THE RESURRECTION OF ATHEISM
Revelation 11 has significant spiritual application which includes the following:
The rise of Atheism - The Beast from the bottomless pit.
Atheism is the King of the South of Daniel 11:40
Papal Rome's deadly wound.
The Franks (France) helped set up Papal Rome.
France (Atheism) 'abolished' it in 1798.
Papal Rome was the 'Christianity' of the day at the time of the French Revolution.
The attack on the scriptures (the 2 witnesses) was an attack on Papal Rome.
Thus the beast's (Revelation 13) deadly wound is found in Revelation 11
REVELATION CHAPTER 11
1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty [and] two months.
3 And I will give [power] unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred [and] threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
8 And their dead bodies [shall lie] in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
11 And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.
14 The second woe is past; [and], behold, the third woe cometh quickly.
15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become [the kingdoms] of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
INTRODUCTION
Daniel 8:14 reads, “Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” Many in the Millerite Movement of the 1830-1840s believed that this sanctuary was the world which would be cleansed by fire at the Lord’s return and that this event would occur at the end of the 2300 days which they calculated as terminating on October 22, 1844. However the sweet message of Jesus' return turned into the bitterness of dissappointment (See Revelation 10). The answer to the Millerites misunderstanding was to be found in the study of the sanctuary. This is the opening subject of Revelation 11 and is a continuation of the instruction which the angel began to give John in the preceding chapter. Hence the beginning of Revelation 11 rightly belongs to chapter 10 and should not be separated by the present chapter division.
The disappointed Advent Believers were directed to study the sanctuary with the rod of God’s word. Their misunderstanding of what the cleansing of the sanctuary referred to had resulted in their great disappointment. It was by studying the subject of the sanctuary and the cleansing that their disappointment would end.
During the 1260 days (years) the two witnesses - the Old and New Testaments, were cast down, by Papal Rome (Daniel 8:13). During the greater part of this period the Old and New Testaments prophesied in sackcloth - a state of mourning. Papal Rome did all it could to hide the Scriptures from the people. Many lost their lives for the crime of possessing a Bible. The knowledge of God’s word was almost totally blotted from the earth. Yet God had promised that at the close of the 42 months (1260 year period) around 1798, knowledge of God’s word would be increased (Daniel 12:4-7), and that the way would be prepared for the final Reformation.
SPIRITUALLY SODOM AND EGYPT
Satan, seeing that this was about to be fulfilled, increased his efforts to destroy God’s Word. Satan had worked through Papal Rome for centuries to make war on God’s truth but here in Revelation 11 is brought to view a new manifestation of Satanic power. Papal Rome had kept the Bible from the people on pretense of reverence but this new power would make open war on the Word of God. This war upon God’s Word would occur in a place which manifested the immorality of Sodom and the God defying atheistic spirit of Egypt. Pharaoh openly denied the existence of the living God saying, “Who is Jehovah that I should obey his voice?” Exodus 5:2. Accordingly, some power would arise around 1798 to make open war on the Bible.
Atheistic power, and a place of immorality.
This was fulfilled in France during the French Revolution in 1793, “the world for the first time heard an assembly of men, born and educated in civilization, and assuming the right to govern one of the finest of the European nations, uplift their united voice to deny the most solemn truth which man’s soul receives, and RENOUNCE UNANIMOUSLY THE BELIEF AND WORSHIP OF DEITY.” Sir Walter Scott, Life of Napoleon, Vol. I, ch. 17.
The Bible was banned, fornication was legalised, and France plunged into the most licentious and bloody scenes ever witnessed in Europe. All this took place,“where also our Lord was crucified.” Of all nations France had been foremost to assist the Papacy to persecute, torture and massacre the saints. Here Christ was crucified in the person of His saints. “...in the scenes of the Revolution Jesus Christ was declared to be an impostor, and the rallying cry of the French infidels was, “Crush the Wretch,” meaning Christ. Heaven daring blasphemy and abominable wickedness went hand in hand, and the basest of men, the most abandoned monsters of cruelty and vice, were most highly exalted. In all this, supreme homage was paid to Satan; while Christ, in His characteristics of truth, purity, and unselfish love, was crucified.” Great Controversy, p273.
France rejected the light of the Reformation and in doing so they crucified Christ:
“For it is impossible for those who were once ENLIGHTENED… And have tasted the good word of God… If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they CRUCIFY TO THEMSELVES THE SON OF GOD afresh, and put him to an open shame.” Heb 6:4-6.
The rise of Atheism in France was the fruit produced by years of Papal rule.
In crushing out the light of the Reformation France destroyed progress, liberty, learning and the best of the nation’s intelligence. It was Papalism which produced the social ills that hurried France onto ruin. Some historians rightly recognize that the excesses of the Revolution are to be charged upon the Church of Rome. It’s corrupting influence made Revolution inevitable. Papal Rome had misrepresented God and as a result Revolutionary France rejected both the Bible and it’s Author. Papal Rome was seen as the Christianity of the day and the attack on the scriptures (the two witnesses) was in effect an attack and rejection of Papal Rome's Christianity. The Papal deadly wound of Revelation 13 was struck by the power described in Rev 11 - Atheistic France.
In rejecting the Bible, France was in effect rejecting Papal Rome, the professed representative of Christianity. Hence prophetically, Revelation 11 is about the Papacy receiving its deadly wound from the King of the South - see Daniel 11:40. Men like Voltaire spread their infidelity everywhere. The masses, long downtrodden by a corrupt church turned upon their oppressor with fury. The guillotine was set up on the very spot where Rome had set up the first stake at the opening of the Reformation. In rejecting Romanism as a deception, the people were led by Satan to regard all religion as a deception.
The War against the Bible began what is known as the “Reign of Terror”. Unhappy France was swept by a tide of fierce human passion. No one was safe. The streets in Paris flowed with blood. The Revelator describing this upheaval says: “The same hour was there a great earthquake.” France, one tenth part of that great city Babylon, was shaken as religion, law, social order, the state, and the church were all overthrown.
“And after three days and a half the Spirit of God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet.” In 1793 the Bible had been abolished by the French Assembly. Three and a half years later, in 1797, another resolution was passed rescinding the former decree, granting toleration to the Scriptures.
FRENCH REVOLUTION - The Birthplace of Atheistic Communism.
The French Revolution was a turning point in history. It was the birthplace of atheistic, materialistic communism.
“The COMMUNIST movement would never have taken form as it did except for the prior occurrence of the FRENCH REVOLUTION.” Palmer, Revolution, p11-12.
“The connection between the absolutist REVOLUTION OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY and the MARXIST MOVEMENT of the next century presses for recognition... [It] is THE DIRECT OFFSPRING and heir...A RELIGION OF ATHEISM… coupling scientific ideas with the greatest political hopes that man has ever entertained, the absolute hopes that animated the FRENCH REVOLUTION.” The Dignity of Man, R. W. Davenport, p163-9.
The atheistic beast (nation) from the bottomless pit is alive today in the Communist State and its influence is felt in evolutionary theory and humanistic and materialistic thinking everywhere. As surely as corrupt Christianity bred Atheism so Atheism will breed corrupt Christianity. Politically active professed Christianity will rise to power again and all the world will be led to wonder after the beast (Rev 13).
“And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither.” These words describe the exaltation of the Scriptures that followed the French Revolution. Shortly after the Revolution the Bible societies were established and the Word of God has risen to new heights of distribution. This to make possible the final proclamation of the truth to all the world before the Lord’s return.
“In the days of the voice of the seventh angel when he shall begin to sound the mystery of God should be finished.” The first and second woes (5th and 6th Trumpets) are past. The third woe (7th Trumpet cometh quickly.” But before the final trumpet ushers in the Great Day of God, the mystery of God (the perfecting of the saints) will be accomplished. This is the same work described in Revelation 7 that occurs between the 6th and 7th Seals. By every evidence we are living in this time.
