Millennium

Warning Trumpets and Vials of Wrath

Revelation Chapters 8 & 9, 15 & 16

compiled by Rachel Cory-Kuehl, 2012

Scripture is from New King James Version unless otherwise noted.

The majority of Christians agree that the “millennium” spoken of in Revelation Chapter 20, will begin when Christ returns in glory. This belief is called the “post-millennialist” view.

Some believe that Christ will immediately set up His kingdom on the earth where He will “rule the nations with a rod of iron” for 1000 years.

Others believe (as I do) that Christ will not rule on the earth, until the 8^th millennium (The 8^th Day). During the coming 7^th millennium, the earth will be desolate and lifeless. The faithful will be removed from the earth at the return of Christ, and the wicked will be killed by the last plagues. No one remaining on the earth, will survive the destruction coming at the end of this age.

John 13:33, 36-37 “I’m going away,” Jesus said, “Where I am going you cannot come.” “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you shall follow Me afterward.” “Why can’t I follow you now Lord?” Peter asked. Then Jesus explained about His Father’s house.

John 14:2-3 “In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

NOTE: The “place” which Jesus would “prepare” was to be in His Father’s house . Jesus called the Temple, “My Father’s House.” But we know that “Heaven itself” is “the true Tabernacle”(Heb. 9:24). The earthly Temple was only a copy. Jesus promised to return, and take us to that place.

Many Bible passages support Christ’s return to His Father in Heaven. John 16:28 for instance, “Now I leave the world and go back to the Father.” (Compare John 16:16-17, John 7:62, John 7:33 and Acts 3:21.) I believe Jesus was telling Peter that He would return for all of His followers at the end of the age, when He would transport them to the place which He would prepare. It’s called The Holy City!

Hebrews 11:16 “But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.”

“Heaven itself” is “the true tabernacle” (Heb. 8:2). Just another reason why I believe that the redeemed will be transported to Heaven, at the Second Coming.

Revelation 11:11-12 After the “two witnesses” are resurrected from death, they hear “a loud voice from heaven saying to them ‘Come up here’”. “And they ascended to heaven in a cloud.”

Revelation 15:2 “And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God.” They are singing a victory song.

Look at the CONTEXT! This is just as the 7 last vials (plagues) of wrath are poured out on the earth. Which reinforces my belief that the redeemed will be rescued from this earth on the very day when the last plagues are poured out. Revelation 18:8 says, “Therefore let her plagues come in one day.” That’s Judgment Day! But more importantly, WHERE is this crystal sea? That’s right. It is before the Father’s throne in Heaven itself!

Revelation 4:6 “Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal.”

ANCIENT HEBREW MARRIAGE CUSTOM GIVES US A CLUE.

Marriage was contracted between the father of the bride to be, and the father of the groom - each accompanied by a “witness.” This betrothal was as binding as the marriage itself. Adultery during this period of betrothal was punishable by death. The period of betrothal lasted about one year, during which time the groom would “prepare a place” for his bride (usually an apartment within the extended family compound). When this “home” was completed - the date was set for the wedding.

The ceremony was simple. The groom’s attendant lifted the veil from the bride’s face. Draping it over the shoulder of the groom he pronounced, “The government shall be upon his shoulder”(Isa. 9:6). The bride then accompanied her husband back to his family home, where the wedding feast took place. (Gower, Ralph, The New Manners and Customs of Bible Times, Moody Press, Chicago, pg65.; Alexander, P.T., The Lion Encyclopedia of the Bible, Reader’s Digest, pg.166.)

AN ARK OF SAFETY

When the earth was covered by the waters of the flood, Noah and his family were safe inside the ark. When the earth is on fire - devastated by the last plagues, the people of God will be safe inside the “place” which Christ has prepared. It is clear that we must be removed from the earth for some period of time. The whole earth will be “burned up” (2 Pet. 3:10). Whatever remains on the earth during the final outpouring of God’s wrath will be consumed!

      Please do read the study titled “God’s Wrath - A Different View”.

