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I’ve recently been reviewing an idea that I came across and hadn’t given a whole lot of thought to up to this point.
Short of it: The Antichrist may actually be seen by Israel as their Messiah.
We know that he will deceive the whole world… "the whole world" includes unbelieving Jews.
When you consider the language of the verses describing the woman, it begins to become clear that the woman is carried by the beast. Even though the beast hates her, the treaty is sealed between the two of them in the beginning. It is broken at the midpoint and some in Israel will no doubt recognize their error.
However, it’s easy to imagine that some in Israel will see the Antichrist as their promised Messiah… especially when considering the passages below. "I sit as a queen", "I am no widow, and shall see no sorrow", "they worshiped the beast", etc…
Also, the prosperity of Israel, especially during their celebrated first half of the week will be incredibly deceiving to the whole world, let alone to Israelites. They’re celebrating, the offerings have continued, it’s a great time of peace and prosperity, and they briefly become the very thing they’ve been promised all these centuries in Scripture – the epicenter of the world… at least until destruction suddenly comes on them.
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Rev 18:1 After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illumined with his glory.
[1] Another messenger, having great authority is perceived.
Angels are known to have God’s illuminating glory (doxa)… note the cherubs of Eze 9:3 and Heb 9:5.
[2] Earth is illumined by his glory.
Don't make the mistake of assuming this is the Father, or Jesus as we'll soon see that it is not.
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Rev 18:2 And he cried out with a mighty voice, saying, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place of demons and a prison of every unclean spirit, and a prison of every unclean and hateful bird.
[3] Message of the second messenger with great authority.
[4] Just as literal Babylon falls, so goes Spiritual Babylon.
Isa 21:9 Now behold, here comes a troop of riders, horsemen in pairs. And one said, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon; and all the images of her gods are shattered on the ground."
[5] It became dwelling place of demons, and…
[6] … jail of every unclean spirit, and…
[7] … cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
Mar 4:3-4 Listen to this! Behold, the sower went out to sow; as he was sowing, some seed fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate it up.
Explained by Jesus:
Mar 4:14-15 The sower sows the word. These are the ones who are beside the road where the word is sown; and when they hear, immediately Satan comes and takes away the word which has been sown in them.
Unclean birds are often used symbolically of sin and demonic influence. Jesus directly draws the comparison above.
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Rev 18:3 For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the passion of her immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed acts of immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich by the wealth of her sensuality.
[8] All nations have partaken in her immorality.
We are told that the whole world will wonder after the beast (Rev 13:3; Rev 13:8; Rev 13:16). By the time Antichrist takes over Jerusalem he will have amassed a fortune in the form of power and dominion over the Mideast which is the wealthiest location on earth. The little horn has risen to power, and has gained considerably more power since the time of defeating three horns. His power is evidenced by the time he signs the false covenant of peace with Israel at the beginning of Daniel’s 70th Week.
Not only that, but after breaking the treaty, desolating Jerusalem and seating himself in the Temple, with the enforcement of the mark to soon follow, all will receive provision exclusively from him or suffer the consequences.
There is clearly to be financial gain from this takeover as well as power to rule, especially during such disastrous times of famine, plague, chaos, and murder. We’re told that none will be able to stop him.
[9] … kings of the earth have committed acts of immorality with her.
In this verse, I feel that the focus is not upon the kings already devoted to Antichrist, but rather the kings of the rest of the earth. The focus has clearly shifted to Jerusalem, and Antichrist has deceived the world and enforced his rule. There will be a "duty" to pay.
Not only have they committed these acts, but they received something in return for doing so.
Dan 11:39 He will take action against the strongest of fortresses with the help of a foreign god; he will give great honor to those who acknowledge him and will cause them to rule over the many, and will parcel out land for a price.
Rev 18:9 And the kings of the earth, who committed acts of immorality and lived sensuously with her…
[10] … merchants have become rich because of her power and luxuries.
Those who agree to his terms will be on his payroll. No doubt Jerusalem will become a major importer as we'll see below. All purchases must be made through the power of the mark, and all of the benefits will ultimately return to Antichrist.
What does Antichrist do? He’s getting these items from somewhere… we know that some of it he takes by force as he's conquering others, but he will be collecting it from the entire globe as well through duty payed and through the mark.
Dan 11:38 But instead he will honor a god of fortresses, a god whom his fathers did not know; he will honor him with gold, silver, costly stones and treasures.
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Rev 18:4 I heard another voice from Heaven, saying, "Come out of her, My people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive of her plagues;
[10] … another voice, saying "Come out of her My people"
This is likely the voice of Jesus. As it’s "another voice from Heaven" that is heard, we can do away with any speculation that the illuminating messenger of verse one is Christ. This voice also refers to the Father in the next verse so it is not the voice of Jehovah Himself.
[11] … so that you won’t participate in her sins and receive the upcoming plagues (bowl judgments, Rev 15-16).
Rev 15:1 Then I saw another sign in Heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels who had seven plagues, which are the last, because in them the wrath of God is finished.