Revelation 11 was given under the 6th trumpet, and reveals events that were to happen before the 7th trumpet sounded in Revelation 11:15.
This chapter reminds us of the death and resurrection of Christ: The two witnesses (God’s written word - the Old & New Testaments) are trodden on, cast out and put to death. Likewise Christ (the living word) was put to death. As Christ, (the living word) arose and ascended to heaven, so also do the two witnesses (the written word of God).
OVERVIEW
Revelation 11 gives the solution to the disappointment mentioned in Rev 10. It also foretold the French Revolution, the birthplace of communism and modern day atheism. Revelation 11 is given under the 6th trumpet (and reveals events that were to happen before the 7th trumpet sounded in Rev 11:15.
Verse 1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
verse 1 Focus on the Heavenly Sanctuary
In Rev 10 we saw the OPENING of the LITTLE BOOK, that portion of the book of Daniel which had been “SHUT UP” till the time of the end (Dan 12:4).
We saw how many in the 1840 came to the sweet belief that Jesus was to return in their day from their study of the 2300 day prophecy of Daniel 8. The 2300 day prophecy, which had been SHUT till the time of the end (Dan 8:17) pointed to the cleansing of the sanctuary (temple), which they believed was the world to be cleansed by fire at the Second Coming of Christ. It was by incorrectly identifying the sanctuary to be cleansed as the earth, the Advent believers suffered “bitter disappointment” in 1844 when Jesus did not return (Rev 10:10). Rev 11:1 helped them over their disappointment by directing the down hearted to “RISE and measure (examine) the temple (sanctuary)” with the “rod” of Godʼs word. (Mic 7:14; Jer 1:11-12). They learned that the sanctuary to be cleansed in 1844 was not the earth but the Lordʼs sanctuary or temple in heaven. The cleansing of the earthly AND heavenly sanctuaries is plainly taught in Heb 9:23. As the O.T. believerʼs sins were placed upon the sacrifices and from the sacrifices transferred into the earthly sanctuary, so our sins are placed on Christ and transferred into heavenʼs sanctuary. As, at the end of the year, the High priest cleansed the earthly sanctuary of the peopleʼs sins, so, in the end of the world Christ is to cleanse heavenʼs sanctuary of the record of sins. (Heb 8:1-5; See Dan 8). As the cleansing involves judgment to see who has remained faithful, this led those, who by faith worship in heavenʼs temple, to examine themselves; to see if they “measured up” to the standard in the judgment (2Cor 13:5; Ecc 12:13-14; Matt 7:2). Rev 11 therfore begins and ends with Godʼs temple in heaven (Compare Rev 11:1, 19).
A reed like unto a rod
The rod represents the word of God - The revelation of heavenly truths and the standard by which men are to be assessed: Christ is to rule all nations with a “ROD of iron.” (Rev 12:5). “Feed thy people with thy ROD.” (Mic 7:14). “...he shall smite the earth with the ROD of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.” Isa 11:4 Ps 2:9; Rev 2:27; cf. 2 Cor 10:12; Comp. symbolism in Eze 40:3, 6; Zech 2:1-2.
Given to John
John here stands as representative of the church to which Revelation was written. We are to measure the temple etc.
Rise and measure the temple
As a representative of the church having just suffered the great disappointment (See Revelation 10) John was ‘down.’ The solution to depression was to rise and measure (examine) the temple, the altar and the worshipper. The language is clearly symbolic as the measuring is to be done by the rod - God’s word. No one is required to literally measure any literal temple or literally measure literal worshippers!
Measuring is to compare one thing to another. Spiritual things can only be measured with a spiritual rule - the word of God.
1Co 2:13 “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”
In Zechariah a man measured Jerusalem as an assurance that it would be rebuilt (See on Zech 2:2). This suggests that the measuring here may be an assurance of restoration and preservation. Between the sixth seal (Rev 6:12-17) and the seventh seal (Rev 8:1) a parenthetical assurance was given (Revelation 7) that some will stand through the terrors that attend the Second Coming. Likewise this ‘measuring appears to be a parenthetical assurance between the sixth trumpet (Rev 9:14) and the seventh trumpet (Rev 11:15) that amid the terrors attendant on the blowing of the trumpets, God’s temple - i.e. the plan of redemption portrayed there, and His people are secure.
Verse 2: But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty [and] two months.
verse 2 Courtyard, Gentiles
The court of the Gentiles, which surrounded the temple (Eph 2:14; Heb 8:5; 9:1), represented the church on earth. The “Gentiles” to whom it was given are those who worship God (they are in the temple grounds) but are not the genuine people of God; not the real Israel of God.
“...for it [the courtyard] is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty [and] two months.” The Holy City is symbolic of God's people.
THE TWO WITNESSES - the Word of God.
“Search the scriptures... they are they which testify [witness] of me.” John 5:39
The two Testaments - Old & New “testify [witness]” of Christ. (John 5:39; Matt 24:14; 2Cor 13:1). The Old Testament is represented by a candlestick fed by the oil, a symbol of the Holy Spirit sent from the Father and the Son (Zech 4:2-6; Ps 119:105).
verse 2 The 42 months
The 42 months parallel the 3 1/2 times of Dan 7:25 - 1260 years (538-1798) during which time the true church (the Holy city), and Godʼs two witnesses (the Old & New Testaments) were trampled underfoot (See Daniel 8:13). The Old & New Testaments prophesied in sackcloth (distress. 2Sam 3:31).
The Papacy hid the Bible from the people because it revealed her corruption Many lost their lives for possessing parts of the Bible and the knowledge of Godʼs Word and the prophecies were almost totally blotted out. However, God had promised that at the end of the 1260 years (i.e. 1798), knowledge of His word would be increased (Dan 12:4-7). Satan, seeing that this was about to be fulfilled, increased his efforts to destroy the Bible...
Verse 3: And I will give [power] unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred [and] threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
verses 3-6 Two witnesses - the Word of God
The two Testaments - Old & New “testify [witness]” of Christ. (John 5:39; Matt 24:14; 2Cor 13:1). The Old Testament is represented by a candlestick fed by the oil, a symbol of the Holy Spirit sent from the Father and the Son (Zech 4:2-6; Ps 119:105).
verse 3 - 1260 days
This period is mentioned in various ways - days, months and times in many places: Dan 7:25 “a time and times and the dividing of time.”
Dan 12:7 “a time, times, and an half.” A period ended before the opening of the little book (See on Rev 10).
Rev 11:2 “forty two months.”
Rev 11:3 “a thousand two hundred [and] threescore days.”
Rev 12:6 “a thousand two hundred [and] threescore days.”
Rev 12:14 “a time, and times, and half a time.”
Rev 13:5 “forty two months.”
Many facts show it to be symbolic such as the unusual units used.
verse 6 Power to shut heaven
As Godʼs Word through Elijah prophesied that no rain would fall on apostate Israel for 3 1/2 years, so during the 3 1/2 prophetic years of Papal supremacy, there was a spiritual drought. (Luke 4:32; Hos 6:3). As Godʼs Word through Moses turned Egyptʼs waters into blood (Exo 7:17), so the “waters” (nations Rev 17:15) supporting Papal Rome would suffer revolution and bloodshed. All who hurt the Scriptures will be destroyed. (Rev 22:18-19; 2Thess 1:8).
Sackcloth indicates distressand mourning:
“...Gird you with sackcloth, and mourn...” (2Sam 3:31; Isa 22:12; Lam 2:10; Jer 6:26).
Isa 22:12 “...weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth:”
Lam 2:10 “The elders of the daughter of Zion sit upon the ground, [and] keep silence: they have cast up dust upon their heads; they have girded themselves with sackcloth: the virgins of Jerusalem hang down their heads to the ground.”
