Measuring the churches, the faithful witnesses, and the Seventh Trumpet.

Uncategorized 34 Minutes

Revelation 11

Click for a description of the mark of the beast.
Click for a description of the image of the beast.

  • Measuring the Church.
  • Life of the faithful witnesses.
    • Will prophesy for “1260” days.
    • Are the two olive trees and two candlesticks.
    • If anyone wants to harm them, fire comes from their mouth to devour their enemies who must be killed.
    • Has power to shut heaven, stop the rain, turn water to blood, and bring plagues upon the earth.
  • Death of the Faithful Witnesses.
    • After “1260 days”, at end of their ministry, beast overcomes and kills them.
    • Their dead bodies  lie in the street where Jesus Christ was crucified.
    • Global culture sees the bodies of the faithful witnesses and does not bury them.
    • Global culture rejoices and sends gifts to one another over the death of the faithful witnesses.
  • Resurrection and ascension of the faithful witnesses. 
  • Great earthquake after the death, resurrection, and ascension of the faithful witnesses.
  • Seventh Trumpet sounds and Christ returns as the King of kings.

Measuring the Church

“Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there.’” Revelation 11:1

The measuring line is to determine how the Church measures-up to keeping the testimony of Jesus Christ. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are the temple of God, “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” 1 Corinthians 6:19 How is the congregation of the churches measuring-up to living in the presence of the Holy Spirit? The altar is the altar of the Cross where our Lord Jesus shed His blood to atone for our sin. The altar is also the place within our soul where we devote our life to the testimony of Jesus. How is the congregation of the churches measuring-up to devoting their life to God at the altar of the Cross of Jesus Christ? “Those who worship there” refers to the people who come to churches every Sunday, on special occasions, and through the week. How are they measuring up in their belief in God the Creator, in acknowledging Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and in embracing the presence of the Holy Spirit in their life?

The questions above are answered as seen in the revelation of the Seven Churches described in Revelations 2:1 through 3:21. The churches were measured and found to be corrupt. That led to the Lord commanding the Seven Seals to be opened, as quoted, “After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.” Revelations 4:1 “After these things” refers to after the revelation of the corruption of the churches, and “things which must shortly take place” refers to the opening of the Seven Seals. Click for the post on Revelations 4. The Lord Jesus Christ, after His death and resurrection, opens the Seven Seals, as quoted, then “…stood a Lamb as though it had been slain…the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb… And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; For You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood…’” Revelations 5:6, 8, 9 Click for post on Revelations 5.

The measuring of the Seven Churches found only two faithful witnesses [Churches] to the testimony of Jesus Christ, and five corrupt churches adapting to the worldly and atheistic agenda of the community culture.

The churches left the first-love of Jesus Christ while doing good works, resulting in the lampstand being removed. Then the faithful of Jesus Christ being persecuted where the temple of Satan exists [first faithful Church]. Then the churches filled with people who embrace the worldly agenda, but the faithful to Christ are given “hidden bread” to eat. Then the teachings of the beast, the beast giving people what to speak, do, think, and feel, became part of the teaching of the churches. Then the church is dead but the names of the faithful to Christ are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Then the few who are faithful to Jesus Christ have little strength, but are made pillars in the temple of God and preserved for the eternal New Jerusalem [second faithful Church]. Then the churches became dead and indifferent to Jesus Christ, wealthy by worldly standards, and Jesus stands outside of their door and knocks.

Click for a post from Isaiah 28:16-19 on “Measuring-up the people to Jesus Christ and the overflowing scourge to come.”
Click for post on Isaiah 28:20-22 om measuring up to the bed of rest found in Jesus Christ and the blanket of the Holy Spirit being too narrow.

“But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months. ” Revelation 11:2.

The “court outside the temple” refers to everyone not part of the Church of Jesus Christ. They are not being measured because the focus is on the Churches, which are to be a lampstand on which the Light of the World shines. Jesus Christ is that Light. Each follower of Jesus is the Church, like the churches, we are to be the light of the world, shining with the L:ight of Jesus Christ, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 For that reason, the light of the Churches is being measured to determine what devotion to God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit remains in the world.