These plagues signal the coming conclusion of Daniel’s 70th Week. God’s wrath (more extreme than the Trumpet Judgments) is about to poured out on the inhabitants of earth including Jerusalem. This destruction is going to happen relatively quick.
The sixth bowl prepares the way for the "kings of the east" to travel to the Battle of Armageddon. The seventh, and final bowl of God’s wrath is poured out into the air and generates the 100 pound hailstones, etc.. This is the final bowl before the physical return of Jesus to earth.
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Rev 18:5-6 for her sins have piled up as high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. Pay her back even as she has paid, and give back to her double according to her deeds; in the cup which she has mixed, mix twice as much for her.
The harlot is to be paid double the wage. Answering Scripture with Scripture, we find the only reference in Scripture to doubling any portion is concerning Jerusalem/national Israel (Isa 40:2; Isa 61:7; Jer 16:18; Jer 17:18; Zec 9:12).
After sending out men to hunt down His people (Jer 16:16) and bring them back into their land (Jer 16:15) then:
Jer 16:18 I will first doubly repay their iniquity and their sin, because they have polluted My land; they have filled My inheritance with the carcasses of their detestable idols and with their abominations.
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Rev 18:7 To the degree that she glorified herself and lived sensuously, to the same degree give her torment and mourning; for she says in her heart, 'I SIT as A QUEEN AND I AM NOT A WIDOW, and will never see mourning.'
Above, Jerusalem is the epicenter of the world during the reign of Antichrist along with all the inhabitants who worship him.
There’s no doubt of the comparison drawn to literal Babylon:
Isa 47:7 Yet you said, 'I will be a queen forever.' These things you did not consider nor remember the outcome of them. Now, then, hear this, you sensual one, who dwells securely, who says in your heart, 'I am, and there is no one besides me. I will not sit as a widow, nor know loss of children.'
There seems to be no doubt as to how the woman is filled with content and confidence. Her confidence in the beast is obviously misplaced, but she doesn't realize that... yet.
The attitude of the woman is identical to that of literal Babylon just before their destruction.
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Rev 18:8 For this reason in one day her plagues will come, pestilence and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for the Lord God who judges her is strong.
[11] … her plagues come quickly upon her.
The beast (and 10 kings) will turn on her at some point and we know the seven trumpet and bowl judgments also come into play later.
Fire is obviously focused on here in Revelation 18 as smoke is specifically mentioned below.
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Rev 18:9 And the kings of the earth, who committed acts of immorality and lived sensuously with her, will weep and lament over her when they see the smoke of her burning,
When destruction comes, all who have "lived sensuously with her" during this time will also suffer. The impact of this destruction will be felt worldwide by all the kings of the earth who have participated with her.
This is clearly not the ten kings who mourn over her as they are the ones who brought desolation on her. This is the remaining kings of the earth mourning.
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Rev 18:10 standing at a distance because of the fear of her torment, saying, 'Woe, woe, the great city, Babylon, the strong city! For in one hour your judgment has come.'
Nobody is going to want to get close to this destruction out of fear… possibly for fear of likewise retribution, or the fire itself, we’re not explicitly told. If this “strong city” was easily, and quickly destroyed then what force could come to her aid? What king would desire the same result? We're told in Scripture that Antichrist will have his way and none will be able to stand up against him. See my Daniel blogs.
Note that it is the "kings" who are keeping their distance... the merchants are mentioned next.
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Rev 18:11 And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn over her, because no one buys their cargoes any more...
Jerusalem is destroyed and no longer buying imports.
We’re told of a similar response from the merchants later.
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Rev 18:12 ... cargoes of gold and silver and precious stones and pearls and fine linen and purple and silk and scarlet, and every kind of citron [G2367 – thuinos] wood and every article of ivory and every article made from very costly wood and bronze and iron and marble,
Above is a list of items sold by the merchants to Jerusalem. These are the merchandise that the merchants became rich from (Rev 18:15).
Notice in the verse above, the similarity of these items to those described in the OT for the priests and Temple.
Once the treaty is signed, Jerusalem is feeling high and mighty… the offerings commence, the Temple is restored, their religious system will be put back into full swing again. The temple will be rebuilt, and need to be maintained.
What does that mean? Vast amounts of "merchandise"... it was needed for previous Temples, and it will be needed once again:
1 Ch 29:1-2 Then King David said to the entire assembly, "My son Solomon, whom alone God has chosen, is still young and inexperienced and the work is great; for the Temple is not for man, but for the LORD God.
Now with all my ability I have provided for the house of my God the gold for the things of gold, and the silver for the things of silver, and the bronze for the things of bronze, the iron for the things of iron, and wood for the things of wood, onyx stones and inlaid stones, stones of antimony and stones of various colors, and all kinds of precious stones and alabaster in abundance.
King Hezekiah even made storehouses of these treasures…
2 Ch 32:27-29 Now Hezekiah had immense riches and honor; and he made for himself treasuries for silver, gold, precious stones, spices, shields and all kinds of valuable articles, storehouses also for the produce of grain, wine and oil, pens for all kinds of cattle and sheepfolds for the flocks. He made cities for himself and acquired flocks and herds in abundance, for God had given him very great wealth.
