Finally, I understand Daniel 7:26, the court will sit for judgment, and his dominion will be taken away.

 A momentary detour.

In working through chapter nine of the Revelation, I came to a place where the antichrist needed a bit of clarification, and that led me to Daniel 7. Daniel is one of those books that carries multiple definitions of the antichrist.

Daniel 7:8 refers to him as the little horn; this is only the first of twelve titles given to the antichrist.

Little horn: The first of twelve titles given to the power commonly known as "the antichrist".

Other titles:

1. "the king of Babylon" (Isaiah 14:4);

2. "the Assyrian" (Isaiah 14:25);

3. Lucifer, son of the morning," in opposition to "the bright and morning star" (Isaiah 14:12);

4. "the Prince that shall come" (Daniel 9:26);

5. "the king of fierce countenance" (Daniel 8:23);

6. "the vile person" (Daniel 11:21);

7. "the willful king" (Daniel 11:36);

8. "the man of sin" (2 Thessalonians 2:3);

9. "the son of perdition" (2 Thessalonians 2:3);

10. "that wicked (or lawless) one" (2 Thessalonians 2:3; Revelation 13:18);

11. "the beast with ten horns" (Revelation 13:1);

12. "the little horn" (Daniel 8:8)

In spite of all these titles, his dominion or empire will be taken away.

Daniel 7:26 NASB 'But the court will sit for judgment, and his dominion will be taken away, annihilated and destroyed forever.

It was not until today, that I finally understood this passage (06//25/2021.) Any confusion that I encountered had more to do with years of false teachings. Trust me, false teachings are everywhere.

• Court is the English transliteration of a Chaldean word that means judgment.

Reading 7:26 as “the judgment will sit for judgment doesn't make sense.” The continuation of thought is that this "court," an assumptive ruling body, will sit in judgment over the antichrist. Our English bibles tend to put this phrase "for judgment" in italics, as it is assumed.

• "his dominion will be taken away.”

I remind you, that this is speaking of the antichrist. This word dominion can be exchanged with empire, and can just as easily be read, "his empire will be taken away."

When I think about the variety of world leaders that religion has verbally placed into the role of antichrist, it is hard to sort out who this person will be. I happen to believe that he will be a Muslim. The reasons why I believe that he will be a Muslim primarily comes out of Daniel 7:25.

Look at what Daniel 7:25 says.

'He will speak out against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make alterations in times and in law; and they will be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time.” Daniel 7:25 NASB

We know that the antichrist is alleged to rule the earth for 7 years.

Where do we get the idea that he will reign for the full seven years?

From the fact that he makes a seven-year peace treaty with many, which he breaks.

Consider what Revelation 13:5 tells us.

Revelation 13:5 NET. The beast was given a mouth speaking proud words and blasphemies and he was permitted to exercise ruling authority for forty-two months.

Forty-two months is three and one-half years. 

He is permitted to exercise his ruling authority for 42 months. But then goes where? 

Just because it says that his dominion or empire will be taken away does not mean the antichrist will go away, but someone else will step forward as the ruling authority. We call him the false prophet, while Islam calls him the enforcer of Sharia.

Interestingly, Iran just voted in a new president, and he happens to be called, the executioner.

When you see these words, "he will intend to make alterations in times and in law," where does your thought process go?

What you should be seeing is Israel, but why stop there? Why not bring your influence to the EU and the USA, as both of these nations are on the verge of being crushed by the Muslims.

The times are God's Jewish holidays and the law, and therefore, the impact is directed at Israel and God's people. Mind you, all this is happening during the time of wrath, which is directed at Israel, for their unbelief, and, at the nations for their evil actions and unbelief.

This is where you need to look at another translation.

Daniel 7:26 CJB But when the court goes into session, he will be stripped of his rulership, which will be consumed and completely destroyed.

It occurs to me that Daniel 7:26 could be taken to mean the time when Jesus comes back as the warring Messiah; this, of course, is at the end of the seven years of wrath. Certainly, the antichrist, the false prophet, and Satan will be thrown into the lake of fire. The antichrist and the false prophet will be completely destroyed, and we will never hear from them again. Satan, on the other hand, will be brought back at the end of the thousand years for one last attempt at deception, after which he, and those who followed him in that deception, will be forever eliminated.