Today’s world has been given to the Gentiles, which are unbelievers who serve the beast that gives them what to speak, do, think, and feel. They trample down the Holy City, which includes the followers of Jesus Christ, the churches, belief in the eternal New Jerusalem, and every pillar relating to God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. This is said about the beast that speaks and lives through people, “And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Revelations 13:5-8

“42 months” is the amount of time that the beast reigns in this world, which came into existence immediately after WW2 when the United Nations was established as described in Daniel 8:1-14. The United Nations brought the government of the beast with it. The beast has power over physiology to give people what to speak, do, think, and feel, The beast gives breath/life to the image of the beast to speak by speaking and living through people. By what they are given to say and do, they are conformed to the mark, name, number of the beast. The government of the beast comes to its end when the power center of the beast is plunged into darkness in the Fifth Plague of Revelations 16:10-11. Global warming is instrumental in bringing the collapse of the power center of the beast, and is the Fourth Plague of Revelations 16:8-9. We are within the “42 months” of the reign of the beast on this earth. Click for post on the beast’s “42 month” reign on this earth from Revelations 13:5-6.

Life of the faithful witnesses.

Will prophesy for “1260” days.

“And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” Revelations 11:3

The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy, as quoted, “For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Revelations 19:10 If we want to know where the world is within prophecy we only need to see where Jesus Christ is within the world. Power is given to the “two witnesses” to prophecy according to the testimony of Jesus. The power given is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God. In the very next verse, we are told exactly what the “two witnesses” are.

The “two witnesses” prophesy during the time that the beast reigns on this earth, which is for “1260 days”, which is “42 months”. The “42 months” is described in the very last paragraph of the section above, and is the topic of the post from Revelations 13:5-6.

From the section above, and the from the very next verse, we know the “two witnesses” corresponds to the two faithful Churches of the Seven Churches described in Revelations 2:1 through 3:21. You can click here for a list of those churches, and scroll down a couple paragraphs. The two faithful Churches are those who are persecuted, where the temple of Satan exists, and the faithful few who have little strength and are not strong in numbers. They hold to the testimony of Jesus and are given the reward of eternal life in the New Jerusalem.

Satan’s temple is in the world today. He establishes his temple by setting himself up as God, within the temple of God, which is our body. He does that through his beast that gives people what to think, feel, say, and do by the power held over physiology. That beast is the one “…who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:4 Click for a post on that.

The “1260 days” began when the United Nations was established in 1945, as it brought the government of the beast with it, as described in Daniel 8:1-14. The end of those “1260 days” comes when the power center of the beast is plunged into darkness in the Fifth Plague of Revelations 16:10-11. Global warming is instrumental in bringing the collapse of the power center of the beast, and is the Fourth Plague of Revelations 16:8-9.

We Christians who are alive today are experiencing the early years of the government of the beast, part of those “1260 days”. On the other end of those “42 months”, during the last “3 1/2 days” {Revelations 11:9 of this post], our brothers and sisters will be killed without mercy. They will be living on this earth during the Sixth Plague, during the Battle of Armageddon, and up to the time of the return of Jesus Christ when the Seventh trumpet sounds [Revelations 11:15-19 of this post]. All of that is described in the coming verses of this post.

The faithful witnesses are the two olive trees and two candlesticks.

“These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth.” Revelations 11:4

That verse describes what the “two witnesses” are that are given power in the previous verse of Revelations 11:3. The “two witnesses” are the two olive trees and the two lampstands. Some might say that adds up to four, but one olive tree goes with one lampstand, and the other olive tree goes with the other lampstand. When they are paired up that way, that makes two witnesses. Why are they paired that way? Because the olive tree represents the production of olive oil, which represents the Holy Spirit. The lampstand represents the place where the light burns from, with the olive oil as the fuel. A lampstand is in each of the churches where the Light of Jesus Christ is kept lit by the presence of the Holy Spirit. As followers of Jesus Christ, our soul is the lampstand where the Light of Jesus Christ is lit within us by the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Click for more on the Lamp Stands (Candlesticks), Two Olive Trees, and Two Witnesses from Zachariah 4.