Citron wood mentioned in Rev 18:12 is interesting as I’ve never really researched it in any detail.
The Greek word [G2367 – thuinos] is defined as: a certain fragrant tree, citron wood, thyine. This Greek word "thuinos" is derived from the Greek word [G2380 – thuo] or "thuein" which means "to sacrifice by fire".
It’s a fragrant wood known to have been used in burnt sacrifices. It was also considered as a valuable wood for making furniture by the Greeks and Romans.
We find "algum trees" in the OT related to the Temple. The Latin Vulgate renders "algum trees" as "ligna thyina". These trees were also imported for Solomon's Temple:
2 Ch 9:10-11 The servants of Huram and the servants of Solomon who brought gold from Ophir, also brought algum trees and precious stones. From the algum trees the king made steps for the house of the LORD and for the king's palace, and lyres and harps for the singers; and none like that was seen before in the land of Judah.
The LXX renders this wood as ξυλα πευκινα – "pine wood". Josephus renders it the same, but adds this commentary:
The wood which was brought to him [Solomon] at this time was larger and finer than any that had ever been brought before; but let no one imagine that these pine trees were like those which are now so named, and which take that their denomination from the merchants, who so call them, that they may procure them to be admired by those that purchase them; for those we speak of were to the sight like the wood of the fig tree, but were whiter, and more shining. Now we have said thus much, that nobody may be ignorant of the difference between these sorts of wood, nor unacquainted with the nature of the genuine pine tree; and we thought it both a seasonable and humane thing, when we mentioned it, and the uses the king made of it, to explain this difference so far as we have done. (Flavius Josephus – Antiquities of the Jews 8.7.1)
While researching the wood, I also ran into this little blurb from Josephus in the next section:
Now the weight of gold that was brought him was six hundred and sixty-six talents, not including in that sum what was brought by the merchants, nor what the toparchs and kings of Arabia gave him in presents. (Flavius Josephus – Antiquities of the Jews 8.7.2)
We also find the explanation of the 666 talents in 1 Ki 10:14 and 2 Ch 9:13. It’s always been curious to me that this is the number of man called out in Rev 13:18. Is man’s worth also defined by our financial status as deemed in the gold of Solomon? It wasn't long after these passages that we find Solomon leaving the faith and committing idolatry in his final years.
Mat 6:19 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
In either event, the algum wood was not native to Israel and it was imported for use in the Temple construction. The only time we find these types of woods (whether algum or thyine) in Scripture, they are imported by merchants, for construction and maintenance of the Temple.
Ivory also shows up as an import during Solomon’s construction of the Temple.
1 Ki 10:18-23 Moreover, the king made a great throne of ivory and overlaid it with refined gold. There were six steps to the throne and a round top to the throne at its rear, and arms on each side of the seat, and two lions standing beside the arms. Twelve lions were standing there on the six steps on the one side and on the other; nothing like it was made for any other kingdom. All King Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold. None was of silver; it was not considered valuable in the days of Solomon. For the king had at sea the ships of Tarshish with the ships of Hiram; once every three years the ships of Tarshish came bringing gold and silver, ivory and apes and peacocks. So King Solomon became greater than all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom.
It’s no wonder Jerusalem is presented in this fashion in Revelation 18. King Solomon has always been known for being the richest ruler that has ever lived (1 Ki 10:23).
Do you believe for a second that Antichrist will let him retain that title? When Israel finally flips the switch to return to their heritage, you can bet the Temple will be magnificent.
All of the items on this list are explicitly spelled out in Scripture for the priests and the Temple so far. Not only that, but you won’t find these items listed together in Scripture for any other purpose than the priests and Temple.
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Rev 18:13 and cinnamon and spice and incense and perfume and frankincense and wine and olive oil and fine flour and wheat and cattle and sheep, and cargoes of horses and chariots and slaves and human lives.
Here we find more items used in the Temple. Exodus 30 gives further instructions for the Temple.
Exo 30:7-8 Aaron shall burn fragrant [H5561 – sam, to smell sweet, aroma, sweet (spice)] incense [H7004 – qetoreth, fumigation, sweet incense, perfume] on it; he shall burn it every morning when he trims the lamps. When Aaron trims the lamps at twilight, he shall burn incense. There shall be perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations.
They need spices and incense in mass quantity… notice that it is to burn "perpetually".
Exo 30:23-25 Take also for yourself the finest of spices: of flowing myrrh five hundred shekels, and of fragrant cinnamon half as much, two hundred and fifty, and of fragrant cane two hundred and fifty, and of cassia five hundred, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, and of olive oil a hin. You shall make of these a holy anointing oil, a perfume mixture, the work of a perfumer; it shall be a holy anointing oil.
Above we find the directions for the anointing oil and find our connection to Rev 18:13.
