Beast from the Sea

[1]  The Beast from the Sea
Revelation 13:1–10

[Rev 13:1-10 LSB]  And the dragon stood on the sand of the seashore. Then I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten diadems, and on his heads were blasphemous names. [2]  And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority. [3]  And I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain fatally, and his fatal wound was healed. And the whole earth marveled and followed after the beast. [4]  And they worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?” [5]  And there was given to him a mouth speaking great boasts and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him. [6]  And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven. [7]  And it was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him. [8]  And all who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain. [9]  If anyone has an ear, let him hear. [10]  If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints.

[1]  And the dragon [Satan] stood on the sand of the seashore. Then I [John] saw a beast [empire] coming up out of the sea [chaos and disorder, abyss], having ten horns [kings] and seven heads [past kingdoms], and on his horns [kings] were ten diadems [authority], and on his heads were blasphemous names. 

[1a]  And the dragon [Satan] stood on the sand of the seashore.

In chapter 12 the dragon had been in pursuit of the woman.

[Rev 12:3 LSB]  Then another sign appeared in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads were seven diadems.

This great "red" dragon has seven heads and ten horns.  Notice that when John sees him, the crowns are on his heads.  These are the seven empires, throughout history, who have prevailed under his rule.  The ten horns [kings] have no crowns at this point, but they are a part of the dragon.

[Rev 12:17 LSB]  So the dragon was enraged with the woman and went off to make war with the rest of her seed, who keep the commandments of God and have the witness of Jesus.

Satan fails in his attempts against the woman so he sets his sights upon her seed.  It's here where we see him next... standing "on the sand of the seashore".

Note that there is a textual argument to be made that it is actually John who is standing on the sand of the seashore.  I'm not so curious about that right now as my main focus for these studies are on the beast.

[1b] Then I [John] saw a beast [empire] coming up out of the sea [chaos and disorder, abyss],

The beast comes up out of the sea as do the four beasts of Dan 7.  Some will say that "the sea" represents humanity.  This finds support in:

[Rev 17:15 LSB]  And he *said to me, “The waters which you saw where the harlot sits, are peoples and crowds and nations and tongues.

Could be the Mediterranean Sea - a literal sea:

[Dan 7:2-3 LSB]  Daniel answered and said, “I was looking in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. [3]  “And four great beasts were coming up from the sea, different from one another.

To say the beast ascended out of the actual sea, however, would contradict 11:7 and 17:8 which say he ascended from the abyss. Rev. 11:7 has him ascending from the abyss, the source of demonic powers opposed to God.

[Rev 11:7 LSB]  And when they have finished their witness, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them and overcome them and kill them.

So, in pointing this out - does this make "sea" and "abyss" equivalent?

To say that the sea stands for the abyss carries on the OT concept of the sea, that it is the source of satanic sea monsters (cf. Job 26:12-13; Pss. 74:13-14; 87:4; 89:9-10; Isa. 27:1; 51:9-10). Also, Paul equates the sea with the abyss in his Rom. 10:7 citation of Deut. 30:13.  One hesitates to attach such a figurative meaning to the sea, but related texts in the Apocalypse furnish grounds for doing so. In his prophetic state of being "in the spirit", what met John’s spiritual eyes was the sea, but this was a representation to him of what he calls the abyss in 11:7 and 17:8.

This final world empire will embody a satanically empowered individual who will present himself as a counterfeit Christ in order to deceive the earth-dwellers.

[1c] having ten horns [kings] and seven heads [past kingdoms],

This beast resembles the dragon [Satan].  Notice that this time, the horns are mentioned before the heads.  Speaking of the dragon:

[Rev 12:3 LSB]  Then another sign appeared in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads were seven diadems.

Also notice (below in [1d]), that now the crowns are on the horns versus the heads.  These are ten kings that will comprise the final empire.

There are also now ten crowns (versus seven of the dragon)... the focus has shifted from the dragon to the beast.

This beast (revived eighth empire) is the Ottoman Empire and it's leader will have dominion over these ten kings and use them to suit his purposes.

This is the fourth beast of Daniel:

[Dan 7:7 LSB]  “After this I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, fearsome and terrifying and extraordinarily strong; and it had large iron teeth. It devoured and crushed and trampled down the remainder with its feet; and it was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns.

[Dan 7:24 LSB]  ‘As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings will arise; and another will arise after them, and he will be different from the previous ones and will make low three kings.

