Trumpet Warnings Series #14 - Part 124 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

When we were last together I asked, "Who is the king of the locust army?  Revelation 9:11 declares...they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon.  He is more widely known as Satan.

When Satan released the locust out of the bottomless pit onto the earth, the locusts were commanded...they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads...and to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months:  and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man...and in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them...Rev. 9:4-6.

The trumpet warnings of the 5th angel are rife with esoteric imagery. Once defined they will reveal the message, so we can understand and be prepared.  What does grass symbolize?  Grass symbolizes fertility or prosperity; frailty of the flesh.  The symbolism...any green thing...within the trumpet warnings describes prosperity or progress of mankind on the earth:  advancement of intellectual knowledge, growth of finances, material possessions or properties, or medical breakthroughs, etc., all of which are of the flesh - not spiritual prosperity.

What does tree symbolize?  Often in scripture, especially prophecy, trees symbolize men, especially leadership.

The word hurt - should not hurt - in the original Greek language is adieko meaning:  to be unjust.  This particular designation in this text seems to zero in on countries where the locust army is not ruling.  Why do I draw this conclusion?

I make this assessment because the locust army cannot "be unjust" to the prosperity of people with the seal of God on their foreheads. Yet, we all know they have nearly wiped out the ancient Christian communities in the territories of the Euphrates River, where they rule. So what is the message of this symbolism - what does it reveal to us?

We can surmise from this prophecy that in countries where Christianity is dominant, where it influences the secular governments, the locust army is prevented from establishing their superiority.  In Christian or Jewish dominant countries across the planet, the locust army is not allowed to hurt - be unjust - to anyone with the seal of God on their foreheads - because this symbolizes their allegiance to God (Jesus Christ).

While the locust army wants to destroy the Christians and the Jews wherever they find them, they must do so secretly in these countries - by clandestine infiltration of their poisonous false religious doctrine into governments and schools - sting of the scorpion.  Apparently people, especially world leaders and their prosperity, without the seal of God, will fall victim to the deceptive lies and injustice of the locust army.  These leaders will promote the advancement of this false religious empire into Christian and Jewish countries, seeking the demise of these free nations.

What does the seal of God on their foreheads symbolize?

The seal of God on their foreheads symbolizes allegiance to Jesus Christ (God) - those with the mark of God. These true-hearts will never surrender their allegiance to this false religious empire, even if they suffer in the flesh, no matter what devastation befalls them.  This text is reminiscent of the devastating experiences of Job.  God told Satan regarding Job...all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person...Job 1:12. Person describes the real life of Job - his spirit. Satan is  not granted power over his spirit.

This text also states...they should be tormented five months...verse 5.  #5 in prophecy symbolizes incomplete.  The locust army arrived about 612 A.D.  When it first appeared in its most violent form it did not complete its mission. But over the centuries it gradually wiped out other religions, taking over those countries, attempting to finish their goal.

Once their vicious torments, death and destruction ramps up to a frenzied peak, many who served the locust army will seek to die, but death shall flee from them...verse 6.  They, especially women, will continually be forced to obediently serve this repressive and oppressive religious empire - and the godless men who rule over them.

The first woe is past! When does the next woe begin?  Stay tuned...

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~



Trumpet Warnings Series #13 - Part 123 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

Then the fifth angel sounded...the shape of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle...on their heads were crowns of something like gold, and their faces were like the faces of men...Rev. 9:7.  In the last blog we defined all of this symbolism except their faces were like the faces of men. Who does this esoteric imagery describe?

The locust army are zealous religious warriors who have faces like men symbolizing that they are a sovereign people, who rules over a kingdom or empire. Chapter 9:8 further describes the locust warriors...they had hair like a women's hair, and their teeth were like lions teeth.  What could this esoteric imagery mean?  It could be mystifying if we didn't have historical documentation to help us understand its meaning.

In uncivilized cultures of past centuries, brutal and barbaric warrior men proudly wore long hair, like women, as a mark of their fierce savagery, who allowed no hindrance to fulfilling their natural human appetites - unchecked lustful passions.  Many warriors even wore skirts or tunics.  No one dared to challenge their authority, but rather cringed in fear in deference to their power.  These ruthless warriors - with hair like women's - subdue and rule over the masses, by fear of the onerous consequences.

The metaphorical language - their teeth were like lions teeth - personifies the ferocity of the locust army - ripping apart their victims with sharp piercing weapons, symbolized by devouring teeth.  As a lion - king of the jungle - is to its prey, the locust army are relentless until all people, everywhere, submit to the King of the Religious Jungle - or are beheaded.

And they had breastplates like breastplates of iron...Rev. 9:9.  Describing the locust army wearing iron breastplates, symbolizes presumed invincibility - readiness for battle - revealing their arrogance in purpose.  What is their purpose?  

And the sound of their wings like the sound of chariots with many horses running into battle...Rev. 9:9.  This metaphorical language symbolizes their unshakable proclamation that they are far above - wings - all other religions on the earth.  Their purpose is to rule and reign over every nation - all people - on the planet.  Their intensity to win the war against the people of the planet is symbolized by the sound of chariots with many horses into battle.  By shear numbers the locust army will overwhelm and subdue all people into submission.  Even the name of their religion means:  submission!

If what we have just read is not enough detailed description of the locusts who are released out of the bottomless pit, there is more. Do you think our Lord desired for us to clearly understand who is this wicked enemy? They had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails...their power was to hurt men five months...Rev. 9:10.

We already know that the sting of a scorpion symbolizes poison - a wicked false religious doctrine that will infiltrate the minds and hearts of government leaders, as well as religious leaders.  These doctrines of demons will pierce the very soul of their victims, making them captive to a harsh god - taskmaster.  Let's look at the Old Testament for a bit more clarity on...they had tails like scorpions.