Both the incense and the oil are to be exclusively used in the service of the Temple:
Exo 30:32-33 'It shall not be poured on anyone's body, nor shall you make any like it in the same proportions; it is holy, and it shall be holy to you. Whoever shall mix any like it or whoever puts any of it on a layman shall be cut off from his people.'
Exo 30:34-38 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Take for yourself spices, stacte and onycha and galbanum, spices with pure frankincense; there shall be an equal part of each. With it you shall make incense, a perfume, the work of a perfumer, salted, pure, and holy. You shall beat some of it very fine, and put part of it before the testimony in the tent of meeting where I will meet with you; it shall be most holy to you. The incense which you shall make, you shall not make in the same proportions for yourselves; it shall be holy to you for the LORD. Whoever shall make any like it, to use as perfume, shall be cut off from his people.
By this point you should be realizing the reason for this merchandise list in Revelation 18. There can be no mistaking it… these items are for the sole purpose of supporting the Temple rituals in Jerusalem.
The wine, fine flour, wheat, cattle, and sheep are also used at the Temple (see Exo 29).
Even down to the horses, chariots etc. which you can find in Solomon’s account (1 Ki 10; 2 Ch 9).
Once Jerusalem is found desolate and naked, the merchants will lose their fat paychecks.
This is not a coincidental grocery list. These are all of the items declared in Scripture needed for the daily sacrifices… this is going to be "big business"… HUGE business, until:
Dan 12:11 From the time that the regular [H8548 – tamiyd, constant] sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up…
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Rev 18:14 The fruit you long for has gone from you, and all things that were luxurious and splendid have passed away from you and men will no longer find them.
Once Jerusalem is desolate, the party is over for all who were associated with her.
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Rev 18:15 The merchants of these things, who became rich from her, will stand at a distance because of the fear of her torment, weeping and mourning,
Now we see the earlier sentiment of the kings of the earth found in the merchants (see above).
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Rev 18:16 saying, 'Woe, woe, the great city, she who was clothed in fine linen and purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls;
Merchants cry above… especially note how they describe her in the same manner – emphasizing, again the items they made their fortune off of.
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Rev 18:17-18 for in one hour such great wealth has been laid waste!' And every ship master and every passenger and sailor, and as many as make their living by the sea, stood at a distance, and were crying out as they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, 'What city is like the great city?'
These are the verses that some see as difficult and reject the idea of Jerusalem being the woman.
Their claim is that Jerusalem cannot be the woman because it is not a "port city". For starters, Jerusalem is only 34 miles from the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Any in that sea will easily be able see the smoke from Jerusalem.
Regardless, it doesn’t need to be a "port city" – the point being made is that all who made their living "by the sea", importing all of these items for the Temple rituals in Jerusalem, were now out of work. This same example is also seen in the examples given above by Solomon’s Temple... he also utilized sea merchants as well.
I would imagine that there will be many others out of work also… not only those who transfer the goods by sea and then on land, from port to Jerusalem, but also those who manufacture and harvest these goods, and transport and load the ships in their home ports, etc., etc., all around the world.
I would be willing to bet that the entire world will "see the smoke of her burning", if not by television or internet they will indeed hear about, and be impacted by such devastation.
It's beyond absurd to examine all of these Scriptures, and then disqualify Jerusalem because "it's not a port city".
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Rev 18:19 And they threw dust on their heads and were crying out, weeping and mourning, saying, 'Woe, woe, the great city, in which all who had ships at sea became rich by her wealth, for in one hour she has been laid waste!'
The actions above by those at sea recall the same reaction (lamentation) of those sea merchants of Tyre (see Eze 27):
Eze 27:29-30 All who handle the oar, the sailors and all the pilots of the sea will come down from their ships; they will stand on the land, and they will make their voice heard over you and will cry bitterly. They will cast dust on their heads, they will wallow in ashes.
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Rev 18:20-21 "Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, because God has pronounced judgment for you against her. Then a strong angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, "So will Babylon, the great city, be thrown down with violence, and will not be found any longer.
These verse were covered in Woman and Beast - Revelation 17.
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Rev 18:22-23 "And the sound of harpists and musicians and flute-players and trumpeters will not be heard in you any longer; and no craftsman of any craft will be found in you any longer; and the sound of a mill will not be heard in you any longer; and the light of a lamp will not shine in you any longer; and the voice of the bridegroom and bride will not be heard in you any longer; for your merchants were the great men of the earth, because all the nations were deceived by your sorcery.
This description matches that found in Jeremiah. For example:
Jer 25:10 'Moreover, I will take from them the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones and the light of the lamp.
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Rev 18:24 "And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints and of all who have been slain on the earth."
And don't forget, this includes the two witnesses who are killed in Jerusalem towards the end of Daniel's 70th Week also.
This verse was also covered in Woman and Beast - Revelation 17.
I don't see how anyone can come away from these two chapters and not know beyond a shadow of a doubt who the woman is.
CLICK HERE! for an index to previous blogs.
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I’ve recently been reviewing an idea that I came across and hadn’t given a whole lot of thought to up to this point.
Short of it: The Antichrist may actually be seen by Israel as their Messiah.