THE EARTH - THE LAND

I need to make a point here about the use of the Hebrew word translated as “earth.” It is the same word often translated as “land.” It is “ ‘erets” (Strong’s #0776). We must examine the context to know whether the word refers to the whole earth, as in Genesis Chapter one, OR refers to the promised “land,” given to Israel. In the Greek Apostolic Writings, we have the same problem with the Greek word “ge” (Strong’s #1093). It is translated as “land,” and as “earth.” (The ancients had no concept of “earth” as a globe suspended in space.)

You now understand why some folks teach that prophecies of destruction apply only to “the land” of Israel, not to the entire earth. They site the prophecies of coming destruction by the Babylonians or Assyrians, and say that these prophecies were limited in scope. I believe that clues, within the prophecies, tell us that these are dual prophecy. They applied - yes - to the destruction of the ancient “land” of Israel, but they apply with equal, or even greater force to the coming destruction of the entire “earth” at the end of this age.

THE EARTH WILL BE COMPLETELY DEVASTATED

Malachi 4:1 “‘For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up,’ Says the LORD of hosts, ‘That will leave them neither root nor branch.’”

This prophecy was written after the Babylonian destruction. The Romans who came later, did not kill every Jew in Judea (much less every wicked or proud one).

2 Peter 3:10 “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.”

Mark 13:31 “Heaven and earth will pass away, . . .” (Lk 21:33, Matt. 24:36).

Hebrews 6:7-8 “For the earth . . . If it bears thorn and briers, it is rejected

. . . whose end is to be burned.”

Deuteronomy 29:23 “The whole land is brimstone, salt, and burning; it is not sown, nor does it bear, nor does any grass grow there, like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in His anger and His wrath.”

NOTE: This is the curse which the LORD prophesied would come upon the land of Israel, should they forsake the covenant. Those things which happened to Israel are the type (symbol) of those things which will come upon the whole of mankind (1 Cor. 10:11). “Therefore the curse has devoured the earth, And those who dwell in it are desolate. Therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, And few men are left” (Isaiah 24:6).

Zephaniah 1:14-18 “. . . On the day of the Lord’s wrath; And all the earth will be devoured in the fire of His jealousy, For He will make a complete end, Indeed a terrifying one, Of all the inhabitants of the earth.” NAS

NOTE: Zephaniah wrote in the days before the Babylonian destruction. When the Babylonians attacked Judea they did not kill every inhabitant. They left the poorest of the people in the land. That fact tells us that this prophecy of destruction is a dual prophecy. It will have another - complete - fulfillment.

Genesis 6:13 “And God said to Noah, ‘The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth.’”

Luke 17:26-30 “And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: . . . the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: . . . on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.”

NOTE: In Noah’s day, the flood destroyed every human being outside of the ark. On the day that Lot was led out of Sodom, the fire destroyed every living thing in the city. “Even so,” means “just like that.” The last plagues will destroy all life on earth.

Jeremiah 4:23-26 [After the great day of the Lord] “I beheld the earth, and indeed it was without form, and void; And the heavens, they had no light. I beheld the mountains, and indeed they trembled, And all the hills moved back and forth. I beheld, and indeed there was no man, And all the birds of the heavens had fled. I beheld, and indeed the fruitful land was a wilderness, And all its cities were broken down At the presence of the LORD, By His fierce anger.”

THE “TRUMPETS” (Revelation Chapter Eight)

Note: In ancient Israel, trumpets were sounded to warn of impending attack, or as a call to battle. Trumpets were also sounded on the first day of the 7^th month, to warn the people to prepare for judgment day - the Day of Atonement - which would come in just ten more days. The trumpet events of Revelation serve to warn the inhabitants of earth, that the “Day of the LORD” - Judgment Day - is fast approaching.

Just think about the effects.......

First Trumpet: One third of all the trees and all green grass are burned up.

Second Trumpet: One third of all creatures alive in the ocean are destroyed, and one third of all ships are destroyed, probably by an asteroid hit. A “mountain burning with fire” is “thrown into the sea” (Rev. 8:7-8).

Third Trumpet: One third of all rivers are contaminated. Men are made sick and many die after drinking the bitter tasting water.