The ancient and the honorable, he is the head; and the prophet that lies, he is the tail...Isaiah 9:15.  In this text, the prophet explains that a prophet of honor is the head - but - a prophet who lies is the tail.  The leader of the locust army is called a false prophet...Rev. 16:12-14.  We know that the locust army symbolizes a nefarious and wicked false religious empire - empowered by Satan - the father of lies.  The leader of the locust army is not honorable - he is the prophet of lies - the tail of the scorpion, spewing his poison in every territory he overtakes by force.

Their power was to hurt men five months.  What does this symbolize?  The use of numbers in prophecy usually are symbolic, rather than defining a specific period of time. The number five symbolizes incomplete. So what is incomplete? 

Revelation chapter 9 introduces the presence of the locust army upon the earth for the first time.  Their sinister wicked plans are not realized at this time - their work is incomplete. But from the outset the locust army - false religious empire - maimed, killed and destroyed everyone and everything that did not submit to their wicked doctrine of demons. Centuries later their purpose will be fully realized when they become rulers over many nations - but - not all.  This is clearly delineated in Revelation chapter 16 - Bowl Judgments. 

Who is the king of the locust army?  Stay tuned...

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~



Trumpet Warnings Series #12 - Part 122 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

 Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth...and to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power...Rev. 9:3.  When the 5th angel sounded we were left with a lot of esoteric imagery to define in order to find the message conveyed through the symbolism.  In the last blog I asked who do the locust symbolize?  Maybe if we define the literal locust - the insect - we might obtain insight as to whom they symbolize in this prophecy.

 

The locust - literal insect - is known to congregate in hordes, too many to count.  They are migratory and travel in larges swarms, subduing vegetation with a vengeance. Since they leave a trail of death and devastation when they swarm a targeted area, little vegetation survives - if any at all.

 

With this description of the literal insect. I think we can see that the metaphorical locust in our text symbolizes a specific migratory group of people, who travel in mobs, subduing their prey, much like a warring army would do, leaving a trail of devastation and death.  To them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.  The poison in the sting of a scorpion to bring death to the flesh of mankind, has been given to this locust army to poison the hearts and minds of mankind, as well as the flesh.

 

This locust army resembles the locust insect in the following manner...

        1.  too numerous to count - migratory

        2.  attack with ferocity, overwhelm and subdue victim with a vengeance

        3.  maim or murder victim

        4.  not much, if any, left to live

 

The locust army must play a dominate role in this prophecy because we have been provided a very detailed description of them in Rev. 9:7-10.  There is a lot of symbolism to define in these verses, so let's begin with the esoteric imagery in verse 7. The shape of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle...on their heads were crowns of something like gold, and their faces were like the faces of men.

 

These metaphorical locusts are described as shaped like horses prepared for battle.  In ancient times, a battle horse had to be ferocious, swift, fast and determined - always ready to fight and make war. Battle warriors ride battle horses.

 

Crowns in scripture symbolize royalty - kings and priests - those who rule over kingdoms or empires. A king rules a nation, kingdom or empire, while a priest rules over the religious needs of the empire. On the heads of the locusts are crowns, indicating they are a nation, kingdom or empire. But, there is a qualification to the crown that these locust - kings - wear while they rule, which gives us a hint to their identity.  How does their crown identify the locusts?

 

The color of the crowns on the heads of the locust army is described as...something like gold.  Isn't this an intriguing description, as well as a bit perplexing?  But it is a very significant detail.  Describing their crowns as something like gold symbolizes that their kingdom or empire is an imitation of a legitimate kingdom or empire.  What does this mean?

 

The kingdom of the locusts army is a counterfeit - an imitation of royalty.  Their kingdom is false - not genuine - deliberately deceptive.  How do I know this?

 

The locusts were birthed from the smoke - doctrines of demons - that was released from the bottomless pit (Hell), so they are possessed and empowered by Satan and his demons - serpents/scorpions.  The locusts army is a religious empire empowered by Satan himself and set up on the earth to poison - scorpion sting - human beings with wicked religious doctrines.

 

Their faces were like the faces of men. What does this symbolize?  Stay tuned...

 

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~

 



Trumpet Warnings Series #11 - Part 121 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

When we were last together we were defining the esoteric imagery described in Rev. 9:1-2...Then the fifth angel sounded:  and I saw a star fallen from Heaven to the earth...to him was given the key to the bottomless pit...and he opened the bottomless pit, and smoke arose out of the pit like the smoke of a great furnace...so the sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke of the pit.

So far in this series we have defined the esoteric imagery of the:  star, pit, key, smoke and sun.  What does air symbolize, especially darkened air?  We already know that the smoke symbolizes lies, heresies, evil inclinations, doctrines of demons, and every dark superstitious machinations of Satan. The sun symbolizes powerful government leaders.  Air symbolizes powerful religious leaders, representatives of the spiritual component of mankind.

When the scripture says the air was darkened by the smoke that arose from the pit - Satan's home - we understand that these world religious leaders - in charge of the spiritual development of men - will have their minds and hearts infiltrated by the machinations of Satan and his demon doctrines.  His lies, heresies, and dark superstitions will influence these leaders to set up great organizations in order to guide their followers into his hellish trap of spiritual deception, viciously subduing and enslaving gullible people.

Who are these leaders (authorities) and how, and by what means, will they force their most nefarious and sinister spiritual wickedness upon the inhabitants of the earth - reserved in the bottomless pit for so long?  Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth...and to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power...Rev. 9:3.  Why is the power of the locusts equated to the power of a scorpion?

The term scorpion in prophecy is usually metaphorical symbolism - esoteric imagery. Let's take a look at how Jesus used this metaphor.   Then the seventy returned with joy saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name"...and He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from Heaven...behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, over all the power of the enemy...and nothing shall by any means hurt you"... Luke 10:17-19.

Jesus defines "trample on serpents and scorpions"  as "authority...over all the power of the enemy."  Who is the enemy of mankind?  Satan! Even though Jesus said, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from Heaven" He was informing His apostles not to worry, He has given them authority over all the power of the enemy. How did Jesus give them authority?  He arose from the dead conquering all the authority Satan has on the earth - imparting His authority to mankind through the Holy Spirit.

