Revelation: The Terrible and the Good - Pt 4
Revelation: The Terrible and the Good - Pt 4
By Stephen Bennett
(Chapters 10-11) Dec 10 / 2021
John thought the massive imposing angel (yes all angels are huge), with the searing hot face of blinding light, a multi-coloured rainbow hat, all couched in a woolly white cloud shaped as a full garment and long cloak, was the strangest thing he had seen. ‘And I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire, and he had a little book open in his hand…’ (Rev 10:1-2).
The angel exuded the presence of God, a faithful messenger of God’s promises, carrying God’s glory and the final judgements of heaven. John did momentarily wonder if the pillars of fire at its feet, helped boost the angel through space on urgent missions, and… yes, what was in that little book…?
Suddenly the mighty angel moved, ‘and he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. And when he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices.’ (Rev 10:2-3). John liked loud but this was ridiculous, he tried to cover his ears but it made no difference. The Thunders having their own personality and shouting, was intense, and he was then ‘about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me. “Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them.” (Rev 10:4). ‘What?’ he thought.
John was thrown, as he was told to ‘write what he saw,’ but he knew the Lord had spoken and stopped writing; the words were dutifully sealed. It was clear to him the angel’s lion king roar, meant serious business when he set his feet on land and sea. He declared the final possession of planet earth, the sea, and the end-time total victory of all things, on behalf of Jesus Christ the Lamb of God, Creator King of the world. John knew, ‘the God of glory thunders,’ (Psalm 29:3). He heard the Lord’s electric voice of judgement and the revelation in the seven thunderings, but men would not cope with it at the moment; he now had an idea what was in the little book.
Mr Mighty Angel then began to worship, lifting ‘his hand to heaven,’ and he swore by the Lord Creator making an oath, affirming the Lord’s plan to take full possession of the earth, and ‘there should be delay no longer.’ And that when the seventh angel would sound, ‘the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets’ (Rev 10:6-7). John was excited. He was witnessing a very auspicious occasion; the end of time was near. The hidden mysteries of God (why He let mankind and satan, the god of this world and the prince of the power of the air, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Ephesians 2:2, have their own way on earth for 6000 years, deciding and acting out what was good and evil), would all reach their end with God’s final judgement. The reasons would become obvious to all, as the prophets words spoken throughout history are completed.
John was kinda lost in the moment and snapped out of it when the thunderous voice from heaven spoke to him again and said, “Go take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel…” In a flash John’s assignment changed; he now had to be the actor in the narrative. He said to the great cloudy light being, “Give me the little book.” The angel spoke in a deep Aslan like voice, “Take it and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth.” John proceeded with the book snack, and promptly got a stomach ache. Then colourful rainbow hat angel with the lion purring voice said, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations tongues and kings.” (Rev 10:8-11).
Now just when John thought it may be ending, he realised there was much more to write about the future. The ancient prophecies written in the tiny book were now inside of him, words that would become Bible words, to teach and prepare his purposes; resonating with what he saw, to help him write effectively. The days coming, were dark, evil, and with great life pressures, before Jesus return.
The outcome for millions on earth will be severe and bitter, but revelatory with sweet fulfilment for believers in Jesus Christ. And as the angel declared, God takes full control of the world, defeating all enemies through the catastrophic end-time events John was to write. Prophetic words that speak to millions in the whole earth, right through future history, to the final satanic, rebellious, beast system at the end of the world. His vast words blessing those who read, hear, and keep it solid within their hearts (Rev 1:3); not matter how sad or bitter it was.
For a brief moment John’s life flashed before him. He understood now; he had been uniquely prepared more than any other man for a time such as this (Esther 4:14), and he must prophesy again. He remembered laying on Jesus chest in the upper room (John 21:20), literally hearing the heart beat of God, and how he had vision flashes then, of what he saw now in the Spirit in heaven. In that last supper evening, he felt something had passed directly into his heart from Jesus; to get him ready for these final days.