Jer 6:26 “...gird [thee] with sackcloth, and wallow thyself in ashes: make thee mourning, [as for] an only son, most bitter lamentation: for the spoiler shall suddenly come upon us.
During the 1260 years Godʼs witnesses were in a state of mourning and obscurity. The Papacy hid the Bible from the people, contradicted itʼs testimony, forbade the common people to posses it and hunted, tortured and burned those who had it and were proclaiming itʼs truths. Yet in these dark ages faithful men who loved the Godʼs word continued to declare the truth and the two witnesses, though clothed in sackcloth, prophesied throughout the 1260 years.
Verses 4-6: These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
The two witnesses are also said to be two Candlesticks.
The Old Testament is represented by one candlestick fed by the oil, a symbol of the Holy Spirit sent from the Father and the Son (Zech 4:2-6; Ps 119:105).
The heavens are shut or plagues fall according to the Word of God. The two witnesses have only one “mouth.” i.e. the Old & New Testaments speak as one book. The singular form “mouth” may be used collectively for “mouths.” Such usage is common in Greek, e.g. “heart” (Matt 15:8; Mark 16:52), “Face” (Matt 17:6; Acts 7:45)
"fire proceedeth out of their mouth and devoureth their enemies" - Reminicent of Elijah’s judgment in 2Kings 1:10, 12. Ultimatelly those who resist the word of God will be devoured in the lake of fire for the word of the Lord so declares (See Rev 20:15) The Scriptures testify that fire will punish those who in any way alter of destroy the Scriptures. (Rev 22:18-19; Deut 4:2; Mal 4:1)
verse 6: Power to shut heaven...power over waters to turn them to blood.
SHUT HEAVEN - TURN WATERS TO BLOOD
Only the Word of God’s has power to do what it says (Luke 4:32). It was the word of the Lord through Elijah that stopped it raining for 3 1/2 years (1 Kings 17:1; Luke 4:25) . It was the word of the Lord through Moses that turned the waters of Egypt to blood (Exo 7:19). Just as these judgments were fulfilled, so also will every threatening and judgment the scriptures prophesy to come. An instance of this the world is yet to experience in the infliction of the seven last plagues.
As God’s Word through Elijah prophesied that no rain would fall on apostate Israel for 3 1/2 years, so during the 3 1/2 prophetic years of Papal supremacy, there was a spiritual drought. (Luke 4:32; Hos 6:3).
As God’s Word through Moses turned Egypt’s waters into blood (Exo 7:17), so the “waters” (a symbol of the nations Rev 17:15) supporting Papal Rome would suffer revolution and bloodshed. All who hurt the Scriptures will be destroyed. (Rev 22:18-19; 2Thess 1:8).
Verse 7: "And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them." Rev 11:7
verse 7 The beast from the bottomles pit
A beast symbolises a nation (Dan 7:23; 8:20-21). Satan had worked through Papal Rome for centuries to make war on Godʼs truth. Rome had kept the Bible locked up in an unknown tounge, hidden from the people out of pretended reverence for the Scriptures. However, when the Scriptures were finishing their testimony in sackcloth, around 1798, there would arise another nation (a beast symbolizes a nation. Dan 7:23; 8:20- 21) which would make open war upon the two witnesses.
Bottomless pit
The grave is a “pit” (Isa 38:18; Isa 14:19) which cannot be filled.
“ ...and [is] as death, and cannot be satisfied...” Hab 2:5;
“ There are three [things that] are never satisfied...The grave...” Prov 30:15-16
The grave is thus a bottomless pit.
The Greek “abussos” translated “bottomless pit” is also translated “deep”
in Rom 10:7 where it clearly refers to the grave.
The Greek Septuagint Bible uses the word “abussos” to describe the earth lifeless
and void in Gen 1:2.
Thus the nation to rise from the pit would be a new manifestation of that which was. It was to be a resurrection of something that previously existed.
THE BEAST FROM THE BOTTOMLESS PIT WAS ATHEISM WHICH AROSE IN FRANCE
Atheism in France, the King of the South pushes at
Papal Rome, the King of the North - see Daniel 11:40
1. It would be a NATION as beasts represent nations (Dan 7:17, 23) 1. France is a nation.
2. This nation would be a new manifestation of something which existed before - from the bottomless pit (v7), i.e. something returned the dead. 2. France manifested the same God defying spirit that was seen in the kingdom of Egypt (Exodus 5:2), the LITERAL king of the south. The God defying sprit of ATHEISM was resurrected in France.
3. It would rise around 1798 at the end of the 1260 year period during which the witnesses prophesied in sackcloth (Rev 11:3, 7)
3. The French Revolution occurred in the late 1790s as the 1260 year period of papal supremacy was coming to an end.
4. It would attack the Bible - the two Witnesses (v7) 4. France attacked the Bible: “The [French] Convention dressed an ass...loaded it with the symbols of Christianity and tied the Old and New Testaments to its tail. It was then led in mock procession...The crowd piled books of devotion into heaps and burned them to ashes, amid blasphemous shouts...A prostitute was enthroned as ‘Godess of Reason’...” L.E. Froom, Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, Vol. 2, p738.
5. It would manifest a disbelief in the true God - like Egypt (v8, cf. Exo 5:2)
5. “France stands apart in the world’s history as the single state which, by the decree of her Legislative Assembly, pronounced there was no God.” Blackwood’s Magazine, Nov, 1870. This echos Pharaoh’s denial of the existence of the true God (Exo 5:2).
6. It would manifest great immorality - Like Sodom (v8)
6. In the Revolution the institution of marriage was made a mockery and great degradation took place.“Intimately connected with these laws affecting religion was that which reduced the union of marriage - the most sacred engagements which human beings can form, and the permanence of which leads most strongly to the consolidation of society - to the state of a mere civil contract of a transitory character, which any two persons might engage in and cast loose at pleasure, when their taste was changed or their appetite gratified..” Sir William Scott’s, Life of Napoleon, Vol.I, ch. 17.
7. It would be located where Christ, in the person of His saints, suffered terribly (v8)
7. France in which Papalism had a strong hold became one of Europe’s most terrible persecutors. Christ was crucified in the person of His witness in events such as the papal inspired Bartholemews Day Massacre when in one night thousands of Protestants were massacred. “...in the scenes of the Revolution...Christ, in His characteristics of truth, purity, and unselfish love, was crucified.” White, Great Controversy, p273.
8. It was part of spiritual Babylon - that great city (v8)
8. France was part of spiritual Babylon. France was the first of the ten nations into which the Roman Empire divided, to support the papacy.
9. It would be involved in a great political upheaval - great earthquake (v13).
9. The French Revolution was a religious & political upheaval that changed the world and the effects remain with us even today. “The time of the eighteenth‑-century French Revolution when the 1260 years of the Papal era were closing, was a turning point in the history of the modern world. It brought forth forces that made a permanent change in the thoughts and actions of mankind.” Alison, History of Europe (1789-1815), Vol. 1, p47-49.
“According to the words of the prophet, then, a little before the year 1798 some power of satanic origin and character would rise to make war upon the Bible. And in the land where the testimony of God’s two witnesses should thus be silenced, there would be manifest the atheism of the Pharaoh and the licentiousness of Sodom. This prophecy has received a most exact and striking fulfillment in the history of France.” White, Great Controversy p 269.
The French revolution and open Atheism was the tragic result of Rome's suppression of the Scriptures.