We know from Revelations 11:1 that the Churches were being measured to determine how they were living for the testimony of Jesus Christ. We also know from Revelations 4:1 that the wrath of God’s judgment comes because five of the seven churches were not witnesses to the testimony of Jesus. There was no oil in their lamps and the Light of Christ was not shining from their lampstands. Even so, there were two faithful Churches that had the oil burning in their lamps and the Light of Christ was shining from their lampstands. They were and are the two witnesses within the world standing before God of the earth. To see a description of the two faithful witnesses, click here for a post on the Church of Smyrna and click here for a post on the Church of Philadelphia.

Today, we know that each believer is the home of the Holy Spirit, we are to keep ourselves in the oil of the Holy Spirit to keep the lamp of our soul lit and set upon the lampstand of our spirit to shine with the Light of Jesus Christ. We are the living, breathing carriers of the “olive tree” and the “lampstand”, the two witnesses. “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” 1 Corinthians 6:19 ““… the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says…” Acts 7:48

Jesus told the parable of the ten lamps, five with oil and five without. He makes us aware that we need to keep oil in our lamp so that when He returns He will see His Light shining upon the lampstand of our soul and bring us home with Him into the eternal New Jerusalem. Click for the parable on the Ten Lamps from Matthew 25:1-13. “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.” Matthew 25:6-10

If anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies who must be killed.  

“And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner.” Revelations 11:5

Fire represents the Holiness of God through the fire of the Holy Spirit. As faithful witnesses of Jesus Christ, we want the Holy Spirit to be in our words as we speak in defense against those who seek to corrupt, destroy, and kill the testimony of Jesus. The fire of the Holy Spirit does not come through physical aggression, insults, and antagonism, etc. but through the power of the Spirit, “‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts.” Zachariah 4:6

If anyone wants to hurt the faithful witnesses, they must be killed by the word of God, in the manner of the Holy Spirit. When Christ Jesus returns, the enemies of His faithful witnesses will be killed, as quoted, “If anyone has an ear, let him hear. He who leads into captivity will go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.” Revelations 13:9-10 Click for a post on Revelations 13:9-10.

We have to understand that the beginning of the “1260 days”, or “42 months”, of the reign of the beast on this earth is different from the end part. Today, we are living at the very early presence of the government of the beast, and this verse emphasizes the power of the beast, “It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.” Revelations 13:7 Click for a post on Revelations 13:7-8. Towards the end part of the beast’s reign on this earth, during the Fifth Plague of Revelations 16:10-11, the power center of the beast will be plunged into darkness. The beast’s power over the population of the earth, and to overcome the the witnesses of Jesus Christ, will be broken. Global warming is instrumental in bringing the collapse of the power center of the beast and is the Fourth Plague of Revelations 16:8-9.

As we will see in the coming verses of this post, the faithful witnesses, at the end of the beast’s reign, is spoken about. They are living during the events of the Sixth Trumpet of Revelations 9:13-20, and Sixth Plague of Revelations 16:12-16, after the power center of the beast is plunged into darkness. That is when global war breaks out, the Battle of Armageddon. The final days of the faithful witnesses on this earth are just “days” before the return of Jesus Christ.

Has power to shut heaven, stop the rain, turn water to blood, and bring plagues upon the earth.

“These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.” Revelations 11:6

When the power center of the beast is plunged into darkness in the Fifth Plague of Revelations 16:10-11, the power of the faithful witnesses at that time, in the Spirit of God, will be unleashed in a much different way than what we are experiencing now during the early reign of the government of the beast. The beast will no longer have the power to overcome Christians and will no longer have power over the population of the world. The beast will no longer have power over physiology. There will be no more uncanny knowledge, no heightened intuition, no extraordinary skills and talents, no uncanny authority over others, no amazing physical abilities, no fabricated emotional responses, etc.