We know that he will deceive the whole world… "the whole world" includes unbelieving Jews.
When you consider the language of the verses describing the woman, it begins to become clear that the woman is carried by the beast. Even though the beast hates her, the treaty is sealed between the two of them in the beginning. It is broken at the midpoint and some in Israel will no doubt recognize their error.
However, it’s easy to imagine that some in Israel will see the Antichrist as their promised Messiah… especially when considering the passages below. "I sit as a queen", "I am no widow, and shall see no sorrow", "they worshiped the beast", etc…
Also, the prosperity of Israel, especially during their celebrated first half of the week will be incredibly deceiving to the whole world, let alone to Israelites. They’re celebrating, the offerings have continued, it’s a great time of peace and prosperity, and they briefly become the very thing they’ve been promised all these centuries in Scripture – the epicenter of the world… at least until destruction suddenly comes on them.
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Rev 18:1 After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illumined with his glory.
[1] Another messenger, having great authority is perceived.
Angels are known to have God’s illuminating glory (doxa)… note the cherubs of Eze 9:3 and Heb 9:5.
[2] Earth is illumined by his glory.
Don't make the mistake of assuming this is the Father, or Jesus as we'll soon see that it is not.
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Rev 18:2 And he cried out with a mighty voice, saying, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place of demons and a prison of every unclean spirit, and a prison of every unclean and hateful bird.
[3] Message of the second messenger with great authority.
[4] Just as literal Babylon falls, so goes Spiritual Babylon.
Isa 21:9 Now behold, here comes a troop of riders, horsemen in pairs. And one said, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon; and all the images of her gods are shattered on the ground."
[5] It became dwelling place of demons, and…
[6] … jail of every unclean spirit, and…
[7] … cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
Mar 4:3-4 Listen to this! Behold, the sower went out to sow; as he was sowing, some seed fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate it up.
Explained by Jesus:
Mar 4:14-15 The sower sows the word. These are the ones who are beside the road where the word is sown; and when they hear, immediately Satan comes and takes away the word which has been sown in them.
Unclean birds are often used symbolically of sin and demonic influence. Jesus directly draws the comparison above.
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Rev 18:3 For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the passion of her immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed acts of immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich by the wealth of her sensuality.
[8] All nations have partaken in her immorality.
We are told that the whole world will wonder after the beast (Rev 13:3; Rev 13:8; Rev 13:16). By the time Antichrist takes over Jerusalem he will have amassed a fortune in the form of power and dominion over the Mideast which is the wealthiest location on earth. The little horn has risen to power, and has gained considerably more power since the time of defeating three horns. His power is evidenced by the time he signs the false covenant of peace with Israel at the beginning of Daniel’s 70th Week.
Not only that, but after breaking the treaty, desolating Jerusalem and seating himself in the Temple, with the enforcement of the mark to soon follow, all will receive provision exclusively from him or suffer the consequences.
There is clearly to be financial gain from this takeover as well as power to rule, especially during such disastrous times of famine, plague, chaos, and murder. We’re told that none will be able to stop him.
[9] … kings of the earth have committed acts of immorality with her.
In this verse, I feel that the focus is not upon the kings already devoted to Antichrist, but rather the kings of the rest of the earth. The focus has clearly shifted to Jerusalem, and Antichrist has deceived the world and enforced his rule. There will be a "duty" to pay.
Not only have they committed these acts, but they received something in return for doing so.
Dan 11:39 He will take action against the strongest of fortresses with the help of a foreign god; he will give great honor to those who acknowledge him and will cause them to rule over the many, and will parcel out land for a price.
Rev 18:9 And the kings of the earth, who committed acts of immorality and lived sensuously with her…
[10] … merchants have become rich because of her power and luxuries.
Those who agree to his terms will be on his payroll. No doubt Jerusalem will become a major importer as we'll see below. All purchases must be made through the power of the mark, and all of the benefits will ultimately return to Antichrist.
What does Antichrist do? He’s getting these items from somewhere… we know that some of it he takes by force as he's conquering others, but he will be collecting it from the entire globe as well through duty payed and through the mark.
Dan 11:38 But instead he will honor a god of fortresses, a god whom his fathers did not know; he will honor him with gold, silver, costly stones and treasures.
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Rev 18:4 I heard another voice from Heaven, saying, "Come out of her, My people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive of her plagues;
[10] … another voice, saying "Come out of her My people"
This is likely the voice of Jesus. As it’s "another voice from Heaven" that is heard, we can do away with any speculation that the illuminating messenger of verse one is Christ. This voice also refers to the Father in the next verse so it is not the voice of Jehovah Himself.
[11] … so that you won’t participate in her sins and receive the upcoming plagues (bowl judgments, Rev 15-16).
Rev 15:1 Then I saw another sign in Heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels who had seven plagues, which are the last, because in them the wrath of God is finished.
These plagues signal the coming conclusion of Daniel’s 70th Week. God’s wrath (more extreme than the Trumpet Judgments) is about to poured out on the inhabitants of earth including Jerusalem. This destruction is going to happen relatively quick.
