Which events must occur before the angel sounds the First Trumpet? We will now study the visions which depict those events which have been occurring during the decades of the Eighties, which must be fulfilled prior to the First Trumpet. Those events depicted in Chapters 7 and 10.

THE MARK OF GOD
7:1. "After these things I saw..." It is clear, from the last verse of John's Sixth Chapter (which describes the end of this earth's existence) that John is not saying the events which he now sees occur after the events which he saw in that vision. What are the key words in this vision that identify its place in the sequence of events described by all the visions?

IDENTIFY THE SEQUENCE
Verse 3: "Hurt not the earth till..." John tells us the Lord's Servants will be marked before the four winds harm the earth. The Fourth Seal and the first four Trumpets are descriptions of the harm caused to earth by the four spirits. Thus, the Servants of God are marked after the Third Seal, but before the Fourth Seal and First Trumpet. 6:7-8, 8:7-12.

The four Angels who held back the four winds are the Spirits of God. The four winds who will harm the Earth are the spirits who rode the four horses. The waters are peoples. 2 Thes. 2:7, Rev. 4:5, 6:1-8. Rev. 13:1, 17:15. Dan. 7:1.

WHAT IS THE MARK?
"We have marked the servants of God in their foreheads." Where can we find recognizable clues by which we can identify this event? See pp. 178, 181.

"Go through the city... set a mark upon the foreheads of the men..." Eze. 9:1-5. The man in linen is the Messiah. He came in the days of the Temple of Herod. He marked those who had been called out of the world to be His people. He marked those who believed in Him and cried because of the abominations being done in the name of religion. He gave them the understanding of the prophecies of His coming and poured out the Holy Spirit upon them. He gave them power. Joel 2:28, Acts 2:1-47, Luke 24:45.

WE, LIKE OUR BROTHERS
As Ezekiel said the Lord would mark His people when He came, John tells us the Lord's people who live in the last days will be marked. Within the lifetime of those who the Lord marked, Jerusalem was destroyed. Within the lifetime of those who are being marked now this world will be destroyed, and the New Jerusalem will be given to the People. Ezekiel Chapters 40 to 48, Revelation Chapters 20 and 21.

WHO, HOW MANY?
Verse 4: "And I heard the number of them who were sealed... 144,000 of all the tribes of the children of Israel (Jacob)." Is this a literal number? Who are the children of Jacob? John names the Twelve tribes in the following verses. Dan, being lost, is omitted. It is very significant that Manasses and Ephraim are adopted sons. Gen. 48:5-6, Rom. 11:17.

ADOPTED SONS
Ten of the original Twelve Tribes were lost to the Assyrians. Levi was destroyed by the Romans. Of the original Twelve Tribes only Judah survives. However, not one son of Judah can prove by the law of Moses that he is, in fact, a son of Jacob. Ezra 2:62, Num. 1:18. How is any man to be reckoned a son of Jacob? By Faith, and by adoption. The Twelve Tribes named in these verses, who are even now being marked, are the descendants of Judah and Gentile believers who want to be sons and claim their heritage -- as Jacob and the sons of Joseph did. Gen. 25:29-31, 27:18-29. Hosea 1:11, Rom. 11. James 1:1.

CHILDREN AS THE STARS
Concerning the number 144,000: we need to look for key words and recognizable clues. The marking of His Servants as described by Ezekiel preceded the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, and the affliction by the Beast of Rome. We can see these Saints in Chapters 6:11, 11:1, 14:1-5 and 20:4-6.

The marking of the Saints in 7:3-8 will precede the opening of the Fourth and Fifth Seals. The Fifth Seal is prophecy showing the affliction of the Late Saints just before our Lord's return. Mat. 24:8-13, Luke 21:10-11, 25-26. So it can be seen there are 144,000 Servants sealed in the first Century (14:1-5) and 144,000 sealed in the last days. (7:3-8.)

Is this a literal number? Will there only be 288,000 saved from Earth to sing before His throne? The second part of this vision (Rev. 7:9) is a view of Heaven and that throng of the saved who surround His throne just after The End. "A great multitude, which no man can number, of all... nations." This mass of saved humanity can be seen in another pictograph in Rev. 19:1-9. Both of these descriptions of the redeemed from earth describe the saved as "uncountable." Thus, the number 144,000 is a metaphor used to indicate an infinite multitude; a throng beyond a man's ability to count. See pp. 178, 183.