At that time, the faithful witnesses will have power to shut heaven so that no rain falls during the time of their prophesy, as did Elijah, as quoted, “And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there will not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.” 1 Kings 17:1

At that time, the faithful witnesses will have power over the waters to turn them to blood, like Aaron did, as quoted, “Then the Lord spoke to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Take your rod and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt, over their streams, over their rivers, over their ponds, and over all their pools of water, that they may become blood. And there shall be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in buckets of wood and pitchers of stone.’” Exodus 7:14-25

At that time, the faithful witnesses will have the power to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they want, like Moses and Aaron did to the Egyptians with the Ten Plagues, as described in the chapters of Exodus 7 through 11.

There is a lot that happens within the “1260 days”, or “42 months”, of the beast’s reign here on earth. At the beginning, there first comes the global falling away of the churches from the testimony of Jesus Christ, then the opening of the Seven Seals, then the events of the Seven Trumpets, then the events of the Seven Thunders, then the events of the Seven Plagues. We faithful witnesses of today, at the beginning of the beast’s reign, are seeing the global falling away from the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the opening of the Seven Seals. Others of the faithful witnesses will witness the day when the United Nations is established as the undisputed one world government of the beast. Then others of the faithful witnesses will see the events of the Seven Trumpets, others will witness the Seven Thunders, and others the Seven Plagues.

In the same way that all of those 28 events of the Seven Seals, Seven trumpets, Seven Thunders, and Seven Plagues happen over the span of the “1260 days” of the beast’s reign here on earth, the faithful witnesses are also spread out over that time. Some of us are living to see the opening of the Seven Seals, but may die before seeing the events of the Seven Trumpets. Others of the faithful witnesses will be born and live to see the events of the Seven Trumpets, but may die before experiencing the Seven Thunders…and so on.

Death of the Faithful Witnesses.

After “1260 days”, at end of their ministry, beast overcomes and kills them.

“When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them.” Revelations 11:7

For the faithful witnesses to finish their testimony means that the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the of power of the Spirit of God working through them, will no longer exist in this world. The inhabitants of the world will no longer hear the message of Salvation nor see the power of God working in the world. That is a day of total lawlessness, chaos, violence, and destruction within the world. The Holy Spirit is completely taken from the world, and He is the one who restrains lawlessness, and only by the return of Jesus Christ will it all come to an end, “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.” 2 Thessalonians 2:6-8

 The beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit is first heard about during the events of the Fifth Trumpet of Revelations 9:1-12, and here is a quote, “And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon.” Revelation 9:11 The names Abaddon or Apollyon means “Destroyer” or “Destruction”. During the Fifth Trumpet, the angel of the bottomless pit, in charge of many, is commanded to hurt only those who do not have the seal of God on their forehead, which means they were hurting the government of the beast and its global culture, as quoted, “They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.” Revelations 9:4 No question that the followers of Jesus Christ are still on this earth during the events of the Fifth Trumpet. The Fifth Trumpet corresponds to the Fifth Plague of Revelations 16:10-11 when the power center of the beast is plunged into darkness and the government of the beast is powerless to defend itself, and the culture of the beast, from hurtful and devastating attacks.

The beast from the bottomless pit changes from what was done in the Fifth Trumpet, and comes against the faithful witnesses to make war with them and kill them. At this time, the faithful witnesses are existing within the events of the Sixth Trumpet and Sixth Plague, and are killed just “3 1/2 days” before the return of Jesus Christ [as described in Revelations 11:9 of this post]. That is a time of total economic and social collapse, a world that had become “…a dwelling for demons and a haunt for every impure spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal.” Revelations 18:2 The forces from the bottomless pit have no allegiance to anything or anybody except their own quest to dominate in a lawless world. They have no respect for the government of the beast and its global culture in the Fifth Trumpet, and have no respect for the faithful witnesses of Jesus Christ during the Sixth Trumpet and Sixth Plague. This period of time is also the time of the Battle of Armageddon within the Sixth Plague and described in the Sixth Trumpet.

The lives of the faithful witnesses are spared in the Fifth Trumpet, but their merciless slaughter happens during the Sixth Trumpet and Sixth Plague, which is during the the time around the global Battle of Armageddon. We can envision the horrid killing of the faithful witnesses leading up to and during the Battle of Armageddon.