(Now click this link, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfzX16FOfDw for the song Revival is Coming Soon by Stephen Bennett, blog author).
The mighty sunlight face angel disappeared with his glowing rainbow hat; the scene faded to black. The Lamb’s many all knowing eyes were smiling at John in the midst of the splattered blood on the throne. The Lord knew John was now ready for the rest of Revelation: the Terrible and the Good.
New lights shone into the blackness, and John was then given another acting part in the narrative, as the angel re-appeared. John was ‘given a reed like a measuring rod.’ It was 10 feet long, like the ones he had used in Israel from around the banks of the Jordan River. Then the angels silky lion voice said, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there.” (Rev 11:1). The measuring of the temple was a reflection of God’s coming judgement, and a statement of what He owned.
The re-built Jerusalem temple in the great tribulation period was taken over by the tyrant antichrist; political and spiritual world dictator. He set up an image of himself; the Beast, a false idol of abomination. Banners were everywhere proclaiming him as God (Rev 13:14, 2 Thessalonians 2:4, Daniel 9:27, 12:11). He brutally persecute’s Israel, deceiving the world with a new digital trading currency; a mark, where you cannot live, buy or sell without it (Rev 13:16-17) (Hmm… ‘health passports?’ think again!). Apostle John’s measuring, stated God’s judgement against the world and the falsity of the temple in the land of the Jewish people.
John was told not to measure the outside of the temple (Rev 11:2), as that was still the Gentiles area and it would be treated badly, being trampled for 3 and a half years until the end of the 7 years of the Beast leader’s dictatorship; where there will be much destruction in Jerusalem, the temple, a war of desolation and a flood. This period is at the end of Daniel’s prophesied 70th week written in Daniel 9:25-27; at the end of Gentile dominion (Luke 21:24), and before the second coming of Jesus who establishes His kingdom (more in a later blog). In this time, God will raise up two powerful witnesses in Jerusalem who will upset the whole world through prophesying in judgement against all that is happening.
The Tough Witnesses
John then saw God’s two special witnesses - the prophets of doom . ‘And I will give power to my two witnesses and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days clothed in sackcloth’ (Rev 11:3). This period is in the latter 3 and a half years of the great tribulation, where the Gentiles are greatly trampling Jerusalem and dictator Beast is hideously deceiving.
John then heard the voice of the Lord speaking. “I will giver power to my witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” In the scene at first, John saw a multitude of God’s people witnessing, and then they morphed into olive trees and lamps (Rev 11:4). God’s great spiritual power and oil swirled around them like a wet whirlwind, as the flames flickered bright; immediately the dust settled and just two men stood. Clothed in potato sacks they repented for the sins of men, testifying God’s brutal truth to a world living extreme lies. They were strong, and John felt it was their last shout out testimony on earth.
For three and a half years they stood in Jerusalem's streets loudly proclaiming judgement, for the world to repent and turn to God. Billions watched by TV, smartphones, laptops, watches, and the meta-verse, being torn and grieved by their words of power. ‘And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours and kills their enemies. These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy, and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with plagues, as often as they desire.” Many tried to harm and shut them up, but were killed by the holy flame throwers.
Millions on twitter and in the new global social-media meta-verse, debated who they were. Some said they were the famous Jews, Moses and Elijah, or Enoch, who had these powers before, and had come again, like they did in ancient history, and when Moses and Elijah visited Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matt 17-2-3). People claimed, these men were resurrected again (because they didn't properly die, as Enoch and Elijah had been caught up to heaven: Genesis 5:24, Hebrews 11:5, 2 Kings 2:11), ready for one final task on earth, and that Moses and Elijah were sent to be remembered, ‘before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord’ Malachi 4:4-5. Millions were confused day in day out, aware of the history of John the Baptist who was also Elijah (Matt 17:10-13), declaring Jesus to the world before the Lord was revealed; the arguments continued.
