The plagues and judgments of Revelation.

[B-A-C]

I will just follow this chronologically, as it is in Revelation.
First, the seven seals. The first four seals are four riders on four horses.
They are known as the four horsemen of the apocalypse.

The first seal - Conquering.

Rev 6:1; Then I saw when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, "Come."
Rev 6:2; 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.

Note, that it is Jesus ( the Lamb ) who breaks this first seal, and releases the white horse.
This is a different white horse than the one mentioned in Revelation 19.

The rider of this horse went forth.. conquering. Conquering who? Since it is Jesus who sent this rider out. It would seem that Jesus isn't conquering His followers. But those who refuse to repent.

The second seal - No peace

Rev 6:3; When He broke the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, "Come."
Rev 6:4; 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.

There are people and nations who through history have submissively been conquered. They never put up any fight at all. Perhaps in the interest of preservation. But they just peaceably accept being conquered.
However, when He ( Jesus ) breaks the second seal, peace will depart. Men will start killing one another.

The third seal - Expensive food.

Rev 6:5; 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.
Rev 6:6; 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."

Have you been to the grocery store lately? It's almost as if this seal has already been broken.
A week's wages ( in Bible times ) for a quart of wheat, or for three quarts of barley. It isn't quite that bad yet.
Jesus tells the rider of the black horse not to damage the oil and the wine. What kind of oil? Petroleum? Or oil like corn oil and olive oil? Perhaps both? "Do not damage". This phrase gives rise to the thought many foods, barleys, grains, perhaps meats, will be damaged. But not the oil and the wine. Why not the wine?

The fourth seal - Pestilence and famine.

Rev 6:7; When the Lamb broke the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, "Come."
Rev 6:8; 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.

We don't know the names of the riders of the first three horses. But the rider of the fourth horse is death.
.. " and Hades was following". Usually in the Bible 'Hades' is a place of torment for the dead. But in this passage, Hades follows death around ( at least metaphorically ). But it seems this time will literally be hell on Earth. Perhaps not the whole Earth, just a fourth of it. Still a fourth of the Earth is quite a large area. To put this in perspective, that would be all of North America. Or perhaps all of Europe combined with Africa. My personal opinion ( yes, just my opinion ) is that this will happen to some degree in every country on every continent.

A fourth of the Earth would definitely not only be Israel. Modern day Israel is less than 1/500th of total land area of the Earth.

 

[B-A-C]

The fifth seal - martyrs are killed.

Rev 6:9; 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;
Rev 6:10; and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"
Rev 6:11; And there was given to each of them a white robe; 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.

The fifth seal seems to be about the martyrs of the faith. Those killed for believing in God. They are given white robes. ..."until the number of their fellow servants... would be completed.." There is a specific number. Only God knows this number.
But those in the white robes have to wait until this number is reached. Revelation 7:9-15; also speaks of the people from every race ( not just Jews ) wearing the white robes.

The sixth seal - the sun, moon, and earthquakes.

Rev 6:12; I looked when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became like blood;
Rev 6:13; and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind.
Rev 6:14; The sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
Rev 6:15; Then the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and free man hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains;
Rev 6:16; and they *said to the mountains and to the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb;
Rev 6:17; for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"

It's hard to imagine the sun turning black. Pitch black. I have seen the moon through a smokey haze a few times, and I have seen it turn very red, although perhaps not as red as mentioned in verse 12.
The stars of the Earth fell to the Earth. Probably not literal stars, as almost all of them are larger than the Earth. But perhaps meteors? Meteors fall to the Earth from time to time, but it seems this time
there will be a great number them.. "like a fig tree shaken by a great wind".

The sky was split apart like a scroll. ( see Isa 34:4; ) . "Every" mountain and island will be moved. Not just some of them. Not just a fourth of the Earth, ... all of them.
People will be so afraid, that they will try to hide in caves from God. .. "from the wrath of the Lamb". As mentioned earlier, it is Jesus ( the Lamb ) who opens these seals and lets these things happen.

 

[B-A-C]

The seventh seal - the giving of the trumpets.

Rev 8:1; When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
Rev 8:2; And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.
Rev 8:3; Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne.
Rev 8:4; And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel's hand.
Rev 8:5; Then the angel took the censer and filled it with the fire of the altar, and threw it to the earth; and there followed peals of thunder and sounds and flashes of lightning and an earthquake.

