The Seven Trumpets

 

Teachinghearts	The Seven Trumpets (Revelation 8 - 10) "Explore the Word. Change the World"	Lesson 32: Time: 90 minutes Print: 18 pages

Passover		Wavesheaf	Pentecost		Trumpets	Day of Atonement					Tabernacles
1-3		4-5	6	7	8-11	10	11	12-13	14-15	16-19		14, 20-22
Lamb	Church	Accepted	Seals	Sealing	Judgment	Remnant	Legal Case	Satan's empire	Warning	Destruction		Rescued

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Revelation 8-11

Revelation 8 to 11 introduces Jesus as the judge. The symbols used involve the warning about the judgment from the sanctuary. This is another difficult prophecy.

The Shofar
It was a loud instrument made with the horn of any kosher animal except a calf. It is usually made from the horn of a ram, wild goat or ibex and was a minimum of three handbreadths long. The shofar made from a ram's horn was curved with a silver mouth piece was sounded on fast days, while the shofar from the wild goat was straight with a gold mouth piece was sounded on new year and Yovel days. It was not used as a musical instrument for singing Psalms, rather it was used to make noise in solemn assemblies to call the people. But it was not blown if the holiday fell on a Sabbath.

• Beginning of the Month. (Numbers 10: 10)
  • New Moon. The beginning of the month.
  • New Year (Rosh Hashannah). First day of the seventh month, Tishri 1, which was a "day of blowing" (Leviticus 23: 4; Numbers 29: 1).
• Feast Days. (Numbers 10: 10)
  • Sabbath. Announced the Sabbath.
  • Feast Days. Announced the feasts (Passover, Shavuot, Tabernacles).
  • Fast Days. Announced the fasts (e.g. Yom Kippur).
  • Jubilee. Leviticus 25: 9
    » Yom Kippur of the Jubilee Year. The shofar was sounded as it is on a new year.
• Alarm. An alarm sounds on these occasions.
  • War. When the enemy attacks (Numbers 10: 9).
  • Exodus. When Judah and Reuben, the tribes on the east and south move (Numbers 10: 5-6).
• Assembly. The trumpet calls the people for a meeting (Numbers 10: 3-4).
  • People. Two trumpets are blown without sounding the alarm.
  • Leaders. One trumpet is blown.

The Sounds of the Shofar
Each sounds lasts about 3 seconds. During the day, 100 sounds are made in a pattern of thirty notes repeated three times and a final ten notes. Each set of 30 sounds are in this pattern (tekiah, shevarim-teruah, tekiah. Tekiah, shevarim, tekiah. Tekiah, teruah, tekiah gadola).

• Tekiah. 1 long blast. Some sources say that it lasts half the time of the teruah or shevarim.
• Shevarim. 3 short one second notes rising in tone which make a short, broken sighing sound.
• Teruah. An alarm of 9 rapid notes in sets of 3 disconnected sounds of 3 notes which make a moan or groan.
• Tekiah Gadola (Great Tekiah). One note held as long as possible.

The Call to Judgment
The feast of trumpets on the first day of the civil calendar was a call to judgment. On this first day, Jewish tradition says all living things are judged.

The death of Christ started a whole new beginning for the world. With His death, all things can be judged and all who want can be saved.
The first casualty in this judgment was Satan. He lost his control of earth as Christ won back dominion over earth. He also lost his access to heaven.

The Symbols
The trumpets are patterned after the seven last plagues. Both of these are judgments that are patterned after the curses. The difference is that the trumpets seem to be a judgment on the land and the plagues are a judgment on the people.

Symbol Source		Trumpet		Plague	Comment
1	Earth	From The Burning Heavens	Surface burned	Sores	The surface of the land and the body
2	Sea		Sea life dead	Blood of the dead	The surface of the sea and the internal
3	Fresh Water		Bitter waters	Blood to drink	Drought
4	Sun		Dark day	Heat	Famine and darkness
5	Government	Three Woes	Star fell from heaven. Dark sun	Dark throne	The evil principalities and powers
6	Euphrates		Flood of armies released	Dries up	The forces of Armageddon prepare
7	Air		God takes over	It is finished	The end of the world

This prophecy has been a difficult one to interpret. So I am willing to say that the correct interpretation may only include some of the observations that I will share. However, since I suspect that we are the final generation, I believe that God will allow us to see the meaning as the future unfolds. So let us look at the symbolism and try to see if we can establish their meaning by comparing them to other prophecies.

• Purpose. Trumpets are sent for war or judgment. The feast of trumpets began in the autumn season just before the judgment on Yom Kippur.
• Sealing. In Revelation 7: 3 the four angels are instructed to hold the four winds until the servants of God are sealed. These angels are released in the sixth seal.
• Prayers. They are an answer to the prayers of the martyrs for revenge.
• Death. Many of these trumpets deal with death among a large portion of the earth and sea. At first, this leads one to conclude that they are associated with great wars and devastation. But let us examine the story of Adam and Eve to see what God considers to be involved in the whole concept of death.
  
  Death is Sin. but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die. (Genesis 2: 17)
  With Eve we see that death was not immediate. But we learned that sin brings a death sentence. This death also came to all the living creatures. Therefore, when a trumpet declares that a third of a population dies then it could mean that they have been led to commit a sin that will lead to death.
  It also mentions the death of the creatures in the sea. This also reflects sin among humans, because the sin of Adam caused the death of the animal kingdom and his unborn children.
  
  Sin is the Sting of Death . O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?
  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. (1 Corinthians 15: 55-56)
  Several trumpets refer to scorpions and serpents with stings that cause harm and kill. It means that the evil forces cause the death of all these people by causing them to sin.
  
  Therefore, the "deaths" refer to the great apostasy that a large number of people commit that causes their eternal death.

The Source of the Symbols
#	Judgment		Meaning	Tribe	Comments
1	Hail, fire and blood		Papal persecutions to the French Revolution	Dan. The serpent is judged and cast down to the earth	Napoleon almost touched the whole world with his revolution, Europe, India, Africa, West Indies. Both his wars and his ideas spread.
		Earth	Global
2	Burning mountain		Papacy falls		The old European nations are corrupted, causing them to sin.
		Sea	People
		Blood in the sea	Sin leading to death among the people
3	A star fell from heaven		Atheism	Asher. The thories of death and hell grow and obscure the truth	Our leaders and source of health and welfare are corrupted and disseminate poison to the people
		Wormwood	Poison
		Rivers and springs	Drinking water
		Bitter waters	Poison and contamination
4	A third of the sun, moon and stars darkened		Light from God turned off		The truth of the gospel is being obscured
5	Wormwood		Communism and Babylon the Great	Naphtali The forces of evil are raised	Joel 1 and 2 prophesies about an army of locusts. This trumpets seems to be a repetition of this prophecy about ancient Babylon. Now the armies of Babylon the Great are coming.
		Keys to the Abyss	Earth
		Smoke from a furnace	Confusion
		Crowned locusts	Destroy the harvest
		Teeth of Lions	Babylon
		Men without the seal	Those who reject God
		Tormented five months	150 years or 5 real months
		Scorpions	Cause sin
		King Abaddon (Apollyon)	Satan
6	The four angels released		Time of trouble	Naphtali The forces of good are raised	The symbolism seems to be centered around the events that immediately preceded the fall of Babylon. This is a spiritual battle in which false prophets, with the help of the government destroy the people through lies and apostasy.
		Euphrates	The end of Babylon is near
		Hour, day, month, year	An appointed time
		Third of men killed	A third sinned
		200 million army	Evil army that attacks Israel
		Head of horses like lions	Army of Babylon
		Tails with heads that sting	False prophets
		Fire, smoke and brimstone	Confusion, plagues
7	Christ reigns		Seven last plagues	Judah. The people of God cling to him despite the enemies who surround them	Babylon falls
		Nations enraged	Time of persecution of Israel
		The Wrath of God	The seven last plagues
		Dead Judged	Millennium Judgment
		Reward righteous	Second Coming
		Earthquake and hail	Seventh plague

Locating the Trumpets
This is a difficult prophecy to locate because it is based on the curses of God. These curses repeat themselves. Therefore, the trumpet pattern will be seen at several points in history. Even the seven last plagues follow the pattern of the trumpets. The possible explanations could all be a correct description of the collapse of the final powers that challenge God. So it is hard to decide which event is the one mentioned in prophecy. So we chose the one that chronologically fits the global fulfillment of the feast of trumpets.
There are three possible periods of time for the fulfillment.

1. After the Crucifixion ("31 AD"). The trumpets start from the crucifixion to the Second Coming.
2. Time of the End ("1798"). The trumpets start around the end of the 1260 year persecution to the Second Coming.
3. After the Second Coming. The trumpets start from the Second Coming to the Third Coming.

Crucifixion		70 AD	Dark Ages	French Revolution	1844	Persecution	Plagues	Second Coming		1000 Yrs	Third Coming
1	1	2	3-5	6	7					Satan Bound
2	Cross	Temple	Apostasy	1-4	5	6	7
3	Cross			Papacy Falls	Righteous Judged		Plagues	1-2		3-5	6-7

Three Possible Interpretations
#	Period		1. After the Crucifixion	2. The Time of the End	3. After the Second Coming
Earthquake before trumpets			The Crucifixion (31 AD)	Lisbon Earthquake (1755)	At the Second Coming
1	Hail, fire and blood		The crucifixion. Satan falls	Papal persecutions	Babylon the Great falls
		Third earth burned	Roman empire judged. Third of the angels thrown out (Revelation 12: 4)	The black death and wars killed 30% of the population	Earth partly destroyed
		Third trees burned	Leaders	The leaders	Leaders
		All green grass burned	All people	All people	All the wicked
2	Burning mountain		Jerusalem falls (70 AD)	Papacy falls	Babylon the Great falls
		Sea	Jews	People	People on earth
		Blood in one third of the sea	One million Jews died	Sin leading to death among the people	The wicked die
3	A star fell from heaven		Satan falls from heaven and corrupts the earth	Atheism	Satan confined to the earth in the millennium
		Wormwood	Satan corrupts the doctrine of the blood of Christ and His sacrifice. The Antichrist is corrupting the earth	Poison	Satan gets to see the result of his corruption of the earth. He drinks bitter waters on a darkened earth.
		Rivers and springs		Drinking water
		Bitter waters		Poison and contamination
4	A third of the sun, moon and stars darkened		Apostasy in the church. The word of God is abandoned. 536 volcano	The truth of the gospel is being obscured	The physical darkness during the Millennium
The three woes.
5	Wormwood		The Jesuits sent to stop Protestants	Communism and Babylon the Great	Satan is released after the millennium
		Keys to the Abyss	Believe they have power on earth to act for God	Earth	The second resurrection frees him from the pit
		Smoke from a furnace	False doctrine	Confusion and false doctrine	He deceives the nations again
		Crowned locusts	Jesuits	Destroy the harvest	He forms an army
		Teeth of Lions	The Papacy	Babylon the Great	Babylon (Gog and Magog)
		Men without the seal	The wicked	Those who reject God	The wicked
		Tormented five months	150 years of Jesuit domination (1618-1768)	150 years of communism (1841-1991)	Satan is loosed for a "short time". Is this five months?
		Scorpion tails	Causes death	Cause sin	Sinners marked for death
		Men seek death and do not find it	Torture of the persecuted	Torture of the persecuted	After second resurrection, the wicked cannot die the second death until God destroys them.
		King Abaddon (Apollyon)	Satan	Satan	Satan
The sealing must end before the angels are released or before they release the winds
6	The four angels released		The time of the end. Wars of the French revolution (1798)	Time of trouble	The four cherubim
		Euphrates	The end of Babylon is near	The end of Babylon the Great	The end of sinners is near
		Hour, day, month, year	The time for judgment (1844)	An appointed time (1981)	The time for final judgment
		Third of men killed	The sinners	A third killed	The wicked
		The rest did not repent	The disobedient	Two thirds disobedient	The wicked
		200 million army	The final persecution army	Evil army that attacks Israel	Evil army that attacks Israel
		Head of horses like lions	Army of Babylon the Great	Army of Babylon	Army of Satan
		Fire, smoke, brimstone	Persecution	Confusion, plagues	Final rebellion
7	Christ reigns		Babylon the Great falls	Babylon the Great falls	Satan falls
		Nations enraged	World wars and Wars of the French revolution	Last persecution of global Israel. Middle East wars	The Wicked surround the New Jerusalem
		The Wrath of God	Seven last plagues	Seven last plagues	Hell fire
		Dead Judged	1844 Judgment to identify the righteous	Millennium judgment of the wicked dead by the righteous	All the wicked resurrected for the final judgment before God
		Reward righteous	Second Coming	Second Coming	New earth
		Earthquake and hail	Seventh plague	Seventh plague	Hell fire
		Mystery of God finished	Gospel preached	Seven thunders	All traces of sin removed

The trumpets have been described as a partial judgment because it destroys only one third. Perhaps, it becomes a total judgment if it is repeated three times and all the three interpretations will occur. These cycles occur because God acts in a definite pattern based on the covenant and the curses. The justification for this is that the curse cycles are repeated and the trumpets are based on the curses.

