Tribulation Insights

[Beetow]

.
● Rev 1:1-3 . . The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his
servants what must soon take place.

. . He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to
everything he saw-- that is: the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those
who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is imminent.

Nobody knows the exact day nor hour of Jesus' return to rule the world, but the
events depicted in the book of Revelation will serve as early warnings to alert folks
that the time has come-- sort of like the act-by-act synopses used by folks
interested in operas like La Bohème, Hamlet, Madam Butterfly, Porgy and Bess,
South Pacific, and Don Giovanni.

If folks stuck in the tribulation era use Revelation like that; they'll have a pretty
good idea when to expect Jesus' arrival; and begin preparing themselves for it.
_

 

[Beetow]

.
● Rev 6:5 . . And when He broke the third seal, I heard the third living creature
saying: Come! And I looked, and behold, a black horse; and he who sat on it had a
pair of scales in his hand.

Scales (a.k.a. balances) were mechanical devices used in the application of
commercial weights and measures. Modern electronic scales are quite a bit more
sophisticated.

The black horse in this case indicates hunger. (compare the pale horse's
assignment in Rev 6:8)

● Rev 6:6a . . And I heard as it were a voice in the center of the four living
creatures saying: A measure of wheat for a denarius, and three measures of barley
for a denarius;

The Greek word translated "measure" is roughly equal to 1.09 liters or 2.3 US pints.
The denarius is widely assumed to have been equivalent to a day's pay for soldiers
and/or laborers.

It's a pretty good guess that what we're looking at is hand-to-mouth existence due
to inflationary pricing caused by the simple fact that there just won't be enough to
go around; for example:

"When I cut off your supply of bread, ten women will be able to bake your bread in
one oven, and they will dole out the bread by weight. You will eat, but you will not
be satisfied." (Lev 26:26)

● Rev 6:6b . . do not damage the oil and the wine!

Oil made from olives was common in just about everybody's kitchen and served as
a shortening. (cf. 1Kngs 17:8-12) Wine was a common first aid treatment, likely
due to its alcohol content (e.g. Luke 10:34) and also useful as a sedative. (Prov
31:6-7)

NOTE: The oil used in Luke 10:34 was likely an essential oil rather than olive, e.g.
Myrrh, Clove, and/or Frankincense, et al.
_

 

[RandyK]

I really don't know, but I consider it very possible that the 4 horsemen began their ride in the time the Revelation was given, meaning that these things characterize the present age. We have conquest, we have a lack of peace on earth, we have famines, and we have lots of causes of deaths.

The key point in all this is that the world is in sin, and is under judgment, although not final judgment. It is merely the early indicator that final judgment is coming. It keeps the world in check until God's purposes with the Church can be completed.

 

[Beetow]

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● Rev 6:7-8 . .When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the
fourth living creature say: Come!

. . I looked, and there before me was a pale horse. Its rider was named Death, and
hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the
earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.

Those lethal sources are common throughout the world today; but never have they
harvested so many souls as they will in the future. For example:

The current global population is roughly +/- 8,089,368,164 souls. By the time Mr.
Death finishes his work, something like 2.022 billion of those people would be
rubbed out by war, hunger, disease, and the animal kingdom; which consists of a
fair number of poisonous species along with toxic critters like vampire bats and
mosquitoes.

* In perspective: 2.022 billion people adds up to nearly 6x the USA's current
population of 337,573,164 souls.

We don't usually notice someone's passing unless they're famous or one of our
friends, associates, and relatives. Well; when Mr. Death goes to work, the dead will
be all around and impossible to overlook. I rather suspect funeral homes will be
overwhelmed; if open for business at all.

And ER? Well, it's Mr. Death's intention that people die rather than survive, so I
should think that any and all medical attention the hospitals are able to provide will
be quite inadequate, viz: they'll likely serve as morgues instead of treatment
centers.
_

 

[Beetow]

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● Rev 6:12 . . I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great
earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon
turned blood red

Astronomically, that depicts a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse simultaneously;
which nature by itself cannot produce due to specific alignment requirements.

● Rev 6:13 . . and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as late figs drop from a fig tree
when shaken by a strong wind.