Fourth Trumpet: One third of sunlight and one third of moonlight is darkened. Dust may have been thrown into the atmosphere by an asteroid hit, blocking the sun OR perhaps by massive volcanic eruptions OR by a massive nuclear exchange. Growth of plant food will be limited.

Fifth Trumpet: Those without “the seal” of God are tormented for five months.

Sixth Trumpet: One third of mankind is killed by “fire, smoke, and brimstone” (melted earth) after “four messengers headed for the river Euphrates” are released.

      This could be a massive nuclear exchange, or an asteroid, or cometary hits.

Seventh Trumpet: Christ will return in glory. Those in covenant with Him will be removed from the earth. Only THEN will the 7 last plagues (bowls) be poured out.

Those in covenant are removed to safety BEFORE the final destruction.

In the TYPE, Lot (who was in covenant with God) with his family, was led out of Sodom by the hand of angels BEFORE it “rained fire and brimstone.” Noah (a type of Christ) with his family (the redeemed), was safely inside the ark and the door shut, BEFORE it began to rain.

The 7 trumpet events come BEFORE the Second Coming.

      The 7 bowl plagues begin ON THE DAY that Christ returns in glory.

      The 7 trumpet events are limited in scope, except for #7 which is the Second Coming.

      The 7 bowl plagues are universal in scope.

SEVEN LAST BOWLS OF WRATH - Universal in effect.

The seven vials (or bowls) of wrath are poured out as the 7^th trumpet sounds. These plagues ARE universal. These are said to be the full “wrath of God” “poured out without mercy” (Rev. 15:1-7; Rev. 16:1).

At this point in time, no one will be “undecided.” Every person will either take the mark, or refuse. Any person who “worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark” “will drink of the wrath of God” (Rev.13:11) which is poured out as seven last plagues, or bowls of wrath (Rev. 15:1).

Only those whose names ARE written in the Lamb’s Book of Life will refuse to worship the beast, or to take his mark. These only will escape the 7 last plagues, because they are removed from the earth on the day that Christ returns. Anyone left on the earth will die.

THE BEAST WILL RULE THE WHOLE WORLD

Revelation 13:7-8 [The Beast of Rev. Chapter 13] “And it was granted to him to make war with the saints and to over come them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. And all who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb. . .”

NOTE: Every tribe, tongue, and nation - this is worldwide! Anyone who worships the beast or takes his mark will “drink the wine of the wrath of God full strength (Rev. 14:9-10). The “full wrath’” of God is poured out as seven last bowl judgments (Rev. 15:1).

      Babylon - portrayed as a “great whore” is the religious system, which supports the Beast (the political system). The “false prophet” is the leader of this false religious system. Jerusalem will become the center of this false religious system (Revelation 11:8). (See also Jer. 51:49, Matthew 23:37, Jer. 23:14.)

Revelation 18:8 “Therefore let her plagues come in one day.”

Revelation 19 details those plagues which will come upon the harlot (the false religious system).

This destruction will begin AFTER Christ has removed His people from the earth.

BOWLS OF WRATH

First Bowl: A plague causing “loathsome sores” (Rev.16:2).

Second Bowl: Every living thing in the sea dies (Rev. 16:3).

If the ocean no longer supports life, there is no food chain.

There is also little oxygen, because sea vegetation produces 75% of our oxygen.

Third Bowl: All of the rivers and all of the springs of water become like blood.

They will not support life (Rev. 16:4).

Fourth Bowl: The sun gets hotter and scorches men with fire (Rev. 16:8). Possibly a gamma ray burst, or the result of the earth being knocked into a different orbit around the sun. Many will die of the intense heat or of radiation.

The “sores” of the first plague may be radiation burns. John may be describing different effects following the same event. Everything is set in motion on the day that Christ removes His people and His Spirit from the earth.

Fifth Bowl: Darkness will cover the “kingdom of the beast” (Rev. 16:10).

The beast power rules the entire earth - therefore this plague of darkness will be universal.