Other Jerusalem locals posted ‘that these two prophets’ (Rev 11:10), who tormented them, had been dwelling in local caves for a long season of preparation, ‘the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth,’ who now came, ‘not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ (Zechariah 4:6,14). Whoever they were, God chose their faithful lives for the sacred privilege to herald the profound historical ending of days on earth, and the proclamation of the Kingdom of God and His eternal design and reign.
For months and months, the apostate world was enraged with internal nagging convictions; they murmured, complained, causing division with swollen mouths of vindictive hateful words, living in great sensuous sexual lust, defiling their flesh and rejecting authority (Jude). Sending their misguided prayers and petitions to the higher evil power in the social meta-verse system, demanding the witnesses were killed. After the witnesses time was over, the devil ‘beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them and kill them’ (Rev 11:7).
God allowed the fallen devil to rise from his black pit, to finally have his way, bringing death; killing the witnesses who could have been Moses and Elijah. Deuteronomy 34:5, thousands of years previous, in extraordinary circumstances, Moses had been taken by God and apparently died or was put to sleep by the direct word of God; in the wilderness of Moab, before Israel went across the Jordan to the promised land. Then the devil had contended with Archangel Michael for Moses body (Jude 9), but Michael rebuked him; ‘not this time buddy.’ Satan got back at him and now thought he ruled all things on earth. But in his acute blindness he was still wrong…
The dead bodies of the two witnesses lay on the streets of Jerusalem, near where Jesus Christ was crucified. It was their honour. The devil, and all those on the earth gloated in the ugly pride and wickedness of their own present life. Locals took selfies, as the bodies lay there 3 and a half days, surrounded by the MEMG’s - Middle East Military Guards. The world rose up and partied big time; a global orgy of drinking and drugs, celebrating victory and giving gifts to each other, as the convicting torment from the two prophets was now over… so they thought (Rev 11:8-10).
The news feeds of a myriad of cameras from around the world were live streaming the dead bodies 24/7; it was the main global conversation. Then suddenly, ‘after three and a half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them’ (Rev 11:11). The whole world freaked out as the sudden holiday break party stopped, and they all heard the booming voice calling the witnesses, “Come up here.” Deep down, many were convicted, they all knew it was God, but violent blind hatred arose in them anyway. Everyone on earth was glued to their screens, it was like watching an alien movie, as ‘they ascended to heaven in a cloud as their enemies saw them’ (Rev 11:12). It was the final warning of prophesy for those on earth.
To add insult to injury a great earthquake swallowed up all the media trucks that were in Jerusalem, and a tenth of the city fell. 7000 people were killed; blood, gore and body parts lay everywhere. The prophets may have been dead but they could not be silenced, as the truth in their words had been declared; then a miracle occurred. Thousands of hard fearful people began giving glory to the true God; their party was now over, but they were sore afraid. Some committed suicide, but many turned to finally give their lives to God. ‘The second woe is past. Behold the third woe is coming quickly.’ (Rev 11:13-14). John had never written so fast; so many questions and thoughts about the details. He knew it was a great significant moment in history, as he glanced over at the final trumpet angel preparing to sound.
Heaven was stirred mightily and then began to have its own party! Lights were flashing with noises, thunders, and earthquakes reverberating down to earth, as the seventh trumpet boomed. It was delightful, as a multitude of loud voices began to declare a truth reserved just for this moment. “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever.” (Rev 11:15). John could feel the music building to a massive crescendo, as ‘the elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God.’ (Rev 11:16). The end of the age was quickly approaching its finality.