That quite possibly describes an optical illusion, i.e. an apparition; which is going to
be very effective in causing anxiety all 'round the world.

● Rev 6:14a . .The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up.

That would be sort of like opening the drapes in the morning to allow light into the
house. I'm guessing the event will occur in the middle of the night; which of course
will defy explanation.

● Rev 6:14b . . and every mountain and island was removed from its place.

No doubt previous centuries of theologians were curious about that prediction, but
thanks to the relatively new science of plate tectonics, we now know that the
movement of mountains and islands has been occurring all along; just not as
noticeable as the shuffle depicted by Rev 16:14b.

Anyway, those unnatural events will quite naturally cause global panic.

● Rev 6:15-17 . . .Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich,
the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks
of the mountains. They called to the mountains and the rocks: Fall on us and hide
us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For
the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?
_

 

[Beetow]

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● 2Pet 1:20-21 . . Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any
private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man:
but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Beware allowing that passage to persuade Bible readers to avoid digging into
prophecy for themselves and coming to their own conclusions because it's not
talking about the study of prophecy, rather, it's talking about the origin of prophetic
writings rather than one's own personal understanding them.

In other words: the sayings of the prophets weren't produced by human reasoning
and a fertile imagination. No; they channeled their sayings directly from the top.

"men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."

For example:

"I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that
man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I
received it by revelation from Jesus Christ." (Gal 1:11-12)

To wit:

"The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what
must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,
who testifies to everything he saw-- that is: the word of God and the testimony of
Jesus Christ. Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed
are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is
imminent." (Rev 1:1-3)
_

 

[Beetow]

.
● Rev 8:1 . .When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for
about half an hour.

A reason for the silence isn't given, but I suspect the one in charge will be thinking
about what He has to do next, and reluctant to bring it on; because the next round
of horror will be devastating beyond belief-- and once started, won't be stopped.

● Rev 8:7 . .The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire
mixed with blood, and it was hurled down upon the earth. A third of the earth was
burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned
up.

* Now there's a combination not seen often: fire and ice.

There's quite a bit of destruction depicted in that verse-- all aimed at agriculture.

First a portion of the soil's organic material is destroyed which will greatly impact its
fertility.

Next a portion of the trees are destroyed so that foods derived from trees-- e.g.
nuts, and fruits-- will become in short supply.

And finally all the green grass; which is translated from words that suggest crops
will be just starting to mature and produce grain, e.g. corn, beans, wheat, spelt,
barley, oats, and rice; et al.

* Rice is a staple food for over ½ of the world's human population, particularly in
Asia and Africa.

NOTE: Although crops will be burned, they'll bounce back. (Rev 9:1-4)

Anyway, when the availability of food stuffs become limited to those on hand,
demand exceeds supply; and with that prices go up, thus increasing the cost of
living. Theft will likely increase too. I would suggest people not let it out that there's
food in their houses lest their own neighbors break in to take it away from them.
_

 

[Beetow]

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● Rev 13:4 . . And they worshipped the Dragon which gave power unto the Beast:
and they worshipped the Beast, saying: Who is like unto the Beast? Who is able to
make war with him?

* The Dragon is identified by Rev 12:9 as the Serpent, the Devil, and Satan; so
there can be no doubt who this creature really is. (cf. Rev 20:2)

It's quite possible that the people of that day will honestly believe the Beast is
empowered by a divine being; and unaware they are actually giving glory to a
demonic being instead. For example:

● 2Thess 2:9-12 . . .This evil man will come to do the work of Satan with artificial
power and signs and miracles. He will use every kind of wicked deception to fool
those who are on their way to destruction because they refuse to believe the truth
that would save them. So God will send great deception upon them, and they will
believe all these lies.

Worship of the Beast will be universal, mandatory, and strictly enforced regardless
of age, race, gender, and/or ethnic identity-- a one-world mega religion that blows
all others out of the water, e.g. Islam, Mormonism, Hinduism, Christianity, Judaism,
Baha'i, Buddhism, and Zoroastrianism, etc, etc. (This situation would amount to
circumstances somewhat similar to Hab 2:14 only quite in opposition to Yahweh's
purpose.)
_

 

[for_his_glory]

I will address the black horse and it's rider since that was brought up.

