Chapters seventeen to ? at the end of Revelation focus on the final downfall of the world through the description of Babylon, the final Second Coming of Christ, and then a delay called the Millennium before the final destinations of heaven and hell.
Babylon Part #1 - Chapter Seventeen
Verse one provides a clear overview of chapter seventeen’s detail about the fallen world. This is given to John by one of the previous angels with the final seven plagues previously mentioned:
“And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither;” – Revelation 17:1
It is, therefore, clearly at the very end of time after people have accepted the seal of God or the mark of the beast, with greater detail now on how the worldly system empowered by Satan will eventually fall and be judged by God.
Regarding the timing of this, two factors indicate that this is specifically from the previous sixth plague:
1. This plague the river Euphrates, which is the lifeblood of the actual city of Babylon, which is now described as falling
2. This plague affects kings on the earth, as detailed later in this chapter.
The new women's symbol
The focus is a new symbol of women, which is described elsewhere in Scripture as God’s group of people (see the Symbols Checklist):
“I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore” – Revelation 17:1
This is clearly a sinful woman being described as a whore. Therefore, it must represent the false religious Papal system identified as the anti-Christ through the Historicist method of interpretation.
Israel is also described as a whore when going away from God in Ezekiel chapters sixteen and twenty-three.
John is understandably astonished by this, whether through mistaken reverence of this wrong system or the reality dawning that the alleged church of God is really against Christ:
“and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel?” – Revelation 17:6b & 7a.
Linked to the ten core characteristics of this system from the Old Testament prophecy in Daniel chapter seven, here are seven specific points that are highlighted:
1. Dressed in purple and scarlet, the colours associated with Catholicism (red being bloodshed, and purple representing royal prestige).
“And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour” – Revelation 17:4a.
2. Other religious groups are affected
In the final description of this woman, she is referred to as the mother harlot, which suggests that other Christian groups and churches are affected by this Catholic system.
“…Mystery, Babylon The Great, The Mother Of Harlots And Abominations Of The Earth…” – Revelation 17:5
A current example of this is Ecumenicalism, with other protestant denominations linking to the Catholic church and Pope as a central mothership.
3. The Papacy’s prosperity and influence are symbolised through valuable commodities
“and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand” – Revelation 17:4b
4. Earthly rulers are described as being negatively affected by the teachings of Catholicism through the analogy of fornicating and illicit connection with this woman:
“With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication” – Revelation 17:2
Even the cup mentioned above, which is impressive on the outside, contains hurtful things on the inside:
“having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication” – Revelation 17:4b
5. People are generally described as intoxicated by this system, symbolised through drunkenness
“and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication” – Revelation 17:2b
6. The beliefs are against God and His ways of salvation, described as blasphemy:
“full of names of blasphemy” – Revelation 17:3b
7. God’s believers are killed by this system, with the women then becoming drunk from their life-giving blood (and opposite to the effect she has on earthly people generally as above)
“And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus:” – Revelation 17:6a
The sitting woman
There are three specific things that this prostitute woman is sitting on, indicating her control of these things, like a rider on a horse.
Firstly, sitting on many waters, which symbolise people and nations elsewhere in Scripture (see the Symbols Checklist):
“that sitteth upon many waters:… And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues” – Revelation 17:1 & 15
This links to the earlier point about making people drunk but emphasises here how this is affecting ‘many’ people and control of them.
Secondly, she sits on seven mountains. Although these are symbolised through horns which we’ll come onto soon, scholars have noted how Rome itself as a city is based upon seven mountains:
“And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.– Revelation 17:9
This verse emphasises being wise in realising this point.
Thirdly, she sits on a beast that has seven heads and ten horns.
“And I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.” – Revelation 17:3
This links to the theme of beasts in chapters twelve and thirteen in Revelation and visions from the book of Daniel.
Details of the beast
The rest of this chapter then focuses on the beast that the woman is sitting on.
The Historicist interpretation identifies this as rising from Pagan Rome in 538 AD, then losing its political state control in 1798 AD when Napoleon captured the Pope.
Meanwhile, the spiritual Catholic church, of course, continues. Whilst the woman emphasises the religious side of the Papal system, this beast is more secular stateside.
This beast system has already appeared twice in Revelation; chapter twelve is a general overview of the control in the dark Middle Ages, and chapter thirteen with how another beast arrives afterwards to help this first one come back again.
Here are eight specific detail of the beast provided in this chapter:
1. The colours
The beast is also in the same scarlet colour as the woman, who symbolises the red blood that Catholicism has shed over the centuries:
“…and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast…” – Revelation 17:3
2. The Middle Ages wilderness
There is a reference to John being taken into the wilderness where he sees the beast with the woman on:
“So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast,” – Revelation 17:3a
This links to the reference in Revelation chapter twelve and God’s people being protected from the beast’s reign for 1,260 years.