Someone who has stepped up, and been handed the authority, over what seems like the world, will not acquire this position unless he does so by force, coercion, or convincing words. You would think that for any of those things to happen, that he would be working his magic on people as we speak; and, he may be doing just that. However, there is an alternative school of thought, and that would be that the world is merely blinded by Satan, and they (in general) will see this fool as the answer to their calls for a global world leader.

Were you aware that many world leaders are literally praying for someone just like this?

Some, for a few moments, were thinking that Emanuel Macron could or would be just such a man.

Again, I happen to think that this world leader will be a Muslim. Think about those, like Principe Erdoğan, a man who is trying to reinstate the Ottoman Empire upon the world, and set himself up as the Mahdi. No one, in the current environment, will be able to demand such worship, unless they can appear to be moderate. The new president of Iran is not such a man, and neither is Erdoğan. It hardly seems possible but Barack Obama has displayed such characteristics, on many occasions.

Even though the antichrist gains power, it will be short-lived. Look again at the Complete Jewish Bible translation, which says, "when the court goes into session, he will be stripped of his rulership, which will be consumed and completely destroyed."

What will be destroyed?

This man's plans, because they are not radical enough.

In the Revelation, what have those, who are suffering under God's wrath, seen so far?

 

Revelation 9:12 NASB The first woe is past; behold, two woes are still coming after these things.

What have those, who is suffering under God's wrath, seen so far?

1. The entrance of the antichrist.

   Revelation 6:2 NASB I looked, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.

   If you merely read Revelation 6:2 you will not get the full picture of what this person will quickly do.

2. Peace is taken from the earth.

   Wow, this is generic, but the general idea is that violence will increase exponentially.

   Revelation 6:4 NASB And another, a red horse went out; and to him who sat on it, it was granted to take peace from the earth, and that men would slay one another; and a great sword was given to him.

3. The price of things, (I say things because here in America the price of lumber has gone up 400%,) will go up, but most specifically, food.

   Revelation 6:5-6 NASB When He broke the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, "Come." 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 something like a voice in the center of the four living creatures saying, "A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not damage the oil and the wine."

4. The fourth seal brings about death again, by famine, sword, pestilence (diseases), and by wild beasts.

   Revelation 6:7-8 NASB When the Lamb broke the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, "Come." (8) I looked, and behold, an ashen horse; and he who sat on it had the name Death, and Hades was following with him. Authority was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by the wild beasts of the earth.

5. When the Lamb (Jesus) broke the fifth seal John sees the first, countable number, of dead “believers.”

   These people were not a part of the church and have come to know, or understand who God is, since the rapture of the church, evidenced because of the Word of God and because of their testimony. Testimony is not a tightly defined and can mean judicial evidence.

   Revelation 6:9-11 NASB When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained; ... and they were told that they should rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been, would be completed also.

6. With the sixth seal there is a great earthquake, the sun became black as sackcloth, and the whole moon became like blood, the stars of the sky fell to earth, the sky rolled up like a scroll, and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

Page one.

Revelation 6:12-14 NET. “Then I looked when the Lamb opened the sixth seal, and a huge earthquake took place; the sun became as black as sackcloth made of hair, and the full moon became blood red; and the stars in the sky fell to the earth like a fig tree dropping its unripe figs when shaken by a fierce wind. The sky was split apart like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved from its place.”

This earthquake has to be severely damaging, perhaps of the magnitude which causes the continents to reconnect. As for the sun becoming black as sackcloth and the moon blood-red, we have that to some degree now. China has areas where the smog is so bad that you cannot see the sun. But consider that when Mt St. Helens erupted, midday turned to night because of the ash. And the smog that most of us deal with causes the moon to glow blood red.

Consider this idea of the stars falling to earth. The sun is a star, and one of the smallest. If the sun fell to earth the earth would be destroyed; and yet, there are stars falling. This tends to move this conversation over to stars being representative of something else.

Since scripture tends to interpret scripture, is there anything else, that we have recently encountered, which might explain these stars? 

The answer is yes.

Look at Revelation 9:1 NASB “Then the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from heaven which had fallen to the earth; and the key of the bottomless pit was given to him.” This is clearly Satan because we know that Jesus took the keys to hell and the grave, which is what this is referring to, and the Holy Spirit saw fit to call him a star. This train of thought opens a very scary can of worms because the number of fallen angels that this may entail is vast and dangerous.

The writer of Hebrews backs up my assertion that it was Satan controlling hell along with the associated fear. Jesus took those keys and freed us from the fear of death.