Key Events. These are important events in locating the fulfillment. We will assume that only one interpretation is correct. The key to determining which sequence of events is correct is to locate the fulfillment of one or more trumpets and then look at the other ambiguous ones. The following additional information helps us to identify these key events.

• Time to Judge the Dead. The seventh trumpet stands out as one that can be identified. Unfortunately, it can fit three points in history when the dead are judged. It is this fact that limits the interpretation to these three times.
• One Third of the Stars. The war in heaven described in Revelation 12 shows Satan taking a third of the stars. This would place the first trumpet before the 1260 day persecution. This would eliminate the third interpretation. However, it could just as easily be a warning to the wicked who have just been resurrected.
• Wormwood. The person from the third trumpet is linked to the fifth. This means that the time between the third and fifth trumpets is very short, or it refers to the activity of Satan, or it is the continued activity of a power that exists for a long time.
• Keys to the Abyss. This is mentioned in Revelation 20: 1 when Satan is bound at the beginning of the Millennium. Naturally, the keys would also be needed at the end of the Millennium to free him. But Jesus received the keys to death and hell because of His resurrection. (Revelation 1: 18). Therefore, it could just point to the use of this authority that He has over death and hell. He exercises this power at the Second Coming, during the millennium and the third coming. It could even be said that He uses this power in the 1844 judgment.
• The Three Woes. The context suggests that the earth is still populated with good and evil before the last three trumpets.
• The Sealing . It seems to end before the sixth trumpet or before the angels from the sixth trumpet release their winds. This would eliminate the third interpretation. However, one could say that as far as God and the righteous are concerned, those who have been sealed are accepted. However, this judgment is not shared by Satan, who accuses the people. But at some point after the final judgment, every knee will bow and confess the righteous judgments of God. So, it could be argued that it is at this point that the sealing is complete because all creatures agree with the selection of the righteous and the wicked at this moment in time.
• Men Seek Death But Do Not Find It. This event best fits the third interpretation. Because it is only God that can issue the second death. Therefore the wicked may not be able to kill themselves or each other to avoid the judgment.
  The only way this fits other time periods is if we look at the process of torture. It leaves a person in the state of wanting to die without having the ability to do so. This describes the experience of people during a persecution.
• The Mystery of God Finished. Revelation 10: 7 places the seventh trumpet with this event. This is the gospel message. But is it finished at the Second Coming or the third? Since it is a mystery we cannot say that it only includes the preaching of the gospel to the world before the Second Coming. Even the angels are still learning about the mystery.

Context. The events have not helped us to identify which period is correct. Therefore we will look at the context.

• Revelation 8: 5 (Earthquake). There was a great earthquake before the trumpets began.
  1. Crucifixion (31 AD). A significant earthquake occurred at the crucifixion. It raised the dead.
  2. Lisbon Earthquake (1755). This great earthquake was felt in most of the earth.
  3. Second Coming. This earthquake splits the earth in two. It is described in both the seventh trumpet and the seventh plague.

  Judgment	Satan	Trumpets	Papacy	France	Second Coming
  City Falls	Jerusalem (70)	Martyrs	Rome (1798)	Paris	Babylon the Great falls
  Earthquake	Crucifixion	Fifth Seal	Lisbon	Sixth Trumpet	Seventh Trumpet	Seventh Plague
  Date	31 AD	1798-?	(1755)	1798-1815	Both earthquakes are the same

• Revelation 8: 2-6. (The Prayers of the Martyrs in the Fifth Seal). The trumpets are sent as an answer to the prayers of the martyred saints who were to wait for more martyrs. These are the significant periods of martyrdom.
  1. Ten Roman Persecution (67 -313 AD). Ten emperors had a period of persecution. Nero, Domitian, Trajan, Marcus Antonius, Severus, Maximus, Decius, Valerian, Aurelian and Diocletian (303-313 AD).
     The martyrs are those of the apostolic church of Ephesus who were to be persecuted for ten years.
  2. Papal Persecution (1000-1260 AD). The millions of martyrs of the crusades and Inquisition.
  3. Mark of the Beast Persecution . Revelation 13 and Daniel 12: 1.
• Revelation 11: 14 (The Sixth Trumpet). Revelation 11: 1-13 is interpreted as the French Revolution. The revolution is described as concluding at the end of the sixth trumpet. This best fits the first interpretation. However, we can show that when Babylon falls again, another revolution will mimic the events of the French revolution. So that would support the second interpretation.

The best we can determine is that the trumpets occur after the fifth seal (Revelation 6: 9-11) and the Lisbon earthquake. These were the martyrs who asked for judgment. Therefore, I chose the second interpretation as the one to explain as the fulfillment. The trumpets begin in the time of the end at the feast of trumpets.

Sanctuary	Outer Court		Holy Place							Most Holy Place
Feasts	Spring Feasts		Early rain	Summer			Fall Feasts		Latter rain	Fruit Harvest
	Passover	Wavesheaf	Pentecost	Drought			Feast of Trumpets	Yom Kippur		Tabernacles
History	Crucifixion	Resurrection	Holy Spirit	Apostasy				Judgment (1844)		Rapture
The Seals	White Horse			Red	Black	Grey	Martyrs revenge	Sun, moon, stars		Silence

The Witness
As you study the seven trumpets, you will notice that in each case a faithful witness was sent and was rejected.
In each case, the word of God was the witness that came in a different form, through different people. This word of God would preach the eternal gospel in every age. In each age, the forces of evil would reject the testimony of the witnesses and try to kill them. The rejection sealed their judgment.

The Legal Witnesses
#	Judgment	Witness		Response of the Nations	God's Response
-	Ancient Israel	The law and the prophets		They killed them	Jesus was sent
-	Israel	Jesus and John		They killed them	The disciples and the Holy Spirit sent
-	Jerusalem	The early church. Jesus and the apostles		They killed Jesus and the apostles and persecuted the church	Gospel sent to the Gentiles
-	Papacy	The persecuted church. The scriptures and the hidden church		They persecuted the church for 1260 years	Protestant reformation. The book of Daniel is opened
1	French Revolution	Two Witness of Revelation 11. They are the Holy scriptures - the law and the prophets		Beast from the abyss killed the two witnesses (Revelation 11: 7).	The Great Awakening
2	Papacy falls	Reformers and the printed Bible		Rejected sola scriptura	Protestantism
3	Atheism	The first angel	Nature	Demonic theories taught in schools	The world was given to secularism and atheism
4	Formal Judgment begins	Second Angel's Message	Eternal gospel	They hope in science and technology	Calls the remnant to prophesy again
5	Rise and fall of communism		Eternal gospel	God is rejected
6	Babylon persecutes	Third Angel's Message	Eternal gospel	The Righteous are persecuted	God pours out His Spirit. Israel is defended
7	Babylon falls	Eternal Gospel	The sealed saints	The eternal gospel that will be a witness to all nations. The remnant will be persecuted.	Second Coming

These trumpets chronicle the last efforts of Satan to set up a kingdom. It begins with his introduction of atheism through one particular state and ends with the creation of a religious system in which he is the god.

 The Twelve Tribes. This symbol will be used to show the tribe in the north who symbolizes the trumpet. Since each person judged will be given a double portion, each tribe will be judged by two trumpets.

 The Shofar. Numbers 10 actually gives the rules for sounding the shofar. An alarm is blown when the enemy attacks, when Judah and Reuben set out. The implication is that only Judah and Reuben will be directly attacked. It also says that the first alarm is sounded when Judah leaves and the second alarm when Reuben leaves. So we possibly have a starting point for the first and second trumpets. In addition, the trumpets sound during feast days, fasts, first of the month, when we assemble, offer sacrifices and when we are happy.

 First Trumpet - The Persecutions to The French Revolution (1300 - 1789)
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. (Revelation 8: 7)

The Punishment of Babylon
Source	First Trumpet	First Plague
Earth	Earth burned	Sores
They destroyed the earth and God destroys their bodies which are made from the dust of the earth.

• Hail and Fire thrown to the earth. War and death came to the world because of the Papal persecutions.
  Then another sign appeared in heaven: and look, a great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and on his head were seven diadems. And his tail swept away a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth.
  And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. (Revelation 12: 3-4, 9)
   Dan ("Serpent Judged"). Dan is the son that is judged to be a serpent who "makes the horse and rider fall backward". Satan is the seven-headed dragon who made the stars of heaven fall to the earth. So he met the same fate when he was judged. The principalities and powers that Satan controls no longer represent earth and he intensifies his efforts to corrupt the powers on earth.
  
  » Volcanic Eruption and Days of Darkness (535-546). If the entire reign of the papacy is the fulfillment then this event began the fulfillment. In February 535, a great volcanic eruption split the island of Java and created Sumatra. The sound was heard around the world, even in Mexico. The volcanic ash blotted out the sun totally for 18 months so that the day was as dark as night. 536 was the worst year. The light from the sun was as effective as the light from the moon. Civilizations collapsed, tree growth was stunted because of the years of decreased light, many famines and plagues including Justinian's plague which killed over 25 million. Many plants and animals died and some sources claimed that over 50% of the population may have died.
   The Shofar (Judah Leaves). The first alarm sounds when Judah leaves. Christ began His exodus at the crucifixion and was attacked by Satan. Satan and a third of his angels were cast out to the earth (Revelation 12: 9).

  The Pattern of the Judgment of Satan
  #	Trumpet	Text
  1	One third of heaven	Revelation 12: 3-4
  2	Satan confined to the "sea" (populated earth)	Revelation 12: 9
  3	The wrath of Satan	Revelation 12: 12
  4	The 1260 year Dark Ages	Revelation 12: 14-15
  5	The 150 year persecution of the remnant (no martyrs)	Revelation 12: 16-17
  6	The final persecution of the remnant	Revelation 13
  7	Second Coming and the plagues	Revelation 14-19

• One Third of the Earth. There is one period in history since the time of Christ when one third of the global population was killed. This was the late fourteenth century. The black death, wars of religion and a global economic collapse killed so many people that the population was in a negative growth.
• One Third of the Trees. Trees are leaders and green symbolizes the things of God. Many clergy were imprisoned or banished when religion was banned and church property was confiscated. Many Protestant clergy were martyred or tortured as galley slaves.
• All the Green Grass. Grass symbolizes people. The green grass is probably the church. The people "died" because they were led into idolatry and sin by rejecting God. Also many people were martyred as heretics.

 Second Trumpet - The French Revolution: Fall of the Papacy (1789-1798)
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, and a third of the creatures which were in the sea and had life, died; and a third of the ships were destroyed. (Revelation 8: 8-9)
 Dan ("Serpent Judged"). The judgment of the serpent includes the judgment of the little horn, the power on earth that Satan uses. This described the fall of Papal Rome during the French Revolution. Rome had ignored the witness of the Christian church and had persecuted them instead.

The Punishment of Babylon
Source	Second Trumpet	Second Plague
Sea	Blood	Blood of the dead
They are guilty of causing death, so God gives them blood to bathe in

• Great Mountain. A mountain is a power. This falling mountain was the Papacy. It fell into the sea (Europe) during the turbulent period of the French Revolution.
• Ships Destroyed. The invasion of Egypt from the sea. Napoleon lost his navy to the British and the Turks. The British destroyed the French fleet and in one day in Abukir Bay, and the French army was stranded. Later, as the French marched against Syria, British forces again captured ships bring supplies.
• The Witness. The Two Witnesses of Revelation 11 testified during the past 1260 years. Some, like the Huguenot, Waldenses, Albigenses and the reformers would hear the message and would be faithful. The response of the apostate church would be persecution and martyrdom.