It's important to note that these ten kings/kingdoms are not directly representative of the seven, successive, historical heads.

[1] Egypt [2] Assyria [3] Babylon [4] Medo-Persia [5] Greece/Turkey [6] Rome [7] Ottoman Empire. 

These ten are the simultaneous kings/kingdoms that compose the regime of the revived eighth empire... the Ottoman Empire.  These ten horns rise up out of the empire symbolized by the creature from which the horns belong.

The beast can only have one "living" head at a time (17:10).  So they are  historically successive heads.  In contrast, the ten horns exist simultaneously.  They live and rule at the same time.

[1d] and on his horns [kings] were ten diadems [authority], 

The diadems (crowns) represent the regal state of the subordinate kings.

[Rev 17:12 LSB]  “And the ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but they receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour.

[1e] and on his heads were blasphemous names.

Specifically, these seven heads, involved the assumption of deity by the beast which is tantamount to arrogant blasphemy.

[Rev 13:5-6 LSB]  And there was given to him a mouth speaking great boasts and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him. [6]  And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven.

The blasphemy against Yahweh will be evident of this final beast and the horns that his carries.

[2]  And the beast [Antichrist] which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. And the dragon [Satan] gave him his power and his throne and great authority.

[2a] And the beast [Antichrist] which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion.

The likening of the beast to a leopard, bear, and lion recalls the fourth beast of Dan. 7:3-7, because he is a composite of the first three and their characteristics.

The combined strength and brutality of historical Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece/Turkey is what will comprise the total character of this beast.  This beast is the fourth beast of Daniel:

[Dan 7:7 LSB]  “After this I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, fearsome and terrifying and extraordinarily strong; and it had large iron teeth. It devoured and crushed and trampled down the remainder with its feet; and it was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns.

[2b] And the dragon [Satan] gave him his power and his throne and great authority.

Satan is the source of the beast's power and authority.

"His power" refers to that of the dragon as granted to his viceregent Antichrist. It includes power over freedom and life (13:10) and the entire business of mankind (13:17), summed up in the occupancy of a throne that grants to the beast a βασιλεία (basileia, "kingdom") (cf. 16:10). As Jesus is one with the Father and shares His throne (cf. 3:21), so this beast shares the throne of the dragon (cf. 2:13).  "Great authority" (ξoυσίαν μεγάλην [exousian megalēn]) is widely extended control that covers the whole world, because Satan is the god of this world (cf. 2 Cor. 4:4).

[3]  And I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain fatally, and his fatal wound was healed. And the whole earth marveled and followed after the beast. 

[3a]  And I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain fatally

The beast is identified with one of its heads (13:3a = 13:6) who is a travesty of the slain Lamb.  Ever longing to be a reflection of the True Christ.  Other parallels between the beast and Christ include both wielding swords, both having followers on whose foreheads were inscribed their names (cf. 13:16-17; 14:1), both having horns (5:6; 13:1), both being slain (σϕάςω [sphazō], 13:3, 8), both rising to new life and authority, and both having power over the whole world (cf. 1:5; 7:9; 13:7; 17:12).

This is all part of the dragon’s attempt to counterfeit the death and resurrection of Christ.

The big question for me is:  Is this the death of an empire or of a specific human?

The use of πληγή (plēgē, "wound") and σϕαγμένην (esphagmenēn, "slain") in 13:3, suggest a violent death.

The big weakness of the "empire" proposal is its failure to recognize that the pronoun ατo (autou, "his") in the expression τo θανάτoυ ατo (tou thanatou autou, "of his death") limits the wounding and healing to one of the heads, a king, and cannot apply to the whole kingdom.

However, the healing of the head is the healing of the beast, and the healing of the beast is the healing of the head. The healing is a future, not a past, happening.

There is further information on this in:

[Rev 17:8 LSB]  “The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up out of the abyss and go to destruction. And those who dwell on the earth, whose name has not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, will wonder when they see the beast, that he was and is not and will come.

This suggests a future sequence that will be a close counterfeiting of Christ’s death and resurrection.  I can't help but think of the prophet Muhammed being resurrected.  One issue with that is that he didn't die a violent death.  He was severely ill but died at home in the arms of his wife.  However, the resurrection of Muhammad would certainly be something to behold and bring worldwide wonder.