The sixth bowl prepares the way for the "kings of the east" to travel to the Battle of Armageddon. The seventh, and final bowl of God’s wrath is poured out into the air and generates the 100 pound hailstones, etc.. This is the final bowl before the physical return of Jesus to earth.
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Rev 18:5-6 for her sins have piled up as high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. Pay her back even as she has paid, and give back to her double according to her deeds; in the cup which she has mixed, mix twice as much for her.
The harlot is to be paid double the wage. Answering Scripture with Scripture, we find the only reference in Scripture to doubling any portion is concerning Jerusalem/national Israel (Isa 40:2; Isa 61:7; Jer 16:18; Jer 17:18; Zec 9:12).
After sending out men to hunt down His people (Jer 16:16) and bring them back into their land (Jer 16:15) then:
Jer 16:18 I will first doubly repay their iniquity and their sin, because they have polluted My land; they have filled My inheritance with the carcasses of their detestable idols and with their abominations.
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Rev 18:7 To the degree that she glorified herself and lived sensuously, to the same degree give her torment and mourning; for she says in her heart, 'I SIT as A QUEEN AND I AM NOT A WIDOW, and will never see mourning.'
Above, Jerusalem is the epicenter of the world during the reign of Antichrist along with all the inhabitants who worship him.
There’s no doubt of the comparison drawn to literal Babylon:
Isa 47:7 Yet you said, 'I will be a queen forever.' These things you did not consider nor remember the outcome of them. Now, then, hear this, you sensual one, who dwells securely, who says in your heart, 'I am, and there is no one besides me. I will not sit as a widow, nor know loss of children.'
There seems to be no doubt as to how the woman is filled with content and confidence. Her confidence in the beast is obviously misplaced, but she doesn't realize that... yet.
The attitude of the woman is identical to that of literal Babylon just before their destruction.
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Rev 18:8 For this reason in one day her plagues will come, pestilence and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for the Lord God who judges her is strong.
[11] … her plagues come quickly upon her.
The beast (and 10 kings) will turn on her at some point and we know the seven trumpet and bowl judgments also come into play later.
Fire is obviously focused on here in Revelation 18 as smoke is specifically mentioned below.
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Rev 18:9 And the kings of the earth, who committed acts of immorality and lived sensuously with her, will weep and lament over her when they see the smoke of her burning,
When destruction comes, all who have "lived sensuously with her" during this time will also suffer. The impact of this destruction will be felt worldwide by all the kings of the earth who have participated with her.
This is clearly not the ten kings who mourn over her as they are the ones who brought desolation on her. This is the remaining kings of the earth mourning.
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Rev 18:10 standing at a distance because of the fear of her torment, saying, 'Woe, woe, the great city, Babylon, the strong city! For in one hour your judgment has come.'
Nobody is going to want to get close to this destruction out of fear… possibly for fear of likewise retribution, or the fire itself, we’re not explicitly told. If this “strong city” was easily, and quickly destroyed then what force could come to her aid? What king would desire the same result? We're told in Scripture that Antichrist will have his way and none will be able to stand up against him. See my Daniel blogs.
Note that it is the "kings" who are keeping their distance... the merchants are mentioned next.
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Rev 18:11 And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn over her, because no one buys their cargoes any more...
Jerusalem is destroyed and no longer buying imports.
We’re told of a similar response from the merchants later.
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Rev 18:12 ... cargoes of gold and silver and precious stones and pearls and fine linen and purple and silk and scarlet, and every kind of citron [G2367 – thuinos] wood and every article of ivory and every article made from very costly wood and bronze and iron and marble,
Above is a list of items sold by the merchants to Jerusalem. These are the merchandise that the merchants became rich from (Rev 18:15).
Notice in the verse above, the similarity of these items to those described in the OT for the priests and Temple.
Once the treaty is signed, Jerusalem is feeling high and mighty… the offerings commence, the Temple is restored, their religious system will be put back into full swing again. The temple will be rebuilt, and need to be maintained.
What does that mean? Vast amounts of "merchandise"... it was needed for previous Temples, and it will be needed once again:
1 Ch 29:1-2 Then King David said to the entire assembly, "My son Solomon, whom alone God has chosen, is still young and inexperienced and the work is great; for the Temple is not for man, but for the LORD God.
Now with all my ability I have provided for the house of my God the gold for the things of gold, and the silver for the things of silver, and the bronze for the things of bronze, the iron for the things of iron, and wood for the things of wood, onyx stones and inlaid stones, stones of antimony and stones of various colors, and all kinds of precious stones and alabaster in abundance.
King Hezekiah even made storehouses of these treasures…
2 Ch 32:27-29 Now Hezekiah had immense riches and honor; and he made for himself treasuries for silver, gold, precious stones, spices, shields and all kinds of valuable articles, storehouses also for the produce of grain, wine and oil, pens for all kinds of cattle and sheepfolds for the flocks. He made cities for himself and acquired flocks and herds in abundance, for God had given him very great wealth.