Hebrews 2:14 NASB ... through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,

Isaiah 14 distinctly calls Satan, the star of the morning.

Isaiah 14:12 NASB "How you have fallen from heaven, O star of the morning, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the earth, You who have weakened the nations!

Job 38 tells us that there were many “stars” of the morning.

Job 38:7 NASB When the morning stars sang together And all the sons of God shouted for joy?

Revelation 12 speaks of a past war that took place in the heavens.

Revelation 12:7-9 NASB And there was war in heaven, ... The dragon and his angels waged war, and they were not strong enough, ... the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, ... and his angels were thrown down with him.

Revelation 12 also speaks of the tail of the dragon – Satan, and how his tail drew a third of the stars to earth with him. Since we established that stars and angels are the same things, then we know that Satan pulled them to earth with him.

Page two.

7. I have no way of understanding what the sky rolling up like a scroll looks like, or the effects of such an event.

   I do know that all things will be made new and perhaps this is part of that process. We should by now, understand that prophecy to a Jew is pattern and repetition, therefore, this reference to stars has to have a witness, and it does.

   Isaiah 34:4 NASB And all the host of heaven will wear away, And the sky will be rolled up like a scroll; ...

   While the next reference is from the Revelation, and it is in Greek, it still expresses the same thing.

   Revelation 6:14 NASB The sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up, ...

8. The four winds of the earth will cease to blow.

   Revelation 7:1 NASB After this, I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth so that no wind would blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree.

   Stopping the wind, in the bigger picture, means that everything will die.

9. John sees the dead in the Lord, for a second time, but this time is different as they are uncountable.

   Revelation 7:9 NASB After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes and palm branches were in their hands;

   What does this mean? It means that the slaughter of those who follow after Christ continues rapidly.

10. The seal judgments end with a censer of fire being thrown to the earth. This is the announcement of the trumpet (shofar) judgments.

    With the first trumpet blast fire was thrown to earth, mixed with blood; and, a third of the earth was burned up, along with the trees, and the grass.

    Revelation 8:7 NASB The first sounded, and there came hail and fire, mixed with blood, and they were thrown to the earth, and a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.

11. At the second trumpet blast, something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea.

    Revelation 8:8-9 NASB The second angel sounded, and something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood, (9) and a third of the creatures which were in the sea and had life, died; and a third of the ships were destroyed.

    This sounds like a massive meteorite. The result is that: a third of the sea becomes blood; a third of the sea creatures die, and a third of the ships are destroyed.

Page three.

12. Because of the third trumpet blast, something like a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of waters.

    Revelation 8:10-11 NASB (10) The third angel sounded, and a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of waters. (11) The name of the star is called Wormwood; and a third of the waters became wormwood and many men died from the waters, because they were made bitter.

    This is the only place in the Bible that the word wormwood shows up. The word means bitterness. So when it says that the waters became wormwood, it is telling us that the waters were made bitter. The verse tells us that many died from the water.

13. At the sound of the fourth blast the sun, moon, and stars were diminished by a third.

    Revelation 8:12 NASB The fourth angel sounded, and a third of the sun and a third of the moon and a third of the stars were struck, so that a third of them would be darkened and the day would not shine for a third of it, and the night in the same way.

    The short answer, from https://public.wmo.int/en/sun%E2%80%99s-impact-earth is this: “average surface temperature would be an inhospitable -18°C (0°F) instead of the 14°C (59°F) we experience today.”

14. The fifth angel sounds and God initiates a history lesson about a fallen angel, a star, Satan; who is the lord of the abyss.

    We learn that Satan obtained the keys to hell and death, and therefore controlled people through fear. Out of this abyss come some hellish locusts that have stingers like scorpions. They sting humans and they want to die because of the pain, but cannot.

    This takes up a large portion of chapter 9, and therefore I will only give you the reference. Revelation 9:1-11.

This is how far we have advanced in the Revelation.

Revelation 9:12 NASB The first woe is past; behold, two woes are still coming after these things.

Note how the verse says, the first woe is past, along with all the other stuff. The first woe came in two parts. The first part is that this fallen star, a star from heaven which had fallen to the earth; and the key of the bottomless pit was given to him. Revelation 9:2 tells us that this “star” opened the bottomless pit – hell, and the smoke of a great furnace comes out of the pit.

Can a star, hold a key, and open the door to a pit? 

The logical response is NO.

If a star, even a small one, was to be thrown against the earth, would the earth survive?