 The Shofar (Reuben Leaves). The church suffers great affliction during the 1260 years of persecution.

 Third Trumpet - The French Revolution: Secularism and Atheism (1800's)
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. 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. (Revelation 8: 10-11)
 Asher ("Death, Fat Bread"). This is the phase of death and sheol (Hades). Although Asher represents the death phase, the promise is that he will be fruitful in death. Satan introduced theories in this death phase that are now ruling the world. But what we have is bitter, poisonous fruit that will cause the second death.

• Star Named Wormwood. Satan formulated a plan to destroy the whole world. He causes the fall of the church and rejection of Christianity. He proceeds to export the new theories to the world through the godless revolution.
  It corrupted both the secular and the religious world. Atheism, immorality, evolution and many other changes in thinking that forgot or minimized God and the Bible.
  This fallen star shows up during the fifth trumpet. It takes all this time for the fruit that was planted during this trumpet to reap their harvest. Jeremiah shows the reasons for sending Wormwood. They are caused by idolatry, adultery and apostasy among the leaders so that the people do not repent.
  Idolatry. Moreover, among the prophets of Samaria I saw an offensive thing: They prophesied by Baal and led my people Israel astray.
  Lying and Adultery. Also among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing: The committing of adultery and walking in falsehood; And they strengthen the hand of evil doers, so that no one has turned back from his wickedness, All of them have become to Me like Sodom, and her inhabitants like Gomorrah.
  Wormwood. Therefore, so says the Lord of hosts concerning the prophets, Look, I am going to feed them wormwood and make them drink poisonous water, for from the prophets of Jerusalem pollution has gone out into all the land. (Jeremiah 23: 13-15)

  The Punishment of Babylon
  Source	Third Trumpet	Third Plague
  Rivers and Springs	Poisoned water	Blood to drink
  They poisoned the earth and killed the people so God gives them blood to drink

• Bitter Waters. The spread of apostasy and false doctrines among the people. Some of the philosophies that came out of the behavior of the French Revolution were atheism, secularism, people creating their own religion, idolatry, evolution, communism, homosexuality and sadism.
  Contrast all of this to the saints and the accusations against the wicked.
  • Idolatry. The beast tried to make the world commit idolatry. (Revelation 13: 14-15)
  • Lying. God praised the saints for not being liars. (Revelation 14: 5)
  • Adultery. Babylon the Great was the mother of harlots. (Revelation 17: 1-5)
  • Sodom and Gomorrah. Their immorality was as offensive as these cities.
  • Celebrate Evil. They allow evil and forget their task of being watch men.
  • Wormwood. It is God who causes Wormwood to come. It reminds us of the third plague. By that time they get blood to drink.

 The Shofar (Warning).

 Fourth Trumpet - Judgment Begins (1800 - 1844)
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. (Revelation 8: 12)
 Asher ("Death, Fat Bread"). The first death advances and its darkness obscures the light. The darkness of Hades is pictured here with the judgment of false teachers. There was no light because those who should guide us have fallen.

In the middle of the trumpets we have a pause. The first three trumpets caused the first fall of the papacy.
The last three trumpets will cause the second fall of the papacy as it forms Babylon the great.

The Punishment of Babylon
Source	Fourth Trumpet	Fourth Plague
Sun, Moon and stars	Darkness	Heat
They rejected the light of the gospel and filled the earth with idolatry. God punishes them with heat.

• Partial Darkening of the Sun, Moon and Stars. The rejection of the gospel was reflected in a change in the church of God. In this period people believed that they were about to celebrate a millennium on earth. The love of God was being replaced by new theories, new laws, and the revolutionary hope of new scientific inventions. The church fell asleep and did not carry the Protestant Reformation forward. Fortunately, the second great spiritual awakening was occurring and the light of God was not totally diminished.
  » The Year Without a Summer (1816). A volcanic eruption in Tambora in 1815 killed 92,000-177,000 and caused crop failures for two years and a little ice age, triggering global famines and epidemics.
• Celestial Events. It is during this period that the great Leonid meteor shower occurred on November 12, 1833.
• The Witness. With the judgment God sends three angels with a message that will combat the evils that will grow from atheism.
  1. The first angel warns us to accept God as the creator. This fights against the theory of evolution.
  2. The second angel states that Babylon has fallen. The secular world systems have failed.
  3. The third warns us not to receive the mark of the beast. Obey God. Do not create our own gods.

 The Shofar (War).

 Fifth Trumpet - Atheistic Communism (1841-1991 or the Scapegoat)

The Two Thrones
The symbols of this trumpet are clearly the struggle of an evil empire. In challenging God, Satan has set up his own throne. We see the throne mimics the attributes of God's throne as described in Ezekiel. Here the throne of God is above the cherubim creatures who are among the fires of God. In the fifth trumpet, the king of the abyss is over the creatures that crawl out of the pit of fire and smoke.

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. 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. Then out of the smoke came locusts upon the earth, and power was given them, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 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. 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. And in those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will long to die, and death flees from them. 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. They had hair like the hair of women, and their teeth were like the teeth of lions. 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. They have tails like scorpions, and stings; and in their tails is their power to hurt men for five months. 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. The first woe is past; Look, two woes are still coming after these things. (Revelation 9: 1-12)
 Naphtali ("Resurrection, Wrestling"). The abyss of Hades was opened with a key and the demonic forces were freed. They only had the power to corrupt those who wanted Satan's values. In the resurrection others are also freed. Satan sent an army of atheists, teachers, scientists, politicians and preachers to corrupt the world with his theories.

• Star Fell from Heaven. Satan had introduced atheism as a national religion during the French Revolution. Immorality and secularism also flourished at this time. God was actively removed from society. This was shown in the events of the third trumpet. It took several years for immorality, atheism and the theory of evolution to be taught in the colleges and universities until its bitter fruit ripened in the communist takeover after World War II. Religion departments in colleges and universities even changed to accommodate these theories and they introduced religious theories that questioned the power and authenticity of God and the Bible.
  
  It was during this period that the world and the clergy openly embraced all the sins that God mentioned in Jeremiah 23: 13-15. For those sins God would send the wormwood. The sins are adultery, immorality, homosexuality, idolatry, lying, injustice and failure of the clergy to warn the people that they are living in sin. In fact, the clergy encourages sinners. This is a description of our days.
• Key to the Bottomless Pit (Abyss). The earth is the abyss. Satan was given this time to set up an army.
• Men will Seek Death and not find it. This refers to those who suffered under the harsh rule of these atheistic states and also the mistreatment of native populations by imperial conquerors.
  This particular statement best fits the condition of the wicked after they have been resurrected at the Third Coming. At that time they are not allowed to kill or be killed. God alone dispenses the second death.
  However, the statement could refer to the present time and the need of people to end their suffering under communism and the pressures of modern living. Death will not come to them except by suicide and they are unwilling to do this. The only expectations that they had were a hard life, work, poverty and deprivation.
  And death will be chosen rather than life by all the remnant that remains of this evil family that remains in all the places to which I have driven them declares the Lord of Hosts. (Jeremiah 8: 3)
  
  Job confirms that this phrase can refer to the condition of those who are suffering.
  Why is light given to him who suffers, and life to the bitter of soul, who long for death but there is none, and dig for it more than for hidden treasure. (Job 3: 20-21)
  » The Symbolic Way. If we look at this symbolically, they have just passed through the death phase and they cannot possibly turn back along the path, they must go through all the twelve steps in order. So in the resurrection phase, the death phase is at the furthest point so they cannot find it yet.

  The Sealing
  Sealed	Undecided		Unsealed
  Righteous		Wicked
  Dead	Living	Living	Dead

• Hurt Those without the Seal. We learned from Revelation 7: 3 that the four angels with the winds of strife will not blow until the church is sealed. We know that they will be released during the sixth trumpet. However, this trumpet mentions people without the seal. Does this mean that the sealing is over in this time?
  No. The sealing is still in progress because it will not conclude until the sixth plague. But we learned from this that the judgment has passed from the righteous dead to the righteous living. Some who are living are being rejected.
• Complete Darkening of the Sun, Moon and Stars. 

  The Punishment of Babylon
  Source	Fifth Trumpet	Fifth Plague
  Darkness	Smoke from the abyss darkened the sun and air	Darkness in the kingdom
  Torture	Will seek death and not find it	Gnawed tongues because of pain
  Because they caused darkness in the world, God causes darkness in their kingdom. The darkness originates from the throne of the beast.

  Traditional Christianity has been crippled by the theories from this dark place. Secularism, communism and atheism have taken hold of our governments and institutes of learning, media and popular culture. Now the Bible is no longer obeyed by many churches and its laws are considered old fashioned. The light of God has been dimmed by their theories and the majority who believe them.
  » Krakatau (1883). It made a sound that was heard 3000 miles away. It killed 36,417 and exacerbated the little ice age conditions.
• Five Months (1841-1991). 150 years of the domination of atheistic theories.
  » 1859 - Darwin's book, "The Origin of the Species".
  » 1945 - Communism takes over eastern Europe, Russia and China.
  » 1991 - Communism fell as the beast of the next trumpet emerged. The seventh head of the beast of Revelation 17 defeats the sixth head. The United States and the Catholic church together defeat communism.
• Locusts. The horde of unbelievers and the demonic forces that control them. As you can see, Satan is attempting to build an army and a kingdom to rival God. This army marches in the sixth trumpet.

  The Two Creatures		Comparison
  		Item	Locust	Cherubim
  		King	Abaddon	God (YHWH)
  		Origin	Abyss	Throne
  		Work	War	Judgment
  		Air	Smoke	Clouds
  		Creatures	Man, teeth of lion, horse, scorpion	Man, lion, ox, eagle
  		Wings	Wings	Six wings
  		Wing Sound	War chariots and rushing horses	Rushing water
  		Shield	Breastplate	Wings
  		Light	Sun and air darkened	Light brighter than the sun, rainbow
  		Weapon	Tail stings	Flaming sword
  		Power	Death	Life

• King Abaddon. A king has been orchestrating their progress. This is Satan who appears in physical form to take over the world during the next trumpet. This stage of their growth is defined in Revelation 17 as the eighth head of the beast.

 The Shofar (An Assembly at The Last Trumpet on Yom Kippur). The shofar sounds at the end of the Yom Kippur service, it calls for the assembly of a leader. The scapegoat is called to assemble his people. Giving permission for Wormwood to have control over the bottomless pit, appears to be related to the time when the scapegoat will be allowed to appear before the people. The scapegoat makes war with God and begins the persecution by instituting the Mark of the Beast test.

 Sixth Trumpet - The Time of Trouble (1991 or Scapegoat - Plagues)

The Two Armies
The Army of Christ comes to defend the church in the seventh trumpet
The Satanic Army assembles in the sixth trumpet

Then the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, one saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates." 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. The number of the armies of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them.
Horses of Zechariah. 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. 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. 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. 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; and they did not repent of their murders nor of their sorceries nor of their immorality nor of their thefts. (Revelation 9: 13-21)
 Naphtali ("Resurrection, Wrestling"). Resurrection is pictured with an earthquake because it can be symbolized as a breaking open of the earth to free the captives or a parting of the raging sea to let the captives escape. The Euphrates parts and the forces of God are also unleashed to execute judgment.

• The Voice from the Golden Altar. We first heard this voice telling the four angels to hold the winds of strife until the sealing of the saints has been done. Now that they are allowed to work, we can assume that the sealing is done.
  With the identification of the righteous and the wicked, God allows Satan to assemble his army. We can see a contrast with this army and the one that God was prepared in Revelation 19. This righteous army separates the righteous from the wicked.
  
  The Saints at the Altar. When the lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained.
  And they 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?" (Revelation 6: 9-10)
  Now their prayers are going to be answered and the winds of strife will begin to blow.
• Four Angels at the Euphrates. The winds of strife are no longer delayed. These are the messages of the three angels and the fourth angel in Revelation 18 who repeats these messages. Because these angels bring the gospel and the warnings, they also bring judgment. We see this image repeated in Revelation 19: 15 where Christ has a sword coming out of His mouth. This sword is the word of God.
  