“And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.” – Revelation 12:6
3. The same heads and horns
This beast has seven heads and ten horns which again match the same beast in chapters twelve and thirteen and the book of Daniel:
“having seven heads and ten horn… and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns” – Revelation 17:3b & 7
“and saw a beast rise out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns” – Revelation 13:1
4. When it is in power
Verse eight can appear contradictory – that the beast did exist in the past, but isn’t at the moment of this prophecy, but will be back again in the future.
“The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition…behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is” – Revelation 17:8
However, this makes sense with this symbolising the Papacy. It did exist as a secular power until 1798 before the Pope was taken captive; it then had no political influence but finally did begin to rise again afterwards.
This also helps date this prophecy and angel between the sixth and seventh periods through the earlier churches, seals, and trumpets.
5. People are amazed
This verse confirms what was symbolised in chapter fourteen, and people on earth being in awe and worshipping this beast at the end of time:
“…and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast…” – Revelation 17:8
6. The seven heads
Although the seven heads in earlier chapters represent the combination of all former heads of the beasts in chapter seven, we are now given another meaning to help identify the geographical area as mentioned above:
“And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth” – Revelation 17:9
7. The seven kings
These are assumed to be separate from the above seven heads in verse ten:
“And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.” – Revelation 17:10
This makes sense when understanding the timing of this as per above (although there are variations of these).
After 1798 and the downfall of the Papacy from the Middle Ages, five kingdoms from Daniel’s chapter two prophecies had already existed by then – Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Pagan Rome, and Papal Rome.
The one in existence at this time straight after the last one is the second beast identified in chapter twelve, namely the USA applying the Historicist method of interpretation.
The seventh one that will come after this prophecy symbolises the rise again of the Papal system, which is again highlighted in chapter twelve as coming back from a fatal wound through the second beast’s help.
8. The returning beast
The next verse eleven confirms this as another eight periods:
“And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.” – Revelation 17:11
This is the Papacy that did exist but did not have power at the time of this prophecy to John.
However, chapter thirteen confirms how this sea beast will rise again with the assistance of the USA and land-beast to be the eighth one.
9. The ten horns
We finally have ten horns which are interpreted as kings, with specific detail provided and leading into the next chapter:
“And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.” – Revelation 17:12
These are linked with the Papacy as the beast and will happen in the future.
This is referred to as being for one hour, which may be just symbolic for being quick, or applying the day-year principle as previous prophecies would equate to approximately two weeks in actual time.
It also suggests they appear at the same time, including a reference afterwards to having one mind together:
“These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.” – Revelation 17:13
Rather than being literal kings at the time, this suggests a symbolic ten kingdoms on earth against God, like in the first vision in Daniel's chapter with the ten toes.
This also links with the timing of the sixth plague in chapter sixteen and the reference to more comprehensive kings of the whole earth.
The number ten also symbolises God’s cover and reign, for example, the Ten Commandments, and tithe as a tenth of people’s income that is classed as God’s.
The next verse highlights how these kings make war with the lamb, who is clearly Christ, which must mean with his actual body of believers on earth. However, Christ and His believers win.
“These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called and chosen, and faithful.” – Revelation 17:14
There is then a complete turn of events. These kings no longer help and support the beast and Papal system against God’s believers but now turn against it.
“And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled” – Revelation 17:16 & 17
Considering this is during the final plagues, which consecutively intensify, it’s almost as if the severity of these makes even the world’s rulers realise what the reality of the situation is with the beast’s influence.
God clearly states that He will do this and allow a corrupt worldly secular system to turn against the overall spiritual system controlling it.
The additional emphasis
This chapter, therefore, provides additional detail on the overall Catholic Papal system against God and His people as previously symbolised in Revelation through a beast.
Additional spiritual details are provided in Daniel chapter seven by a little horn on this beast; we’re now given further information for the very end of time when this system finally falls through separate women as the spiritual driver of the more secular Papal system.
The angel tells John explicitly that these details are being explained:
“I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her,” – Revelation 17:7b
This is then named Babylon in two places.
Firstly, by this name on the women’s head:
“And upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery, Babylon The Great, The Mother Of Harlots And Abominations Of The Earth.” – Revelation 17:5
Secondly, the women were in the famous city of Babylon back in the Old Testament.
“And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.” – Revelation 17:18
The women and, therefore, the spiritual Catholicism aspect is named explicitly as this Babylon system against God.
In summary, this is a mindset against God and His ways, causing confusion from the tower of Babel in the Old Testament and being described as a ‘mystery’ in verse five.
However, at this stage of matters right at the end of time, this is inseparably linked with two things (and the lead of this combined system):
Firstly, the worldly secular system and society through the beast symbol.