Again, the logical response is NO. So, if you have been paying attention, then you know that the Holy Spirit has, on multiple occasions, referred to Satan and his followers as stars.

What is coming out of this smoke?

A locust horde like you would not believe; however, these locusts are not interested in eating your crops and every other living plant. They are coming to sting any human not protected by the mark from God.

Page four.

Who is protected?

The arrogant would immediately assume it's them; it is NOT, it is 144,000 young Jewish men, whom God has picked out, because – as we are told, they are virgins. Our broken nature always leans to the fleshly side of the equation when the term virgin is used, but consider that the Jewish council concocted over 600 additional rules and laws for the purpose of controlling the masses. What if their virgin status, in God's eyes, reflects their separation from Jewish law and more on their dependence on God's law?

And, although nothing is said about it, the other two who may have avoided these crazed locusts could be God's two witnesses. Since we see no mention of witnesses when we hear of the locusts, then it is possible that they have come and gone already; that would put these two witnesses arriving at the beginning of the seven-years, and the locusts arriving after the 42 months. They preach, if you will, for 42 months, and then the Father allows them to be killed. They lie in the streets of Jerusalem for three days (Wow, that is significant,) and then they are taken up to heaven. If we can see the fact that God's judgments are poured out on everyone on earth, including those who have chosen to follow Jesus, you can begin to understand the gravity when followers of Christ tell you, accept Jesus now, because you don't want to be here.

Pause here for a moment and consider that the Apostle John saw the martyred saints in heaven, twice.

How did they get into heaven, before the throne?

They were killed, here on earth, by people and those who found them in opposition to their religious ideology or governmental/presidential orders, for their testimony and the Word of God. Let's take a moment to ponder what I just said. Islam/Boko Haran/ and a few others with the same purpose but different names, make it their goal to slaughter anyone who is NOT a Muslim. This is a generalized statement, but I am also aware that the Quran does not allow for leeway on this, although some refuse to adhere tightly to the Quran.

What, outside of God's intervention (and we know from scripture that God does intervene or “they” would kill everyone,) keeps those who are currently NOT in compliance, from mentally snapping and start trying to kill everyone who is a Jew or a non-Muslim?

It is certainly NOT the laws of the land, as those have gone right out the window lately. It is ONLY God's mercy.

If much of the martyrdom is associated with the false prophet, then what is the timing of these locusts? 

Just asking. First allow me to point out that Jesus, in Matthew 24, is giving the disciples a chronological briefing, which, for the sake of brevity and context, will start at Matthew 24:15. Here, the false prophet/antichrist has set up that abomination in the temple. This is where the mark of the beast comes into play, for you have to worship the beast (let's assume that the beast is Allah, worship the image of the beast, and take his mark.) So far, NO ONE has done that.

I forgot to add the fact that in our study of the Revelation we have made to Revelation 9:15.

Revelation 9:14-15 NASB (14) one saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates." (15) And the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year were released so that they would kill a third of mankind.

One angel killed all the unprotected in Egypt, in one night, what kind of damage will these do?

Release the four angels who are bound. Rev 9: 12-14

 We ended the last post with descriptives of locusts, which have stingers in their tails; they act like scorpions; and, they are led by a fallen angel, named Abaddon and Apollyon, which just happen to be the names for Sheol/hell. The clues that we are given are so obvious, that I suspect John wanted us to figure out who it is. We are told in Revelation 9:1, that this fallen angel had obtained the keys to death and hell.

Wow, first off, why would anyone give this loser the keys to hell?

The answer lies in Adam's actions, or lack thereof, in the garden. It was an act that was sealed when Adam bit into that fruit. In a sense, this is one of those great mysteries spoken of in scripture, but it is only a mystery to those who do not wish to understand.

Consider that Satan told Jesus, all these kingdoms of the world, are mine to give.

The question is, how did Satan obtain such power and authority?

And again, we are back to Adam. God had given the man complete authority over the earth, and he relinquished that authority to Satan. God had to honor the man's actions, no matter how destructive. That seems like a no-win situation, but Jesus, as Pastor JD Farag consistently says. So God had a plan, and the garden was the opening volleys that would put Satan away permanently, and sort out those who would choose to love and follow Him.

Does Satan still have these keys and therefore the power of fear over hell?

In the first chapter of the Revelation, John describes hearing a voice. When he turned to see who was speaking, he sees Jesus. It is the description of Jesus that is mind-blowing.