  Hold Back Winds of Strife. After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, so that no wind would blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the seal of the living God; and he cried out with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, "Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we have sealed the bond-servants of our God on their foreheads." (Revelation 7: 1-3)
  
  

  The Sealing Ends
  The sealing ends in this trumpet. The winds of strife that are held back might be the final persecution. Ever since this trumpet began we also see trouble beginning in the Middle East. This trouble will terminate in the siege of Jerusalem and the Mark of the Beast persecution.

  Is it possible that the winds of strife at the Euphrates are related to a war in the land of the Euphrates river? A war in Iraq. Then this section of prophecy is a parallel of Daniel 11: 44-45. Then we are now living in that time. The United States is now Babylon the Great and it is involved in a war in the land of the Euphrates.
  "But rumors from the East and from the North will disturb him, and he will go out with great wrath to destroy and annihilate many. "He will pitch the tents of his royal pavilion between the seas and the beautiful Holy Mountain; yet he will come to his end, and no one will help him.
  And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince who stands for the children of your people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time your people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. (Daniel 11: 44-45 and Daniel 12: 1)
  The sealing will be over at the point where the King of the North experiences trouble. Because it is at this point that the last persecution starts according to Daniel 12: 1 and the seventh trumpet begins.

  The Growth of the Evil Army
  Description	Fifth Trumpet	Sixth Trumpet	Sixth Plague
  Lion (Babylon)	Teeth of a lion	Head of a lion	Euphrates (Babylon)
  Breastplate	Iron	Hyacinth and Fire	Naked
  Mouth	Smoke from the abyss	Fire, smoke and brimstone	Three unclean spirits like frogs
  Tail stings	Scorpion	Serpent	Deception
  Army	Locust	Horses and riders	Unclean spirits gather kings for a war
  Work	Allowed to torment	Allowed to kill	Assemble for war

• 200 Million Riders and Horses. These are from the locusts who came out of the abyss in the fifth trumpet. Now that they have worked for 150 years, they have developed an army of humans just like them. This is the global army that surrounds Jerusalem and persecutes the saints. God will destroy them in the last great show down. Their connection to ancient Babylon can be seen in the reference to the horses with "heads of a lion". This army had begun to form in the fifth plague. At that time they only had the teeth of lions. Now they have fully developed.
  
  Look, I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that causes reeling to all peoples around; and when the siege is against Jerusalem it will also be against Judah.
  It will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it.
  "In that day", declares the Lord, "I will strike every horse with bewilderment and his rider with madness. But I will watch over the house of Judah, while I strike every horse of the people with blindness."
  And in that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that come against Israel. (Zechariah 12: 2-4, 9)
• Breastplate. In their evolution from the fifth to the sixth plague, these creatures change from an iron to a red and blue breastplate. It means that they have transitioned from using the force and brutality like the Roman empire to creating laws that will bring death. Theirs is a civilized persecution, based on law.
  Even now, we see the church silently organizing efforts since 1993 to change global laws to a system modeled after the laws of the inquisition.
• Hour, Day, Month and Year. They were released at a specific time - after Babylon the Great has formed. The structure of the sentence in the original language is one of emphasis which points to a particular point in time not to a period of time.

  The Punishment of Babylon
  Source	Sixth Trumpet	Sixth Plague
  Euphrates	Flood of an army	Dries up
  Deception	Smoke	Unclean spirits like frogs
  They deceived the world and God allows them to be deceived by demons.

• Fire, Smoke and Brimstone Are these part of the seven last plagues? During this trumpet, the message of the third angel will make its final warning. Babylon has fallen and is now persecuting. The third angel now warns with more urgency not to receive the mark of the beast. The punishment for receiving this mark is the fire, smoke and brimstone from the wrath of God.
  But this trumpet seems to suggest this these plagues are caused by horses from the army. What is correct? It is God who ultimately permits it. We see the same principle operating during the plagues of Egypt. Pharaoh hardened his heart, yet God said that He did this. Finally God said that Pharaoh hardened his own heart. This was because God allowed it by not pleading with Pharaoh anymore. In the same way, the wicked will cause their own plagues. And it will be their own fault. Because with their mouths they will not acknowledge God.
  But will these three plagues occur during this trumpet? No, God is only warning them that this generation will receive the plagues if they do not repent.
  It is the warning of the third angel.
  • The Three Plagues From their Mouth
    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; 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. (Revelation 16: 13-14)
    The army that will be fully developed by the sixth plague is now at work during the great persecution. They will attempt to kill the people of God at that time. Now they force the world to take sides and essentially have marked the wicked for death.
    Notice that God makes them the source of these plagues. Just as the plagues of Egypt appeared to be a condemnation of their gods, the seven last plagues will be a condemnation of the gods of this final generation. Therefore, these plagues will come as a result of their errors and arrogance.
    3. Brimstone. Causes the red and the contamination of the fresh waters in the third plague.
    4. Fire. Causes the heat of the fourth plague
    5. Smoke. Causes the darkness of the fifth plague.
    Warning Plagues. When the plagues fell on Egypt, the first three fell on the whole land, but the seven last plagues did not fall on Israel. This could be like the first three plagues that fell on everyone. It may be what we are experiencing now in cycles of "mock plagues".
    » The Four Horses of Zechariah. The horses of the sixth trumpet are the first three horses of Zechariah. The fourth horse is the seven last plagues.
  • The Third Angel's Message. However, this might be the message of the third angel. It warns about the punishment of the plagues to come with the same symbols.
    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, 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.
    "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." (Revelation 14: 9-11)
    3. Brimstone. The wrath of God.
    4. Fire. The wrath of God
    5. Smoke. Their torment
  • Powers of Heaven Shaken. This period of strife and distress among the nations is the perfect time for the events of Luke 21: 26 to come through. These celestial objects, asteroids and fireballs, can be seen as fire and brimstone. Men will be looking into the skies in fear because of an astronomical event. I believe that it will be the threat of a large asteroid impact. It will propel the world into religious persecution as men try to appease god.
    The Righteous Martyrs. The same message places the righteous at this moment within the generation that will see God. The seventh trumpet will only last one year. Therefore, the results of their work will be important. It also encourages them to be patient and to obey the commandments. The first four will be under attack by the beast.
    Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, "Write, "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!" "Yes", says the Spirit, "so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them." (Revelation 14: 12-13)
• One Third Killed. Perhaps only one third will reject God. On this great harvest day, they have finally chosen the wrong side. They have not been sealed by God. They have been marked for death.
• Power in the Mouths and Tails ("Church and State Union"). This refers to their power of persuasion, fear, torture, punishment and force of law that will be used to enforce religion. It ultimately refers to their power to give the sting of death. This comes by persuading the world through actions or conviction to sin against God. This is done through their leaders and false prophets.
  » Tail ("False Prophets"). ... the prophet that teaches lies, he is the tail. (Isaiah 9: 15)
  » Mouth ("Babylon"). ... he had two horns like a lamb and he spoke as a dragon. (Revelation 13: 11)
  So through the use of draconian laws by the state and a complicit clergy, they do their will.
• Did not Repent. This is the lament of the sixth plague. The people did not repent, instead they start a war against God. This trumpet shows the armies preparing for battle.
• Idolatry. Their sin is worshipping demons and idols. This idolatry in the house of God is an abomination that causes desolation. Their judgment is near. In Revelation 13 we learned that during the mark of the beast persecution that they will try to enforce idol worship on the world.
• The Witness. Now the eternal gospel is being preached by the remnant church. The final message given by the three angels of Revelation 14 is God's last testimony to the world before the end comes. This message will be a witness to all nations. When this message is rejected and His people are persecuted, God will return.
  1. The eternal gospel is preached. The Judgment has begun. Worship God as the creator.
  2. Babylon has fallen. The system of false religion had been judged by God.
  3. Do not worship the beast or receive the mark.

Sixth Trumpet - Interlude
The sixth trumpet ends before the judgment of the wicked. The final chance to choose God has gone. It is at this point that we are interrupted with the interludes of Chapters 10 and 11. Both chapters are about the judgment of the trumpets.
In the feasts of Israel, the trumpets begin to blow on Rosh Hashannah to prepare people for Yom Kippur. This is the trumpet that is blown on Yom Kippur. It is a final warning.

• The Last Harvest (Chapter 10). This chapter concerns the opening of the book of Daniel so that the prophecies could be understood. It also shows the experience of those who preached the judgment message.
  It is at this point in history, the message to prophecy again must be stated as loudly and as clearly as possible. Because this will be the last opportunity. This is the last generation. There is only one to four years left.
• The Last Witnesses Murdered (Chapter 11). This chapter talks about the judgment (measurement) of the people of God and the temple of God. It is at this point in history, during the sixth trumpet when all the saints who have been measured and judged will be symbolically taken into the holy city because they have been sealed.
  So the interlude emphasizes the efforts of God and the separation of the righteous before we continue with the final punishment of the wicked.

 The Shofar (War). The mark of the beast issue separates the world into two groups.

 Seventh Trumpet - The Plagues to the Second Coming

Events	1844	Second Coming	Third Coming
Dead Judged	Righteous	Wicked	Wicked
Judgment	Yom Kippur Cleansing	Millennium judgment	Executive judgment
Wrath	The same events as the second coming	Seven last plagues	Hell
Nations enraged		Mark of the beast and occupation of Jerusalem	Surround the New Jerusalem
Destroy wicked		Second Coming	Hell fire
Hail and earthquake		Seventh plague	Hell fire
Reward saints	Selected, sealed	Heaven	New earth

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." And the twenty four elders, who sit on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshipped God, 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. "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." 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. (Revelation 11: 15-19)
 Judah ("King, Praise the Lord"). The Lion of the Tribe of Judah comes from the east and goes to the living temple.
The seventh trumpet occurs between the beginning of the seven last plagues and the Second Coming. The key to understanding this plague is in the phrase "the time came for the dead to be judged". The question is which dead and which judgment? There are three possibilities.

1. 1844: Righteous Investigated. Judgment began with the righteous dead in 1844 and it will pass to the living.
2. Millennium: Wicked Investigated. During the millennium the saints will judge the wicked. This is to satisfy their curiosity about the fairness of God. It is equivalent to the establishment of a grand jury who will decide whether or not charges should be brought based on the evidence.
3. Third Coming: Wicked Judged and Executed. The time for the trial and punishment phase of their judgment is after the third coming and their resurrection.

 The Shofar (War: The Battle of Armageddon and the Yom Kippur of the Jubilee Year). This trumpet included many events that require the blowing of a trumpet. Yom Kippur is the fast at the judgment, the wrath of God includes the beginning of Armageddon and it is a time of rejoicing because God has begun to rule.

Silent Trumpet

• Christ Takes the Kingdom (Verse 25). Daniel 2: 44, Daniel 7: 9-10, 13-14 all describe this same scene. Christ goes to the Ancient of Days and takes the kingdom and begins to reign. This formality is recognized among the principalities and powers of heaven. But only at the Second Coming does He physically take the people of His kingdom. This taking of the kingdom is the outpouring of His Holy Spirit so that the gospel can be finished. He can reign because all His people are ready and they have been sealed.
  A part of this gospel is the writing of the law in the heart. We assume that at the end of the sixth plague the sealing has occurred. Now the sealed ones agonize over their savior. They struggle as Jacob did. He had been sealed. He had been chosen. But he did not feel as if he deserved it. But he wrestled with God until he received a blessing.

  Days of the Trumpet
  Trumpet inactive or silent		Trumpet sounds
  7	Gospel finished Verses 15-17	Persecution Verses 18-19
  The Sealing (Four angels wait)		Winds released

  • Gospel Completed - Three Angels' Message. The mystery of God (gospel) will be completed during the seventh trumpet (Revelation 10: 7). This is the eternal gospel mentioned in Revelation 14: 6 - the message of the three angels.
    