The Lamb ( Jesus ) breaks the seventh seal. There is silence, is this a literal, 30 minute, half an hour, I don't know. Perhaps it is just a metaphor for a short period of time? But there are seven angels
who are given seven trumpets. The fact that this doesn't happen until the seventh seal, causes me to speculate ( yes, speculate ) that the seventh trumpets do not happen until the first six seals have already been broken.
A whole thread could be written about just this seventh seal, but I want to try to keep on subject here.

Next.. the seven trumpets.

 

[B-A-C]

For those who have trouble with math and fractions. Let me say that 1/3rd of the Earth, is a bigger part of the Earth than one fourth of the Earth. Now we are talking about an area the size of Asia.
Again, I don't think this will be just one country or one continent, but will be parts of them all over the world.

Rev 8:6; And the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound them.
Rev 8:7; 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.
Rev 8:8; 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,
Rev 8:9; and a third of the creatures which were in the sea and had life, died; and a third of the ships were destroyed.
Rev 8:10; 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.
Rev 8:11; 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.
Rev 8:12; 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.

It seems that all of these trumpets affect a third of the Earth. Again, not just Jerusalem, not just Israel, but a 3rd of the entire Earth. A 3rd of the trees, a 3rd of the seas, a 3rd of the ships, a 3rd of the rivers and lakes, even a 3rd of the
sun and moon.

Rev 8:13; Then I looked, and I heard an eagle flying in midheaven, saying with a loud voice, "Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!"

Next - the three woes, the last three trumpets.

 

[B-A-C]

The fifth trumpet - the first woe.

Rev 9:1; 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.
Rev 9:2; He opened the bottomless pit, and smoke went up out of the pit, like the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by the smoke of the pit.
Rev 9:3; Then out of the smoke came locusts upon the earth, and power was given them, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
Rev 9:4; They were told not to hurt the grass of the earth, nor any green thing, nor any tree, but only the men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.
Rev 9:5; And they were not permitted to kill anyone, but to torment for five months; and their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it stings a man.
Rev 9:6; And in those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will long to die, and death flees from them.
Rev 9:7; 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.
Rev 9:8; They had hair like the hair of women, and their teeth were like the teeth of lions.
Rev 9:9; 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.
Rev 9:10; They have tails like scorpions, and stings; and in their tails is their power to hurt men for five months.
Rev 9:11; 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.
Rev 9:12; The first woe is past; behold, two woes are still coming after these things.

A lot of speculation has been made about what these flying scorpion/locusts might be, or look like. But they won't hurt the grass or crops or trees of the Earth, ( a good thing since a third of these things has already been destroyed ).
But they also will not hurt those who have the seal of God of their foreheads. Some people believe that these people are only 144,000 Jews. Other's believe this is any Christian who is saved during the tribulation.
These creatures cannot kill anyone, but their sting will be like a scorpions sting and the torment will last for five months.

 

[B-A-C]

The sixth trumpet, the second woe.

Rev 9:13; Then the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,
Rev 9:14; one saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates."
Rev 9:15; 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.
Rev 9:16; The number of the armies of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them.
Rev 9:17; And this is how I saw in the vision the horses and those who sat on them: the riders had breastplates the color of fire and of hyacinth and of brimstone; and the heads of the horses are like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths proceed fire and smoke and brimstone.
Rev 9:18; A third of mankind was killed by these three plagues, by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which proceeded out of their mouths.
Rev 9:19; For the power of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails are like serpents and have heads, and with them they do harm.
Rev 9:20; The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, so as not to worship demons, and the idols of gold and of silver and of brass and of stone and of wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk;
Rev 9:21; and they did not repent of their murders nor of their sorceries nor of their immorality nor of their thefts.

In case you haven't noticed, things have been getting progressively worse as the seals are broken, and the trumpets are being sounded.
It seems there are 4 angels who are bound at the Euphrates, but they will be released at this time. They will kill a third of mankind. It would seem that this is in addition to the 3rd of mankind that already killed back in Rev 8.

Then you have the 200 million horsemen. Who are these beings? Some people have speculated that this might be China, because they are the only country that could support an army of 200 million.
But China is currently a non-Christian country. The 200 million horsemen were released by Jesus. Why would China kill non-believers? It doesn't make sense to me.
But whether these are humans or spiritual beings, they will have the power to kill a third of mankind. The amazing thing here is, even though people will see these things happening, they will not repent.
People say there will be a great revival during the tribulation, but I don't see this in the Bible. It seems most ( all? ) of these people will not repent.