“In the sixteenth century the Reformation, presenting an open Bible to the people, had sought admission to all the countries of Europe. Some nations welcomed it with gladness, as a messenger of Heaven. In other lands the papacy succeeded to a great extent in preventing its entrance; and the light of Bible knowledge, with its elevating influences, was almost wholly excluded. In one country, though the light found entrance, it was not comprehended by the darkness. For centuries, truth and error struggled for the mastery. At last the evil triumphed, and the truth of Heaven was thrust out. “This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light.” John 3:19. The nation was left to reap the results of the course which she had chosen. The restraint of God’s Spirit was removed from a people that had despised the gift of His grace. Evil was permitted to come to maturity. And all the world saw the fruit of willful rejection of the light. The war against the Bible, carried forward for so many centuries in France, culminated in the scenes of the Revolution. That terrible outbreaking was but the legitimate result of Rome’s suppression of the Scriptures. It presented the most striking illustration which the world has ever witnessed of the working out of the papal policy-- an illustration of the results to which for more than a thousand years the teaching of the Roman Church had been tending.” White Great Controversy p. 265-266
Papal Rome's brand of Christianity paved the way for the rejection of God and the Holy Scriptures and the rise of ATHEISM. The same Atheism demonstrated in Egypt (the literal King of the South of Daniel 11). Atheism, therefore, in "the TIME of the END" of Daniel 11:40 is the spiritual King of the South which through France inflicted the deadly wound on Papal Rome, the King of the North - see Daniel 11:40.
“The work which the papacy had begun, atheism completed. The one withheld from the people the truths of the Bible; the other taught them to reject both the Bible and its Author. The seed sown by priests and prelates was yielding its evil fruit.” White, 4 Spirit of Prophecy p192
In the absence of the elevating truths of Scripture the aristocracy and the priesthood lived in splendor while oppressing the poor masses who lived in hunger and hardship. The suppression of the truths of the Reformation by the Papal clergy and the leadership whom they influenced brought about terrible conditions for the masses which at last boiled over in revolution. The aristocracy and the priests would reap what they had sown.
Verse 8: And their dead bodies [shall lie] in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
Textual evidence is divided between “bodies” and “body.” The singular form would agree with the fact that these two witneses have one “mouth” (verse 5). The Old & New Testaments form one book, one body.
THE GREAT CITY - SPIRITUAL BABYLON
Revelation is a book of two cities:
1. Jerusalem - representing the church of God. “The holy city” of Rev 11:2.
2. Babylon - representing false religion. “The Great city which spiritually is called Sodom & Egypt.” of Rev 11:8
Only three cities are called “great” in Scripture:
1. Gibeon - once (Josh 10:2)
2. Nineveh - 4 times (Jonah 1:2; 3:2, 3, 11)
3. Babylon - 10 times (Dan 4:30; Rev 14:8; Rev 16:19; 17:5; 18:2, 10,
16, 18, 19, 21).
The great city of this text is said to have the spirit of Sodom (immorality) & Egypt (Atheism - a disbelief in the true God). It cannot therefore refer to Jerusalem. It undoubtedly refers to Babylon the Great.
THE STREET
The witnesses were not to lay dead throughout spiritual Babylon in general but “in the street of the great city” “THE street” refers to some important part but not the whole of spiritual Babylon. At the time of the Revolution: “France had the largest population in Europe” (French Revolution, Britannica CD99 Standard Edition © 1994-1999), and was one of the strongholds of the Roman Church.
SPIRITUALLY SODOM
Gr. pneumatikos, not literally but figuratively. cf. Isa 1:10
SODOM
A symbol of moral degredation (Jude 7; Eze 16:46-55). Such was the condition of France during the Revolution. Sodom was known for its immorality (Jude 7). In the French Revolution marriage was degraded, adultery was legalised, and moral debasement and corruption swept the country. It is estimated that at least one in eight of all marriageable women practiced prostitution.
“Intimately connected with these laws affecting religion was that which reduced the union of marriage - the most sacred engagements which human beings can form, and the permanence of which leads most strongly to the consolidation of society - to the state of a mere civil contract of a transitory character, which any two persons might engage in and cast loose at pleasure, when their taste was changed or their appetite gratified. If fiends had set themselves at work to discover a mode most effectually destroying whatever is venerable, graceful, or permanent in domestic life, and obtaining at the same time an assurance that the mischief which it was their object to create should be perpetuated from one generation to another, they could not have invented a more effectual plan than the degradation of marriage into a state of mere occasional cohabitation or licensed concubinage. Sophie Arnoult, an actress famous for the witty things she said, described the republican marriage as the sacrament of adultery. These anti-religious and anti-social regulations did not answer the purpose of the frantic and inconsiderate zealots by whom they had been urged forward.” Sir William Scott’s, Life of Napoleon, Vol.I, ch. 17.
In this nation would be seen the immorality of Sodom and the Atheistic God denying spirit of Pharaoh who said, “WHO IS JEHOVAH that I should obey his voice...I KNOW NOT THE LORD” Exo 5:2. This prophecy received a most exact and striking fulfillment in the history of FRANCE. During the Revolution, in 1793, “the world for the first time heard an assembly of men, born and educated in civilization, and assuming the right to govern one of the finest of the European nations, uplift their united voice to deny the most solemn truth which manʼs soul receives, and RENOUNCE UNANIMOUSLY THE BELIEF AND WORSHIP OF DEITY.” Sir Walter Scott, Life of Napoleon, Vol. I, ch. 17
“France stands apart in the worldʼs history as the single state which, by the decree of her Legislative Assembly, pronounced THERE WAS NO GOD, and of which the entire population of the capital, and a vast majority elsewhere, women as well as men, DANCED AND SANG WITH JOY.”Blackwoodʼs Magazine, Nov, 1870.
The Bible was banned, fornication legalized and France plunged into the most bloody and licentious scenes ever seen in Europe known as the Reign of Terror.
Spiritually Sodom & Egypt
In this nation would be seen the immorality of Sodom and the God denying spirit of Pharaoh who said, “WHO IS JEHOVAH that I should obey his voice...I KNOW NOT THE LORD” Exo 5:2. This prophecy received a most exact and striking fulfillment in the history of FRANCE.
During the Revolution, in 1793, “the world for the first time heard an assembly of men, born and educated in civilization, and assuming the right to govern one of the finest of the European nations, uplift their united voice to deny the most solemn truth which man’s soul receives, and RENOUNCE UNANIMOUSLY THE BELIEF AND WORSHIP OF DEITY.” Sir Walter Scott, Life of Napoleon, Vol. I, ch. 17.
“France stands apart in the world’s history as the single state which, by the decree of her Legislative Assembly, pronounced THERE WAS NO GOD, and of which the entire population of the capital, and a vast majority elsewhere, women as well as men, DANCED AND SANG WITH JOY.” Blackwood’s Magazine, Nov, 1870.
“Intimately connected with these laws affecting religion was that which reduced the union of marriage… to the state of a mere CIVIL CONTRACT of a transitory character, which any two persons might engage in and cast loose at pleasure, when their taste was changed or their appetite gratified.” Sir William Scott's, Life of Napoleon, Vol. I, ch. 17.
The Bible was banned, fornication legalized and France plunged into the most bloody and licentious scenes ever seen in Europe known as the Reign of Terror.
verse 8 Where Christ was crucified
Like the names of Sodom & Egypt the expression “where also our Lord was crucified” is taken by many commentators figuratively. “’Where also our Lord was crucified.’ This specification of the prophecy was also fulfilled by France. In no land had the spirit of enmity against Christ been more strikingly displayed. In no country had the truth encountered more bitter and cruel opposition. In the persecution which France had visited upon the confessors of the gospel, she had crucified Christ in the person of His disciples.” GC 271.
ʻChristianʼ France crucified Christ by rejecting the light of the Reformation:
“For it is impossible for those who were once ENLIGHTENED... And have tasted the good word of God... If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they CRUCIFY TO THEMSELVES THE SON OF GOD afresh, and put him to an open shame.” Heb 6:4-6
Of all European nation France was foremost in helping the Papacy persecute, torture & massacre the saints.
“... Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto ME.” Matt 25:40.
When the Christ confronted Saul, who was terribly persecuting the church, the Lord introduced Himself by saying, “Saul,Saul, why persecutest thou ME?” Acts 9:4.
Whatever is done to Christ's followers He accepts as being done to Himself. Christ was ‘crucified’ in the person of His witnesses in the nation of France.