Citron wood mentioned in Rev 18:12 is interesting as I’ve never really researched it in any detail.
The Greek word [G2367 – thuinos] is defined as: a certain fragrant tree, citron wood, thyine. This Greek word "thuinos" is derived from the Greek word [G2380 – thuo] or "thuein" which means "to sacrifice by fire".
It’s a fragrant wood known to have been used in burnt sacrifices. It was also considered as a valuable wood for making furniture by the Greeks and Romans.
We find "algum trees" in the OT related to the Temple. The Latin Vulgate renders "algum trees" as "ligna thyina". These trees were also imported for Solomon's Temple:
2 Ch 9:10-11 The servants of Huram and the servants of Solomon who brought gold from Ophir, also brought algum trees and precious stones. From the algum trees the king made steps for the house of the LORD and for the king's palace, and lyres and harps for the singers; and none like that was seen before in the land of Judah.
The LXX renders this wood as ξυλα πευκινα – "pine wood". Josephus renders it the same, but adds this commentary:
The wood which was brought to him [Solomon] at this time was larger and finer than any that had ever been brought before; but let no one imagine that these pine trees were like those which are now so named, and which take that their denomination from the merchants, who so call them, that they may procure them to be admired by those that purchase them; for those we speak of were to the sight like the wood of the fig tree, but were whiter, and more shining. Now we have said thus much, that nobody may be ignorant of the difference between these sorts of wood, nor unacquainted with the nature of the genuine pine tree; and we thought it both a seasonable and humane thing, when we mentioned it, and the uses the king made of it, to explain this difference so far as we have done. (Flavius Josephus – Antiquities of the Jews 8.7.1)
While researching the wood, I also ran into this little blurb from Josephus in the next section:
Now the weight of gold that was brought him was six hundred and sixty-six talents, not including in that sum what was brought by the merchants, nor what the toparchs and kings of Arabia gave him in presents. (Flavius Josephus – Antiquities of the Jews 8.7.2)
We also find the explanation of the 666 talents in 1 Ki 10:14 and 2 Ch 9:13. It’s always been curious to me that this is the number of man called out in Rev 13:18. Is man’s worth also defined by our financial status as deemed in the gold of Solomon? It wasn't long after these passages that we find Solomon leaving the faith and committing idolatry in his final years.
Mat 6:19 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
In either event, the algum wood was not native to Israel and it was imported for use in the Temple construction. The only time we find these types of woods (whether algum or thyine) in Scripture, they are imported by merchants, for construction and maintenance of the Temple.
Ivory also shows up as an import during Solomon’s construction of the Temple.
1 Ki 10:18-23 Moreover, the king made a great throne of ivory and overlaid it with refined gold. There were six steps to the throne and a round top to the throne at its rear, and arms on each side of the seat, and two lions standing beside the arms. Twelve lions were standing there on the six steps on the one side and on the other; nothing like it was made for any other kingdom. All King Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold. None was of silver; it was not considered valuable in the days of Solomon. For the king had at sea the ships of Tarshish with the ships of Hiram; once every three years the ships of Tarshish came bringing gold and silver, ivory and apes and peacocks. So King Solomon became greater than all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom.
It’s no wonder Jerusalem is presented in this fashion in Revelation 18. King Solomon has always been known for being the richest ruler that has ever lived (1 Ki 10:23).
Do you believe for a second that Antichrist will let him retain that title? When Israel finally flips the switch to return to their heritage, you can bet the Temple will be magnificent.
All of the items on this list are explicitly spelled out in Scripture for the priests and the Temple so far. Not only that, but you won’t find these items listed together in Scripture for any other purpose than the priests and Temple.
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Rev 18:13 and cinnamon and spice and incense and perfume and frankincense and wine and olive oil and fine flour and wheat and cattle and sheep, and cargoes of horses and chariots and slaves and human lives.
Here we find more items used in the Temple. Exodus 30 gives further instructions for the Temple.
Exo 30:7-8 Aaron shall burn fragrant [H5561 – sam, to smell sweet, aroma, sweet (spice)] incense [H7004 – qetoreth, fumigation, sweet incense, perfume] on it; he shall burn it every morning when he trims the lamps. When Aaron trims the lamps at twilight, he shall burn incense. There shall be perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations.
They need spices and incense in mass quantity… notice that it is to burn "perpetually".
Exo 30:23-25 Take also for yourself the finest of spices: of flowing myrrh five hundred shekels, and of fragrant cinnamon half as much, two hundred and fifty, and of fragrant cane two hundred and fifty, and of cassia five hundred, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, and of olive oil a hin. You shall make of these a holy anointing oil, a perfume mixture, the work of a perfumer; it shall be a holy anointing oil.
Above we find the directions for the anointing oil and find our connection to Rev 18:13.
Both the incense and the oil are to be exclusively used in the service of the Temple:
Exo 30:32-33 'It shall not be poured on anyone's body, nor shall you make any like it in the same proportions; it is holy, and it shall be holy to you. Whoever shall mix any like it or whoever puts any of it on a layman shall be cut off from his people.'