If a large asteroid were to impact earth, dust would be thrown into the atmosphere, blocking the sunlight. Scientists believe a similar hit wiped out the dinosaurs.

Sixth Bowl: Demonic powers gather “the kings of the earth and of the whole world” for a global war, against the LORD (Rev.16:14).

The nations of earth will prepare to fight against Christ as if He is an invading alien force.

Seventh Bowl: “Every island fled away and the mountains were not found. Great hail from heaven fell upon men, every hailstone about the weight of a talent [100pds]” (Rev. 16:18-21).

This will be the greatest earthquake ever known! The surface of the earth will be broken apart to an incredible degree - an earthquake with the power to break apart every known fault over the face of the entire earth. I do not see a universal flood of sea water here. If the “sky” is parted, or “rolled up like a scroll,” (Rev. 6:14, Isa. 34:4) that suggests our atmosphere may be disrupted. If the oceans are vaporized by an asteroid hit, the water vapor may be dispersed into outer space - leaving the planet dry and lifeless.

NOTE: With no clean air, no water, no food, severe heat then darkness, and then an asteroid shower, while the surface of the earth is broken up - do you really think there could be any human life left on this planet!? Many teach that the saints will reign with Christ, during the 7^th millennium, over the nations who survive these last plagues. I disagree!

Revelation 6:12-14 “There was a great earthquake and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. Then the sky receded as a scroll which is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place.”

Imagine the forces it will take! Christ said that He would return, “in the glory of His Father.” This is glory that outshines the sun! If such a massive came between the sun and earth, it could cause an eclipse - making the sun look “black,” and the moon look blood red.

Matthew 24:35-37 [Christ speaking] “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.”

Isaiah 24:18-20 “For the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth are shaken. The earth is violently broken. The earth is split open. The earth is shaken exceedingly. The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall totter like a hut.”

NOTE: The stars will not literally “fall” to earth. John may be describing an asteroid shower, or the stars may have the appearance of falling when the earth reels to and fro.

Micah 1:3-4 “For behold, the LORD is coming out of His place; He will come down and tread on the high places of the earth. The mountains will melt under Him, and the valleys will split like wax before the fire, like waters poured down a steep place.”

Isaiah 13:13 “Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth will move out of her place, [out of her orbit] in the wrath of the LORD of hosts and in the day of His fierce anger.”

PLEASE TELL ME!

HOW COULD ANY HUMAN LIFE CONTINUE ON THIS PLANET

AFTER THESE EVENTS?

2 Peter 3:7, 10-12 “But the heavens and the earth which now exist are kept in store by the same word, reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men . . .” “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”

WITHOUT FORM - AND VOID

“Without form and void” (Strong’s # 08414 & #0922) – these are the same Hebrew words that were used to describe the earth on the first day of creation, before God made anything (Genesis 1:2). The earth was dark, and without life.

The prophecy by Jeremiah, was written before the Babylonians destroyed Judea, and Jerusalem. That destruction was a type, a warning for us in these last days before the “coming of the Son of Man” (1 Cor. 10:11). The Babylonians did NOT kill every man in Judea, and the cities of that day were not destroyed by the “presence of the LORD.”

Isaiah 2:17-21 “And the loftiness of man shall be lowered down, and the haughtiness of men shall be brought low; and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day. But the idols He shall utterly abolish. They shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the Lord, and the glory of His majesty, when He arises to shake the earth mightily.”

COMMENT: All of ISAIAH it is claimed, is only a prophecy of the Babylonian destruction of Judea, but these verses speak of the “glory of His majesty” which was not seen at the destruction of Jerusalem of old. The whole earth did NOT “reel like a drunkard” nor was it “clean dissolved” when ancient Jerusalem fell. Men hid themselves from the Babylonians - yes. At the Second Coming, men will hide themselves from “the glory of His majesty” (Rev. 6:15).

Zechariah 1:2-3: “‘I will utterly consume all things from off the land,’ Says the Lord. ‘I will consume man and beasts; I will consume the birds of the heaven, the fish of the sea, and the shrines with the wicked; and I will cut off man from the face of the earth,’ Says the Lord.”