Revelation 1:13-18 DRB And in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, one like to the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the feet, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. (14) And his head and his hairs were white as white wool and as snow. And his eyes were as a flame of fire: (15) And his feet like unto fine brass, as in a burning furnace. And his voice as the sound of many waters. (16) And he had in his right hand seven stars. And from his mouth came out a sharp two-edged sword. And his face was as the sun shines in his power. (17) And when I had seen him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying: Fear not. I am the First and the Last, (18) And alive, and was dead. And behold I am living forever and ever and have the keys of death and of hell.

In the process of His death and resurrection, Jesus stripped those keys out of Satan's hand.

Back to the locusts.

The sting is so severe that the victims will want to die, but they cannot.

Doesn't it seem odd that John would describe something as mundane as a locust with such detail?

I have never seen a locust much larger than about four inches, and yet, these have extensive details such as:

• A gold-tone crown on their heads.

• Bronze breastplates.

• Human-looking faces.

• Hair like a woman.

• And, there is that stinger, which does not belong on a locust.

End of page one.

The locusts seem to form militaristic squadrons as they attack humans with their lion-like teeth. The finale to this horror is the fact that these locusts have stingers in their tails. Imagine a locust curling its tail over its head and stinging you.

One woe is past:

Since Revelation chapter six began there has been an onslaught of woes. 

How does it get worse?

Revelation 9:12 DRB One woe is past: and behold there come yet two woes more hereafter.

How much time has passed at this point?

We have no known references to a calendar, and therefore cannot say. Nothing tells us that God's fury is being poured out in deliberate, five-month segments. We do know that the effects of the stingers cause the victims to suffer for five months; they will want to die, but they cannot.

When the wrath of God begins to be poured out in Revelation six, verse two, one of the first things we see is the entrance of the antichrist persona. Based upon this, all I can tell you is that if you, the reader is experiencing these things, then you are in the seven years of God's wrath.

Revelation 9:13-14 NASB (13) Then the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, (14) one saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates."

In Revelation 8:1, we are introduced to the trumpet judgments (it is really a shofar blast, but that only makes sense to a Jew, and so our Bible translations like to call it a trumpet blast.) 

We are currently on the sixth trumpet blast.

“Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.”

Are you kidding me; it only took one angel to kill all the unprotected first-born in Egypt that night.

What are these angry and most likely fallen angels, going to do?

Jude 1:6 NASB And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day,

Pay attention to the way the words are laid out. I could interpret this to be saying that these angels are being held so that they can help to bring God's judgment on the great day. The terminology forces you to understand that judgment will come, and that the phrase “the great day” is referring to, NOT just one day, but the time we understand as the seven-year period in which God's wrath is poured out in judgment.

Has God used a variety of methods to bring about judgment?

The answer is a decisive yes. For example, He used Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian empire to judge Israel for ignoring the Sabbath years in which they should have given the land rest.

How can we define this great day?

Joel 2:30-31 NASB "I will display wonders in the sky and on the earth, Blood, fire and columns of smoke. (31) "The sun will be turned into darkness And the moon into blood Before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes.

End of page two.

1 Corinthians explains that we, who are confirmed in Christ, are not lacking as we await our redemption, because Christ will find us blameless in the day of the Lord.

1 Corinthians 1:6-8 NASB (6) even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you, (7) so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, (8) who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Well, that is good news, but why?

It is good because judgment, which is wrath, is not meant for the body of Christ, and that means believers.

2 Peter speaks of the day of the Lord, but here it is described with blunt honesty. We are told that the heavens will pass away and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, all while people continue to try to survive on the earth.

2 Peter 3:9-10 NASB The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. (10) But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.

The Revelation itself gives us something that may explain what these angels will do, but we have to jump forward in this saga, momentarily.

Revelation 12:1-4 NASB A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars; (2) and she was with child; and she *cried out, being in labor and in pain to give birth. (3) Then another sign appeared in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads were seven diadems. (4) And his tail *swept away a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her child.

When we get to Revelation chapter 12, it is best to understand this as a history lesson.

• The woman clothed with the sun, is Jesus, giving birth to, not only Israel, but to Jesus as well.

  This is not meant to push you into astrology, as that is the demonic version of astronomy, but we have a well-defined reason to understand the stars – astronomy, if you wish.

  • Isaiah 7:14 NASB "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.