In the Bartholemews Day Massacre (1572) Catholics massacred tens of thousands of French Protestants in just one day. A medal still exists that Pope Gregory XIII had made to commemorate the massacre.
When news of the [Bartholemews Day] massacre reached Rome, the exaltation among the clergy knew no bounds. The cardinal of Lorraine rewarded the messenger with a thousand crowns…A medal was struck to commemorate the massacre, and in the Vatican may still be seen three frescoes of Vasari, describing the attack…the king plotting the massacre, and the massacre itself.” The Massacre of St. Bartholemews, ch. 14, par. 34
verse 8 Kill the two witnesses - Godʼs word
“The [French] Convention dressed an ass... loaded it with the symbols of Christianity and tied the OLD & NEW TESTAMENTS to its tail. It was then led in mock procession ...The crowd piled books of devotion into heaps and BURNED THEM TO ASHES, amid blasphemous shouts...A prostitute was enthroned as ʻGodess of Reasonʼ...”L.E. Froom, Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, Vol. 2, p738.
Verse 9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
verse 9 Not suffer them to be put in graves
Other nations would not ʻburyʼ the Bible. Shocked at Franceʼs abolition of the Scriptures and the French idea of Republicanism in place of Monarchies, the European nations united to oppose France.
The nations beholding Frances war on the Bible would not be led to engage in the wicked work, nor suffer the murdered witnesses to be buried, or put out of sight among themselves, though they lay dead three days and a half (3 1/2 years), in France. On the contrary this very attempt on the part of France served to arouse Christians everywhere to put forth new exertions in behalf of the Bible, as will be shown
Shocked at France’s abolition of the Scriptures and the French idea of Republicanism in place of Monarchies, the European nations united to oppose France.
During the Revolution, in 1793, “the world for the first time heard an assembly of men, born and educated in civilization, and assuming the right to govern one of the finest of the European nations, uplift their united voice to deny the most solemn truth which man’s soul receives, and renounce unanimously the belief and worship of a Deity.” Sir Walter Scott, Life of Napoleon, vol. 1, ch. 17.
“On Nov 26, 1793, the Convention, of which 17 bishops and some clergy were members, decreed the abolition of all religion.” The Age of Revolution, W.H. Hutton, p156.
"The Convention dressed as ass...loaded it with the symbols of Christianity and tied the Old and New Testaments to its tail. It was then led in mock procession...The crowd piled books of devotion into heaps and burned them to ashes, amid blasphemous shouts...A prostitute was enthroned as ‘Godess of Reason’...” L.E. Froom, Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, Vol. 2, p738 “
With blasphemous boldness almost beyond belief, one of the priests of the new order said: ‘God, if You exist, avenge Your injured name. I bid You defiance! You remain silent; You dare not launch Your thunders. Who after this will believe in Your existence?’ Lacretelle, History, Vol. II, p309; in Sir Archibald Alison, History of Europe, Vol. I, ch. 10.
What an echo is this of the Pharaoh’s demand: ‘Who is Jehovah, that I should obey His voice?’ ‘I know not Jehovah!’
‘The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.’ Psalm 14:1”
Verse 10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
verse 10 Wicked rejoice.
"They that dwell upon the earth"
This and similar terms are used consistently in Revelation to refer to the unrighteous. Rev 3:10; 6:10; 8:13; 11:10; 13:8, 14; 17:2, 8]
Wicked rejoice
Those who hated the restrictions and requirements of God’s Law rejoiced over the silencing of the Scriptures convicting testimony and made merry.
“France stands apart in the world’s history as the single state which, by the decree of her Legislative Assembly, pronounced there was no God, and of which the entire population of the capital, and a vast majority elsewhere, women as well as men, danced and sang with joy in accepting the announcement.” Blackwood’s Magazine, Nov, 1870
The wicked rejoiced over the silencing of Godʼs word which had tormented their consciences.
Verse 11 And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
verse 11 - 3 1/2 days
This godless condition was to last 3 1/2 symbolic “days” which represents 3 1/2 years (Eze 4:6; Num 14:34). All religion had been banned by the French Assembly in 1793. Three and a half years later in June 1797 another resolution was passed rescinding the former decree and granting toleration to the Scriptures which arose from the dead, so to speak (cf. Eze 37:10; 2Kings 13:21). The guilty conscience that had tormented the wicked returned and “Fear fell upon them.”
Allowing for the days necessary for this decree to be published in the provinces it was 3 1/2 years later that Camille Jordan, in the National Convention, made his speech for the complete reversal of this policy (June 15, 1797). W.M. Sloane says of this speech, “Declaring that religion should no longer be proscribed but protected, he reiterated the solemn promise that worship should be free in France. In his peroration he called for the restoration of all the outward symbols of faith.” W.M. Sloane, French Revolution and Religious Reforms, p229.
stood upon their feet [cf. 2Kings 13:21; Eze 37:10];
3 1/2 days
This godless condition was to last 3 1/2 symbolic “days” which represents 3 1/2 years (Eze 4:6; Num 14:34).
“On Nov 26, 1793, the Convention, of which 17 bishops and some clergy were members, DECREED THE ABOLITION OF ALL RELIGION.” The Age of Revolution, W.H. Hutton, p156.
“THREE YEARS AND A HALF LATER A RESOLUTION RESCINDING THESE DECREES, thus granting toleration to the Scriptures, was adopted by the same body.” E.G. White, Great Controversy, p273, 287.
All religion had been banned by the French Assembly in 1793. 3 1/2 years later in 1797 another resolution was passed rescinding the
former decree and granting toleration to the Scriptures which arose from the dead, so to speak (cf. Eze 37:10; 2Kings 13:21).
Great fear fell upon them which saw them. The guilty conscience that had tormented the wicked returned.
Verse 12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
verse 12 Witnesses Ascend up to heaven
Ascending to heaven means great exaltation (cf. Dan 4:22). Were the Scriptures exalted as here indicated, since France made war on them? They have. Shortly affter Franceʼs war on the Scriptures the Bible societies were established (British 1804, American 1816); and these, with their almost innumerable associate groups, are scattering the Bible everywhere. Increased knowledge following the Revolution resulted in improved printing fascilities. The breaking down of predjudice and national barriers and the loss of Papal influence opened the door for missionary efforts and the Old & New Testaments arose to new heights of distribution. The Bible is now the most printed book on earth. As Christ, the Word, died, was resurrected and ascended to heaven, so the written Word did the same.
“Ascended up to heaven.” - To understand this expression, see Daniel. 4:22: “Thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven.” Here the expression signifies great exaltation. Have the Scriptures attained to such a state of exaltation as here indicated, since France made war upon them? - They have. Shortly after, the British Bible Society was organized (1804); then followed the American Bible Society (1817); and these, with their almost innumerable auxiliaries, are scattering the Bible everywhere.” Uriah Smith, Daniel & the Revelation, p536.
“Moreover, the extaordinary circulation of the Scriptures began during the French Revolution. Never should it be forgotten that both the missionary and Bible societies had their birth at this very time.” L.E. Froom, Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, Vol. 2, p762
Verse 13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.
verse 13 An earthquake - a tenth part falls.
The same hour (Gr. hora - period, season). This earthquake is not to be confused with the great earthquake which will affect the whole world just before Jesus comes.
“The Fench Revolution was one of the momentous events in the history, not only of France, but of Europe and even the whole world.” L.E. Froom, Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, Vol. 2, p633
“We are in no position as yet to measure the full impact of the French Revolution on the course of world history. It was one of those decisive events which opened the sluice-gate, and in the streams it released we are still swimming, sometimes finding it difficult to keep our head above the water.” V.H.H. Green, foreward in John McManners, The French Revolution and the Church, ed. V.H.H. Green, Church History Outlines, no. 4 (London: S.P.C.K., 1969).