Exo 30:34-38 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Take for yourself spices, stacte and onycha and galbanum, spices with pure frankincense; there shall be an equal part of each. With it you shall make incense, a perfume, the work of a perfumer, salted, pure, and holy. You shall beat some of it very fine, and put part of it before the testimony in the tent of meeting where I will meet with you; it shall be most holy to you. The incense which you shall make, you shall not make in the same proportions for yourselves; it shall be holy to you for the LORD. Whoever shall make any like it, to use as perfume, shall be cut off from his people.
By this point you should be realizing the reason for this merchandise list in Revelation 18. There can be no mistaking it… these items are for the sole purpose of supporting the Temple rituals in Jerusalem.
The wine, fine flour, wheat, cattle, and sheep are also used at the Temple (see Exo 29).
Even down to the horses, chariots etc. which you can find in Solomon’s account (1 Ki 10; 2 Ch 9).
Once Jerusalem is found desolate and naked, the merchants will lose their fat paychecks.
This is not a coincidental grocery list. These are all of the items declared in Scripture needed for the daily sacrifices… this is going to be "big business"… HUGE business, until:
Dan 12:11 From the time that the regular [H8548 – tamiyd, constant] sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up…
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Rev 18:14 The fruit you long for has gone from you, and all things that were luxurious and splendid have passed away from you and men will no longer find them.
Once Jerusalem is desolate, the party is over for all who were associated with her.
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Rev 18:15 The merchants of these things, who became rich from her, will stand at a distance because of the fear of her torment, weeping and mourning,
Now we see the earlier sentiment of the kings of the earth found in the merchants (see above).
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Rev 18:16 saying, 'Woe, woe, the great city, she who was clothed in fine linen and purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls;
Merchants cry above… especially note how they describe her in the same manner – emphasizing, again the items they made their fortune off of.
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Rev 18:17-18 for in one hour such great wealth has been laid waste!' And every ship master and every passenger and sailor, and as many as make their living by the sea, stood at a distance, and were crying out as they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, 'What city is like the great city?'
These are the verses that some see as difficult and reject the idea of Jerusalem being the woman.
Their claim is that Jerusalem cannot be the woman because it is not a "port city". For starters, Jerusalem is only 34 miles from the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Any in that sea will easily be able see the smoke from Jerusalem.
Regardless, it doesn’t need to be a "port city" – the point being made is that all who made their living "by the sea", importing all of these items for the Temple rituals in Jerusalem, were now out of work. This same example is also seen in the examples given above by Solomon’s Temple... he also utilized sea merchants as well.
I would imagine that there will be many others out of work also… not only those who transfer the goods by sea and then on land, from port to Jerusalem, but also those who manufacture and harvest these goods, and transport and load the ships in their home ports, etc., etc., all around the world.
I would be willing to bet that the entire world will "see the smoke of her burning", if not by television or internet they will indeed hear about, and be impacted by such devastation.
It's beyond absurd to examine all of these Scriptures, and then disqualify Jerusalem because "it's not a port city".
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Rev 18:19 And they threw dust on their heads and were crying out, weeping and mourning, saying, 'Woe, woe, the great city, in which all who had ships at sea became rich by her wealth, for in one hour she has been laid waste!'
The actions above by those at sea recall the same reaction (lamentation) of those sea merchants of Tyre (see Eze 27):
Eze 27:29-30 All who handle the oar, the sailors and all the pilots of the sea will come down from their ships; they will stand on the land, and they will make their voice heard over you and will cry bitterly. They will cast dust on their heads, they will wallow in ashes.
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Rev 18:20-21 "Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, because God has pronounced judgment for you against her. Then a strong angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, "So will Babylon, the great city, be thrown down with violence, and will not be found any longer.
These verse were covered in Woman and Beast - Revelation 17.
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Rev 18:22-23 "And the sound of harpists and musicians and flute-players and trumpeters will not be heard in you any longer; and no craftsman of any craft will be found in you any longer; and the sound of a mill will not be heard in you any longer; and the light of a lamp will not shine in you any longer; and the voice of the bridegroom and bride will not be heard in you any longer; for your merchants were the great men of the earth, because all the nations were deceived by your sorcery.
This description matches that found in Jeremiah. For example:
Jer 25:10 'Moreover, I will take from them the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones and the light of the lamp.
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Rev 18:24 "And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints and of all who have been slain on the earth."
And don't forget, this includes the two witnesses who are killed in Jerusalem towards the end of Daniel's 70th Week also.
This verse was also covered in Woman and Beast - Revelation 17.
I don't see how anyone can come away from these two chapters and not know beyond a shadow of a doubt who the woman is.
Some of these excerpts are from my personal notes copied from 30+ years of studying... some of these notes are direct copies of various sources - I do not claim to have authored every word of this... it's just a mass collection I've tucked away over the years for my own personal studies... I didn't consider a bibliography at the time I directly copied small excerpts from various authors. Also, any emphasis (underlines, bold text, all CAPS, etc.) noted above was only meant to capture my personal attention as I studied...
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