Also, the use of language concerning the false prophet (different post) suggests that a violent death need not be warranted.  It could actually be a resurrection of someone like Muhammad.  See note on Rev. 13:12 in which his “healing” is not called a healing but a “return to life”.  The aorist tense ζησεν (ezēsen, “came to life”) looks at the time when the beast first began to live again.  This is the verb and form used to speak of Christ’s resurrection earlier in Rev 2:8.

To me, this is a much more fascinating idea and imagine the implications of Mohammad resurrecting to life to lead the revived Ottoman Caliphate.  The location of burial is well known and considered an Islamic holy site in Saudi Arabia… the mosque of the prophet.  Imagine the world’s amazement if his mosque were opened and Mohammad emerged as resurrected from the dead.  The worldwide headlines, and television coverage would be insane!

Revelation 2:8 is my second witness for an “epiphany type” thought I’ve been chewing on for a while now.

Could it actually be that the world will be shocked and amazed when Mohammad walks out of his tomb, resurrected back to life, and ready to lead an Islamic Caliphate again?  Sounds absolutely nuts… but doesn’t all of this sound insane on some level?  Exciting times ahead of us.

Once again, much like my thoughts on Trump signaling the first seal, I’ve never heard anyone say this.  Could this be a result of my unceasing prayers for understanding?  If not, no big deal… we’ll find out for sure soon enough.

[3b]  And the whole earth marveled and followed after the beast. 

Whatever the case, his feat in overcoming the fatal wound will win for him worldwide admiration.  This will be the final embodiment of the false Christ.

[4]  And they worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?” 

They will worship Satan:

[4a]  And they worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast,

And they worshipped the beast.  To worship one is to worship the other...

[4b] and they worshiped the beast,

The incomparability of the beast is what provokes people to worship him.  He seems to be immortal and can't be killed - he has seemingly power over the grave.

[4c] saying, “Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?” 

Verses 5-8 speak to the activities of the beast.

The beast is a persuasive speaker and has authority to continue in operation for forty-two months (3.5 years... second half of Daniel's 70th week, the Great Tribulation period):

[5]  And there was given to him a mouth speaking great boasts and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him. 

Verse 6 is an amplification of verse 5a, the blasphemous speech of the beast - an elaboration of the “names of blasphemy” on the heads of the beast

[6]  And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven. 

[6b] those who dwell in heaven.

There is especially animosity of the beast against heaven’s inhabitants. They are 

members of the angelic army who joined their leader Michael in expelling the dragon from heaven.

[7]  And it was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him. 

Anyone not escaping the conflict the rest of the woman’s seed into the wilderness (12:17), will be overcome (killed) by the beast.  He has been given, by Yahweh, authority over all. 

[Dan 7:21 LSB]  “I kept looking, and that horn was waging war with the saints and overcoming them

It's interesting that John's perspective changes from past to future in verse 8.  The prophecy anticipates the almost universal success the beast will have in attracting worshipers. The only limiting factor will be the refusal of the elect to comply.

His worshippers will be those not written in the Book of Life of the Lamb which has been written from the foundation of the world.

[8]  And all who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain. 

[9]  If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 

The call in verse 9 addresses a different group of the faithful, telling them what their response should be to the awful treatment at the hands of the beast. The call is to endure in their faith and not give in to the oppressor.

[10]  If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints.

Yeshua has mentioned this to us before... we're to allow Him to use us during this time as He wills.  We're not to conjure plans for self defense.

[Mat 26:52 LSB]  Then Jesus *said to him, "Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword."

[Luk 21:12-15 LSB]  “But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for My name’s sake. [13]  It will result in an opportunity for your testimony. [14] So set in your hearts not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; [15] for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute."

It's not a new concept... Yahweh is in control and His will shall be accomplished no matter what.

[Jer 15:2 LSB]  “And it will be that when they say to you, ‘Where should we go?’ then you are to tell them, ‘Thus says Yahweh: “Those destined for death, to death; And those destined for the sword, to the sword; And those destined for famine, to famine; And those destined for captivity, to captivity.”’

[Jer 43:11 LSB]  “He will also come and strike the land of Egypt; those who are meant for death will be given over to death, and those for captivity to captivity, and those for the sword to the sword.

We are encouraged to accept any outcome as the Sovereign Will of Yahweh.  The suggestion of inevitability implies the supremacy of God’s will which always promotes the ultimate good and blessing of the redeemed community, though it may include times of temporary hardship here in this life.