NOTE: Zechariah was a prince descended from King David. He was the great, great, grandson of King Hezekiah, and second cousin of King Josiah. He was also a prophet of God. The warning given to Israel before the Babylonian destruction - a warning of impending doom - is a DUAL prophecy. It was for them - but it is also for us.

Zechariah 1:14-18 “Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord's wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of His jealousy; for He shall make a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.”

NOTE: After Jesus removes His own to safety, the plagues which follow WILL “rid” the earth of “ALL” inhabitants. “Walk like blind men” (v.17) might refer to the plague of darkness or to the effect of the intense brightness of His coming, as Saul was struck blind by the glory of the risen Christ on the road to Damascus.

Nahum 1:5,6,8 “The mountains quake before Him, The hills melt, And the earth heaves at His presence, Yes, the world and all who dwell in it. Who can stand before His indignation? And who can endure the fierceness of His anger? His fury is poured out like fire, And the rocks are thrown down by Him. But with an overflowing flood He will make an utter end of its place, And darkness will pursue His enemies.”

DESTRUCTION OF THE NATIONS

Isaiah Chapter 34

34:1-2 “Come near, you nations, to hear; And heed, you people! Let the earth hear, and all that is in it, the world and all things that come forth from it. For the indignation of the LORD is against all nations, And His fury against all their armies; He has utterly destroyed them, He has given them over to the slaughter.” (See also Revelation 16:14.)

34:3 “Also their slain shall be thrown out; Their stench shall rise from their corpses, And the mountains shall be melted with their blood.”

34:4 “All the host of heaven shall be dissolved, And the heavens shall be rolled up like a scroll; All their host shall fall down As the leaf falls from the vine, And as fruit falling from a fig tree.” (See also Revelation 6:14.)

34:8-10 “For it is the day of the LORD's vengeance, The year of recompense for the cause of Zion. Its streams shall be turned into pitch, And its dust into brimstone; Its land shall become burning pitch. It shall not be quenched night or day; Its smoke shall ascend forever. From generation to generation it shall lie waste; No one shall pass through it forever and ever.”

(See also Revelation 14:10-11 & Revelation 19:3.)

NOTE: Verses 5 - 6 of this study, tell us that this is a prophecy concerning “Edom” the kingdom of Esau’s descendants. The LORD calls them “the people of My curse.” But the “land of Edom” is not still burning today. The ancient destruction of Edom by the Babylonians was the type. The rest of the passage tells us that this prophecy concerns the whole earth - burned with unquenchable fire.

34:11 “He shall stretch out over it the line of confusion [meaning ‘without form’] and the stones of emptiness [meaning ‘void’].”

ISAIAH’S DESCRIPTION DETAILS THE EFFECTS

Isaiah Chapter 24

24:1 “Behold the Lord makes the earth empty, and makes it waste, distorts its surface and scatters abroad its inhabitants.”

24:3 “The land shall be entirely emptied and utterly plundered; for the LORD has spoken this word.”

24:6 “Therefore, the curse has devoured the earth, and those who dwell in it are desolate; therefore, the inhabitants of the earth are burned and few men left.”

NOTE: The “few men left” will be those evacuated to safety by Christ.

24:13 “It shall be like the shaking of an olive tree, like the gleaning of grapes when the vintage is done.” (See also Rev. 6:13 & Rev 14:19-20.)

           NOTE: The “gleaning” was what remained AFTER the harvest was gathered.

24:18 “And the foundations of the earth are shaken.”

24:19 “The earth is violently broken. The earth is split open. The earth is shaken exceedingly.”

24:20 “The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall totter like a hut; Its transgression shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.”

24:21 “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall punish on high the host of exalted ones, [Satan and his angels] and on the earth the kings of the earth. They will be gathered together as prisoners are gathered in the pit [death], and will be shut up in the prison. After many days they will be punished.”

NOTE: The “second death” in the “lake of fire” does not take place until after the 1000 years of the 7^th millennium. That is why the “kings of the earth” are said to be gathered in the pit, but not finally punished until “many days” have passed. We will look at their final “punishment” in a later study.