The sting of a scorpion or the bite of a snake poisons the flesh of men causing a painful death.  This is why this symbolism graphically describes how doctrines of demons, lies, heresies and superstitions poison the spiritual component of  human beings, separating them from their creator - a painful death in Hell. 

Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth...and to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power...Now we understand why the scripture metaphorically describes our enemy as serpents and scorpions, but why are the locusts,  that came out of the smoke upon the earth, given the same power and authority as the scorpions of the earth?

 Once we define the esoteric imagery and metaphorical language of the prophecy, the message hidden within it will be unwrapped for us to understand.

It is obvious that the term locust is esoteric imagery - metaphorical language. Since they came out of Hell onto the earth we understand they must be demonic hordes that infiltrate the minds and hearts of men on the earth with the spiritual poison of Satan.  So who do the locusts symbolize?  Maybe if we define the literal locust - the insect - we might obtain insight as to whom they symbolize in prophecy.

We know that a locust, the literal insect, is known to congregate in hordes, too many to count.  What other description of this insect will help us to understand the identity of the esoteric imagery of the locusts in our prophecy?  Stay tuned...

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~



Trumpet Warnings Series #10 - Part 120 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

 

 

I am sorry for the three-month hiatus in the middle of this series, but this blog is up and running again. Thank you faithful followers for your patience.

 

We have been studying the metaphors, enigmas and symbolism of Revelation 8 & 9.  When we were last together we were about to examine Rev. 8:13.  And I looked, and I heard an angel flying through the midst of Heaven, saying with a loud voice, "Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound."

 

The exclamation of grief from the angel in this text is of a desperate nature, since it is expressed loudly three times, so we must pay close attention to the next trumpet warnings,  These three woes that are coming will adversely affect everything on the planet - man, animals and vegetation - all life forms. What are the ominous warnings - woes - of the 5th & 6th angels?

 

Within the sound of the 5th & 6th trumpet warnings, there is a sure and menacing darkness about to cover the whole world, bringing a frightful doom and gloom to all the inhabitants of the earth.  This ominous warning begins to manifest at the outset of the Dark Ages.  It is during this time in history that nefarious and vile false religious doctrines appeared - abominable and wicked - twisting and perverting the gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

Then the fifth angel sounded:  and I saw a star fallen from Heaven to the earth.  To him was given the key to the bottomless pit...and he opened the bottomless pit, and smoke arose out of the pit like the smoke of a great furnace. So the sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke of the pit...Rev.9:1-2.

 

This angel's warning is an imminent and portentous pronouncement.  Who does the star symbolize in this verse?  In #7 of this series we defined the star symbolism as Wormwood...see Rev. 8:10-11.  The full meaning of wormwood:  to curse, poison, make bitter - tyranny. Wormwood symbolizes Satan. It is this star that Jesus was referring to when He said...I saw Satan fall like lightning from Heaven...Luke 10:18.  What does this fallen star do against the people of the earth?

 

Satan is a title, describing an advanced manifestation of the vile character of Lucifer, who is described as the morning star.  By defining the symbolism and using confirming scripture, we can easily see that the fallen star is Satan - ruler of the bottomless pit - Hell. But Satan has never needed a key to his home, so the key must have symbolic meaning.  What does the key symbolize?  

 

Since the key opens the bottomless pit to let out smoke from the great furnace, we know that the key symbolizes a specific evil that has been waiting to be released upon the earth...at God's appointed time...Rev. 9:15.  God gave the fallen star the key, symbolizing that he is permitted to release the most repugnant and revolting wickedness upon the earth, with a specific designation and a specific time period.

 

What ominous and malevolent spirits have been reserved in the bottomless pit that will now be allowed to be released upon planet earth, according to the trumpet blast of the 5th angel?

 

When Satan opened the door of this chamber in the bottomless pit, a hot suffocating smoke burst out, quickly permeating the atmosphere.  What does smoke symbolize when it is released from the fiery furnace of Hell?  In this reference, smoke symbolizes lies, heresies, evil inclinations, doctrines of demons, and every dark superstitious machinations of Satan himself - intrusive and pervasive - insidiously infiltrating and influencing powerful government leaders - symbolized by darkened sun.

 

The scripture also says that the Air was darkened. What does this symbolize?  Stay tuned...

 

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~

 

 

 



Trumpet Warnings Series #9 - Part 119 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

 

 Then the fourth angel sounded:  and a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened.  A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night...Rev. 8:12.  In the last blog, we defined the symbolism of the - sun, moon, stars - in the trumpet blast of the 4th angel, as world leaders - secular & religious - who will have their minds darkened by doctrines of demons.  Malevolent spiritual entities will posses them and rule their lives, as they rule the people by injustice, deception, dishonesty, and cruelty.

 

As these possessed rulers surrender their allegiance to Satan, they will deify themselves - becoming gods - yet they are actually tools of Satan - kidnapping as many human beings as possible for the Kingdom of Darkness. 

 

God does have a plan for every human being that is born on the earth, but He also gives them a will - the power to choose to follow Him - or - Satan.  So how will Satan snatch - kidnap - human beings out of the hands of God before His plans for their lives can be fulfilled?

 

Government rulers all over the world will legalize immorality, murder, and paganism by making unlawful the name of Jesus Christ, His Bible and Christianity.  They will aggressively remove any semblance of the existence of Jesus Christ, while pseudo-Christian leaders will gain followers by  deception - assuring the people that everyone will go to Heaven, because there is no Hell. 

 

They will also convince these blind followers that God is Love and would never send anyone to Hell, even if it did exist.  If the people read the Bible, they would find out that God sends no one to Hell - they choose to go there by denying the existence of Jesus Christ and His blood sacrifice for their sins.