Remembrance that God is sovereign over all that happens and that the dragon and the beast have only a short time, will provide fuel to sustain these spiritual qualities.

Prayer of Yeshua in Aramaic

Aramaic was the common language of His day.  Yeshua, and His Disciples, spoke in Aramaic.

Here is "The Lord’s Prayer" as translated directly from the oldest recoverable Aramaic tradition (the Peshitta Syriac version, which preserves the Aramaic idiom Jesus likely spoke). 

This is not a speculative "reconstruction", but the actual prayer as it appears in the ancient Syriac New Testament (Matthew 6:9–13), rendered into natural English while staying faithful to the Aramaic wording and rhythm.

Abwûn d’bwaschmâja
O Birther! Father-Mother of the Cosmos,
(Our Father who art in heaven)

Nethkâdasch schmach
Focus your light within us — make it useful:
(Hallowed be thy name)

Têtê malkuthach
Create your reign of unity now —
(Thy kingdom come)

Nehwê tzevjânach aykanna d’bwaschmâja af b’arha
Your one desire then acts with ours, as in all light, so in all forms.
(Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven)

Hawvlân lachma d’sûnkanân yaomâna
Grant what we need each day in bread and insight.
(Give us this day our daily bread)

Waschboklân chaubyn (wachtâhên) aykana daf chnân schvokân l’chaijavayn
Loose the cords of mistakes binding us, as we release the strands we hold of others’ guilt.
(And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors)

Wela tachlân l’nesjûna
Don’t let surface things delude us,
(And lead us not into temptation)

Ela patzân min bischa
But break us free from what holds us back.
(But deliver us from evil)

Metol dilachie malkutha wachaila wateschbuchta l’ahlâm almîn
For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, from ages to ages.
(For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever)

Amên.
Sealed in trust, faith, and truth.
(Amen)

Notes on Key Aramaic Nuances

Abwûn – Literally “O Birther!” (from *abwoon* = parent who births/brings forth). Carries both Father *and* Mother resonance.

Schmach – “Name” = essence, vibration, character. “Hallowed” = set apart as radiant.

Têtê malkuthach – “Come” is imperative: *Create your reign now*.

Lachma d’sûnkanân – “Daily bread” = bread *for the morrow* or *bread of understanding* (spiritual + physical).

Chaubyn / wachtâhên – “Debts/sins” and “mistakes/faults.” A play on *choba* (debt) and *chtaha* (sin/error).

Bischa – “Evil” = unripe, immature, or *that which holds back*.

This version is often called the "Prayer of Jesus in Aramaic" and is used in contemplative Christian and interfaith settings. It breathes with a poetic, cosmic intimacy that the Greek and later Latin translations sometimes flatten.

Let it settle in your chest as you speak it aloud — the original language still carries the voice of the Galilean hillside.

A King and His Love

Lately, I've come to the realization that there's really only one thing I need to pray for...

I've been asking Yeshua to teach me how to love in the way that He loves us.

This is no small task... I can't comprehend His kind of love.  The closest thing I can come up with is found in the way that I try to love my children.  The problem is, I constantly fail in that area... I can't even do that right sometimes!  

The way that our Father loves His children is beyond incomprehensible to me.  I do not know how to love like that... not even close.  Just trying to comprehend the differences between His love, and my best, gives me a massive feeling of failure.

First a story...

The kingdom of Eldor lay under a sky the color of tarnished bronze. King Aric had ruled thirty-one years, long enough for the people to forget the sound of his laughter, short enough for his daughter Liora to still remember it.

Liora was seventeen, quick with a bow, quicker with a smile, and the only heir. For months, gold had been vanishing from the treasury—never enough to notice at once, always enough to matter. The council traced the theft to a single set of footprints: small, light, royal.

The law was older than the throne: *Steal from the king, die by the king’s lash.* Forty strokes with the cat-o’-nine-tails, delivered at dawn on the palace altar. No exceptions, not even for blood.

They caught her at midnight. She did not run. The guards bound her wrists, hooded her face, and marched her to the throne room. When the hood came off, the high priest’s voice cracked like thin ice.

“My lord… it is the princess.”

Liora’s eyes were dry. She had spent the gold on silks, on horses, on nights she thought no one would miss. Aric stared at his daughter as if seeing her for the first time. Then he dismissed the court with a gesture so small it felt like surrender.

Alone, he said, “I will take the lashes.”

She laughed—one sharp, broken sound. “Father, the law names the thief.”