 

[B-A-C]

Somewhere between the sixth and seventh trumpets we have the two witnesses. ( Rev 11:1-14; )

Rev 11:13; And in that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell; seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.
Rev 11:14; The second woe is past; behold, the third woe is coming quickly.

It would seem that this is part of the sixth trumpet, because chapter 11 ends with the sentence, that the second woe is past.
There will be a great earthquake in Jerusalem at this time. A tenth of the city will fall. Seven thousand people will die. There is no record of an earthquake in Jerusalem during the siege of Jerusalem in 70ad.
Also the people that died during the siege died from Roman soldiers, not from an Earthquake.

The seventh trumpet - the beginning of the millennial reign.

Rev 11:15 Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever."
Rev 11:16 And the twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God,
Rev 11:17 saying, "We give You thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who are and who were, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign.
Rev 11:18 "And the nations were enraged, and Your wrath came, and the time came for the dead to be judged, and the time to reward Your bond-servants the prophets and the saints and those who fear Your name, the small and the great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth."
Rev 11:19 And the temple of God which is in heaven was opened; and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple, and there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder and an earthquake and a great hailstorm.

As mentioned in other threads here in TalkJesus, there is a temple in heaven, with an ark of the covenant. The ark of the covenant contains the 10 commandments. This will re-appear at this time.
Jesus entered this temple and sprinkled His blood on the mercy seat of this ark. ( Hebrews 9 )

Next - the seven bowl ( plague ) judgments.

 

[B-A-C]

Rev 15:5; After these things I looked, and the temple of the tabernacle of testimony in heaven was opened,
Rev 15:6; and the seven angels who had the seven plagues came out of the temple, clothed in linen, clean and bright, and girded around their chests with golden sashes.
Rev 15:7; Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever.
Rev 15:8; And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power; and no one was able to enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished.

This temple in heaven is opened for a brief time. Then the seven angels are given the seven bowls. Then the temple is closed, and no one is allowed to enter until the seven plagues are finished.

The first bowl - sores of those who worship the beast.

Rev 16:1; Then I heard a loud voice from the temple, saying to the seven angels, "Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God."
Rev 16:2; So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth; and it became a loathsome and malignant sore on the people who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his image.

The second bowl - everything in the sea dies.

Rev 16:3; The second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it became blood like that of a dead man; and every living thing in the sea died.

Earlier we had a third of the creatures in the sea dying, now every creature in the sea will die. So much for "save the whales".

The third bowl - the rivers and lakes become blood.

Rev 16:4 Then the third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of waters; and they became blood.
Rev 16:5 And I heard the angel of the waters saying, "Righteous are You, who are and who were, O Holy One, because You judged these things;
Rev 16:6 for they poured out the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink. They deserve it."
Rev 16:7 And I heard the altar saying, "Yes, O Lord God, the Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments."

Again, earlier it was third of the rivers and lakes, now it is all of them.

 

[Charlie24]

After WW1 Satan found a madman (Adolph Hitler) to carry out his will. Satan gave him the power to brilliantly make war with one objective in mind.

Satan knew the time was drawing near for the prophecy to be fulfilled that the Jews would be gathered again in Israel.

So he had a madman to start a world war and behind the scenes of that war he would inhalant the Jews to stop this prophecy from fulfillment, making God a liar.

During the Great Tribulation, Satan will have found another madman to do exactly the same thing. But this madman will be the madman of them all, having power from Satan that the world has never seen. But he will also fall short of Satan's will to destroy the Jews.

Christ told His disciples these days would come, " And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened."

The Great Tribulation will be cut short to save Israel His Elect from inhalation just as WW2 was cut short to save them.

 

[Charlie24]

After WW1 Satan found a madman (Adolph Hitler) to carry out his will. Satan gave him the power to brilliantly make war with one objective in mind.

Satan knew the time was drawing near for the prophecy to be fulfilled that the Jews would be gathered again in Israel.

So he had a madman to start a world war and behind the scenes of that war he would inhalant the Jews to stop this prophecy from fulfillment, making God a liar.

During the Great Tribulation, Satan will have found another madman to do exactly the same thing. But this madman will be the madman of them all, having power from Satan that the world has never seen. But he will also fall short of Satan's will to destroy the Jews.

Christ told His disciples these days would come, " And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened."

The Great Tribulation will be cut short to save Israel His Elect from inhalation just as WW2 was cut short to save them.