The Servants of God will be marked before the Beast marks the balance of mankind. However, these two events could occur during the same general time period. That is, even while Satan marks those who refuse the sacrifice offered by God, we may still be able to pull some from the fire. Jude 1:23, Rev. 13:16-18.

As noted, the marking of the Early Saints occurred before their testimony and subsequent affliction. They are our example. Their receiving the mark resulted in the gift of the Holy Spirit and gift of the understanding of prophecy. Luke 24:45. Will the same events accompany the marking of the Last Century Saints?

TO EACH AS HE IS ABLE
The vision in Chapter 10 is another which must take place before the Lord allows the four spirits to harm Earth. However, we can not assume the Holy Spirit will give every believer this gift whether they want it or not, or that all will receive the same gift. 1 Cor. 12:4-8.

THE HOLY SPIRIT
10:1. The "mighty angel..." is the Spirit of the Lord. The Little Book contains all of the visions depicting End Time Events which God gave to His Son. This is the Little Book which John saw opened. Rev. 5:7-6:1. The Lord then showed John (and Daniel) these visions to record for us. (1:1.) The Early Saints understood the parts of this Revelation which applied to them, otherwise The Little Book was kept closed "until the time of the end." Dan. 12:9-10. See pp. 178, 181.

WE ALL USE METAPHORS
In this vision the Lord gives the Little Book to John to "eat." There is no one, surely, who would say John, or we, are to actually eat the book. So this is a metaphor, an allegory. It is a visual message.

The terms "eat" and "consume" can both be used in a figurative manor. We have heard these words used as metaphors, and may have used them ourself. "Did she like the book?" "Yes. She ate it up." "Is he already finished with that three book set?" "Yes, he consumes that science fiction junk."

"Eat the Little Book." We know what it means. In this vision John is a proxy, a stand in for you. He will not be sent back to earth to witness in these last days. His tour of duty is done. He is our example, as are the Early Saints who received understanding during the term of their duty. Luke 24:45.

This vision of the Lord giving the Little Book is an icon: a pictographic message informing the Late Saints that we will be given the understanding of all End Time prophecy. See the Little Book? IT IS OPEN. Compare the visual message of Isaiah 29:9-12 and Ezekiel 2:9 to 3:3 with Rev. 10:8. See pp. 178, 181.

GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
So as the Lord gave understanding to the Early Saints, He will give understanding to the Late Saints. And, as He gave the gift of the Holy Spirit to the Early Saints, He will give the gift of the Holy Spirit to the Late Saints.

THE VAIL
We can, after we begin to recognize events which are being fulfilled as depicted in a vision, determine a Seal has been opened. However, there is a day-to-day vail through which we cannot see. Therefore, while it is clear the marking of His Servants has begun, and they are beginning to receive understanding of the End Time prophecies, it is not yet clear when events depicted in Chapter 11 will begin to be fulfilled. But it is certain the witnesses will not begin to witness until after they receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, and this event occurs when the "confirm the covenant" time period begins. The witnessing of the Saints and Daniel's Seventieth Week begin when the first Trumpet is sounded.

THE LAST SEVEN YEARS
11:1. "...And them that worship within..." This is heaven, and the first century Saints who "loved not their lives unto the death." 6:9-11, 12:11, 20:4-6. See pp. 178, 181.

HIS SERVANTS ON EARTH
Verse 2: "But the court which is without..." This is earth and the Saints who are His Temple ("outer Sanctuary") here. Dan. 8:13-14. The Lord's Sanctuary on earth is His people, whom Satan will defile for 2300 days, and kill for 42 months. Dan. 7:21, Rev. 13:5-7.

THE GIFT OF POWER
"I will give power to my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy..." What is meant by "power" and who are the "two witnesses?" The notches and clues which will help us understand these metaphors are in verse 4 and the writings of Zechariah, Joel, Luke and Paul. "Power" is what the Lord promised to the Early Saints. What they received was the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:8, 2:1-3, Joel 2:28-32, Luke 24:45, 49. See pp. 178, 181.