 

This is why throughout the Christian era that government rulers - secular & religious - have viciously and aggressively burned the Bible by the billions - if the people ever read it they would learn these leaders are lying to them.  Satan has infiltrated governments and religious denominations - masquerading as an Angel of Light - where he possesses these leaders who have become his tools to perpetrate a cunning and nefarious plot to kidnap human beings from Jesus Christ - by successfully convincing them to reject what Jesus has told them about His glorious plan of salvation - they did chose.

 

While this barbaric attempt to violently destroy Jesus Christ and His Bible has been active throughout the Christian era in many nations, the 21st century reveals a rabid escalation of violence against Christians in every nation on the earth.  The rulers of every nation on the earth are following the path of Lucifer (Satan) - the one who attempted to raise his throne above the throne of the Creator...Is. 14:13.  No created man - or angel like Lucifer - can become a god nor can become God, the Creator of the universe.

 

The light of Jesus Christ will be snuffed out - darkened - in most parts of the planet - due to the fiendish fervor of paganism - murdering God's kids.  Spiritual depravity and degeneration of morality will precipitate the anarchy and chaos that will incite the people on the earth, during the 4th trumpet blast.  Look around - the evidence across the planet is clear.  All we see now, every time we scan the Internet or listen to a broadcast, is the escalation of violence being perpetrated against every human being - culture of death - who will not submit to pagan rulers. 

 

Developed countries, including the USA, are aggressively scrubbing Jesus Christ and His Bible from their societies, while endorsing a vicious and violent pagan religion - forced upon their own people - who have been shamed into silent submission.  Those who will not submit to this pagan religious government, embraced by the rulers of developed countries, will be imprisoned or murdered - just as depicted by the symbolism of the trumpet warning of the 4th angel. Watch for the signs of the times.

 

And I looked, and I heard an angel flying through the midst of Heaven, saying with a loud voice, "Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound."...Rev. 8:13.  The exclamation of grief from the angel in this text is of a desperate nature, since it is expressed loudly three times - we must pay close attention to the next trumpet warnings.  These three woes that are coming will adversely affect everything on the planet - man, animals and vegetation - all life forms.

 

What is the ominous warning - woes - of the 5th & 6th angel?  Stay tuned...

 

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~

 





Trumpet Warnings Series #8 - Part 118 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

 

 

Then the fourth angel sounded:  and a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night...Rev. 8:12.  Before we begin to define the symbolism in the warnings of the 4th angel, keep in mind that the number 3 symbolizes Divine - Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  When three is used in prophecy of scripture, it reveals God's hand in the prediction.

 

The number 4 symbolizes change in the heavens or the earth.  In this text, the sun, moon and stars metaphorically describe people in authority - religious and secular - who are ruled by Satan and his sinister doctrines of demons.  These rulers will devastate and destroy their own citizens during the Christian era, in order to maintain their powerful stranglehold on the masses.  So during the Christian era, great change in the heavens and the earth will be accomplished

 

The 4th trumpet blast is a forbidding warning to the people of the earth.  Is it a coincidence that the sun, moon, and stars were created on the 4th day of creation, and now, metaphorically symbolize the judgment within the 4th trumpet blast?   Food for thought...

 

The sun is the greater light and was given authority over the day, while the moon is the lesser light, along with the stars, and was given authority over the night.  When the sun, moon and stars do not giver their light, this symbolizes the spiritual understanding of world leaders - religious and secular - will be contaminated - their understanding will be darkened by sinister doctrines of demons - under Satan's control.

 

Before we can fully understand this symbolism, we must take a look at ancient history - Old Testament.  In the days of the Prophet Jacob, his son Joseph had a dream where he saw the sun, moon, and eleven stars bow down to him...Gen. 37:9-10.  Jacob interpreted the sun, moon and stars to symbolize himself, Joseph's mother, and brothers.  So we can see that prophets used the constellations to symbolize great rulers, lesser rulers, and people of prominence.

 

Keep in mind that Satan is the initiator of all evil that is accomplished under the trump warnings.  If the sun, moon, and stars symbolize rulers of nations in every degree of authority and power, and a third of them were darkened - Satan is responsible. But, it is the judgment of God on their sin.  What does darkened symbolize?

 

The word darkened symbolizes how ominous and superstitious doctrines of demons will influence the lives of those in powerful positions of authority (sun), producing perversity and corruption.  The term third symbolizes God's divine judgment upon these leaders, throughout the Christian era.  Governing authorities - political and religious - will succumb to the seduction of these poisonous false religious doctrines - bitter water of Wormwood - causing them to defy the Ruler and Creator of the universe.  They will thumb their noses at the gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

All authorities and dominions - sun, moon, stars - in opposition to Jesus Christ will become more depraved, more defiant, more insolent, and more unjust as their minds gradually darken by the influence of these sinister doctrines of demons.  Rebellion against their Creator will open the door for the entrance of malevolent spiritual entities - demons - to possess them and rule their lives.  Men will deify themselves - becoming gods.  Yet, they are only tools of Satan - fulfilling his plans and purposes by kidnapping as many human beings as possible - snatched out of the hands of God before His plans for their lives can be accomplished.

 

How will Satan accomplish this feat?  Stay tuned...

 

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 







Trumpet Warnings Series #7 - Part 117 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

 

 

In chapter 8 of Revelation John saw Jesus open the 7th seal revealing 7 angels with 7 trumpets.  This chapter reveals in symbolism, future events that will take place on earth during the Christian era.  We have defined the symbolism within the trumpet blasts of the first two angels. 

 

Then the third angel sounded:  and a great star fell from Heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water...the name of the star is Wormwood...a third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter.  The name of the star that fell from Heaven is Wormwood.  Who is this star?

Before we reveal who Wormwood symbolizes, we must define wormwood:  to curse, poison, make bitter - tyranny.  The great star in this text fell from Heaven burning like a torch.  The only star that fell from Heaven was named Lucifer. How do I know this?