Their dead bodies  lie in the street where Jesus Christ was crucified.

 “And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.” Revelation 11:8

The “great city” represents the global government of the beast and its global culture, at a time when the power center of the beast will have collapsed, a time of total lawlessness, and total devastation of the social and economic order. The “great city” is referred to as Sodom and Egypt. Sodom and Egypt is also referred to as the place where our Lord Jesus was crucified.

Sodom represents a place of homosexual practices, and the post on Genesis 19:1-9 sheds more light on the motive behind their homosexuality. They were using homosexuality to corrupt righteousness, as quoted, “This fellow came here as a foreigner, and now he wants to play the judge! We’ll treat you worse than them.” The angels of the Lord were preaching against the lifestyles of the people of Sodom, so then, the men of Sodom decided to have homosexual relations with the angels to corrupt their righteousness, as quoted, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them.” The whole population of Sodom supported the men of Sodom in their intent to corrupt the righteousness of the angels, as quoted, “…all the men from every part of the city of Sodom—both young and old—surrounded the house.”

In a lawless world, the population of people will do anything to corrupt the righteousness of the followers of Jesus Christ, That is a world made into a “…dwelling for demons and a haunt for every impure spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal.” Revelations 18:2 That is the “great city” where the bodies of the faithful witnesses lays in the streets.

Egypt represents a government that held in bondage and slavery the people of God. The government of the beast is that “Egypt” in their intent to keep in bondage the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to crucify and kill the faithful witnesses of the testimony of Jesus. That bondage includes putting on us a crown of thorns to make us suffer for thinking about God as the Creator, Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and for focusing on the presence of the Holy Spirit. The bondage includes nailing our hands and feet to the cross to make it too painful to do anything or go anywhere for our Lord Jesus Christ. That bondage includes ramming a spear through our side and into our heart to bring heartache and pain relating to anyone we love, care for, or minister to. The bodies of the faithful witnesses of the Sixth Trumpet and Sixth Plague were lying the streets of that “Egypt”

Our Lord Jesus was crucified in the cities known spiritually as “Sodom and Egypt”. The Pharisees and Jewish people tried to corrupt His righteousness and brought many false accusations against Him when plotting to have Him crucified and killed. The Pharisees and Jewish people tried to put His ministry in bondage by threatening anyone who mentioned His name, or dared say that He is the Christ and Son of God. Christ Jesus was crucified in the cities spiritually called, “Sodom and Egypt”. This world does not want to be judged and preached to by the testimony of Jesus, they love the darkness and hate the Light, as Jesus says, “The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil.” John 7:7

Global culture sees the bodies of the faithful witnesses and does not bury them.

“Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves.” Revelation 11:9

For “3 1/2 days”, the dead bodies of the faithful witnesses will be laying around on the streets. They will be seen by peoples and nations around the world, which means the killing of the faithful witnesses to the testimony of Jesus Christ is a global event, occurring on all seven continents of the world. The killing of those faithful to Jesus Christ will be happening throughout the events of the Sixth Trumpet and Sixth Plague. That happens to the extent that the bodies of the faithful few will be scattered worldwide, throughout the streets of cities around the world. Their bodies will be laying in the streets during the very last days before the return of Christ Jesus, for “3 1/2 days” before His return. It’s easy to envision the faithful witnesses of Jesus Christ being slaughtered within the war of the Battle of Armageddon with nobody bothering to move nor bury them.

Even today, it is very difficult for those who live by the teachings of the Bible to have an honorable and respectful funeral service. It is certainly no surprise that in the last few days on this earth Christians would not even be given a funeral service.

After the death o f the faithful witnesses, they are resurrected and brought home to be with the Lord for eternity, as described in the coming verses of this post of Revelations 11:11-12 Their death and resurrection are connected with the destruction of this present heaven and earth and the return of Jesus Christ, as described in the coming verses of this post.

