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Revelation 16

Individuals who give their alliance to Antichrist and his image will be protected by the government, and will have access to food and shelter.  On the other hand, the saints will endure deprivation, persecution and derision, but their hope will be in the soon-coming Lord.

Revelation has made it clear that Antichrist will enjoy worldwide worship.  The False Prophet will make the image (idol) in honor of the world religion which will begin to speak as though alive, and cause all who will not worship the image to be threatened with death (Revelation 13:14-15).

Near the end of the appointed times, the "abomination that makes desolate"--the detestable act that will bring desolation to Jerusalem, and then the world--will be set up in the rebuilt Temple.  Antichrist will announce that he is God (2 Thessalonians 2:4).  At that time Michael will stand up and then "there will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then," (Daniel 12:1, Matthew 24:15-16, 21).

Revelation 15 exposes the moment when the heavenly Temple is opened on the Day of Atonement at the close of time, in the month of either September or October. The seven angels of wrath will then emerge with seven deadly plagues that will literally change the landscape of Planet Earth.  Jesus said, "if those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect [144,000] those days will be shortened," Matthew 24:22.

In Revelation 16, the focus of this lesson's study, the seven angels are posed and ready; then the command from the Temple is heard, "go, pour out the seven bowls of God's wrath on earth."  The seven plagues closely parallel the seven trumpets in many regards. However, the trumpets are limited geographically and in severity, while the seven last plagues plunge the world into global chaos.

1. How did Jesus identify the event that will set in motion THE END of the world (Matthew 24:12-22)?

After the gospel goes to the whole world and all have had the chance to decide between Christ or Antichrist, the final confrontation between good and evil will commence.  Antichrist's setting up of the abomination in the Temple, predicted by Daniel (9:27; 11:31; 12:11) and confirmed by Jesus, is the atrocity that results in the ruin of all who have worshiped Antichrist and the planet that has joined in Jerusalem's idolatrous prostitution.  Paul sustained the teaching that Antichrist would enter the Jerusalem Temple and proclaim himself Deity, but which act would result in his speedy demise (2 Thessalonians 2:3-10).  

2. How long would THE END last, as indicated in Daniel 12:11-12?

Antichrist will set up the abomination in the Jerusalem Temple [Appointed Times & Seasons Calendar] that will bring about mass desolation.  Daniel is then told there is a blessing for those who attain Day 1,335.   Therefore, the days between would comprise THE END when the seven last plagues will be poured out.  Jesus warned of great danger and told the elect that once the abomination is set in place to run for their lives away from Jerusalem and Judea during the short but deadly Great Tribulation (Luke 21:20-22; Matthew 24:15-22).

3. What did Jesus say about the speed by which He will take revenge against those who are pursuing the144,000 chosen elect, who would be crying out day and night for deliverance during THE END?  How rare will faith in the true Messiah be just before the Great Day of the Lord (Luke 18:7-8)?

The parable of the persistent widow and the judge portrays the importance of the relentless prayers of the 144,000 who are alive and will remain on earth until the climactic coming of Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:17).  Once the full count of the Gentiles of all nations have been martyred (Revelation 7:9), then, resurrected and taken to Heaven to stand before God's throne, the elect of all Israel (all twelve tribes) will be delivered (Romans 11:25-26).  However, God will use THE END as a tool to "turn godlessness away from Jacob."  Although God comes out of His place to destroy all the nations, He says to Israel, "I will not completely destroy you [Israel]. I will discipline you [in the Time of Jacob's Trouble--Jeremiah 30:7] but only with justice; I will not let you go entirely unpunished," Jeremiah 46:28.  Since only the 144,000 remain until the visible and climactic coming of Messiah, Jesus declared that faith would indeed be rare in the final moments of time.

4. Revelation 16:1 says that John heard a voice from the Temple saying to the seven angels to do what?

The First Angel

5. According to Revelation 16:2, God's divine judgment begins to fall upon the wicked who have done what?

The decision to accept the mark and worship the idol brings upon mankind an awesome series of disasters, beginning with ugly and painful sores which give them no rest day or night.