    About to Sound. But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then the mystery of God is finished, as he preached to His servants the prophets. (Revelation 10: 7)
  • Sealing Finished - The Four Angels Wait. The statement "about to sound" shows that the events of the seventh trumpet do not occur until after the Gospel is preached and people have taken sides. This means that the sounding of the trumpets is different from the time it is active. The time the trumpet sounds is probably the same time that the four angels release the winds of strife (Revelation 7: 1-4). The sealing occurs when they wait. During the same time the trumpet waits silently.
    These angels were released in the sixth trumpet. However, an enlargement of Revelation 7 shows that they were told to delay their destruction until the sealing is finished.
• Your Wrath Came (Verse 18). Although the destruction of the wicked in hellfire is the final wrath of God, this phrase points to the seven last plagues. They cause the fall of Babylon and the punishment of those powers that are persecuting the saints.
  The Seven Last Plagues. ... Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God. (Revelation 16: 1)
  The Great Harvest. ... put in your sickle and reap, for the hour to reap has come, because the harvest of the earth is ripe.
  So the angel swung his sickle in the earth and gathered the clusters from the vine of the earth and threw them into the great winepress of the wrath of God. (Revelation 14: 15, 19)

The Punishment of Babylon
Source	Seventh Trumpet	Seventh Plague
God	God takes over	God destroys them
God intervenes and destroys the kingdom.

The Trumpet Sounds

• Judgment of the Dead. At the Second Coming the wicked living are killed. It starts the millennium. During this time the saints get a chance to look at the judgments of God. They get to judge angels and to evaluate the sentence of all the wicked. So that by the time the millennium is over all of heaven will be acquainted with all the issues. The wicked are resurrected and they will represent themselves.
  And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world as a witness to all nations and then the end will come. (Matthew 24: 14)
• Nations Enraged. The persecution of the saints occurs in these final hours. It is interesting that as the global church is suffering the persecution of the mark of the beast, that the nation of Israel will be surrounded by the nations who want to destroy her. The prophetic imagery is that all of Israel (Jews and Gentiles) will be under attack.
  The Day of the Lord. Look, I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that causes reeling to all peoples around; and when the siege is against Jerusalem it will also be against Judah.
  It will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it.
  And in that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that come against Israel. (Zechariah 12: 2-3, 9)
• Ark of the Covenant. This is the opening of the Most Holy Place to the saints. Like Stephen at his death they can see God by faith as they flee from the terrible persecutions of the beast.
  These scenes occur from the Most Holy Place. In the previous scenes we were still in the Holy Place. This transition further adds to the evidence that it is now time for the feast of Tabernacles. It is time for the Second Coming which will reward the saints and destroy the wicked. The great hail storm is the storm described by Jesus.
• Lightning, Thunder, Hail and Earthquake. These are the events of the seventh plague.
  It is the Second Coming. A great storm system that envelops God.
• The Witness. There are no witnesses except the persecuted saints. God has been totally rejected.

The Three Woes and the Fall of Babylon
The Three Woes describe the fall of the Papacy in its different stages and they also mirror the last three plagues which cause the fall of Babylon.
You will remember from Revelation 13, that the Papacy received a wound and then was healed. After it was healed it rose to power again and tries to conquer the entire world.
In the last three trumpets this power was judged because it rejected scripture. Then it lost power because of the French Revolution. Finally, Babylon and the entire world will be judged as a result of the message of the three angels and their response to this message.
In the seven last plagues, the first four affected the people, but the last three cause the fall of Babylon.

#	Babylon Falls	Trumpets	Plagues	Comments
5	Religious	Sun, moon and stars darkened by smoke from the abyss	Darkness on the Throne of the beast	Papacy rejects "sola scriptura", they will also reject the message of the three angels and the truth of the Sabbath. This is their religious fall.
6	Political	Four Angels released from the Euphrates	Euphrates dries up	The French Revolution causes their first political rejection and fall. The loss of support by the world alliance of Revelation 17: 16-17 causes their second political fall at the end.
7	Spiritual	Christ takes the kingdom	Disaster from the Air	God rejects them, causing their spiritual fall. God made a judgment against the "Little Horn" in 1844 and He will make a judgment against Babylon at the end.

The Feasts of Trumpets and the Day of the Lord
We may be able to refine the interpretation more by looking at the feast of trumpets. Although Christ died on Passover, He began to fulfill the fall feasts at the same time, just like the Jews who began the feast of tabernacles when they left Egypt in the first month (Nisan). When Christ died, the curtain was ripped, signifying that the great day of Atonement had begun and the temple was opened. The day ends after the scapegoat is banished.

Crucifixion		70 AD	Dark Ages	French Revolution	1844	Persecution		Plagues	Second Coming		1000 Years
Feast of Trumpets			Days of Awe (Sealing)		Yom Kippur			Tabernacles
-	1	2-3	4					5-6	7
Lord's Goat			Temple Opened on the Day of Atonement							Scapegoat Banished
Tekiah						Teruah		Shevarim	Tekiah Gadola

The trumpets are the most cyclic of all prophecies. As each trumpet sounded, the pattern of events were repeated, occurring in the feast of trumpets, the seven thunders, the seven last plagues and the day of the Second Coming.

1. Crucifixion. This was the beginning of the "Day of the Lord" and the beginning of the days of awe when the righteous are being sealed.
   "I will display wonders in the sky and on the earth, blood, fire and columns of smoke. "The sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. "And it will come about that whoever calls on the name of the LORD will be delivered; For on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be those who escape, as the LORD has said, even among the survivors whom the LORD calls. (Joel 2: 30-32)
    Shofar Sound ("Tekiah"). The call to assemble for the judgment. Wrath is poured out on the Messiah.
2. Fall of Jerusalem. Israel is replaced by the church.
3. Fall of the Dragon. The fall of Satan and the Roman Empire and the corruption of the church by Rome as it fell. Rome created laws to suppress others and establish the church by giving both laws, gifts, land and authority.
4. Dark Ages (530-Plagues). The church falls into apostasy and persecutes heretics.
   » Astronomical Signs. We should experience a dark day, blood moon and falling stars again.
    Shofar Sound ("Teruah"). The moaning and groaning sound that is also an alarm describes the urgency of the last call and the persecution that is occurring at that time. It runs parallel with the seven thunders, the sound of God that recreates the righteous.
5. Plagues 1-4. Instead of beginning this trumpet in 1991, we begin with the appearance of Satan on the last Yom Kippur before the year of the plagues. However, since 1991 we have been receiving signs that the plagues are about to occur in the form of "mock plagues" which mimic the real plagues.
   King Abbadon (The Angel of the Abyss). Satan appears in the false Second Coming just before the plagues begin. The wicked people are judged by being given to Satan for 5 months out of the twelve months of the plagues. They do not have the seal.
    Shofar Sound ("Shevarim"). The sighing of the trumpet is the sound of giving up the wicked to the plagues. The three woes sound like the three notes of the shevarim or the three sets of notes of the teruah.
6. Plagues 5-6. Government and powers judged. The Euphrates parts bringing the forces of their destruction.
   Prophesy Again. In this period, we can prophesy with certainty that time has run out and the Second Coming is near. We will have a bitter experience because the persecution will intensify.
   Little Book. The little book is the book of life and the righteous are the people who are sealed.
7. Second Coming. This is the end of the "Day of the Lord". Wrath is poured out on the wicked.
    Shofar Sound ("Tekiah Gadola"). The long blast is the trumpet of God for the assembly at the first resurrection.
   For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. (1 Thessalonians 4: 16,17)
   So the Messiah appears at the little tekiah at the crucifixion and the big tekiah at the Second Coming. At both times the wrath of God is poured out.

Prophesy Again: The Great Time of Trouble
This prophecy is like peeling several layers of an onion. The prophecy looks like a wheel within a wheel where it is repeated in smaller cycles until the end. So we present one other possibility. It is based on the assumption that the previous interpretation is true. However, during the sixth trumpet, John is told to prophesy again and we use that as the point where the cycle is repeated again. We are not using prophetic time anymore because the instruction to prophesy again also included the information that there will be prophetic time no more. (Revelation 10: 6)

Eventually, physical fulfillment meets spiritual fulfillment and the generation has no excuse for their ignorance. It is the last call for the last generation to make sure that their names are sealed and written in the book. The prophecy begins after a great earthquake.

Great Earthquake. The great earthquake in south east Asia on December 24, 2004 is probably the event. It also occurs in the context of many prophecies suddenly being fulfilled.

1755		French Revolution	1798		1844	Time of Trouble		2004		Persecution			Plagues	Christ
6 (Prophesy Again ) The Three Angel's Message												7
	1-4				5	6 (Prophesy Again ) The Third Angel							7
Babylon the Great Rises						1991	Disasters		1-4				5-6	7

1. The Asteroid or Meteor (A Global Paradigm Shift). Since great national and human made disasters and plagues do not seem to drive the population to return to God, an approaching planet killer or country killer will accomplish this task. Luke hints at this fact. The threat from the heavens in outer space occurs at the time we are also experiencing fear from the atmospheric heavens in the forms of great floods, cyclones and tornadoes. The threat from the heavens escalates.
   There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars and on the earth distress of nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the waves and the sea. Men fainting from fear and the expectation of things which are coming upon the world for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. (Luke 21: 25-26)
   "Hail with fire" is a good description of a burning object from space. It could be a series of smaller objects that are large enough to destroy a city. The uncertainty that causes fear is the widespread impact and the uncertainty in predicting where they will strike. I believe this might be the event that pushes us towards a religious solution and it begins the great persecution. All life is affected.
2. Burning Mountain Falls into the Sea: (Babylon the Great Falls). Italy and the United States might also experience devastating eruptions of some of their volcanoes or "burning mountains" as a physical sign of this fulfillment. But the spiritual, political and religious fulfillment will be that all the events that characterize this time of trouble will openly be a problem for these powers. The pedophile scandal among the priests and the efforts of the church to cover it up, avoid prosecution and reassign these offenders among a new group of victims is a testimony to the fact that they cannot speak for God, or have authority over sin and forgiveness.
   The failure of the wars in the Middle East and the willingness of this gentle nation to torture even to the point of raping children while claiming to be doing the will of God is a testimony to their moral bankruptcy. Finally, the willingness of the conservative religious right to make excuses for these policies is a testimony to the moral failure of the Protestant and Catholic leadership.
   Because they have begun the persecution by making laws, it signals their ultimate fall in the eyes of God and it begins His final rejection of them. They will get what they want and they will receive the seven last plagues.
   Babylon is The Mountain that Destroys. Look, I am against you, O destroying mountain, who destroys the whole earth ... and I will make you a burnt out mountain ... but you will be desolate forever ... (Jeremiah 51: 25-26).
   Babylon will be thrown down with violence.
   Then a strong angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, "so will Babylon, the great city be thrown down with violence, and will not be found any longer". (Revelation 18: 21).
3. The Great Star Wormwood Falls to the Earth (Satan Takes Control). Since they will not obey God, God turns them over to the powers they admire. Babylon is given into the hands of the ultimate king of Babylon, Satan. This may be the false Second Coming. At a minimum it means that open Satanic activity substantially increases and Satan will appear in person in the fifth trumpet when he is given the keys to the bottomless pit, which is the earth.
4. Darkness: Sun, Moon and Stars (Evil's Last Gasp). We will probably have a real solar eclipse, blood moon and falling stars to fulfill this prophecy and also complete the astronomical signs that are repeated for this cycle. Since Satan is here, this means that moral darkness and an attempt to fight back with false signs and doctrines will be occurring. Revelation 10 gives more detail about this time.
   » It is Finished! They have committed the final act that seals their judgment and rejection. This is equivalent to the three hours of darkness on the cross. God turns His back on the wicked.

   Last Signs		Tishri 10 (Yom Kippur)		Tishri 11-20		6 Months			5 Months	2 Weeks		1 Week
   	1-2	3 (Scapegoat Appears)		4		5				6		7
   Last Warning		False Second Coming		Decision Made!		1	2	3	Plague 4	5	6	Plague 7

   The next act of God is their punishment and His revenge.
5. The First Woe: (Satan and His Locusts Spread Misery). The plagues begin. They are the first four plagues which target all the wicked people. Satan turns against his own people and he is probably responsible for the devastation that occurs. God simply allows it, but Satan is given the permission to do it. He will appear during the plagues to blame God and the church and to convince the world to intensify the persecutions.
   » Five Months of Torment. At this point, he cannot hurt those with the seal, but Satan can torment the wicked for five real months. This may be during the fourth plague.
6. The Second Woe: (Satan Prepares to Fight God by Murdering the Saints). This is the darkness of the fifth plague. It is earth's darkest moment. The presence of Satan totally obscures the light of the sun. The reference to the Euphrates and the large army probably also includes the sixth plague in this trumpet.
   The last two trumpets may in fact be the last three plagues that fall on the governments and institutions of Babylon. This is when Revelation 18 is fulfilled and the financial ruin of all businesses occurs.
   ... 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. (Revelation 9: 20)
   
   » 200 Million Gather for War. This trumpet also mentions the armies of Babylon, the locusts that cover the earth to prepare to fight God. This event is also the sixth plague where they prepare for the battle of Har-Magedon (Revelation 16: 12-14). God also sends a large army (Revelation 19). It is also the termination of the war described in Revelation 17: 14.
7. The Third Woe: (Satan Falls). The mystery of God is finished. This does not mean that the gospel is still being preached. It means that the seven thunders have completed their work and the image of God has been created in His people. They have passed the fiery trials of the great persecution.
   