Today, we know how much of a focus is put on a beautiful environment, to keep the community clean, and to portray an image of an earthly Garden of Eden, globally. The global culture even has a form of Godliness, but tragically they deny the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. That can be seen in the “Sustainable Development Goals” of the United Nations. The government of the beast operates from the United Nations. However, for the streets of the global culture to be filled with killing, and leaving dead Christians laying on the streets, it shows the total collapse of the world system during the last “3 1/2 days” on this earth. The early days of the “1260 days” of the beast’s reign on the earth is filled with promises of an earthly utopia, peace, security, and prosperity for the global culture. However, the final few days of this present heaven and earth becomes “…a dwelling for demons and a haunt for every impure spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal.” Revelations 18:2

By the time the last “3 1/2 days” arrives, the planet will have suffered the global falling away of the churches from the testimony of Jesus Christ, the opening of the Seven Seals, the events of the Seven Trumpets, the events of the Seven Thunders, and the events of the Seven Plagues. Global warming is already in the world and is the Fourth Plague of Revelations 16:8-9.

Those in heaven, who were killed for living for Jesus Christ, cry out to God asking when He would avenge their murder, and God replies that would happen after the persecution, death, and murder of Christians have come to its full end, “When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been.” Revelation 6:9-11 The death of the faithful witnesses in those final “3 1/2 days” accomplishes the full number of Christians being killed on this earth. Then the Lord will avenge each and every Christian persecuted for keeping His testimony. That happens when He returns and this present heaven and dearth is destroyed.

Global culture rejoices and sends gifts to one another over the death of the faithful witnesses.

And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.” Revelations 11:10

That is definitely demonic behavior to rejoice in the death of people simply because of prophesying concerning God the Creator, the necessity for acknowledging Jesus as the Christ and Son of God, and for emphasizing the need for the Holy Spirit who gives us the life of Holiness. To the population of people existing during the final “3 1/2 days” on earth, the death of the faithful witnesses is an occasion for rejoicing, having a party, and giving gifts to one another.

Our Lord Jesus says, to us who are faithful witnesses to His testimony, “Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.” John 16:20

For those of the global culture, the death of Christians is like Christmas, and they send gifts to one another, rejoicing, and celebrating as Christians are killed. Sending gifts also comes in the form of pouring praise, esteem, and rejoicing on those who bring harm and hardship to those who live for God through Jesus Christ.

Today, we already see how the culture of the beast enjoys the difficulties, failures, struggling, affliction, poverty, etc. of we who live for God through Jesus Christ. They enjoy afflicting we who are faithful witnesses to the testimony of Jesus. They afflict us by calling good evil and evil good, which is to call themselves Godly and calls us evil. They press upon us that living in darkness is the true light while complaining about the Light of Christ as being dark and against humanity. In the sweetness of the Holy Spirit they toss bitterness, and in a bitter spirit they toss flowers of sweetness. “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.” Isaiah 5:20

We are living in the early days of the “1260 days” of the reign of the beast, so we can envision what the final “3 1/2 days” upon this earth will be.

“For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment; if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)— if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment. This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority.” 2 Peter 2:4-10

Resurrection and ascension of the faithful witnesses. 

“Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them.” Revelations 11:11-12

After “3 1/2 days” is after the death of the faithful witnesses. After their death, the breath of God enters them, and they stood on their feet. That is the promise of the resurrection given to every believer who comes to God through Jesus Christ, “The last enemy to be destroyed is death. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable…it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.” 1 Corinthians 15:26, 43-44

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

When our Lord Jesus returns, some will still be alive on this earth, and great fear will be on them to see the resurrection of those those they killed and even made a time of festivity over their death. The persecutors, who are still alive, will hear the voice of Christ Jesus calling to the resurrected Christians, “Come up here.” Jesus is calling them home to the eternal New Jerusalem. The faithful witnesses of the testimony of Jesus will ascend into Heaven, and their enemies will see it happen, “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.” Revelations 1:7

Christ Jesus says, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” Matthew 24:29-31

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” Matthew 24:29-31 Click for posts on Matthew 24.

Great earthquake after the death, resurrection, and ascension of the faithful witnesses.