    The Hebrew word for sign is 'ôth and means a signal, a flag, a beacon, or a mark. The language the Holy Spirit chose to use was common, and so those who heard these words understood what a virgin was; they also comprehended the process of birth, but these words would not come to pass, in a physical sense, during any of their lifetimes. This means that they were to look at the stars and their alignments, for they were well aware of the patterns and the meanings. Remember that I said we are looking at Astronomy, not astrology, as astrology is demonic.

 End of page three

What do some of these scriptural examples look like?

For most, reading this paragraph immediately pulls them into the Zodiac, all of which is a perversion of what God designed to be prophetic beacons in the heavens.

It is evident that the purpose of the signs is multifaceted. 

A touch of honesty, when someone explains a relationship between scripture and the associated astronomical signs, I find it fascinating, for at least a moment, and then I forget what I heard.

When Jesus was born, is this when God, the Father, began pointing out the signs?

The answer is NO, and we have the Magi, who followed the signal that led them to Jesus, to confront such a question, as a portion of our evidence. Read Matthew 2:1-16.




Did the Magi hit the timing exactly and arrive at the moment of Jesus birth?

NO, but God did time it so that what the Jews deemed the lowest of humans, the shepherds, would be the first to see Him. The IVP Bible Background Commentary suggests this “Due to the proximity to Jerusalem, some scholars have suggested that the flocks here are the temple flocks raised for sacrifice. This narrative would have challenged the values of many religious people, who despised shepherds.”

The Magi, on the other hand, arrived at a time when Jesus was about two years old. We know this because, Herod, after interviewing the Magi, had all boys two years and younger, in the region of Bethlehem, killed.

• Genesis 1:14 NASB Then God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years;

  The stars and their alignments, as I have already stated, are for signals.

One of the tremendous events, alluded to by Revelation 12 and these star signs were Israel and the birth of a nation.

• Isaiah 66:7-8 NASB "Before she travailed, she brought forth; Before her pain came, she gave birth to a boy. (8) "Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Can a land be born in one day? Can a nation be brought forth all at once? As soon as Zion travailed, she also brought forth her sons.

This star alignment was recently brought forth, as Virgo had the sun in the area of her womb just as Revelation 12 spelled out.






Revelation 6:15-17 shows the kings, the rich, and the strong, who are hiding in their luxury, underground, caves, as they cry out hide us from the great day of the Lord. And in Revelation 16:14 the description includes a war associated with the day of the Lord.

End of page four.

They have as king over them, Abaddon. Revelation 9:7-11.

 

We ended Revelation 9:6 with people wanting to die, but could not, thanks to locusts that sting like a scorpion. I have never been stung; don't want to. I suspect, it would incapacitate me. With the premise that I would be running for my life, do you think I would really care what their agitated little faces look like? I learned of the killer hornets from the Discovery channel, several years ago. I have never had any desire to look one of those in the eyes either. Let's see how it goes.

So, I am torn, to paint a verbal picture of their faces as John did, or merely slide past it to something more poignant.

Revelation 9:7-11 NASB "The appearance of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle, and on their heads appeared to be crowns like gold, and their faces were like the faces of men. (8) They had hair like the hair of women, and their teeth were like the teeth of lions. (9) They had breastplates like breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots, of many horses rushing to battle. (10) They have tails like scorpions, and stings; and in their tails is their power to hurt men for five months. (11) They have as king over them, the angel of the abyss; his name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in the Greek he has the name Apollyon."

1. “ The appearance of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle;”

   I might take this to mean that they fly in battle rank and order. Already, I am intimidated.

2. “ on their heads appeared to be crowns like gold, and their faces were like the faces of men.”

   Something that seems to be, and “they had gold crowns” are two entirely different things. What I do know, is that Jesus wears a crown of gold, and this little demon horde also seems to wear a crown of gold. Bright and shiny it may be, but we really know nothing more.

3. “They had hair like the hair of women,”

   This is beginning to come off like some horror movie. The mere fact that they had hair like the hair of a woman makes you think that there would be some attractiveness to them. I don't think so.

4. “and their teeth were like the teeth of lions.”

   Locusts have no need for teeth like a lion's; unless, the full intent is to send humans into a depressing delusion. Just knowing that they have sharp cutting and tearing teeth opens the door to other nightmares.

5. “They had breastplates like breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots, of many horses rushing to battle.”

   You will be able to hear them coming.