THE LAND WILL “REST”

The Lord commanded that every 7^th year the land should rest - no crops were to be planted. Nothing from the field or vine was to be harvested. It was called the sabbatical year (Lev. 25:2-7). They were to sow again - in the eighth year.

This cycle of planting for six years followed by a year of rest was a prophecy. The earth has groaned under a load of sin for almost 6000 years. The earth will soon rest for 1000 years. The gospel will not be sown during that time, and no souls will be “harvested.” We will begin anew, to share the good news of salvation, with those raised to life at the 8^th millennium.

NOTE: The seventy years of Babylonian captivity during which the land lay desolate, were to fulfill 70 sabbatical years (rest years) which Israel had not kept. Israel had been in rebellion for 490 years (2 Chron. 36:21). The “rest” of desolation after the Babylonians destroyed “the land,” is a type (or symbolic prophecy) of the desolation which will come upon the whole earth, because men have forsaken the Law of the LORD.

Leviticus 26:33-35 “I will scatter you among the nations and draw out a sword after you; your land shall be desolate and your cities waste. Then the land shall enjoy its sabbaths as long as it lies desolate and you are in your enemies’ land; then the land shall rest and enjoy its sabbaths. As long as it lies desolate it shall rest – for the time it did not rest on your sabbaths when you dwelt in it.”

WHERE DOES SATAN SPEND THE 7^TH MILLENNIUM?

Isaiah 24:21 “The host of exalted ones” are “gathered in the pit.”

Revelation 20:1-3 “Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.”

Revelation 20:7-8 “Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth . . .”

In the Septuagint (an ancient translation from Hebrew to Greek) the Greek word “abussos” (Strong’s #12 - meaning bottomless or boundless) was used to translate the Hebrew “bohuw” (#0922 - meaning emptiness, void or waste). See Genesis 1:2 & Jeremiah 4:23. The same Greek word “abussos” is translated as “bottomless pit” in Revelation 20:1-2 of our English Bible. Satan is thrown into the abyss - the emptiness, the void, the waste - a perfect description of earth after the seven last plagues.

THE EARTH HAS BEEN TURNED INTO AN UNINHABITED WASTE.

IT IS AN ABYSS - A “BOTTOMLESS PIT” - “WITHOUT FORM AND VOID.”

Satan wanted the earth for his kingdom. He will spend a thousand years on the dark and empty earth, bound by those circumstances which he caused. Everyone and everything is dead except the Devil and his angels.

THE SCAPEGOAT

As noted earlier, I have long believed that events connected with Christ’s return in glory will fulfill the ancient Day of Atonement prophecy of a judgment day.

Leviticus 16:21-22 On that day, two goats were chosen by lot. The first goat was sacrificed and its blood used to “cleanse” the Sanctuary and the altar in the courtyard.

           Thru the year, the sins of the congregation were “transferred” to the sin sacrifices. From the animal sacrifice, the sin was “transferred” to a priest who then carried the sin to the Tabernacle either by eating a portion of the sacrifice or by carrying some of the blood into the Tabernacle. On the Day of Atonement, all of those sins were carried by the priest from the Tabernacle to the head of the second goat - the “azazel” goat. This azazel goat was then led into the “wilderness” (uninhabited place - Strong’s #4057) by a “fit man.” The goat was not killed. It was released in the “uninhabited place.” The goat then carried the confessed sins of the entire congregation of Israel.

I believe that the “scapegoat” symbolized Satan - who is banished to the “uninhabited place” by Yeshua (Jesus) - the “fit man.” Satan is left alive during the 7^th millennium. He is imprisoned on this earth - desolate and lifeless after the seven last plagues. Some object to this interpretation, wondering how Satan could ever be said to “bear upon himself” all our sins.

I would explain that this is supported by the picture of a judgment scene (Daniel 7:10-22, Rom. 3:4, Psa. 51:4). Yeshua carried our sins, as the Lamb of God. He carried our sins as the priest. He bought us time. He assumed the guilt - UNTIL the judgment sits. Then Satan will be found guilty of all the sins which he has caused God’s people to commit. He is the prima and original cause. Jesus Christ (our High Priest) will put those sins on the head of Satan. As the “fit man” He will banish Satan to “the uninhabited place”.