“In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven. The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly.: Revelations 11:13-14

In the same hour that the faithful witnesses are resurrected from the dead, and ascends into Heaven to be eternally with Christ Jesus, there is a great earthquake. Those two events are in the same moment of each other and is known as the Day of the Lord. “7000” people are killed, which would represent whatever is left of the atheist population at that time. “Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell.” Revelations 16:17-19

Some who remain alive at the coming of our Lord Jesus will will fear in a way that brings them to give glory to God, believing in Jesus to be the Christ and Son of God. They too will be given a home in the eternal New Jerusalem, but the dead in Christ will rise first, to meet Jesus in the air, then those who remain alive on the earth will be called up to the eternal New Jerusalem. That is all one event, at the same moment; Jesus returns to call His people home, the dead in Christ rise first to be with Him, then those who are still alive will be caught up in the air with them.

“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

“Behold, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. ” 1 Corinthians 15:51-52

“The second woe has passed; the third woe is coming soon.” Revelation 11:14 Last “3 1/2” is towards the very end of the events of the sixth trumpet along with the Battle of Armageddon of the Sixth Plague, just before the return of Christ Jesus.

If you are interested in knowing what the second and third woes are, you might also want to know what the first woe is. The three woes are spoken about after the events of the first four trumpets have happened, as quoted, “Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!” Revelation 8:13.

The first woe has to do with the events of the Fifth Trumpet of Revelations 9: 1-12, and after that happens this is written, “One woe is past. Behold, still two more woes are coming after these things.” Revelations 9:12. It is a woe because of the unbelievers who refuse to repent and torment is brought to them.

The second woe has to do with the events of the Sixth Trumpet of Revelations 9:13-21, and as described in the events of this chapter of Revelations 11. It is a woe because of the unbelievers still refuse to repent, global war is brought to them and they persecute and kill the witnesses of the testimony of Jesus.

The third woe has to do with the events of the Seventh Trumpet, which is spoken about in next verses from 15-19 of this post. It is a woe because the unbelievers continue to refuse to repent of their unbelief, and it is too late for them because our Lord Jesus returns. That is a day of judgment for the unbelievers but a day of rewards for us who are faithful to the testimony of Jesus.

The Seventh Trumpet Sounds and Christ returns as the King of kings.

The Seventh Trumpet is the one all Christians are looking forward to, the day the Lord Jesus comes back.

15Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever!”

 16 And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying: “We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was and who is to come, because You have taken Your great power and reigned.

18 The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, and those who fear Your name, small and great, and should destroy those who destroy the earth.”

19 Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail”  

When the temple of God is opened, the ark of the covenant is seen. The ark of the covenant represents the promise God made with us through Jesus Christ, which is this, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 The lightnings, noises, thunderings, earthquake, and great hail is what is in store for the unbelievers who reject God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. This world will be totally destroyed, and the unBelievers will have their eternity in hell.

When the kingdoms of this world becomes the kingdoms of God and Jesus Christ, it doesn’t mean He plans to remodel this earth and make it His home. It means this world’s system is done and the battle against God and Jesus Christ is over. It means God and Jesus is victorious over Satan, the beast, and the second beast (false prophet). The global government of the beast is done, the image of the beast is done, and the mark of the beast is done. Jesus Christ is now ready to create the new heaven and earth where all who hold to His testimony will live eternally in the New Jerusalem.

The twenty-four elders are the Twelve Apostles and one representative each from the Twelve Tribes of Israel. The Twelve Apostles were instrumental in establishing the Gospel of Christ around the world. The Twelve Tribes of Israel were instrumental in establishing the “scarlet cord” and the prophecies of the Old Testament to point to the Lord Jesus as the Messiah and Christ of God.

Below are some posts about the return of Jesus Christ:

  1. The beast and the second beast (false prophet) are defeated and thrown into hell.
  2. We reign with the Lord Jesus on this earth for a thousand years (first resurrection), Satan is bound for those thousand years, he is loosed for a very short time and rebels again, then is defeated and thrown into hell. Then everyone who has died without Christ is resurrected (second resurrection) to be judged.
  3. The New heaven and new earth are created, and the eternal New Jerusalem is ready for all who hold to the testimony of Jesus.

“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:11

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