Lucifer is a created angelic being, an anointed cherub, established on the holy mountain of God - by God...Ez. 28:14.  In the original Hebrew language the name Lucifer means:  morning star.  After Lucifer rebelled against God, God cast him from His presence, where he was transformed into Satan - an adversary - the accuser.

Later, when Jesus was resurrected from the grave, Satan was cast to the earth, where he accuses human beings day and night.  It is this star that Jesus saw fall out of Heaven as lightning - burning like a torch.  Lucifer transformed the holy mountain of God into a destroying mountain of paganism.  Lucifer was so angry that he had been permanently cast from Heaven to the earth, that he began to exercise great wrath upon the inhabitants of the earth - knowing his time was short after Jesus conquered death...Rev. 12:10-12.

Satan was the tempter in the Garden of Eden.  Once he was cast permanently to the earth, knowing his time to tempt the inhabitants of the earth to sin against God was running out, the Apostle Peter warned God's people to be on the alert.  Peter said...Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring, seeking whom he may devour...resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world...I Peter 5:8-9.

God always gives human beings a choice between good and evil.  Once the plan of salvation was presented to humankind, Jesus broke the bondage of death that Lucifer once held against them, by His triumph over the grave.  When Lucifer was permanently cast to the earth he initiated God's judgment on the world - God's rod of correction - and will continue until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.  At that time Jesus will gather His people to Himself and the earth will burn up.

The Apostle Peter describes this event clearly...But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up...II Peter 3:10.   Then Peter said...look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells...II Peter 3:13.  The word new in this text means:  different from which it had been formerly.

Now we understand that Satan is Wormwood, the star that fell from Heaven - walking on the earth like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.  Devour means:  swallow up.  How will his revenge manifest on the earth?

The holy mountain of God where Lucifer once dwelled, has been transformed into a great mountain burning with fire - a destroying mountain of paganism impacting the inhabitants of the earth with great force.  The rivers and springs of water will become bitter, symbolizing the poisoning of the hearts and minds of the inhabitants of the earth with sinister doctrines of demons, through false prophets claiming to be sent by God. 

Many men will die from the water, made bitter - from the poison of demon doctrines.  The Apostle Paul says...for such are false prophets, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ...and no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light...therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works...II Cor. 11:13-15.

In our modern society, worldwide, paganism and immorality is rampant.  Does your church name Satan and his false demon doctrines on this escalation of sin in our culture like scripture clearly states? Of course not!  They would rather be considered tolerant, progressive, purveyors of social justice, and politically correct by their society, rather than salt and light.  Jesus said...You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned?  It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men...Matt. 5:13. 

When Christians try to be like the world - in order to be accepted - rather than being the salt and light of Christ, they will be trampled underfoot by the world.  This means rejected and disdained by the world they so wanted to be accepted by.  It is only the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ that will set people free from the grip of Satan and sin.  Christians are called to be Ambassadors for Christ calling all human beings to be reconciled to God through Jesus Christ...II Cor. 5:17-21.

What symbolism will we find within the trumpet blast of the 4th angel?  Stay tuned...

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question








Trumpet Warnings Series #6 - Part 116 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

When we were last together in this series we were defining the symbolism in Rev. 8:7...The first angel sounded:  and hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth...and a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.  A third, or the number 3, symbolizes Divine - Father, Son, & Holy Spirit. 

This verse describes Divine judgment has come to the earth, whereby throughout the Christian era mankind will experience calamities, tragedies, pain, devastation, destruction, and premature death, because of their persistent idolatry and immorality.  What does hail and green grass symbolize in this verse?

Green grass symbolizes fertility - growth of finances, material possessions, property and worldly knowledge of the idolaters on the earth.  But academic advancement, pursuit of philosophy, (which produces empty deceit) and the accruement of material wealth will be subject to failure, ruin or loss, during the time of the trumpet warnings. 

Hail symbolizes the voice of God wielding swift and sharp judgment directed at the idolaters on the earth...the Lord thundered from heaven, and the Most High uttered His voice, hailstones and coals of fire...Ps. 18:13.  God's judgments are not new, but the trumpet judgments are designed for a specific time period called the Christian era. 

Blood symbolizes death. Fire symbolizes the glory of God - His presence, His anointing.  God is declaring by His voice, that His glory - fire - is coming to the earth to judge idolatry and immorality.  Sin cannot stand in the presence - glory - of the Lord.  If sinners refuse to repent and surrender their allegiance to God, death will be the result. But...it will be their choice.

Then the second angel sounded:  and something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood...and a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed...Rev. 8:8-9. 

Great mountain burning with fire, symbolizes the proliferation of false doctrines of demons that are violently intruding into the lives of human beings on the earth - contaminating their spiritual understanding of their Creator.  When the great mountain burning with fire is thrown into the sea it symbolizes force - the severe impact that these countless doctrines of demons will have on the hearts and minds of all mankind - spiritually poisoning them against Jesus Christ.

The Prophet Jeremiah addressed the symbolism for a burning mountain.  Behold, I am against you O destroying mountain, who destroys all the earth, says the Lord. And I will stretch out My hand against you, roll you down from the rocks, and make you a burnt mountain...Jer. 51:25.  Jeremiah is prophesying God's judgment that overwhelmed the inhabitants of Babylon long ago, when it was the occult worship center of the world...460 B.C.

He metaphorically refers to Babylon as a destroying mountain - an immense destructive force that would become a burnt mountain.  Burnt mountain symbolizes God's judgment on their idol worship - demon doctrines - which infiltrated the masses separating them from the love of God. Jeremiah's destroying mountain/burnt mountain is the great mountain burning with fire in the second trumpet blast - God's judgment on paganism - all false religious doctrines of demons - with devastating consequences to all mankind.

Sea symbolizes nations of people.  Sea became blood tells us these demon doctrines will cause immense loss of life with great sorrow, to multiplied millions of people during the Christian era.