Secondly, other religious churches and people are affiliated with and in support of Catholicism through the women being the mother of these.
Where God has prophesied throughout Scripture and the Old Testament that this worldly Babylon system will eventually fall, this now provides details of how and when.
Babylon Part #2 - Chapter Eighteen
The next chapter still focuses on the fall of Babylon but with a slightly different perspective. This is through another angel:
“And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.” – Revelation 18:2
Verse four helps indicate an earlier commencement when people still had a call to come out of this Babylon system before the final deciding seal or mark and the final plagues:
“And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” – Revelation 18:4
This angel repeats the same call from the second angel in chapter fourteen, right at the end of time. However, its described as more powerful, has a mighty voice and illuminates the whole earth.
The full consequences of Babylon are experienced during the final plagues, mainly the last three at the end of time. However, it’s clear that its downfall began earlier:
“And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen…” – Revelation 18:2a
The previous chapter's focus was the spiritual aspect of Babylon and how it controls the worldly kingdoms; this now looks at the economic side and these earthly kingdoms affecting people on earth.
We have some details from the previous chapters repeated here, for example, people affected by Babylon and kings of earth fornicating with her:
“For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her,” – Revelation 18:3a
“And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, Standing afar off for fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city!” – Revelation 18: 9 & 10a
There is also the same theme at the very end of the plagues: the worldly kingdoms and earth's people turned against Babylon before its final demise.
However, eight additional points about this falling Babylon system are now identified:
1. The demonic influence of Babylon
“and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird” – Revelation 18:2b
This matches the previous symbology of Satan through the dragon ultimately controlling the earthly beasts to his benefit in chapters twelve and thirteen.
2. The financial benefit to merchants
“and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies” – Revelation 18:3b
Whilst this may emphasise the literal economic benefit of this Babylonian power, with the Historicist method of interpretation as Catholicism/Papacy, some see this as meaning religious Christian leaders and pastors that have benefited from the doctrines of this spiritual entity.
They are affected by and mourn the falling of Babylon and even have a fear of her:
“And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise anymore:… The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, And saying, Alas, alas that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!” – Revelation 18:11 & 15/16
There is then a long list of various types of materials that have been affected by the loss of trade with Babylon:
“The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.” – Revelation 18:12-14
These merchants are also referred to at the end of the chapter as being part of the whole earth’s deception by this system:
“for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.” – Revelation 18:23b
3. The trade by ships is also being affected
“And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness!” – Revelation 18:17b-19a
They are linked to the mention of merchants but a separate reference to shipmasters and sailors and their trade and use of ships.
4. The consequences of sinning against God
“For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her:… for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her” – Revelation 18:5-7b * 8b
This Babylonian system is clearly sinful and against God, with God now bringing a double judgement against it right at the end of time.
5. The pride in her heart
“for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow” – Revelation 18:7b
This Babylon system introduced as a woman in the last chapter clearly believes that she will not be alone and will not incur any form of suffering.
A widow at the time of this prophecy would have no legal status in society, something this system is denying.
6. The consequences shall come quickly in one day
“Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire:” – Revelation 18:8a.
Applying the day-year principle of the Historicist method of interpretation equates to a year of actual time.
However, this may be symbolic of the quick speed of this judgement on Babylon, in addition to repeating the shorter one-hour period from the previous chapter later in this one:
“for in one hour is thy judgment come.” – Revelation 18:10b
“For in one hour so great riches comes to nought… for in one hour is she made desolate.” – Revelation 18:17a and 19b – between ship description.
7. The praise from God’s people when it happens
“Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.” – Revelation 18:20
There is a declaration for God’s people to rejoice at the fall of this corrupt system, which after many centuries has ruled earth and caused suffering to God’s people, as highlighted in the final verse:
“And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.” – Revelation 18:24
This refers to both heaven and apostles/prophets, suggesting a wider angelic audience in heaven and not assuming God’s people are in heaven at this point.
8. The dramatic and final destruction of Babylon
“And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.” – Revelation 18:21
This final destruction of Babylon is very violent and final, with nothing remaining through the symbology of drowning (linking to the prophecy in Daniel chapter two with God’s last stone/kingdom smashing the earthly kingdoms/statue).
It refers explicitly to things no longer being there – music, craftsmen, light from candles, and a bride and bridegroom’s voice.
“And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee:” – Revelation 18:22 & 23a
Christ’s Second Coming – Chapter Nineteen
We then come to the main event of the book of Revelation – the Second Coming of Christ back to earth.
However, this doesn’t begin until verse eleven. Before then is a picture of God’s people in heaven, a happy ending after the final seven plagues and the final fall of Babylon on earth in the previous chapter.
It’s important to note the timing of this. This is a heavenly scene after Christ’s Second Coming with all God’s final people here, before returning to describe how this happens.