   » Nations are Enraged. The wicked persecute the righteous and gather for war. Now they are about to kill them.
   » Your Wrath Came. This is the seventh plague or the Second Coming. This completes the wrath of God for this cycle. This event brings its own set of signs, symbols and events that include all the wrath of God.
   » The Judgment of the Dead. It is now time for the righteous to judge the wicked dead.

Repetition and Enlargement
The seven plagues do not parallel the time of the seven trumpets. But they show the same pattern of judgment as the trumpets. The trumpets are the partial judgment on those who reject the witness of the eternal gospel. The plagues are the total judgment on those who reject the witness of the three angels - God's final testimony to the world.

-		Passover		Pentecost			Feast of Trumpets		Feast of Tabernacles
Beast Heads		7 Churches		Seven Seals			Seven Trumpets		Seven Plagues		History
13, 17		1-3		4-6			8-10, 18		16		7, 12-15, 20-22
1	Babylon	Israel		Patriarchs and Prophets			Traditional feasts		Fifth Curse		First temple destroyed
2	Medo-Persia	Israel		Patriarchs and Prophets			Traditional feasts		Curses		Cyrus
3	Greece										Maccabean revolt
4	Rome			Jesus Christ			Passover		Fifth Curse		Second temple
		1	Ephesus	1	White horse: Pure early church		Pentecost		Blessings		Apostles	Martyrs
		2	Smyrna	2	Red horse: Roman persecutions		Summer drought		First curse		Roman Persecution
		3	Pergamos	3	Black horse: Apostasy
5	Papacy	4	Thyatira	4	Pale horse: Papal persecutions		Feast of Trumpets				Papal Persecution
		5	Sardis	5	Martyrs ask for revenge		1	French Revolution	Second curse
		6	Philadelphia	6	Earthquake, dark sun, blood moon, stars fall 1755 Lisbon earthquake 1780 dark day, blood moon 1833 meteor shower Signs in the heavens  Sky rolls up	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	2	Papacy falls	Third curse		Reformation Inquisition
6	Government Atheism	7	Laodicea				3	Atheism begins
							4	Judgment			Righteous Judged
							5	Atheism spreads			Sealing 144,000
7	United States and Papacy						6	Babylon the Great persecutes	Fourth curse		Mark of the beast Jerusalem surrounded
							7	The Gospel is finished with the Holy Spirit			Israel converts
								Babylon the Great falls.	Fifth curse		Sealing ends. Protected in the sanctuary
									1	Sores
									2	Blood sea
									3	Blood river
									4	Heat
8	Satan								5	Darkness
									6	Euphrates dries
				7	Silence in heaven				7	Hail, Earthquake	Second Coming
God		Israel		Covenant keepers			Feast of Tabernacles		Blessings		First Resurrection
Satan bound			Millennium				Saints in Heaven				Saints Judge Wicked
			The Third Coming								Second Resurrection
Satan released			Judgment of the Wicked								Hell Fire
New Heaven and Earth

---

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Study to show yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.   2 Timothy 2: 15 Copyright     Updated : May 19, 2004. 2008. 2009 Credits: The views expressed here are my own. Author: Laverna Patterson. Editor: Patterson (January 2008) All images were created by Laverna Patterson and are the property of teachingheart.org

Prophecy in the gospel of judas

Prophecy in the gospel of Judas

The Disciples' Vision in the gospel of Judas:

Another day Jesus came up to them. They said to him, "Master, we've seen you in a dream, because we had great [dreams last] night."

But Jesus said, "Why […] hidden yourselves?"

38 And they [said, "We saw] a great [house, with a great] altar [in it, and] twelve people – we'd say they were priests – and a name. And a crowd of people was waiting at the altar [until] the priests [finished receiving] the offerings. We kept waiting too."

[Jesus said], "What were they like?"

And they said, "[Some] fast [for] two weeks. Others sacrifice their own children; others their wives, praising and humbling themselves among each other. Others sleep with men; others murder; yet others commit many sins and do criminal things. [And] the people standing [before] the altar invoke your [name]! 39 And in all their sacrificing, they fill the [altar] with their offerings." When they said this, [they] fell silent because they were troubled.

Jesus said to them, "Why are you troubled? Truly I say to you, all the priests standing before that altar invoke my name. And [again], I say to you, my name has been written on this [house] of the generations of the stars by the human generations. [And they] have shamefully planted fruitless trees in my name." Jesus said to them, "You're the ones receiving the offerings on the altar you've seen. That's the God you serve, and you're the twelve people you've seen. And the animals you saw brought in to be sacrificed are the crowd you lead astray 40 before that altar. [Your minister] will stand up and use my name like that, and [the] generations of the pious will be loyal to him. After him, another person will present [those who sleep around], and another those who murder children, and another those who sleep with men, and those who fast, and the rest of impurity, crime, and error. And those who say, 'We're equal to the angels' – they're the stars that finish everything. It's been said to the human generations, 'Look, God has accepted your sacrifice from the hands of priests,' that is, the minister of error. But the Lord who commands is the Lord over everything. On the last day, they'll be found guilty."

41 Jesus said [to them], "Stop [sacrificing animals]. You've [offered them] over the altar, over your stars with your angels where they've already been completed. So let them become […] with you and let them [become] clear."His disciples [said to him], "Cleanse us from our [sins] that we've committed through the deceit of the angels."







In the mysterious landscape of the Gospel of Judas, a prophetic revelation unfolds as the disciples share a compelling vision involving the Jerusalem temple. This vision becomes a profound canvas upon which Jesus paints an interpretation that transcends the temporal, hinting at the emergence of apostasy within the Catholic Church. Let us delve into the nuances of this revelation and its symbolic resonance.



The Disciples' Vision: A Glimpse into the Spiritual Realm

As the disciples gather, their souls burdened by the weight of dreams, they seek Jesus for understanding. Their recounting of a vision, perhaps an ethereal visit to the Jerusalem temple, becomes a doorway to prophetic insights. In their earnestness, they declare, "Master, we've seen you in a dream, because we had great dreams last night."

Foreshadowing Apostasy: A Cryptic Interpretation

What transpires next is a profound interpretation by Jesus,unravelling the symbolic layers of the disciples' vision. He challenges their hidden motives, prompting introspection. The vision, initially appearing innocuous, takes a prophetic turn as Jesus decodes it as a foreshadowing of an emerging apostasy within the Catholic Church.


In the cryptic verses of the Gospel of Judas, the disciples share a profound vision—a vision of a great house, laden with symbolic richness that transcends the boundaries of both time and spirituality. As the narrative unfolds, this great house takes on dual meanings, intertwining the literal and the spiritual, ultimately pointing to the Roman Catholic apostasy encapsulated in the grandeur of St. Peter's Basilica.

The House as a Literal and Spiritual Temple:

The disciples' vision introduces the notion of the house as a temple, potentially signifying the literal temple in Jerusalem. This interpretation aligns with references in Matthew 23:16, hinting that at the time of the Gospel of Judas's writing, the Jerusalem Temple remained a focal point of worship. The insistence on continuing worship at this Temple becomes a battleground for first-century Judaizing elements within the early churches.

However, the narrative doesn't confine itself to the literal realm alone; it extends to encompass the spiritual "temple" of believers—the Church itself. Drawing parallels with passages like 1 Corinthians 3:16,17, 2 Corinthians 6:16, and Ephesians 2:21, the house takes on a dual nature, symbolizing both a physical place of worship and the collective body of believers.

St. Peter's Basilica: The Culmination of Apostasy:

The Gospel of Judas, in prophetic undertones, points towards the Roman Catholic apostasy, tracing its origins within the Church. This apostasy, depicted as enthralling itself in the most extravagant of temples, finds its apex in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. This grand structure, hailed as the epitome of beauty and glory, becomes the symbolic "Temple of God," setting the stage for the unfolding of the apostasy.

The imagery intensifies as the narrative describes the Pope's ceremonial ascent to the papal chair within St. Peter's. The false claim of this throne as the "Temple of God" becomes a central theme, challenging the authenticity of the authority vested in the papal pronouncements. The claim, albeit false, establishes a hierarchical structure that mirrors the decadence foretold in the Gospel of Judas.

The Altar and the Ritualistic Divergence:

Within the grandeur of this symbolic temple, the altar assumes a pivotal role. La Civiltà Cattolica underscores the altar's significance as the centre not only of the church building but also of the living Church. Yet, the Gospel of Judas challenges this assertion, highlighting that Jesus Christ never instituted religious ceremonies at an altar. The reference to Matthew 5:23, 24 clarifies that Jesus' mentions of the altar pertain to Jewish practices, not directives for his followers.

The convergence of twelve individuals, potentially priests, further deepens the symbolism. Drawing from Ezekiel 8:11,16, these figures represent leaders within the Church. However, the narrative suggests a departure from their intended roles as spiritual guides, signalling a deviation into ritualistic practices that deviate from the core teachings of Christ.



The Anticipation at the Altar: A Symbol of Divergence:

The vision crescendos with a crowd eagerly awaiting at the altar, emphasizing the departure from simplicity and humility advocated by Jesus. This tableau becomes a poignant symbol of the evolving rituals within the Church, inviting scrutiny into the authenticity of religious practices. The anticipation at the altar mirrors the clamour of offerings, symbolizing a departure from the essence of genuine worship.

Interpretation and Commentary:

In this revealing dialogue from the Gospel of Judas, Jesus inquires about the nature of the individuals witnessed in the disciples' vision. The disciples, in response, paint a disconcerting picture of the actions undertaken by these individuals, drawing parallels to practices within Christendom and providing a prophetic commentary on the moral decay and corruption within the Church.

Symbolic Fasting and Lent: The mention of fasting for two weeks is interpreted as a reflection of Christendom's practice of Lent, a period of fasting and penance. This symbolic connection underscores the deviation from the simplicity of fasting as a spiritual discipline, transforming it into a ritualistic practice within the Church.

Disturbing Practices Reflecting Moral Decay: The disciples proceed to describe a spectrum of actions ranging from sacrificing their own children to engaging in various immoral behaviours. These actions are symbolic of the moral decay and corruption embedded within the Church. The sacrifice of children may metaphorically allude to the spiritual harm inflicted on the followers, while other immoral acts signify a departure from the ethical teachings of Jesus.

Invocation at the Altar: A Symbol of Misguided Worship: The mention of people standing before the altar, invoking Jesus's name, signifies a misguided form of worship. This could be interpreted as a commentary on false teachings and doctrines that lead individuals astray, using Jesus's name in vain. The filling of the altar with offerings is symbolic of the abundance of misguided rituals and ceremonies that dominate the religious landscape.

Silent Troubles: A Testament to the Severity: The disciples, upon recounting these distressing practices, fall silent, reflecting the severity of the situation. The troubled silence underscores the gravity of the moral decline within the Church, signalling a profound sense of concern and contemplation.

Prophecy of Church Decay and Dark Ages: The Gospel of Judas, through this dialogue, serves as a prophetic lens into the moral decay and corruption within the Church. The disciples' vision, if reflective of the 3rd and 4th centuries, is seen as a precursor to even darker times in the subsequent Dark Ages. The mention of troubling practices becomes a potent warning, urging believers to confront and rectify the deviations that threaten the core tenets of Christianity.

In essence, this passage from the Gospel of Judas not only illuminates the moral challenges within the Church but also serves as a cautionary prophecy, urging a return to the authentic teachings of Jesus to avert further spiritual decay.




Jesus said to them, "Why are you troubled? Truly I say to you, all the priests standing before that altar invoke my name. And [again], I say to you, my name has been written on this [house] of the generations of the stars by the human generations. [And they] have shamefully planted fruitless trees in my name."