From the time of the very first battle in Genesis Chapter 14 it has always been about government dominance, possession of land and greed of riches through much bloodshed. The sword in battle in John’s generation could only be used as a one on one attack on the enemy as you would have to literally be facing each other and only had a shield to protect you. The sword has now evolved into nuclear, chemical and biological warfare that can take out many nations just by a push of a button by using international ballistic missiles.

Rev 6:5-6 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.

Black horse is a symbol of famine as the rider holds a pair of balances in his hands causing much famine in the world as many will not be able to afford to buy food and eventually starve to death unless they reach out to the beast out of the earth, Rev 13; 1 Kings 8:37-43; Romans 8:34.

John hears a voice that comes out of the midst of the four creatures in heaven describing what it will take to be able to buy a measure of food as many will not be able to afford a days wage in order to feed for their families unless they prepare ahead of time. God is speaking to us to be prepared for when this time of sorrow is increased during the end of days that we put God first before all things as God will supply our need, Philippians 4:19; 1 Kings Chapter 17.

Famine always follows after conquest of war when a Nation or a people is conquered and overtaken by a governed ruling power that follows after the ways of Balaam forsaking that of the way of the Lord and love the wages of unrighteousness, 2 Peter 2:15; Ezekiel 14:13 as we will see in a New World Order and it’s one world government that is even now being set up. The spoils of conquest and conquering often denotes possession of another’s property by looting and stealing causing one to be left with absolutely nothing. This is what this corrupt government will do as they will take out of the hands of the people what they need the most to sustain life.

The rider on this black horse is an antichrist governing authority revived from the old Babylonian nation that places great economic stumbling blocks in the economy. They will control all shipping, trading and distribution of merchandise around the world expediting exuberant prices on everything causing great economic disaster to the middle and lower class of people.

We rely on farmers for most of our food and truckers to deliver that food to market. When prices escalate, especially with fuel, this shuts down our source of food as the farmers will no longer be able to produce the food we need and the truckers will no longer be able to afford fuel to deliver food to market.

A penny for a quart of wheat and three quarts of barley is symbolic of what would be a days wage for many people in order to feed their families. With the economy crumbling many businesses will be forced into bankruptcy causing massive unemployment. Without jobs this will cause great famine to every family that will not be able to afford food. This is why it is so imperative to have faith and trust in the Lord who will provide during times of famine, 1 Kings Chapter 17, Philippians 4:19.

The oil and wine is not to be harmed as many true Christians that are monetarily rich at this time will be able to afford to buy and share with those who have not as God will use them to supply others needs during this time of great famine, Matthew 25:35; Philippians 4:19.

To the monetarily rich that are not in Christ oil and wine is a luxury to the rich who will be able to afford the price, but will end up being there own downfall as he claims he is rich and increased in goods and has no need of anything as their wealth has become an idol they bow down to as their god. What they do not realize is that their spirit is wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked before the Lord as they walk in disobedience to God being lovers of self, Matthew 25:51; 2 Timothy 3:1-7; Revelation 3:17.

 

[for_his_glory]

.
● Rev 13:4 . . And they worshipped the Dragon which gave power unto the Beast:
and they worshipped the Beast, saying: Who is like unto the Beast? Who is able to
make war with him?

* The Dragon is identified by Rev 12:9 as the Serpent, the Devil, and Satan; so
there can be no doubt who this creature really is. (cf. Rev 20:2)

It's quite possible that the people of that day will honestly believe the Beast is
empowered by a divine being; and unaware they are actually giving glory to a
demonic being instead. For example:

● 2Thess 2:9-12 . . .This evil man will come to do the work of Satan with artificial
power and signs and miracles. He will use every kind of wicked deception to fool
those who are on their way to destruction because they refuse to believe the truth
that would save them. So God will send great deception upon them, and they will
believe all these lies.