Ships symbolizes commerce.  Ships destroyed symbolizes how serving false god's through allegiance to paganism will have a negative impact - depravity, corruption & deception - on commerce and trade throughout the Christian era.

Then the third angel sounded:  and a great star fell from Heaven.  The name of the star is Wormwood.  Who is the star that fell from Heaven named Wormwood?  Stay tuned...

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~



Trumpet Warnings Series #5 - Part 115 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelaion

 

We are studying the symbolism of the seven trumpets in Revelation chapter 8. Last blog we ended with verse 6...the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.  After the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. the people of Israel were scattered across the planet, initiating the times of the Gentiles era.  After this occurs, the warnings of impending devastation and death within the sound of the trumpet blasts will gradually increase upon the inhabitants of the earth - judging their sins.

The grief that is coming upon the earth will be perpetrated by Satan and his minions in the guise of prophets of God, who actually are false prophets, propagating doctrines of demons.  Satan will infiltrate the governments of every nation, creating immoral pagan laws to oppress and subjugate their citizens.

The first angel sounded:  And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth...and a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up...Rev. 8:7.  Once the first trumpet gives its blast, we see hail and fire mingled with blood and thrown to the earth.  What does this symbolism reveal?

This symbolism is reminiscent of the days of Moses armed with signs and wonders, when God sent him to Pharaoh of Egypt - who tortured and enslaved His kids...Ex. 7:17 & 9:23. Although, in the days of Moses, these signs were literally natures wonders, directed by God, creating physical disturbances against this pagan society.

While the trumpet blasts depict that physical disturbances will come upon the inhabitants of the earth, their revelations use natural elements metaphorically to depict God's judgment on spiritual depravity - immorality and paganism.  The judgment of the trumpet blasts will gradually unfold during the Christian era, until the bowl judgments, revealed at the end of the ages, brings finality to sin and the works of the devil. The earth with its evil works will burn up...II Pet. 3:10.

What does the symbolism of #3 reveal...a third of the trees were burned up? The #3 symbolizes Divine - Father, Son & Holy Spirit.  So the message is - divine judgment has come to the earth.  As we define these symbols, we will find the inhabitants of the earth will be subjected to calamities, tragedies, pain, devastation, and premature death on the planet, because of their persistent idolatry - defying God's commandments.

Trees in scripture often symbolize people - prominent people in positions of leadership.  The prophet Daniel interpreted the pagan King Nebuchadnezzar as a tree in his dream...the tree that you saw...it is you...Dan. 4:20-22.  The Prophet Ezekiel referred to Assyria, a country of people as...a cedar in Lebanon, with fine branches that shaded the forest...Ez. 31:3.

Our study text metaphorically describes how people of prominence, while not excluding others, will experience the judgment of God on their paganism - burned up with fire.  The fire of God's wrath was thrown to the earth, because of the relentless brutality and bloody martyrdom of His saints - the true witnesses of His salvation, and the sacrifice of the innocent ones - their blood cries out from the ground as did innocent Abel's blood.

During the long Christian era, many prominent people will be deposed from important influential positions, while others will be brought to utter ruin by the public exposure of their corruption, as they encounter the consuming fire of God's judgment.  Yet, many ruthless barbaric leaders will continue to prosper, appearing untouched by this judgment - this is permitted by God.

What does hail and green grass symbolize...hail thrown to the earth...and all green grass was burned up?  Stay tuned...

God's sheep question the doctrines of men..sheeple follow without question~~~





 

 







Trumpet Warnings Series #4 - Part 114 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

As we continue our study defining the symbolism of the seven trumpets in Revelation chapter 8, we must first define the symbolism for incense and smoke in verses 3 & 4...then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar...he was given incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne...and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel's hand.

What does incense symbolize?  In the days of the Israelites, incense was used as a purifying agent after a blood sacrifice for sin was offered to the Lord. Incense is sweet smelling, providing a favorable aroma to destroy the stench of death.  This natural act explains the symbolism in our text, where we see the angel mingling incense with the prayers of the saints before they ascend to God. 

The prayers of the saints are beseeching God to avenge the blood they have shed on the earth - martyr's death - for the cause of Christ.  Symbolically, we see the angel purifying the prayers of the saints- sacrifice of death - providing a sweet smelling fragrance as they ascend to God.  Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints...Ps. 116:15.

The smoke - vapors - of the sweet smelling incense is a conveyance, with the assistance of the angel, enabling the prayers to encircle the throne of God.  God hears the prayers of the repentant, those who seek His love and justice.  Remember, after the Shulamite woman rose up to seek her beloved Solomon, she said when she saw him...who is this coming out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke perfumed with myrrh and frankincense?...SS 3:6.  The smoke (vapors) filled with perfumed incense (purification) brought her to her beloved. God is the beloved in whom we seek.

Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth...and there were noises, thundering, lightnings, and an earthquake...Rev. 8:5.  A censer is used to burn sweet smelling incense, so why would the angel now fill it with fire and throw it down upon the earth?

God hears the prayers of His saints seeking His love and justice, provoking His wrath upon the earth to avenge the shedding of innocent blood. Fire in Heaven symbolizes His glory - glory symbolizes His presence.  No sin can stand in the presence of God without burning up.  When the fire - glory - is thrown to the earth, it symbolizes that His presence is revealed in His wrath upon the idolaters of the earth - those who murdered His saints who had witnessed the way of salvation to them. God's wrath is revealed through the Trumpet Warnings.

The verse also says...and there were noises, thundering, lightnings, and an earthquake - what does this symbolize?  This means there was a great uproar - rejoicing - in Heaven.  Lightning symbolizes the splashing of colorful rays of light throughout the spiritual realm.  Noises and thunder symbolize the tumultuous sounds exhibited by the exuberant rejoicing from the angels, and the redeemed human beings, causing a massive quaking and shaking.  Earthquake symbolizes societal upheaval on the earth. Why was all of this exuberant rejoicing taking place?