After the 1000 years, there will be a great resurrection. Those raised to life at this time must educated in the things of God. They must “learn His ways” and then they must be tested, just as every man and every woman before them has been tested. Satan will try to deceive, but many of those raised at The 8^th Day will choose Christ. Satan must be found guilty of their sin also. (He is the one who will tempt and seek to deceive them.) When he is at last cast into the “lake of fire and brimstone” he will carry with him their guilt also (Rev. 20:10).

Continued next page:

THOSE RAISED FIRST - AND THE REST OF THE DEAD

Revelation 20:1-6 Satan is bound for 1000 years. “And I saw thrones and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the Word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years [7^th millennium]. But, the rest of the dead did not live again until the 1000 years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.”

If we simply remove the words in red - “But the rest of the dead did not live again until the 1000 years were finished.” - this passage is all about those raised “first”. The “rest” are NOT raised at the Second Coming. They do not “live again” for another 1000 years.

They are the people who did not worship the Beast power. They did not take his mark. Many were martyred for their obedience to God. Judgment will be committed to them. They are called “blessed and holy”. They will be immortal, and will not suffer the “second death”. They will be “priests of God and of Christ”. And they will live with Christ and reign with Him for 1000 years.

NOTE: This passage may address two millennia. First: The 7^th millennium, during which redeemed reign in Heaven with Christ, while the rest of the dead continue to sleep. Second: The 8^th millennium, during which the redeemed will “reign with Him on the earth,” as priests of God and of Christ.

NOTE: Some students of prophecy believe that only those who were martyred will rise in the “first resurrection” and “reign with Him for a thousand years.” While I have no problem believing that those who gave their lives for Christ will be given an exalted place in the kingdom, other Bible passages support my belief that all of the “dead in Christ” will rise when the last trumpet sounds at His return (1 Thess. 4:16, Matt. 24:30-31). When the 7^th angel sounds, the time has come to “reward your servants the prophets and the saints, and those who fear Your name, small and great” (Rev. 11:15).

      NOTE: Remember - You ARE an Israelite if you are in covenant with God thru Christ.

RELEASED FROM HIS PRISON

Revelation 20:7 “Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth . . .”

When the “rest of the dead” are resurrected after the 7^th millennium, they will constitute “nations” - “in the four corners of the earth.” Satan will again have someone to tempt. He was bound to the desolate earth for 1000 years. Now the battle for souls will continue. Each person must choose whom he will serve.

SUMMARY

The Righteous - The Wicked - The Rest

1. There will be a resurrection of both righteous and wicked at the Second Coming (Dan. 12:2-3).

The wicked will be judged on that day, and will be left to die as the last plagues are poured out.

      They will never be raised to physical life again.

2. The righteous will go with Christ when He returns in glory. They will be sheltered in the City which Yeshua has prepared in the “Father’s House.” They will remain with Him there for 1000 years.

3. The earth will be completely devastated by the seven last plagues.

      It will be “burned up” and will no longer support life.

4.   Satan will be confined to the uninhabited earth for the 1000 years of the 7^th millennium.

5. The “rest of the dead” (every person who lived in ignorance of God) are NOT resurrected on the Day Christ returns in glory. They will be resurrected 1000 years later, at the 8^th millennium - to learn of Him and then to choose whom they will serve.

Christ cannot rule over these “nations” during the 7^th millennium because thy do not “live again” until the 1000 years are finished. They are raised at “the 8^th day” - the 8^th millennium.

We pray this study will prove a blessing.

FOR FURTHER STUDY:

The Comets of God, by Jeffrey Goodman, Ph.D., Archeological Research Books, 2011

Please do read other studies on these topics at our website, prophecyviewpoint.com.

“A Secret Rapture?” “Judgment Day” “The 8^th Day”

“Israel - The People of God” “The Wrath of God - A Different View”