“The law names *royal blood,*” he answered. “I am royal. I am blood.”

He spent the night in the armory, trading silk for coarse linen. At dawn he walked to the altar where Liora already stood bound between the pillars. The executioner—a man who had served Aric since boyhood—lifted the whip and hesitated.

Aric stepped forward, laid his body over his daughter’s, and spoke so only she and the executioner could hear.

“Begin.”

The first lash split the air. Leather knots bit flesh. Aric did not flinch. Between strokes he whispered against her ear, “I love you...”

By the tenth, blood soaked the linen. By the twentieth, his voice was a rasp. At thirty-nine, he sagged against the ropes that held them both. The final lash fell; the whip dropped from a trembling hand.

Silence.

Then the king slid to the stone, breath rattling. Liora knelt, cradling his head. His eyes found hers, clear to the end.

“Live better,” he said, and died.

The treasury was never robbed again. Liora ruled fifty years. Every spring, on the anniversary, she climbed the altar alone. She laid one white flower where her father’s blood had dried black, and spoke the same words to the sky:

“My debt was paid by your love. You bore my death so I could live.”

That is how the kingdom learned what love is: not a feeling, but a body broken between a child and the consequence she earned.

I'm still wrapping my head around the extreme sacrifice that Yeshua took just to be born a man.  He existed supreme with Yahweh in a glorified state since before the beginning of this universe.  In an environment not constricted with "time", not polluted with sin, etc..  Yeshua wasn't bound by the limitations of our human bodies or by a realm trapped in time.  He had never been separated from Father Yahweh at any point in His existence... never!

Yet... He chose to be born into these rags that we refer to as our human bodily shells.  Separated from His Father for the first time, the Creator became the created as a defenseless babe.  He became a toddler, then a teenager, and grew into adulthood.  He experienced hunger, thirst, pain, tiredness, frustration, all flesh related callings that we experience.  He had to live through everything on this earth that we face... in this human flesh suit.  The God and Creator of all that exists became man... He came from Glory and left it behind... because of love.

Not only that but... then - to be mocked, spit upon, punched and kicked, a helmet of thorns rammed down upon His head, His beard ripped out of His face, beaten to the point of exposed ribs, and bone from torn flesh, nailed to a tree and left to die the most humiliating death sentence of that time... crucifixion - like a common thief.

He was treated this way by the ones He created.  He could've said the word and  the legions of angels, who were standing by, would have destroyed all of us and the earth to rescue Him. 

He didn't call on them...  what did He say?  After all of the above, what did He say?

"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

Are you kidding me?!  Are you kidding me?!!!  No... I do not understand that kind of love.  I don't get it!  I cannot comprehend!  I would do anything for my children, including death, but that is still not the same as His love and His Sacrifice... His Passion!  He is our Father - we are His children.  I'm trying to comprehend, believe me, but I may never fully understand until I'm with my Savior.  Until then, I'll keep asking Him to help me understand.   

I want to love others with THAT kind of love and it seems impossible for me.  Even though we're told "all things are possible through Christ" this one seems like the most important, and for me - unreachable goal.  The more I learn about Him, the more I realize just how little I know about Him.  

Please, Lord Yeshua, continue teaching me how to love others as You love me.

Great Tribulation & Us

Just a brief note... Scripture is full of examples as to why.  This is just a brief summary.

Why will Christians be part of the Great Tribulation?  Why would YHWH allow this?

[1Pe 1:7 LITV]  so that the proving of your faith, much more precious than perishing gold, but having been proved through fire, may be found to praise and honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

This is the test of "who is who"?

[1Jn 2:22 LITV]  Who is the liar, except the one denying, saying that Jesus is not the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one denying the Father and the Son.

[1Jn 2:28-29 LITV]  And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He is revealed we may have confidence, and not be shamed from Him in His coming. [29]  If you know that He is righteous, know that everyone doing righteousness has been generated from Him.

[Rev 3:10-12 LITV]  Because you kept the Word of My patience, I also will keep you out of the hour of trial which is going to come on all the habitable world in order to try those dwelling on the earth. [11]  Behold, I am coming quickly. Hold what you have that no one take your crown. [12]  The one overcoming, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall not go out any more. And I will write the name of My God on him, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem which comes down out of Heaven from My God, and My new name.