6. “They have tails like scorpions, and stings; and in their tails is their power to hurt men for five months.”

   This nightmarish aspect is not what most would like to hear, because we see humans crying out to die and cannot.

7. “They have as king over them, the angel of the abyss; his name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in the Greek he has the name Apollyon.”

   A king? This is the Greek word basileus and means a sovereign – a foundation of power.

   Ask yourself, who is the angel that has the power over Sheol/hell, although he is lacking the keys anymore?

   The answer is Lucifer, the day star. We now call him Satan. There is no doubt in my mind that someone will try to start an argument because scripture tells us his name, in Hebrew, is Abaddon.

   Good luck defending your argument, as the only place you will find this reference in the KJV is in Revelation 9:11. Unfortunately, you are sadly lacking witnesses if you stay with the KJV, what many think is the only valid Bible translation. Fortunately, it is also found in Job and Proverbs if you can find it in your heart to switch to the NASB.

   It is evident, to me, that John, spoke at least two languages, and may have understood Aramaic. The logical assumption is that John heard the rabbinical teachers referring to Abaddon, and Apollyon as the ruler over Sheol; and, therefore throws it into the setting as part of his explanation.

   By the way, even though I have not knowingly mentioned it in the last several posts, John was writing to a community of Jewish believers.

   How can I know that?

   For one, there is his reference, here in Revelation 9, to a subject that is explained in both Greek and Hebrew. Some might try to point out that under Roman rule, it was mandatory to speak Greek and the fact that Jewish language and writings were illegal. Add this understanding to the descriptions within the Revelation, that we have already seen, that point back to the Old Testament, books not familiar to most Gentile populations. Secondly, in the first three chapters of the Revelation the conversation is directed at the early and historic church bodies. One of those church bodies is described as worshiping at the synagogue of Satan;

   Revelation 2:9 NASB 'I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

   Revelation 3:9 NASB 'Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie--I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you.

   - this is a conversation that means little to someone with no knowledge of Jewish synagogues. All this plays into our understanding of this angel that has power over Sheol - a Jewish word and concept.

   The Greek for Abaddon is Ἀβαδδών and means a destroying angel, or, as Mounce's commentary tells us, the angel who rules in hell.

   Does that help you?

   Yeah, me neither. And so I have to take someone's word for it or spend hours searching for an answer.

   The Word Study Dictionary tells us that Abaddon is a transliteration from the Hebrew. Transliteration by definition, is to write or print (a letter or word) using the closest corresponding letters of a different alphabet or script.

   Abaddon, according to Strong's concordance, designates this place as the abode of unbelievers following death and is synonymous with Sh^e’ōl (H7585) which is expressed by destruction and loss.

   How can it be the name of the fallen angel and a place at the same time?

   The answer to that question lies in the fact it was named after the entity that held the keys. While the name may not have changed, this fallen angel, Lucifer/Satan, no longer holds the keys. I give you the entirety of the passage as it demonstrates the magnificence of Jesus Christ.

   Revelation 1:12-18 NASB (12) "Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands; (13) and in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His chest with a golden sash. (14) His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire. (15) His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. (16) In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength. (17) When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, "Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, (18) and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades."

   Hades is the place of the dead.

   So all these demonic entities, coming out of the smoke, are responding to the commands of the deceiver, Satan.

   Abyss grk – abussos: is the bottomless pit; place or abode of the dead.

   The Word Study Dictionary tells us it occurs only twice outside the book of Revelation (Romans 10:7, simply the abode of the dead; Luke 8:31, the prison destined for evil spirits.)

   Effectively, Abaddon and the Abyss are the same place.

   Luke 8:26-31 AMPC "Then they came to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. (27) Now when Jesus stepped out on land, there met Him a certain man out of the town who had [was possessed by] demons. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he lived not in a house but in the tombs. (28) And when he saw Jesus, he raised a deep (terrible) cry [from the depths of his throat] and fell down before Him [in terror] and shouted loudly, What have You [to do] with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? [What have we in common?] I beg You, do not torment me! (29) For Jesus was already commanding the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For many times it had snatched and held him; he was kept under guard and bound with chains and fetters, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the wilderness (desert). (30) Jesus then asked him, What is your name? And he answered, Legion; for many demons had entered him. (31) And they begged [Jesus] not to command them to depart into the Abyss (bottomless pit)."

   
   

   Answer me this, how is it that these demons knew of this abyss and that they did not want to go there?