The firstfruits of salvation who had finally arrived in Heaven, along with the angelic army of God who had participated in this event, are ecstatic that judgment was finally coming to the immoral idolaters of the earth - Egypt & Sodom - revealing that the time of the end of the ages was in sight.  The angels had waited so long to see Jesus accomplish His work on the earth - the redemption of mankind - and the end of evil when Satan is thrown in the Lake of Fire.

The seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound...verse 6.  What happens next?  Stay tuned...

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~



Trumpet Warnings Series #3 - Part 113 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

In the last blog I defined the many uses for a trumpet in the Jewish culture - earthly realm - during the time John received his visions.  I left you with the question, "What scripture reveals a very important blast - a coronation - from a trumpet blown my an angel in the spiritual realm?

 

Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in Heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of Heaven with power and great glory...and He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of Heaven to the other...Matt. 24:30-31.

 

This text reveals how a great sound of a trumpet will be blasted by God's angels, heard at the return of the Lord Jesus Christ, when they will gather together His saints (elect) to take them off the earth, before it burns. The word great in the Greek language is megas.  The English word mega is derived from it - meaning:  megaphone - amplified a million times.  This definition insinuates this trumpet blast will be heard by everyone, everywhere, because of its great sound.

 

In the parable of the Wheat and the Tares this event is described as the harvest of the earth by His reapers.  First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn...Matt. 13:30.  The tares symbolize followers of Satan, and wheat symbolizes followers of Jesus Christ. 

 

This trumpet blast musters God's invisible spiritual troops - Endtime Reapers - to gather together His saints from the whole earth - from the four winds - for their coronation.  This is the return of Jesus Christ and the end of the world, as the Apostle Peter prophesied.  Where is Peter's prophecy?

 

We find Peter's prophecy regarding the coming of the Lord in II Peter 3:10-12.  But the day of the Lord will come as thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up...therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?

 

The great noise in Peter's prophecy of the end of the world is the trumpet blast from God's end-time reapers, whom He sends to the earth to gather His saints to take them to Heaven - their promised destination.  Then...both the earth and the works that in it will be burned up.

 

The first six trumpets impart dire warnings to the nations of the earth that judgment is coming upon them for their paganism - spiritual degeneration and depravity - resulting, in part, in natural catastrophes, calamities, and cataclysmic events with severe carnage, throughout the Christian era. Even nature is groaning because of the corruption of mankind...Rom. 8:21.  The trumpets proclaim God's judgment upon sin - paganism & immorality. But God desires that mankind would repent of their self-indulgence, corruption and depravity, and seek His forgiveness and protection from His judgment.

 

Before we can define the symbolism of the first six trumpets, we must understand the symbolism of the golden altar before the throne of God.  Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar.  He was given incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne...and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel's hand...Rev. 8:3-4.

There is a lot of symbolism in these two verses.  When we define the symbolism the message will be revealed.  Stay tuned...

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~

 

 



Trumpet Warnings Series #2 - Part 112 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

In the first blog of this new series I described 'prophecy of scripture' as a thumbnail sketch of events, meant for one reason only - what is that reason?  Jesus explains the reason very clearly.

Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He...John 13:19.  When Jesus explained to His apostles the gory details of His future crucifixion and being raised from the dead in order to fulfill prophecy of scripture, they didn't comprehend - believe.  But after prophecy of scripture was fulfilled - they did believe.

And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe...John 14:29.  Jesus was comforting His apostles just before His death...let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid...v. 27.  Jesus was assuring them that He was only telling them in advance so that when prophecy of scripture is fulfilled they will believe.  He knew they didn't understand His prophecy - He simply wanted them to believe after the prophecy is fulfilled.

But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them...and these things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you...John 16:4.  Jesus had been sharing with His apostles the persecution that will come upon them after He is risen from the grave - they must bear witness that He is the Messiah because they were with Him from the beginning of His earthly ministry.  They will only understand His prophecy regarding their persecution when it is fulfilled - then they will remember what He prophesied.

After John was shown how six of the seals revealed the wrath of the lamb (Rev. 6:16-17) upon Israel for rejecting Jesus as their Messiah, the 7th seal revealed something different.  When He opens the seventh seal, there was silence in Heaven for about half and hour...Rev. 8:1.  What does this symbolism mean?

The number 7 means complete - perfection.  Vengeance upon Israel is complete.  Israel is longer a nation, the people are scattered into many nations - they are no longer a blip on the radar. God is not rejoicing over this judgment of His chosen people - there is deep sorrowful contemplation - expressed by silence in Heaven.

Under the 7th seal John saw seven angels with seven trumpets.  They are announcing the judgment that is coming upon the whole world.  As we study the symbolism of the judgments of the seven trumpet warnings, we will find God's judgment upon the sins of immorality and paganism practiced by His Church throughout the Christian era.

Any Jewish believer, like John, living at the time these visions were imparted, would easily understand the significance of trumpets in their culture.  The Feast of the Trumpets was celebrated at the beginning of a New Year - Rosh Hashana...Lev. 23:23-25.  From morning to evening trumpets were blown.  This was immediately followed by the Day of Atonement, where godly sorrow for sins was expressed, seeking God's mercy.  They wanted to stay spiritually prepared for any judgment that may come, so this was a time to make their hearts right with God.

The blast of the shofar - ram's horn - was used for many different reasons. It may be used to blast the following pronouncements:

1.    to announce the beginning of the festivals
2.    to muster the troops
3.    to warn of danger in the city
4.    to assemble the people in the midst of battle
5.    for a coronation - crowning of a leader
6.    to celebrate joy in the Lord
7.    to announce victory over their enemy   

We can see that in the Jewish culture, the use of a trumpet or shofar was a very important exercise in the earthly realm.  But the trumpet is also a very important exercise in the spiritual realm.  What scripture reveals a very important victory blast - a coronation - from a trumpet blown by an angel in the spiritual realm?  Stay tuned...