Interpretation and Commentary:

In this pivotal moment from the Gospel of Judas, Jesus addresses the disciples' distress over the vision of the temple. His words unfold as an allegorical interpretation, shedding light on the symbolic significance of the temple and the actions witnessed within.

Priests Invoking His Name: Jesus reassures the troubled disciples, unveiling the true nature of the priests standing before the altar. The invocation of his name by these priests symbolizes the appropriation of Jesus's teachings for their own agenda. This mirrors the warning in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, where false teachers, claiming Christian identity, infiltrate and corrupt the temple of God.

Name Inscribed on the House of Generations: The profound revelation follows as Jesus declares that his name is inscribed on the house of the generations of the stars by human generations. This celestial imagery intertwines spiritual and cosmic elements, emphasizing the enduring influence of Jesus's teachings across time and generations. The house represents both the spiritual dwelling of believers and the broader cosmic order.

Shameful Planting of Fruitless Trees: A poignant metaphor emerges as Jesus laments the shameful planting of fruitless trees in his name. Drawing parallels to the Gospel of Thomas (saying 40), where a grapevine planted apart from the Father perishes, this imagery underscores the distortion and misapplication of Jesus's teachings. The fruitless trees symbolize doctrines and practices that bear no spiritual nourishment or genuine connection to the divine.

Comparison with 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4: The mention of the God served by the priests aligns with the warning in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, describing a hypocritical figure claiming divine authority within the temple. The historical reference to Catholicism's absolute authority, where the pope assumes titles and attributes reserved for God, adds a layer of prophetic insight. The parallels drawn between historical events and the Gospel of Judas accentuate the timeless nature of the cautionary message.




Historical Context and Prophetic Reflection:

In examining the historical interplay between the rise of Catholicism and the prophetic insights from the Gospel of Judas, a compelling narrative unfolds. The claim of absolute authority by Catholicism and the elevation of the Pope to a position akin to an "object of worship" finds resonance in both historical records and prophetic warnings.

The absolutism of Catholic Authority: Throughout epochs when Catholicism wielded unchallenged authority, a climate emerged where no alternative object of worship, whether true or false, was permitted. The authority of the Pope, adorned with titles such as "His Holiness," "the Holy Father," "the Bishop of Rome," and "Vicar of Jesus Christ," became a focal point of reverence. This concentration of power extended beyond religious realms into the political sphere, reflecting the fusion of spiritual and secular authority.

Papal Sovereignty and Infallibility: The Gospel of Judas, when interpreted alongside historical developments, mirrors concerns raised about the Pope's perceived sovereignty over all mankind. The claim of papal infallibility, a decree asserting a divine attribute belonging solely to the God of Heaven, evokes parallels with the prophetic warning in Daniel 11:38. The verse foretells the glorification of a god of fortresses, honoured with material wealth. The historical linkage to Phocas, an emperor granting the title of Universal Bishop to the Bishop of Rome, solidifies the prophetic undertones within the Gospel of Judas.

Prophetic Insight from Daniel 11:38: The reference to Daniel 11:38 within the interpretive framework highlights a potent prophecy. The glorification of the god of fortresses, a deity unfamiliar to ancestors, takes on symbolic significance. It aligns with the grandeur associated with the structures of power, both spiritual and temporal, built by Catholicism. The adornment of these fortresses with gold, silver, jewels, and treasures metaphorically represents the opulence and influence amassed by the Church of Rome.

The mention of a "god of guardians" in the context of Daniel 11:38 and its connection to the Bishop of Rome's elevation to a title like "Universal Bishop" sheds light on the symbology and power dynamics in the Gospel of Judas, particularly regarding the God being served and the temple/house mentioned.

1. **The God of Guardians in Daniel 11:38:**

   The reference to a "god of guardians" in Daniel 11:38 represents a deity unfamiliar to ancestors and involves the act of doing honour to this strange god. This god is associated with guardianship, protection, and defense. In the historical context presented, it reflects the rise of ecclesiastical power, specifically the Bishop of Rome, who, after certain political maneuvers, became a recognized spiritual authority.

2. **The God You Serve in the Gospel of Judas:**

   In the Gospel of Judas, Jesus identifies the priests and leaders of the religious establishment as those serving a god, particularly through their actions at the altar. The actions described in the Gospel of Judas, such as immoral acts, violence, and leading people astray, suggest a departure from the true teachings of Jesus. This god they serve is depicted as one demanding sacrifices and associated with the corruption of religious practices.

3. **Connection between Daniel 11:38 and the Gospel of Judas:**

   The common thread between Daniel 11:38 and the Gospel of Judas lies in the elevation of a spiritual authority, symbolized by a "god of guardians" in Daniel and the deceptive practices associated with the god in the Gospel of Judas. Both narratives involve a deviation from true worship and an exaltation of a power claiming authority over religious matters.

4. **The Temple/House in the Gospel of Judas:**

   In the Gospel of Judas, the temple/house is described as having a great altar in it, and twelve people, likely representing priests or leaders. The interpretation provided draws parallels between the literal temple at Jerusalem, the spiritual temple of believers, and symbolically, the grand St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. The temple/house becomes a focal point for religious activities, including offerings and sacrifices.

5. **Relation to Serving a God in the Gospel of Judas:**

   The identification of the priests in the Gospel of Judas as serving a god aligns with the historical context of the Bishop of Rome's rise to power. The practices and actions described in the Gospel of Judas, including sacrificing offerings, align with the corrupted religious practices associated with the elevation of ecclesiastical power.

In summary, the "god of guardians" in Daniel 11:38 and the god served in the Gospel of Judas both reflect a departure from true worship, involving the elevation of ecclesiastical authority and the corruption of religious practices. The symbolic connection between the historical events and the Gospel of Judas underscores the recurring theme of deceptive leadership and the need for discernment in matters of faith.

Phocas and the Universal Bishop Title: The historical event involving Emperor Phocas conferring the title of Universal Bishop upon the Bishop of Rome enriches the prophetic tapestry. This declaration positioned the Church of Rome as the paramount authority over all other churches. In its prophetic vein, the Gospel of Judas forewarns against such centralization of power and the potential distortion of divine principles for earthly dominance.

In summary, the amalgamation of historical events and prophetic insights underscores the cautionary nature of the Gospel of Judas. It serves as a timeless admonition against the concentration of absolute authority within religious institutions, urging vigilance against the blurring of spiritual authenticity and the trappings of secular power. The echoes of historical developments enhance the relevance of the Gospel's message, prompting reflection on the delicate balance between faith, authority, and the preservation of genuine spiritual principles.


**Apostolic Succession and Spiritual Authority: Unveiling the Layers of Interpretation**


In delving into the profound narrative of the Gospel of Judas, a distinctive passage resonates with layers of meaning that echo through the corridors of religious history. The words, "and you're the twelve people you've seen," unfold a rich tapestry of interpretation, particularly when juxtaposed with the concept of apostolic succession, a cornerstone in various Christian traditions.


**The Veil of Apostolic Succession:**
At the heart of this enigmatic statement lies a reflection on the claimed apostolic succession within certain Christian denominations. The Roman Catholic Church, Anglican Church of Great Britain, and Eastern Orthodox Churches all lay claim to a lineage of apostolic successors tracing back to the original twelve apostles. This belief serves as a foundational pillar, underpinning their spiritual legitimacy and continuity with the earliest Christian communities. The Gospel of Judas, however, invites us to question the veracity of such claims and the implications they carry.


**Matthias and the Unfolding Apostleship:**
The Gospel's interpretive layer regarding Matthias provides a lens through which we explore the nuanced nature of apostleship. Contrary to the conventional understanding of apostolic succession, the case of Matthias challenges the notion that only the original twelve apostles held a unique and unbroken lineage. The inclusion of Matthias, who replaced Judas Iscariot, prompts a reconsideration of apostleship beyond the confines of the Jerusalem congregation. Matthias' distinct path underscores that apostolic authority can emerge in varied contexts and is not confined to a predetermined succession.


**Divergent Paths of Apostleship:**
The exploration extends beyond the twelve apostles, acknowledging the diversity in apostleship found in the early Christian communities. Figures like Joseph Barnabas, who became an apostle of the congregation in Antioch, and others mentioned as "apostles of congregations," challenge the notion of a singular apostolic succession. These individuals were sent forth by congregations, reflecting a dynamic and contextual nature of apostleship rather than a rigid and unbroken lineage.


**Epaphroditus: Apostleship Beyond the Twelve:**
The Gospel of Judas further widens the aperture by referencing individuals like Epaphroditus as "envoys" or "apostles" sent by congregations. Unlike the twelve apostles, these emissaries were not part of any apostolic succession. Epaphroditus, described as an "envoy" and "private servant," exemplifies apostleship grounded in specific missions and service, rather than an inherited lineage.


**Questioning the Notion of Unbroken Continuity:**
The Gospel's subtle challenge to the concept of apostolic succession reverberates through the narrative. The emphasis on Matthias and the diversity of apostolic roles beyond the twelve apostles invites contemplation on the validity of claims of unbroken continuity. Rather than a rigid lineage, apostleship emerges as a dynamic and context-specific vocation, challenging institutionalized notions of spiritual authority.


In conclusion, the interpretive layers surrounding the statement "and you're the twelve people you've seen" unfold a profound critique of conventional views on apostolic succession. The Gospel of Judas beckons believers to explore the diverse paths of apostleship, questioning the notion of unbroken continuity and encouraging a more nuanced understanding of spiritual authority within the tapestry of Christian history.




The cryptic statement, "And the animals you saw brought in to be sacrificed are the crowd you lead astray before that altar," invites us to delve into an allegorical interpretation, drawing parallels with the broader theme of apostasy within the context of ministers of error and false teachings.

Interpreting the Sacrificial Imagery: The Gospel of Judas employs symbolic language, likening the sacrificial animals to the misled crowd led astray by priests functioning as ministers of error. This imagery resonates with the Odes of Solomon, particularly Ode 38, which speaks of the corrupting influence of the Deceiver and the Error, adorning themselves as a corrupted bride and bridegroom. The parallel underscores the insidious nature of the deception, drawing a connection between the corrupted sacrificial offerings and the spiritual corruption propagated by false leaders.

Echoes of Pauline Apostasy Warning: The Gospel of Judas aligns with the apostolic warnings, notably the words of the apostle Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4. The description of the "man of lawlessness" setting himself up in the temple of God, falsely claiming divine authority, finds resonance in the narrative of the twelve disciples in the Gospel of Judas. Here, these disciples, representative of church leaders, engage in human sacrifice on the altar in the name of Jesus, embodying the very apostasy Paul foresaw.

The Impostor and False Teachings: The term "man of lawlessness" encapsulates the essence of the Gospel of Judas' depiction of the twelve disciples. They stand as impostors, offering human sacrifices on the altar under the guise of divine service. The alignment with false teachings and corrupt practices draws attention to the deceptive nature of apostasy within religious institutions.

Challenging Institutional Claims: The Gospel of Judas challenges institutional claims of divine authority and apostolic succession. By portraying the leaders as ministers of error, it questions the authenticity of their spiritual guidance. The deliberate connection between sacrificial rites and leading the crowd astray underscores the dire consequences of false teachings, urging believers to scrutinize institutional authority and remain vigilant against deceptive practices.

Implications for Contemporary Reflection: The allegorical narrative prompts contemporary believers to reflect on the state of their faith communities. Are leaders genuinely guiding with authenticity, or do their actions mirror the deceptive practices highlighted in the Gospel of Judas? The warning against apostasy becomes a timeless call to discernment, encouraging believers to safeguard against spiritual corruption and seek the truth amidst potential deception.

In conclusion, the Gospel of Judas, through its cryptic imagery and allegorical language, unveils a profound warning against apostasy and spiritual deception. The sacrificial offerings on the altar serve as a potent symbol for the misled crowd, emphasizing the urgent need for discernment in the face of false teachings. As we navigate the complexities of faith, the Gospel of Judas challenges us to scrutinize institutional claims, embrace authenticity, and remain steadfast against the allure of deceptive practices.


Succession and Moral Deviations in the Gospel of Judas



The narrative takes a poignant turn with the words, "Your minister will stand up and use my name like that, and the generations of the pious will be loyal to him."

