout the 60s. He became a born-again Christian in 1964. He received an MA in Biblical Studies in 1972. He has been a Bible teacher for 45 years. See the website for more info on his books, papers, etc.

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

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