Worship of the Beast will be universal, mandatory, and strictly enforced regardless
of age, race, gender, and/or ethnic identity-- a one-world mega religion that blows
all others out of the water, e.g. Islam, Mormonism, Hinduism, Christianity, Judaism,
Baha'i, Buddhism, and Zoroastrianism, etc, etc. (This situation would amount to
circumstances somewhat similar to Hab 2:14 only quite in opposition to Yahweh's
purpose.)
_

Rev 13 the beast rises up out of the sea as the sea here is symbolic of people and nations as in a sea of humanity, Daniel Chapter 7:1-8; Revelation 17:15. This beast is a Luciferian system comprised of economic, political, militant, environmental and a false religious system. This beast system that Satan works through gives its power to the beast out of the earth as the beast out of the earth appears as the Lamb of God, but is a false Christ being the son of perdition, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12 with two horns. The two horns represent the Old Roman Empire that received its deadly wound back in 1798 by General Berthier who made his entrance into Rome and abolished the Roman government and established a secular one. That caused them to scatter into the other ten nations (ten horns). The wound was healed in 1929 by Mussolini.

 

[Beetow]

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● Rev 13:5a . . And there was given unto the Beast a mouth speaking great things

That pretty much describes the rhetorical bombast of most every politician, viz:
promises of a better world under the auspices of their own administrative practices.

● Rev 13:5b . . and blasphemies

In this scenario, the Beast is God's political opponent: no doubt scoffing at the
notion of Christ's return to establish the theocratic administration predicted in the
old testament.

Well political opponents in today's world make it their mission in life to destroy the
other guy's reputation, to call into question his motives, and even to get him
thrown into jail and/or assassinated. I suspect the Beast's tactics will be no
different because it's to his advantage to emphasize the old God's perceived faults
and failures and to show how himself as the new God who can do a much better
job managing the world's affairs.

"He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is
worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be
God." (2Thess 2:3-4)

NOTE: I would imagine that a first order of business for the Beast will be to come
up with a plausible explanation for the rapture as its described by 1Thess 4:13-18
wherein nigh unto 2,000 years of deceased Christians will appear out of thin air all
over the globe and join those still alive and all go up together like an Oort Cloud to
rendezvous with Christ in the upper atmosphere.

It seems nigh unto impossible to spin something like that; however, the Beast is
allied with the Dragon-- a very clever critter (Gen 3:1) --who will no doubt figure
out a way to manipulate the meaning of the rapture to the Beast's advantage.
_

 

[for_his_glory]

The beast was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies and power was given unto him to continue for three and a half years which equals 1260 days, Daniel 7:25; 12:7; Revelation 11:2, 3. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints and to overcome them and power was given him over all kindred’s, and tongues, and nations as he (Pope) claims to have inherited the title Pontifex Maximus (Pontiff) directly from Babylon. Another title is Vicarius Filii Dei meaning in the place of God as he calls himself the Holy Father, Matthew 23:9.

Another side study is the study of Emperor Constantine defeating his rival Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312 AD and proclaimed religious toleration for all to gain favor and acceptance with pagans and Christians in order to unite them with his new ecumenical religion whose sign or symbol was the cross, but only as a deceivable symbol. This dividing of the Eastern and Western Roman world by Constantine was foretold in Daniel Chapter 2 with the dream King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had and who the whore of Babylon is in the last days.

Here is the patience and the faith of the saints as they wait upon the Lords return. They will have to wholeheartedly draw on the Lords strength without hindrance while enduring the last battle of Papal Rome’s persecution against them as Satan continues to try and silence the word of God using the present Satanic Jesuit Priesthood religious system, Matthew 24:9-13. Here we see history repeating itself like the Inquisition and annihilation of the saints of God between 538 AD and 1798 with its inhuman torture chambers and burning people alive because they had Bibles in their possession as they were now enlightened with truth and would not conform to the Roman Catholic Pontifex Maximus religious system anymore.

Let us not forget also the Crusaders from 1095 through 1291 who indiscriminately would wipe out whole villages in their path as they traveled toward Jerusalem, for their so called holy wars and the great annihilation of the Jews under Hitler’s reign from 1941 through 1945 killing over six million Jews and burning Bibles written in other languages so the Papacy could retain control teaching their heresies, 2 Peter 3:15-18. Papal Rome will continue to persecute those to death who will not conform to their idealistic heresies, but once they kill the body what more can they do, Luke 12:4, 5.