[2Pe 2:9 LITV]  But the Lord knows to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to keep the unjust for a day of judgment, being punished,

For me, the saddest Words to come out of Yeshua's mouth:

[Mat 24:10-12 LITV]  And then many will be offended, and they will deliver up one another and will hate one another. [11]  And many false prophets will be raised and will cause many to err. [12]  And because lawlessness shall have been multiplied, the love of the many will grow cold.

This is the great apostacy spoken of by Paul and Peter.

The Wrath if Yahweh is meant for those who are His enemies:

[Nah 1:3 LSB]  Yahweh is slow to anger and great in power, And Yahweh will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. In whirlwind and storm is His way, And clouds are the dust beneath His feet.

Rapture & Seven Seals

October 4, 2025

Most scholars place the crucifixion of Christ somewhere between 30-33 AD.  It's been a hotly debated topic for centuries.  I won't get into that in this post.

Sir  Robert Anderson places the crucifixion (end of Daniel's 69th week - "cut off") at April 6, 32 AD.  

If Anderson is right, a passage from Hosea certainly becomes interesting:

[Hos 6:2 LITV]  After two days He will bring us to life. In the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live before Him.

Two days equaling 2000 years, and the third equaling 1000 years.

Daniel's 70th week is a period of seven years.

Yom Kippur is the day of Atonement.

Hamas just "accepted" Trump's peace plan (two years after the attack on October 7, 2023) on the Sabbath, one day following Yom Kippur 2025.  Obviously, it isn't finalized yet and may not be any time soon.

I also found it interesting that President Trump actually used the word "confirm" in a news conference... "when hamas confirms..." (Dan 9:27).

[Dan 9:27 LITV]  And he shall confirm a covenant with the many for one week...

Now, I'm not dogmatically saying that this "agreement" from Hamas is the covenant of Daniel 9 but let's assume it is for now.

If Daniel's 70th week has just begun (2025) it will end in 2032... 2,000 years after the crucifixion/resurrection of Yeshua.  It’s end, will signal the beginning of the 1,000 year reign of Yeshua.

Read Hosea 6:2 again now.

[Hos 6:2 LITV]  After two days He will bring us to life. In the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live before Him.

Anyway, on to the Seven Seals...

Below, I'm going to attempt to write something a little more concise than my blog entitled Rapture.  That blog is super long as it contains a ton of my notes.  I'll try to make this more concise and you can refer to the Rapture blog for more details.

The point of this blog is to show the precision and unity of Yeshua's words, with Paul's words, and John's recordings in the Revelation.

Keep in mind that the Revelation are the Words of Yeshua Himself (as recorded by John).  Also, notice the order in which Yeshua replied to the Disciples in the Olivet Discourse.  His Words to the Disciples match the order of the seven seals that He showed John.

[1]  First Seal - Rider of the White Horse [Rev 6:1-2]

The first seal marks the beginning of all the seals, the beginning of Daniel's 70th week.  The rider is Antichrist and the spirit of Antichrist.  This is the false christ of all false christ's.  This is the explanation of every commentator, Theologian, preacher, etc. I've ever read or heard.

This first seal has always bothered me... they all are so quick to claim the rider of the white horse is the Antichrist himself.  They make that claim based on the very little information given us:

[Rev 6:2 LSB]  Then I looked, and behold, a white horse, and he who sits on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out overcoming and to overcome.

All we're told about the rider is:

[1]  he sits on a white horse...

[2]  he has a bow (no mention of arrows)...

[3]  a crown was given to him...

[4]  he went out conquering and to conquer.

That's it.  

To me - this verse does not explicitly dictate that this is indeed the Antichrist himself.  It is merely the First Seal.  It could be anyone involved in setting up the 70th week and preparing the way for the Antichrist.  It doesn't have to be the Antichrist himself and there's nothing in this text that warrants that answer. 

I just want to point this out because this description could apply to anyone.  Take Donald Trump for example (and no - I'm not saying Trump is the Antichrist.  That's not possible according to Scripture).

The White Horse symbolizes domination and righteousness. However, it doesn’t mean the rider is righteous, as can be seen in this context.  This rider emulates the rider in Revelation 19, the "Word of God", Yeshua Himself.  He brings a false peace to the world (Daniels 9:26). 

The rider has  "a bow" but no arrows are mentioned, indicating that he exercises his strength and authority through diplomacy.  He has no need for war - the rider of the red horse is soon to follow.  He appears as a super intellectual that can solve all the world’s problems. He will use diplomacy and his superior military’s backing to keep the peace.  He has a bow, the tools for war, but has no need for arrows.  He has the power to threaten destruction through war but will achieve a bloodless victory through diplomacy.  Think of "speak softly but carry a big stick".  