IDENTIFY THE CLUES
Compare Zechariah 4:12-14 and Romans 11:1-26 with care. The Wild Olive Tree was grafted into the Domestic Olive Tree. The Witnesses are Olive Trees. The first Witness is the descendants of Judah who believe Y'Shua is the Messiah. The second Witness is the Gentiles adopted as sons of Jacob. Thus, the Witnesses are groups, not individuals. Isa. 61:3.

"A thousand two hundred three score days" is a few days short of three and a half years. This gift of power will begin the Seven Year Confirm the Covenant Time Period of Daniel. The First Trumpet and this Gift Of Power will occur within the same time period.

SORROW AND POVERTY
"Clothed in sackcloth" means sadness and poverty. Those who witness will not be allowed to buy or sell, and they must watch those who reject the Truth go to their bottomless graves. "And I, Daniel, was sick certain days." "My belly was bitter." Dan. 8:27, Rev. 10:10.

DEFENDED BY GOD
"And if any man will hurt them, fire..." The Holy Spirit will come out of their mouth. The "fire" is the Holy Spirit. Acts 5:1-6. Verse 6: "These have power..." The Servants of God in the last days will have power the earthly mind can not comprehend.

OUR TIME TO DIE
Verse 7: "When they... finished their testimony..." Dan. 7:7, 21, 11:32-35. Rev. 13:1-4. This verse reveals the first half of the seven years has ended. See pp. 179, 182.

Verse 8: "And their bodies will lie in the street of..." The names "Sodom" (Rome-reborn) and "Egypt" (the rest of earth) are metaphors. For three and a half years Jewish and Gentile believers will be publicly executed. Rev. 13:7-10, 17:6. Dan. 7:7-21. Rev. 13:7-10. See pp. 179, 182.

THEY CELEBRATE OUR DEATH
Verse 9: "And they of the people..." "This is all of the peoples of the world who do not believe in the God of Abraham and will not believe this world is coming to its end. "They" believe in the god of this world and accept his mark. "Three days and a half" at a day for a year is three and a half years. This is the last half of Daniel's week. Dan. 9:27. See p. 185.

Verse 10: "And they... will rejoice over them..." Because they have been able to kill the witnesses of God who told them the Truth of the coming End, they will think they can and have changed the "times and laws." Dan. 7:25.

THE REMNANT
The Lord once asked if there would be faith on earth when the Son of Man returned. Luke 18:8. Later, as recorded by Matthew, He answered His own question. Mat. 24:22. The Faithful are the Two Witnesses, the Elect. A few of His Servants will survive, and gather in Israel. Here, in 11:13, we see the last of these faithful, the remnant. Isa. 2:10-22, 10:20-27.

RESURRECTION
Verse 11: "...And after three and a half days..." At the time appointed by God, the Lord will return and gather His Elect. Our enemies will watch us rise up to meet Him. This is the Grand Finale: the ascension at The End. This is the birth which Y'Shua mentioned. Mat. 24:8, 27-28, 30, 31. 1 Cor. 15:51-52, 1 Thes. 4:14-17. 1 Peter 3:7, 10-12. See p. 179.

END TIME EVENTS
In verses 11 through 13 we have come again to the coming of the Lord, Judgment, and The End of the world. "And the remnant were afrighted, and gave glory to God." This explains who the "remnant" is: The last of His Servants alive and remaining to The End to serve Him on this earth, and witness His coming. This is the "camp of the Saints" in the Beloved City. 20:9.

"And the same hour..." The time just depicted: thus, the same time the Saints ascend to meet the Lord. All the events depicted in verses 13 to 19 will occur in the same time period, be it forty heart beats or forty-nine days.

The Seventh Trumpet. The last Trumpet. The Great Trumpet. Isa. 27:13. Mat. 24:31, 1 Cor. 15:51-52, 1 Thes. 4:14-17. Rev. 6:12-17, 16:18-21, 20:9-15. Psalms 102:25-26. Isa 34:4, 1 Peter 3:7, 10-12.