It is my belief that Satan knows exactly the true interpretation of Scripture and what it all boils down to. He has weighed it in the balance and found that his best opportunity to defeat God is through the prophecy of Israel, the reason his attacks against God are centered on Israel.

If he can get just one prophecy to fall, then he has made God a liar and has won.

 

[B-A-C]

It is my belief that Satan knows exactly the true interpretation of Scripture and what it all boils down to. He has weighed it in the balance and found that his best opportunity to defeat God is through the prophecy of Israel, the reason his attacks against God are centered on Israel.

If he can get just one prophecy to fall, then he has made God a liar and has won.

I agree, and I think this has been going on for thousands of years. I believe the reason the Giants inhabited Canaan, was to keep the Jews from inheriting the promised land.
It didn't work of course, but Satan always has to try.

 

[Charlie24]

I agree, and I think this has been going on for thousands of years. I believe the reason the Giants inhabited Canaan, was to keep the Jews from inheriting the promised land.
It didn't work of course, but Satan always has to try.

What has recently been happening in Israel is leading to the fulfillment of Scripture. The world is turning against Israel and that is exactly what paves the way for the antichrist.

Zech. 12:3

"And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it."

 

[B-A-C]

The fourth bowl - intense heat from the sun.

Rev 16:8; The fourth angel poured out his bowl upon the sun, and it was given to it to scorch men with fire.
Rev 16:9; Men were scorched with fierce heat; and they blasphemed the name of God who has the power over these plagues, and they did not repent so as to give Him glory.

Again, we see men do not repent.

The fifth bowl - darkness, sores and intense pain.

Rev 16:10; Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became darkened; and they gnawed their tongues because of pain,
Rev 16:11; and they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores; and they did not repent of their deeds.

.. they still do not repent.

The sixth bowl - The Euphrates dries up, the three unclean frog spirits, the armies of the Earth gather together for Armageddon.

Rev 16:12; The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river, the Euphrates; and its water was dried up, so that the way would be prepared for the kings from the east.
Rev 16:13; And I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs;
Rev 16:14; for they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them together for the war of the great day of God, the Almighty.
Rev 16:15; ("Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame.")
Rev 16:16; And they gathered them together to the place which in Hebrew is called Har-Magedon.

The Euphrates in one of the largest rivers in the world. It is mentioned in the Bible even in the beginning of Genesis. It's easy to find on any world map today.
Most of it is in modern day Iraq, with parts in Kuwait and Syria. It says here that the Euphrates will be dried up. This is happening even today. There is talk of building a
large dam on the Euphrates, but I haven't kept up with those rumors. What countries are east of the Euphrates? Iran and Afghanistan are the two countries immediately to the east.
Whoever these countries are, they will cross the Euphrates and try to make war on Israel.

Rev 14:16; Then He who sat on the cloud swung His sickle over the earth, and the earth was reaped.
Rev 14:17; And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, and he also had a sharp sickle.
Rev 14:18; Then another angel, the one who has power over fire, came out from the altar; 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, because her grapes are ripe."
Rev 14:19; So 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.
Rev 14:20; 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.

This will be the worst war of all time. There are no causalities on Jesus's side, but on the other side, it says the blood will be as deep as up to a horses head... for a distance of 200 miles.
That is a lot of blood. Talk about avenging the blood of the saint under the altar.

If this is the war mentioned in Revelation 20, it won't happen until after the millennial reign.

Rev 20:7; When the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison,
Rev 20:8; and will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war; the number of them is like the sand of the seashore.
Rev 20:9; And they came up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, and fire came down from heaven and devoured them.

Next - the seventh bowl.

 

[B-A-C]

The seventh bowl - Babylon destroyed, islands and mountains removed, and huge hailstones.

Rev 16:17 Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl upon the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple from the throne, saying, "It is done."
Rev 16:18 And there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder; and there was a great earthquake, such as there had not been since man came to be upon the earth, so great an earthquake was it, and so mighty.
Rev 16:19 The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. Babylon the great was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of His fierce wrath.
Rev 16:20 And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.
Rev 16:21 And huge hailstones, about one hundred pounds each, *came down from heaven upon men; and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, because its plague *was extremely severe.