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~



Trumpet Warnings Series #1 - Part 111 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

In this new series about the Trumpet Warnings - Revelation chapter 8 - we will find this chapter rife with symbolism and riddles.  In order to understand the message we must define the symbolism.  After Jesus opened the seven seals revealing His judgment upon Israel - Four Horsemen - for rejecting Him as their Messiah, John was shown...seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound...Rev. 8:6.

What is the timeline for the judgments within the trumpet warnings to transpire, and who will experience these judgments?  After the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. the people of Israel were scattered across the planet, initiating the Times of the Gentiles era. Now Jesus turned His judgment upon the sins of all the inhabitants of the earth, until the times of the gentiles era has been completed.

When Jesus Christ rose from the grave, He conquered sin and destroyed the works of the devil. What works of the devil?  Satan brought death to human beings when they sinned against God, so they feared death more than anything else. Jesus destroyed men's fear of death - conquered the law of sin & death...Rom. 7:6. It is at this time that Satan was thrown out of Heaven, where he had been allowed to come and go freely, even after he had sinned against God...Job 1:6. 

Because Satan is still God of this world, but now confined to the earth and the atmosphere around the earth, he will terrorize God's kids with greater vengeance, because he knows his time to prevail upon the earth is short....therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time...Rev. 12:12.

What Satan doesn't know - God is actually using him to judge the idolatry and immorality of every human being, through trials and tribulations, which will be revealed in the trumpet judgments. Satan can only do what God allows him to do.  We will find that the trumpet warnings reveal some pretty horrific judgments - devastation & death - that will come upon the earth, beginning right after Israel lost its nation status in the war of 70 A.D. 

The woes - grief - perpetrated by Satan and his demonic hordes, will be accomplished by stealth in the guise of prophets of God, who are actually false, propagating doctrines of demons...for such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ...and no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light...therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works...II Cor. 11:13-15.

What is the viewpoint of present-day scholars of the modern end-time doctrine on Revelation chapter 8?  Since these scholars don't believe that anything in Revelation has been fulfilled beyond chapter 4, the trumpet blast revelations are still in the future to them.  They must attempt to interpret prophecy of scripture - future to them - ignoring the admonition of the Apostle Peter...no prophecy of scripture is of any private interpretation...for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit...II Peter 1:20-21.

What did James, the brother of Jesus, say about the future?  Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit;"...whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow...for what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes...James 4:13-14. 

While this reference is not about prophecy of scripture, it does reveal that we really know nothing about the future.  We are dependent upon God to show us each day how He wants us to proceed, trusting that He knows the way to fulfill His plans and purposes for each of us.

Prophecy of scripture is a thumbnail sketch of future events meant for one reason only - what is that reason?  Stay tuned...

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~



Throne Room of Heaven Series #8 - Part 110 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

As we proceed on our tour of the Throne Room of Heaven, we must keep in mind the timeline.  Jesus Christ has just risen from the grave and there is much rejoicing in Heaven.  Revelation chapter 5 reveals...what must take place after this. 

John explained the next thing that he saw...I saw in the right hand of Him who sits on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back sealed with seven seals...Rev. 5:1. What does this symbolism mean?

The right hand of God symbolizes power and authority.  What is written on the scroll has been authorized by Him. #7 symbolizes - perfect and complete. Writing on both sides of this scroll symbolizes that the message is a double-edged sword of judgment against His religious leaders, whom He left in charge of the spiritual development of His people - they failed miserably. 

Written on this scroll we will find God's prophecy regarding the vengeance that will be exacted against Israel for rejecting Jesus Christ as their Messiah.  Have scrolls been used in visions in the past to convey a message to His people through His prophets?  Yes.

The Prophet Ezekiel received a vision of a scroll with writing on the inside and the outside.  Now when I looked, there was a hand stretched out to me; and behold, a scroll of a book was in it...then He spread it before me; and there was writing on the inside and on the outside, and written on it were lamentations and mourning and woe...Ez. 2:9-10.

The Prophet Zechariah saw a flying scroll with a message on two sides...this is the curse that goes out over the face of the whole earth...every thief shall be expelled, according to this side of the scroll; and every perjurer shall be expelled, according to that side of it...Zec. 5:2-3.

What was the message these prophets conveyed to the religious leaders of their day?  There will be lamentations, mourning, and woe because they are charged as perjurers and thieves.  Instead of tending to the spiritual development of God's people, these religious leaders robbed them from the truth about God's love and forgiveness, and by doing so they perjured themselves. They had made a covenant with God to lead His people faithfully - instead they willfully lied under oath, and lead His people into paganism and immorality - requiring His judgment. 

The scroll that John saw has the same message that previous scrolls revealed - but this scroll includes one additional charge - indictment - against the religious leaders of Israel.  What is the additional indictment?

The religious scholars of Jesus' day rejected Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah.  While Jesus walked the earth, He warned them that they would experience vengeance - retribution - for denying that He was their Messiah. 

This prophecy of Jesus - vengeance - could not be fulfilled until He rose from the grave and returned to Heaven.  John became privy to the next assignment that was given to Jesus Christ, after His victory over sin. Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?...Rev. 5:2.

John took a quick surveillance of his surroundings, as if he could spot the one for whom they were looking, who could open the seals.  And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it...so I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it...Rev. 5:3-4.

Then John saw the glorified Christ take the scroll from God's hand...You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood.  Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation...and have made us kings and priests to our God...and we shall reign on the earth...Rev. 5:9-10. Mission accomplished! This was the beginning of men reigning with God on the earth.

This timeline reveals Jesus returning to Heaven - the seals on the scroll reveal His next assignment.  The seals reveal the judgment - vengeance - that comes upon Israel for rejecting Jesus as their Messiah.  I described this in depth in Part 69-76 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery - of Revelation - Four Horsemen Symbolism Series.

Our tour of the Throne Room of Heaven has come to an end. What's next?  Stay tuned...

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~