HEAVEN, AND THE LAST BATTLE
Revelation 19 contains two visions. The first is of heaven just after the destruction of Babylon and The coming of the Lord. This first vision must occur after the second. The second is The Word of God in battle, which depicts the battle of Armageddon and the destruction of the Beast. The vision in the first ten verses depict Heaven after that battle and The End of this world. The Spirit gives understanding to those who ask. See pp. 179, 183.

PROPHECY
Chapter 14, like 19, may seem out of sequence to the western mind. This chapter is divided into three parts. The first section is a vision of the Lamb of God and those who come with Him on That Day. Verses 6 to 12 contain repeats of earlier prophecies. Verses 13 to 20 contain visual descriptions of the "harvest" of earth.

Verse 1: "And I looked, and Lo, a Lamb stood on Mt. Zion, and with Him an hundred and forty and four thousand, having His Father's name..." The Lamb of God is the man Y'Shua, our Messiah. This is a pictograph of His descending out of Heaven and stepping onto the Mount of Olives at the last instant of this earth's existence. Isa. 34:1-4, 2 Peter 3:7.10-12 and others.

The 144,000 are depicted as "being with Him," and as "being the firstfruits unto God..." James 1:18. James had addressed his letter to "the twelve tribes," among which there were many faithful descendants of Jacob. Rom. 11:1. These "firstfruits" were resurrected in the "first resurrection," have now ruled with Him for 1,086 years. 20:4-6. They will come with Him when He comes. 1 Thes. 4:14-17.

Verse 6: "Having the everlasting Gospel..." We should be careful not to loose sight of this fact: the "gospel" means "good news" of the Kingdom of God. We are not preaching the bad news of the end of this world -- we are preaching the Good News of the coming of the New Heaven and Earth. This is a repeat of Mat. 24:14. The time is now short. It is time for those who are marked, chosen to be witnesses, to stand up and testify. "The fields are white unto harvest."

Verse 8: "Babylon is fallen..." This is a repeat of Isaiah 21:9. This event will occur in the time period designated by Rev. 16:19 and 18:1-8.

Verses 9 through 11: The consequences of accepting the mark of the beast.

Verse 12: Refer to 13:10.

Verses 14-16 tell of the harvest of the sweet and ripe grapes of earth: the Saints. The harvest of His Faithful Ser- vants. Mat. 24:27-32, 40-41. Luke 21:34-36, 1 Thes. 4:14-17, 1 Cor. 15:51-52, Rev. 11:11-13.

Verses 17 to 20 depict the harvest of the bitter grapes of wrath -- those who reject the sacrifice offered by God. This harvest is pressed in the winepress of God's wrath. The grapes of wrath will be stomped outside the City. Thus, not in Heaven. The blood of those who rejected the Lamb of God will run deep. Zec. 14:1-3. See pp. 179, 183.

The Fourteenth Chapter is an example of the fact that The Revelation of Jesus Christ is not a strict sequential list of events. Consider the Sixth verse: The angel tells of the preaching of the Gospel, yet those who are to preach are the witnesses in Chapter 11. These witnesses are pictured as being murdered in 11:7 by the beast which is depicted in Chapter 13.

Why did John record the visions in this sequence? There will surely be a long line of Saints waiting to ask him that question: and he waits, smiling.

SET THE STAGE
Chapter 15 is another which is not in what the western mind would consider "the logical order." This Chapter is a vision of Heaven just before the Seven Vials are poured out. This is a setting of the stage, a preparation of our mind by describing the background for the final act.

Verse 1: John sees seven angels with seven vials.

Verses 2-4: He sees the throng around the throne, standing on the sea of glass singing the Song of Moses.

Verse 5: "...The Temple of God opened..." This is the same moment depicted by 11:19 and 19:11.

Verses 6 through 8: Here is evidence John is painting a word picture to prepare our mind, not giving a legalistic list. "Gave unto the seven angels seven vials..." How can these angels both have (as in v. 1) and be given the vials at the same time? This is a verbal description of a pictograph.

The key words that reveal the sequence in which the depicted events occur are contained within the visions -- not within the words used to describe them.

The First Vial will be poured out upon the Beast's kingdom, and those who have accepted his mark. Thus the Beast's kingdom is established prior to the pouring out of the seven Vials depicted in the Sixteenth Chapter.