Ten highlighted features to explain this is:
1. It’s specifically after the former events which ended with the Second Coming of Christ
“And after these things, I heard a great voice…” – Revelation 19:1a.
2. There are many people, not just a few
“…I heard a great voice of much people in heaven…” – Revelation 19:1
“And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.” – Revelation 19:6
3. More specifically, it says all God’s people (no further ones to come)
“And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.” – Revelation 19:5
4. They’re in heaven, which is where Christ takes them to after the Second Coming
“…much people in heaven…” – Revelation 19:1
5. They’re praising God for Salvation now secured
“…saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:” – Revelation 19:1b
6. It’s after judgement on the previous Babylon system is complete
“For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. And again they said, Alleluia And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.” – Revelation 19:2-3
7. The earlier picture of elders and beasts around God’s throne is reiterated
“And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.” – Revelation 19:4
8. God’s people (the bride) are now ready to meet Christ as the lamb (the bridegroom)
“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God” – Revelation 19:7-9
Christ also symbolises this in Matthew 22 and the parable of people being invited to the wedding banquet.
9. This finale is so grand John mistakenly worships the angel delivering this
“And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” – Revelation 19:10
10. The following verse adds more detail with “and” not “after” this.
“And I saw heaven opened…” – Revelation 19:1
As we then go back to detail about the Second Coming of Christ to lead to this final heavenly scene of worship, six aspects are emphasised:
1. The person coming back to earth is clearly Christ
The description in verse twelve is the same as in earlier chapter four and back in Daniel:
“His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.” – Revelation 19:12
His name in the following verses clarifies this:
“…and his name is called The Word of God… And he hath on his vesture and his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords.” – Revelation 19:13b & 16
2. Christ is returning for His believers
This is promised elsewhere in Scripture:
“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: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” - 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
It may also take some time for this to happen and practically circulate the whole earth with all the angels/armies of heaven, and then the trip back to heaven when God says, acknowledges every servant:
“His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” – Matthew 25:21
There is the earlier period of seven days when the sanctuary of heaven is empty, as this happens at the Second Coming:
Verse ???
3. He is coming to war against remaining unbelievers
Although the focus quite rightly of Christ’s Second Coming is the collection of believers back to heaven, this isn’t the focus of this chapter.
Instead, it’s what He is also coming to go against remaining unbelieving people on earth.
He is now coming to finally remove all traces and consequences of sin and the downfall from the world before the new heaven and earth appear later.
Unfortunately, if people have decided to remain with these sins rather than submit to Christ, they will also become the object of this.
This is also highlighted in other areas of Scripture and is a consequence of His brightness and breath when He comes for His believers (2 Thessalonians 2:8, Isaiah 11:4).
There is a sword in His mouth, symbolising His Words alone being able to fight against and rule people and nations:
“And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron:” – Revelation 19:15a
There is the symbology of bloodshed from this:
“and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.” – Revelation 19:15b
This blood is also referenced on His clothes from dealing with these deaths on earth, not His sacrifice, which is now past and all forgiven sins dealt with as the King of Kings, not a suffering Saviour:
“And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood:” – Revelation 19:13a
This links with the earlier interlude in Revelation chapter fourteen and the vine of the earth being sent to the winepress of God’s wrath after believers are first collected by Christ (and Old Testament prophecies like Isaiah 63:1-5).
Even wildlife in the air is invited to feed on the dead bodies that will result from this, which clearly explains how remaining unbelievers will die on earth at this Second Coming:
“And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.” – Revelation 19:17 & 18
This ‘supper’ is clearly different to the earlier supper that believers will experience with Christ at the wedding banquet.
The very last verse after the following few points explains how this will be finally accomplished right at the end:
“And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.” – Revelation 19:21
Describing the remaining unbelievers as only a remnant emphasises how many will have been killed at this point during the final seven plagues on the earth.
4. This is a dramatic scene that no one will miss
There is mention of “the” armies of heaven accompanying Christ, suggesting all of the angels:
“And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.” – Revelation 19:!4
5. People’s reaction will be to fight Christ back
This is also against Christ’s accompanying angels:
“And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.” – Revelation 19:19
These kings of the earth started fighting the sixth plague against the Babylon system; this is now coming to a head with Christ’s Second Coming, and their attention turned to Him.
6. Beast and the second beast are taken out
Although everyone else dies, two specific parties that have starred in these End Times events are singled out for slightly different treatment:
“And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.” – Revelation 19:20
There is an apparent reference here to this false prophet already mentioned in Revelation, the second beast described in Revelation chapter thirteen. This is understood as the USA, through the Historicist method of interpretation, which causes deception and worship of an image.
Rather than immediate death on earth, they are still alive to the ‘like of fire’. Although there is a difference in opinion on what, where, and how long this is, most scholars agree this refers to hell.