In the Revolution France, one tenth part of spiritual Babylon, (one of the ten “horns” which arose from the Roman Empire - Daniel 7) was shaken as if by an earthquake, as religion, law, social order, the state and church were all overthrown.
“It was an EARTHQUAKE in the political world.” Burke cited in R.R. Palmer, The Age of the Democratic Revolution, Vol. 1, p19.
“It DESTROYED THE LANDMARKS of the world in which generations of men had passed their lives.” Cambridge Modern History.
verse 13 - 7000 slain
“Onomata anthropon,” literally “names of men.” “Onomata (“names”) may mean titles. In the Revolution an estimated 7000 nobles lost their titles. 7 also symbolizes completeness.
"were slain of men" [Gr. onomata anthropon, literally “names of men.” This may refer to persons or to titles, offices, or orders that abolished or surpressed during the Revolution.
Berry’s Interlinear Greek-English New Testament’s (KJV) renders Rev 11:13: “And in that hour there was earthquake, a great, and the tenth of the city fell, and there were killed in the earthquake names of men thousand seven. And the rest afraid became, and gave glory to the God of heaven.”
“It is said by those who have examined the French records, that just seven thousand titles of men were abolished in that revolution.” Uriah Smith, Daniel & the Revelation, p. 537] seven thousand [Seven represents completness (seven days in a complete week etc.).
This Revolution was a war on titles, as the following will show: “At the same moment a member proposed to abolish the titles of count, marquis, baron, &c.; to prohibit liveries; in short, to suppress all hereditary titles.” “Its first decree relative to the ceremonial, abolished the titles of sire, and majesty, usually given to the king.” Thiers’ French Rev. Vol. i, pp.150,201.
It has been estimated that something like 7000 titles were destroyed in that Revolution, which had as its object to bring all down upon a level. In the massacres of Aug. 10, and Sept. 2, 1792, the watchword of the rabble was, “Down with the Aristocrats!” meaning all those who hitherto had had any titles of distinction or of office.
“Those who had chosen the service of rebellion were left to reap its fruits...France was shaken as if by an earthquake.” White Great Controversy p 286.
“The shootings, the drownings, the roastings of the Roman Catholic loyalists, both priest and nobles..had all their prototypes [or models] in the babarities of another age, practised under the direction of the Pope and French Papists.” E.B. Elliot, Horae Apocalypticae, Vol. 3, p321-322
What led to Atheism in the Revolution?
The rise of atheism in France was the fruit of years of Papal dominance. In following Papal policy in crushing out the Protestant Reformation, France destroyed liberty and reforms that would have blessed the nation. Rome had misrepresented the character of God, and the people, thinking Romanism was Christianity, rejected both Roman Catholicism and the Bible and its Author. Men like Voltaire spread their infidelity everywhere. The masses, long trampled on by Rome, rose up against the oppressor with fury. The guillotine was set up on the very spot where Rome had set up the first stake for the Reformers. In rejecting Roman Catholicism as a deception the French were led by Satan to regard all religion as a deception.
The untaxed wealth of the aristocracy taken from the highly taxed masses combined with hunger due to poor harvests contributed to the uprising that overthrew the ruling class and established the Republic. Had the Reformation been admitted in France the wealthy would have been made more aware of their social responsibility and the situation that led to the Revolution averted. France illustrates the fact that rejecting the Word of God results in tragedy and that Papalism breeds Atheism.
The French Revolution was a turning point in world history
“The French Revolution was one of the momentous events in the history, not only of France, but of Europe and even the whole world.” L.E. Froom, Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, Vol 2, p7 33.
“The time of the eighteenth-century French Revolution when the 1260 years of the Papal era were closing, was a TURNING POINT in the history of the modern world. It brought forth forces that made a PERMANENT CHANGE in the thoughts and actions of MANKIND.”
Alison, History of Europe (1789-1815), Vol. 1, p47-49.
1. The Revolution introduced national conscription making possible wars on a scale
never seen before (e.g. WW I, II). 2. It helped spread democracy and led to the overthrow of dictatorial monarchies. 3. It introduced Atheism, the moral & spiritual denial of God which is fundamental to evolution, the scientific denial of God. 4. It was the birthplace of communism - the political denial of God, and Secularism, the Social denial of God.
The Birth of Communism
The French Revolution was the birthplace of atheistic, materialistic communism:
“The COMMUNIST movement would never have taken form as it did except for the prior occurrence of the FRENCH REVOLUTION.” Palmer, Revolution, p11-12
“The connection between the absolutist REVOLUTION OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY and the MARXIST MOVEMENT of the next century presses for recognition... [It] is THE DIRECT OFFSPRING and heir...A RELIGION OF ATHEISM... coupling scientific ideas with the greatest political hopes that man has ever entertained, the absolute hopes that animated the FRENCH REVOLUTION.” The Dignity of Man, R. W. Davenport, p163-9.
This God denying spirit, here called called “Egypt,” spiritually speaking, exists today not only in communism but also in evolutionary, humanistic materialistic thinking everywhere. For centuries the Papacy hid the Bible from millions. Today, though the Bible is available, atheism has led millions to disbelieve it!
SEVENTH TRUMPET
Verse 14 The second woe is past; [and], behold, the third woe cometh quickly.
Verse15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become [the kingdoms] of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
Verse 15 would appear to parallel the following:
“I saw in the night visions, and behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came near before Him. And there was GIVEN HIM A DOMINION and glory, and a KINGDOM, that all people, nations and languages should serve Him.” Daniel 7:13-14.
“A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a KINGDOM, and to return...And it came to pass when he returned, HAVING RECEIVED THE KINGDOM...” Luke 19:12-15.
verses 14-19 The Seventh trumpet - Temple of God in heaven opened Following the French Revolution of the late 1790s the temple of God was opened and the ark of Godʼs testament (the 10 commandments) was seen - v 19; Exo 25:21. The temple in heaven is the great original that was the pattern for the temple on earth. The items of furniture in the earthly temple and the services performed there were to teach us of Christ work in heavenʼs temple. (Exo 25:40; Heb 8:5).
In the ministration of the earthly tabernacle, which served “unto the example and shadow of heavenly things,” this most holy place was opened only upon the great day of atonement, for the cleansing of the sanctuary. Therefore, the announcement that the temple of God was opened in Heaven, and the ark of his testament was seen, points to the opening of the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary at the beginning of the cleansing of heavenʼs temple. (See on Dan 8; Heb 9:22-23).
In order to cleanse the heavenly sanctuary of the sin confessed into it by Godʼs people Christ must judge His professed followers. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ...” (2Cor 5:10; Rom 14:10; Heb 10:30; 1Pet 4:17; Ecc 12:13- 14; Matt 22:1-14).
Godʼ will also have a people who will, by Christʼs gospel power, make an end of sins and stop polluting the sanctuary. This is the finishing of the mystery of God (Rev 10:7).
Those found still faithful will have their sins blotted out (Acts 3:19). Those who have not kept the faith will have their names blotted out of the book of life (Rev 3:5).
The fact that the ark of the testament is in heaven shows that the 10 commandment law within it, is the foundation of Godʼs government and the standard in the judgement. (Ecc 12:13-14).
Christ received His kingdom BEFORE His return.
Verse 16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
The earthly sanctuary had 24 divisions of priests. (1 Chron 24:18, 19) At Christ’s crucifixion many saints were resurrected (Matt 27:52, 53). When Christ ascended “He led a multitude of captives...” Eph 4:8 margin. Some believe that they are the 24 elders.
Verse 17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
or “hast taken and didst reign” i.e. had begun to reign. God has ever been omnipotent and sin has only continued at His sufferance, in order that:
1. The true nature of sin might be revealed to created beings
2. That they might see the wisdom & perfection of God’s government in contrast.
3. That the righteous might be able to accept the destruction of the wicked knowing that God is loving, just & merciful.
Once this is accomplished He takes His great power and reign supreme over a universe of willingly obedient beings
Verse 18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them
that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
Under the seventh trumpet all nations, angry at commandment keepers and their message, will go to kill them (Rev 13:15). This speaks of this from a point after their anger has arisen.