A "stephanos crown" was given to the rider because of his ability to resolve world issues as they occur.  He will achieve great praise, reward, recognition for his diplomatic strength and authority.  What if Trump were the rider?  Look at how the entire world, and world leaders, praise him, they compare him to Cyrus the Great, nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize, they've even referred to him as the world's savior, saving millions of lives, etc., etc.  Trump is a perfect fit for the rider of the white horse!

I'm not giving much weight to this as of yet... just pointing out a glaring problem that has been bothering me about this first seal.

Olivet Discourse:

[Mat 24:4-5 LITV]  And answering, Jesus said to them, See that not any leads you astray. [5]  For many will come in My name, saying, I am the Christ. And they will cause many to be led astray.

[2]  Second Seal - Rider of the Red Horse [Rev 6:3-4]

The red rider brings war and takes peace.

Olivet Discourse:

[Mat 24:6 LITV]  But you are going to hear of wars and rumors of wars. See, do not be terrified. For all things must take place, but the end is not yet.

[3]  Third Seal - Rider of the Black Horse [Rev 6:5-6]

The black rider brings pestilence and famine.  Food shortages will become apparent as a result of war, pestilence, and famine.  

NOTE: Think also about this digital ID that all over the news.  They will control what you can buy, when you can buy, and the cost of those purchases.  I believe this digital ID is just a precursor to what's coming.  This digital ID bothers me.  Is it possible that it could be the actual mark?  Yes, Spiritually speaking.  At this time, I still believe a literal, physical mark is coming.

Olivet Discourse:

[Mat 24:7 LITV]  For nation will be raised against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there will be famines and plagues and earthquakes against many places.

Yeshua at this point tells us that all of this is the beginning of birth pains.

[Mat 24:8 LITV]  But all these are a beginning of throes.

[4]  Fourth Seal - Rider of the Pale Green Horse [Rev 6:7-8]

Before moving on - notice the colors of the four horses... now Google middle-east flags.  You'll find almost all of them use white, red, black, and green.  Coincidence?

The pale rider's name is Death.  Following him is Hades.  This marks the beginning of Satan's wrath (not YHWH's wrath).  

[Rev 6:8 LITV]  And I saw, and behold, a pale green horse, and the name of the one sitting on it was Death; and Hades followed after him. And authority was given to them to kill over the fourth of the earth with sword, and with famine, and with death, and by the wild beasts of the earth.

Olivet Discourse:

[Mat 24:9 LITV]  Then they will deliver you up to affliction, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.

At this point, authority is given...

[Rev 13:7 LITV]  And it was given to it "to war with the saints, and to overcome them." And authority was given to it over every tribe and tongue and nation. Dan. 7:21

This marks the middle of Daniel's 70th week.

[Dan 9:27 LITV]  And he shall confirm a covenant with the many for one week. And in the middle of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease. And on a corner of the altar will be abominations that desolate, even until the end. And that which was decreed shall pour out on the desolator.

At this point, there will no confusion as to who the Antichrist is.

Michael casts Satan (and his minions) from the presence of YHWH. 

[Rev 12:9-10 LITV]  And the great dragon was cast out, the old serpent being called devil, and, Satan; he deceiving the whole habitable world was cast out onto the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. [10]  And I heard a great voice saying in Heaven, Now has come the salvation and power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ, because the accuser of our brothers is thrown down, the one accusing them before our God day and night.

Satan gives his power to the beast (Antichrist) and all hell breaks loose here on earth.

[Rev 13:2 LITV]  And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and its feet as of a bear, and its mouth as a lion's mouth. And the dragon gave its power to it, and its throne, and great authority.

[Rev 13:8-9 LITV]  And all those dwelling in the earth will worship it, those of whom the names had not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb having been slain from the foundation of the world. [9]  If anyone has an ear, let him hear.

Antichrist has desolated the Temple and the mark will be instituted.  He will have great power and the ability to create great signs and wonders... so great, that many will be deceived into believing that he actually is God!  

The midpoint of Daniel's 70th week:

Olivet Discourse:

[Mat 24:15 LITV]  Then when you see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (the one reading, let him understand), Dan. 11:31; 12:11

The midpoint marks the change from "beginning of birth pains" to "great tribulation".