It says in verse 18 here, this will great the greatest storm and earthquake that ever was, since the beginning of time. There have been some pretty severe earthquakes that have killed hundreds of thousands of people
over the events of history. It says the "great city" will be split into three parts. There are several interpretations of who/what the great city is. Some say Jerusalem, some say Rome, some say it is a metaphorical city
that symbolizes the sexual/monetary political culture of the US. But it says the cities of the nations fell. Not just this one city, but many cities all over the world. Every island and mountain will disappear.
Huge hailstones, about 100 pounds each ( 45 kg ) will fall on people.

... and still men will blaspheme God and refuse to repent.

 

[B-A-C]

I don't know that this qualifies as a judgment or plague exactly.

Rev 13:16; And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead,
Rev 13:17; and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.
Rev 13:18; Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.

The mark of the beast has been discussed here a number of times. This is one of the unforgivable sins. Once you take the mark there is no turning back and no forgiveness.
But unless you have the mark, it seems you can't buy or sell anything. Perhaps there will be an underground black market, I don't know. Some people seem to think this will
be a chip implanted under your skin. Perhaps this is the reason many governments want to move to digital currency, cyber-cash, bitcoin. That way it can be tracked and enabled
or disabled as the case may be. If cash becomes useless, then perhaps people will go back to trading goods and services to beat the system.

Rev 14:9; Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand,
Rev 14:10; he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.
Rev 14:11; "And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name."

I wonder how this will affect Amazon Prime, eBay and QVC ? All joking aside, it may come down to buying food or burning in the Lake of Fire forever.

 

[samahah]

The mark of the beast has been discussed here a number of times. This is one of the unforgivable sins. Once you take the mark there is no turning back and no forgiveness.

I would disagree with that. Why would Jesus say to get out of her - otherwise people would partake in her plagues?
Blasphemy against the holy spirit???

There are undammable and damnable heresies and very few damnable ones. Taking the mark is NOT one of them.

 

[Brad Huber]

I don't know that this qualifies as a judgment or plague exactly.

Rev 13:16; And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead,
Rev 13:17; and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.
Rev 13:18; Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.

The mark of the beast has been discussed here a number of times. This is one of the unforgivable sins. Once you take the mark there is no turning back and no forgiveness.
But unless you have the mark, it seems you can't buy or sell anything. Perhaps there will be an underground black market, I don't know. Some people seem to think this will
be a chip implanted under your skin. Perhaps this is the reason many governments want to move to digital currency, cyber-cash, bitcoin. That way it can be tracked and enabled
or disabled as the case may be. If cash becomes useless, then perhaps people will go back to trading goods and services to beat the system.

Rev 14:9; Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand,
Rev 14:10; he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.
Rev 14:11; "And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name."

I wonder how this will affect Amazon Prime, eBay and QVC ? All joking aside, it may come down to buying food or burning in the Lake of Fire forever.

Well, although I would refuse the mark, it does use the word "and" which could mean you could have the mark, but not worship the beast or his image. Not saying this is the case, just that I am unsure of it.

 

[samahah]

Well, although I would refuse the mark, it does use the word "and" which could mean you could have the mark, but not worship the beast or his image. Not saying this is the case, just that I am unsure of it.

One person on the forum said that the book of Revelation is the easiest book in the bible to understand. I say that the word ALL is the most difficult word to understand and Revelation - no S - uses the word ALL is about 46 times in Revelation - no S!

Have any of you looked at how this word is used? Or do you guys believe like my over educated AOG cousin who says that when God says ALL he means ALL?

 

[Brad Huber]

One person on the forum said that the book of Revelation is the easiest book in the bible to understand. I say that the word ALL is the most difficult word to understand and Revelation - no S - uses the word ALL is about 46 times in Revelation - no S!

Have any of you looked at how this word is used? Or do you guys believe like my over educated AOG cousin who says that when God says ALL he means ALL?

I am not sure of your point. What about the word ALL (and where) are you talking about?

 

[samahah]

I am not sure of your point. What about the word ALL (and where) are you talking about?

My point is the word ALL doesn't always imply the totality of everything. Misunderstanding/misinterpreting ALL is how many interpreters have concluded that the coming 'mark' and kingdom of the anti-Christ is GLOBAL. Tribulation is global but the mark and anti-Christ kingdom are not.

A good passage to explain the use of the word ALL is Revelation 13 where the word is used 6 times. In verse 3 the 'olos' is used. In the others verses the word 'pas' is used.

I'll have to start another thread to explain this. Some judgments are meant for everybody, some only for Christians, and some only for the followers of the beast who DON'T get out. Some of the plagues are appointed only for the beast followers - NOT everybody.