The Minister's Deceptive Use of Jesus's Name: The minister, as portrayed in the Gospel of Judas, emerges as a central figure wielding authority and influence. Drawing a parallel with the Odes of Solomon (Ode 38:9-11), the minister's deceptive use of Jesus's name echoes the symbolism of the Deceiver and the Error, corrupting the faithful. The allegiance of the pious to such a minister signifies a profound spiritual challenge, highlighting the capacity for leaders to mislead under the guise of divine authority.

Succession of Leaders with Moral Deviations: The prophecy unfolds with a succession of leaders, each presenting moral deviations that reverberate through the corridors of history. The spectrum of deviations includes those who engage in promiscuity, commit infanticide, practice same-sex relationships, observe fasting, and indulge in impurity, crime, and error. The diversity of these deviations suggests a comprehensive critique of religious leadership, with implications that reach beyond the immediate narrative.

Reflections on Papal Succession: The Gospel of Judas, in its prophetic undertones, prompts contemplation on the historical trajectory of religious leadership, especially within the context of the Catholic Church. The mention of different moral deviations aligns with an interpretation suggesting a succession of leaders, possibly reflecting various popes throughout history. This interpretation challenges the perception of an unbroken line of moral and doctrinal purity within the papal succession.

The Challenge of Moral and Doctrinal Integrity: Embedded in the prophecy is a challenge to the integrity of religious leaders. The succession of individuals with diverse moral and doctrinal deviations underscores the vulnerability of religious institutions to corruption over time. It urges believers to scrutinize the actions of their spiritual guides, emphasizing the importance of discernment in navigating the complexities of faith.

Contemporary Relevance and Cautionary Reflections: As we unravel the layers of prophecy in the Gospel of Judas, it beckons us to assess the contemporary landscape of religious leadership. Are current leaders invoking Jesus's name with sincerity, or are they, like the minister in the prophecy, using it deceptively? The cautionary reflections within the prophecy serve as a timeless reminder for believers to remain vigilant, questioning the authenticity of leaders and holding them accountable for moral and doctrinal deviations.

In conclusion, the Gospel of Judas, through its prophetic tapestry, offers a challenging narrative of succession and moral deviations within religious leadership. The minister's deceptive use of Jesus's name and the diverse array of subsequent leaders underscores the perpetual need for discernment and accountability. As we navigate the complexities of faith, this ancient prophecy continues to resonate, calling believers to uphold moral and doctrinal integrity in their spiritual journey.




Equality with Angels and the Minister of Error:

The Gospel recounts those who assert their equality with angels, identifying them as the stars that bring about the culmination of all things. Jesus, in his interpretation, draws a parallel between "the twelve" and the priests at the altar, linking the offerings to the people led astray by these individuals. The dream highlights immoral acts and violence as consequences of worshipping the god of fortresses—a deity falsely claiming Jesus's name.

The god of fortresses, referred to as the "minister of error," demands sacrifices from its followers. Drawing from Ode 38:9-11, Jesus urges his disciples to cease sacrificing themselves and others to this false god. Here, the narrative takes a critical turn as Jesus exposes the deceptive nature of the god of fortresses, portraying it as a force misleading humanity.

Contrasting Teachings: Gospel of Judas and Luke:

A noteworthy point of contention arises as Jesus challenges the notion propagated by the god of fortresses—that at the resurrection, followers will "be like angels." This assertion contradicts the teachings found in the Gospel of Luke, where Jesus is quoted as stating that those deemed worthy of a place in the age to come and the resurrection from the dead are "like angels" and "children of God" (Luke 20:35–36).

Jesus, in the Gospel of Judas, dismisses the false promise of angelic equality, urging followers to abandon such behaviour. The dichotomy between the authentic teachings of Jesus and the distorted version presented by the god of fortresses becomes evident. This raises questions about the true nature of salvation and the significance of righteous living in the eyes of the divine.

Apocalyptic Imagery and Final Condemnation:

The Gospel of Judas introduces the theme of the "end of days," echoing apocalyptic imagery prevalent in various religious texts. The author draws upon the belief in God's final condemnation of the unrighteous. The narrative suggests that, if individuals persist in their misguided actions, the true Lord of the universe will unveil their shame on the last day.

This eschatological perspective adds a layer of urgency to Jesus's message, emphasizing the consequences of deviating from the path of righteousness. The stars completing everything symbolize a cosmic order, signalling the culmination of the divine plan. It is within this framework that the Gospel of Judas underscores the importance of heeding Jesus's warnings and aligning with the true Lord before the impending judgment.

Conclusion:

The Gospel of Judas, with its enigmatic passages and symbolic dream interpretation, invites readers to contemplate the complexities of faith, righteousness, and divine judgment. Jesus's message, as portrayed in this gospel, challenges distorted beliefs and calls for a reevaluation of sacrificial practices that lead astray. In the interplay between authentic teachings and deceptive ideologies, the narrative underscores the significance of discernment and fidelity to the true Lord as the stars complete everything in the unfolding cosmic drama.

Unveiling the Prophecy of Obadiah: Edom's Connection to Modern-Day Palestinians

The Prophetic Significance of Edom and the Palestinian Question in Biblical Context

Introduction:

In the context of biblical prophecies about the restoration of Israel's kingdom in the latter days, the mention of Edom holds significant symbolic representation. Edom is depicted as a collective of enemies of Jacob, united under a confederacy, as foretold in Psalm 83: "With one mind they plot together; 'Come,' they say, 'let us destroy them as a nation so that Israel’s name is remembered no more'" (Psalm 83:4,5). The echoes of this sentiment are heard in contemporary chants by some Palestinians, expressing a desire for Israel's elimination with slogans like "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free."

The Modern Identification of Edom:

While the nation of Edom no longer exists, the tents of Edom are identified as the Palestinians and Southern Jordanians. These "tents" – referring to refugees or military encampments – came into existence in 1949, after the conclusion of a war. The linkage between the biblical Edom and modern-day territories such as Gaza, the West Bank, and Southern Jordan becomes evident when examining the prophecies.

 the Bedouins. The Bedouins (Baudouin, Beduin, Bedawin, bed’oo-in, written also Bed- awee, Bedawi, and Ahl Bedoo) are a group of various desert dwelling families that originated in the Middle East or North Africa in approximately the years from 500BC – 700 AD and who are still active to this very day. These people can currently be found in countries such as Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine and also at the Dead Sea of Jordan, where the infamous Dead Sea Scrolls were found in the year 1946. Even though there are active communities of the Bedouins all over the world, the actual true origins of these people are a mystery.

Prophecies in Obadiah:

Obadiah's prophetic vision unveils a confederacy that mirrors the historical relationship between Edom and Israel. Within this vision, a divine judgment looms over the Mount of Esau, foretelling their utter destruction due to the violence perpetrated against Jacob's descendants. The pronouncement depicts this destruction as eternal, with shame enveloping them for their actions. The prophecy delineates the eventual deliverance on Mount Zion and the consequent possession of their rightful territories by the house of Jacob.

Specifically, Obadiah records a solemn sentence: "Every one of the Mount of Esau shall be cut off by slaughter forever, and shame shall cover them, because of their violence against Jacob." This statement emphasizes the severity of divine retribution for their historical offenses. Edom's revelry and indulgence on Yahweh's holy mountain, continuing to this day, foreshadow a shared fate for all nations, bringing about their obliteration to the point of nonexistence.

The prophecy further illuminates that upon Mount Zion, deliverance shall manifest, sanctifying the place. The house of Jacob is depicted as a force akin to fire, symbolizing its strength and potency, while the house of Joseph is likened to a flame, reinforcing its fervour and intensity. In comparison, the house of Esau is metaphorically equated to stubble, signifying their vulnerability and eventual consumption by the intense fire of Jacob and Joseph. The outcome is dire, with no remnant of the house of Esau surviving this divine judgment.

Obadiah delineates a designated time for this sequence of events to unfold. Deliverers are prophesied to arise on Mount Zion, tasked with judging the Mount of Esau. This judgment leads to the establishment of a kingdom that ultimately belongs to Yahweh, signifying divine authority and sovereignty over the events foretold.

This comprehensive prophecy in Obadiah (verses 9, 10, 16-18, 21) presents a vivid and decisive portrayal of divine retribution against the Mount of Esau for their transgressions, simultaneously heralding deliverance and possession for the house of Jacob.

Identification of Palestinians as Edomites:

A closer examination of Obadiah 19 reveals a territorial aspect, suggesting that those controlling specific territories in the Holy Land will come to possess additional territories. The areas being retaken by Israelites are now populated by Palestinians, potentially identifying them as Edomites. The verse mentions the South possessing the mountains of Esau (southern Jordan and parts of the West Bank), the Lowland possessing Philistia (Gaza Strip), and other regions currently held by Israelis or Palestinians.

Identification of Palestinians as Edomites:

A meticulous examination of Obadiah 19 unveils a crucial territorial aspect, suggesting that those who currently control specific regions in the Holy Land will come to possess additional territories. The verses hint at a reclamation process by Israelites, targeting areas allegedly usurped by the Edomites. Intriguingly, the territories specified in this prophecy are presently inhabited by Jews, providing a contemporary twist to the ancient text.

The prophecy becomes even more compelling when viewed in its full context, where Israelites are portrayed as reclaiming territories seized by the Edomites. Remarkably, the areas earmarked for retrieval are currently populated by Jews, while the territories under contention are predominantly inhabited by Palestinians. This nuanced perspective seems to align with the identification of Palestinians as, at least to a significant extent, descendants or symbolic representatives of the biblical Edomites.

In Obadiah 19, the territorial divisions are delineated, emphasizing the correlation between the biblical narrative and the modern geopolitical landscape. The prophecy foresees the South, now held by Israelis in the Negev, taking possession of the mountains of Esau, encompassing southern Jordan and potentially extending to the area of Hebron in the southern West Bank, currently populated by Palestinians. The Lowland, identified as the Shephelah, situated between the central hill country to the east and the coastal plain to the west, is prophesied to possess Philistia. Presently, the Gaza Strip occupies most of Philistia, a territory now held by Palestinians.

Further intricacies emerge as the prophecy unfolds. The fields of Ephraim and Samaria in the northern West Bank, presently occupied by Palestinians, are envisioned to be reclaimed by Jewish inhabitants of the Shephelah. Additionally, the area around Jerusalem, held by Israelis, is prophesied to possess Gilead in northern Jordan. These detailed territorial allocations provide a vivid portrayal of the envisioned redistribution, raising intriguing questions about the contemporary parallels drawn between the biblical Edomites and the present-day Palestinian population.

Confederacy and Divine Intervention:



In Obadiah verse 7, the concept of Edom being part of a confederacy, an alliance, is evident—a scenario that may align with the prophecy in Psalm 83:1-8. Regardless, what becomes apparent is the eventual betrayal of Edom by its allies. Ironically, the Edomites remain oblivious to this impending turn of events. Their perceived wisdom and understanding, perhaps better described as cunning, fail to reveal the imminent betrayal, leading to their ultimate confounding and destruction by God, as highlighted in Obadiah 8-9 and corroborated by Jeremiah 49:7.

Proverbs 24:17 imparts a timeless wisdom: "Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles." This principle resonates in Obadiah 12-14, elucidating one of the primary reasons for God's anger toward Edom. Historically, Edom has not only endorsed but actively participated in the invasions of Israel and Judah, as noted in Amos 1:11-12—a recurring pattern that seems destined to persist in the end times. Edom's role includes obstructing the escape routes of Israelites, exacerbating their devastation, and facilitating their surrender to the enemy, as outlined in Obadiah 10-11, 13-14.

End-Time Scenario and Divine Retribution:

The consequences for Edom are severe, echoing the broader divine principle that nations dealing maliciously with God's people will face retribution (verses 15-16). However, Edom's fate is portrayed as particularly dire. Obadiah prophesies that at the time of Christ's return, the land of Edom will undergo destruction. This grim outlook is underscored by verse 18, hinting that none of the physical descendants of Esau will survive at that critical juncture, aligning with Jeremiah 49:7-22.

Conclusion:


This prophecy has led many to anticipate the imminent occurrence of the war described in Psalm 83, believed by some to precede the invasion outlined in Ezekiel 38. The interconnectedness of these prophecies underscores the intricate tapestry of biblical foresight, providing a framework for understanding and interpreting unfolding events in the grand narrative of divine revelation.