Gr Kairos, a particular time with a definite purpose
Under the seventh trumpet the investigative judgment occurs. This judgment is to determine who Christ will raise to everlasting life at His return. After Christ’s return the saints will judge the wicked dead during the 1000 years (Rev 20:4; 1 Cor 6:2)
Thy servants the prophets
those which have carried the heavy responsibility of giving God’s message
Saints or holy ones
Them that fear thy name
Gr. hoi phoboumenoi, a term used in Acts for those who, though not fully proselytes to Israel, nevertheless worshipped the true God (See on Acts 10:2). If the same general meaning is intended here, this third class refers to those who have not completely known Christ or His way but have lived up to all the light they had.
“Among the heathen are those who worship God ignorantly, those to whom the light is never brought by human instrumentality, yet they will not perish. Though ignorant of the written law of God, they have heard His voice speaking to them in nature, and have done the things that the law required. Their works are evidence that the Holy Spirit has touched their hearts, and they are recognized as the children of God.” White, Desire of Ages 638
SEVENTH TRUMPET
Verse 19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
If the ark did not hold the testimony (God’s Law) the ark would not be called the ark of the testimony. The great moral Law is still there to be the standard in the judgment (Ecc 12:13, 14). The righteous keep it (Rev 12:17; 14:12); the wicked do not (Rom 8:7).
The temple of God was opened and the ark of God’s testament (the 10 commandments) was seen (verse 19; Exo 25:21).
The temple in heaven is the great original that was the pattern for the temple on earth. The items of furniture in the earthly temple and the services performed there were to teach us of Christ's work in heaven’s temple. (Exo 25:40; Heb 8:5).
In the ministration of the earthly tabernacle, which served “unto the example and shadow of heavenly things,” this most holy place was opened only upon the great day of atonement, for the cleansing of the sanctuary. Therefore, the announcement that the temple of God was opened in Heaven, and the ark of his testament was seen, points to the opening of the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary at the beginning of the cleansing of heaven’s temple at the end of the 2300 day prophecy, in 1844. (See on Dan 8:14; Heb 9:22-23).
“The ark of God’s testament is in the holy of holies, the second apartment of the sanctuary. In the ministration of the earthly tabernacle, which served ‘unto the example and shadow of heavenly things,’ this apartment was opened only upon the great Day of Atonement for the cleansing of the sanctuary. Therefore the announcement that the temple of God was opened in heaven and the ark of His testament was seen [Rev 11:19] points to the opening of the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary in 1844.” GC 433.
The lightnings, thunderings, earthquake and hail are events of the seventh plague. This verse therefore describes Christ’s work from 1844 to the end of the seventh plague.
In order to cleanse the heavenly sanctuary of the sin confessed into it by God’s people Christ must judge His professed followers. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ...” (2Cor 5:10; Rom 14:10; Heb 10:30; 1Pet 4:17; Ecc 12:13-14; Matt 22:1-14).
God’ will also have a people who will, by Christ’s gospel power, make an end of sins and stop polluting the sanctuary. This is the finishing of the mystery of God - the perfecting of the saints (Rev 10:7).
Those found still faithful will have their sins blotted out (Acts 3:19). Those who have not kept the faith will have their names blotted out of the book of life (Rev 3:5).
The fact that the ark of the testament is in heaven shows that the 10 commandment law within it, is the foundation of God’s government and the standard of righteousness in the judgement. (Ecc 12:13-14).
The earthly temple or sanctuary had two rooms, the Holy and the Most Holy (Heb 9:1-5). The Most Holy contained the ark of the testament (the 10 commandments Exo 31:18) and the Most Holy was opened only once a year on the Day of Atonement when the priest entered therein to cleanse the sanctuary of the records of sin, confessed during the year (Heb 9:7; Lev 16). The revelation of the ark under this trumpet points to the great antitypical Day of Atonement when Christ began cleansing the heavenly temple/sanctuary. The cleansing of the sanctuary began at the end of the 2300 day prophecy in 1844 (See Daniel 8:14 study)] Inasmuch as the ark of God’s testament in the most holy place of the temple was seen only upon the great Day of Atonement, judgment day, as the ark is revealed under this trumpet (v19), this trumpet must refer to the great antitypical Day of Atonement which began in 1844 (See on Rev 14).
Just as the earthly feast of trumpets heralded the Day of Atonement - the Yoma or Judgment Day, so the seven trumpets of Revelation lead up to the opening of the Judgment scene at the end of the 2300 day prophecy.
These events occur under the 7th plague after Christ has cleansed the heavenly sanctuary and just prior to His return. See Rev 16:18, 19, 21]
The Seven last Plagues
When the cleansing of the sanctuary is finished the seven last plagues (the wrath of God. Rev 15:1) will be poured out. Then Christ will return as King of kings and Lord of lords. Christ receives His kingdom in heaven before He returns to reign (Dan 7:14; Luke 19:12-28).
WHAT CAN WE LEARN?
The French Revolution is included in prophecy because:
1. It changed the world. 2. It typifies end-time events.
3. The very events which brought about the French Revolution are occurring today.
4. To know the future look at the past.
“At the same time anarchy is seeking to sweep away all law, not only divine, but human. The centralizing of wealth and power; the vast combinations for the enriching of the few at the expense of the many; the combinations of the poorer classes for the defense of their interests and claims; the spirit of unrest, of riot and bloodshed; the world-wide dissemination of the same teachings that led to the French Revolution - all are tending to involve the whole world in a struggle similar to that which convulsed France.” Education, p228.
4. While mankind falls further and further, God has not given up on us. He is calling people back via the three angels messages found in Rev 14. The first addresses atheism calling us to worship the Creator. The Second addresses corrupt religion - Babylon is fallen.
Events predicted
In 1948 Prof. L.E. Froom, as a result of several years of research, published a monumental four volume history of the interpretation of prophecy throughout the Christian era. It is entitled, The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers. In these volumes Professor Froom lists 32 scholars who, up to the time of the French Revolution, had predicted, on the basis of Rev 11, that France would be the nation to end the power of the Papacy. Some of these predictions reach back 150 years prior to the Revolution!
Rev 11:18-19 is a transition
Except for Rev 6:10, Revelation has no judgment language until Rev 11:18 which is followed by a description of the ark which contains the 10 commandments in the Most Holy place (Rev 11:19). After this judgment and Godʼs law are frequently mentioned (Rev 14:7; 15:4 19:2, 11; 20:13. Godʼs commandments: Rev 12:17; 14:12). Soon the Papacy will rise from the dead (the bottomless pit).
Will Revelation 11 have another application?
NOTE: We are to “prophesy again” (Rev 10:11) but the time periods are no longer. (See on Rev 10:6). Certain aspects of Rev 11 do appear to typify end-time events:
In the judgment we are measured by the word of God (Rev 11:1).
The Lord wants us to “measure” up to “the stature of the fullness of Christ.” (Eph 4:13).
The Bible and church will yet see troublous times. “The church will yet see troublous times. She will prophesy in sackcloth.” E.G. White, Testimonies, Vol. 4, p594.
In the coming trouble the faithful will be His WITNESSES in the world. Fire will devour their enemies This is similar to Elijah in 2Kings 1:10-13. As Elijahʼs enemies came to take him and were destroyed and at last a group bowed at his feet, so the wicked will attempt to slay the saints but at last they will bow at the saints feet (Rev 3:9).
When the witnesses are finishing their testimony the Papacy (Rev 13:1-10 beast) will arise to life from the bottomless pit (the place of the dead (Rom 10:7) and condemn the saints to death.