[Mat 24:21-22 LITV]  For there will be great affliction, such as has not happened from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever will be. [22]  And except those days were shortened, not any flesh would be saved. But on account of the elect, those days will be shortened.

[Eze 14:21 LSB]  For thus says Lord Yahweh, “How much more when I send My four calamitous judgments against Jerusalem: sword, famine, wild beasts, and plague to cut off man and beast from it!

What do we see next?

[5]  Fifth Seal - Martyrs [Rev 6:9-11]

Martyrs are seen under the altar crying "how long Lord until You avenge us?"

Olivet Discourse:

[Mat 24:9 LITV]  Then they will deliver you up to affliction, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.

We will be hunted down, betrayed and turned in to authorities, starved out (can't buy food without the mark), famines, pestilences, etc.

Notice the reply to the martyrs:

[Rev 6:9-11 LITV]  And when He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those having been slain for the Word of God, and for the witness which they had. [10]  And they cried with a great voice, saying, Until when, holy and true Master, do You not judge and take vengeance for our blood, from those dwelling on the earth? [11]  And there was given to each one a white robe. And it was said to them that they should rest yet a little time, until might be fulfilled also the number of their fellow-slaves and their brothers, those being about to be killed, even as they.

There are, as of right now, martyrs under the altar crying "how long Lord?".  Look at the holocaust of Christians right now (middle-east, Syria, Nigeria, etc.).

This condition (Rev 6:11) marks the condition and timing of the days being "cut short"... 

Olivet Discourse:

[Mat 24:22 LITV]  And except those days were shortened, not any flesh would be saved. But on account of the elect, those days will be shortened.

When YHWH's last appointed martyr has been killed... 

[Luk 21:28b LITV]  ... stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.

For a brief note on why we would be allowed to suffer this, see:  Great Tribulation & Us

[6]  Sixth Seal - Cosmic Chaos [Rev 6:12-17]

It is so important to notice that the sixth seal shifts the focus, or the scene, back onto the earth versus the Throne Room of Yahweh.

The sixth seal marks the Day of the Lord.  His wrath on wickedness is about to begin!  If you read this passage (Rev 6:12-17), there's no mistaking what is going to occur at this point.

What also occurs at the sixth seal?  The marking of the 144,000.

[Rev 7:4 LITV]  And I heard the number of those having been sealed: one hundred forty four thousands, having been sealed out of every tribe of the sons of Israel:

What also occurs at the sixth seal?

[Mat 24:29-31 LITV]  And immediately after the affliction of those days the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give her light, and the stars will fall from the heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. [30]  And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the heavens. And then all the tribes of the land will wail. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and much glory. Dan. 7:13 [31]  And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from the ends of the heavens to their ends.

The sixth seal marks the rapture:

[Rev 7:9 LITV]  After these things I saw, and behold, a great crowd which no one was able to number them, out of every nation, even tribes and peoples and tongues, standing in front of the throne, and before the Lamb, having been clothed with white robes, and in their hands palm branches.

When this happens, those following the Antichrist will say:

[Rev 6:15 LITV]  And the kings of the earth, and the great ones, and the rich ones, and the commanders, and the powerful ones, and every slave, and every freeman hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains. [16]  And "they said to the mountains" and to the rocks, "Fall on us," and hide us from the face of the One sitting on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, Hos. 10:8 [17]  because the great day of His wrath has come; and who is able to stand?

[7]  Seventh Seal - God's Wrath [Rev 8:1-5]

The seventh seal marks the end of Satan's wrath on us, and the beginning of God's Wrath on the children of Satan.

I'll save the trumpet and bowl judgments for another post.  However, I would like to point out here that the seventh seal and trumpet are both "telescoping".  Meaning, the seventh is all encompassing of the seven trumpets.  The seventh Trumpet is all encompassing of the seven bowls.  I'll cover this in a later post.

I also didn’t add Paul’s words yet.  I will post a chart here later.  Rest assured, Paul’s order is identical.

Whether Sir Robert Anderson was right or not... you can still expect the events above to unfold just exactly as Yeshua said.  This may, or not be, the "covenant" we're looking for.  There will be no doubt though when the daily offerings cease and the  Temple is desolated.  We'll know where we're on the timeline for sure when that happens.  I'm only using Anderson's date as an example timeline.  In my gut, I believe this may be the treaty "confirmed" and the beginning of Daniel’s 70th Week.