Their song of thanks was rousing, loud and beautiful (Rev 11:17); declaring that God has now fully taken His power to reign (Psalm 2:8). The nations rage, seething and angry; it is time for God’s wrath to judge the vain evil plots of the world. To judge the righteous dead, and destroy the rebels who destroy earth. To reward His servants the prophets with all the saints who believe (Rev 11:18). On His holy throne, the lamb of God laughed loudly with joy (Psalm 2:4). He then threw heaven’s temple wide open. The ark of the eternal covenant of promise was seen in all the universe, glistening brightly with the declaration of fulfilment; in the power of His word, the resurrection, and the shed blood of Jesus for the sins of mankind. Lightning is flashing everywhere, and for a beautiful moment the song echoed for trillions of miles throughout time and space.
John was smiling and overwhelmed. He stood there slowly looking around at the intense joy in heaven as if they were all relieved. The seventh trumpet was done, and all the earthly rule and power of mankind was now fully in God’s hands, but much woe is still yet to come as the Lord’s judgements begin their full force of rapid completion.
Get ready dear reader! God’s judgments will be revealed in the quick execution of the seven bowls of wrath in Rev 16.“Judgements? God doesn’t judge!” I hear. “Oh really?” Hey… other crazy wild things happen and are also revealed in this time, as John’s theatre of writing moves us to the eventual culmination of his story, with all the high drama of the incredible second coming of the Lord King of kings, Jesus Christ World Saviour, arriving with millions of heaven’s armies, all on beautiful white horses (Rev 19); and no… it’s not an alien invasion!
(But apparently it seems there are massive stables in heaven somewhere; manna hay suppliers, saddle makers, blacksmiths making horseshoes, stablehands (what do they do with all the dung?), vast swathes of heavenly fresh pasture, galloping space to keep them fit…maybe on the other side of the crystal sea… and…).
(Now click this link, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5V76Q84SP2Q for the song Take it to the City by Stephen Bennett, blog author).
‘He (Jesus) who testifies to these things says,“Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”’ Rev 22:20.
‘And He (Jesus) said to them, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” Mark 4:9.
By Stephen Bennett 10/12/2021
Author - Prophet Musician - As I have Called You
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/Prophet-Musician
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/The-Divine-Artist
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/The-Poetry-Packages.
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/Prepare-and-Arise
DM, @stephenbennettbooks - instagram.
stephen bennett music tv - youtube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR0fL_f6LRQz4mroRwN8PRQ
NOTE: Now go to Revelation - The Terrible and the Good Pt 5. This series of blogs on the book of Revelation, will continue up to 10 parts, soon to be released Pt 5, containing among other things, The Mark of the Beast 666: endtimewriters.com
PRAYER OF FAITH: The Call to give your life to Jesus Christ.
No matter where you are in your Christian walk, Jesus is with you; in your triumphs and trials, to the end! If you have never known God; know this;
“Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world (ages)” Amen’ Matthew 28:20. ’But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And the gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come’ Matthew 24:13-14.
Pray this prayer from your heart and your spirit will come alive to God, for with him there is hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).
“My Father in heaven, I give you my life, I repent of all my sin, recreate me brand new. I give you my heart. Fill me Lord Jesus Christ with Your Holy Spirit. I believe You died for me on the cross, and by Your shed blood, you washed away my sins once and for all. Raise me from my deadness of my life to live a new life, just like you Jesus, when you were raised from the dead; I believe you did that. Make my spirit reborn, and let me come alive too filled with Your Holy Spirit.”
“I believe I belong to you Lord. Help me to know you well, teach me Your ways, that I become all that I am meant to be. Help me to love and find love. I thank you Lord that you will always be with me.”
If you have genuinely prayed this prayer to Jesus Christ, in your seeking of God, or you’re coming back to Him, DM instagram or FB or email. Talk to other Christians you may know, and find a Church where you can grow.
Best - ETW
(Click-link, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHZiIah2glY for the song 23 by Stephen Bennett, blog author. (From Psalm 23 to minister peace and hope to you).
SUBSCRIBE! For our updates, notifications, and blog series releases. Please leave your email now on the ETW homepage. SUBSCRIBE!