The saints flee to the wilderness and their testimony will cease (be dead) throughout all of global spiritual Babylon - that great city where Christ is to be crucified in the person of His saints and by the rejection of His Word (Matt 25:40; Acts 9:4; Heb 6:6).
At this time the wicked world will rejoice (Rev 11:10). But at the appointed time the saints will rise. There will be a special resurrection and the wicked will fear. Following this the saints of all ages will ascend to heaven at the time of a great earthquake.
Atheism and Evolution are brothers in arms.
APPENDIX
Atheism led to disbelief in the Bible record of creation in six days about 6,000 years ago. People began to interpret physical evidences in new unbiblical ways.
The following mini answers address Natural Selection, Sedimentary layers, and Radioisotope Dating.
Is Evolution the same as Natural Selection? No. See chart above.
Do Sedimentary layers show great age?
At the rate sediments are deposited today it would take ages to accumulate the thickness of sedimentary deposits we see. However, if the rate of sedimentation has been much faster in the past then the layers could be far younger than many assume. Evidence indicates that the sediments were deposited rapidly as described in the Biblical Flood:
1. Sedimentary layers thousands of feet thick and folded tightly without cracking indicate that all the layers were still soft when bent and not hardened after millions of years.
2. Fossils which pass through many strata (polystrate) show that the strata were laid down quickly, before the now fossilized organism had time to rot away.
3. The high pressures found in oil & gas reserves indicate that they were formed recently and have not been there millions of years, during which time the pressure would have leaked away.
4. Based on the present rates of errosion the present amount of sediment in the oceans would have accumulated in ʻjustʼ 12 million years, not billions! Biblical Creationists believe that most of the ocean bottom sediments were deposited rapidly as the waters of the global Flood ran off the continents about 4500 years ago.
5. Based on the present rates of erosion North America would be worn to sea level in ʻjustʼ ten million years. The existence of north america and fossils supposedly hundreds of millions of years old indicates that erosion has not been occurring for hundreds of millions of years.
6. Based on the rate dust and meteorites fall to earth today and the amount we find the earth cannot be millions of years old.
7. Based on the amount of helium measured in rocks, the rate it presently forms and the rate it presently escapes from the rocks, the rocks are only thousands of years old, not millions.
Based on present rates of change the world is far younger than evolutionist claim. There are reasonable explanations which harmonize the facts of the natural world with the Biblical record. Christians need not doubt the Bible. The answers can be found in good books and websites.
Those who do not want to believe in God appeal to evolution to justify their atheism. They do not want to examine the evidence for Godʼs existence because they do not want to be accountable to Him. Much of this is because of a misapprehension of Godʼs character.
APPENDIX
Could the two witnesses be Moses and Elijah?
The two witnesses prophesied in sackcloth for 1260 prophetic days. This was the period of Papal supremacy. There is no evidence that Moses and Elijah lived throughout the 1260 years in sackcloth.
An established Exposition
In 1948 Prof. L.E. Froom, as a result of several years of research, published a monumental four volume history of the interpretation of prophecy throughout the Christian era. It is entitled, The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers. In these volumes Professor Froom lists 32 scholars who, up to the time of the French Revolution, had predicted, on the basis of Revelation 11, that France would be the nation to end the power of the Papacy. Some of these predictions reach back 150 years prior to the Revolution!
Rev 11:18-19 is a transition
Except for Rev 6:10, Revelation has no judgment language until Rev 11:18 which is followed by a description of the ark which contains the 10 commandments in the Most Holy place (Rev 11:19). After this, judgment and God’s law is frequently mentioned (Rev 14:7; 15:4 19:2, 11; 20:13. God’s commandments Rev 12:17; 14:12). Soon the Papacy will "rise from the dead" (the bottomless pit).
Will Revelation 11 have another application?
“Let all who would understand the meaning of these things read the eleventh chapter of Revelation. Read every verse, and learn the things that are yet to take place in the cities. Read also the scenes portrayed in the eighteenth chapter of the same book.” E.G. White, MR 1518 (May 10, 1906). LDE 95.4.
E.G. White applied Revelation 11 to the past in the book, Great Controversy. By studying what occurred in France we may know what is to come upon the entire world for that which hath been is that which shall be.
We are to “prophesy again” (Rev 10:11) but the time periods are no longer. (See on Rev 10:6). Certain aspects of Rev 11 appear to typify end-time events:
In the judgment we are MEASURED by the word of God (Rev 11:1). The Lord wants us to come “unto the MEASURE of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” (Eph 4:13).
“The grand judgment is taking place, and has been going on for some time. Now the Lord says, Measure the temple and the worshipers thereof. Remember when you are walking the streets about your business, God is measuring you; when you are attending your household duties, when you engage in conversation, God is measuring you. Remember that your words and actions are being daguerreotyped [photographed] in the books of heaven, as the face is reproduced by the artist on the polished plate. . . .
Here is the work going on, measuring the temple and its worshipers to see who will stand in the last day. Those who stand fast shall have an abundant entrance into the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. When we are doing our work remember there is One that is watching the spirit in which we are doing it. Shall we not bring the Savior into our everyday lives, into our secular work and domestic duties? Then in the name of God we want to leave behind everything that is not necessary, all gossiping or unprofitable visiting, and present ourselves as servants of the living God (MS 4, 1888). SDABC, Volume 7, p. 972.
Do the two Witnesses which prophesied in sackcloth, refer to the church?
“The church will yet see troublous times. She will prophesy in sackcloth.” E.G. White, Testimonies, Vol. 4, p594.
This need be no more than borrowing the phrase that applied to the Bible and applying the same phrase to the church without meaning that the church is the two witnesses. In the coming trouble the faithful will be His WITNESSES in the world.
Fire will devour their enemies. This is similar to Elijah in 2Kings 1:10-13. As Elijah’s enemies came to take him and were destroyed and at last a group bowed at his feet, so the wicked will attempt to slay the saints but at last they will bow at the saints feet (Rev 3:9).
When the witnesses are finishing their testimony the beast (again in its PAPAL form) will arise to life from the bottomless pit (the place of the dead (Rom 10:7) and condemn the saints to death.
The saints flee to the wilderness and their testimony will cease (be dead) throughout all of global spiritual Babylon - that great city where Christ is to be crucified in the person of His saints and by the rejection of His Word (Matt 25:40; Acts 9:4; Heb 6:6).
At this time the wicked world will rejoice (Rev 11:10). But at the appointed time the saints will rise. There will be a special resurrection and the wicked will fear. Following this the saints of all ages will ascend to heaven at the time of a great earthquake.
Atheism led to disbelief in the Bible record of creation in six days about 6,000 years ago. Atheism, the King of the South will succumb and fall to the King of the North, Papal Rome. The days of the "whirlwind" (Daniel 11:40) are upon us. How long it will take, only God knows.
HISTORY REVISITED - BACK TO THE FUTURE.
the King of the South is predicted to fall - Daniel 11:40
FRANCE - Revolution against the Bible | TODAY - Revolution against the Bible |
Called to receive the gospel - the Reformation. | World called to receive the gospel. |
Majority rejected the gospel (Reformation). | Majority rejects the gospel (3 Angel’s Messages). |
People mistakenly thought that Roman Catholicism was Biblical Christianity. | People mistakenly think that Roman Catholicism is Biblical Christianity. |
True Protestant minority were persecuted. | True Protestant minority will be persecuted. |
France was one of the original TEN HORNS (kingdoms) which gave its support to the Papacy. | Ten tenths of the world will unite and give their support to the Papacy. |
Centralizing of wealth. | Centralizing of wealth. |
Poorer classes trodden down. | Poorer classes trodden down. |
Moral decay. | Moral decay. |
Downtrodden masses revolted. | Downtrodden masses will revolt. |
France, one of the original ten European kingdoms, attacked and abolished the Papacy. | The ten horns (Europe) will initially give their support but will eventually turn on the Papacy. |